Showtime's new stage; Riley draws curtain on stellar Lakers career; Dunleavy has tough act to follow
June 12, 1990
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INGLEWOOD, Calif. - He came. He cried. He laughed. He even sweated. But, typically, not a hair was out of place and - even as he walked away from the gig that brought him fame and glory - he looked simply marvelous.
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Pistons champs again; Clinch 2nd NBA title in a row
June 15, 1990
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PORTLAND, Ore. - The Detroit Pistons stormed from behind Thursday to win their second consecutive National Basketball Association title with a 92-90 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers.
The clinching basket was scored by reserve guard Vinnie Johnson with seven-tenths of a second left in the game.
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Chicago wins 1st NBA title; Bulls deliver final blow 108-101
June 13, 1991
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INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The Chicago Bulls secured their place in history and Michael Jordan put the crowning touch on a magical season Wednesday as the Bulls defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 108-101 to win the 1991 National Basketball Association championship in their first trip to the Finals.
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Magical career closes; Positive HIV test forces retirement
Nov. 8, 1991
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INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Los Angeles Lakers guard Magic Johnson, 32, effervescent smile intact, announced his retirement from basketball Thursday because he has tested positive for the AIDS virus (HIV), abruptly ending a certain Hall of Fame career.
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Scenes from a storybook life; His was the name of the game
Nov. 8, 1991
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Magic.
Sometimes it only takes one word to make a point.
If ever an athlete were born for such a simple, remarkably descriptive title, it was Earvin Johnson Jr.
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Magic's kingdom; MVP Johnson plays a storybook NBA All-Star game; Being 'in the action' thrills retired star
Feb. 10, 1992
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ORLANDO, Fla. - Magic is back, and on this All-Star day, it looked like Earvin Johnson had never been away.
On Sunday, nothing mattered but Magic. No one seemed to care who won the game or who scored. The important thing was that the 42nd Annual NBA All-Star Game was for him.
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Apologetic Jordan off NBA hook
Apr. 1, 1992
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NEW YORK - Michael Jordan cleared his name at National Basketball Association headquarters Tuesday but later apologized for "letting people down" with questionable associations with high-stakes golf and poker gamblers.
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'Larry Legend' closes career; Bad back forces retirement
Aug. 19, 1992
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Larry Bird, who helped revive the fortunes of the National Basketball Association and sparked the Boston Celtics to three championships, retired Tuesday after 13 seasons.
"This is the right decision for me," said Bird, 35, forced out by a back injury that has hampered him the last two years.