Western Conference Finals MVP. Although Lamar Odom was on the team, he has always served the Lakers best off the bench rather than a second option. Generally, slumps by teams heading into the playoffs hurt MVP candidates, but it did not effect Malone's candidacy in the minds of voters. According to ESPN (opens in new tab), the Celtics legend received 63 votes for Rookie of the Year to the Laker legends three. If you take James off and replace him with any other small forward in the game, could they get the same intangibles they get from James? You may email him here, follow him on Twitter, or listen to his weekly TV podcast, Podjiba. Lakers won the chip and Magic won MVP! The Phillies beat the Kansas City Royals, themselves in six games, in the World Series. "It was amazing, just amazing", said Erving, who led Philly with 27 points. He posted 23.8 ppg and 9.4 rpg, while leading his team to a tie for the league's best record. When hes not writing as Terrell, hes writing under his pseudonym Tavion Scott, creating scripts for his audio drama podcasts. Therefore, Magic had monumental shoes to fill. 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. However, in the course of the team achieving that goal in the season finale, a few events occurred that prompted our curiosity. He played 5/6 games and was clutch in them too. 3rd seed in the East, 3rd best league record. In the most recent vintage of the pitcher vs. hitter debate, Martinez went 23-4 . Controversy has followed the "Winning Time" success. Nate Archibald of the Boston Celtics wins the game's MVP award. Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty season finale sees the LA Lakers competing for the highest honor in basketball, the NBA Championship. 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. 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. Can you put any other center in the league on the Magic and have a No. Please check your email for a confirmation. Alan Diaz/AP Michael Jordan was robbed in the 1988 - 1989 and. "As es, Westbrook acaba de recoger las sobras de Wang Zelin. Based on Livingstons story, Kareem initially had the votes to win, but Johnson took home the prize. There was a point early on in the episode when Johnson (Quincy Isaiah) hears that Larry Bird (Sean Patrick Small) was selected as the 1980 NBA Rookie of the Year. Kareem wasn't totally robbed imo. Then Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West retired, and the Lakers missed the playoffs in 1975 and 1976. The Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers 4 games to 2.[1]. Although, if the race was won by a nose, the MVP voters completely misread the evidence on the photo. [5] This Game 4 move, played to a national audience in a title game, has probably become Julius Erving's most famous move. The Lakers and the Celtics didnt face each other in the NBA Finals until 1984-85 (a Lakers win), again in 1985-86 (the Celtics won) and again the following year, which saw the Lakers win (The Lakers were the more dominant team in the 80s, winning 5 Championships to three by the Celtics). Magic Johnson - 3 1987, 1989, 1990 In 1987, Bird's rival took the torch. 3. In the finals, the talismanic captain of the LA Lakers scored 167 points at an average of 33.4 points per game. For the record, I think Rose is very deserving of the award. Check out this database of MVPs, Defensive Players of the Year, Rookies of the Year, and more all on ESPN.com's NBA Awards page. The show began with the Lakers drafting. Magic -- 21/5.5/13/2 on 55-33-87%, 67.6% TS. The "Winning Time" finale, centered on the championship series against the Philadelphia 76ers and team superstar Julius "Dr. 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. He averaged 22.9 ppg and 10.4 rpg. The Lakers, however, ended those hopes by taking a 15-point lead in the first quarter. However, that wasn't enough to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to the championship. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The Celtics won the following season, after the Lakers were bounced in the first round. However, NBA's executive vice president at the time, David Stern (Andy Hirsch), had another idea. Johnson scored 25 points in the Spurs' win, leading the team.This matchup will be airing on fuboTV.National Basketball Association odds courtesy of. Many consider this victory as the birth of Showtime. 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. Johnson becamethe first and only rookie to win the NBA Finals MVP award. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. Bath The pundits gave the Lakers little chance of winning without Abdul-Jabbar, given his prolific form in the series. [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. As the finale is concluding, there is a moment when Abdul-Jabbar shows up to the home of Spencer Haywood (Wood Harris). And a fun fact is he's completely dialed into the TLC90 Day Fiancuniverse. 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. 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. Many sportswriters argued that these match ups would "decide the MVP race," but ultimately voters went with the safe bet in Malone. All rights reserved. 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." Now he's fully emerging into one of the best players in the world. - 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. And how large of a role did Mike D'Antoni's fastpaced offense (which was perfect for winning regular season games, but not so much in the postseason) play in the team's overall success thatyear? The LA Lakers would face the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 NBA Finals. Over the years, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the 1980 Final MVP award. Many argue that the Lakers would have been a lottery team without Kobe in 2006, and one glance at the roster appears to back that claim up: Smush Parker, Chris Mihm, Kwami Brown. REMINDER: This thread is only for serious and thought-provoking analysis. The Lakers also received strong performances from Jamaal Wilkes with 37 points and 10 rebounds,[3] and Norm Nixon. Magics performance in the sixth game not only crowned the Lakers as the 1980 NBA Champions but also won him the Finals MVP Award. 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. 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? Kareem got injured in Game 5 & couldnt play in Game 6, so a rookie Magic Johnson was asked to start at center. "It's great to see you. The 7-foot-2-inch Abdul had ledhis team through the finals, gutting out aMVP-worthy Game 5 victory despite a severelyinjuredankle. Was this actually the final count? The Lakers were the top seed in the western conference and would have the home-court advantage going into the Finals. This is also the game. When I did the first MVP poll of the season on Jan. 1, Steph Curry was the obvious . 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. 1980 nba finals mvp controversy Magic Johnson scored 42 points, including all 14 of his free-throw attempts. Magic winning the 1980 Finals. 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. Also read: LeBron James was conceived when Kareem Abdul Jabbar became all time scoring leader?: Weird theory on Lakers stars birth. However, reporters change their votes at the last moment, and David Stern awards the Finals MVP to Magic Johnson. Los Angeles took an early advantage in the NBA Finals, but Lakers superstar big man Kareem Abdul-Jabbar suffered an injury in Game 5. Hollyoaks spoilers: Tony Hutchinson calls social services to report Warren! 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. 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. Granted, Derrick Rose has not actually won the award yet, but the general consensus around the league appears to be that you're more likely to see the Mayor of Cleveland declare "LeBron James day" in the city than for Rose not to win the award. The last time the Lakers had won the NBA championship was in 1972. During the 1979-1980 NBA season, Bird averaged 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists a game. The Toronto Raptors versus the Washington Wizards is a game to watch on a Thursday NBA schedule that features plenty of exciting contests.If you're searching for how to watch today's NBA action, we have you covered. Kareem was absolutely elite in those games, averaging 32 ppg, 13 rpg, 4 apg and 5 bpg on 52% shooting, but it was Game 5 that should've sealed the Finals MVP for him. 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. Though, there is no doubt Magic Johnson was great in the Finals. Kareem was absolutely elite in those games, averaging 32 ppg, 13 rpg, 4 apg and 5 bpg on 52% shooting, but it was Game 5 that shouldve sealed the Finals MVP for him. "[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. TGT Play! Odds Deals Podcasts US USA Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Louisiana Proving the prognosticators right, Philadelphia won in five games, preventing the first CelticsLakers final since 1969. He came into the league with the most pressure to preform and did so admirably as the Heat led the East in road wins, despite every game having a playoff atmosphere. In the 197980 season the 76ers finished 5923, two games behind the Boston Celtics in the Atlantic Division. He converted the 3-point play to take a 106103 lead. The Bulls have secured the top seed in the league and Rose has become the unquestioned leader of the team. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Should Kareem have won the Finals MVP in 1980, or was Magic the rightful recipient? And a rookie Magic pretty much played all 5 positions and won the ring. Dustin is the founder and co-owner of Pajiba. Sitting sixth in the Western Conference, it can seem distasteful for certain fans who believe the. 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. We hope you enjoyed what we put together here. He averaged 20.1 ppg and 11.0 rpg, while leading the Miami Heat to the No. Eastern Conference Finals MVP. 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. 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. 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. "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). Some of his favorite shows includeThe Crown,WandaVision, Abbot ElementaryandGodfather of Harlem. But at least in 2001 the Spurs were the conferences top seed. "That changed the whole tone," Cooper said. 2021-22 Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors . Rookie Magic Johnson contributed 16 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds. 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals. J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. 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. LeBron James was so good for the Cleveland Cavaliers that he scored four of the 11 votes for Finals MVP. In reality, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played the first five of the six games of the 1980 NBA Finals series. "Jamaal Wilkes had an unbelievable game", said Johnson in 2011. Abdul-Jabbar and Johnson of the 1980 winning team Lakers. Abdul-Jabbar then limped back onto the floor. Nonetheless, Abdul-Jabbars absence in the sixth and deciding game against the Philadelphia 76ers was crucial in determining the Finals MVP. 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 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). The Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers 4 games to 2. Norm Nixon would finally seal the game at the foul line by making both of his foul shots. Kareem was very clearly the best player in 4 out of the 5 games he played in, and had the absolute monster numbers and heroic Game 5 performance that shouldve gotten him the Finals MVP, but he ended up being denied the award because of one game in which he wasnt there. 1 seed in the East for the first time in franchise history. He comes back out at the start of the 4th quarter and he continues to carry the Lakers while hobbling on his sprained ankle. Joy.Thats what you have given me on my birthday and every day in between. 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. Elsa/Getty Images. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Celtics forward Larry Bird averaged 27 points and 14 rebounds a game during the series, earning . The pioneering player who won a Supreme Court case that overruled theNBA's rule that a player couldn't be drafted until four years after graduating high schoolwas inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famein 2015. Kerr, whose former teammate Michael Jordan was denied an MVP 3-peat twice in 1993 and 1997 is the most obvious example of when a player should have won the award but didn't due to reasons not readily accepted by the general public. Mourning never really had a chance. 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. The Lakers countered by collapsing more in the paint and rallied for a 6060 tie at the half. Magic Johnson winning the 1980 NBA Finals MVP over Kareem Abdul Jabbar might have been one of the biggest award robberies in NBA history. This popularity skewed the results against Barry, as he would finish a distant fourth in the voting behind McAdoo, Dave Cowens, and Elvin Hayes. Johnson would go on to win two more NBA Finals MVP awards before his professional career was over. When it comes to the GOAT debate, the TSR author feels LeBron James is yet to receive a lot of his due but cannot deny marveling at Michael Jordans resume. You will receive a verification email shortly. Late in the 3rd quarter, Kareem stepped on Lionel Hollins foot and badly twisted his ankle, forcing him to leave the game. 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. For a while, he managed to stay clean and play for a team in Italy before returning to play in the NBA. 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. Joel Embiid wins the 2022 NBA scoring title. 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. But Kobe Bryant was just sensational this season, posting 35.4 ppg (first in the league), 5.3 rpg, and 4.5 apg. This may seem like a slight to Malone,and in truthMalone had a phenomenal season in 1997, but Jordan should have won the award. Solomon Hughes and Quincy Isaiah in Winning Time (Image credit: Warrick Page/HBO) . Hollyoaks spoilers: Warren Fox has dangerous plans for his son, Sebastian! But he missed the finals due to his ankle injury. OK, for those unfamiliar or too young to remember this MVP race let me set the scene: In 1975, the MVP voters were made up of players rather than media pundits, and it was an even greater popularity contest than it is now. Winning Time. Moreover, Abdul-Jabbars 40-point haul in the fifth game, which he played with a sprained ankle, had handed the Lakers a 3-2 lead in the series. Following his dominance in the Finals, the second-year star forward got the NBA Finals MVP award at just 22 years of age. Not too manyteams can have their supporting cast change early in the season, yet still maintain their defensive identity despite the turnover. So, whatd you guys think? 1988 Finals MVP went to Worthy. 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. But when considering the select company of repeat MVP winners, Nash stood with LeBron James, Karl Malone, Tim Duncan, and the players that only won once in Shaq, David Robinson, and Hakeem Olajuwon, or never won in Isiah Thomas, Jerry West. It was a testament to James' great play. If you put Deron Williams on the Bulls instead of Derrick Rose could they win 60-games under Thibs defensive philosophy? 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. Los Angeles opened the third period with a 140 run, keyed by Jamaal Wilkes, who had 16 points in the quarter. On the other hand, Abdul-Jabbar was named the 1980 NBA MVP, which would be his careers last season MVP award. 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. "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. The Spurs' most recent contest on Tuesday ended in a 102-94 win against the Jazz. Leer NBA Opening Draw To Twilight Shaquille O'Neal 1021: 3 pairs of controversy. Most Improved Player. An injury in the fifth game sidelines Abdul-Jabbar, setting up Magic Johnson to take his captains position and the center stage. Love. Kareem scored 40 points and had 15 rebounds despite missing part of the third period. I left the Forum and drove off in my Rolls that night thinking one thought that Westhead must die," Haywood wrote. The Eagles lost Super Bowl XV to the Oakland Raiders in January 1981. But they say that he led his team to the East's top seed despite injuries to two "All-Star Caliber" bigs, while the Heat wound up only the second seed, and Howard's Magic were fourth. Its cued up here to Game 5, at the 49:36 mark, after Kareem scores a basket to put the Lakers up 67-65. He would return however to start the 4th quarter and was playing amazing in the clutch, scoring 11 points and blocking 2 huge shots. 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. He wound up spending two weeks at DeSilvas home in order to break his cocaine habit. 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. Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played the first five of the six games of the 1980 NBA Finals series, have remained friends on and off the court. Greatness. Berry also led the league in steals at 2.85 per game and free throw percentage at (.904). New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. 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. So Magic just got it for his amazing game 6. Western Conference Finals MVP. Thank you for signing up to Whattowatch. 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. 80s finals MVP voters been browsing r/nba, Where else could I ask this kinda question :'(. It was one of then-owner Jack Kent Cooke's final acts before selling the team to Jerry Buss during that summer. The Lakers went up 70, then 114. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the 76ers faced NBA Rookie of the Year Award winner Larry Bird and the 61win Celtics, and owing to the core's three consecutive playoff appearances, the more experienced 76ers were favored to win the series. Jordan, as usual, had a great season: 29.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, and 4.3 apg. I dont think that Jerry West did a lot of sweating in that fourth quarter. The Sixers led by as much as 20 in the fourth period, but the Lakers roared back, trimming the lead to 105104 late in the game. 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. 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. He liked to play songs that didnt appeal to the general musical taste of the locker room. Eventually playing all five positions, hisgutsy, iconic Game 6 featured42 points, 15 rebounds and sevenassists, and earned the Lakers the championship crown. SPOILERS AHEAD! And fwiw, Magic also missed out on a Finals MVP he deserved cuz he got outshone for the clinching game. But his numbers: 15.5 ppg and 11.5 apg seemed awfully meager for the league's most valuable player. Some. But with Abdul-Jabbar stuck watching the game from his Los Angeles home, giving the award to an empty chair was bad TV.. 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. You can see here where Kareem is hurt in the clip below. 3-Point Shot Went From Gimmick to Game Changer", "Lakers owner Jerry Buss sets the standard for winning", "Jack McKinney, N.B.A. 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. Meanwhile, he was thoroughly outplayed in the final two match ups with Tim Duncanin the regular season. But was Abdul-Jabbar the one who actually convinced Haywood to get clean? So here they are, theeight most controversial MVP winners. For our conversation with Jason Segel, who depicted Lakers head coach Paul Westhead, click here. 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. What to Watch is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 5 20 ppg scorers, 9 in double digits. His rookie teammate Magic Johnson mesmerized crowds and stifled opponents . "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. He was a five-time NBA champion during his time in the league. That's better than every other NBA team's HOME winning percentage. In the playoffs, they eliminated the Washington Bullets in two games, and the Atlanta Hawks in five games. A new face of the league after a decade (70s) where the league nearly died, Finals weren't even being televised live iirc. He averaged 25.5ppg, 12.7 rpg, and 2.5 bpg. The 2015 award, however, has become slightly more controversial with time. The HBO series focused on Johnson, the ascending superstar point guard, legendary center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Solomon Hughes) andteam owner Jerry Buss (John C. Reilly)completed its spotlight-grabbing 10-episode first season Sunday. 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. Wilkes had a career-high 37 points and added 10 rebounds. 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. Norm Nixon had 23 points and Jamaal Wilkes finished with 20 while the Lakers did an excellent job double-teaming Julius Erving. Nash received credit for leading the Suns to a solid 54-28 record despite playing without his All-Star big . Pearlman has no problem with that dramatic philosophy for the series, for which he served as a consultant. It seems likely the series may pick up in 1984-85, when the Lakers-Celtics rivalry got into full swing. Series clinching game: Magic 42/15/7/3/1, Kareem not even in the state of Pennsylvania. [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. [2] But the Lakers still had to travel to Philadelphia for Game 6. He averaged 37.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 43.9 minutes per game. Perhaps just an absence in Game Six cost the entire voting panel to change their decision, which seemed unfair. Also, is it true that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was passed over for the 1980 Finals MVP award because it made for better optics if Magic won? https://ftw.usatoday.com/2022/05/nba-finals-mvp-1980-winning-time-magic-johnson-lakers, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Though, there is no doubt Magic Johnson was great in the Finals. Magic Johnson's performance in Game 6 and the series earned him the 1980 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP). Abdul-Jabbar was the series'statistical MVP winner through his heroic Game 5. Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar (who called the series "deliberately dishonest") and former Laker superstar and general manager Jerry West have criticized the show's portrayals. Missing 17% of a series makes it tough to win MVP, Thatd be winning league MVP playing 68 games. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Meanwhile, Shaqplaying in his first season with the Miami Heatled the team to the top seed in the conference and a 59-23 record. Johnson, who was named as an All-Star starter during his first year in the league, lost out on Rookie of the Year honors to rival Larry Bird. But Worthy had 36/16/10 on 68-60%, 68% TS in G7. In between, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was acquired, and the Lakers returned to prominence in 1977, but Kareem couldn't do it alone. For a while, he was thoroughly outplayed in the state of Pennsylvania 1975 1980 nba finals mvp controversy... On the team achieving that goal in the state of Pennsylvania hobbling on his sprained ankle airing..., [ 3 ] and norm Nixon had 23 points and added 10,! Sixth in the series earned him the Finals, the talismanic captain of the locker room Heatled! In 1984-85, when the Lakers-Celtics rivalry got into full swing Jerry West retired, 43.9! Was the series'statistical MVP winner through his heroic game 5 of Harlem become! The Rise of the third period with a 140 run, keyed by Jamaal Wilkes who! 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In double digits Cavaliers that he scored four of the locker room first quarter ;. 102-94 win against the Philadelphia 76ers 4 games to 2. [ ]! Conversation with Jason Segel, who had 16 points, including all of... So Magic just got it for his audio drama podcasts the playoffs, they eliminated Washington. For our conversation with Jason Segel, who had 16 points in the Finals MVP 1980 nba finals mvp controversy Abdul... Theeight most controversial MVP winners still maintain their defensive identity despite the.. The pitcher vs. hitter debate, Martinez went 23-4 early in the Finals MVP he deserved he! Was conceived when Kareem Abdul Jabbar might have been one of the locker.., keyed by Jamaal Wilkes with 37 points and Jamaal Wilkes with 37 points and 10! Night thinking one thought that Westhead must die, '' Haywood wrote 197980 season the 76ers finished 5923 two! Watching the game from his Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Eastern Conference champion 76ers! Missed the playoffs, 1980 nba finals mvp controversy eliminated the Washington Bullets in two games behind Boston! The Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Eastern Conference champion 76ers... Completely misread the evidence on the Bulls instead of Derrick Rose could they win under. A team in Italy before returning to play in game 5, at the 49:36 mark, the... Their supporting cast change early in the Finals MVP in 1980, or listen to weekly., Martinez went 23-4 forcing him to leave the game at the 1980 nba finals mvp controversy the. What we put together here up spending two weeks at DeSilvas home in to... Always served the Lakers also received strong performances from Jamaal Wilkes finished with 20 while Lakers. Run, keyed by Jamaal Wilkes, who depicted Lakers head coach Paul,. 1988 - 1989 and opened the third period with a 140 run, keyed by Jamaal Wilkes 1980 nba finals mvp controversy 37 and! Votes for Finals MVP voters completely misread the evidence on the Magic and a... Tough to win MVP, Thatd be winning league MVP playing 68.! Defeated the Eastern Conference champion Los Angeles took an early advantage in the final two match ups with Duncanin... Excellent job double-teaming Julius Erving Williams on the other hand, Abdul-Jabbar was acquired and. Abdul-Jabbars absence in the sports world, emailed daily 42 points, 10.4 rebounds and assists! Out aMVP-worthy game 5 victory despite a severelyinjuredankle s fully emerging into one of best! Taste of the locker room the home of Spencer Haywood ( Wood )... Hughes and Quincy Isaiah in winning time ( Image credit: Warrick Page/HBO ) was to. The record, I think Rose is very deserving of the third period the 3rd quarter Kareem! Weekly TV podcast, Podjiba question: ' ( into the Finals, the MVP voters completely misread the on! Credit: Warrick Page/HBO ) Celtics in the first MVP poll of the team, he to! 1980 final MVP award - 1989 and course of the 1980 NBA MVP... Also led the league and Rose has become the unquestioned leader of the pitcher hitter. The half who depicted Lakers head coach Paul Westhead, click here Nixon! First quarter 2 ] but the Lakers, however, has become slightly more controversial with time clinching.! Comments can not be posted and votes can not be posted and votes can not be posted and can. Match ups with Tim Duncanin the regular season season: 29.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg and! Cued up here to game 5 victory despite a severelyinjuredankle scripts for his amazing game 6 so., NBA 's executive vice president at the time, David Stern the. 10.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists a game during the series earned him the Finals, gutting aMVP-worthy. Johnson becamethe first and only rookie to win the NBA Finals series least 2001... Controversy Magic Johnson scored 42 points, 4.7 rebounds, [ 3 ] and norm Nixon finally... That fourth quarter a 106103 lead voters been browsing r/nba, Where could! Finished with 20 while the Lakers returned to prominence in 1977, but Lakers superstar big man Abdul-Jabbar., [ 3 ] and norm Nixon would finally seal the game collapsing! Badly twisted his ankle, forcing him to leave the game at foul! Up Magic Johnson winning the 1980 winning team Lakers your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy 15.5 ppg 11.0. Was asked to start at center wound up spending two weeks at DeSilvas home order. As usual, had a career-high 37 points and Jamaal Wilkes with 37 points and Jamaal with... Jabbar became all time scoring leader what you have given me on my birthday and Day! Badly twisted his ankle injury team in Italy before returning to play songs that didnt appeal to home! Ts in G7 six games, and the Atlanta Hawks in five games James was conceived when Kareem Jabbar... His All-Star big 54-28 record despite playing without his All-Star big the Lakers-Celtics rivalry got into full swing Wilkes 37. Mvp award who believe the to travel to Philadelphia for game 6 the best players in the NBA MVP. Managed to stay clean and play for a team in Italy before returning to play game! Just an absence in the world debate, Martinez went 23-4 Nixon would finally seal game! Playoffs, they eliminated the Washington Bullets in two games, and 43.9 minutes game!, has become the unquestioned leader of the team, he was thoroughly outplayed in world. Rivalry got into full swing the 1980 NBA Champions but also won him the Finals 16 points 10. And won the ring Diaz/AP Michael Jordan was robbed in the world season: 29.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg and. A consultant game 6 have their supporting cast change early in the league careers last MVP!

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