Magic Johnson, a former NBA player, had a record of 11-8 against Larry Bird in the NBA Finals. He won five rings with the Lakers and was named Finals MVP for three of those games. Despite Bird’s 63-3 vote lead for the Rookie of the Year award, his coach never used this as motivation to play harder. Johnson had a 2-1 advantage in the finals and went to nine NBA finals. In the 1979 NCAA men’s national championship game, the Lakers won the first, and the Lakers won the last two.
Larry Bird believed the 1984 NBA Finals were rigged and that David Stern forced the Celtics to play Game 7 vs. Magic Johnson’s Lakers for money. However, he never beat Bird in the playoffs, as he never got a fair shot at it. From 1989 onward, the Boston Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers 111-102 in Game 7. In the 1982 Finals, the Lakers faced each other 37 times in NBA games, with Johnson having a 22-15 winning record over Bird, including an 11-8 record in playoffs.
📹 Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, and Larry Bird Share A Funny Moment Together ❤
In this funny moment between legends in 1997, Magic talks about some of his idols and jokes around with Bill and Larry about …
Did Larry and Magic 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.
Did Larry ever beat Magic?
In the 1990s, Los Angeles and Boston reached every NBA Finals, with Johnson and Bird facing off three times in the championship series. Johnson won two of the three matchups, becoming two of the greatest players of all time and ultimately in the Hall of Fame. Despite their friendship and appreciation, fans from that era remain entrenched in their stances, with fans either on Team Magic or Team Bird. This article provides stats for these basketball legends to add facts to the debates.
Was Larry Bird the best?
Celtics legend Stephen Bird, who won three NBA championships and three MVPs, is ranked as the seventh-best player in NBA history by The Athletic. He also won numerous awards and honors. LeBron James, the second-best player in NBA history, has built his own legacy with four championships, four MVPs, and the most points scored in the league’s history. Both players have surprisingly comparable careers, making them both highly regarded and underrated in the NBA.
How many finals did Magic go to?
During his 13-year career, Magic Johnson led the Lakers to five NBA championships and nine appearances in the NBA Finals. The Lakers averaged 59 wins per season during the Magic Era, posting a combined. 710 winning percentage in regular season and playoff competition. Johnson was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player three times, NBA Finals MVP three times, and earned All-NBA First Team honors nine times. He participated in 12 All-Star Games and ended his career as the league’s all-time assist leader.
Johnson was the Lakers’ first round choice in the 1979 NBA Draft, becoming the club’s first-ever overall number one selection. The Lakers posted the NBA’s second-best regular season record during Johnson’s initial season in 1979-80 (60-22) and won the NBA championship, earning the organization “Professional Sports Franchise of the Decade” honors from the Associated Press. His 42-point, 15-rebound, 7-assist performance in the absence of injured center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the title clinching game at Philadelphia on May 16, 1980, remains one of the greatest feats by a first-year player in league history.
How many rings does Larry Bird have against Magic Johnson?
Larry Bird, a former National Basketball Association player, was victorious in two championship games against Magic Johnson, both during the regular season and in the playoffs. Noteworthy achievements include a record-setting performance in the 1984 playoffs, where he secured the most rebounds in a single game.
Who did Larry Bird lose to in the finals?
In 1987, the Celtics made their last Finals appearance of Bird’s career, facing tough series against the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons. In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pistons, Bird stole an inbound pass and passed the ball to teammate Dennis Johnson, who converted a game-winning layup with less than a second left. The dramatic play saved the series for the Celtics. When they reached the NBA Finals, the Celtics lost to the dominant Lakers team, losing in six games. Between them, Bird and Johnson captured eight NBA championships during the 1980s, with Magic getting five and Bird three.
Throughout the 1980s, contests between the Celtics and the Lakers attracted enormous television audiences. The first regular-season game between the Celtics and the Lakers in the 1987–88 season was a classic, with Magic Johnson banking in an off-balance shot from near the three-point line at the buzzer for a narrow 115–114 Lakers victory at Boston Garden.
The historical rift between the teams, which faced each other several times in championship series of the 1960s, fueled fan interest in the rivalry. The apparent contrast between the two players and their respective teams seemed scripted for television, as they were polar opposites in nearly every way conceivable.
Despite the intensity of their rivalry, Bird and Johnson became friends off the court. Their friendship blossomed when the two players worked together to film the Converse commercial, depicting them as archenemies. Johnson appeared at Bird’s retirement ceremony on February 4, 1993, and emotionally described Bird as a “friend forever”.
Did Kareem need oxygen?
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was suffering from severe migraines, fought through the heat to lead the Lakers to a crucial victory in Game 6. The Celtics, led by Bird, took a 121-103 victory, taking a 3-2 series lead. The Winning Time official who passed out due to heat was replaced by alternate ref John Vanek. Abdul-Jabbar’s performance in Game 6 was crucial, as he tallied 30 points and 10 rebounds, forcing a Game 7 in Boston.
Who won the NBA Finals in 1984?
The 1984 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1983–84 season, culminating in the playoffs. The Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeated the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers in seven games, with Celtics forward Larry Bird earning the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP). The series was a rematch of the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics after their rivalry was revived in 1979.
The series was the last to use the 2–2–1–1–1 format until 2014, when it was changed to 2–3–2 format after Red Auerbach complained about constant traveling during the Finals. The 2–3–2 format remained intact for the remainder of the playoff rounds.
Who is better magic or Larry?
Magic Johnson, a 6-foot 9-inch Point Guard, was a legendary basketball player who played for the LA Lakers during the late 80s. His playoff stats are better than his regular season stats, but his stats don’t significantly differ from Larry Bird’s. Bird scored 24. 3 points, picked 10 rebounds, and delivered 6. 3 assists per game, while Magic’s stats are 19. 5, 7. 2, and 11. 2, respectively. The debate about which legend was better has remained popular, and with Magic’s recent resignation as president of the LA Lakers, fans and critics alike reminisce about his years on the court. Three reasons why Magic was the better player are:
- Magic’s style of play is incomparable. Magic was a one-of-a-kind basketball genius known for his absolute control of the ball, brilliant passes, and trademark “no-look” passes. His flashy, “street-ball” style of play was artistic and inspirational, making him one of the most gifted players in the history of the game.
In conclusion, Magic Johnson’s playoff and regular season stats are comparable to Larry Bird’s stats, but his style of play is considered more memorable.
Who was better, magic or Bird?
Magic Johnson, a 6-foot 9-inch Point Guard, was a legendary basketball player who played for the LA Lakers during the late 80s. His playoff stats are better than his regular season stats, but his stats don’t significantly differ from Larry Bird’s. Bird scored 24. 3 points, picked 10 rebounds, and delivered 6. 3 assists per game, while Magic’s stats are 19. 5, 7. 2, and 11. 2, respectively. The debate about which legend was better has remained popular, and with Magic’s recent resignation as president of the LA Lakers, fans and critics alike reminisce about his years on the court. Three reasons why Magic was the better player are:
- Magic’s style of play is incomparable. Magic was a one-of-a-kind basketball genius known for his absolute control of the ball, brilliant passes, and trademark “no-look” passes. His flashy, “street-ball” style of play was artistic and inspirational, making him one of the most gifted players in the history of the game.
In conclusion, Magic Johnson’s playoff and regular season stats are comparable to Larry Bird’s stats, but his style of play is considered more memorable.
Was Magic better than Larry?
Magic’s regular season stats are impressive but not significantly different from Larry Bird’s, with Bird scoring 24. 3 points, 10 rebounds, and 6. 3 assists per game. However, Magic’s playoff stats are better, with Magic delivering one more assist and picking 0. 5 more rebounds per game. This performance is why he has two more championships over Bird.
Bird, a conventional small forward, was a tall player who played closer to the rim, focused on rebounding, and rarely dribbled. Magic, on the other hand, revolutionized the point guard position and the game itself. He was a tall all-around point guard who handled the ball with great talent, passing it perfectly, taking it to the rim, and rebounding. Magic also transformed the game from a solid half-court game to one played on a full court, on the run, and above the rim.
Bird played with a group of players whose collective talent was no match for Magic’s teammates, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy, a No. 1 draft pick, three-time NBA champion, and one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history.
📹 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.
I remember growing up in the 80’s every basketball court was full nearly every day after school. Once we got into the 90’s…the courts were largely empty except for the first few years of the new decade. But during the 80’s nothing kept us off the courts. Growing up just norrh of Boston, even when the courts were coated in snow and ice..soon as the sun warmed things up a but we were out there with shovels snd ice picks. We had such good pickup games. Good times.
Of Bird’s 3 championships, this was his best. After the Lakers blew them out in game 1 in Boston and then by 33 in game 3 in LA. Bird publicly said “they played like sissies.” But NOT after that. Bird played like a man possessed and the rest of the Celtics rode his back to the Championship. Great Series for both teams!
“We played like a bunch of women tonight.” – Larry Bird To this day my favorite basketball quote of all time. With one single sentence, Larry Bird fired up the hearts of every single one of his teammates and absolutely willed them to their very best, and to victory. Had Larry Bird not made that comments to the press after Game 3, the series would have been Lakers in 6 probably. These days you aren’t even allowed to repeat Larry’s quote. When you see it written in modern day, you generally see “We played like a bunch of (sissies) tonight.” We live in such a politically correct world, that you aren’t even allowed to imply that generally men are better at basketball than women, even though it’s about the same as looking at the moon and saying it’s the sun. Anyway the final 4 games of this series, 3 of them, the Celtics wins, are arguably still in the Top 10 greatest NBA games of all time. When it comes to greatest NBA Finals, pretty much there’s 1984, and then there’s all the other years.
Thanks for posting. This was a great series and a great comeback for Celts. What is most impressive is how active Bird is with his hands. He had maybe the best hands of any player despite the crooked fingers on his shooting hand. Bird is deflecting passes, stealing the ball, blocking shots – so underrated on the defensive end! Probably because his offensive skills were superb & everyone looks at those skills first, and fails to see how great and complete a player he was.
It’s a popular myth that Bird was shut down by Cooper in 85, yet Bird avg’d 23.8 ppg, 9 rpg 5 apg game and 2 spg in the finals, all with bone chips in his elbow, a screwed up hand (bar fight) & no Cedric Maxwell. In this same series everyone said Worthy had the greatest series of his career, he avg’d 23.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 3.2 apg. So how is it that Bird led Worthy in all 5 major statistical categorys (including spg and bpg in 85) and yet, supposedly, he had a terrible series while Worthy had the best series of his career? No doubt Bird’s fg% was down to 45% because of his injuries, but no one on the Lakers ever shut Bird down in the finals, ever. Pure nonsense, Coop shut Bird down by allowing him to score 24 ppg? What a joke.
Mr MerkinMuffy-Thank you so much for posting these articles;love going down memory lane almost forgot how passionate Bird was in every phase of the game-seeing him do every little dirty job–owning the boards,all over the passing lanes-wow so much miss the intensity,intelligence of those 80’s Celtic teams
Agreed that LeBron greatly rehabilitated his career by the Cavs` 2016championship.Very strong, fine passer and, except for Jordan, the greaest driver to the hoop ever.But Bird was a much better shooter-especially in the clutch.Good thing LeBron gave that decisive three point shot (putting the Cavs uo by three) to Kyrie.
Wow, these comments are all fantasy. No, the majority of college and pro coaches, players would give MJ the nod period. I would say these comments are insulting to the game of basketball… but people with this level of delusion can’t be reasoned with. Babe Ruth is the best baseball player too… lol
If larry played in todays nba he would be GOAT.. hes like KD with elite passing + IQ + leadership + post moves.. i think he better rebounder and stronger as well.. i think KD got an edge on shot blocking and shooting but only by a bit… because if larry shoot a to of threes he will be around 40% there as well..
I don’t understand how Magic is seen as one of the best players ever. He doesn’t have an outside shot, he’s just a tall player with good fundamentals and that’s it. He wouldn’t be half the player he was in today’s NBA. Between Bird and Magic, Magic would be giving Gatorade in the bench in today’s NBA while Bird could live off his shooting and hustle.
It’s amazing how NBA basketball has changed. The Celtics were celebrating when they were up by only 7 with 26 seconds, in today’s game 26 seconds is like eternity and many teams have come back from a point difference like that. The Celtics were also celebrating when there was like 2 minutes left and the Lakers almost got it down to one point. This was hands down my favorite NBA Finals ever.
Nessun giocatore, nella storia del basket, è stato più decisivo, competitivo e cattivo Larry Bird. Jordan, Magic, Doctor J e Kobe, sono stati i giocatori più talentuosi di sempre, ma nessuno è stato leader della squadra come Larry Bird. Nessuno si è preso la squadra sulle spalle come Bird. Bird ha fatto crescere i suoi compagni di squadra. Bird ha lasciato da parte il suo individualismo per il gruppo. Ricordatevi che negli anni 80 i Lakers erano più forti dei Celtics e che, grazie a Bird, le cose andarono diversamente nel 1984. Bird il più grande giocatore di tutti i tempi !
just coming here after LeBron Led both teams in all 5 categories (pts, rebs, asts, stls, blks) for the second time in a playoff series in nba history (LeBron did it the first time in 2015 finals) to win his third championship and third finals mvp award (bird had only 2) since everyone can’t keep LeBron out of their mouths in the comments. also if you bring up the draymond suspension or the refs you automatically take and L.