[11] However, the length of the recovery and lingering doubts about the complete return of McKinney's mental faculties, combined with the team's level of success under Westhead, ultimately meant that McKinney would never get the chance to return to the job. He transformed the team into a legitimate contender this season. Julius Erving arrived before the 197677 season, and with him as the focal point of the offense, the 76ers soon transformed into a title contender. Dustin is the founder and co-owner of Pajiba. You may email him here, follow him on Twitter, or listen to his weekly TV podcast, Podjiba. Celtics forward Larry Bird averaged 27 points and 14 rebounds a game during the series, earning . When I did the first MVP poll of the season on Jan. 1, Steph Curry was the obvious . According to ESPN (opens in new tab), the Celtics legend received 63 votes for Rookie of the Year to the Laker legends three. "My not being there in Philadelphia to receive the trophy on camera was a major inconvenience as far as the television people were concerned," Abdul-Jabbar wrote, making it clear he only cared about winning the game. Maybe. He began watching the sport after stumbling upon a court in his society, helping him identify an undiscovered passion for the game of hoops. However, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the Lakers best player in the regular season where he won MVP (25 ppg, 11 rpg, 4.5 apg, 3.4 bpg on 60% shooting), the playoffs (32 ppg, 12 rpg, 3 apg, 4 bpg on 57% shooting), and also the NBA finals against Julius Ervings Philadelphia 76ers. Magic Johnson's performance in Game 6 and the series earned him the 1980 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP). Hollyoaks spoilers: Tony Hutchinson calls social services to report Warren! This game was a nip-and-tuck affair that was highlighted by Julius Erving's signature "Baseline Move" in the fourth quarter. He would return however to start the 4th quarter and was playing amazing in the clutch, scoring 11 points and blocking 2 huge shots. . (1980) 38 years ago today, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was injured, so the Lakers put rookie point guard Magic Johnson at center in game 6 of the NBA Finals. Despite an off-the-court persona that was nothing short of choirboy-esque, his on the court persona (and fight with Larry Johnson in the playoffs in 1998) made him the unpopular pick. Generally, slumps by teams heading into the playoffs hurt MVP candidates, but it did not effect Malone's candidacy in the minds of voters. In between, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was acquired, and the Lakers returned to prominence in 1977, but Kareem couldn't do it alone. But his numbers: 15.5 ppg and 11.5 apg seemed awfully meager for the league's most valuable player. Even tho Magic still had 19/5/14 on 67-88%, 76% TS of his own in G7. So my friend who is a huge Magic Johnson fan (refuses to place LeBron near him because 5 rings > 3 rings ) was watching the 1980 finals game 6 and obviously Magic went off in that game. Meanwhile, Shaqplaying in his first season with the Miami Heatled the team to the top seed in the conference and a 59-23 record. In 1979, Jeanie was only 17 years old, although two years later in 1981 her dad did appoint her the general manager of a tennis franchise, the Los Angeles Strings. For marketing purposes in trying to build up the rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, Stern wanted the latter to receive the recognition instead. During the 1979-1980 NBA season, Bird averaged 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists a game. Siakam recorded 20 points, eight rebounds and three assists for the Raptors. Kareem was absolutely elite in those games, averaging 32 ppg, 13 rpg, 4 apg and 5 bpg on 52% shooting, but it was Game 5 that should've sealed the Finals MVP for him. The last time the Lakers had won the NBA championship was in 1972. But the truth is stranger than fiction. Yet, he has proven time-and-time again that he can make the team a playoff contender and top defensive team just by his mere presence. Johnson, who was named as an All-Star starter during his first year in the league, lost out on Rookie of the Year honors to rival Larry Bird. This picture, taken at our friends wedding in June, tells the story, our story.I guess really can have it all.I love you @jaymohr37 pic.twitter.com/UzkGZDZ2R8. But after losing to the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1977 NBA Finals, the 76ers realized that a fancy and one-on-one style of play will not take them all the way. The Lakers countered by collapsing more in the paint and rallied for a 6060 tie at the half. Winning Timewas recently picked up for a second season on HBO. The Lakers began the season being coached by Jack McKinney as owner Jerry Buss, who had recently acquired the team, wanted games to be entertaining, and hired the coach to install a running offense. #1 Magic Johnson - 20 Years Old (1980) In 1980, Magic became the first . Rookie of the Year. Heres how it works. Kareem Abdul Jabbar deserved 1980 Finals MVP award over Magic Johnson: Statistics give the Lakers center a massive advantage over Earvin Johnson, LeBron James was conceived when Kareem Abdul Jabbar became all time scoring leader?: Weird theory on Lakers stars birth, LeBron James legacy is off the court too: Kareem Abdul Jabbar weighs in on Lakers stars GOAT status, Kareem: 33.4 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 3.2 APG, 0.6 SPG, 4.6 BPG, and 54.9% FG, Magic: 21.5 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 8.7 APG, 2.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG, and 57.3% FG, Kareem: 33 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 6 blocks, 0 steals, Magic: 16 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, 0 blocks, 3 steals, Kareem: 38 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 blocks, 2 steals, Magic: 13 points, 8 rebounds, 11 assists, 0 blocks, 2 steals, Kareem: 33 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 blocks, 0 steals, Magic: 16 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 0 blocks, 2 steals, Kareem: 23 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks, 1 steal, Magic: 28 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 block, 3 steals, Kareem: 40 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks, 0 steals, Magic: 14 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, 0 blocks, 3 steals, Magic: 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, 1 blocks. Jim Chones effectively shut down the middle in place of Abdul-Jabbar and finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and held Darryl Dawkins to 14 points and a scant four rebounds. J." A subreddit dedicated to NBA news and discussion. https://ftw.usatoday.com/2022/05/nba-finals-mvp-1980-winning-time-magic-johnson-lakers, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. I hate when people ask questions like this, post the credentials for the guy their arguing for, and don't talk about what the other guy did. Sky hooks and an epic comb-over: The casting magic of HBO's 'Winning Time' Lakers. Please check your email for a confirmation. The Lakers also received strong performances from Jamaal Wilkes with 37 points and 10 rebounds,[3] and Norm Nixon. The. Teammate of the Year. It was his first full season without Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and he maintained a sustained level of excellence for the Lakers despite the retirement of the team's hall-of-fame center. After winning the NBA Finals, it is said that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is going to be the MVP, but David Stern tells Magic Johnson that he could take the award instead since Kareem isn't there. It is worth noting, too, that Magic did lose Rookie of the Year honors to Larry Bird by a 63-3 vote, as depicted in the series. I left the Forum and drove off in my Rolls that night thinking one thought that Westhead must die," Haywood wrote. "Winning Time" features Spencer Haywood (Wood Harris) plottingto kill the Lakers after the teamvoted to kick out the troubled forwardbecause of his cocaine use. Series clinching game: Magic 42/15/7/3/1, Kareem not even in the state of Pennsylvania. Just a hunch but he probably didnt win cuz he didnt play every game? 80s finals MVP voters been browsing r/nba, Where else could I ask this kinda question :'(. In the series, the moment Johnson first stepped into a locker room he was accompanied by a boom box. Over the years, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the 1980 Final MVP award. Rookie of the Year. Stats-wise Johnson and Barkley's numbers were both very strong: Barkley averaged 25.2 ppg, 11.5 rpg, while Johnson averaged 22.3 ppg and 11.5 apg. Scottie Scheffler becomes the third player to win The Masters at age 25 or younger in the last 40 years. It was a testament to James' great play. According to unconfirmed reports, Abdul-Jabbar was originally voted as the Finals MVP. No one expected him to secure stats that look remarkably similar to those of the previous year with his better Heat teammates taking some burden off him. "In the heat of anger and the daze of coke" Haywood said hephoned a Detroit gangster friend and devised a plan to tamper with the brakes on Westhead's car. T: 02743.899.588 - 0985.173.317 Ms Hng - 0908.131.884 Mr Quyn NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. But Worthy had 36/16/10 on 68-60%, 68% TS in G7. Johnson, who had played point guard all season, was tasked to replace the captain of the Purple and Gold as the starting center. Magic delivered an iconic masterpiece, probably the greatest game of his career with 42 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists (teammate Jamaal Wilkes shouldnt go unmentioned here too, putting up 37 points and 10 rebounds). Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty season finale sees the LA Lakers competing for the highest honor in basketball, the NBA Championship. The Lakers point guard averaged 5 turnovers during the series setting a Finals record. For example, was the voting in the race for Rookie of the Year in 1980 really that lopsided in favor of Larry Bird? The Bulls have secured the top seed in the league and Rose has become the unquestioned leader of the team. Sports columnist Bill Livingston also went on to corroborate the same, as per Abdul-Jabbars book Kareem.. In the eight years between championships, the Lakers made the NBA Finals again in 1973 and lost to the New York Knicks in five games. LeBron James was so good for the Cleveland Cavaliers that he scored four of the 11 votes for Finals MVP. The Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers 4 games to 2.[1]. The Utah Jazz were tied with the Spurs for the best record, but they led the league in wins for most of the season before slumping in the final month. The Wizards' most recent contest on Tuesday ended in a 119-116 victory over the Hawks. The key was Darryl Dawkins, who had one of his best games of the season by scoring 25 points, many of them on outside shots trying to draw Abdul-Jabbar away from the basket. 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