Magic Johnson reveals what he REALLY thinks of Australian basketball - as the NBA legend debuts new TV documentary They Call Me Magic
He played five games in Australia in 1995 as part of the Magic Johnson All-Stars.
And Magic Johnson has revealed just what he thought of Australian basketball during his time Down Under in an interview with the Daily Telegraph.
'Australian basketball is amazing,' said the 62-year-old NBA legend.
'You've had some champions from your great country': Basketball legend Magic Johnson, 62, has praised Australian basketball in an interview with the Daily Telegraph this week
'You've had some champions from your great country. Great shooters, great players, who know how to play the game,' added Johnson, who formed his 90s All-Stars team from former NBA and college players.
He continued: 'And what I loved when I came, every game was sold out, packed houses. And they were tough games too, man.'
'Most all those games went down to the end and we squeaked them out, but the fan participation was just amazing.'
NBA championship: The athlete played five games in Australia in 1995 as part of the Magic Johnson All-Stars. Magic is shown playing in 1980
Praise: 'Great shooters, great players, who know how to play the game,' said Johnson of Australia's basketball stars
It comes after Johnson scored in the style department at the premiere of his new docuseries They Call Me Magic in Los Angeles last week.
The Los Angeles Lakers legend looked dapper in a grey double-breasted plaid coat over a black dress shirt along with black trousers for the premiere.
Magic completed his ensemble with shiny black dress shoes.
Shooting style hoops: It comes after Johnson scored in the style department at the premiere of his new docuseries They Call Me Magic in Los Angeles last week (pictured at the event)
He was accompanied by his wife Cookie, 63, who looked lovely in a sleeveless pink dress.
Cookie finished off her ensemble with pink heels and accessorized with a silver cross necklace.
Their children EJ Johnson, 29, and Elisa Johnson, 27, also attended along with Magic's older son from a previous relationship Andre Johnson, 41, and his wife Lisa Johnson.
Elisa wore a shiny black strapless dress and EJ donned a typically flamboyant silver dress and tall black boots.
NBA champion: Magic is shown holding the NBA championship trophy on May 16, 1980 after the Lakers won Game 6 and the series against the 76ers in Philadelphia
The four-part documentary They Call Me Magic will premiere on April 22 on Apple TV+ and will examine the life and career of the Michigan native.
The premiere drew some of Magic's former teammates from the Showtime era of Lakers basketball.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 74, wore a blue suit, white dress shirt and black bow-tie to support Magic at the premiere.
Family photo: Elisa Johnson, EJ Johnson, Cookie, Magic, Lisa Johnson and Andre Johnson all attended the red carpet premiere
Magic in his rookie season helped Lakers team captain Kareem win the 1980 NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Kareem sprained his ankle in Game 5 and Coach Paul Westhead started Magic in Game 6 at Kareem's spot as center.
Magic scored 42 points and also had 15 rebounds, seven assists and three steals while leading the Lakers to the championship and became the only rookie to win the NBA Finals MVP Award.
Coming soon: The four-part documentary They Call Me Magic will premiere on April 22 on Apple TV+
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