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Magic Johnson is one of the greatest ever to play the game. He defined the “Showtime” Lakers team of the 1980s. As a point guard, he was world-class despite being 6 feet 9 inches tall. He himself has won five NBA championships and was NBA Finals MVP in 1980, 1982, and 1987. He also became the president of basketball operations for the team. Now, he appears as an analyst for ESPN.

According to him, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors will win the Western Conference. He tweeted about it after the Warriors won their 2nd game against the Denver Nuggets.

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This got him some flak among some quarters who thought he was a “bandwagon” fan of them. To his detractors, he is a “bandwagon” fan of the team. Fans have now come and defended the legend from these criticisms.

Johnson provided his opinion as an analyst and a legend. Phoenix Suns fans got angry and started accusing him of “jumping on the bandwagon”. Fans have now come and defended the player’s integrity. They are asking other fans to show some respect to him as one should to a legend.

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These are some of the tweets:

Magic Johnson and the ” Showtime” Lakers

via Imago

Magic Johnson innovated the “Showtime” style of playing. It involved fast breaks. In a typical sequence, rebounders such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kurt Rambis, and A. C. Green would quickly release an outlet pass to Johnson.

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He would race down the court and distribute the ball to players such as Jamaal Wilkes, James Worthy, Byron Scott, and Michael Cooper for a finishing layup or slam dunk. Often, Johnson himself rebounded the ball and drove it fast. It would lead to great no-look passes for his teammates. If the break was not available, they would settle into their half-court defense and give the ball to Kareem for his signature “skyhook” shot.

This resulted in 5 NBA championships for the team. Johnson himself was Finals MVP three times. He was also a 4-time assists leader during his time at the Lakers. It led to him having the most assists per game at 11.2.

WATCH THIS STORY: Shaquille ONeal vs Magic Johnsons net worth: Is the gentle giant richer than his idol?

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He, now, is an advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and safe sex. His coming out HIV positive helped in dispelling the stereotype, still widely held at the time. Everyone widely commended his bravery in making this announcement.

Should Johnson be slandered like this for his opinion? No one should for a reasonable one.