10 best performances in the NBA Playoffs from the last 40 years

2. Magic Johnson, 1980 NBA Finals Game 6

A stroke of magic landed the Los Angeles Lakers the top pick in the 1979 draft. The Lakers received the pick via trade from the New Orleans Jazz as compensation for the Jazz signing Gail Goodrich in 1976, according to Basketball Reference. At the time, league rules stated the two worst teams from each conference would get the top two picks, with a coin flip to determine the order. The Lakers owned the Jazz’ pick and won the coin flip to pick ahead of the Chicago Bulls. They then drafted Magic Johnson first overall. Oh, the irony.

The Lakers parlayed their newfound luck into a 60-win season. They faced the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 Finals. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the unquestioned leader of this group, and was dominating the series. Abdul-Jabbar suffered an ankle injury in Game 5 that would cause him to miss at least Game 6. The Lakers’ front office quietly waved the white flag as they did not bring their celebratory champagne to Philadelphia.

Ultimately, the team turned to rookie Magic Johnson to fill-in at center. Though Magic was a guard, his stature made him a feasible option in the middle. But, he was now being asked to play out of position and defend 76ers’ star forward Julius Erving. The Michigan State product delivered in a way that not even his own executives expected.

Magic thoroughly owned the moment and posted 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists in the series-deciding road victory. Magic Johnson’s impressive performance helped the Lakers claim their seventh NBA crown.