Dossier · 1980s
Magic Johnson
A 6 foot 9 point guard who won a Finals game at center as a rookie.
1979-1991, 1996 · Lakers
- Career assists
- 11.2 per game, a record
- Titles
- 5
- MVPs
- 3 (1987, 1989, 1990)
- Career line
- 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 11.2 assists
- Finals appearances
- 9
- 1980 Finals Game 6
- 42 points at center, as a rookie
The numbers
Johnson averaged 11.2 assists per game for his career. That is the record, and second place is not near it.
He won 5 titles and 3 MVPs and reached 9 Finals in 12 full seasons. His career line is 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 11.2 assists.
On May 16, 1980, in Game 6 of the Finals, with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar out with a sprained ankle, the rookie started at center and had 42 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists. Los Angeles won the title that night.
He led the league in assists 4 times and in free throw percentage once. He retired on November 7, 1991, at 32, after testing positive for HIV.
The context
Showtime is a fast break with a decision-maker in it. The Lakers of the 1980s ran because Johnson could see the whole floor at full speed, which meant a rebound was a scoring possession before the defense crossed half court.
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