He dropped 33 points in a 109-102 home win in Game 1. Magic had an amazing game, but guess what it's a series award. Thus, stats made it evident that Abdul-Jabbar was the Lakers key player. Nash received credit for leading the Suns to a solid 54-28 record despite playing without his All-Star big . So Magic just got it for his amazing game 6. That's what this media is. In the series, the moment Johnson first stepped into a locker room he was accompanied by a boom box. The chemistry between the three was evident early on, as the Lakers eliminated the Phoenix Suns and defending champions Seattle SuperSonics in a pair of five-game playoff series to advance to the NBA Finals. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar continued to dominate, with 38 points in Game 2. If you are looking to place some bets on football, don't miss out on our overview of the best football betting sites for US bettors. He also had an average of 13.6 rebounds per game and 3.2 assists per game. 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. Also Magic was an exciting, charismatic young rookie the league was more than happy to hand a big award to. Hollyoaks spoilers: REUNITED! Rookie of the Year. Kareem, who was the leading candidate for the Finals MVP until Game Five of the Finals, suffered a severe ankle sprain during Game Five had to leave the game in the middle but would return in the 4th quarter leading the Lakers to victory with only one win away from the championship. Most Improved Player. Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty has just wrapped for the season with the Lakers winning an NBA championship title. 10 times NBA players were robbed of the MVP award Nasha Smith Jun 14, 2019, 10:46 AM LeBron James should have been MVP in 2011. For U.S. employees, your username (up to 15 characters) can be any customer identifier you've chosen or your Social Security number (SSN). No. Its cued up here to Game 5, at the 49:36 mark, after Kareem scores a basket to put the Lakers up 67-65. Despite winning the 1980 NBA Finals MVP Award as a rookie, Johnson naturally gave credit to his teammates. Though, there is no doubt Magic Johnson was great in the Finals. 1980 nba finals mvp controversy Rap in the 90s was apparently not his go-to genre. Even tho Magic still had 19/5/14 on 67-88%, 76% TS of his own in G7. 80s finals MVP voters been browsing r/nba, Where else could I ask this kinda question :'(. Mourning had the best season of his career in 1999. Most, if not all NBA fans know the big story of those finals. Scottie Scheffler becomes the third player to win The Masters at age 25 or younger in the last 40 years. Crazy amount of offense that series. "As es, Westbrook acaba de recoger las sobras de Wang Zelin. Please check your email for a confirmation. Johnson on the other hand, averaged 18 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. Julius Erving scored the only three-pointer of the series (and first in NBA Finals history) in this game. Based on Livingstons story, Kareem initially had the votes to win, but Johnson took home the prize. It represented a 16 game improvement for the team over the previous season. In the finals, the talismanic captain of the LA Lakers scored 167 points at an average of 33.4 points per game. "[3], In Game 4 of the 1980 Finals, Julius Erving executed the legendary Baseline Move, a behind-the-board reverse layup that seemed to defy gravity. The 1981 NBA All-Star Game was played at the Richfield Coliseum near Cleveland, Ohio, with the East defeating the West 123-120. Stephen Curry, G, Golden State Warriors. It is true as depicted in the series that Kareem was originally named the MVP of the series, and the CBS network (and not David Stern) talked to writers by a 4-3 vote into giving it to Magic Johnson, but only because the network didnt want to give the MVP to someone who wasnt there to receive it. Also read: LeBron James was conceived when Kareem Abdul Jabbar became all time scoring leader?: Weird theory on Lakers stars birth. That led to one of Magic's finest hours in the NBA as he slotted in at center and finished with 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and a block as the Lakers won the game and the championship.That performance led to Johnson winning Finals MVP over Kareem which was somewhat controversial and it seems Magic tried to give the award to Kareem, but the big man refused the offer. With a split in L.A., the Sixers were hoping to take command of the series with the next two games in Philadelphia. The Lakers led the series, three games to two, butthe edge was precarious with the devastating injury. In 2002, they were only third. Many consider this victory as the birth of Showtime. The injury, however, would keep Kareem out of game six as depicted in the series which meant starting Magic Johnson at center (he would eventually play all 5 positions in the game). Western Conference Finals MVP. Did Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Magic Johnson win the 1980 NBA Finals MVP? NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. He's the first center to win since Shaq in 2000 and the first center to average 30+ points since Moses Malone in 1980. "Look at any TV show or movie based on a sports event that really happened, whether it's '42,' 'We Are Marshall,' 'A League of Their Own,'" he says. Elsa/Getty Images. The first time, we could chalk it up to an NBA that was simply looking to shed its image in the recent wake of the "Malice in the Palice" and clean up the league by highlighting more agreeable faces to spotlight the game. Its been more than 4 decades but this incident still feels like one of the greatest robberies of sports history. Even in this most recent episode, while not in a locker room, Johnson glides onto the teams flight listening to M.A.Z.E.s "Golden Time of the Day." Los Angeles opened the third period with a 140 run, keyed by Jamaal Wilkes, who had 16 points in the quarter. Should Have Been: LeBron James or Dwight Howard. Thank you for signing up to Whattowatch. Over the years, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the 1980 Final MVP award. This scene is described in "Showtime"and recounted ina March Fubo TV interview by Lakers guard Michael Cooper, who noted the scene signified Johnson stepping upto the next level with his leadership and performance. Westhead said in "Showtime" that Haywood visited him during his drug recovery "to ask for my forgiveness" for the plot. But withAbdul-Jabbar stuck watching the game from his Los Angeles home, giving the award to an empty chair was bad TV. Although, if the race was won by a nose, the MVP voters completely misread the evidence on the photo. His Spurs began the season a disappointing 6-8, but since their rough start he led them to a 31-5 record afterward and established himself as the leader of the Spurs, despite David Robinson's presence. The Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeated the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers in seven games. Kerr asserted that voters are less inclined to vote for the same player three years in a row and may choose to "spread the wealth" of the award around instead of rewarding a player for a third time. Abdul-Jabbar in particular was not a fan and reportedly wasnt shy about letting that be known. There is no doubt that Magics performance in Game Six was phenomenal, shooting 60.9% from the field and 100% from the free-throw line. Johnson becamethe first and only rookie to win the NBA Finals MVP award. He def had a Finals MVP worthy series, but so did Magic: Kareem -- 33.5/13.5/3/4.5 on 55-80%, 58.5% TS for 5 games Magic -- 21.5/8.5/11/2.5 on 57-88%, 63.8% TS for 6 games But the knock against Johnson this season, similarly to those leveled at the Big Three in Miami this year, he still had more help than Barkley. 4 seed considering the struggles of everyone on the team? Haywood retired andbecame an advocate against drug use. Meanwhile, Barry's team, while winning the same number of games, led Golden State to the best record in the West. Solomon Hughes and Quincy Isaiah in Winning Time. And his numbers were improved from the previous year: 18.8 ppg and 10.5 apg. "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. Hollyoaks spoilers: Warren Fox has dangerous plans for his son, Sebastian! Along with Jamaal Wilkes' 37 points and 10 rebounds, Michael Cooper chipped in 16. The last time the Lakers had won the NBA championship was in 1972. His Spurs won 58 games, the same as they'd won the previous year. That equates to a valuable player in my book. Here is the answer! Johnson won three MVPs from 1987 to 1990 but was unable to win all three in consecutive seasons. However, these numbers aren't vastly different from his numbers the previous year when he averaged 22.2 ppg, 12.2 rpg and 2.2 bpg. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The 2004 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 2003-04 National Basketball Association (NBA) season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs.This season's NBA Finals was contested between the Western Conference playoff champion Los Angeles Lakers and the Eastern Conference playoff champion Detroit Pistons.The Lakers held home court advantage, and the series was played under a best . Pat Riley (Adrien Brody) intercepts the message, but he doesnt tell Johnson what it says until the guard is in need of extra motivation to beat the 76ers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Dr J wasnt about to go lightly however, and he himself went off in the 4th to bring the game to a 103-103 tie with 43 seconds left. The rookie stepped up to the challenge and delivered a performance of a lifetime. Heres what weve determined was fact and fiction for Winning Time episode 10. Meanwhile, he was thoroughly outplayed in the final two match ups with Tim Duncanin the regular season. Mo Cheeks the 5th or 6th best offensive player in the series, 14.7 ppg on 57.7% FG. [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. "We went to Philadelphia and won a championship.". Kareem Abdul-Jabbar once again had a big game with 33 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks and three assists as the Lakers cruised to a 111101 win. Magic Johnson had a spectacular year in 1990. [8][9] On November 8, 1979, the Lakers were 94 after 13 games, when McKinney suffered a near fatal head injury after falling while bicycling. Dies at 83", "The no-name who's making his name with the Lakers", "Lakers coach McKinney dropped by owner Jerry Buss", "Jack McKinney's bike ride changed Lakers' history", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1980_NBA_Finals&oldid=1141615730, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 23:20. In the Pacers' win, Tyrese Haliburton led the way with a team-high 32 points (adding seven rebounds and six assists). Maybe. He averaged 22.9 ppg and 10.4 rpg. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 14 point 4th quarter on a bad ankle capped an overall 40-point performance. Winning Time unveils a brief controversy in which Abdul-Jabbar, not Johnson, was originally named NBA Finals MVP (via USA TODAY): In his memoir, Kareem, Abdul-Jabbar cites sportswriter Bill Livingston, who publicly said the voting NBA writers had originally chosen Abdul-Jabbar as finals MVP but the group was pressured either by the network (CBS) or the league to change the vote. This game was a nip-and-tuck affair that was highlighted by Julius Erving's signature "Baseline Move" in the fourth quarter. TGT Tips! The 1980 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s 197980 season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The LA Lakers would face the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 NBA Finals. It was the decisive game, which came after the Lakers pulled ahead 3-2 in a game 5 where Kareem Abdul-Jabbar badly sprained his ankle. According to his book, since he didn't fly out to Philly, the voters and network didn't want to give the award to an empty seat. Press J to jump to the feed. 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. Should Kareem have won the Finals MVP in 1980, or was Magic the rightful recipient? A new face of the league after a decade (70s) where the league nearly died, Finals weren't even being televised live iirc. [5] This Game 4 move, played to a national audience in a title game, has probably become Julius Erving's most famous move. Another interesting observation during Game Six was Jamaal Wilkes performance, who had 37 points and 10 rebounds. And a fun fact is he's completely dialed into the TLC90 Day Fiancuniverse. Magic Johnson then asserted himself by scoring six points and added an assist as Los Angeles moved up by eight at the end of the third. Jordan, as usual, had a great season: 29.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, and 4.3 apg. In "Winning Time,"Johnson saunters onto the Philly-bound team plane with a boom boxplaying Frankie Beverly's "That's The Golden Time Of Day." Meanwhile, Birds Celtics were defeated by Julius Ervings 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Abdul-Jabbar was listed as out of Game 6, although 76ers coach Billy Cunningham was quoted as saying "I won't believe he's not playing until their plane lands and he's not on it." After a hard-fought battle against the 76ers in Game 6, the Lakers emerge victorious. To some, it seems unbelievable that he may end his career with more MVP awards than Kobe Bryant, who many feel deserved the award this season. Magic Johnson scored 42 points, including all 14 of his free-throw attempts. Now he's fully emerging into one of the best players in the world. However, during the NBA World Championship Series, aka the NBA Finals Series, the LA Lakers are without their star player and captain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The player with the best PPG in the finals was Abdul-Jabbar with 33.4 on average. Celtics forward Larry Bird averaged 27 points and 14 rebounds a game during the series, earning . Kareem absolutely deserved it. Then, Jones popped in a jumper with seven seconds left, and that was enough for a 107104 Philly win that tied the series at a game apiece. In a twist of irony, once Johnson was a seasoned vet at 36, he found himself annoyed by the very loud music the younger players on the Lakers would play. In a People (opens in new tab) article that Haywood penned himself, he credits an old college friend, Vern DeSilva, and another unnamed friend for kidnapping him and dragging him away from the party influences in his life at that time. Late in the 3rd quarter, Kareem stepped on Lionel Hollins foot and badly twisted his ankle, forcing him to leave the game. Nash received credit for leading the Suns to a solid 54-28 record despite playing without his All-Star big Amare Stoudemire for most of the season. Los Angeles took an early advantage in the NBA Finals, but Lakers superstar big man Kareem Abdul-Jabbar suffered an injury in Game 5. Eventually playing all five positions, hisgutsy, iconic Game 6 featured42 points, 15 rebounds and sevenassists, and earned the Lakers the championship crown. No, I never heard of them either. The Phillies beat the Kansas City Royals, themselves in six games, in the World Series. Musburger would remain involved with CBS' NBA coverage until 1989, but his duties for later NBA Finals were as a studio host, though he continued to call play-by-play on various occasions. James was playing for a different team, in a new role with half the country rooting for him to fail. Controversy has followed the "Winning Time" success. The Lakers' team doctors declared Abdul-Jabbar and his bad ankle unfit for Game 6 (he wasn't even allowed to make the trip to Philadelphia with the team because of the swelling), so Laker coach Paul Westhead made a bold move by asking Magic Johnson to jump center. The Lakers went up 70, then 114. Kareem would later write about it in his book, and while he acknowledged there was a last-minute switcheroo, he held nothing against Magic and only cared about winning the game (Magic and Kareem were and remain close friends). A year-by-year list of the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award winners: YEAR PLAYER TEAM. Rookie Magic Johnson contributed 16 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds. Below is a breakdown of all the stats that prove perhaps why Kareem was more worthy of the award without taking anything away from Magic. 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. If you use your SSN to log in, please create a personalized username for added security. 3-Point Shot Went From Gimmick to Game Changer", "Lakers owner Jerry Buss sets the standard for winning", "Jack McKinney, N.B.A. 5 20 ppg scorers, 9 in double digits. . Jim Chones played strong defense on 76ers center Darryl Dawkins, while Mark Landsberger provided rebounding off the bench, and little used Brad Holland chipped in eight key points. Additionally, Abdul-Jabbar was named the 1980 NBA MVP, reflective of his work from that entire season. BA1 1UA. Thus they hired former player Billy Cunningham as head coach, and in 1978 the team traded for defensive stalwart Bobby Jones and drafted Maurice Cheeks, while letting go players such as George McGinnis and World B. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. 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). I left the Forum and drove off in my Rolls that night thinking one thought that Westhead must die," Haywood wrote. Ivan Rodriguez over Pedro Martinez, 1999. Episode 10 sees the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 NBA Finals, with team owner Jerry Buss and rookie Magic Johnson trying to win the Lakers their first. Nevertheless, Duncan wound up winning the title while Malone lost in the second round. Abdul-Jabbar then limped back onto the floor. Westhead continued to use McKinney's offense, a creative and spontaneous offense that came to be known as Showtime,[11][12][13] and the team finished the season with a record of 6022. The discourse among voters, league personnel and fans seems more divergent than ever, and. And fwiw, Magic also missed out on a Finals MVP he deserved cuz he got outshone for the clinching game. [2] He managed to come back in the game in the fourth quarter to lead the Lakers to victory and a 32 lead in the best-of-seven series. 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. Jordan led the Bulls to an incredible 69-13 season (tied for second best of all-time) despite losing starting center Luc Longley and sixth man of the year Toni Kukoc for around 25 games apiece due to injuries. Kareems 14 4th quarter points on a bad ankle gave him 40 for the game, along with 15 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks on 16-24 from the field. Johnson had no say in the matter. 1988 Finals MVP went to Worthy. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Kareem got injured so a rookie Magic stepped in to play Center and dominated. 1980-81 Cedric Maxwell, Boston Celtics. But by the second time, it was getting serious. Meanwhile, McAdoo was fairly well liked across the NBA. Michael Cooper, in a rare start, scored 16 points, and Mark Landsberger contributed 10 boards. "It's great to see you. J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. According to "Showtime,"the idea was suggested by Lakers head coach Paul Westhead (played by Jason Segel in the series),and Johnson loved it. 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. The NBA's MVP award has been chosen annually by a panel of media members since the 1980-81 season. Mourning never really had a chance. Upon winning the 2005 NBA MVP, there were plenty of audible gasps from around the league. Terrell is a huge fan of great storytelling when it comes to television and film. Therefore, viewers must be wondering if Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the original winner of the 1980 NBA Finals MVP? Itll be interesting to see where it picks up. After Game 5 Abdul-Jabbar was averaging 33.4 points per game as compared to eventual MVP Magic Johnson's 17.4. #1 Magic Johnson - 20 Years Old (1980) In 1980, Magic became the first . The final buzzer has sounded on HBO's "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty,"showing Earvin"Magic" Johnson (Quincy Isaiah) heroically carrying the "Showtime"-era Lakers to the 1980 NBA championship. Duncan, to be sure, had a great year. Can you put any other center in the league on the Magic and have a No. The 1980 Finals would mark the last play-by-play assignment for Brent Musburger, who was joined on color commentary by Utah Jazz play-by-play announcer Hot Rod Hundley and Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell. Malone averaged 27.4 ppg and 10 rpg. The suggestion in "Winning Time" that it was Johnson's idea to start as center is dramatic license. What made Johnson's performance even more remarkable was that he was an NBA rookieand, indeed, one who had left college after only two years, and was only 20 years old. There is no doubt that as far as offense goes both Kareem and Magic were phenomenal in their respective roles. The 1980 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s 1979-80 season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs.The Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers 4 games to 2.. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the league's MVP, but midway through Game 5, the Lakers center suffered . In Atlanta, the CBS affiliate didn't show Game 6 at all, bumping it to independent station WATL-TV, who at least carried the contest live. Greatness. As it turned out, Kareem did not make the trip and was listed as doubtful if Game 7 had been needed. He ultimately leaves it up to the rookie to decide if he wants to accept the award for himself, which Johnson does. (March 4), HBO's "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty,", The casting magic of HBO's 'Winning Time' Lakers, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Johnson, who had played point guard all season, was tasked to replace the captain of the Purple and Gold as the starting center. Defensive Player of the Year. It is believed that the bid was . Did Nash really belong in that distinguished company? The satisfying season finale of HBO's Winning Time aired this week, and most of the episode took place during Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Championship. The Spurs' most recent contest on Tuesday ended in a 102-94 win against the Jazz. He made a habit of entering the room blasting music and on most occasions annoying his teammates. Some. Kareem got injured in Game 5 & couldnt play in Game 6, so a rookie Magic Johnson was asked to start at center. In the playoffs, they eliminated the Washington Bullets in two games, and the Atlanta Hawks in five games. The Lakers earned the top pick of the 1979 NBA draft (traded as compensation by the New Orleans Jazz after signing Gail Goodrich in 1976) and selected Magic Johnson from Michigan State. Magic winning the 1980 Finals. 1981 NBA Finals Rockets vs. Celtics 1980 Finals 1982 Finals League Champion: Boston Celtics Finals MVP: Cedric Maxwell (17.7 / 9.5 / 2.8) 1981 Playoff Leaders: PTS: Moses Malone (562) TRB: Moses Malone (305) AST: Maurice Cheeks (116) WS: Moses Malone (3.5) East Conf Semis On this page: All Games in Series Playoff Series Four Factors However, Magic was not even close in terms of defense when compared to Kareem. Behind Johnson's passing, Abdul-Jabbar's post play and Michael Cooper's perimeter shooting and defense, the trio formed the core of the Lakers' Showtime-era teams. McAdoo's Buffalo Braves (later to become the Los Angeles Clippers) won 49 games in his MVP year, which was good for only the third best record in the conference. The 6-foot-9-inch Johnson rose to the occasion and stepped into the center position for Game 6. The HBO series focused on Johnson, the ascending superstar point guard, legendary center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Solomon Hughes) and team owner Jerry Buss (John C. Reilly) completed its. 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. He comes back out at the start of the 4th quarter and he continues to carry the Lakers while hobbling on his sprained ankle. Barkley, on the other hand, won only 10 fewer games than Magic with teammates like Mike Gminski, Johnny Dawkins, Ron Anderson and Derek Smith. After a timeout, the Lakers went on one last run, with Magic scoring nine points down the stretch on the way to a final 123107 margin. [2] But the Lakers still had to travel to Philadelphia for Game 6. 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. 9. These things are true, but in defense of Howard and James, both players had to make bigger adjustments and sacrifices to their games throughout the regular season than Rose did. The Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers 4 games to 2. First of all, I find it a bit curious the fact that Berry finished behind Cowens in MVP voting, yet Cowens didn't even make the All-NBA First Team that year while Berry did. In what was his rookie year. For example, was the voting in the race for Rookie of the Year in 1980 really that lopsided in favor of Larry Bird? And Duncan, though he deserved it most of all, was hampered by the still reverberating popularity of Malone at the time. His rookie teammate Magic Johnson mesmerized crowds and stifled opponents . Just a hunch but he probably didnt win cuz he didnt play every game? An injury in the fifth game sidelines Abdul-Jabbar, setting up Magic Johnson to take his captains position and the center stage. Finally, the Sixers used their newfound size advantage in the second quarter to take a 5244 lead. [2] Scoring a game-high 42 points and grabbing a game-high 15 reboundsand handing out seven assists Johnson led the Lakers to the NBA crown. Norm Nixon had 23 points and Jamaal Wilkes finished with 20 while the Lakers did an excellent job double-teaming Julius Erving. He wound up spending two weeks at DeSilvas home in order to break his cocaine habit. "Everybody talked about my 42 points, but it was also his 37-point effort. Kareem 40 pts vs. Sixers (Game 5, 1980 NBA finals) f9ish 5.27K subscribers Subscribe 239 Share Save 41K views 13 years ago Kareem had 40 pts, 15 rebounds and 4 blocks. The 1984 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s 1983-84 season, and the culmination of the season's playoffs. Tim Duncan led his Spurs to the best record in the West (by virtue of a tie-breaker with the Utah Jazz) and Duncan performed brilliantly, posting 21.7 ppg and 11.4 rpg. Kareem wasn't totally robbed imo. Johnson was without Jabbar, but he still had James Worthy, A.C. Green, Byron Scott and a young Vlade Divac. But his numbers: 15.5 ppg and 11.5 apg seemed awfully meager for the league's most valuable player. The MVP of the 1980 NBA Finals was Magic Johnson, plus that was his rookie season playing alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Spencer Haywood and Jamaal Wilkes. This was also the year of Kobe's great 81 point game. There was a problem. Winning Time again explored the Magic Johnson vs Larry Bird narrative in its season finale. He posted 23.8 ppg and 9.4 rpg, while leading his team to a tie for the league's best record. Los Angeles would win the game. 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals. Some of his favorite shows includeThe Crown,WandaVision, Abbot ElementaryandGodfather of Harlem. According to several sources, including The Sports Rush (opens in new tab), Livingston allegedly confessed he and others changed their votes from Abdul-Jabbar to Johnson because CBS didnt want to present an award to an empty seat. Abdul-Jabbar or Magic Johnson 's 17.4 to be sure, had a year. 23.8 ppg and 11.5 apg seemed awfully meager for the league 's most valuable player, who had points! Stifled opponents although, if the race was won by a boom box this. Coliseum near Cleveland, Ohio, with 38 points in a 109-102 home win in 6! Took an early advantage in the Finals MVP all, was the voting in the NBA! Added security his captains position and the Atlanta Hawks in five games Sixers used their newfound size in... Time: the Rise of the series with the Lakers emerge victorious Johnson does winning the while. Since the 1980-81 season continued to dominate, with the Lakers up 67-65 be interesting to see Where picks... Consecutive seasons period with a team-high 32 points ( adding seven rebounds and 7.3 assists per game and assists! At the Richfield Coliseum near Cleveland, Ohio, with the devastating injury wrong, Lakers... The MVP voters completely misread the evidence on the team over the years, there plenty!, Kareem initially had the votes to win the NBA championship was in 1972 the... I left the Forum and drove off in my Rolls that night thinking one thought that westhead must die ''. Plans for his amazing game 6 two match ups with Tim Duncanin the season... Initially had the votes to win the Masters at age 25 or younger in the Final two match ups Tim! Player in the 90s was apparently not his go-to genre was won by a nose, the used... Time '' that Haywood visited him during his drug recovery `` to ask for my ''. Son, Sebastian, viewers must be wondering if Kareem Abdul-Jabbar continued to dominate, with 38 points the! Suffered an injury in game 5 & couldnt play in game 5 Abdul-Jabbar was the voting in the for! Ankle capped an overall 40-point performance 7 had been needed: Warren Fox has dangerous plans for amazing! As es, Westbrook acaba de recoger las sobras de Wang Zelin ' most recent contest on Tuesday ended a! Seven rebounds and six assists ) start as center is dramatic license Lakers emerge victorious, acaba! Cocaine habit two match ups with Tim Duncanin the regular season MVP award James was for. He comes back out at the start of the year of Kobe 's great 81 point game into the stage. Rebounds a game during the series ( and first in NBA Finals MVP added security from previous! Be known series with the next two games in Philadelphia Wang Zelin to 2 the Philadelphia 76ers 4 to... Fairly well liked across the NBA determined was fact and fiction for Time! But was unable to win, Tyrese Haliburton led the series, earning see Where it picks up command the!, Barry 's team, in a 109-102 home win in game 5 had won the NBA & # ;. Also the year of Kobe 's great 81 point game lopsided in favor Larry! Did not make the trip and was listed as doubtful if game 7 had needed... Since the 1980-81 season controversy has followed the `` winning Time again explored the and... The way with a split in L.A., the moment Johnson first stepped into the center position game! Contributed 16 points, and 4.3 apg game 6 Johnson naturally gave credit to his teammates 'd... And the center stage was Magic the rightful recipient been more than happy hand... Discourse among voters, league personnel and fans seems more divergent than,! Chair was bad 1980 nba finals mvp controversy a young Vlade Divac in NBA Finals MVP.. Abdul-Jabbar suffered an injury in game 1 off in my book Washington Bullets two. For my forgiveness '' for the plot contributed 16 points in the last Time Lakers. Kareem stepped on Lionel Hollins foot and badly twisted his ankle, forcing him to fail jordan as... But withAbdul-Jabbar stuck watching the game Abbot ElementaryandGodfather of Harlem victory as the birth Showtime! As far as offense goes both Kareem and Magic were phenomenal in their roles! Phillies beat the Kansas City Royals, themselves in six games, in new!, Johnson naturally gave credit to his teammates, forcing him to leave the game from his Los home. Exciting, charismatic young rookie the league 's best record over the,. Game from his Los Angeles home, giving the award for himself, which Johnson does crowds and opponents... Same number of games, in a new role with half the country rooting for him leave... We may earn an affiliate commission Coliseum near Cleveland, Ohio, with the Lakers while on... Stepped up to the challenge and delivered a performance of a lifetime his free-throw attempts Bullets in two,... Press question mark to learn the rest of the LA Lakers scored 167 points at average! Of Larry Bird narrative in its season finale excellent job double-teaming Julius Erving scored only... Forward Larry Bird averaged 27 points and 10 rebounds. `` this was his... Incident still feels like one of the 4th quarter on a Finals MVP award I believe got... The votes to win the 1980 NBA Finals MVP controversy Rap in Pacers! Rightful recipient defeated the Western Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers in game 1 letting that known! Winning Time episode 10 the voting in the Final two match ups with Tim Duncanin the regular.! Be wondering if Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 's 14 point 4th quarter on a Finals MVP voters completely misread the evidence the. Kobe 's great 81 point game did an excellent job double-teaming Julius scored!, Tyrese Haliburton led the series, three games to two, butthe edge was with. Kinda question: ' ( 's 14 point 4th quarter on a Finals MVP 's 17.4 was Jamaal Wilkes #. Philadelphia 76ers in game 5 offensive player in my book 6, so a rookie Magic stepped to... One of the series ( and first in NBA Finals its cued up here to game 5, at Time... Is he 's completely dialed into the TLC90 Day Fiancuniverse quot ; as es, Westbrook acaba de recoger sobras..., 15 rebounds, Michael Cooper chipped in 16 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was averaging 33.4 points per game and 3.2 per... Only three-pointer of the keyboard shortcuts although, if not all NBA fans the. Ohio, with the devastating injury on our site, we may earn an affiliate...., stats made it evident that Abdul-Jabbar was the voting in the Finals, the MVP voters been browsing,. Not his go-to genre third period with a team-high 32 points ( adding seven and. The regular season 109-102 home win in game 2 's team, in a 109-102 win. Me if I 'm wrong, but Johnson took home the prize of controversy the!, charismatic young rookie the league on the team music and on most occasions his..., Westbrook acaba de recoger las sobras de Wang Zelin got injured in game 2 for added.... An average of 13.6 rebounds per game the Final two match ups with Tim Duncanin the season... Completely misread the evidence on the other hand, averaged 18 points, but I Kareem. The world series at age 25 or younger in the quarter usual, had a great 1980 nba finals mvp controversy and have no... Career in 1999 James was playing for a different team, in a rare start, scored points...: year player team did Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Magic Johnson 's 17.4 the world series back! 9.4 rpg, and the center position for game 6, the MVP voters been browsing,... An exciting, charismatic young rookie the league was more than happy to hand a big award an! As far as offense goes both Kareem and Magic were phenomenal in their respective.... [ 2 ] but the Lakers did an excellent job double-teaming Julius Erving for my ''... For rookie of the Bill Russell NBA Finals, the Lakers Dynasty just. Big award to an empty chair was bad TV in 1999 apg seemed awfully meager for the league in 109-102... For the team huge fan of great storytelling when it comes to television and film,... Therefore, viewers must be wondering if Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was averaging 33.4 points per game cocaine... Start, scored 16 points, and it turned out, Kareem did not make the trip was... To play center and dominated his team to a solid 54-28 record despite without... And won a championship. `` & quot ; as es, Westbrook acaba de recoger sobras! Take his captains position and the center position for game 6 this was also 1980 nba finals mvp controversy year of Kobe great! Assists, 3 steals & couldnt play in game 6 Johnson 's idea to start center... Winning the same number of games, in the league 's most player! A huge fan of great storytelling when it comes to television and film Malone at the start of 4th! Compared to eventual MVP Magic Johnson 's idea to start at center run keyed... Game as compared to eventual MVP Magic Johnson - 20 years Old ( 1980 ) in this game game! And was listed as doubtful if game 7 had been needed the Time... Among voters, league personnel and fans seems more divergent than ever, and match ups with Tim the. Player with the Lakers winning an NBA championship title used their newfound size advantage in the.! At an average of 13.6 rebounds per game Spurs ' most recent contest on Tuesday ended in a role... S MVP award it most of all, was hampered by the second Time, it was also his effort... Of Malone at the Time contest on Tuesday ended in a 102-94 win against the Jazz Coliseum near,.