- Magic Johnson is arguably the greatest Laker
- Magic wanted to play for this hometown Detroit Pistons coming out of college
- Magic Johnson’s rivalry with Isiah Thomas was legendary
Magic Johnson famously played for just one team in his NBA career. Of course, that team was the Los Angeles Lakers. Did you know Magic actually wanted to play for his hometown Detroit Pistons?
According to Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, this was Magic’s desire back in 1979.
“I showed him to the living room, and we chatted for a few moments,” Buss said. “He told me matter-of-factly that he appreciated being drafted by the Lakers but that he was only going to stay for three years because he wanted to go home to Michigan and play for his hometown team – the Detroit Pistons.
“I did my best to hide my reaction and excused myself to go upstairs and inform my father that his guest had arrived. When I was out of Magic’s sight, I raced up the stairs with panic to tell my dad what our number-one draft pick had just said to me.
“My dad didn’t bat an eye. He told me, ‘Jeanie, don’t worry. He may say that today, but the first time he puts on a Lakers’ uniform and steps out on the Forum floor, he is never going to leave.'”
Jeanie Buss’ father, Jerry, who bought the Lakers in 1979, was right about Magic staying in LA. Despite growing up in Lansing, Michigan, and playing college ball at Michigan State, Magic ended up playing 13 years in the NBA, all in LA.
Magic won five NBA titles with the Lakers, proving to be one of the best players in NBA history.
Magic Johnson vs. Isiah Thomas
Magic Johnson may have grown up in Michigan, but his lifestyle matched Hollywood completely. Magic also made a lot of money with the Lakers, $39,342,860, to be exact.
If Magic played for his hometown team, the Detroit Pistons, it’s likely he would have made much less. The Pistons starting point guard, Isiah Thomas, was a star in his own right.
Magic and Thomas were famously friends who would become sworn enemies in the NBA Finals. The Los Angeles Lakers and the Detroit Pistons played each other in two NBA Finals during the 1980s.
The first time came in 1988 when the Lakers pulled out a 4-3 series victory. In the series, Magic averaged 21.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 13.0 assists per game. Despite this, Magic did not win Finals MVP; it was given to James Worthy, who averaged 22.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists.
For the Pistons, Thomas averaged 19.7 points, 9.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game. This includes his incredible Game 6 performance, where Thomas scored 25 points in the third quarter on a severely sprained ankle.
The two teams would meet again the following season, but this time, things would go differently. Detroit swept LA 4-0 en route to the NBA title.
Thomas averaged 21.3 points, 7.3 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game. The Finals MVP was given to Joe Dumars, who averaged 27.3 points, 6.0 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per game.
As for the Lakers, Magic averaged just 11.7 points, 8.0 assists, and 3.7 rebounds in three games. Magic suffered from a hamstring injury, which cost him to miss Game 4.
Overall, Magic Johnson’s rivalry with Isiah Thomas was special to watch. Can you imagine Magic playing for the Pistons rather than the Lakers?
Detroit likely would not have drafted Isiah Thomas if Magic was there. This would have changed NBA history as we know it.
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