Early in the 1981-82 Los Angeles Lakers season, Johnson complained to the media about head coach Paul Westhead and demanded a trade. Westhead was fired shortly after Johnsons criticisms, and although Lakers owner Jerry Buss stated that Johnsons comments did not factor into the decision, Johnson was vilified by the national media and booed both on the road and at home. Buss promoted assistant coach Pat Riley to "co-head coach" with Jerry West (although West considered himself Rileys assistant) on November 19 and the team won 17 of its next 20 games. Nicknamed "Showtime (basketball)" due to the teams new Johnson-led fast break-offense, the Lakers won the Pacific Division title and swept both the 1981-82 Phoenix Suns season and 1981-82 San Antonio Spurs season in the 1982 NBA Playoffs. Los Angeles stretched its postseason winning streak to nine games by taking the first contest of the 1982 NBA Finals from the 1981-82 Philadelphia 76ers season. The team won the Finals 4-2 to finish a 12-2 playoff run. On draft night in 1982 NBA draft, the Lakers had the first overall pick (the result of a trade with Cleveland midway through the 1979-80 season, when the Lakers had sent Don Ford and a 1980 first-round pick to the Cavaliers for Butch Lee and their 1982 selection) and selected James Worthy from North Carolina Tar Heels mens basketball. The 1982-83 Los Angeles Lakers season won the Pacific Division at 58-24, but Worthy suffered a leg injury in the last week of the season and missed the rest of the season. Nevertheless, they advanced to play 1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers season in the 1983 NBA Finals after defeating 1982-83 Portland Trail Blazers season and 1982-83 San Antonio Spurs season. The Sixers, however, won the series and the championship in four games. After the season West replaced Sharman as the teams GM.. Which team won the first contest of the NBA Finals, the Lakers or the 76ers?