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#1 Magic Johnson - 20 Years Old (1980)
In 1980, Magic and Kareem were up against the Philadelphia 76ers in the Finals, with the series tied at 2 apiece after four games. Kareem dropped 42 in Game 5 followed by Magic scoring 40 in Game 6 and the series was sealed. While Kareem averaged 33.4 points per game in the playoffs in contrast to Johnson's 21.5 ppg, the NBA Finals MVP was bestowed upon Magic, making him the first rookie to ever do so.
It was pretty debatable, but the popular belief is Magic's all-around averages of 21.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 2.7 steals per game in the Finals coupled with an ecstatic performance in Game 6 (scoring 42 points along with 15 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals) gave him an upper-hand over the great Kareem.
To put up such numbers at the biggest stage of them all, playing his first season in the league, was something that took the NBA universe by storm.
This was Magic's first of the five NBA titles he won with the Lakers, and first of the three NBA Finals MVP trophies he collected in his entire career.
