Larry Bird is often associated with his ultimate rival, Magic Johnson , for defining an era of basketball that captivated fans worldwide. While that is quite understandable, the Boston Celtics legend has once expressed his dumbfoundedness over the continued fascination that fans and random people have with his relationship with his Los Angeles Lakers "Showtime" counterpart decades after their playing days ended.
Admittedly, Bird is happy to be recognized alongside another iconic figure in the sport. Still, he sometimes feels overwhelmed by the constant inquiries about Ervin.
"Just about every day," Bird told ESPN when asked about how often he hears about Johnson. "I don't travel much, but I can be anywhere, China or Israel or wherever, and it's always the same thing. 'How's Magic? How's Magic doing?' Like I live with him or something."
Magic and Bird were never enemies
In the '80s, the Celtics and Lakers faced off in the NBA Finals multiple times, with "Larry Legend" and Johnson at the forefront. Their contrasting styles and personalities even heightened the drama of their epic matchups.
Despite their competitive spirit on the court, the legendary duo shared a mutual respect that blossomed into a friendship, something that most NBA fans didn't realize back then. According to former Lakers forward James Worthy, people only began to understand that Bird and Magic had no real animosity or hatred when they both appeared in their historic Converse shoe commercial.
"It wasn't until they did that Converse commercial that people started to realize that they weren't enemies, just two very tough guys who hate to lose," Worthy once revealed .
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The duo will forever be remembered together
In retrospect, Bird and Johnson had one of the greatest, if not the greatest, NBA rivalries of all time. That alone is a reason for their legacies to always be intertwined. All the more because they revolutionized the game, paving the way for the next generation of NBA superstars.
The two legends left such an indelible mark on the sport that fans couldn't help but think about the other whenever they ran across it. Moreover, it's indisputable that even modern-day NBA fans can't get enough of the pair's greatness, which is why they are expecting Larry to share insights or stories that reflect either his legendary rivalry or friendship off the court with Magic. Perhaps, it's safe to say that it will stay that way for the years to come.
Related: "I wondered myself why he wasn't on the team" - Larry Bird knew Dream Team selection process would result in controversies
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