1983–84 Los Angeles Lakers season

1983–84 Los Angeles Lakers season
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coachPat Riley
OwnersJerry Buss
ArenaThe Forum
Results
Record54–28 (.659)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Pacific)
Conference: 1st (Western)
Playoff finishNBA Finals
(lost to Celtics 3–4)

Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionKHJ
RadioAM 570 KLAC

The 1983–84 season for the Los Angeles Lakers saw them lose in the 1984 NBA Finals against Larry Bird's Boston Celtics in seven games. The Lakers were coming off of an NBA Finals loss the previous season to the Julius Erving and Moses Malone-led Philadelphia 76ers, in which they were swept in four games. The Lakers, powered by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (who broke the NBA's all-time total points record) and Magic Johnson with his 13.1 assists per game (tops in '84), ended up winning 54 games in the 1983–84 NBA season. On April 5, 1984, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had a 12-foot shot over Mark Eaton of the Utah Jazz to surpass Wilt Chamberlain as the NBA's all-time leading scorer with 31,421 points.[1]

In the playoffs, the Lakers defeated the Kansas City Kings in the first round, the Dallas Mavericks in the second, and the Phoenix Suns in the 1984 Western Conference finals in order to advance to what is called the "greatest NBA Finals in history", against Larry Bird's formidable, 62–20 Boston Celtics. The Lakers' easy 137–104 victory in Game 3 of the Finals caused Bird to label teammates "sissies". The words inspired the Celtics, and shot down the Lakers, with the Celtics winning Game 7 by a score of 111–102, a Laker heartbreaker, and still, arguably, the most memorable Finals of the 1980s.

Draft picks

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
3 69 Orlando Phillips F  United States Pepperdine
4 92 Terry Lewis G  United States Mississippi State
5 115 Danny Dixon G  United States Alabama A&M
6 138 Mark Steele F  United States Colorado State
7 161 Ricky Mixon G  United States Cal State Fullerton

Roster

1983–84 Los Angeles Lakers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
C 33 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1947-04-16 UCLA
SG 21 Michael Cooper 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1956-04-15 New Mexico
SF 00 Calvin Garrett 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1956-07-11 Oral Roberts
PG 32 Magic Johnson 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1959-08-14 Michigan State
PF 25 Mitch Kupchak 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1954-05-24 North Carolina
C 11 Bob McAdoo 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1951-09-25 North Carolina
SF 40 Mike McGee 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1959-07-29 Michigan
C 41 Swen Nater 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1950-01-14 UCLA
PF 31 Kurt Rambis 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 213 lb (97 kg) 1958-02-25 Santa Clara
SG 4 Byron Scott 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1961-03-28 Arizona State
SF 35 Larry Spriggs 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1959-09-08 Howard
SF 52 Jamaal Wilkes 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1953-05-02 UCLA
PF 42 James Worthy 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1961-02-27 North Carolina
Head coach
Assistant(s)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster
Updated: April 11, 1984

Regular season

Season standings

W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Los Angeles Lakers 54 28 .659 28–13 26–15 18–12
x-Portland Trail Blazers 48 34 .585 6 33–8 15–26 17–13
x-Seattle SuperSonics 42 40 .512 12 32–9 10–31 14–16
x-Phoenix Suns 41 41 .500 13 31–10 10–31 16–14
Golden State Warriors 37 45 .451 17 27–14 10–31 13–17
San Diego Clippers 30 52 .366 24 25–16 5–36 12–18
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Los Angeles Lakers 54 28 .659
2 y-Utah Jazz 45 37 .549 9
3 x-Portland Trail Blazers 48 34 .585 6
4 x-Dallas Mavericks 43 39 .524 11
5 x-Seattle SuperSonics 42 40 .512 12
6 x-Phoenix Suns 41 41 .500 13
7 x-Denver Nuggets 38 44 .463 16
8 x-Kansas City Kings 38 44 .463 16
9 San Antonio Spurs 37 45 .451 17
10 Golden State Warriors 37 45 .451 17
11 San Diego Clippers 30 52 .366 24
12 Houston Rockets 29 53 .354 25
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Game log

Regular season

1983–84 game log
Total: 54–28 (home: 28–13; road: 26–15)
October: 2–0 (home: 0–0; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 October 28 @ Kansas City W 117–107 Abdul-Jabbar & Wilkes (25) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10) Magic Johnson (11) Kemper Arena
15,782
1–0
2 October 29 @ Utah W 120–115 Abdul-Jabbar & Wilkes (21) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14) Magic Johnson (14) Salt Palace Acord Arena
10,608
2–0
November : 10–4 (home: 7–1; road: 3–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
3 November 2 @ San Diego L 106–110 Jamaal Wilkes (19) Magic Johnson (11) Magic Johnson (13) San Diego Sports Arena
11,629
2–1
4 November 5 @ Dallas L 102–107 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (16) Mike McGee (8) Magic Johnson (14) Reunion Arena
17,007
2–2
5 November 8 @ Denver W 133–124 Magic Johnson (29) Magic Johnson (12) Magic Johnson (14) McNichols Sports Arena
10,104
3–2
6 November 9 Dallas W 120–106 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (24) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (13) Magic Johnson (13) The Forum
14,341
4–2
7 November 11 Phoenix W 119–105 Mike McGee (26) Magic Johnson (8) Magic Johnson (15) The Forum
15,316
5–2
8 November 13 Utah W 124–118 Magic Johnson (30) Magic Johnson (13) Magic Johnson (16) The Forum
12,039
6–2
9 November 15 Milwaukee W 126–97 Jamaal Wilkes (17) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10) Magic Johnson (17) The Forum
14,557
7–2
10 November 17 Cleveland W 127–114 Jamaal Wilkes (24) Magic Johnson (9) Magic Johnson (22) The Forum
11,467
8–2
11 November 19 @ Portland W 117–110 Abdul-Jabbar & Wilkes (20) Johnson & Worthy (9) Magic Johnson (13) Memorial Coliseum
12,666
9–2
12 November 22 Utah L 126–130 (OT) Bob McAdoo (31) Johnson & McAdoo (9) Magic Johnson (17) The Forum
12,553
9–3
13 November 23 @ Seattle L 98–106 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19) Abdul-Jabbar & Worthy (7) Magic Johnson (15) Kingdome
13,033
9–4
14 November 25 New Jersey W 147–123 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (27) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12) Magic Johnson (20) The Forum
14,364
10–4
15 November 27 Chicago W 103–100 Magic Johnson (29) Magic Johnson (8) Magic Johnson (12) The Forum
12,692
11–4
16 November 29 @ Golden State W 111–-105 Mike McGee (22) 3 players tied (7) Magic Johnson (16) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
11,761
12–4
December : 7–6 (home: 6–3; road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
17 December 2 Dallas L 118–133 Jamaal Wilkes (21) Bob McAdoo (9) Magic Johnson (12) The Forum
16,044
12–5
18 December 4 San Diego W 120–99 Abdul-Jabbar & Scott (20) Swen Nater (9) Michael Cooper (17) The Forum
17,505
13–5
19 December 8 Kansas City W 129–106 McGee & Wilkes (22) Bob McAdoo (10) Michael Cooper (10) The Forum
11,911
14–5
20 December 11 New York L 98–109 Bob McAdoo (27) Abdul-Jabbar & McAdoo (5) Jamaal Wilkes (4) The Forum
12,845
14–6
21 December 15 @ Phoenix L 104–114 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (15) Abdul-Jabbar & McAdoo (10) Abdul-Jabbar & Scott (4) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,624
14–7
22 December 16 San Diego W 122–109 Bob McAdoo (26) Abdul-Jabbar & Cooper (6) Michael Cooper (7) The Forum
15,456
15–7
23 December 18 Portland W 122–115 James Worthy (28) Abdul-Jabbar & Worthy (7) Michael Cooper (9) The Forum
13,000
16–7
24 December 20 @ Seattle W 108–102 Wilkes & Worthy (23) Bob McAdoo (10) Cooper & Scott (8) Kingdome
12,436
17–7
25 December 22 @ Golden State L 102–109 Jamaal Wilkes (23) Garrett & Worthy (7) Michael Cooper (8) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
10,621
17–8
26 December 23 Golden State W 123–116 Bob McAdoo (27) James Worthy (14) Michael Cooper (16) The Forum
13,116
18–8
27 December 25 @ Portland L 121–141 James Worthy (30) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (8) Michael Cooper (9) Memorial Coliseum
12,666
18–9
28 December 27 Denver W 118–116 Jamaal Wilkes (24) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (15) Michael Cooper (12) The Forum
15,512
19–9
29 December 30 Golden State L 105–116 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (25) Jamaal Wilkes (12) Michael Cooper (12) The Forum
14,177
19–10
January : 8–6 (home: 4–3; road: 4–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
30 January 3 @ New York L 105–117 Mike McGee (33) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10) Michael Cooper (10) Madison Square Garden
16,886
19–11
31 January 4 @ Cleveland W 106–99 Magic Johnson (23) Swen Nater (10) Magic Johnson (10) Richfield Coliseum
8,027
20–11
32 January 6 San Antonio L 117–124 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (24) Magic Johnson (10) Cooper & Johnson (12) The Forum
17,505
20–12
33 January 8 Houston L 118–129 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (30) Wilkes & Worthy (9) Magic Johnson (14) The Forum
17,505
20–13
34 January 10 @ Houston W 136–132 (OT) Bob McAdoo (32) James Worthy (9) Magic Johnson (14) The Summit
16,016
21–13
35 January 12 @ Kansas City W 95–89 Bob McAdoo (24) Bob McAdoo (9) Magic Johnson (11) Kemper Arena
9,131
22–13
36 January 13 @ Denver W 141–134 Jamaal Wilkes (31) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (13) Magic Johnson (18) McNichols Sports Arena
13,967
23–13
37 January 15 Seattle L 91–102 Jamaal Wilkes (26) James Worthy (13) Magic Johnson (17) The Forum
17,505
23–14
38 January 17 Washington W 108–95 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (23) Wilkes & Worthy (11) Magic Johnson (12) The Forum
12,754
24–14
39 January 19 @ Phoenix L 123–138 James Worthy (23) James Worthy (9) Magic Johnson (12) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,062
24–15
40 January 21 @ San Antonio L 108–113 Bob McAdoo (30) Magic Johnson (12) Magic Johnson (12) HemisFair Arena
13,972
24–16
41 January 24 Phoenix W 116–110 Bob McAdoo (24) Jamaal Wilkes (10) Magic Johnson (11) The Forum
13,896
25–16
42 January 26 Houston W 131–102 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26) James Worthy (12) Magic Johnson (11) The Forum
17,505
26–16
All-Star Break
43 January 31 Portland W 129–124 Jamaal Wilkes (23) Magic Johnson (9) Magic Johnson (15) The Forum
15,987
27–16
February : 11–4 (home: 4–1; road: 7–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
44 February 1 @ Denver W 116–108 Byron Scott (32) Magic Johnson (10) Magic Johnson (17) McNichols Sports Arena
14,009
28–16
45 February 3 Utah W 109–105 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (29) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12) Magic Johnson (16) The Forum
17,505
29–16
46 February 5 @ San Antonio W 110–98 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (27) James Worthy (13) Magic Johnson (18) HemisFair Arena
10,414
30–16
47 February 7 @ Indiana W 106–105 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9) Magic Johnson (12) Market Square Arena
14,636
31–16
48 February 8 @ Boston W 111–109 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (27) Johnson & Wilkes (8) Magic Johnson (10) Boston Garden
14,890
32–16
49 February 10 @ Washington L 93–96 Jamaal Wilkes (21) James Worthy (11) Magic Johnson (13) Capital Centre
19,105
32–17
50 February 12 Atlanta W 108–87 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26) Magic Johnson (10) Magic Johnson (15) The Forum
15,617
33–17
51 February 17 Denver L 138–141 Magic Johnson (33) Magic Johnson (13) Magic Johnson (16) The Forum
15,230
33–18
52 February 18 @ San Diego W 120–116 Johnson & Wilkes (20) Magic Johnson (7) Magic Johnson (14) San Diego Sports Arena
10,502
34–18
53 February 21 Seattle W 128–112 Jamaal Wilkes (25) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (7) Magic Johnson (23) The Forum
17,505
35–18
54 February 22 @ Seattle L 114–121 Magic Johnson (22) Magic Johnson (13) Magic Johnson (11) Kingdome
12,910
35–19
55 February 24 Boston W 116–108 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (31) Magic Johnson (8) Magic Johnson (18) The Forum
17,505
36–19
56 February 26 @ Philadelphia W 101–99 Magic Johnson (23) James Worthy (9) Magic Johnson (11) The Spectrum
17,921
37–19
57 February 28 @ Chicago W 124–108 Jamaal Wilkes (22) Kurt Rambis (7) Magic Johnson (15) Chicago Stadium
10,949
38–19
58 February 29 @ New Jersey L 92–102 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (8) Magic Johnson (8) Brendan Byrne Arena
17,590
38–20
March : 11–4 (home: 4–3; road: 7–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
59 March 2 @ Atlanta W 98–94 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (30) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (13) Magic Johnson (9) The Omni
15,413
39–20
60 March 4 @ Detroit W 118–114 Abdul-Jabbar & Johnson (29) Magic Johnson (14) Michael Cooper (8) Pontiac Silverdome
30,104
40–20
61 March 7 Philadelphia L 105–113 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (29) James Worthy (10) Magic Johnson (11) The Forum
17,505
40–21
62 March 9 @ Dallas W 121–120 (2OT) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (32) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12) Magic Johnson (8) Reunion Arena
17,007
41–21
63 March 10 Indiana L 114–126 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (25) James Worthy (11) Magic Johnson (9) The Forum
15,340
41–22
64 March 13 Seattle W 114–98 Abdul-Jabbar & Scott (20) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9) Magic Johnson (13) The Forum
13,344
42–22
65 March 15 San Antonio W 143–124 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26) Magic Johnson (9) Magic Johnson (8) The Forum
17,505
43–22
66 March 17 @ Houston W 123–111 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (29) James Worthy (13) Magic Johnson (13) The Summit
15,010
44–22
67 March 20 @ Milwaukee W 99–94 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (22) Kurt Rambis (7) Magic Johnson (11) MECCA Arena
11,052
45–22
68 March 21 @ Kansas City W 123–116 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (24) Magic Johnson (12) Magic Johnson (19) Kemper Arena
17,164
46–22
69 March 23 Detroit L 118–121 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (35) James Worthy (9) Magic Johnson (10) The Forum
17,505
46–23
70 March 25 San Diego W 114–102 James Worthy (26) Kurt Rambis (9) Magic Johnson (16) The Forum
15,122
47–23
71 March 28 @ San Diego L 115–122 Magic Johnson (25) Kurt Rambis (8) Magic Johnson (15) San Diego Sports Arena 47–24
72 March 29 Houston W 115–109 James Worthy (23) Magic Johnson (11) Magic Johnson (10) The Forum
15,253
48–24
73 March 31 @ Phoenix W 119–97 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (27) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11) Magic Johnson (13) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
13,032
49–24
April : 5–4 (home: 3–2; road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
74 April 1 Golden State W 121–110 Magic Johnson (26) Magic Johnson (9) Magic Johnson (13) The Forum
13,754
50–24
75 April 3 @ San Antonio L 109–137 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (27) Kurt Rambis (8) Magic Johnson (10) HemisFair Arena
9,790
50–25
76 April 5 @ Utah
(at Las Vegas, Nevada)
W 129–115 Byron Scott (24) Magic Johnson (7) Magic Johnson (12) Thomas & Mack Center
18,359
51–25
77 April 6 Kansas City W 112–97 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (22) Kupchak & Rambis (10) Magic Johnson (10) The Forum
17,505
52–25
78 April 8 @ Portland W 119–113 James Worthy (37) Magic Johnson (8) Magic Johnson (12) Memorial Coliseum
12,666
53–25
79 April 10 @ Golden State L 115–117 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (28) Kurt Rambis (13) Magic Johnson (11) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
4,262
53–26
80 April 11 Portland W 121–108 Abdul-Jabbar & McGee (24) Kurt Rambis (9) Michael Cooper (9) The Forum
17,505
54–26
81 April 13 Dallas L 103–104 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (32) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11) Michael Cooper (10) The Forum
14,688
54–27
82 April 15 Phoenix L 114–123 Mike McGee (21) Kurt Rambis (10) Michael Cooper (10) The Forum
14,461
54–28
1983–84 schedule

Playoffs

1984 playoff game log
Total: 14–7 (home: 9–2; road: 5–5)
Western Conference First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 18, 1984 Kansas City W 116–105 Magic Johnson (26) 3 players tied (7) Magic Johnson (11) The Forum
13,918
1–0
2 April 20, 1984 Kansas City W 109–102 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11) Magic Johnson (11) The Forum
14,986
2–0
3 April 22, 1984 @ Kansas City W 108–102 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (23) Johnson & Worthy (10) Magic Johnson (13) Kemper Arena
7,261
3–0
Western Conference Semifinals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 28, 1984 Dallas W 134–91 Mike McGee (25) Kurt Rambis (8) Magic Johnson (11) The Forum
13,512
1–0
2 May 1, 1984 Dallas W 117–101 Magic Johnson (27) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10) Magic Johnson (11) The Forum
15,298
2–0
3 May 4, 1984 @ Dallas L 115–125 Magic Johnson (24) Bob McAdoo (8) Magic Johnson (14) Reunion Arena
17,007
2–1
4 May 6, 1984 @ Dallas W 122–115 (OT) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33) Abdul-Jabbar & Johnson (11) Magic Johnson (16) Reunion Arena
17,007
3–1
5 May 8, 1984 Dallas W 115–99 Mike McGee (27) 3 players tied (6) Magic Johnson (15) The Forum
16,644
4–1
Western Conference Finals: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 May 12, 1984 Phoenix W 110–94 Bob McAdoo (20) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10) Michael Cooper (10) The Forum
12,825
1–0
2 May 15, 1984 Phoenix W 118–102 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (21) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10) Magic Johnson (24) The Forum
16,578
2–0
3 May 18, 1984 @ Phoenix L 127–135 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (31) 3 players tied (8) Magic Johnson (13) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,660
2–1
4 May 20, 1984 @ Phoenix W 126–115 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (31) 3 players tied (7) Magic Johnson (15) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,660
3–1
5 May 23, 1984 Phoenix L 121–126 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (28) Bob McAdoo (8) Magic Johnson (13) The Forum
16,848
3–2
6 May 25, 1984 @ Phoenix W 99–97 James Worthy (22) Magic Johnson (11) Magic Johnson (13) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,660
4–2
NBA Finals: 3–4 (home: 2–1; road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 May 27, 1984 @ Boston W 115–109 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (32) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (8) Magic Johnson (10) Boston Garden
14,890
1–0
2 May 31, 1984 @ Boston L 121–124 (OT) James Worthy (29) Magic Johnson (10) Magic Johnson (10) Boston Garden
14,890
1–1
3 June 3, 1984 Boston W 137–104 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (34) Magic Johnson (11) Magic Johnson (21) The Forum
17,505
2–1
4 June 6, 1984 Boston L 125–129 (OT) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (32) Magic Johnson (11) Magic Johnson (17) The Forum
17,505
2–2
5 June 8, 1984 @ Boston L 103–121 James Worthy (22) Kurt Rambis (9) Magic Johnson (13) Boston Garden
14,890
2–3
6 June 10, 1984 Boston W 119–108 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (30) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10) Magic Johnson (10) The Forum
17,505
3–3
7 June 12, 1984 @ Boston L 102–111 James Worthy (21) Kurt Rambis (9) Magic Johnson (15) Boston Garden
14,890
3–4
1984 schedule

Awards and records

References

  1. ^ Ferraro, Michael X.; Veneziano, John (2007). Numbelievable!. Chicago: Triumph Books. p. 160. ISBN 978-1-57243-990-0.