Magic Johnson 1980-Centre of Attention

A Magic moment.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

Lets take it back, way back, back into time, to something videotaped earlier. It's Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals and the Los Angeles Lakers lead the Philadelphia 76ers three games to two, but their player of the decade, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, has gone down to an ankle injury.

In the first five games, No. 33 averaged his jersey number in points. With 'Cap staying in Southern California and not making the trip to Philly, who would replace him and fill his spot? "Never fear, E.J. is here," a young rookie point guard told his team as as he took a seat in the captain's chair on the Lakers flight to Philadelphia, smiling that soon-to-be infamous, toothy grin.

NBA Finals, Game 6

Pregame

Earvin Johnson was determined to show the Lakers, Sixers, the NBA and the whole world his Magic, as the 6'9" guard known more for passing than shooting was primed to step in at centre and take on Jabbar's scoring load. Still, nobody believed that the Magic man could pull something out the bag. "See you in L.A. for Game 7," Philly fans told the Lakers.

Another revolutionary basketball legend saw things differently, however. Bill Russell tells us pregame "the pressures on Philadelphia." Meanwhile, a smiling Earvin, speaking like a young kid from the country,is humble and ready, telling the press, "I enjoy challenges, it's a challenge tonight to see what I can do," before saying hello to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson.

Everyone is watching this young man, from his family in Lansing to Kareem in L.A. Game on!

First Quarter

Magic doesn't win the battle of the tip, but he gets down to war in the paint with Darryl Dawkins, proving he's ready.

Jamaal Wilkes' first basket is smooth as silk, as is his second to open up the game. Philly's Mo Cheeks then goes coast to coast as Magic's great pass to Cooper comes up short on a basket. Magic is still playing like a point as well as a pivot, hitting from the perimeter. His wizard-like tricks put his opposition in a spell of trouble.

Following a great Julius Erving layup that gets the Philadelphia crowd into it, Magic comes right back at him inside. Then Mike Bibby's dad Henry comes in and scores, facing off with the dominant Lakers (get used to it, Bibby family).

Magic moves and hooks in the paint, doing his best Kareem impression, getting his 'Cap on. Right back on the other end of the floor, Erving dunks and hangs to avoid hurting Earv', for the most respectful dunk ever. As the first quarter becomes spare change, Magic's rolling hook quiets the Sixers run and the legendary Spectrum crowd.

Second Quarter

To open the second chapter, Bibby's still so hot from downtown, obviously he's taught his son a few things. As Philly takes the lead, this looks like their game, but we'll see.

To counter Magic makes a three-point play after he's fouled on the put-back. Then Chones' breakaway dunk brings it back to within two as Johnson takes a deserved seat.

Timeout. The 76ers are running circles round the Lake Show, which could prevent them from receiving rings until Magic brings it back to within two for his 20th point.

The game remains closer then a Rosie Gaines song, while Dawkins 'Spine-Chiller Supreme' dunk punctuates the last minute of the half, before Magic intercepts the next offensive possession, stopping Dr. J. from doing the same.

Then Brad Holland ties it for the third time, coming off the bench this quarter for Los Angeles. Good job. Johnson's half-court hook shot at the buzzer rims out, and Earvin's rabbit-out-the-hat magic almost gives the Lakers a lead, but we're all tied up at 40 at the half.

Third Quarter

Magic starts things off from the baseline. Then his look-away pass to Cooper tricks the Sixers: 64-60 Lakers.

Magic lays the table and serves Wilkes for the layup. It's Showtime before its time as the Houdini of the hardwood is making David Blaine-like plays. Time for some food for thought for the 76ers, as there's a lot at stake in Philly now. Cooper makes it eight in a row since the half, and the Philadelphia crowd has no words to go with their team's zero points. Philly and even Bibby look cold compared to the hot Magic and Lakers.

The pressure cooker is on, but this game isn't far from the refrigerator. Storming Norm Nikon crosses quick and rattles in his first field goal of the game, making his point as lead guard. The Lakers then lead by a dozen, while Philly's championship hopes are rotting like bad eggs.

This is one of those moments in games where nerves are fried, loose balls are scrambled and clutch plays are poached. It's Magic's set shot, however, that whisks the home team further out of shape. That's until the good Doctor comes with the right prescription with back-to back-buckets. It's still a ballgame. Time for the final act.

Fourth Quarter

Lansberger's rebound dunk off Nikon's missed layup puts the Lakers up a perfect 10 after a slow and steady calm before the storm start to the end of Game 6.

Erving's hard dunk gives everyone in Pennsylvania hope, as does Bobby Jones' defensive block and rebound, but then the Lakers' Chones takes the thunder out of Dawkins' chocolate. A bitter foul by Darryl on the other end of the floor sends the tough warrior Cooper to the hardwood.

Here come the drama and the smelling salts. Doctor Julius' medicine is going down as Philly is getting back up within reach of Los Angeles.

It's 97-93 with 7:23 to go. In the last five, the countdown to the championship should begin, but the City of Brotherly Love's fans don't think its over, jumping up and down like Sly Stallone at the top of those famous steps.

Then Magic slows everything down at four, quarterbacking this game and looking for that knockout punch with Philly on the ropes. Cheeks brings it back to five, and with three minutes to go, this looks to go down to the wire...

... but then a Nixon-to-Magic collaboration play makes a point of guarding the Lakers lead as L.A. looks at the throne they're about to take. Following this, a Magic dunk is an exclamation point to show that the Lakers are going back to Kareem and Los Angeles with the championship.

The last minute turns into a layup line as Wilkes dunks home his 37th point. But it is Magic's 42, along with 15 rebounds and 7 assists, that put the Lakers over the edge and on top with the title. This time the rookie that hugged Kareem in the first game of the season like they won it all is embraced by Butch Lee when they finally do.

Magic's smile says it all for these Los Angeles kings: "we are the champions." A Queen classic would be fit for these new kings.

Postgame

A humble Jerry Buss (dressed more like he'd join Phil Jackson on his ranch), also in his rookie year (as an owner), thanks his team. There's no gel in Pat Riley's hair, but he's still as slick as ever and ready to take the party back to Hollywood before his real work begins.

Still, the man of the moment is Magic, and though it was a tough call, NBA and family legend Rick Barry informs an even humbler, almost embarrassed Earvin that he is the Finals MVP, for taking over from Kareem.

Pete Vecsey said it best—"Magic played in Lew of Alcindor"—but Earvin said it right with a salute to Kareem, saying, "Big Fella, I did it for you."

The Lakers first championship of their incredible 80s was won by a combined effort throughout the series, but in the crucial, deciding game it was No. 32, not 33, that sealed the Lakers victory.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson truly gave the league one of its best moments. Philadelphia in 1980 is where the amazing truly happened and history was made, engraved in championship gold and set in NBA stone.