Rookie season in the NBA (1979–80)
Johnson was drafted first overall in 1979 by the Los Angeles Lakers. Johnson said that what was "most amazing" about joining the Lakers was the chance to play alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,[18] the team's 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) center who became the leading scorer in NBA history.[19] Despite Abdul-Jabbar's dominance, he had failed to win a championship with the Lakers, and Johnson was expected to help them achieve that goal.[20] Johnson averaged 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game for the season, was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Team, and was named an NBA All-Star Game starter.[21]
The Lakers compiled a 60–22 record in the regular season and reached the 1980 NBA Finals,[22] in which they faced the Philadelphia 76ers, who were led by forward Julius Erving. The Lakers took a 3–2 lead in the series, but Abdul-Jabbar, who averaged 33 points a game in the series,[23] sprained his ankle in Game 5 and could not play in Game 6.[20] Paul Westhead decided to start Johnson at center in Game 6; Johnson recorded 42 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals in a 123–107 win, while playing guard, forward, and center at different times during the game.[20] Johnson became the only rookie to win the NBA Finals MVP award,[20] and his clutch performance is still regarded as one of the finest in NBA history.[5][24][25] He also became one of four players to win NCAA and NBA championships in consecutive years.[26]
