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The greatest Los Angeles Lakers leaders in franchise history

By ANTHONY BISCIELLO

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 06: Los Angeles Lakers legends Ervin Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shake hands with Jerry West as he speaks at the ceremony for the unveiling of a bronze statue for Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor at Staples Center on April 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 06: Los Angeles Lakers legends Ervin Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shake hands with Jerry West as he speaks at the ceremony for the unveiling of a bronze statue for Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor at Staples Center on April 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
(Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images) /

Magic Johnson

When that name comes to mind the first thing many people think of is either the Los Angeles Lakers, Showtime, or that amazing, one-of-a-kind smile that Johnson had.

The six-foot-nine point guard from Michigan State would come into the league and transcend not only the Lakers themselves but the NBA and the sports world as well. No one had ever seen a player such as Magic. He was a one-of-a-kind type of player that had the ability to play any position. I don’t think there is any other player in NBA history that saw the whole court the way he did. An ultimate cerebral player whose total vison was one of a kind.

Magic saw everything on the floor and therefore had the ability to act as a coach on the court during games. In fact, had he been playing in today’s NBA, with the knowledge he possessed, he would have been the point guard as well as the head coach and been very successful at it. By far, one of the most selfless players ever, Magic did what other great players sometimes fail to do which is why they are not held up as high as he is and that was the ability to make other players great around him. He was like Superman in the Justice League.

Johnson had the ability to lead the team in scoring each season but he knew his role was much greater than any singular efforts. Magic was the supreme centerpiece of not only a team but the Lakers franchise.

He was the missing piece the team needed in 1979-80. In that rookie season, he averaged 18 points per game, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. No other player could dominate the game in various different areas the way he could.

As the ’80s brought a time of change to society, so did being the leader of the Lakers. The torch would be passed from Kareem to Magic as he would lead the team to NBA Titles in 1981-82, 1984-85, 1986-87, and 1987-88. Magic would be one of the first players to grow and take over off the court as well as he dipped into the entertainment industry as well as the world of endorsements. Johnson would win the MVP award in 1987, 1989, and 1990.

He was also one of the most clutch players of all time as when it came down to crunch time, there was no other player whom you wanted to have the ball. Before Jordan was the conductor of the Chicago Bulls dynasty train in the ’90s, Magic had the role for the Lakers for he led a team full of talent with James Worthy, Byron Scott, Kareem, Michael Cooper, and A.C. Green.

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