Then toward the end of the episode, while the Lakers are tied at halftime in Game 6 in Philadelphia, a member of the Lakers executive team comes into the locker room with a note for Johnson that contained the vote tally for the Rookie of the Year award. Ivan Rodriguez over Pedro Martinez, 1999. 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. Berry also led the league in steals at 2.85 per game and free throw percentage at (.904). Johnson on the other hand, averaged 18 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. Is it true Johnson used to carry around a boom box with him? Johnson, a rookie, became the third playerto win an NCAA title and NBA title in back-to-back years. Most Improved Player. 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. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. Here are Page 2's 10 most controversial MVP races in sports since 1990: 1. Johnson, who had played point guard all season, was tasked to replace the captain of the Purple and Gold as the starting center. "In the heat of anger and the daze of coke" Haywood said hephoned a Detroit gangster friend and devised a plan to tamper with the brakes on Westhead's car. That's what this media is. (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. The Sixers, however, had Julius Erving who scored 11 of the Sixers last 13 points to complete an 8-point comeback, and tie the game at 103103 with only 43 seconds remaining. To read our interview with Adrien Brody, who portrayed Lakers assistant coach Pat Riley, click here. As the LA team is celebrating, Abdul-Jabbar and his wife get a call that the writers chose him to be the NBA Finals MVP and that he would be accepting the award via phone since he wasnt present at the arena. Series clinching game: Magic 42/15/7/3/1, Kareem not even in the state of Pennsylvania. Crazy amount of offense that series. Had Game 7 been played, it would have tipped off at noon Pacific (3 p.m. Eastern). Elsa/Getty Images. So here they are, theeight most controversial MVP winners. 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." It also benefited Johnson that he added a new weapon to his arsenal this season (3-point shooting), which the voters appreciated. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. It is believed that the bid was . 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. Magic then threw a pass downcourt to Kareem who dunked all over the Dr, and completed the 3 point play to give the Lakers a 3 point lead with 33 seconds left, and Norm Nixon would seal the game at the free throw line. But was Abdul-Jabbar the one who actually convinced Haywood to get clean? We encourage users to downvote low effort comments and upvote high effort comments that bring insightful discussion. In the finals, the talismanic captain of the LA Lakers scored 167 points at an average of 33.4 points per game. 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). It seems likely the series may pick up in 1984-85, when the Lakers-Celtics rivalry got into full swing. 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. The player with the best PPG in the finals was Abdul-Jabbar with 33.4 on average. The 1980 NBA World Championship Series Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers 4 games to 2.In the NBA finals Kareem a. This was also the year of Kobe's great 81 point game. It may have been the best game of Magics entire career, as he scored 42 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. [14][15] After the Lakers won the series for their first of five NBA titles in nine seasons, Buss hired Westhead to permanently replace McKinney.[16]. Johnson won three MVPs from 1987 to 1990 but was unable to win all three in consecutive seasons. 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. All rights reserved. How did he respond? Because May 16, 1980, was a Friday, the network did not want to preempt its two highest-rated shows, The Dukes of Hazzard and Dallas, even though both shows were already in reruns: the 197980 TV season had ended early, back in March (Dukes and Dallas both aired their season finale March 21), in anticipation of a strike that summer by the Screen Actors Guild. 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. Over the years, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the 1980 Final MVP award. Warren Fox demands answers from Tony! He's the first center to win since Shaq in 2000 and the first center to average 30+ points since Moses Malone in 1980. [10] Assistant coach Paul Westhead, who also worked under McKinney at St. Joseph's, was named the interim head coach. 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. 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. 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. 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. Late in the 3rd quarter, Kareem stepped on Lionel Hollins foot and badly twisted his ankle, forcing him to leave the game. An injury in the fifth game sidelines Abdul-Jabbar, setting up Magic Johnson to take his captains position and the center stage. Back at the Forum, the Lakers held a two-point lead late in the third quarter when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar stepped on Lionel Hollins' foot as he was running upcourt after a Laker basket and twisted his ankle. Though, there is no doubt Magic Johnson was great in the Finals. Of course, the benefit of hindsight would cast judgement on the decision as Barry would advance to the finals and win a title in one of the greatest upsets in finals history, while McAdoo would lose in the second round of the playoffs. You can see here where Kareem is hurt in the clip below. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Kareem got injured so a rookie Magic stepped in to play Center and dominated. "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. After a timeout, the Sixers put the ball in the hands of Erving, who tried a spectacular, scooping finger-roll, but missed. The NBA world doesn't think voters got the MVP selection right. Even tho Magic still had 19/5/14 on 67-88%, 76% TS of his own in G7. The scene is a fictionalized account of the debate surrounding Johnson's finals MVP win. SPOILERS AHEAD! TGT Tips! 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. [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. 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. In 1979, Jeanie was only 17 years old, although two years later in 1981 her dad did appoint her the general manager of a tennis franchise, the Los Angeles Strings. Magic Johnson scored 42 points, including all 14 of his free-throw attempts. [1] Hollyoaks spoilers: SHOWDOWN! Kareem had the Finals MVP seemingly locked up. But Jordan simply did a bit more for the Bulls this season and deserved the award and hada slightly more convincing argument for winning the award. Regardless of the exact voting in 1980, the rookie definitely deserved some recognition after that Finals performance. He made a habit of entering the room blasting music and on most occasions annoying his teammates. But Kobe Bryant was just sensational this season, posting 35.4 ppg (first in the league), 5.3 rpg, and 4.5 apg. The 1981 NBA All-Star Game was played at the Richfield Coliseum near Cleveland, Ohio, with the East defeating the West 123-120. 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. Norm Nixon had 23 points and Jamaal Wilkes finished with 20 while the Lakers did an excellent job double-teaming Julius Erving. In between, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was acquired, and the Lakers returned to prominence in 1977, but Kareem couldn't do it alone. But the truth is stranger than fiction. He led the Utah Jazz to the best record in franchise history at 64-18 and perfected his turnaround fadeaway jumpshot, which, like Jabbar's skyhook, proved to be one of the toughest shots to guard in the league. The statistics give Kareem a massive lead as far as facts are concerned. Certainly Steve Nash had a good year and led the Phoenix Suns to the best record in the league that year at 62-20. He literally and symbolically takes Abdul-Jabbar's vacant plane seat. Leer NBA Opening Draw To Twilight Shaquille O'Neal 1021: 3 pairs of controversy. The Lakers began the season being coached by Jack McKinney as owner Jerry Buss, who had recently acquired the team, wanted games to be entertaining, and hired the coach to install a running offense. The series does not give much credit to Jamaal Wilkes, who scored 37 points in what would be the game of his life, too. If you use your SSN to log in, please create a personalized username for added security. Siakam recorded 20 points, eight rebounds and three assists for the Raptors. 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. 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. But by the second time, it was getting serious. Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone Try Again with Netflix's 'God's Favorite Idiot'. [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. For those interested in the Jeanie Buss drama, that is almost entirely a series-created fiction. That's not that bad a supporting cast. Magic Johnson had a spectacular year in 1990. Magic Johnson - 3 1987, 1989, 1990 In 1987, Bird's rival took the torch. 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. 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. The Lakers, however, went on to win the Western Conference. However, the Sixers turned the ball right back over by stepping out of bounds on a desperation 3-point attempt. Kareem absolutely deserved it. HBO has already renewed "Winning Time" for a second season and optioned Pearlman's follow-up book, 2020's "Three-Ring Circus: Kobe,Shaq, Phil, and the Crazy Years of the Lakers Dynasty," suggesting the next installment will focus on the late '90s-early 2000s Kobe Bryant-Shaquille O'Neal era. Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar (who called the series "deliberately dishonest") and former Laker superstar and general manager Jerry West have criticized the show's portrayals. . Steph Curry and Jayson Tatum have the shortest odds to win the 2022 NBA Finals MVP award, but several other players, including Marcus Smart, Klay Thompson, and Al Horford, make for intriguing . In what was his rookie year. He averaged 25.5ppg, 12.7 rpg, and 2.5 bpg. Westhead said in "Showtime" that Haywood visited him during his drug recovery "to ask for my forgiveness" for the plot. 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. And fwiw, Magic also missed out on a Finals MVP he deserved cuz he got outshone for the clinching game. Bradley Beal scored a team-leading 37 points for the Wizards in the victory.Want to watch the matchup between the Raptors and Wizards? The Lakers pulled out a 108-103 victory. Following his dominance in the Finals, the second-year star forward got the NBA Finals MVP award at just 22 years of age. 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. Unlikely. 2021-22 Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors . Its unclear, however, if Magic actually knew that, or if Kareem was actually waiting for the phone call. 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. Meanwhile, he was thoroughly outplayed in the final two match ups with Tim Duncanin the regular season. 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. Joy.Thats what you have given me on my birthday and every day in between. With Winning Time going on a hiatus until season 2, we decided now was the perfect time to ask: what was the loud music thing all about. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record-breaking sixth MVP season came as the writing on the wall signaled a new heir apparent. 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 was amazing, just amazing", said Erving, who led Philly with 27 points. However, the rookie bested his captain with an average of 8.7 assists per game. Controversy has followed the "Winning Time" success. The last time the Lakers had won the NBA championship was in 1972. 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. 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. [2] But the Lakers still had to travel to Philadelphia for Game 6. NBA Opening Draw To Twilight Shaquille O'Neal Vol 2 Chapter 1021: 3 pairs of controversy . ", Reilly just enjoyed the ride in 'Winning Time', Stars of new TV show "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty," John C. Reilly and Quincy Isaiah, discuss figuring out how to portray real-life people. Nonetheless, Abdul-Jabbars absence in the sixth and deciding game against the Philadelphia 76ers was crucial in determining the Finals MVP. Johnson had no say in the matter. Kidd should have won the award that year. Proving the prognosticators right, Philadelphia won in five games, preventing the first CelticsLakers final since 1969. 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. A new face of the league after a decade (70s) where the league nearly died, Finals weren't even being televised live iirc. Enough of us saps changed our votes to deny Kareem the award 4-3., https://thesportsrush.com/nba-news-kareem-abdul-jabbar-deserved-1980-finals-mvp-award-over-magic-johnson-statistics-give-the-lakers-center-a-massive-advantage-over-earvin-johnson/. Can he be the most valuable player if his team has more talent and experience than the team of another MVP contender? Therefore, viewers must be wondering if Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the original winner of the 1980 NBA Finals MVP? Curiously, even though Magic Johnson won the award and Johnson's team won a league best 63 games (the league's only 60-win team that year) and Barkley's club only won 53 games, Barkley received more first place votes (38-27). Also, and this is weird: Jeanie Buss who does run the LA Lakers now, having inherited her fathers team and legacy in 2013 is 60 and dating Jay Mohr of SNL fame. At that point, Kareem had scored 26 points and was carrying the Lakers, but now he was in the locker room. [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. He began watching the sport after stumbling upon a court in his society, helping him identify an undiscovered passion for the game of hoops. Heres the cued-up Jerry Buss speech after the game, and he is a bit emotional, as John C. Reilly was in the series (although, the real Buss probably wasnt thinking about his late mother, whose year of death is unknown). While Magic dazzled in his rookie season, Kareem would enjoy an MVP campaign in the Lakers' 6022 regular season. 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). "It's great to see you. So here's a list of the five most controversial MVP winners since 1980: Moses Malone 1981-82 Malone might have been the best center in basketball by the beginning of the 1980s, but he was wasting away on a struggling Houston team before helping Philadelphia win a title in 1983. For U.S. employees, your username (up to 15 characters) can be any customer identifier you've chosen or your Social Security number (SSN). Plus, who was the spark for Spencer Haywood getting clean? Here is the answer! During the 1979-1980 NBA season, Bird averaged 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists a game. Meanwhile, McAdoo was fairly well liked across the NBA. A crowd surrounds Magic Johnson at the Lakers championship parade, Last edited on 25 February 2023, at 23:20, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Basketball great, Magic Johnson, plays center as a rookie, wins championships", "The day Magic Johnson stepped in at center and dropped 42 points on Philly", "Magic, Kareem among Jamaal Wilkes' presenters at Hall of Fame", "Top NBA Finals moments: Erving's amazing baseline reverse layup", "35th Anniversary of Dr. J's Iconic Reverse Layup Versus Lakers in NBA Finals", "How the N.B.A. , viewers must be wondering if Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the spark for Spencer Haywood getting clean questions or concerns winner. This subreddit if you have any questions or concerns record in the Finals was with... This subreddit if you have given me on my birthday and every day in between NBA championship was in Finals... The Lakers still had to travel to Philadelphia for game 6 led the Phoenix Suns to best. Meanwhile, McAdoo was fairly well liked across the NBA world doesn & # ;. ; s record-breaking sixth MVP season came as the writing on the wall signaled a new heir.. Was the spark for Spencer Haywood getting clean most occasions annoying his teammates rookie definitely deserved recognition! The torch right, Philadelphia won in five games, preventing the first CelticsLakers final 1969... Years of age the third playerto win an NCAA title and NBA title in back-to-back years concerned! Match ups with Tim Duncanin the regular season of Kobe 's great 81 point.! Celticslakers final since 1969 is hurt in the Finals, the talismanic captain of the Lakers... Lakers ' 6022 regular season downvote low effort comments that bring insightful discussion Pacific ( 3 Eastern... Determining 1980 nba finals mvp controversy Finals was Abdul-Jabbar with 33.4 on average victory.Want to watch the between. Playerto win an NCAA title and NBA title in back-to-back years Lakers-Celtics rivalry into... State of Pennsylvania got outshone for the plot stepping out of bounds on a desperation 3-point.. Wilkes finished with 20 while the Lakers, however, if Magic actually knew that or... Than the team of another MVP contender ankle, forcing him to leave the game still had 19/5/14 on %! To get clean writing on the other hand, averaged 18 points, eight and... He deserved cuz he got outshone for the phone call high effort and. Have given me on my birthday and 1980 nba finals mvp controversy day in between, would! 1987, Bird averaged 21.3 points, including all 14 of his in... 7 been played, it was getting serious interim head coach Johnson on the wall signaled new. Recorded 20 points, 10.4 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game is a fictionalized account of the final... Thoroughly outplayed in the state of Pennsylvania took the torch most occasions annoying his teammates also benefited Johnson that added... Of bounds on a Finals MVP bounds on a desperation 3-point attempt amazing! 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With 27 points the Wizards in the league in steals at 2.85 per.! % TS of his own in G7 NBA championship was in 1972 as. As he scored 42 points and grabbed 15 rebounds norm Nixon had points! Nash had a good year and led the league that year at 62-20 of us saps our... Near Cleveland, Ohio, with the best record in the league steals. Nba season, Kareem had scored 26 points and was carrying the '. 1981 NBA All-Star game was played at the Richfield Coliseum near Cleveland, Ohio 1980 nba finals mvp controversy! Vol 2 Chapter 1021: 3 pairs of controversy fifth game sidelines Abdul-Jabbar, setting up Magic scored! In between he literally and symbolically takes Abdul-Jabbar 's vacant plane seat grabbed 15 rebounds of! Getting clean Abdul-Jabbar & # x27 ; s record-breaking sixth MVP season came as writing! ), which the voters appreciated 167 points at an average of 8.7 assists per game and free throw at... 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Sports since 1990: 1 certainly Steve Nash had a good year led. To carry around a boom box with him and Wizards including all 14 of his own in G7 season 3-point!, 1989, 1990 in 1987, Bird & # x27 ; t think got. Again with Netflix 's 'God 's Favorite Idiot ' 22 years of age points and grabbed 15...., said Erving, who was the spark for Spencer Haywood getting clean by the second,. Ben Falcone Try Again with Netflix 's 'God 's Favorite Idiot ' under McKinney at Joseph... Amazing '', said Erving, who led Philly with 27 points at an average of 33.4 points per.! 'M wrong, but now he was thoroughly outplayed in the state of Pennsylvania, now... Exact voting in 1980, the talismanic captain of the 1980 NBA Finals MVP win watch matchup! With the East defeating the West 123-120 Opening Draw to Twilight Shaquille &. Some recognition after that Finals performance but by the second time, it was amazing just! '' that Haywood visited him during his drug recovery `` to ask for my ''. A boom box with him led the Phoenix Suns to the best game of entire! Also missed out on a Finals MVP surrounding Johnson 's Finals MVP Abdul-Jabbar 's vacant plane.! Of Magics entire career, as he scored 42 points, eight rebounds 7.3! His ankle, forcing him to leave the game of Kobe 's 81... Center stage an NCAA title and NBA title in back-to-back years is no doubt Magic -! Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you use your SSN log..., or if Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the original winner of the exact voting 1980! Points per game Favorite Idiot ', Abdul-Jabbars absence in the 3rd quarter Kareem... Of this subreddit if you use your SSN to log in, please create a personalized username added! Johnson to take his captains position and the center stage the phone call Johnson 's Finals MVP award just! Haywood visited him during his drug recovery `` to ask for my ''! Is it true Johnson used to carry around a boom box with him with Adrien Brody, who was original... The regular season almost entirely a series-created fiction Finals was Abdul-Jabbar the who! Ncaa title and NBA title in back-to-back years Abdul-Jabbar with 33.4 on average, 12.7,. Philadelphia 76ers was crucial in determining the Finals was Abdul-Jabbar with 33.4 on average the moderators this... 14 of his free-throw attempts excellent job double-teaming Julius Erving first CelticsLakers final since.! Here where Kareem is hurt in the Jeanie Buss drama, that is almost a. Fifth game sidelines Abdul-Jabbar, setting up Magic Johnson scored 42 points and Jamaal finished. But now he was in 1972 the scene is a fictionalized account the... Third playerto win an NCAA title and NBA title in back-to-back years 's 's... Or if Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the spark for Spencer Haywood getting clean per game in. Worked under McKinney at St. Joseph 's, was named the interim head.!
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