Magic Johnson and Larry Bird: A Courtship of Rivals Basketball REACTION

[@sandyleewhite]

I love when men are confident enough, to show emotions 💖💖💖 This really touched my heart & as always, this documentary brings on the tears.....I have so much respect for both Magic & Larry, and IMO, these 2 will always be the GOATS in my heart 💖💖💖 Thanks!

[@PzoThePlug]

I appreciate you so much!! This video was not only informative but very deep, so tears are definitely understandable.

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

Bird & Magic brought team play back to BB ! The selfish mentality in BB is big turn off for a lot of fans. Its part of why BB got popular again.... The fans like to see the team play ....the unselfishness of the team captains! The NBA is losing a lot of fans now because of the way the game is played! Because of the selfishness of captains like LeBron....he is just one example.

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

I hope you're doing the next documentary The Dream Team Olympics 1992?!!! This documentary basically flows right into the next documentary.

[@mikewatts867]

That was the one thing that brought me comfort after Kobe’s death. I cried like a baby that day. But then seeing all these grown men, warriors, showing their emotions in the days after, not a one of them embarrassed to show their emotions, the world would be better if men feel confident and comfortable being that. Not just when something horrible happens. The bond of friendship between two polar opposites is a beautiful thing. We need more of that in this country now

[@sandyleewhite]

@@mikewatts867 Yes, we really do ❤

[@hookedonreactions7649]

I saw an interview with Bobby Knight and he said that he never chased anybody and he wasn’t gonna start with Bird. He then went on to say that maybe Bird needed to be chased and Knight took responsibility for not understanding Larry’s situation better. When Indiana State called him to make sure there wasn’t anything more to the story, Knight told them that the only thing Bird ever did wrong at IU was not talking to him before he left.

[@carilin1965]

When Bobby Knight got older he admitted he didn’t realize how overwhelmed Larry was and he had made a mistake. It’s in an interview as well.

[@Michael-ro8vc]

Knight was the worst. He destroyed young men. Isaiah only played 2 years for the jerk. Leave Isaiah off your list and name me 1 player Knight coached that went onto nba super stardom.

[@allaneisner4729]

The troglodyte who says he doesn’t enjoy seeing so many black players needs a serious lesson in race relations!

[@allaneisner4729]

I want to see the best players, whether they be black or white. But we need to concede that black athletes are among the very best in the world! I don’t care what color or ethnicity you are as long as you can play at the NBA level.

[@allaneisner4729]

Rodman’s take, which Isiah Thomas echoed, was, at its core, a racist comment! Forget the color of the player and just focus on their skills and ability! Bird never cared about race and that is something all people should strive for!

[@jasonthompson2355]

Greatest sports documentary - EVER

[@lauriep2018]

Great reaction! FYI - Jackie was a sports reporter out of Boston. They didn’t put that clip into context. They had asked her how the other players reacted to Magic’s announcement and that’s when she said that the first person she thought of was Larry. She’s a fantastic reporter- I believe she just recently retired. I’m from southern NH, about 45 mins north of Boston. I was born in Larry and magics rookie year in 1979, so I was kind of too young to know about the whole rivalry even basketbal. I do remember when I was in stores they would have these huge life-size cardboard, cutout of Bird and McHale and I used to be in awe of how tall they were. Lol. I didn’t start playing basketball until after they retired. Although I do specifically remember hearing about magic and HIV because I was around 13 at the time. And they are right, we all thought he was going to die within a few years that’s just what happened back then. They are both so competitive, and Larry Bird reminds me so much of Tom Brady. Never mind his full court passes, but they both had chips on their shoulders. Bird was always told that he was competing against bad players when he was in high school and in college and That just made him wanna beat everyone even more. Both Brady and Tom were considered “unathletic “ but they both had the competitive mindset and the ability to think three plays ahead and think the games out like a chess game And interview a few years ago was told he was compared to Bird and Bruins hockey player, Bobby Orr, and Brady said that he couldn’t be more honored than to be compared to them ❤❤ If you haven’t watched it yet, I suggest you watch Magic Johnson documentary called “they call me magic “. It was just released this year on Apple TV and I watched it and it taught me so much more about magic and what he went through and it was really good

[@davidfaxon3336]

Who is Brady and Tom. I think you meant to say Bird, and Tom

[@justinpitcock5312]

So glad you did this one. I loved it when I first saw it. If you didn’t see TNT Basketball Stories before the All Star game this year they had Larry Bird, Reggie Miller, and Isiah Thomas. It was really cool. You’ll like it.

[@Gracie-SavedByGrace]

Yes!! Isaiah gives Larry props for saving his career after Isaiah agreed with the bonehead comment that Rodman made that created a media storm. Isaiah says, "Larry you had my career in the palm of your hands..." Starting at 20:06 .... Indiana Glory with Larry Bird, Reggie Miller, and Isaiah Thomas kzbin.info/www/bejne/epjQq3-vmd6SkKM

[@lauriep2018]

I believe the original coach of Indiana State University,(I can’t remember his name.) and he was asked what he might do differently now had he had the chance to recruit Bird again. He said he should’ve taken more care to understand where Bird was coming from and how he grew up so he could kind of prepare him for the huge university. I believe French lickhad a population of like 2000 and ISU had a school population of 30,000. That’s why he left.

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

Coach Knight

[@imweakfordeaky]

Indiana University and Bobby Knight. Bird ended up at the smaller Indiana State University and took that nearly-unknown team to their first ever NCAA appearance…to the FINALS. Even though they lost to Magic’s Michigan State, it was a huge accomplishment to get there (with a 33-0 record, no less) for a no-name program.

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

Thank you for doing this! I love this documentary! Sometimes when you have that many boys in a family ...older brothers have a tendency to push around and bully their younger brothers. So... sometimes the younger brothers retaliate in their own way. That was Bird's way of retaliating against his older brother....getting him into a fight. Lol.

[@aramhamparian9641]

Great job bro! 💯👍💪

[@stephenreiner1523]

Bobbie Knight admitted he screwed up. He sure the hell did.

[@MrAitraining]

Being not aware of Larry's financial circumstances. Had nothing to do with basketball. It wasn't basketball season yet and Larry has said he feels he would have had no problem playing for Knight

[@stephenreiner1523]

@@MrAitraining Bobby admitted he erred not going after Larry. He said Larry had the best eye hand coordination he had ever seen. Perhaps you could look further in the annals of collegiate basketball before making erroneous comments.

[@MrAitraining]

@@stephenreiner1523 knight recruited larry bird. Larry enrolled at IU but left because he didn't have enough money to live on and the school was too big so he quit school. That's in Birds words. So you are the uninformed one

[@stephenreiner1523]

Sorry buddy but you are the uninformed one. Listen to Bobby Knights own words. They will certainly apprise you of the situation as noted by Knight himself. As one who didn't chase players he openly admitted that he should have talked Bird about coming back to I.U. It's clearly stated, by Knights self proclaimed verbatim. Now you may void die anything you want, but the truth of the matter is your dead wrong. End of conversation.

[@MrAitraining]

@@stephenreiner1523 I know knight has said that and regretted not doing more but once Larry set foot at Indiana and left, he wasn't coming back no matter what imo. He didn't feel it. Wasn't comfortable and I highly doubt knight could have done anything to change birds mind. If you know about larry, you can't talk him back into something. I realize that's my opinion. We will never know but bird has never regretted the decision and has never blamed knight for anything

[@robinmahan8814]

You're right. Larry was athletic, and very quick especially in his early years. Quick first step, hand eye coordination, and the toughness, he was incredible to watch. Magic too! Love them both, they made watching fun. College ball was exceptional in the late 70's early 80's too. But Bird was the most fun for me, because you just never knew what he was going to do. Except try his best to win. It was hard to watch him after we realized he struggled with his back. But he kept winning.

[@SamKnause]

I have watched too many Larry Bird videos to count. The expression on your face at 53:49 is so sweet. It showed how happy you were that Larry won. You know that he deserved to win. He fought hard to win. You shared in his joy. I am usually smiling when I watch Larry Bird videos. He is amazing beyond belief.

[@F1rstWorldNomaD]

The most beautiful story in sports history. Their rivalry, their friendship, their story, all of it is inspiring, touching and pure. Its fakking unbelievable that this is not some hyper-romanticised drama sho but actually real life.

[@MegazoneMusic23]

They Changed the NBA, They *SAVED* the NBA: LARRY and(VS) MAGIC Celtics VS Lakers Black VS White Excess Rich LifeStyle VS Rural Country Living Friends VS Competitors East Coast VS West Coast

[@leobell3502]

Ola Pzo, This is the greatest documentary I've had the absolute pleasure to watch regarding the NBA, The Legend and Magic. I thought that I had seen every documentary video on the NBA, in particular about Bird and Johnson. It was raw, brutally honest, poignant, heartbreaking, exhilarating, joyous, thorough, thought provoking and whatever other superlatives you'd like to add to my comment. The best thing about this beautifully crafted documentary is that there were NO out of focus and blurred visual clips or bleeped audio recordings! NO Politically Correct censorship of any kind, AS IT SHOULD BE! Always show the truth for what it is, no matter the consequences. I'm glad I stopped by to hang with you to watch one of the greatest documentaries ever made. Thank you young man. Ciao. Respectfully, Leo San Francisco, Califusa Subscriber

[@Shintigercurl]

bryant gumble is right. MJ elevated basketball to world wide success but it was larry and magic who saved it with their friendship and rivalry.

[@debbypratt501]

I Really Loved This🥰🥰🥰 Thank You For Understanding These Two Men🥰🥰🥰

[@davidsugich362]

The short shorts were just the shorts we wore as part of the uniform starting in Junior High in gym class. It wasn't a "thing". It was just something you got used to because that was what they expected us to wear, so we did. It was the public schools that indoctrinated it. That was just the uniform and what we grew up with. I'm talking about growing up in the 60s and 70s.

[@karlmatthies6039]

Watch the story of the dream team!! U will get more about their relationship

[@Rhiga]

One of my favorite sports documentaries. Basketball at its finest. Two goats

[@TheStickinator]

This story showed exactly how Bird and Magic saved the NBA.. Makes you think what would have come of the NBA without them.

[@picolo4102]

Great Reaction!!

[@homermtz]

You need to continue with the dream team! Larry and bird playing together! and some guy called Mike

[@SharonBird-b9f]

You did a great job Pzo Larry and Magic saved the NBA and they brought black and white people to watch the games , look at the games now its all different colors watching and playing the game plus look at the money NBA players are making today because of Bird and Magic I love those 2guys❤❤

[@danielmalo173]

Bonne job man from Québec you entertained me. Good réaction! Bravo, mon ami, Daniel

[@mikewatts867]

It is probably the best sports documentary I’ve ever seen. I grew up a Magic fan, didn’t appreciate and borderline hated Larry. The last couple of years have completely changed that. As a Lakers fan/Celtics hater, I love everything about Larry now. He should have a statue next to Magic at the Lakers arena, at the MSU arena. I would have never said that years ago. Also, quick thing, the lady journalist when she said “the first person I thought of was Larry” after the HIV news, she’s obviously not saying she didn’t first think of Magic. She’s saying that apart from him, the first outside person she thought of was Larry. Yeah she could have said his wife or whatever, but as a sports journalist, she’s going to think of the people she follows and writes about. She could have worded that better but I get what she was trying to say, and this doc is equally about both Magic and Bird.

[@davidfaxon3336]

Anyone who reacts, and shows respect to the old school players like Bird and Magic gets my subscribe, and like

[@gail6384]

Love your reactions to the greatest basketball players of my generation. Subscribed.

[@sherimay1957]

enjoyed this immensely, ty

[@NOxSPLOOSHxPLANE]

When you have your own theme song You Know You're a badass

[@stephanetrembley6180]

My friend it's 100% true that Magic, Bird and Celtics-Lakers rivalry made the NBA explode. People who never watched basketball were tuning in suddenly. I'm almost 60 and I watched every game . Don't roll your eyes, it really happened.

[@keithzatkalik5805]

We all remember where we were when we heard the news about Magic

[@MegazoneMusic23]

Was in the car getting a ride home from college with friend ,Ed, when it hit the news. We were all shocked and in disbelief!

[@freddiefranceschelli3188]

As a white guy I was a die hard MAGIC fan. 😂 But always loved watching the two play against each other. Bird was always great. Him and Magic saved the league. For real!!

[@NagelLisa]

I like you far better than other reactors. They expect us to make comparisons constantly. So they are always pausing and never getting to the point. Asking and answering their own questions in the middle of the entire documentary that it didn't even seem like the documentary anymore. It was so confusing. Those are the kind of people, as soon as they do that, I give them a thumbs down and unsubscribe. Because I'm sick of it and I've seen one too many now because there are sooo many. Also, I hate cultural wars. So don't bring age into it. Out of all the people I have watched, who have watched that documentary, you reign as king of a perfectionist because you do it right. Unlike anybody else, you do it right. And I love you for it, man. Peace be with you.

[@PzoThePlug]

THIS IS PROBABLY MY FAVORITE COMMENT EVER!!

[@brians2869]

Magic handsome af, as well, so he kinda got that swag... such a good player

[@MegazoneMusic23]

Personally I thought he looked more handsome with the goatee! ;)

[@lavernereed7431]

Thank you! Really enjoy.

[@NagelLisa]

...and I love ya too. You're a good human being.❤

[@bbox5938]

Excellent! Thank you

[@RicoMusap-te3om]

I remember magics retirement like ir was yesterday i was in a custoners house and saw it on TV I was deveata!!😢

[@robintackett7039]

You should watch Larry Birds retirement ceremony

[@Gracie-SavedByGrace]

Agreed! It's well worth the watch.

[@robinmahan8814]

Thanks for this one!

[@robinmahan8814]

Hahaha! The shorts were freedom! Lol, no, really, I don't know, just the style.

[@AdamBazille]

Stephen Curry's dad was in the NBA! 😂😂

[@stephenreiner1523]

I was born in March of 59 in a small town in New York. I remember all this stuff happening, Vietnam and the assination of John F Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Bobby Kennedy. Woodstock,the racial riots, John Lennon killed and the first man on the moon. It was a very tumultuous time in the world and it's gotten so much more pervasive.

[@cedricross6774]

🔥

[@Ezewright]

Some of my best friends look different from me. However, shared values and mutual respect are what matters to us.

[@alicestephens2233]

What everyone fails to mention in this entire documentary is that the accellerated the concept of TEAM pay...they were both selfless as players to promote the concept that it takes an ENTIRE team to meet your goal of winning...they BOTH involved the entire team and made each player better by simply FORCING them to get better for the TEAM....that in its self makes a great player. Just my opinion...they are ICONIC players who just basically loved the game enough to involve the entire team...you just dont see that anymore and its a shame.

[@craigpaske9351]

Who gives a shit what shorts they were wearing?

[@SharonBird-b9f]

They wouldn't be playing this game if it wasn't for those 2 🐐🐐 I'm a Larry Legend fan but I always loved Magic too 🐐🐐💙💙🏀🏀

[@freddiefranceschelli3188]

They had them both listed at 6'9 but bird was every bit of 6'10 or taller. You see it in every pic taken of them together

[@1982jeepcj8]

Basket ball shorts are derived from. World war 2 era navy swimming trunks. It's just how athletic shorts were all the way till the 1990s when JAMs surfing shorts and boxing shorts became the rage

[@allaneisner4729]

Earvin was such a cute baby!

[@cynthiawhite3945]

Those were magical times in the NBA. I don't know if a lot of younger people realize this, but back then, being HIV+ & getting diagnosed with AIDS was pretty much a death sentence. And a horrific way to die at that. So to see him now is awesome ❤

[@NOxSPLOOSHxPLANE]

One of the greatest videos put together they really did save the NBA and these two guys are the goats in my opinion. Larry Bird is also the very last great white American basketball player every other white guy to dominate the NBA has been European

[@freddiefranceschelli3188]

That hate was gone by the 90s. We got along back then.

[@JESSES_CURIOUSLY_CURIOUS]

My birthday is in the first week of January, 1980. So i was actually made when they first met head to head, march 1979, 😂😂 so terrible to think about how 🤔 😂

[@johndardi1334]

Saying Larry Bird is un athletic is like saying the pope isn’t catholic

[@yomommaahotoo264]

I think the short shorts are a throwback to ancient nude sports.

[@Sechott12]

Magic and Larry made everyone in their era strive to be a better baller, including each other, and MJ too. Flopping was not an option to achieve greatness during the greatest era of basketball.

[@KStewart-s9q]

Lary bird and magic Johnson is what MBA what it is today thanks for the video

[@Rensune]

The shorts were short because they're easier to move in (same with running shorts)

[@brians2869]

Was always the only white dude on my teams.... was very proud of it, even

[@rashadwalker8218]

When magic announced his retirement the season was just getting ready to start bro it wasnt a couple months in.

[@MS-zv4bf]

Earvin had values instilled in him by his family. Earvin most likely wouldn't have "indulged." Magic was another person. That's the point they're making. I'll never forget that last press conference or his retirement ceremony. They are still tough to watch.

[@JESSES_CURIOUSLY_CURIOUS]

Bird didn't make his problems others. He did what he did on his own. No way anyone can say a bad word about his accomplishments

[@jannachtsheim5989]

as a female... we loved the short shorts!!

[@freddiefranceschelli3188]

Darryl Dalkens!!! The doctor of dunk!!

[@jasperlbrimagejr4954]

Them and dr j started my basketball journey

[@chrischar9428]

Yeah it worked out because its the 2 best players on 2 best teams. You think it works with Milwaukee and Portland

[@F1rstWorldNomaD]

1:21:30 Obviously, the first person besides Magic. He is the epicenter of this tragic news, you cant NOT think about him. Something happens THATS what you think about, then whats the _first_ thing you branch out towards.

[@donechols3937]

I don't know his relationship with his daughter. But he has or had a black son in law.

[@jpecci1262]

Your right -- Magic's agent shouldn't have given the personal medical information over the phone.

[@Ville-u8g]

Larry is the GOAT because he mowed his own lawn.

[@chrischar9428]

Shorts to ankles is ridiculous

[@ReneeV]

I think overall Bird was better, but I think Magic is what helped Bird achieve that level so he gets some glory from that too 🙌🏾🫶🏾

[@nickadkins7765]

Short shorts ARE back in style bro. Tf you talm bout 😂 ever heard of hoochie daddies???

[@fordastreeets8019]

love the reaction, u should react to the Dream Team documentary, It is great as well

[@brians2869]

Also... magic is like handsome and charming... larry is just all hoops

[@Sechott12]

Jackie’s comment was out of context. She was asked which player do think would the news effect most. Something like that.

[@TheCoachjordan42]

We didn't know any better (shorts )

[@RicoMusap-te3om]

GOD made Larry and magic!!!😊

[@SharonBird-b9f]

Listen pzo it went both ways Larry legend had a hard time by the black but Larry was tough and good great

[@GregNewkirk-o8h]

No clue. Watch 10 years of ball out of 70 and pick only players they have seen. I am 65. Lucky to have seen 3 of the NBA top 5 . Mike , Kareem, and Larry. Wilt was before my time

[@Brianmatthewlewis]

I don’t have an issue with either but it’s funny to me to see someone say those are women’s shorts with your hair hahaha

[@robinmahan8814]

I think Bird played two more years after Magic retired. Maybe one, but i think two.

[@Gigi-ns3fh]

🙂👍🔥🏀

[@JESSES_CURIOUSLY_CURIOUS]

But. Hey. Bird and Magic were both team players. It's what simultaneously fixed basketball

[@finalfrontier2376]

Larry Bird is the greatest basketball player in the history of the NBA. And oh by the way you need a haircut young man that’s kind of ridiculous when I grew up girls had that I don’t know what it is with your young man running around with that stuff. Is that how you go into for a job interview if it is, you’d be lucky to get hired cause I would not hire you with that here. Oh well, good video maybe you might wanna think about a haircut. It’s kind of girly.

[@JakeVS2011]

11:51 I sure bird had the same accessibility to women Alot of white racist women would want Bird. But black ppl like attention and bling Black star lifestyle different from White star lifestyle.

[@jasonmccaslin821]

Untrue. Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I had cancer in my eye. Radiation treatment blinded my left eye. Didn't kill me. But am I stronger? Mental fortitude maybe. Mentally stronger maybe. But physically most things that almost kill you rarely leave you in stronger condition.

[@carolpurcell1772]

Short shorts??? C'mon -- there is nothing like a great pair of thighs and, well, you know... I'm old, but I'm still appreciative! :-)

[@chrischar9428]

Why is this video edited

[@dennystevenson2432]

I. The times of Magic and Bird, it was brutally physical. These days it’s so soft.

[@jameylebel]

Understand, there was just as much racism from the black players to the white players. It was a tough decade but we left that behind.

[@jackiesteele5024]

Arsenia Hall's comment was like he was blaming Bird for something he had nothing to do with. Bird couldn't help what fans thought about him, good or bad. Isiah Thomas is a kiss up and jealous of Magic AND Bird. I thought You misunderstood what Jackie said. I think she just meant after hearing the shocking news about Magic, considering she knew first hand how Magic and Bird's relationship was, that Larry would be very upset. And he was.

[@GregNewkirk-o8h]

All these highlights James Worthy says he would rather guard Mike than Bird. The rest of the quote. Mike makes you look slow. Bird makes you look stupid. Remember highlights don't tell the whole story. Bird won 3 MVP awards in a row . They never mention Kareem won 6 MVP awards in 8 years. He was still the best player in the league when Magic and Larry came in. He won his sixth MVP award that year. They make it seem like Magic was the best player on the Lakers. Kareem was still the best player on the team 3 of Magics 5 rings. He won his last finals MVP 38 years old. Last ring 41 years old. No Kareem, no ring for Magic. Kareem retired. Bulls beat them 4-1 .

[@jasperlbrimagejr4954]

Naw magic had way more dunks when bird dunked it was surprising I watched all birds games being from Boston

[@blademan4089]

short shorts sucked… Had to wear them all through high school..

[@caspergeanette7830]

You talk too much, never watch another video from you

[@jasonmccaslin821]

I think the short shorts were from a time when people were trying to be as free as possible. Lol

[@jasonmccaslin821]

I had cancer in my eye. It didn't kill me. I'm blind in one eye though. It didn't make me stronger. That saying might apply to mental aspects of things. But physically what nearly kills you? Doesn't make you stronger almost ever.