Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (TV Series)

Acceptable Loss (2022)

Quincy Isaiah: Magic Johnson

Photos 

Quotes 

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar : Is that what I think it is?

  Magic Johnson : Oh, hey, Cap. Been practicing your Skyhook. The way I figure, be seeing more time in the post against Philly, so better have a go-to.

  [Tries another Skyhook shot] 

  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar : That is *not* a Skyhook.

  Magic Johnson : Ain't that bad.

  [Kareem just stares at him] 

  Magic Johnson : Well, why ain't you show me, then?

  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar : [Takes the ball]  Skyhook isn't just any other shot. To master it, a player needs to comprehend a very important principle.

  Magic Johnson : And what principle is that?

  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar : Isolation. Come over here and play a little defense.

  [Magic goes to behind Kareem like he's about to defend him, Kareem demonstrates] 

  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar : See, when you're the big man, everybody wants a piece of you. The Skyhook shuts them out. It turns your body into a wall, beyond which they can't reach or even see your face, which means they can't predict you. So on your own time, when you're good and ready, you can leave their world behind.

  [Holds the ball up at the moment of release for the Skyhook] 

  Magic Johnson : You leave the world?

  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar : You elevate above it. Until you're completely and totally...

  [Tosses the ball up with the Skyhook and it swishes through the hoop] 

  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar : Alone. And all they get to do is watch.

  Magic Johnson : Damn, Cap, you some kind of poet or something. That shit deep.

  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar : Alright, let's work on it. I can't have you fucking up my shot on the world stage.