Learn The In & Outs of The Game Like Magic Johnson

Irving "Magic" Johnson is remembered as the captain of the "Show time" lakers from 1979-1991. He will always be remembered by his knowledge of the game of basketball and wide smiles on the court.

When thinking about players who know the game the best, Magic Johnson's name would surely be one of the first names mentioned. The only player that can even be mentioned comparable to Magic Johnson, as far as basketball I.Q goes, is LeBron James. This is said admiringly by many current/former NBA players and analysts alike. Magic Johnson's size, athletic ability, and incredible vision elevated him as one of the best point guard of his era and a top 10 player, at worst, of all time. He was able to know where everyone was on the floor and where they were supposed to be doing on every particular play. He could read a defense like a book and was able to manipulate them with his knowledge and his eyes to hit them with a sweet no look pass to a teammate for an easy bucket. He was a walking textbook of basketball knowledge. It is a point-guard's duty to manage the game and direct the traffic of the offense but Magic took his knowledge and ability better player and understand the game.y to transform the standard of the position. Lets look at skills that we can take from Magic that will help us become a fundamentally better player.

- Make sure to always keep your head up when your dribble the basketball

- During the game, pay attention to the tendencies of the defense and devise plans by yourself or with teammates to break it and score

- Know where your teammates are at on the floor and what they should be doing within the offense at all times.

- Give the same effort to gather assist as you do trying to score points.

- Make the "hustle plays."

Magic Johnson averaged a 11.2 assists over his 13 year career in the NBA. That is an almost unbelievable stat. You would think that passing was the only thing that he did. But along with that he averaged 19.5 points. This statistics just goes to show that you can pass the ball and get your teammates involved and still have your shine in scoring the basketball. The more that you become a threat at passing, the defense will play off you and give you more space to shoot. The more versatile you are as a player, the more difficult you are to guard and the better you make your team. So become a better passer by knowing keeping your head up and make sure you scan the entire for so you know where everyone is including the defense. Know where your teammates should be doing on the play so you can anticipate their position to get them the ball in position to score. When you have those down, all you have to do is make the effort to pass first and then that will open of the floor for you to score and become a big threat to the opposing team.