Magic Johnson explains his love-hate relationship with Michael Jordan and clarifies that Larry Bird was the ‘main villain’ in his career
Magic Johnson claims he had a bigger rivalry with Larry Bird as he did not play enough against Michael Jordan
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Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson had some legendary rivalries throughout his career but his duels with Larry Bird and Michael Jordan were always special. “I didn’t get a chance to hate Michael because of the fact that we played one time,” said Magic on the Fox Sports Radio show. Johnson played Michael Jordan in the 1991 NBA finals in what would be his last finals appearance in a loss to the Chicago Bulls.
In regards to Larry Bird, Magic said that his rivalry with Bird started in college and continued in the NBA which made it more special. “We played so many times, that’s why I think we hated each other in terms of Celtics – Lakers and Larry and I,” said Magic. Bird and Magic faced off in the NBA finals on three separate occasions in the 1980s. Larry Bird won the first matchup in 1984 and Magic’s Los Angeles Lakers won the others in 1985 and 1987.
“We’re good friends and I love MJ,” said Magic on his relationship with Michael Jordan. Jordan and Magic played together on the 1992 Dream Team which won the gold medal. Magic Johnson is an admirer of Jordan to this day and has always been pictured exchanging a laugh with Michael when they meet. Bird and Magic had one of the most iconic NBA rivalries in the NBA while Jordan caused trouble for both of them.
Magic Johnson and Larry Bird had a picture-perfect rivalry
The NBA in the 1980s was brimming with talent but none better than Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Eight out of the ten titles in the 1980’s1980s were won by either the Lakers or the Celtics. Magic and Bird dominated the NBA while Jordan was on the come up with an average Bulls team. However, Magic and Bird’s rivalry started before they came into the league itself.
Magic Johnson was at Michigan State and Larry Bird at Indiana state and these two colleges met in the NCAA finals. Bird and Magic were incredible in college and this was one of the most iconic college basketball matches ever. Larry Bird’s team was undefeated coming into the final and lost to Michigan State. Magic Johnson helped Michigan State claim its first-ever NCAA title and that’s how the rivalry started.
“It carried on to the two most storied franchises in NBA history, the Celtics and the Lakers,” said Magic Johnson. Being drafted on two rival teams in different conferences meant they met less in the regular season but made up for that with 19 final games against each other. Magic Johnson will be proud to have an 11-8 record against Bird in the NBA finals. Magic and Bird will forever be known for reviving the NBA in the 1980s with their scintillating play.
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Anuj Shrikanth Iyer
(290 Articles Published)