Heartbreaking News: About a minute ago Larry bird die in a Car Cr……
Earvin “Magic” Johnson had been through countless battles, starting way back in 1979.
Fierce rivals at first, the two NBA icons eventually bonded and became friends.
Hence, it was only fitting for Magic that his rival-turned-friend would introduce him to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.
The Los Angeles Lakers legend credited Bird for his evolution, which was one of the reasons behind his enshrinement that year.
Looking at the intense games between the Celtics and the Lakers, one could say that Bird was being modest.
He and Magic first met in an NBA final in 1984, and the Celtics won that series in seven games.
That final was an eye-opener for Johnson, who struggled in that duel. There were games with lapses, allowing the Celtics to escape with a win.
Those were tough times for the Michigan State product, making him realize that his game still needed polishing.
Aside from dealing with a deep Lakers roster, Boston had to go through that series with players like Kevin McHale and Robert Parish not at 100% health.
Larry tried to cover for them, but the efforts of the three-time MVP were not enough.
Johnson’s 1987 Finals performance was a defining moment of his career.
His playmaking and leadership were key factors in the Lakers’ winning the series in six games.
Magic and Bird continued to match up until the early 1990s. Bird called it a career in 1992, while Johnson officially hung up the gloves in 1996.
Both made a huge impact on the game, which is why both friends remain legendary to this day.
