Was Magic Johnson the Most ‘Impactful’ Rookie in NBA History?

Upon entering the NBA, an athlete embraces the mindset of making a significant impact in the league right from the start. Making the transition from college basketball to one of the highest platforms of the game requires these players to put forth an extraordinary level of skill in order to create a great first impression. While some players take time to make an impression, others establish their dominance right from their rookie season. When discussing such players, one name pops up more than anyone else: Magic Johnson.

The Lakers legend?s rookie season was revolutionary, setting a bar on the expectations that a rookie should fulfill when entering the league. His performance in his first year with the Lakers earned him acclaim and a reputation as a force to be reckoned with. Taking the above point into consideration, the following article will examine whether Magic Johnson was the most ?impactful? rookie in NBA history.

The 1979-80 Season

Magic Johnson was chosen as the first overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers back in 1979. Barely 20 years of age, the then-young athlete was joining the league with a stellar college career to his name. Standing at 6 feet 9 inches, the young Johnson was an unusual choice for a point guard. However, the height difference worked to the player?s advantage, allowing him to get a better vantage point of the court. Furthermore, Magic Johnson possessed the unique ability to play all five positions on the court when required.

The 1979-80 season came as an opportunity for Johnson to establish his dominance. He averaged 18 points, 7.3 assists, and 7.7 rebounds per game. These numbers were remarkable for any player, let alone a rookie. They demonstrated Magic’s immediate impact on the Lakers’ performance. Such a score allowed him to be nominated for the NBA All-Rookie Team. Furthermore, it also led to him being a part of an All-Star Team in his first year itself.

With Johnson and Jabbar taking the lead, the Lakers managed to pull off a 60-22 win record and qualified for the NBA Finals. The only thing that stood between them and the trophy was the Philadelphia 76ers, led by Julius Erving. Hope started to rise for the Lakers but quickly fell in the aftermath of Game 5 of the Finals. Kareem Abdul Jabbar had sprained his ankle and could not play in the sixth game. Despite the fact that the Lakers were leading by 3-2, they needed to pull off a spectacular performance in order to win the trophy. Fortunately, Magic Johnson took the lead.

During the highly watched game, Johnson played in the center position, the first time since high school.? The experience was an unusual one for him. ?I didn?t know whether to stand with my right foot forward or my left,? said Johnson during an interview. ?Didn?t know when I should jump or where I should tap it if I got to it.?

Johnson went on to display remarkable composure and maturity beyond his years, taking control of the game with unparalleled confidence. He switched between different positions, fended off attacks, and kept dropping the ball through the hoop at every opportunity that came his way. Johnson managed to pull off one of his best performances that night. He accumulated a score of 42 points, 7 assists and 15 rebounds. To this date, Johnson?s 42 points continue to remain the 4 highest points scored by a rookie in a playoff game.

His performance allowed the Lakers to win the game by 16 points and, effectively, the championship. Johnson was bestowed the NBA Finals MVP Award, the only rookie to have achieved this feat in the history of the league. The example he set in his rookie season allowed Johnson to become a household name and rose him to international fame and stardom. Magic Johnson wasn?t the only basketball athlete who boasted of having a great rookie season.

Rookie Performances of other players

When drawing a comparison between players who made an impression early on, it would be pretty hard to leave out the name of Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan. Making his debut during the 1984-85 season, His Airness scored a total of 2,313 points during the season. It was amongst the highest ever secured by a player in the league. On average, the young Jordan scored 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 5.9 assists per game. Such a score allowed him to be placed in the All-Star team and be named the Rookie of the Year, something that Johnson failed to win.

Before Johnson and Jordan got their chance to shine in the spotlight, Wilt Chamberlain took the world by storm. Making his debut in 1959 with the Philadelphia Warriors (now Golden State Warriors), Chamberlin averaged an astonishing 37.6 points and 27 rebounds per game. Chamberlain’s impact was immediate, as he led the league in both scoring and rebounding.

WATCH THIS STORY:?Luka Doncic Surpasses Lakers Legend Magic Johnson; Second Only to Oscar Robertson in Iconic NBA Record

He also shattered numerous records, including the most points in a rookie season with 2,707. His performance earned him both Rookie of the Year and MVP honors, a feat that has not been replicated since.

Did Magic Johnson have the most impactful rookie season?

There is no denying the fact that there were other players who performed better than Magic Johnson during their respective rookie seasons. However, when talking about the overall impact that their debut had on the game as a whole, the author will have to stand behind the Lakers legend.

Johnson had joined the Lakers at a time when the team was reportedly in bad shape. They had not won a championship title in over 8 years. Furthermore, they had lost their top two players, Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West, in the time gap. There seemed to be a glimmer of hope when the Lakers acquired Kareem Abdul Jabbar in 1975. It was hard, however, for him alone to secure a championship for the team.

Johnson?s debut performance instilled a different type of confidence amongst his teammates. It helped them absorb the realization that they might have a chance. In the 13 years that Johnson spent with the Lakers, he led his team to win four more championships. Their on-court performance allowed them to reportedly become the No. 1 team in the NBA, ruling the court during a time period that has now come to be known as the iconic ?Showtime? era.

To this date, Johnson continues to remain the only rookie to secure the Finals MVP trophy. This was made possible by the performance he displayed in all the previous games that got his team to that point and not just by his performance at the last stage. An average score of 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists was rare for a player making his national debut. Johnson replaced his team?s alleged best player during the final game and performed his best, providing an example of how a player should perform under immense pressure.

Magic Johnson’s rookie season stands as a shining example of basketball brilliance. The skill set he possessed, combined with his leadership ability, impacted the Lakers franchise in a big manner. It placed his debut as the most impactful in NBA history. The legacy he created continues to be an influence on the game, impacting both the current and future aspiring players. Through his rookie season, Johnson solidified his place among the all-time greats of the sport.

READ MORE: Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson: Which NBA Legend Plays a More Hands-On Role With Their Sports Acquisitions?

Editorial Disclaimer:?The?views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of EssentiallySports.