Magic Johnson recalls his first meeting with Lakers legend Jerry West, who died Wednesday morning, plus their relationship as player and mentor.
When Magic Johnson heard the news that friend Jerry West had died early Wednesday morning, he began to reminisce about their first lunch together at the Forum in Inglewood after the Lakers had selected him No. 1 overall out of Michigan State in 1979. Johnson recalled how his dad, Earvin Johnson Sr., was at the lunch and how his father “idolized” West and viewed him as his favorite player.
Before he had his news conference at the Forum, Johnson went to West’s office so they could console each other. “When I announced I was HIV positive, Jerry West and I sat in his office and cried for like 20 minutes together,” Johnson said. “He was just devastated. He called me every day after that. I knew how much he loved me when I announced that 32 years ago. It was almost like he had received the devastating news.” Before the Lakers drafted Johnson, they had some key decisions to make.
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