“When YouTube came out when I was like 15, I watched Magic because of his passing… and Jordan because he is Jordan,” Nikola Jokic said in 2016. The growing European dominance in today’s NBA is largely credited to the 1992 Team USA Dream Team. While Jokic wouldn’t be born until three years later, and Luka Doncic, not for another seven, most of the 90s kids grew up watching MJ, Magic, and Bird. Talking about the Dream Team and the reception overseas was mind-blowing as per Magic. It was so iconic that the opponents were fans first of the esteemed 1992 team. “Some players were crying cuz they always wanted to meet us. We were on their wall at home and now they’re actually playing against us.”
On Jun 23, 2024, BBC News interviewed Magic Johnson. In the series Influential with Katty Kay, she spoke with Magic about the influence of the Olympic team at the time. The 5x NBA champion said, “I remember a guy followed me and he just start crying oh ‘I can’t believe Magic I found you’ oh and I didn’t know how to respond.”
Kay asked Magic about the domination of the MVP players. Implying towards Nikola Jokić who has won 3 in the past 4 years. And also other European players like Luka Doncic. “We opened up the game to the world so that’s why all these guys are playing in the NBA today.” He emphasized how the Dream team inspired the European players back then and now. With many still considering Michael Jordan as their GOAT.
Plus, the influence of American coaches who teach and bridge the gap also helped the players. So that’s why a lot of players from overseas are now the best in the game in the NBA. He recalled his time with the Dream Team before their first game and how they were showered with love.
“We came out to go to our first game to get on the bus. There must have been 30 40 50,000 people out there lying in the streets. And as we went by, they just was cheering but they were all of other countries nobody from America and it was the greatest moment for all of us to say wow we’re kind of special.” The special team was formed, and it’s all thanks to Magic Johnson and his All-Star appearance.
Magic Johnson overcoming the taboo
Former Commissioner Stern had called the 5x NBA champion about his availability for the All-Star game. At the time, Magic Johnson had retired due to his HIV diagnosis. Yet the fans were clear that they wanted to see Magic play. He received 658,211 fan votes as per basketball-reference.
David Stern permitted him to play in the All-Star game and that changed people’s minds. They saw Magic Johnson perform at the highest levels. This not only helped to change the basketball player’s mind but also the general perception around the world changed.
The 3x Finals MVP has thanked Stern many times for giving him the confidence to play again. Johnson’s 25 points and 9 assists helped the West beat Michael Jordan’s Eastern All-Stars. This stellar performance got the Los Angeles Lakers legend an All-Star MVP, which is considered one of the best wins in NBA history.
Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.