Earvin "Magic" Johnson 1980 Finals: Gm 6 vs. 76ers, 42/15/7

[nitestar95]

The greatest player, who could play any position on the court. Career cut short, but he was still the best there ever was. 

[liveamovie]

5:22 that may be the greatest MISSED SHOT ever 

[MackenDaFlows]

YOu can hear somebody in the locker room say "Rookie of the year!" jokingly during Magic's postgame interview

[Guitarherotimmydude]

magic can play any position which makes him 33x better than bird.

[mathsteacher45]

Magic was so quick back then !!

[littlejayz365]

this is the only time when true basketball was alive Lebron and d wade can never beat johnson or jordan

[liveamovie]

@littlejayz365 i wouldnt say couldnt beat them , they just wont be as respected

[rodney1b]

srry I can't compare the two I love KB and I Iove MJ so reserve my judgement on the two!" pt MJ. sg KB. just put it like that..

[LiKWiiD]

Magic is so much more level-headed about everything than todays players.

[DcoopsMySon]

Magic sounds like hes drunk lol

[etks1957]

This is one of my top memories in my life. What a game!

[SKULASCHU]

P H E N O M E N O M!! Like the Brazilian soccer player Pele!

[sethaus75]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I don't believe a single 3pt shot was attempted in this game. It used to be considered a desperation shot back in the day. If you told people back then that players would practice the shot and specialize in it and shoot almost 50% from downtown they'd probably think you were crazy.

[sethaus75]

Even though he was great throughout his career, unfortunately knee injuries starting his 2nd year cost Magic a lot of athleticism. Yes I said it --athleticism. Though he wasn't a high fly act, as you can see from this tape, he was athletic in his own way.

[KarlMalowned32]

In my top 5 for greatest Finals performances by an individual player

[Gremlin212332]

@KarlMalowned32 Agree...but whats your other top 5 bro

[KarlMalowned32]

@Gremlin212332 Iverson's 48 against the Lakers, Jordan's Flu Game, Isiah's 43 on a bad ankle against the Lakers in no particular order

[SONICE69]

@leep- Several GREAT Lakers during the history of this illustrious franchise. Wilt Chamberlain. Abdul Jabber, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West...., etc........ Just my lame opinion tho....

[leepipesateneo]

greatest LAKER ever. MAGIC JOHNSON. any laker fan willing to debate on that? ;)

[sera7ares]

@leepipesateneo if Kobe wins a 6th one this June, it would be pretty hard to debate against the Mamba.

[LakersDynasty42]

@sera7ares Kobe will never be better than Magic.

[ikilledurmama]

@LakersDynasty42 I totally agree and I'm a Kobe fan.

[24graderthan23]

@ikilledurmama kobe=goat boy sit down

[deadhardy]

what a tame celebration

[xSolarFlare15x]

Haha "Hi Mom and Dad!"

[323POLLO13]

not much of a celebration.

[23jordanian]

Incredible....Magic performed more like a veteran than a rookie in this game

[falkner23]

A Masterpiece!

[MrLarryLessor]

Check out Pat Riley stylin the late 70s look at the 8:45 mark...... LMAO!!!!

[sethaus75]

Notice how the 3pt line is there but hardly anyone shot 3's back then. It was considered a desperation shot.

[1987Viking]

Great post game interview by Rick Barry, a vastly underrated journalist and hoop expert. He puts his massive ego aside to respect greatness when he sees it. Too bad he's now reduced to touting hair transplant products. Another highlight: Brent Musberger at the end of the game said to Bill Russell: "You said before the game that don't be surprised if the Lakers rally together in a game like this. You must have known something." Russell: "Well, you know I was in a couple of these things..."

[xSoccerxCorex]

@1987Viking being a jerk for 99% of his career+the "watermelon smile" incident with Bill Russell in the finals the next year ruined his broadcasting career. but when he was with CBS in the 70's (he'd only do the finals unless he was playing in them himself) he was very good

[1987Viking]

This is one of the seminal games of NBA history in a sense that this game really ushered in the 1980s and the emphasis on team play. I like the fact you included the pre-game interview because it showed a lot of who Magic Johnson is and really about everything he has done since he left the game. He comes across as humble, talked constantly of his team and what THEY planned to do. He talked about himself in the context of how he fit into it. If I was starting a team, he will ALWAYS be my #1 pick.

[fatal9ish]

Are you sure about him learning Bird was named ROY before the game? Awards back then weren't named until a couple of weeks after the season ended, and even then, Bird had been consensus ROY since the regular season.

[LakersDynasty42]

That's what Jackie MacMullan put in her new Bird and Magic book: huffington post(dot)com /jackie-macmullan/iwhen-the-ga­me-was-oursi_b_362107(dot)html

[fatal9ish]

weird she would write that. awards weren't announced till may 29th and the last finals game was on may 16th.