MIKE Sports Comic Books
FREE Series Los Angeles Sports Icons
Copyright 2017 By Jim Sweeney – The MIKE Maker Rich in ethnic diversity and abounding in natural beauty, Southern California’s City of Angels is recognized as one of the world’s greatest tourist destinations and most sought out places to live.
Los Angeles offers a cornucopia of delights to both native Angelinos and visitors alike.
The megalopolis’ miles of coastline, gorgeous weather, star-studded inhabitants and proximity to mountains are only part of its allure.
Los Angeles’ generous cultural and entertainment offerings combine to woo visitors as well as satiate denizens who call it home.
In addition to Hollywood headliners, Los Angeles has also birthed a second stable of stars in the world of sports.
You may not find these choices among the 2,500+ brass and terrazzo stars that line Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame.
However, these sports celebrities are rightfully featured here in my FREE sports comic book Los Angeles Sports Icons.
Highlighted is a transplanted former British soccer player with an aromatic nickname who won two MLS Cups in the City of Angels.
Celebrated are three of the greatest female athletes ever who have positively impacted their sports for generations to come. Memorialized as America’s greatest outdoor sports stadium, this recently restored historic venue rests in a stunning natural setting.
Immortalized by a simple regal nickname, this hockey hero won an unlikely world championship in a winter sport in the sunny, warm environs of Southern California.
And, extolled by sports fans around the globe, four basketball players and one iconic team are prominently featured in this book for their excellence on the court and their influence away from it.
Enjoy Los Angeles Sports Icons.
Remember, it’s FREE, so share it with a friend.
MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports! Why read this book?
Favorite #10: David Beckham
Favorite #9: Serena Williams
Favorite #8: Lisa Leslie
Favorite #7: Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Favorite #6: Jerry West
Favorite #5: Rose Bowl
Favorite #4: Kobe Bryant
Favorite #3: Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Favorite #2: Wayne Gretzky
Favorite #1: Magic Johnson
Bonus Chapter on the Showtime Lakers
Thank You & Disclosure Affiliate Disclosure
FREE Books Podcast: MIKE on Sports!
Meet the MIKE Makers
Acknowledgements As highlighted on the cover, this book is fun, informative and witty.
The light hearted stories in each chapter are told by me - a Trademarked cartoon character named MIKE – aka Mike Raffone.
Los Angeles sports fans love my colorful stories, candid comments and informative content about LA’s most popular sports icons.
Plus, the sports comics that accompany each chapter capture the essence of the featured Angelino player, place, team, coach or venue.
As an added bonus, I always offer more FREE stuff in each of my sports comic books. See the back of this book for details.
In addition to featuring Los Angeles’ iconic Showtime Lakers, I offer several other FREE sports comic books for safe downloading.
Check out my author profile on Amazon.com, follow me on Twitter, fan me on Facebook and subscribe to my podcast – MIKE on Sports! MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports!
Bending it into the #10 spot of Los Angeles Sports Icons is transplanted British soccer star David Beckham.
The famous international footballer brought his championship form to Southern California when joining the LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer. Along extraordinary athletic skill, he also transported a celebrated lifestyle and equally famous wife Victoria with him upon arriving in the City of Angels.
Yes, nearly a decade ago, the Beckhams reigned as one of the sports and entertainment world’s most recognized celebrity couples. It made perfect sense for the pretentious pair to ferry their glitz and glam from Great Britain to America’s Tinsel Town.
Ironically, besides soccer and pop music, the couple even cornered the market on aromatic, flavorful nicknames.
Known as Posh Spice of the all-girl British pop group the Spice Girls, Victoria Beckham sang, danced and jiggled her way to global stardom during the 1990s. During the same time period, David Beckham emerged as one of the most celebrated soccer players on the planet. Because of his marriage to Posh Spice, he unwittingly acquired the tongue-in-cheek nickname Spice Boy.
Victoria Beckham first called her husband Spice Boy during a 2007 CNN interview with talk show host Larry King. The cajoling and not entirely flattering Spice Boy nickname stuck, much to David Beckham’s chagrin. The nickname picked up additional steam from a public who’d grown weary of the ever-pouty boorishness of Beckham’s wife Victoria.
While Victoria Beckham’s ostentatious behavior riled the media and fans, her husband’s actions - especially on the soccer pitch – captivated sports fans, especially those in Southern California longing for a star player and a championship caliber team.
Formerly, one of the most marketable athletes in the world, Spice Boy David Beckham earned his athletic stripes while cultivating a loyal global following during his professional soccer career.
Once Major League Soccer’s highest paid player with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Beckham proved that he won wherever he played.
The Brit won two MLS Cups with the LA Galaxy and became a cult hero in a city dominated by baseball and basketball teams.
Beckham also captured a La Liga Championship with Real Madrid as well as six English Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the 1999 UEFA Champions League crown with Manchester United. While at Man U, Beckham’s brilliance shined brightly. In 265 appearances, he found the back of the net 62 times and assisted on another 152 goals.
World sentiment may not have completely endorsed both members of the British power couple who resided in what the media called “Beckhamham Palace” when spending time in their native England.
However, sports fans around the world, and especially those in Southern California who desired to bend it like Beckham once did with pinpoint accuracy, embraced David Beckham as one of the world’s best footballers - even with the cheeky nickname - Spice Boy.
Beckham is rightfully credited with increasing soccer’s popularity in Southern California and easily kicks off Los Angeles Sports Icons.
For fans interested in shopping for authentic David Beckham soccer collectibles from their favorite teams, star players or championship seasons, click on the Sports Memorabilia logo above.
If, by chance, you opt to purchase any Sports Memorabilia product, we will earn a small commission. So, thank you.
MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports!
Growing up near Los Angeles in Compton, CA, one of the world’s most recognized female athletes burst onto the women’s professional tennis circuit at the tender age of 13.
She failed to disappoint in her debut. At the Bell Challenge in Quebec City, this teenager exceeded all expectations surrounding her United States Tennis Association high ranking for budding players.
Since then, Serena Williams has utilized her potent serve, diligent work ethic and aggressive style of play to emerge as one of the sport’s best players ever.
It’s doubtful that anyone would challenge Serena Williams’ spot in this book on Los Angeles Sports Icons. As of October 2016, Serena’s fabulous tennis resume has translated into nearly $82M in career prize money. She’s now the all-time leader in women’s tennis and fourth earner overall among tennis greats.
As of this writing, Serena’s career touts the most professional tennis tournament tiles (71 singles and 22 doubles) among active men and women on the tour.
In addition, Williams’ staggering 38 total Grand Slam victories include 22 single championships, 14 doubles titles and 2 mixed-doubles wins.
In 2015, Serena ranked #1 in the world for the sixth time in her storied career. It was no wonder that Sports Illustrated selected her as the 2015 Sportsperson of the Year.
Williams has even captured four Olympic gold medals, one in singles and three in doubles. She unquestionably earned her #1 world ranking each of the six times the World Tennis Association selected her.
Serena Williams first picked up a tennis racquet at the age of three. Soon thereafter, she embarked upon a carefully constructed training regimen that her hard-charging father Richard developed for her and her older sister, Venus.
Along with Venus, Serena was uniquely raised to comply with her highly involved father’s emphasis on a strong home school education coupled with an unparalleled commitment to the game of tennis. The sisters’ hard work and dedication paid off handsomely. The siblings eventually dominated the sport both individually at different times and, collectively, as doubles partners.
Now in her mid 30s, Williams continues to excel at the sport. The press has dropped her last name altogether and simply labels her as Serena.
Her remarkable career shows no sign of slowing down, in spite of a serious blood clot issue that arose in 2011 that she courageously overcame. Off the court, Serena Williams has evolved into a savvy businesswoman with a keen sense of style. She has leveraged the worldwide appeal of her iconic name and tennis success by developing fashion line called Aneres – her first name spelled backward.
Williams has also invested wisely in other business ventures that include minority ownership in the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.
This fabulous female athlete has left an indelible mark on the sport of tennis. From an early age, her physical strength and powerful athleticism allowed her to dominate on the court.
But her personal drive, business acumen and penchant for fashion have her poised for another successful career away from the grass, clay, synthetic and asphalt surfaces of international tennis tournaments.
It’s no surprise that Serena aces my list at #9 in Los Angeles Sports Icons.
For fans interested in shopping for authentic Serena Williams tennis collectibles from their favorite teams, star players or championship seasons, click on the Sports Memorabilia logo above.
If, by chance, you opt to purchase any Sports Memorabilia product, we will earn a small commission. So, thank you.
The WNBA could not have scripted a better person to become the "face" of its sport!
She’s a slam dunk in the #8 spot in Los Angeles Sports Icons.
Considered the greatest player in WNBA history, the beautifully poised and immensely talented Lisa Leslie graced the covers of magazine and television ads as a Wilhemina model at the same time she flourished as a professional women's basketball player.
The 6'5" University of Southern California grad became the number seven pick in the 1996 WNBA Draft while simultaneously signing on with one of the world's most recognized modeling agencies.
Lisa Leslie graduated from USC as the PAC 10's all-time leader in points, rebounds and blocked shots. She quickly asserted herself in the fledgling WNBA which debuted only a year earlier in 1995. Leslie played brilliantly during her charmed 12-year career with her hometown Los Angeles Sparks. As the Sparks' center, she led them to back-to-back WNBA titles in 2001 and 2002.
The cover girl center distinguished herself during her playing days by retiring in 2009 with these individual accomplishments: 3x MVP, 8x All-Star and holder at the time of her retirement as the WNBA career leader in points and rebounds.
Leslie also achieved two other unrivaled individual feats as a professional women's basketball player.
In addition to being named regular season MVP, All-Star Game MVP and Playoffs MVP all during her epic 2001 season, Leslie eventually invested in the same team - the Los Angeles Sparks - that drafted her and became a co-owner of this WNBA franchise.
Apart from the WNBA, Leslie remains the most successful female basketball player of all-time.
She’s the only Olympian ever to win four consecutive gold medals in a team sport - in 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008 - an accomplishment which may never be duplicated.
It came as no surprise when the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inducted her into its elite community in 2015.
Most fans recall Lisa Leslie for her extraordinary WNBA and Olympic success as well as being the first woman to ever dunk a basketball during an official game.
And, many fans see her today on television as a knowledgeable studio analyst for women's basketball.
However, I choose to remember this statuesque basketball playing model as an inspiring author and role model who willingly gives back to her community. Also, I think that we can all agree that Lisa Leslie's is a face that no one will soon forget.
For fans interested in shopping for authentic Lisa Leslie basketball collectibles from their favorite teams, star players or championship seasons, click on the Sports Memorabilia logo above.
If, by chance, you opt to purchase any Sports Memorabilia product, we will earn a small commission. So, thank you.
MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports!
In 1990, Sports Illustrated named Jackie Joyner-Kersee the greatest female athlete of the 20th Century.
She easily jumps into the #7 spot in Los Angeles Sports Icons.
At that time, no one challenged the Sports Illustrated bold proclamation. Since then, no female athlete has come close to rivaling Joyner-Kersee's brilliant athleticism.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee remains the most decorated female track and field Olympian ever. Her incredible point total in the heptathlon may never be surpassed.
An athletic prodigy from St. Louis, MO, Joyner-Kersee's basketball ability enabled her to earn a scholarship to UCLA.
Jackie starred for the Lady Bruins and graduated in 1985 with an impressive 1,167 career points. However, basketball would not be the reason why Sports Illustrated acknowledged her athletic greatness just five years later. Following her graduation from UCLA, track and field consumed Jackie's life and propelled her to international sports stardom. The star athlete lived and trained in Los Angeles.
Ironically, an old movie galvanized her interest in a tremendously challenging, but mostly unheralded, track and field event. The 1975 film about legendary sports star Babe Didrikson Zaharias inspired Joyner-Kersee to catalyze her superb athleticism in the heptathlon.
Following her college basketball career, Jackie devoted her time to master this grueling sport comprised of seven individual events: the 110m hurdles, 200m dash, 800m run, shot put, javelin throw, high jump and long jump.
As evidenced by her famous quote, "It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret," Jackie Joyner-Kersee had no regrets when competing on the track. She prepared expertly and excelled at both the long jump and the heptathlon. At one time, she held world records in both sports. Her 7,291 points in the heptathlon may never be broken.
Jackie's unrivaled athleticism enabled her to capture Olympic gold medals in 1988 in Seoul in the long jump and heptathlon and in 1992 in Barcelona in the heptathlon.
She won three more Olympic medals (one silver and two bronze) in addition to winning four gold medals (two in the long jump and two in the heptathlon) in the Track and Field World Championships in 1987 and 1991.
The 5'10" and 150 lb. Joyner-Kersee's most incredible feat may not have been her dominance in the long jump and heptathlon. Her biggest accomplishment may have been her courage and resolve to excel as a world class athlete while overcoming the debilitating medical condition known as exercise induced asthma. Wow! That's a noteworthy accomplishment for a woman who can confidently look back on her career with no regrets.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee always looked forward. She carefully prepared and emerged victoriously.
Not only is she recognized as an amazing athlete. She's also known as an inspiring role model who refused to allow exercise induced asthma to deter her from becoming, as Sports Illustrated chronicled, the greatest female athlete of the 20th Century.
For fans interested in shopping for authentic Jackie Joyner-Kersee Olympic collectibles from their favorite teams, star players or championship seasons, click on the Sports Memorabilia logo above.
If, by chance, you opt to purchase any Sports Memorabilia product, we will earn a small commission. So, thank you.
MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports!
My #6 choice in Los Angeles Sports Icons, Jerry West, is a 1980 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee who carries an assortment of nicknames.
NBA opponents called him Mr. Clutch for his innate ability to vanquish them with crucial shots in the closing seconds of tight games.
NBA fans labeled him Mr. Outside for his sweet stroke from the perimeter as well as his terrific athleticism to closely guard ball handlers away from the basket.
NBA teammate Elgin Baylor named him Tweety Bird for his high pitched voice that squeaked even higher the more excited he became.
NBA announcers dubbed him Zeke From Cabin Creek, a shout out to his rural upbringing in the rolling hills of Chelyan, West Virginia.
And, any follower of the NBA has known him as The Logo because his likeness served as inspiration for advertising executive Alan Siegel who designed the NBA logo in 1969. Ironically, the NBA has never acknowledged West's image as the actual silhouette in the logo. Regardless what name you call him, Jerry West will always be remembered as a champion and one of the top players in NBA history.
West played all 14 years of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers and excelled as both a point guard and shooting guard for the franchise.
Voted in 1996 as one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players ever, West was a 14 time NBA All-Star and 10 time All-NBA First Team performer. He also led the league in scoring in 1970 and in assists in 1972.
The talented combo guard retired with gaudy individual career numbers of 25,192 points (27.0 ppg), 5,366 rebounds (5.8rpg) and 6,238 assists (6.7 apg). West still holds the record for his 46.3 ppg average during an NBA playoff series.
The Los Angeles Lakers retired his #44 jersey in 1983.
While with the Lakers, West won an NBA title in 1972 and then captured seven more championship rings when he moved into management for the team.
Mr. Clutch excelled in the front office, too. He was named NBA Executive of the Year twice, once with the Lakers and again with the Memphis Grizzlies.
While with the Lakers, West was credited with drafting iconic Purple and Gold stars Magic Johnson and James Worthy as well as shrewdly signing Phil Jackson as coach and boldly trading for Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.
In addition to a well decorated team championship resume, West’s personal accomplishments as a player are quite remarkable.
Despite losing in the 1959 NCAA title game, West was named the Final Four MVP. He received another unlikely award in 1969 when he was named MVP of the NBA Finals even though his Lakers lost to the New York Knicks. Whether you refer to him as Mr. Clutch, Mr. Outside, Tweety Bird, Zeke From Cabin Creek or The Logo, remember that Jerry West will always rank as one the greatest performers in the history of the NBA.
That's why he's an easy pick as #6 in Los Angeles Sports Icons.
If you’re a fan of the Purple and Gold, click on the Sports Memorabilia logo above for authentic Los Angeles Lakers sports collectibles.
Note that if you purchase any products from Sports Memorabilia, we receive a small commission. So, thank you.
MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports!
At #5 in Los Angeles Sports Icons, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA has hosted many of America’s top sports events over the past century.
Because of the Rose Bowl’s rich and diverse history, Sports Illustrated ranked it number one in its 2007 poll of best college stadiums.
It’s no surprise others in sports media have attributed the enviable moniker “America’s Most Famous Stadium” to California’s Rose Bowl.
Constructed in 1922 for $272,198, the original horse shoe shaped stadium was designed by Myron Hunt to mirror the Yale Bowl in New Haven, CT. It officially became known as the Rose Bowl in 1923.
Now owned by the City of Pasadena, the Rose Bowl has earned its status as a National Historic Landmark.
This venerable venue has successfully transformed over the years. Its first collegiate game featured Cal’s defeat of USC on October 8, 1922.
An evolutionary stadium, it has since played host for many of our nation’s most publicized athletic events. The stadium’s capacity has mushroomed from its original 57,000 seats and now accommodates seats for up to 92,542 fans. 1980 Super Bowl XIV between the Pittsburgh Steelers and then Los Angeles Rams saw the stadium break a single game attendance record. In one of the NFL’s greatest championship games ever, the storied stadium swelled to 103,985 spectators.
The stadium’s greatest attendance record was set way back in 1973 when 106,869 spectators watched USC defeat Ohio State University in that year’s Rose Bowl Game.
In addition to hosting five Super Bowls on its pristine natural grass surface, the Rose Bowl has served as home for the UCLA Bruins since 1982. More than a sports stadium, the Rose Bowl welcomes visitors to one of our nation’s top outdoor flea markets during the second Sunday of every month.
The Rose Bowl’s iconic status has been solidified over the years. The 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympic Games boasted activities at this beloved stadium. The 1994 Men’s World Cup, the Women’s World Cup in 1999, various CONCACAF Cups and other major international soccer friendlies have all been held here.
One sports event catapults the Rose Bowl above and beyond its peers. Each year, it plays host to the “Granddaddy of Them All,” when its field opens to the final and most prestigious college football bowl game of the season.
Except for a brief hiatus during World War II, this is where the Rose Bowl has annually pitted BIG 10 and PAC 12 championships teams.
In addition, four Bowl Championship Series Title Games (2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014) kicked off in the Rose Bowl and the site figures prominently in the newly organized College Football Playoffs.
Over the past few years, the Rose Bowl has undergone an extensive $180 million renovation. With wider hallways, expanded tunnels, 10 new giant LED panels, 10 new electronic game clocks, 54 luxury suites, 48 luxury boxes, 1,200 club seats and a totally modernized broadcast booth, the famous stadium is poised to continue its long tradition of hosting the top sporting events in America.
With its stunning location overlooking the San Gabriel Mountains, it’s no surprise that the Rose Bowl ranks #5 in Los Angeles Sports Icons.
If you’re interested in authentic college or pro football sports merchandise, click on the Sports Memorabilia logo above.
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MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports!
My #4 choice in Los Angeles Sports Icons, Kobe Bryant perfectly embodied the Black Mamba nickname during his lengthy and decorated NBA career.
As the fastest and largest snake on the African continent, the black mamba is feared for its lethal aggressiveness and protective territorial instincts.
And, basketball’s recently retired Black Mamba always played with the same venomous, assertive nature as his African namesake.
Universally known as Kobe, Bryant coupled incredible basketball skill with an unparalleled work ethic and indomitable spirit to be adored in the City of Angels as one of the top NBA players ever.
Destined for greatness at an early age, Bryant was raised in a professional basketball household. Growing up in Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Italy, Kobe followed his father, former NBA and European pro Joe Jellybean Bryant, wherever he laced up his sneakers. Kobe excelled immediately in his teens. He played at Lower Merion High in Ardmore, Pennsylvania and was recognized as the top high school player in the nation in 1996.
Kobe jumped directly into the NBA out of high school and at just 18 signed with the Los Angeles Lakers thanks to then General Manager Jerry West's shrewd negotiating.
Bryant immediately made a splash in the NBA. His marketability was instantaneous. He captured the attention and support of fans by winning the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie.
Bryant matured quickly as an NBA player and teamed with NBA great Shaquille O’Neal to win consecutive NBA titles in 2000, 2001 and 2002. In addition, after the Lakers traded Shaq to the Miami Heat, Kobe won two more NBA rings with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010 and became the toast of the town.
Kobe also starred on the international basketball stage. The retired Los Angeles Lakers guard earned gold medals for the USA squad in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games in Beijing and London. He also brought home the gold when he competed in Istanbul, Turkey in the 2010 FIBA World Basketball Championships.
Although the supremely talented 6’6” and 205 lb. guard accumulated team accolades at every professional level, Kobe is widely recognized for his amazing individual basketball achievements. He is a 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, a 17-time NBA All-Star and a 12-time NBA All-Defensive Team choice.
Kobe’s individual basketball resume is topped by a 2008 NBA regular season MVP Award and 2009 and 2010 NBA Finals MVP Awards.
In addition, Bryant once poured in an astounding 81 points in 2006 against the Toronto Raptors. It marked the second highest point total in league history.
This universally recognized basketball star became the youngest player in NBA history to accumulate 30,000 career points. A player who needed just one name to be identified, Kobe served as the face of the Los Angeles Lakers franchise for many years.
More importantly, he’s been one of the most highly recognizable athletes on the planet for the past 20 years.
Around the world, basketball fans were regularly snake-bitten by what this single named superstar accomplished with a basketball.
That’s why basketball’s Black Mamba easily springs into the #4 spot in Los Angeles Sports Icons.
If you’re a fan of the Purple and Gold, click on the Sports Memorabilia logo above for authentic Kobe Bryant and Los Angeles Lakers sports collectibles.
Note that if you purchase any products from Sports Memorabilia, we receive a small commission. So, thank you.
MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports!
Kareem Abdul Jabbar and his iconic shot soar into the #3 spot in Los Angeles Sports Icons.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame center cemented his incredible basketball legacy by winning multiple college and professional championships in the City of Angels.
The NBA’s greatest scorer ever also birthed an ageless nickname by perfecting an unstoppable shot. He effortlessly released the ball high over helpless defenders who appeared glued to the hardwood, unable to block his shot attempt.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s signature shot, the Sky Hook, will always be linked to the 7’2” and 225 lb. NBA Hall of Fame center. The nickname was first given by Milwaukee Bucks announcer Eddie Doucette to this 1969 number one NBA overall draft choice during his rookie season.
In his 20-year NBA career, Jabbar’s fluid hook shot was critical in scoring more points (38,387) than any other player in league history. ESPN boldly called the Sky Hook the deadliest shot the NBA has ever seen. Kareem Abdul Jabbar could unleash this un-guardable shot whenever, wherever, however and on whomever he wanted on basketball courts across America.
Jabbar credits the Sky Hook for his incredible NBA success. No other basketball player has ever remotely duplicated the shot.
Surprisingly, Jabbar developed the move as a fifth grader on the New York City playgrounds. Years later, Jabbar would joke that his patented Sky Hook was the only shot he could use that didn’t get smashed back in his face.
Kareem retired in 1989. He still holds the NBA records for most points, field goal attempts, field goals made, all-star appearances and all-star games played. Thanks in part to the Sky Hook, Kareem’s career .559 career field goal percentage is one of the best ever in the NBA.
A three-time NCAA Champion at UCLA, six-time NBA Champion and six-time NBA Most Valuable Player, Kareem Abdul Jabbar proves that when you perfect a skill - or in his case a shot - then whatever you do in life, the sky’s truly the limit!
Kareem Abdul Jabbar and his famous Sky Hook both tickle the twine at #3 in Los Angeles Sports Icons. If you’re a fan of the Purple and Gold, click on the Sports Memorabilia logo above for authentic Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Los Angeles Lakers sports collectibles.
Note that if you purchase any products from Sports Memorabilia, we receive a small commission. So, thank you.
MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports!
Regardless of the sport, the subject of great games, great teams and great players always triggers debate.
However, when referencing the nickname the Great One, no one will argue that only one great athlete could lay claim to this lofty label.
He effortlessly skates in at #2 in Los Angeles Sports Icons.
Wayne Gretzky’s incredible NHL success may never be duplicated. His hallowed Great One nickname may never be challenged by any player, past or present, in any sport.
In hockey, legendary NHL players Mario Lemieux. Bobby Orr, Gordy Howe and Phil Esposito may have excelled and dominated at times during their storied careers. However, their noteworthy hockey achievements pale in comparison to those of Gretzky’s.
The Great One’s NHL dominance dwarfs not only other NHL Hall of Famers, but also other awesome athletes in other professional sports.
The 6’ and 185 lb. Canadian won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player an astonishing nine times.
Gretzky completed his career as the all time leader in nearly every statistical and awards category. These were feats that iconic athletes like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Derek Jeter, Lionel Messi, Peyton Manning or Tom Brady have or will never come close to accomplishing.
Hockey’s best player of all-time shattered Phil Esposito’s NHL record of 76 goals in a season by putting the puck in the net an astounding 92 times.
In addition, Gretzky also amassed 212 total points in a single season. He surpassed the remarkable 200 point accomplishment four times.
No athlete in any professional league has ever dominated his sport like Gretzky. His staggering records and awards leave no sports fan to doubt that this amazing hockey player will always be the only one in any sport known by the lofty label of the Great One.
For fans interested in shopping for authentic NHL and Wayne Gretzky collectibles from their favorite teams, star players or championship seasons, click on the Sports Memorabilia logo above. If, by chance, you opt to purchase any Sports Memorabilia product, we will earn a small commission. So, thank you.
MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports!
This Hall of Famer possessed incomparable ball handling, passing, rebounding and scoring abilities never before seen in a 6’9” player.
It’s easy to understand why his basketball skills earned him the universally recognized nickname Magic.
He effortlessly fast breaks into the #1 spot in my free sports comic book Los Angeles Sports Icons.
Earvin Johnson, Jr. picked up the Magic nickname long before he started vanquishing opponents and mesmerizing fans in NBA arenas.
During his sophomore season at Everett High School in Lansing, Michigan, Johnson delivered an eye-popping triple double performance. He scored 36 points, grabbed 18 rebounds and dished out 16 assists. This marvelous game caused local reporter Fred Stabley, Jr. to dub him with the magical name that he’s carried with him ever since. As one of the most heavily recruited high school players in the country, Magic remained loyal to his home state and matriculated at Michigan State University. He played for beloved coach Jud Heathcote and quickly became an impact player. Even as a freshman, Magic demonstrated the poise and control of a seasoned player. Scouts, coaches, players and fans instantly fell in love with his unmistakable smile and pure love for the game of basketball.
In 1979, he led his Spartans to the NCAA National Championship. MSU bested an undefeated Indiana State team led by another future NBA Hall of Famer Larry Bird. The game marked the genesis of a personal rivalry that would surface again and again in the sports world over the next 15 years. Magic and Bird would remain intertwined throughout their respective basketball careers.
Following the guard’s 1979 NCAA National Championship win, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Magic as the overall number one pick in the NBA Draft. LA was the perfect destination for the budding superstar.
Johnson immediately thrived in Los Angeles as a brilliant floor leader in the Lakers’ Showtime offense. He was also flamboyant, an immensely likeable celebrity in a city famous for its stars. Ironically, Johnson now claims his very own star on Hollywood’s famous Walk of Fame.
During his rookie season, Magic played spectacularly alongside his basketball hero Kareem Abdul Jabbar. He led the Lakers to the 1980 NBA title and was named MVP of the NBA Finals.
Magic proceeded to win five NBA Championships and earn three NBA Finals MVP awards. He also appeared in 12 total NBA All-Star games and was named the overall MVP of the NBA in 1987, 1989 and 1990.
Magic’s rivalry with Larry Bird smoothly transitioned from their NCAA title game showdown to epic Lakers versus Celtic battles in the 1980’s. Magic and Bird competed against each other three times for the NBA title. Magic and his Lakers bested Bird and his Boston Celtics in two of the three matchups.
While Magic’s storied basketball career has been well chronicled, it has also included the heartbreaking announcement about his contracting the HIV virus. Johnson displayed courage and grit in battling this disease as well as in handling the public scourge that accompanies it.
Utilizing the same leadership skills he honed on the basketball court, he now creates AIDS awareness and in invests in inner city neighborhoods.
Magic retired from the NBA following the 1991 season but his departure did not stop fans from voting him as a starter on the 1992 NBA All-Star team.
That same year, Magic was chosen to be a member of the group of talented NBA All-Stars picked to represent the United States at the 1992 Summer Olympic Games.
Ironically, during their time together on the Dream Team, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson played together for the first time and became close friends. As a matter of fact, when Magic was inducted into the Hall of Fame, Bird stood beside him during his induction.
Simply labeling Magic Johnson as a basketball player would not be sufficient. The gifted guard with an assortment of basketball skills has also showcased other varied abilities in his post NBA days.
This Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer has become a businessman, media personality, investor, mentor, philanthropist, humanitarian and hero with a megawatt smile - known simply as Magic.
He’s my undisputed #1 choice for Los Angeles Sports Icons. If you’re a fan of the Purple and Gold, click on the Sports Memorabilia logo above for authentic Magic Johnson and Los Angeles Lakers sports collectibles.
Note that if you purchase any products from Sports Memorabilia, we receive a small commission. So, thank you.
MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports!
This talented tinsel town team perfectly fit the Hollywood hype of its Showtime nickname.
The squad takes center stage in the bonus chapter of Los Angeles Sports Icons.
With their quick paced form of fast break basketball, the Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s electrified NBA fans. Their style of play entertained the many movie, music and television celebrities who attended their home games at the old Great Western Forum.
Much of the Showtime nickname is credited to Lakers star Earvin Magic Johnson. This 6’9” point guard and overall number one pick in the 1979 NBA Draft became famous for his no look passes and extra bright smile. He led the Showtime fast break like an expert director of a major motion picture.
Johnson handled the basketball like his namesake – a magician. His recipients were Hall of Fame forward James Worthy and a tireless group of smart, athletic teammates. His fellow Lakers included Jamaal Wilkes, Byron Scott, Michael Cooper, Norm Nixon and Kurt Rambis.
Magic Johnson was also as good a passer in the half court game. He smartly fed fellow Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul Jabbar for easy points in the paint.
Hall of Fame coach Pat Riley scripted and managed the widely admired Showtime attack. The Lakers flourished in the 80s and advanced to the NBA Finals eight times during the decade.
The Showtime Lakers captured five NBA crowns during that popular era. They were such an attractive spectacle, that the most popular celebrities of the time like Jack Nicholson, Dyan Cannon, Arsenio Hall, Walter Matthau and assorted members of the Jackson singing family sat courtside to cheer them on.
The surroundings of the Great Western Forum, both on and off the court, transformed the Showtime Lakers. They went from being an entertaining basketball team to a team of star-studded Hollywood entertainers who also happened to play basketball.
Nearly 30 years later and with 16 titles to their credit, the Lakers remain one of the NBA’s most successful franchises.
Thanks in a major way to Magic Johnson and his Showtime Lakers teammates, the Lakers are ranked as the league’s most valuable team.
With an estimated worth of $3.2 billion according to Forbes Magazine, the Lakers’ Showtime teams of the 1980s helped create a Hollywood blockbuster by any industry standard. If you’re a fan of the Purple and Gold, click on the Sports Memorabilia logo above for authentic Los Angeles Lakers sports collectibles.
Note that if you purchase any products from Sports Memorabilia, we receive a small commission. So, thank you.
MIKE – thee ultimate talking head on sports! Thank you for downloading this FREE sports comic book.
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If you have clicked on any of the logos above or elsewhere in this book and purchased products from these sports related sites, then thank you. We will earn a small commission from each sale. In addition to the MIKE books available for only 99 cents on Amazon.com, here is a bonus for MIKE sports comic book fans.
FREE sports comic books can be safely downloaded at no charge by clicking on the cover images of books on the following pages.
You will be directed to the www.theemike.com web site where you can safely download PDFs of the FREE books. Click on yellow cover above to safely download FREE MIKE Sports Comic Books from the www.theemike.com web site. Click on purple cover above to safely download FREE MIKE Sports Comic Books from the www.theemike.com web site. Click on purple cover above to safely download FREE MIKE Sports Comic Books from the www.theemike.com web site. MIKE on Sports Podcast
Click on the yellow cover to listen and subscribe to MIKE on Sports!
The podcast is for every American sports fan - especially those who like to laugh or learn something unique about sports. It's loaded with clever quips and fun sports stuff you should know that ESPN and other sports networks fail to report.
MIKE on Sports! offers great sports humor, short sports stories and interesting sports history that never really grab the headlines. Meet the MIKE Makers, Jim and Maura Sweeney, as well as the other contributors to this unique sports property. Jim Sweeney – Author
Born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey, Jim grew up with a passion for sports and fun. Participating in baseball, basketball, swimming, soccer and street hockey as a kid, Jim wound up playing basketball at Boston College where he captained the Eagles from 1977 – 1980 and received the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award as the nation’s top NCAA basketball under six feet tall.
After a 20-year-career in sales, Jim closed the computer agency he founded to pursue a fun career in sports entertainment. Jim developed MIKE as an alter-ego sports personality and has penned dozens of sports comic books under the MIKE name.
Jim also blogs regularly on national sports sites under the MIKE name and has launched the popular podcast - MIKE on Sports!
Now in his fifties and living on the West Coast of Florida, Jim continues to play basketball regularly and always finds time for fun.
Jim serves as the Head of USA for FIMBA – Federation of International Masters Basketball Association.
Sweeney is also a three time World Masters Basketball Champion and a seven time USA Masters Basketball Champion. http://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdsweeney Maura Sweeney – Publisher
A successful podcaster, Huffington Post contributor and speaker, Maura became the driving force in encouraging her husband out of a highly successful business and into the pursuit of his dream – to create MIKE into the sports world’s ultimate talking head.
Maura is MIKE’s co-creator and publisher.
For more on Maura – http://www.maura4u.com Alex Salsberg - Illustrator
Cartoonist Alex Salsberg is the man behind Poke Gravy Studios in Boston. An ardent New England Patriots fan, Alex has created animation and illustration for many clients including Nickelodeon and National Lampoon.
Alex has drawn the cover and most of the artwork in the book. His work can be seen at www.PokeGravy.com. In addition to books, blogs and a popular podcast, MIKE is expected to be seen and heard on television and Jumbotrons.
MIKE is a registered Trademark. MIKE and all the artwork in this book are the property of New Vision Entertainment, LLC.
Special thanks to these MIKE contributors:
Kevin Riley – Animator Greg Stauffer – Studio Production Dave Rittenhouse – Studio Production Amy O’Hara-Cusick – Legal