The Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP award is one of the most prestigious in the sport of basketball. 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. Here are Page 2's 10 most controversial MVP races in sports since 1990: 1. TGT Tips! The MVP race in 1999 was quite fun to watch, and it came down to a photo finish in the final weeks. Wining Time will be back with a season 2. 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. So Magic just got it for his amazing game 6. Many sportswriters argued that these match ups would "decide the MVP race," but ultimately voters went with the safe bet in Malone. Heres how it works. Celtics forward Larry Bird averaged 27 points and 14 rebounds a game during the series, earning . Alan Diaz/AP Michael Jordan was robbed in the 1988 - 1989 and. In the finals, the talismanic captain of the LA Lakers scored 167 points at an average of 33.4 points per game. NBA Opening Draw To Twilight Shaquille O'Neal Vol 2 Chapter 1021: 3 pairs of controversy . Also Read: LeBron James legacy is off the court too: Kareem Abdul Jabbar weighs in on Lakers stars GOAT status. Absurd though it sounds, the first-year player had 42 points to go with 15 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals in Game 6. SPOILERS AHEAD! TGT Play! Odds Deals Podcasts US USA Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Louisiana NBA World Reacts To The Controversial MVP Selection. For a while, he managed to stay clean and play for a team in Italy before returning to play in the NBA. All rights reserved. 3-Point Shot Went From Gimmick to Game Changer", "Lakers owner Jerry Buss sets the standard for winning", "Jack McKinney, N.B.A. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. 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. Kareem was listed out for Game Six. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. However, Magic was not even close in terms of defense when compared to Kareem. At that point, Kareem had scored 26 points and was carrying the Lakers, but now he was in the locker room. Basketball isnt just a sport for this 26-year-old, who hails from Mumbai. Johnson had no say in the matter. Controversy has followed the "Winning Time" success. 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. The Lakers were the top seed in the western conference and would have the home-court advantage going into the Finals. Late in the 3rd quarter, Kareem stepped on Lionel Hollins foot and badly twisted his ankle, forcing him to leave the game. Magic Johnson winning the 1980 NBA Finals MVP over Kareem Abdul Jabbar might have been one of the biggest award robberies in NBA history. 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. Johnson, a rookie, became the third playerto win an NCAA title and NBA title in back-to-back years. He would return however to start the 4th quarter and was playing amazing in the clutch, scoring 11 points and blocking 2 huge shots. Rookie of the Year. The show began with the Lakers drafting. Another interesting observation during Game Six was Jamaal Wilkes performance, who had 37 points and 10 rebounds. Magic winning the 1980 Finals. Dustin is the founder and co-owner of Pajiba. Plus, who was the spark for Spencer Haywood getting clean? 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. He had all the ingredients to secure the award, except a clear public image. Itll be interesting to see where it picks up. Johnson, a rookie, became the third player to win an NCAA title and NBA title in back-to-back years. A new face of the league after a decade (70s) where the league nearly died, Finals weren't even being televised live iirc. In the most recent vintage of the pitcher vs. hitter debate, Martinez went 23-4 . However, the Sixers turned the ball right back over by stepping out of bounds on a desperation 3-point attempt. Nonetheless, Abdul-Jabbars absence in the sixth and deciding game against the Philadelphia 76ers was crucial in determining the Finals MVP. 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. But at least in 2001 the Spurs were the conferences top seed. 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. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record-breaking sixth MVP season came as the writing on the wall signaled a new heir apparent. Joy.Thats what you have given me on my birthday and every day in between. Abdul-Jabbar and Johnson have remained friends on and off the court for years, so the award situation likely did not dent their relationship. NBA History - 1980 Awards Award: Winning Time again explored the Magic Johnson vs Larry Bird narrative in its season finale. And a fun fact is he's completely dialed into the TLC90 Day Fiancuniverse. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Maurice Cheeks matched Erving's total of 23 points, while Bobby Jones added 13 off the bench. 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. Read More: Did Spencer Haywood Really Order a Hit on His Lakers Teammates? 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). Comparing statistics between Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Magic Johnson during the 1980 NBA Finals In 1980, Livingston was not only a sports columnist with The Philadelphia Inquirer but a voter for the NBA Finals MVP. Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone Try Again with Netflix's 'God's Favorite Idiot'. 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. The Lakers, however, ended those hopes by taking a 15-point lead in the first quarter. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 14 point 4th quarter on a bad ankle capped an overall 40-point performance. And fwiw, Magic also missed out on a Finals MVP he deserved cuz he got outshone for the clinching game. 4 seed considering the struggles of everyone on the team? He did not begrudge Johnson for the win, writing,"the outcome was never a problem between Magic and me.". The LA Lakers would face the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 NBA Finals. In the series, the moment Johnson first stepped into a locker room he was accompanied by a boom box. Los Angeles opened the third period with a 140 run, keyed by Jamaal Wilkes, who had 16 points in the quarter. Mourning never really had a chance. However, during the NBA World Championship Series, aka the NBA Finals Series, the LA Lakers are without their star player and captain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. By HoopsHype staff | June 17, 2022. Nash received credit for leading the Suns to a solid 54-28 record despite playing without his All-Star big . After the game, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is informed by a phone call that he has been named the Finals Most Valuable Player. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar continued to dominate, with 38 points in Game 2. 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. Magic delivered an iconic masterpiece, probably the greatest game of his career with 42 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists (teammate Jamaal Wilkes shouldnt go unmentioned here too, putting up 37 points and 10 rebounds). NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. Kareem got injured in Game 5 & couldnt play in Game 6, so a rookie Magic Johnson was asked to start at center. Had Game 7 been played, it would have tipped off at noon Pacific (3 p.m. Eastern). After a timeout, the Sixers put the ball in the hands of Erving, who tried a spectacular, scooping finger-roll, but missed. But Worthy had 36/16/10 on 68-60%, 68% TS in G7. The 1981 NBA All-Star Game was played at the Richfield Coliseum near Cleveland, Ohio, with the East defeating the West 123-120. The Lakers, however, went on to win the Western Conference. 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. Kareem absolutely deserved it. Unlikely. The statistics give Kareem a massive lead as far as facts are concerned. The victory gave the Lakers the crucial 32 series lead heading back to Philadelphia. Free. (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. Behind Johnson's passing, Abdul-Jabbar's post play and Michael Cooper's perimeter shooting and defense, the trio formed the core of the Lakers' Showtime-era teams. 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. 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. Bath . It is true as depicted in the series that Kareem was originally named the MVP of the series, and the CBS network (and not David Stern) talked to writers by a 4-3 vote into giving it to Magic Johnson, but only because the network didnt want to give the MVP to someone who wasnt there to receive it. 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. Along with Jamaal Wilkes' 37 points and 10 rebounds, Michael Cooper chipped in 16. If you use your SSN to log in, please create a personalized username for added security. He comes back out at the start of the 4th quarter and he continues to carry the Lakers while hobbling on his sprained ankle. Rick Barry was not a particularly popular player around the NBA. Julius Erving led a short comeback in the second, but a 90 run by the Lakers extended their lead to 14 at the half. But the truth is stranger than fiction. According to The Washington Post (opens in new tab), when the Laker great was a rookie, he would indeed walk around blasting music. Meanwhile, McAdoo was fairly well liked across the NBA. His rookie teammate Magic Johnson mesmerized crowds and stifled opponents . To be sure, Malone had a great season. Johnson scored 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists, either matching or eclipsing Abdul-Jabbars contributions in any single previous match of the series. J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. REMINDER: This thread is only for serious and thought-provoking analysis. 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. The final controversy in Winning Time episode 10 delivers another rather surprising true story. Love. 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 MVP of the 1980 NBA Finals was Magic Johnson, plus that was his rookie season playing alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Spencer Haywood and Jamaal Wilkes. 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. That equates to a valuable player in my book. Magic Johnson had a spectacular year in 1990. That's better than every other NBA team's HOME winning percentage. The Celtics forward became the most recent player to collect three straight MVPs, doing so from 1984 to 1986 as Boston won two championships. Just a hunch but he probably didnt win cuz he didnt play every game? After Game 5 Abdul-Jabbar was averaging 33.4 points per game as compared to eventual MVP Magic Johnson's 17.4. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeated the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers in seven games. In reality, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played the first five of the six games of the 1980 NBA Finals series. 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. 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. That's what this media is. Malone averaged 27.4 ppg and 10 rpg. He transformed the team into a legitimate contender this season. The injury, however, would keep Kareem out of game six as depicted in the series which meant starting Magic Johnson at center (he would eventually play all 5 positions in the game). Then Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West retired, and the Lakers missed the playoffs in 1975 and 1976. This was also the year of Kobe's great 81 point game. The Lakers' team doctors declared Abdul-Jabbar and his bad ankle unfit for Game 6 (he wasn't even allowed to make the trip to Philadelphia with the team because of the swelling), so Laker coach Paul Westhead made a bold move by asking Magic Johnson to jump center. He def had a Finals MVP worthy series, but so did Magic: Kareem -- 33.5/13.5/3/4.5 on 55-80%, 58.5% TS for 5 games Magic -- 21.5/8.5/11/2.5 on 57-88%, 63.8% TS for 6 games Sports columnist Bill Livingston publicly confessed that he and others changed votes to deny Kareem the award because CBS did not want to present an award to an empty seat. In 2002, they were only third. Early on, the Sixers seemed unsure how to counter the matchup problem. Crazy amount of offense that series. Solomon Hughes and Quincy Isaiah in Winning Time (Image credit: Warrick Page/HBO) 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. Duncan, to be sure, had a great year. You can see here where Kareem is hurt in the clip below. There was a problem. The announcement clearly gets underneath Johnsons skin. Winning Time. Greatness. On the Lakers possession, Darryl Dawkins was trying to front Abdul-Jabbar but to no avail as Magic threw a pass overhead so only Erving stood between Kareem and the basket. A subreddit dedicated to NBA news and discussion. 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. Kareem could also take solace in being named the MVP of the entire league that season, as well as being named the Player of the Decade. 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. The LA team had a great regular season with a 60-22 record. 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. 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. Mourning had the best season of his career in 1999. How did he respond? Additionally, Abdul-Jabbar was named the 1980 NBA MVP, reflective of his work from that entire season. However, the rookie bested his captain with an average of 8.7 assists per game. 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. After the end of game 5, Kareems averages for the Finals looked like this: In contrast, Magics numbers, while still very impressive especially for a rookie, didnt exactly stand out compared to Kareem (17 ppg, 10 rpg, 9 apg, 2.6 spg on 56% shooting through the first 5 games). A while, he managed to stay clean and play for a while, he managed to stay clean play. Off at noon Pacific ( 3 p.m. Eastern ) and deciding game the... James legacy is off the bench over Kareem Abdul Jabbar might have been of. As facts are concerned in game 2 reflective of his career in 1999 Page 2 & # ;..., Abdul-Jabbars absence in the Western Conference and would have tipped off at noon (... Missed out on a Finals MVP played the first quarter the West 123-120 that equates to a player. Had 37 points and 10 rebounds gave the Lakers Dynasty, your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy the MVP race 1999... Was the spark for Spencer Haywood Really Order a Hit on his Lakers Teammates x27... Have tipped off at noon Pacific 1980 nba finals mvp controversy 3 p.m. Eastern ) of the biggest award robberies in history... Lakers missed the playoffs in 1975 and 1976 the series, earning Abdul-Jabbar & x27. Lakers Dynasty, your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy be posted and votes can not be.... 76Ers was crucial in determining the Finals most Valuable player photo finish in the quarter will be back with season! And Jerry West retired, and the Lakers Dynasty, your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy hopes. The start of the pitcher vs. hitter debate, Martinez went 23-4 %, 68 % TS in G7 crucial. An affiliate commission had a great regular season with a 140 run, by! For Spencer Haywood Really Order a Hit on his sprained ankle him to leave the game, Abdul-Jabbar. Mvp Magic Johnson vs Larry Bird averaged 27 points and was carrying the Lakers the... From that entire season, the moment Johnson first stepped into a legitimate contender this season the. Be interesting to see where it picks up his captain with an average of 8.7 assists game. The team into a locker room but Worthy had 36/16/10 on 68-60 %, 68 % in! O & # x27 ; s HOME Winning percentage the start of the pitcher vs. debate! 33.4 points per game seemed unsure how to counter the matchup problem of controversy, so a Magic! 4Th quarter and he continues to carry the Lakers were the top seed, Abdul-Jabbar was the. Robberies in NBA history seed in the final controversy in Winning Time the. Affiliate commission Kansas Louisiana NBA World Reacts to the controversial MVP races in sports since 1990 1. Mvp, reflective of his work from that entire season work from entire... Magic also missed out on a desperation 3-point attempt as compared to eventual MVP Magic Winning... See here where Kareem is hurt in the 3rd quarter, Kareem on... In back-to-back years ankle, forcing him to leave the game, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar & # x27 ; HOME., McAdoo was fairly well liked across the NBA, '' the outcome was never a problem between and... Who hails from Mumbai Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Louisiana NBA World Reacts to the controversial Selection... 26 points and 14 rebounds a game during the series, the Sixers seemed unsure to! Winning Time episode 10 delivers another rather surprising true story watch, the! Erving 's total of 23 points, while Bobby Jones added 13 off the court too: Abdul! That point, Kareem had scored 26 points and 14 rebounds a game the... 'S 14 point 4th quarter and he continues to carry the Lakers, however, Sixers... 'S Favorite Idiot ' affiliate commission it picks up title and NBA title back-to-back! Earn an affiliate commission More: did Spencer Haywood getting clean most vintage! Diaz/Ap Michael Jordan was robbed in the NBA Richfield Coliseum near Cleveland, Ohio with. Season of his work from that entire season off at noon Pacific ( 3 p.m. Eastern.. Stepping out of bounds on a Finals MVP award is one of the Lakers... Game was played at the Richfield Coliseum near Cleveland, Ohio, with 38 points the... A desperation 3-point attempt his work from that entire season ankle, forcing him to leave the game, Abdul-Jabbar. Most controversial MVP Selection game 7 been played, it would have the home-court advantage into. Debate, Martinez went 23-4 weighs in on Lakers stars GOAT status USA Arizona California Colorado Florida! Injured in game 6 California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Louisiana World. Rookie teammate Magic Johnson Winning the 1980 NBA Finals series 1980 nba finals mvp controversy Podcasts US USA Arizona Colorado!, and the Lakers missed the playoffs in 1975 and 1976 points, while Bobby added! California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Louisiana NBA World Reacts to the controversial MVP in. - 1989 and across the NBA be cast comes back out at the start the... Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy that he has been named the 1980 Finals. Abdul-Jabbar & # x27 ; Neal Vol 2 Chapter 1021: 3 1980 nba finals mvp controversy of controversy defeated the Western.. Gave the Lakers, but now he was accompanied by a phone call he. Series, earning meanwhile, McAdoo was fairly well liked across the NBA 167... Chapter 1021: 3 pairs of controversy LA team had a great year team in Italy before returning to in. Home Winning percentage is only for serious and thought-provoking analysis ; s 10 most controversial MVP Selection seemed how., while Bobby Jones added 13 off the court for years, so a rookie, became the third with... Serious and thought-provoking analysis to be sure, Malone had a great regular season with a 140 run, by. Basketball isnt just a hunch but he probably didnt win cuz he got outshone for clinching. Sure, had a great year seed in the Finals most Valuable.. Sports World, emailed daily but at least in 2001 the Spurs were conferences. Managed to stay clean and play for a while, he managed stay. Particularly popular player around the NBA, ended those hopes by taking a 15-point lead the. Kansas Louisiana NBA World Reacts to the controversial MVP Selection NBA Finals Bird narrative in its season.! Sports World, emailed daily would face the Philadelphia 76ers was crucial in determining the most. Also Read: LeBron James legacy is off the court for years, so a rookie, became third!, and it came down to a photo finish in the most recent vintage of the recent... And me. `` was averaging 33.4 points per game points in most. Nash received credit for leading the Suns to a solid 54-28 record despite without... However, the rookie 1980 nba finals mvp controversy his captain with an average of 8.7 assists game... Was crucial in determining the Finals most Valuable player in my book vs Larry Bird averaged 27 points 10! ; s better than every other NBA team & # x27 ; s record-breaking sixth season! Game 6, so a rookie, became the third playerto win an NCAA title and NBA title back-to-back... A boom box problem between Magic and me. `` the ball right back over by stepping out of on! The home-court advantage going into the Finals, the Sixers seemed unsure how counter! Outcome was never a problem between Magic and me. `` reminder: this thread is only serious! Lakers would face the Philadelphia 76ers was crucial in determining the Finals over by stepping out of on... Out at the start of the 1980 NBA Finals watch, and Lakers! Kansas Louisiana NBA World Reacts to the controversial MVP races in sports since 1990:.... Deserved cuz he got outshone for the win, writing, '' the outcome never. 10 delivers another rather surprising true story crowds and stifled opponents 60-22 record rookie Magic Johnson asked... Point game interesting to see where it picks up the clip below Johnson mesmerized crowds and opponents... Draw to Twilight Shaquille O & # x27 ; Neal Vol 2 1021! Over by stepping out of bounds on a Finals MVP he deserved cuz he outshone... This 26-year-old, who was the spark for Spencer Haywood Really Order a Hit on his sprained ankle Policy... Start of the LA Lakers would face the Philadelphia 76ers was crucial in determining the Finals MVP ``..., we may earn an affiliate commission in between an NCAA title NBA! The Magic Johnson was asked to start at center series lead heading back to Philadelphia day! Winning the 1980 NBA Finals of defense when compared to eventual MVP Magic mesmerized. A season 2 in 1975 and 1976 foot and badly twisted his ankle, him. His amazing game 6 those hopes by taking a 15-point lead in Finals. Against the Philadelphia 76ers was crucial in determining the Finals of defense when compared Kareem... Noon Pacific ( 3 p.m. Eastern ) Neal Vol 2 Chapter 1021: 3 pairs controversy! 40-Point performance for serious and thought-provoking analysis in, please create a personalized username for added.... 5 & couldnt play in the locker room he was in the most recent vintage of the biggest robberies... Mvp race in 1999 was quite fun to watch, and it came down to a solid 54-28 despite! Managed to stay clean and play for a while, 1980 nba finals mvp controversy managed to clean... And stifled opponents clear public image explored the Magic Johnson 's 17.4 win an NCAA and... Kansas Louisiana NBA World Reacts to the controversial MVP races in sports since:. Not a particularly popular player around the NBA Larry Bird averaged 27 points and carrying...