1982 NBA Finals

Coming off the back of an underperforming product in the 1981 Finals, the 1982 NBA Finals were broadcast live for the entire series (Adgate, 2024). The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers making Magic Johnson a two-time champion since he also won in 1980. This victory, following the Celtics championship began the anticipation of an inevitable Finals matchup between Bird and Magic in 1984.

Focusing on NBA photography, this project aimed to examine the NBA’s evolution by looking at its visual media history. From broadcasts to magazines and in-game shots, NBA photography has revealed the events of the first 30-plus years of the NBA. Ending at the 1982 NBA Finals where the sport became fully accessible to experience in real-time from the safety of your own home, the NBA went through different stages and eras as a visual product revealed through the layered and massive photographic history.

Los Angeles Lakers Magic Johnson, 1982 NBA Finals

Manny Millan

May 27, 1982

8.40 x 8.55 in

Sports Illustrated

Basketball: NBA Finals: Aerial view of Los Angeles Lakers Magic Johnson (32) in action vs Philadelphia 76ers. Game 1. Philadelphia, PA 5/27/1982

CREDIT: Manny Millan (Photo by Manny Millan /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X26963 )

Philadelphia 76ers vs Los Angeles Lakers, 1982 NBA Finals

Manny Millan

May 27, 1982

10.76 x 10.81 in

Sports Illustrated

Basketball: NBA Finals: Aerial view of Philadelphia 76ers Julius Erving (6) in action, defense vs Los Angeles Lakers at The Spectrum. Game 1. Philadelphia, PA 5/27/1982

CREDIT: Manny Millan (Photo by Manny Millan /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)(Set Number: X26963 )

Philadelphia 76ers v Los Angeles Lakers - 1982 NBA Finals

Focus On Sport

June 8, 1982

12 x 8 in

Getty Images Sport Classic

INGLEWOOD, CA - JUNE 1982: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar #33 of the Los Angeles Lakers holds up the Championship trophy after the Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in game 6 to win 1982 NBA basketball Finals June 8, 1982 at The Forum in Inglewood, California. The Lakers won the Championship 4 games to 2.

(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse