Former NBA champion Michael Cooper sees hints of Magic Johnson in LeBron James. During a recent chat with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson, Cooper explained why 39-year-old LeBron James reminds him of Magic Johnson after he returned from retirement in 1996.
“He reminds me of Magic when he came back from retirement. LeBron still has athleticism but is not at the level we’re used to seeing. But he still has the knowledge and smarts,” said Cooper on Scoop B Radio.
Cooper, a 12-year veteran, got to see Magic in his prime. As a 5x champion, former Defensive Player of the Year, and 8x All-Defensive player, he was a crucial member of the Lakers and served as Johnson’s teammate for 12 years before playing his final season overseas in Italy.
Cooper had front-row seats to all of Magic Johnson’s best moments, including his legendary Finals game in 1980 and his 46-point explosion vs. the Kings in December of 1986. He also witnessed Magic’s abrupt retirement in the summer of 1991.
After an extraordinary career, where he won the MVP three times and the championship five times, Magic had to call it quits after being diagnosed with HIV. At the time when he caught the virus, it was still a misunderstood ordeal that was treated with fear and uncertainty.
Magic didn’t return to action until 1996 after he had a full understanding of his diagnosis. He was 36 by this point and only played 32 games that season, but he still outperformed expectations with averages of 14.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game on 46% shooting.
Comparatively, LeBron James is doing much more at his age. The King, without four years off, just finished his 21st season averaging 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game on 54% shooting for the Lakers. He was an All-Star for the 20th straight season and followed it up with an MVP campaign at the 2024 Olympic games.
But while LeBron is still elite, he is showing some signs of aging. As Cooper mentioned in his response, James doesn’t quite move like he used to. He’s not as strong, fast, or athletic as he was in his prime or even just a few years ago.
At this stage of his career, LeBron is leaning on his instincts and basketball IQ to give him the edge on the court. Being five steps ahead of the competition has worked to great effect for LeBron, and he’s going to use the skill in order to prolong his career.
Magic Johnson was at a similar level when he returned from retirement and it was his advanced understanding of the sport that allowed him to come back and end things on his terms.
James, at 39, is obviously near the end of his NBA lifespan but he is finding new ways to dominate the sport. With an unmatched mind for the game, LeBron is determined to finish strong and he’s going to do everything in his power to ensure the Lakers are competing for a championship with the years that he has left. Like so many around the world, Michael Cooper will be looking on with awe just like he did for Magic all those years ago.
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