“I loved Earvin Johnson, but I absolutely hated Magic Johnson”: Larry Bird enunciates his true feelings about the Lakers legend as a player and comrade

Larry Bird once hilariously revealed how he both loved and hated Magic Johnson while the Lakers legend was sitting right next to him

 

Neither Larry Bird nor Magic Johnson has played a single NBA game since the early ‘90s. And somehow, their rivalry still stands strong as one of the greatest in the history of the NBA.

There was never the sense that either player was faking it for the drama. It was never too over the top either. It was just a solid and exciting little matchup within a massive and historic matchup.

After their careers, the two players relatively became far closer as friends than they ever had over the course of their careers. And, during this time, when the two took an interview together, Larry Legend dropped a hilarious little nugget.

Let’s get into it.

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“I had a little problem with him”: Larry Bird once revealed his hilarious duality on how he felt about Magic Johnson

It was always clear that Larry Bird and Magic Johnson never hated each other. Sure, they weren’t exactly the biggest fans of each other, but they had some serious mutual respect.

At the time, while fans really enjoyed this relationship between the two, they were also a tad bit confused by it. How did it all really come about? How does this relationship even function?

Well, in a 2004 interview with David Letterman, Larry Bird revealed the story behind it all. And we have to admit, it had us chuckling for quite some time.

“Letterman: I think I remember from the documentary that said that you really liked Earvin, you were less fond of Magic. Is that correct – what does that mean?

Bird: Well, Earvin the man is one thing, but Earvin the basketball player, I had a little problem with him. It ended, of course, twenty years ago but … I can’t really say what I think.”

After everyone, including Magic, finished laughing, the Lakers legend revealed that he loved hearing the comment since it made it clear, he was a thorn in Larry’s side.

Now, over 30 years since their playing days, we’re still hoping to see a rivalry even as good as theirs. Hopefully, we as fans will one day be lucky enough to see it happen.

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