Checking some boxscores from the past and I saw the Lakers lost in the WCSF 4-1 to the Suns despite having the best record in the league and Magic having a dominant series . As I was way too young ( 5 years old) and never read anything about this series , can some of the older fans please tell me what happened this season and in this series ? Thanks !
I remember that they had no answer to KJ and Sun's speed. They lost 1 of of the 1st 2 home games and I felt they lost all momentum
Kareem was also retired that season, and Vlade was a rookie. He was a good player, but he wasn’t Kareem.
Lakers were burned out on Riley and Riley was out of touch with them. The Dunleavy Era started after that...
they missed Kurt Rambis, and were never the same after he left they tried another token white guy in McNamara, but it wasn't the same
I was sitting row 8 for one of the games. I think it was game 4, and Magic had 43. That right there was the issue. Magic was never a primary scorer by design. He could score, but his game was all about setting the table for the scorers. Worthy was struggling. Scott was struggling, and there was no other help. And, like Kareem mentioned above, KJ just chewed them up. Coop was our wing stopper, but at 33 he just could not keep up with KJ. Hornacek's shooting hurt all series too.
^^^^ Magic scored 43 in the last 2 games of the series . Thank you all for the answer . This 5 titles , 9 finals in 12 seasons run has to be GREAT to live ...
The 80s were sooo sweet as a fan. There were down moments like the 84 Finals, and the weird Houston playoff knockout in 86, but so many high points including the best Ring ever in 85.
^^^^ 86 was surprising ? As someone who didn't follow these days , the 83 sweep by Phily looks weird too . All Moses Malone ?
Nonplayerzealot and others have some great early 80s games I've been watching this quarantine period. Man, I've been on basketball reference just to see stats and where our ex-players end up during that era...
did NPZ ever post on CL? i think i remember him on there but not sure i can watch his old lakers highlight videos for hours