Since the LA Lakers are out of playoff contention, I figured that it would be cool to do a #FlashbackFriday post of my five favorite Laker postseason moments. Disclaimer: I am not old enough to have witnessed some of these moments on TV/the internet/in person/ as they happened as I am only 13 years old (loljk I’m 22). But I’ve done my fair share of research on the team’s history to be knowledgable enough about these moments (as any die-hard fan should).
5. Kobe’s alley-oop to Shaq, Game 7 — 2000 Western Conference Finals vs. Portland Trailblazers
The Lakers and the Blazers were among the top 3 teams in the West that year. Portland, led by the likes of Rasheed Wallace and Arvydas Sabonis, traded wins with LA throughout the series. The Lakers were down 15 at one point in game 7, before clawing their way back. The Purple and Gold sealed the win with this momentous Kobe-Shaq connection. This oop proved to be the start of the Lakers’ dynasty as they beat the Indiana Pacers in the Finals that year, and won two more championships in the next two years.
4. Magic Johnson’s baby skyhook, Game 4 — 1987 NBA Finals vs. Boston Celtics
Los Angeles was up 2-1 leading to Game 4. Boston had the lead late in the fourth quarter. Of course, the ball found its way to the hands of Magic Johnson who drove the lane and executed a baby skyhook which just missed Celtics big men Kevin McHale and Robert Parish‘s fingertips as the two tried to block it. The shot went in, pushing the Lakers in front with a 1-point lead with two seconds remaining. Boston attempted one last shot that didn’t go in, giving the Lakers the victory and a commanding 3-1 series lead. The Lakers would eventually win the championship two games later, marking only the second time Los Angeles beat Boston in the NBA Finals.
3. Kobe Bryant’s clutch shot, Game 3 — 2009 Western Conference Finals vs. Denver Nuggets
The 2009 WCF was one of my favorite playoff series ever. Both teams battled tooth-and-nail throughout the entire series, which equals to fun for the fans. The Nuggets and the Lakers were tied 1-1 after two games in Los Angeles. The series then shifted to the Pepsi Center in Denver, where road teams usually have a hard time winning (partly due to the altitude). Denver was up for most of the game. With 1:11 left to play in the 4th, and despite being heavily guarded by two Nuggets players, Kobe hit a clutch three to give the Lakers the lead. The Mamba then gave us his bad man look, prompting then-ESPN commentator (and now Golden State Warriors head coach) Mark Jackson to say “Mama, there goes that man! This is how you tell 20, 000 people to sit down and be quiet!”
2. Rookie Point Guard Magic Johnson starts at Center, Game 6 — 1980 NBA Finals vs. Philadelphia 76ers
You know you’re something special when you’re a 6’10” rookie who plays point guard for most of the season then suddenly starts at center on the biggest game of your life. That’s exactly what Magic Johnson did. Regular season MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was declared unfit to play in Game 6 of the 1980 Finals against the Sixers because of an injured ankle. The Lakers were up 3-2 at that point. Their original plan was for the Lakers sit Kareem down for Game 6 in Philadelphia, which they doubted they would win, so that he could play in Game 7 in Los Angeles. Magic had other plans, though. He accepted Coach Paul Westhead‘s challenge to start at center and boy, was it a pretty good gamble. Magic had 42 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and a block, causing him to be named Finals MVP.
1. Game 7 — 2010 NBA Finals vs. Boston Celtics
This is personally the sweetest Laker moment for me and I’m sure it is as well for a lot of Laker fans. A seven-game series that has the Lakers and the Celtics in it, was pushed to the brink, and saw the Purple and Gold beat the guys in green? The world needs more of that. I don’t need to explain this further. Just watch the video and relive the glory days. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, my favorite part of this game was Sasha Vujacic‘s clutch free throws to seal the win.
You can also read this on my basketball blog Nothing But Net
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