Earvin Johnson is a bit of a walking contradiction. He’s the guy who saved the NBA alongside Larry Bird, yet he’s also the guy who basically became a billionaire blueprint for every athlete who wants to own a piece of the world. If you haven't sat down to watch They Call Me Magic on Apple TV+, you’re missing the connective tissue between the "Showtime" Lakers of the 80s and the massive business mogul he is today. Honestly, people forget how heavy the 1991 HIV announcement really was. It wasn't just a sports story. It was a "the world is stopping" moment that redefined how we talked about health, sex, and survival in the public eye.
More Than Just a Highlight Reel
Most sports docs are just "remember this dunk?" on loop. This one hits different. Rick Famuyiwa, who directed it, clearly wanted to peel back the layers of the grin. Everyone knows the smile. It’s the most famous smile in sports history. But They Call Me Magic gets into the friction. It talks about the transition from being the kid from Lansing to being the face of a city that didn't always love him back at first.
You’ve got to remember that when Magic showed up in LA, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was already there. Kareem was stoic, serious, and didn't really have time for a rookie’s "rah-rah" energy. The documentary does a solid job of showing that tension. It wasn't all high-fives and fast breaks from day one. It was a clash of personalities that eventually turned into the most lethal duo in basketball.
The 1991 Pivot Point
The second episode is the heavy hitter. When Magic announced he had contracted HIV, it was essentially a death sentence in the mind of the general public. People were terrified. The doc features interviews with Cookie Johnson, his wife, and she’s really the soul of the whole project. Her perspective on that specific day—the fear, the uncertainty, the decision to stay—is what makes this feel like a human story rather than a Wikipedia entry.
It’s wild to look back at the 1992 All-Star Game. Players were legitimately scared to touch him. They thought they could catch the virus from his sweat. They Call Me Magic doesn't shy away from the fact that even his peers, guys he played against for years, were hesitant. Karl Malone was vocal about it. The documentary puts that awkward, painful reality front and center. It reminds us that Magic didn't just fight a virus; he fought a massive wall of ignorance.
The Business of Being Magic
We talk about LeBron and KD being "businessmen," but Magic was the first to really scale it. He didn't just want a shoe deal. He wanted the dirt. He wanted the buildings.
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One of the best parts of the series involves his partnership with Howard Schultz and Starbucks. Magic realized that nobody was putting coffee shops in the inner city. He told Schultz that Black people like coffee too, but the vibe had to be different. He changed the music, changed the snacks (more sweet potato pie, less scones), and it became a gold mine. This part of They Call Me Magic is basically a masterclass in urban development and seeing value where others see risk.
His transition into Magic Johnson Enterprises isn't just a "feel good" ending. It’s a calculated, gritty story of a guy who had to prove he could read a balance sheet as well as he could read a full-court press. He owns theaters, he’s had stakes in the Lakers and the Dodgers, and he’s currently part of the ownership group for the Washington Commanders. The guy doesn't stop.
Why the Critics Were Split
Look, not everyone loved the series. Some critics felt it was a bit too "authorized." Since Magic is an executive producer, you’re naturally going to get a version of the story that he’s comfortable with. It’s not a "Last Dance" style takedown where he looks like a villain at times. It’s more of a celebration.
But does that make it less valuable? Not necessarily.
The value comes from the access. You get Pat Riley, Larry Bird, Bill Clinton, and even Michael Jordan talking about him. When Jordan talks about Magic, you see a different side of MJ—one that is actually respectful of someone else's greatness. That alone is worth the subscription.
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The Rivalry That Built the League
You can't talk about Magic without Larry Bird. It’s the law. The documentary spends a significant amount of time on the 1979 NCAA Championship game. It’s still the most-watched college hoops game ever. Think about that. With all the media we have now, a game from the late 70s still holds the crown.
Bird and Magic are the perfect foils. The blonde kid from French Lick and the charismatic kid from Lansing. The doc shows how they obsessed over each other’s box scores. If Larry had 20 rebounds, Magic wanted 22. They saved the NBA from a dark period of low ratings and drug scandals. They made it "must-see TV" before that was even a phrase.
Their friendship is the ultimate payoff. Watching these two old titans talk about their mutual respect is actually kind of moving. They went from hating each other’s guts to being the only people on earth who truly understood what the other was going through.
Lessons From the Magic Formula
There is a lot to take away from his trajectory if you’re looking for more than just entertainment. Magic's life is a lesson in reinvention.
- Adaptability is everything. He went from being a point guard to a center (remember Game 6 of the 1980 Finals?) to a businessman to a public health advocate.
- The Power of the Pivot. When life took his basketball career away at age 32, he didn't just retire and disappear. He found a new court to play on.
- Know Your Audience. Whether it was the fans at the Forum or the customers at his theaters in Crenshaw, he knew what people wanted before they did.
What to Do After Watching
If you’ve finished They Call Me Magic and you’re looking for the next steps to really understand the era or the man, here’s how to go deeper.
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First, go watch the "Winning Time" series on HBO if you want the dramatized, gritty, and highly controversial version of the Lakers' rise. It’s the perfect "anti-doc" to Magic’s own series. The Lakers organization hated it, which usually means it’s doing something right.
Second, read "When The Game Was Ours," the book Magic and Bird wrote together with Jackie MacMullan. It fills in the gaps that a four-part documentary simply can't reach. It gets into the psychological warfare they used on each other.
Lastly, pay attention to his current moves. Magic isn't just a legacy act. He is actively involved in infrastructure projects and massive investment deals. Following his LinkedIn or his business appearances gives you a real-time look at how he’s applying the "Showtime" philosophy to the 21st-century economy.
Magic Johnson isn't just a basketball player. He’s a survivor. He’s a mogul. And as the documentary proves, he’s still the most interesting person in any room he walks into.
Actionable Insights for the Viewer:
- Analyze the "Showtime" Brand: Observe how Magic utilized his personal charisma to build a business empire that outlasted his playing days. This is a blueprint for modern "personal branding."
- Study the HIV Advocacy: Look into the work of the Magic Johnson Foundation. It’s a masterclass in how to use a personal crisis to drive global social change.
- Contrast with Modern Docs: Compare this to The Last Dance. Note the difference between Jordan’s "win at all costs" mentality and Magic’s "collaborative success" approach. It offers a different perspective on leadership styles.
- Explore the 80s NBA Context: To truly understand why he was so revolutionary, watch full game replays of the 1980, 1982, and 1985 Finals. The speed and vision he brought to the game literally changed how the sport is played today.