Watch the full interview now as a VladTV Youtube Member: Click Here
Part 6: Michael Cooper: Magic Johnson Didn't Get Paul Westhead Fired, He Wasn't Having Fun
Part 4: Michael Cooper on Being Drafted By the Lakers for $30K, Lakers Drafting Magic Johnson
Part 1: Michael Cooper on His Stepfather Killing His Mom's Boyfriend, Mom Leaving Family to Escape
--------
Michael Cooper opens up about his pivotal role in the Showtime Lakers’ early success and the origins of his signature move, the “Coop-A-Loop.” Early in his career, Cooper wasn’t seen as a scorer and focused on passing, but after teammates encouraged him to shoot, he developed a unique alley-oop finish with Magic Johnson and Norm Nixon that became a hallmark of the fast-paced Lakers offense. Cooper also shares memories from the 1980 NBA Finals against Julius “Dr. J” Erving’s Philadelphia 76ers. Despite facing legendary competitors, the Lakers found confidence in Magic’s iconic “have no fear” attitude. Magic’s 42-point triple-double in Game 6 sealed their first championship, marking a turning point for the young team. Winning his first title felt like a thrilling “sugar high” for Cooper — igniting a lifelong hunger for championships.
Follow Michael Cooper on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showtimecooper21/
