The NBA experienced a major revival in the 1980s, driven by the emergence of two iconic superstars whose rivalry defined the era: Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. With them, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics dominated the league and collected multiple championships throughout the decade. One of their most memorable clashes came in the 1987 Finals—where the Lakers had a secret weapon.
In a recent interview on the Legends of Sport podcast, Johnson praised Michael Cooper. “To me, the greatest defender,” the Hall of Famer began, referring to his former teammate’s abilities. “But also a guy who hit six threes in the NBA Finals. He set the record. Coop could shoot.”
Earvin then recalled that matchup against the Celtics and the impact Cooper had on Pat Riley’s squad. “That ’87 run, he helped us win the whole playoff series. He probably hit three or four threes every single game,” he said. “And being the point guard so, he had to bring the ball up and still be a great defender once we got on defense. He could do it all.”
In that Finals series against Boston, the Lakers won in six games, powered by an exceptional performance from Magic Johnson, who led the team in scoring in three games and in assists in all six. His effort earned him the Finals MVP award—his third, after previously winning in 1980 and 1982.
Michael Cooper playing for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1988-89 season
Still, the legendary guard made a point to emphasize Michael Cooper’s contribution. The then-31-year-old guard averaged 12 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.6 steals across the series. His standout moment came in Game 2, when he hit six three-pointers to help lead the Lakers to a 141–122 win.
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Performances like that cemented Cooper’s legacy in the NBA. He won five championships in his 12 seasons with Los Angeles, earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1987, had his No. 21 jersey retired by the Lakers, and in 2024, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Cooper’s strengths weren’t just recognized by his teammates—they were acknowledged by his rivals as well. In an interview on All The Smoke, former Lakers player Byron Scott reflected on those days and, when speaking specifically about Larry Bird, revealed: “He said the only one that could was Coop. He said Coop was the only one that could really guard him. He called him the best defensive player he’s ever seen.”
In a 2019 interview, Michael was asked whether he could thrive in today’s era of basketball—and how he imagines his career might look now. “I’d almost be a billionaire,” he joked, according to Basketball Network. “I can play great defense and shoot it a little bit, which is how you get paid now. Just by being a good guy, you can sit at the end of a team’s bench and make a lot of money. I think I would fare well in today’s NBA.”
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