This is Not a Photo of Magic Johnson’s Celebrity Crew
The Claim
A photograph shows Magic Johnson with Jack Nicholson, Michael Jackson, Madonna, and several other celebrities walking into the NBA playoffs.
News posted on
Emerging story
On 17 February 2017, an image showing Magic Johnson and a crew of celebrities —including actor Jack Nicholson; singers Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Prince; boxer Mike Tyson; comedian Eddie Murphy— arriving at the NBA Playoffs was shared on Instagram by rapper Snoop Dogg. This August, 2020, during this years’ NBA playoffs, the post has gone viral and been circulated extensively on social media.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s investigation into this claim reveals it to be false. The photo is actually a composite, comprised of several other photos, put together for a hypothetical 1-on-1 basketball showdown between Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson that never happened, envisioned by Bleacher Report Magazine. Nevertheless, Bleacher Report as well as those who have been swept up in the circulation of this claim agree that such a crew would be among the coldest.
