NBA's 60 Greatest Playoff Moments: #2

Magic Johnson began his rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers by leaping into the arms of team captain Kareem Abdul-Jabbar following a last-second victory over the Clippers on opening night. The Lakers' center had to tell the exuberant rookie to calm down, there were still 81 games to go--and that was only the regular season.

By the time the playoffs came, Abdul-Jabbar and the rest of the Lakers had caught Johnson's enthusiasm, and they rode it to a Finals date against Julius Erving and the Philadelphia 76ers. The teams split the first four games before Abdul-Jabbar suffered a sprained ankle in Game 5, which the Lakers somehow managed to win anyway 108-103. Abdul-Jabbar limped his way to 14 points down the stretch.

Game 6 looked like it would be a different story. When the team gathered at the airport for the flight to Philadelphia, Abdul-Jabbar stayed home. Not to worry, said Johnson, who boarded the plane and planted himself into Abdul-Jabbar's customary front-row seat. He winked to coach Paul Westhead and then playfully announced to his teammates: "Never fear, E.J. is here!"

Johnson's confidence lifted his team's spirits, and then he backed it up with one of the most remarkable games in NBA Playoff history. He began by jumping the opening tap in Abdul-Jabbar's place, then went on to play every position on the floor at one time or another, from his customary point guard role to Abdul-Jabbar's pivot spot. Johnson scored 42 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and handed out 7 assists as the Lakers stunned the 76ers 123-107 to clinch the first of his five NBA championships. Lost in Magic's brilliance was the play of Jamaal Wilkes who finished with 37 points, 25 in the second half.

After the game, Magic looked into the TV cameras and sent a message to Abdul-Jabbar back in his Bel-Air home: "This one's for you, Big Fella!"

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Earvin
• Magic
• Johnson
• Kareem
• Abdul-Jabbar
• NBA
• Finals
• Lakers
• Sixers
• MVP
• Julius
• Erving

[sumskater999]

Magic was a 20-year-old rookie when he won this championship and Finals MVP. He couldn't even legally drink champagne to celebrate, as the commentators pointed out when he won this game.

[bridmckin]

scalabrinie 1 ring

lebron o rings

[gotribe1997]

was that Brent Musburger at the beginning?

[OldSchoolECW]

@marconehilton Height can help out a lot with scoring, but more things are needed in order for someone with height to make a big impact against the opposing team. Magic didn't have that ability. I'm not saying he's bad, but compared to other great point guards, his offensive ability looks like utter shit.

[OldSchoolECW]

@marconehilton Yes it does. In documents about Magic, many people have pointed out that his height was one of the biggest assets he had with his style because he was so easy for him to find open teammates and it was hard for people who were guarding him to cut off his passes. And he probably wouldn't be a great scorer if he wanted to be one. He wasn't the best shooter and like I said his dribbling wasn't the best either.

[OldSchoolECW]

@marconehilton I was never angry at you. Why should I be? It's an opinion, and this is a debate, something i enjoy doing (although the idiot part was unecessary on my part, and for that I apologize). I never really denied that Magic is "considered" the second greatest, but I honestly think that's just utter bullshit.

[marconehilton]

@OldSchoolECW If height was an attribute so important in Johnson's career, he would be a greater scorer, taking advantage of his height to shoot over the lower players. But no. He made his entire career on making his teammates do that job, by watching their positions and choosing the best pass option. Does that really have anything to do with his height?

[marconehilton]

@OldSchoolECW Well, I obviously misunderstood you, I'm sorry. But since I can't make you agree with the fact that Magic IS CONSIDERED THE 2ND BEST (maybe along with Bird, but deal with it), maybe I can make you be less angry at me: I'm a Lakers fan, and I also hate Kobe. He is NOT even close to the 10 best ever.

[marconehilton]

@OldSchoolECW You said it well. Ball handling. NBA is NOT Globetrotters, period - though I agree Pete's skills was highly impressive.

[OldSchoolECW]

@marconehilton dude where the hell did the HIV part come from? I was talking about his ability to defend against other players you idiot, where in my statement was anything HIV related?? Magic was a very bad defender, he couldn't even get on the all defensive team at all during his career. That alone is a reason as to why he's definitely not the second best player behind Jordan. Kobe is better then Magic and I absolutely hate Kobe.

[OldSchoolECW]

@marconehilton just the fact that you just tried to say that Magic was as good as Pete gives me every reason to not take you seriously. Yes, Magic was better at getting his teamates involved, I was never denying that, but once again, I guarantee you most of his assists would have never happened if it wasn't for his height. That's why I mentioned his height in the first place. I've seen many lakers games involving him, clearly you haven't watched a single one.

[OldSchoolECW]

@marconehilton All of his flashy passes and abilities to run the fast break well had a lot to do with his height. If you honestly don't think that then you know absolutely nothing about the game. And also the fact that you said Magic had as much skills at Pete proves you know absolutely nothing. He never had anything close to what Pete had. Pete is considered one of the best ball handlers of all time, he blows Magic out of the water in terms of that and shooting.