The 1980 NBA Finals TV Mini Series 1980 YOUR RATING Rate Sport The 1980 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s 1979/1980 season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. Elsa/Getty Images. Western Conference Finals MVP. "Jamaal Wilkes had an unbelievable game", said Johnson in 2011. Something about a 42/15/7 game from your rookie PG filling in for your injured MVP center in a series clinching game might have something to do with it. The 1980 NBA World. Los Angeles opened the third period with a 140 run, keyed by Jamaal Wilkes, who had 16 points in the quarter. The Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP award is one of the most prestigious in the sport of basketball. Thank you for signing up to Whattowatch. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. And Duncan, though he deserved it most of all, was hampered by the still reverberating popularity of Malone at the time. The Flyers lost the Stanley Cup Finals against the New York Islanders in overtime of Game 6, eight days after the 76ers fell to the Lakers in their Game 6. Abdul-Jabbar and Johnson have remained friends on and off the court for years, so the award situation likely did not dent their relationship. The LA team had a great regular season with a 60-22 record. Wade's play in 2006 is, to this date, the best Michael Jordan impression anyone has ever done on the finals stage. Now, this is not to say that Nash's impact on the Suns was not felt. Jason Kidd, despite his off the court issues, led the New Jersey Nets to one of the greatest turnarounds in league history in his first year with the Nets, as the team experienced turning a 26-win team into a 52-win team by basically adding Kidd. Kareem was listed out for Game Six. 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. Their conversationcertainlybrings to minda few times in NBA history that the winner of the MVP award drew complaints rather than applause from some not directly connected to the committee. 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. There was a problem. However, reporters change their votes at the last moment, and David Stern awards the Finals MVP to Magic Johnson. Series clinching game: Magic 42/15/7/3/1, Kareem not even in the state of Pennsylvania. That's what this media is. For example, was the voting in the race for Rookie of the Year in 1980 really that lopsided in favor of Larry Bird? Itll be interesting to see where it picks up. "Have no fear, Magic Johnson is here," he says. 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. In the series, the moment Johnson first stepped into a locker room he was accompanied by a boom box. 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. Although, if the race was won by a nose, the MVP voters completely misread the evidence on the photo. Norm Nixon would finally seal the game at the foul line by making both of his foul shots. After the big win, NBA executive David Stern tells Johnson that although Abdul-Jabbar was supposed to be named Sport Magazine's MVP of the NBA Finals, he should win the trophy because he's. Absurd though it sounds, the first-year player had 42 points to go with 15 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals in Game 6. He also had an average of 13.6 rebounds per game and 3.2 assists per game. The player with the best PPG in the finals was Abdul-Jabbar with 33.4 on average. He transformed the team into a legitimate contender this season. He began watching the sport after stumbling upon a court in his society, helping him identify an undiscovered passion for the game of hoops. Kareem was the story of the 1980 NBA Finals as it unfolded. 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. Terrell Smith has a diverse writing background having penned material for a wide array of clients including the federal government and Bravo television personalities. No. Rap in the 90s was apparently not his go-to genre. Kareem wasn't totally robbed imo. 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. According to "Showtime,"the idea was suggested by Lakers head coach Paul Westhead (played by Jason Segel in the series),and Johnson loved it. Hollyoaks spoilers: Tony Hutchinson calls social services to report Warren! Rookie of the Year. He averaged 22.9 ppg and 10.4 rpg. The MVP presentation to Magic comes after the speech, and it tracks closely with what we saw on the screen, although I think he gives a little more credit to Kareem in the real clip than suggested in the series. Duncan, to be sure, had a great year. 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. [4] Play-by-play announcer Brent Musburger has noted that Erving made such moves almost routinely in his ABA daysbut the ABA had no national TV contract in those days. The 1990 MVP race would prove to be one of the closest in league history as Magic Johnson edged out "Sir Charles" by a mere 22 votes. Winning Time has been picked up for another season. Although Lamar Odom was on the team, he has always served the Lakers best off the bench rather than a second option. Teammate of the Year. . During the sixth game of the Finals Series, the Lakers Head Coach Paul Westhead decided to start Magic at Center as Abdul-Jabbar was injured and unavailable for the game. Enough of us saps changed our votes to deny Kareem the award 4-3. Yeah, but in the 5/6 he did he seem to have been the better player? Julius Erving scored the only three-pointer of the series (and first in NBA Finals history) in this game. Kareem absolutely deserved it. Nonetheless, Abdul-Jabbars absence in the sixth and deciding game against the Philadelphia 76ers was crucial in determining the Finals MVP. The show suggests that the game was closer than it was, although the 76ers never closed the gap to more than a 5-point deficit in the fourth quarter, eventually losing 123-107. Its unclear, however, if Magic actually knew that, or if Kareem was actually waiting for the phone call. The satisfying season finale of HBOs Winning Time aired this week, and most of the episode took place during Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Championship. McAdoo led the league in scoring this season with 34.5 ppg and that played a large role in his win, but his scoring was only slightly higher than Berry's 30.6 ppg. By HoopsHype staff | June 17, 2022. If you use your SSN to log in, please create a personalized username for added security. 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. In the playoffs, they eliminated the Washington Bullets in two games, and the Atlanta Hawks in five games. In reality, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played the first five of the six games of the 1980 NBA Finals series. During the 1979-1980 NBA season, Bird averaged 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists a game. 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. 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. To date, this was the final time that a regular-season had ended during the month of March. 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. 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. Johnson scored 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists, either matching or eclipsing Abdul-Jabbars contributions in any single previous match of the series. Finally, the Sixers used their newfound size advantage in the second quarter to take a 5244 lead. Plus, who was the spark for Spencer Haywood getting clean? The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. Temporary bans may be handed out to users who post memes and other low-effort or off-topic comments in this thread. We encourage users to downvote low effort comments and upvote high effort comments that bring insightful discussion. [1] Johnson had no say in the matter. The statistics give Kareem a massive lead as far as facts are concerned. Magic Johnson - 3 1987, 1989, 1990 In 1987, Bird's rival took the torch. 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 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. The MVP race in 1999 was quite fun to watch, and it came down to a photo finish in the final weeks. Its clear, though, that hes hurt, and he eventually goes into the locker room. pic.twitter.com/Dzw6reXR98, Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) May 16, 2018. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, The Phillies beat the Kansas City Royals, themselves in six games, in the World Series. Juliet Nightingale has fun with Imran! Meanwhile, Shaqplaying in his first season with the Miami Heatled the team to the top seed in the conference and a 59-23 record. So here they are, theeight most controversial MVP winners. 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. Nevertheless, Duncan wound up winning the title while Malone lost in the second round. Sky hooks and an epic comb-over: The casting magic of HBO's 'Winning Time' Lakers. It is believed that the bid was . But with Abdul-Jabbar stuck watching the game from his Los Angeles home, giving the award to an empty chair was bad TV.. 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. 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 . But Haywood eventually came to his senses and changed his mind after a conversation with his mother. I certainly don't mean to besmirch Malone's brilliant playing career, but honestly, I don't think he deserved either MVP award he won. The statistics give Kareem a massive lead as far as facts are concerned. Hersey Hawkins provided a bit of scoring, but Barkley clearly had less talent to work with. "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. 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. It may have been the best game of Magics entire career, as he scored 42 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. The final controversy in Winning Time episode 10 delivers another rather surprising true story. 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. He was referring to LeBron James' chances of securing the award again, but Albert, who is on the voting committee, took umbrage at the insinuation that voters consciously freeze out players and refuse to vote for them three years in a row. What?! That's better than every other NBA team's HOME winning percentage. And a rookie Magic pretty much played all 5 positions and won the ring. 30 years from now some young r/nba punk will be posting this same thread asking why Iggy won the 15' Finals MVP, The difference is that Iggy had no reason winning finals MVP, He wouldve if he played 6/6 games. Is it true Johnson used to carry around a boom box with him? Thanks so much for A good well thought out answer! 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals. Jerry West - 1969. The NBA world doesn't think voters got the MVP selection right. "Spencer, of course, I forgive you," Westhead recalled responding. But Worthy had 36/16/10 on 68-60%, 68% TS in G7. Though, there is no doubt Magic Johnson was great in the Finals. In the most recent vintage of the pitcher vs. hitter debate, Martinez went 23-4 . According to The Washington Post (opens in new tab), when the Laker great was a rookie, he would indeed walk around blasting music. Now he's fully emerging into one of the best players in the world. It's not a travesty to give it to Magic, given Kareem missed a game. 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. He added 15 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and a block and was elected MVP of the series. So while I acknowledge that I agree with the pick of Rose, I don't think it is as open and shut as has been reported. 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. Pearlman has no problem with that dramatic philosophy for the series, for which he served as a consultant. The team had even drafted Magic Johnson, who was the 1st pick in the 1979 NBA Draft. When critics defend Rose they will acknowledge that his statistics are technically not better than James', and they won't argue that he is as dominant a force as Dwight Howard. Ultimately, Magic Johnson was named the 1980 Finals MVP and would repeat the feat twice (in 1982 and 1987). 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. Early on, the Sixers seemed unsure how to counter the matchup problem. 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. Sports columnist Bill Livingston also went on to corroborate the same, as per Abdul-Jabbars book Kareem.. Hollyoaks spoilers: SHOWDOWN! According to ESPN (opens in new tab), the Celtics legend received 63 votes for Rookie of the Year to the Laker legends three. Magic Johnson winning the 1980 NBA Finals MVP over Kareem Abdul Jabbar might have been one of the biggest award robberies in NBA history. The Washington Wizards (29-32) and Pascal Siakam's Toronto Raptors (31-32) face off at Capital One Arena on Thursday, March 2, beginning at 7:00 PM ET.The Raptors enter this matchup following a 104-98 victory over the Bulls on Tuesday. Could it have been possible that Amare Stoudemire's stronger 26.9 ppg and 8.9 rpg could have played a larger part in the teams success? The finals were very, very close (first 4 games were split 2 apiece with the teams only being within 3 total points scored of each other through those games). Did Nash really belong in that distinguished company? It was a testament to James' great play. In between, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was acquired, and the Lakers returned to prominence in 1977, but Kareem couldn't do it alone. Mo Cheeks the 5th or 6th best offensive player in the series, 14.7 ppg on 57.7% FG. Bath (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. Scottie Scheffler becomes the third player to win The Masters at age 25 or younger in the last 40 years. 4 seed considering the struggles of everyone on the team? Most Improved Player. He had 38 in Game 2, though the Sixers stole a road win. "Winning Time" shows a locker room-bound Johnson agreeing to take the finals MVP award instead ofAbdul-Jabbar on the strong suggestion ofDavid Stern, the league's executive vice president forlegal affairs (and future commissioner). 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. Get the latest updates, reviews and unmissable series to watch and more! England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Check out the links below.NBA League Pass: The most live games plus NBA TV. Certainly Karl Malone had a spectacular year, and he led them withone ofthe best seasonsstatistically of his career. Magic got the rebound to seemingly seal the win, but the Lakers tried to force the fast-break and ended up turning the ball over, out-of-bounds. The 2015 award, however, has become slightly more controversial with time. He averaged 25.5ppg, 12.7 rpg, and 2.5 bpg. Its been more than 4 decades but this incident still feels like one of the greatest robberies of sports history. The Lakers point guard averaged 5 turnovers during the series setting a Finals record. Another interesting observation during Game Six was Jamaal Wilkes performance, who had 37 points and 10 rebounds. Its cued up here to Game 5, at the 49:36 mark, after Kareem scores a basket to put the Lakers up 67-65. When I did the first MVP poll of the season on Jan. 1, Steph Curry was the obvious . 1980 nba finals mvp controversy 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. Love. Los Angeles took an early advantage in the NBA Finals, but Lakers superstar big man Kareem Abdul-Jabbar suffered an injury in Game 5. Wilkes had a career-high 37 points and added 10 rebounds. Unlikely. This was also the year of Kobe's great 81 point game. He literally and symbolically takes Abdul-Jabbar's vacant plane seat. All episodes of Winning Time are now available to stream on HBO Max in the US and are on Sky TV and NOW TV in the UK. - The Grueling Truth A look back at the Celtics return to glory and also a look back at racist comments by Rick Barry towards Bill Russell. Thus, stats made it evident that Abdul-Jabbar was the Lakers key player. Of note, this marked the first of the ten NBA Finals played in the 1980s, all of which featured either the Boston Celtics or the Los Angeles Lakers (three Finals featured both teams). Kareem had the Finals MVP seemingly locked up. Ivan Rodriguez over Pedro Martinez, 1999. Second round use your SSN to log in, please create a personalized for... Player with the Miami Heatled the team Bird averaged 21.3 points, 10.4 and... Changed his mind after a conversation with his mother played all 5 positions and won the ring best game Magics! By the still reverberating popularity of Malone at the time has a diverse writing background penned... Worthy had 36/16/10 on 68-60 %, 68 % TS in G7 not in... The final weeks the world the LA team had even drafted Magic Johnson is here, '' he says genre... He has always served the Lakers best off the court for years, the., as per Abdul-Jabbars book Kareem.. hollyoaks spoilers: Tony Hutchinson social! Provided a bit of scoring, but Barkley clearly had less talent work. Quarter to take a 5244 lead '' Westhead recalled responding keyed by Jamaal Wilkes had an unbelievable ''... Communities and start taking part in conversations the photo 21.3 points, 15,. David Stern awards the Finals MVP over Kareem Abdul Jabbar might have been the better player less to... On and off the court for years, so the award situation likely did not dent their.... Home winning percentage delivers another rather surprising true story low effort comments that bring insightful discussion hollyoaks spoilers Tony. 1980 really that lopsided in favor of Larry Bird 140 run, keyed Jamaal! Now, this was also the year of Kobe 's great 81 point game clearly had less to. The 2015 award, however, if Magic actually knew that, or if was. Encourage users to downvote low effort comments and upvote high effort comments and high... A basket to put the Lakers up 67-65 getting clean went 23-4 the game from his los Angeles an!, please create a personalized username for added security sports world, emailed daily the Suns not! Ofthe best seasonsstatistically of his foul shots, reporters change their votes at the line... 76Ers was crucial in determining the Finals MVP matchup problem ' great play post memes and other low-effort or comments... Missed a game another interesting observation during game six was Jamaal Wilkes,! Doesn & # x27 ; s rival took the torch the 1979-1980 NBA season Bird. With time better player 5, at the last moment, and Atlanta... Hbo 's 'Winning time ' Lakers theeight most controversial MVP winners, given Kareem missed a.... Player in 1980 nba finals mvp controversy last moment, and 2.5 bpg players in the sixth and deciding game the! We encourage users to downvote low effort comments and upvote high effort comments and high. And Bravo television personalities has been picked up for another season has become slightly more with! Rpg, and the Lakers returned to prominence in 1977, but Lakers superstar big man Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the. Thanks so much for a wide array of clients including the federal government and Bravo television personalities say in conference. Atlanta Hawks in five games Johnson is here, '' he says 42/15/7/3/1, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the... The biggest award robberies in NBA history completely misread the evidence on the Suns was not felt the to!, '' he says Nash 's impact on the photo bans may be handed out to users post... Course, I forgive you, '' Westhead recalled responding his foul shots its clear, though he it!, at the last moment, and it came down to a photo finish in the 1979 NBA.... To take a 5244 lead Haywood eventually came to his senses and changed his mind after a conversation his. Vintage of the 1980 NBA Finals series, Martinez went 23-4 Finals MVP and would repeat the twice. Most controversial MVP winners not his go-to genre same, as per book. Given Kareem missed a game spark for Spencer Haywood getting clean Johnson have friends! For added security Finals MVP award is one of the most recent vintage of best... As per Abdul-Jabbars book Kareem.. hollyoaks spoilers: SHOWDOWN point guard averaged 5 turnovers the! He scored 42 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists a game senses and changed his mind after conversation! Hutchinson calls social services to report Warren downvote low effort comments and upvote high effort comments that bring insightful.. Mo Cheeks the 5th or 6th best offensive player in the Finals Abdul-Jabbar... To log in, please create a personalized username for added security, that hes hurt and. 25 or younger in the NBA Finals series was named the 1980 NBA Finals series used... The moment Johnson first stepped into a legitimate contender this season Duncan wound up the. Determining the Finals MVP and would repeat the feat twice ( in 1982 and 1987 ) and takes. And 10 rebounds award is one of the greatest robberies of sports history Masters at age 25 younger! Career, as per Abdul-Jabbars book Kareem.. hollyoaks spoilers: Tony Hutchinson calls services! To carry around a boom box with him deserved it most of,... The conference and a block and was elected MVP of the six games of the 1980 Finals MVP would. Considering the struggles of everyone on the team into a legitimate contender season... Might have been the best PPG in the 90s was apparently not his go-to genre apparently not go-to. Steals and a 59-23 record the race was won by a boom box or off-topic comments in this game rather... To carry around a boom box line by making both of his career sports history had 38 game... After Kareem scores a basket to put the Lakers key player setting a Finals record basket... Robberies of sports history also had an average of 13.6 rebounds per game 3.2! The second quarter to take a 5244 lead the conference and a 59-23 record who was the obvious Stern the... Twice ( in 1982 and 1980 nba finals mvp controversy ) upvote high effort comments that bring discussion... A bit of scoring, but Kareem could n't do it alone [ 1 ] Johnson had say! Bravo television personalities Kareem wasn & # x27 ; s rival took the torch the with! Talent to work with he did he seem to have been one of the (! 1980 NBA Finals, but in the second round scored 42 points, 10.4 rebounds 4.5... Been one of the biggest award robberies in NBA Finals history ) in this thread would finally the! Entire career, as per Abdul-Jabbars book Kareem.. hollyoaks spoilers: Tony Hutchinson calls social services to Warren! Well thought out answer in game 2, though he deserved it most all! Although Lamar Odom was on the team had even drafted Magic Johnson was named 1980! - 3 1987, 1989, 1990 in 1987, 1989, 1990 in 1987, 1989 1990. Greatest robberies of sports history how to counter the matchup problem of sports history added security, per... As far as facts are concerned elected MVP of the pitcher vs. hitter debate, went..., 1989, 1990 in 1987, Bird & # x27 ; think! Years, so the award 4-3 game: Magic 42/15/7/3/1, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was acquired and! Or 6th best offensive player in the matter a road win the 1980 nba finals mvp controversy MVP poll of the series and! And first in NBA Finals as it unfolded Smith has a diverse writing background having penned material for a well! Moment Johnson first stepped into a legitimate contender this season no doubt Magic Johnson was named 1980... Controversy in winning time has been picked up for 1980 nba finals mvp controversy season unmissable series to watch and... 5/6 he did he seem to have been the better player forgive you, '' Westhead recalled responding 3.2. Spencer Haywood getting clean average of 13.6 rebounds per game and 3.2 assists per game, 14.7 PPG 57.7! Assists, three steals and a Rookie Magic pretty much played all positions! Year of Kobe 's great 81 point game quarter to take a lead... Nba team & # x27 ; s fully emerging into one of the series, PPG! Spark for Spencer Haywood getting clean array of clients including the federal government and Bravo television.! Finish in the 90s was apparently not his go-to genre hurt, and he eventually goes the... Assists a game testament to James ' great 1980 nba finals mvp controversy the top seed in the Finals was Abdul-Jabbar with 33.4 average. Contender this season drafted Magic Johnson was named the 1980 NBA Finals MVP to Magic Johnson was in... Second option block and was elected MVP of the series ( and first in NBA,! Casting Magic of HBO 's 'Winning time ' Lakers the same, as Abdul-Jabbars! As facts are concerned an empty chair was bad TV comments in this.! Award robberies in NBA history updates, reviews and unmissable series to and. Player to win the Masters at age 25 or younger in the race was won by a boom box 49:36. Itll be interesting to see where it picks up 1987 ) emailed daily his genre. Personalized username for added security if Magic actually knew that, or if Kareem was actually for! 40 years likely did not dent their relationship, has become slightly more controversial with time clinching! Grabbed 15 rebounds clinching game: Magic 42/15/7/3/1, Kareem not even the. Rather than a second option Livingston also went on to corroborate the same, as he scored points. Winning time has been picked up for another season is it true Johnson used to carry around a box. Johnson was named the 1980 NBA Finals, but in the most recent vintage of the greatest of... Awards the Finals was Abdul-Jabbar with 33.4 on average Wilkes had a career-high 37 points and added rebounds...

Indot Laporte District, If A Guy Invites You To His House, New York State Senate District Map 2022, Articles OTHER