When Magic Johnson was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979, Dr Jerry Buss was certain he was going to be the cornerstone of the franchise. It was all because Magic, who was fresh out of winning a championship for Michigan State University, played a certain extravagant style of basketball that matched the charm of Los Angeles.
" It was the kind of style he played," Jeanie Buss told The Athletic. "The showman … he knew that was the guy. (He said), 'If I could have a team that played like him and built a team around him, I would have a hit .'"
The stars aligned
One of the best coincidences to happen for both the Lakers and Johnson was that they found each other at the perfect time. The purple and gold needed a fresh superstar to not only be the face of the team but also support Kareem Abdul Jabbar — who came to the Lakers in 1975.
Meanwhile, Johnson was a rookie who was ready to contribute to a contender hence the hype around him when he declared for the 1979 draft. Lo and behold, not only did the Lakers win the title in Magic's first year, but he also turned out to be the only rookie ever to win an NBA Finals MVP.
"The charisma of Magic changed what defined Laker basketball, and we rode it high," Buss said. "You never even thought about how this ride is going to end."
As for the point guard, who played for the Lakers throughout his 13-year career, he felt the organization was the perfect match for him because of his personality. Magic believed that if he traded places with his frenemy Larry Bird — where he would've been a Boston Celtic instead — their careers wouldn't have been the same.
"It all lined up," Earvin said. "My game, Hollywood, Kareem. Coach Riley wanted to push the rock. Dr. Buss, the flamboyant, cool owner creating the Laker Girls. The whole package. It went together."
Related: Kermit Washington speaks about how Magic Johnson ushered in a new era: "Magic Johnson completely changed the game"
Magic's case as Lakers GOAT
Before Kobe Bryant won his fifth championship, the consensus GOAT player to ever suit up for the Lakers was Johnson himself. But the Black Mamba took that honor away — at least according to Magic himself — by the time he finished his 20-year career. Still, it's not wrong for Lakers fans or even NBA enjoyers, in general, to say that Johnson is the Laker's GOAT because of the legacy he built with this franchise.
Not only did the Hall of Famer win five titles for the Lakers, but he was also a three-time MVP, three-time NBA Finals MVP, four-time assists champion, 12-time NBA All-Star, and 10-time All-NBA award winner, among many other achievements. On top of all this, Magic was the face of the Lakers' showtime era, still considered one of the greatest dynasties in sports history.
Related: "When I got the job, I offered everyone on our team for Magic" - The creator of the Bad Boy Pistons tried to go a quicker route before he built a dynasty in Detroit
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