What was so special about the rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird?

Answer 1

The rivalry between Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Larry Bird started in 1979, when Johnson was playing basketball for Michigan State University and Bird was playing for Indiana State. Michigan beat Indiana for the national collegiate championship. Johnson was chosen Most Valuable Player, but Bird was selected as player of the year by Associated Press, United Press International and the National Association of Coaches.

That same year, Johnson and Bird went professional. Johnson was picked first in the NBA draft and joined the Los Angeles Lakers; Bird was picked sixth and joined the Boston Celtics. Both players would stick with their teams throughout their pro careers. The two teams met each other repeatedly in national competition, with Johnson's Lakers and Bird's Celtics trading titles most years during the 1980s. The Celtics and the Lakers were considered the two top NBA teams of the 80s, and Bird and Johnson were the star players in their teams. Johnson was a gregarious showman, whose enthusiasm for the game was felt by everyone who watched him. Bird was more introverted, but no less professional, playing a game that was equally exciting to watch.

Their on-court rivalry did not carry over to their lives off the court. The two even starred together in a commercial for Converse basketball shoes. They became very close friends off-court.