The 2019 NBA Awards will present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
Basketball legends Larry Bird and Earvin “Magic” Johnson will share the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 NBA Awards, which are sponsored by Kia, according to a recent announcement from Turner and the NBA. The third annual NBA Awards will be broadcast live from Barker Hangar in Los Angeles on TNT on Monday, June 24 at 9 p.m. ET. The two past winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award were Oscar Robertson (2018) and Bill Russell (2017).
Through their intense competition, individual skill, and team accomplishments, Johnson and Bird contributed to the NBA’s modernization and revival in the 1980s.
The once-rivals turned friends were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, were named to the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players, and received three NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, nine All-NBA First Team selections, and twelve NBA All-Star nominations. Johnson and Bird were twice honored as they were teammates and co-captains of USA Basketball’s Dream Team, which won a gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics and was later inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
Johnson and Bird have epitomized greatness dating to their memorable clash in the 1979 NCAA Tournament, when Johnson lifted Michigan State past Bird-led Indiana State in the national championship game, which is still the highest-rated game on television in college basketball history. Both made an immediate impact in the NBA the following season, with Johnson leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a championship and Bird capturing Rookie of the Year honors with the Boston Celtics.
Johnson won five NBA titles, assisted the Lakers in making it to the NBA Finals nine times, and was the three-time recipient of the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award. Over his 13 seasons with the Lakers, Johnson—who was renowned for his exceptional court vision and distinct flare as a tall point guard—averaged 19.5 points, 11.2 assists, and 7.2 rebounds per game. On the NBA’s all-time assist list, he is ranked fifth.
Magic Johnson’s Legends Profile.
Johnson became an advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention after disclosing his status as HIV positive and retiring in 1991. After making a memorable performance in the 1992 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando, he went back to the court and was awarded MVP. Later, in the 1995–96 season, he came out of retirement to play for the Lakers once more. In 2002, Johnson received his Hall of Fame induction.
Currently a prosperous businessman, Johnson is co-owner of the Los Angeles Football Club, Los Angeles Sparks, Los Angeles Dodgers, and esports team Team Liquid in addition to serving as Chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises. From 1994 to 2010, when the Lakers won five NBA titles, he had stock in the team. Johnson was the Lakers’ head coach from 1993 to 1994. He also served as their.
Following his playing career, Bird enjoyed great success with the Indiana Pacers as an executive and head coach. In his first coaching season, he was voted the 1997–98 NBA Coach of the Year, and across his three seasons, he led the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals. Bird led Indiana to its first NBA Finals berth in 1999–2000.
Bird, who won the 2011–12 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year Award, served as the Pacers’ President of Basketball Operations for two terms. The only person to have won Coach of the Year, Executive of the Year, and MVP in NBA history is him. Bird currently serves as an advisor to the Pacers.