Magic Johnson was on top of the basketball world in the 1980s. Winning 5 championships along the way, Johnson constantly had to play high-pressure games in front of a plethora of celebrities. But this led to the Los Angeles Lakers eventually getting close with 3x Academy Award winner Jack Nickolson.

The As Good As It Gets actor was a celebrity among celebrities. But when the Los Angeles Lakers were lifting their banners, Nicholson, who is a lifelong fan of the Lakers, was always in attendance and even joined them after the games for the celebrations.

“But the best moments were when we won those five championships, and Jack Nicholson came to all our afterparties… Man, we thought we were the coolest dudes on the face of the earth to have Jack partying and having fun on the dance floor with us… Nobody can keep up with (Jack). It was the coolest thing for us to know the man, not the actor, but the man. And he became a friend of ours, and it was just so much fun,” said the 5x champion.

Nickolson was one of the most famous celebrities in the world at the time. According to Magic, being able to spend time with Jack, who was in his 40s back then, was one of the best things to have ever happened to them. Although Magic Johnson and the rest of his crew were living their best lives after winning each championship, the nights meant much more to them as they were always joined by Jack Nicholson.

During his interview with Jake’s Takes, Magic went into detail about how much it meant for him and the rest of the team to perform in front of high-profile celebrities. For Magic, especially, having lived in a small community while growing up, he did not miss any opportunity to put on the best show for the world every time he stepped on the court.

Magic Johnson and the Showtime Lakers were unstoppable

The Lakers elevated basketball and the NBA to a wider audience in the 1980s. Stars like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar were vital to this process. They led the Lakers to multiple championships and placed themselves as must-see TV.

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Alongside their flashy playstyle, it was their championship pedigree that made fans want to root for them even more. This brought in major celebrities like Jack Nicholson and many others to express their passion for the game as well.

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What do you think of Jack Nicholson’s influence on the Los Angeles Lakers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!