But Magic Johnson Was An Awesome Rookie...

Moments after I posted a link to a new Hillary Clinton radio ad in South Carolina featuring Magic Johnson implying that Obama is a "hyped...rookie..." several Obama spokesfolks responded with a ream of statistics and video clips pointing out how Johnson was one of the awesomest rookies ever.... so which lucky Obama researcher got to spend time surfing the sports sites today?

Magic Johnson Became The First Rookie In 11 Years To Start In The NBA All Star Game And The First Rookie To Win The NBA Finals MVP. “In 77 games Johnson's numbers mirrored those of his days at Michigan State (18.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 7.3 apg). He became the first rookie to start in an NBA All-Star Game since Elvin Hayes 11 years earlier.” Johnson also became “the first rookie ever to win the Finals MVP Award.” [NBA.com, Accessed: 12/18/07]

Johnson’s MVP-Winning Performance in 1980 Playoffs Game 6 Is “The Stuff of Legend,” Saved the Team From a Hometown Loss When The Star Abdul-Jabbar Was Injured. “In the 1980 NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, Johnson's performance in the series-clinching sixth game was the stuff of legend. Abdul-Jabbar was sidelined with a badly sprained ankle sustained during his 40-point effort in Game 5. Up 3-2, the Lakers could wrap things up on the 76ers' home court.

Enter Johnson, the 20-year-old rookie. Assuming Abdul-Jabbar's position at center, Johnson sky-hooked and rebounded the Lakers to victory with 42 points, 15 boards, seven assists and three steals. He even jumped for the opening tap. Johnson became the first rookie ever to win the Finals MVP Award. The stunning effort exemplified his uncanny ability to do whatever the Lakers needed in order to win. In the Los Angeles Times, Westhead said of his amazing rookie: ‘We all thought he was a movie-star player, but we found out he wears a hard hat. It's like finding a great orthopedic surgeon who can also operate a bulldozer.’” [NBA.com, Accessed: 12/18/07]

Watch some of that famous game here...

Comments

Too bad those "spokesfolks" don't have comprehension skills to match their research skills. Magic mentioned the "hype" in referring to THE FIRST GAME OF HIS PROFESSIONAL CAREER which he won on the final shot. Then cautioned by a vetaran that it was a LONG SEASON, and a hard road to the Championship. All that GEEK GLEE is a bit premature, I think,

Posted by robert ethan | January 18, 2008 6:38 PM

robert ethan,
You're ignoring that he then goes on to say:

Winning comes from years of hard work and preparation. Whether it’s winning championships or a President who can lead us back to greatness, I’ll always want the most prepared and experienced person leading my team.

That's kind of contradicted by the evidence above, which is why Magic ignored it. It's really a sloppy ad that doesn't stand up to a second's worth of scrutiny. There's no research required. Anyone who knows anything about the NBA will remember that moment.

Posted by Mike | January 18, 2008 6:49 PM

Yeah, I am pretty sure Magic Johnson is using the word "hyped" in the vernacular for - excited, stoked , etc.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hyped

Posted by John | January 18, 2008 6:51 PM

And isnt it a reasonable interpretation of "years of hard work and preparation" to mean his years in backlots, high school and college? I just love when people accuse the Clintons of parsing words, and then they parse words in the same way when it suits their fancy.

Posted by Jammer | January 18, 2008 6:56 PM

"Nothing But Air". Hot air at that. Standard day at the Obama office, throw up an air ball then high five each other all around. Magic had been playing B Ball for at least 15 years before he won his first NBA title.

Posted by robert ethan | January 18, 2008 7:00 PM

Robert Ethan-

Dude, you must get a clue. Magic came out of college after beating Larry Bird in the national championship game (Michigan State vs. Indiana State). He never got to his junior year. He then comes to the NBA as 19 year old rookie and outplays all the veterans all season long. I know because I watched him with my own eyes. Not only does he make perhaps the biggest splash of any rookie in the history of the NBA (winning the Finals MVP, etc.), in the finals, he makes history by playing all three positions in a single game when Kareem went down to injury.

No one who knows anything about basketball thinks this is anything but a stupid analogy, and I can only imagine that Magic must have been laughing to himself as he was reading it. His rookie season proves that to win, you need to go with the best player, not the player who's "earned" his spot on the team through "hard work." Great! Magic is saying we need Kurt Rambis to lead our team into battle. Nothing this funny has happened in this race since...oh... yesterday when Obama was laughing at the Clinton/Edwards personal flaw answers.

Posted by Michael's Mom | January 18, 2008 7:55 PM

If Obama is elected president, he will have been in elective office 13 years. Add to that his time as a community organizer, civil rights attorney and constitutional law lecturer and it seems that Magic is making an argument FOR Obama.

And let's not forget, it was the coach who decided he was ready to play.

Posted by keith | January 18, 2008 8:24 PM

Haha, the one thing I follow as religiously as politics is basketball, and I have to say, that has to be one of the most ironic ads I've ever heard. I mean, Magic had to have one of the greatest rookie years of all time, up there with Bird, Jabbar, MJ, Wilt. Lol.

I mean, did they not think this through at all?

Posted by Michael | January 18, 2008 8:52 PM

i didn't know magig johnson and bob (bet) johnson were related. seem to me they are kin by idiot default. goes to show all rich people are not really rich .these two are bankrupt in brain power and also black power..... two real idiots.

Posted by m l walker | January 18, 2008 8:52 PM

Yeah, the Obama campaign has an NBA connection. "Adolph Hitler" Axelrod's snotnosed kid, Michael, was the drunk who was harassing Gina Davis when Antonio Davis went into the stands to straighten him out. Now the kid is working for the lawyer who trotted out the frivolous lawsuit against the Davis family.

Posted by robert ethan | January 19, 2008 2:38 AM

Don't be a sour puss Robert just like the idiots in the Clinton campaign.

Posted by robert ethan be damned | January 19, 2008 4:49 AM

"Senator Obama, I served with Magic Johnson; I knew Magic Johnson; Magic Johnson was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Magic Johnson."

Posted by Grant | January 19, 2008 6:53 AM

It's not unusual for a rookie to be a star player. Not many get tapped as team captain. Anyway, president, basketball player: two different things. Primary season sure does get silly at times.

Posted by CalD | January 19, 2008 8:20 AM

Obama has 20 years of public service.
He's has been an elected official 4 years longer than Clinton.

Rookie Magic Johnson led his team to the NBA championship. He didn't get into the NBA without years of hardwork and experience.

Women basketball players should follow Magic Johnson's example: Play hard and where those short shorts.

Posted by Mr. Unite Us | January 19, 2008 9:27 AM

Magic Johnson at least knew what team he was playing for.

Rookie Obama doesn't get it. He is playing as much for the other team as he is for his own. He needs to pick a side and stick with it.

Posted by ken | January 19, 2008 9:35 AM

>Rookie Obama doesn't get it. He is playing as much for the other team as he is for his own. He needs to pick a side and stick with it.>

And that's where all the sports analogies start falling apart, since last time I checked, the country wasn't supposed to be set up as a property over which two "teams" fought for possession. The reason why Obama is easily the most electable candidate this year - in EITHER party - is because people recognize that he gets it.

Why is it that so many Hillary supporters can only see the picture in terms of "us vs them"? Have they been so damaged by life that they're looking to exact some revenge somewhere? I mean....is that part of her appeal? Her campaign is "Revenge of the Nerds" writ large?

Posted by Sean | January 19, 2008 9:46 AM

This constant effort to fuel the fantasy of "experience" is just that. Hillary IS older than Barack - we can give her that. What is that she has more experience with? Apparently, being a lawyer, trading options, and being the first lady of both Arkansas and the U.S. When it comes to actual administrative experience, what has she done? What has she actually RUN? How much time has she spent in elected office compared to her competitors? What are the actual achievements? Please...why is he the rookie compared to her? I invite anyone to delineate the actual experience difference? She talks about 35 years - THAT is the biggest "fairy tale" of the campaign.

Posted by Mark | January 19, 2008 9:58 AM

Parsing Words? I am concern about why Bill Clinton continues to misrepresent (lie) about statements made by Barack Obama?

Barack said that the 1980 election changed the trajectory of America and its truth!
Bill Clinton said that Barack said that the Republican had the best idea for the last 15 years. This is a LIE!!!

I have always respect Mr. Clinton and voted for him both times. My family loved him too; however, we are beginning to not trust what he says because on many occasions lately he twists the truth! I am afraid that he wants to win so much that he would lie to the American public-- will Hillary do the same? One thing, I can say about Obama, he will tell the truth and admit to anything that is not truthful. Whether he wins or not, this is what I want the Whitehouse and Oprah was right about his character.

It appears that the Clintons are parsing the words of Obama.

Posted by Jim Davis | January 19, 2008 10:55 AM

The Clintons, should be a shame of themselves. For them to use Dr, Kings name and then not step back when his dream is finally coming true is överseers"action. And Magic should shut up, if it wasn't for Dr King and others he never would have gotten as far as he has.He and that uncle tom from BET is acting just like a field niggers.

Posted by GerriG | January 19, 2008 12:30 PM

Regarding magic: I work at a school and literally yesterday I saw a book about magic in the discard pile. Just last week I laughed when a teacher trying to be hip tried to connect to a kid by talking about Roberto Clemente: the kid was really confused and thought she was talking about Roger Clemens. Michael Jordan is so yesterday the kids barely connect him to the sneakers which still have currency. Even Shaq is terribly old.
SO magic calling Obama a rookie is a powerful thing because young black voters get that rookies barely and rarely have a game good enough to really play: that they need to wait.
AND for older voters Magic is using his expertise to remind them that this man is a rookie. It's magic's expertise that is being exercised here: he is a former coach and commentator: that is how they know him now. NO ONE watches his old film or studies stats like baseball fans do.
It is another way to say he is untested in game situations, not ready for prime time.
a neophyte.
Calling him a kid again is no insult because almost all the people talking politics on tv are older than he is. They called Clinton a kid too after 12 years as governor. In presidential politics now it is very young to be just 46. It only says he is someone who's future is in front of him.

Posted by Michael C. | January 19, 2008 1:31 PM

Consider this:
Bush, Clinton, Then Bush again, NOW CLINTON AGAIN... It is time for a change, AND also consider this. WHY would we want our daughters to see a women in power who does not walk away from a man who CONTINUALLY cheats on her because she feels she needs HIM to get elected. The message she sends is this, I can not make it on my own so I have to let him abuse me so I can reach my goals. Is this who we want running our country? Yea she has more experiance... How to be a door mat!

Posted by Lisa W | January 19, 2008 3:26 PM

I think Magic Johnson is a hypocrite because he excelled as a rookie in the NBA and now is saying Obama is inexperienced. Wow!

Also, Magic said he opened his theaters, Starbucks, and other ventures to help Black people. Now he is trying to prevent a Black person from becoming President.

I think the real Magic has appeared: He is about Magic, not Black people.

Posted by chris carvvin | January 19, 2008 5:34 PM

I guess ranking on an African American presidential hopeful is one way for another African American to get some publicity or engraciate oneself with some people. Question is, "Was it worth it?"
Magic, you and Robert Johnson have taken on a new place in Black journals. You know what that is, Judas?

Posted by Steve Wilson | January 20, 2008 8:14 AM

I guess ranking on an African American presidential hopeful is one way for another African American to get some publicity or engraciate oneself with some people. Question is, "Was it worth it?"
Magic, you and Robert Johnson have taken on a new place in Black journals. You know what that is, Judas?

Posted by Steve Wilson | January 20, 2008 8:14 AM

Wow this is interesting, a European Woman and an African American Man running for the Presidency of these here United States. Who would have thought? I grew up watching Magic play in Lansing Michigan. Sorry, his career didn't start with the NBA nor with the NCAA... He First played at Main Street Elementary School, the high school kids filled the gym to see him play. Then for Lansing Everett High school, Already a Star. In 1975 Battle Creek Central vs Everett High school in the Semi Finals, 4th period, Lyon G. SPIT in Magic's face! Magic went to the bench, got a towel and wiped his face. Everyone was ready for a fight. Magic talked to the coach and walked back out on to the court, the crowed went wild! You see, Magic played center for Everett, but now he waved the guards down court, He was bringing the ball down now! Everett position themselves in the 4 corners and stayed out of the way while Magic took a couple of technical fouls for DUNKEN the BALL!!! Dunking wasn't legal yet! He ejected Lyons shot several times into the stands and while there wasn't a three point zone yet, Magic shot the ball from that area several times hitting nothing but net! BC Central got their heads handed to them that night, because one person cheated and possessed no sports-mans like conduct. Lesson learned, Magic was destined from birth! Just wanted to share that.. Oh Magic's first commercial for Buick.. Hahaha! "Wouldn't you really rather have a Buick!" Everyone has a beginning:O) Peace! D

Posted by Deanar | January 20, 2008 10:57 PM

omg. speaking of injuries i cannot believe that he has HIV. it is kinda sad of the fact that he had to wait so long just to tell everybody about it.

Posted by morgon brown | May 6, 2008 1:36 PM