Michael Jordan was known to tell his competitors his feelings about them candidly. When he came to the NBA, a young MJ wanted to be in the likes of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. In 1996 when MJ was on course to win his fourth championship, he himself returned from retirement. In 1995 Jordan came out of his retirement and decided to play for the Chicago Bulls again. He was given a lot of love, and the entire country awaited his return. However, when Magic returned after his HIV-led retirement, Michael Jordan was not kind to him.

Magic Johnson returned in 1995, and in his second game, he faced the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls were championship favorites that season, and MJ made sure that Magic knew that his era was over. Magic went on to the late-night talk show hosted by Jimmy Kimmel called ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’. He talked about HIV and returning to the NBA. He then shared an anecdote about Jordan giving him a welcome.

When the Chicago Bulls defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, Magic met Jordan in the locker room area, and the two exchanged some words. Jordan told the NBA legend that his era was over and that the Bulls had taken over. He reminded the five-time NBA champion that the Los Angeles Lakers were done, and that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy were not by his side anymore. MJ went on to begin his second three-peat that season.

Magic Johnson is welcomed by Michael Jordan into the league

Michael Jordan was always a fierce competitor. He did not let the fact that Magic had retired due to HIV stop him from trash-talking. The Bulls were en route to setting an NBA record of 72 wins.

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Magic said, “He met me in between the locker rooms, and he said, ‘Earvin, you have to remember now, you’re not with Kareem, you’re not with James Worthy. All the guys you used to play with, Showtime, are not on that Laker team anymore. So remember, maybe you should think about retiring.” 

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Magic Johnson retires from the NBA.

In 1991, Magic held a special press conference to retire from the NBA. He returned in 1996. Magic played 36 games that season and eventually retired again, as MJ suggested.

Magic announced, “Because of the HIV virus I have attained, I will have to announce my retirement from the Lakers today,”

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Johnson was a pioneer in the NBA and donned the famous purple and gold jersey throughout his career. He took the Lakers to five NBA titles and set his name as one of the all-time greats of the franchise and the NBA.