Magic Johnson and Larry Bird had a long-standing rivalry in the 1980s, which turned into a lifelong friendship when Bird surprised his rival. The Celtics-Lakers rivalry was based on this hatred, with Bird not even shaking hands post a match. In a new book, When the Game Was Ours, co-written by Jackie MacMullan, Bird and Johnson detail their love and hate for one another over the years.
Both players stayed fiercely competitive against each other as players, but even in the worst times, Johnson felt he could trust Bird. Their rivalry started at the 1979 NCAA championship between Johnson’s Michigan State and Bird’s Indiana State. They only became friends after shooting a commercial for Converse in 1985.
The rivalry began during the 1979-80 season, but the “real dislike” for each other didn’t occur until 1982. Bird felt sorry for Magic when he announced he was HIV+, but they respect each other and are friendly.
In a new book, When the Game Was Ours, co-written by Jackie MacMullan, Bird and Johnson detail their love and hate for one another over the years. Both players stayed fiercely competitive against each other as players, but even in the worst times, Johnson felt he could trust Bird.
In conclusion, the NBA rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson began during the 1979-80 season, but the “real dislike” for each other didn’t occur until 1982.
📹 Bird vs. Magic – Greatest Rivalry In Sports History
This is a look back at one of the greatest sports rivalries of all time. Follow Nonstop Sports • Instagram …
Were Magic and Bird enemies?
Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were All-American teammates for five days at the 1978 World Invitational Tournament. They quickly became college stars, professional rivals, and close friends. In 2020, they released a book together, “When The Game Was Ours”, a compelling portrait of the two giants that became a bestseller. The duo’s lore continues to grow, with engraved signature displays and a framed signature display available.
Who is the 3 richest NBA player?
The top 10 richest NBA players of all time, as determined by CelebrityNetWorth, include Michael Jordan, with an estimated net worth of $2. 6 billion; Magic Johnson, with an estimated net worth of $800 million; LeBron James, with an estimated net worth of $700 million; and Junior Bridgeman, with an estimated net worth of $600 million. The National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world and, as a result, one of the wealthiest. Many current and former players have already become millionaires.
Do Magic and Larry get along?
It is not uncommon for former archrivals in the National Basketball Association (NBA) to form unexpected friendships after the conclusion of their professional careers. They engage in discourse pertaining to their shared Midwestern values, affinity for competition, and the fortuitous friendship that was forged following the conclusion of their respective careers.
Who did Magic Johnson have a rivalry with?
Johnson’s rivalry with Larry Bird, dating back to their 1979 NCAA Tournament championship game, has been a reference point for the growing rivalry in women’s basketball between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Magic has praised Clark and Reese’s impact on the game, comparing them to Larry Bird. The Michigan State vs. Indiana State title game and the 2023 NCAA semifinal showdown between Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes and Reese’s LSU Tigers set television viewership records.
Did Bird and Magic guard each other?
Despite the absence of a mutual protective stance, Bird and Magic persisted in their competitive dynamic as the Lakers and Celtics vied for NBA dominance in the 1980s, with Bird representing Boston.
Is Larry Bird the greatest shooter ever?
The reputation of Larry Bird as an NBA legend may be more substantial than suggested by his statistical record, particularly given the limited number of three-point shots he attempted during his prime. Bird attempted a minimum of three three-pointers per night on three occasions throughout his career, yet achieved a mere 37% success rate. From the area, he attempted to shoot 6 times. In the estimation of H/H analyst Per Urbina, Ray Allen is regarded as the foremost candidate for the designation of the second-greatest shooter in NBA history.
Who is better statistically Larry Bird or Magic Johnson?
Larry Bird was a better scorer, outside shooter, and rebounder than Magic Johnson in regular season stats. However, Johnson had an advantage in passing, averaging 10. 5 assists per game or more nine times in his career. Johnson is considered the best passer in NBA history. In advanced stats, Johnson stands above Bird in PER, VORP, BPM, and Win Shares. In the postseason, the Lakers and Celtics relied on Johnson and Bird for significant performances.
Who did Magic Johnson apologize to?
The speaker expresses gratitude for the role that divine intervention has played in reuniting them, acknowledging the painful circumstances that preceded this outcome and expressing gratitude for the positive result.
Why was Magic Johnson kicked out of the NBA?
Ervin “Magic” Johnson Jr., an American businessman and former professional basketball player, was known for his contributions to the NBA and the Olympics. He was a five-time NBA champion, three-time NBA Finals MVP, three-time NBA Most Valuable Player, and 12 times NBA All-Star. Johnson was also a member of the NBA All-Rookie Team and was a consensus first-team All-American. He was also a first-team All-Big Ten player and a McDonald’s All-American.
Johnson retired abruptly in 1991 after announcing he had contracted HIV. However, he returned to play in the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP Award. After protests from fellow players, he retired again for four years, but returned in 1996 at age 36 to play 32 games for the Lakers before retiring for the third and final time.
Johnson’s career was marked by success, including being the first overall pick in the 1979 NBA draft and leading the Lakers to five NBA championships during their “Showtime” era. After announcing his HIV diagnosis, Johnson announced his retirement in a press conference on November 7, 1991.
Who made more money, Larry Bird or Magic Johnson?
Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Patrick Ewing were some of the NBA players who have achieved significant salary milestones. Bird earned $5 million in 1991-92, Johnson $10 million in 94-95, Ewing $15 million in 95-96, Jordan signed a contract worth over $20 million and $30 million in a season in 1996-97, and Jordan set the record for the largest 1-year contract in NBA history in 1997-98. Kobe Bryant and LeBron James also reached significant milestones, with James becoming the third in 2016-17.
What is the lowest paid player in the NBA?
Mouhamed Gueye, the 39th pick in the 2023 National Basketball Association draft, is currently the lowest-paid player in the league. Subsequently, he was traded to the Boston Celtics and then to the Atlanta Hawks, where he signed a four-year, $7. 64 million rookie contract. This remuneration is considerably less than that of Kyrie Irving, who is currently receiving $51, 915, 615 for this term as part of his four-year contract with the Golden State Warriors.
📹 The REAL Reason Larry Bird Was HATED So Much..
The REAL Reason Larry Bird Was HATED So Much.. Welcome to Latest Hoops in this video, we will be delving into the …
As an asian person who watches football and basketball i gotta give this one to Bird vs Johnson, messi & ronaldo rivalry was great but it is because they both have ‘ el classico ‘ status in their peak rivalry, el classico is a must watch for a football fan with/without ronaldo& messi meanwhile Bird vs Johnson rivalry singlehandedly bring NBA outta bankruptcy and put both of their respective teams on the map, so in conclusion bird vs magic is really the best rivalry in sports history
Based on how badass Bird was on thrashtalking it’s hard to believe he was shy about social things! Well one learns something new every day! What Bird and Magic did for the sport was major. They probably quite saved the NBA and made it great and interesting again. Jordan then continued that a bit later on. They definitely have earned all the praises they have gotten and still end up getting. True legends of the sport! Because Bird and Magic are so intertwined together I really can’t rank one above the other. That’s why the 2nd place on my all time greatest list has been shared by Magic and Bird together. Jordan is the GOAT of course.
Bird versus Magic is like the ultimate showdown. Even in college they battled it out. Magic was the on,y player that could match up to Bird. It was just so epic to watch. Magic and Bird were class acts and they just made basketball exciting to watch. Thank you Bird, Thank you Magic. It was the greatest battle in sports history! Legends
The relationship between Magic and Bird is very comparable to the relationship between Russell and Chamberlain. They were the fiercest of competitors/rivals and yet they were close friends as well that had tremendous respect for each other. I think that the greatest legacy of Magic is that he faced Bird 4 times in a Championship setting: once in College and 3x in the NBA Finals, and Magic’s team won 3 of 4. Nobody beats Bird 3 of 4 to win a Championship–nobody–except for Magic. The one time Bird got the best of Magic was in the ’84 Finals–one of the biggest roll-overs of all-time as the Lakers had multiple opportunities to win that Chip and just crumbled under the relentless pressure from Bird and his teammates. So Magic, just as easily could have been 4-0 against Bird. However beating Bird 3 of 4 is the stuff of legends.
The rest of us NBA fans in the 80s hated both the Lakers and the Celtics, but when they played each other it was required perusal to see a serious physical war. That was a man’s game when they played, not some smooth pretty boy dunk and 3 point contest, but gritty and ugly. Like two SEAL teams going at it with no quit.
Ali vs Frazier. Chamberlain vs Russell which made the NBA in the 60’s. 70’s Cowboys vs Steelers to decide the team of the 70’s. Ohio State vs Michigan. Notre Dame vs USC. Louis vs Schmeling. The whole world was perusal. Federer vs Nadal. The Yankees vs Red Sox. Each of these had rivalries that could be said to be the greatest. I love that era of basketball, and they were what made the NBA, but there were other intense competitors that cannot be overlooked
ok i love basketball and i always will but the greatest rivalry in sports is messi vs ronaldo easily, in basketball terms their rivalry is the equivalent of jordan and lebron both in the same era both in the same city playing against each other at the same time with no disparity in eithers skill set both being the greatest players to ever grace the pitch
Bird and Magic’s rivalry was great and revived the NBA don’t get me wrong but you could have just said greatest rivalry in American sports history . It’s disrespectful for Americans to just assume that America is the whole world when there ‘ s the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry, which would be the equivalent of Jordan and LeBron playing in the same era for the biggest rivals in the sport ‘s history (for example Lakers vs Celtics) and all of that in the most popular sport in the world by far .
If Larry never injured his back, I doubt the Bulls would’ve won the ’91 finals. The Celtics would’ve likely finished first in the east, meaning the Bulls would’ve had to play the Pistons in the second round, and then the Celtics in the Conference Finals. The Bulls probably wouldn’t have been able to pull through and it would’ve been another Lakers-Celtics finals between Bird and Magic for the final time.
1987 Bird back was broken, McHale had a fractured foot still Lakers with Macadoo former scoring champ & Kareem & Worthy barely beat Bird. 1986 was with a broken back literally a top 5 season ever. It’s like Wilt does anyone doubt he on Celtics & Russell on Warriors he wins more. Championship debate is foolish out of context Lebron on GSW wins all their appearances.
I don’t know much about Larry bird (or basketball in general) but I don’t get why it’s easy to believe that he used to be or still Is super untalkative off the court? One of the few things I do know about larry bird is how big a trash talker he was, I feel like that doesn’t really line up with the introvert non talking guy thing
Jordan gets too much credit. Larry and Magic immediately had an impact with not only their teams but the entire NBA. Larry took the Celtics from the basement to championship contenders his first year and won the championship his second year. Jordan and the Bulls didn’t start their championship run until after Larry and Magic were at the end of their careers. It took Jordan like six years to win a championship while Larry and Magic won in their first and second years. No question that Jordan was great but his career only really took off after Larry and Magic left the NBA.
How lucky the NBA got those years. Bird and Magic saving the league from the ashes and carrying the torch for almost a decade to give it to the greatest player of all time to take it farther than it’s ever been, changing the league to an international phenomenon and even changing how players well, play and how profitable their name was… The league was a couple of more bad years from colapse and now it’s better than ever, so so lucky.
People used to like making their mark on the league, choosing different teams, even lesser teams lifting them up with their play, lifting each other up through rivalry. Nowadays the League is a mess because a certain group of players turned the Game into a Friends Club. No competition just super teams. Luckily those old geezers and their boring version of basketball is on its way out.
This is one of the dumbest takes I’ve seen in a while. It screams GenZ fragility and not someone that actually watched Bird play or conduct himself. He was super humble outside of the court. He has always appreciated his time growing up and learning from black players and is grateful they let him play with them. If Larry Bird was black, the black youth of today would know all about him, just like they know Magic. They would know he was one of the greatest clutch players of all time along with the last player to win three MVPs in a row in a league with Jordan, Magic, Dr J, Kareem, Barkley and Moses Malone. Him and Magic brought the NBA back from the dead. If there was no Bird and Magic, then there would have been no Lebron or Curry.
Worst article ever. Larry was NEVER in anyone’s shadow. He won the ROY over Magic and 3 MVP awards in a row. A feet only done by Wilt and Russell at that time. And no one ever thought he went too far. Ask anyone who played with him and they laugh about it. Tell me you know NOTHING about Larry Bird, without telling me. I watched his whole career. 🙄
A few things need to be highlighted here. For the ’81 season, they won the championship, who cares about his TS %. And that was his second season in the league. The previous season they went to the Eastern conference finals. Would they have won that without Larry? You decide but I say no. For his first five seasons he was a power forward. They’re not typically as versatile as small forwards, yet he made three all-defense teams during that time, which was before he broke his back. Even so, including his last year as a power forward he began a five year stretch where he averaged at least 50/40/90 shooting, averaging around 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. That alone is legendary because NO ONE else has done anything like that, not before, not since. Maybe Jokic will be the one to do that; he’s on his way, but hasn’t done it yet. During that stretch they also won 2 championships, and he won finals MVP twice, and they made the finals three times. That’s why he won 3 league MVPs in a row, not because of racism. During that time he also won three 3 point shooting contests, consecutively, and the first time he played with a 3 point line was his rookie year in the NBA. So these are reasons why he was called “Legend”. As for racism, yeah he was racist. Against other white players, not black players. That’s well known.
For about 90% of Bird’s career he and his Celtics absolutely dominated Jordan and his Bulls. By the time Jordan was trying just beat the Pistons, Bird only had 2 to 3 years left. Bird’s Celtics also were more dominant in the first half of the 80’s compared to Magic’s Lakers, who absolutely owned the second half of the 80’s.
You’re quoting Rodman and Thomas, both known for backstabbing their own supposed best friends? Isiah dissed and gossiped about his friend Magic when he contracted HIV. Rodman was embarrassed by Bird who cooked him, especially as a rookie. This article is a joke. Bird hated the Great White Hope talk. He had the utmosr respect for black players. The racist is whoever wrote this script.
Wow! This information is completely wrong. No context. Improper presentation and reeks of incompetency. Now I know never to watch this website. Well done. Get the truth straight before you present them. For example, Rodman and Isaiah both later said how wrong they were and ate humble pie over those comments. Just…wow! You are so wrong. 😂
One stats aren’t everything and 2 you can’t compare a guys stats by the rules in the 80s to a guys stats in the current era or early 2000s. Also, I think I’ll take the word of Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan who both rank bird in their top 5 NBA players of all time over people who just dislike him or his trash talk and who never played against him. Oh and Larry’s stats are not even closely comparable to the players listed who I might add are also hall of famers. For example Larry Bird stats (24.3 ppg, 10 rb per game, 6.3 Assists per game vs KG stats (17.8 ppg, 10.0 rb per game, 3.7 assists per game)
I don’t even know what this guy’s point was. It wasn’t argued well, and he was all over the place. It started off by claiming that people didn’t like Bird, and treated him as overrated, because he was arrogant. (I’ve watched articles on his trash talk, and it seems like his “arrogance” — or ability to back up his talk — earned him respect among his contemporaries, and the only people who know about his “arrogance” today are people watch the YouTube articles about his trash-talking. Otherwise, his reputation is a mild-mannered nice guy.) Then, after saying people didn’t like Bird because he was arrogant, he went on to say that some black players thought he was overrated because he was white and that he “inspired” — note: didn’t personally use — racist talk perhaps among the media, etc. Finally, oddly, he asks: “Would he have gotten as much acclaim if he was black?” And brings up obscure, nontraditional stats while ignoring all the stuff that matters. How about we bring these up: “Would a black player had received as much acclaim if he: * Won NCAA player of the year * NBA Rookie of the Year * Took a 29 win team to a 61 win team that played in the conference finals in his first season * Won NBA championship in his sophomore season * 3 consecutive MVP’s and nearly 70% of all MVP votes for a decade * Was the undisputed team leader on 3 NBA championship teams * Was the founding member of the 50-40-90 club * Had as many famous clutch performances as made-clutch shots as Bird did * Went on to win NBA manager of the year * Went on to win NBA executive of the year * And let’s add that he played with many of the all-time greatest players, such as MJ, Magic, Kareem, Worthy, Dominique, Dr.
The GOAT (MJ) said this about Bird: “I get so many questions about Larry Bird. The thing is, ‘Was he really that good?’ I say, ‘Yeah! He was really that good. White, black, green or yellow, he was really that good! When you see a player like Luka when you see a player like Dirk, they’re great players, but they’re not Larry Bird (laughs), by no means.”
Larry Bird is the only player in NBA history to shoot 50-40-90 four straight years while averaging over 28 PPG. And that’s not counting the double digit career rebounding and being the best passing forward in NBA history. Celts go from 29 wins before his rookie year to 61 wins his rookie year and there was no Parish, McKale, DJ, or Ainge on that team, just the same guys who won only 29 plus Larry Bird. Greatest one year win improvement by ANY team in NBA history and it came because of the addition of a rookie. It proved that Bird carrying a bunch of no-name players at Indiana State to an undefeated season, slaying one giant after another during March madness until that 1979 NCAA championship game was no fluke. What he did at sad sack Indiana State has never been repeated and what he did his rookie year at (then) sad sack Boston has never been repeated. There is a reason for that, a very precise reason…BECAUSE NO ONE SINCE HAS BEEN AS GOOD AS BIRD AND THEREFORE COULDN’T DO THOSE THINGS AND DIDN’T DO THOSE THINGS. You will never see another Larry Joe Bird.
Dr. J on Larry Bird: “Bird and I have an interesting relationship on the court. When I defend him, and when the Celtics draft Kevin McHale and move Larry to the small forward, that becomes a regular matchup for me. If he puts the ball down on the floor, then I think I have him. I can poke the ball away and maybe get a steal. Larry’s game doesn’t have any weaknesses, but among his relative strengths, he’s least skilled as a dribbler. When he’s guarding me, he can’t stay with me. But I’ll be honest, I can’t really stop him, either. And at that point in my career, he’s a better rebounder than I am.
Weird, Rodman Thomas and leman all had worse stats than Larry…not really hated, more of jealous. Remember Birds last 2 years drug his stats down due to injury, but he still averaged over 30 a game, 10 rebounds 9 assist, 2 steals and a block… id say that’s goat status for a guy who hurt so bad he had to lay down when not on the court
This is bs. Larry was 60 points everytime he hit the floor even if he didn’t score. He was always 3 plays ahead mentally and no one seen the court like him. Larry could do it all,fantastic passer,shooter,rebounder,ball handler.along being a great defensive player. Bird could have scored 50 points every game but he was a team player and a winner!
Let’s see, MJ, Magic, & LeBron all have Larry Legend in their top 3. As a kid Bird would play ball with blacks after school. Plus, I notice that no names were mentioned on who said Larry was racist. It seems that Latest Hoops, Rodman, Thomas, and others attitude towards Bird show that YOU”RE the real racists. I agree with @aragorn 1 ring about Gen Z.
I grew up perusal Bird throughout the 80s. He was amazing to watch, and I don’t think many will agree with your conclusions. Bird’s abbreviated career mean his stats aren’t really ever going to be relevant, unless you look at his back-to-back-to-back MVP titles. I will quote one of the finest coaches ever…Pat Riley. “If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game I’d choose Michael Jordan,” Riley said. “If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life… I’d take Larry Bird.”
Is there ANY quality control viewing of these bot-AI produced articles!? Isaiah Thomas in 1987…yet they show today’s Charlotte Hornets Isaiah Thomas. And let’s be real for a second… I am in the category of a person that is just now getting to like bird… I grew up a Lakers fan in the 80s… But to question his greatness after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said that Bird was the greatest player that he ever played against …then ALL of this is ridiculous!
When you say ACTUAL goats like magic and mj…does that imply bird wasn’t in that category? Because if you are, you lost me right there. Racist?? Ask how many black basketball players what they think of white guys athletic ability? I mean you have guys on these articles literally saying black players are racist when it comes to white players…
Bird was better than anyone you named. Mike never beat him when it counted. Never. Mike had the better career, but not while Larry Legend was in the league. He didn’t win until Larry left the game. Beat Magic, beat Kareem, beat Isaiah, what do you mean he wasn’t as good? He wasn’t as good, he was better. That’s why he was hated. He was better than everyone else. He’d beat you and tell you how he was going to do it. And not any of those names you named could stop him from doing it. You need to get real bud. Larry is probably the best basketball player to ever pick up a basketball. Simple really.
Whoa! Huge mistake there young man of this “Latest Hoops” YouTube website! At 3:42 of this article, in your youth and ignorance, you made the grave error of attributing Detroit Pistons legend, Isiah Thomas’s racist quote to that of the NBA journeyman and Washington Huskies alumni, Isaiah Thomas. No relation and many many years distance from each other. How embarrassing for you 😳
Normally I ignore clickbaot so I hate myself for biting. This is the biggest load of bs since qanon. Save your time, Zeke was part of the same conversation as rodman, he was still a piston so that is just a liar bending history to make a point. Listen to the damn audio, they are all laughing, it was a joke. Larry and Zeke sat in a press conference and said it at the time. Even though I’ve given this idiot what he wanted, feel better now.
You are wrong in some very basic things! Of course Bird sometimes was liked more due to racism. But he also faced some himself. And John Stockton & Dirk Nowitzki were NOT just “respectable” players! That is almost clinically insane lol! Do you know much about advanced stats? What you appear to know is cherry-picking. Win shares including per 48, Efficiency ratio, value over replacement player etc… PROVE that Dirk was better than Larry & all but a few players. Stockton? Up there with Chris Paul & Magic (who was slightly better than Bird) as the best point guard EVER. Bird was hated by some, but loved by so many more. The race discussion is very reasonable-but you need to loo at total value: peak & over a career.
I guess ignorance rules here…. There are plenty of African American players who say Bird was great…. Dr. j, Magic, Kareem and the list goes on…. They played against him…. Did some racist reporters skew things. Sure, but it wasn’t Bird’s fault…. He did a solid for Isea Thomas after his remarks…. I wouldn’t say they were friends but they certainly talked trash to each other and had respect…. This is obvious to anyone who is a real fan…. Larry is the kind of guy who has zero time for people he doesn’t like…. Zero…. He stood up for Thomas…. Obviously Bird isn’t racist in that he respected people’s abilities regardless of race…. He is famous for saying he didn’t want to be guarded by inferior white players…. By the way he spoke you would have thought he was black…..
You don’t even know which generation Isiah Thomas backed Rodman’s pitiful claim 😂. The Bad Boy Pistons were my team. I hated Bird and respected him. Looking at stats won’t give you a clear picture of how badly he made Rodman look. You should do article from a position of competence. This is straight-up misinformation. There are plenty of testimonials from residents of the Hall of Fame who all support his legacy. Getting in other players’ heads was part of his wizardry. Stats won’t show you his elevation of his game in the fourth quarter or his uncanny knack for dropping game-winning shots. The Pistons had a great team. Most of the 80s, Philly, Boston and LA were just a couple points better than Detroit. Unlike any of Jordan’s 80s Bulls (0 for 6) teams in the 80s, the Pistons managed to win a couple playoff games versus Bird’s Celtics.
Pretty weak and horrible viewpoint. This type of narrative is one that is trying to change or alter Bird’s legendary status in NBA history and why he is indeed a GOAT. His stats for the time were solid, but it wasn’t about stats with Bird. The guy was a flat out baller who won championships, very team focused, never backed down from a challenge, studied the game, fans loved him, earned tons of individual accolades along the way, and he always gave it his all. He earned the respect of everyone who played against and with him. Ask Magic, Dr J, Isaiah Sr, Dominique, etc. Those that weren’t there just don’t understand how amazing he was. Today’s generation love to judge athletes just by the way they look.
Just wow what if you made this story the other way around about maybe Jerome Iginla and him only getting awards cause he’s black article, and I don’t think that loved Iggy, but IMAGINE calling him King of black hockey players…how fucked up would thar article be? Ya’ll stretched the hell out this one, WOW!!!
You know what he does’nt have in common with Drexler & King, 3 titles. Garnet has none without Allen & Pierce. I know tons of Black guys back in the day that were in awe of him. Unlike Jordan & Lebron, he competed against others that were arguebly GOATS. I say this as a Celtic hater. Dumb take. Try winning titles against Malone, dr J & Magic, Kareem duos.
The entire Black NBA league thought he was illegit bc he was White and Larry is racist? Larry was great according to all who competed with him regularly – Magic and Kareem among them. His stats back up his greatness and MVPs. It’s the bias of having to jump high to be great which causes this. Jumping high is the most overrated thing in basketball – it means nothing. It is like arm strength in football quarterbacks. It means nothing. Scoring is what matters and scoring when it matters that is everything. Larry was clutch. The league looks at everything through a Black style of play – which is racist – and is why Jokic is dominating. Magic couldn’t jump either BTW.
To call Larry Bird a racist is the most ridiculous thing I’ve EVER heard. Larry didn’t care. You could either play and guard him or you couldn’t. And Larry could have DESTROYED Thomas’s career and he told the press that what he said “dont bother me it shouldn’t bother you. It doesn’t matter.” Pistons couldn’t handle losing to the Celtics.
Well this is second article from this website i watched and i don’t even know why youtube is proposing it to me. The image of Larry Bird that you are trying to imply whenever you mention him is very distorted and that’s an understatement. The moment you have to bring up the stats just to argue he is not that special you already lost the plot, but i guess some controversy bring more views. Larry Bird is some kind of Matrix ERROR, the sum of all errors glitched the system into creating him. He’s not athletic, he’s slow and he looks like a wind could make him fall over his face. On top of it he is white in a sport dominated by black. But despite all of this he dominated, Michael Jordan could literally go Godmode and score 62 points on him but Larry would walk away with the most important statistic of all – WIN. Larry Bird was a GOAT killer, the most stone cold basketball serial murderer in the history of NBA. White or Black, it would not matter because Larry was very very unique aside from the color of his skin. He cannot be measured by statistics, put your cat next to him and that cat gonna start playing basketball on the NBA level. That’s why he is still in GOAT debate after all thoose years.
I’m so sick and tired of people using this race card today. Use common sense, Larry bird, he was refined by fire. Think about it when he grew up, he played with 99% blacks he basically was raised by blacks in the basketball world. He picked up the lingo. He played like they did. To Larry Bird he was just one of the guys, and he carried that throughout his whole career. Just think what he had to go through. That’s what made him tough. That’s what made him the best, the G O A T.
This is a totally different view of Bird that I simply call- well….bull$¥itt!! Because I know for fact he was alone {as the only white guy practically allowed with the rest of the best basketball players} and the rest of the league would honestly have to play at half tempo to not massacre any all white team if the best Caucasian team was assembled. Just being truthful. And Bird was hated most likely if the person asked happened to not be a Celtics fan. Everyone fortunate enough to witness two rookies absolutely better than anyone ever to bounce a basketball were learning the meaning of “freakish talent.”
Top 5 to ever play in the NBA without no doubt. One of the smartest players to ever play the game and whoever didn’t like him was a big time hater. I’m a Laker fan and coaches my brother’s youth basketball team and our team name was the Celtics, because of my admiration to Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics.
I’m sorry, but this has to be one of the most silliest assertions I’ve ever heard made in a article. Indeed, one of the silliest assertions I’ve ever heard anywhere. You offer one quote Dennis Rodman made, yet somehow ignore the fact that Rodman who is known for making outlandish statements, and to make matters worse, you offer the quote without context. And you also make light of Bird’s résumé by cherry, picking a few numbers that support your argument, ignoring other stats like Bird has the second highest winning percentage in the NBA, Bird was the founder of the 50 4090 club, Bird was MVP three times in a row. My God, how did you get this job? Because you clearly have a very low understanding of the game of basketball.
AI trying to create r@cewars, this article is computer generated, Larry Bird never saw race and the greatest of the great NBA players and his fans know it. The choreograph of divide between white and black, men and women, young and old is laughable. To try and use the popularity of the Larry Bird platform to spread this crap is defamatory, the truth will set you free and articles like this need to be called out for what they are.
A) you put MJ’s pic on your article… no comment from MJ about Bird being racist… B ) stats… yeah, no. you mention stats and nothing else. C) there were other people on his team, of course… just like there were other people on Magic’s team that rarely get mentioned. D)… and worst of all… although you mention several people calling him out due to his being white… you do NOT mention the guy your header accuses of being racist… saying anything racist…
this entire article must be AI-generated as it makes such silly mistakes that only an AI could–saying Isaiah Thomas badmouthed Bird, while showing not the Pistons’ Thomas but the one that played twenty years later. Anything Bird-related generates views, so I get why the article was made, but its content is confused and its conclusions are way off base.
The major issue here hinges on the fact that people attribute ‘race’ to things that should be ascribed to ‘culture’. – Anyone who was raised in the midwest recognizes how Bird plays because that is how the midwest overwhelmingly plays. The focus on shooting, the team tactics, the whole thing. You will see full-court shots before you see a dunk unless you clear 6’6 + (too much effort for a cheap pop on a 2 pt shot). -Bird was just an ‘Alpha’ example of the Midwest-style and was the guy to really bring the people’s attention to it.That area just so happens to be predominantly white (people who have basically been too poor to move too far from their hometowns for forever). – Bird’s race plays its biggest role during the college game against Michigan State. The stark contrast was what set the game apart to a public that had spent so long being ‘out of the loop’ concerning basketball, in general, and gave that game an extra novelty to get them over that initial hump. That being said, the trajectory had been set after that and Birds race had become a technical non-factor by the time he hit the NBA. Any mentions of it didn’t go anywhere beyond ‘superficial’/sh!t talking. – He broke to much ground on the achievment end to not ‘still’ be talked about. If Bird had been black, all achievments the same, the fact that the hypothetical “Black Bird” has basically created the template by which all “Shooters” are judged would, alone, set him apart and make sure he was mentioned throughout the decades.
Why don’t you listen to other NBA greats who played against him like Dominique, Worthy, Jordan? Bird was a cold blooded killer and they all feared him completely independent of his race or theirs. His trash talking which was largely telling his defenders exactly what he was going to do and they still could not stop him.
Bird averaged around 28 pts, 10 rebs, 6 assists per game during his prime while leading the Celtics to 3 NBA titles and winning 3 MVP awards. 50-40-90 (50%+ FG, 40%+ 3 pt, 90%+ FT) was 1st achieved by Larry Bird. I grew up perusal the NBA in the 1980s. Bird was the best player in the NBA in the 1980s with Magic Johnson #2. Jordan took the crown in the 1990s with Olajuwon #2.
Everyone of those Detroit players you just referenced have come out and said how great he was. Bird was an assassin he would tell the defender what the play was going to be. He would say I’m going to that corner and shot a 3 in your face. Then he did it. He would shoot left-handed some times just to get into his opponents head. Dude was great and I have never heard anyone say different.
Let’s clear a few things up about the piston’s “points”. First regarding Bird, he had just kicked their butts (again) and what was said wasn’t out of any type of basketball take or take on race. It was a losers take. Now the issue on Bird, well it could have applied to Bill Walton as well. The fact is that a good passing player who can shoot threes, score from any part of the court and hit insane looking shots that we still watch 40 years later is going to be in the GOAT conversation. But here is the thing, white player or not efficient or not if you stopped competing Larry legend was going to make you pay.
Well I don’t take this gen z dude’ commentary referencing Isaiah Thomas and others who do not play against Bird but I would prefer rhe really greats like Nolan Richardson, Kareem, Magic, Ewing, Dr. J commenting “how great the Birdman is. Sometimes an anomaly comes along just to make othe peopler dumb then talks about ethnicity and race. Anyway let’s talk about soccer and that I rest my case….🤣🤣🤣
All of you GROW UP!!! Being JEALOUS OF ANYONE WITH THE SAME BRAINS AS YOU IS (PLAIN STUPID)!!!! Get out and PRACTICE and INVENT WAYS TO GET BETTER and you’ ll be just as good as he and others were!!!!! Put the WORK IN BY YOURSELF and pray to the God of the HEAVENS and you’ll see a significant rise in your talent!!!! That’s what I did!!! Earl 4/27/24
I had to stop after some pure nonsense at about the 1 minute mark. Magic and Bird were rivals, and drafted within a year of each other. Jordan entered the league in 1984, so wasn’t being in the conversation at the time for being the best in the league. Bird and Magic were! Bird apparently in his youth, played basketball with Black hotel workers who had finished their shift for the night. In his peak, he was in serious consideration as the best player to have ever played the game, along with Magic. I seriously think you should do your research before posting, because this was garbage.
What a bunch of whiny crap. Bird beat every hall of famer of his day when it mattered most and nobody else did, and when Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Cooper, Worthy, MJ, etc said he was the guy they feared, and people that don’t understand basketball have no idea how dangerous a player he was. He didn’t have to score big points every night to make a huge difference in a game. Many of his best games were when he didn’t score astronomical points.
I think I can tell by the sound of your voice that you’re in your 20’s, maybe early 30’s? Larry Bird would have been a legend if he was black, Latino or white. He was so good. The fact that you concede that other players of his era claim he was one of the greats…yet you don’t believe it…reflects a lack of knowledge of the game.
Hey GenZ boy…. go back to whatever GenZ kids do, okay? Bird was legend NOT because of his stats. He was legend because of his PLAY. He WAS CLUTCH… He was A LEADER. He was the man his other teammates knew they could always rely on when they needed to rally. Did you ever watch Bird steal the ball from Isaiah Thomas in the NBA Conference final of 1987 in game 5. THIS is why Larry Bird is LEGENDARY, and Isaiah Thomas, is merely one of the greats. Bird is in a very small group, which includes Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan. These are 2 other players who simply were not going to let their teams down when the game was on the line. They were CLUTCH, just like Larry. Are they white? Are we still being racist by calling Bird one of the greatest of the greats. It’s not about ethnicity, it’s not even about stats… Basketball is much more than numbers, dude.
All i can say bird played against players who are ranked top 10 all time..kareem, magic, mj, and other players who are ranked top 15 all time in hakeem and moses and players like barkley, malone, dr j, isiah, stockton who are easily ranked top 25 all time..and then there are worthy, pippen, wilkins, mcadoo, who are top 75..besides, bird was all nba first team his first 9 seasons and three all defensive second team..until he suffered a serious injury during his 10th year..not magic, mj, lebron, kareem, timmy, kobe, shaq, wilt, or russell ever done that..except for bob pettit..doing it as all nba first team his first ten seasons..
Your conclusions about him being outshined by Magic and Jordan is complete horseshit. When Jordan entered the league Magic and Bird were considered on a higher level. As his career progressed Jordan suppressed them. He was 23-11 overall against Jordan and 6-0 in the playoffs. Magic held an edge 22-15 overall and 11-8 in the playoffs. So definitely an advantage, but nothing crazy.
I’ve found in my life after over 6 decades, real “racists” are the first to point out how racist others are. They think about that ALL THE TIME. And their point of view delineates to frame and reflect that, instead of truth. Bird was a “team” player, and stats do not always show that. Bird was very intelligent as in court savvy; he could see what others couldn’t and played that way. Thus overcoming what others viewed as a lack of athleticism.
I don’t believe in defining the greatness of a player by useless worthless stats, I believe in what mark did he make for his team’s improvement, like b4 Bird got there they were losers, after he got there they went to the eastern conference finals and remained at the top for almost a decade, said what he was gonna do b4 he got on the court, then did it once he got there. ALSO DURING THE GAME TOLD U WHAT HE WAS GONNA DO TO U….IN YOUR FACE AND THEN DID IT DURING BIG MOMENTS OF THE GAME 1 of the greatest of all time…. PERIOD END OF STORY. P.S. AND I’M BLACK, GOOD IS GOOD AND GREAT IS GREAT. THIS IS SPORTS NOT POLITICS.
I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1951 and moved out in 1995. I’ve been around basketball and refereed high school basketball for 15 years. I saw Oscar Robertson & Larry Bird play in high school, college, and the NBA. Oscar was a better basketball player, and his stats overshadowed Bird by a large margin. The perfect example of race playing a part in Larry Bird being overrated is to compare him with another Hoosier, Oscar Robertson, who is the greatest basketball player out of Indiana.