Magic Johnson, who knows a thing or two about closing out a series, has warned his Los Angeles Lakers team ahead of their closeout Game 5 against defending champion Golden State Warriors.
Laker Nation, Coach Darvin Ham has been doing a super job of getting our @Lakers ready to play in the first four games and making the right decisions and adjustments within the game. The Lakers have to be ready to play because of Golden State's Championship pedigree.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 10, 2023
The NBA legend said that Golden State's championship pedigree is not something to take lightly, and the Lakers must be locked in if they want to finish the series.
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Johnson also praised Lakers coach Darvin Ham's tactics and adjustments that enabled the Lakers to win three out of the first four games in the series.
The five-time champion also issued a similar statement following the Lakers' Game 4 victory. After praising Lonnie Walker IV's heroic performance, he reiterated that "the hardest thing to do is to close a team out like the World Champion Golden State Warriors."
I think I was calling for a guy?? Lol Lonnie Walker stepped up big and did not disappoint! The hardest thing to do is to close a team out like the World Champion Golden State Warriors.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 9, 2023
Magic Johnson: Laker Legend
It's no secret that Magic Johnson made a name for himself by delivering on closeout games for the Lakers. As a rookie, he played arguably the best game of his career in this situation.
With the Lakers having a chance to win the 1980 NBA title against the Sixers, but with superstar center and league MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar out with a sprained ankle in the clinching game, Johnson did his work.
The then-20-year-old started the game at center, playing all five positions as the game went on in a dominant performance. He eventually finished with 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists as the Lakers closed out the series and won the first title of their 1980s dynasty.
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