[1] This season's highlight was Magic Johnson leading the Lakers to the NBA Finals, where they lost in five games to Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls.
[7][8] During the off-season, the team signed free agent Sam Perkins,[9][10][11] and acquired Terry Teagle from the Golden State Warriors.
[16] Johnson finished second behind Jordan in the voting for the NBA Most Valuable Player Award.
[17][18][19][20] Johnson was the league's third-oldest point guard, and had grown more powerful and stronger than in his earlier years, but was also slower and less nimble.
[21] Mike Dunleavy was the new head coach, the offense used more half-court sets, and the team had a renewed emphasis on defense.