Fansided

Picking the best NBA player from each state

By Brad Rowland

Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the American Flag being displayed prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the American Flag being displayed prior to the game between the Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers former player Earvin “Magic” Johnson introduces Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (not pictured) before a game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Bryant concludes his 20-year NBA career tonight. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers former player Earvin “Magic” Johnson introduces Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (not pictured) before a game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Bryant concludes his 20-year NBA career tonight. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Michigan – Magic Johnson

There is an incredible basketball history when it comes to the state of Michigan. George Gervin, a living legend who doubles as the all-time leading scorer from the state, averaged (!) more than 25 points per game in his 14-year professional career. Elsewhere, Chris Webber put together a Hall of Fame career over 15 seasons and, for good measure, starred on the Fab Five at the University of Michigan in the early 1990’s. Throw in other greats like Ralph Sampson, Dave DeBusschere, Steve Smith, Jalen Rose, and Dan Roundfield, you have an impressive collection of talent from an NBA standpoint.

With respect to these stars (especially Gervin), though, Magic Johnson stands comfortably above the rest.

The 6-foot-9 point guard is correctly ranked as one of the top 10 players in NBA history by most pundits, and Johnson was a one-of-a-kind figure. He exited the league as the all-time assist leader (now fifth all time) while earning three NBA MVP awards and leading the Lakers to five NBA Championships (alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy).

Simply put, Magic’s numbers are off the charts. To wit, the Lansing native tallied averages of 19.5 points, 11.2 assists, and 7.2 rebounds per game over 906 contests, finishing with a 24.1 PER and a true shooting percentage over 60 percent. Those are video game numbers in any era, and Magic also receives a bump for captaining one of the most exciting teams ever with the “Showtime” Lakers.

Johnson remains a true ambassador for the sport and, for the purposes of this list, the state of Michigan, making Magic a no-brainer selection on our list.

Next: Minnesota

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