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Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson have long retired from the NBA. However, the two former legendary basketball players still communicate from time to time.
The LA Lakers code recently posted this, reminding fans of how close they have been over the years:
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This is what Johnson said about the occasion:
Tonight we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the world famous Da Paolino Ristorante aka Lemon Tree Restaurant in Capri, Italy!
“And I got to hang out with my great friend and greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan, his wife Yvette, Sam and LaTanya Jackson, Judge Gregg and Linda Mathis, and John and Vicki Palmer.”
Johnson has been touring Europe over the past few weeks. He has some of his most notable photos on social media with his wife, Cookie, and some of his friends, including actor Samuel L. Jackson.
However, the appearance of Michael Jordan was a huge surprise. He had his hands full in his “identity” leading up to the 2023 NBA draft. Even though he has sold his majority ownership in the Charlotte Hornets, he still has some unfinished business to do.
Jordan has also been spotted at some events in the United States. He may have had a job to put in it in regards to the Hornets’ summer campaign in Las Vegas.
However, with the summer league coming to an end, Michael Jordan must have found the time to travel across the Atlantic to meet Magic Johnson.
One of Michael Jordan’s defining moments in the NBA Finals was in part because of Magic Johnson
After defeating the Los Angeles Lakers of Magic Johnson in 1991 to lead the Chicago Bulls to their first championship, Michael Jordan was on top of the NBA. It was undoubtedly the king of the biggest and best basketball league in the world.
The next question Jordan had to answer was whether he could carry the Bulls to back-to-back championships. In 1992, Chicago’s opponents were the Portland Trail Blazers, led by Clyde Drexler.
Jordan already had a thing against the Blazers when they passed him in the 1984 NBA draft for Sam Bowie. Portland’s biggest reason for not drafting Air Jordan was because there was another high-shooting guard named Drexler.
Magic Johnson only added to the fire. Junior told a story about why Michael Jordan was so hot in Game 1 of the 1992 NBA Finals (via Scoop Robinson):
“Well, the night before he hits them all in threes against Portland, we were playing bidding (a classic blackjack) at his house. His dad and I, we rip him, we rip him, I run a six-nose five special on Michael (Jordan).
So we play and I say, ‘Michael, I have to go home, you have a game. Because remember, I’m working with NBC on that game, so I’m coming to the game. “Nah MJ[Magic Johnson],” he said, “because Mike was so competitive. When he loses, he doesn’t want you to leave.”
Johnson added:
“So we play and I say, ‘No, I’m going home to the hotel.’” Remember, he made four or five (three points) in a row, and when he made that last one, he turned to the scorer’s table — he was turning to me.
“He was so hot that night. He owed me so much. Because I’m the one he was mad at, which is why he took him in (Portland All Star) Clyde Drexler the next day.”
More than 30 years after “The Shrug,” Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson may remember that famous basketball moment. Despite this, Jordan might still be pissed off at the way he lost that card game.
What a way to relive those days under an Italian sky surrounded by friends and family.
Also read: What did Magic Johnson say about his friendship with Michael Jordan?
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