by Travis Gordon

Created on: May 02, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

The NBA Hall of Fame is full of countless players who have changed the way the game is played while at the same time inspiring young basketball hopefuls. Whether you dream to be a high-flyer like Michael Jordan or wish to shoot the three like Larry Bird, there is someone for everyone to look up to in the Hall of Fame. For me, that someone is Ervin "Magic" Johnson.

I have been a Los Angeles Laker fan for as long as I can remember and although I was not old enough to see (or remember) Magic play, I admired him for what he did for the Laker organization. Magic was the ideal basketball player, he could do it all on the court. At 6'9, Magic was a point guard in the body of a forward, which gave him more options and more weapons when on the court. He could shoot the ball, pass, drive to the hoop, rebound and handle the ball as well as anyone. Johnson could hurt a team in so many ways, which is what I wanted to be able to do as a basketball player. To this day, Magic remains the only player in the NBA to ever play all five positions in a single game.

Magic won more awards over his career than most players could even dream of winning. During his career, Magic won 5 NBA championships, 3 MVPs, 3 Finals MVPs, had 9 All-NBA first team selections and was a 12-time all-star. His desire to win not only put his team over the top in the 1980 NBA Finals, but also kept him and his team going strong for another decade.

Magic not only helped bring back the Laker organization, he helped revitalize the NBA as a whole. The charisma exhibited by Johnson brought the game to a whole new level. The fast-break game was put in the spotlight with Magic and the Showtime Lakers. The excitement that was the Celtics-Lakers rivalry brought the NBA back to the forefront. All of this would not have been possible without the contributions made by Magic Johnson. Magic was not just an amazing player, he was a savior and ambassador for the game of basketball.

Outside the game of basketball, Johnson was an advocate for HIV-awareness after being diagnosed with the disease during his playing days. Like most athletes, Johnson has become and entrepreneur and has dedicated some of his resources to helping the less unfortunate. All of these things not only make Magic Johnson my favourite basketball player in the Hall of Fame, but also one of the most admirable athletes of all time.

Learn more about this author, Travis Gordon.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.