DO NOT take this the wrong way but Bird's Mom was a Momma dog that found this lost puppy and took him right in =) My Mom would have done the same thing! Maybe after you do some chores first...to work up that appetite (grins)
Love this story. Both two of the best ever on the court. But off it just two regular small town dudes. Nothing but the almost respect from both of em. Love to see people with class.
Bird was the first dude from the league to call Magic on the phone after Magic was diagnosed with HIV. At the time, having HIV was a death sentence and made you an outcast. No judgment from Larry though. It didn’t change how he felt about the man.
I don't care much for basketball, but I'm a sports guy, and this story, these two, their era in basketball, it's definitely one of the greatest, if not the greatest story in sports.
One of the things you learn as you get older is that at the end of the day, for the most part, once you get to know somebody it's awful hard to hate them.
Larry talking about Earvin and his mom: "He charmed her. You can see it. But that's Magic. He makes everybody feel welcome and warm and... He's a con man!" What a great quote. And I love how Larry laughs after saying it.
When Magic told Bird he's going back to his trailer and Bird said "hey my mom's made lunch for us come on" that sealed the deal of their friendship. Mom's knew what she was doing getting them together to break bread. Now they are best friends forever....
Magic, in my opinion, paid the greatest compliment to Larry's mom in that he saw his own mother in her. I mean they are two mothers who raised great men.
@@ImmanuelSaves Magic was his basketball persona. You know, like how one acts differently in the office, than at home in the garage drinking with buddies? Everyone has a couple of personas for different situations. Get over yourself.
Larry without Magic would have still been a great player. Magic without Bird would have still been a great player. But together, it is one of the greatest rivalries and friendships in sports history. I lived it and witnessed it. It was the "Golden Era" of professional basketball, soon followed by MJ. This was a time when the game was great.
This has to be one of the BEST documentaries, let alone sports documentaries, ever made bar NONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It showed two people as they were and it it didn't sugar coat anything. They are who they are and it did justice to both of them.
Warms my heart - this rivalry was central to my childhood as a Celtics fan. Two fierce competitors at the top of their profession, really seeing each other as people. Lovely!
The thing is once they were back in the game the rivalry returned. It had to for the fans and for their careers. Wasn't until they both retired that they really became friends.
I don't think there will ever be two great athletes that will be as intertwined with one another as Bird and Magic (not even Ali-Frazier, as they weren't great friends like Bird and Magic). It's next to impossible to think of one and not think of the other. The highest-rated NCAA basketball game ever was Michigan State vs. Indiana State. Then as fate would have it, they both end up playing for the two most storied NBA franchises. And it was also Magic and Bird that saved the NBA. All the memorable head-to-head games. Then after Magic gets HIV, he and Larry became VERY close. Hollywood couldn't have written a better script. I'm a diehard Celtics fan and HAAAATE the Lakers, but I never hated Magic. Then to watch them connect and become best friends was/is a beautiful thing :)
Bill Russell and Wilt also had a complicated relationship, they played 142 times including the post season. Bird and Magic were on the opposite coasts and played around 45-50 times. By "complicated" I mean they did not speak to one another for 20 years, until Bill apologized for calling Wilt a quitter when Wilt injured his leg.
clu4u Russell and Chamberlain definitely deserve to be in the conversation, no question. Just for being pioneers of sorts, along with the legendary status of each. But while they eventually did become good friends, it never got as closely bonded as Bird-Magic has. But it is a great duo to bring into the conversation, no doubt about it.
Mike S I think someday you have to put Brady and Manning in that same conversation, both dominated their positions, breaking records as QBs, it was a great rivalry they had.
Behind every 6 foot 10 inch player, there is a mother who knows how to cook. These guys never would of had the athleticism without moms keeping their energy levels up.
julian poblano You completely took that out of context. Like yourself and most people you communicate to respond instead of listen...the biggest breakdown in communication. However what is actually accurate is magic and bird at that point are old...it's a new day called the pistons and whereas they are entertaining to watch they aren't exactly what the people wanted at the time as the game was changing and it had absolutely nothing to do with Lakers/Celtics Clearly what fans wanted. In conclusion Jordan did save the NBA because he elevated the fan base worldwide from every business aspect you can think of. Ratings and anticipation were at an all time high....people whom weren't fans of the game became fans...and people made it a point unlike the two before him to travel miles just to see him play. So, I understand what you meant but in no way shape or form are you right. At the end of the day. You like most people forget this is a business and no one in history has generated the revenue at the time when the game was sinking like Jordan. So, in conclusion he did save the NBA.
I'm a big jordan fan but even as much as great as jordan became the league would have never made it through those years with out bird and magic u could still watch those old games and finals and feel likes it's today
He definitely dominated for several years in a row as noted by John Elmot. I watched it. I was 20 years old in 1984 and I hated the Celtics but Larry bird dominated and pissed me off over and over again. As noted, three straight MVPs ‘84-86. Case closed.
@Cortez Armstrong you dumbb idiot lolo He’s the top 5 ever who played basketball in the history of humanity.. Yes Larry bird is that Good.. Lebron James even put him in his top 3 all time GOATs lol
I had the pleasure of meeting Magic at a charity event in Los Angeles years ago. He's just what you see here.. Walked up to him, extended my hand.."I'm from Boston".. He laughed, rubbed his palms together, "Ohhh no".. Told him ow much respect and love we have the Lakers, Worthy, Scott, Kareem (Well maybe not Kareem haha) and how much we miss them. He said, " I know, every time I'm in Boston it's all over the place" He's a real gentleman.. It's a great memory..
@@halea41No.. people like YOU are the problem. Look at what your Party has done to our country. And I support either party. But it's clear that the Democrats are running our country into the ground. And here you are.. supporting them. What a Sheep
On the David Letterman show he had both of them and Magic said when he met Larry’s mom she said “ You’re my favorite player!” and he smiled real big and put his hands out to the side and it was just hilarious and heart warming at the same time. The crowd erupted in laughter and I had tears in my eyes.
Why can"t the NBA be like this today? I'm tired of all the hatred, taunting and showmanship. This is real and raw and it shows all of us can get along!
What are you talking about? Majority kf the new stats in the NBA now have been homies growing up, basically played together in high school or on AAU teams or college
Couldn't have written that rivalry better in a book. West coast, East coast. Magic, Bird. Powerhouse teams. Superstar players surrounded by all star players. I loved this era of basketball.
This is my favorite scene of the whole documentary! No one is seeing color, all they see is two great men that realizing how much they have in common i.e. family,
They met each other as who they are and not their personas on the court. Two kids who grew up in similar backgrounds who were, and forever will be, linked by basketball.
@@gwynedd1 As one person put it they were two halves of the same brain and neither wanted to admit to it. This documentary is one of the best of all time.
@@Seegie16 I like how you think, however we dont live in that world. 99% of people saw color in this video, we have been programmed from a very young age to think like this
This is an excerpt from the documentary. This is actually beautiful, in the documentary when you see Bird cry that Magic go HIV I teared up. Great story and documentary, seen it Many Times.
Has to be one of the best stories in any sport. Polar opposite in personality and play style, 2 of the greatest players ever, going from fierce rivals since college to close friends.
Such a beautiful friendship and story. Even though all of the competition and intensity of their rivalry, they remained the closest of friends. I read when Magic was diagnosed, Larry was there for him 100%. The stories about the two of them in Europe during the Olympics are mind boggling. How they took off and almost didn’t come back in time for a game in Spain.
I think that a true friendship was made that day.Built on understanding and respect for the person.Each other.Must have been a great relief to all there.Best wishes to Larry,Ervin and your families.U have earned peace of mind.
i sincerely feel lucky growing up watching the lakers, the celtics, the bulls and the pistons.... best rivalry ever - EVER .... those were some seriously magic times.
When you think about it Bird was one of a handful of people in the world who understood the reality Magic was living through. They say it’s lonely at the top for a reason.
The perfect example of two great competitors on the court and two good friends off of it. Watched them both their entire careers and miss them greatly to this day.
coming from a die hard Lakers fan, Larry Bird has always been well respected by LA fans and I'm sure Boston fans feel the same way towards Magic. Bird and Magic saved the NBA from going down under and with that we appreciate them.
I always thought it was strange as a diehard Irish Celtics fan that as much as I loved the Celts and my favorite player of all time Bird, I never disliked Magic. Something about him. And I just found out recently these two became so damn inseparable and cared for each other. I had a feeling but ya know- greatness recognizes and gravitates toward greatness. Throw in they are different but have the same family values and family ties and it’s no wonder. Magic is un-hateable. He’s a warrior like Bird with a heart of gold…and green!
God, I love these two guys!! Two good dudes man. Back in the day I can see it in their eyes, their actions, their demeanor that they didn't like each other and I think it was that they felt they had to dislike each other because I think they felt the fans wanted it that way. I'm so so glad these two became friends. Me being white of course I'm a Larry Bird fan and yes a Magic Johnson fan but not as much for Magic as I was for Larry but now for me it's equal. If it weren't for M.J. these two would be the goats in my book but my goodness they are right up there. Man i miss those days. That was real basketball in my humble opinion.
I sincerely love this video. They became close like 2 boxers or UFC fights who hate each other but always still hug at the end of the match. I was so sad when the announcement was made because even in the early 90's not much was known about the disease. But Magic being magic, kicked its ass and has continued to live a great life.
I love the way that this part is made, when magic says that they sat and started talking, i can feel like a relief i feel light like that type of day they are talking about
Listen to Magic’s tone of voice when he talks about being Earvin. And Larry chokes a little when saying he liked Earvin. Then at the very end, Larry called it “a beautiful day”.
My Dad was a sports fanatic ... He started watching College Ball way before the NBA ... I remember being a little kid in Windsor Ontario Canada and watching Magic play his high school years and his move to Lansing ... This final 4 is still the best games l ever watched in a tourney... Bird was no joke .. Just didn't have any help in the spring of '79 ..
I love the Bird and Magic rivalry but I started liking basketball during the Celtics and Lakers during the sixties. Specifically Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. Then came Lew Alcindor aka Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton I can't forget "Pistol" Pete Maravich. Larry and Magic definitely pumped the money and the interest back into the sport at that time.
To both of you thanks for the great memories. Your rivalry was a huge part of my life. Every spring in the 80's my friends and I were in front of the TV AND then on the outdoor courts in our hometown going after each other. Bird v Magic, Lakers v Celtics. God bless you both. You were heros to a group of young men in Osceola Missouri.
I just have to watch at least one video about this epic rivalry and friendship from time to time. Love when Larry describes Magic as a conman. I have so much love and respect for this two 💛💛
These are the stories we need made into movies and these kinds documentaries need to be promoted and mainstream. This is the kind of stuff (assuming it’s all true) that brings people together. Hollywood and media too focused on driving us apart.
I love this video clip. I love these 2 men who inspired me growing up. They set a stellar example that all of us should follow today. We can compete on the court, but all off us are human beings off the court and and this beautiful friendship is shining example of how to be... we can all agree to disagree, but we should all see each other as human beings above all.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
I love that it was Larry's mom that broke the ice. She just looked at Magic and saw another friend for her boy. A mom never stops being a mom.
Facts!!!!!
"a mom never stops being a mom"
the most truest sh1t i’ve ever seen
Just another play date :)
Your words brought tears to my eyes. Absolutely beautiful!!
DO NOT take this the wrong way but Bird's Mom was a Momma dog that found this lost puppy and took him right in =)
My Mom would have done the same thing! Maybe after you do some chores first...to work up that appetite (grins)
Man that smile on Larry's face when he said he's a con man. You can just tell he has so much respect and love for Magic.
Also laughing at his own joke
He tried his hardest to hold the trademark Larry Bird straight face 😂
he definitely right. can't think of a more charismatic player in the history of the nba.
Only the best of friends can rib each other mercilessly and not take it personally.
Love this story. Both two of the best ever on the court. But off it just two regular small town dudes. Nothing but the almost respect from both of em. Love to see people with class.
Bird was the first dude from the league to call Magic on the phone after Magic was diagnosed with HIV. At the time, having HIV was a death sentence and made you an outcast. No judgment from Larry though. It didn’t change how he felt about the man.
T P T actually Magic called Larry cause he wanted bird to be the first one to know
Fui Gebhardt1 No what I mean is that Larry knew before the media and the rest of the nba and fans 👍because magic called him
Fui Gebhardt1 but yeah arsenio was the first one, Larry found out just after arsenio
Have u been studying
That's who larry bird is
The Magic and Bird friendship is perhaps the greatest such story in sports.
George and Ali being another good one.
@@Kuli24000 brady and manning maybe?
Right! They could have really hated each other but they both connected and created so many great moments!
I don't care much for basketball, but I'm a sports guy, and this story, these two, their era in basketball, it's definitely one of the greatest, if not the greatest story in sports.
Conor and Khabib? 😂
One of the things you learn as you get older is that at the end of the day, for the most part, once you get to know somebody it's awful hard to hate them.
+switchbuckle5th What about the least part? Just jivin...
MANCHESTER UNITED F.C Most Americans don’t like soccer
@M dude I love soccer but stop fucking posting
@M Most Americans could not name 3 soccer players and have never watched a game all the way through.
Facts
Larry talking about Earvin and his mom: "He charmed her. You can see it. But that's Magic. He makes everybody feel welcome and warm and... He's a con man!" What a great quote. And I love how Larry laughs after saying it.
You’re right about that!!!!
The way Magic describes it is like a first date
I know. It sounds so gay.
Ultimate bromance
@@jonasbrooks5025 his son probably would take it that way
@@jonasbrooks5025 That's how Erwing got H. I. V from bird
@@jonasbrooks5025 ahh! Men showing emotions?! That can only mean gay!
This really proves the quote “your greatest enemies tend to be like yourself” something along those lines
As more time passes I miss Bird and Magic even more.
You have no idea
amen!!!!
Lonzo ball is the goat of the nba
You’re not alone.
Both Were Entertaining With The Best Rivalrys Ever. UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS
When Magic told Bird he's going back to his trailer and Bird said "hey my mom's made lunch for us come on" that sealed the deal of their friendship. Mom's knew what she was doing getting them together to break bread. Now they are best friends forever....
It's such a Midwestern thing. I know if that were me and a rival of mine, my mom would've certainly made lunch for everyone too.
Way Larry told it sounds like Magic got more than just lunch from her
"He met Earvin at lunch." That still chokes me up.
Magic, in my opinion, paid the greatest compliment to Larry's mom in that he saw his own mother in her. I mean they are two mothers who raised great men.
u not alone
Gay
yeah self important ppl that refer to themselves in 3 different ways dont choke me up
@@ImmanuelSaves Magic was his basketball persona. You know, like how one acts differently in the office, than at home in the garage drinking with buddies?
Everyone has a couple of personas for different situations. Get over yourself.
Larry without Magic would have still been a great player. Magic without Bird would have still been a great player. But together, it is one of the greatest rivalries and friendships in sports history. I lived it and witnessed it. It was the "Golden Era" of professional basketball, soon followed by MJ. This was a time when the game was great.
The HBO special is fantastic, it’s shows how a very special bond evolved between these two. It’s very inspirational, brought tears to my eyes.
This has to be one of the BEST documentaries, let alone sports documentaries, ever made bar NONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It showed two people as they were and it it didn't sugar coat anything. They are who they are and it did justice to both of them.
It’s the best show on HBO at the moment. I love Winning Time!
@@Spawn-wt6ul I love "Winning Time" too but I think they were referring to "Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals"
Do you think Isiah Thomas was involved?
@@rockscousteauIsiah Thomas was a great player, but he's always been a bitter dickhead. No one likes him
Warms my heart - this rivalry was central to my childhood as a Celtics fan. Two fierce competitors at the top of their profession, really seeing each other as people. Lovely!
Only if the whole world 🌎 can learn from this great lesson they left us. 🤔😇
Good to see that they would eventually get along.
The thing is once they were back in the game the rivalry returned. It had to for the fans and for their careers. Wasn't until they both retired that they really became friends.
Lakers for me. I respect the hell out of your choice. Nemesis.
I was a lucky person who watched Magic and Larry play each other for years. One of my greatest enjoyments
I don't think there will ever be two great athletes that will be as intertwined with one another as Bird and Magic (not even Ali-Frazier, as they weren't great friends like Bird and Magic). It's next to impossible to think of one and not think of the other. The highest-rated NCAA basketball game ever was Michigan State vs. Indiana State. Then as fate would have it, they both end up playing for the two most storied NBA franchises. And it was also Magic and Bird that saved the NBA. All the memorable head-to-head games. Then after Magic gets HIV, he and Larry became VERY close. Hollywood couldn't have written a better script.
I'm a diehard Celtics fan and HAAAATE the Lakers, but I never hated Magic. Then to watch them connect and become best friends was/is a beautiful thing :)
Bill Russell and Wilt also had a complicated relationship, they played 142 times including the post season. Bird and Magic were on the opposite coasts and played around 45-50 times. By "complicated" I mean they did not speak to one another for 20 years, until Bill apologized for calling Wilt a quitter when Wilt injured his leg.
clu4u Russell and Chamberlain definitely deserve to be in the conversation, no question. Just for being pioneers of sorts, along with the legendary status of each. But while they eventually did become good friends, it never got as closely bonded as Bird-Magic has.
But it is a great duo to bring into the conversation, no doubt about it.
Mike S I think someday you have to put Brady and Manning in that same conversation, both dominated their positions, breaking records as QBs, it was a great rivalry they had.
Donny Mckinnon Absolutely, Manning and Brady were the Face of the NFL for 15-18 years
Every word you wrote: Truth
Behind every 6 foot 10 inch player, there is a mother who knows how to cook. These guys never would of had the athleticism without moms keeping their energy levels up.
True enough. My dad cooked a lot too, so I got to throw a nod his direction as well. Kind of a shared load for them.
This is actually true. And they know about nutrition. Good moms. Dads usually work the food into the correct spots....ha
People say Jordan kept basketball alive well if it weren't for magic and bird there would be no Jordan
julian poblano You completely took that out of context. Like yourself and most people you communicate to respond instead of listen...the biggest breakdown in communication. However what is actually accurate is magic and bird at that point are old...it's a new day called the pistons and whereas they are entertaining to watch they aren't exactly what the people wanted at the time as the game was changing and it had absolutely nothing to do with Lakers/Celtics Clearly what fans wanted. In conclusion Jordan did save the NBA because he elevated the fan base worldwide from every business aspect you can think of. Ratings and anticipation were at an all time high....people whom weren't fans of the game became fans...and people made it a point unlike the two before him to travel miles just to see him play. So, I understand what you meant but in no way shape or form are you right. At the end of the day. You like most people forget this is a business and no one in history has generated the revenue at the time when the game was sinking like Jordan. So, in conclusion he did save the NBA.
I'm a big jordan fan but even as much as great as jordan became the league would have never made it through those years with out bird and magic u could still watch those old games and finals and feel likes it's today
Micheal Kratos. Bird and Magic did for the NBA what Borg and McEnroe did for tennis!
Rocky Racoon brother u have no argument here on that 100 percent agree
Micheal Kratos. Thanks brotha!👍
Great rival players appreciate each other because they make each other better.
True!!!!
It is amazing how simple Larry Bird was at that time, when he dominated the game of basketball on the entire planet.
@@Username-2 larry bird was the definition of domination in the 80’s.
He definitely dominated for several years in a row as noted by John Elmot. I watched it. I was 20 years old in 1984 and I hated the Celtics but Larry bird dominated and pissed me off over and over again. As noted, three straight MVPs ‘84-86.
Case closed.
@Cortez Armstrong you dumbb idiot lolo He’s the top 5 ever who played basketball in the history of humanity.. Yes Larry bird is that Good.. Lebron James even put him in his top 3 all time GOATs lol
@@GAjjl get yo old ass some alzheimers meds lonzo ball >
@Cortez Armstrong gtoh clown go check nba story
I had the pleasure of meeting Magic at a charity event in Los Angeles years ago.
He's just what you see here..
Walked up to him, extended my hand.."I'm from Boston"..
He laughed, rubbed his palms together, "Ohhh no"..
Told him ow much respect and love we have the Lakers, Worthy, Scott, Kareem (Well maybe not Kareem haha) and how much we miss them.
He said, " I know, every time I'm in Boston it's all over the place"
He's a real gentleman..
It's a great memory..
If only the world would give each other a chance like this. It only takes getting to know one another.
Getting to know people and how they grew up for sure it’s sad
Hard to do that with trump conservatives and their narrow minded worldview
@@halea41it goes the same with weirdo liberals.
true but they feel the same way. they're taught to hate everything so they don't get to know people @@halea41
@@halea41No.. people like YOU are the problem.
Look at what your Party has done to our country.
And I support either party.
But it's clear that the Democrats are running our country into the ground.
And here you are.. supporting them.
What a Sheep
The fact that they hanged out and ate like like two kids meeting up in one’s house with one’s mother cooking for them is incredible
Without Bird and Magic, the NBA would not be nearly as big as it is today.
@Packers4sb Agreed
Yes the league was dying until these 2 came into it
Nah lebron would have revive it because the GOAT
You put Wilt,Rusell,Kareem and Jordan agaisnt LEBRON Will WIN it NO DOUBT
@@nomnom9992 chill out bronsexual lol
@@Big_3000 Shut Up jordan stan Lebron is the Real Goat of the league
Two Legends
Back when basketball was great.
I’m surprised I had to scroll down this far to see a predictable gatekeeping comment
Yes indeed!!!!
Bird and Magic saved the NBA
JJoh174422 made the NBA as the game is known today!!!
Ok lmao
Yes they did!!!!🏀🏀🏀🏀
On the David Letterman show he had both of them and Magic said when he met Larry’s mom she said “ You’re my favorite player!” and he smiled real big and put his hands out to the side and it was just hilarious and heart warming at the same time.
The crowd erupted in laughter and I had tears in my eyes.
My favorite part of that interview. And bird sitting next to him laughing at the comment
I love their long friendship
Curious George 😂😂😂😂😂
Thier friendship is the kind a lot of poeple only dream of. It is as pure as possible.
I wish the world would learn to live more like Magic & Larry in todays 2023 times… man what a dynamic that never fails to leave me in admiration
those were the beatiful days with very special players..
The joy in Magics' voice about that day is so real. Hits home when you see these men as such bitter rivals in all other times.
God Bless Larry Bird and Family... Boston Strong Forever... God Bless Magic Johnson!!!
Nice, man...
Bostonians shit on Bill Russell’s bed. Notoriously racist.
I remember when Bird play in the NCAA finals against Magic and his two buddies from Michigan State, both of them are insane , as in awesome players
This country needs to remember this, for a lesson in good.
I Grew Up with these Guys.
I Miss those days DEARLY.
Got a lump in his throat when he said he like Ervin,absolutely genuine reaction.Total respect between two titans.
They haver a friendship that all of us wish we had with another person.
bro what that link to?
@@idrunkdrive oh it's accidental when you put a period between two words it becomes a link
@@JoseJimenez-vc7we ik lmao
@@idrunkdrive oh my b
The commercial was awesome..... The behind the scenes about making the commercial was epic!
I grew up watching these two battle and there hasn't been anything close to that since.... awesome human beings and basketball players. Miss them
I’m a fan of the game so I went back to watch all the old school players it’s actually one of the main reasons I barely watch the nba now…..
Those battles in the 80s were epic. 2 of the best to ever do it.
"I like Irvin alot better than I like magic" Lol
Why can"t the NBA be like this today? I'm tired of all the hatred, taunting and showmanship. This is real and raw and it shows all of us can get along!
What are you talking about? Majority kf the new stats in the NBA now have been homies growing up, basically played together in high school or on AAU teams or college
What the hell you talking bout, if anything the league is more about friendship than it was back then
"He's a con man." lol
Couldn't have written that rivalry better in a book. West coast, East coast. Magic, Bird. Powerhouse teams. Superstar players surrounded by all star players. I loved this era of basketball.
This is my favorite scene of the whole documentary! No one is seeing color, all they see is two great men that realizing how much they have in common i.e. family,
No one is seeing colors except you. I saw to great rivals become great friends
They met each other as who they are and not their personas on the court. Two kids who grew up in similar backgrounds who were, and forever will be, linked by basketball.
Its ironic how much they complement each other personality wise. They are nothing alike , but just click together.
@@gwynedd1 As one person put it they were two halves of the same brain and neither wanted to admit to it. This documentary is one of the best of all time.
@@Seegie16 I like how you think, however we dont live in that world. 99% of people saw color in this video, we have been programmed from a very young age to think like this
Probably the best documentary ever made... It's just so good.
This is an excerpt from the documentary. This is actually beautiful, in the documentary when you see Bird cry that Magic go HIV I teared up. Great story and documentary, seen it Many Times.
What's the name?
Has to be one of the best stories in any sport.
Polar opposite in personality and play style, 2 of the greatest players ever, going from fierce rivals since college to close friends.
They’re like Daniel Larusso and Johnny Lawrence
Such a beautiful friendship and story. Even though all of the competition and intensity of their rivalry, they remained the closest of friends. I read when Magic was diagnosed, Larry was there for him 100%. The stories about the two of them in Europe during the Olympics are mind boggling. How they took off and almost didn’t come back in time for a game in Spain.
Larry called him constantly to check on him and Magic acknowledged this.
I love all the kindness and respect between all of them including Larry's mom I'm getting a little teary
I think that a true friendship was made that day.Built on understanding and respect for the person.Each other.Must have been a great relief to all there.Best wishes to Larry,Ervin and your families.U have earned peace of mind.
“He’s a conman”
I lost it lmao
i sincerely feel lucky growing up watching the lakers, the celtics, the bulls and the pistons.... best rivalry ever - EVER .... those were some seriously magic times.
Easily one of the best documentaries I've ever seen
Still remember all those games on CBS back in the 80's. Golden days of the NBA!
Me too man. That intro song is in my head now
2:53 damn larry’s laugh is real genuine and endearing.
Such a beautiful friend ship
I like how Magic got that long-awaited chance to open up as Earvin Johnson to Larry Bird. I get a sense that he always wanted to since meeting him.
When you think about it Bird was one of a handful of people in the world who understood the reality Magic was living through. They say it’s lonely at the top for a reason.
Two great people. great athletes.
I have a big love and respect for both of them!
These two were the best the game ever saw!!
Beautiful man, that friendship will last forever
Magic and Bird are GOATs
Any of us would LOVE to be friends with either or both of these guys.
Two genuine dudes.
The perfect example of two great competitors on the court and two good friends off of it. Watched them both their entire careers and miss them greatly to this day.
We've lived at a wonderful time.
I lost it when I saw magic on the 4 wheeler
coming from a die hard Lakers fan, Larry Bird has always been well respected by LA fans and I'm sure Boston fans feel the same way towards Magic. Bird and Magic saved the NBA from going down under and with that we appreciate them.
I always thought it was strange as a diehard Irish Celtics fan that as much as I loved the Celts and my favorite player of all time Bird, I never disliked Magic. Something about him. And I just found out recently these two became so damn inseparable and cared for each other. I had a feeling but ya know- greatness recognizes and gravitates toward greatness. Throw in they are different but have the same family values and family ties and it’s no wonder. Magic is un-hateable. He’s a warrior like Bird with a heart of gold…and green!
God, I love these two guys!! Two good dudes man. Back in the day I can see it in their eyes, their actions, their demeanor that they didn't like each other and I think it was that they felt they had to dislike each other because I think they felt the fans wanted it that way. I'm so so glad these two became friends. Me being white of course I'm a Larry Bird fan and yes a Magic Johnson fan but not as much for Magic as I was for Larry but now for me it's equal. If it weren't for M.J. these two would be the goats in my book but my goodness they are right up there. Man i miss those days. That was real basketball in my humble opinion.
I could listen to these two talk all day. Much respect to both.
The top 2 superstars at the time and humility wins. That's what made it so great.
It's really means something for these two to be friends; to know that they respected one another so much is good for more than just basketball.
He's a con-man.. priceless
"Magic's a Con Man"..........Classic! These guys really love each other......
Love both these guys. Two of the classiest superstar athletes of my lifetime.
I sincerely love this video. They became close like 2 boxers or UFC fights who hate each other but always still hug at the end of the match. I was so sad when the announcement was made because even in the early 90's not much was known about the disease. But Magic being magic, kicked its ass and has continued to live a great life.
Someone better make a movie or series about their rivalry and friendship, I would watch it all day long.
Yes , yes and yes.
Watching this after Winning Time on HBO makes me appreciate the work Quincy Isaiah did as Magic so much more.
I love the way that this part is made, when magic says that they sat and started talking, i can feel like a relief i feel light like that type of day they are talking about
I miss those days
Listen to Magic’s tone of voice when he talks about being Earvin. And Larry chokes a little when saying he liked Earvin. Then at the very end, Larry called it “a beautiful day”.
"are we playing playing" Hell yeah!
Larry is a legend. Magic is a legend. What a great period of basketball that was.
My Dad was a sports fanatic ... He started watching College Ball way before the NBA ... I remember being a little kid in Windsor Ontario Canada and watching Magic play his high school years and his move to Lansing ... This final 4 is still the best games l ever watched in a tourney... Bird was no joke .. Just didn't have any help in the spring of '79 ..
that bond between the two of them always moves me.... it moves me something deep.. the yin and the yang perfectly personified..
i love it..
I’m blessed to have seen those two play in the 80s. The golden age of the NBA
A beautiful lifelong friendship emerged from a rivalry.
Shout out to the Colonial Bar, had lots of good and crazy times there 😁
If only this whole country learned to be friends like that, with each other. Maybe one day.
Magic,or Ervin he's one charming dude,that smile,and infectious laughter pulls you in .
The best part of the documentary.
Doesn’t get any better than that.!!
Thank God I lived at this time in history to see these 2 compete
When Basketball was about Basketball....them good old days in sports ..👍🇺🇲
I love the Bird and Magic rivalry but I started liking basketball during the Celtics and Lakers during the sixties. Specifically Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. Then came Lew Alcindor aka Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton I can't forget "Pistol" Pete Maravich. Larry and Magic definitely pumped the money and the interest back into the sport at that time.
Such a beautiful story so much respect for each other
“We’ll you bring it to the basket, im’a send it 30 rows up” 🤣
To both of you thanks for the great memories. Your rivalry was a huge part of my life. Every spring in the 80's my friends and I were in front of the TV AND then on the outdoor courts in our hometown going after each other. Bird v Magic, Lakers v Celtics. God bless you both. You were heros to a group of young men in Osceola Missouri.
From the greatest rivalries come the best friendships! Magic Johnson is one of the most open hearted people in the history of sports! ❣
man does Magic have an electric smile ! 1000 watt lit and honest.
I just have to watch at least one video about this epic rivalry and friendship from time to time. Love when Larry describes Magic as a conman. I have so much love and respect for this two 💛💛
These are the stories we need made into movies and these kinds documentaries need to be promoted and mainstream.
This is the kind of stuff (assuming it’s all true) that brings people together. Hollywood and media too focused on driving us apart.
I love this video clip. I love these 2 men who inspired me growing up. They set a stellar example that all of us should follow today. We can compete on the court, but all off us are human beings off the court and and this beautiful friendship is shining example of how to be... we can all agree to disagree, but we should all see each other as human beings above all.