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Magic Johnson On Coach K

When Magic says you’re great, you’re great

1992 USA Olympic Team portrait
BARCELONA, ESP - JUL 25: The 1992 USA Men’s Basketball Olympic Team pose for a team portrait, seated front row (L-R): Physician , Scottie Pippen, Christian Laettner, Patrick Ewing, Head Coach Chuck Daly, David Robinson, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley. Standing (L-R) : Assistant coach Mike Krzyzewski, Assistant coach Lenny Wilkens, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Chris Mullin, Clyde Drexler, John Stockton, Assistant coach P. J. Carlesimo and trainer Ed LaCerte. Barcelona, Spain July 25, 1992. 
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/ NBAE/ Getty Images

People tend to forget this, but among the players that Mike Krzyzewski has coached are some of the very greatest: Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson.

He did so as an assistant on the Dream Team in 1992.

Johnson, who is celebrated for his great talent and accomplishments, is also celebrated for his somewhat goofy social media posts.

He posted this Thursday:

“what I love about Coach K, and why I call him one of the greatest coaches, is his love for and development of his players...As our assistant coach, he did an outstanding job coaching Michael (Jordan), Larry (Bird), me and the entire team. I really enjoyed getting to know him and his family better in Barcelona. It was then I learned that he was not only a great coach but a great husband and father.”

He also said that Coach K’s name would “live on.”

It does kind of fit with his habit of Captain Obvious posts, but it also shows, once again, the impact that Coach K has had one players across the board. Obviously Johnson didn’t have to say that. It was a choice he made to honor someone he respected. And having Magic Johnson’s respect is pretty great.