OT: Magic Johnson

[alexrgct]

Great highlight video. I've never seen anyone with court vision/awareness like Magic.

 

[upstater]

Great highlight video. I've never seen anyone with court vision/awareness like Magic.

When the Lakers needed a crucial bucket, they went to Magic.

He was the anti-Lebron James.

Didn't score as much as he could have, but in crucial situations, he scored every time.

His running hook across the lane in the 85 Finals still haunts me. Or maybe it was 87.

 

[BlueMAB]

5;30

"Magic Johson, he's got eyes in his ears"

Greatest point guard ever.

 

[ford82]

I remember watching Magic play in one of Ray Allen's celebrity charity games at the Hartford Civic Center in the 90's. He was probably in his later 30's or early 40's, but seeing him in person really gave me an idea of how special a player he was. It was extraordinary to see a guy his size with passing and playmaking skills like that. It was incredible how he saw the floor, shear brilliance. He was the greatest player I have ever had the opportunity to see play in person.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Absolutely. His court vision is second to none. The fact that he was 6'9 and could see over everyone just made it completely unfair.

 

[superjohn]

Best point guard ever and I don't see how anyone will ever take that title from him. I have him as the second best player ever after Jordan.

 

[Kitaman]

Best point guard ever and I don't see how anyone will ever take that title from him. I have him as the second best player ever after Jordan.

Totally agree and as good as Jordan was he was better but not that much better. If you were 'stuck' with Magic instead of MJ you wouldn't complain.

Following his career, he made everyone better on that team, and gave new life to Kareem. Freakin 6'9"!!! Lastly I never met a non-LA bball (including Celtic fans) fan who hated Magic, he was too good to hate.

 

[fuzzy]

I lived in LA from 79-85. Just amazing to witness this. Beyond his physical skills what separated him from others (much like Calhoun) was his passion. He reenergized the stoic Kareem. I remember when a young Divac got lazy on the defensive end and Magic was non-stop in his ear the entire time back down the court. Vlade followed his leader and understood that the game is played on both ends of the floor. Early in Magic's career it was astounding to witness just how many times Jamaal Wilkes received the ball within three feet of the basket for an easy layup. He seemed to conjure assists out of air. Good to hear Chick Hearn again too.

 

[Chin Diesel]

When the Lakers needed a crucial bucket, they went to Magic.

He was the anti-Lebron James.

Didn't score as much as he could have, but in crucial situations, he scored every time.

His running hook across the lane in the 85 Finals still haunts me. Or maybe it was 87.

+1.

On a showtime teams with Jabbar, Worthy, Nixon, Cooper, etc. come crunch time you knew it was to be Magic taking the shot.

His game six performance in the finals against the Sixers may be the best individual performance in the finals- he was a rookie and had to play center.

From the bastion of all things correct, Wikipedia-

"The Lakers compiled a 60–22 record in the regular season and reached the 1980 NBA Finals,[23] in which they faced the Philadelphia 76ers, who were led by forward Julius Erving. The Lakers took a 3–2 lead in the series, but Abdul-Jabbar, who averaged 33 points a game in the series,[24] sprained his ankle in Game 5 and could not play in Game 6.[21] Paul Westhead decided to start Johnson at center in Game 6; Johnson recorded 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals in a 123–107 win, while playing guard, forward, and center at different times during the game.[21] Johnson became the only rookie to win the NBA Finals MVP award,[21] and his clutch performance is still regarded as one of the finest in NBA history.[5][25][26] He also became one of four players to win NCAA and NBA championships in consecutive years.[27]"

 

[Prezidint]

1. I became interested in basketball because of Magic and watching the Lakers on TBS/TNT late at night on the east coast.
2. Really highlights how underused the bounce pass is.
3. Reminds me of why Marcus Williams reminded me of a very short Magic.
4. Damn Kareem was long. Forgot how he had spaghetti arms and only needed to jump 8 inches to dunk.
5. No Mitch Kupchak? LOL.
6. Brings me back. I remember what Vlade came on board. One of the first Euros to come over and have a respectable career as a big man.
7. Damn, Magic was awesome. 5 rings. Not too shabby, and 3 in his first 5 years. James is 27, 8th year in NBA, hasn't sniffed a ring.

 

[Danzz]

Great highlight video. I've never seen anyone with court vision/awareness like Magic.

He was just incredible and I don't think I've ever seen a player who loved playing the game as much as magic.

 

[tzznandrew]

7. Damn, Magic was awesome. 5 rings. Not too shabby, and 3 in his first 5 years. James is 27, 8th year in NBA, hasn't sniffed a ring.

Magic was great. One of the Top 5 players ever, and definitely the best PG ever.

Let's be fair about the James thing, though. He was drafted onto the Cavs. The year before James showed up, they finished 17-65. The year before Magic played for the Lakers, they were 47-35 despite the horrible Kermit Washington fiasco. Magic played with one of the best 5-8 players of all time. Until he played in Miami, LeBron's best teammate was who? Antawn Jamison? Mo Williams?

He's had epic playoff performances--Game 6 in the Eastern Conference Finals of 2007 when he scored 25 straight to end the game, and 29 of his team's last 30 points. He's hit game winners in crucial moments against the Wizards, or Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Magic (huge 3 over Hedo). The last two years he's come up short. but it's nearly impossible to blame him in 2009 when they lost to the Magic. His point totals: 49, 35, 41, 44, 37, 25. He averaged 38.5 PPG that series.

Now, against the Celtics in 2010, and the Mavs in 2011, he sucked. Something seemed to happen to him in Game 4 (he had 35, 24, 38 before that game). Against the Mavs, this was un-forgivable.

But let us remember that Magic (indisputably better, at this point in his career, that LeBron--I'm not arguing that LeBron is better) had some awful playoff series, and he took all the heat when they got swept 1983.

LeBron is, right now, one of the better players ever. If he retired, he'd be on the Barkley/Malone level. He's got to win some rings to get up there. But he's played well in the 4th quarter before and, I bet, will again.

 

[alexrgct]

Magic was great. One of the Top 5 players ever, and definitely the best PG ever.

Let's be fair about the James thing, though. He was drafted onto the Cavs. The year before James showed up, they finished 17-65. The year before Magic played for the Lakers, they were 47-35 despite the horrible Kermit Washington fiasco. Magic played with one of the best 5-8 players of all time. Until he played in Miami, LeBron's best teammate was who? Antawn Jamison? Mo Williams?

He's had epic playoff performances--Game 6 in the Eastern Conference Finals of 2007 when he scored 25 straight to end the game, and 29 of his team's last 30 points. He's hit game winners in crucial moments against the Wizards, or Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Magic (huge 3 over Hedo). The last two years he's come up short. but it's nearly impossible to blame him in 2009 when they lost to the Magic. His point totals: 49, 35, 41, 44, 37, 25. He averaged 38.5 PPG that series.

Now, against the Celtics in 2010, and the Mavs in 2011, he sucked. Something seemed to happen to him in Game 4 (he had 35, 24, 38 before that game). Against the Mavs, this was un-forgivable.

But let us remember that Magic (indisputably better, at this point in his career, that LeBron--I'm not arguing that LeBron is better) had some awful playoff series, and he took all the heat when they got swept 1983.

LeBron is, right now, one of the better players ever. If he retired, he'd be on the Barkley/Malone level. He's got to win some rings to get up there. But he's played well in the 4th quarter before and, I bet, will again.

Magic also cost the Lakers the series with Celtics in 1984, though he had stellar performaces in 1980 and 1982. After the 1984 disappointment, he did some real soul searching, improved his game even more, and the Lakers won three of the next four championships. We will see if LeBron can respond to adversity- so far he hasn't. I kind of hope he does because I like to see potential greatness reach that potential.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Back in 1991 when I was going for my JD in Michigan I ventured to downtown Lansing on a hot summer August afternoon. The establishment I frequested went by the name Omar's Show Bar. Guess who I met there? Yes the Magic Man. He was sitting by himself in the establishment about two and 1/2 months before he announced he was HIV +. I appraoched him and introduced myself. The off court Magic stories truly are legendary. 1 of them happened that afternoon at Omar's in a quiet VIP room shared with 1 other patron and a total of 2 Omar's strippers. http://www.myspace.com/omarslansing/photos/21436405#{"ImageId":21436405}

Subsequent to this interaction at Omar's I formed some strong opinions about Earvin.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Jamaal Keith Wilkes... loved that dude. he walked the baseline and Magic threaded the needle to him often

 

[alexrgct]

Jamaal Keith Wilkes... loved that dude. he walked the baseline and Magic threaded the needle to him often

Wilkes's finest hour as a pro may have been his 37-point performance in the clinching Game Six of the 1980 finals. If course, his game is largely forgotten because Magic, in his last game as a rookie, went for 42-15-7 while playing out of position because Kareem was injured in Game Five.

 

[boog204]

Great video... I was taken aback at the finishers the Lakers had. Wilkes, Scott, Worthy, Kareem etc. While Magic certainly gave them the looks, those guys often had to finish in traffic or in very close proximity. I miss the mid 80s NBA.