History happens when legends reveal what they’re capable of. Short-handed in a pivotal 1980 NBA Finals matchup, first-year Los Angeles Lakers point guard Magic Johnson puts his acclaimed versatility to the test under the brightest lights his sport has to offer. Filling in for a superstar teammate at the center position, the 20-year-old rookie holds his own matched up against a formidable Philadelphia 76ers frontcourt, grinding and battling his way to an iconic Game 6 victory. Johnson’s instant classic 42-point, 15-rebound, seven-assist performance on May 16, 1980 gave the franchise its first of five titles in an unforgettable nine-year stretch.

Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson fills in at center, clinches title with 1980 Finals performance

Good playmakers see the future before it happens, iconic ones see it all in slow motion. Outnumbered in transition after sprinting for a long rebound, Los Angeles Lakers point guard Magic Johnson coordinates a two-man attack flanked by Phoenix Suns defenders. Eager to drop a dime to the teammate pushing the pace on his right, Johnson neutralizes three checks by advancing the ball himself, wraps the ball around his body from his strong side then scoops it under-handed with his left just in time for an emphatic poster. Johnson finished the March 19, 1985 battle with 24 points, six rebounds and 10 assists.

Magic Johnson wraps ball around back before delivering timeless transition dime

In a season where he was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Michael Cooper was quick to remind opponents of his equally dynamic offensive skill set. First displaying those chops that earned him selections on five NBA All-Defensive First Teams, the longtime Los Angeles Lakers wing uses his length to deflect a pass. Scooping up the steal, Cooper finds himself alone with the basket, opting to throw down a two-handed reverse jam to the delight of an awestruck home crowd. The New York Knicks were no match for the Lakers and Cooper, who put together a 15-point performance on an efficient 6-for-7 shooting to pair with four assists and three steals in the 111-88 win on November 9, 1986.

Michael Cooper

Michael Cooper intercepts pass, throws down memorable reverse slam on far end

In his legendary Hall of Fame career, everything Magic Johnson touched exhibited greatness. Making even the most impossible plays seem effortless, Johnson grabs a rebound against the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the First Round, then fires a one-handed Hail Mary-style heave the full length of the court, hitting nothing but net. Even in his eighth season, the 12-time All-Star and five-time champion still had the ability to wow everyone in attendance, finishing the Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff-opener with 16 points, seven rebounds and 14 assists in a 128-95 victory on April 23, 1987.

Magic Johnson drains one-handed, fullcourt heave in first game of 1987 Playoffs

No matter the era of hoops, few plays get fans out of their seats quite like a poster dunk. Pushing the tempo in transition in a 3-on-2 advantage, Byron Scott runs parallel to the ball handler as the play develops, waiting for the defense to collapse. When the moment arrives, Scott receives an opportune bounce pass and takes care of the rest, soaring into the air for a one-handed slam while putting a helpless Golden State Warriors defender on his backside. Scott had a huge Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals, tallying 28 points, seven rebounds and two assists on May 10, 1987, and would ultimately earn his second of three championship rings later that postseason.

Byron Scott

Byron Scott runs the floor, stuffs poster slam on Purvis Short in 1987 Playoffs

Due to the dynamic star power of the 1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers, it’s understandable that the contributions of its role players are occasionally overlooked. That being said, it’s hard to win four championships without the support of guys like Kurt Rambis. The power forward demonstrates his value in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, finding some open space in the lane thanks to the extra attention paid to his star-studded teammates. As soon as Rambis’ defender fixes his eyes elsewhere, a teammate whips a pass into the post, where Rambis is dutifully waiting to gobble the ball up and slam it home past the Boston Celtics. Rambis produced eight points, five rebounds and two assists in 20 efficient minutes off the bench, helping the Lakers to a 141-122 victory and a 2-0 series lead on June 4, 1987.

Kurt Rambis

Kurt Rambis evades defender for low-post slam in 1987 Finals

It’s the greatest rivalry in professional sports for a reason. Down by a single point in the closing seconds of Game 4 of the 1987 NBA Finals, was there ever a doubt who would play the role of hero for the Los Angeles Lakers? En route to his third Finals MVP award, Johnson makes the impossible look routine, securing an inbound pass in a hostile Boston Garden. After a quick pump fake in the corner, the 12-time All-Star puts the ball on the floor, maneuvering his way into the lane to unfurl a flawless baby hook shot despite the efforts of three Boston Celtics defenders attempting to deny the iconic moment. The dagger – instantly immortalized as the joyful superstar’s ‘junior junior skyhook’ – sealed the Lakers’ 107-106 victory, giving them a commanding 3-1 series lead in the ultimate series. Five days later Johnson would secure his fourth of five championship rings - and his final championship victory over his longtime rival.

Magic Johnson shifts momentum of 1987 Finals with game-winning junior skyhook

He wasn’t known as ‘Big Game James’ by accident. In a momentum-shifting turn of events in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, James Worthy affirms his nickname, first coming up with a critical steal before scrambling to save the loose ball and diving on the floor to keep it from careening out of bounds. With a perfectly-executed flick of his left hand, the practically horizontal Worthy deflects the rock to an all-alone Magic Johnson, who streaks down the floor to finish the job with an iconic slam. The Boston Celtics never recovered in the pivotal matchup, as the seven-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer earned his second of three championship rings, posting 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in the June 14, 1987 win.

James Worthy

James Worthy dives to the floor for iconic assist in 1987 Finals

As predictably as the rising sun, Los Angeles Lakers megastar Magic Johnson saved his best for the Boston Celtics. Down by a single point in the final seconds of a 1987 NBA Finals rematch on December 11, 1987, Johnson knew exactly where he needed to catch the rock out of an inbound scheme in order to silence his long-time rivals. Cutting backdoor against a defender on the perimeter, the 6-foot-9 legend corrals an inbound pass in stride, leaps off one leg and buries a go-ahead bucket off glass. For Johnson, it was two points in an 18-point, eight-rebound, 17-assist masterpiece, a regular-season triumph worth a celebratory walk-off; for his cross-country foes, a stark reminder of the purple and gold dynasty that dominated so much of the previous decade.

Magic Johnson buries game-winning runner off one leg vs. Celtics

Put the ball in Magic Johnson’s hands, then sit back and enjoy the show. Hit in the frontcourt with an outlet pass, the Los Angeles Lakers star sets out to tantalize the Forum faithful as only he knows how. Downhill with momentum, Johnson baits a San Antonio Spurs defense with a pass fake to the left of his body, then seamlessly pulls the ball back on an invisible platter just in time to offload a dime to a teammate on his right. Johnson racked up 14 points, eight rebounds, 13 dimes and a highlight for the history books in the January 4, 1988 contest.

Magic Johnson serves ball on a platter for iconic no-look dish vs. Spurs

A little vigilance on D goes a long way toward creating opportunities on offense. Los Angeles Lakers guard Smush Parker reaches in to break up a Utah Jazz pass attempt on one end of the court then takes the rock the length of the floor himself to cap off the break with a 180-degree reverse on February 13, 2006.

Smush Parker

Smush Parker picks pocket, takes off for soaring reverse slam on other end

Lamar Odom, with a full head of steam, is a problem for even the fiercest of rim protectors. The versatile Los Angeles Lakers forward attacks a gap in the Orlando Magic defense, catches a feed from Brian Cook in stride, then unleashes a powerful one-handed slam over Dwight Howard on February 28, 2006.

Lamar Odom

Lamar Odom flies through paint for cram on Dwight Howard

Marketplace

Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson

Michael Cooper

Magic Johnson

Byron Scott

Kurt Rambis

Magic Johnson

James Worthy

Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson

Smush Parker

Lamar Odom