On November 7, 1991, Magic Johnson revealed his HIV status.

Each of us remembers exactly what we were doing on September 11, 2001, November 13, 2015, or more recently, January 26, 2020. And November 7, 1991? Harder…

Except for the late Kobe Bryant. A big Lakers and Magic fan, “Black Mamba” sent K7 to games in Italy, where his dad Joe played. In 1991, the family moved to Mulhouse. Therefore, in France, Kobe Bryant learned about the HIV status of his idol. A few days earlier, the Lakers and Magic Johnson they were also in France to challenge CSP Limoges and Badalona.

This November 7, a few months after the Lakers’ defeat in the NBA Finals against the Bulls (1-4), and therefore a few days after visiting France, Magic Johnson held a press conference where he announced that he was retiring immediately due to illness.

“Kobe was inconsolable”says his sister Shariat. “He burst into tears when he heard the news and missed every meal for a week. It was very, very difficult for him…”

Given the knowledge of his time in search of a cure, Magic Johnson is, in the eyes of the general public, doomed. We give it four or five years at best. On the 23rd of the same month, the charismatic lead singer of Queen, Freddie Mercury, issued a written press release revealing that he himself was suffering from AIDS. The next day, he succumbed to pneumonia, which took away his last strength.

“Due to the virus I contracted, I have to withdraw from the Lakers organization”

On November 7, in the morning hours, a phone call was made to the press bodies. “Press conference at 2 p.m. at the Forum (editor’s note: old Lakers room). Main announcement. As for magic. »

The California leader did not reappear for a week and the match in Utah. We assume that something is wrong, that Magic will not return immediately, but everyone is in the dark… The management announced that Johnson is suffering from a virus, that he feels weak, that he has lost weight. And that he will return to his place as soon as possible.

This November 7, the rumor spread like lightning through the newsrooms. At 32 years old and after 12 years in the NBA (9 finals and 5 titles), Johnson is seriously ill. The Magic called Larry Bird, Ise Thomas, Michael Jordan and Pat Riley to warn them individually. He didn’t want them to find out the truth on the news. Lakers number 32 is HIV positive. He will retire from the courts.

The five-time NBA champion arrives at the Forum around noon. Mike Dunleavy, the coach, gathered all his teammates in the locker room. They are taken into confidence. And take a big club blow to the head. Meanwhile, journalists wait in silence. The magic presented to them is not the magic they know. The bright smile disappeared. Grave and dark, Magic steps up to the microphone: “Due to the virus I contracted, I have to step down from the Lakers organization.”

Stupor in the assembly. The room, full to bursting, is in shock. Amazed. Some have tears in their eyes. Standing alongside David Stern, Jerry West and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson shows poise and determination. He promises to dedicate his life “defeat this deadly virus”. To become a spokesperson for the fight against AIDS. “You have to protect yourself. I’m proof that this can happen to anyone. Even me, Magic Johnson.”

“I will live a long time”

How did he get the disease? How long does he have left to live? Questions are dismissed. He was advised to stop exercising so as not to affect his immune system. His wife, Cookie, was unaffected. Nor the child she is expecting.

“It’s not like my life is ruined. Because she’s not. I’m going to keep living. Nothing’s changed. I just need to get treatment and leave the franchise. It’s a new challenge in my life. I’m going to keep living my little life and I’m going to live for a long time. You’ll see me again. I plan to stay close to the Lakers. Of course I’m going to miss all the battles. I’m going to continue with you. I’m going to beat this disease in my own way and I’m going to keep having fun.”he concluded, unable to contain his emotion.

It was Dr. Michael Melman who first became aware of Magic’s condition. He called Johnson in Salt Lake City and asked him to return to Los Angeles immediately. Johnson could not bear the terrible news, nor admit that he would have to give up basketball. All his life… He was looking for a second test and then a third. Both identical to the first. On November 5, 1991, the Lakers were scheduled to face the Clippers in Game 3 of the regular season. Magic lets reporters know he still has the flu. On the same day, he received the result of the third test…

Magic later admitted that he had several partners throughout his life. In a ranking established by ESPN in 2004, the announcement of his HIV status was ranked as the “7th most memorable event” of the previous 25 years. Johnson was neither gay nor bisexual. He accused Isiah Thomas of spreading rumors to the contrary. From there will come the end of their friendship, fixed by.

The Magic made a triumphant return to Orlando for 1992 All-Star Game (MVP with 25 points, 5 rebounds and 9 points in 29 minutes). The following summer, he participated in the Olympic Games in Barcelona with the “Dream Team”. Since then he has been doing well, even very well. He never got sick, and this summer he celebrated his 66th birthday. But Kobe Bryant was no longer there to wish him…

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How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.