The One and Only Magic Johnson Quiz

Answer: Earvin

Magic was born Earvin Johnson in Lansing, Michigan. He was born on August 14, 1959, hence the picture as he is a Leo.

The others are all real first names of sportsmen who are best known by a moniker... Eldrick Tont are the real first names of golfer Tiger Woods. James Augustus are the real first names of the Athletics and Yankees Hall of Fame pitcher Catfish Hunter. Robert Moses are the real first names of another Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, Lefty Grove.

Answer: Michigan State

The Michigan State Spartans won the Big Ten title twice in Johnson's three seasons in the program. In his final year in East Lansing, 1979, they also won the NCAA Championship with victory over Larry Bird's Indiana State. Magic Johnson was voted as the Outstanding Player of the Final Four.

Answer: 33

The Michigan State Spartans retired Johnson's number 33 following his departure to the NBA in 1979. When he joined the Lakers, Johnson was unable to take the #33 since that was already being used by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, so he took the closest available number, 32. The Lakers have retired nine jersey numbers, including both Johnson's #32 and Abdul-Jabbar's #33.
The photo is of the Jefferson Davis Memorial in Richmond VA, the southern terminus of US Route 33 -- yes, obscure, but hey :)

Answer: Philadelphia 76ers

Having been selected with the first overcall pick of the 1979 draft, Magic Johnson joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Los Angeles. Kareem, who would become the NBA's all-time leading scorer by the time he retired, was still looking for his first NBA title. Magic not only became an All-Star in his rookie season, but also became the first rookie to win the MVP Award at the NBA Finals.

He was also the fourth player to win the NCAA and NBA titles in consecutive years. In the NBA Final, the Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4-2 in the best-of-7 series despite injury ruling Kareem out of what turned out to be the deciding Game 6. The photo shows the Washington Monument at Eakins Oval outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Answer: Larry Bird

Johnson's Lakers lost a thrilling 7-game NBA Final to the Boston Celtics in 1983-84. The MVP of the final series, and of the NBA that season, was the Celtics' power forward Larry Bird. Johnson won the NBA Final MVP award three times in his career, in 1980, 1982 and 1987.

Answer: Detroit Pistons

Johnson's Lakers beat the 76ers in the Final in both 1980 and 1982, and defeated the Celtics in 1985 and 1987. In the 1988 Final, Johnson's fifth and final victory, the opponents were Isiah Thomas's Detroit Pistons. The teams split the first two games in L.A., and the Pistons then won two out of three in Detroit.

The Lakers won a thrilling Game 6 103-102 to force the first Game 7 since the 2-3-2 format was adopted. The Lakers led by as many as 15 points in the second half, but the Pistons late rally halted the home fans' celebrations.

The Lakers eventually emerged victorious 108-105. The Lakers' James Worthy was named MVP of the Finals. The photo shows the Headquarters of GM in Detroit.

Answer: 1992 in Barcelona

Johnson was a member of the US 'Dream Team' at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, which was the first Olympics at which NBA players were eligible to compete. Prior to that, only amateurs and players from professional leagues other than the NBA were allowed. The US team recorded a 100% record, outscoring their opponents 938-588 over eight matches. Other members of the 1992 'Dream Team' included David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone and Charles Barkley.
The photo shows the 'Olimpic Badalona' where the 1992 Olympic basketball event was held.

Answer: Karl Malone

Karl Malone aka 'The Mailman' (hence the photo clue) was drafted in 1985 and played most of his NBA career with the Utah Jazz, winning the league MVP award twice, in 1997 and 1999. He only joined the Lakers in the twilight of his career, playing for them in 2003 and 2004.
Shaquille O'Neal began his NBA career in 1992 with the Orlando Magic and joined the Lakers in 1996. He won his only league MVP award in 2000. He moved on to the Miami Heat in 2004 and subsequently played for the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers before ending his career with the Boston Celtics.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar began with the Milwaukee Bucs in 1969 and was named NBA MVP in 1971, 1972 and 1974. He moved to L.A. in 1975 and played twelve years with the Lakers, winning the league MVP title three more times, in 1976, 1977 an 1980.
Kobe Bryant aka 'The Black Mamba' was drafted by the Lakers in 1996. A 15-time All-Star, he won the NBA MVP award in 2008.

Answer: Assists

Magic ended his career with all of the franchise records for assists -- most assists in a single game (24), highest career assists per game (11.2) and highest assists per game in a single season (13.1).
Magic also notably leads all Lakers in career 'Triple Doubles' with 138.

Answer: Los Angeles Dodgers

The investment group of which Johnson is part established a new world record when they paid $2 billion for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012. This the highest amount ever paid for the purchase of any sports team.