Magic Johnson through the years

1979: Greg Kelser, left, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, center, and Terry Donnely listen to Michigan State coach Jud Heathcote during a news conference.

1979: New Los Angeles Laker Earvin "Magic" Johnson, left, former Michigan State champion, greets Lakers veteran Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33) and Ron Boone (24) during Lakers photo day at the Forum.

1980: Earvin "Magic" Johnson (32) of the Los Angeles Lakers starts his glide far from the basket as he makes a layup during the first half of the game with the Golden State Warriors.

1984: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers battles for position against Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics.

1987: Earvin Magic Johnson shoots over Dennis Johnson as Larry Bird looks on.

1990: Magic Johnson in action at the Forum.

1991: Earvin 'Magic" Johnson backs down Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan.

1992: Larry Bird #7, Michael Jordan #9, and Magic Johnson #15 of the United States National Team pose for a photo.

1992: Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson of the United States Basketball Team share a laugh during the 1992 Olympics.

1992: Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan of the United States high five each other against Lithuania during the 1992 Olympics.

1992: USA's Charles Barkley, left, and Earvin "Magic" Johnson laugh together during the medal ceremony.

1992: USA's Earvin "Magic" Johnson rejoices with his gold medal after beating Croatia 117-85 in the gold medal game.

1993: Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics with Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers during Larry Bird Night at the Boston Garden.

1996: Magic Johnson in his pre game warm-up.

1996: Earvin "Magic" Johnson brings the ball upcourt against Golden State in his first game out of retirement.

1996: Los Angeles Lakers' Earvin "Magic" Johnson, left, battles with Utah Jazz' Karl Malone.

1996: Earvin "Magic'' Johnson is shown in this April 7, 1996 file photo in Inglewood, Calif.

1997: Former Detroit Pistons' Isiah Thomas, left, jokes with Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers during halftime ceremonies of the NBA All-Star Game.

1998: Puerto Rican Governor Pedro Rossello, left, waves as he jogs with NBA star Magic Johnson, right, through the streets of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.

2000: Former NBA Star Earvin "Magic" Johnson, left, gets a high five from Matthew Taliaferro following his reading, along with Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz of "The Little Engine that Could" to a group of children from Literacy Chicago's Reach Out and Read program.

2004: Former Los Angeles Lakers' "Magic" Johnson poses beneath the larger-than-life bronze statue of himself.

2004: Los Angeles Lakers Derek Fisher, left, Los Angeles Sparks Lisa Leslie, center, and Los Angeles Lakers Magic Johnson, pose for a photo after winning the "Shooting Stars" competition during the 2004 NBA All-Star festivities.

2009: Magic Johnson greets the crowd at the NCAA Final Four game between the MSU Spartans and the Connecticut Huskies.

2009: Former NBA players Earvin "Magic" Johnson, right, and Larry Bird share a laugh at a news conference before the championship game between Michigan State and North Carolina.

2012: Members of the Guggenheim baseball management team arrive at press conference to announce their purchase of the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

2012: Magic Johnson speaks during a news conference at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

2012: Earvin "Magic" Johnson, right, laughs with Bill Walton, left, and Rick Barry during the enshrinement ceremony for the 2012 class of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

2013: Los Angeles Dodgers owner Magic Johnson gets ready to throw out the first pitch before the game against the San Francisco Giants.

2016: Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) and Los Angeles Lakers former player Magic Johnson talk before the game against the Charlotte Hornets.

2017: Former NBA players Bill Russell (L) and Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. are honored during the 2017 NBA All-Star Game.

2017: Magic Johnson and wife Cookie pose for a photo with recording artist Snoop Dogg.

2017: Magic Johnson and Tommy Lasorda attend Game 1 of the World Series.

2017: Magic Johnson, Jeannie Buss and Rob Pelinka pose with Kobe Bryant during a halftime ceremony retiring Bryant's uniform numbers.

2018: Magic Johnson attends the NBA All-Star Game at Staples Center.

2018: Magic Johnson tosses out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of the World Series.