?Ain?t No Way?: Celtics Legend Exposes a Magic Johnson Story Showing the Crude and Competitive Side of the Lakers Hall of Famer

A Boston Celtics legend said, “Ain’t no way you can beat Magic“. Apart from the rivalry between the Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers, the Celtics player got a glimpse of Magic Johnson and his here-to-win attitude when they played against each other in a pickup game. Magic, although retired by then, still had moves and commanded the court. Pierce may have been convinced that Magic was not interested in a casual game. He was there to win.

In a recent episode on ‘Showtime Basketball‘, the 6x NBA All-Star Paul Pierce revealed how Magic Johnson’s competitive nature came to the fore. Pierce detailed how Magic Johnson refused to lose a pickup game against him.

How did the pickup game go?

Pierce went on to elaborate on how the game took place. He said, “The game is tied up 6-6 we going to 7. Magic goes up, shoots the hook, I challenge the shot. he missed the hook, we get the rebound and throw it ahead and we score. Game over.”

But Magic Johnson was not the one to lose. He asserted that the score didn’t count. He said it was a foul, despite Pierce claiming that he had no physical contact with him. And so, the game continued. “He get the ball back, get in the post, shoot the hook, and win the game“.

Read More: ?I Thought I Had Won the Championship?: A Pickup Game With Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Had Future NBA Hall of Famer ?Gassed? in 1995

Paul Pierce confessed, “I have never seen him lose a game in a pickup run“. Pierce also added that Magic used to bring his own team to the gym when he was a rookie.

Magic Johnson’s competitive mindset

His approach to the game of basketball was simple. It looked like he entertained no other thought other than winning. In an earlier interview, Magic revealed that if he and his mother were to play a game, he would let her get to 9.5 out of 10, even though it would be difficult for him to do that. “Then do you know what I would do to my mother? I would crush her”. He continued, “It wouldn?t be ?no hard feelings.? I still love her. But I?m a winner.?

Johnson revealed that his father had bestowed upon him a piece of advice that changed his life. Before getting into the NBA, he was helping his father haul trash. One day, owing to the severe cold climate, he could only pick up some trash. His father taught him, “If you do your life halfway, that?s how you?ll practice basketball, that?s how you?ll do your homework?you?ll always be a person who doesn?t finish the job.”

Watch This Story: Luka Doncic Surpasses Lakers Legend Magic Johnson; Second Only to Oscar Robertson in Iconic NBA Record

This may have seeped into every aspect of his life from basketball to business. Sure enough, it has paid off with him winning many championship rings and many other laurels, including being inducted into the Hall of Fame in his 13-year NBA career.