Earvin “Magic” Johnson knows better than most just how much pressure comes with playing sports professionally. An athlete not only has to help their team reach certain goals but, as individuals, they also have to continue to hone their own skills. Of course, there’s also the potential anxiety that can come with playing in front of a crowd. In Johnson’s case, he had to play in front of a bevy of celebrities, like Jack Nicholson and Sally Field. The hall of famer, of course, rose to the occasion, but it was never lost on him that he was playing in front of such major stars. He recently reflected on what that was like and recalled partying with Nicholson.
The “Showtime” Lakers of the 1980s were amongst the most glamorous teams in the NBA. They had great players, an exciting owner in Dr. Jerry Buss and plenty of style. Thanks to Buss and his colleagues’ efforts, The Forum was the place to be, which is why so many A-listers frequented it so often. Some may think that the vivacious Magic Johnson was able to shrug off any jitters he had due to their being so many stars in attendance. However, when he spoke with Jake Hamilton of our own ReelBlend podcast, the revered former point guard revealed that even he was in awe of the situation he’d been thrust into:
