After winning the championship and the Finals MVP in his rookie year, everybody understood the hype behind Earvin Magic Johnson. During his early years with the franchise, he inspired a lot of young children, not just hoopers. Today, one of them received a Hall of Fame honor just like the Lakers legend. That’s why the 5x Champion is celebrating even though it’s not for on-court activities.

“Who would’ve thought at my basketball camp back in 1981, I would take a picture with the 2024 Curt Gowdy Print Media Award Recipient from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame!” Magic Johnson wrote on his Instagram story for former Los Angeles Times and ESPN columnist J.A. Adande. “I am so proud of you and the man that you’ve become! Congratulations on the Hall of Fame.”

Adande had an illustrious career writing about the players, beginning with the Chicago Bulls dynasty. The Sun-Times hired him as a local beat writer, and then he would cover another dynasty in the Purple and Gold. Later moving to work with ESPN as a senior writer in 2007. The Curt Gowdy Award also symbolizes ” significant contribution to the game of basketball” from media professionals. In one of his previous interviews, he credited Magic Johnson as his inspiration.

Back when it was announced in February, the recent Hall of Famer was waiting for the feeling to sink in. “Maybe it will settle down by (the ceremony). I don’t think it will but there are six months until the enshrinement.” J.A. Adande spoke to The North Shore Record. ” I woke up this morning early and thought I wake up today as a hall of famer. Staring out at the lake and sky, I thought there are so many people who did things that are so well-deserved. OK, did I? I guess so.

After 2017, Adande chose to pursue his career with his alma mater. A decade with ESPN, he moved on to being the director of the sports journalism program at the famed Medill School at Northwestern University. But before moving, he got an opportunity to face a Lakers legend who also considers Magic Johnson an inspiration.

The writer got the biggest task of his life

Not just figuratively, but literally, because J.A. Adande had to guard against Shaquille O’Neal. In his 2011 story, he even described the ordeal as “things that seemed like a good idea at the time.” The 4x NBA Champion did everything that he usually does on the court to his opponents. Might have been less forceful, but the Hall of Famer on the receiving end did not feel that.

“It made me feel sorry for NBA players who had to guard him for 35 minutes a night, but I also got an appreciation for what made O’Neal one of the most unstoppable forces in the history of the NBA.” During one instance Shaq even had Adande hanging on his biceps as it was an unsuccessful attempt to stop the Center from scoring.

Now, both Shaquille O’Neal and J.A. Adande are Hall of Famers. The latter even got the experience of a lifetime playing against Shaq, which he shared with the world. With over two decades of experience, and 10 years covering the Lakers, Magic Johnson’s message was a cherry on top.

“Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.”