Introduction
The name Magic Johnson is huge in the basketball world, even though he has been retired for a long time. Everyone knows that height is a big factor in a player’s success, so have you ever wondered how tall Magic Johnson was while playing, and if he was a tall or short member of the team?
Magic Johnson is around 6 foot 9 inches (2.06 meters), and some people think he is the greatest point guard to have ever played basketball. He played 13 full seasons, with some breaks in the middle, and had a listed weight of 220 lb (100 kg). Some people say that Magic Johnson was only 6 foot 8 inches (2.03 meters), or 6 foot 8 ½ inches, but most agree upon 6 foot 9, and this was his listed height.
A basketball player’s height is a very significant thing, and garners a lot of interest and discussion. We’ll be using this article to understand more about Magic Johnson’s height, weight, and career.
How Tall Is Magic Johnson?
Magic Johnson’s listed height is 6 foot 9 inches, which is over a foot taller than the average American man, who is only 5 foot 8 inches (1.73 meters). That means he would tower over many American men. Some fans argue that he didn’t seem quite this tall when they met him, but bear in mind that it can be very hard to judge height, and things like shoes and hair can make a big difference to your perceptions.
There’s no question that Magic Johnson is a tall individual, and that this really helps when it comes to playing basketball. After all, height gives you a significant advantage on the court, allowing you to shoot over the heads of other players, and keep the ball away from them. You don’t have to be tall to be a skillful player, but it certainly makes the game easier.
It is important to note that Magic Johnson played a point guard, however, and height isn’t always advantageous in this position. He was the tallest person in the history of the NBA to play this position, but some people have argued that his height actually put him at a disadvantage.
Was Magic Johnson Unusually Tall For A Basketball Player?
The average height for a basketball player in the 2021-2022 season was about 6 foot 6 inches (1.98 meters), which means that Magic Johnson would have been a little above the average, yes. The average has varied throughout the years, though.
It’s also worth remembering that the average height for different positions varies, and most point guards are somewhere between 6 feet (1.83 meters) and 6 foot 3 inches (1.91 meters). Magic Johnson is a good 6 inches over the tallest average for a point guard, and that’s set him apart.
Before Magic Johnson, a lot of coaches would have considered assigning such a tallest player to the position of point guard to be a waste of height. However, Magic Johnson demonstrated that out of the box thinking and a flashy style could put the opposing team on the back foot, and he showed exceptional success in his position.
He has been credited by following players, such as Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, with being an inspiration to other tall players who wanted to play in this position. Many sources credit Magic Johnson with changing the way that the NBA approaches point guards, although it’s worth noting that the trend toward small point guards does continue to this day.
Interestingly, Magic Johnson was often viewed as a big rival for Larry Bird, and Larry Bird was exactly the same height as him, at 6 foot 9 inches. However, Larry Bird played in the small forward and power forward positions, and not as a point guard. Even so, their rivalry began in college and lasted throughout their careers.
How Old Is Magic Johnson?
Magic Johnson is 63 years old, and he played basketball for 13 seasons, although not all them consecutively. He began in 1979, and played until 1991, when he retired abruptly, announcing that he had contracted HIV.
However, he returned to the game in 1992, and won the All-Star MVP Award. He then retired again, but in 1996, he returned to play a final 32 games for the Lakers, before he retired for the last time.
He won a lot of recognition throughout his career, including three NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Awards. He has been honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, and he was a member of the 1992 United States men’s Olympic basketball team.
Since his retirement, he has done a lot of work to advocate for safe sex and HIV/AIDS prevention, and he has been commended for his bravery in sharing his experiences with this disease. His work helped to combat the idea that it is only contracted by gay individuals, and his ongoing support for the issue is admirable.
How Much Does Magic Johnson Weigh?
Magic Johnson’s listed weight is 220 lb (100 kg), which is around the same weight as his rival, Larry Bird. Some sources state 225 lb (102 kg), however, but it’s normal for weight to fluctuate slightly during an individual’s lifetime, so this slight difference is not particularly surprising.
Magic Johnson was slightly above the average weight for players, but given that he is also above the average height, this is unsurprising. There’s no question that he used his weight and height to his advantage on the court, and he remains one of the most famous and skilled basketball players to have ever played in his position.
Conclusion
Magic Johnson’s fame is well-deserved, particularly because he was unusually tall for a point guard – the tallest in NBA history. At 6 foot 9, he’s over the average for any basketball player, and was certainly over the average for a point guard. He played exceptionally well and inspired many young players coming after him, especially tall individuals who wanted to play as point guards.
