Magic Johnson is often remembered for his charisma, unselfishness, and the joy he brought to the game. But like all other all-time greats — Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and the rest — he had a relentless drive to win.

While MJ and Kobe were known for pushing teammates to the edge, Johnson did it differently. He held his team accountable, but without the harshness that defined others. Still, as Michael Cooper recently revealed, playing alongside Magic wasn’t always easy — even if he delivered the message with a smile.

That perception was shifted slightly when Michael Cooper offered insights into what it was like being Magic’s teammate, shedding light on how the three-time MVP was a tough teammate to deal with at times, but in a very diplomatic manner.

Johnson would get on the nerves of his teammates

There is no denying that the 6’9″ guard was one of the most gifted playmakers in NBA history. His game acumen allowed him to read the game several steps ahead, envisioning plays before they unfolded. According to Coop, this forward-thinking mentality led Magic to give his teammates mid-game instructions.

While that could come off as disruptive, especially to those still processing the flow of the game, Johnson’s blunt assessment was never rooted in ego. So, even though his own shortcomings on the defensive end were frequently exposed, players understood that his critiques were aimed at elevating the team’s winning prowess.

Furthermore, Cooper even admitted that the Lakers players eventually thanked Magic for his advice once they realized they were fortunate to have a coach in their teammate on the floor.

“Magic did it in a very diplomatic way.” he said about the Lakers legend. “He would let you know that you do your job out there. One thing I love about Magic, as a leader, when talking to you, you could get on him and he would receive it favorably. Magic very rarely made mistakes.” 

“Magic was like a coaching floor because he saw things before it was happening. So when he’s telling, ‘Coop, stop throwing the ball away or go rebound or do your job.’ I could say the same thing to him, ‘Magic, come on, man, you gotta play better defense,'” Cooper recalled. “But he was difficult. He would hold you accountable because Magic was a coach on the floor.”

Magic wanted to bring the best out of his teammates

The demeanor set Magic apart from other intense leaders of his era. Unlike players who pushed their teammates by exposing their weaknesses or using harsh words, Johnson took a more constructive approach. He did not belittle or instigate.

Instead, he focused on teaching, guiding, and collaborating. His ultimate goal was always team success, not personal validation. That’s why, even if he wasn’t the most dominant defender, despite his impressive 6’9″ frame, he still earned admiration from every player who shared the floor with him.

Johnson wasn’t barking at teammates or trying to break them — he was building them. His approach may have rubbed people the wrong way in the moment, but it stuck. The Showtime Lakers didn’t just win because they were talented. They won because their point guard led like a coach and cared like a teammate.