Witnessed by 35.1 Million Fans, Magic Johnson and Arch-Rival Larry Bird NCAA Masterclass Becomes the Benchmark

The 2024 NCAA men’s championship has reached its culmination. While moments like these excite fans and experts alike, some icons are bound to feel rather nostalgic. Amidst the furor, Magic Johnson could not help but revisit the historic day he clashed against Larry Bird; the 1979 NCAA championship, which set the tone for one of the most iconic rivalries in the history of the league. 

“Men’s Championship Monday!! Today always makes me think about the big game in 1979, where I went up against my arch-rival Larry Bird while 35.1 million viewers tuned in to watch – the most-watched championship game to this day!” Johnson posted on ‘X’.

He further highlighted how that NCAA championship game changed the course of college basketball and the NCAA tournament. The LA Lakers icon also expressed his gratitude for having played his part. “Many people say we (Magic and Larry) brought the Madness to March, and I’m hoping tonight the game between Purdue and UCONN brings an electric end to March Madness!” read the post by Johnson.

While Larry Bird commanded a statistical edge over Magic through the 1978-79 season, Michigan State with some Magic eventually claimed the NCAA championship title in a 75–64 victory over Indiana State in 1979. This, perhaps, marks the start of one of the most iconic frenemy rivalries of the NBA

Read More: March Madness: Magic Johnson Brings Sweet 16 Memories Back to Life That Led to NCAA History in 1979

The Magic Johnson and Larry Bird rivalry in the NBA

What started in 1979 continued in purple, gold, and green. The results too stayed the same. Well, mostly. While Larry maintained a lead in the stat line over Magic, the Lakers icon secured more championships than the Celtics legend. Notably, Bird averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game throughout his career. Meanwhile, Johnson averaged 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 11.2 assists per game.

On the team front, the Lakers beat the Celtics in 1985 and 1987, while the Celtics beat the Lakers in 1984. However, apart from Magic being a 5x NBA champion and Larry being a 3x NBA champion, both were quite evenly matched in accolades. Magic was a 3x NBA Finals MVP, 3x season MVP, and had 12 All-Star appearances. Similarly, Larry was 2x NBA finals MVP, and 3x season MVP and he too had 12 All-Star appearances.

It was said back then that watching either play was like watching the other. The rivalry, however, soon developed into a friendship, of sorts. A commercial for Converse happened to change their perceptions in 1987. “In the beginning, we hated each other… I had to hate him because they beat us,” Johnson said on the Dan Patrick Show. Further recollecting the commercial shoot, he stated, “That’s when we became friends, and that’s when we said, ‘You know, we’re more alike than we are different'”. Be that as it may, even today, the two are still remembered as frenemies in NBA folklore.

Read More: Disrupting Magic Johnson’s Fanboy Moment With His Idols, Larry Bird Humbled Lakers Legend With a “Dagger” in His Heart