The reality is that Magic wasn't even the best player on his own team until around 1984 and Bird was the MVP of the . Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson (poll) - The Tailgate ... One half liked teams that were blue collar and played more of an . You can see stats, Championships, awards and more. They both won their first MVP at the age of 28. 1988 Magic Johnson 5. My All Time list goes MJ, Kareem, Russell, Wilt, Bird, Magic. 40 years ago, the Final Four came to Utah and gave fans ... Both players were something special and were a one in a million player. I'd have to go with Larry. The film chronicles the rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry B. What do you think of the new site? [7] LeBron, Durant and Anthony Davis are far better than those two. You can't tell the story of the 1980s without Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Magic vs. Bird: The 1979 NCAA Championship Game: With Bill Berry, Larry Bird, Don Brkovich, Mike Brkovich. He starts by asking him about his relationship with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Larry Bird of Indiana State and Earvin "Magic" Johnson of Michigan State embarked on a path through the NCAA tournament that would take them to the championship game of the Final Four, a showdown that remains the highest rated televised college basketball game. Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson - Complete Career Head-to ... Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson - Who was the better player All Time? Although the game, won 75-64 by MSU, was not quite as dramatic as many other . While Magic was considered to be the better player in 2, maybe 3 seasons from 1980-1989. 1987 Larry Bird 7. However, Magic's playoff stats are better. Larry Bird's journey began in the small rural community of French Lick, Indiana. I've noticed that in this debate recently a lot of people seem to comfortably put Magic over Bird but really it seems like Bird was generally . Player rivalries are sometimes hard to form in sports. Take a look at the historical rivalry between legends Magic Johnson and Larry Bird! Both players were something special and were a one in a million player. I don't think any would be any less successful in today's game than they were in their primes. In an excerpt from the book, Madness: The Ten Most Memorable NCAA Basketball Finals, the authors detail the 1979 NCAA men's national championship game and the meeting of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Bird is the obvious answer here. He was the best shooter in the league in his prime. Magic Johnson vs Devin Booker. Magic Johnson and his Lakers would meet Larry Bird's Celtics in the NBA Finals thrice in the 80s, with the Lakers besting them 2-1. When the Game Was Ours. December 28, 2019 6:14 PM. Kyrie Irving vs Damian Lillard Comparison. However, what Bird and Johnson had was truly special. 1986 Magic Johnson 12. At that time, there was no denying that Larry Bird and the Lakers' star, Magic Johnson, were the two . Posts: 59,302. 1988 - Toss up. The 1979 NCAA championship game between Bird's Indiana State . Larry Bird 'Really Liked' Earvin Johnson but was 'Less Fond' of Magic Johnson. One on One: Dr. J vs. Larry Bird, commonly known as One on One, basketball video game written by Eric Hammond for the Apple II and published by Electronic Arts in 1983. Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals: Directed by Ezra Edelman. K Xerxes. Back in the 80s, he was always considered the better player of the two and was being called the GOAT back then before MJ. Evenly matched, the two heavyweights used one another as benchmarks, to the point where Johnson reportedly had trouble sleeping and Bird obsessed over whether or not Johnson's regime was more intense than his own. Magic's regular season stats are fantastic but don't differ significantly from Larry Bird`s stats. And he wasn't that much worse at passing than Magic Johnson. This was the Los Angeles Lakers . At least one of these teams appeared in every NBA Finals from 1980 through 1989. With Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Steve Springer, Evelyn Johnson. K Xerxes. Top. Pro Prospect. Magic's charisma and skill on the court made him a phenomenon. Magic was a towering point guard who was redefining the . 63 members have voted. Answer (1 of 28): The career trajectories of both Bird ('80 to '88) and Magic ('83 to '91) from the ages of 23 to 32, are both very similar. Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals is a 2010 television documentary film broadcast on HBO. In fact, you could argue some would be more effective and dominant than they were in their prime(s). 1991 Magic Johnson 11. Boston Celtics basketball player Larry Bird restrains Los Angeles Lakers' Magic Johnson from punching Celtics' Danny Ainge. Unknown to both Magic and Larry at the time of their duel in 1979, the two would go on to have some of the most storied battles in NBA history. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird met for the first time in the NCAA national championship.That initial battle was an appetizer for the decade that followed as the pair became two of the greatest basketball players in NBA history who developed a fierce personal rivalry during the 1980s that included three meetings in the NBA Finals. They both won titles within their first two years and had team success. THE MATCHUP: Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson Prime numbers. Between 1980 and 1989, there were only two seasons that ended with someone other than Johnson or Bird winning the title. An exploration of the fierce rivalry between NBA superstars Larry Bird and Magic Johnson during their decade of dominance. Magic Johnson vs Elton Brand Earvin Johnson and Larry Bird have been competing against each other for a long time. They both won their first MVP at the age of 28. Answer (1 of 17): The short answer is, these guys would all be extremely successful. However, like every player, Bird had his weaknesses. Magic Johnson vs Andrew Bogut. Magic Johnson vs Chauncey Billups. Legacy: LeBron James Vs. Larry Bird, Magic Johnson And Michael Jordan Byron on Sports Correspondent I July 4, . Bird's peak was better, Magic had a better prime and better overall career. Back in the 80s, he was always considered the better player of the two and was being called the GOAT back then before MJ. Magic Johnson, the flashy, gregarious African-American point guard from urban Michigan, brought a taste of showtime to Michigan State. NBC Sports Boston's "Classic Celtics" series continues Friday night with an all-timer: Game 7 of the 1984 NBA Finals between the Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. Michael Jordan vs Magic Johnson Comparison. Amazing 30 Cool 24 Could be better 5 A letdown 5 This poll is closed to new votes . With Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Steve Springer, Evelyn Johnson. Not only did his team lose in a tough 7-game series to the Boston Celtics and his rival Larry Bird but. Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson Truly Is The Greatest NBA Player Rivalry. The Legacy of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird's NCAA Championship Showdown, 40 Years Later. Larry Bird Magic Johnson Sports & Recreation. Indiana State's Larry Bird (33) gives a helping hand to a fallen Magic Johnson of Michigan State during the final game of the NCAA men's basketball championship in Salt Lake City in March 26, 1979. Follow. Re: Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson - Complete Career Head-to-Head Stats too bad larry couldnt come through in 3 title opportunities vs magic. In the NFL, you had Brady vs. Manning, but even then, it wasn't a true player rivalry because they never actually played against each other. It dovetailed nicely onto the history of battles in the NBA Finals . Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in the 1985 NBA Finals The following is an excerpt from the e-book The Crossover: A Brief History of Basketball and Race, from James Naismith to LeBron James . RealGM. Steve Aschburner. Bird won MVPs for 3 straight seasons and Magic won 3 MVPs in 4 seasons. Even today people still talk about Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. They both won 3 championships as the. Magic Johnson vs Muggsy Bogues. LeBron James vs Kobe Bryant Comparison. Larry Bird Vs Magic Johnson #18 Sketch Card Limited 48/50 Edward Vela Signed Listing in the Basketball Cards,Sports Trading Cards,Sport Memorabilia & Cards Category on eBid United States | 205764327 It was between the star team from LA, the "Showtime Lakers," and the hard-working tough gang from Beantown, the Boston Celtics. See less. Of all the records held by Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, the one they set 10 years ago in Salt Lake City may last the longest. Bird and Magic entered the league together in 1979. How it Happened. Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson was one of the best rivalries in sports. He was head coach of the Indiana Pacers from 1997 to 2000 and currently serves as their President of Basketball Operations. The Case of the Magic Johnson Legacy: 5 Championships - 9 NBA Finals. Both also fitted the two types of fans of the NBA (at least at the time). During the late 80`s, there was one major rivalry in the NBA. Magic Johnson vs Dave Bing. Magic's playoff stats are better. Magic saw the floor better as was the better passer and playmaker but Bird isnt far behind IMO. Even today people still talk about Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. magic johnson vs. larry bird - who is better? Bird won MVPs for 3 straight seasons and Magic won 3 MVPs in 4 seasons. Joined: Jul 12, 2006. Can you imagine Durant going up against Bird 1 on 1? Magic Johnson vs Eric Bledsoe. Larry Bird finished above Magic Johnson in the NBA MVP Voting in 8 of their 9 first seasons. no excuses either. But let's ignore the fact that the Celtics were basically benchless in 1987 Finals and Bird was recovering from an injury, then let's use their numbers without context to prop up Magic. Re: Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson - The Debate. Larry Bird played thirteen seasons with the Boston Celtics and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1998. 1990 Magic Johnson 8. It was in the 1984 NBA Finals that arguably the greatest player-player rivalry began. Nuggets. LeBron James vs Larry Bird Comparison. The Hick from French Lick and Earvin "Magic" Johnson was the marquee matchup. Larry Bird,Earvin Johnson,Jackie MacMullan — 2009-11-04 ISBN:9780547416816 | Author: Larry Bird,Earvin Johnson,Jackie MacMullan | Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 1157 Reads. It's kind of hard to believe now but at one point, maybe his rookie year, Isaiah Thomas and Magic Johnson . And1: 116. Larry Bird's journey began in the small rural community of French Lick, Indiana. Spartans guard Magic Johnson and Sycamores forward Larry Bird competed against each other for the first time; the pair developed a rivalry in the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the 1980s. Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson Rivalry. Per game, Bird scored 24.3 points, picked 10 rebounds, and delivered 6.3 assists. My All Time list goes MJ, Kareem, Russell, Wilt, Bird, Magic. 1989 - Magic. November 3, 2021 Devin Weber NBA. Posts: 793. Archive. Bird had become one of the best college players ever, famously covering Sports Illustrated in the process. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are two of the greatest players in NBA history. In 1980, 1982, 1985 and 1988, Johnson led the Los Angeles Lakers to championships, winning three Finals MVPs along the way. Between 1980 and 1989, there were only two seasons that ended with someone other than Johnson or Bird winning the title. To me, it was The Two and the other 80 . You can't tell the story of the 1980s without Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. How overrated are Larry Bird and Magic Johnson? #NBA75. In comparison, Magic`s stats are 19.5, 7.2 and 11.2, respectively. Magic was the clear choice to be the face of the NBA, but how Bird saved the NBA with Magic is an interesting story. Let's go one-by. Big rivalry. The most substantial one that stands out is Bird's defensive . Because of the match-up of Bird vs. Magic, it became known as the game that changed college basketball. And it all came to a head on June 12, 1984, at Boston Garden. Magic Johnson vs Chris Bosh. 1985 Larry Bird 6. Earvin Magic Johnson played thirteen seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2002. Jordan is probably the best assassinate. Who do you think is better? Magic Johnson vs Carlos Boozer. Michael Jordan vs Larry Bird Comparison. March 26, 1979. Their famed Magic vs. Bird rivalry defined the game in the 1980s. The 1984 season ended on a bad note for Magic Johnson. Mean_Streets. He is also a top 10 passer in terms of ability. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson revived the Celtics/Lakers rivalry with their own personal one . Larry played primarily small forward and occasionally power forward. Big things were expected of both Bird and Magic coming out of college - Bird was the sixth overall pick in the 1978 draft and signed the largest-ever contract for a rookie at that time, while Magic was the first overall pick in the 1979 draft. The LA Lakers won five titles during this period, while the Celtics won three. Who is better all-time to you: Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird Magic vs. Bird might be the the biggest player rivalry probably in the history of the sports and it was even bigger than Manning vs. Brady. He would smoke his slow, unathletic, overrated ass. 1980s: Showtime Lakers and Larry Bird. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson will be forever linked. Last edited by get these NETS; 08-01-2012 at 05:57 PM . In their first meeting together, Bird and the Celtics came out on top, defeating the Lakers in a 7 game series. Posted by. In 1979, two generational talents faced off on college basketball's biggest stage. 1983 Larry Bird My thoughts; - I think it's known by now that I have Bird's peak higher than Magic's. Magic Johnson/Larry Bird one on one rivalry panini preferred 2013-14 #8 33/99. The NBA was at perhaps its lowest point of fan interest since its founding, and in real danger when Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird and his counterpart on the longtime rival of the Celtics — the Los Angeles Lakers — Earvin "Magic" Johnson arrived to revive the moribund league with their famous personal rivalry.. You can't tell the story of the 1980s without Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. 4. Larry Bird - Highlights vs Lakers 1984 Finals, Game 7 Various Highlights of Bird and other Celtics during the 1984 game 7 finals vs Magic and the Lakers. Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson 1982 Highlights, Celtics vs Lakers Larry Bird duels Magic Johnson 1982 game in The Forum. Top. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson revived the NBA in the 1980s. Re: Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson. 6 months ago. Bird is superior rebounder, shooter, scorer and defender. Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson Who ya got? Larry Bird, playing for Indiana State, and Magic Johnson, playing for Michigan State, were two of the best basketball players during this time and were about to go head-to-head in a competition that sparked a rivalry between them that lasted throughout the 1980s. Booklet dual Jersey Card This card is in excellent condition and is # 33/99 As any of you Bird/Magic fans know these two great players wore #33 in college Take the rivalry that raged between basketball greats Larry Bird and Earvin "Magic" Johnson throughout the 1980s. The . Answer (1 of 28): The career trajectories of both Bird ('80 to '88) and Magic ('83 to '91) from the ages of 23 to 32, are both very similar. It was ported to the Atari 8-bit family, ColecoVision, Commodore 64, IBM PC (as a self-booting disk), TRS-80 Color Computer, and later to Macintosh, Amiga, and Atari 7800.In Europe, the publisher was Ariolasoft Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson (poll) By Sticksboi05, July 27, 2012 in The Tailgate. In the first two NBA matchups between Bird and Magic . Popular Comparisons. Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson - The Rivalry. Magic said of the games against the Celtics, "when the new schedule would come out each year, I'd grab it and circle the Boston games. Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals: Directed by Ezra Edelman. I believe that in the final game of one championship series he played all five positions in the same gam. Legends. (AP Photo) AP Like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird was an exceptionally well-rounded NBA player. Also Magic had a better record in series with HCA 29-3 compared to 24-7. Larry Bird's Celtics during the 1979-80 season made a dramatic improvement "from a 29-53 record the year before to 61-21"(Magic Johnson and). Transport those two into the modern era and they wouldn't even be top 3 players in the league. Compare Magic Johnson and Larry Bird careers through the years of your choosing. Bird was considered to be a better player than Magic in 7, maybe 8 seasons. Answer (1 of 17): So it is 3x3, this has nothing to do about greatness. The Celtics-Lakers rivalry was renewed in the 1980s, in large part due to the personal rivalry between Bird and Johnson. Close. He was a better defender than Magic imo. So let's start. While these two were fierce competitors on the court, they were also good friends off it. The game — which Johnson's Michigan State won over Bird's Indiana State — remains the highest-rated . In 1979, Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird faced off for the first time in the NBA. 2013-12-17T21:35:09.000Z Johnson is one . The 1979 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship game, between Michigan State University and Indiana State University, exactly as aired on NBA on March 26, 1979, except that the commercials are deleted. 17. Both also fitted the two types of fans of the NBA (at least at the time). Stephen Curry vs Kyrie Irving Comparison. The Beginning. Location: HCA (Homecourt Advantage) Re: Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson. The Boston Celtics of Larry Bird and the Los Angeles Lakers of Magic Johnson defined the following decade of basketball. They both won 3 championships as the. Between 1980 and 1989, there were only two seasons that ended with someone other than Johnson or Bird winning the title. NBC Sports Boston's "Classic Celtics " series continues Friday . Allen Iverson vs Dwyane Wade Comparison. Larry Bird, playing for Indiana State, and Magic Johnson, playing for Michigan State, were two of the best basketball players during this time and were about to go head-to-head in a competition that sparked a rivalry between them that lasted throughout the 1980s. One half liked teams that were blue collar and played more of an . Re: Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson - Complete Career Head-to-Head Stats I do not care about regular season games. It was the dawn of a new era in The Association, but it was the beginning of the end for Larry Bird. Answer (1 of 2): They are both 6′ 9″. bird shot .449% in the '85 finals and shot .445% in the '87 finals...if he played well i wouldnt say shit..but lets be real. 05-11-2013, 04:13 PM #2. And1: 4,687. Author . When they first entered the NBA, Bird and Magic were fierce rivals. Magic Johnson vs Bojan Bogdanovic. Personally I would choose Larry Bird instead of Magic. 1. Larry Bird Vs Magic Johnson. After leading Michigan State to the NCAA title over Bird's underdog Indiana State squad, Johnson, who turned 60 on Wednesday, joined the . RELATED: Larry Bird May Have Stayed a Garbage Man If Not for a Man Named Bill Hodges. Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson was one of the best rivalries in sports. Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals is a 2010 television documentary film broadcast on HBO.The film chronicles the rivalry between Earvin Johnson and Larry Bird that began with the 1979 NCAA Basketball Championship Game and lasted throughout their Hall of Fame careers in the NBA.The film makes an argument that without the massive media attention that was placed on the rivalry that Johnson and . 8 of 9! 1988 Larry Bird 9. Larry Bird is probably the top 3 assassinates in NBA with accurate threes, enough height, and great trash talk ability. SI examines the rivalry between the basketball hall of famers and how they changed the landscape of the NBA. Tempers flared during the third quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Championship at the FleetCenter in Boston on May 27, 1985. 2013-12-01T19:31:36.000Z. Magic Johnson reveals the reasoning behind befriending Larry Bird. I'd have to go with Larry. Magic played point guard mostly but at some point he played every different position. Larry Bird Vs Magic Johnson. November 3, 2021 Devin Weber NBA. And it all came to a head on June 12, 1984, at Boston Garden. In 1980, 1982, 1985 and 1988, Johnson led the Los Angeles Lakers to championships, winning three Finals MVPs along the way. Bird's Indiana State team went 26-0 in the regular season. Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson - Who was the better player All Time? not only did he lose to magic's lakers 3 times, he played . Larry Bird, Magic Johnson lifted the NBA with heated rivalry Dec. 28 marks 40th anniversary of duo's first matchup, ongoing quest for titles. 05-11-2013, 04:13 PM #2. Post #12 » by JordansBulls » Fri Sep 28, 2012 7:26 pm. The showdown came in the national championship, in what remains the highest-rated TV college . The first of many epic meetings between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird occurred on March 26, 1979. Michigan State was the Big Ten champs. Michigan State won 75-64 to claim the school's first national championship in men's basketball. What do you think of the new site? 1989 Magic Johnson 10. . Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson. People laud these guys as top 5 players of all-time and it honestly stuns me. A kid named Michael Jordan guided the Chicago Bulls to the franchise's first-ever NBA Championship, defeating Magic Johnson's Los Angeles Lakers in the 1991 NBA Finals. Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson Rivalry. Who was better - Larry Bird or Magic Johnson? An exploration of the fierce rivalry between NBA superstars Larry Bird and Magic Johnson during their decade of dominance. . Joined: Feb 15, 2009. It all began in 1979 when Bird was the star on an overachieving Indiana State basketball team and Earvin 'Magic' Johnson was the best player on his Michigan State squad. Magic Johnson vs Larry Bird. In 1979, basketball fans witnessed their first head-to-head battle in the NCAA men's basketball championship. While Bird is making an extraordinary turnaround for his Boston Celtics, Magic Johnson, during his rookie season, won a NBA championship for the Los Angeles Lakers. In the media, Magic was a poster child: he didn't do drugs, was a public figure, and was featured in many ad campaigns. Adept Efficient Crossword Clue, 1970 Boston Bruins Lines, Dance The Night Away Tab Cream, Rico Pollo Menu Commerce City, Marry You Acoustic Guitar, Groupon Vacations Mexico, Abnormal Psychology 14th Edition Kring,