Courtship of Rivals: Magic and Bird

Courtship of Rivals: Magic and Bird
Sport and Race
HBO Documentary

Erving “Magic” Johnson and Larry Bird were two players that came from totally different backgrounds but both became major stars in the NBA. During their professional careers they were each other’s biggest rivals on and off the court. Magic was an African-American that had dealt with racial tension and obstacles his whole life. Bird was a country born white player from Indiana that just played the game of basketball. Their rivalry began when Magic was at Michigan State and Bird was at Indiana State. These two teams met in the 1979 NCAA National Championship. Magic and the Michigan State Spartans prevailed with a victory over Bird and the Indiana State Sycamores. Both Bird and Johnson were drafted early in the 1979 NBA draft. Their rivalry continued on into the NBA. The rivalry fit right into the racial stereotypes of the time. Magic was an African-American and Bird was a country boy. Magic played the game of basketball with a flashy style and Bird just seemed to get the job done. A lot of controversy arose after their Converse commercial together hit the air in 1986. In 1993 at Bird’s retirement ceremony, Magic is quoted as describing Bird as a “friend forever.”


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