1979–80 Los Angeles Lakers season
NBA champions
|
Conference champions
|
Division champions
|
Head coach- Jack McKinney (first 13 games)[1]
- Paul Westhead
|
General managerBill Sharman
|
Owner(s)Jerry Buss
|
ArenaThe Forum
|
Results
Record60–22 (.732)
|
PlaceDivision: 1st (Pacific) Conference: 1st (Western)
|
Playoff finishNBA Champions (Defeated 76ers 4–2)
|
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
|
Local media
TelevisionKHJ-TV
|
RadioKLAC
|
|
The highlight of the Los Angeles Lakers season of 1979–80 was the 20-year old rookie Magic Johnson leading the Lakers to their seventh NBA
Championship (second in Los Angeles), defeating the Philadelphia 76ers led by Julius Erving in six games in the NBA Finals. This was also the team's first season under
the ownership of Jerry Buss. Magic's season represented the birth of the Showtime Lakers.
Offseason[edit]
NBA Draft[edit]
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1
| 1
| Magic Johnson
| Guard
| United
States
| Michigan State
|
1
| 14
| Brad Holland
| Guard
| United
States
| UCLA
|
Roster[edit]
1979–80 Los Angeles Lakers rosterPlayers Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOB (YYYY-MM-DD)From C
| 33
| Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem (C)
| 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
| 225 lb (102 kg)
| 1947-04-16
| UCLA
| F
| 7
| Byrnes, Marty
| 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
| 215 lb (98 kg)
| 1956-04-30
| Syracuse
| C
| 9
| Chones, Jim
| 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
| 220 lb (100 kg)
| 1949-11-30
| Marquette
| G
| 21
| Cooper, Michael
| 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
| 170 lb (77 kg)
| 1956-04-15
| New Mexico
| F
| 31
| Haywood, Spencer
| 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
| 225 lb (102 kg)
| 1949-04-22
| Detroit Mercy
| G
| 14
| Holland, Brad
| 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
| 180 lb (82 kg)
| 1956-12-06
| UCLA
| G
| 32
| Johnson, Magic (C)
| 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
| 215 lb (98 kg)
| 1959-08-14
| Michigan State
| C
| 54
| Landsberger, Mark
| 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
| 215 lb (98 kg)
| 1955-05-21
| Arizona State
| G
| 15
| Lee, Butch
| 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
| 185 lb (84 kg)
| 1956-12-05
| Marquette
| G
| 10
| Nixon, Norm
| 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
| 170 lb (77 kg)
| 1955-10-11
| Duquesne
| F
| 52
| Wilkes, Jamaal
| 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
| 190 lb (86 kg)
| 1953-05-02
| UCLA
|
| Head coachAssistant coach(es)Legend- (C) Team captain
- (DP) Unsigned draft pick
- (FA) Free agent
- (S) Suspended
- Injured
Roster Last transaction: February 15, 1980
|
Regular season[edit]
Season
standings[edit]
Pacific Division W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Los Angeles Lakers
| 60
| 22
| .732
| –
| 37–4
| 23–18
| 19–11
|
x-Seattle SuperSonics
| 56
| 26
| .683
| 4
| 33–8
| 23–18
| 18–12
|
x-Phoenix Suns
| 55
| 27
| .671
| 5
| 37–5
| 18–22
| 19–11
|
x-Portland Trail Blazers
| 38
| 44
| .463
| 22
| 26–15
| 12–29
| 13–17
|
San Diego Clippers
| 35
| 47
| .427
| 25
| 24–17
| 11–30
| 13–17
|
Golden State Warriors
| 24
| 58
| .293
| 36
| 15–26
| 9–32
| 8–22
|
# Western Conference
Team W L
PCT GB
1 c-Los Angeles Lakers
| 60
| 22
| .732
| –
|
2 y-Milwaukee Bucks
| 49
| 33
| .598
| 11
|
3 x-Seattle SuperSonics
| 56
| 26
| .683
| 4
|
4 x-Phoenix Suns
| 55
| 27
| .671
| 5
|
5 x-Kansas City Kings
| 47
| 35
| .573
| 13
|
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers
| 38
| 44
| .463
| 22
|
|
7 San Diego Clippers
| 35
| 47
| .427
| 25
|
8 Chicago Bulls
| 30
| 52
| .366
| 30
|
9 Denver Nuggets
| 30
| 52
| .366
| 30
|
10 Utah Jazz
| 24
| 58
| .293
| 36
|
11 Golden State Warriors
| 24
| 58
| .293
| 36
|
Record vs. opponents[edit]
1979–80 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHI CLE DEN DET GSW HOU IND KCK LAL MIL NJN NYK PHI PHO POR SAS SDC SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta
| —
| 2–4
| 1–1
| 4–2
| 1–1
| 6–0
| 2–0
| 2–4
| 4–2
| 0–2
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 4–2
| 4–2
| 4–2
| 1–1
| 2–0
| 5–1
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 2–0
| 3–3
|
Boston
| 4–2
| —
| 2–0
| 4–2
| 2–0
| 6–0
| 2–0
| 6–0
| 4–2
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 2–0
| 5–1
| 5–1
| 3–3
| 1–1
| 2–0
| 4–2
| 2–0
| 0–2
| 2–0
| 4–2
|
Chicago
| 1–1
| 0–2
| —
| 2–0
| 2–4
| 1–1
| 4–2
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 3–3
| 1–5
| 1–5
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 1–1
| 1–5
| 3–3
| 0–2
| 4–2
| 2–4
| 2–4
| 0–2
|
Cleveland
| 2–4
| 2–4
| 0–2
| —
| 1–1
| 6–0
| 2–0
| 2–4
| 2–4
| 2–0
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 3–3
| 3–3
| 1–5
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 4–2
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 1–1
| 3–3
|
Denver
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 4–2
| 1–1
| —
| 1–1
| 3–3
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 0–6
| 1–5
| 3–3
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 1–5
| 2–4
| 1–1
| 3–3
| 1–5
| 3–3
| 1–1
|
Detroit
| 0–6
| 0–6
| 1–1
| 0–6
| 1–1
| —
| 1–1
| 1–5
| 1–5
| 0–2
| 0–2
| 1–1
| 2–4
| 2–4
| 1–5
| 0–2
| 0–2
| 2–4
| 0–2
| 0–2
| 1–1
| 2–4
|
Golden State
| 0–2
| 0–2
| 2–4
| 0–2
| 3–3
| 1–1
| —
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 3–3
| 1–5
| 0–6
| 2–0
| 0–2
| 0–2
| 2–4
| 2–4
| 0–2
| 3–3
| 0–6
| 3–3
| 0–2
|
Houston
| 4–2
| 0–6
| 1–1
| 4–2
| 1–1
| 5–1
| 1–1
| —
| 4–2
| 0–2
| 0–2
| 1–1
| 3–3
| 3–3
| 2–4
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 3–3
| 2–0
| 1–1
| 2–0
| 2–4
|
Indiana
| 2–4
| 2–4
| 2–0
| 4–2
| 1–1
| 5–1
| 1–1
| 2–4
| —
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 0–2
| 2–4
| 4–2
| 1–5
| 0–2
| 2–0
| 2–4
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 1–1
| 4–2
|
Kansas City
| 2–0
| 1–1
| 3–3
| 0–2
| 6–0
| 2–0
| 3–3
| 2–0
| 1–1
| —
| 2–4
| 3–3
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 1–5
| 1–5
| 1–1
| 5–1
| 3–3
| 6–0
| 2–0
|
Los Angeles
| 1–1
| 2–0
| 5–1
| 1–1
| 5–1
| 2–0
| 5–1
| 2–0
| 2–0
| 4–2
| —
| 3–3
| 2–0
| 2–0
| 1–1
| 3–3
| 2–4
| 2–0
| 5–1
| 4–2
| 6–0
| 1–1
|
Milwaukee
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 5–1
| 2–0
| 3–3
| 1–1
| 6–0
| 1–1
| 2–0
| 3–3
| 3–3
| —
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 4–2
| 5–1
| 0–2
| 4–2
| 2–4
| 4–2
| 1–1
|
New Jersey
| 2–4
| 1–5
| 1–1
| 3–3
| 1–1
| 4–2
| 0–2
| 3–3
| 4–2
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 1–1
| —
| 2–4
| 1–5
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 3–3
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 3–3
|
New York
| 2–4
| 1–5
| 2–0
| 3–3
| 1–1
| 4–2
| 2–0
| 3–3
| 2–4
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 1–1
| 4–2
| —
| 0–6
| 2–0
| 2–0
| 4–2
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 1–1
| 3–3
|
Philadelphia
| 2–4
| 3–3
| 1–1
| 5–1
| 2–0
| 5–1
| 2–0
| 4–2
| 5–1
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 2–0
| 5–1
| 6–0
| —
| 1–1
| 2–0
| 4–2
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 5–1
|
Phoenix
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 5–1
| 1–1
| 5–1
| 2–0
| 4–2
| 1–1
| 2–0
| 5–1
| 3–3
| 2–4
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 1–1
| —
| 6–0
| 1–1
| 2–4
| 4–2
| 6–0
| 2–0
|
Portland
| 0–2
| 0–2
| 3–3
| 2–0
| 4–2
| 2–0
| 4–2
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 5–1
| 4–2
| 1–5
| 2–0
| 0–2
| 0–2
| 0–6
| —
| 1–1
| 4–2
| 1–5
| 3–3
| 1–1
|
San Antonio
| 1–5
| 2–4
| 2–0
| 2–4
| 1–1
| 4–2
| 2–0
| 3–3
| 4–2
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 2–0
| 3–3
| 2–4
| 2–4
| 1–1
| 1–1
| —
| 2–0
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 4–2
|
San Diego
| 1–1
| 0–2
| 2–4
| 1–1
| 3–3
| 2–0
| 3–3
| 0–2
| 1–1
| 1–5
| 1–5
| 2–4
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 4–2
| 2–4
| 0–2
| —
| 3–3
| 5–1
| 1–1
|
Seattle
| 2–0
| 2–0
| 4–2
| 2–0
| 5–1
| 2–0
| 6–0
| 1–1
| 2–0
| 3–3
| 2–4
| 4–2
| 1–1
| 2–0
| 1–1
| 2–4
| 5–1
| 1–1
| 3–3
| —
| 5–1
| 1–1
|
Utah
| 0–2
| 0–2
| 4–2
| 1–1
| 3–3
| 1–1
| 3–3
| 0–2
| 1–1
| 0–6
| 0–6
| 2–4
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 0–6
| 3–3
| 1–1
| 1–5
| 1–5
| —
| 0–2
|
Washington
| 3–3
| 2–4
| 2–0
| 3–3
| 1–1
| 4–2
| 2–0
| 4–2
| 2–4
| 0–2
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 3–3
| 3–3
| 1–5
| 0–2
| 1–1
| 2–4
| 1–1
| 1–1
| 2–0
| —
|
Season schedule[edit]
1979–80 game log
Total: 60-22 (Home: 37-4; Road: 23-18)
October: 7–3 (home: 5–1; road: 2–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord 1
| October 12, 1979
| @ San Diego
| W 103–102
|
|
|
| San Diego Sports Arena
| 1–0
| 2
| October 16, 1979
| Chicago
| W 105–96
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 2–0
| 3
| October 17, 1979
| @ Seattle
| L 110–112
|
|
|
| Kingdome
| 2–1
| 4
| October 19, 1979
| Portland
| L 82–99
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 2–2
| 5
| October 21, 1979
| Seattle
| W 106–97
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 3–2
| 6
| October 23, 1979
| Utah
| W 102–87
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 4–2
| 7
| October 26, 1979
| Kansas City
| W 116–104
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 5–2
| 8
| October 28, 1979
| Golden State
| W 97–90
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 6–2
| 9
| October 30, 1979
| @ Chicago
| W 111–105
|
|
|
| Chicago Stadium
| 7–2
| 10
| October 31, 1979
| @ Milwaukee
| L 106–110
|
|
|
| MECCA Arena
| 7–3
|
|
November: 9–6 (home: 6–1; road: 3–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord 11
| November 2, 1979
| Phoenix
| W 112–110
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 8–3
| 12
| November 6, 1979
| San Diego
| W 127–112
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 9–3
| 13
| November 7, 1979
| @ Golden State
| L 109–126
|
|
|
| Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
| 9–4
| 14
| November 9, 1979
| Denver
| W 126–122 (OT)
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 10–4
| 15
| November 11, 1979
| Cleveland
| W 140–126
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 11–4
| 16
| November 13, 1979
| @ San Diego
| W 137–91
|
|
|
| San Diego Sports Arena
| 12–4
| 17
| November 15, 1979
| @ Kansas City
| L 108–114
|
|
|
| Municipal Auditorium
| 12–5
| 18
| November 16, 1979
| @ Denver
| W 135–128 (OT)
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 13–5
| 19
| November 18, 1979
| Indiana
| W 127–104
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 14–5
| 20
| November 20, 1979
| @ Portland
| L 99–114
|
|
|
| Memorial Coliseum
| 14–6
| 21
| November 21, 1979
| @ Seattle
| L 110–119
|
|
|
| Kingdome
| 14–7
| 22
| November 23, 1979
| @ Phoenix
| L 112–126
|
|
|
| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
| 14–8
| 23
| November 25, 1979
| Kansas City
| W 111–110
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 15–8
| 24
| November 27, 1979
| @ Utah
| W 122–118
|
|
|
| Salt Palace
| 16–8
| 25
| November 30, 1979
| Chicago
| L 100–107
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 16–9
|
|
December: 12–4 (home: 8–1; road: 4–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord 26
| December 2, 1979
| Milwaukee
| W 116–103
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 17–9
| 27
| December 4, 1979
| @ San Antonio
| W 127–121
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 18–9
| 28
| December 5, 1979
| @ Houston
| W 116–114
|
|
|
| The Summit
| 19–9
| 29
| December 7, 1979
| San Diego
| L 108–116
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 19–10
| 30
| December 9, 1979
| Denver
| W 131–118
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 20–10
| 31
| December 14, 1979
| Detroit
| W 138–122
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 21–10
| 32
| December 16, 1979
| San Antonio
| W 121–119
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 22–10
| 33
| December 18, 1979
| @ Chicago
| W 129–118
|
|
|
| Chicago Stadium
| 23–10
| 34
| December 19, 1979
| @ Atlanta
| L 112–119
|
|
|
| The Omni
| 23–11
| 35
| December 21, 1979
| Golden State
| W 114–108
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 24–11
| 36
| December 22, 1979
| @ Denver
| L 128–130
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 24–12
| 37
| December 23, 1979
| Seattle
| W 102–97
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 25–12
| 38
| December 26, 1979
| @ Kansas City
| L 111–118
|
|
|
| Municipal Auditorium
| 25–13
| 39
| December 27, 1979
| @ Utah
| W 124–116
|
|
|
| Salt Palace
| 26–13
| 40
| December 28, 1979
| Boston
| W 123–105
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 27–13
| 41
| December 30, 1979
| Phoenix
| W 113–105
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 28–13
|
|
January: 10–4 (home: 5–0; road: 5–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord 42
| January 2, 1980
| @ Indiana
| W 127–120
|
|
|
| Market Square Arena
| 29–13
| 43
| January 6, 1980
| @ Milwaukee
| L 103–113
|
|
|
| MECCA Arena
| 29–14
| 44
| January 9, 1980
| @ Washington
| L 101–103
|
|
|
| Capital Centre
| 29–15
| 45
| January 11, 1980
| @ Detroit
| W 123–100
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 30–15
| 46
| January 13, 1980
| @ Boston
| W 100–98
|
|
|
| Boston Garden
| 31–15
| 47
| January 15, 1980
| Utah
| W 112–99
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 32–15
| 48
| January 16, 1980
| @ Golden State
| W 97–96
|
|
|
| Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
| 33–15
| 49
| January 18, 1980
| Atlanta
| W 108–102
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 34–15
| 50
| January 21, 1980
| New York
| W 132–114
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 35–15
| 51
| January 24, 1980
| @ Portland
| L 103–111
|
|
|
| Memorial Coliseum
| 35–16
| 52
| January 25, 1980
| Philadelphia
| W 124–103
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 36–16
| 53
| January 27, 1980
| Milwaukee
| W 112–102
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 37–16
| 54
| January 29, 1980
| @ Cleveland
| L 153–154 (4 OT)
|
|
|
| Richfield Coliseum
| 37–17
| 55
| January 31, 1980
| @ Chicago
| W 107–97
|
|
|
| Chicago Stadium
| 38–17
|
|
February: 9–2 (home: 5–1; road: 4–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord All-Star Break
| 56
| February 5, 1980
| @ New York
| W 116–105
|
|
|
| Madison Square Garden
| 39–17
| 57
| February 8, 1980
| @ New Jersey
| W 125–120 (OT)
|
|
|
| Rutgers Athletic Center
| 40–17
| 58
| February 10, 1980
| @ Philadelphia
| L 104–105
|
|
|
| The Spectrum
| 40–18
| 59
| February 13, 1980
| Portland
| W 129–100
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 41–18
| 60
| February 15, 1980
| Kansas City
| W 114–100
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 42–18
| 61
| February 17, 1980
| Washington
| W 111–107
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 43–18
| 62
| February 20, 1980
| @ Denver
| W 116–103
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 44–18
| 63
| February 22, 1980
| New Jersey
| W 132–110
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 45–18
| 64
| February 24, 1980
| Houston
| W 112–100
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 46–18
| 65
| February 26, 1980
| Seattle
| W 131–108
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 47–18
| 66
| February 29, 1980
| Milwaukee
| L 117–126 (OT)
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 47–19
|
|
March: 13–3 (home: 7–0; road: 6–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord 67
| March 2, 1980
| @ Phoenix
| L 115–123
|
|
|
| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
| 47–20
| 68
| March 4, 1980
| @ Milwaukee
| W 127–124
|
|
|
| MECCA Arena
| 48–20
| 69
| March 5, 1980
| @ Kansas City
| W 117–101
|
|
|
| Kemper Arena
| 49–20
| 70
| March 7, 1980
| Chicago
| W 101–99
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 50–20
| 71
| March 9, 1980
| @ Portland
| L 121–142
|
|
|
| Memorial Coliseum
| 50–21
| 72
| March 11, 1980
| @ San Diego
| W 123–106
|
|
|
| San Diego Sports Arena
| 51–21
| 73
| March 12, 1980
| Portland
| W 102–94
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 52–21
| 74
| March 14, 1980
| Denver
| W 132–126
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 53–21
| 75
| March 16, 1980
| Phoenix
| W 128–106
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 54–21
| 76
| March 18, 1980
| Golden State
| W 118–100
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 55–21
| 77
| March 19, 1980
| @ Phoenix
| L 108–112
|
|
|
| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
| 55–22
| 78
| March 22, 1980
| @ Seattle
| W 97–92
|
|
|
| Kingdome
| 56–22
| 79
| March 23, 1980
| Utah
| W 101–96
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 57–22
| 80
| March 27, 1980
| @ Utah
| W 97–95
|
|
|
| Salt Palace
| 58–22
| 81
| March 28, 1980
| San Diego
| W 126–88
|
|
|
| The Forum
| 59–22
| 82
| March 30, 1980
| @ Golden State
| W 95–93
|
|
|
| Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
| 60–22
|
|
1979–80 schedule
Playoffs[edit]
1980 playoff game log
Conference Semifinals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries 1
| April 8, 1980
| Phoenix
| W 119–110
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (30)
| Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson (12)
| Magic Johnson (16)
| The Forum 15,892
| 1–0
| 2
| April 9, 1980
| Phoenix
| W 131–128 (OT)
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (32)
| Magic Johnson (13)
| Norm Nixon (12)
| The Forum 14,286
| 2–0
| 3
| April 11, 1980
| @ Phoenix
| W 108–105
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (37)
| Magic Johnson (13)
| Norm Nixon (8)
| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12,660
| 3–0
| 4
| April 13, 1980
| @ Phoenix
| L 101–127
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (25)
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11)
| Magic Johnson (13)
| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12,660
| 3–1
| 5
| April 15, 1980
| Phoenix
| W 126–101
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (35)
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (16)
| Norm Nixon (13)
| The Forum 17,505
| 4–1
|
|
Conference Finals: 4–1 (home: 2–1; road: 2–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries 1
| April 22, 1980
| Seattle
| L 107–108
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26)
| three players tied (8)
| Norm Nixon (11)
| The Forum 17,505
| 0–1
| 2
| April 23, 1980
| Seattle
| W 108–99
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (31)
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (16)
| Norm Nixon (12)
| The Forum 17,505
| 1–1
| 3
| April 25, 1980
| @ Seattle
| W 104–100
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33)
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (13)
| Johnson, Cooper (10)
| Hec Edmundson Pavilion 8,524
| 2–1
| 4
| April 27, 1980
| @ Seattle
| W 98–93
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (25)
| Wilkes, Johnson (13)
| Norm Nixon (8)
| Hec Edmundson Pavilion 8,524
| 3–1
| 5
| April 30, 1980
| Seattle
| W 111–105
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38)
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11)
| Magic Johnson (10)
| The Forum 17,505
| 4–1
|
|
NBA Finals: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries 1
| May 4, 1980
| Philadelphia
| W 109–102
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33)
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14)
| Magic Johnson (10)
| The Forum 17,505
| 1–0
| 2
| May 7, 1980
| Philadelphia
| L 104–107
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38)
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14)
| Magic Johnson (11)
| The Forum 17,505
| 1–1
| 3
| May 10, 1980
| @ Philadelphia
| W 111–101
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33)
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14)
| Norm Nixon (7)
| The Spectrum 18,726
| 2–1
| 4
| May 11, 1980
| @ Philadelphia
| L 102–105
| Magic Johnson (28)
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11)
| Magic Johnson (9)
| The Spectrum 18,726
| 2–2
| 5
| May 14, 1980
| Philadelphia
| W 108–103
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (40)
| Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson (15)
| Magic Johnson (10)
| The Forum 17,505
| 3–2
| 6
| May 16, 1980
| @ Philadelphia
| W 123–107
| Magic Johnson (42)
| Magic Johnson (15)
| Norm Nixon (9)
| The Spectrum 18,726
| 4–2
|
|
1980 schedule
Magic Johnson[edit]
Having won everything possible at the college
level, Johnson decided to leave college two years early and declared himself eligible for the 1979 NBA draft. The New Orleans Jazz originally had the first draft pick, but they had traded the pick to the
Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for NBA star Gail Goodrich. As a result, the Lakers drafted Johnson with the first overall
pick,[2] signing him for a sizable salary of US$600,000 a year.[3]
Johnson joined a
franchise which had gone through major changes. The Lakers featured a new coach in Jack McKinney, a new owner in Jerry Buss, and several new
players. However, Johnson was most excited about the prospect of playing with his personal idol, the 7–2 center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who would go on to become the leading scorer in NBA
history.[3] From the first game, Johnson displayed his trademark enthusiasm for the game. When Abdul-Jabbar hit a last-second free throw line hook shot to win
against the San Diego Clippers, Johnson ran around the court, high-fiving and hugging everybody, causing concern that the "Buck" (as Johnson was called by Lakers announcer Chick Hearn for his youth) would burn himself out. However, in that
1979–80 NBA season, the rookie proved them wrong. Johnson introduced an uptempo style of basketball which the NBA described as a mix of "no-look passes off the fastbreak, pinpoint alley-oops from halfcourt, spinning feeds and overhand bullets under the basket through triple
teams".[2] Fellow Lakers guard Michael Cooper even stated that: "There have been times when he [Johnson] has thrown passes and I wasn't sure where he was going. Then one of our guys catches the ball and scores, and I run back up
the floor convinced that he must've thrown it through somebody."[2] This style of basketball became known as "Showtime". Given Johnson was also a prolific scorer and rebounder, he soon led the league in
triple-doubles, racking up 10-points-10-rebounds-10-assists games in a rate only second to NBA Hall-of-Famer Oscar
Robertson.[2] In addition, he expressed a raw, childlike enthusiasm which further endeared him to the fans.[4]
Johnson's average of 18.0 points, 7.7
rebounds and 7.3 assists per game was enough to make the All-Rookie Team and become a starter on the All-Star Team, even though the NBA Rookie of the Year Award went to his rival Larry Bird, who had
joined the Boston Celtics.[5] The Lakers compiled a 60–22 win–loss record, and with Paul Westhead replacing coach McKinney as a coach after a serious
bicycle accident 13 games into the season, the Lakers reached the 1980 NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers. Against the fierce resistance of Sixers Hall-of-Fame forward Julius "Doctor J"
Erving and Darryl Dawkins, the Lakers took a 3–2 lead before Abdul-Jabbar went down with a sprained ankle. Coach Westhead decided to put point guard Johnson at pivot instead, and on the Sixers' home court, the rookie dominated with 42 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and three steals,
lifting the Lakers to a 123–107 win and winning the NBA Finals MVP award. The NBA regards Johnson's clutch performance as one of the finest individual games ever.[6] Although only twenty years old, he had already won every trophy
at the high school, college and professional levels. Johnson also became one of only four players to win NCAA and NBA championships in consecutive years.
Player statistics[edit]
Regular
season[edit]
Player GP MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
| 82
| 38.3
| .604
| .000
| .765
| 10.8
| 4.5
| 1.0
| 3.4
| 24.8
|
Ron Boone†
| 6
| 17.7
| .350
| NA
| .857
| 1.8
| 1.2
| 0.8
| 0.0
| 5.7
|
Marty Byrnes
| 32
| 6.1
| .500
| NA
| .867
| 0.8
| 0.4
| 0.2
| 0.0
| 2.0
|
Kenny Carr†
| 6
| 17.7
| .438
| NA
| 1.000
| 3.4
| 0.2
| 0.4
| 0.2
| 3.2
|
Jim Chones
| 82
| 29.2
| .489
| .000
| .740
| 6.9
| 1.8
| 0.7
| 0.8
| 10.6
|
Michael Cooper
| 82
| 24.1
| .524
| .250
| .776
| 2.8
| 2.7
| 1.0
| 0.5
| 8.8
|
Don Ford†
| 52
| 11.2
| .508
| .000
| .821
| 1.9
| 0.7
| 0.2
| 0.3
| 3.0
|
Spencer Haywood
| 76
| 20.3
| .487
| .250
| .772
| 4.6
| 1.2
| 0.5
| 0.8
| 9.7
|
Brad Holland
| 38
| 5.2
| .423
| .200
| .938
| 0.4
| 0.6
| 0.4
| 0.0
| 2.8
|
Magic Johnson
| 77
| 36.3
| .530
| .226
| .810
| 7.7
| 7.3
| 2.4
| 0.5
| 18.0
|
Mark Landsberger*
| 23
| 16.3
| .482
| NA
| .518
| 7.1
| 0.6
| 0.4
| 0.2
| 7.0
|
Butch Lee*
| 11
| 2.8
| .308
| NA
| .857
| 0.7
| 0.8
| 0.1
| 0.0
| 1.3
|
Ollie Mack†
| 27
| 5.7
| .420
| .000
| .500
| 0.8
| 0.7
| 0.1
| 0.0
| 1.9
|
Norm Nixon
| 82
| 39.3
| .516
| .125
| .779
| 2.8
| 7.8
| 1.8
| 0.2
| 17.6
|
Jamaal Wilkes
| 82
| 37.9
| .535
| .176
| .808
| 6.4
| 3.0
| 1.6
| 0.3
| 20.0
|
*Stats after being traded to the Lakers.
†Stats before being traded from the Lakers.
Playoffs[edit]
Player GP MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
| 15
| 41.2
| .572
| NA
| .790
| 12.1
| 3.1
| 1.1
| 3.9
| 31.9
|
Marty Byrnes
| 4
| 2.0
| .333
| NA
| .667
| 0.3
| 0.3
| 0.0
| 0.0
| 1.5
|
Jim Chones
| 16
| 27.4
| .407
| NA
| .676
| 6.5
| 1.8
| 0.5
| 0.4
| 7.4
|
Michael Cooper
| 16
| 29.0
| .407
| .000
| .861
| 3.7
| 3.6
| 1.5
| 0.7
| 9.1
|
Spencer Haywood
| 11
| 13.2
| .472
| .000
| .813
| 2.4
| 0.4
| 0.0
| 0.5
| 5.7
|
Brad Holland
| 9
| 3.6
| .500
| .000
| 1.000
| 0.6
| 0.3
| 0.6
| 0.0
| 1.6
|
Magic Johnson
| 16
| 41.1
| .518
| .250
| .802
| 10.5
| 9.4
| 3.0
| 0.4
| 18.3
|
Mark Landsberger
| 16
| 12.2
| .362
| .000
| .833
| 4.3
| 0.1
| 0.2
| 0.1
| 3.4
|
Butch Lee
| 3
| 2.0
| NA
| NA
| 1.000
| 0.3
| 0.0
| 0.0
| 0.0
| 0.7
|
Norm Nixon
| 16
| 40.5
| .477
| .200
| .804
| 3.5
| 7.8
| 2.0
| 0.2
| 16.9
|
Jamaal Wilkes
| 16
| 40.8
| .535
| .176
| .815
| 8.0
| 3.0
| 1.5
| 0.3
| 20.3
|
Awards and records[edit]
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,
NBA Most Valuable Player Award
- Magic Johnson, NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, All-NBA First Team
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,
NBA All-Defensive First Team
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, NBA All-Star Game
- Magic Johnson, NBA All-Star Game
- Magic Johnson, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team
References[edit]
- ^
"1979-80 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats".
- ^ a b
c d "Earvin "Magic" Johnson". NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff Edition.
Archived from the original on 14 December 2007. Retrieved 22 December
2007.
- ^
a b Bork (1994), pp. 56-66
- ^ Schwartz, Larry. "Magic made Showtime a show". ESPN.com. Retrieved 22 December
2007.
- ^ "Magic Johnson Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 21
December 2007. Retrieved 22 December 2007.
- ^ "NBA's Greatest Moments: Magic Fills in at Center". NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff Edition. Archived from the
original on 2012-02-10. Retrieved 2007-09-13.
- Lakers on Database Basketball
- Lakers on Basketball Reference
- "That Magic Season" – Documentary on the 1979–80 Los Angeles
Lakers on YouTube
Who coached the Lakers in the 80's?
Jerry West was head coach of the Lakers for three seasons. Pat Riley coached the team to four championships in the 1980s. Phil Jackson won five championships in two stints coached with the Lakers.
When did Pat Riley coach the Lakers?
Riley retired in 1976 and one year later joined the Lakers as a broadcaster. In 1979 he became an assistant coach for the team, and he was promoted to head coach early in the 1981–82 season when young star Magic Johnson clashed with incumbent coach Paul Westhead.
What happened to the Lakers coach in 1980?
The Lakers advanced to that year's NBA Finals, when McKinney was fired mid-series on May 13, 1980. The Lakers won the series for their first of five NBA titles in nine seasons, and hired Westhead to permanently replace McKinney.
Who was the Lakers coach in 1979?
Jack McKinney, who brought the up-tempo style of play that came to be known as Showtime to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979 but lasted only 13 games as their coach after a bicycle accident put him in a coma, led to his firing and left a haunting “what if” over his career, died on Tuesday at a hospice in Bonita Springs, ...