The Los Angeles Lakers having the first pick in the 1979 NBA draft should've meant they had the freedom to draft any player. However, the reason the Lakers couldn't draft Larry Bird is that he was already a member of the Boston Celtics by this point.
Why did the Celtics get to draft Larry Bird?
According to the rules then, Bird was draft eligible because he'd already spent four years in college.” Selecting the Indiana State standout was a roll of the proverbial dice, considering that the eventual three-time MVP wouldn't be able to play for Boston until the following year.
Who came first Magic Johnson or Larry Bird?
Magic Johnson was selected 1st overall by the Los Angeles Lakers.
How did the Lakers get the number 1 pick in 1979?
The Lakers had acquired a first-round pick in the 1979 NBA draft from New Orleans when the Jazz signed Gail Goodrich as a free agent before the 1976-77 season. That pick turned out to be the No. 1 overall selection when the Jazz finished with the league's worst record in 1978-79.
Did Larry Bird and Magic Johnson get drafted the same year?
What was it notable for? If Larry Bird being taken in 1978 was important, so too was the Los Angeles Lakers' selection of Magic Johnson in 1979.
43 related questions foundWho owned the Lakers when Magic Johnson was drafted?
This article contains spoilers for Episode 1 and Episode 2 of “Winning Time.” HBO's “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” chronicles the Lakers' glorious and glitzy “Showtime” era, beginning in 1979 when Jerry Buss (John C. Reilly) bought the Lakers and added Magic Johnson (Quincy Isaiah) to the roster.
How did the Lakers get worthy?
The Lakers won the coin toss against the San Diego Clippers and received the first pick, with which they selected Worthy. As a result, the Lakers became the first and only team to acquire the top pick in the Draft after having won that season's championship.
Who drafted ahead of Larry Bird?
The final player drafted ahead of Larry Bird, Purvis Short. He was drafted fifth overall by the Golden State Warriors and had a solid rookie year, averaging 10.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest.
Why did Jerry West leave the Lakers?
West was an All-Star all 14 seasons he played as a pro and was consistently one of the league's top offensive and defensive weapons. Injuries and a souring relationship with the Lakers front office led to West retiring at the end of the 1974 season.
Who was the first black NBA player?
On October 31, 1950, 21-year-old Earl Lloyd becomes the first African American to play in an NBA game when he takes the court in the season opener for the Washington Capitols. Lloyd grew up in Jim Crow Virginia and went to West Virginia State, where he was the star of the school's championship basketball team.
How was Larry Bird drafted early?
Five teams, including the Pacers who held the third pick, passed on Bird until the Celtics used the sixth pick to draft him. They drafted him even though they knew that they might lose the exclusive rights to him if he didn't sign before the next draft.
How did Larry Bird get drafted and still play college?
1978 - Drafting Larry Bird
The Celtics owned two of the top eight picks in the 1978 NBA Draft. Since the Celtics had two draft choices, Auerbach took a risk and selected junior Larry Bird of Indiana State with the 6th pick, knowing that Bird would elect to remain in college for his senior year.
How did Larry Bird skip the draft?
While his ascension to the NBA was all but certain at some point, Bird's decision to transfer from the University of Indiana playing under legendary NCAA head coach Bob Knight to Indiana State opened up a loophole in the NBA rules at the time which allowed a player to be drafted in the draft after their graduating ...
Why did Larry Bird go to Indiana State?
Bird chose IU because “he likes coach Bobby Knight, the players, the fans and 'the way they have things set up there,'” according to The Noblesville Ledger. But none of those things kept him in Bloomington, as he was gone before homecoming his freshman year.
Which NBA team did Larry Bird play for?
Larry Bird, in full Larry Joe Bird, (born December 7, 1956, West Baden, Indiana, U.S.), American basketball player who led the Boston Celtics to three National Basketball Association (NBA) championships (1981, 1984, and 1986) and is considered one of the greatest pure shooters of all time.
Why didn't Larry Bird play the year he was drafted?
Larry Bird was the sixth overall draft pick in the first round by the Boston Celtics in the year 1978. However, he didn't enter the NBA straight away and instead decided to stay in college one more season and play for Indiana State University.
What did the Lakers get for Norm Nixon?
On Oct. 10, 1983, Nixon (along with Eddie Jordan and a second-round pick) were sent a couple of hours south to the San Diego Clippers in exchange for Swen Nater and the draft rights to rookie Byron Scott.
How did the Lakers get the number one pick for Magic?
They received the pick in 1976 when Gail Goodrich signed with the then New Orleans Jazz. The Lakers allowed Goodrich to sign with the Jazz in exchange for two first-round picks and a second, including the first overall pick in 1979, which ended up being Magic Johnson.
How did Wilt lose his arm?
Wilt was ready to defend, but Jordan was right under Larry when he jumped. Wilt, setting aside the victory, rushed in and pushed Jordan out of the way just as Larry came down, saving Jordan's life, but crushing Wilt's left arm, leaving it crooked.
What team did Wilt Chamberlain play for?
He went to the NBA in 1959, playing with the Philadelphia Warriors (1959–65; the team moved and became the San Francisco Warriors in 1962), going back to Philadelphia to play for the 76ers (1965–68), and finishing his career with the Los Angeles Lakers (1968–73).
What age did wilt retire?
Wilt was such a basketball force that many believed that he could play at the highest level, even years after his retirement. This belief almost realized in 1986, 13 years after he retired when he was 51 years old.
