Magic Johnson revealed in a recent interview that playing once with Michael Jordan and Larry Bird on his team had been on his bucket list.
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Magic, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan were the 3 best NBA players in the 1980s. Bird and Magic practically saved the NBA, in which interest was rapidly declining, after making their debuts for the Celtics and the Lakers.
The rivalry between the Celtics and the Lakers in the 1980s rejuvenated interest in pro basketball for a lot of fans. These 2 teams met in the Finals 3 times in 4 seasons. Magic’s Lakers came away victorious in ’85 and ’87, while Bird’s Celtics took the 1984 title.
Bird and his Celtics teams played a halfcourt game, pinging passes between their frontcourt players and to the post. The Lakers, meanwhile, had a more run-and-gun style during the Showtime era with Magic.
Despite this contrast in styles, it was obvious to onlookers that both teams embodied greatness in their own ways. And Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were the perfect players for their teams in their specific roles.
Magic Johnson said playing with Larry Bird and Michael Jordan was on his bucket list
The 5-time NBA champion with the Lakers was recently a guest with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on All the Smoke podcast. Magic spoke in depth about a lot of experiences from his life and from his NBA career.
When asked to detail his thoughts on playing in the Dream Team, Johnson responded thus:
“When I think about playing in the Dream Team, that was amazing. Because on my bucket list, I just wanted one time to play with Larry and Michael.”
“And now I get the chance to represent the country. Play with Michael. Make a pass to him, make a pass to Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Clyde Drexler, Chris Mullin.”
“So it was really amazing for me to be on that team and to crush everybody by over 42 points per game. I think it opened the game up for all the international players.”
The legacy of the Dream Team
The Barcelona Olympics of 1992 was the first time when the world saw NBA players in action. It was a superteam of sorts – the kind that has yet to be recreated.
Not only did the squad have Magic, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, they also had 8 other Hall of Fame talents. Charles Barkley and Scottie Pippen were their 2 best performers, even though all eyes were on the Big Three.
Overall, Team USA Basketball ran riot in Barcelona and set a new bar for team sporting excellence at the Olympics. Their average margin of victory of 43.8 points per game was unheard of, and will probably never be touched.
The Redeem Team of 2008 and Team USA’s 2012 roster might approach the Dream Team’s talent levels. But the legacy of the Dream Team is on a different plane.
