Magic Johnson Throwback Lakers Jersey and NBA Biography

Magic Johnson Throwback Jersey and NBA Biography

Long before the 1979 season even began, everybody knew who Ervin "Magic" Johnson was. As a joyous, bubbly, and talented sophomore guard at Michigan State, he had just led his team to the NCAA title in from of a National audience. Despite the fact that everybody knew that Magic would make waves in the pros, nobody anticipated the overwhelming effect he would have on the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA.

Magic Johnson immediately took control of the Lakers offense as if he had a "Magic" wand. The Lakers improved their record by 13 games and led the team to their first appearance in the NBA finals in 7 year. In the finals the Lakers faced the red hot Philadelphia 76ers, who were led by the legendary Julius Erving. After 5 games the Los Angeles Lakers took a 3-2 lead, but their luck had apparently run out. Kareem Abdul Jabbar sprained his ankle and couldn't play. Nobody gave Los Angeles a chance without Kareem in game 6 and 7. The had nobody to guard Philadelphia's low post centers, nobody to rebound, and nobody to score underneath the basket on offense.

In a surprising move, Magic Johnson, who was a career point guard, volunteered to play center in Game 6. For the entire game (47 minutes played), Magic used his quickness and tenacity to outmaneuver the 76ers on both ends of the floor. He dominated under the basket with scoop shots and hooks, using spins and stutter ste=ps to gain position under the boards and found the open man when the 76ers tried to double team him. By the fourth quarter the 76ers were shocked when they looked up at the scoreboard and they were the ones who got blown out of the basketball game.

All in all, Magic Johnson pumped in 42 points, pulled down 15 boards, and handed out 7 assists. He stole three passes and was perfect from the free throwline (14-14=). At the young age of 20, Magic delivered one of the best performances in NBA history. He made a loud statement that shouted "There will be many more championship NBA basketball games to come in the future".

Los Angeles Lakers, Magic Johnson Throwback Jersey

This is Magic Johnson's Home Yellow Jersey that he wore during their games.

Mitchell & Ness Ervin ''Magic'' Johnson Los Angeles Lakers Authentic Throwback Jersey - Gold

Larry Bird Vs. Magic Johnson

The rivalry began with the 1979 NCAA Championship when Magic Johnson led Michigan State past Larry Bird and Indiana State. It ended 11 years later when Magic retired. In between, fans saw the most compelling "can-you-top-this" Basketball of all time.

As NBA rookies, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird took their respective franchises and personally whipped them into shape. As veterans, they molded the very character of the league. In the first nine yars of their rivalry the two won all but a single NBA title (five for Johnson, three for Bird), and split six MVPs over 11 years. They met once in college and 37 more times in the pros, with Johnson holding a 23-15 edge. But tallying wins, losses, points, and assists doesn't tell half the story of their rivalry. Neither man played for the numbers, they played for the glory. Magic Johnson once said "People who saw our games against each other saw some of the best basketball ever played."

Purchase a Larry Bird Throwback Boston Celtics Jersey

Virtual Bird versus Magic Time Capsule - Instant Replay

Anyone who thinks the NBA's November through April schedule is a meaningless tuneup for the playoffs never saw one of the 18 regular season confrontations between Magic Johnson's Lakers and Larry Bird's Celtics. The play of every man on the floor was elevated by the fierce competition between these two basketball giants, and even more so when their teams met in post season play.

Although Bird and Johnson rarely guarded each other, the two were nonetheless locked in their own form of mortal combat. Johnson would throw a no look pass to a teamate for a spectacular score, and Bird would respond with a fallaway three-pointer from the third row of the Boston Garden. Larry Bird would flick an impossible pass to the open man after drawing two defenders, and Magic Johnson would drive right back down the lane, faking a dish left, then right, then continuing to the basket for an uncontested layup. After each magnificent play, there would be that quick, almost imperceptible meeting of the eyes between the two superstars.

Purchase a Magic Johnson Los Angeles Lakers Jersey

In the end, there was never a moment - on or off the court - when one of them wasn't fully aware of what the other was up to. "The first thing I would do every morning during the season," admits Bird, "was look at the box scores to see what Magic did." Thus even when geocgraphy prevented that meeting of the eyes, there was always a meeting of the minds.

Just for the Record

In the 18 regular-season matchups, Magic's Lakers beat Bird's Celtics 11 times, with the Lakers taking two of three championships from the Celtics. As for their stats - fittingly, they were a draw.

You Decide!!

Lets hear some opinions on what the readers think. Who was the better player? Who would you rather have on your team? Magic? Bird? Too close to call?