Magic Johnson (Left), Steve Martin (Right)

You look at this picture and the first question you ask yourself after “Where did Steve Martin get that kick-ass tie?” is “Why is Magic Johnson wearing a Charlotte Hornets shirt?”

Let’s take a time machine back to March 10, 1989. It’s a Friday night in a very young Charlotte when nothing in town is more exciting than going to the Hive. The home team may only have 15 wins and a whopping 45 losses but it’s our team and the red hot Los Angeles Lakers are coming to town for the first time. This is our first chance to see super stars like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy and of course the incredible Magic Johnson. 

We proceed to get our butt’s kicked 123-90 (Box Score)

BUT this is exciting stuff. We are being introduced to the NBA and the Hornets organization still knew how to entertain their guests. One of the tricks they had up there sleeves was even when the Hornets lost they would sit down with the “star of the game” or the superstar of the opposing team on the court and do a post game interview. Who better to corral than Magic Johnson?!

An almost 10,000 estimated people stuck around to hear the interview between Steve Martin and Magic Johnson. Magic knew we were fresh on the NBA scene and decided to humor the crowd by throwing on the Charlotte Hornets shirt which was greeted by roaring applause and cheers… You couldn’t do that today.