“Still Come On the Show Anyway”: Magic Johnson Once Hilariously Called Out Conan For Loving Larry Bird More Than Him

Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were the fiercest of rivals right through their illustrious NBA careers. While their equation changed for the better after retirement, memories of their on-court tussles linger, acting as reminders of a bygone era even. The legends do bring it up every now and then too. All in jest, of course. For instance, Johnson’s dig at late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien in 2013, had left the viewers in splits. 

Magic, who was making a guest appearance on O’Brien’s show, cheekily made fun of the media personality’s love for Bird.

The comedian was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. So, he grew up watching the Celtics in their 1980s glory years, led by Bird. Johnson recalled this while sitting across Conan on his live television show.

“You have always told me that you like Larry Bird more than me. I still come on the show anyway,” he said.

It was evident that there was no underlying animosity in Magic’s comments. He has tremendous respect for Bird, both as a competitor and as a person.

Magic and Brid competed against each other during the most critical stages of their careers. The two faced off in three NBA Finals during the 1980s. Bird came out victorious in their first Finals matchup in 1984. Magic won the following two matchups, in 1985 and 1987.

Magic was clearly respectful of Conan’s feelings as a Celtics fan while joking with him about it. And the lighthearted dig, by no means, diluted the intense rivalry between the Lakers and the Celtics that defined the era.

Magic’s feelings toward the Celtics

Magic revealed that the rivalry between the Lakers and Celtics was so strong because of the hatred the players from both teams had for each other.

“I hated Larry [Bird] and every Celtic. I really don’t like you [Paul Pierce] but you my little brother. Now I love you because you’re out of that green & white,” Magic revealed in a conversation with Paul Pierce on Fox Sports’ Speak.

.@MagicJohnson breaks down why we no longer have rivalries in the NBA today

"They don't hate each other. I hated Larry [Bird] and every Celtic. I really don't like you [Paul Pierce] but you my little brother. Now I love you because you're out of that green & white." 😂 pic.twitter.com/yJyum6dxGH

— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) December 19, 2024

Johnson’s comments paint how starkly different things were back in his day, compared to modern-day basketball and its lack of fierce rivalries. Players and teams don’t have that same level of “hatred” for their opponents anymore. Of course, the hatred Magic was talking about was not personal, but game related.

Until a few players adapt the mindset Magic and his contemporaries carried, modern rivalries won’t measure up with those from the game’s glorious past.