Rare SI Photos of Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson was the 1979 NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player, a 12-time NBA All-Star, and three-time MVP and Finals MVP. Magic led Michigan State to its first championship, and he not only won five titles with the L.A. Lakers but also rescued the NBA through his West-East rivalry with Larry Bird. He was named SI's 2nd-ever Sportsman of the Year Legacy Award winner in 2014, making him the first professional athlete to receive the prestigious honor. As he celebrates his 57th birthday on Aug. 14, 2016, we present these rare SI photos of Magic Johnson.

Magic Johnson

1978

Magic Johnson

1978

Magic Johnson

1978

Magic Johnson

1978

Magic Johnson

1978 NCAA Tournament

Magic Johnson

1978 NCAA Tournament

Magic Johnson

1979

Magic Johnson

1979

Magic Johnson

1979

Magic Johnson

1979

Magic Johnson with dad, Earvin Sr. (left) and friend Charles Tucker

1979

Magic Johnson

1979

Magic Johnson

1980 NBA Finals

Magic Johnson

1980 NBA Finals

Magic Johnson

1981

Magic Johnson

1981

Michael Cooper, Norm Nixon, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Mitch Kupchak, coach Paul Westhead, Jamaal Wilkes and Magic Johnson

1981

Magic Johnson

1981

Danny Ainge, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird

1985 NBA Finals

Magic Johnson

1985 NBA Finals

Magic Johnson and Dennis Rodman

1988

Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson

1991 NBA Finals

Magic Johnson and Larry Bird

1992

Magic Johnson

1996

Magic Johnson

1996

Magic Johnson

1996

Magic Johnson, Dennis Rodman and Michael Jordan

1996

Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan

1996

Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant

1998

Magic Johnson

1999

Magic Johnson with sons Andre (left) and Ervin III, daughter Elisa and wife Cookie

2001

Magic Johnson

2001

Magic Johnson

2001

Magic Johnson

2001

Magic Johnson

2001

Magic Johnson

2001

Magic Johnson

2001

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson

2009

Magic Johnson and Matt Kemp

2012

Magic Johnson

2013 National League Championship Series

Magic Johnson and Vin Scully

2014

Magic Johnson with wife Cookie, Chris Paul and his wife Jada (left)

2014 National League Division Series

Magic Johnson

2014

Tom Izzo and Magic Johnson

2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament — Elite Eight