Magic Johnson Plays Center in 1980 Finals

[Bmants]

Dont compare anyone to Magic! Lebron haters, go to hell.

[quierokinderbueno]

i dont understand why they even compare lebron with the best players in nba history

yeah hes a good player but obviously has a long way to go before even considering hes one of the best players

[cein81]

defense back then was total shit....how the fuck do you allow 55 rebounds in a game or 100 points in a game...the muthafuckin team must have been on there knees if they allowed that many rebs...and all u laker cocksucking faggits saying lebron will be raped and shit...he may not have his jumpshot developed but he is an all around good basketball player

[Electivity]

Who cares about lebron. This is about Magic. Magic only.

[uberathlete]

IMO, this is the greatest finals performance in history.

[kbotpop]

2:10 lmaooo dude was crying

[kbotpop]

2:13 lmaooooooo dude was crying

[SkinnyBiscuitZ]

50 REBOUNDS OMG. DR J !!!!!!

[fraka899]

@SkinnyBiscuitZ 15 dude wtf

[bedan4peat]

Just put LEbron in the 80's and he will be raped over and over again. Players then are just too proud and will not let a fucking high school player, prima donna, overrated just dominate them.

[32baller]

magic is a total package!!! only rookie to become mvp finals. jordan no, lebron no, kobe no, and play`s five possition on finals.

[soooooooo420]

haha 1:10 he fakes the camera man

[cb4allstar4]

okay all you fucking whining babies Magic Johnson played point guard position and was skinny as hell, LeBron's a fucking tank 6'9, 260 pounds with a 46 inch vertical, he will also be the greatest scorer all time if he keeps it up at this rate, and he's the ONLY forward to EVER average 8apg in a season and lets see Magic get all of LeBron's triple doubles or play defence like LeBron (who's a 2x runner up for defensive player of the year)

[whiplash708]

@cb4allstar4 magic was skinny as hell????? 255 lbs is skinny? have you even seen magic? I'm a larry bird/celtics fan but magic is a top 5 player of all time. as for the triple doubles magic has a lot more. lebron is the best player in the game today but he isn't up there with legends like mj bird magic he doesn't have a great 4th quarter.

[cb4allstar4]

@whiplash708 meh LeBron's time will come, he just doesnt have a good reputation cuz he has no rings

[whiplash708]

@cb4allstar4 some players have never been blessed to win a ring (like malone sir charles) also about guys like lebron, kobe, durant, wade they play in an inferior era of basketball that is littered with accusations of refs tampering with games. the league is more about money. when the cavs and spurs played ratings were so low. lakers/celtics = big time ratings. I had thought that in the preseason nba would already determine it would be heat lakers in the finals maybe it will still happen.

[lasoogneypubes]

@omegzilla Lebron only averages 1.2 points from free throws a game more than Magic did (6.7 and 5.5 respectively) and Lebron scores 8.2 points a game more than Magic did. So that would mean Lebron scores 7 points a game more than Magic did if you even out the amount of free throws they made in a game. I'm not a big Lebron fan really, but people need to give him more credit. I know the hype is annoying but he really is a great basketball player.

[guidi2005]

Jordan was the best ever, for sure. But since MJ many have compared people to him but nobody has ever been compared to Magic because there isn't anyone remotely close to his unique skill set. If anyone I guess you can say Lebron but Lebron never had a team as good as the Lakers until this year, so we shall see.

[MrTachyon3000]

Who in hell who's got a little knowledge about basketball is comparing Lebron's passing to MAGIC'S SHOWTIME passing??? You've got to be retarded or on drugs!

[TheMagiclaker32]

can see how people can say jordon was better after this performance

[masanf]

You know everyone in Philadelphia was thinking "How the Fuck did we just get beat when Kareem is at home.".

[Maikinized]

2:10 haha!XD

[viktorpo6ta]

Another player in every position?May be Charles Barkley

[grosskopf2]

I remember that day, it was the day I officially swore to hate the Lakers. It also may prove that Magic is the best player of all time, because he is the only player in NBA history that can play 5 positions and play them well. I can;t think or find anyone else. This is hard for me to say because I really HATE the Lakers

[idmt23]

@grosskopf2 You mean the GAYkers?

[FadedBlue37]

@idmt23 Yeah the ones with 16 world championships. Go fuck yourself you stupid cunt

[prodiggy13]

@idmt23

"I used to like Lakers before"

? o_0 ?

[idmt23]

@prodiggy13 Before Kobe was in the NBA

[f2r3x]

A smile big as his talent !

[Shocksword500]

Magic is Clutch, Lebron aint know what a Clutch shot is!

[oldenough181818]

this is witness

[jrussell04]

it was never mention, but the prior to Magic history making Game 6 of the 1980 Finals, Larry Bird won Rookie of the Year earlier that day. Magic said he was pissed that he lost rookie of the year to Bird and I guess he took his frustration on the 76ers that night!

[WorldOfSnakes]

I don't see love on the court when I watch basket ball anymore...I feel that the Jordan era was the last era where you really had those great players that also displayed love and personality on the court...and not just arrogance and power...but that's me

[ashobe24]

magic and kareem both won finals mvp in their rookie seasons.Coincidence?!!!

Don't think so. They were both destined to be great.

[jrussell04]

@ashobe24 , actually kareem won finals MVP in his 2nd year. His rookie year was in 1969-70. The Knicks won the title that year,

[domski93]

oh shiet!!...1:12 wat a pass

[charliebell01]

Played at Center then Foward then PG in the same NBA finals game as a rookie, thats why i say Magic > MJ

[megatron0357]

0:55 U SEE THAT PASS?!?! WHOOOO!! i still get excited watching magic make those masterpiece passes

[mngbb11]

watch?v=SCZMCrMt4f4

[djtidynorth]

why are people comparing lebron with magic, there is no comparison what so ever

[brownroti]

i think they compare them because magic was 6-9 and could handle the ball that way (which nobody had ever seen before) and lebron is similar in that he's 6-8 and can handle the rock. they are both physically gifted in that respect.

[kobe4rings]

true but lebrons handles cant even be mentioned in the same sentence with Magic's. Lebrons handles are average while Magics were top notch.

[omegzilla1]

rofl,lebrons ball handling is complete shiiitttt...dont even compare him to magic in that aspect. magic=finess, lebron=power. lets see lebron put up 35points without being fouled for 30 of them..

[brownroti]

i never said that lebron's ball handling was on par with magics, i just said that for his height and build he is unique in that he can handle the rock. also even with his free throw attempts lebron will always be a potent offensive player than magic was. magics ppg over his career was just 19.5...lebrons is 27.5. That doesnt make lebron better, it just makes him a more potent offensive weapon. and the ability to get to the line in the nba is a skill, dont forget that.

[brownroti]

plus lebron can run the break extremely well. once again im not saying he can run the break as well as magic, but he lebron has amazing court vision and is almost impossible to stop in the open floor, SIMILAR to magic. and thats probably why people compare them.

[drummerkid3344]

@omegzilla1 He would do it easily. If you look at the stats, rare are the games where he shoots more than 10 freethrows. But even then, drawing the foul is part of his game and he's really good at it.

[richkid2311]

@omegzilla1  wow...

[SoMuchSpeed]

@omegzilla1 lebron is better than magic, and he puts up 35 pretty much every night only avg about 9 free throws a game

[guidi2005]

@SoMuchSpeed since when has Lebron put up 35 per night?

[lasoogneypubes]

@SoMuchSpeed 35? No. His season average for points this year is 26.2 a game. I'm just gonna go ahead and compare their career averages (without a bias really). Lebron James: 27.7 PPG, 7.9 AST, 7.1 RPG and 6.7 points a game coming from free throws (for those of you saying he gets a lot of points from being physical and drawing fouls rather than using skill). Magic Johnson: 19.5 PPG, 11.2 AST, 7.2 RPG and 5.5 points a game coming from free throws. No bias to either intended.

[Magic32Rice80]

@SoMuchSpeed lol bullshit..

[gilless429]

@omegzilla1 He has done that already.

And please, why do you have to demean a great player to make one you prefer look better ? Both are great, you happen to have a preference for Magic. Okay. So what ? That doesn't mean you have to be a complete fucking asshole about Lebron. You love Magic, so do many other people. And most of those other people, even if they don't like Lebron much, don't need compare the two. Are you so insecure about liking Magic that you need to talk shit to feel better ?

[zXeX0dusXz]

@gilless429 Um, no. It's the truth. Lebron really is more power than finesse. Lebron isn't a great ball-handler, and omegzilla1 didn't mean the last sentence in a literal sense. No matter how you see it, Magic will almost always come out the better player. He's just so well-rounded, so unique, and so skilled. Lebron is a great scorer, but I don't see him becoming one of the greats. He could break a record or two, but as far as the Hall of Fame goes, I don't see him being inducted. My opinion.

[zXeX0dusXz]

@zXeX0dusXz The phrase "my opinion" referring to the becoming a legend and Hall of Fame part of my statement. Everything else is probably true. Magic has more awareness and versatility. He's not a >30 ppg scorer like Lebron, but he's definitely capable of that.

[gilless429]

@zXeX0dusXz Lebron IS more power than finesse. He has a lot of both but more power. Who said the contrary ? How does that relate to what I said ? "Lebron isn't a great ball-handler" ? He averages 3.4 TOs PG. Given how many touches he gets, that's very little. Plus when talking about ball-handling, the ability to make good passes is often counted as a plus. 7 PG for him. He IS a great ball-handler, whether you like it or not. ...cont...

[gilless429]

@zXeX0dusXz ...cont... "Magic will almost always come out the better player" Are you fucking kidding me ? If I understand well enough, you just did the very thing I demonstrated is idiotic in the comment you answered to in the first place. Demean a great player, in order to make one you prefer look better. Magic was a great player, no argument there. Among the top 5 of his generation no doubt. But so what ? Lebron is amongst the top 5 of his generation too. ...cont...

[gilless429]

@zXeX0dusXz ...cont... Lebron can score in a hurry, averages 7 assists per game (career), rarely turns the ball over given how much he gets it, he makes free throws efficiently (above 70% career-wise, which is big for a forward), he also averages 7.1 rebounds PG, 1.7 steals PG and 0.8 blocks PG. He also is regarded as one of the greatest NBA leaders of all times. I'm so very sorry, but if you cannot see other aspects of his game than his scoring as great, then that's on you, not on anyone else.

[zXeX0dusXz]

@gilless429 Where the fuck did you get the stupid assumption that I was demeaning Lebron to make Magic look better? Like I need to make the slightest bit of effort to get the same result. First of all, use your damn head. Magic will almost ALWAYS come out the better player. He's a better passer, a better ball-handler, a better clutch performer, yada yada. No matter how many times you look at it, Magic will always be regarded as the better player. He's a fucking legend, for Christ's sake.

[zXeX0dusXz]

@gilless429 Hell, I would even consider Magic as being better than MJ. MJ is overrated and overhyped. He's a good defender, a good scorer, one of the most versatile players ever, but if you look at it, Magic was the better leader, and also one of the most intimidating triple-double threats in NBA history. Jordan just had better marketing. I fucking HATE Lebron's guts, but player-wise, he's one of the greats. But seriously, of all the people, you compare Lebron to Magic?

[zXeX0dusXz]

@gilless429 I mean, Lebron is a good all-rounder, he fills the well-rounded aspect of an SF very well, but I just don't understand how you would bother compare him to Magic. Magic has a way different playstyle, and how he runs the court is just amazing. Lebron keeps it simple and uses his size, weight, and athleticism to his advantage (nothing wrong with that, don't get me wrong), but with Magic, you just don't know where the ball is going until it goes in. See what I mean?

[narutohearts99]

magic is so much better :)

[Johnheatmia]

there about the same height and both have extodinary passing skills

[RubiksFridrichUser22]

@djtidynorth what! people are comparing Johnson to Lebron......were they dropped on their head?

[zaweek]

style of passing ;) both have EXCELLENT passing so there i see the compare

[zaweek]

@djtidynorth yes there is ;) LeBron has those amazing passes like Magic ;) love both of them

[ClumsyGirl7468]

@djtidynorth ikr! lebrons so much better

[zakes360]

@djtidynorth I hape that you can say the say about comparing kobe and Jordan

[djtidynorth]

@zakes360 they may have similar accomplishments, but i would agree that they are both different players

[natarts892000]

@djtidynorth you can compare their height. no more, no less.

[sk8kid1199]

he never played like a rookie

[DCashBX]

I dont think any1 could be considered the greatest of all time...only of thier era casue evry1 does different things during their own time and the game is forever changing so thats why i think u can only be considered the greatest of ur era

[Panther016]

1:11 crazy

[SDprince619]

larry bird was given the rookie of the year instead of magic

[SoullessOpeth]

Best rookie ever

[4200Ramo]

who won the rookie of the year when ''magic'' was rookie?

[mightyskitle]

larry bird

[esredito]

Magic was the most complete player ever in basketball history... No one except him could play any position from guard to center... BEST EVER

[1ahmadrockets1]

Its amazing, he didn't win rookie of the year, but won Finals MVP in his rookie year...

[CB4toJO]

lmao thats soo weird.. he should of won both awards.

[247critic]

lebron is great coz he ball hogs.

[ecumenopolis0]

magic can be confusing in slow motion. how could you ever defend that?

[JerseyKidSam1]

AMAZING...

[mcdanie5]

We've all heard the modern idiot pundits say it a million times about prospects: "This kid can play anywhere from one to five!" There is only one player in history who could play anywhere from point guard to center: MAGIC FUCKING JOHNSON.

[homie9760]

Who do you think had the sickest passes in Nba History?

[blinkknot44]

pete or magic. end of discussion.

[nikkofilms]

im a kobe fan, but WOW magic is a great player!!

[rspkk0]

The closest thing to Magic since Magic is Lebron.

The closest thing to Mike since Mike is Kobe.

[timetraveler95]

but never the same

[HeyYTplzDontBanMeK]

Dwyane reminds me of Michael more then Kobe does.

I'm not saying Dwyane is better then Kobe, I'm just saying Dwyane plays more like MJ then Kobe does.

[aspenaspen]

well not really , kobe have more stuff like change ups in mid air that look alot like MJ

[rspkk0]

I agree with you but I was just saying that Kobe is the closest to Mike SINCE Mike.

I didn't give Wade a chance since he entered the league after Kobe. But ya..Wade and Kobe both have their Jordanesque moments.

[blackchilliwing]

Yep I think so too. Dwyane Wade drives in much more than Kobe and is as creative as both of them with his lay-ups.

[lovekristie]

Lebron is no where near Magic. Lebron is not a play maker, a point guard,or a leader. Lebron is monster scorer who is very hard to defend because of a rare combination of size, speed and athleticism. The closest thing to Magic since Magic is no one else but Magic. God I wish I lived during that time so that I could have watched his games.

[taongtabon]

i agree and i`m a big lebron fan

[limosince2007]

lebron-magic

not even close

[rspkk0]

I said they have similar characteristics. LeBron can play multiple positions including the point just like Magic.

[maddpoison]

LeBron isn't .. well in my opinion aftr watching him play alot ... point guard material. he doesn't handle the ball as well as i think a point guard should in the nba.

but then again ... alot of pgs just dribble up thecourt.

[JerseyKidSam1]

ill have to disagree on magic and lebron, not tryin to start anything up just sayin i dont agree...lebron plays nothin like magic...lebron plays like lebron...

[rspkk0]

well what I meant was they are both very versitile players, both can play almost every position

[JerseyKidSam1]

true on magics part but i dont think can get every position just yet...he needs a few more years of experience first...

[JerseyKidSam1]

oops i meant i dont think lebron can*

[Fogducker19]

15...

[9Muffinman9]

i wished he stayed in school just one more year" LOLOL

[clonetrooper84]

Thats one hell of a rookie!

[tehsamjones]

Freakin amazing

[kwamaster]

MAGICCCCCCC

[john23baller]

"i wish he stayed 1 more yr. in skool". LMAO

[LorenzoCastillo7]

best laker ever

[vdn17]

i agree 100%

[pcapella45]

Magic made magics.

[pureboy1]

Everyone underestimated the Lakers and thought the Sixers had the win but, look how that turned out. No Kareem and still the Lakers one, believe in Magic.

[sexa19]

the lakers that time has no backup center..??lol

[120524]

or they just found out that magic was better than the backup.

Lol

[sexa19]

i believe also..lol

[adzAzNrapR3alMUZIC]

wow at 1:03 that was a nice layup by Dr.J!!! XD

but wow yeah amazing when Magic played Center. he can play PG SG SF PF C!!!!

[XclusiveMusic09]

yeah this is an underrated moment. you will never see a point guard playing center but magic johnson is the tallest point guard to play in the nba

[assasinate708]

there was only 1 game for the finalS?

[BillORele]

No, this was game 6.

42/15/6 to win the championship by a rookie point guard playing centre because their centre and MVP of the league that year was out injured.

I don't think that will ever be topped.

[sexa19]

no..thats game 6 already

[KuYaJL]

One of the most underrated performances in NBA history.

Magic was a rookie and played basically ALL positions this game to win the championship.

[csikkmusic]

I didn't know that he had 42 in this game... wow...!

[SaxaphonePlayer0]

looks like their at the palace almost. hahahahaha

HAPPPPPPY BDAY MAGIC:)

[JeWBie123]

that was epic a point guard that can play c :D

[Dr3v0]

Happy Brithday big man!

[noobeater23]

happy birthday magic johnson come back next year for the kings thanx

[mj5lv]

wtf??

[richradtylr]

What are you talking about?...He too old.

[TREVorNOTHING]

he's old, but he'd probably still be better than anyone on that kings roster HAHAHA

[amanjbball4lyfe]

except kevin martin

[bsktballHM92]

agrreeeeddd

[pokeboymanpearl]

Happy Birthday Magic Johnson

[Bcookeya2]

Happy Birthday Magic Johnson! Hope it's a good one :)

[bet1235]

magic johnson is sick because he can play all 5 postions

[thebestsully]

no the most succesful rookie ever was wes unsled (rokie of the year + mvp) and was the smallest center in the league but still in the top three in rebounding

[H0lyPh3n0m]

i thought he was a point guard?

why'd they have him starting center?

[17jgomez17]

hes 6"9 which is a bit undersized for a center but still playable. kareem was injured

[vatechisbeast]

because he's huge.

[DubaiESP]

Because Kareem was injured and he is really huge and... one thing more... because he, is the BEST!

[H0lyPh3n0m]

iight and he's not the best

[DubaiESP]

He is theb est for me ;)

[hatchboy95]

What happened to Abdul-Jabar that game?

[aznbrilliantman]

He was injured. Forgot why.

[DubaiESP]

I dont remember, but he didnt play in all the game

[migueltxo69]

he was injured

[TREVorNOTHING]

i believe it was a sprained ankle. or something of that sort

[BillORele]

Kareem injured his ankle in Game 5.

[BasketBoffalora]

If you stop and think about what he did ... it's unbelieveable.

Today's players should look at this great man.

[Omojola23]

Man I must have been hard to play with him your eyes ALAWAYS must be on the ball haha

[NigasX]

very nice ;)

[Pshizzymaster89]

Woooooooooooooo

[mKaaru]

most succesfull rookie EVER to have ever played in the NBA, simply ridiculous to be a finals mvp as a rookie at the age of 20 :p

[bhouri]

The greatest point guard that will ever be !

=]

[StupidVideos220]

so true

[Harsh41]

NO 9

CLASSIC MOMENTS IN NBA HISTORY

[Yoko761]

Amazing! 5/5

[rangephyco]

Magic Johnson is the only player to play in every position over i think its 50 games

[xsupernerdx0329]

MAGICS DA MAN

[xsupernerdx0329]

soaidn

[jmil3203]

4th

[SiiKParanoizer]

no youre not i'm 4th

[Olibass24]

nice...

[Guitar126]

Amazing