When Larry Bird was born on December 7, 1956 in West Baden Springs, Indiana, no one knew exactly who would see the light of day.
When Larry Bird was born on December 7, 1956 in West Baden Springs, Indiana, no one knew exactly who would see the light of day. The trash talker, the sniper, the eternal adversary of Earvin “Magic” Johnson: this is how Bird would later achieve world fame. For the NBA, which struggled for acceptance in the 1970s, the rise of “The Bird” also meant saving its own product.
It’s already announced in college. In 1979 Bird (Indiana State) and Johnson (Michigan State) face each other in the finals of the university championship – Michigan wins, but everyone realizes what to expect in the NBA. Fittingly, Bird is drafted by the Boston Celtics, and Johnson goes to the Los Angeles Lakers. Perfect conditions for glorious years. The rivalry between the two determined the 80s.
Johnson is always in awe of Bird. “He was a basketball genius,” he says: “He was always one step ahead of you, one thought faster. He played basketball like chess.” Johnson always marks the duels with him on his calendar – for him there is only Bird. Between 1984 and 1987 both fight for the title in three of four NBA finals. Bird wins once (1984), Johnson twice (1985, 1987).
“Magic” arranges his duels with Bird before the clash with the best of all basketball players. “I would rather defend Michael Jordan than Larry Bird because you had to become a thinker against him,” he says. “Larry wasn’t fast, could hardly jump, but he could give you sleepless nights.” Because of his god-given qualities on the ball, of course, but also because it could get into the opponent’s head.
Even if it wasn’t on the floor at all. At one point, Johnson couldn’t go to the big showdown injured, Bird made fun of it. “Before the game he came to me and said, ‘I’m sorry you can’t play today. But you know what? Since you’re already here, I’ll put on a show. Sit back and watch”, Johnson says: “He looked me in the eye after every throw I hit.”
After three MVP awards and three championships with the Celtics (1981, 1984, 1986), the last hurray followed at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. The dream team. With Jordan, of course, but also with permanent rival Johnson. Probably the most legendary basketball team in history is ridiculously superior to all others and takes the gold medal completely safe. After that, it’s over for Bird. He ended his career in August at the age of 35.
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