1980–81 Los Angeles Lakers season


The Lakers were attempting to become the first team since 1969 to repeat as NBA Champions. Despite missing Magic Johnson for 45 games due to a knee injury, the Lakers still managed an impressive 54-28 record during the regular season, and they were the #3 seed heading into the Western Conference playoffs. However, the underdog Houston Rockets eliminated the Lakers in a best-of-three first round series two games to one.

NBA Draft

The Lakers did not have a first round pick in the 1980 Draft. Their first selection was Wayne Robinson, the 31st pick overall, but he never played a game for the Lakers. Future NBA Coach Butch Carter was their second selection at #37 overall.
RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalitySchool/Club Team
231Wayne RobinsonForwardVirginia Tech
237Butch CarterGuardIndiana

Roster

Regular season

Season standings

Notes

Game log

Playoffs

West First Round

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets: Rockets win series 2-1
Note: GP= Games played; MPG= Minutes per Game; REB = Rebounds; AST = Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; PPG = Points per Game
PlayerGPMPGREBASTSTLBLKPTSPPG
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar8037.282127259228209526.2
Jamaal Wilkes8137.443523512129182722.6
Norm Nixon7937.523269614611135017.1
Jim Chones8231.2657153399688210.8
Magic Johnson3737.13203171272779821.6
Michael Cooper8132.4336332133787639.4
Mark Landsberger6915.7377271963905.7
Eddie Jordan6016.5801957473065.1
Butch Carter5412.465522313015.6
Jim Brewer7814.22815543582172.8
Brad Holland417.229232111303.2
Alan Hardy225.019319512.3
Myles Patrick33.0210051.7
Tony Jackson27.0222021.0

Award winners/Honors