With March Madness in full swing, the excitement and the rivalries are at their peak. But some rivalries just never fade. If there’s one showdown that stands out at the top of this tournament’s history, it has to be the 1979 clash between Michigan State, led by Magic Johnson, and Indiana State, led by Larry Bird. That legendary game took place on March 26, 1979, exactly yesterday. And now, five-time NBA champion Magic Johnson can’t help but reminisce about that iconic moment.

The match was Indiana State vs. Michigan State. Bird vs. Magic. Two future legends were meeting for the first time, setting the stage for a rivalry that would later define basketball. In that season, Indiana State entered the game undefeated, they had the momentum with them. But Michigan State, battle-tested with six losses, had something to prove. And they did. Magic led the Spartans to a 75-64 win, securing the school’s first national championship. Believe me, it was a showdown for the ages. And that’s why till today, this match is the most watched college basketball game ever, with over 35.1 million viewers.

To mark the occasion, NCAA March Madness shared a throwback clip from that legendary game on their official X account. And Magic couldn’t resist reliving the moment. He reshared the post with a nostalgic caption that truly captures the essence of greatness. Magic tweeted, “Who would’ve thought that two kids from the Midwest would put the Madness in March and play in the most watched college basketball game ever with 35.1 million viewers? I can’t believe it’s already been 46 years since the big game against my arch rival Larry Bird!” 

Yes, it’s been 46 long years. But with the video resurfacing, that rivalry still feels fresh. But the more special thing is the friendship that followed. Magic and Bird are two true legends, in every sense of the word.

Magic Johnson’s unsung friendship with Larry Bird

For years, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were rivals first and everything else second. The battles were intense, the comparisons never-ending, and the competition was fierce. But quite surprisingly, it took a single moment, a 1987 commercial shoot in French Lick, Indiana to change the dynamics between them.

“In the beginning, we hated each other,” Magic admitted. And how could they not? Bird’s Celtics and Magic’s Lakers were the ultimate enemies in the tournament. The Celtics snatched up three championships with Bird at the helm (’81, ’84, ’86), while Magic’s Lakers won five in total (’80, ’82, ’85, ’87, ’88). Not to mention, their MVP battles were just as heated. Magic took home the honor in ’87, ’89, and ’90, while Bird dominated in ’84 and the following two consecutive years. 

But no rivalry burned brighter than their NBA Finals showdowns. The Celtics took the first round in 1984 (4-3), but Magic and the Lakers struck back 4-2 in ’85 and ‘87. Every matchup felt personal. Every win, every loss, another chapter in their never-ending thug of war.

But something changed during that shoot. Two legends, once defined by their differences, realized something surprising. “That’s when we became friends, and that’s when we said, ‘You know, we’re more alike than we are different’,” Magic recalled. From that moment on, their relationship transformed into something new, something special. However, the fire of competition never faded. But with each passing year, the respect, the understanding and the bond, it only grew stronger.

Even decades later, the world remains fascinated by their story. HBO’s documentary “Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals” peels back the layers of their relationship. It’s not just about two basketball icons going head-to-head, it’s about how two men, once bitter enemies, became lifelong brothers.