Magic Johnson reveals how Michael Jordan’s foul trouble was a blessing in disguise for the Chicago Bulls.
During the 1980s, the Los Angeles Lakers were the most dominant team in the NBA. After all, they won five NBA Championships during the ‘Showtime’ era.
Led by the ever-so-charismatic Magic Johnson and the brilliant Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers were a force to be reckoned with.
However, during the 1991 NBA Finals, the Lakers met their match in the form of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images
Magic Johnson says Michael Jordan’s Game 1 ‘foul trouble’ unlocked a special weapon for Bulls
At the time, the Lakers were still viewed as a strong contender despite Abdul-Jabbar already being retired and Johnson entering the 30s.
As for the Bulls, they had finally overcome their archrivals – the ‘Bad Boys’ Detroit Pistons. According to Magic, the 1991 NBA Finals were already settled in Game 1 of the series.
How? Well, legendary head coach Phil Jackson was given a blessing in disguise in the form of Jordan’s early foul trouble.
“[Scottie] Pippen did a great job on me. Once Michael got into early foul trouble [MJ committed five fouls in total], you had to expect they would make that switch,” Johnson said, via New York Times.
“They were trying to wear me out or take the ball out of my hands, take your pick. Scottie is more physical than Michael so the matchup was a little different,” he added.
While Johnson finished Game 1 with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, Scottie Pippen’s physical defense certainly did a number on him as he shot 4-of-5 from the field and relied more on free throws.
’
Bulls won four straight after Game 1 defeat
Despite suffering a 93-91 defeat in Game 1, coach Jackson knew Pippen defending Magic was the key to winning over the Lakers.
It was initially supposed to be a secret, but in the next four games, the Bulls used the strategy to register a 4-1 series win over the Lakers.
The 1991 NBA Finals victory officially marked the end of the Lakers dynasty as the Bulls would go on to win five more titles in the 1990s.