Bill Russell Interviews Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Jamaal Wilkes (1980)

October 10, 1980 - On opening night of the 1980-81 season, NBA Hall of Famer and CBS correspondent Bill Russell sat down with three critical members of the 1980 NBA Championship Los Angeles Lakers. At age 32, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar averaged 31.9 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks during the 1980 postseason before missing Game 7 of the NBA Finals due to injury. Rookie Magic Johnson and Jamaal Wilkes teamed up to fill the void left by Abdul-Jabbar's absence. Wilkes' 37 points and Johnson's 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists helped propel the Lakers to a 123-107 championship-clinching win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Lakers would fail to defend their title in '80-81, winning 54 games but falling to the Houston Rockets in the first round.
1980 Game 7 Box Score: www.basketball-reference.com/...

[@SevenUP901]

What's cool about this 42 year old interview is that they are all still here today. 💯

[@Btone33]

Yea Amen!

[@BdotCarter98]

Amen

[@hopoutdumpmygun3045]

I've never seen this... almost shed a tear.... young lions... everybody sharp witted, natural lines.... bruh....

[@marvinspeak3777]

REAL TALK!!!!

[@ivanmitchell3130]

And Bill Russell is 790 years old

[@kosmisfit1301]

The actor For Kareem on winning time deserves an Oscar

[@kolboy757]

Emmys*

[@Tropical442]

I know right he playing him too damn good.

[@tylerkreim1770]

He did so good.

[@Polo22546]

BRUH!!! Where did they find this dude?

[@adirajesh23]

@@Polo22546 he just auditioned and hoed he got the role, pretty sure he has little to no acting experience

[@peace414]

What amazes me the most is how soft spoken Kareem was. He is so tall and strong but he speaks so gentle. indeed a gentle giant. 😃👍👍👍

[@TratUsYT]

Kareem is so articulate and intelligent. What a legend

[@biggiesmalls.65]

Young Bill Russell laugh what else could you want

[@albertcamus6214]

It’s videos like these that make you thankful that we have the technology to watch and share things from the past.

[@amirabans1127]

He wasnt even young he was in his late 40s💀

[@biggiesmalls.65]

@@amirabans1127 younger version since he’s in his 80s

[@spy1965]

Russell used to coach Seattle

[@mrboo3049]

@@amirabans1127 Mid 40s

[@shamadam1]

Magic and kareems mutual respect is special

[@clarencesimmons8580]

1980-81 season Magic Johnson is injury his left knee his out for 5 Months. So he came back to the NBA Magic will Play. 🏀🏀

[@MR-wc9lh]

That injury was the bad luck that can come at any time.

[@teofemo7000]

They both wanted to win. Their games blended perfectly. I can still see Magic lobbing into Kareem and cutting baseline. Abdul Jabbar would flip it to him for a dunk.

[@slanderman3296]

Real questions and real answers. Not bloated or biased media like today.

[@MM-ko1bk]

Bill’s laugh is so contagious. He cracks up at every joke and stands up on his chair

[@jamaljamal-yy8iu]

🤣 🤣 forreal !

[@sirjer73]

All legends!!! These four guys won a total of 8 NCAA titles and 25 NBA titles!!! That's staggering!!!

[@slender4]

LOL, they ain't win 25 titles because three of them won 13 together.

[@mauricefears1430]

@@slender4 And those same three got their own individual Championship rings. So 25 NBA titles

[@slender4]

@@mauricefears1430 So Jon Paxton, Luc Longley, Brad Sellers and Will Perdue COMBINED FOR 12 NBA TITLES! (lol).

[@mauricefears1430]

@@slender4 They all show their rings how many is it ?

[@slender4]

@@mauricefears1430 Those are RINGS not Championships, there is only one NBA Champion Every year, the team gives out RINGS to the trainer, the GM, the assistant coach, the video coordinator, etc.

[@craigdavis5407]

R.I.P. Mr.Bill Russell!!!!🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿❤❤❤🌹🌹🌹

[@mmcneil777]

Magic and Kareem was a good duo. They really balanced each other out. I think Kareem enjoyed playing with Magic and appreciated his talent and big, upbeat personality.

[@BigYARK]

The interaction between Kareem and Bi11 is awesome. Everybody including Bi11 is praising Kareem as that guy, Kareem makes sure to tell Russell "I learned from watching you....I vouch for you."

[@gigihabib]

absolutely everything about this video and their interaction is GOLD!

[@fredflux2738]

Oh you must not have noticed the position, they all were penitent at the altar of Russell. Mr 11 Rings and Wilt were legends- still are, even to men like Kareem.

[@maddymud]

Well, he’s also looking for Bill to help him out about why centers don’t always run the break

[@gdamachustle]

Very clever how you spelled Mr. Russell's name by changing the L's to the number one, acknowledging his eleven rings. Very nice.

[@polpol1005]

@@gdamachustle those rings are overrated tho, it's not like he won them alone, he was lucky to be playing in that superteam, that was it

[@Br0NZ0]

RIP Bill Russell 💚🙏🏾🕊

[@micahclawrence]

Magic really was so loveable. Million dollar smile.

[@jesserichardson5880]

Bill Russell has the best laugh.

[@craigdavis5407]

R.I.P. Mr. Bill Russell!!!🌹🌹🌹❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🏀🏀🏀💎💎💎🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@casshdaddy]

Magic’s smile is contagious😊😊

[@oldskoolmusicforever0724]

THIS IS LIKE A BIG PIECE OF HISTORY HERE

[@highlybaked8417]

What an interview, rest in peace Bill

[@themambaking8399]

Bill russell looks like a awesome guy to hang out with.

[@mrg1534]

When Magic answered "Give him the ball' Bill Russell laughed because he knows that's true 😄

[@hopoutdumpmygun3045]

hand that off or get locker room treatment, lol...

[@gsadventures678]

Bill Russell never played against Kareem.

[@Wh4L205]

They played the same position. Wake up

[@justinjoseph6966]

Bill Russell had the greatest laugh in human history!

[@goddycarino6747]

Kareem Abdul Jabbar, speaks so intelligently! The greatest ever!!

[@rumarspencer7302]

Always spoke that way.

[@mrg1534]

@@rumarspencer7302 Exactly

[@micahclawrence]

No question he is and was an extremely smart man.

[@devinwarren8376]

Wilt chamberlain also... Nation of Islam comes with wisdom

[@micahclawrence]

@One Issue Voter a basketball player

[@majorpayne100]

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a dream 💭 when he was younger

[@mmcneil777]

Wow..what a combination of players and personalities. You could tell they liked each other and enjoy playing b-ball together.

[@slytherben]

Bill set this precedent where winning was everything. Modern NBA players don't understand this at all. It's a game. You play to win. Money, fame, endorsements, mansions - all professional athletes have those - but not all athletes can win.

[@rho008]

The level of IQ of each of these players is beyond. When Magic talks he mentions that he is better this year because he is trying to figure where every players specifically wants the ball. And knowing that Kareem is a sensitive, thoughtful kind of guy, he strokes his ego by saying to just give him the ball. There are different kind of leadership, but this is the best and most balance of them all.

[@DrSeuss-nv9hw]

Well said. If I were drafting a team and could pick from any NBA players in history, I pick Earvin "Magic" Johnson first. You could argue that Jordan and LeBron were better. Magic was the best on court LEADER.

[@MarvinMonroe]

I'd agree with that​@@DrSeuss-nv9hw

[@davidr4523]

Both Bill Russell and Magic sure do love laughing. Always impressed as how these young athletes almost always answer these questions so well. No arrogant no selfish and no offending responses.

[@3ddiagnosis654]

It's called respect a lost art today.

[@BossScooters55]

@@3ddiagnosis654 yeah, today’s game is a lot different unfortunately…

[@furnitureconsortium]

hah! Magic's "give him the ball" line was great xD

[@slickwitdasticks4493]

This is why I love KZbin you could find videos like this from 1980 I didn’t even watch it yet and I am pretty sure it is going to be amazing I love the legends

[@Luxuriousentertainment]

True

[@hopoutdumpmygun3045]

same, bro.... I can't believe I've never seen this....

[@animalfinatic9366]

Amazing right.

[@harrishoward5924]

That was MAGNIFICENT! Magic response to Russell on Kareem...just give him the ball. Then getting serious saying he finds out (studies) were each teammate wants the ball is just compelling.

[@thomassantiago4936]

that bill russell laugh @ 3:02 caught me off guard im ngl

[@ignacypaderewski2685]

In this short interview you can see why Russel won 11 rings. He’s just incredibly thoughtful and a natural coach/leader. The only player to lead a team on the court as a player AND a coach. Incredible combination of maturity, humour, leadership and basketball skills.

[@aleadingmanproductions5135]

FACTS

[@polpol1005]

meh, I disagree. Those rings are way overrated, he didn't win them alone, he won them because of his superteam

[@Odawg96]

@@polpol1005 Well consider this: there have been teams that were ultra-talented but didn’t earn the championships they could have had they had a leader/nucleus. That’s what Russell was: the nucleus, the guy that elevated the play of those around him. Would those guys have played as well had they gone elsewhere? That’s what separates Russell from so many others. There are great players that don’t necessarily elevate the game of those around them (that’s how I feel about Lebron, for example). I would say Olajuwon DID have that quality. He won two championships with a squad of underrated and underappreciated players, and I don’t think anyone else in the league could have won a championship with that team at the time.

[@polpol1005]

@@Odawg96 I see your point but now consider this: Russell might have been the nucleus, the guy that elevated the play of those around him... but it helped him a lot that he played in a superteam. Had he played for the worst team in league he wouldn't win a single ring IMO. That's why for me rings are overrated

[@Odawg96]

@@polpol1005 Well, I’ll agree that rings are not the be-all-end-all, but you never know. Those players may not have been as great without Russell around. It’s all good, though.

[@josephmochon4948]

This is 4 legends of champions talking about championships and winning the big one with the big guy!

[@fatimacottle1968]

LOVE HIS LAUGHING MAN HE IS THE GOAT KING ENERGY THANKFUL THANKYOU 🙏 🙌 MUSCLE MUSCLE 🎶 💪 💙 MR.BILL RUSSELL 🥰🥰🥰😇

[@joejames9974]

I can't believe how fast a prime bill Russell was back in the day the legend took off like a Olympic sprinter

[@x0rc1st_22]

"What did you learn from him?" "Give him the ball" Dude 🤣🤣

[@MikeinAustin]

Magic was extremely thoughtful about his responses. He loosened it up so much once he started talking.

[@josephgonzales8897]

This is an epic interview.......Bill and Kareem are such humble people...they all are.

[@polpol1005]

kareem humble? Maybe in that interview but in general hmmm not sure

[@chironjo]

Kareem humbled down the last years but he was well know as an unreachable person I his golden days. To his credit (maturity that comes with age) he acknowledged his faults and the need to change and learning from them. Kareem is a well spoken and educated person that I do not mind reading and listening.

[@nahhhjittrippin9902]

Bill russell's laugh got me rolling 💀

[@MrBruceWayne44]

It was a great interview. Unfortunately we lost the Greatest winning in Basketball 🏀 history William Felton Russell this year. RIH Bill Russell.

[@themambaking8399]

It’s nice to see real men talk to each other instead of seeing players now not give much detail in their interviews with long pausing and looking like they did not want to be there.

[@joseyeastwood]

Great interview i always heard Magic and Kareem talk but it was cool to hear Silk speak because he was very quiet an a very underrated player Rest In Peace Bill.

[@hmmok5791]

The greatest scorer in history (the GOAT), the greatest point guard; both agree “it’s not what we do individually but how we play as a team”. For those who don’t know, after this interview they went on to win 5 champions in the 80’s. Players today pay attention.

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

One half of the most dynamic duo in NBA History The other half happens to be his teammate Magic Johnson

[@progressivelibertarianview8832]

Bill Russell has the most joyest laugh of all time..! LOL!😆

[@wpl8275]

4 amazing players talking basketball. So beautiful to see.

[@DrDizfuntion]

R.I.P Bill Russell the 🐐 💍×11 🙏🏿

[@darlenetillman7084]

This is the team I grew up with 🥰

[@animalfinatic9366]

Lucky you.

[@animalfinatic9366]

Wow!

[@lifelongfan07]

Magic Johnson, “give him the ball!” Legends in harmony

[@kedrprao]

People talkin about Kareem Magic and Russel but I am kinda impressed af by Jamal Wilkes! Old school Lakers fans called him THE SILK!!! Without him, Lakers wont win those many titles in 80s! He was perfect complimentary piece. There is a reason why Mr. Buss considered him a Lakers legend. Wilkes jersey is in rafters at Staples center!

[@JAWrightonline]

He set the standard for that role in Showtime and James Worthy followed and upheld it.

[@teofemo7000]

100%

[@iamalive.1255]

Don't forget he was on the 1975 Golden State Warriors Championship Team with Rick Barry.

[@profgolden227]

Silk caught every pass Magic threw to him. It took 26 years for him to enter the Hall of Fame. Norm Nixon should be there too.

[@collectorofstuff158]

Jamaal Wilkes won only two titles with the Lakers. 1980 and 1982. The other three were won with James Worthy.

[@WO2411]

Kareem such a legend man 🐐

[@M.L.7]

This is awesome! You always know Russell's laugh is coming at some point, but it always scares the crap out of me when it hits! This is a priceless video!

[@woodb51]

Game 6 of the 1980 NBA finals was when Magic showed he belonged.

[@knowledgesuncere7786]

Well he did win the NCAA championship in 79.

[@yayagreens1886]

RIP Bill Russell legend

[@raoulhery]

Rest in peace to the legend, GREEN BLOOD, celtics for life

[@shamadam1]

Magic and Kareem , Scottie and MJ, Stockton and Malone... The greatest duos ever.... For me magic and Kareem all day long

[@coryburns9161]

I agree 100% they were great together I'm a big Magic fan he definitely extended Kareem career as Worthy said made everyone better 😉

[@atribecalledlen3567]

Magic and Kareem aren’t a duo

[@coryburns9161]

@@atribecalledlen3567 can you be anymore stupid they combined for more points than anyone except maybe Malone and Stockton

[@atribecalledlen3567]

@@coryburns9161 I’m not stupid at all. They always had a third hall of famer contributing forming a big 3. In the beginning it was Wilkes then it was James Worthy later who even won a finals MVP

[@coryburns9161]

@@atribecalledlen3567 I don't disagree with you on that that's why Magic Johnson is so great gets whole team involved but no one else on the team did he go to more so they could be called a duo I remember Wilkes and Worthy I watch Magic Johnson from his rookie year was really sad when he announced his HIV status we were robbed of more years anyway technically you could be right take care my friend 😊

[@johnnyboy7256]

Very Cool, never seen this interview.

[@edwardyoung1353]

Somewhere on this stage is the real GOAT, back in these four guys era, they let you play basketball. Young people don't know what they've missed

[@prideventues]

WOW Bill Russel and Kareem.....two of the greatest of all time and Magic and Jamal......we have all this on tape!!!

[@polpol1005]

Russel is overrated, his rings were won because of the superteam he was playing it, but he wasn't that special

[@gretchenlittle6817]

So much insight here -- "Learning where your teammate wants the ball, where he can 'operate' with it. Like a master's class in winning basketball games!

[@micahclawrence]

Lol

[@oldschoolruler]

That's exactly what Russell was doing during his career. He made his teammates comfortable doing what they did best. Subtle, but most don't understand how that works.

[@jimboberry5820]

It’s amazing to see two of the best players of all time in Kareem and Magic (Wilkes was exceptional as well) giving the great Bill Russell complete respect throughout the entire interview. Every time he speaks their focus is entirely on Bill. They treat him with such reverence, it’s quite beautiful. I think the new generation of players can learn a lot from this. All I hear from todays players is so and so couldn’t hang in todays game and I’m better than so and so, it’s crazy to me. Kareem and Magic took these opportunities to learn from the best player of all time, there was no thought of I’m better than this guy. It was all this man won 11 championships, he’s the greatest player of all time. I want to get to that level, I’m going to pay attention to what he has to say. R.I.P. to the great Bill Russell, you will be missed champ, god bless you.

[@craigdavis5407]

The Captain,The Magic Man,& The Silk/Cornbread!!!

[@merchantsmithimages]

Rest in Peace, Bill

[@anthonygilmore5969]

Im 52 and remember watching showtime as a kid. Jamal wilkes stood out because he had this funky twist of the ball in an upward position before he shot it. Very odd looking shot. Time flies!

[@softyme63]

Remember him from “Cornbread, Earl, and Me?”

[@anthonygilmore5969]

yep...him and a very young lawrence fishburn lol!

[@aleadingmanproductions5135]

Hard not to cry when Fishburne said, It was Cornbread, Earl, & Me

[@anthonygilmore5969]

yep...for shoo!

[@kahlilmurray]

Yes that's true 👍

[@JohnDoe-wo1jd]

I remember reading an interview of Kareem . He said the hardest center(also power forward) he had to play against was Nate Thurmond 6'11" of the Warriors from 1963 - 1974 , then a couple years with bulls and cleveland . Kareem said Thurmond was the the best player at blocking or making Kareem miss shots, and that Thurmond was a hell of a rebounder . I don't remember Thurmond that well , but just look at photos of him in action and he is like looking at one of those illustrations from an anatomy textbook . very strong looking, lots of muscle definition .

[@raymondhmuifoo11]

I love Russell's laugh.

[@wallacesteelersws]

Everyone decent,intelligent and well spoken.

[@havefaith.staypositive.ble9219]

People sleep on Jamaal Wilkes A.K.A. Cornbread A Walk N Buckets. This Is Classic!

[@MrZackavelli]

People are idiots

[@shamadam1]

Amazing footage

[@PatrickMHoey]

How good is it to be a basketball fan? No other sports fans are blessed with so many eras of their legends still alive and involved with the game. How many of the top 75 are still with us and can be seen or heard from every year. And beyond the 75 greatest, so many others that are still apart of the league in some shape or form.

[@ohsosherry6930]

The intellect in that room 🤴🏽🤴🏾🤴🏾🤴🏾

[@animalfinatic9366]

So cool Winning got the outfits right.

[@merchantsmithimages]

The Super Team of 1980! 3 Hall of Famers.

[@oliverhollins613]

Not to mention they got James Worthy only a couple years later too!

[@merchantsmithimages]

@@oliverhollins613 Right then Scott and Green. They hit gold in the draft. I wish they could draft like that today. I've been a Lakers fan for 40 years.

[@oliverhollins613]

@@merchantsmithimages so sorry for you (this year) RIP Kobe

[@merchantsmithimages]

@@oliverhollins613 This interview is historical. RIP, Bill Russell.

[@proplayer566]

Fantastic interview!

[@anthonybarrows205]

Not now rip bill Russell 🕊❤️

[@inallairness]

This is fascinating. Thanks for sharing, mate.

[@BeachLover6571]

Just discovered this interview. Great stuff, great players, great memories.

[@pacman2369]

Love this video. Thanks bro.

[@topnetworkersgroup]

Such an excellent interview, to look back on what was ... thank you for posting this

[@Lettersfromhome18]

I’ve been looking for this video for the best part of ten years. Thank you so much!

[@injusticeanywherethreatens4810]

Amazing interview and I loved Bill's laugh .

[@jonjonharreld5774]

WOW!!!...This Is Just Beautiful...All Legends...One Love Fam...

[@juliangarcia1221]

RIP Bill Russell🍀

[@montypython4743]

Winning Time has me here. Great actors!

[@JCORDEROL]

I always will admire and respect humility, world champions at the moment, and famous, popular NBA team with their feet on the ground.

[@45holydiver]

Russell, Kareem, Magic, legends of course; however Jamaal Wilkes? What a ball player. Could do everything, and a winner wherever he played. It’s funny how that works! Jamal Wilkes is forgotten now, but not by those of us fortunate to have saw him play.

[@mikebowsr351511]

Silk was smooth. Quiet,humble basketball player extraordinaire. Could score if called upon with the best of them.

[@roybuford7538]

I saw Silk play I still can't believe how he got that shot over his opponents

[@wcfenderson5609]

Nice interview, brings me back to the memories of “Showtime”.

[@clickbait007]

Great interview, they all had great chemistry including with Russell. Really enjoying the Lakers shows recently - Winning Time and Legacy. Also watched "Kareem: Minority of One".

[@wddub9075]

Wow 4 Amazing good looking, thoughtful guys

[@Ziplinz]

This interview is pure gold.

[@5IvanDrago5]

Wow, just wow how good of a find this was on KZbin. A 42 year old interview, and this was great.

[@craigdavis5407]

True Legends!!!!

[@intelligentfool09]

Winning Time!

[@kincamell2]

Much Gratitude

[@mmcneil777]

Give him the ball...lol You could tell Magic was a real asset to Kareem, not only getting him the ball, but keeping things upbeat.

[@nicholaschan4481]

god damn legends

[@veerchasm1]

The actors they found to play all these guys in Winning Time are exceptional. Jamal was a straight assassin back in the day

[@darrylperry648]

Agree, he was a silent assassin, although, either forgotten or people just do not talk about it, in that final Game 6 of 1980, while Magic scored 42 pts 15 rebs & 7 ast, Jamaal had 37 pts. & I believe 11 rebs. ( let me say that again 37 pts ). If Magic hadn't scored 42 pts. the headlines in the paper the next day would have headlined Jamaal, so if you ask me the media missed the story within the story

[@lefonzopollock4345]

If you listen to Magic today, he laughs a lot like Russell

[@sharpvision6613]

Thats true

[@DarthJabba504]

Incredible interview. Also, that 70s set decor and outfits before everything went 80s

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

Bill Russell asking some mere 2 or 3 time champions about stuff? PRICELESS, given his core leadership of the only *8* time in a row championship team. Kareem has stated in several videos that he considered Bill his role model - too bad so many modern players have ZERO respect for those that came before them.

[@vantablack9535]

I dont even know how you even keep a group motivated enough to accomplish that kind of dominance...if im not mistaken Red only coached the trio of Cousy, Havlicek & Russell for 1 Season

[@dipper5835]

@@vantablack9535 simple, alot easier to keep guys together when there isn't so much money involved. If a team wins championships then most of the player price go up, nowadays a team can't afford that. Thats why dynasty don't last that long anymore

[@mindtrapped9934]

😂🤣😂🤣 thats one of the worst takes I’ve read all season

[@mindtrapped9934]

@@dipper5835 eh kinda, i mean player prices goin up after winning it all has always been a thing, granted not quite as much as now. But players just didn’t have the rights they do now, look up Connie Hawkins or Ray Felix. That and 50s nba had 10 teams. Thats really why there were less trades

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

@@mindtrapped9934 The BIG driver for changes to player contracts and movement was the creation of the ABA - which gave NBA players (and referees, reference Earl Strom's career for an example) somewhere they COULD go to if they didn't like their current contract and didn't have the clout of a WILT to force a trade. By the time of the ABA/NBA merger, the "Oscar Robinson" (actually NBA player association vs NBA) lawsuit had also forced quite a few changes. Then along comes Bird/Magic, and popularity starts skyrocketing, leading to HUGE increases in player salaries instead of small ones due to the TV contracts starting to climb like a rocket right around the time of this interview....