The GREATEST Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson's Rivalry Stories Shared by NBA Legends

[@ProSportBasketball]

Watch more video on Larry Bird Stories 🎥🏀: kzbin.info/aero/PL41bHPjP_E7sK84FVgyB4QHJVwxh7qT2E

[@mikefuchs-sb8pv]

thank you

[@Thulgore]

What makes Bird and Magic even more incredible............they lived up to the hype.

[@newerafrican]

I watched a lot of NBA ball in the '80's and 90's and you saw these two GREATS every Sunday. Not to mention Dr. J, a young Charles Barkley, Dominique, Isiah, Hakeem, etc. It was "show time" and the NBA was prime time! A complete turnaround from the 1970's thanks to these two exceptional men.

[@jasonmartin7137]

I've seen all of these clips numerous times before, but you did a great job of putting them together!

[@richardmahfouz4392]

You cant talk about one without talking about the other....you really cant even think about one without thinking about the other....and that's the way it SHOULD be. God bless them both ❤️ ❤️

[@acewilliams7917]

Indeed💯 every time I talk about Magic and always mention Bird.

[@1240okeene]

The respect that each gives the other, is so honorable. They just want to hang out with each other .

[@patrickpitamber]

Bird and magic best of all time

[@doctorgarbonzo2525]

2 days before the Big Game! A reporter asked Magic what he thought of LB,? With his beautiful smile, Magic said! I'm a Larry Bird fan!

[@acewilliams7917]

The real cool thing is that apart they're great and when they play together it's phenomenal because they have this kindred connection.

[@rafehr1378]

Thank You so much. I am 74. Lakers, then Sonics fan. Didn't like the Birdman then. Now all these videos. He's number "1" for me now.

[@RoofDoctorsJoanne]

I was a Sixers fan as a kid. The Finals were on tape delay in 1980 & believe in 1982 as well for some games. It was crazy. I couldn't stay up that late to watch it. They definitely saved the League or at least made it Prime Time.

[@rduse4125]

13:28 - Listening to Paul Pierce talk about some of the things that made the rivalry great… The college championship is still the most viewed college game in history. - Bird player of the year and Magic wins the championship. - Bird Rookie of the year and the Lakers win it all. - Bird led the Celtics to the biggest single season turnaround in nba history (from 29 to 61 wins). - Both teams were expected to win their respective conference, so people on both sides were always curious about the other divisions. It wall ALLL almost mythical.

[@TheGympert]

The best bromance in basketball history. My all time favorite players

[@DrMicahLuv]

Idk, I always looked at it as a "Frenemies" situation.

[@kathieovercash8414]

Great video.

[@GG-tc8cr]

Legends ❤

[@davidbroughall3782]

It was a privilege to be able to watch these two greats battle it out. I was a Bird fan because he was reserved like me while Magic was an extreme extrovert.

[@slshusker]

Boys and girls, before Magic & Larry arrived, some NBA Finals games were on TV tape delay. Dr. J was out there keeping the league afloat.

[@timmorales1569]

Larry and magic inspired the country to watch basketball and want to play. MJ inspired the world.

[@jimkoenig5026]

Cable help....timing. Dr J sold out arenas before MJ could jump.

[@donparvex3524]

Bird and Magic change the game..like NO other two players in any sport...ever. Not necessarily because they are arguably two of the very best players ever to play..but also because of their unique personalities and what they brought to the Entire League. AND..probably the Most important aspect..the Time they played in..TV..and just general Sports News..and technology created a perfect atmosphere for them to Influence an entire generation of people. 🏀 was changed Forever! Wilt..West..Robinson and Russell... did not have that luxury. Time and Technology..End of Story. Remember boys and girls.. Time and Context is Everything to understanding and comprehending Sports and History!!!😮

[@gregoryphillips3969]

Isaiah Thomas is delusional. The Detroit Pistons had nothing to do with the NBA taking off. People were glad when the Pistons went away.

[@newerafrican]

Michael was ascending by that point but he had to go through Detroit. Larry and Magic had already ignited the NBA

[@donthomas4793]

Delusional being the keyword, he’s always got an interject himself.

[@cuda426hemi]

He didn't say they had anything to do with the NBA taking off, he said when they joined the party - the Bad Boys - they kicked it up a notch and he wasn't lying Rodman, Isaiah, Laimbeer, Dumars - they had EPIC rivalries with the Bulls Celtics and Lakers. Two back-to-back titles wtf ? They got a LOT of pub. Were you even born? 👀

[@PaulBongiorno-v2l]

The early 90’s pistons had more in common with the 1970’s nhl philly flyers/ broad street bullies. Than that of a talented, respectful and respected nba team. Yes, a physical game is and should be part of any and every sport. Though several pistons players at that time, often times played like absolute goons. Including thomas with his frequent, ‘accidental’ tripping antics.

[@cuda426hemi]

@@PaulBongiorno-v2l Like the Celtics were gentlemen?? LOL 👀

[@1240okeene]

I wished i was their friend as well, what a couple of good dudes

[@rduse4125]

11:58 - My biggest complaint is mentioning the entire Celtics lineup without mentioning Danny Ainge. Shannon Sharpe should have added the Ainge/Scott matchup.

[@arthurspencer6999]

My reaction too

[@Amick44]

Ainge and Scott were good. But nowhere near transformational.

[@rduse4125]

@@Amick44 - well, neither was Dennis Johnson by himself. - Robert Parish went on to play with Michael Jordan and the Bulls…we would have never heard of Robert Parish except for …he was on that Celtics team. In the same way, Danny Ainge was an integral part of the 80s Celtics teams, and if you’re going to name 4 of the 5 starters, that doesn’t seem fight to me.

[@Amick44]

@@rduse4125 ok. I was just staying on the Bird / Magic narrative. I wasn't bringing anyone else into it, only the impact they had on the game.

[@rduse4125]

@@Amick44 - I totally agree, the Bird/Magic rivalry MADE the Celtics/Lakers rivalry and put the rest of those players (except for maybe Kareem) on the GOAT team map.

[@dec9164]

Basketball is a team sport but you ALWAYS look/search for who's the best player on each team. The NBA is the league that basketball players aspire to play in/dream about playing in. Magic & Larry were the best coming out of college and in the NBA. Anyone who is a student of the game recognizes that. Well put together video.

[@masterdeus100]

We had never seen guys 6 , 9 play the way they did. The NBA didn't have 6,9 point guards , are small forwards that size like Bird. MJ for years took a back seat to Bird and Magic. Man it was basketball at its highest level.

[@fbales]

I’ve always been a Bulls fan, but when Magic and Legend played, I was a Lakers and Celtics fan too, and I mostly hate the teams, in all sports, from those cities. That tells you how much of an impact those two men made on the NBA. Today’s NBA can’t compare. I miss all the greats from the 80’s and 90’s, but especially Magic Johnson and Larry Legend!

[@bryanpage7206]

I grew up watching Larry Bird and Magic Johnson saving the NBA and it was an amazing time . And they are definitely the two players that saved the NBA. I have no idea what Isaiah was talking about with the Pistons

[@debohagan]

Correct!!

[@jamesharvey4817]

To say they saved the league is absolutely crazy. To say, this group of people created a new to play, that to be expected. All you have to do is look at the character of the people playing in the league during the stages of these game. The players during Walt Frazier's Knicks as compared to the Magic's Lakers; Theses were two different types of teams and the people were different.

[@asmukler]

Wilt and Russell were the best of THEIR time. Magic and Bird were the best of their time.

[@marquewallace]

Magic Johnson and Larry Bird put NBA Basketball on the map on the same level as Baseball and Football sports. This is the best rivalry.

[@big-l5771]

Magic Bird saved the NBA and now the new generation dont want to play idiots have ruined it . I havent watched a game this season yet have no interest the stars are always hurt or on load management. FIRE 🔥 ADAM SILVER

[@cooper482011]

🎯🎯🎯

[@davep8221]

I think they both would've hated it if they'd been drafted to the same team. The best love to compete against the best. All star, Dream Team, etc, are fine for a change, but battles are what matter.

[@LorolinAstori]

Greatest NBA rivalry is and always will be Bill Russell v. Wilt Chamberlain. It is not even close.

[@sixfootbear]

Sorry but no.

[@johnjenkins5854]

As a Boston guy, who never missed a minute, here’s something never mentioned. Forget the shots and passes. When the Celts really needed a rebound. Boston big men, Parish and the goon fighting to get that board, Larry got the board. Larry got the board.

[@janyshendrickson3833]

Hollywood could not have written a better script or debuted their blockbuster movie at a more critical time in the history of the NBA. I shudder to think what would have happened to the NBA if there had never been the (white) Hick from French Lick and the (black) Magic. These two greats literally saved the NBA from both financial ruin and viewership obscurity. They saved the professional game and paved the way in creating a future for Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Koby Bryant and all the others. Legend and Magic deserve so much more respect🐐🐐

[@bensisko4651]

Man, those 2 guys on the same team is just.......wrong 😂😂😂

[@Amick44]

Unfair, but beautiful.

[@Gregory-sm9pf]

Wrong but so much fun to watch, total dominance!

[@lonniebarrett4691]

Would have won every game

[@Gregory-sm9pf]

@@lonniebarrett4691 pretty much, LoL!.

[@feat132]

I understand the sentiment of their rivalry being the best, but they only played 2 games per season. That being said the playoffs is what magnifies the legacy. BUT Wilt and Russ met way more often in the regular season and playoffs. The only argument against their rivalry not being the best is Celtics dominated in the playoffs. But the actual mano on mano physically speaking, there is nothing even remotely comparable 🏆😁

[@tonyadamski7877]

Bird and Magic saved the league not the pistons

[@martyemmons3100]

Saving the NBA started with Dr J.

[@stevemd6488]

There's a little misconception here, the original rivalry was Bird vs Dr J. Lakers/Celtics after that.

[@Obiahjones]

Bird and Magic and he's right about Detroit they were a part of it, that bad boy image was pretty popular

[@paulyanchuk294]

I always qualify my GOAT vote for Larry with; “ I can’t speak to before Larry, but. I hear the giants back in the day were awesome!”

[@JamesLeeHall]

My dad said Jordan was the second best basketball player he ever saw. My dad was murdered before the 1998 finals. They widened the lane because of Wilt. They banned slams because of Wilt. Wilt could miss a free throw on purpose,then jump from free throw line and grab the rebound and slam the ball

[@charlycolis9811]

Isiah saved the NBA, too!!! To me its a crying shame that Thomas never got the notoriety he deserved.. one of my top ten players of all time

[@chaunseybillings5381]

Magic and bird save the nba

[@vinrock3918]

Bird and Magic saved the league and MJ got everyone paid.

[@indyspotes3310]

These two players made the NBA watchable and marketable. But they couldn't have had the impact they did without ESPN starting in 1980. It was a perfect storm.

[@ruminator3570]

In my eyes the the most important players in the history of the league are Michael Jordan magic Johnson Larry Bird and a guy that seems to be left out of the conversation but he really gave the League the initial punch with style. Julius erving. Magic Michael and Isaiah Thomas have stated as such.

[@watariwangyu33]

❤💯

[@saltydog3427]

I wonder in 20 years if people will have the guts to say Caitlyn Clark saved the WNBA

[@davidbroughall3782]

They have to want to be saved. I don't think they do. At leat their racial prejudice won't allow them to be saved by a white woman. It's like they take it as a personal affront that the player drawing all the attention is white, never mind that she's a brilliant player.

[@audience7264]

Save is too strong a word. Elevate is better. The NBA is already doing the saving, by funneling money into it.

[@jimkoenig5026]

It's still the same game. Will it last

[@davidbroughall3782]

@@audience7264 That's the problem. The NBA should have made its subsidy finite. They should have given them a time limit to get themselves together and create a real, high quality professional league and then cut them off, or reduce it gradually until they had to eventually sink or swim. Instead, the subsidy became open-ended, with no incentive for the WNBA to improve. Nobody but the die-hard sports commentators noticed because nobody else was watching. Now many more people are watching and not liking what they're seeing. If the product was good to begin with, then there wouldn't have been such a drop-off in viewership once the Fever were eliminated. As it is with unintended consequences, what the new fans saw reminded them why they hadn't been watching in the first place.

[@markcarmichael7141]

I was just thinking the same thing. If Angel Reese wasn't such a bitch, maybe she could help CC. Unfortunately she feels entitled to be mentioned with Caitlin even though she's actually terrible at basketball. I doubt these women and the refs will be able to accept CC and what she can bring to the WNBA. One think I have no doubt about is that, as long as CC maintains her composure and doesn't sink to their level, she will always make a ton of money.

[@deejaycerebral]

Larry Joe Bird was actually 6'10" my guy

[@bobleppert2034]

They saved the nba

[@Amick44]

At the absolute least, they certainly catapulted it into a higher interest. And cable was just coming along at that time too.

[@frankchris07]

Just remember when Magic got Aids Bird was there for him and others were not. Bird was a true friend and Magic knew that.

[@edwardbrito4010]

Don’t compare Curry to Bird only as a shooter with today’s rules he is better. Bird with a back brace had 40/50/90 season. Bird had 10 rebs per game in that era… those were big Cs & PF Barkley, Olajowon, Moses. Despite a lower scoring era & playing with HOF PG has as many assists as Curry. If Bird played Point Forward in this era he smoke most of Jokic stats faster, better passer & shooter. It’s unimaginable how good he was because he got hurt mid career.

[@audience7264]

People tend to overlook how much faster the game is played these days. That's why leg injuries are more commonplace even though the rules don't allow as much contact. I don't think many players can adjust to the speed effectively. For generational players like Bird & Magic, I'm sure they'd find a way to impact the game. Just how much, we can only speculate.

[@Killatwos29]

I became a Celtics fan after there first championship against the Lakers i was mesmorized by Bird

[@thume5976]

Larry Bird only told one lie to me and to the fans. Larry Bird said..... that there will be another Larry Bird one day. And Larry,.................. there will never, ever, EVER be another Larry Bird. ~ IMJ #32

[@stevenkeiser]

Dr.J saved the NBA when he left the ABA everyone forgets he changed the league with his talent. People came to see this lengend because of his talent. His passing and defensive skills were outstanding. He scoring was unbelievable his moves were out of this world. No one can deny his history of being the best player in the NBA his is the GOAT.

[@AndyVillegas-fk3kg]

Dr. J was a formidable opponent. He was in the league when the TV people said no to prime time games. All the revenue from the networks would dry up. Thats what the Bird and, Irving did . They made it worth while to tune. Now ask the players who played against them.

[@Bernard-e9h]

Magic & Bird. No disrespect to AIR Jordan...HOWEVER, both Magic & Bird MADE THE NBA. SHOWTIME & BIRD & THE BOSTON CELTICS. THEY MADE THE NBA! IDC what any body comments on me IDGA🤬

[@thomasgreene1354]

The folding of the aba saved the NBA!!!!!!!

[@jerryfranks7359]

Shannon, the Celtics also had Danny Ainge

[@roryjohnston6567]

Shannon here, ok, thanks for sharing.

[@ant-cs6rf]

Who yall think won the rivalry

[@davidbaroi8492]

Bird

[@geraldroyster7011]

Magic!

[@Billfish57]

We did

[@buzzard6410]

@@Billfish57 That's right!. We did!!!

[@The.Original.Potatocakes]

Bird

[@freddiefranceschelli3188]

Larry was closer to 6'10. You can see in all the photos he's just a little taller then Magic

[@MickeyStone-h1y]

The NBA was dying in the 1970s. Had the ABA lasted it's possible it would have surpassed the NBA

[@YoursInYeshua]

Alright... woulda won, a team with bird and magic or kobe and shaq? (kone and pau were more dominant)

[@jaysmith3257]

We don't see that in today's NBA. Everybody wanna be buddy buddy or become Instagram celebrities.

[@rjlovell1]

I really wanted to watch this video but Shannon sharp just absolutely rubs me…later.

[@gturcott1]

Yeah Isaiah they just set it up for the Pistons

[@enniol8043]

I'm sorry but sometimes Isaiah is delusional. We hated the Pistons. How can you say that the league takes off with the Showtime Lakers and versus the Celtics with Bird and Magic being at the core (so many things went right btw, The race thing, the built-in rivalry, the level of play and all in the hands of Stern who knew what to do with it). IMO the Pistons brand of basketball brought it to a halt, it was Jordan that took it to the next level.

[@jamesmartin1659]

This would have been a great video if you would NOT have made some of the videos bounce around

[@Trinitothebone-hz6pg]

Could their shorts be any shorter ? Looks like boxers 🤣🤣🤣

[@chaunseybillings5381]

I would take Bird over curry any Day

[@ValentinaRacing1]

Skin color didn't matter.. They was bros

[@RadarHawk52]

Played the Mom Card

[@IraGoldman-x7l]

DR.J and the ABA saved the League ! FACT! Bird and Magic came along 3 years later and helped to improve it!

[@morrisparrish76]

Without WNC & WFR……there’s no NBA for them to “save”! (Newsflash: only Jesus saves!)

[@PaulBongiorno-v2l]

In this vid, thomas, gumbel disgustingly danced around WHY the nba league was on the way to folding. The merging of the aba with the nba didn’t plant more backsides in the seats. Why? Easy. The country had a recession throughout the 1970’s (look at which party controlled CONgress throughout that time. The president has little-no power if the opposing party controls everything). 2ndly, the league was inundated by athletes, whose illegal, despicable behaviors were front and center. ‘Coincidentally’ the league was black majority. And the arrests, drug, alcohol, fights, gf, spousal abuse was 99% of the time committed by those black athletes. This video alone. There’s many more, with other then-present day black athletes who look down on, belittle white basketball players. The fans of the 1970’s picked up on inasmuch. Precisely why the nba was on life support at that time. Though the nwo seeking government written, their bootlicking, union slug ‘press’, along with the pub ed/ public reeducation camps then repeated the government’s fictional, ‘insitutional r acism/ historically r acist nations’ etc., line. Resulting in the dummy population at large eating up that, and b l m et al. fictional narrative. Overlooking the vast majority of black pro athletes blatantly showing their disregard for white people ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@velvetbear7184]

Jordan saved the league. LeBron is bring the league back to hard times.

[@mja91352]

The greatest rivalry ever in the NBA was Russell vs. Chamberlain. Look it up, children!

[@nazztynatenugglife5891]

I want to agree with your comment, but you can't have a rivalry, when one guy wins every time.

[@richardpare3538]

@@nazztynatenugglife5891 Never mind that the Bird/Johnson rivalry is what made the NBA what it is today by rescuing it from totally falling apart. Back before those two came ion, the Celtics - that team that dominated the Finals for so many years - was selling lifetime season passes for $1000 just to get some people into the Garden. They reputation of the whole league had a reputation of being drug addled and on it's way out.

[@nazztynatenugglife5891]

@@richardpare3538 I agree 100%. If Magic and Larry didn't show up when they did, the NBA might have folded. I remember watching games on tape delay, and my Dad screaming, turn that off because he didn't want to hear the score before he got to watch the game.

[@bilogskii2216]

It was more of Wilt vs Boston.

[@ant-cs6rf]

Wasn't really a rivalry if Russell won 11 rings and wilt won 2

[@bajamen]

Crybron James destroyed the NBA

[@jamarrodriguez3258]

I feel the nba don’t give Dr.J his flowers he the one who really saved the nba crazy bird and Larry stole dr.j game and they don’t even tell that story

[@PalermoTrapani]

No not true, the Finals were on tape delay and the NBA by the end of the 1970's was close to bankruptcy. As Shannon said, the 1979 NCAA Final Four blew the NBA TV ratings out and to this day is the most watched game ever. Dr. J did not increase TV rankings. Having Bird with the Celtics and Magic with the Lakers, 2 stars on the 2 most well known NBA franchises is what turned the NBA into a TV ratings winner.

[@WilliamSetzer-o3q]

Thomas is right they beat everyone before this