Known by their nicknames, “Magic” and “The Bird,” these rivals (very different in many ways) shared at least two things in common: they were great basketball players, and they became fast friends.
Earvin “Magic” Johnson grew up in Lansing, Michigan, one of seven children. Johnson found out quickly that he had a basketball talent. He would hit the court at 6 a.m. and loved to shoot by himself and watch the sun come up. Johnson was offered many college scholarships but decided to stay home and play for Michigan State in nearby East Lansing.
Larry Bird grew up in French Lick, Indiana. Unlike Magic, who was extremely outgoing, Bird was shy, and basketball became his outlet. He destroyed the competition at AAU Basketball Tournaments and then tried playing for Bob Knight at Indiana. He wound up playing college ball at Indiana State University.
The two faced each other in college in the biggest game of the year, the 1979 National Championship. The game was close, but Johnson and his Spartans prevailed, 75-64. It still ranks #1 as the most-watched championship basketball game in NCAA history.
Then it was off to the pros–Magic for LA and Bird for the Celtics, The two became superstars, and they met again in championships. The 1984 Series stands out. Bird hoisted the trophy this time, with Bostain winning four games to three.
But another big story took place off the court. Converse was the big athletic shoe brand at the time, and the company wanted to do a commercial featuring (you guessed it) Magic and The Bird. Each player wanted the commercial shot on his home ground–Magic in LA and Bird in Indiana. Bird’s preference won out.
Trash talk dominated the first day of shooting as the two prepared to play in an authentic (not staged) one-on-one game.
Things changed on the second day of shooting. The two superstars began talking in what evolved into a conversation between friends. Then, Magic assumed he’d eat a catered meal in his trailer when it came time for lunch. Having nothing of that, Bird said that his mother had prepared a meal for the both of them and that Magic should come up to the house for a bite.
The two men bonded that day, and the basketball world is forever thankful.
