HOW THE MAGIC-BIRD RIVALRY GOT STARTED // Larry Bird Beat Rival Magic Johnson For Rookie Of The Year

In this All Sports History video, we'll look back at what some consider the greatest rivalry in sports history and compare the rookie seasons for Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.
Here's what this "Larry Bird and Magic Johnson Rivalry" video covers:
On May 29 1980, Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics won the NBA rookie of the year award narrowly beating out Los Angeles Lakers, and rival Magic Johnson. This was one of the first battles in a legendary NBA rivalry that lasted throughout the 1980s. In this video, we’ll look back at each player’s rookie year, and see how they helped change the NBA, bringing it to new heights of popularity.
What did you guys think about Larry Bird winning Rookie Of The Year over Magic Johnson? Let me know in the comments below!
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HOW THE MAGIC-BIRD RIVALRY GOT STARTED // Larry Bird Beat Rival Magic Johnson For Rookie Of The Year

[@AllSportsHistory]

Hey Sports Historians! What did you guys think about Larry Bird beating out Magic Johnson for Rookie of the Year? Do as Larry says and "SHOW ME WHAT YOU GAWT!"

[@terrydavis2936]

Well Magic got the NBA Finals MVP. Thanks and enjoy your participation trophy bitch. Magic owns you.

[@73Trident]

@@terrydavis2936 You are to uninformed on this subject for me to spend the time on your statement.

[@Uniquew1992]

This is one of the most perfect piece of American history ever. While Bird win the Rookie of the year, Magic won the championship. Not even hollywood can make this up.

[@itinerantpatriot1196]

HBO made a very good documentary on the Bird-Magic rivalry. As a Michigan native, I was always partial to Magic. I remember that NCAA game like it was yesterday. Magic remains my favorite NBA player not named Isiah. As a Piston fan, I hated the Celtics. They broke our hearts more than once. I was in Logan Airport watching that game 5 when Isiah threw that errant in bounds pass. The airport bar went nuts. I hung my head in shame. I lived in Boston for a brief time and was there when Bird owned the town. They ripped off 18 wins in a row that season and all you heard anyone talk about was the Celtics. I'll give Bird his due. He was a tough SOB. Those battles between the Celtics and the Pistons were epic. We got labeled the Bad Boys but McHale, Bird, and Parrish were every bit as nasty and Laimbeer, Mahorn, and Thomas. The only gentleman in the entire mess was Dumars. That was when basketball was a manly sport. You didn't get a free pass to the basket. Jordon started that nonsense with his nonstop whining about getting put on his ass but I digress. Anyway, loved the video, dug the Bird Magic rivalry, even if they did stand in the way of my Pistons winning three in a row (don't get me started on that damn phantom foul against Jabbar). We got some payback in 2004 with Big Ben and the lunch-bucket Pistons. Fittingly, put together by Joe Dumars. We shoulda won two in a row with them if Wallace had half a clue about who to guard in game 6 at San Antonio. Again, cool vid.

[@davidthompson62]

Back in the 80’s, The Lakers offensive style of basketball was called “The run and gun”. Basketball was more of a team oriantated game instead of a 3-point shooting fest. It was excellent basketball with these two as some of its best players.

[@elwin38]

That run and gun was eventually called, "Showtime"!🏀🏀

[@Ziggy405]

You make really good videos.

[@AllSportsHistory]

Thank you! Appreciate it!

[@gb6710]

I just finished watching all of your videos and cannot wait for more.

[@AllSportsHistory]

Wow! Thank you so much, I really appreciate that and I’m glad you enjoyed them 😁 More are on the way!

[@soulinaearthsuit3522]

Well for one Bird didn't narrowly beat out Magic for Rookie of the Year. It wasn't even close. Bird had 63 votes over Magic's 3 votes.

[@AllSportsHistory]

That’s true, I mentioned the votes in the video but that’s a fair criticism. “Narrowly” probably wasn’t the best way to describe it, I guess I wanted to convey how close their stats were that year and throughout their careers.

[@elwin38]

@@AllSportsHistory I remember that 79-80 season like yesterday. One of the reasons Bird won the rookie of the year so convincingly was because he helped turn the Celtics around so fast. The previous year they won only 29 games and they won 61 the next year. Magic did help the Lakers but they were already a winning team. But he did help the Lakers(1980 playoffs)especially in the postseason beating a very good Suns team and finally getting the Lakers over the hump against the Sonics and to the finals.

[@joanna4754]

⁰0llll)i0n

[@terrydavis2936]

Well, Magic was the NBA finals MVP that year at the young age of 20 playing 5 positions and dominating, with the absolute greatest NBA finals performance of all time, the great 76er's without Kareem. Bird merely won a token participation award. Magic's presence brought the NBA finals into your living rooms live way before the free loading fake GOAT Jordan (the quitter of all quitters) rode the truly great coattails. Before it was tape delayed but CBS said this guy Magic is too good.