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Los Angeles Lakers: When Air Jordan Met Magic Johnson

By Davide Tovani

INGLEWOOD, UNITED STATES: Los Angeles Lakers Earvin "Magic" Johnson (L) and Michael Jordan (R) of the Chicago Bulls laugh with a reporter 02 February during their post-game press conference at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. This was the second game after Johnson's return to the Lakers since he retired in November 1991 after contracting the virus that causes AIDS. The Bulls won 99-84. AFP PHOTO Tiziana SORGE (Photo credit should read TIZIANA SORGE/AFP via Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, UNITED STATES: Los Angeles Lakers Earvin "Magic" Johnson (L) and Michael Jordan (R) of the Chicago Bulls laugh with a reporter 02 February during their post-game press conference at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. This was the second game after Johnson's return to the Lakers since he retired in November 1991 after contracting the virus that causes AIDS. The Bulls won 99-84. AFP PHOTO Tiziana SORGE (Photo credit should read TIZIANA SORGE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Chicago Bulls, 1991 NBA Finals

In support of my initial thesis, there is a reason why this first Michael Jordan’s finals appearance and victory is considered so iconic and important for his legacy. Besides being the very first of many championships, it was the passing of the torch. Magic at the time was considered the number one in the league and MJ had to snatch the scepter out of his hands to prove that he was the greatest.

It is not surprising, then, that in Game 1 in Chicago he took the defensive assignment to guard Johnson. But maybe it was not the best idea if the Bulls wanted to come out champions. The Lakers won that game, regaining the home-court advantage.

RELATED: 1991 and the five greatest Western Conference Finals in Lakers’ history

Magic had a triple-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, while, among his teammates, Vlade Divac had 16 points, while James Worthy and Sam Perkins 22 apiece.

Jordan finished with 36 points, but of his teammates only Scottie Pippen scored in double-figure with 19.

The series changed drastically when, in Game 2, Phil Jackson put Pippen on Magic, and Michael returned to trust and rely on his teammates. The finals finished 4-1 with relative ease for the Bulls. Earvin averaged a good 18.6 points, 8 rebounds and 12.4 assists, anyway, but his percentages dropped since Pip took him in charge, and the Los Angeles Lakers’ offense was not so fluid with its general constantly hounded.

Jordan finished the series averaging 31.2 points, 2.8 steals and 1.4 blocks, winning the Finals MVP and finally taking his long-due place in the Olympus of basketball.

That series marked the end of a reign, and the beginning of a new era. The young pretender had overthrown the aging king and torn the crown off his hands. His rule looked bright and long, while the old regnant would soon be banished, left with just the memories of the glory days.

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