Earvin Magic Johnson had quite the career in the NBA. The Hall of Famer, who played in the league for over a decade with the Los Angeles Lakers, produced several memorable moments. However, his heroics in the 1980 NBA Finals stand tall among the rest as one of the greatest moments in the 5x NBA champion’s illustrious career. Incidentally, Johnson’s idol growing up, happened to be on the other side of his success.

Like for many kids in the 70s, Dr. Julius Erving was a role model for a young Magic Johnson. The ABA/NBA legend, who set the stage for tall forwards controlling the game’s pace, undoubtedly influenced Johnson. Out of all the people Johnson could have faced in his first NBA Finals, his matchup against Dr. J left him in disbelief. However, Johnson was in a similar state a year before after receiving an incredible invite, as he revealed recently during a podcast appearance.

Magic Johnson details his amazing experience meeting Dr. J in his house

The 5x NBA champion recently appeared alongside Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on a recent edition of Showtime Basketball’s All the Smoke podcast. In one of the segements, Johnson talked about his rookie Finals run and playing against his idol Dr. Julius Erving. While reflecting on the out-of-the-world experience, Johnson harped on an equally unfathomable experience with Dr. J in college.?

Incidentally, before leaving Michigan State for the NBA, a young Johnson dialed Erving for advice. To his surprise, the Philadelphia 76ers legend did him one better and invited Johnson over the weekend to hang out. A limo ride to an extravagant mansion and sitting alongside his childhood idol left him in awe.

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While remembering the incident on the All the Smoke podcast, Johnson confessed, showing childlike elation, “Im sitting there in the living room, talking to him, and he’s talking to me, and I’m just zoning out. Like I can’t even believe it. I have always had doc’s on, but now Im with him, oh it was crazy man.”

It seemed the Lakers icon was reliving the most inspirational moment of his early years. His voice resonated with youthful delight as Magic recounted the experience.

Winning Finals MVP as a rookie

Coming into the NBA, Magic Johnson had already made a name for himself in the amateurs dueling against future Hall of Famer Larry Bird. Consequently, in the 1979 NBA draft, Johnson was drafted by the Lakers with the 1st overall pick; and as they say, the rest is history. Johnson brought forth glory in Hollywood, winning multiple championships over the next decade. However, he began this run with an All-time performance in the 1980 NBA Finals as a rookie against Julius Erving.

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The Lakers and the 76ers faced off in the 1980 NBA Finals. Due to an injury that sidelined MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson picked up the pieces and played center standing at 6’9”. Consequently, he put up one of the greatest Finals performances ever as a rookie and won the Finals MVP by willing the Lakers to the title against Erving and the 76ers.