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.

Rare SI Photos of Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson

Lane Stewart

1978

Magic Johnson

Heinz Kluetmeier

1978

Magic Johnson

Heinz Kluetmeier

1978

Magic Johnson

Heinz Kluetmeier

1978

Magic Johnson

Heinz Kluetmeier

1978 NCAA Tournament

Magic Johnson

Heinz Kluetmeier

1978 NCAA Tournament

Magic Johnson

Lane Stewart

1979

Magic Johnson

Lane Stewart

1979

Magic Johnson

Lane Stewart

1979

Magic Johnson

Lane Stewart

1979

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

Lane Stewart

1979

Magic Johnson

Lane Stewart

1979

Magic Johnson

Manny Millan

1980 NBA Finals

Magic Johnson

Manny Millan

1980 NBA Finals

Magic Johnson

Andy Hayt

1981

Magic Johnson

Andy Hayt

1981

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

Lane Stewart

1981

Magic Johnson

Manny Millan

1981

Danny Ainge, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird

Manny Millan

1985 NBA Finals

Magic Johnson

Andy Hayt

1985 NBA Finals

Magic Johnson and Dennis Rodman

Manny Millan

1988

Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson

Manny Millan

1991 NBA Finals

Magic Johnson and Larry Bird

John W. McDonough

1992

Magic Johnson

Andrew D. Bernstein

1996

Magic Johnson

Richard Mackson

1996

Magic Johnson

Richard Mackson

1996

Magic Johnson, Dennis Rodman and Michael Jordan

Robert Beck

1996

Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan

Richard Mackson

1996

Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant

Walter Iooss Jr.

1998

Magic Johnson

Walter Iooss Jr.

1999

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

Peter Read Miller

2001

Magic Johnson

Peter Read Miller

2001

Magic Johnson

Peter Read Miller

2001

Magic Johnson

Peter Read Miller

2001

Magic Johnson

Peter Read Miller

2001

Magic Johnson

Peter Read Miller

2001

Magic Johnson

Peter Read Miller

2001

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson

John W. McDonough

2009

Magic Johnson and Matt Kemp

Peter Read Miller

2012

Magic Johnson

David E. Klutho

2013 National League Championship Series

Magic Johnson and Vin Scully

Robert Beck

2014

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

John W. McDonough

2014 National League Division Series

Magic Johnson

Robert Beck

2014

Tom Izzo and Magic Johnson

Al Tielemans

2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament — Elite Eight