Top 5 Laker Performances in the NBA All-Star Game

Jul 29, 2014; El Segundo, CA, USA;

(right) listens at a press conference with

(left) and Los Angeles Lakers general manager

(center) at Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

1. Magic Johnson – 1992 – 25pts/5rbs/9asts/2stls/ .750 FG%

Whilst his statline may not be the best in Lakers history – hell, it isn’t even the best of his career – Magic Johnson’s All-Star game performance in ’92 has taken its rightful place at the top of this list.

In November ’91, Magic announced his retirement from the game of basketball after contracting HIV. However, just three months later, he was lacing up once more, but circumstances were different; this was his farewell, and what a send-off it was.

Magic played a key role in the 40-point demolishing of the East, yet with 14 seconds left on the clock, it was as if the fans in Orlando were watching a game of pick-up. After sinking his third consecutive three-pointer, the fans were on their feet, coaches were applauding and players rushed to embrace him as the arena, and the world, ceremoniously celebrated the last seconds of the career of a legend.

You could be forgiven for forgetting that Johnson had orchestrated the offence all-night and tied down Isaiah Thomas and Magic Johnson late in the game. He also collected his second and final All-Star Game MVP award that evening. Nevertheless, we don’t especially remember this contest for Magic’s performance, nor do we for one of the biggest blowouts in All-Star history.

We remember this game for the moment where competition stopped and legacy took over. For four quarters of twelve minutes, basketball was no longer a game – it was gala of greatness, and it goes down as one of the most heart-warming moments in the history of the NBA.