The 1980 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1979-80 NBA season.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the league's MVP. But in a Game 5 victory, the Laker center suffered a severely sprained ankle. Proud to lead the best-of-seven series three-games-to-two, the Lakers still had to travel to Philadelphia for a huge Game 6 -- without Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
In game 6, Magic Johnson may have played the greatest game of his career. On May ...
more
The 1980 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1979-80 NBA season.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the league's MVP. But in a Game 5 victory, the Laker center suffered a severely sprained ankle. Proud to lead the best-of-seven series three-games-to-two, the Lakers still had to travel to Philadelphia for a huge Game 6 -- without Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
In game 6, Magic Johnson may have played the greatest game of his career. On May 16, 1980, in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, playing on the road, in Philadelphia, Magic (a 6'9" point guard) started the game at center and eventually played every position on the floor in a dominating performance. Scoring a game-high 42 points and grabbing a game-high 15 rebounds -- and handing out 7 assists -- Magic Johnson led the Lakers to the NBA crown.
Magic Johnson was named the 1980 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, though he appreciated Magic Johnson's play as much as anyone, expressed disappointment that he, Kareem,...
less
