Hoops Habit
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Best Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee from each NBA franchise

By Daniel Lubofsky

INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers
Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Best Los Angeles Lakers Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee: Magic Johnson

Magic was a well-earned nickname for Earvin Johnson. As a 6’8” point guard, he wasn’t one for the fundamentals, instead choosing to inject flair and excitement into every moment of action with a level of winning only few could match.

The No. 1 overall pick of the 1979 Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers knew they had a special talent with their latest addition, and it took all of one season for the franchise to truly understand the gift that had fallen into their lap. Johnson had helped LA to a 3-2 series lead in the NBA Finals before Kareem Abdul-Jabbar went down with an injury.

Game 6 was set to take place at the home of the Philadelphia 76ers, but without their leading man, the Lakers seemingly had no chance. Magic didn’t just lead them to victory while a performance of 42 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists, but he did so while replacing Kareem as the starting center without missing a beat.

In the coming years, Magic would be the engine pumping the great Showtime Lakers, a must-see brand of high-tempo basketball led by the man with eyes at every angle of his head. He averaged 11.2 assists per game over his glorious career, but that figure fails to illustrate the precise level of marksmanship he showed on many of those dimes.

In the years that followed that improbable first championship, Johnson would have a hand in just about every NBA season. In total, his Lakers would make it to nine Finals spanned across only 12 seasons, putting them in prime position to take home five championships. Magic was only the Finals MVP twice, but nobody doubted his value as the maestro of a dynasty.

Of the five positions on the court, a few may foster debates regarding the leading man, but there is no such argument to be made at the point guard spot. The answer is undeniably Magic Johnson, and anyone who says otherwise is lying.