Tunisia World Cup
I still get chills thinking about that legendary 1985 NBA Finals. As someone who's spent decades analyzing basketball history, I can confidently say this series represents one of the most dramatic turnarounds in sports history. What makes it particularly poignant for me today is how these athletes' physical sacrifices echo stories like former PBA enforcer Ramon "Onchie" dela Cruz's current struggle for knee replacement surgery. These warriors from the 80s are now living with the consequences of those brutal battles on the court.
The series opened with what we now call the "Memorial Day Massacre," where the Celtics absolutely demolished the Lakers 148-114. I remember watching that game thinking the series was already over. Boston shot an unbelievable 60.8% from the field, with everyone from Larry Bird to Danny Ainge hitting everything they threw up. The Garden was absolutely electric that day. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar looked every bit of his 38 years, managing only 12 points. People forget how much criticism he faced heading into Game 2 - many were saying he should retire right then and there.
What happened next still amazes me. The Lakers made crucial adjustments, with Pat Riley moving James Worthy onto Kevin McHale and Magic Johnson taking more control of the offense. Kareem came out with something to prove in Game 2, dropping 30 points with that unstoppable skyhook. The Lakers stole home-court advantage with a 109-102 victory. Watching Kareem move differently in that game, I often wonder about the knee pain he must have been pushing through - the kind of degenerative issues that eventually catch up to athletes, much like what Onchie dela Cruz is experiencing decades later.
The series shifted to Los Angeles with the Forum crowd at fever pitch. Game 3 saw the Lakers protect their home court 136-111 behind Magic's triple-double. What people don't realize is how much physical punishment these players absorbed. The Celtics were notorious for their physical defense, and McHale's infamous clothesline of Kurt Rambis in the previous year's finals set the tone for how brutal these matchups could be. These players sacrificed their bodies in ways that would make today's athletes shudder.
Game 4 provided one of the most iconic moments in NBA history. With seconds remaining and the score tied 105-105, Magic drove baseline and hit what became known as his "baby skyhook" over Robert Parish. That shot gave the Lakers a 3-1 series lead and essentially broke Boston's spirit. I've watched that clip hundreds of times, and what strikes me is how Magic landed awkwardly on his left knee - the kind of movement that contributes to the orthopedic issues many former players face today.
The Celtics managed to extend the series with a 121-103 victory in Game 5, but you could see the toll the series was taking. Larry Bird was playing with a broken finger, and Dennis Johnson had a nagging ankle injury that would bother him for years. The Lakers closed it out in Game 6 back at Boston Garden, becoming the first visiting team to win a championship on that hallowed floor. Kareem, at 38 years young, took home Finals MVP honors with averages of 25.7 points and 9.0 rebounds.
Looking back, what strikes me most is how these athletes' bodies held up through such incredible punishment. The diving for loose balls, the constant physical contact, the relentless schedule - it's no wonder players from that era are now dealing with significant joint issues. When I read about Onchie dela Cruz needing government assistance for knee replacement surgery, it reminds me that the physical price of these epic battles continues long after the cheering stops. The 1985 Lakers earned their place in history, but like many athletes from that physical era, they paid for it with their long-term health. Their triumph represents both the glory of competition and the hidden costs that come with pushing human bodies to their absolute limits.
