30 for 30 to run documentary regarding Magic’s announcement

I was 10 years old and living in Orange County, CA when it happened. As I remember, Magic had just gotten married
and it was during exhibition season and they sat Magic was out and said that he was sick or something. Then there were tumors that he
had AIDS and then he announced it one night. It was very sad and everyone had a sick feeling. It really deflated everyone and, of course,
it was huge news in Southern California with many people thinking that he would die.

When he quit, the Lakers quit being the Lakers and Showtime was over. After that they just felt old with
a lineup of Sedale Threat, Byron Scott, James Worthy, Sam Perkins, and Vlade Divac along with Terry Teagle
and Elden Campbell. They won about 44 games each of the next two years and were actually behind the Clippers
both years.

The Bulls beat Magic’ Lakers soundly the previous year in the Finals so even if Magic had stayed they might not have won another
ring, but the Magic Man could have played effectively for several more years. But, the dynasty was pretty much over in 1991 and the
Bulls just kept getting stronger.

Magic’s play in the 1992 all star game and on the 1992 Dream Team was absolutley brilliant. I then saw him play at the Memphis Pyramid in the 1992-1993 preseason against the Washington Bullets. He put on a real show, making plays, passes, and doing his thing.
Then, he quit again. Ironically, Magic might have peaked that year. If you think that Jordan’s all-around peak was in 1996 then Magic was roughly the same age in 1992 (roughly 33 years old). He looked a little slower but he had an incredible feel for the game and could still really pass. With an All-Star Game MVP award and an Olympic Gold Metal in 1992, Magic had one of the oddest great years ever in basketball history.

In 1991-1992, Magic was about in the same place where Kobe has been the past two years or so. Still one of the best, but his title days probably over and turning over the mantle to the young guys (Magic to Michael, Kobe to LeBron/Durant). Magic’s retirement put a definitive end to the 80’s Showtime Dynasty. The beginning of the end started when Kareem retired and then the loss to the Bulls in the 1991 Finals.