Larry Bird recognizes almost every great player he has ever faced throughout his legendary career. However, he understandably separates Magic Johnson from the pack. For Larry Legend, Johnson’s skills and character were second to none, and he proved it every time they took on each other on the court. By raving about Johnson’s greatness, Bird implied that his Los Angeles Lakers counterpart should also be in the NBA GOAT conversation.
“Magic is head-and-shoulders above everybody else,” Bird said. “I’ve never seen [anybody] as good as him.”
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Magic credits Bird for his legacy
Judging by Johnson’s career, Bird was right. Not only did Magic prove that his skill level was much higher than most players’, but he also solidified his GOAT status by collecting individual awards and championships.
Even before Johnson made it to the NBA, he was already considered one of the best players in the country. He led Michigan State to an emphatic NCAA championship in 1979 before being drafted by the Lakers as the No. 1 overall pick that same year.
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It didn’t take long before Johnson made a name for himself in the pros. As far as playing, the flashy point guard just picked up where he left off in college. In his rookie season, Magic helped lead the Lakers to another NBA championship and won the Finals MVP award. He went on to lead the Lakers to four more NBA title runs.
As many have anticipated, Johnson became Bird’s ultimate rival in the league. They continued their rivalry in the pros, having gone head-to-head in the ’79 NCAA championship. What Magic accomplished with the Lakers was also what Bird achieved with the Boston Celtics throughout their careers. After their epic rivalry, Bird has often acknowledged Johnson’s greatness. In return, Magic also credited Larry Legend for his legacy.
“We seemed to be linked together ever since that [NCAA] championship game,” Johnson once said of Bird via UPI. “Every time, even today, any article that’s mentioned it’s ‘Bird, Magic, Bird, Magic.’ He helped me get here and he’s probably the biggest reason I’m here.”
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Bird and Magic have their own category
It’s totally understandable that Bird views Johnson as a GOAT candidate, considering how well aware he was of his archrival’s capabilities as a player. In fact, many are convinced that Magic is the greatest point guard in NBA history.
However, Magic was also right, as it’s worth noting that his legacy is forever intertwined with Bird’s. It’s pretty fascinating how Johnson recognized that he wouldn’t have achieved GOAT status without the constant challenge that Bird posed during their playing years.
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As they aimed to beat each other, Bird and Magic also pushed one another to exceed their limitations as players. By doing so, they created their own category in the league. It became increasingly apparent that while there were many talented and admirable players, Bird and Magic’s game was in a different realm altogether. This was the case until they both finally hung up their sneakers for good.
To this day, the widely recognized narrative in the sport is that Magic and Bird are both GOATs in their own right.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.