WEBVTT 00:00:06.089 --> 00:00:08.382 HOWARD COSELL: The National Basketball Association 00:00:08.383 --> 00:00:10.801 captured the sports headlines this week 00:00:10.802 --> 00:00:13.262 with the brouhaha in Los Angeles. 00:00:13.263 --> 00:00:16.641 On Wednesday, Lakers superstar Magic Johnson 00:00:16.642 --> 00:00:20.102 decided he was unhappy, demanded to be traded. 00:00:20.103 --> 00:00:21.479 REPORTER: The NBA leader in assists 00:00:21.480 --> 00:00:23.940 and the steals averaging 17 points a game 00:00:23.941 --> 00:00:25.650 demanded Wednesday night to be traded, 00:00:25.651 --> 00:00:27.818 if Paul Westhead remained as coach. 00:00:27.819 --> 00:00:31.697 - Well, Magic got his wish. Coach Paul Westhead was canned. 00:00:31.698 --> 00:00:33.866 - Paul Westhead has been fired as the coach 00:00:33.867 --> 00:00:36.494 of the Los Angeles Lakers after the team star, 00:00:36.495 --> 00:00:38.621 Magic Johnson, said he wanted to be traded. 00:00:38.622 --> 00:00:40.206 LETTERMAN: Paul Westhead, the people said 00:00:40.207 --> 00:00:41.541 that you might have been responsible 00:00:41.542 --> 00:00:43.084 for him leaving the organization. 00:00:43.085 --> 00:00:46.045 - All I asked was, "I want to be traded," 00:00:46.046 --> 00:00:49.382 and then all the other things came out. 00:00:49.383 --> 00:00:51.926 - I went on David Letterman, 00:00:51.927 --> 00:00:54.971 and I didn't want to continue to bash Coach Westhead. 00:00:54.972 --> 00:00:58.516 You know, I'm not that dude. I just wanted to move on. 00:00:58.517 --> 00:01:00.643 I wanted us to get back to our winning ways. 00:01:00.644 --> 00:01:03.229 I wanted us to get back to runnin' and gunnin', 00:01:03.230 --> 00:01:05.190 because we were not doing that. 00:01:06.400 --> 00:01:08.734 PAUL: It doesn't seem that long ago 00:01:08.735 --> 00:01:12.363 that we were running a World Championship. 00:01:12.364 --> 00:01:17.244 And I say adios to the people of Los Angeles. 00:01:18.495 --> 00:01:21.122 PAUL: It was my first time being fired. 00:01:21.123 --> 00:01:22.915 But I learned a long time ago 00:01:22.916 --> 00:01:25.585 that if someone's going to fire you, 00:01:25.586 --> 00:01:27.044 don't beg. 00:01:27.045 --> 00:01:31.632 PAUL: That's what you want, then...okay. 00:01:31.633 --> 00:01:35.720 KAREEM: It was gonna come down to Earvin or Paul. 00:01:35.721 --> 00:01:38.389 Paul couldn't do what Earvin did on the court. [laughs] 00:01:38.390 --> 00:01:42.894 So, you know, if the coach can't make... 00:01:44.104 --> 00:01:47.982 A very, very key player happy, 00:01:47.983 --> 00:01:50.360 we're not gonna win as many games as we could. 00:01:51.820 --> 00:01:53.739 And that-that's just the fact. 00:01:54.614 --> 00:02:00.036 BUSS: In the best interest of the entire Laker organization, 00:02:00.037 --> 00:02:06.292 we have appointed Jerry West as offensive coach. 00:02:06.293 --> 00:02:11.714 Pat Riley will stay as coach for the Lakers. 00:02:11.715 --> 00:02:14.175 - Well, first of all, I'd like to clear up one thing. 00:02:14.176 --> 00:02:16.469 I'm gonna be working for Pat Riley. 00:02:16.470 --> 00:02:19.013 And I feel that my response-- 00:02:19.014 --> 00:02:23.059 - With or for? - With and for Pat Riley. 00:02:23.060 --> 00:02:25.436 And I think my responsibility is to him, 00:02:25.437 --> 00:02:29.065 because I feel in my heart that he is the head coach. 00:02:29.066 --> 00:02:35.154 And hopefully my position here won't be a long-range position. 00:02:35.155 --> 00:02:37.657 PAT: Dr. Buss announced Jerry was gonna be the head coach. 00:02:37.658 --> 00:02:38.908 And then Jerry came up and said, 00:02:38.909 --> 00:02:40.326 "No, Pat's gonna be the head coach." 00:02:40.327 --> 00:02:42.078 And then I got up there and said, 00:02:42.079 --> 00:02:43.996 "Well, if nobody wants it. I'll take it, you know?" 00:02:43.997 --> 00:02:45.665 - Ed Arnold has been covering the story all day, 00:02:45.666 --> 00:02:48.167 is with the new coach-- Ed and Pat Riley, yes. 00:02:48.168 --> 00:02:49.460 - Well, Pat Riley is the new coach. 00:02:49.461 --> 00:02:51.003 Actually, there are two new coaches 00:02:51.004 --> 00:02:53.089 according to Dr. Jerry Buss, the owner of the team. 00:02:53.090 --> 00:02:54.715 One is Jerry West. 00:02:54.716 --> 00:02:56.425 The other one of course is Pat Riley, who's with me now. 00:02:56.426 --> 00:02:58.969 What will the status be between you and Jerry? 00:02:58.970 --> 00:03:02.682 - Well, right now, Eddie, because I'm familiar with, uh, 00:03:02.683 --> 00:03:04.392 you know, the total concept of the Laker team 00:03:04.393 --> 00:03:08.270 offensively and defensively, I will be in charge. 00:03:08.271 --> 00:03:11.273 Jerry will, uh, support me offensively 00:03:11.274 --> 00:03:13.651 in the suggestions and, uh, you know, 00:03:13.652 --> 00:03:16.404 in that capacity until a further date if there is one. 00:03:16.405 --> 00:03:19.699 - So at the press conference, my dad is explaining 00:03:19.700 --> 00:03:22.827 that Pat would be coaching defense 00:03:22.828 --> 00:03:25.496 and Jerry would be coaching the offense. 00:03:25.497 --> 00:03:30.084 But when Jerry West came in and contradicted my dad, 00:03:30.085 --> 00:03:33.045 my dad had to defer to Jerry West, 00:03:33.046 --> 00:03:37.425 therefore making him the shot caller in the organization. 00:03:37.426 --> 00:03:39.343 - I offered Jerry West the job, 00:03:39.344 --> 00:03:43.389 and I said, "You may use or not use Pat Riley 00:03:43.390 --> 00:03:46.058 "to whatever level you choose, 00:03:46.059 --> 00:03:48.811 "and I will hold you responsible 00:03:48.812 --> 00:03:50.563 "for the overall program. 00:03:50.564 --> 00:03:54.358 And in particular, I want you to improve our offense." 00:03:54.359 --> 00:03:56.819 Uh, after that, Jerry talked to Pat, 00:03:56.820 --> 00:03:58.154 the news conference was held, 00:03:58.155 --> 00:04:01.240 and he said, "Pat Riley will be the head coach." 00:04:01.241 --> 00:04:03.409 You see, with the authority that I gave him, 00:04:03.410 --> 00:04:05.411 he has the right to do that. 00:04:05.412 --> 00:04:07.872 My feeling is, "Jerry, you take this, 00:04:07.873 --> 00:04:09.623 "and you do what you think is right 00:04:09.624 --> 00:04:11.167 and what you think is best." 00:04:11.168 --> 00:04:12.543 If that's what he thinks is best, 00:04:12.544 --> 00:04:14.044 I have every faith in him. 00:04:14.045 --> 00:04:16.046 - So Pat Riley is running the ball club? 00:04:16.047 --> 00:04:18.382 - Uh...that's correct. 00:04:18.383 --> 00:04:21.260 - I don't think my dad was angry about it, 00:04:21.261 --> 00:04:23.053 but it definitely set a tone 00:04:23.054 --> 00:04:25.389 for their relationship going forward. 00:04:25.390 --> 00:04:29.477 You know, that's not how my dad would wanna be thought of, 00:04:29.478 --> 00:04:33.481 that he wasn't the sole decision maker. 00:04:33.482 --> 00:04:34.982 - Magic, if you disagree with Pat Riley 00:04:34.983 --> 00:04:38.152 as you did with Paul Westhead, would you ask to be traded? 00:04:38.153 --> 00:04:40.529 - Well, we'll just have to wait till that comes. 00:04:41.782 --> 00:04:44.200 I can't answer that now. How can I answer that? 00:04:44.201 --> 00:04:46.494 And like I said, I just wait till it come. 00:04:46.495 --> 00:04:48.829 REPORTER: Your thoughts on Pat Riley. 00:04:48.830 --> 00:04:50.414 - Well, uh, he's the coach now. 00:04:50.415 --> 00:04:51.832 He's the man I have to work for. 00:04:51.833 --> 00:04:53.542 I hope, uh, that things go smoothly. 00:04:53.543 --> 00:04:55.294 REPORTER: Think you'll have any problem at all 00:04:55.295 --> 00:04:57.296 with the players? - I don't think so. I hope not. 00:04:57.297 --> 00:04:58.756 Uh, you know, they're professionals, 00:04:58.757 --> 00:05:01.425 and, uh, you know, this day has come and gone. 00:05:01.426 --> 00:05:03.594 And tomorrow night they're playing against a team 00:05:03.595 --> 00:05:05.387 that beat them by 30 points last week. 00:05:05.388 --> 00:05:08.682 So I think their incentive is-is to play, and, uh, 00:05:08.683 --> 00:05:10.851 and I don't think I'll have any problems with them. 00:05:12.562 --> 00:05:14.230 PAT: One of the things about Dr. Buss 00:05:14.231 --> 00:05:17.733 is that he wanted the team to be a family. 00:05:17.734 --> 00:05:20.736 As much as we are together as a team, 00:05:20.737 --> 00:05:23.197 the only way you're ever gonna win is to be a family, 00:05:23.198 --> 00:05:27.744 is really be tight and to trust one another. 00:05:41.633 --> 00:05:43.384 ANNOUNCER: There he is. His first shot as an owner. 00:05:43.385 --> 00:05:45.386 ANNOUNCER: You think he likes it? 00:05:47.931 --> 00:05:50.350 BUSS: At this moment, I can't believe it. 00:05:51.769 --> 00:05:52.769 INTERVIEWER: What's the future? 00:05:52.770 --> 00:05:54.020 Want to replace your father 00:05:54.021 --> 00:05:56.022 at the top? - Yeah. 00:05:58.359 --> 00:06:00.026 BUSS: Between my daughters and my sons, 00:06:00.027 --> 00:06:02.862 there are certainly enough sports teams to go around. 00:06:06.700 --> 00:06:08.701 INTERVIEWER: Are you and the rest of the family, 00:06:08.702 --> 00:06:10.495 are you guys all on the same page? 00:06:12.081 --> 00:06:14.123 REPORTER: The Lakers, caught in the middle 00:06:14.124 --> 00:06:15.875 of a family power struggle. 00:06:20.130 --> 00:06:22.298 BUSS: I think I've really left them with something. 00:06:35.562 --> 00:06:38.064 MAGIC: My teammates didn't like 00:06:38.065 --> 00:06:40.149 that Dr. Buss and I were close, 00:06:40.150 --> 00:06:43.403 but what made life even worse than that 00:06:43.404 --> 00:06:47.281 is when he gave me the 25-year, $25-million contract. 00:06:47.282 --> 00:06:49.325 - 21-year-old Earvin Magic Johnson 00:06:49.326 --> 00:06:50.952 has just pulled off a trick 00:06:50.953 --> 00:06:53.955 that makes Harry Houdini look like a two-bit carnival act. 00:06:53.956 --> 00:06:55.623 The 6'8 guard who led the Lakers 00:06:55.624 --> 00:06:57.375 to a world championship finish his rookie season 00:06:57.376 --> 00:07:00.837 has signed a new contract. It is a whopper, folks. 00:07:00.838 --> 00:07:03.756 The two-year veteran will earn about $500 per hour 00:07:03.757 --> 00:07:07.802 based on a 40-hour work week for the next 25 years. 00:07:07.803 --> 00:07:09.387 That comes out to a nice, neat little sum 00:07:09.388 --> 00:07:11.472 of $25 million. 00:07:11.473 --> 00:07:13.641 It is the richest and the longest 00:07:13.642 --> 00:07:15.601 in professional sports history. 00:07:15.602 --> 00:07:18.980 - Magic came to me and said, "I would like to be a Laker 00:07:18.981 --> 00:07:20.898 "throughout my entire playing career. 00:07:20.899 --> 00:07:23.276 Could we sign a long-term contract?" 00:07:23.277 --> 00:07:25.444 I said, "Yes, we can." 00:07:25.445 --> 00:07:30.241 So you have to visualize what salaries will be at that time. 00:07:30.242 --> 00:07:32.118 And, uh, my guess is 00:07:32.119 --> 00:07:35.705 for a star of Magic's caliber at that time, 00:07:35.706 --> 00:07:37.957 the price will be a million dollars. 00:07:37.958 --> 00:07:41.669 So we signed him for a million dollars a year. 00:07:41.670 --> 00:07:43.796 - People were saying that Dr. Buss was crazy, 00:07:43.797 --> 00:07:46.132 because at that time, that-that kind of money 00:07:46.133 --> 00:07:49.094 goin' around the NBA was just--that was crazy. 00:07:50.053 --> 00:07:53.389 JOHNNY: Every owner in every league in America 00:07:53.390 --> 00:07:57.059 was upset at my father for starting this precedent. 00:07:57.060 --> 00:08:00.563 They were saying, "You're about to ruin sports." 00:08:00.564 --> 00:08:02.273 BUSS: What we wanted to do 00:08:02.274 --> 00:08:05.276 was work Magic into the front office 00:08:05.277 --> 00:08:08.237 after the basketball days are over. 00:08:08.238 --> 00:08:10.114 MAGIC: He said, "I'm gonna explain 00:08:10.115 --> 00:08:12.992 the Laker business to you, the real business." 00:08:12.993 --> 00:08:15.912 Took me through what season ticket holders mean, 00:08:15.913 --> 00:08:17.663 the TV contract mean. 00:08:17.664 --> 00:08:21.292 He just became a father figure and a mentor 00:08:21.293 --> 00:08:23.377 all at the same time. 00:08:23.378 --> 00:08:26.422 BUSS: Magic and I kind of feel that our fortunes 00:08:26.423 --> 00:08:30.176 will be tied together for the foreseeable future. 00:08:30.177 --> 00:08:32.428 - And then all hell broke loose. 00:08:35.390 --> 00:08:38.893 Kareem was mad. Like, "What? Wait a minute. 00:08:38.894 --> 00:08:41.855 Is he the player, or is he management now?" 00:08:42.397 --> 00:08:44.065 STEVEN: Kareem took it personally. 00:08:44.066 --> 00:08:46.275 He seemed absolutely upset. 00:08:46.276 --> 00:08:48.152 He referred to him as-- in the headline, 00:08:48.153 --> 00:08:49.529 I think it was a spoiled child. 00:08:49.530 --> 00:08:52.114 "If this guy's worth 25 million for 25 years, 00:08:52.115 --> 00:08:53.908 what am I worth?" kind of thing. 00:08:53.909 --> 00:08:55.409 He wasn't happy about it. 00:08:55.410 --> 00:08:58.329 DAVID: This was a contract that gave you everything 00:08:58.330 --> 00:09:01.374 in the State of California south of Ohio. 00:09:01.375 --> 00:09:03.751 Now did Kareem--was it true that he went into 00:09:03.752 --> 00:09:06.003 Jerry Buss' office and said, "What's the deal here?" 00:09:06.004 --> 00:09:07.755 - Well, he just wanted 00:09:07.756 --> 00:09:10.174 all the rest of California and Phoenix. 00:09:11.760 --> 00:09:14.720 - I just understood it in terms of it being, um, 00:09:14.721 --> 00:09:16.472 he was a key employee. 00:09:16.473 --> 00:09:18.933 You wanna keep him as long as you can. 00:09:18.934 --> 00:09:21.769 And, you know, I-I wasn't gonna get jealous. 00:09:21.770 --> 00:09:24.063 They weren't gonna give me 25 years. 00:09:24.064 --> 00:09:25.982 And they didn't-- 00:09:25.983 --> 00:09:29.443 they wouldn't wanna be paying me when I was 50. 00:09:31.530 --> 00:09:35.449 JAMAAL: The contract certainly represented their closeness, 00:09:35.450 --> 00:09:38.035 and it raised a question of, 00:09:38.036 --> 00:09:40.788 "Is he one of us or one of them?" 00:09:40.789 --> 00:09:44.543 - Whew, man. It was like nobody liked me. 00:09:46.253 --> 00:09:49.088 "Don't speak to him. Don't say nothing to him. 00:09:49.089 --> 00:09:52.174 Uh...we wanna see what he's made of." 00:09:52.175 --> 00:09:53.593 All that, man. 00:09:53.594 --> 00:09:56.262 It's like I didn't have a friend in the world. 00:09:56.263 --> 00:09:59.098 Matter of fact, they had a meeting about it. 00:10:01.310 --> 00:10:04.770 And they came to me and said, 00:10:04.771 --> 00:10:07.148 "Earvin, you know, it's a unwritten rule. 00:10:07.149 --> 00:10:09.692 You can't be close with the owner." 00:10:09.693 --> 00:10:12.236 And I said, "Well, I don't care 00:10:12.237 --> 00:10:14.030 "about no unwritten rule. 00:10:14.031 --> 00:10:17.199 "I'm going to be close with Dr. Buss, 00:10:17.200 --> 00:10:19.702 and you guys can't make me stop." 00:10:19.703 --> 00:10:22.288 JAMAAL: If we're talking in the locker room or the shower 00:10:22.289 --> 00:10:23.831 and, you know, we're talking 00:10:23.832 --> 00:10:26.500 about what players talk about off the record, 00:10:26.501 --> 00:10:28.669 is he gonna go back and report it to management? 00:10:28.670 --> 00:10:29.754 - You can't go out to dinner with the owner 00:10:29.755 --> 00:10:31.213 three nights in a row 00:10:31.214 --> 00:10:33.007 and then come sit in the locker room with everybody. 00:10:33.008 --> 00:10:34.216 PERSON: Well, that's what Magic did. 00:10:34.217 --> 00:10:37.762 - And everybody was like this. [chuckles] 00:10:37.763 --> 00:10:39.805 - Now, wait a minute. 00:10:39.806 --> 00:10:43.768 I never told Dr. Buss one story 00:10:43.769 --> 00:10:47.980 about any story that I heard on the bus, 00:10:47.981 --> 00:10:50.107 on the plane, in the locker room, 00:10:50.108 --> 00:10:52.818 and then when we're out at a nightclub partying. 00:10:52.819 --> 00:10:57.114 I never said anything to Dr. Buss about your life, 00:10:57.115 --> 00:10:59.075 my life, my private life. 00:10:59.076 --> 00:11:02.620 Never. Matter of fact, he's never asked me. 00:11:02.621 --> 00:11:04.789 - Whether you're talking to the owner or not, 00:11:04.790 --> 00:11:06.916 it would be perceived that way. 00:11:06.917 --> 00:11:09.335 You know, that's a very thin line. 00:11:09.336 --> 00:11:11.087 - And we walked out. I said, "Listen, man. 00:11:11.088 --> 00:11:14.423 I'm here to play basketball. I'm here to win." 00:11:14.424 --> 00:11:16.425 - I didn't get involved in those kinds of discussions. 00:11:16.426 --> 00:11:18.094 They didn't ask me what I thought about 00:11:18.095 --> 00:11:19.845 what somebody should get paid, 00:11:19.846 --> 00:11:21.889 and so my thing was always about, 00:11:21.890 --> 00:11:23.308 "How do we keep this together?" 00:11:29.439 --> 00:11:30.898 JAMAAL: Coach Riley had been a player. 00:11:30.899 --> 00:11:32.525 He'd been in the booth. He had been around. 00:11:32.526 --> 00:11:34.819 So we all had a relationship with him. 00:11:34.820 --> 00:11:36.987 It wasn't like he was a stranger. 00:11:36.988 --> 00:11:41.158 KURT: Pat Riley came in, and he was like one of us. 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:43.786 We'd hang out in bars after games and drink. 00:11:43.787 --> 00:11:45.663 He was just like one of the players. 00:11:45.664 --> 00:11:48.666 PAT: Well, I was with Kurt, 'cause he's an alcoholic. 00:11:50.585 --> 00:11:51.962 No, he wasn't. 00:11:53.672 --> 00:11:55.840 Now I'm a real coach... [laughs] okay? 00:11:55.841 --> 00:11:57.007 Here's what coaches do. 00:11:57.008 --> 00:11:59.468 They stand up and they yell and scream. 00:11:59.469 --> 00:12:02.138 And they wave their arms all over the place, 00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:03.514 and they put fingers in the air or two up, 00:12:03.515 --> 00:12:06.517 one up, three up, whatever it. Fist up. 00:12:06.518 --> 00:12:09.979 And I can remember Magic one time looking over to me, 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:12.356 and he just waved me off. 00:12:12.357 --> 00:12:14.108 I talked to him in the next day at practice, 00:12:14.109 --> 00:12:16.986 and he said, "Coach, we love you to death, man." 00:12:16.987 --> 00:12:18.821 He said, "But could you just sit down? 00:12:18.822 --> 00:12:20.990 Just sit down a little bit." 00:12:20.991 --> 00:12:23.660 He said, "I got this. We got this." 00:12:24.786 --> 00:12:27.246 After talking to Magic, I sat down too much, 00:12:27.247 --> 00:12:29.039 and then I wasn't doing anything. 00:12:29.040 --> 00:12:32.169 And then we had somewhat of a spell where we're losing. 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:36.464 Dr. Buss called me in 00:12:36.465 --> 00:12:38.549 and didn't talk about basketball or anything. 00:12:38.550 --> 00:12:40.426 Talked about his family, his background, 00:12:40.427 --> 00:12:43.554 where he's from, all this stuff, asked about me. 00:12:43.555 --> 00:12:45.639 And then at the end he's, "Pat, just coach. 00:12:45.640 --> 00:12:49.351 "Just be a coach, you know? And don't worry about it. 00:12:49.352 --> 00:12:52.480 Don't be afraid of whatever. Go out there and coach." 00:12:52.481 --> 00:12:54.148 ANNOUNCER: And now the starting lineup 00:12:54.149 --> 00:12:56.233 of the Los Angeles Lakers. 00:12:56.234 --> 00:12:58.778 PAT: The Lakers had a struggle last year. 00:12:58.779 --> 00:13:01.238 We lost our World Championship, 00:13:01.239 --> 00:13:02.948 but we're going to get it back. 00:13:02.949 --> 00:13:05.034 ANNOUNCER: Head coach, Pat Riley. 00:13:05.035 --> 00:13:07.620 KURT: Everybody loved him, everybody loved the situation 00:13:07.621 --> 00:13:09.330 that he had brought to the team 00:13:09.331 --> 00:13:12.583 and the freedom that he kind of recreated. 00:13:12.584 --> 00:13:14.210 He opened up the gates again. 00:13:14.211 --> 00:13:15.503 Said, "You know, we're gonna run. 00:13:15.504 --> 00:13:17.087 I'm gonna trust you guys." 00:13:17.088 --> 00:13:19.381 SPORTSCASTER: Right side, in deep, bank of... 00:13:19.382 --> 00:13:21.550 ANNOUNCER: Having to ply your craft at the Forum 00:13:21.551 --> 00:13:25.095 in Los Angeles is a difficult task for any coach. 00:13:25.096 --> 00:13:26.639 After all, they're used to winners here, 00:13:26.640 --> 00:13:29.141 and it's Hollywood, so you have to put on a show. 00:13:29.142 --> 00:13:31.101 How well has Pat Riley done? 00:13:31.102 --> 00:13:33.312 Well, the record speaks for itself. 00:13:33.313 --> 00:13:34.939 NORM: We started playing happy again. 00:13:34.940 --> 00:13:36.440 We got back into our system 00:13:36.441 --> 00:13:40.277 and playing the style of play that we played in 1980. 00:13:42.072 --> 00:13:44.949 MITCH: I signed as a free agent with the Lakers in 1981, 00:13:44.950 --> 00:13:49.203 and I got hurt, like, the end of December, my first year. 00:13:49.204 --> 00:13:50.496 ANNOUNCER: Left side of Magic. Down the middle of Kupchak. 00:13:50.497 --> 00:13:53.040 Kupchak runs over a man. Kupchak's hurt. 00:13:53.041 --> 00:13:55.334 - Joe "Jellybean" Bryant steps in front of me 00:13:55.335 --> 00:13:56.585 to draw a charge, 00:13:56.586 --> 00:14:00.089 and I planted my left foot to try to stop. 00:14:00.090 --> 00:14:01.840 You know, I never felt anything like that. 00:14:01.841 --> 00:14:03.926 So I knew something was really wrong, 00:14:03.927 --> 00:14:05.177 and I missed close to two years. 00:14:05.178 --> 00:14:07.054 REPORTER: What's it feel like to have to spend 00:14:07.055 --> 00:14:08.639 Christmas day in a hospital? 00:14:08.640 --> 00:14:10.641 - Well, it's not the best possible situation 00:14:10.642 --> 00:14:11.892 for me to be in, 00:14:11.893 --> 00:14:14.311 but it was a way for me to get my parents 00:14:14.312 --> 00:14:16.605 to stay out here for a couple extra days. 00:14:16.606 --> 00:14:19.024 Dr. Buss stood by me when I got injured, 00:14:19.025 --> 00:14:22.653 and not only that, he hired me as a scout. 00:14:22.654 --> 00:14:25.656 BOB: Mitch Kupchak tore his knee up, 00:14:25.657 --> 00:14:30.119 and they needed another power forward type/center. 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:31.620 And I was out there. 00:14:31.621 --> 00:14:33.414 REPORTER: On Christmas Eve, 1981, 00:14:33.415 --> 00:14:36.584 Bob McAdoo is asked to sign up with the LA Lakers. 00:14:36.585 --> 00:14:38.752 REPORTER: McAdoo was the league's most valuable player 00:14:38.753 --> 00:14:41.505 in 1975, the league's scoring champ three times, 00:14:41.506 --> 00:14:43.215 and he owns a career scoring average 00:14:43.216 --> 00:14:45.467 of 26.4 points per game. 00:14:45.468 --> 00:14:48.554 - I had done everything individually that a player 00:14:48.555 --> 00:14:50.139 could do in the league. 00:14:50.140 --> 00:14:51.808 I needed a championship. 00:14:53.230 --> 00:14:55.731 the former MVP, former scoring leader. 00:14:55.732 --> 00:14:58.109 And he's there for one reason. He wants a ring. 00:14:58.110 --> 00:14:59.902 And then you've got Kurt Rambis. 00:14:59.903 --> 00:15:02.488 And he was just there because he wanted to play basketball. 00:15:02.489 --> 00:15:04.782 KURT: We were in Indiana. 00:15:04.783 --> 00:15:06.534 I'm a rookie. I'm not playing. 00:15:06.535 --> 00:15:09.078 I'm just hanging out, watching the game, and stuff like that. 00:15:09.079 --> 00:15:12.414 And Riley points down at the end of the bench and goes, 00:15:12.415 --> 00:15:17.002 "You. Yeah, you. Get in." 00:15:17.003 --> 00:15:20.756 And I went in and focused on defense and rebounding, 00:15:20.757 --> 00:15:22.550 and I did a good job 00:15:22.551 --> 00:15:24.426 and ended up starting the rest of the year. 00:15:24.427 --> 00:15:26.387 ANNOUNCER: Starting at forward in his first year 00:15:26.388 --> 00:15:30.516 from Santa Clara, number 31, Kurt Rambis. 00:15:30.517 --> 00:15:32.560 ANNOUNCER: They've shot to the lead of the Pacific Division 00:15:32.561 --> 00:15:33.769 in just two months. 00:15:33.770 --> 00:15:36.397 The brand of basketball is exciting. 00:15:36.398 --> 00:15:38.232 Whatever the Lakers didn't do for Westhead 00:15:38.233 --> 00:15:40.609 they're doing now for their new head coach. 00:15:40.610 --> 00:15:43.154 JEANIE: I'll never forget the day, I said, "Hey, Riles." 00:15:43.155 --> 00:15:45.114 And he stopped me and he said, 00:15:45.115 --> 00:15:49.786 "Gotta start calling me Coach. I'm Coach now." 00:15:51.163 --> 00:15:55.624 We saw him transform and take on that leadership role. 00:15:55.625 --> 00:15:57.543 - That's when he went with the haircuts 00:15:57.544 --> 00:15:59.420 and the suits and everything, 00:15:59.421 --> 00:16:01.755 and he started looking more like a mafia don 00:16:01.756 --> 00:16:04.216 than a basketball coach. [laughs] 00:16:04.217 --> 00:16:06.969 - Riley's look was so iconic 00:16:06.970 --> 00:16:09.889 that multiple people stole it for movies. 00:16:09.890 --> 00:16:12.683 Kurt Russell steals Pat's look. 00:16:12.684 --> 00:16:15.769 Michael Douglas steals Pat's look. 00:16:15.770 --> 00:16:18.230 - Before that, he looked like a hippie, 00:16:18.231 --> 00:16:20.774 and I don't mean that disrespectfully. 00:16:20.775 --> 00:16:22.360 I mean that respectfully. 00:16:23.612 --> 00:16:25.946 NORM: The money was different. He can afford suits now. 00:16:25.947 --> 00:16:29.326 You know, he was the coach of Showtime Lakers. 00:16:30.660 --> 00:16:32.870 He's been handed a championship team, 00:16:32.871 --> 00:16:36.415 and all he has to do is just get on the backs and ride it. 00:16:36.416 --> 00:16:39.793 STEVEN: He was like a cowboy who turned his horse loose 00:16:39.794 --> 00:16:40.794 and let him romp through the meadows. 00:16:40.795 --> 00:16:42.504 They got their game back. 00:16:42.505 --> 00:16:44.757 They got their ability to do the fast break back. 00:16:44.758 --> 00:16:46.300 They got showtime back, and they-- 00:16:46.301 --> 00:16:48.928 so they were just thrilled to play for him. 00:16:51.389 --> 00:16:53.807 JULIUS: '82, we were representing 00:16:53.808 --> 00:16:56.685 the Eastern Conference again. 00:16:56.686 --> 00:16:58.896 I'm not gonna say that we were overconfident, 00:16:58.897 --> 00:17:00.648 under-confident, or anything. 00:17:00.649 --> 00:17:03.651 We just know that, you know, 00:17:03.652 --> 00:17:05.945 we were trying to climb a mountain. 00:17:05.946 --> 00:17:07.696 ANNOUNCER: Welcome to game one 00:17:07.697 --> 00:17:09.406 of the NBA World Championship Series. 00:17:09.407 --> 00:17:12.201 The Lakers against the 76ers. 00:17:12.202 --> 00:17:14.119 And it promises perhaps to be 00:17:14.120 --> 00:17:17.206 the fastest-paced championship series of all time. 00:17:17.207 --> 00:17:19.750 - Jerry, no man in the history of sports 00:17:19.751 --> 00:17:21.418 has ever purchased a franchise 00:17:21.419 --> 00:17:24.838 and reached the championship round two out of three years. 00:17:24.839 --> 00:17:26.173 - Ah, that pleases me very well. 00:17:26.174 --> 00:17:27.675 Now we just gotta win it, Chick. 00:17:27.676 --> 00:17:29.635 - Well, you've got the ingredients to win it. 00:17:29.636 --> 00:17:30.886 I think that you'll have to say that. 00:17:30.887 --> 00:17:34.098 - In 1982, the Lakers and the 76ers met again. 00:17:34.099 --> 00:17:37.560 And, uh, this time, I didn't see it as an even match. 00:17:37.561 --> 00:17:39.061 ANNOUNCER: This is a lightning-fast team, 00:17:39.062 --> 00:17:41.230 maybe the best fast break team of all time. 00:17:41.231 --> 00:17:43.190 I'm talking about the Lakers. - Rambis to Nixon... 00:17:43.191 --> 00:17:44.733 over the shoulder pass to Rambis. 00:17:44.734 --> 00:17:46.277 On to Wilkes! 00:17:46.278 --> 00:17:48.279 STEVEN: It was still a tough series to win six games, 00:17:48.280 --> 00:17:50.406 but you never had the feeling they were gonna lose. 00:17:50.407 --> 00:17:52.366 ANNOUNCER: Number six. 00:17:52.367 --> 00:17:55.452 Lakers lead three games to two. 00:17:55.453 --> 00:18:00.040 - All the press was Julius Erving getting a championship. 00:18:00.041 --> 00:18:01.125 And I said to myself, 00:18:01.126 --> 00:18:03.419 "He'll get this over my dead body." 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:04.837 And I meant it. 00:18:07.132 --> 00:18:09.633 JULIUS: He was probably very hungry...[laughing] 00:18:09.634 --> 00:18:11.135 for a title. 00:18:11.136 --> 00:18:15.723 So we gave Bob McAdoo his appropriate respect. 00:18:15.724 --> 00:18:17.641 ANNOUNCER: At the other end is Erving. 00:18:17.642 --> 00:18:20.394 Here comes a long pass. He's got it. He's underneath. 00:18:20.395 --> 00:18:22.688 He has a block by McAdoo from behind. 00:18:22.689 --> 00:18:25.357 McAdoo blocked the shot to Cooper to Wilkes. 00:18:25.358 --> 00:18:27.985 Wilkes all the way to Kareem. Slam dunk. 00:18:29.237 --> 00:18:30.738 NORM: Riley just... 00:18:30.739 --> 00:18:33.699 rode that thing to a championship, man. 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:36.327 ANNOUNCER: Three. Two. One. 00:18:36.328 --> 00:18:38.704 The Lakers are the World Champions! 00:18:52.927 --> 00:18:55.095 BRANDON: Congratulations. Fantastic job. 00:18:55.096 --> 00:18:56.472 PAT: I'll tell you what, Brandon. 00:18:56.473 --> 00:18:58.223 The players deserve all the credit, 00:18:58.224 --> 00:19:00.100 because they're the ones that play. 00:19:00.101 --> 00:19:01.852 They trusted me early in the season 00:19:01.853 --> 00:19:03.646 when I didn't know what I was doing, 00:19:03.647 --> 00:19:04.980 and we've come a long way. 00:19:04.981 --> 00:19:07.107 BRANDON: When did this team start to believe 00:19:07.108 --> 00:19:08.400 in your leadership? 00:19:08.401 --> 00:19:10.319 PAT: Well, I just think they believed in themselves. 00:19:10.320 --> 00:19:12.988 I always thought they just started throwing a little bit. 00:19:12.989 --> 00:19:14.740 Hit him. Right here. Doing it! 00:19:14.741 --> 00:19:17.409 Thank you, Brandon. Thank you, everyone. 00:19:17.410 --> 00:19:18.994 - Congratulations. Let's grab-- 00:19:18.995 --> 00:19:20.412 ANNOUNCER: The Lakers have won two of the last three. 00:19:20.413 --> 00:19:21.914 So, Larry, 00:19:21.915 --> 00:19:24.166 make the presentation to Jerry Buss here on a big day. 00:19:26.378 --> 00:19:29.380 BUSS: Larry, I'm going to accept this trophy 00:19:29.381 --> 00:19:32.675 on behalf of the fans of the Lakers. 00:19:32.676 --> 00:19:38.347 I know there are millions and millions and millions of fans 00:19:38.348 --> 00:19:41.809 who watched this game tonight, and wherever you are, 00:19:41.810 --> 00:19:46.522 I want you to know the team won it for you, the fans. 00:19:46.523 --> 00:19:48.441 Thank you very much. 00:19:56.074 --> 00:19:59.451 KAREEM: Being able to win two championships in three years 00:19:59.452 --> 00:20:01.203 is really gratifying. 00:20:01.204 --> 00:20:03.747 To see the whole city come together, 00:20:03.748 --> 00:20:06.959 Spanish language theater downtown 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:09.294 is congratulating us in Spanish, 00:20:09.295 --> 00:20:12.005 Chinatown, 00:20:12.006 --> 00:20:14.717 all the different ethnic enclaves. 00:20:14.718 --> 00:20:16.803 They all seem to be Laker fans. 00:20:18.430 --> 00:20:23.016 TODD: L. A. is a city where, you know, 00:20:23.017 --> 00:20:26.520 as Wu-Tang would say form like Voltron, right? 00:20:26.521 --> 00:20:29.106 I mean, so you have, like, all these different cities, 00:20:29.107 --> 00:20:31.567 different communities, different areas 00:20:31.568 --> 00:20:36.196 that are in many ways their own unique entity. 00:20:36.197 --> 00:20:39.992 What the Lakers do is, with their success, 00:20:39.993 --> 00:20:41.493 they're able to help 00:20:41.494 --> 00:20:46.541 create a more cohesive sense of the city. 00:20:47.959 --> 00:20:49.168 FLEA: When I moved to L. A., 00:20:49.169 --> 00:20:51.336 my high school was like a third white, 00:20:51.337 --> 00:20:54.423 a third Black, a third Latino, 10% Asian. 00:20:54.424 --> 00:20:56.216 And everyone had different music they liked. 00:20:56.217 --> 00:20:58.719 But everybody loved Earth, Wind & Fire. 00:20:58.720 --> 00:21:00.512 The music was transcendent. 00:21:00.513 --> 00:21:03.682 And with basketball and with the Lakers, 00:21:03.683 --> 00:21:07.102 it felt the same way is that gave me that feeling. 00:21:07.103 --> 00:21:08.771 BUSS: We wanted to put on a show. 00:21:08.772 --> 00:21:10.439 We wanted to entertain the people. 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:14.485 We wanted it to be very indigenous to Los Angeles. 00:21:14.486 --> 00:21:17.654 And the Lakers do have the personality of Los Angeles. 00:21:17.655 --> 00:21:19.323 - Oh, yeah. It's real. Don't come off. 00:21:19.324 --> 00:21:20.991 Yeah, I figured, well, 00:21:20.992 --> 00:21:22.451 the Lakers can't win championships forever, 00:21:22.452 --> 00:21:24.829 but I can keep their memory on my arm forever. 00:21:27.290 --> 00:21:28.957 PERSON: You know when you're here in L. A. 00:21:28.958 --> 00:21:30.375 and you want to entertain yourself, 00:21:30.376 --> 00:21:33.295 you'll go to a concert, you'll go to a Dodger game, 00:21:33.296 --> 00:21:34.963 you'll go to the race tracks. 00:21:34.964 --> 00:21:36.924 What he loves is that all the people that he's admired 00:21:36.925 --> 00:21:39.176 all his life, when they want to entertain themself, 00:21:39.177 --> 00:21:40.844 they come here to the Forum. 00:21:40.845 --> 00:21:42.346 ANNOUNCER: Jerry Buss not only bought himself 00:21:42.347 --> 00:21:45.641 some well-known numbers, he bought some fancy company. 00:21:45.642 --> 00:21:47.893 The Forum may be in Englewood 00:21:47.894 --> 00:21:50.437 and the team names may say Los Angeles, 00:21:50.438 --> 00:21:52.898 but some nights, it's all Hollywood 00:21:52.899 --> 00:21:56.693 JEANIE: Laker games were known to have celebrities. 00:21:56.694 --> 00:21:59.112 JAMAAL: And not just a game every now and then. 00:21:59.113 --> 00:22:00.781 They were there all the time. 00:22:00.782 --> 00:22:02.616 They may have been stars in Hollywood, 00:22:02.617 --> 00:22:05.118 but for two hours, they were Laker fans. 00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:06.495 Pure and simple. 00:22:06.496 --> 00:22:08.956 - What they say? Celebrities watching celebrities. 00:22:11.668 --> 00:22:13.252 - The NBA bought into it too. 00:22:13.253 --> 00:22:15.629 Because here you are, you got a team that's in Hollywood, 00:22:15.630 --> 00:22:17.422 and all these big stars at the game. 00:22:17.423 --> 00:22:20.259 And this team played this fast-paced kind of game. 00:22:20.260 --> 00:22:22.594 It fit the whole narrative, you know. 00:22:22.595 --> 00:22:25.639 What he was trying to create-- his persona. 00:22:25.640 --> 00:22:27.516 JAMAAL: He was made for it, you know. 00:22:27.517 --> 00:22:31.895 I mean, he was the ringleader, and he thoroughly enjoyed it. 00:22:31.896 --> 00:22:33.564 And we watched him enjoy it, 00:22:33.565 --> 00:22:34.898 and we enjoyed watching him enjoy it. 00:22:34.899 --> 00:22:36.358 You know what I mean? 00:22:36.359 --> 00:22:37.985 And he enjoyed watching us enjoy it. 00:22:37.986 --> 00:22:40.279 I mean, it was that kind of thing. 00:22:40.280 --> 00:22:44.324 - He became... this overnight celebrity. 00:22:47.370 --> 00:22:50.873 PERSON: And then he created the Forum Club. 00:22:50.874 --> 00:22:54.167 MAGIC: I gotta have a spot after the game 00:22:54.168 --> 00:22:56.503 that everybody want to get in. 00:22:56.504 --> 00:22:58.548 I'ma create the Forum Club. 00:23:00.466 --> 00:23:02.092 JEANIE: He was going to games every night. 00:23:02.093 --> 00:23:04.595 So instead of saying, "Hey, tonight we're going out 00:23:04.596 --> 00:23:07.222 to this restaurant or out to this club," 00:23:07.223 --> 00:23:10.058 it was now at the Forum. 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:11.768 NORM: All those people you saw on the floor, 00:23:11.769 --> 00:23:14.354 they would be in the Forum Club after the game. 00:23:14.355 --> 00:23:15.772 - That was the place to be. 00:23:15.773 --> 00:23:19.234 You know, I was upset when I missed it, you know? 00:23:19.235 --> 00:23:21.987 JEANIE: My dad would take the center table 00:23:21.988 --> 00:23:24.406 that everybody could see if they walked by, 00:23:24.407 --> 00:23:28.410 and he made sure that his table was full of celebrities. 00:23:28.411 --> 00:23:30.329 - It was like the Roman Empire, okay? 00:23:30.330 --> 00:23:33.332 You'd walk into the left, and there was a big dinner. 00:23:33.333 --> 00:23:37.878 - I got so many calls from so many athletes, celebrities. 00:23:37.879 --> 00:23:40.297 "Hey, you think you can talk to Dr. Buss 00:23:40.298 --> 00:23:42.925 that I can sit at his table for dinner?" 00:23:44.594 --> 00:23:47.429 JOHN: We didn't have curfew at any other city except L. A. 00:23:47.430 --> 00:23:50.641 and for good reason. 00:23:50.642 --> 00:23:52.142 You hurry up, took a shower, 00:23:52.143 --> 00:23:55.896 and you went up the back stairways to the Forum Club. 00:23:55.897 --> 00:23:57.898 I probably did the fastest shower I've ever took. 00:23:57.899 --> 00:24:00.233 I think I got my hand wet. 00:24:00.248 --> 00:24:03.084 That's the second-best place on Earth to be 00:24:03.085 --> 00:24:04.435 other than the Playboy Mansion. 00:24:04.516 --> 00:24:06.892 - When you looked at our team back then, 00:24:06.893 --> 00:24:10.813 everybody was married except for me and Magic. 00:24:10.911 --> 00:24:12.828 - One night I'd like to be single. 00:24:15.123 --> 00:24:17.208 INTERVIEWER: Was cocaine all up in the Forum Club 00:24:17.209 --> 00:24:18.459 to your knowledge? 00:24:18.460 --> 00:24:20.628 ROB: There was the Forum Club, 00:24:20.629 --> 00:24:24.882 and then there was the Press Lounge. 00:24:24.883 --> 00:24:28.719 The real action went on in the Press Lounge, to be truthful. 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:30.471 There was a guy, 00:24:30.472 --> 00:24:32.890 and I was always very happy that he was there. 00:24:32.891 --> 00:24:35.017 - Oh, well, one thing, uh, I can tell you for sure, 00:24:35.018 --> 00:24:36.853 it wasn't me. 00:24:39.356 --> 00:24:40.773 - The Lakers, the Kings, the Forum, 00:24:40.774 --> 00:24:43.526 you know, the family-- everything's going right. 00:24:43.527 --> 00:24:45.904 Our lives had totally changed. 00:24:48.365 --> 00:24:49.782 JEANIE: Selling tickets-- 00:24:49.783 --> 00:24:53.702 that was just to gain the first experience. 00:24:53.703 --> 00:24:55.746 Then he would try to find 00:24:55.747 --> 00:24:59.250 a place for you that would fit your personality. 00:24:59.251 --> 00:25:01.835 - He wanted to be just like the Kennedys, you know, 00:25:01.836 --> 00:25:05.005 and he wanted to see his children 00:25:05.006 --> 00:25:07.216 take over the business. 00:25:09.261 --> 00:25:12.596 BUSS: At some time in the future, I will retire. 00:25:12.597 --> 00:25:15.516 And, uh, I would like to continue 00:25:15.517 --> 00:25:18.227 to operate the Forum as a family business. 00:25:18.228 --> 00:25:20.187 But they're going to need experience in order 00:25:20.188 --> 00:25:22.982 to direct something the size of the Forum 00:25:22.983 --> 00:25:24.900 and the Lakers and the Kings. 00:25:24.901 --> 00:25:27.236 [energetic music] 00:25:27.237 --> 00:25:29.947 - So I want to introduce you to 19-year-old general manager 00:25:29.948 --> 00:25:31.824 of the Los Angeles Strings, Jeanie Buss. 00:25:31.825 --> 00:25:33.784 She's the daughter of Forum, Kings, 00:25:33.785 --> 00:25:35.786 Lakers owner, Jerry Buss. 00:25:35.787 --> 00:25:38.372 And, Jeanie, you're gonna be a junior at USC 00:25:38.373 --> 00:25:39.915 majoring in business administration. 00:25:39.916 --> 00:25:41.417 So let me ask you a business or finance question. 00:25:41.418 --> 00:25:43.544 How is Team Tennis going financially this year? 00:25:43.545 --> 00:25:45.212 - It's going pretty well. 00:25:45.213 --> 00:25:48.299 I stand to lose a little bit, but not as much as my dad lost 00:25:48.300 --> 00:25:50.634 in the first time with Team Tennis. 00:25:50.635 --> 00:25:51.760 - Martina is playing Billy-- 00:25:51.761 --> 00:25:54.013 JEANIE: Prior to my dad buying the Lakers, 00:25:54.014 --> 00:25:57.517 he owned a team in World Team Tennis. 00:25:59.019 --> 00:26:01.937 When he asked if I wanted to run the team, 00:26:01.938 --> 00:26:04.940 I was like, "Of course, yes. Yeah." 00:26:04.941 --> 00:26:07.443 And I said, "This is great. Now I can quit school." 00:26:07.444 --> 00:26:09.987 And he said, "No, no, no, no. No." 00:26:09.988 --> 00:26:12.031 It's like, "You have to go to school, 00:26:12.032 --> 00:26:13.741 "and you can have the job. 00:26:13.742 --> 00:26:17.245 But if you--you can't take the job and quit school." 00:26:18.830 --> 00:26:20.623 CLAIRE: Jerry believed 00:26:20.624 --> 00:26:24.293 that you should throw people into the pool, 00:26:24.294 --> 00:26:28.380 and if they can swim, they survive. 00:26:28.381 --> 00:26:32.801 And I felt...sorry for them, 00:26:32.802 --> 00:26:35.846 because they were thrown into things 00:26:35.847 --> 00:26:39.184 that they didn't understand. 00:26:42.270 --> 00:26:45.856 JOHNNY: My dad called me, and he says, "You know, 00:26:45.857 --> 00:26:49.693 the funniest thing happened. I get a call from the MISL," 00:26:49.694 --> 00:26:52.529 which is Major Indoor Soccer League, 00:26:52.530 --> 00:26:57.076 "And they want us to field a team in Los Angeles." 00:26:57.077 --> 00:26:59.119 REPORTER: This is son John Buss. 00:26:59.120 --> 00:27:01.205 He's the president of the Los Angeles Lasers, 00:27:01.206 --> 00:27:02.873 an indoor soccer team. 00:27:02.874 --> 00:27:05.042 JOHNNY: My dad said, "Johnny, you take over the Lasers. 00:27:05.043 --> 00:27:07.544 You do what needs to be done." 00:27:07.545 --> 00:27:08.629 And I rarely, 00:27:08.630 --> 00:27:10.506 maybe once or twice a year, 00:27:10.507 --> 00:27:12.925 ever talk to him about the business 00:27:12.926 --> 00:27:14.969 of the Indoor Soccer League. 00:27:16.137 --> 00:27:17.513 JANIE: Johnny's the oldest, 00:27:17.514 --> 00:27:20.974 and there were a lot of probably pressures 00:27:20.975 --> 00:27:23.185 that I can't relate to. 00:27:23.186 --> 00:27:26.438 My dad kind of threw them into the fire, 00:27:26.439 --> 00:27:28.899 because that's the only way you're gonna learn. 00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:30.317 REPORTER: But what is it besides cheering 00:27:30.318 --> 00:27:32.736 that a general manager does? During the season, 00:27:32.737 --> 00:27:34.863 Jeanie's here every day keeping track 00:27:34.864 --> 00:27:37.491 of what's happening in tennis, because after all, 00:27:37.492 --> 00:27:40.577 she will want to draft the best players available, 00:27:40.578 --> 00:27:42.871 a trait she hope runs in the family. 00:27:42.872 --> 00:27:46.708 - Right after we decided that she would run the franchise, 00:27:46.709 --> 00:27:48.293 the draft came up. 00:27:48.294 --> 00:27:52.005 She brought in a sheet of paper with all of the names and said, 00:27:52.006 --> 00:27:54.007 "Well, let's draft the team." 00:27:54.008 --> 00:27:55.801 - He looked at the list and then looked at me, 00:27:55.802 --> 00:27:58.095 and he said, "I want you to do it." 00:27:58.096 --> 00:27:59.388 - And she said, "Well, I thought 00:27:59.389 --> 00:28:00.931 you'd give me some suggestions." 00:28:00.932 --> 00:28:02.975 - He said, "I want you to have the responsibility. 00:28:02.976 --> 00:28:05.853 "I want you to know what it feels like when people say, 00:28:05.854 --> 00:28:07.354 "'What have you done? What have you picked?' 00:28:07.355 --> 00:28:10.649 I want you to get the blame or to get the recognition." 00:28:10.650 --> 00:28:11.859 - "Let's make no mistake about it. 00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:13.735 It's your team, it's your ball game, 00:28:13.736 --> 00:28:15.821 and it's up to you." 00:28:15.822 --> 00:28:18.365 JOHNNY: This was grooming for, you know, 00:28:18.366 --> 00:28:20.451 what he wanted us to do, 00:28:20.452 --> 00:28:24.496 and that was to be involved in a family business. 00:28:24.497 --> 00:28:27.124 JIM: It was John does the Lasers. 00:28:27.125 --> 00:28:28.667 Jeanie does the Strings. 00:28:28.668 --> 00:28:30.002 And so at the Forum, 00:28:30.003 --> 00:28:32.713 my dad had it pretty much running like a machine. 00:28:32.714 --> 00:28:35.424 And it wasn't--I wasn't-- I was part of the machine 00:28:35.425 --> 00:28:38.594 but not an intricate part of the machine. 00:28:38.595 --> 00:28:40.846 But never did I say, "Well, gosh, it would be nice 00:28:40.847 --> 00:28:42.639 if I had a team or something like that." 00:28:42.640 --> 00:28:44.559 No. 00:28:45.435 --> 00:28:49.855 JANIE: I could see jealousy, uh, between... 00:28:49.856 --> 00:28:51.273 well, all of us. 00:28:51.274 --> 00:28:53.275 I mean, I think we were all-- 00:28:53.276 --> 00:28:56.195 well, I know I was a bit jealous of Jeanie, 00:28:56.196 --> 00:28:59.615 but she's older than me, so she got the opportunity 00:28:59.616 --> 00:29:03.243 before I got a chance to do something. 00:29:03.244 --> 00:29:05.704 - Janie's jealous that Jeanie did this. 00:29:05.705 --> 00:29:09.416 Or Jimmy's jealous of Jeanie, and Jeanie's jealous of me. 00:29:09.417 --> 00:29:12.336 And, you know, it was that jealousy kind of thing. 00:29:12.337 --> 00:29:14.588 - They might have been, um, you know, 00:29:14.589 --> 00:29:17.174 intimidated by my ambition, 00:29:17.175 --> 00:29:22.804 but it was more the media that I got the center stage, 00:29:22.805 --> 00:29:25.349 that I got the spotlight. 00:29:25.350 --> 00:29:28.810 I got a lot of attention because I was a woman 00:29:28.811 --> 00:29:33.482 in a traditionally, you know, male sports world. 00:29:33.483 --> 00:29:38.195 And, you know, that probably was frustrating for them, 00:29:38.196 --> 00:29:40.197 but that, I couldn't help. 00:29:40.198 --> 00:29:42.491 INTERVIEWER: What's the future? What do you really want to do? 00:29:42.492 --> 00:29:44.159 Hope to replace your father at the top? 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:47.746 - Yeah, I've already told him that. He knows that. 00:29:47.747 --> 00:29:52.459 I think he's kind of surprised that his daughter 00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:56.088 would be saying that and really wanting to fill his shoes. 00:29:56.089 --> 00:29:58.840 But I think someday I could do it. 00:29:58.841 --> 00:30:00.425 INTERVIEWER: What about the idea 00:30:00.426 --> 00:30:02.844 that there's been just too much too soon for Jeanie? 00:30:02.845 --> 00:30:07.015 - Oh, certainly, there's that possibility, uh... 00:30:07.016 --> 00:30:12.980 And I think any conscionable father would think of that. 00:30:12.981 --> 00:30:15.274 On the other hand, sooner or later, 00:30:15.275 --> 00:30:17.985 she's going to have to come to grips with that. 00:30:20.029 --> 00:30:21.655 JEANIE: That's when he said, 00:30:21.656 --> 00:30:24.325 "Jeanie, I want you to meet Linda Zafrani." 00:30:25.368 --> 00:30:27.452 DEBBIE: I was working for Playboy, 00:30:27.453 --> 00:30:30.289 and Dr. Buss was dating my little sister, 00:30:30.290 --> 00:30:33.542 who was also working for Playboy. 00:30:33.543 --> 00:30:37.045 Dr. Buss, he was onto the next young beauty, 00:30:37.046 --> 00:30:40.173 and my sister was devastated. 00:30:40.174 --> 00:30:42.551 So I called Dr. Buss up, and I said, 00:30:42.552 --> 00:30:44.636 "I don't think it's fair, what you did to Debbie, 00:30:44.637 --> 00:30:47.097 and I think you should marry her." 00:30:47.098 --> 00:30:49.600 He's like, "I'm not gonna marry her, 00:30:49.601 --> 00:30:53.437 "but I appreciate how you stuck up for her. 00:30:53.438 --> 00:30:57.317 And I wonder, would you consider working for me?" 00:30:58.359 --> 00:31:00.736 JEANIE: My dad said, "I want you and Linda 00:31:00.737 --> 00:31:02.362 to work together." 00:31:02.363 --> 00:31:04.781 As he explained it, 00:31:04.782 --> 00:31:08.076 "Linda's got that street smart toughness 00:31:08.077 --> 00:31:11.121 that I think you need." 00:31:11.122 --> 00:31:14.583 LINDA: He wanted someone that he thought she could trust 00:31:14.584 --> 00:31:18.086 to help facilitate her ability to do both things, 00:31:18.087 --> 00:31:21.381 go to school and work. 00:31:21.382 --> 00:31:24.426 And even though she had older brothers, 00:31:24.427 --> 00:31:27.012 she was the front-facing person. 00:31:27.013 --> 00:31:29.098 So she had added stress. 00:31:35.229 --> 00:31:38.899 STEVEN: In 1982, there was another big coin flip. 00:31:38.900 --> 00:31:39.983 It was the Lakers against the Clippers. 00:31:39.984 --> 00:31:41.318 Lakers had the pick, 00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:43.695 because they had traded Don Ford to Cleveland, 00:31:43.696 --> 00:31:45.072 and Cleveland finished last. 00:31:45.073 --> 00:31:46.490 REPORTER: What do you guys feel here? 00:31:46.491 --> 00:31:47.824 You win the Championship, 00:31:47.825 --> 00:31:49.409 you're the best team in the NBA, 00:31:49.410 --> 00:31:51.578 and you get the number one draft pick. 00:31:51.579 --> 00:31:55.248 - Well, I feel that every Championship team 00:31:55.249 --> 00:31:57.000 and the reason that you don't repeat 00:31:57.001 --> 00:31:58.794 is 'cause you don't get better. 00:31:58.795 --> 00:32:00.879 But this year, we'll get a little better 00:32:00.880 --> 00:32:02.214 with this first choice. 00:32:02.215 --> 00:32:04.508 And it might help us for next season. 00:32:04.509 --> 00:32:06.051 - Rich get richer? 00:32:06.052 --> 00:32:08.261 - Yeah, so to speak the rich gets richer. 00:32:10.640 --> 00:32:12.683 ANNOUNCER: For the first pick, 00:32:12.684 --> 00:32:16.353 Cleveland to Los Angeles... Los Angeles. 00:32:23.236 --> 00:32:27.906 He's 6'9, 225 pounds from North Carolina-- 00:32:27.907 --> 00:32:30.158 James Worthy. 00:32:30.159 --> 00:32:31.827 ANNOUNCER: Worthy helped lead the Tar Heels 00:32:31.828 --> 00:32:35.080 to the NCAA Championship this past season as a junior. 00:32:35.081 --> 00:32:38.208 He chose to give up his final year of college eligibility 00:32:38.209 --> 00:32:42.170 and made himself available for the NBA draft. 00:32:42.171 --> 00:32:44.047 EDDIE: And you have added more excitement to a stable 00:32:44.048 --> 00:32:46.133 that is already plenty exciting. 00:32:46.134 --> 00:32:47.551 James Worthy-- didn't take you long 00:32:47.552 --> 00:32:49.636 to make that selection, Dr. Buss. 00:32:49.637 --> 00:32:52.514 - It took us a lot of thought though quite honestly, Eddie. 00:32:52.515 --> 00:32:56.351 We were very torn between the three top people. 00:32:56.352 --> 00:32:58.228 They're all so good. I mean, usually this doesn't happen. 00:32:58.229 --> 00:32:59.896 Usually, there's one or two outstanding. 00:32:59.897 --> 00:33:03.400 But three outstanding players, we spent a lot of time, 00:33:03.401 --> 00:33:05.861 and I guess about a week or 10 days ago 00:33:05.862 --> 00:33:07.863 we came to the conclusion that it had to be James Worthy. 00:33:07.864 --> 00:33:10.532 PERSON: Do you feel with the success 00:33:10.533 --> 00:33:12.033 that they've already got that you'll be able to get into 00:33:12.034 --> 00:33:14.369 that starting lineup right off the top? 00:33:14.370 --> 00:33:16.204 - That's not one of my main objectives. 00:33:16.205 --> 00:33:18.457 I just want to come and learn. 00:33:18.458 --> 00:33:20.292 I think it'll be a learning experience for me, and... 00:33:20.293 --> 00:33:22.711 I was a pretty good player coming outta college. 00:33:22.712 --> 00:33:26.173 And so I was not arrogant, but I was very confident. 00:33:26.174 --> 00:33:27.759 I thought I could start. 00:33:29.969 --> 00:33:32.429 The first week of training camp, 00:33:32.430 --> 00:33:33.722 I would walk into the gym, 00:33:33.723 --> 00:33:35.849 and I would look around, and I would say, 00:33:35.850 --> 00:33:39.102 "Okay, there's Kareem... 00:33:39.103 --> 00:33:41.730 "Jamal Wilkes... 00:33:41.731 --> 00:33:43.982 "Norm Nixon. 00:33:43.983 --> 00:33:45.317 There's Magic." 00:33:45.318 --> 00:33:47.778 But then I saw Kurt Rambis. 00:33:47.779 --> 00:33:52.240 Kurt Rambis had these thick glasses on. 00:33:52.241 --> 00:33:53.909 Like, he looked like a science professor, 00:33:53.910 --> 00:33:57.746 and I said, "I can get that spot." 00:33:57.747 --> 00:34:01.124 KURT: My hair, my mustache, the glasses. 00:34:01.125 --> 00:34:04.503 It just kind of made me look like a normal person 00:34:04.504 --> 00:34:06.171 walkin' down the street 00:34:06.172 --> 00:34:09.090 and not the guy that was starting for the Lakers. 00:34:09.091 --> 00:34:10.634 But I could not believe 00:34:10.635 --> 00:34:13.261 they were bringing somebody in to take my job. 00:34:13.262 --> 00:34:17.849 So I did everything I possibly could to let him know, 00:34:17.850 --> 00:34:19.851 "If you're gonna take my job, 00:34:19.852 --> 00:34:21.979 you got your work cut out for you." 00:34:22.897 --> 00:34:25.774 - That first week, every time I got within his area 00:34:25.775 --> 00:34:30.153 where he operated, Kirk Rambis kicked my * like a ragdoll. 00:34:33.533 --> 00:34:35.826 Yeah. That makes me feel good right now. 00:34:37.328 --> 00:34:38.912 That-that was my intention. 00:34:38.913 --> 00:34:41.124 - So I humbly had to sit on the bench. 00:34:42.917 --> 00:34:45.043 It was a lesson in patience 00:34:45.044 --> 00:34:47.754 when you're playing with the team 00:34:47.755 --> 00:34:51.299 that really doesn't need you right now. 00:34:51.300 --> 00:34:53.301 SPORTSCASTER: Jerry, things are really on the uptick 00:34:53.302 --> 00:34:55.137 in the NBA, and I think the Lakers 00:34:55.138 --> 00:34:56.471 are sitting right up on top. 00:34:56.472 --> 00:34:57.889 You've got a very exciting ball club, 00:34:57.890 --> 00:34:59.349 and I see that things are gonna continue. 00:34:59.350 --> 00:35:01.476 We have a tremendous amount of excitement 00:35:01.477 --> 00:35:04.688 out in Los Angeles and I think across the country. 00:35:04.689 --> 00:35:07.190 As more of the exciting players come into the NBA, 00:35:07.191 --> 00:35:09.694 I-I think there's gonna be a terrific upswing. 00:35:11.362 --> 00:35:14.573 JEANIE: My dad always kept his eye on the business. 00:35:14.574 --> 00:35:18.493 Like, this wasn't just a plaything and he got lucky. 00:35:18.494 --> 00:35:21.956 You know, he wanted his team to always be competitive. 00:35:22.832 --> 00:35:26.293 PERSON: The 76ers in 1983 had Dr. J, 00:35:26.294 --> 00:35:27.961 and they had Moses Malone 00:35:27.962 --> 00:35:30.422 and they had great defenders like Bobby Jones. 00:35:30.423 --> 00:35:32.090 They were the real deal. 00:35:32.091 --> 00:35:34.551 PAT: We beat 'em in '80. We beat 'em in '82. 00:35:34.552 --> 00:35:37.596 You know, they were ready theirs. 00:35:37.597 --> 00:35:39.431 JULIUS: Win, lose, or draw, you know, 00:35:39.432 --> 00:35:41.850 this doesn't define who I am. 00:35:41.851 --> 00:35:46.855 You know, basketball is what I do, not what I am. 00:35:46.856 --> 00:35:50.233 And as much as I used to tell myself that, 00:35:50.234 --> 00:35:52.777 you know, I realized that 00:35:52.778 --> 00:35:54.362 everybody didn't think that way. 00:35:56.157 --> 00:35:58.783 And so it was a relief, you know, in '83, 00:35:58.784 --> 00:36:03.038 when we finally got over the hump and beat them. 00:36:03.039 --> 00:36:05.207 ANNOUNCER: Here he comes. 00:36:05.208 --> 00:36:07.459 Well, he's off the clock. 00:36:09.837 --> 00:36:13.465 BOB: Injuries. The injuries killed us. 00:36:13.466 --> 00:36:17.719 It was too much firepower gone. 00:36:17.720 --> 00:36:20.847 If me, James Worthy, 00:36:20.848 --> 00:36:22.390 and Norm Nixon were healthy, 00:36:22.391 --> 00:36:24.100 no way they would beat us. 00:36:24.101 --> 00:36:25.769 JULIUS: Wasn't our fault you were injured. 00:36:25.770 --> 00:36:30.690 [laughs] And next man up's gotta do his job or whatever. 00:36:30.691 --> 00:36:36.071 So I don't think when you beat a team four straight times 00:36:36.072 --> 00:36:38.366 that they can say they were the better team. 00:36:39.867 --> 00:36:43.370 Th-That doesn't make sense. That's delusional behavior. 00:36:43.371 --> 00:36:45.455 BUSS: My hat's off to the victors, 00:36:45.456 --> 00:36:46.915 and, uh, this is what it's all about. 00:36:46.916 --> 00:36:49.918 The winning, the losing, the struggle--it's great. 00:36:49.919 --> 00:36:51.544 PAT: I would've much rather been on the other end 00:36:51.545 --> 00:36:53.046 of this thing tonight, 00:36:53.047 --> 00:36:55.925 but I'm gonna raise my glass to them too tonight. 00:37:01.389 --> 00:37:03.139 JULIUS: Funny. You know what he said to me? 00:37:03.140 --> 00:37:06.059 He says, "Got those skeletons removed from the closet, huh?" 00:37:06.060 --> 00:37:08.895 I said, "Yeah, Pat. 00:37:08.896 --> 00:37:11.356 They're gone." 00:37:11.357 --> 00:37:13.108 DAVID: Why does it seem to be impossible 00:37:13.109 --> 00:37:15.986 to repeat Championships in that league? 00:37:15.987 --> 00:37:17.696 - Because the teams you beat get better. 00:37:17.697 --> 00:37:19.155 - Yeah. Yeah. 00:37:19.156 --> 00:37:21.908 - Like we beat Philly, they went out and got Moses. 00:37:21.909 --> 00:37:24.703 So, uh, they beat us, 00:37:24.704 --> 00:37:26.079 and I don't know what might happen. 00:37:26.080 --> 00:37:27.914 We-we might get a good play or... 00:37:27.915 --> 00:37:29.457 NORM: When you do lose, 00:37:29.458 --> 00:37:31.251 there are some things that start happening. 00:37:31.252 --> 00:37:33.336 You know, you always gonna have scapegoats. 00:37:33.337 --> 00:37:35.672 And, you know, like, it was Kareem's fault. 00:37:35.673 --> 00:37:37.257 It was this one's fault. 00:37:37.258 --> 00:37:39.301 This guy is negative in the locker room. 00:37:39.302 --> 00:37:41.386 This guy is doing this. 00:37:41.387 --> 00:37:44.597 JERRY: Sometimes you make subtle changes in your team. 00:37:44.598 --> 00:37:46.474 We needed someone bigger out there, 00:37:46.475 --> 00:37:49.102 and I didn't think Norm was a great complement 00:37:49.103 --> 00:37:50.603 to Magic Johnson. 00:37:50.604 --> 00:37:51.896 - Jerry had come to-- I always laugh about it. 00:37:51.897 --> 00:37:53.440 Say, "I'll never trade you." 00:37:53.441 --> 00:37:55.483 I said, "That's a kiss of death like the Italians." 00:37:57.737 --> 00:37:58.987 I said, "Oop, I'm outta here now." 00:37:58.988 --> 00:38:01.323 I told my brother. I said, "Oop, I'm gone." 00:38:03.409 --> 00:38:05.243 BYRON: I'm originally from Inglewood, California, 00:38:05.244 --> 00:38:07.620 and been here all my life, you know? 00:38:07.621 --> 00:38:10.373 So Inglewood is home. It's where I was raised. 00:38:10.374 --> 00:38:12.000 You know, so when I get a call from Jerry West 00:38:12.001 --> 00:38:14.044 saying that we're gonna make a trade for you today, 00:38:14.045 --> 00:38:16.463 I almost fell out-- you know, fell out my bed. 00:38:17.965 --> 00:38:20.258 JERRY: Getting one of the best prospects in the draft, 00:38:20.259 --> 00:38:21.926 that was exciting for me. 00:38:21.927 --> 00:38:27.015 And also the three-point line had become in vogue then, 00:38:27.016 --> 00:38:29.100 and that was his specialty when he first started out. 00:38:29.101 --> 00:38:30.602 BYRON: Jerry West said, "You know, 00:38:30.603 --> 00:38:32.062 we're gonna win more championships 00:38:32.063 --> 00:38:34.439 with you than we ever would have with Norm." 00:38:34.440 --> 00:38:37.484 MICHAEL: Magic, myself, and Norm, 00:38:37.485 --> 00:38:39.277 we were the trio. We always talk about 00:38:39.278 --> 00:38:41.738 we had the best three guard combo in the league. 00:38:41.739 --> 00:38:45.241 So when they pulled that trade off, it hurt a lot. 00:38:45.242 --> 00:38:47.410 MAGIC: All three of us had a real bond 00:38:47.411 --> 00:38:49.287 out on the basketball court. 00:38:49.288 --> 00:38:55.043 And so when he got traded, you know, 00:38:55.044 --> 00:38:58.129 that was a--that was a tough moment for me. 00:38:58.130 --> 00:38:59.881 - People were mad. 00:38:59.882 --> 00:39:02.259 They were incensed and mourning. 00:39:03.302 --> 00:39:05.678 PERSON: Jack Nicholson, he wore black for three games. 00:39:05.679 --> 00:39:07.514 I said, "What the hell is this all about?" 00:39:07.515 --> 00:39:10.058 He said, "That's the dumbest trade I've ever seen." 00:39:10.059 --> 00:39:11.976 - Well, he wears all black a lot. 00:39:11.977 --> 00:39:14.437 So maybe he's always in mourning, 00:39:14.438 --> 00:39:16.689 but I'm a fan of the Lakers, 00:39:16.690 --> 00:39:19.067 and I respect players. 00:39:19.068 --> 00:39:20.735 But these guys were my friends. 00:39:20.736 --> 00:39:24.114 And to this day, I wish they hadn't traded Norman. 00:39:24.115 --> 00:39:26.074 NORM: Jack and Lou, they were fans, 00:39:26.075 --> 00:39:27.659 and they know the game, 00:39:27.660 --> 00:39:29.327 and they knew me on a personal level. 00:39:29.328 --> 00:39:31.663 They knew me very well on a personal level. 00:39:31.664 --> 00:39:33.123 They didn't wanna see me go, 00:39:33.124 --> 00:39:34.624 and they didn't like what happened. 00:39:34.625 --> 00:39:35.917 JERRY: That was a difficult time. 00:39:35.918 --> 00:39:38.878 Probably the first time in my life I went home, 00:39:38.879 --> 00:39:41.214 and I said to myself, 00:39:41.215 --> 00:39:45.510 "Is this gonna work like I hope it works?" 00:39:45.511 --> 00:39:46.803 BYRON: Jerry West makes this trade. 00:39:46.804 --> 00:39:49.305 Brings in this unproven rookie, you know? 00:39:49.306 --> 00:39:51.057 So they had to test me. 00:39:51.058 --> 00:39:53.226 - We gave him the cold shoulder. 00:39:53.227 --> 00:39:55.603 We * with him. 00:39:55.604 --> 00:39:57.021 - I didn't know then that meant that, 00:39:57.022 --> 00:39:59.399 "Yeah, we're gonna try to kick your *. 00:39:59.400 --> 00:40:02.110 Every day in practice, we're gonna go at you." 00:40:02.111 --> 00:40:04.320 - We wanted to see if he could weather the storm. 00:40:04.321 --> 00:40:06.656 - That went on for about four or five days to a week. 00:40:06.657 --> 00:40:08.199 And then I just told 'em-- I said, "Listen, 00:40:08.200 --> 00:40:10.994 next one y'all throw a elbow, I'm punching the shit out you." 00:40:10.995 --> 00:40:12.328 I said, "I'm just letting you know. 00:40:12.329 --> 00:40:14.289 I'm tired of this shit." And that was it. 00:40:14.290 --> 00:40:16.082 And they was like, "Okay, all right. 00:40:16.083 --> 00:40:17.710 This kid got some *. He's tough." 00:40:19.587 --> 00:40:21.171 From that point on me, Magic, and Coop 00:40:21.172 --> 00:40:22.798 went everywhere together. 00:40:23.924 --> 00:40:27.802 MAGIC: Byron, and as I call him B, we always knew 00:40:27.803 --> 00:40:31.347 that if we were going to win a championship, 00:40:31.348 --> 00:40:34.018 he was gonna play a key role. 00:40:40.483 --> 00:40:42.817 ANNOUNCER: The Lakers and the Celtics. 00:40:42.818 --> 00:40:46.362 So many memories. So many golden moments. 00:40:46.363 --> 00:40:49.157 The Celtics and Bill Russell always winning 00:40:49.158 --> 00:40:50.825 when they met for the Championship. 00:40:50.826 --> 00:40:54.787 For the Lakers, Jerry West always magnificent in defeat. 00:40:54.788 --> 00:40:56.080 Now we are ready to start again. 00:40:56.081 --> 00:40:57.707 INTERVIEWER: How obsessed with winning 00:40:57.708 --> 00:40:59.918 did your father become in '84 and '85 00:40:59.919 --> 00:41:01.711 during the Lakers-Celtics rivalry? 00:41:04.006 --> 00:41:06.466 He reminded me of... 00:41:06.467 --> 00:41:10.094 of any big sports fan, you know? 00:41:10.095 --> 00:41:12.222 It was the pinnacle of sports, 00:41:12.223 --> 00:41:15.808 of what sports is all about, of rivalry. 00:41:15.809 --> 00:41:19.103 To him, the rivalries were the greatest thing 00:41:19.104 --> 00:41:21.189 you could ever have in sports. 00:41:21.190 --> 00:41:25.694 - The whole Boston-Laker rivalry goes back to the '60s. 00:41:28.030 --> 00:41:29.864 JERRY: The period when I was playing, 00:41:29.865 --> 00:41:31.366 the Celtics were there every year, 00:41:31.367 --> 00:41:32.659 and we had good teams. 00:41:32.660 --> 00:41:34.160 But we were just not good enough to beat them. 00:41:34.161 --> 00:41:35.578 ANNOUNCER: The ball game is over. 00:41:35.579 --> 00:41:38.039 The Boston Celtics are the World Champions, 00:41:38.040 --> 00:41:39.874 and the Boston Celtics have won 00:41:39.875 --> 00:41:41.709 their fifth World Championship. 00:41:41.710 --> 00:41:43.461 ANNOUNCER: The Boston Celtics have given Bostonians 00:41:43.462 --> 00:41:44.921 something to talk about. 00:41:44.922 --> 00:41:46.005 ANNOUNCER: That's it. The game is over. 00:41:46.006 --> 00:41:47.549 ANNOUNCER: What a rivalry. 00:41:48.343 --> 00:41:51.804 Another jewel in that crown. 00:41:51.805 --> 00:41:57.393 - I have not been to Boston since I played as a player. 00:41:57.394 --> 00:42:01.064 PAT: The albatross we felt was on our back 00:42:01.065 --> 00:42:02.565 to sort of break this hex. 00:42:02.566 --> 00:42:04.776 JAMES: I grew up watching the Celtics 00:42:04.777 --> 00:42:06.736 and that parquet floor. 00:42:06.737 --> 00:42:10.031 It was amazing on television. 00:42:10.032 --> 00:42:12.200 But when you get in there, it's pretty shitty. 00:42:12.201 --> 00:42:15.995 ALL: Beat L. A. Beat L. A. 00:42:15.996 --> 00:42:17.705 JAMAAL: In the winter, we'd play in Boston. 00:42:17.706 --> 00:42:20.291 It seemed like the heat never worked. 00:42:20.292 --> 00:42:24.045 In the summers, the air conditioning never worked. 00:42:24.046 --> 00:42:26.547 We'd stay in the hotel, and it seemed like the alarms 00:42:26.548 --> 00:42:29.383 would go off all hours of the night. 00:42:29.384 --> 00:42:33.262 And that seemed to only happen in Boston. 00:42:33.263 --> 00:42:35.640 MICHAEL: We got a chance to eradicate 00:42:35.641 --> 00:42:38.768 the ghosts from the past, to clear the air 00:42:38.769 --> 00:42:42.396 for Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain. 00:42:42.397 --> 00:42:45.316 All the times that they could never beat Boston, 00:42:45.317 --> 00:42:48.152 we got a chance to do that. 00:42:48.153 --> 00:42:50.613 LARRY: We knew how important it was to beat the Lakers 00:42:50.614 --> 00:42:52.240 because of the history. 00:42:52.241 --> 00:42:53.783 In Boston, there's always a buzz, 00:42:53.784 --> 00:42:56.327 but when the Lakers came to town, it was different. 00:42:56.328 --> 00:42:59.205 I mean, our fans knew when we played the Lakers, 00:42:59.206 --> 00:43:00.832 that's the ultimate game. 00:43:00.833 --> 00:43:03.126 - The bottom line is, 00:43:03.127 --> 00:43:05.878 if you're wearing the Laker uniform, 00:43:05.879 --> 00:43:07.880 you hate the Celtic uniform. 00:43:07.881 --> 00:43:09.382 And if you're wearing the Celtic uniform, 00:43:09.383 --> 00:43:11.551 you hate the Laker uniform. It's just the bottom line. 00:43:14.888 --> 00:43:17.515 ANNOUNCER: Next up, North Station, Boston County. 00:43:17.516 --> 00:43:19.308 ANNOUNCER: All right. The stage is set. 00:43:19.309 --> 00:43:21.519 It's the Celtics and the Lakers. 00:43:21.520 --> 00:43:24.313 Game one. 00:43:24.314 --> 00:43:27.108 FLEA: I remember being glued to the television 00:43:27.109 --> 00:43:29.902 watching those Lakers-Celtics games. 00:43:29.903 --> 00:43:32.905 And back then had like, you know, a cheap little TV 00:43:32.906 --> 00:43:36.742 about this big and just staring at it with intensity. 00:43:36.743 --> 00:43:38.828 ANNOUNCER: Now Magic Johnson the man with the ball, 00:43:38.829 --> 00:43:40.121 and he gets it quickly into Kareem 00:43:40.122 --> 00:43:42.373 who's fouled and gets the basket. 00:43:42.374 --> 00:43:43.542 ANNOUNCER: I'd say right now, 00:43:44.084 --> 00:43:46.335 the Lakers are pretty much in control of this game. 00:43:46.336 --> 00:43:48.880 But the Los Angeles Lakers have won in Boston, 00:43:48.881 --> 00:43:51.215 ending a nine-game playoff streak at home 00:43:51.216 --> 00:43:54.719 and have beaten the Boston Celtics 115 to 109 00:43:54.720 --> 00:43:57.722 to take a one-to-nothing lead in the best of seven 00:43:57.723 --> 00:43:59.932 for the NBA World Championship. 00:43:59.933 --> 00:44:01.642 - We won the first game. 00:44:01.643 --> 00:44:03.144 - The Los Angeles Lakers 00:44:03.145 --> 00:44:05.229 handed the Celtics their first home court defeat 00:44:05.230 --> 00:44:06.731 in ten playoff games this year. 00:44:06.732 --> 00:44:08.107 ANNOUNCER: We're live at Boston Garden 00:44:08.108 --> 00:44:09.400 for game number two 00:44:09.401 --> 00:44:11.986 of the NBA World Championship Series. 00:44:11.987 --> 00:44:14.530 PAT: I made some coaching blunders in the second game 00:44:14.531 --> 00:44:15.948 I thought really cost us. 00:44:15.949 --> 00:44:18.409 ANNOUNCER: The Lakers have it with 20 seconds to go 00:44:18.410 --> 00:44:20.746 and lead the Celtics 113 to 111. 00:44:22.497 --> 00:44:24.624 Worthy will inbound to Magic Johnson. 00:44:24.625 --> 00:44:26.417 Worst comes the worst, the Celtics will have to-- 00:44:26.418 --> 00:44:27.793 Oh! there's a steal by Henderson 00:44:27.794 --> 00:44:28.920 who lays it up again. 00:44:28.921 --> 00:44:31.714 JAMES: The pass that I made 00:44:31.715 --> 00:44:33.633 was trying to get it to Byron Scott, 00:44:33.634 --> 00:44:38.346 which Gerald Henderson intercepted and laid it in. 00:44:38.347 --> 00:44:40.848 Forced us to overtime. 00:44:43.352 --> 00:44:46.938 If I don't make that pass, 00:44:46.939 --> 00:44:48.189 I think we go up 2:0. 00:44:48.190 --> 00:44:49.815 And there's no way they're gonna beat us. 00:44:49.816 --> 00:44:51.234 We're going back to L. A. 00:44:51.235 --> 00:44:53.361 - Today, we will define the word choke. 00:44:53.362 --> 00:44:54.987 A choke is a device on a car 00:44:54.988 --> 00:44:57.198 to improve the gas and air mixture. 00:44:57.199 --> 00:44:59.200 It is also what the Los Angeles Lakers 00:44:59.201 --> 00:45:01.744 did in Boston last night. Sorry. 00:45:01.745 --> 00:45:05.248 - Then the series became real. You know, became real. 00:45:05.249 --> 00:45:07.250 We went home then beat 'em by 30. 00:45:07.251 --> 00:45:09.377 ANNOUNCER: The game was around the most lopsided defeat 00:45:09.378 --> 00:45:11.337 in Boston playoff history. 00:45:11.338 --> 00:45:13.673 And the Celtics looked like beaten men. 00:45:13.674 --> 00:45:17.343 - What changed the tenor of that series 00:45:17.344 --> 00:45:20.263 was in game four. 00:45:20.264 --> 00:45:22.515 - I can remember going in that game, it's-- 00:45:22.516 --> 00:45:24.642 we always--so we gotta do whatever we can do 00:45:24.643 --> 00:45:26.102 to win this basketball game, 00:45:26.103 --> 00:45:29.189 because if we don't win this one, it's over. 00:45:29.690 --> 00:45:31.649 ANNOUNCER: McHale is doubled. 00:45:31.650 --> 00:45:33.484 Dennis Johnson is short with it. 00:45:33.485 --> 00:45:35.611 Cooper to Kareem to Worthy to Rambis. 00:45:35.612 --> 00:45:37.154 He should go the distance-- oh! 00:45:37.155 --> 00:45:41.242 And now let's watch it. Cooper and the Celtics. 00:45:41.243 --> 00:45:42.953 And now the bench is empty. 00:45:44.413 --> 00:45:48.457 As Larry Bird helps Kurt Rambis up. 00:45:48.458 --> 00:45:51.502 He was decked by two Celtics and hit the floor hard. 00:45:51.503 --> 00:45:53.004 - It wasn't like we was going out there 00:45:53.005 --> 00:45:55.589 to try to hurt somebody, and Kevin McHale is not known 00:45:55.590 --> 00:45:57.758 to knock people down like that. 00:45:57.759 --> 00:45:59.343 But when it happened 00:45:59.344 --> 00:46:01.637 I'm going, "Jesus, Kevin, what was that all about?" 00:46:01.638 --> 00:46:03.889 FLEA: Watching the clotheslining of Rambis-- 00:46:03.890 --> 00:46:06.267 it was so intense. 00:46:06.268 --> 00:46:07.518 I'm sure that, you know, 00:46:07.519 --> 00:46:09.020 there was some begrudging professional respect. 00:46:09.021 --> 00:46:11.647 Like, you know, game recognizing game and all that, 00:46:11.648 --> 00:46:13.482 but there's just this feeling of 00:46:13.483 --> 00:46:16.485 they really hated each other. 00:46:16.486 --> 00:46:18.112 BOB: It was brutal. Ha ha. 00:46:18.113 --> 00:46:20.656 In today's game, that would've been 00:46:20.657 --> 00:46:22.867 a $50,000 fine, 00:46:22.868 --> 00:46:26.078 and he'd been suspended for the next game. 00:46:26.079 --> 00:46:29.623 But in the rough and tumble world of the '80s 00:46:29.624 --> 00:46:31.917 of the NBA, didn't happen. 00:46:31.918 --> 00:46:33.836 LARRY: We riled them a little bit. 00:46:33.837 --> 00:46:36.088 We were a physical team, 00:46:36.089 --> 00:46:37.882 but that one play sort of changed things. 00:46:37.883 --> 00:46:40.885 ANNOUNCER: And the Boston Celtics have evened this NBA 00:46:40.886 --> 00:46:44.680 World Championship Series at two games apiece. 00:46:44.681 --> 00:46:47.975 - When we go back, and we get buried in game five 00:46:47.976 --> 00:46:53.147 in probably the most uncomfortable arena 00:46:53.148 --> 00:46:54.565 that you could ever be in. 00:46:54.566 --> 00:46:56.525 It had to be 120 degrees in there. 00:46:56.526 --> 00:46:58.319 - It's like 91 or 92 degrees. 00:46:58.320 --> 00:46:59.820 'Cause we didn't have air condition. 00:46:59.821 --> 00:47:01.697 They're not used to that in L. A. 00:47:01.698 --> 00:47:03.741 Had a teammate told me, "Can you imagine 00:47:03.742 --> 00:47:05.659 "how many people's faces would melt in here 00:47:05.660 --> 00:47:08.496 if it was 91, 92 with all the plastic surgery?" 00:47:09.915 --> 00:47:12.708 - You just have to give both clubs a lot of credit 00:47:12.709 --> 00:47:15.336 for enduring a 48-minute steam bath. 00:47:15.337 --> 00:47:18.589 We lost that game, and we came back in game six 00:47:18.590 --> 00:47:21.509 and basically meekly won game six. 00:47:21.510 --> 00:47:23.803 We have a chance to do something that no other team 00:47:23.804 --> 00:47:26.931 has ever done-- go back to Boston Garden 00:47:26.932 --> 00:47:29.725 and win a World Championship on that parquet floor. 00:47:29.726 --> 00:47:32.937 And, uh, we lost in game seven. 00:47:32.938 --> 00:47:34.146 ANNOUNCER: Final second. 00:47:34.147 --> 00:47:36.273 ALL: Five. Four. Three. Two. 00:47:36.274 --> 00:47:38.902 ANNOUNCER: Cooper does it to three--it's over. 00:47:40.904 --> 00:47:42.905 PAT: We choked. I choked as a coach. 00:47:42.906 --> 00:47:45.866 I didn't do a good job. Some of the most miserable 00:47:45.867 --> 00:47:49.745 I have ever been was after that seventh game. 00:47:49.746 --> 00:47:52.081 We felt we gave away a championship, 00:47:52.082 --> 00:47:56.001 and that's the summer that they came after us 00:47:56.002 --> 00:47:57.503 and called us sissies, 00:47:57.504 --> 00:48:00.923 called us fakers, called us the Hollywood softies, 00:48:00.924 --> 00:48:02.425 Tragic Magic. 00:48:02.426 --> 00:48:05.219 You know, whatever it was, they came after us, man. 00:48:05.220 --> 00:48:06.762 LARRY: The Lakers, the fakers, 00:48:06.763 --> 00:48:09.515 and a bunch of sissies and this and that. 00:48:09.516 --> 00:48:11.934 That's all part of the game, you know? 00:48:14.438 --> 00:48:19.109 - Losing always set my dad off into a dark place. 00:48:20.694 --> 00:48:23.946 To be so close and to lose to the Celtics, 00:48:23.947 --> 00:48:25.656 you know, it made him 00:48:25.657 --> 00:48:29.118 that much more determined to beat them. 00:48:29.119 --> 00:48:31.871 - And then we spent the whole summer thinking about it. 00:48:31.872 --> 00:48:36.208 And then that whole season in '85 we dedicated that season 00:48:36.209 --> 00:48:39.587 just to get back to the finals and hoping they were there. 00:48:39.588 --> 00:48:42.882 PERSON: Whatever you do, don't look at the camera, Gary. 00:48:42.883 --> 00:48:46.385 GARY: I came in after they had lost in '84, 00:48:46.386 --> 00:48:50.806 and it was very apparent to me the goal for this team 00:48:50.807 --> 00:48:54.310 was not to win an NBA Championship. 00:48:54.311 --> 00:48:57.688 The goal was to beat the Boston Celtics 00:48:57.689 --> 00:49:00.024 to win the NBA Championship. 00:49:00.025 --> 00:49:02.568 ALL: We want Boston. We want Boston. 00:49:02.569 --> 00:49:04.236 ANNOUNCER: For a full year now, 00:49:04.237 --> 00:49:05.946 this has been the L. A. cry, 00:49:05.947 --> 00:49:08.532 wanting Boston but really wanting redemption. 00:49:08.533 --> 00:49:11.118 PERSON: They needed to play the Celtics, 00:49:11.119 --> 00:49:14.538 and they needed to beat them for all the skeletons 00:49:14.539 --> 00:49:18.250 to come out of the closet and sort of release this curse 00:49:18.251 --> 00:49:21.045 that seemed to be hanging over their head. 00:49:21.046 --> 00:49:22.880 - Oh, I hope the Lakers do it. They should do it. 00:49:22.881 --> 00:49:24.215 - Why do you think they should? 00:49:24.216 --> 00:49:25.883 - Because they owe it to us to do it. 00:49:25.884 --> 00:49:27.176 - Lakers for sure. 00:49:27.177 --> 00:49:28.552 - Oh, it's gonna be the Lakers? - Yes, for sure. 00:49:28.553 --> 00:49:29.887 - Yeah. You live in L. A. of course? 00:49:29.888 --> 00:49:31.430 - Of course. 00:49:31.431 --> 00:49:32.973 - You lived in Boston, you wouldn't be saying that. 00:49:32.974 --> 00:49:35.726 - I wouldn't live in Boston. 00:49:35.727 --> 00:49:37.478 - Lakers. - Why do you say Lakers? 00:49:37.479 --> 00:49:38.854 - They have the Magic Man. 00:49:38.855 --> 00:49:40.231 They have Kareem. They have everybody. 00:49:40.232 --> 00:49:41.690 Worthy's going off through the whole series. 00:49:41.691 --> 00:49:43.901 Can't nobody stick it. 00:49:43.902 --> 00:49:46.737 FLEA: You know, after Lakers lost, I was devastated. 00:49:46.738 --> 00:49:49.073 You know, I despised the Celtics. 00:49:49.074 --> 00:49:52.826 Uh, you know, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, 00:49:52.827 --> 00:49:57.039 Danny Ainge, Jerry Sichting-- all of those guys, man. 00:49:57.040 --> 00:49:58.833 I hated 'em. 00:50:00.377 --> 00:50:02.419 SELLER: Pick 'em out. Pick 'em out. 00:50:02.420 --> 00:50:05.756 Hey go, Celtics. Beat L. A., souvenirs here. 00:50:05.757 --> 00:50:08.300 PERSON: Hit the road, Jack. Yeah. Get outta here. Jack. 00:50:08.301 --> 00:50:10.886 It's the Celtics all the away. 00:50:10.887 --> 00:50:12.972 FAN: The fans in L.A. are phony fans. 00:50:12.973 --> 00:50:14.390 The fans here are true fans. 00:50:14.391 --> 00:50:16.809 FAN: The fans here are more sports-oriented. 00:50:16.810 --> 00:50:20.145 They're not movie-goers and here to see the stars. 00:50:20.146 --> 00:50:22.189 You know, they want to see a good game. 00:50:22.190 --> 00:50:23.774 - Who's gonna win it? 00:50:23.775 --> 00:50:26.402 The Celtics because there's no other reason why. 00:50:26.403 --> 00:50:28.445 The Celtics are the balls. 00:50:28.446 --> 00:50:29.738 - I don't know if you know anything about 00:50:29.739 --> 00:50:30.864 Boston sports out there, 00:50:30.865 --> 00:50:33.909 but they're still doing that stuff. 00:50:33.910 --> 00:50:36.036 Best fans in the world. They're behind their teams. 00:50:36.037 --> 00:50:39.498 STEVEN: The perception was this was the bitter cold, 00:50:39.499 --> 00:50:42.334 tough East Coast where you had a fight for everything. 00:50:42.335 --> 00:50:43.961 And L. A.'s where all the surfers are 00:50:43.962 --> 00:50:46.046 and the Hollywood and the glamor 00:50:46.047 --> 00:50:47.756 and the babes on every corner. 00:50:47.757 --> 00:50:50.050 I mean, it's just--it's the perception of the cities, 00:50:50.051 --> 00:50:51.635 not just the teams. 00:50:51.636 --> 00:50:54.138 ALL: Beat L. A.! Beat L. A.! 00:50:54.139 --> 00:50:56.515 Going into the finals, the Lakers were facing 00:50:56.516 --> 00:50:58.851 the Boston Celtics for the ninth time, 00:50:58.852 --> 00:51:01.854 and they had lost all of the previous eight. 00:51:01.855 --> 00:51:04.565 - The Lakers are determined to break through this time, 00:51:04.566 --> 00:51:06.191 but time will tell. 00:51:06.192 --> 00:51:09.945 ANNOUNCER: And we're underway. Here's Magic pushing it up. 00:51:09.946 --> 00:51:12.281 James Worthy. Air ball. 00:51:12.282 --> 00:51:13.824 There's a three on one break. 00:51:13.825 --> 00:51:15.034 Two on one. 00:51:15.035 --> 00:51:17.119 Worthy misses the shot. 00:51:17.120 --> 00:51:19.622 20-point lead for the Celtics on the Lakers 00:51:19.623 --> 00:51:21.081 in this first half. 00:51:21.082 --> 00:51:23.334 And Worthy steps on the line. He took the call. 00:51:23.335 --> 00:51:25.794 ANNOUNCER: I'd very concerned if I was Pat Riley. 00:51:25.795 --> 00:51:27.379 ANNOUNCER: Mike. Hook shot. 00:51:27.380 --> 00:51:29.798 And that breaks the record. 00:51:29.799 --> 00:51:31.925 The Boston Celtics have set a record 00:51:31.926 --> 00:51:33.510 for the most points in one game 00:51:33.511 --> 00:51:34.970 in a Championship Series. 00:51:34.971 --> 00:51:36.639 [buzzer] And that'll do it. 00:51:36.640 --> 00:51:38.849 No contest. Game one. 00:51:38.850 --> 00:51:41.435 But it's just game one. Best of seven. 00:51:41.436 --> 00:51:45.064 Give it to the Boston Celtics by a wide margin. 00:51:45.065 --> 00:51:46.774 - The media went crazy. We're over the hill. 00:51:46.775 --> 00:51:48.108 We're done. 00:51:48.109 --> 00:51:50.152 What a horrible performance. 00:51:50.153 --> 00:51:52.237 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is too old. 00:51:52.238 --> 00:51:55.199 He was run off the court by Parish and McHale, 00:51:55.200 --> 00:51:57.409 and he looked like an old man. 00:51:57.410 --> 00:51:58.869 I mean, they really killed us. 00:51:58.870 --> 00:52:02.081 The media killed us, and deservedly so. 00:52:02.082 --> 00:52:06.585 We choked in '84, and we choked in the first game. 00:52:06.586 --> 00:52:10.047 And I had a simple, not rule, 00:52:10.048 --> 00:52:12.675 but an understanding that when we went to a game, 00:52:12.676 --> 00:52:15.719 we all went together and nobody else. 00:52:15.720 --> 00:52:16.929 No family, no friends, nobody. 00:52:16.930 --> 00:52:18.389 We all went together on the bus. 00:52:18.390 --> 00:52:20.766 And so I said, "Let's get on the bus at 6:00." 00:52:20.767 --> 00:52:22.977 Then I looked to my right. 00:52:24.854 --> 00:52:27.564 Kareem's running towards the bus, 00:52:27.565 --> 00:52:29.274 and there's a gentleman following him. 00:52:29.275 --> 00:52:32.444 And I recognized that it was father, Big Al. 00:52:36.157 --> 00:52:39.243 KAREEM: My dad was starting to demonstrate 00:52:39.244 --> 00:52:41.204 the, uh, process of dementia. 00:52:43.081 --> 00:52:45.332 He had gotten separated from my mom. 00:52:45.333 --> 00:52:47.877 So I grabbed him, and I took him on the bus. 00:52:50.255 --> 00:52:52.840 PAT: He said, "Can my dad go to the game with me?" 00:52:52.841 --> 00:52:56.635 And I said, "Absolutely." 00:53:00.265 --> 00:53:05.644 The last time that I saw my father was in 1970. 00:53:05.645 --> 00:53:08.564 I was saying goodbye to them 00:53:08.565 --> 00:53:10.983 and he opened the door and came out, and he said, 00:53:10.984 --> 00:53:13.402 "Just remember what I always taught you. 00:53:13.403 --> 00:53:15.529 "That, you know, some place, you know, somewhere, 00:53:15.530 --> 00:53:19.032 "sometime you're gonna have to plant your feet, stand firm, 00:53:19.033 --> 00:53:21.618 "and make a point about who you are 00:53:21.619 --> 00:53:23.746 "and where you came from. 00:53:23.747 --> 00:53:25.164 "Just remember that, Pat. 00:53:25.165 --> 00:53:26.790 When that time comes, you do it," you know? 00:53:26.791 --> 00:53:28.625 And he just patted me on the shoulder and left. 00:53:28.626 --> 00:53:31.295 I never saw him again after that. 00:53:31.296 --> 00:53:33.714 So when I gave my final comments 00:53:33.715 --> 00:53:35.048 before we went out on the court, 00:53:35.049 --> 00:53:37.342 I started talking about dads, my dad, 00:53:37.343 --> 00:53:39.636 and everybody else's dad that I knew there. 00:53:39.637 --> 00:53:43.016 And, uh, it was a very emotional time. 00:53:44.559 --> 00:53:49.813 The last words that I said to the team: 00:53:49.814 --> 00:53:52.191 "We're going out tonight to plant our feet, stand firm, 00:53:52.192 --> 00:53:56.361 "make a point about who we are, we're world champions, 00:53:56.362 --> 00:53:59.324 and about where we came from, we come from L. A." 00:54:01.743 --> 00:54:05.454 Kareem bringing his father on the bus inspired me. 00:54:05.455 --> 00:54:08.832 It changed my speech and talked about dads. 00:54:08.833 --> 00:54:10.501 MICHAEL: It was probably one of the greatest 00:54:10.502 --> 00:54:13.587 motivation speech to a team that you could ever give 00:54:13.588 --> 00:54:15.631 to get them ready, where you could feel it 00:54:15.632 --> 00:54:17.549 from how he got it, and how his dad got it 00:54:17.550 --> 00:54:18.926 and gave it to him. 00:54:18.927 --> 00:54:21.638 And Pat Riley gave it to us. And, boy, it was perfect. 00:54:25.225 --> 00:54:26.683 ANNOUNCER: When you think back to Monday, 00:54:26.684 --> 00:54:28.185 it is still hard to believe 00:54:28.186 --> 00:54:31.647 that the Celtics beat the Lakers by 34 points. 00:54:31.648 --> 00:54:33.148 But I think the thing to keep in mind 00:54:33.149 --> 00:54:35.817 is that frequently in a seven-game series, 00:54:35.818 --> 00:54:38.987 it is the second game which dictates the tempo 00:54:38.988 --> 00:54:42.783 and the mood for the remainder of the series. 00:54:42.784 --> 00:54:45.869 PAT: This was the major breakthrough moment 00:54:45.870 --> 00:54:49.915 for that team to really own their greatness, 00:54:49.916 --> 00:54:53.627 to own it with this tremendous adversity. 00:54:53.628 --> 00:54:56.838 ANNOUNCER: The Celtics only loss in their last 22 00:54:56.839 --> 00:54:59.299 were these Lakers in game one a year ago. 00:54:59.300 --> 00:55:01.093 It's a new year, a new game. 00:55:01.094 --> 00:55:04.388 one nothing. Boston lead. 00:55:04.389 --> 00:55:05.973 And the Lakers control. 00:55:05.974 --> 00:55:07.516 BYRON: When you're trying to win a championship, 00:55:07.517 --> 00:55:10.060 in that environment, in that stadium, 00:55:10.061 --> 00:55:13.438 with the players that they had, it wasn't easy at all. 00:55:13.439 --> 00:55:15.732 ANNOUNCER: And here comes L. A. pushing it up the way. 00:55:15.733 --> 00:55:18.527 MAGIC: I knew every time I went to try to dunk, 00:55:18.528 --> 00:55:20.654 I was gonna get hit. James knew it. 00:55:20.655 --> 00:55:22.406 JAMES: Magic knew when he went to the hole 00:55:22.407 --> 00:55:23.949 he was gonna get hit. 00:55:23.950 --> 00:55:26.827 That was a part of game as far as we was concerned. 00:55:26.828 --> 00:55:29.872 Boston thought we were soft and found out we weren't. 00:55:31.082 --> 00:55:32.499 MAGIC: We got some players, 00:55:32.500 --> 00:55:33.917 and they're gonna take your head off 00:55:33.918 --> 00:55:36.128 if that's what type of game you want to play. 00:55:36.129 --> 00:55:38.046 ANNOUNCER: This kind of pace when they have a big lead. 00:55:38.047 --> 00:55:39.840 Bird is fouled as he goes in. 00:55:39.841 --> 00:55:42.259 - And you don't see Larry Bird often-- 00:55:42.260 --> 00:55:43.635 BYRON: We were a team that could play 00:55:43.636 --> 00:55:45.470 any style of basketball that you want to play. 00:55:45.471 --> 00:55:47.306 And we still gonna play our style at the end of the day. 00:55:47.307 --> 00:55:48.682 We're still gonna get up and down. 00:55:48.683 --> 00:55:50.100 We're still gonna be showtime. 00:55:50.101 --> 00:55:51.935 But if you want to be half court and gritty, 00:55:51.936 --> 00:55:53.520 we'll play that way. 00:55:53.521 --> 00:55:54.980 If you want to be physical, we'll play that way. 00:55:54.981 --> 00:55:57.191 And then we gonna still get up and down the floor. 00:55:58.693 --> 00:56:00.068 ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen, 00:56:00.069 --> 00:56:01.320 welcome to Boston Garden. 00:56:01.321 --> 00:56:02.779 We go to game number six. 00:56:02.780 --> 00:56:05.699 The Los Angeles Lakers have achieved a 3-to-2 advantage. 00:56:05.700 --> 00:56:07.993 They want to stifle the Celtics here today 00:56:07.994 --> 00:56:11.748 and become the 1985 World Champions. 00:56:14.626 --> 00:56:16.585 ROB: There's no way I was gonna miss it. 00:56:16.586 --> 00:56:20.005 I was shooting a movie. The studio wouldn't let me fly. 00:56:20.006 --> 00:56:22.924 I'd hired a sea plane to secretly pick me up, 00:56:22.925 --> 00:56:24.301 flew to Boston, 00:56:24.302 --> 00:56:27.512 and got in my seats just in time for tip-off. 00:56:27.513 --> 00:56:29.264 Unfortunately, they cut to me in the audience 00:56:29.265 --> 00:56:30.515 in the broadcast. 00:56:30.516 --> 00:56:32.351 ANNOUNCER: Rob Lowe, the actor here. 00:56:32.352 --> 00:56:34.478 ROB: And the studio found out that I was there. 00:56:34.479 --> 00:56:36.481 They were not happy. 00:56:38.024 --> 00:56:41.026 ANNOUNCER: Kareem controls. Five rebounds for Kareem. 00:56:46.532 --> 00:56:50.702 And Magic Johnson finds redemption a year later. 00:56:50.703 --> 00:56:52.037 MAGIC: We were tired of hearing 00:56:52.038 --> 00:56:54.247 how we were 0 and 8 against the Celtics. 00:56:54.248 --> 00:56:58.168 So it was just a big relief for all of us, you know, 00:56:58.169 --> 00:57:00.962 to finally get that monkey off our back. 00:57:00.963 --> 00:57:03.256 ANNOUNCER: The Lakers are winning it. 00:57:03.257 --> 00:57:04.758 Three in six years. 00:57:04.759 --> 00:57:08.929 L.A. comes to Boston and wins the World Title. 00:57:08.930 --> 00:57:11.014 KAREEM: We're the only team to win a World Championship 00:57:11.015 --> 00:57:14.476 in Boston Garden other than the Celtics. 00:57:14.477 --> 00:57:16.520 After what we had gone through the year before 00:57:16.521 --> 00:57:19.356 being called sissies and fakers, 00:57:19.357 --> 00:57:21.858 being able to come back after that and win it 00:57:21.859 --> 00:57:23.527 in Boston Garden-- 00:57:23.528 --> 00:57:26.113 I'll go to my grave smiling about that. 00:57:26.114 --> 00:57:29.074 LARRY: I really wanted to win it two years in a row, 00:57:29.075 --> 00:57:31.576 'cause nobody's done it a long time. 00:57:31.577 --> 00:57:34.413 And, uh, we were good enough to beat 'em. 00:57:34.414 --> 00:57:36.581 Then they came in Boston and beat us in Boston. 00:57:36.582 --> 00:57:38.334 I didn't think they could ever do that. 00:57:39.252 --> 00:57:41.545 FLEA: They're so uplifting when they win championships. 00:57:41.546 --> 00:57:44.798 And when they beat the Celtics and did it in Boston, 00:57:44.799 --> 00:57:47.259 it's those things that suck you in forever. 00:57:47.260 --> 00:57:50.971 - I feel it now. You know, I just--I just got a moment. 00:57:50.972 --> 00:57:53.932 - God, was it fun to root against them. 00:57:53.933 --> 00:57:57.853 Oh...the best. 00:57:57.854 --> 00:57:59.271 REPORTER: Coach, does it make it any sweeter 00:57:59.272 --> 00:58:00.814 defeating the Celtics here... - Yeah. 00:58:00.815 --> 00:58:02.899 - Where you lost it last year? - Gad damn parquet floor. 00:58:02.900 --> 00:58:04.484 On our championship rings, we're gonna have 00:58:04.485 --> 00:58:06.403 a parquet floor with a diamond in the middle of it. 00:58:06.404 --> 00:58:07.779 - This is what every kid who's ever picked up 00:58:07.780 --> 00:58:09.614 a basketball dreams about doing. 00:58:09.615 --> 00:58:10.949 I couldn't be happier, man. 00:58:10.950 --> 00:58:12.367 I'm the happiest guy in the world right now. 00:58:12.368 --> 00:58:14.536 - We had the people back in L. A. waiting on us now. 00:58:14.537 --> 00:58:17.831 We know they're partying for us. It's just great. 00:58:17.832 --> 00:58:22.043 - Now the title is back. - In L. A. Party hard. 00:58:22.044 --> 00:58:24.921 Everybody in L. A., party for us. 00:58:24.922 --> 00:58:26.173 'Cause we're gonna party 00:58:26.174 --> 00:58:27.382 - We'll party for the rest of this summer. 00:58:27.383 --> 00:58:29.092 - It's time to get down. 00:58:29.093 --> 00:58:31.428 - Hey, look at this! 00:58:34.974 --> 00:58:38.351 This has removed the most odious sentence 00:58:38.352 --> 00:58:40.312 in the English language. 00:58:40.313 --> 00:58:42.022 It can never again be said 00:58:42.023 --> 00:58:44.609 that the Lakers have never beaten the Celtics. 00:58:48.946 --> 00:58:51.782 JEANIE: When you've tasted that winning, 00:58:51.783 --> 00:58:53.492 it's a-an addiction. 00:58:53.493 --> 00:58:57.245 You wanna keep winning, and how is that gonna happen? 00:58:57.246 --> 00:58:59.498 You know, my dad was determined. 00:58:59.499 --> 00:59:01.583 This was, "Let's keep this going. 00:59:01.584 --> 00:59:03.877 What else can we do? Bring it on." 00:59:03.878 --> 00:59:05.128 PERSON: Ladies and gentlemen, 00:59:05.129 --> 00:59:08.215 the unbelievable Dr. Jerry Buss. 00:59:10.426 --> 00:59:14.262 PERSON: We're number one. We're number one. 00:59:14.263 --> 00:59:17.057 ALL: We're number one. We're number one. 00:59:17.058 --> 00:59:20.519 JEANIE: But the ego that it takes to keep winning 00:59:20.520 --> 00:59:24.147 may be what destroys the people around you.