Magic Johnson, Accused of Sending a Lakers Mainstay Into Unemployment, Left His Teammate in Disbelief and Opposing Him in 1981

The Los Angeles Lakers created a dynasty for themselves in the 80s. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar along with Magic Johnson and others created an unstoppable force in the NBA, which became an example to many. However, not all of it was smooth sailing and the purple and gold had to deal with a lot of turbulence to reach that level. Magic Johnson, a youngster at the time, was not really excited with the then-coach’s way of handling the team. The young Johnson decided to be honest in front of the whole world, and subsequently, coach Paul Westhead was let go.

The two events coincided with each other, and people were led to believe that Johnson was the reason for Westhead’s firing. Although Johnson’s feelings were reciprocated by his teammates, none dared to speak out in such a public manner.

Magic Johnson’s public statements against Westhead weren’t even supported by his teammates

The Lakers legend had a lot to say when the team was feeling frustrated under Paul Westhead in 1981. Johnson wished for the Lakers coach to create a fast-paced attack, but Westhead was rigid in his tactics.

The behavior by Westhead boiled over to the players and they felt uncomfortable dealing with the coach. It all boiled down to a certain moment after the Lakers’ 113-110 win over the Utah Jazz where Johnson publicly expressed his wish to get traded. 

Within the next 24 hours, Westhead was sacked and the NBA world was in shock of Johnson’s words. Even his own teammates couldn’t believe the sequence of events. According to a report in The Washington Post in 1981, Jamal Wilkes was clearly dumbfounded by what happened.

“There are a lot of guys here who might have said what Magic did,” said Wilkes. He further added, ” but they didn’t want to see Paul get fired. I couldn’t believe it was so public.”

The report also mentioned that Westhead cause anxiety among the players that led to an uncomfortable dressing room. His ways didn’t have any fans but as Wilkes said, no one would have dared to speak against the coach. 

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However, all seemed to turn out for the better, as the Lakers appointed Pat Riley as the new Lakers coach. It was a decision that turned the tide for the LA side, making them part of a legacy.

Pat Riley’s contributions to the Lakers’ domination

The Purple and Gold already had Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson as the best players in the league and Pat Riley provided the whole squad with confidence and vision.

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The Lakers alongside Pat Riley won four championships in the 80s, dominating the whole league. Riley was also a strict disciplinarian who made sure that the LA boys didn’t drown themselves in the parties of LA.