It's one of the most famous career debut matches in history, on par with LeBron James' debut in 2003 for example. On October 12, 1979, Magic Johnson (like Larry Bird) plays his first game in the NBA, and it's not a date like any other in the NBA since it's also the day that the 3-point line is inaugurated!
The Lakers rookie is eager to play alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the best player of the past decade. The leader's career began with a derby against the Clippers, based in San Diego at the time. The match is close, especially because World B. Free is on fire with 46 points and 7 steals.
We therefore need a good game from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with 29 points and 10 rebounds, and a more than solid performance from Magic Johnson (26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists) to win. What will definitely make an impression is the “sky hook” of the Californian pivot at the buzzer to win the match 103-102.
Magic Johnson in all his forms!
The young and smiling Magic then rushes into the arms of his teammate and hugs him warmly. When we don't know the context of these images, we could imagine that the Lakers have just won the title…
“I almost strangled him by telling him: great shoot”, remembers Magic Johnson, facing a veteran known for being taciturn. “He answered me: young man, we still have 81 matches to play. I then replied that if he scored 81 more shots like that, he would be entitled to 81 more big hugs! »
The rest belongs to NBA legend. The two players won the title in 1980, then dominated the decade, and the rookie Magic Johnson was even elected MVP of the Finals after an anthology performance in Game 6 of the Finals against Philadelphia, in the absence of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
