1983–84 Los Angeles Lakers season
1983–84 Los Angeles Lakers season | |
---|---|
Conference Champions | |
Division Champions | |
Head coach | Pat Riley |
Owner(s) | Jerry Buss |
Arena | The Forum |
Results | |
Record | 54–28 (.659) |
Place |
Division: 1st (Pacific) Conference: 1st (Western) |
Playoff finish |
NBA Finals (Lost to Celtics 3–4) |
Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com | |
Local media | |
Television | KHJ |
Radio | AM 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 well-fought games. The Los Angeles 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 1 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, 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' early step on the green team in the Championship caused Bird to label teammates "sissies". The words inspired the Celtics, and shot down the Lakers, and the C's won game 7 111–102, a Laker heartbreaker, and still, arguably, the most memorable Finals of the 1980s.
Draft picks
Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Roster
1983–84 Los Angeles Lakers roster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Players | Coaches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Roster |
Regular season
Season standings
Pacific Division | 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 |
# | Western Conference | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
9 | 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
Record vs. opponents
1983–84 NBA records|- | Team | ATL | BOS | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | KCK | LAL | MIL | NJN | NYK | PHI | PHO | POR | SAS | SDC | SEA | UTA | WAS | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Atlanta | — | 0–5 | 4–2 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–3 | 3–3 | 4–1 | 5–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Boston | 5–0 | — | 5–0 | 6–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 5–1 | 4–2 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chicago | 2–4 | 0–5 | — | 2–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cleveland | 3–3 | 0–6 | 4–2 | — | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 2–3 | 1–5 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dallas | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 4–2 | 0–2 | 4–1 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 3–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 4–2 | 4–1 | 1–4 | 4–2 | 0–2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Denver | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–4 | — | 1–1 | 2–3 | 4–2 | 0–2 | 4–2 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 1–4 | 3–3 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 3–3 | 0–2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Detroit | 4–2 | 2–4 | 5–1 | 5–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1–4 | 4–2 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Golden State | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 3–2 | 1–1 | — | 2–3 | 2–0 | 4–1 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–5 | 2–4 | 3–2 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 1–4 | 2–0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Houston | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 3–2 | — | 1–1 | 2–4 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 1–4 | 2–4 | 2–3 | 3–2 | 1–5 | 0–2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Indiana | 2–4 | 1–5 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | — | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–5 | 1–5 | 2–4 | 0–5 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kansas City | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 4–2 | 2–0 | — | 0–5 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 2–3 | 5–1 | 3–2 | 1–4 | 3–3 | 2–0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Los Angeles | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–3 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 5–0 | — | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 5–1 | 2–3 | 4–2 | 3–3 | 4–1 | 1–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Milwaukee | 3–3 | 1–5 | 4–2 | 5–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | — | 4–2 | 4–1 | 2–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
New Jersey | 3–3 | 2–4 | 4–2 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 5–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–4 | — | 3–3 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
New York | 1–4 | 3–3 | 4–1 | 5–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–4 | 3–3 | — | 2–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Philadelphia | 1–5 | 4–2 | 3–2 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 5–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 3–3 | 4–2 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Phoenix | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 3–2 | 0–2 | 5–1 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–4 | 5–0 | 4–2 | 2–4 | 1–4 | 2–0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portland | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–2 | — | 4–1 | 4–2 | 4–2 | 1–4 | 1–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
San Antonio | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 1–5 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–5 | 1–4 | — | 4–1 | 2–3 | 4–2 | 1–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
San Diego | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 3–3 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 1–4 | — | 3–3 | 2–3 | 1–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Seattle | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 2–4 | 3–2 | 3–3 | — | 1–4 | 1–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Utah | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 5–1 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–1 | 4–1 | 2–4 | 3–2 | 4–1 | — | 1–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Washington | 2–4 | 2–4 | 4–2 | 1–4 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 4–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–5 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — |
Playoffs
West First Round
(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Kansas City Kings: Lakers win series 3–0
- Game 1 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (April 18): Los Angeles 116, Kansas City 105
- Game 2 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (April 20): Los Angeles 109, Kansas City 102
- Game 3 @ Kemper Arena, Kansas City (April 22): Los Angeles 108, Kansas City 102
Last Playoff Meeting: 1955 Western Division Semifinals (Lakers won 2–1; Lakers were in Minneapolis, Kings were in Rochester, New York as the Royals)
West Conference Semifinals
(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (4) Dallas Mavericks: Lakers win series 4–1
- Game 1 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (April 28): Los Angeles 134, Dallas 91
- Game 2 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (May 1): Los Angeles 117, Dallas 101
- Game 3 @ Reunion Arena, Dallas (May 4): Dallas 125, Los Angeles 115
- Game 4 @ Reunion Arena, Dallas (May 6)*: Los Angeles 122, Dallas 115 (OT)
- Game 5 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (May 8): Los Angeles 115, Dallas 99
Last Playoff Meeting: This is the first meeting between the Lakers and Mavericks.
West Conference Finals
(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Phoenix Suns: Lakers win series 4–2
- Game 1 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (May 12): Los Angeles 110, Phoenix 94
- Game 2 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (May 15): Los Angeles 118, Phoenix 102
- Game 3 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix (May 18): Phoenix 135, Los Angeles 127 (OT)
- Game 4 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix (May 20): Los Angeles 126, Phoenix 115
- Game 5 @ The Forum, Los Angeles (May 23): Phoenix 126, Los Angeles 121
- Game 6 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix (May 25): Los Angeles 99, Phoenix 97
Last Playoff Meeting: 1982 Western Conference Semifinals (Los Angeles won 4–0)
NBA Finals
Game | Home team | Score | Road Team | Series |
---|---|---|---|---|
Game 1 | Boston Celtics | 109–115 | Los Angeles Lakers | LA 1–0 |
Game 2 | Boston Celtics | 124–121* | Los Angeles Lakers | TIED 1–1 |
Game 3 | Los Angeles Lakers | 137–104 | Boston Celtics | LA 2–1 |
Game 4 | Los Angeles Lakers | 125–129* | Boston Celtics | TIED 2–2 |
Game 5 | Boston Celtics | 121–103 | Los Angeles Lakers | BOS 3–2 |
Game 6 | Los Angeles Lakers | 119–108 | Boston Celtics | TIED 3–3 |
Game 7 | Boston Celtics | 111–102 | Los Angeles Lakers | BOS 4–3 |
*overtime
Boston beats Los Angeles 4–3
Player statistics
Legend | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field-goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field-goal percentage | FT% | Free-throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game |
Awards and records
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, All-NBA First Team
- Magic Johnson, All-NBA First Team
- Michael Cooper, NBA All-Defensive First Team
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, NBA All-Defensive Second Team
- Byron Scott, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team
References
- ↑ Numbelivable!, p.160, Michael X. Ferraro and John Veneziano, Triumph Books, Chicago, Illinois, 2007, ISBN 978-1-57243-990-0
The 1984 NBA Finals|Celtics.com
NBA.com: Larry's Celtics Edge Magic's Lakers in 7