Magic Johnson lost 4 Finals. One against Sub .500 Houston

[Hey Yo]

Why Magic is overrated.

"In 1981, the Rockets did something only two other teams had done before them, and something no team has done since – they made the NBA Finals with a losing record. Led by Moses Malone, the Rockets finished the regular season 40-42 and were the sixth-seeded team in the West.

Only six teams qualified in each conference at the time and the first series was a best-of-three, which could lead to crazy results.

The Rockets were matched against the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers and their exciting 21-year-old second year guard Magic Johnson in the first round, and shocked the Lakers with a victory in the first game in L.A.

When the Lakers won the second game in Houston, it seemed the basketball stars had aligned and the Lakers would take care of business at home.

They did not. The Rockets won the game, defeated San Antonio in seven games in the second round, had a matchup with the Kansas City Kings – who were also 40-42 that season – in the conference finals and won that in five games.


Read more at http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2014/12/07/hubbard-tanking-used-to-be-much-more-fun/#peQWvQT0wIOuA87s.99

1984:
"Magic Johnson, in particular, had some reputation repair to do. After this game, he was dubbed Tragic Johnson. The key turnover late in Game 7 was one of seven during the night for Johnson, who also allowed the clock to run out in Game 2 that forced overtime, and missed two free throws in overtime of Game 4.

Johnson reportedly didn't leave his apartment for three days and later said it still bothers him to this day that the Lakers lost that series, despite the fact that Los Angeles beat Boston for the title in 1985 and 1987.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2010/news/story?page=1984finals-100617

1987:
Even though the Lakers won the title, the 3 teams they beat in route to the Finals had a combined record of 8-10 games under .500

Magic had no perimeter shot / jump shot and only played one end of the floor.

Lost 4 of the 9 Finals he was in. Lost to a team under .500 in the Finals and was blamed for losing another Finals

How is he considered top 5 by most?

[navy]

Would have had a better legacy if he had just lost in the first round those years.

Say what you want about the 80s West, but 9 Finals is an accomplishment no matter how you slice it. Even if 4 of them resulted in loses.

[IncarceratedBob]

I've never watched this guy play but unless he completely disappeared in the Finals ala LeBron in 07/11 then making it shouldn't be held against him.

[russwest0]

one of those lakers wins should have been the pistons.

that phantom call on lambieer

[ImKobe]

How could the Lakers have lost a Finals series to the Rockets, when they play in the same conference? :kobe:

And it clearly states in the article that they lost in the first round that year.

The Houston series was a best ouf of 3, all 3 games were close and they managed to pull out two clutch wins. It's not like they got dominated, it's just that Malone was ridiculous in that series and had a great Finals run.

Magic struggled shooting in that series, but you're going to use a 3-game series to make a case here?

All all-time greats have had bad Playoff series or series, where they didn't play up to the best of their abilities. Some were lucky to have enough help to win regardless, others were blamed as their teams fell short.

Magic to me is a little overrated in terms of people putting him on the same level with Michael (70s kids that lived and breathed Magic in the 80s), but he's a top 10 GOAT and the 2nd best Laker of all-time after Kobe.

[riseagainst]

Magic Johnson lost 4 Finals. One against Sub .500 Houston


think about this statement, OP. What is wrong with this statement?

[Genaro]

I think it's good you decided to learn about NBA history but you don't need to create a thread to share information every one already knows.
We don't need either of your opinions about players you never saw.

[Mass Debator]

think about this statement, OP. What is wrong with this statement?
:roll: :roll: :roll: :applause:

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

think about this statement, OP. What is wrong with this statement?
:oldlol:

But apparently Magic is overrated because he made the finals 9 times and "only" won 5 rings.. Crazy.

[Young X]

Magic didn't play in the last two games of the '89 finals because of injury. Does that still count?

[ImKobe]

Magic didn't play in the last two games of the '89 finals because of injury. Does that still count?

Anything to push his agenda.

[Hey Yo]

How could the Lakers have lost a Finals series to the Rockets, when they play in the same conference? :kobe:

And it clearly states in the article that they lost in the first round that year.

The Houston series was a best ouf of 3, all 3 games were close and they managed to pull out two clutch wins. It's not like they got dominated, it's just that Malone was ridiculous in that series and had a great Finals run.

Magic struggled shooting in that series, but you're going to use a 3-game series to make a case here?

All all-time greats have had bad Playoff series or series, where they didn't play up to the best of their abilities. Some were lucky to have enough help to win regardless, others were blamed as their teams fell short.

Magic to me is a little overrated in terms of people putting him on the same level with Michael (70s kids that lived and breathed Magic in the 80s), but he's a top 10 GOAT and the 2nd best Laker of all-time after Kobe.
Thanks for both corrections.

[Myth]

think about this statement, OP. What is wrong with this statement?

This caught my attention as well.

[swagga]

so let's take his entire career, year by year, to see how overrated he was.

1980: the GOAT finals performance, rookie wins RING+FMVP, averaged 21.5/8.7/11.2/2.7 @57%

1981: maybe you remeber magic coming back in 81 just before the PO from a serious injury? also you remember the struggles with the divided team, riley & westhead saga?

1982: another FMVP+RING, averaged 16.2/8/10.8/2.5 @53%

1983: against a GOAT team on a roll with, mcadoo and worthy injured the lakeshow takes a big time beating.19/8/12.5/2 series avg. Choke :facepalm

1984: first finals vs boston, super close series, magic did make a mistake and magic himself said that this was the only ring he shoulda won but couldnt. He did avg 18.1/8.0/13.6 on 56%fg...

1985: RING vs celtics, avg 18.3/6.8/14/2 on 50%

1986: olajuwon&sampson+role players went nuts (everybody shots > 50%). Magic averaged 22.2/8/16.2/2 on 53% for the series. Choke :facepalm

1987: the GOATEST team vs celtics , the greatest show on earth. RING + fmvp, finals stats: 26.2/8/13/2.33 @54%

1988: RING vs a great pistons team. Put 21.1/ 5.7/13.0/2.0 @55% but worthy won with inferior stats (but a monster triple double in the last game that basically gave him the fmvp)

1989: magic went down in game 2 with a hamstring injury... hamstring choked :facepalm

1990: old lakers kicked in WCSF, still went for 30.2/5.8/12.2/1.2 during that series. Choked hard right? :facepalm

1991: go to the finals with a banged up team, still put 18.6/ 8.0/12.4/1.2

1992: AIDS and olympics.

End of career basically.

Overrated? How is that NOT top 5? Dude did everything for the team. He scored BIG when needed. He played well with others (except nixon and westhead but they was holding the team back:oldlol: ). He played pg, sg, sf, pf and center ffs. Against finals competition too when their C(kareem) went down. He dished when that was optimal (most of the time on those LA teams). He boarded. He had a gorgeous post game. He shot FTs excellently. He even stole the ball consistently. He won his rings against all time GOAT teams (boston, philly, pistons) not against good not great pnr utah jazz and the sonics like another MJ... who couldn't do it against the same pistons until they got old as hell.

That is very arguably a GOAT career, against anybody (Kareem, MJ, etc).

OP is beyond retarded imo.

[Hey Yo]

so let's take his entire career, year by year, to see how overrated he was.

1980: the GOAT finals performance, rookie wins RING+FMVP, averaged 21.5/8.7/11.2/2.7 @57%

1981: maybe you remeber magic coming back in 81 just before the PO from a serious injury? also you remember the struggles with the divided team, riley & westhead saga?

1982: another FMVP+RING, averaged 16.2/8/10.8/2.5 @53%

1983: against a GOAT team on a roll with, mcadoo and worthy injured the lakeshow takes a big time beating.19/8/12.5/2 series avg. Choke :facepalm

1984: first finals vs boston, super close series, magic did make a mistake and magic himself said that this was the only ring he shoulda won but couldnt. He did avg 18.1/8.0/13.6 on 56%fg...

1985: RING vs celtics, avg 18.3/6.8/14/2 on 50%

1986: olajuwon&sampson+role players went nuts (everybody shots > 50%). Magic averaged 22.2/8/16.2/2 on 53% for the series. Choke :facepalm

1987: the GOATEST team vs celtics , the greatest show on earth. RING + fmvp, finals stats: 26.2/8/13/2.33 @54%

1988: RING vs a great pistons team. Put 21.1/ 5.7/13.0/2.0 @55% but worthy won with inferior stats (but a monster triple double in the last game that basically gave him the fmvp)

1989: magic went down in game 2 with a hamstring injury... hamstring choked :facepalm

1990: old lakers kicked in WCSF, still went for 30.2/5.8/12.2/1.2 during that series. Choked hard right? :facepalm

1991: go to the finals with a banged up team, still put 18.6/ 8.0/12.4/1.2

1992: AIDS and olympics.

End of career basically.

Overrated? How is that NOT top 5? Dude did everything for the team. He scored BIG when needed. He played well with others (except nixon and westhead but they was holding the team back:oldlol: ). He played pg, sg, sf, pf and center ffs. Against finals competition too when their C(kareem) went down. He dished when that was optimal (most of the time on those LA teams). He boarded. He had a gorgeous post game. He shot FTs excellently. He even stole the ball consistently. He won his rings against all time GOAT teams (boston, philly, pistons) not against good not great pnr utah jazz and the sonics like another MJ... who couldn't do it against the same pistons until they got old as hell.

That is very arguably a GOAT career, against anybody (Kareem, MJ, etc).

OP is beyond retarded imo.
Lost in the 1st round as the reigning FMVP to a Sub .500 team.

Was called out by LA media and others in 1984 for losing the Finals....aka "Tragic Johnson"

Had the easiest path in modern NBA history to the Finals win in 1987.

Lost 4 NBA Finals

Had no perimeter shot and played one end of the floor. To say he played even mediocre defense, is a compliment at best.

Those are facts.

[ArbitraryWater]

Okay, he chocked in '84... So did LeBron, Kobe, etc.

Bird didn't have a solid finals in '81 either.

Lost in the 1st round back when it was best-of-3.. MADE for upsets. Shit was over after 3 damn games and Moses was beasting.

"Lost 4 finals" WON 5 AND MADE 9 FINALS.

This isn't a good topic, and you should know it.

[sportjames23]

think about this statement, OP. What is wrong with this statement?


SIKE!

[ArbitraryWater]

OP, you still haven't answered this man.

Except he has. Open your eyes, bub.


Thanks for both corrections.

It's right here.

[Hey Yo]

Okay, he chocked in '84... So did LeBron, Kobe, etc.

Bird didn't have a solid finals in '81 either.

Lost in the 1st round back when it was best-of-3.. MADE for upsets. Shit was over after 3 damn games and Moses was beasting.

"Lost 4 finals" WON 5 AND MADE 9 FINALS.

This isn't a good topic, and you should know it.
At least Bird got the Finals in the tougher conference where as the reigning FMVP let his team get upset in the first round by a sub .500 team.

Making 9 Finals in that pathetic 80's West conference with a stacked team isn't that impressive.

[riseagainst]

At least Bird got the Finals in the tougher conference where as the reigning FMVP let his team get upset in the first round by a sub .500 team.

Making 9 Finals in that pathetic 80's West conference with a stacked team isn't that impressive.

could the same thing be said about the 2011-2014 Heat?

[ArbitraryWater]

At least Bird got the Finals in the tougher conference where as the reigning FMVP let his team get upset in the first round by a sub .500 team.

Making 9 Finals in that pathetic 80's West conference with a stacked team isn't that impressive.

So basically its a lose-lose?

He makes the finals = "not impressive"
He doesn't make the finals = "OMG HE LOST OVERRATED!!"

[Hey Yo]

So basically its a lose-lose?

He makes the finals = "not impressive"
He doesn't make the finals = "OMG HE LOST OVERRATED!!"
Isn't that the way the ball bounces now-a-days when it comes to public opinion?

Magic isn't called out for his miscues / lack of talent in certain areas of his game but yet is looked as if he did no wrong and was a great all around player!

He is overrated.

[ArbitraryWater]

Isn't that the way the ball bounces now-a-days when it comes to public opinion?

Magic isn't called out for his miscues / lack of talent in certain areas of his game but yet is looked as if he did no wrong and was a great all around player!

He is overrated.

Are you describing yourself? Are you agreeing with this "public mindset" ?

Just stop. Magic's top 5-6 ranking is based on merit.

[Pointguard]

[QUOTE=Hey Yo]Why Magic is overrated.

"In 1981, the Rockets did something only two other teams had done before them, and something no team has done since

[swagga]

Lost in the 1st round as the reigning FMVP to a Sub .500 team.

Was called out by LA media and others in 1984 for losing the Finals....aka "Tragic Johnson"

Had the easiest path in modern NBA history to the Finals win in 1987.

Lost 4 NBA Finals

Had no perimeter shot and played one end of the floor. To say he played even mediocre defense, is a compliment at best.

Those are facts.

damn what a scrub doe.
that scrub MJ didn't even make da playoffs for lotsa years doe, he was lucky they didn't have dleague back then or his ass woulda rotten in there.

[L.Kizzle]

My Houston Rockets got three Championships, hell yeah!

[Psileas]

Thanks, OP. With a thread title that writes that Magic lost a Finals series against 1981 Houston, everyone should take your knowledge seriously...

Yes, we know Magic had his bad moments and was lucky at times. So, what does this prove exactly? I can write tons of crap against every GOAT player and make them look overrated and overhyped. But this achieves nothing by itself. Want to put Magic below certain players that are usually ranked below him? How about putting them to the failures +luck test? How about pointing out Magic's and their unfortunate moments (e.g, Magic got injured in '89, in case you forgot and it's a joke to claim that he was "swept")?

[pauk]

So, you think it would be more prestigious to lose in WCF instead 4 times / missing those 4 Finals?

[pauk]

"5 of 5 in Finals" is NOT better than "5 of 9 in Finals"....

A player should try his absolute best to take his team as far as possible no matter what, to overachieve as much as possible if you may...... its not more prestigious to lose earlier than Finals and ANY Finals appearence is better than NONE......... Being perfect in Finals means absolutely nothing....

It means shit because you CANT act like the playoff series chokes/losses that happened earlier than Finals didnt mean anything, you CANT act like any other playoff series is not as important as the Finals, because ALL playoff series leads towards the champoinship and ALL losses gives you an exit out.... but losing in the Finals is STILL much better than losing anytime earlier.... Dont listen to those "X of X Finals" tards....

You ask any players in NBA history, they would be "1 of 10 Finals" rather than "1 of 1 in Finals"...... to compete for a championship, to the very end, at the biggest stage, WIN OR LOSE... is what ALL players would choose over first round exists or not being in the playoffs at all.......

[TheBigVeto]

[QUOTE=Hey Yo]Why Magic is overrated.

"In 1981, the Rockets did something only two other teams had done before them, and something no team has done since

[KungFuJoe]

Why do so many people respond to obvious troll/bait threads on ISH?

[T_L_P]

Magic is the greatest Laker ever, and the second greatest player to ever wear a Lakers jersey.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Thankfully Magic was too coward to get drafted by Chicago.

This kid manipulated his way to go play in LA with Kareem because he's a slept on entitled competitive coward of the same vein as Kobe, or LeBron ... karma was served and Chicago was gifted the GOAT by the basketball heavens.

The man who eventually made Magic his bitch in the 1991 Finals.

:applause:

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Thankfully Magic was too coward to get drafted by Chicago.

This kid manipulated his way to go play in LA with Kareem because he's a slept on entitled competitive coward of the same vein as Kobe, or LeBron ... karma was served and Chicago was gifted the GOAT by the basketball heavens.

The man who eventually made Magic his bitch in the 1991 Finals.

:applause:

:oldlol:

You can be such a good poster at times, and then write some irregular School of Skip Bayless nonsense above. I'm curious as to how many idiots will take the bait and give you a genuine reply.

[SamuraiSWISH]

:oldlol:

You can be such a good poster at times, and then write some irregular School of Skip Bayless nonsense above. I'm curious as to how many idiots will take the bait and give you a genuine reply.
Nothing I said wasn't factual ...

Magic wanted to play for the Lakers w/ Kareem, didn't want to be drafted by Chicago. Manipulated his way to a desired destination. Entitled. Coward.

Jordan made Magic his BITCH in the 1991 Finals

Jordan 31 ppg, 11 apg, 7 rpg, 3 spg on 56% (guarded Magic frequently)
Magic 19 ppg, 12 apg, 8 rpg on 43% (guarded no one)

Bulls 4 games
Lakers 1 game

[LAZERUSS]

Thankfully Magic was too coward to get drafted by Chicago.

This kid manipulated his way to go play in LA with Kareem because he's a slept on entitled competitive coward of the same vein as Kobe, or LeBron ... karma was served and Chicago was gifted the GOAT by the basketball heavens.

The man who eventually made Magic his bitch in the 1991 Finals.

:applause:

Thankfully for Bulls fans, too.

Had Magic gone to Chicago, he would have led them to titles, and there would have been no need to draft Jordan.

Jordan would have been drafted by another losing team, played on losers several years, putting up empty stats year-after-year, and finally, when surrounded by the best supporting casts in the league, he would have gone on to greatness.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Had Magic gone to Chicago, he would have led them to titles, and there would have been no need to draft Jordan.
Without Kareem, Riley, and the rest of those Lakers rosters? Doubtful.

[LAZERUSS]

Without Kareem, Riley, and the rest of those Lakers rosters? Doubtful.


In their ten years on the same team, ...in the games that Magic missed, the Lakers won 60% of them. In the games that Kareem missed, LA won 75% of them. Furthermore, and with KAJ, Magic had a .740 winning percentage. In the rest of his career, including his come-back in '95-96...a career .743 winning percentage!

[SamuraiSWISH]

In their ten years on the same team, ...in the games that Magic missed, the Lakers won 60% of them. In the games that Kareem missed, LA won 75% of them. Furthermore, and with KAJ, Magic had a .740 winning percentage. In the rest of his career, including his come-back in '95-96...a career .743 winning percentage!
Magic isn't winning any rings in the 80's ECF with the Bulls roster. And he was retired by the start of the '92 season. He's not sniffing 5 rings, let alone winning 6 rings.

Bulls lucked out due to Magic's entitled cowardice.

We got the GOAT. Who then molded a young Scottie Pippen to his image, and became the best sidekick of all-time.

Then to add insult to injury, MJ curb stomped Magic and his Lakers in the Finals.

:pimp:

[TheBigVeto]

Magic wanted to play for the Lakers w/ Kareem, didn't want to be drafted by Chicago. Manipulated his way to a desired destination. Entitled. Coward.


This. Just like Kobe.

[T_L_P]

Magic isn't winning any rings in the 80's ECF with the Bulls roster. And he was retired by the start of the '92 season. He's not sniffing 5 rings, let alone winning 6 rings.

Bulls lucked out due to Magic's entitled cowardice.

We got the GOAT. Who then molded a young Scottie Pippen to his image, and became the best sidekick of all-time.

Then to add insult to injury, MJ curb stomped Magic and his Lakers in the Finals.

:pimp:

Magic doesn't get AIDS in Chicago (maybe a bullet, but not AIDS).

You need to factor that in.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Magic doesn't get AIDS in Chicago (maybe a bullet, but not AIDS).

You need to factor that in.
How do we know? Magic seemed to be a deviant on the DL?

[eliteballer]

Nothing I said wasn't factual ...

Magic wanted to play for the Lakers w/ Kareem, didn't want to be drafted by Chicago. Manipulated his way to a desired destination. Entitled. Coward.

Jordan made Magic his BITCH in the 1991 Finals

Jordan 31 ppg, 11 apg, 7 rpg, 3 spg on 56% (guarded Magic frequently)
Magic 19 ppg, 12 apg, 8 rpg on 43% (guarded no one)

Bulls 4 games
Lakers 1 game

:oldlol: :oldlol: :oldlol:

Magic ABUSED Jordan whenever they were matched up one on one.

Magic had a TON more mileage at that point(He'd played as many playoff games that point as Jordan would in his ENTIRE CAREER), was swarmed by Pippen and Jordan defensively, but whenever he was guarded by them one on one he abused them...not to mention Magic had key injured teamates(Scott, who was guarding Jordan on one leg, and Worthy).

He just BULLIED Jordan in the paint.

and 2 of Magic's finals losses are because of injuries(83, 89).

[KevinNYC]

Lost in the 1st round as the reigning FMVP to a Sub .500 team.

Since you've never watched Moses Malone play, you may want to sit at the back of the class until you have.

[stalkerforlife]

Magic doesn't get AIDS in Chicago (maybe a bullet, but not AIDS).

You need to factor that in.

:biggums:

:roll:

[LAZERUSS]

Since you've never watched Moses Malone play, you may want to sit at the back of the class until you have.

:applause: :applause: :applause:

Moses easily outplayed a near-prime KAJ in that series, and then two years later, he CRUSHED Kareem in the Finals.

[LAZERUSS]

Here is the REALITY of Magic's prime 12 years.

His team easily beat Philly in both '80 and '82, and he was their best player in both series (FMVP in both.)

In '81 he came back from missing half the season with an injury, and yes, he played poorly, albeit, with a 17-14-7 stat-line (yes, 13.7 rpg.) Furthermore, the first round was a best of three series. Keep in mind that Boston had to comeback from a 3-1 series deficit against the Sixers (winning three straight games by the narrowest of margins) and then struggling with that same 40-42 Rockets team in the Finals. Given that LA easily dispatched the Sixers in both '80 and '82, I don't think there is any question that a fully healthy Magic would have led them to a title in '81.

In 82-83, and with Worthy missing the Finals, Philly swept LA, but the last three games were close losses. And again, Moses just mopped the floor with KAJ in that series. With a healthy Worthy... who knows?

In 83-84, "Tragic" put up a 17-8-13 .560 series in the Finals (and led LA in rebounding.) The Lakers easily won game one, and routed Boston by 33 points in game three. In game two, they had the lead, and the ball, with only a few seconds remaining. Instead of just handing the ball to Magic, Worthy's inbounds pass was stolen, and it led to a tying basket. Boston would eke out an OT win. In game four, the Lakers had a 5 point lead with 41 secs left. BOTH Magic and Worthy missed FTs in the last few seconds, and the game again went into OT, where Boston again won. So, LA was one pass away, and one made FT away, from SWEEPING Boston in the '84 Finals.

Magic and Kareem led the '85 Lakers to an easy title.

in '86, Magic played well against Houston, but Sampson neutralized KAJ, and Hakeem had a great series. Magic had a 22-8-16 .533 FG% series (yes, 16,2 apg.)

In '87, and with KAJ just a "third-wheel" now, the Lakers won a dominating world title. In the Finals, Magic put up a 26-8-13 .541 series, and oh BTW, was the leading scorer in that series. One of the greatest Finals prformances of all-time.

In the '88 Finals, and with KAJ just puking all over the floor in the playoffs and Finals, Magic put up a 21-6-13 .550 FG% series (and was defended by Rodman for much of it)...against the same Piston team that held a prime Bird to 19 ppg on a .351 FG% the series before...in leading LA to another title. Somehow Worthy beat Magic out for FMVP though.

In '89, Magic's Lakers came into the Finals on an 11-0 playoff run. However, they lost Byron Scott and his 20 ppg playoff average to an injury, and he missed the Finals. Magic would go down in game two, and with the score tied at the time. Detroit would sweep the series, but the last three games were very close. A healthy Magic and Scott, and who knows?

'90. The 63-19, without a retired KAJ, lose to the Suns in the second round. Magic can only put up a 30-6-12 series (yes, 30 ppg), including back-to-back "must-win" games of 43 points.

'91. Magic's last prime season. He drags an injury-plagued Laker team that is on a rapid decline, to a 58-24 record, which included a 4-2 series win over the 63-19 Blazers (and Magic with a 21-8-13 series), and then to the Finals, where a peak MJ and company beat LA, 4-1.

Magic retires, and the next two seasons LA goes 43-39 and 39-43.

FIVE titles in NINE Finals, in 12 seasons. And they were a couple of points away from SIX. And key injuries away from a title in '81, and possibly in '83 and '89...or NINE titles.

THAT was Magic's true IMPACT.

[Combat Wombat]

Thanks for both corrections.

Good job you dopey ****.

[swagga]

Here is the REALITY of Magic's prime 12 years.

His team easily beat Philly in both '80 and '82, and he was their best player in both series (FMVP in both.)

In '81 he came back from missing half the season with an injury, and yes, he played poorly, albeit, with a 17-14-7 stat-line (yes, 13.7 rpg.) Furthermore, the first round was a best of three series. Keep in mind that Boston had to comeback from a 3-1 series deficit against the Sixers (winning three straight games by the narrowest of margins) and then struggling with that same 40-42 Rockets team in the Finals. Given that LA easily dispatched the Sixers in both '80 and '82, I don't think there is any question that a fully healthy Magic would have led them to a title in '81.

In 82-83, and with Worthy missing the Finals, Philly swept LA, but the last three games were close losses. And again, Moses just mopped the floor with KAJ in that series. With a healthy Worthy... who knows?

In 83-84, "Tragic" put up a 17-8-13 .560 series in the Finals (and led LA in rebounding.) The Lakers easily won game one, and routed Boston by 33 points in game three. In game two, they had the lead, and the ball, with only a few seconds remaining. Instead of just handing the ball to Magic, Worthy's inbounds pass was stolen, and it led to a tying basket. Boston would eke out an OT win. In game four, the Lakers had a 5 point lead with 41 secs left. BOTH Magic and Worthy missed FTs in the last few seconds, and the game again went into OT, where Boston again won. So, LA was one pass away, and one made FT away, from SWEEPING Boston in the '84 Finals.

Magic and Kareem led the '85 Lakers to an easy title.

in '86, Magic played well against Houston, but Sampson neutralized KAJ, and Hakeem had a great series. Magic had a 22-8-16 .533 FG% series (yes, 16,2 apg.)

In '87, and with KAJ just a "third-wheel" now, the Lakers won a dominating world title. In the Finals, Magic put up a 26-8-13 .541 series, and oh BTW, was the leading scorer in that series. One of the greatest Finals prformances of all-time.

In the '88 Finals, and with KAJ just puking all over the floor in the playoffs and Finals, Magic put up a 21-6-13 .550 FG% series (and was defended by Rodman for much of it)...against the same Piston team that held a prime Bird to 19 ppg on a .351 FG% the series before...in leading LA to another title. Somehow Worthy beat Magic out for FMVP though.

In '89, Magic's Lakers came into the Finals on an 11-0 playoff run. However, they lost Byron Scott and his 20 ppg playoff average to an injury, and he missed the Finals. Magic would go down in game two, and with the score tied at the time. Detroit would sweep the series, but the last three games were very close. A healthy Magic and Scott, and who knows?

'90. The 63-19, without a retired KAJ, lose to the Suns in the second round. Magic can only put up a 30-6-12 series (yes, 30 ppg), including back-to-back "must-win" games of 43 points.

'91. Magic's last prime season. He drags an injury-plagued Laker team that is on a rapid decline, to a 58-24 record, which included a 4-2 series win over the 63-19 Blazers (and Magic with a 21-8-13 series), and then to the Finals, where a peak MJ and company beat LA, 4-1.

Magic retires, and the next two seasons LA goes 43-39 and 39-43.

FIVE titles in NINE Finals, in 12 seasons. And they were a couple of points away from SIX. And key injuries away from a title in '81, and possibly in '83 and '89...or NINE titles.

THAT was Magic's true IMPACT.

:applause:

[swagga]

Magic isn't winning any rings in the 80's ECF with the Bulls roster. And he was retired by the start of the '92 season. He's not sniffing 5 rings, let alone winning 6 rings.

Bulls lucked out due to Magic's entitled cowardice.

We got the GOAT. Who then molded a young Scottie Pippen to his image, and became the best sidekick of all-time.

Then to add insult to injury, MJ curb stomped Magic and his Lakers in the Finals.

:pimp:

:lol doe lay off the pipe, your boy MJ took it raw in the post. Poor phil had to put mvscottie on magic.

"The biggest decision of the game was putting Scottie Pippen on Magic Johnson, while Michael Jordan guarded Vlade Divac. This proved to be effective as Scottie Pippen stopped Magic from "going off" keeping him to only 14 points and 10 assists"

[jlip]

Here is the REALITY of Magic's prime 12 years.

His team easily beat Philly in both '80 and '82, and he was their best player in both series (FMVP in both.)



As much as a Magic fan as I am, he was not the best Laker player in the '80 Finals.