Lakers legend Magic Johnson spoke at Cal State Long Beach
Monday, May 05, 2014, Long Beach, CA.
Photo by Steve McCrank/Daily Breeze

Magic Johnson’s talk with Long Beach State University students at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on Monday night was a night filled with laughs and that trademark Magic smile.

But there were also tear-jerking moments.

Johnson was asked in the early portion of the Q/A what marked his favorite moment with former Lakers owner Dr. Buss, who passed away last year in February. Johnson said there was too many to choose from, but ultimately decided on his final moment with Buss.

The former Lakers great told the crowd the story of when he went to visit Buss in the hospital, being told by Buss’ daughter, Jeanie, that he was not doing very well.

“I went into the hospital room and he just perked up. And we just started talking about the run that we had, all the championships and all the moments we had together. We sat there for hours, just talking and laughed. And I was thanking him for being a father figure,” said Johnson. “And I knew I was saying goodbye. So I held his hand and we got a chance to reminisce and talk about how we built the Lakers to what they are today.

“When we left each other we both just started crying, because we knew that was going to be the last time for both of us.”