Larry bird vs magic johnson

Star Comparison Larry Bird vs.

Before they were enemies, they were All-American teammates for 5 days, thrust against teams from the Soviet Union, Cuba, and Yugoslavia at the World Invitational Tournament. At the time, Bird and Magic were second-stringers on the U. But few predicted the duo would soon explode as college stars, professional rivals, and later on, close friends. That odyssey only added to their lore. A dazzling African-American hoopster with an infectious smile and an outgoing personality, Earvin Johnson, Jr. His father was employed at a GM plant and his mother was a school janitor.

Larry bird vs magic johnson

There are few basketball players who are as memorable as Magic Johnson. Magic was a one-of-a-kind basketball genius: a 6-foot 9-inch Point Guard PG , with amazing offensive capabilities. Even today, he is considered one of the most gifted players in the history of the game. Per game, Bird scored During the playoffs, while Bird scored 0. Meaning, Magic always performed better during playoff time, when the money was on the table, as proven in game 6 of his rookie season. This is why he has two more championships over Bird. Bird may have been an amazing small forward, but he was a rather conventional one. Magic, on the other hand, revolutionized the point guard position and the game itself. Magic changed that: He was a tall all-around point guard who handled the ball with great talent, passed it perfectly, took it to the rim, and rebounded.

With their basketball journeys intertwined, they became the darlings of the sports media who exploited their rivalry to boost ratings. Larry Bird 1 Magic Johnson 0. Larry Bird

The film makes an argument that without the massive media attention that was placed on the rivalry that Johnson and Bird had, the NBA might not have made it through the s following the merger with the ABA , among other things. Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Larry Bird were rivals on the basketball court but unlikely friends off of it. Bird had been selected as an underclassman by the Boston Celtics at the 6 spot in the draft , but opted to play his senior season at Indiana State before signing the richest rookie contract to that time in a team sport. The Celtics took the championship in , the Lakers took it back in The Celtics would win again in , while the Lakers would win the title in both and The careers of both men were cut short, Johnson by his diagnosis with HIV and Bird by a debilitating back injury. This HBO Films documentary follows the two men from the early days of their rivalry up through their present day friendship.

Nothing is likely to draw bigger ratings than the drama of LeBron James , Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh competing for the title in their first season together. They were a bridge between the old and the new, their impact inseparable from the place both pro basketball and the country were when they emerged into the spotlight three decades ago. From to , the NBA had transformed from all-white to majority black, from a stolid half-court game to one played full court, on the run and above the rim. During the s, after the retirement of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, the league fell into the doldrums, failing to land a good television contract and playing to half-full arenas. At the same time, stories spread about widespread cocaine use in the league.

Larry bird vs magic johnson

Magic Johnson. Answering that question would take—and has taken—decades, but it never hurts to dive into the numbers. It was the campaign, in which he averaged Some guy named Michael Jordan won it that year. Magic also collected three MVP awards: Magic won five rings with the Lakers , , , , and was named Finals MVP for three of those , , Bird won three titles with the Celtics in , and , earning Finals MVP honors in the latter two. In those games, Bird scored 30 points, and Magic scored

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Sports MLB baseball. Player comparisons: Index. Larry Bird 1 Magic Johnson 0. Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Larry Bird were rivals on the basketball court but unlikely friends off of it. Larry Bird 8, Bird is one of the greatest hustle players to ever play the game. Total Assists Larry Bird. This HBO Films documentary follows the two men from the early days of their rivalry up through their present day friendship. Magic and the Lakers went all the way to clinch the title, defeating the 76ers Larry Bird : to The Celtics would win again in , while the Lakers would win the title in both and Who averaged more points in playoffs?

The Sycamores entered the contest undefeated for the season, while the Spartans had six losses. Michigan State won 75—64 to claim the school's first national championship in men's basketball.

His father committed suicide a year after the divorce. NBA Playoffs Stats. Article Talk. The only aspect of the game in which the two truly differ was defense. Magic played with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , arguably the best center to have ever played the game, and with James Worthy , a No. So which team are you? Facebook X Twitter. Sports The Big Debates The economy debate. Larry Bird 7. Bird's designation as "The Great White Hope" was a role he did not want to play. Who scored more points in his career? In his first year, Magic averaged 18 points, 7. At the time, Bird and Magic were second-stringers on the U. But race was never an issue for the two luminary athletes who just wanted to play basketball and win games. Rebounds Per Game Larry Bird.