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Showtime! Lakers of the 80s Trivia Quiz

Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Scott, McAdoo, Rambis, Green, Riley, the list goes on and on. In the 1980s, the NBA was dominated by the Los Angeles Lakers with their fast break offense called "Showtime".

A multiple-choice quiz by kevzilla. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
kevzilla

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
200,247

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1791

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The roots of Showtime took hold in 1979 when the Lakers drafted Magic Johnson first overall. The Lakers acquired the first overall pick from the Jazz in 1976 in exchange for which of the following Laker legends? Hint

Gail Goodrich

Jerry West

Elgin Baylor

Wilt Chamberlain

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Question 2 of 10

2. In which city did Kareem Abdul-Jabbar break Wilt Chamberlain's record for most career points in NBA History? Hint

Las Vegas

Los Angeles

Buffalo

Little Rock

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Question 3 of 10

3. After winning the 1982 NBA Championship, the Lakers were able to draft first overall in the ensuing draft. Which team did they acquire this right from? Hint

Detroit

Cleveland

Utah

Golden State

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Question 4 of 10

4. After losing to the Lakers in the 1980 and 1982 NBA Finals, the 76ers acquired which future Hall of Famer to help them beat the Lakers in 1983? Hint

Moses Malone

Henry Bibby

Julius Erving

Clyde Drexler

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Question 5 of 10

5. What was the Showtime theme song played at all Laker home games during the 1980s? Hint

Black or White

It's Showtime!

Unbelievable

I Love LA

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Question 6 of 10

6. Who was the sixth man every year for the dynasty bound Lakers from 1980-1989? Hint

Byron Scott

Kurt Rambis

AC Green

Michael Cooper

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Question 7 of 10

7. In the Memorial Day Massacre of 1985, the Lakers lost by 34 points to the Boston Celtics in game one of the NBA Finals. They ended up coming back to win the series in six games. How many points did the Celtics score in that first game? Hint

125

148

130

145

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Question 8 of 10

8. According to Magic Johnson's autobiography, "My Life", after losing to which team in the 1986 Western Conference Finals, did Pat Riley decide to make the offense run through Magic Johnson? Hint

Houston Rockets

San Antonio Spurs

Sacramento Kings

Dallas Mavericks

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Question 9 of 10

9. How many members of the Showtime Dynasty in the 80s, were named to the NBA All-Time 50 Greatest Players Team? Hint

Five

Four

Three

Two

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Question 10 of 10

10. Who replaced Pat Riley as coach of the Lakers after he stepped down in 1989? Hint

Phil Jackson

Magic Johnson

Del Harris

Mike Dunleavy

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Gail Goodrich

In 1976, Gail Goodrich joined the New Orleans Jazz as a free agent. In those days, the former team was compensated for any player they lost. The Jazz agreed to give LA their 1979 first round pick. Goodrich only played a handful of games for the Jazz. New Orleans had the worst record in 1978-79, allowing the Lakers to secure the first overall pick and drafted Magic Johnson.

2. In which city did Kareem Abdul-Jabbar break Wilt Chamberlain's record for most career points in NBA History?

Answer: Las Vegas

The Lakers were playing the Utah Jazz (formerly the New Orleans Jazz) in Las Vegas, where the Jazz played some of their home games in 1984. Kareem broke the record, using his Sky Hook after receiving a pass from Magic.

3. After winning the 1982 NBA Championship, the Lakers were able to draft first overall in the ensuing draft. Which team did they acquire this right from?

Answer: Cleveland

In the late 1970s, the Lakers traded away one of their bench players for a first overall pick in the 1982 NBA Draft. The Cavs figured the Lakers were missing out on this player's potential. The Cavs had the worst record in the NBA in 1981-82, and the Lakers got the first overall pick.

This was the first time the champion drafted first overall. They ended up using that pick to draft James Worthy.

4. After losing to the Lakers in the 1980 and 1982 NBA Finals, the 76ers acquired which future Hall of Famer to help them beat the Lakers in 1983?

Answer: Moses Malone

Malone wanted a title and Philly was desperate to win one for Dr J. This would be Dr J's first and only title.

5. What was the Showtime theme song played at all Laker home games during the 1980s?

Answer: I Love LA

Randy Newman's hit was picked up by the Lakers and used throughout the Showtime Dynasty. 'Black and White' and 'Unbelievable' wouldn't be made for another few years, and "It's Showtime" isn't even a real song.

6. Who was the sixth man every year for the dynasty bound Lakers from 1980-1989?

Answer: Michael Cooper

Cooper won Sixth Man of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honours throughout his career. He was very instrumental in the 1988 NBA playoffs, hitting many clutch three-pointers. He was one of the more under appreciated members of this team, but he has five title rings to support himself.

Answer: 148

The Lakers were humiliated by a 148-114 bombarding. Most of the 114 points came against the Celtics' utility men. The Lakers would rally to win the series in six games, marking the first time the Lakers beat the Celtics in the Finals, and the first time Boston was eliminated on its home floor. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was named the series MVP.

8. According to Magic Johnson's autobiography, "My Life", after losing to which team in the 1986 Western Conference Finals, did Pat Riley decide to make the offense run through Magic Johnson?

Answer: Houston Rockets

The Lakers were stunned by the Rockets in just five games. Magic claimed that the Rockets' combination of Ralph Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon was just too much for Kareem to handle alone.

9. How many members of the Showtime Dynasty in the 80s, were named to the NBA All-Time 50 Greatest Players Team?

Answer: Three

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and James Worthy all received this great honour.

10. Who replaced Pat Riley as coach of the Lakers after he stepped down in 1989?

Answer: Mike Dunleavy

Dunleavy would lead them to one NBA Finals appearance against the Chicago Bulls in 1991. But without Kareem, the Lakers had no chance. That offseason, Magic Johnson retired and Showtime had ended.

Source: Author kevzilla

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
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