2. Magic Johnson Starts at Center in Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals
With Kareem Abdul-Jabaar out with a severely sprained ankle, rookie Magic Johnson played arguably the most memorable game of his career for the Purple and Gold in game six of the 1980 NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The game was considered to be a give away at the time, a game for the Lakers to rest Kareem with hopes that he would be able to return for the looming game seven back in Los Angeles, but that game was never necessary thanks to the Magic Man.
Most notably, Magic started the game at center, and proceeded to play every single position before the game’s end.
Magic finished with an incredible stat line of 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists playing all but one minute of the game, winning Los Angeles their sixth NBA title. He ended up taking home NBA Finals MVP honors as a rookie and to this day, he remains the only rookie to do so.
Additionally, the same season, Magic Johnson won NBA Rookie of the Year, putting the league on notice that a new sheriff was in town, adding fuel to the flame that was the Magic-Bird rivalry in the process.
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