Did Magic Johnson And Jerry West Play Together?

In the premiere episode of “Winning Time” on HBO, Jerry West’s character was livid at the idea of drafting Magic Johnson. However, it is unclear whether West was truly against Magic Johnson joining the Lakers. According to “Showtime”, West was not fully convinced that a 6-foot-9 player could be drafted. One of the main sources of conflict in the first two episodes is the Lakers’ drafting of Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Signing him is non-negotiable for Buss, as Johnson perfectly aligns with his vision.

In Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, former basketball player and legend Jerry West recalls his first meeting with West, who died on Wednesday morning. West sent a letter from his legal team to HBO and producer Adam McKay demanding a “retraction and an apology”. In recent weeks, former Los Angeles Lakers stars Magic Johnson, Jerry West, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have all spoken or written about their friendship.

In 1979, President Carter lamented an American “crisis of confidence” and the National Basketball Association worried over declining attendance and TV ratings. Magic Johnson and Jerry West met at the Forum in 1979, where they would meet once a week to critique Johnson’s previous games. The championship-winning Lakers were coached by Pat Riley and featured superstar players Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy.

It is reported that West did indeed prefer Sidney Moncrief over Johnson, though maybe not as strongly as the show portrays. Although they never played together, they are two of the best to ever wear purple and gold. West passed away on Wednesday with his wife Karen.

Who did Magic Johnson apologize to?

The speaker expresses gratitude for the role that divine intervention has played in reuniting them, acknowledging the painful circumstances that preceded this outcome and expressing gratitude for the positive result.

Who was Magic Johnson favorite player?

Earvin Johnson Jr. was born in Lansing, Michigan, to General Motors assembly worker Earvin Sr. and school janitor Christine. His parents had a strong work ethic, with Johnson helping his father on the garbage route and being teased by neighborhood children. Johnson was raised in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Johnson began to love basketball as a young man, idolizing players like Bill Russell and Earl Monroe. He learned the finer points about the game from his father, who played high school basketball in Mississippi. His mother, originally from North Carolina, also played basketball as a child and watched her brothers play the game.

By eighth grade, Johnson had become a dominant junior high player, scoring 48 points in a game. He looked forward to playing at Sexton High School, a school with a successful history and only five blocks from his home. However, his plans changed when he learned that he would be bused to predominantly white Everett High School instead of Sexton, which was predominantly black.

Johnson’s sister Pearl and brother Larry had been bused to Everett the previous year, but they had not had a pleasant experience. There were incidents of racism, with rocks being thrown at buses carrying black students and white parents refusing to send their children to school. Larry was kicked off the basketball team after a confrontation during practice, prompting him to beg his brother not to play.

Johnson joined the basketball team but became angry after several days when his new teammates ignored him during practice. He nearly got into a fight with another player before head coach George Fox intervened. Eventually, Johnson accepted his situation and the small group of black students looked to him as their leader.

In his autobiography, My Life, Johnson reflects on how his time at Everett changed him, stating that it taught him how to understand white people, communicate, and deal with them.

Did Jerry West ever win a championship as a player?

Jerry West, a legendary NBA player, played for the Lakers for 14 seasons, making nine finals but losing eight. His only NBA title came in the 1971-72 season, but championships never defined him. West was a clutch shooter, capable of scoring, passing, and defending, and excelled in the playoffs. He averaged 29. 1 points in the postseason, second only to Michael Jordan’s 33. 4. Coach Fred Schaus viewed West as the perfect guard, describing him as having a fine shooting touch, speed, quickness, physical assets, and dedication to the game.

Despite never playing a perfect game, West made a memorable 60-footer against the New York Knicks in the 1970 Finals, but was reluctant to discuss it. The Lakers lost in overtime, and West’s bottom line was the outcome.

Who is Jerry West favorite player?

In a recent interview, Jerry West, an NBA champion, identified Michael Jordan as his preferred player of all time. West and the Lakers were victorious in their inaugural championship of the era, which constituted the most remarkable season in the annals of the NBA. Nevertheless, West also recognized the anguish associated with defeat, as the repeated losses to the Celtics in the Finals significantly influenced his mindset and demeanor.

What did Michael Jordan say about Jerry West?

The speaker expressed gratitude for the insights on basketball that the individual had shared and extended condolences to his wife, Karen, and his sons.

Who did Jerry West play with on the Lakers?

In his professional career, Jerry West has had the opportunity to play alongside numerous accomplished individuals, including Don Nelson, Jim Price, Hub Reed, Pat Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Are Jerry Buss and Magic Johnson friends?

Magic Johnson, drafted to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979, formed a close relationship with the franchise’s late owner, Dr. Jerry Buss. They referred to Buss as a father figure and still refer to Jeanie Buss as his sister. After retiring from basketball, Johnson turned to the business world and became the most successful athlete to transition. He is now part-owner of several sports franchises, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Commanders of the NFL. Johnson credits his success to Buss’ mentorship, stating that his mentorship allowed him to succeed in this area.

Did Magic Johnson get a 25 year contract?

In 1981, Lakers player John Johnson signed a 25-year, $25 million contract with the Lakers, which was the highest-paying contract in sports history up to that point. Johnson had a heated dispute with Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who fired Westhead and replaced him with Riley. Despite his off-court troubles, Johnson averaged 18. 6 points, 9. 6 rebounds, 9. 5 assists, and a league-high 2. 7 steals per game, and was voted a member of the All-NBA Second Team. He also joined Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson as the only NBA players to tally at least 700 points, 700 rebounds, and 700 assists in the same season.

During the 1982–83 NBA season, Johnson averaged 16. 8 points, 10. 5 assists, and 8. 6 rebounds per game and earned his first All-NBA First Team nomination. The Lakers again reached the Finals, and for a third time faced the Sixers, who featured center Moses Malone as well as Erving. With Johnson’s teammates Nixon, James Worthy, and Bob McAdoo all hobbled by injuries, the Lakers were swept by the Sixers, and Malone was crowned the Finals MVP.

Prior to Johnson’s fifth season, West traded Nixon to free Johnson from sharing the ball-handling responsibilities. Johnson averaged another double-double season, with 17. 6 points, 13. 1 assists, and 7. 3 rebounds per game. The Lakers reached the Finals for the third year in a row, where Johnson’s Lakers and Bird’s Celtics met for the first time in the postseason.

In the first game, Johnson failed to get a shot off before the final buzzer sounded, and the Lakers lost 124–121 in overtime. In Game 3, Johnson responded with 21 assists in a 137–104 win, but made several crucial errors late in the contest during Game 4. The Celtics won Game 4 in overtime, and the teams split the next two games. In the decisive Game 7 in Boston, opposing point guard Dennis Johnson stole the ball from Johnson, effectively ending the series.

During the Finals, Johnson averaged 18. 0 points on. 560 shooting, 13. 6 assists, and 7. 7 rebounds per game, and later described the series as “the one championship we should have had but didn’t get”.

Was Jerry West really opposed to drafting Magic Johnson?

The speaker underscores the significance of confidence and control in a relationship, asserting that individuals lacking these attributes should refrain from involvement.

How smart was Jerry Buss?

Alex Ben Block in The Hollywood Reporter shares an anecdote about Buss’s mental prowess, demonstrating it through Monopoly games he played with Hefner. They kept everything in their heads, sometimes playing over the phone, with someone else keeping the board. Buss also demonstrated smart leadership by hiring good people and getting out of the way, a lesson that all managers should learn from.

Did Jerry West get along with Magic Johnson?

For two decades, the Jerry West Magic Johnson Fantasy Camp in Hawaii offered a venue for basketball players to cultivate camaraderie and reinforce their relationships beyond the confines of the Lakers organization. Jerry West assumed the role of a trusted confidante, providing guidance and support that extended beyond the conventional scope of a general manager.