Was Kobe at Magic Johnson's first game?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 20, 2026
The camera swivels to a crying baby in the crowd, captioned “Put me in coach!” There's no record of whether or not future NBA legend Kobe Bryant was at Magic Johnson's first game. However, he was a year old at the time and it was his father's first game with the Clippers, so it's possible.
Did Kobe and Magic ever play together?
Magic Johnson on Tuesday reminisced about the one time he played against Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash Sunday. Johnson said on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" that despite being friends, they played against each other just once in a one-on-one practice game in 1998.
When was Magic Johnson's first NBA game?
Being one of the best passers in the league, Johnson helped the Los Angeles Lakers win five NBA Championships and he himself took three NBA MVP awards. On this day, October 12th, in 1979, Magic Johnson made his debut for the Los Angeles Lakers.
When did Kobe Bryant first start playing?
It's Nov. 3, 1996, a Sunday, and Kobe Bryant eventually enters the game. After a DNP in Los Angeles's opener two days earlier, Bryant's highly anticipated NBA debut is measured in minutes, 6:22 to be exact, not points as the rookie goes scoreless, on only one FGA.
How old was Kobe when he played his first game?
3, 1996, Kobe Bryant made his NBA debut with the Los Angeles Lakers, beginning what would become an illustrious 20-year career. At 18 years, 72 days old, he became the youngest player to ever appear in an NBA game.
20 related questions foundWhat were Kobe's last words?
Kobe shared some last words of wisdom and motivation before his heartbreaking death. “Hello everyone, I'm so sorry can't be with you tonight,” he said in a video posted on Twitter.
What is a Kobe Bryant rookie card worth?
The base version is expensive in its own right but its the refractor parallel whose prices are off the charts. Examples of this card that have been graded in PSA 10 condition have been selling for between $14,000 and $17,000 over the past few years.
Did Kobe start as a rookie?
As a rookie in 1996–97, Bryant mostly came off the bench behind guards Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel. At the time, he was the second-youngest player ever to play in an NBA game (18 years, 72 days) and also became the youngest NBA starter (18 years, 158 days).
What age did Michael Jordan retire?
Michael Jordan retires at the age of 40 for the third and final time after an illustrious basketball career. He finishes with 15 points in 28 minutes of a loss by the Washington Wizards to the 76ers in Philadelphia.
How old was Kobe in 1996?
Kobe Bryant made his NBA debut with the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov. 3, 1996, kicking off a spectacular 20-year career. He then became the youngest player to ever debut in an NBA game at the age of 18 years and 72 days.
Was Paula Abdul a Lakers cheerleader?
Was Paula Abdul a Laker Girl? Before she was a Grammy Award-winning artist or a judge on "American Idol," Abdul's beginnings came as a dancer. She earned her big break as a member of the Laker Girls. Abdul, who came from a traditional dance background, graduated from Los Angeles' Van Nuys High School in 1980.
How many times did Magic Johnson go to the finals?
Basketball Hall of Fame. During his remarkable 13-year career, he led the Lakers to five NBA championships (1980, '82, '85, '87 and '88) and nine appearances in the NBA Finals.
Why didnt Magic Johnson play in 1997?
Magic retired from the NBA in 1991 after an HIV diagnosis was jeopardized. Magic had to walk away from the game at his peak, while only 32 years of age. Few expected Magic to ever lace up his shoes and walk the court. But that is exactly what he did in 1996.
Why did Magic Johnson retire?
On November 7, 1991, basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson stuns the world by announcing his sudden retirement from the Los Angeles Lakers, after testing positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Did Shaq play with Magic Johnson?
If Magic Johnson hadn't retired after the 1995-96 season, he would have teamed up with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. The year Magic came back the Lakers finished 4th in the West. In 1996-97, the Lakers won three more games than the previous year but still finished 4th in the West.
Did Michael Jordan retire 3 times?
Though he scored his 30,000th career point on January 4, 2002, against his former team, the Bulls, Jordan was never able to lead the Wizards into playoff competition. He retired for the third and final time on April 16, 2003. Jordan's time on the Bulls was the subject of a docuseries The Last Dance on ESPN in 2020.
What did Michael Jordan average at age 37?
He averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.3 steals in 1,072 regular-season games. He was selected to play in 14 All-Star games. He won the Rookie of the Year award, 1 Defensive Player of the Year award, 5 MVP awards, 6 Finals MVP awards and 6 NBA championships.
How old was Kobe when he was drafted?
At the age of 17, Kobe was drafted 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1996 NBA Draft before being traded on draft night to the Los Angeles Lakers.
How many finals did Kobe lose?
Kobe Bryant came up short 14 times in the NBA Finals in his career. Not what you're looking for?
How much is a Babe Ruth baseball card worth?
The card is now worth at least 10 times what it sold for, according to the New York Times. A 1916 Babe Ruth rookie baseball card, left, that sold for $2.46 million and a Babe Ruth game-used bat at Mile High Card Company in Castle Rock on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021.
Are Michael Jordan cards worth anything?
1986 Fleer Michael Jordan #57
On average a PSA 10 of this Michael Jordan rookie cards sells for around $300,000, though it has sold for as much as $700,000+. Although his rookie season was in 1984, this was his first widely produced card from a staple basketball card brand.
What is the rarest Kobe Bryant card?
One of the rarest Kobe Bryant cards has set a record for the most expensive Bryant card sold. The 1997-98 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Emerald Kobe Bryant card sold for $2 million last week, according to PWCC Marketplace, an online trading card marketplace. The record sale occurred privately.