Larry bird vs magic johnson

Star Comparison Larry Bird vs.

There are few basketball players who are as memorable as Magic Johnson. Magic was a one-of-a-kind basketball genius: a 6-foot 9-inch Point Guard PG , with amazing offensive capabilities. Even today, he is considered one of the most gifted players in the history of the game. Per game, Bird scored During the playoffs, while Bird scored 0. Meaning, Magic always performed better during playoff time, when the money was on the table, as proven in game 6 of his rookie season.

Larry bird vs magic johnson

The film makes an argument that without the massive media attention that was placed on the rivalry that Johnson and Bird had, the NBA might not have made it through the s following the merger with the ABA , among other things. Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Larry Bird were rivals on the basketball court but unlikely friends off of it. Bird had been selected as an underclassman by the Boston Celtics at the 6 spot in the draft , but opted to play his senior season at Indiana State before signing the richest rookie contract to that time in a team sport. The Celtics took the championship in , the Lakers took it back in The Celtics would win again in , while the Lakers would win the title in both and The careers of both men were cut short, Johnson by his diagnosis with HIV and Bird by a debilitating back injury. This HBO Films documentary follows the two men from the early days of their rivalry up through their present day friendship. The film also explores the deep racial issues as a major part of the rivalry between both Magic and Bird and the Lakers and Celtics generally. Bird's designation as "The Great White Hope" was a role he did not want to play. Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk. Read Edit View history.

Larry Bird 2 Magic Johnson 3. Larry Bird 0. Larry Bird 8,

Before they were enemies, they were All-American teammates for 5 days, thrust against teams from the Soviet Union, Cuba, and Yugoslavia at the World Invitational Tournament. At the time, Bird and Magic were second-stringers on the U. But few predicted the duo would soon explode as college stars, professional rivals, and later on, close friends. That odyssey only added to their lore. A dazzling African-American hoopster with an infectious smile and an outgoing personality, Earvin Johnson, Jr. His father was employed at a GM plant and his mother was a school janitor. A quiet white kid from French Lick, Indiana, Bird was slow and flat-footed, but a tough competitor and an undeniable shooting wizard.

Nothing is likely to draw bigger ratings than the drama of LeBron James , Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh competing for the title in their first season together. They were a bridge between the old and the new, their impact inseparable from the place both pro basketball and the country were when they emerged into the spotlight three decades ago. From to , the NBA had transformed from all-white to majority black, from a stolid half-court game to one played full court, on the run and above the rim. During the s, after the retirement of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, the league fell into the doldrums, failing to land a good television contract and playing to half-full arenas. At the same time, stories spread about widespread cocaine use in the league. Beyond the court, the aftermath of the civil rights movement was playing out.

Larry bird vs magic johnson

Both were great players, but which player has the advantage. Even today people still talk about Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Both players were something special and were a one in a million player. Both also fitted the two types of fans of the NBA at least at the time. One half liked teams that were blue collar and played more of an old school basketball the Celtics. The other half loved watching the fast breaks and high octane offense of the Showtime Lakers.

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Read Edit View history. Furthermore, a falling fan base and disenchantment with a drug-infested league was eroding the reputation of professional basketball. Total Rebounds Larry Bird. Who won more MVP awards? Free Throw Percentage Larry Bird. Charles Olivier. Focused and disciplined, both averted the pitfalls of youth that could have sent them into dead-end, troubled lives. Magic was a one-of-a-kind basketball genius: a 6-foot 9-inch Point Guard PG , with amazing offensive capabilities. Larry Bird 8, Spring Larry Bird 5, During the playoffs, while Bird scored 0.

The film makes an argument that without the massive media attention that was placed on the rivalry that Johnson and Bird had, the NBA might not have made it through the s following the merger with the ABA , among other things.

The film also explores the deep racial issues as a major part of the rivalry between both Magic and Bird and the Lakers and Celtics generally. His spirit and mentality positively affected the entire team. Larry Bird 3 Magic Johnson 5. Larry Bird vs Larry Bird 3, ESPN network was founded the following year on that success. Larry Bird 2. This HBO Films documentary follows the two men from the early days of their rivalry up through their present day friendship. Bird and Magic came from different worlds and played a different game, but their dynamic dualism formed the core of a legacy that we will never see again. During the playoffs, while Bird scored 0. Larry Bird 21, Larry Bird 7. But race was never an issue for the two luminary athletes who just wanted to play basketball and win games.