When 15 Seconds Doesn't Matter...

[@jonnyarnett]

Fill in the blank... Magic Johnson is the __ greatest player of all time.

[@osh-420]

4th-5th

[@celtics17banners84]

5th

[@frcedperspective6761]

5th-6th

[@williamcorliss9664]

8-10th

[@justincarreras7753]

Fif

[@bencabrera8957]

Ironic how Karl Malone was worried about getting STDs

[@Dannyphantom22325]

💀💀💀

[@richiejosephmazumder7632]

Nahhh, he got to em before they had a chance to get stds💀

[@Dannyphantom22325]

@@richiejosephmazumder7632 💀💀💀

[@tryhardf844]

Karl's favorite number is 13 anyway.

[@imaginethat3026]

😂😂😂you guys never fail😂😂😂

[@floydparr8006]

Magic has the greatest bookends of a career. Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals and the 1992 All Star Game. He could have been a great scorer when he wanted to, but he enjoyed making a great pass to give a teammate an easy basket even more. His 9 Finals and 5 Championships in 12 seasons are unmatched in the modern era and show Magic was the ultimate winner.

[@undercoverss6106]

Kobe from 2000-10 7 finals won 5

[@floydparr8006]

@@undercoverss6106 It took Kobe 5 years to make a finals. At that point, Magic was playing in his 4th finals with 2 rings and 2 Finals MVPs.

[@Noob_Guy2k]

Amazing video wish him and bird had longer careers we were robbed as fans from their battles w a prime mike

[@Noob_Guy2k]

At least we got magic vs mike once

[@lucasbrownson6670]

Love the videos what is your first memory of watching the nba?

[@Sf75178]

A huge what if. What if they knew then what they know now about hiv and he never retired in 91

[@RyanWithAnE]

Never underestimate the power of a good 15 seconds

[@ruebenllongoria836]

That’s what he said?

[@subymanvince]

​@@RyanWithAnEHe was joking with you

[@Lucy-yc4bc]

@@RyanWithAnE he was also making a joke, clearly you don’t get it

[@alexg5280]

thats how i got 3 kids., 15 seconds combibed. jf youre not first youre last baby!

[@KDRusha]

@@alexg5280stupid 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@gaverano]

I watched it live on TV.. I was 13 years old and there is no shame in admit I was crying and happy, and my heart was fulll. unforgetable moment. one of the greatest moments of sports for me. basketball wise I would say top 3. thank you Magic!! always Magic!!

[@elizahhoward6810]

I was born in 96 and did not have the opportunity to watch him play but I definitely consider him as top pg

[@NewwxNeww]

Karl malone worried about hiv but not the kid he fathered… funny

[@whartonarseino8849]

For a guy who supposedly can't hit 3s that ain't too bad

[@johndavisson344]

His shooting form was terrible on all those shots, but he was both literally and figuratively Magic that night. He could have been blindfolded and shot left handed, those shots were going in for him that game.

[@DreDaDon16]

When Isiah gave Magic that signature kiss that really touched Magic because people didn't even wanna be around him

[@homerthompson416]

God this was scary at the time. Even as a Spurs fan I loved Magic and was terrified he'd be dead in 3-4 years. Especially because he was the nicest NBA player I ever met, taking 15 minutes to talk basketball to me as a little kid when I saw the Lakers in the airport one time. That all-star game felt like saying goodbye to the man, and it was thrilling to see him still looking like the guy who won five titles and was the greatest we have ever seen running an offense when we all feared he'd show up looking like a shell of the man he was healthy. It was a triumph that made you feel great for a minute, but then stabbed you in the heart just knowing in a year or two he'd be at death's door. Earvin is so lucky he didn't contract HIV five years earlier because then he probably would have been dead in 3-4 years, but thankfully the cocktails that have had so much success pausing this virus' progression came out not too long after he tested positive. Though the cocktails still weren't foolproof. At UCLA I took a class on HIV and we got to meet and hear stories from HIV positive people, and most of them were doing great on the cocktails with very minor side effects (one guy said he always had a metallic taste in his mouth from them) but one woman had such horrible side effects from them she told us she decided to stop taking them and would let AIDS kill her instead. It was obvious she wasn't going to make it to speak to the next year's class. It was a real wake-up call that HIV can still kill you and while the cocktails are amazing in the big picture they're no guarantee at the individual level. Anyways, I'm very happy it looks like Earvin will probably die of old age 25-30 years from now instead of from AIDS before age 35 like I feared that day in 1991.

[@Orion26DML]

Making me tear up. Born in 85 and this is a major early sports memory for me. Thanks Jonny

[@1badMucker]

Shout out to Zeke for the warm embrace of Magic. Isiah doesn't get talked about enough but this is one show of sportsmanship that deserves the recognition.

[@Lloyd00]

Because his show of unsportsmanlike actions in the prior years put a stain on him

[@hardwoodgems]

​@@Lloyd00it's true, but he did recognize the significance of the moment. Kudos to him for that.

[@1badMucker]

His reputation is stained and rightfully so but this one act of sportsmanship shouldn't be swept under the rug to be forgotten by time. @@Lloyd00

[@Says_me]

@@Lloyd00not to mention Bis lying ways. No credit from me for his degeneracy

[@accountant3847]

Zeke & Magic were like best friends

[@brendanbuchanan9750]

15 seconds couldve really changed Magic’s whole life

[@ruebenllongoria836]

Or condoms…

[@d3adyoutubeaccount]

AYOO

[@ZhangtheGreat]

I was lucky enough to watch this game live, although I was too young to understand the full impact of it. I was just happy to see Magic play again after his sudden retirement, and to finish the game like _that_ was just perfect.

[@hardwoodgems]

I won't rank it, as it was not his last game. I will say, there was never a more important All-Star Game. The concern for this disease was huge, and it caused much stigma on the afflicted and mental strain in the general public. An uncle of mine had contracted H.I.V. around this time too and although our family was learning about this, seeing a person of the stature of Earving Johnson meet the press and tell us all, that although this was serious, and he was retiring; that he would dedicate himself wholeheartedly to beating this virus, that was gut wrenching and at the same time enlivening and truly uplifting.

[@celtics17banners84]

Hated Magic when he played. Weird how I’ve learned to like him over time

[@MaxScheibenpflug]

It is the SOUND of the ball going through the net on his last three-pointer! (7:56) I don't know why, but this fat, loud "swish" hit me hard when I first saw footage of this game many years ago, and it still gives me goosebumps everytime I see/hear it. It's just so damn emphasizing.

[@滋榎本]

In 1992, Magic Johnson expressed his desire to join the New York Knicks, where his mentor Pat Riley was the head coach, saying, ``If I could return to active duty, I would like to aim for a championship and join the Knicks.'' However, that didn't happen due to his contract with the Lakers and health issues.

[@versatilethearcane]

Magic on Broadway would have been crazy....not to mention butting head with MJ in the east with that young rugged Knicks team would have been interesting

[@jmac6743]

Dr. Buss wouldn't allow that to happen either. He said if you're going to comeback, you're going to do it as a Laker. And I agree with that 100%..

[@KDRusha]

10 minutes and 1 second… get yo mf money Jonny 💪🏾😂

[@jonnyarnett]

😂

[@Irfanhill]

That was one of the most touching moments of the NBA and one of the only time Isiah Thomas was a good man on the right side of something. We will not talk about a certain Utah Jazz player.

[@johndavisson344]

That certain Utah Jazz player also had some issues with Magic being in the '92 Olympics. Even though it meant the Lakers not winning the title in 2004 I'm glad that player never got a ring.

[@celtics17banners84]

Beautiful video. Still remember this game like it was yesterday

[@Kool_Kids69]

Hi

[@jellybeans336]

Karl Malone be like "bruh i caint even elbow elbo dis guy if he got aids id get his blood on my face. thats so unfair, we cant let him play"

[@Editor_Hound]

This is Magic in its purest form. The only player that can turn an awkward situation into a communion of fun, competitiveness and joy. That, if you ask me, it's his greatest strength and what sets him apart from the other greats. As Larry Legend once said, Magic could walk into any room and make people smile.

[@stevanchez1122]

Worthy and Scott missed 1 game and 1 quarter. They got injured at the end of the 3rd quarter, in game 4, with the Lakers down by 16 points. They weren't changing the outcome of that series.

[@Zamppa86]

Magic Johnson is the 2nd greatest player of all time, tied with Larry Bird and only behind Michael Jordan. For me Magic's 'farewell game' in '92 All Star game is the greatest farewell every because of its context. Although in reality it's not his real farewell game because we basketball fanatics know and remember his comeback during '96 and that he also played in Europe even after that.

[@Davivd2]

There is even more to it that made that ending special. Jordan and Isiah Thomas were switching off on him and Magic is finger waving at them and telling them to come at him.

[@asiatic1979]

Another great video! Question… Why was David Robinson wearing an Orlando Magic warm-up suit?

[@jonnyarnett]

Honestly I was wondering the same thing. I mean, the All Star game was being held in Orlando, so my best guess is that the Magic warm up jackets were the only ones available…. Can you imagine that happening today though?! An MVP caliber player wearing ANOTHER team’s warm up jacket? The rumor mill would be going crazy 😂

[@alexgrissom3513]

That’s legitimately heartwarming that the opposing players just stopped play to congratulate him too

[@itaiguberman2704]

Magic was, and still is, my favourite player of all-time. That retirement announcement was, indeed, a tough moment. I will never forget that All-Star game. Just magical.

[@williamcorliss9664]

Just wanna help the video

[@alex4833]

Awesome video! I am too young to remember watching Magic when he was in his prime (though I do remember when he came out of retirement in the mid 90s and vaguely remember when he retired the first time). However, I've enjoyed learning about him since. He is incredible and a legend. I admire him and I love this video. I read about the 92 All Star game before, but this video helped me learn even more. Superb work, Jonny! Hope you are having a wonderful Labor Day weekend!😊

[@felix_remmie6048]

Can’t blame Karl for saying what he said. At the time AIDS was a new unknown virus. Many people were even afraid to drink from a water fountain with someone with AIDS. I wish more NBA players spoke their mind instead of giving cookie cutter responses.

[@CrazyxEnigma]

Sure, his fear isn't entirely irrational. Chuck said it best at the time in his usual manner though.

[@yacinben9444]

Point gard isn't only about passing

[@ruebenllongoria836]

It’s about receiving as well obviously…

[@southwest1988]

Thank you so much for this video the world needs reminders of how great this game was

[@Says_me]

EXCELLENT video!!! Thank you my man. “Professional” sports commentators and broadcast networks need your deep and provocative insights, fact-based analysis, and pure love of the game. There I not enough. Keep on keeping it real!

[@JamesonScalia]

I remember watching it live, incredible. When I found out the news, I wrote him a letter, he wrote back and thanked me.

[@oldludwigdrummer6844]

I was a huge fan of Magic and the 80s Lakers. I watched everything you covered in this video live. I rank his all star fairwell game #1. But that is probably bias on my part. I wasn't a fan of MJ because he beat my Lakers for his first chip. At the same time, I've got Mj as the goat and Magiicand Kobe as my number 2s all time. Another great video Jonny.

[@gotwobag7876]

ONE SIXTY SIX!!!!!!!!!🎉🎉🎉

[@NaptownsClassic]

Watched this game. Everyone understood that last bucket was game point

[@robharrison8139]

I remember watching this. It was an absolutely amazing performance by Magic, one that Hollywood scripts are written about. A really beautiful moment. And yet bizarrely it's been all but forgotten with time. Strange

[@markjackson6431]

PLEASE A VIDEO ON DREAM TEAM 2 (94 FIBA TEAM) PLEASE

[@RVered]

I tell my wife that 15 seconds don't matter, but she strongly disagrees.

[@17thN.O]

I was 11 when he made the annoucement. Magic Johnson was mmy favorite player and made me love basketball (along with my Dad). I cried like a baby when he made that happened. I thought Magic was gonna die. Thankfully Magic is still with us.

[@johndavisson344]

Magic came back to the league for a shot lived and not particularly successful comeback in 95-96 and also played on the 1992 Dream team so this wasn't his farewell from basketball or even technically the NBA although no one knew that at the time. That said, it was a (pardon the pun) a magical performance. You know what a legend you are when even your competitors are cheering for your success. If he doesn't get HIV he probably still plays until the end of at least the '95 or '96 season and puts the assist record so far out that no one ever gets it except maybe John Stockton. For as great a player as Magic was he has made just as big if not a bigger impact off the court with his business dealings and what he did for AIDS/HIV awareness and taking some of the stigma away from the disease.

[@berniec8959]

Another great vid Jonny. I remember this like it was yesterday. Magic was my favorite player as a kid and when the news of him contracting HIV broke I was 13 and I cried like a baby. My Lakers had just lost to the Bulls in the Finals and now our best player was having to retire due to a disease that could possibly kill him within months. I remember being so elated when I heard that he would be allowed to play in the All Star game that season. BTW shout out to Tim Hardaway for stepping aside to allow Magic to start in his place since Hardaway was the next leading vote getter at point guard that year and would've started had Magic not been allowed to play. Next to Kobe's farewell game this has to be the most special performance I've witnessed with my own eyes.

[@richardlitchfield1387]

I grew up a Celtics fan and on a competitive level, I hated Magic, but always respected him. I watched this game live and I understood I was witnessing history and that Larry Bird's greatest nemesis (on the court) absolutely deserved this moment.

[@troliskimosko]

Thank you for bringing this to light Jonny

[@richardw3347]

early 90s the game I grew up watching. good balance of all positions. my favorite era.

[@joelgonzalez2695]

Glad to be this early for the GOAT.

[@TheKyubiisaan]

I understand why Karl was reluctant. They didn’t know what we know now, back then. This is the one time I will be fair to Karl Malone

[@ryanjohnson7317]

Magic was my favorite player growing up in tge 80's i loved wearing his jersey, as my last name is Johnson, it felt like i was channeling him when i played in the NJB and All-Net. Broke my heart when it was announced 😢😢😢

[@pedroaugustocosta2533]

K.Malone talking too much for someone that has his own problems regarding sexual relationships

[@laz0rama]

gread vid! i remember i was working for a small computer company in los angeles, and the iranian owner was a huge lakers and magic fan. he came into my room crying, to tell me magic had just retired due to being hiv positive. we put on the news and both cried our eyes out. what a heavy day. magic has persevered seriously! i realize that he has the money to get all the best treatment options etc, which most people do not have. but i still gotta give it up to the magic man. i lost a couple dozen good friends in the 80s to the plague of aids. what a rough time, particularly for the gay community. harsh.

[@mluna6702]

I remember watching it, can't remember if it was live, then grabbing a ball and heading to the court. It wasn't warm that night but a bunch of other kids had the same idea. Everybody wanted to play after hearing the news.

[@arijordan1392]

This narrative that Magic is the 🐐 PG and not the 🐐 period is really annoying. Before the rise of these debate shows Magic was considered number 2 to Jordan! Yes! Better than Kareem and imho i think Magic>Kareem but because of these talks shows and trying to put Lebron in the convo they started saying Kareem coz hos longevity stats to go with the rings. Honestly i think Kareem wouldve ended up like Wilt if he didnt have Magic. Big stats but not many chips 🤷‍♂️

[@TeezyfolKKz]

The media rushed to push Magic above Kareem because he wasn’t a media darling. Magic knows he doesn’t get 5 w/o Kareem. MJ made sure he didn’t get 6. The NBA ensured LA made those finals, die hard Laker fan. Magic is for sure a top 10 player.

[@arijordan1392]

@TeezyfolKKz i respect that especially from a die hard laker fan but i do think if they were never team-mates then Magic ends up with more chips than Kareem. Magics playstyle and "showtime" could work with any decent Center just look at Divac 🤦‍♂️ whereas Kareem aint winning as much without an alltime PG to get him in best position.

[@richardlloyd2589]

But if you consider the top 10, only Magic & Kareem had another top 10 player for ~10yrs of their career, so that does affect their ranking.

[@TeezyfolKKz]

@@richardlloyd2589 Lebron’s had a top 5 player on 3 of his chips (5 appearances). When he wasn’t flanked by such he had two top-15 teammates - does that affect his ranking?

[@TeezyfolKKz]

@@arijordan1392 negative. Magic wins, multiple chips, maybe, but without Kareem Larry Legend runs off with the 80s.

[@martyc909]

I was 10 years old and I cried all day. I couldn’t stop crying as that was my favorite player ever. It was so hard to digest.

[@reallydoe2052]

Never heard of most of this wow

[@LargeDude2023]

Magic is the second best player I’ve ever seen play. No disrespect to Kareem or Bird.

[@justincarreras7753]

The OG Point God

[@Sam_jacobs]

consistently bringing heat hotter than game 6 klay, superb jonny, you always bring a more reasonable opinion instead of a bias one. I think that kobes farewell game is probably better than this but its debatable. Magic is the 5th greatest player of all time imo.

[@lov2spwage274]

First

[@alxholic]

I remember that game. At the end of the game isaiah, jordan, and bird took turns going one on one with him and schooled each one of them. It was magic

[@vicentecampos2893]

I watched that all star game live when I was 18.Being Magic my favourite player is one of the highlights of sports history for me.

[@thetruthstand]

I remember watching that game and I just cried when I saw that ending. Like everyone else in America. I thought that would be the last time we would see magic Johnson play basketball. And that he was going to die soon. It was still one of the greatest moments of my youth.

[@flibbidyx2]

Back when All-Star games had more meaning and were more entertaining.

[@davidhutson2846]

Its a shame they made him retire.. but you know how the public is.. scared of the boogeyman.. 😢 Easily top 5 if not top 2 ever had he/ they given him a chance😊

[@redd1547]

It’s always something with Karl Malone

[@d3m1g0d4]

Bro! I always replay rewind your intro several times

[@ForeThots]

My girl needs to understand this concept fr

[@yoitsSmitty2004]

Patrick Mahomes: You sure about that buddy?

[@hellraiser420]

4:38 Ironic how Karl Malone was the most vocal about the worries of contracting an std when he r * ped and impregnated a 13 year old. Hes the absolute dead last basketball player that should be speaking on that matter

[@timhall5382]

I was watching live and it was absolutely fantastic. The real GOAT!!!!

[@PetouKan]

You of all youtubers should know, it wasn't his last nba game! He played 32 games during the 95-96 season as a PF. But great vid nonetheless as always

[@jonnyarnett]

I know, and I talked about his 95-96 season in a recent video. I didn't mention it in this video though, because I didn't want it to kill the immersion of the 1992 experience. Back then, people had no idea that Magic was coming back, which is why this moment meant so much at the time.

[@ekhampton6136]

lakers was the favorites in 91 finals

[@Noob_Guy2k]

I wonder how isiah felt after magic kissed him

[@southwest1988]

That all star game he played was the most Magical all star game !!!! The 3 pointer was the dagger to get the MvP

[@johndavisson344]

The last one twisted the dagger, but it was hitting two previous 3-pt shots and assisting on a couple more plays in very Magic-like fashion that put the dagger in. If I remember correctly Jordan had around 20-25 points in that All-Star game and was an afterthought.

[@phillylifer]

Yeah it would be a different concersation if Magic and Larry had second halfs to their careers

[@facelessandnameless]

Agreed.

[@iuribritovazpereira9173]

beautiful video

[@ATroubledGreensLibrary]

🎉❤

[@Noob_Guy2k]

Amazing video

[@RevolutionWillnotBTalevi-sw5vh]

There is a way...where...it is almost self-evident that Magic Johnson is...The Greatest Basketball Player Of All Time

[@captainswagalicious]

Karl Malone has the fucking audacity to speak out about the consequences of somebody’s sexual activity. 13 btw.

[@vernonleewarren280]

You nailed it again my brother 👍

[@CrazyxEnigma]

If you went back in time to 1996 and told everyone Magic Johnson would outlive Kobe Bryant nobody would believe you or assume Kobe died tragically young like Len Bias, Reggie Lewis or Drazen Petrovic.

[@billzglo_1]

Top 3 Farewell performance.. Goosebumps

[@russellst.martin4255]

If it's still considered a farewell game when he ended up playing in 1995-96, then you have to count Jordan's 1997-98 game 6 against Utah the same way.

[@jaysonmahaguay5888]

What if Magic didn't retire after 1996 season, he can play alongside with Shaq and Young Kobe, he can be a good mentor for young Kobe

[@fattony9227]

Magic Johnson is the greatest point guard in NBA history and Michael Jordan is the GOAT should be beyond dispute.

[@joselorenzomuli5412]

IMO, he's 3rd on my all-time NBA players list. I have him behind LeBron James & Michael Jordan.

[@rkcraig348]

Terrific video as usual, but there does seem to be an oversight: Magic played 32 more games in the 95-96 season as well as 4 games in the 1st round of the playoffs of that year. So the all-star game was not his last game. Love your channel. You do phenomenal work.

[@jonnyarnett]

Thanks! Means a lot. Its an intentional "oversight" though. Most people know he came back for 95-96, but that wasn't how we saw it in 1992. I didn't talk about it, because I didn't want to take away from the immersion of the 1992 All-Star experience

[@rkcraig348]

@@jonnyarnett Fair enough Johnny. I do suspect though that there may be a lot of younger viewers who don't know that though. At any rate, I hope you didn't take my comment as me being snarky or anything. I have the utmost respect for your basketball knowledge. I wished to be helpful, nothing more. Best wishes to you Bud and thank you for replying.

[@jonnyarnett]

@@rkcraig348 Nah, I didn't take it as snarky at all! I'm sure I'll cover that Magic comeback at some point down the road. Have good day man!

[@rkcraig348]

@jonnyarnett Cool. All is good, friend. 👍

[@DiscGolfLeagueMVP]

Truly a different time. I'm 100% sure there's a lot more high profile athletes living with HIV, but they can keep it private and receive treatment without a crazy amount of disruption to their lives nowadays

[@lancethompson4674]

Nice

[@przec13r28]

7:57 That shot looks 💯 like this kind of shot that you may let it fly, while playing pick up/for leisure/at work place shooting trash into bin/ ball or something....you let it fly smoothly and swaggy, just to flex you are on block playing ball, without even aiming it... A z it goes in anywas +100 Street credit

[@BiSiV3xIX]

Kareem Jordan Russell Lebron Larry bird Magic johnson Wilt Shaq/Duncan/Hakeem

[@Dangic23]

My favorite player growing up. Definitely shocked when he had his hiv announcement

[@Lloyd00]

I'll never forget how Malone and Chuck acted. They sounded so uneducated. Not a good look

[@CrazyxEnigma]

Chuck is who he is. From what I recall he changed his # to 32 to honor him that season and was one of the bigger advocates for Magic to come back.

[@Lloyd00]

@@CrazyxEnigma after his initial tasteless comments. Once he was educated on the matter he changed his tune. I still love him but that was clearly not his best moment

[@andrewchester3527]

So a man with an alleged sexually transmitted disease stops Karl Malone from playing as hard as he’s capable of playing, but a 13 year old won’t, got it 👍🏼

[@patrickmotleyjr4754]

Karl Malone is such a snake of a human being...bc I believe it was deeper than just his worry of the disease but knew if magic was in LA the jazz had no chance of making the finals