Magic Johnson 1987 Finals: Gm 4 vs. Boston Celtics, "Skyhook Game"
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- Опубликовано: 23 мар 2011
- A 12-foot running hook shot by Earvin (Magic) Johnson with 2 seconds remaining tonight enabled the Los Angeles Lakers, trailing by 16 points in the third period, to edge the Boston Celtics, 107-106.
The victory gave the Lakers a 3-1 lead in the four-of-seven-game series and a chance to dethrone the Celtics here Thursday night.
It was only the Celtics' fourth defeat in the last 98 games at the Boston Garden since they were beaten in Game 6 of the 1985 National Basketball Association Finals by the Lakers. Two of those defeats have been by the Lakers, who snapped a league-record string of 48 games last Dec. 12. Stage Is Set
The stage for Johnson's dramatic winning basket was set with 8 seconds remaining when Kevin McHale fouled Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, sending the 7-foot-2-inch center to the line for two free throws. He made the first and missed the second, but when McHale tried to grab the rebound, he lost it out of bounds, giving the Lakers possession.
After a timeout, Cooper passed the ball inbounds to Johnson on the left side. He drove into the lane and added the 2 points that brought his game total to 29 to go with 8 rebounds and 5 assists.
The Celtics, with the last shot, put it in the hands of Larry Bird, who had given his team a 106-104 lead 10 seconds earlier with a 3-point basket from the left corner. Bird's final shot from the wing was too long.
''Worthy was our first option, with seven seconds left, if Michael could have gotten him the ball,'' said Coach Pat Riley of the Lakers of the winning play. ''Johnson was our second and then Kareem.'' Johnson Sets Pick
As Cooper was passing inbounds, Johnson set a pick for James Worthy. Dennis Johnson, who had been guarding Magic Johnson, switched over to Worthy, and McHale came over to pick up Magic Johnson, who received the pass. As Johnson was dribbling, looking for the shot, Robert Parish came over to help out. It was here that Johnson drove the lane and hooked the ball over both Celtic big men.
''I could have shot the jumper,'' said Johnson, ''but I'm not a jump shooter. If I would have tried it, McHale might have blocked it. When you have a big man on you, it's always a good idea to take the ball to him and that's what I did before I hooked it over him.''
The winning basket was Johnson's only field goal of the final period, in which the Lakers went to the free-throw line for 14 shots and made 10. 
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yeah, if Magic had wanted to put 30 every game he would have done it easy, he just controlled the game the way he wanted, 5 titles in 9 finals in 12 seasons...goat
Greatest rivalry in NBA history Magic vs. Bird! Without them the NBA would never have became as successful as it has!
AMEN 2 THAT JEREMY TALK JORDAN AND ALL THAT MAGIC AND LARRY SAVED THE LEAGUE
Bird was mia 😂
Magic- greatest Laker of all time.
wanganui63
Exactly. And the thing is, he played all his great years for LA, while Kareem was at his best with the Bucks, Wilt was great with the Warriors and the Sixers etc.
Magic, then Kobe, Kareem, Baylor, Wilt, West....
And it's not even close
@loc power Nope. Magic was a better teammate than Kobe. Magic would have found a way to work with Shaq.
@loc power Shaq was, yes, hard to get along with, as was Kobe, who was so demanding of others that didn't have his talent/desire/work ethic, etc. Teammates were afraid of Kobe. Kobe, with his trial and off-court trouble, cost the Lakers a championship. Shaq, by delaying a surgery (forget the year), cost them another. They're both to blame.
However, Magic - with his personality and temperament - would have made it work. His talent, drive, creativity leadership, and his ability to get along with everyone (almost everyone), gives Magic the nod over Kobe, who was, yes, a great player. I honestly believe Magic would have made Shaq a better player, who (Shaq), in the words of Bill Simmons, played hard only 1 year in his career. That is a damning critique. IMO.
magic is the best ever to play the game for me , such a magical moment that was.
He’s up there but not the goat. There’s very few ahead of him: Kareem, wilt, Jordan, Lebron, Bird is at least as good as Magic.
@@manumalia Not lebron....the rest I agree with.
@@joemarchand8313 Not problem with disagreement. To me Lebron is a great playmaker (maybe second after magic if you will) but a far better defender and attacker.
THIS is basketball...
Best rivalry in the history of the NBA.
Nope. Go away.
Brian Lubbers .... 💯🎯
@M and yet you are here, making a comment, about a 2nd rate sport 🏀 💁🏾
@M nobody gives a f*ck sbout soccer nba is still exciting to watch
Best Championship Rivalry that's for sure.
Love the 80's NBA. I sure miss it. I was 15years old and remember that game like it was just yesterday.
This was Lakers Showtime era. I remember watching this game on tv but with the best commentator CHICK HEARN. It was the best basketball experience.
I've been a Lakers fan sine I was 9 and they acquired Kareem from Milwaukee. I never feared another player like I feared Larry Bird. I thought for certain that shot at the buzzer was going in. My heart was in my throat lol.....Wow what a game and what a rivalry.
i was watching!
Most stressful shot in the history of Laker 🏀. Everyone expected it to go in.
“1 of these teams will have a great victory tonight, the other will be very sorrowful. They wanna get it to Bird, they do, he’s open, his winner, it looks good…. OHHHHH… it was straight as a mackerel going upstream. It was so straight, the Lakers win it!” - Chuck Hearn
We need Season 3 of Winning Time for the 85 and 87 Finals.
Did anyone else hear the commotion during JB's interview with Magic? It was Red Auerbach storming the official's dressing room to complain about the officiating.... Earl Strom telling him, "Arnold, you're showing all the class I knew you had"
Great ear!!!!
Red called Earl a "eunuch" during that encounter. Red Auerbach, RIP.
I always loved how my Lakers would run off the court and not shake hands after hitting game-winning shots... classic
no team did then.
Celtic fans were violent when the Lakers won in Boston. So, the Lakers had to get out of there fast.
@@chasugc3740 I believe it!!!
@@mjp96but only Isiah Thomas gets dogged for it
Watching Magic score at will from anywhere on the court. He could easily have averaged 30-35 a game if he wanted
Magic was a true team player. Most of he's teammates became superstars.
James Murray: This is probably the smartest comment about Magic Johnson on RUclips.
@@jslhopper Yes Magic gave up his great offensive game for the betterment of the team since there was NO-ONE better at dishing out the ball than him.
Magic couldn't shoot for shit.
FACTS
I like how McHale gave Magic a high five as he was shooting the game winner. That's sportsmanship.
That was a high 5 ??????
@@vincenttrotta576 That was a joke. 🙄
I love Larry Bird's description of the end of his game, how he looks Pat Riley in the eyes thinking, "How could you leave me that open?"
Unfortunately you can't really see it in here
Yo, it’s Dom!
Hi Dom
Didn't make a whole lot of difference, did it?
i guess I'm kinda off topic but do anybody know of a good place to watch newly released movies online?
He actually had little more time to really shoot that but he didn't think he'll be that open
4:03 crazy pass
magic johnson is one of favorite player in lakers history and the showtime era is the best thank you magic johnson for everything you did for the lakers
The greatest, so glad he's still around. The all time greatest. :)
Umm who
These were my basketball heroes. In any era, I'd start a franchise with Magic.
Dick Stockton does great announcing. NBA in the 80s was the best
I will never forget the crowd reaction when Bird missed that last shot!
Everybody thought it was going in.
He was open too
@@festusaniemeka3350he's a bomb
Even Magic slumped his shoulders because he thought it was in!
Honestly I believe Magic is the Greatest
Thanks, Jordan none withstanding
👍🏾
magic really had mastered the hook shot by then, probably better than any guard ever. he was so tall it was really effective.
Bird barely missed that last shot.
I met Magic after the Lakers lost to the Celtics in I think 1985... He was very humble and down to earth.. i have a picture of us.......
They lost in 1984
@TheGameCube64Guy • They screwed up in 2 games costing them victories. But they made up for it one year later
@@keithclark7266 exactly 💯
what an amazing rivalry back in the 80's. God bless.
God bless magic and bird
That 1980's Showtime Lakers with Magic at the wheel was really special to watch.
The greatest game winning shot in NBA Finals history
Jordan's shot won the series!
@leramfreeman2950 it did...just wasn't the greatest!!!one of the greatest yes..Magic had more than one guy going after that shot, Jordan just had Elho
@randybutler1697 what are you talking about. Not talking about that shot. He said the greatest shot in Finals history. Jordan's shot against Utah won the series! What about Ray Allen's three that saved Miami? Magic's shot was in game 4, if they lose that game the series is tied. Not the same impact.
As a Pistons fan, I HATED both these teams. But, I appreciate this rivalry very much. I could watch these games all day, especially the ones at Boston Garden.
Respect
I was 18yrs old- Bird had just hit a 3_with Worthy holding his jersey_ I am now 55yrs old_ and it 4ever breaks my heart. Magic Johnson was just_ Magic
Look at how quickly both teams bring the ball upcourt, especially the Lakers. My dad described the 1980's Lakers as "They run the floor like greyhounds.".
Those were the days ... 🏀
Magic is a monster
Most iconic shot in Finals history, dude hits a hook shot on 3 guys.
A perfect hook shot
Stop it! Jordan's shot against Utah won the series.
@@leramfreeman2950this is the grestest shot and greatest rivalry, Jordan doesnt compare.
I wonder what the celtics would have been like with Len Bias?
they had a bad run there . they get Len boston has a dam good team . old boys and the new blood . some one to play BIRDS SPOT . they would of stayed on top and held new teams like the bulls and blazers down . gamble - d brown - reggie - bagley . Bias . ed pickney . it would of changed things a lot and history . old guys could of just played to rest the young guys . lol.
cowpoke02 Reggie Lewis could have been a all time great is well if he hadnt have passed away. And The Celtics wouldn't have fell so bad even after the end of Larry Bird and Kevin McHale.
bball1518 wouldve beat the lakers
cowpoke02 biggest what if in history we will never know how it would of been
and mchales foot fixed and birds back fixed
So cool to hear Magic after the game
Magic would Dominate any point guard of today. Or even history for that matter.
I watched Magic make the exact same hook shot in Seattle on the last play of the game to win the game. Same as in this game.
Best PG of All Time
Up to this point, I believe Boston had only lost 3 games at Boston Garden since the 1984-85 season. That's absolutely incredible. I'll always marvel at the heart of the 1987 Celtics. A team with a losing road record and all the bad luck you could imagine a team having. Still got to the Finals and forced the Lakers to 6. Larry missed the final shot by a centimeter, who knows what would have happened had that series gone to 2-2....incredible effort by Boston. 1986 Celtics and 1987 Los Angeles Lakers are still the greatest teams of all time by miles. Then the Bulls. You can't compete with the high-contact-no-crying era they played in. Today's teams play a modified sport.
In terms of the combination of competition, passion, and skill, the late 80's and the early 90's was basketball prime. As time progressed skill has inherently increased but there's just too many distractions in the NBA today. That's why I love March Madness so much.
even laker and celtics haters cant hate bird or magic, two amazing persons and players
What an epic game. What an epic comeback. What an epic Junior skyhook!
Greatest shot in NBA history! And sports history
That Bird three was ice cold. Too bad he missed the last one
When the NBA was the NBA.
1:17 Magic's artistry... he'd be great in these current times
Magic was going OFF in this game... Wow ... He was an offensive machine especially in the post....
I love you Magic!
if bird hit that last shot, that magic hook shot wouldnt been historic.. bird couldnt believe he missed.. such an amazing game!
Bird got sad when he missed it. He knew it was magic title.
@@hectorlopez1069 right? that’s destiny! and headcouch pat riely said he was extremely scared because it was dead on target! lol
Magic, Kareem, Byron Scott, Cooper, Worthy and Chick Hearn calling the game. Us Laker fans sure are spoiled!
The night of my 8th grade dance :) I was already a wise beyond my Celtics years in fandom and I never really thought we had a chance in 87. After Bias and all the damn injuries and a grueling playoff path I was not very confident going into these Finals. But on that night of my 8th grade dance my buddy brought in a TV radio thing that barely worked. But as the dance continued and I slow danced with my date to "Heaven" by Bryan Adams the Celtics lead had swelled to 15 and at this moment I started believing we actually did have a chance ! But as the night went at the snack table the lead was down to 6. When I got in my parents mini van it was tied. The glow of the dance was fading - but when I got home after 5 minutes with Most and Ordway on the radio the lead went back to 6. But soon again it vanished ! Then came the absolute dagger of a 3 by Larry - the ball bounces the Lakers way and then Magic just does what Magic does ! What a shot ! Bird still almost pulled it out by that was the series and the last night of my middle school existence
Earvin Magic Johnson il più Grande di tutti i tempi💛💜
Honestly. Larry bird barely missed that shot
g boz but close doesnt count except with horseshoes and hand grenades
If you notice his feet are actually on the 3 point line. His muscle memory threw up the perfect 3 point shot, just that he was too close to the basket!
its weird to think that if celtics had and extra second, they might have won
You don't score points barely missing a shot
It was dead on. Just a little too far. Guys, we all know a missed shot doesn’t count. Save your sarcasm.
Larry Bird was a MONSTER
At .08 seconds, Magic says "I wouldn't take a 3 like Larry". Magic actually became an excellent set shooter towards the end of his career. We all remember his long range bombing success in his All Star Finale :)!
And with The Dream Team is well.
That was an amazing shot by Magic and it's hard to question someone who won 5 titles, but did anyone else notice with McHale and Parrish running at him that Kareem was open under the basket?
26 years later and I'm just noticing that Magic could have hit The Captin with that dish for the win but Magic was like nah...I tried that in 84 and we lost...I got this one!
Good call.
McHale, was pushed on that last free throw!!!
awesome video. thanks for the post.
Magic learned the sky hook from Kareem just float over the whole world
Two bonafide super teams going at it. The Celtics front court was ridiculously OP with one of the greatest shooters in league history. Celtics guards were also incredible. Lakers with unsung Worthy, a serviceable Kareem and the best PG ever (who can play all five positions).
Greatest NBA game I've ever watched.
A MAGICAL moment!
In Lakers history
Being a Lakers fan as a high school student was heart-attack inducing, the NBA Finals always took place around the time of final exams.
magic developed a great set shot in his later years
love the tension in this game
Lakers for Life! ✊🏿🔥💪🏿
The "baby Sky Hook"...one of the greatest shots of all time.
Everyone thought that final shot by Bird was in.
I think if it went in the Celtics might have won series,probably would
Till this day I still cringe everytime I see Bird's last shot, even though I know it's not going in lol
@@celticsarebest They still would have had to beat LA at home and that wouldn't have been an easy task.
In my opinion the best stutter step in NBA history
Beautiful.
STILL GIVES ME NIGHTMARES
Magic=🐐
Hands down.
Second to none.
Goat 🐐 Jordan > Magic Johnson
Rings
Jordan 6 ✔️
Magic 5
Finals Mvps
Jordan 6✔️ ( most all time)
Magic 3
League Mvps
Jordan 5✔️
Magic 3
Total Mvps (league and finals)
Jordan 11✔️ ( most all time)
Magic 6
Scoring titles
Jordan 10✔️ ( most all time)
Magic 0
All Defensive first team selections
Jordan 9✔️ (tied most all time)
Magic 0
Defensive player of year
Jordan 1✔️ (1988)
Magic 0
Jordan better scorer, finisher, 3point shooter, more athletic, faster, better at steals, better perimeter defender, way better defensive player then Magic
Jordan better overall player then Magic
Even Magic Johnson says Michael Jordan the best player ever
If you mad i will send you my address and show up and see what happens
1991 NBA finals
Bulls 4 Lakers 1
Jordan 31.2 ppg and 55.8% fg and 50% 3pt and 6.6 rebs and 11.4 ast and spanked Magic Johnson
Kareem 1 ring without Magic
Magic 0 rings without Kareem
Kareem 6 rings more then Magic 5 rings
Kareem 11 all defensive teams better defensive player then Magic 0
Kareem 2 scoring titles more then Magic 0
1991 NBA finals
Bulls 4 Lakers 1
Magic Johnson proved he couldn't win without a superteam and show time and without Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1991 NBA finals
Bulls 4 Lakers 1
Jordan and Pippen 2 hall of famers vs Magic and Worthy even match up
@@terrylanda4754 ...against shyt teams in a shyt 90s league.
@@terrylanda4754 Jordan 0 rings without Pippen.
No one wins rings on their own.
I Was a lakers fan during this era, and I remember my heart sinking when Bird had that open look. Would have loved to be able to read Riley’s thoughts at that moment! 😀
magic is the man,,,
Earvin Magic Johnson proved to the world that he was the best player in the NBA during the 1987 Finals.
I can hear Red Auerbach yelling about something during Magic's post game interview. Probably the officiating. Man, I wish that last Bird bomb went in.
I love Michael Jordan.. but any logical, rational, honest basketball fan knows that Magic Johnson is the greatest player to play in the NBA. PERIOD
shaqpopcorn34
This is from the Merriam-Webster dictionary:
1 period
5 a (2) -used interjectionally to emphasize the finality of the preceding statement
shaqpopcorn34 I mainly copied and pasted actually
I think both are top 5 but your foolish to discard Russell, Robertson, or Baylor from the top spot. There's nobody Russell couldn't dominate, and nobody Baylor couldn't score on.
shaqpopcorn34 Baylor invented the small forward position.
shaqpopcorn34 maybe you need a lesson in the NBA
The shot that broke the Celtic Backs!
Kareem taught Magic how to shoot skyhooks. What are you talking about?
Crazy how great Magic was PG/PF
Came here for the young-Bill-Simmons-in-a-dark-blue-polo sighting at the 8:04 mark.
same here
Was not disappointed
Me too.
Is this a troll? I don't see it
Navy blue polo to the right of the tunnel at 8:04. Hands on hips, no undershirt, has his head turned at first before solemnly facing forward.
Magic using the hook shot to perfection here. He gets to better spots than Kareem ever did. If he had played on the block with his passing skills he may have been the GOAT centre.
magic is fantastic
Jerry Bus sitting next to Red Auerbach?
This is the quintessential moment in which Ervin "Magic" Johnson changed the fortunes of the Lakers/Celtics rivalry... up until that moment in the 80's, the Lakers and Celtics had won a championship each... Celtics-1984 .. Lakers-1985 .. this win in game 4 puts the Lakers up 3 games to 1 in the series... the Lakers would finish off the Celtics in game 6(in L.A.).. thus the final tally was that the Lakers won 2 out of 3 in the 80's and win 5 overall to be the team of the decade... in beating the Celtics in 1985 & 1987, the franchise were no longer second fiddle to the Celtics like they were in the 60s... the Lakers practically gave a WHOLE decade (60s) to the Celtics in the finals... the mindset of this franchise is now they know they can win whereas in the 60s they had doubt in beating the Celtics... getting over the hump changed the fortunes forever thanks to Magic Johnson, who I think is the greatest Laker of all time with respect to Kareem.
Not only the team of the decade but number 32 was the player of the decade...the goat!
Birds shot was sooooooooo close!
I did that same kind of hook shot when I was plain with my friends outside... it was amazing...
So intense..!
As a Laker fan, I hated Kevin McHale, because he was so good. I loved McHale as a broadcaster. His game analysis was top notch, and he told it like it was. Much respect for McHale.
I don’t think there ever was a team that put so much pressure on a defense like the Lakers of the 80s. Make or miss.
I can't believe that was the best the Cs could come up with at the end....They were up 15 points in the third at one time....Shoulda been Bird's moment.
The Lakers won this game, the defining game of the Bird/Magic rivalry, with defense. After Ainge's layup (spectacular pass from Bird BTW), the Celtics would score just 27 points in the last 17 minutes of the game. LA's defense was great during that stretch, save for Worthy letting Bird hit the seemingly dagger 3 at 5:50
5:24 what a play
magic was on fire
In my memory, I thought this shot was to win the series. But it was just to win a game in Boston. Not a small feat. Which put them up 3-1 going back to LA. Such a thrill at the time. And I just knew Larry was going to hit that shot. What a relief he didn't. For once I thought maybe he was human.
a magic johnson highlight video
Magic man
I now have a whole new found respect for Kareem,although Magic brings be back to the game,Kareem and i share the same b-Day Aprill 16th! So i guess we have more in common.
Born to Sky Hook!
What a game though