Magic Johnson is a Larry Bird fan
 

... now that they're long finished playing against each other

Here's a video clip of Magic Johnson discussing it:

http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=8136

What's your take on competitive hatred, and eventually getting over it?

Re: Magic Johnson is a Larry Bird fan
 

And Bird was a huge Magic fan.

That's expected. Off the Court, those 2 are actually pretty close

Re: Magic Johnson is a Larry Bird fan
 

If you obsess over something you can't maintain the same emotion on it. Bird is the reason Magic built courts inside and outside his house to shoot on all day. One day Magic wakes up and he has a jumpshot and MVP's just rolling in. And then says wow, I love the game but I needed the hate thing too... look at where I'm at. Professionally Bird, a great contemporary, was Magic's motivation. Magic is the type of guy that appreciates all that helps form who he came out to be.

Re: Magic Johnson is a Larry Bird fan
 

Magic faced Bird on 4 occasions for all the marbles... and won 3 times.

Hitting the baby hook at the Garden and beating the Celtics that time doused whatever competitive hatred he might have had for Bird.

Re: Magic Johnson is a Larry Bird fan
 

one of my favorite moments

Re: Magic Johnson is a Larry Bird fan
 

What was this all about?

Re: Magic Johnson is a Larry Bird fan
 

It was Bird's retirement ceremony.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdCMU...elated#t=1m02s


BTW... In the OP video, Magic mentioned that they are working on a Broadway play about his and Bird's rivalry/ friendship. That's actually a play I would voluntarily go to without some female trying to get me to attend.

Re: Magic Johnson is a Larry Bird fan
 

I think Magic said Bird, among players, was the most supportive of him when he announced he had HIV.

That's how much respect they had for each other.