“What Larry Bird and I Had”: Magic Johnson Once Taunted Michael Jordan For the Lack of a Legitimate Rival

Nithin Joseph | 23/04/2023
"What Larry Bird and I Had": Magic Johnson Once Taunted Michael Jordan For the Lack of a Legitimate Rival

Michael Jordan is undoubtedly one of the greatest players of all time. The Chicago Bulls legend spent 14 seasons in the NBA, dominating his opponents. The results of his efforts? Six NBA Championships, six Finals MVPs, five regular season MVPs, and a host of other accolades.

That being said, there are still many who contend with MJ’s status as the GOAT. For starters, there is LeBron James, the man many consider the modern GOAT. But, another interesting argument is the suggestion that Jordan never really had a true rival.

As an NBA superstar, His Airness was the heart and soul of the league. While there were many great athletes during his time, none really gave him a run for his money. It’s a fair point, one that Magic Johnson used to taunt him with. After all, the Laker legend perhaps had the greatest rivalry of all time with Larry Bird.

Magic Johnson once taunted Michael Jordan with his amazing rivalry with Larry Bird

There can be no denying the greatness of the Michael Jordan era. An era ruled by the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 1990s. One where Jordan was the man to beat, and anyone who stepped up to the challenge failed. And, it is this that is used to argue his dominance.

In particular, Magic Johnson used this very point to taunt MJ. As revealed in the book “When the Game Was Ours”, Johnson reminisced on his legendary rivalry with Larry Bird. Specifically how they always had to be careful when facing each other. Something Jordan never really shared with anyone.

“‘I feel sorry for you,’ Magic told Jordan. ‘You will never have what Larry and I had. We went two weeks without sleep knowing, if we made one mistake, the other guy was going to take it and use it to beat us. Who do you measure yourself against?'”

Safe to say, His Airness would have felt a certain way after hearing that statement. But, this isn’t the first time Magic Johnson has given him a good old-fashioned ribbing.

Magic Johnson once jokingly claimed you can’t touch Jordan or it will be considered a foul

Making fun of his lack of a rival isn’t the only time Magic Johnson has made fun of Michael Jordan. Back when the two played together on the 1992 US Olympic “Dream Team”, Johnson poked fun at Jordan during media day. Specifically, he claimed that you weren’t allowed to get close to the six-time NBA Champion, because it would be called a foul.

https://youtu.be/bbMe0WNm19s

It’s nice to know that two of the greats had such a cordial relationship. Almost like an older brother messing with his younger sibling.

Post Edited By: Amulya Shekhar

About the author

Nithin Joseph

Nithin is a content writer at The SportsRush. Like his favorite athlete Kobe Bryant, the company has helped Nithin elevate his writing skills to a whole new level, especially as an NBA content writer. With over 1500 articles to his name, Nithin's love for the sport knows no bounds. And, as he continues to watch the sport on a daily basis, he hopes his fascination with the NBA, especially the Miami Heat will inspire more and more readers to give the sport a chance. Perhaps, one day making basketball in India as big as it is in the United States.

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