Magic Johnson on basketball, business, and being the face of HIV | The Limits

On this week's episode of The Limits, Jay speaks with the legendary Earvin "Magic" Johnson. Often called the greatest point guard in NBA history, Magic earned five titles over the course of 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers – and changed the nature of the game, too.

But before he was "Magic," he was just Earvin: a kid from East Lansing, Michigan. As he carved out a name for himself on and off the court, he learned how to navigate his public and private personas. But Magic's private life became very public in 1991. That's when he was diagnosed with HIV. He immediately retired from the game he loved, but he didn't back down; he became an outspoken advocate and entrepreneur.

Magic spoke with Jay about everything from his past rivalry with Larry Bird, how he turned his devastating HIV diagnosis into an opportunity to educate the public, and the importance of his investments in Black and brown communities. Ultimately, behind all his success is a man who loves to spend time with his family.

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VIDEO CHAPTERS
0:00 - Intro
1:49 - Magic Johnson’s start as a businessman
9:14 - The difference between “Magic” and “Earvin”
12:05 - Magic on his HIV diagnosis
17:15 - Becoming and HIV advocate
20:09 - Magic’s childhood
24:32 - The high school years
31:21 - Magic’s legacy