"Our bodies have been here, but our minds haven't" – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's comments after the Lakers losing streak in 1983

With players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Earvin “Magic” Johnson leading the way, it was hard to fathom how the Los Angeles Lakers would lose a string of games.

However, there was a stretch in March 1983 that was a bit uncanny. LA was on a three-game losing streak (February 23 to 27) and was on the brink of having their longest one in four seasons.

Troubled Lakers

Up next for the Lakers at the time was the Chicago Bulls. Jabbar and Jamaal Wilkes joined hands to help the team snap its three-game slide, 114-111. However, the ‘Big Fella’ admitted after the game that while they were physically present, their focus was lacking.

“I guess you can say that lately, our bodies have been here, but our minds haven't,” he said via UPI.com .

Jabbar finished with 31 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists in that game. However, he also had five turnovers.

Wilkes added 26 points of his own but converted only 11 of his 26 shot attempts. ‘Silk’ admitted that the team played solidly, although they could have done a whole lot better.

“We had a better effort out there tonight, especially on the boards,” Wilkes said, referring to the fact that LA outrebounded Chicago, 52-40, in that match.

Reggie Theus led the Bulls with 27 points, eight assists, and four steals. Rod Higgins and Quintin Dailey added 19 and 18 points, respectively, in the loss.

Rollercoaster season

After defeating the Bulls, the Lakers would down the Milwaukee Bucks (127-117) to make it back-to-back victories. They would suffer a loss after that, bowing to the Washington Bullets (96-93).

After their rebound, the Lakers embarked on a six-game winning streak, triumphing over the Detroit Pistons, San Diego Clippers, Bulls, Phoenix Suns, and the Kansas City Kings consecutively. Finishing the regular season with a 58-24 record in the Pacific Division, they cruised through the playoffs, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers (4-1) and the San Antonio Spurs (4-2) to clinch the Western Conference title.

However, their hopes for back-to-back NBA championships were dashed when the Philadelphia 76ers swept them in the Finals, claiming their third Larry O'Brien trophy. Regardless, the Lakers were contenders each season with Jabbar and Johnson at the helm. They usually topped the Pacific Division in that era until the 1989-90 season.

After Jabbar’s retirement and Johnson’s unfortunate HIV revelation in 1991, the Lakers had to wait until the 1999-2000 season to get back on top. This was when Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant teamed up for the purple and gold, delivering three-straight championships from 2000 to 2002.

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