Showtime Lakers

Uncommon card · No. 178294

In basketball, Showtime was an era in Los Angeles Lakers history from 1979–80 to 1990–91, during which the team became known for an up-tempo, run-and-gun style of play and a Hollywood-celebrity following at The Forum. Built around Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and later James Worthy, the Lakers relied on fast breaks, Johnson's passing, Abdul-Jabbar's half-court scoring, and a deep supporting cast that included Michael Cooper, Byron Scott, Kurt Rambis, A.C. Green, Jamaal Wilkes, Mychal Thompson, Norm Nixon and Bob McAdoo. The era began after Jerry Buss purchased the Lakers in 1979 and sought to combine winning basketball with the atmosphere of Los Angeles entertainment. Buss encouraged an up-tempo style, hired dancers and a live band for home games, and cultivated a celebrity courtside following that became closely associated with the team's image. Under head coaches Jack McKinney, Paul Westhead, and especially Pat Riley, the Lakers developed one of the NBA's defining dynasties of...

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