Magic Johnson’s career helped define an era of NBA basketball. The Hall of Fame point guard led the Los Angeles Lakers to five championships in the 1980s, earned three MVP awards and 12 All-Star selections, and became the face of the “Showtime” Lakers dynasty. His blend of size, vision and leadership transformed the point guard position and elevated the league’s global profile.
Beyond his accomplishments on the court, Johnson has remained deeply connected to the basketball community. Whether mentoring current players, supporting former teammates or honoring coaches who shaped the game, he has consistently used his platform to recognize those who left a lasting imprint on the sport.
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On Wednesday, Johnson paid tribute to former Denver Nuggets head coach Doug Moe hours after news broke of his death.
“Rest in Peace to Coach Doug Moe who was the first NBA Coach to really feature the 3-point shot in his run and shoot offense. We are keeping the Moe family in prayer 🙏🏾,” Johnson wrote on X.
Moe, who passed away at 87, was widely regarded as one of the NBA’s most innovative offensive minds. As head coach of the Nuggets from 1980 to 1990, he popularized an up-tempo, high-scoring system that emphasized spacing and perimeter shooting well before the modern three-point revolution.
His teams consistently ranked among the league leaders in scoring and pushed the pace in a way that forced opponents to adjust.
In 1988, Moe was named NBA Coach of the Year after guiding Denver to a 54-win season. That same year, Johnson captured his fifth and final NBA championship with the Lakers, further cementing his own legacy during one of the league’s most competitive eras.
Moe also coached the San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers, finishing his NBA head coaching career with a 628-529 record over 15 seasons. He left a lasting influence on offensive philosophy across the league and will be remembered as one of the most impactful offensive minds the game has ever seen.