From Michigan to Los Angeles: How the Lakers Drafted Magic
Earvin Johnson was born in 1959 in Lansing, Michigan. As a teenager he earned the nickname "Magic" for his dazzling assists and infectious smile, and he was already a local star in high school. He chose Michigan State University, where he quickly became a national name.
The 1979 NCAA championship pitted Michigan State against Larry Bird's Indiana State—the origin of their lifelong rivalry. Magic controlled the tempo throughout and led a comfortable win, earning Most Outstanding Player honors. That title game drew enormous television ratings and planted the seed for the NBA's golden age: "Magic versus Bird" would define the league for the next decade.
In that year's NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Magic with the first overall pick. The team already had a prime Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and management hoped the energetic rookie would form an inside-out core with the skyhook. In his 1979-80 rookie season, Magic averaged 18 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists, made the All-Star team, and helped the Lakers reach the Finals, where he wrote the Game 6 center myth.
From the snow of Michigan to the spotlights of Los Angeles took less than a year. His arrival officially opened the Lakers' "Showtime" fast-break era—the flowing passes and blinding transition game became the most mesmerizing scene of 1980s basketball.
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