Did Larry Bird and Magic Johnson get drafted the same year?

What was it notable for? If Larry Bird being taken in 1978 was important, so too was the Los Angeles Lakers' selection of Magic Johnson in 1979.

When was Magic Johnson drafted?

After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA draft by the Lakers. He won a championship and an NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award in his rookie season, and won four more championships with the Lakers during the 1980s.

Why didn't Larry Bird play the year he was drafted?

According to the rules then, Bird was draft eligible because he'd already spent four years in college.” Selecting the Indiana State standout was a roll of the proverbial dice, considering that the eventual three-time MVP wouldn't be able to play for Boston until the following year.

How did Larry Bird get drafted before Magic?

Bird was drafted by the Celtics after his junior year at Indiana State (1978) but did not play professionally until the 1979–80 season, when he won the Rookie of the Year award after contributing to one of the largest single-season turnarounds in NBA history (a 32-win improvement).

Why wasn t Larry Bird drafted in 1978?

However, the reason the Lakers couldn't draft Larry Bird is that he was already a member of the Boston Celtics by this point. Bird originally declared for the 1978 NBA draft and was drafted by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall pick.

Where was Magic Johnson drafted?

Magic Johnson was selected 1st overall by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Who owned the Lakers when Magic Johnson was drafted?

This article contains spoilers for Episode 1 and Episode 2 of “Winning Time.” HBO's “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” chronicles the Lakers' glorious and glitzy “Showtime” era, beginning in 1979 when Jerry Buss (John C. Reilly) bought the Lakers and added Magic Johnson (Quincy Isaiah) to the roster.

Who drafted ahead of Larry Bird?

The final player drafted ahead of Larry Bird, Purvis Short. He was drafted fifth overall by the Golden State Warriors and had a solid rookie year, averaging 10.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest.

How much did Magic Johnson get drafted for?

Magic Johnson rookie contract

The highest paid player at the time was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, also of the Lakers. He was on around $650,000, so Johnson asked for $600,000. Cooke scoffed at the idea – offering Magic Johnson a rookie contract worth around $460,000 per Sportrac.

How many times did Magic Johnson go to the finals?

Basketball Hall of Fame. During his remarkable 13-year career, he led the Lakers to five NBA championships (1980, '82, '85, '87 and '88) and nine appearances in the NBA Finals.

Did Magic Johnson win championship first year?

On May 16, 1980, Los Angeles Lakers point guard Earvin “Magic” Johnson steps in for injured center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and scores 42 points, leading the Lakers to a four games-to-two series win over the Philadelphia 76ers for their first championship since 1972.

Why did Jerry West leave the Lakers in 1979?

Once Jerry West emerges from his secluded state, his wife says that she can't keep dealing with the effects coaching has on his mood and their marriage. As a result, Winning Time episode 2 heavily implies that Jerry West quits coaching the Lakers to help keep his marriage healthy and happy.

How was Magic Johnson drafted?

In 1979, years before the draft lottery, the Lakers and the Chicago Bulls participated in a coin flip for the top overall pick. The Lakers won and selected Johnson, while the Bulls took UCLA forward David Greenwood.

What year was the 3 point line added in the NBA?

1979: The NBA 3 Point Line

The NBA three-point line is 23'9″ from the middle of the rim (22′ in the corner) and was introduced in the 1979-80 season for a one-year trial.

How many years did Larry Bird play in the NBA?

Bird played 13 years in the NBA and it was a bad back that forced him into retirement in 1992. During his illustrious career, Bird won three straight MVP awards and guided the Celtics to three NBA championships.

Who was drafted in the 7th round of the 1977 NBA draft?

Also in the seventh round, the Kansas City Kings selected track and field athlete Caitlyn Jenner (then known as Bruce) with the 139th pick (needling the cross-town Kansas City Chiefs, who would often claim to select the "best athlete available" in the NFL Draft).

Was Wilt Chamberlain a first pick?

Wilt Chamberlain was selected as the Philadelphia Warriors' territorial pick in 1959.

Who is Otto Porter's dad?

Personal life. Porter comes from a family with many accomplishments in basketball. His father, Otto Porter Sr., was part of Scott County Central High School's first title in 1976 and holds the high school record with 1,733 rebounds.

Who has the most Finals MVPS?

Michael Jordan is a record six-time award winner. LeBron James has won the award four times in his career, and Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Tim Duncan won three times each.