Ranking 5 Worst Lakers starters of the Magic Johnson era
By Tyler Watts
2. Mike McGee
McGee was the 19th overall pick in the 1981 draft by the Lakers, but there was little room in the rotation for the 6’5 wing. He played in just 39 regular season games as a rookie and saw ten total playoff minutes during the championship run. McGee did not play much more in year two, but he did get seven starts.
He finally broke into the nightly rotation in year three where he averaged 9.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 18.5 minutes per game over 77 contests. McGee made 45 starts and saw his minutes increase in the playoffs as they lost to the Celtics in the NBA Finals.
The 6’5 wing helped them win a championship in 1985 playing 15 minutes per game throughout the regular season and playoffs.
McGee spent one more year playing next to Magic Johnson on the Lakers before being traded to the Hawks in 1986. He suited up for four different teams over the next four seasons before retiring from the NBA in 1990. McGee’s best statistical season came in 1988, but he is better known for winning two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers at the start of his career.
Mike McGee played and coached overseas after his NBA career ended, including stints in Europe and China.