Winning 5 NBA Titles and Beating HIV, Magic Johnson Credits Father’s 30 Year Dedication for His Success: “He Won an Award For..”

Magic Johnson displayed a great level of consistency in his all-round game for the Los Angeles Lakers, helping the franchise win five NBA championships in the 1980s. The Lakers legend is the third-highest (138) triple-double scorer in the league, and he gives the credit for his consistency to his father. Magic also faced off against the HIV virus and made a return to the court just because of his dedication. Johnson grew up in Lansing, Michigan with six siblings. It was tough for Magic Johnson’s parents to provide their kids with the luxuries of life. However, Magic Johnson recently revealed that his father’s 30-year dedication showed him the way to success.

Magic Johnson joined co-hosts Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes on Showtime Basketball’s ‘All The Smoke’ podcast recently. During the conversations, the Lakers legend was asked to share his experience of growing up in Lansing while both of his parents worked hard jobs. In response, Johnson talked about a feat that his father achieved and laid out an inspirational path for his children to follow.

Magic Johnson shares father’s important achievement

In his recent appearance on All The Smoke podcast, Magic Johnson shared that his father worked a job at General Motors for 30 years along with a part-time job as a trash-picking serviceman. The Lakers legend also stated that his mother worked in the school cafeteria. Magic pointed out that his parents always emphasized the importance of education along with basketball. He further suggested a trait that he got from his father.

Magic Johnson stated, “My father worked for General Motors for 30 years. He won an award for never missing a day and never being late. So I was, I’m built just like that right, same thing.”

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Magic credited his father for the consistency he found on and off the court. The Lakers legend has shared his father’s wisdom and thanked him for his guidance on numerous occasions. In one such moment, Magic’s father tried to imbibe a self-made nature in his personality

Magic’s father taught him a valuable lesson

Magic Johnson revealed that while he was growing up in Lansing, every kid in the neighborhood had a bike. However, his dad refused to buy him a bike, as his siblings would have asked for one too. So to avoid a tricky situation, Johnson’s father took him to the garage and introduced him to some useful tools.

Magic stated, “He took me out to the garage and said, ‘Let me introduce you to three people you need to meet.’ I said okay cool.”

As per Magic, his father added, “That’s Mr. lawnmower, that’s Mr. Ray, and that’s Mr. Shelby. Now, pick one of them tools up and go make you some money to buy you a bike.”

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Fortunately, Johnson listened to his father’s advice and did exactly the same thing. Moreover, the Lakers legend suggested that his father helped him understand that he needed to work hard for everything he desired in life. Thus, Magic Johnson gave credit for his consistency and hard work to his father.