Magic Johnson Named NBA Player of the Year
Magic Johnson was selected as Player of the Year by his National Basketball Assn. peers in a poll conducted by The Sporting News, it was announced Wednesday. The Laker guard, who averaged a career-high 23.9 points and a career-high 12.2 assists during the regular season, received 136 of the 184 votes cast.
“I think it’s the ultimate compliment to gain the respect of your peers,” Johnson said in a statement released by the team. “Any time your peers vote for you for anything, you should feel good. I feel good about it.”
Guard Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls was second with 36 votes. Also named to the all-star team were Houston Rockets center Akeem Olajuwon, Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird and Philadelphia 76ers forward Charles Barkley. Chuck Person of the Indiana Pacers was picked as rookie of the year.
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