While Magic Johnson proudly remembers his father’s teachings, he hasn’t talked much about Earvin Sr.’s lesser-known obsessions. Late Earvin Johnson Sr. had a love for racing. And much like his son, sometimes he liked to wager too. One of his old friends, famed race car driver Paul Gentilozzi, recently shared a memory about their racing days and revealed that he still has some of Johnson Sr.’s cherished belongings in his possession.

The 74-year-old Gentilozzi recalled the times he would often race against Johnson Sr., defeating him every time by at least three feet. Johnson Sr. drove a Roadrunner. Gentilozzi amusingly claimed that he had gone easy on him. Well with every win, he earned $20 from Johnson Sr.

During their last race, the Lakers legend’s father didn’t have any money on him. But as part of their friendly wager, he had to offer something else of value. So, he had to part with his prized collection of 8-track tapes featuring Otis Redding and more. “And the last time we raced, he didn’t have any money. So I have a box of 8-track tapes, Otis Redding and the Supremes and all that stuff,” Gentilozzi recalled on Hagerty’s Barn Find Hunter.

Although Gentilozzi promised to return the tapes to Johnson’s son, Larry, he sheepishly admitted that he still had them. “And so it broke his heart, but he had to pay. I wanted to give them back. Larry, his son, Earvin’s brother, I promised that I’d give them back. I still have the tapes,” he noted.

While Johnson Sr. lost his cherished collection in gambling, his son was different. He always earned a sure shot at a casino without even actually gambling. 

Magic Johnson tried to trick Jerry Buss

Johnson often accompanied former Lakers owner Jerry Buss on his trips to casinos whenever the two were in Las Vegas. Whenever they visited a casino, Buss would hand him $5,000 worth of chips to gamble. Instead of using the chips, Johnson would pocket them and later cash them in for money.

So, if they visited a casino three times, Johnson would end up with $15,000. He thought it was a fun way to trick Dr. Buss. However, Dr. Buss later revealed that he was aware of the trick and had actually encouraged it to help Johnson strengthen his business acumen.

The Los Angeles Lakers legend was always business-minded. After his NBA career, the 5x champ built a massive and thriving business empire, helping him earn billionaire status, one of only four athletes who can say that. Some of the credit for pushing him into business goes to the late Jerry Buss.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.