Just to point out...this is BOSTON GARDEN giving MAGIC JOHNSON a 3-minute standing ovation/love-fest. And at Magic's retirement ceremony at the Forum, the crowd there did the same for Larry. To see the fans demonstrate that much class and love to the leader of the most hated, reviled competition that was out there at the time is a level of respect and appreciation that I don't think we'll ever see again in professional sports from the fans.
Absolutely. This was NBA basketball at its zenith. Now these clowns try to team up to take shortcuts to championships. Can you imagine these 2 guys in their prime in this soft, cupcake league now?
Yeah I'm 3 years late but you guys should watch Dirk's last game in San Antonio and the video they made for him. Obviously not the same type of rivalry but the fact it was the spurs doing it for Dirk in San Antonio was special
In 1974 Larry Bird was my P.E assistant when I was in the 8th grade and he was a senior at Springs Valley High School. At the beginning of each P.E. class we always ran 10 warmup laps around the gym. One day, a trampoline was set up on the basketball court and there was Larry Bird bouncing on it. As the whistle blew and we reluctantly lined up to run our laps, our teacher (who was also Larry's basketball coach) blew his whistle, and said "Larry is going to take 10 shots while jumping on the trampoline. If Larry makes any shots, each one made will delete a lap that you must run." Coach threw the ball to Larry and right there in front of me and the entire boys Jr. High P.E. class, Larry proceeded to hit 7 out of 10 shots while bouncing up and down on the trampoline, 40 feet away from the goal. Larry set an incredible example for me as a young boy in French Lick, Indiana that helped me through my entire adult career. If you are willing to work very hard and never give up, your dreams can and will come true. Thank you Larry.
Wow!! A Laker getting a standing ovation in Boston!! When this rivalry was going on, I hated Bird, McHale, Parrish, etc. But now that it's over, I have nothing but respect for them. Great players, great team.
Bird and Magic became friends while making a Converse sneaker commercial in 1984. During that time, they realized that they had so much in common....cut from the same mold! What a great moment! To go from rivals to great friends is a beautiful and amazing thing. The world needs more of this! These 2 changed the NBA!
Larry was the 1 that called Magic when he was diagnosed HiV. All class respect friends just do that. Scary unknown but Larry didnt care that was his friend, 1st to rally .
A rivalry fueled not out of hate but respect and competitiveness. Two of the greatest to ever play the game. As a Celtics fan I loathed the Lakers and Magic. At the same time I knew how great Magic was.
Larry one of my alltime favs. But being great a b-ball didnt necessarily mean he was a great person off the court. Do a little digging. Youll see what i mean.
Lukas Tanner he who is without sin cast the first stone. When you’re perfect then come back to us. We ALL have skeletons in our closet. Take the plank out of your own eye before you try to remove someone else’s.
This moment is gold, it’s magnificent and unbelievable. Tow men reached the peak of humanity together and receiving this amount of love and respect by the fans, no wonder people including me got tears in their eyes. Also i want to point out the music was legendary. Good times.
David Ribeiro lol... I was thinking the same thing, but remember he said he took the "all nighter" to get there on time.. I give him credit for just remembering to pack the warm-up suit.. lol
When magic hit the running baby hook to win 87 finals game 4 in Boston, Bird was desolate in the locker room. He said that Magic is just so damn good. Ultimate respect.
When Legend holds out his hand to Magic and you can see all the misshapen bones in his hands from all the broken fingers over the years... this is why we say, “Legend.”
Larry Legend and Magic made me love basketball 2🐐🐐 I feel bad for today's fans because the excitement and the feeling back when both of these 2 🐐🐐played they will never know that feeling these 2men are very special people and I want to Thank Larry Legend and Magic for giving us the time of our lives,life was real good back then Thank you Larry Legend and Magic 2 🐐🐐👍☘️ 33🏀💙🐐👍☘️32🐐💙🏀👍☘️
I was a freshman at Marist College in Poughkeepsie NY in 1979.I was watching the championship game Michigan state vs Indiana State on a TV in the train station .I got so caught up in the game that I missed my train go in back to school.
The 1980's Showtime Los Angeles Lakers, 1980's Boston Celtics, and the 1990's Chicago Bulls, are the three best teams ever to take the hardwood. Let me say that again 3 best teams ever.
I was watching all the games during this era, loved Larry, now I respect magic so, so much. This really brings tears to my eyes. The people who saw this in person and watched the teams play are really blessed. I live in n.c. And would have to travel a long way to see any team play, I hate I missed it!!!
I've been a Lakers fan since 1985, but I love hearing Johnny Most's commentary. He and Chick are among the greatest commentators in all of sports history.
Why the hell would they cut away to the crowd right when Bird and Magic meet on stage? I mean, wait three seconds to let us see the two embrace before cutting away. Not like you're going to miss the crowd cheering.
So eloquently put! Love em both! However! There only a few players who would give back to their Sport & play for the Love of their Sport for nothing! Magic is One, Another would be Jimmy Connors in Tennis
Has anyone else even seen any retirement ceremonies like Larry and Magics? For two ICONS of basketball to be there for each other shows it was more than just basketball to these two great men.
Whatever number in the top 10, in history, you put these 2, they need to be A and B. You couldn't have one without the other. Larry wouldn't have been as good and Magic, likewise. These 2 were the reasons for standing room only crowds. Each lifted their team to levels that they never knew they could get to. There will never be a rivalry anywhere close to this. It's great to see the love and respect they share for each other.
Jordan never had a peer like Magic vs. Bird. That's why it's unfair to crown Jordan as the best. If there was no Bird, how many championships would Magic win? If there was no Magic, how many more championships would Bird have won? Think about that.
MJ could never join the 50 40 90 club he couldn't win 3 straight MVPs he didn't know what trash talking was until he ran into Bird and also Jordan had a losing record against Bird in the regular season and a goose egg in the W column in the playoffs
@@JET1970 Larry Bird never won a scoring title, never won dpoty, never won 3 straight Finals mvps etc. When Larry Bird and the Celtics were beating Jordan he was young and didn't even have close to the team Larry Bird had. Jordan in 86 was in his 2nd year playing against 5 HOF 😆
Una gran rivalidad deportiva, pero un gran tespeto mutuo, se podían destrozar en la Duela pero son grandes amigos, yo digo hermanos. La época donde creció a nivel mundial La NBA Gracias a estos 2 grandes seres humanos. Me gustaría saber algo de LARRY BIRD en la ACTUALIDAD. Saludos cordiales.
could you imagine larry and magic on same team oh my.magics ball handling and bird a great shooter.and i feel magic was the greatest all around player that ever played the game.
Living in LA I hated Larry Bird, He never missed! he never missed, he never missed. Man i hated this guy Now l see , I’m a Hugh fan of Larry Bird. What a great BB player he was……
My two favorite basketball players of all time, but my favorite team is the Lakers! LA native and proud fan, but I always had the hate and respect for the Boston Celtics!
I always thought this was kind of a cool visual that they both had their HOME warm-ups on together. Magic and his home-yellow, and Larry in his home white. One reason being that you just never saw that ever before. But also, because when you see both these players in their home warm-ups, it resembles them in their most dominant settings… They both had tremendous home records, and were both virtually unbeatable once those home warm-ups came off. So it’s kind of like seeing two superheroes get together in a way
Just to point out...this is BOSTON GARDEN giving MAGIC JOHNSON a 3-minute standing ovation/love-fest. And at Magic's retirement ceremony at the Forum, the crowd there did the same for Larry. To see the fans demonstrate that much class and love to the leader of the most hated, reviled competition that was out there at the time is a level of respect and appreciation that I don't think we'll ever see again in professional sports from the fans.
This was slightly b4 my time i wish i saw the bird magic years. Great basketball
Jon Keill I do miss those days. The best against the best!
Absolutely. This was NBA basketball at its zenith. Now these clowns try to team up to take shortcuts to championships. Can you imagine these 2 guys in their prime in this soft, cupcake league now?
Amen
Yeah I'm 3 years late but you guys should watch Dirk's last game in San Antonio and the video they made for him. Obviously not the same type of rivalry but the fact it was the spurs doing it for Dirk in San Antonio was special
In 1974 Larry Bird was my P.E assistant when I was in the 8th grade and he was a senior at Springs Valley High School. At the beginning of each P.E. class we always ran 10 warmup laps around the gym. One day, a trampoline was set up on the basketball court and there was Larry Bird bouncing on it. As the whistle blew and we reluctantly lined up to run our laps, our teacher (who was also Larry's basketball coach) blew his whistle, and said "Larry is going to take 10 shots while jumping on the trampoline. If Larry makes any shots, each one made will delete a lap that you must run." Coach threw the ball to Larry and right there in front of me and the entire boys Jr. High P.E. class, Larry proceeded to hit 7 out of 10 shots while bouncing up and down on the trampoline, 40 feet away from the goal. Larry set an incredible example for me as a young boy in French Lick, Indiana that helped me through my entire adult career. If you are willing to work very hard and never give up, your dreams can and will come true. Thank you Larry.
wow that is truly amazing that is so 😎
>?....... love it brother. Hard work pays off ... dreams can come True.. bad times dont Last.......
but Legends do....
Hail to the Free Bird
No one else in history better to have shooting from that trampoline
Great story man!
Man they're the reason I became a basketball fan! Earvin and Larry. Magic and Bird! Thank you legends! 🏀
No black or white, no racism, just two men who became best friends out of being great competitors!
You can tell their friendship is genuine ...
Precious... especially when it wasn't planned
Shows that two "enemies" "rivals" can become friends
They were 2 AWSOME players !! I hated using the word WERE !!!
Why did I tear up when magic came out. Brought back my childhood watching the celtics Lakers rivalry. Happy birthday to my dad today. Love you pops
Magic showed so much respect here. And Boston showed it back to him. Love it.
Him wearing a celtic jersey for larry and the fans says it all. Respect to both🔥🔥💍💍💍💍💍💍💍💍
These 2 guys set the STANDARD of what competition was!
Not only did they set it but it hasn't been match by anyone
They were brutal !!!!
Was an honor to be able to watch his entire career... Larry Legend
AGREED !!! I got to go to alot of their games
Magic showing his Boston Celtics T-shirt under his warm-up gear. 🤣🤣 Love these guys.
Wow!! A Laker getting a standing ovation in Boston!! When this rivalry was going on, I hated Bird, McHale, Parrish, etc. But now that it's over, I have nothing but respect for them. Great players, great team.
Only time a Laker legend will ever be cheered like this in Boston lol
they cheered kobe in his last game there... and cheered for shaq when he played in boston...
Brian Wong Also cheered Kareem, Elgin Baylor, and Jerry West. You're a dope, you know that-?
Nick Van Execel for hitting to game winner as well. That was the very last game in that place Nick nailed the game winner!
No . Can remember Kareem getting a great salute. As well as the#6 hanging in the balcony the whole year for Dr. J.
Kobe exists
Bird and Magic became friends while making a Converse sneaker commercial in 1984. During that time, they realized that they had so much in common....cut from the same mold! What a great moment! To go from rivals to great friends is a beautiful and amazing thing. The world needs more of this! These 2 changed the NBA!
Larry was the 1 that called Magic when he was diagnosed HiV. All class respect friends just do that. Scary unknown but Larry didnt care that was his friend, 1st to rally .
A rivalry fueled not out of hate but respect and competitiveness. Two of the greatest to ever play the game.
As a Celtics fan I loathed the Lakers and Magic. At the same time I knew how great Magic was.
How great was Bird. There is no game after this ceremony, just Bird's retirement
You’ll never get emotional moments like this again. Such class and respect from Magic Johnson.
The smile on Larrys face when Magic came out, said it all! Thank you guys for some amazing basketball!
They are the greatest example of true friendship. ...
2 of the Greatest players, both great men.
Larry one of my alltime favs. But being great a b-ball didnt necessarily mean he was a great person off the court. Do a little digging. Youll see what i mean.
Lukas Tanner he who is without sin cast the first stone. When you’re perfect then come back to us. We ALL have skeletons in our closet. Take the plank out of your own eye before you try to remove someone else’s.
I loved these two players they will never be another rival like these two legends
NEVER !!!!
Two amazing players, two amazing personalities. This is one of the most amazing stories in sport. I love these two guys
This moment is gold, it’s magnificent and unbelievable. Tow men reached the peak of humanity together and receiving this amount of love and respect by the fans, no wonder people including me got tears in their eyes. Also i want to point out the music was legendary. Good times.
lacrime pure io
The amount of fair play and respect shown here is something that is rarely seen nowadays.
David Ribeiro lol... I was thinking the same thing, but remember he said he took the "all nighter" to get there on time.. I give him credit for just remembering to pack the warm-up suit.. lol
One of the best sports moments of all time seeing magic with a Celtics shirt on
@@josephyoung2459 everyone bleeds green
Magic such a class act .
Both of these Legends were pure class acts.
You can feel the real love that magic has for larry. Thanks guys
Grow old and live long.
🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
When magic hit the running baby hook to win 87 finals game 4 in Boston, Bird was desolate in the locker room. He said that Magic is just so damn good. Ultimate respect.
When Legend holds out his hand to Magic and you can see all the misshapen bones in his hands from all the broken fingers over the years... this is why we say, “Legend.”
The genuine love between the two of them is heartwarming ❤️🥰👍
The 2 greatest players of all-time outside of MJ! The best rivalry between players in any sport!!
MJ 0-6 against Bird in the playoffs
No no they are the two greatest players over Jordan
Bird,Magic,Jordan top 3 of all time
MJ isn't isn't even top 3 and no MJ bed wetter ever gives a reason why he's in the top 3 but they make every excuse why others aren't in the top 3
@@jaygee1616 magic bird russel, then Kareem and Jordan and tim
You can't take me anywhere. I'd be sobbing in front of everyone if I was there durning this speech. Their friendship is just so true and sweet.
Imagine having the respect of Larry Bird or Magic Johnson. You'd have to work every day of your life for it but it's priceless.
Getting older, one looks back,and realizes how much things change, not always for the better! But these guys sure made it great 👍
Larry Legend and Magic made me love basketball 2🐐🐐 I feel bad for today's fans because the excitement and the feeling back when both of these 2 🐐🐐played they will never know that feeling these 2men are very special people and I want to Thank Larry Legend and Magic for giving us the time of our lives,life was real good back then Thank you Larry Legend and Magic 2 🐐🐐👍☘️ 33🏀💙🐐👍☘️32🐐💙🏀👍☘️
Greatest NBA Moment ever - a bulls fan
I was a freshman at Marist College in Poughkeepsie NY in 1979.I was watching the championship game Michigan state vs Indiana State on a TV in the train station .I got so caught up in the game that I missed my train go in back to school.
These 2 great players brought new life to NBA during the time when the organization was losing gate attendance, tv viewers and sponsors. 🏆🤩
The 1980's Showtime Los Angeles Lakers, 1980's Boston Celtics, and the 1990's Chicago Bulls, are the three best teams ever to take the hardwood. Let me say that again 3 best teams ever.
That's a fact
Braxton Oertwig Detroit pistons ??
This is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen is sports history
Who would give this a thumbs down? These guys were awesome.
Sean Downie, who would give this a thumbs down? Maybe a Pistons fan who can’t let go of the bad memory of the 87’ Eastern Conference Finals?
Fitting they both go in Hall Of Fame together!
+Richard Bain This ended up not happening, since Magic later un-retired twice and ended up playing sporadically until 1996.
At the beginning of Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals, Larry was right when he said that they will be talking about this 100 years from now!!!
Larry Bird is really my hero. I really wish I
could be 6 foot 9 myself.
Two great players that respect each other.
THE GREATEST RIVALRY IN NBA HISTORY.LAKERS VS CELTICS.MAGIC VS BIRD.
I was watching all the games during this era, loved Larry, now I respect magic so, so much. This really brings tears to my eyes. The people who saw this in person and watched the teams play are really blessed. I live in n.c. And would have to travel a long way to see any team play, I hate I missed it!!!
One of the great moments in USA sports history. Also, joyously, Bob Costas is a total Smurf by comparison. Love it.
I heard all these stories a billion times it never gets old
"They forgot about Larry Bird..that's all." Ainge says it all.
I've been a Lakers fan since 1985, but I love hearing Johnny Most's commentary. He and Chick are among the greatest commentators in all of sports history.
Why the hell would they cut away to the crowd right when Bird and Magic meet on stage? I mean, wait three seconds to let us see the two embrace before cutting away. Not like you're going to miss the crowd cheering.
Magic is the real deal! Saying the things maybe that Larry couldn't - different personalities in that way.
So eloquently put! Love em both! However! There only a few players who would give back to their Sport & play for the Love of their Sport for nothing! Magic is One, Another would be Jimmy Connors in Tennis
If (like me) you were lucky enough to witness these 2 teams battle it out through the years - be thankful! It was a special era!
Magic... Nothing but RESPECT!
Bird and Magic 2 if the greatest they saved the game in the 80s
RESPECT at its FINEST!!
3:01 You can see Larry's broken finger he shot with for over ten years
I miss The Forum & Boston Garden! Those were two VERY special venues…more like monuments!
It would have been way better without Bob Costas, but even he couldn't ruin this. Both guys are truly amazing people as well as Legends of Basketball!
These two great players SAVED the NBA
Agreed!!!!
great rivalry between two legends (y)
gablen23 a
Just the greatest admiriration two super stars can have for one another!
Has anyone else even seen any retirement ceremonies like Larry and Magics? For two ICONS of basketball to be there for each other shows it was more than just basketball to these two great men.
That was the greatest defensive play in the 20th century.
Larry Bird Bobby Orr 2 best athleliets at that time glad I had the chance to see them live Awesome now going to half to add Tom Brady !!
Whatever number in the top 10, in history, you put these 2, they need to be A and B. You couldn't have one without the other. Larry wouldn't have been as good and Magic, likewise. These 2 were the reasons for standing room only crowds. Each lifted their team to levels that they never knew they could get to. There will never be a rivalry anywhere close to this. It's great to see the love and respect they share for each other.
Awesome to see two greats and two great competitors
Die hard Celtics fan and Magic Johnson is probably my 2nd favorite player ever
Love Magic and Bird
Man this put most genuiene smile on my face.
anyone else mad at the freaking director who cuts to the stands right when the hug between them was coming ?
exactly! what on earth were they thinking?? who really wants to watch/see the crowd when you have two legends like Bird and Magic??
Magic you get all the time need my brother!
I'm a Big LJB guy but I LOVE Magic Johnson!!
I'm a Celtics fan big Larry Legend fan 🐐☘️ but I loved Magic ☘️👍🐐
Jordan never had a peer like Magic vs. Bird. That's why it's unfair to crown Jordan as the best. If there was no Bird, how many championships would Magic win? If there was no Magic, how many more championships would Bird have won? Think about that.
Both magic and bird knew ( although they were past their primes ) mj was something else, on another lvl
MJ could never join the 50 40 90 club he couldn't win 3 straight MVPs he didn't know what trash talking was until he ran into Bird and also Jordan had a losing record against Bird in the regular season and a goose egg in the W column in the playoffs
@@JET1970 Larry Bird never won a scoring title, never won dpoty, never won 3 straight Finals mvps etc. When Larry Bird and the Celtics were beating Jordan he was young and didn't even have close to the team Larry Bird had. Jordan in 86 was in his 2nd year playing against 5 HOF 😆
Greatest rivalry in sports history ended in friendship. The NBA is the best sports league in the world.
Celtic fan here and these 2 guys saved the NBA in the 80’s
Magic with the Celtics shirt underneath the Laker gear shows he holds Larry close to his heart
The two best players in NBA history. Friends off court as well
DJ calling Bird in for the hug is such a great moment. The steal meant nothing without that lay up.
Such a beautiful moment between friends and rivals. Why did no one think to iron Magic's clothes? A lot of respect, to each other.
Larry bird and magic are true friends and won titles different teams
Una gran rivalidad deportiva, pero un gran tespeto mutuo, se podían destrozar en la Duela pero son grandes amigos, yo digo hermanos. La época donde creció a nivel mundial La NBA Gracias a estos 2 grandes seres humanos. Me gustaría saber algo de LARRY BIRD en la ACTUALIDAD. Saludos cordiales.
😢 This is so emotional
This was Glory Days in the NBA, and America. Best Rivalry ever, yet it brought people together in the end
could you imagine larry and magic on same team oh my.magics ball handling and bird a great shooter.and i feel magic was the greatest all around player that ever played the game.
As much as I love magic growing up watching him he still has a couple holes in his game where as Larry has 0 holes in his game
They were teammates before nba and only for a game where they played some minutes😀
Don’t. Forget. About Larry. Bird!!!!
Lakers vs Celtics best rivalry ever...We always want to bash eachothers team we root for but respect will always be there
1 of the greatest plays all time
the nba kings when the game was real ..
Earthdog BIG BROTHER FAN So the game ain't real anymore? WTF?
2 Of The Greatest To Ever Do It...
Living in LA I hated Larry Bird,
He never missed!
he never missed,
he never missed.
Man i hated this guy
Now l see , I’m a Hugh fan of Larry Bird. What a great BB player he was……
My two favorite basketball players of all time, but my favorite team is the Lakers! LA native and proud fan, but I always had the hate and respect for the Boston Celtics!
Ty guys I wish I had a friend like u two are
Their entire friendship is so fucking beautiful..
I always thought this was kind of a cool visual that they both had their HOME warm-ups on together. Magic and his home-yellow, and Larry in his home white. One reason being that you just never saw that ever before. But also, because when you see both these players in their home warm-ups, it resembles them in their most dominant settings… They both had tremendous home records, and were both virtually unbeatable once those home warm-ups came off. So it’s kind of like seeing two superheroes get together in a way
Without a doubt the greatest face off in the history of basketball especially with the background song
Magic could have at least iron his warm ups🤣🤣🤣
The Distinguish Fisherman i noticed that too...
Not his responsibility that's the equipment manager
I love u magic for wearing that Boston Celtic shirt.
If both of these men are not in your starting 5, I don't know what you're doing with your life.
AMEN to that!
This might be Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark in 15 years.