1991–92 Los Angeles Lakers season
| 1991–92 Los Angeles Lakers season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Mike Dunleavy Sr. |
| General manager | Jerry West |
| Owner(s) | Jerry Buss |
| Arena | Great Western Forum |
| Results | |
| Record | 43–39 (.524) |
| Place | Division: 6th (Pacific) Conference: 8th (Western) |
| Playoff finish | First round (lost to Trail Blazers 1–3) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
| Local media | |
| Television | KCAL-TV Prime Ticket |
| Radio | KLAC |
The 1991–92 NBA season was the Lakers' 44th season in the National Basketball Association, and 32nd in the city of Los Angeles.[1] This was the start of a new era for the Los Angeles Lakers, as they were coming from an NBA Finals defeat to the Chicago Bulls in five games, but also with the sudden retirement of their long-time superstar, Magic Johnson, after he announced that he was HIV positive.[2][3][4][5][6] Johnson would briefly come back and play in the 1992 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando despite controversy;[7][8][9] he was selected along with teammate James Worthy,[10] and won the All-Star MVP award, as the Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference, 153–113.[11][12][13][14]
During the off-season, the Lakers acquired Sedale Threatt from the Seattle SuperSonics.[15][16] Starting the season without Johnson for the first time since 1979, the Lakers won 10 of their first 13 games, including a nine-game winning streak, and held a 28–18 record at the All-Star break.[17] However, they struggled in February, losing seven straight games and posting a 3–9 record during the month. The Lakers ultimately finished sixth in the Pacific Division with a 43–39 record,[18] which was their worst record since the 1975–76 season.[19]
Worthy averaged 19.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game, but only played 54 games due to a knee injury,[20][21][22] while Sam Perkins averaged 16.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, and Threatt provided the team with 15.1 points, 7.2 assists and 2.0 steals. In addition, Byron Scott averaged 14.9 points and 1.3 steals per game, while A.C. Green provided the team with 13.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, Vlade Divac contributed 11.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, but only played just 36 games due to a back injury,[23][24] and sixth man Terry Teagle averaged 10.7 points per game off the bench.[25]
As the #8 seed in the Western Conference, the Lakers were defeated in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs by the Portland Trail Blazers, 3–1.[26][27][28] The Blazers would lose in six games to the defending champion Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals.[29][30][31][32][33] Following the season, head coach Mike Dunleavy left and took a coaching job with the Milwaukee Bucks,[34][35] and Teagle was released to free agency.
Draft picks
[edit]| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 52 | Anthony Jones | Forward |  United States
|
Oral Roberts |
Roster
[edit]| Players | Coaches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Roster |
Regular season
[edit]Season standings
[edit]| W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| y-Portland Trail Blazers | 57 | 25 | .695 | — | 33–8 | 24–17 | 21–9 |
| x-Golden State Warriors | 55 | 27 | .671 | 2 | 31–10 | 24–17 | 19–11 |
| x-Phoenix Suns | 53 | 29 | .646 | 4 | 36–5 | 17–24 | 17–13 |
| x-Seattle SuperSonics | 47 | 35 | .573 | 10 | 28–13 | 19–22 | 16–14 |
| x-Los Angeles Clippers | 45 | 37 | .549 | 12 | 29–12 | 16–25 | 13–17 |
| x-Los Angeles Lakers | 43 | 39 | .524 | 14 | 24–17 | 19–22 | 13–17 |
| Sacramento Kings | 29 | 53 | .354 | 28 | 21–20 | 8–33 | 6–24 |
- y - clinched division title
- x - clinched playoff spot
| # | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | |
| 1 | c-Portland Trail Blazers | 57 | 25 | .695 | – |
| 2 | y-Utah Jazz | 55 | 27 | .671 | 2 |
| 3 | x-Golden State Warriors | 55 | 27 | .671 | 2 |
| 4 | x-Phoenix Suns | 53 | 29 | .646 | 4 |
| 5 | x-San Antonio Spurs | 47 | 35 | .573 | 10 |
| 6 | x-Seattle SuperSonics | 47 | 35 | .573 | 10 |
| 7 | x-Los Angeles Clippers | 45 | 37 | .549 | 12 |
| 8 | x-Los Angeles Lakers | 43 | 39 | .524 | 14 |
| 9 | Houston Rockets | 42 | 40 | .512 | 15 |
| 10 | Sacramento Kings | 29 | 53 | .354 | 28 |
| 11 | Denver Nuggets | 24 | 58 | .293 | 33 |
| 12 | Dallas Mavericks | 22 | 60 | .268 | 35 |
| 13 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 15 | 67 | .183 | 42 |
- z - clinched division title
- y - clinched division title
- x - clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
[edit]The Lakers were the first team in NBA history to start the season with three straight overtime games, with their season opener being a double-overtime loss to the Houston Rockets. They went 1-2 during that time. After a third loss, to the Phoenix Suns, they went on a nine-game winning streak to finish November with an 11–4 record, which would be their longest winning streak of the season. They struggled in February, going 3–9, with a seven-game losing streak. They would finish the season with a 43–39 record, placing sixth in the Pacific Division and clinching the eighth and final seed for the playoffs.
| 1991-92 NBA Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | ATL | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MIA | MIL | MIN | NJN | NYK | ORL | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | SEA | UTA | WAS |
| Atlanta | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–5 | 0–5 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
| Boston | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 3–2 | 5–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
| Charlotte | 2–2 | 1–3 | — | 0–4 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 |
| Chicago | 5–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | — | 3–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 |
| Cleveland | 5–0 | 1–3 | 3–2 | 2–3 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 |
| Dallas | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | — | 3–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–5 | 0–4 | 1–4 | 0–2 |
| Denver | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–3 | — | 0–2 | 0–4 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–4 | 1–3 | 1–5 | 1–1 |
| Detroit | 4–1 | 0–4 | 4–1 | 1–4 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
| Golden State | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | — | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 5–0 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 |
| Houston | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 3–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | — | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–2 | 1–3 | 1–4 | 2–0 |
| Indiana | 4–1 | 2–2 | 2–3 | 1–3 | 0–5 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | — | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
| L.A. Clippers | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | — | 2–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 2–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
| L.A. Lakers | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 3–2 | — | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–3 | 1–4 | 4–1 | 1–3 | 1–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| Miami | 2–2 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–4 | 3–1 | 1–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–0 |
| Milwaukee | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | — | 2–0 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
| Minnesota | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–6 | 0–4 | 2–3 | 0–2 |
| New Jersey | 1–3 | 3–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | — | 2–3 | 3–1 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–3 |
| New York | 2–2 | 2–3 | 4–0 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 4–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–2 | — | 4–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 |
| Orlando | 2–2 | 0–5 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–4 | — | 3–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–3 |
| Philadelphia | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–3 | 1–3 | 2–3 | — | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 5–0 |
| Phoenix | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | 3–2 | 4–1 | 3–1 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
| Portland | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–3 | — | 5–0 | 2–2 | 4–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
| Sacramento | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–5 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1–4 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 0–5 | — | 1–3 | 1–4 | 1–3 | 2–0 |
| San Antonio | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–0 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 6–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — | 3–1 | 1–4 | 0–2 |
| Seattle | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 1–4 | 4–1 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 2–0 |
| Utah | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 5–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–1 | 1–3 | — | 2–0 |
| Washington | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–5 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 0–4 | 3–2 | 0–5 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — |
Game log
[edit]Regular season
[edit]Playoffs
[edit]| 1992 playoff game log Total: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First Round: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1992 schedule | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Player statistics
[edit]| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field-goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field-goal percentage | FT% | Free-throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game |
Regular season
[edit]| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chucky Brown† | 36 | 2 | 10.6 | .466 | .000 | .610 | 2.1 | .6 | .3 | .2 | 3.8 |
| Demetrius Calip | 7 | 0 | 8.3 | .222 | .200 | .667 | .7 | 1.7 | .1 | .0 | 1.6 |
| Elden Campbell | 81 | 47 | 23.2 | .448 | .000 | .619 | 5.2 | .7 | .7 | 2.0 | 7.1 |
| Vlade Divac | 36 | 18 | 27.2 | .495 | .263 | .768 | 6.9 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 11.3 |
| A.C. Green | 82 | 53 | 35.4 | .476 | .214 | .744 | 9.3 | 1.4 | 1.1 | .4 | 13.6 |
| Jack Haley | 49 | 9 | 8.0 | .369 | .483 | 1.9 | .1 | .1 | .2 | 1.6 | |
| Keith Owens | 20 | 0 | 4.0 | .281 | .800 | .8 | .2 | .3 | .2 | 1.3 | |
| Sam Perkins | 63 | 63 | 37.0 | .450 | .217 | .817 | 8.8 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 16.5 |
| Cliff Robinson | 9 | 0 | 8.7 | .407 | .000 | .875 | 2.1 | 1.0 | .6 | .0 | 3.2 |
| Byron Scott | 82 | 82 | 32.7 | .458 | .344 | .838 | 3.8 | 2.8 | 1.3 | .3 | 14.9 |
| Tony Smith | 63 | 0 | 13.0 | .399 | .000 | .653 | 1.2 | 1.7 | .6 | .1 | 4.4 |
| Rory Sparrow† | 42 | 0 | 11.2 | .399 | .154 | .615 | .6 | 1.9 | .3 | .1 | 3.0 |
| Terry Teagle | 82 | 0 | 19.5 | .452 | .250 | .766 | 2.2 | 1.4 | .8 | .1 | 10.7 |
| Sedale Threatt | 82 | 82 | 37.4 | .489 | .323 | .831 | 3.1 | 7.2 | 2.0 | .2 | 15.1 |
| James Worthy | 54 | 54 | 39.0 | .447 | .209 | .814 | 5.6 | 4.7 | 1.4 | .4 | 19.9 |
Playoffs
[edit]| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chucky Brown | 3 | 0 | 14.7 | .421 | .000 | .500 | 3.7 | .7 | .0 | .7 | 6.3 |
| Elden Campbell | 4 | 2 | 29.3 | .378 | .667 | 6.3 | 1.5 | .8 | 1.5 | 10.0 | |
| Vlade Divac | 4 | 4 | 35.8 | .349 | .000 | .900 | 5.5 | 3.8 | 1.3 | .8 | 9.8 |
| A.C. Green | 4 | 4 | 38.3 | .410 | .826 | 9.0 | 1.8 | 1.8 | .0 | 12.8 | |
| Jack Haley | 2 | 0 | 6.0 | .250 | .5 | .5 | .0 | .0 | 1.0 | ||
| Cliff Robinson | 3 | 0 | 8.0 | .300 | .625 | 2.0 | .3 | 1.0 | .3 | 3.7 | |
| Byron Scott | 4 | 4 | 37.0 | .500 | .583 | .889 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 1.5 | .3 | 18.8 |
| Tony Smith | 4 | 0 | 10.0 | .300 | .000 | .500 | .5 | 1.3 | 1.0 | .0 | 1.8 |
| Rory Sparrow | 3 | 0 | 5.3 | .250 | .750 | .3 | 1.3 | .3 | .0 | 1.7 | |
| Terry Teagle | 4 | 2 | 31.5 | .491 | .800 | 3.3 | 2.0 | 1.3 | .5 | 17.5 | |
| Sedale Threatt | 4 | 4 | 40.5 | .522 | .667 | .750 | 2.0 | 4.3 | .5 | .0 | 14.8 |
- † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Lakers only.
Magic’s retirement
[edit]Starting point guard Magic Johnson missed the first three games with an unspecified "stomach ailment". On November 7, 1991, Johnson announced that he had tested positive for HIV and would immediately retire.[2][3][4][5][6] Johnson discovered his condition after attempting to purchase life insurance and failing the HIV test conducted by Lakers team doctor. During the press conference, he stated that his wife Cookie and unborn child were HIV negative and that he would become an advocate for HIV education and prevention. The NBA world was shocked; U. S. president George H. W. Bush said: "For me, Magic is a hero, a hero for anyone who loves sports."[36] Johnson was still listed on the roster, as an injured reserve, and continued to be paid.
Johnson was voted in on the West team for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game. Columnists and other people speculated on whether he would play. Because HIV is spread through blood, some players voiced concerns about being infected if Johnson were to get a bleeding wound and touch them. Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone was the most vocal player to express concern.[7][8][9][37] Nevertheless, Johnson played in the All-Star Game, leading the West to a 153–113 win and being named the All-Star Most Valuable Player (MVP). The game ended with 14.5 seconds remaining; when Johnson drained a last-minute three-pointer, other players ran on the court to congratulate Johnson and exchange high-fives.[11][12][13] It would be Johnson's last game until he made a brief return at the end of the 1995–96 season.[38]
Magic and the Dream Team
[edit]Despite being HIV positive, Johnson was chosen for the US team for the 1992 Summer Olympics. The squad was quickly dubbed the Dream Team because of its abundance of NBA stars such as Jordan, Karl Malone and Bird, but Johnson was the main attraction.[39] At the Olympic Opening Ceremony, German tennis player Steffi Graf ordered colleague Barbara Rittner to photograph her with Johnson, and in the match against Spain, Spanish captain Juan Antonio San Epifanio and his squad demonstratively hugged him, showing that his HIV infection did not matter to them. During the tournament, Johnson struggled with knee problems and played for only a fraction of the games. The point guard position was mostly run by Utah Jazz all-time assist leader John Stockton, but Johnson's presence alone was enough to provoke standing ovations from the crowd. He used the spotlight to attempt to inspire HIV positive people in several interviews.[citation needed]
Awards and records
[edit]- The Lakers with Magic Johnson on the team would win the 1991 McDonald's Open by winning games against France's Limoges CSP and Spain's Montigalà Joventut.
All-Star
[edit]- Magic Johnson was given the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award after his return from retirement at the 1992 NBA All-Star Game.
Season
[edit]- Magic Johnson was given the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award.
Transactions
[edit]![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (August 2010) |
References
[edit]- ^ 1990-91 Los Angeles Lakers
- ^ a b Stevenson, Richard W. (November 8, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Magic Johnson Ends His Career, Saying He Has AIDS Infection". The New York Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ a b Brown, Clifton (November 8, 1991). "BASKETBALL; A Career of Impact, a Player with Heart". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^ a b Heisler, Mark (November 8, 1991). "Magic Johnson's Career Ended by HIV-Positive Test: Sports: The Announcement Stuns His Public. The Lakers Star Emphasizes That He Does Not Have AIDS. 'I Plan to Go on Living for a Long Time,' He Says". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ a b Cannon, Lou; Cotton, Anthony (November 9, 1991). "Johnson's HIV Caused by Sex". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
- ^ a b "Magic Blames Weakness in Numbers: HIV: He Says He Can't Pinpoint When He Was Infected, Because There Were Many Women. He Says He Had No Homosexual Experiences". Los Angeles Times. November 13, 1991. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ a b Almond, Elliott (January 24, 1992). "Opponents Weigh the Risk of Playing Against Magic: Basketball: AIDS Researchers Say Chances of Transmitting Disease Minor. But Chaney Says Johnson, Voted to the All-Star Team, Shouldn't Play". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ a b Almond, Elliott (January 29, 1992). "Magic's Decision to Play Continues to Spur Controversy: Pro Basketball: Readers Surveyed in Orlando Are Against His All-Star Participation". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ a b Brown, Clifton (February 5, 1992). "BASKETBALL; Criticism Won't Stop Johnson's All-Star Bid". The New York Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ Heisler, Mark (February 9, 1992). "Comeback or Farewell, a Magical All-Star Game". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ^ a b Brown, Clifton (February 10, 1992). "For One Stirring Afternoon, Magic Johnson Dazzles Again". The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
- ^ a b Howard-Cooper, Scott (February 10, 1992). "Who Else Could Have Been MVP?: Pro Basketball: Players, Coaches Are Moved by Johnson's Presence Before the Game, and by His Three-Point Punctuation to History". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ a b "1992 NBA All-Star Game: West 153, East 113". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ^ "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ Heisler, Mark (October 3, 1991). "Lakers Acquire Seattle's Threatt: NBA: They Trade Three Second-Round Picks for Veteran Guard. Drew, Thompson Waived". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; An Expensive Rookie". The New York Times. October 5, 1991. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1992". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ "1991–92 Los Angeles Lakers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ^ Los Angeles Lakers Franchise Index at basketball-reference.com
- ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Lakers Lose Worthy". The New York Times. March 4, 1992. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
- ^ Harvey, Randy (March 19, 1992). "Worthy to Have Knee Surgery". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ "Worthy Out for Season After Knee Surgery". The Washington Post. March 21, 1992. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ^ Heisler, Mark (November 13, 1991). "Lakers' Pain Is Real, Too: Pro Basketball: Lingering Injuries to Divac, Smith Add to the Team's Emotional Burden. No Trades Are Expected Soon". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
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- ^ Heisler, Mark (May 4, 1992). "Lakers Haven't the Vegas Idea How to Slow Runnin' Blazers: Game 4: Portland Is Simply Too Much for L.A. to Handle as Lakers' Strange Season Comes to an End, 102-76". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
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- ^ Brown, Clifton (June 15, 1992). "With Jordan Starring, Bulls Make It a Rerun". The New York Times. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
- ^ Heisler, Mark (June 15, 1992). "Bull Reserves Take Title by Horns: Game 6: Along with Pippen, They Go on a Late 14-2 Run That Carries Chicago to a 97-93 Victory". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
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- ^ "On Capitol Hill, the Battle for AIDS Funds Heats Up". The New York Times. November 9, 1991.
- ^ Bork (1994), pp. 90-94
- ^ "Johnson Finally Says the Magic Words: 'It's On'". The New York Times. January 30, 1996.
- ^ Brown, Clifton (September 22, 1991). "BASKETBALL; U.S., in No Surprise, Will Go with the Best". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.