Magic Johnson Revived 2x Champ’s Sinking NBA Career After 3-Year ‘Hiatus’

Even after retiring from the NBA in 1991, Magic Johnson was part of the ‘Dream Team‘ that competed in the Olympics the following year. That is where the Los Angeles Lakers legend understood the true essence of international competition. As he had said goodbye to his time in the NBA, Magic Johnson arranged a team of retired and veteran NBA players along with some street ball legends to compete against the best teams outside of the NBA.

Being dubbed the ‘Magic’s All-Star team‘, they went to numerous countries and experienced real competition against international players. Now, 31 years later, one of his teammates from the All-Star team is expressing his gratitude towards Johnson for allowing him to win his second championship in the NBA.

Earl Cureton expresses his gratitude towards Johnson

Earl Cureton came to the league through the 1981 NBA draft. After his first 9 seasons in the NBA, Cureton lost his spot in the NBA and went to play in Italy. Later, after a small, failed comeback attempt in 1991, Cureton had lost hope of making a return to the NBA. That’s when Magic Johnson took Cureton in on the All-Star team. “I owe Magic a debt of gratitude for bringing me on his traveling all-star team. Without that, I might not have made it back to the pros and experienced one of my greatest rewards,” said Earl Cureton in his book Earl the Twirl: My Life in Basketball. 

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With the team, Cureton got to showcase his talent against other professional teams from around the world. This caught the attention of the Houston Rockets. Right before the 1994 NBA playoffs, the Rockets signed Cureton to their roster and went on to win the championship. After not playing in the NBA for almost 3 years, Cureton returned right as the playoffs were about to begin and played 10 games for the Houston Rockets at the age of 36.

The Rockets kept him the following season as well, but he could not compete after getting a knee injury. But he played in the NBA yet again when he was 39 before retiring from the NBA.

Magic Johnson wanted to return to the NBA but couldn’t

After the 1992 Olympics, Magic Johnson initially expressed his desire to return to the NBA and continue his career with the Los Angeles Lakers. But the players in the NBA were not ready to accept it. Johnson had retired for the first time due to his HIV diagnosis. but he joined in for an exhibition game in 1992.

During the course of the game, Johnson sustained a cut on his forearm. After seeing the reactions of players and fans after getting a cut on his forearm during an exhibition game in 1992, Magic Johnson decided that it was better to stay retired from the NBA.

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What do you think of Magic Johnson’s all-star tour? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!