"People sit there and marvel at what they can do" - Celtics coach K.C. Jones discusses how Larry Bird and Magic Johnson excited NBA fans

There is no question that Larry Bird and Earvin "Magic" Johnson played a key role in saving the NBA in the late 1970s. The two legends changed the league's landscape, and most marvel at their battles on the basketball court.

It was a treat for fans to see Bird and Johnson play. Their wide repertoire of moves leaves spectators in awe. Former Boston Celtics coach K.C. Jones witnessed this firsthand.

Jones hailed Larry for his shooting prowess and his ability to pass the ball to his teammates. He admitted that Johnson was pretty much the same—a terrific playmaker who loves to push up the ball and score if he chooses to do so.

"They've got such creative imagination on the court," Jones stated via the New York Times. "People sit there and marvel at what they can do."

Bird and Magic saved the NBA

For some, the league was saved when Bird and Johnson entered it. One player who happened to be part of the 1979 draft was retired big man Paul Mokeski. He felt that Bird and Johnson helped save the NBA, pointing out how games were played and shown back then.

"I think actually that Larry Bird and Magic Johnson helped save the NBA. Because back then, the NBA, the finals in the NBA were tape-delayed. They weren't even live. There was no sponsorship… it was a kinda little bit out of control, and fans had a lot of less interest," the former Kansas Jayhawk said when he spoke on the Sports for All PH podcast .

Also, the legendary dup started something that would rub off on younger talent, including Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls and Dominique Wilkins of the Atlanta Hawks. With the number of stars growing, the league's following gets even bigger.

Bragging rights

Johnson and Bird had their share of battles in the NBA Finals. The first was in 1984 when the Celtics won in seven games. They would meet again in the 1985 NBA Finals. The Lakers turned the tables this time, winning the title in six games, 4-2.

The two clubs would meet again in 1987 for the final time in the Bird-Johnson era. The Purple and Gold bested the Celtics again in six games, 4-2. Although 'The Magic Man' appears to have the upper hand in their head-to-head and the fact that he won more NBA titles than Bird, Kodak achieved something Johnson did not.

Both were three-time NBA MVPs, although Bird's run was sweeter. He bagged the plum for three straight seasons (1984-86). Regardless, both shared fairly similar careers. From rivals, both became good friends. This happened when the two shot a commercial for Converse in Indiana, and that bond has remained so ever since.

Proof of that was Buck, who was present during Bird's retirement ceremony in 1992. Conversely, Larry Legend inducted Magic into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Related: Kevin McHale on the difference between Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan: "Larry and Magic can control the game with 10 shots"