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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Robert Marvi

On this date: Magic Johnson leads Lakers to NBA Finals as a rookie

Magic Johnson LA Lakers NBA Earvin “Magic” Johnson NBA Finals Kareem AbdulJabbar

When the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Earvin “Magic” Johnson with the first overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft, plenty of people doubted if he would make it in the pros.

He had led Michigan State University to the national championship just a few months ago, but that type of success doesn’t automatically translate into the NBA.

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