The NBA that so many fans enjoy today would very likely have not existed without the influence of two men who came into the league at the same time and created a rivalry that elevated the sport — first on a national level, then on a world stage.
HBO Sports is airing an outstanding documentary this month, “Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals.” The film does an outstanding job of explaining how Magic Johnson and Larry Bird put the NBA firmly on the map and took it to a level that it really had not been before.
I spoke to former L.A. Times columnist and author Steve Springer who was a contributor to the HBO documentary about the importance of Magic and Bird.
The NBA had rivalries before Magic and Bird. What made theirs so special?
Springer » You had the two best teams in the NBA, the two most storied rivals in the Lakers and the Celtics and then you had Magic and Bird both coming into the league at the same time having instant impact. It was East Coast vs. West Coast and there is no doubt that that duo made the NBA. The 1980 NBA championship was aired on tape delay at 11:30 p.m. and after that season it was primetime — all the because of the Lakers-Celtics and Magic-Bird.”
They couldn’t have been more different, yet they became great friends.
Springer » I covered the Lakers and, for a long time, they did not get along by any means. They were bitter rivals — more Bird than Magic — but after they did a Converse spot together, things changed. Magic charmed Bird’s mother and brother and they began to talk to each other and realized how much they were alike. So they began to become friends and that friendship got even closer when Magic got HIV. Larry, whose father committed suicide when he was young, did not want to lose Magic and that really cemented their deep friendship.
What one thing do you hope basketball fans take away from this film?
Springer » At its best, NBA basketball is a team game. Both Magic and Bird played the team game better than any two superstars I have ever seen. Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are all great players, but they are not close to being the kind of consummate team players Magic and Bird were.
“Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals” can be seen all month on HBO. Also look for Springer’s new book on Jeanie Buss and her role with the Lakers.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on washingtonexaminer.com.
