As the National Basketball Association (NBA) staggered toward the close of the 1970s, attendance was down in almost every market and television ratings were declining. The public was disenchanted with players' bouts with alcohol and drug abuse and uninspired by the parity which left the league without any dominant teams or captivating new superstars. Revenues fell and interest waned. In what many now regard as the low point in NBA history, game six of the 1980 league finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers was televised late at night on taped delay. NBA commissioner David Stern would later call it "our biggest public relations disaster of the decade." At this moment, however, the league began its return to public popularity. Game six showcased the talents of Earvin "Magic" Johnson, the Laker rookie who, along with the Boston Celtics' Larry Bird, had riveted public attention in the.....
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