Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is in the Top 3 of most NBA fans' All-Time greatest lists. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was 37 years old, at this point in time, but you'll see how dominant he still was, in 1984. Kareem was 37 years old but he was leading the 84-85 Lakers in scoring, he was 6th in the NBA in FG%, and 8th in the NBA in blocks (heading in to this game). Kareem is most well known for his sky hook. Kareem had many counters to the sky hook, including left hand sky hooks, which is a technique that he employed during this contest. Kareem was unstoppable, and he was a tactician as a scorer! (Also a student of Bruce Lee).
These early career games where Michael Jordan took less than 15 shot attempts are fair to assume were games of acclimation. Despite not being widely regarded as the most skilled group, his teammates were still professional athletes who had pride & you could see hesitation, on the court, at times, with deferring leadership to a newcomer, even one with Jordan's burgeoning reputation. So, in the initial phase of his career, Michael had to proceed with caution, especially in the delicate dynamics of team hierarchy. Even though Michael Cooper played exceptional defense against MJ, this was truly a game where Jordan focused on facilitating the play and managing the offense. He was not aggressive. Even when other players defended Jordan, he looked to run the play that was called. As a rookie, Jordan was navigating the challenge of aligning his fierce competitive nature with the collective temperament of the team. Ball movement was encouraged (30:37). He would however put his foot on the gas pedal when his team needed him most, in this contest.
Imagine, you haven't even played 20 games in the NBA & you are tasked with defending the great Magic Johnson, in Los Angeles, as a rookie! Most legends would struggle with that early task, during a rookie season. Magic Johnson was Michael Jordan's assignment for most of this contest. And despite playing more tentative (early in his rookie campaign) than he'd play throughout his career, Jordan was already Top 5 in NBA Scoring, and had a reputation as one of the game's best 4th quarter players, before even playing in his 20th game. This would be a tough challenge for Air Jordan. Michael had his work cut out for him in this road contest. The Lakers came in to this game with a 4 game win streak against the Bulls dating back to early 1982.
The Hollywood crowd would not disappoint featuring some of the most wealthy and successful people from the Los Angeles area in attendance. Jack Nicholson was of course in the crowd, as you'd expect, for this contest. But did you know, just 2 nights prior, that Jack was in attendance at the Bulls vs Clippers game on November 30, 1984 at L.A. Sports Arena? That's right, Jack was in attendance at this Lakers game, but just 2 nights prior, Jack skipped a Lakers game, to watch Jordan play against the Clippers! ( • 1984 Rookie Michael Jo... ) Jack loves his Lakers, but he was front and center to watch Michael Jordan's career from the beginning to the end. Later on in Jordan's career, Jack would later appear courtside at games in Chicago, on numerous occasions. Jack's interest in Michael Jordan wasn't mutually exclusive to him though. Although Jack attending 2 of Jordan's first 20 basketball games, courtside, is perhaps the best celebrity story from Jordan's rookie season... as stated during this broadcast, 8 out of the first 13 road games during Michael Jordan's career, sold out, in 1984, when communications were slow & methodical compared to now. Jordan's exposure to the general public had only just begun but a box office trend was developing very early on.
Could you imagine a world where Rookie Michael Jordan defeated Magic Johnson & Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, in their own house? MJ could.
(1984-85 Season)
TIMESTAMPS: (Go to comments for full list of timestamps)
2:14 - Game Begins
5:33 - Michael Jordan 1 v 1 drive vs Michael Cooper
7:25 - Replay of Michael Jordan's drive vs future DPOY ('87) Michael Cooper
10:48 - Michael Jordan vs Michael Cooper (draws foul on McGee, free throw)
16:08 - Jack Nicholson in the crowd
17:24 - Michael Jordan crossover & drive vs Magic Johnson
18:31 - Replay of Michael Jordan crossover vs Magic Johnson & left handed layup
20:26 - Michael Jordan steals Magic Johnson entry pass to Kareem
20:31 - Michael Jordan transition hanging bank shot
23:48 - Jordan free throws
24:08 - Michael Jordan block on Michael Cooper
26:51 - Michael Jordan fouls Kareem
31:05 - Michael Jordan free throw
31:56 - Michael Jordan breaks up Magic Johnson fast break
33:02 - Michael Jordan jumper
34:22 - Michael Jordan attempted steal called foul vs Magic Johnson
38:18 - Michael Jordan offensive rebound and tough put back shot
41:32 - Michael Jordan draws Kareem away from Dave Corzine (layup)
45:08 - Michael Jordan clutch jumper
47:12 - Michael Jordan clutch jumper
49:02 - Michael Jordan denies entry pass to Kareem
51:44 - Game ends