Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird

sensei_hanson · 11-28-2001, 12:19 PM

Just for you, KNVB.

I will be providing links and articles to further this ongoing debate. But for now -

Who came out on top of this legendary head-to-head rivalry? Earvin "Magic" Johnson, or Larry "The Hick from French Lick" Bird?

Vote away.

**knvb** · 11-28-2001, 12:25 PM

It's got to be Magic! No one controled a game better! I too will dive into this later....

knvbknowswherethehickfromfrenchlickcanlick

**knvb** · 11-28-2001, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Earvin "Magic" Johnson who ranks second on the NBA's all-time assist chart (10,141), trailing only John Stockton ... led the NBA in assists five consecutive seasons (1982-83 thru 1986-87), highlighted by a career-high and single-season club record of 13.1 during the 1983-84 campaign ... handed out a team single-game record 24 assists three times, including once during the playoffs (NBA playoff record) ... selected first overall by the Lakers in the 1979 NBA Draft ... registered 138 career triple doubles, most in NBA history ... member of five NBA championship teams with the Lakers (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) ... appeared in nine NBA Finals druing his 13-year career ... Lakers averaged 59 victories per season during his career ... named NBA's Most Valuable Player on three times (1980, 1982, 1987) ... earned All-NBA First Team honors nine times ... 12-time NBA All-Star ... named All-Star Game MVP on two occasions (1990, 1992) ... led the NBA in free throw percentage in 1988-99 (.911) ... paced the NBA in steals twice (1981 and 1982) ... was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history during the league's 50th anniversary season in 1996-97.

That should about wrap things up!

Oh yeah Sensei he could also DUNK unlike Bird!

sensei_hanson · 11-28-2001, 09:47 PM

Oooh, dunks. That's what makes a basketball player. Just like Harold Miner, JR Rider and Kenny "Sky" Walker. Barely worth mentioning, pal.

And while Magic definetly was the far more athletic of the two, you should also take into account who was the superior coach between the two. Magic's pathetic attempt at coaching the Lakers lasted for what, 20 games? Larry established himself as one of the finest coaches in the league in a just a few seasons. Something to munch on there. Now, my evidence for Larry:

The Larry Bird File:

Larry Bird is one of the greatest basketball players of all time and one very good reason to have Celtic Pride. Along with Magic Johnson, he reinvigorated the NBA in the 1980s with a competitive rivalry between the Celtics and the Lakers. He has won every major distinction professional basketball bestows on its players. He was the MVP in 1984, 1985 and 1986. He was named to the all NBA First Team for 9 consecutive seasons from 1980-1988. He was a twelve time NBA All-Star, including ten times elected by the fans to start, and All-Star Game MVP in 1982. His Celtics won the World Championship in 1981, 1984 and 1986. He was the NBA Playoffs MVP in 1984 and 1986. He was also a member of the Dream Team that brought home a Gold Medal from the Olympics in Barcelona. Larry won the Long-Distance Shootout 3 times, proving he could play a game inside out...all by himself.
Bird's impact on the game of basketball goes beyond the awards he has collected. He was a remarkable athlete who could shoot, pass, rebound and defend...an all-around player. At six foot nine inches, he could play either forward slot, and he would get his share of rebounds AND assists from either the "3" or "4" spot. He was the first player in NBA history to shoot over 50 percent from the field and over 90 percent from the foul line. He led the league in free throw shooting four years over his career. Did I mention he could also play defense....he was a 3 time All-NBA Defensive Second Team Member (1982-1984). He was also an extraordinary team player. His Celtics never suffered a month with a losing record during the regular season while he was in the lineup.
Bird was a celebrity on his High School basketball team in French Lick, Indiana. The population of the town was only 2,100, but 4,000 people attended his last HS game. He enrolled at Indiana, but never played, leaving to attend Northwood Institute, a local Junior College where he spent one year, waiting to be eligible to play at Indiana State, where he transferred the next year. He brought respectibility to the Indiana State program which culminated in losing to Magic Johnson's Michigan State team in the NCAA Tournament Title Game in 1979. Larry left Indiana State with a career scoring average of better than 30 points a game, fifth all-time in NCAA history, and a 3 year school record of 81-13. Larry was named the 1978-79 Sporting News Player of the Year and won the Naismith and Wooden Awards. He was the number six pick in the 1978 draft by Boston, as a junior, but he joined the team a year later, because he chose to stay in school for his last year of eligibility. His stellar play in his first year led to his Rookie of the Year selection in 1980.

Overall, Larry Bird will be remembered with an elite five or six players including Chamberlain, Magic, Jordan and Erving. He will be known for both his individual ability and being a team player, and boy were his teams great with the likes of Robert Parish and Kevin McHale who joined Bird on the NBA's All-Time 50 Greatest Players Team which was announced prior to the 1996 season. Don't forget other supporting teammates who were superstars in their own right such as Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge and Cedric Maxwell. Larry Legend was a terrific competitor and a classy sportsman.

We all remember his ability to hit the remarkable shot and don't forget his commercials with Michael Jordan where he makes the unbelievable shots. NBA players probably still have nightmares of his smooth jumper that would fall with deadly accuracy from ten feet or twenty feet. There may never be another with such a consistent sweet stroke. He played his entire career with the Celtics. The Boston fans were the envy of many others who couldn't count on their star to score 25 points or more a night, combined with making 5 remarkable passes and grabbing 8 rebounds, including 2 or 3 when they counted the most. His #33 Celtics Jersey has, of course, been retired to join all the other Boston Greats who have their numbers hanging from the rafters. On June 29, 1998, Bird was bestowed with the highest honor given to a basketball player, he was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He was inducted in ceremonies on October 2nd. Now he can go for dual election...ala Lenny Wilkens...as both a player and a coach...but that will be another day.

Bird's all-time stats are impressive: 21,791 points (11th. all-time), 1,556 steals (8th all-time), 0.886 FT Percentage (fourth all-time), 8,974 rebounds, 5,965 assists and 897 games played. He has a career 24.3 scoring average to lead the Celtics all-time list. Larry Bird was a successful player due both to talent and hard work. He was ususally the first Celtic to arrive on game day when he would practice hitting jump shots for hours from everywhere on the floor, including dozens of free-throws. HIs consistency was evidenced in the similar stats he compiled year after year during his legendary career.

Bird retired in 1992 after 13 seasons. His last two years were plagued with chronic back problems, he often spent his time laying on the floor to rest his back when not playing on the court. After retiring, he worked for the Celtics Front Office as a Special Assistant for 5 years. Many thought he might replace M.L. Carr as coach, but Rick Pitino was given that job, and Larry Legend returned to his home state of Indiana to succeed Larry Brown as the coach of the Indiana Pacers for the 1997-98 season. He's never coached at any level, but do you think that will stop him from doing an excellent job? I don't. The first half of his rookie year as Indiana's coach was unprecedented and better than even the most devoted Larry booster would have imagined, leading to his team having the best record at the break and an AS Game coaching selection. He led the Pacers on a record setting pace for the most wins in franchise history with 58 and a second place finish in the Eastern Conference to Chicago. Larry brought two unique contributions to the table as a rookie NBA coach. First, he immediately won the players respect and they want to both play and win for him, doing whatever it takes. He has focussed on the basics, which has so far paid off. Second, he has implemented a rather unique coaching paradigm using an offensive and defensive coordinator like the NFL. His coaches implement separate strategies and drill for offense and defense which Larry oversees. Bird was named Coach of the Year his very first year as a coach at any level. In his rookie year as coach he led the Pacers to the second best record in the east, and a trip all the way to the conference finals, only to lose against Jordan's Bulls.

**knvb** · 11-28-2001, 09:59 PM

Regs~

How much of your hard drive is lost to that post! Holly shit!

knvbtoreplywhenhegetsthroughSenseisgonewiththewind

sensei_hanson · 11-28-2001, 10:05 PM

Another glowing product of the Surrey educational system. I can sound out the big words for you if you like.

I realize it must be difficult for you to read something that doesn't have 27 smiley faces attached to it, but do your best. We're all rooting for you here at the remedial reading center. Good luck Davie!!

,
-Sensei.

**Regs** · 11-29-2001, 12:12 AM

The return of some quality piss-taking

~TBlikingthebanterthisweek.

**knvb** · 11-29-2001, 09:43 AM

Little help here

Quote:

implemented

Funny thing is though Langara gave me a full ride!!!

knvbisnowhookedonphonics

5bigtoes · 12-01-2001, 02:49 PM

Anyway,

I picked Magic but the choice was very difficult seeing as both player are amongst the greatest ever to play. For sure in the top 5 ever.

Both could create chances for other team mates (brilliant chances I might add). Both could score and light it up. Both where the great leaders. Both are highly regarded by peers and fans a like. Both lead their teams to Championships.

When it comes right down to picking, it simply is a matter of preference.

**knvb** · 12-01-2001, 09:27 PM

And 11 to 4 prefer Magic!

knvbwillnowwaitforSenseitochangehisavator

sensei_hanson · 12-02-2001, 01:05 PM

1) Its an avatar. Learn it. Spell it. Love it.

2) Magic can win that useless poll by 100 votes, and he's still not going to replace Larry anytime soon. At the risk of pushing away all my loyal TTP Basketball thread readership, I really don't care who you sweaty computer nerds "prefer" between the two (you guys love the abuse and you know it).

Vented,
-Sensei.

Pylon · 12-10-2001, 02:52 AM

In the 79 NCAA finals, Larry Bird was tripple-teamed a lot of the game. I can still remember one moment when he was double or tripple teamed right in the corner of the court, yet he landed the fade-away jumper. The guy could really shoot. Too bad they didn't have 3 point lines back then.

Who was the better of the two? For anyone who knows basketball, that's an incredibly tough question. Magic was more athletic (yeah, I know, he could dunk). But Bird was an Hoosier through and through.

I don't know - it's like saying "Who was better - Gretzky or Orr?". For me, the answer is "neither - they were both amazing".

View Poll Results: Larry Bird or Magic Johnson?
Larry Bird, Boston Celtics	6	35.29%
Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers	11	64.71%
Voters: 17. You may not vote on this poll

11-28-2001, 12:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
sensei_hanson Member Joined: Jun 2001 Location: The China Club Posts: 1,547 Images: 31 TTP Friends: (0)	Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird Just for you, KNVB. I will be providing links and articles to further this ongoing debate. But for now - Who came out on top of this legendary head-to-head rivalry? Earvin "Magic" Johnson, or Larry "The Hick from French Lick" Bird? Vote away.

11-28-2001, 12:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
knvb Kick'n it old school... A Total Bastard Joined: Aug 2001 Location: Langley Posts: 10,573 Images: 229 TTP Friends: (6)	Good to see someone cares It's got to be Magic! No one controled a game better! I too will dive into this later.... knvbknowswherethehickfromfrenchlickcanlick

11-28-2001, 09:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
sensei_hanson Member Joined: Jun 2001 Location: The China Club Posts: 1,547 Images: 31 TTP Friends: (0)	Whatever... Oooh, dunks. That's what makes a basketball player. Just like Harold Miner, JR Rider and Kenny "Sky" Walker. Barely worth mentioning, pal. And while Magic definetly was the far more athletic of the two, you should also take into account who was the superior coach between the two. Magic's pathetic attempt at coaching the Lakers lasted for what, 20 games? Larry established himself as one of the finest coaches in the league in a just a few seasons. Something to munch on there. Now, my evidence for Larry: The Larry Bird File: Larry Bird is one of the greatest basketball players of all time and one very good reason to have Celtic Pride. Along with Magic Johnson, he reinvigorated the NBA in the 1980s with a competitive rivalry between the Celtics and the Lakers. He has won every major distinction professional basketball bestows on its players. He was the MVP in 1984, 1985 and 1986. He was named to the all NBA First Team for 9 consecutive seasons from 1980-1988. He was a twelve time NBA All-Star, including ten times elected by the fans to start, and All-Star Game MVP in 1982. His Celtics won the World Championship in 1981, 1984 and 1986. He was the NBA Playoffs MVP in 1984 and 1986. He was also a member of the Dream Team that brought home a Gold Medal from the Olympics in Barcelona. Larry won the Long-Distance Shootout 3 times, proving he could play a game inside out...all by himself. Bird's impact on the game of basketball goes beyond the awards he has collected. He was a remarkable athlete who could shoot, pass, rebound and defend...an all-around player. At six foot nine inches, he could play either forward slot, and he would get his share of rebounds AND assists from either the "3" or "4" spot. He was the first player in NBA history to shoot over 50 percent from the field and over 90 percent from the foul line. He led the league in free throw shooting four years over his career. Did I mention he could also play defense....he was a 3 time All-NBA Defensive Second Team Member (1982-1984). He was also an extraordinary team player. His Celtics never suffered a month with a losing record during the regular season while he was in the lineup. Bird was a celebrity on his High School basketball team in French Lick, Indiana. The population of the town was only 2,100, but 4,000 people attended his last HS game. He enrolled at Indiana, but never played, leaving to attend Northwood Institute, a local Junior College where he spent one year, waiting to be eligible to play at Indiana State, where he transferred the next year. He brought respectibility to the Indiana State program which culminated in losing to Magic Johnson's Michigan State team in the NCAA Tournament Title Game in 1979. Larry left Indiana State with a career scoring average of better than 30 points a game, fifth all-time in NCAA history, and a 3 year school record of 81-13. Larry was named the 1978-79 Sporting News Player of the Year and won the Naismith and Wooden Awards. He was the number six pick in the 1978 draft by Boston, as a junior, but he joined the team a year later, because he chose to stay in school for his last year of eligibility. His stellar play in his first year led to his Rookie of the Year selection in 1980. Overall, Larry Bird will be remembered with an elite five or six players including Chamberlain, Magic, Jordan and Erving. He will be known for both his individual ability and being a team player, and boy were his teams great with the likes of Robert Parish and Kevin McHale who joined Bird on the NBA's All-Time 50 Greatest Players Team which was announced prior to the 1996 season. Don't forget other supporting teammates who were superstars in their own right such as Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge and Cedric Maxwell. Larry Legend was a terrific competitor and a classy sportsman. We all remember his ability to hit the remarkable shot and don't forget his commercials with Michael Jordan where he makes the unbelievable shots. NBA players probably still have nightmares of his smooth jumper that would fall with deadly accuracy from ten feet or twenty feet. There may never be another with such a consistent sweet stroke. He played his entire career with the Celtics. The Boston fans were the envy of many others who couldn't count on their star to score 25 points or more a night, combined with making 5 remarkable passes and grabbing 8 rebounds, including 2 or 3 when they counted the most. His #33 Celtics Jersey has, of course, been retired to join all the other Boston Greats who have their numbers hanging from the rafters. On June 29, 1998, Bird was bestowed with the highest honor given to a basketball player, he was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He was inducted in ceremonies on October 2nd. Now he can go for dual election...ala Lenny Wilkens...as both a player and a coach...but that will be another day. Bird's all-time stats are impressive: 21,791 points (11th. all-time), 1,556 steals (8th all-time), 0.886 FT Percentage (fourth all-time), 8,974 rebounds, 5,965 assists and 897 games played. He has a career 24.3 scoring average to lead the Celtics all-time list. Larry Bird was a successful player due both to talent and hard work. He was ususally the first Celtic to arrive on game day when he would practice hitting jump shots for hours from everywhere on the floor, including dozens of free-throws. HIs consistency was evidenced in the similar stats he compiled year after year during his legendary career. Bird retired in 1992 after 13 seasons. His last two years were plagued with chronic back problems, he often spent his time laying on the floor to rest his back when not playing on the court. After retiring, he worked for the Celtics Front Office as a Special Assistant for 5 years. Many thought he might replace M.L. Carr as coach, but Rick Pitino was given that job, and Larry Legend returned to his home state of Indiana to succeed Larry Brown as the coach of the Indiana Pacers for the 1997-98 season. He's never coached at any level, but do you think that will stop him from doing an excellent job? I don't. The first half of his rookie year as Indiana's coach was unprecedented and better than even the most devoted Larry booster would have imagined, leading to his team having the best record at the break and an AS Game coaching selection. He led the Pacers on a record setting pace for the most wins in franchise history with 58 and a second place finish in the Eastern Conference to Chicago. Larry brought two unique contributions to the table as a rookie NBA coach. First, he immediately won the players respect and they want to both play and win for him, doing whatever it takes. He has focussed on the basics, which has so far paid off. Second, he has implemented a rather unique coaching paradigm using an offensive and defensive coordinator like the NFL. His coaches implement separate strategies and drill for offense and defense which Larry oversees. Bird was named Coach of the Year his very first year as a coach at any level. In his rookie year as coach he led the Pacers to the second best record in the east, and a trip all the way to the conference finals, only to lose against Jordan's Bulls.

11-28-2001, 09:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
knvb Kick'n it old school... A Total Bastard Joined: Aug 2001 Location: Langley Posts: 10,573 Images: 229 TTP Friends: (6)	See you in a week Regs~ How much of your hard drive is lost to that post! Holly shit! knvbtoreplywhenhegetsthroughSenseisgonewiththewind

11-28-2001, 10:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
sensei_hanson Member Joined: Jun 2001 Location: The China Club Posts: 1,547 Images: 31 TTP Friends: (0)	oh man.. Another glowing product of the Surrey educational system. I can sound out the big words for you if you like. I realize it must be difficult for you to read something that doesn't have 27 smiley faces attached to it, but do your best. We're all rooting for you here at the remedial reading center. Good luck Davie!! , -Sensei.

11-29-2001, 12:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
Regs Respect & Honour A Total Bastard Joined: Jun 2001 Location: TTP Headquarters Posts: 12,047 Blog Entries: 1 Images: 233 TTP Friends: (12)	what would people say if Jonesy started posting regularly again? The return of some quality piss-taking ~TBlikingthebanterthisweek. __________________ Take the piss (out of someone) vb. British -- to mock, deride, poke fun (at). This vulgarism has been in widespread use since the late 1940s. The original idea evoked by the expression was that of deflating someone, recalling the description of a self-important blusterer as 'all piss and wind.'

12-01-2001, 02:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
5bigtoes Member Joined: Jul 2001 Location: Delta Posts: 887 TTP Friends: (0)	Tough chioce Anyway, I picked Magic but the choice was very difficult seeing as both player are amongst the greatest ever to play. For sure in the top 5 ever. Both could create chances for other team mates (brilliant chances I might add). Both could score and light it up. Both where the great leaders. Both are highly regarded by peers and fans a like. Both lead their teams to Championships. When it comes right down to picking, it simply is a matter of preference.

12-01-2001, 09:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
knvb Kick'n it old school... A Total Bastard Joined: Aug 2001 Location: Langley Posts: 10,573 Images: 229 TTP Friends: (6)	And 11 to 4 prefer Magic! knvbwillnowwaitforSenseitochangehisavator

12-02-2001, 01:05 PM	#11 (permalink)
sensei_hanson Member Joined: Jun 2001 Location: The China Club Posts: 1,547 Images: 31 TTP Friends: (0)	1) Its an avatar. Learn it. Spell it. Love it. 2) Magic can win that useless poll by 100 votes, and he's still not going to replace Larry anytime soon. At the risk of pushing away all my loyal TTP Basketball thread readership, I really don't care who you sweaty computer nerds "prefer" between the two (you guys love the abuse and you know it). Vented, -Sensei.

12-10-2001, 02:52 AM	#12 (permalink)
Pylon Member Joined: Nov 2001 Location: Commuter Posts: 24 TTP Friends: (0)	In the 79 NCAA finals, Larry Bird was tripple-teamed a lot of the game. I can still remember one moment when he was double or tripple teamed right in the corner of the court, yet he landed the fade-away jumper. The guy could really shoot. Too bad they didn't have 3 point lines back then. Who was the better of the two? For anyone who knows basketball, that's an incredibly tough question. Magic was more athletic (yeah, I know, he could dunk). But Bird was an Hoosier through and through. I don't know - it's like saying "Who was better - Gretzky or Orr?". For me, the answer is "neither - they were both amazing".

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