SPORTS HISTORY IN BLACK: Magic Johnson makes NBA history

When one thinks of assists, high-octane offense and style, the legendary Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s, led by point guard Earvin “Magic” Johnson, probably come to mind. When Magic was leading that fast break, the Lakers were one of the most feared teams in the NBA. They won multiple championships with Johnson running the show, but unfortunately, he had to leave the game for a moment due to an HIV-positive diagnosis that he announced in 1991. Then-Los Angeles Lakers’ Earvin “Magic” Johnson holds up the ball to acknowledge the crowds’ applause after making his 10,000 career assist during fourth quarter action against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, March 7, 1996. Johnson finished the game with seven assists becoming only the second player, behind Utah’s John Stockton, to record 10,000 assists. The Lakers went on to defeat the Kings 102-89. Photo credit: Rich Pedroncelli, The Associated Press But he did come back on Jan. 30, 1996, to play. And although he was a forward at that point in time, he still had a little magic left. Johnson would dish out seven assists in a 102-89 win in Sacramento, California, over the Kings on March 7, 1996. With those...