Rookie Erving "Magic" Johnson Wins Championship Playing Center: May 16, 1980
On this day, May 16, 1980, Erving "Magic" Johnson showed the basketball world what he was made of. Kareem Abdul Jabbar, the Laker's most dominant player in the series up till then, suffered a sprained ankle in game 5 of the 1980 NBA finals against the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite the win and the 3-2 lead in the series, the L.A. Lakers were preparing for a loss in game 6 in Philadelphia. It was then when rookie Magic, showing veteran leadership, told his teammates that there is no reason for worry and assured that he would take care of everything.
source:nba.com
Indeed he did, Magic played every position during the game, including center, filling up for Kareem's absence, and gave a historical performance with 42 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists in a 123-107 victory that secured the 1980 NBA championship to LA.
It remains one of the greatest moments of the NBA Final's history.
video source: NBA youtube page
Magic is one of my favorite players to step on a basketball court. He could do it all. As a Sixers fan, I hope Ben Simmons continues to study Magic & implements Magic's game into his own. Magic will forever be legendary.
He is the true Point Forward. The aspect of his game that truly made Magic one of the best of all time was his mentality as a leader and winner. If Simmons has the same type of mentality I believe the sky is the limit for him.