'Points on the board in Michigan': Expert says Magic Johnson delivered Harris a slam dunk

Vice President Kamala Harris got a major boost Friday when basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson delivered an energetic endorsement of the Democratic nominee in his home state, a political analyst said.

Johnson, an outspoken critic of the Trump administration, has potential to put more voters in Harris' column in the crucial swing state of Michigan, MSNBC's Ari Melber said.

"You don't have to be a Michigan politics expert or a basketball expert to know that Magic Johnson puts points on the board in Michigan and many other states, as people hear about this," said Melber. "It draws people in."

Melber noted Johnson's support only adds to a growing number of endorsements Harris and her running mate Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) have received from celebrities such as pop star Taylor Swift and Republican politicians such as former Rep. Liz Cheney.

Johnson added important momentum in the final weeks before election day on Nov. 5, Melber argued.

"Campaigns are about addition," said Melber. "She's adding through those endorsements," he said, in a way "few candidates have done in American politics since Obama's first campaign for president."

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Melber detailed the various reasons he felt Johnson gave Harris a powerful endorsement, among them his home base.

"Harris just drawing the endorsement from a Detroit native as she tours Michigan, the NBA legend, dream team member, and Hall of Famer Earvin 'Magic' Johnson," Melber said. "A big deal that combines Midwest star power with the uniting power of sports and Americana."

MSNBC aired a clip of Johnson heaping praise at Harris during her Friday evening rally.

"What an outstanding cause to elect my friend, Kamala Harris, President of the United States," said Johnson. "She's smart. She's strong. She's passionate. Nobody is going to outwork her. She's committed to you as the people of United States, the people of Michigan. She's committed to you."

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