"MY GOAL WAS TO TAKE THREE OF THEM TEETH HOME WITH ME" - BIRD DIDN'T FALL FOR MAGIC'S DECEIVING SMILE
Magic Johnson was one of the fiercest competitors out there, but people had been deceived by his big smile. Unknowingly, people saw Magic's trademark grin as a sign of weakness. Before long, the Los Angeles Lakers legend would deceive you and take home the win.
Larry Bird has seen Johnson smile countless times since their rivalry started in the NCAA, but the Indiana native has not fallen prey to Earvin's tricks. Instead, Larry Legend was always looking to be the hunter who wanted to take home evidence of his victory.
Greatest rivalry ever
In a joint interview with David Letterman, Bird and Johnson explained their respective mindsets whenever they faced each other. While they were good friends off the court, the two had no time for smiles when it was time for action.
"My thing was when you compete, you're really not friends," Larry said. "You want to keep an edge and I was like that through high school and through college. But Earvin is an outgoing guy. He loves everybody, he wants to high-five. And you know, he's got that big smile, and my goal was to try to take three of them teeth home with me."
Besides his epic basketball skills, Bird was known as a nasty trash-talker in his prime. The three-time league MVP gave fans a little hint about how he played mind games on the hardcourt. Of course, he didn't want to make Johnson's mouth bleed. The Boston Celtics icon was just expressing that he was willing to attain victory by any means necessary.
Larry bows down to Magic
Great competitors are not sore losers. They are classy in defeat and won't hesitate to shake the hands of the victor.
Bird knows that while he has won three NBA championships, Johnson has five rings. In a team sport like basketball, team achievements matter more than individual milestones. Because of this, Larry believes Magic is better than him.
"Actually, I've always said that I go by success, and he's won more championships, so I give him the nod," 'The Hick from French Lick' said.
Johnson didn't run away with the compliment. He returned the favor, proclaiming that Bird was the better basketball player because he could do so many things on the court.
"I've always said that Larry was the better player because he could do more. Shoot from the outside, those types of things," Earvin replied.
It was a heartfelt moment. It goes to show that competition isn't all about hatred. When you say someone is your rival, it means that the person pushes you to your very best every time you compete. This is what Magic meant to Larry and vice versa.
2024-07-03T23:30:39Z dg43tfdfdgfd