'Winning Time' Episode 10: Why was Magic awarded MVP instead of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? Controversy explained
HBO's 'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty' finale saw the Los Angeles Lakers lift the coveted trophy. Magic Johnson (Quincy Isiah) proved that he was worth investing in as he delivered a scintillating performance in the 1980 NBA Finals Game 6 in the absence of another Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Solomon Hughes). Episode 10 titled 'Promised Land' focuses on Game 6 between the purple and gold and the Philadelphia 76ers.
With the series tied 2-2, the Lakers look to close out Dr J and his troops, only to see Abdul-Jabbar go down with a series-ending ankle injury, and stepping up was Magic. The finale also focuses on a still grieving Jerry Buss (John C Reilly), while Paul Westhead (Jason Segel) and Jack McKinney (Tracy Letts) make up after the latter was fired. Spencer Haywood's cocaine-fuelled rage and tragedy get some screentime as well. One of the key storylines however was the MVP discussion and the award involving Abdul-Jabbar and Magic.
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Magic Johnson for MVP? Breaking down the controversy
As controversial as it seemed, 'Promised Land' provides a true account of what happened in the aftermath of the Los Angeles Lakers winning the 1980 NBA Finals. It was revealed that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would be awarded MVP, however, David Stern tells Magic Johnson that he could take the award as their center was not in the game.
This is pretty much what happened in the real-life version as well where CBS pulled the move to switching finals MVP. The network had voters change their vote since they did not want to present the award to an empty seat. The changed votes saw Magic take a 4-3 count over his skipper, and although it was Kareem who deserved it from a statistical perspective, the trophy eventually went to Johnson.
"My not being there in Philadelphia to receive the trophy on camera was a major inconvenience as far as the television people were concerned," Abdul-Jabbar wrote in his biography, making it perfectly clear he only cared about winning the game. The star did not hold it against Johnson for the win, and explained: "the outcome was never a problem between Magic and me." The stunt CBS pulled was bad TV no doubt, but it surely couldn't dampen the achievements of the two players who had one stellar season.
'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty' will return with a new season. Meanwhile, for those who missed out, the complete season can be streamed on HBO Max.