Home History Corner Michael Cooper names Lakers’ biggest win

Michael Cooper names Lakers’ biggest win

Five-time NBA champion and Los Angeles Lakers legend Michael Cooper recently shared his thoughts on the most significant win in his storied career with the Purple and Gold. According to Cooper, the 1980 NBA Finals victory over the Philadelphia 76ers stands out as the biggest and most memorable.

In a recent interview, Cooper described the unique circumstances that led to this defining moment. “The biggest win was in 1980 because we were just playing basketball,” Cooper said, via HoopsHype. At the time, the Lakers were facing a formidable 76ers team, and team owner Jerry Buss had just acquired the Lakers with a vision to bring the “Showtime” era to life.

The Lakers had spent the season focusing on entertaining the crowd with their high-flying, fast-paced brand of basketball. “Not once did we talk about winning a championship through that season,” Cooper recalled. But their championship run hit a major obstacle in Game 5 when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the team’s star center and key player, twisted his ankle.

With Abdul-Jabbar sidelined, the Lakers were set to play the 76ers in Philadelphia for Game 6 without their most dominant player. It was a daunting challenge, and the team felt the pressure. Cooper described the uncertainty they faced: “We’re going to Philadelphia to play without Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and that was the first time that I really realized what basketball meant because we were all scared.”

But the fear quickly dissipated when Magic Johnson, the Lakers’ rookie phenom, stepped up with a bold declaration. “All of a sudden, Magic gets on the plane and he goes, ‘You know what? What are y’all sad about? Have no fear, Magic Johnson’s here,’” Cooper shared. Johnson’s confidence lifted the team’s spirits and set the tone for one of the most remarkable performances in NBA Finals history.

Johnson, then just 20 years old, played center in place of Abdul-Jabbar in Game 6. Johnson went on to deliver a historic performance, scoring 42 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and dishing out 7 assists, leading the Lakers to a 123-107 victory. This win secured the championship for Los Angeles and marked the beginning of the Lakers’ dominance throughout the 1980s.

For Cooper, this victory had a profound impact on the team’s mindset. “That was the biggest win because that set off a chain, or that taste, of what championship basketball was about,” he said. The 1980 Finals win not only established the Lakers as a powerhouse but also set the foundation for their dynasty over the next decade.

Five-time champ Michael Cooper's journey from 60th overall pick to the Hall of Fame | NBA on ESPN

The victory in 1980 remains one of the most iconic moments in Lakers history, cementing the legacies of players like Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar. It also marked the beginning of the “Showtime” era, defined by the Lakers’ fast-paced style of play, entertainment, and dominance on the court.

Exit mobile version