Bird and Magic saved the NBA. The League would not be what it is without those two legends leading the way in the 80's.

@ChefBarb58

6 ай бұрын

AMEN ❤

@bryanfox6726

6 ай бұрын

True ... but I wish it was today what it was back in the day ... when Bird and Magic saved the NBA ...

The Magic/Bird rivalry is something that would seem ridiculous if a Hollywood screenwriter came up with it. They played against each other in the finals of the NCAA tournament (Magic's Spartans won) and then in several NBA finals. Magic on the West Coast, Hollywood, with the Lakers and Showtime. Bird on the East Coast in Boston, the Celtics not as flashy but still super talented and effective. Possibly the best rivalry between individuals and teams there has ever been in sports. It made the NBA huge.

@vickiconley3638

6 ай бұрын

Yes, Bird and Magic had the best rivalry. If there was a Lakers and Celtic game on, everyone was watching it.

@brettteeter3461

6 ай бұрын

Great comment!

Magic and Bird's rivalry lifted them both to incredible heights. It's like they couldn't sleep if they thought the other one practiced more shots that day than they did. They are incredible.

@TeIeGram.-me.-ThePoloReacts

6 ай бұрын

I wanna have a conversation with you ❤

I love Magic. I always kind of hated Bird and the Celtics. But now that I’m older I have to acknowledge how good Bird actually was

@cassianfalkener3706

6 ай бұрын

Same. Something about Magic was just more fun to watch as a child. Bird got the job done, but as a kid with no loyalties to a particular player or team, Bird wasn't as showy, so the hype he got had an opposite effect for me. Now? Nothing but respect for him. Then? Not so much.

Just really think about this. His 42 point 15 rebound game was to win a championship and it was his rookie season. Unbelievable!!

@nypinstripes2388

6 ай бұрын

And there was actual defense being played.

@Prone2Thrill

6 ай бұрын

As a center no less!

@bryanfox6726

6 ай бұрын

Definition of Versatility.

Magic and Bird were two of the best to ever play the game their rivalry turned into respect and then into a lifelong friendship their games are very similar,you need to check out Birds passing highlights he was like a quarterback on his long outlet pass he could pass left handed and right handed ,nice video 👍

This is the thing bro , he never disrespected anyone , he literally played with this style all day. His passion for the game was amazing. This is what i miss about the players in the 80's 90's and early 2000's in comparison of today's BS NBA players. I grew up in LA watching the Showtime Lakers with Magic and the battles with the Celtics and Larry and the other NBA teams were off the charts. He never got into fights over his beautiful plays because everyone knew he was not trying to insult them with his plays. The passion of the NBA , the blood and tears that these players left on the floor day in and day out will never be matched. The feeling of knowing what you were about to watch when you sat in front of the TV set was over the top man! These dudes never rested and took days off like these NBA clowns do today. Great reactions to your videos man!

@Prone2Thrill

6 ай бұрын

100% - it's not even describable how intense the NBA was back then. It will never be the same, glad I lived it. LOVE the Forum!!!

80's Basketball was the best era ... Un-Selfish, Gritty & Beautiful ...

To me this era was pure. The art of the game to be very fundamentally sound in all areas. Defense, offense, assist, down low, rebound and so on. Todays game who cares a 7 footer can hit 3’s all day. I want to see the skill to screen, post up , rebound and shoot in the paint. I was very fortunate to see all these great men play. Todays game I no longer watch.

@joec5962

6 ай бұрын

Yes, yes, yes!!!

It wasnt just a rivalry. It was 2 dynasties at the same time. One in each conference. It was the perfect storm with the greatest players. Nothing like it anymore.

@bryanfox6726

6 ай бұрын

Indeed.

I went to Everett High School with Magic (although we called him Earvin) and Michigan State University. I played pickup ball with him, some of the best times of my life. Every game he was in had moments like these, and he was always doing something you had never seen before. It all just flowed from him naturally. He thought that fast, saw the court that much, and had that much flair.

@dariusewing6962

Ай бұрын

U know a guy name Steven Clark he use to play pick up with u guys and he mentioned u a lot as well!!! he's from Lansing as well?

"Some guys could just score, some guys can just make plays, some just rebound.. we could do it all" Larry Bird on himself and Magic. Should do a reaction of "Courtship of Rivals" the WHOLE story of Bird/Magics rivalry. You see how magic got his nickname. Its probably the greatest sports documentary out there

@Prone2Thrill

6 ай бұрын

It is an amazing one. I personally lived through this era as a Laker fan and attended Forum games via Cannon as a guest at times. The Forum club having players come in after games was insane too. What a time! Chick Hearn was my favorite too

I used to live to watch basketball. It was poetry in motion back in these days. Today….the NBA could go away and it wouldn’t hurt my feelings one bit.

The dopest commercial is the converse spot where magic rolls up in a limo and they go 1 on 1 in their respective sneaks

I love Magic Johnson. He was an incredibly gifted BB player who could really move, was very, competitive and a winner. 100%.

James Worthy is in the HOF largely from running and keeping his head up for a magic pass

Magic, great player and great guy.

The Lakers had another legend during the SHOWTIME era. CHICK HEARN! Legendary Play by Play announcer. GOAT!

@Prone2Thrill

6 ай бұрын

I cherish my signed Chick Hearn stuff more than anything else I have. What a legend - my uncle used to hang out with his son. He and Vin fit that era so perfectly. Jeesh how time flies. The mustard is off the hot dog! The jello is jiggling

@TeIeGram.-me.-ThePoloReacts

6 ай бұрын

I wanna have a conversation with you ❤

Magic, the reason because I love this game.

Legends.......! The REAL NBA. My time......

The Lakers of the 80's are the greatest fast break team of all time and lived up to their Showtime billing. Talent galore and the best point guard of all time in Magic. I hated them, being first a Dr. J and 76'er fan and then a Celtic fan (because I watched McHale in high school), but I never doubted their talent. Today I yearn for a good NBA again.

Great reaction headbanger. Magic was a 6'9 thoroughbred with the tenacity, strength and durability only seen in the Kentucky Derby. He handled the rock like Frank Morris while he dropped more dimes than Frank Lucas snitches. Hardwood American gangster. He ran the fast-break like no one before or after him. Them bounce passes off the dribble were insane and not very easy to do. Especially how he threaded the needle like John Elway on third and very long. There will never be another one like him. He's the reason I fell in love with basketball in 1980. I'm from Orange County, CA so I saw him ball in the flesh many times. And every time I left a game I was astonished. He was incredibly creative. You were always at the edge of your seat knowing you were about to witness something spectacular.

Magic Johnson is, and always has been, my favorite basketball player. Furthermore, I still believe Magic was the greatest player of all time because he was the only player that could effectively play all 5 positions on the court, and he proved it. At 6'6",Michael Jordan couldn't do that. On that note, i have to say Michael and Larry were equals as the greatest clutch player ever. Magic a very close second.

@chrischar9428

6 ай бұрын

So could larry

@bryanfox6726

6 ай бұрын

I'd say Bird & West are the most clutch ... with MJ & Magic not far behind...

I watched almost every game they both played in back in the 80’s. It was a magical time in the sport of this game! I was also so into Mike Tyson’s greatness too.

I'm a Knicks fan, but Magic has always been one of my favorite players. He was just so much fun to watch.

The Lakers knew as soon as they got the defensive rebound, get your ass up the court and Magic will get you the ball.

Magic would wipe the floor with LeBron!

I love Magic but I think Larry has more tools in his bag than Magic does. Still, they are forever United & that’s ok by me. Edit to add: I hope you’ll still see full Larry games 👍

@bryanfox6726

6 ай бұрын

Bird was a far better shooter, better rebounder and could do anything Magic could do as well ... They were both the Absolute Monsters for anyone to face ... Magic Legendary and Bird was Magic...@@SoCal2420

@AJ........

5 ай бұрын

​@@SoCal2420nah

Magic and Larry saved the NBA. They were on their way out, as their reputation had suffered from some unsavory episodes in the mid-late '70s. The level of team basketball had never been that high, and some of us suspected, it would never happen again. There was so much talent, whoever was in the finals in the '80s, and 8 times it was Magic and the Lakers, you knew it was an equivalent of Ali/Foremen. Just the absolute peak of the sport.

Magic is my favorite athlete ever and the Showtime Lakers my favorite team. It is a little difficult to evaluate Magic because those Lakers were so ridiculously stacked with Kareem, Worthy, Byron Scott, Michael Cooper etc. He made the game beautiful to watch in a way that's really rare in sports. The sky hook he hit to win one of the critical games against the Celtics was something he added later in his career. I'm always happy when people watch and react to his highlights because you can't explain the appeal of his game by assist and scoring numbers on a stat sheet, you have to see his game.

@cassianfalkener3706

6 ай бұрын

Thank you! Growing up, I wasn't really a "fan", but I'd catch a game or part of a game here and there, and while everyone knew the name Larry Bird, to this day, I couldn't tell you the names of any of the other Celtics. The Lakers, on the other hand, were stacked with top tier players. The things that stood out to me in this video are the fact that he didn't *have* to pass the ball when he did, but he'd pass it, or hold it, and you never knew how that rabbit was coming out of the hat, just that it was. The other thing is that he was doing these kind of plays in every game. If you go back and watch a full game, these kinds of plays are what you will see, guaranteed.

The most under appreciated aspect of Magic’s game, and something you’ll never get from highlights, was leadership. He commanded a team unlike anyone. He could have scored as much as Michael, but he was more concerned about getting his players going, getting them the buckets they needed to get their confidence up and their mojo flowing. One of the most talented AND smartest players to ever play.

When people today talk about greatness at a young age they forget Magic. 20 years old and Finals MVP. He was truly an unprecedented player. He and Bird kept the league in business during the early 80s.

@Seeker_Media

6 ай бұрын

Nobody seems to give magic the credit for that game six. He was a 6‘9“ point guard who moved to center and scored 42 points with 15 rebounds. Michael Jordan couldn’t have done that. I don’t even know if Larry Bird could’ve done that.

Earvin was a magician on the floor but if you want to be amazed by infinite aerial anarchy, watch Michael Jordan's Historic Bulls Mixtape. Magic is my favorite player all-time and it's not even close but without hesitance I proclaim MJ to be the GOAT. I saw MJ ball in person and what I witnessed was pure insanity.

magic had everything working for him up close. 100%. larry had just about as much but also had the 3 point shots. they both made the sport what it is today.

@jonpriest

6 ай бұрын

magic was a tall earl the pearl monroe unbelievable ball handler.

Magic is the reason I am a basketball and a Laker fan, he was just incredible. How many starting rookie point guards lead a team to a NBA title? Erm just him :) Was sooooo devastated when he had to retire. The best point guard of all time, prove me wrong :P

You should check out Pistol Pete Maravich from the 1970's. He practiced unorthodox dribbling, passing and scoring. An absolute artist on the court.

This was not a rivalry ... It was THE RIVALRY.

If someone is picking an all-time starting 5......and Magic, Larry and Michael aren't on it, their basketball credibility is in question.

@j.t.3798

6 ай бұрын

Facts. Top 3

@bryanfox6726

6 ай бұрын

How about this one PG: Jerry West, SG: Larry Bird SF: Elgin Baylor PF: Hakeem Olajuwon Center: Wilt Chamberlain

@bryanfox6726

6 ай бұрын

Or this one: PG: Jerry West, SG: Larry Bird SF: Elgin Baylor PF: Kevin McHale Center: Nikola Jokic

@bryanfox6726

6 ай бұрын

Or this one: PG: Dennis Johnson, SG: George Gervin SF: Larry Bird PF: Elgin Baylor Center: Nikola Jokic

@kathieovercash8414

6 ай бұрын

Exactly

Magic and Bird's rivalry started in college..

WE GOT TO SEE THE BEST ERA BY FARRRRRR POLO, MAGIC WENT TO 9 FINALS IN 12 YEARS, COMPLETE INSANITY!!!💯😊 GREATEST OF ALLLLLL TIME FOR SEVERAL REASONS! 😊

Magic GREATEST PASSER EVER! EASILY!!!

MAGIC WASN'T A TRASH TALKER, HE PURELYYYY DID IT WITH HIS TALENTS! 😊BIRD WAS THE TRASH TALKER BUT ALSO COULD BACK UP HIS WORDS SO! 😊

My favorite player was Dr. J, until I saw Magic beat Bird for the NCAA championship. Magic was like Bill Russell in that winning was more important to him than individual stats. We were all in shock when he announced he had HIV but Magic didn't let that beat him, either.

@JuniorFarquar

6 ай бұрын

No, he remained promiscuous.

Greatest rivalry in sports history. In any sport

I left the NBA in the dust awhile ago as well but I was recently told that the last year or two has seen a return to good team basketball and I gotta say, I've been watching this whole season and its been much better than it was a few years ago. Give it another chance.

@championskyeterrier

6 ай бұрын

Sports will have ebbs and flows. I lived for Showtime Lakers ball in the 80s. In the 90s I stopped watching with the ugly incompetent offense that was so common. Then someone told me "hey they have good players, these guys like Steph Curry and CP3 you should check it out" and sure enough there was a new generation of great players. Similar thing happening now.

Good job! KEEP IT UP

Magic Johnson is amazing, but IMO Larry bird edges him out as a more consistent overall player.

That All-Star game was very emotional for me. He was like a god at the end of that game

I remember watching the Lakers and Celtics go at it all through the 80’s. This was the greatest basketball ball ever played. I have been a Lakers fan my entire life but I had the utmost respect for Larry Bird and the Celtics. There will NEVER be another time like this in basketball. I remember when Jordan was a rookie going up against Magic one on one in a game, Magic faked out Jordan so bad he buckled to floor, it look like he broke both his ankles 😆. People like to call Jordan the GOAT but to me, if he would have come along in the early 80’s and had the face the Lakers and Celtics, he would have been great but no where near as great as he was during the 90’s when the competition wasn’t as good. That’s my take, take it or leave it.

Before Magic there was Pistol Pete Maravich. You definitely need to check out his highlights, passing and dribbling skills. He also holds the record in college for highest scoring avg 44 ppg without a 3 point line

As a lifelong Trailblazers fan I grew up hating the Lakers. I also hated the Celtics. But their rivalry was great for the NBA. The Bird vs.Magic showdowns started in the NCAA when their schools played in the title game. Their games against each other were heated but very respectful. I loved the 80s nba.

The thing with Magic is that 98 pct of his flash was functional. He definitely played to the crowd, but he wasn't just out there doing sht to do it. If he went behind his back or threw a no-look, it's because that was the best way to attack the defense. Most guys who tried to play like him would be throwing the ball all over the gym. But while he was marginally turnover prone, he was still ultra efficient and developed into an elite post player later on who, despite not being known for his shot, could make the occasional 3. He never stopped working on his game.

You need to watch, "Making the case for Larry Byrd--Goat." Fantastic video. He does one video for each GOAT contender, including Magic.

Watch Pete Maravich Highlights. He was a big influence to Magic Johnson.😊

HE WAS SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE AND IT ALL STARTED WITH THE LAKERS OWNER R.I.P. ☹( DR. JERRY BUSS ) 😊 HE TOOK HIM UNDER HIS WINGS AND TAUGHT HIM EVERYTHING ABOUT LIFE & BUSINESS POLO! 😊AND HIS BASKETBALL I.Q. WAS OFF THE CHARTS, JUST SO DAMNNNN GOOD!👍

Magic came into a better situation than Bird. They had another legit GOAT candidate--Kareem--whereas Bird had a team that won only 29 games the year prior, and he turned them around to 61 wins. Eventually Bird got great teammates around him, too, but I think you could make a strong argument that they probably wouldn't be in the HoF without him. Overall, I think their rosters were pretty equal by the mid-80s with maybe a slight edge to the Lakers, but the Lakers also had a much easier conference to play in, so their trip to the Finals was much easier than the Celtics' most years, In the early 80s the Celtics had to get through the 76ers first, and that was a monster team with several HoF players of their own--Dr. J, Moses, Bobby Jones. Imagine if Bird had gone to the Lakers and Magic to the Celtics. Who would have won more championships?

@TeIeGram.-me.-ThePoloReacts

6 ай бұрын

I wanna have a conversation with you ❤

Finals MVP at 20 years old.

42pts 15 rebounds from the center position

@Prone2Thrill

6 ай бұрын

as a Rook...

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson share the same 1980 Topps rookie card, good luck on getting your hands one of those!

The magic/Bird rivalry is credited with saving basketball if you look find a video.with both of them playing together you will see how much fun they had playing together To me you cannot.have any all time list without including both of.them

In the 80's The Lakes won 5 Championships The Celtics won 3 Championships. So in 10 years the Lakers or the Celtics won 8 out of 10 years. That's unbelievable! But it was great to watch!

Lakers built Ships in a Rembrandt style. Celtics built Ships in a Picasso style. Both, made indelible marks on basketball, and both will be renowned for their contributions……So sad that today’s fans will never know the enjoyment we had as fans in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s…..

YOU HAD A COUPLE GUYS THAT PLAYED LIKE MAGIC AT POSITION HEIGHT WISE , STEVE SMITH & GRANT HILL 😊BOTH 6'8 AND JUST HOOPERS!😊

I was lucky enough to be a Laker fan for the legendary Chick Hearn / Showtime era. I've watched Jordan and Lebron. I'd take any of the old school 3 over Lebron without hesitation. Magic made the whole team SOOOO much better it wasn't even close. Bird the same and Jordan was the best but teams like Boston and Detroit and NY would beat on Jordan constantly. I'll take the old Lakers/Boston/Detroit/Utah/NY/CHI NBA - nothing will ever come close again. Teams and players aren't the same. Free Agency has taken that away from ALL SPORTS although I support it.

Mount Rushmore Begins with Bird, Magic & Elgin Baylor ... all of whom saved the Game of Basketball ...

Great video! I would love to see a reaction video to MotoGp, but I don’t think they would ever license a full race video to any individual, unfortunately.

Enjoyed the analysis check out a courtship of rivals bird v magic

I know about Larry Bird inside and out. The one you should watch is Larry Bird's. Best passer with re-edit. He was a phenomenal passer

DIDN'T KNOW YOU LIKED SPORTS SO I'LL TELL YOU POLO THAT IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE WHOLE MAGIC / BIRD STORY TO DO THE GREAT ( COURTSHIP OF RIVALS )👍IT'S ABOUT 90 MINS. SO! 😊BUT YOU'LL UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE THING! 💯 MAGIC LITERALLYYYY CHANGED THE GAME NOT TO MENTION THE 100'S OF PLAYERS LOSING JOBS IN THE 80'S DECADE, BUT I'LL STOP WITH THAT POLO! 😊 HOPE YOU ENJOY!

Larry Birds mother told Magic he was her favorite player.

@Prone2Thrill

6 ай бұрын

lol that's rough for Bird

White Chocolate was a great passer....Jason Williams

The fundamentals of the NBA, in terms of shooting, passing and spacing, is better now than it has been since the 80s. Its not about a lack of defense, these guys move the ball so much and put pressure on the defenses because they can put five skilled guys on the floor at one time with all capable of hitting the three. Defenders have to move around much more than they did in previous eras in which guys were able to stay on one side of the floor. There is nothing worse than KZread or social media folks dogging today's NBA all the while admitting they don't watch today's NBA. Those type of folks are speaking out of ignorance.

Magic had the unique ability to take a snapshot of the court and everyone on it, then could determine where the ball should be at a certain time. Whether in his hands or someone else's. Regardless there is no other point guard who can run the fast break better than Magic. None.

Everybody forgets Pistol Pete

It wasn't about the Lakers and Celtics. It was about Magic and Bird.

I see others have mentioned Pistol Pete Maravich. Magic has admitted that he got some of his moves by watching The Pistol. Maravich was the Original Showtime. If you should decide to go down this rabbit hole look for his college highlights. He actually seemed to tone it down for the NBA. Pete still holds the career scoring and point per game average records for the NCAA and he did it in the 60's with NO THREE POINT line plus he did it in three years because at the time freshmen weren't allowed on varsity.

4:00 .. some of the modern guys- KD, Wemenyama..

He got his nickname as a sophomore high school

You need to watch the Dr. J documentary, without him there's no modern day ball.

Bird is the word! 😂😂

Not only did we have great music but we fo sho had better basketball.

Magic n Larry revitalized the NBA! But both give credit to Pistol Pete. Unfortunately, the vast majority of Pete’s games have been lost 😢

This is why today's NBA is unwatchable for me today, I lived through this Era, professional sports were in a heyday of skill that also required toughness , I now watch women's college basketball, the Iowa Hawkeyes and Caitlin Clark are great watching, but the women's college basketball game has great fundamentals and great athletes

Dominique Wilkins, small forward, 6’8”. Check that highlight reel out Polo.

@TeIeGram.-me.-ThePoloReacts

6 ай бұрын

I wanna have a conversation with you ❤

Please check out Teddy Swims (the Door & Loose Control) and Rag n Bone Man (Human). You’ll love them!

Jason Williams was an awesome passer, have you checked him out?

Here’s a song for you it’s an oldie but a good story song. “Indian Reservation” by Paul Revere & The Raiders

"Never liked Isaiah". Umm. That guy took a moribund franchise all the way to back to back championships in the 80's. His 25 point 3rd quarter injured performance in game 6 of the 88 Finals is arguably the best one in all of the NBA Finals. You talk about competitive, you need to watch a video on him. The only teams to win championships in the 80's were the Celtics, Lakers, Pistons and 76ers. Isaiah was arguably the biggest reason the Pistons won those championships. That means he, Bird, Magic and Dr. J are the most important players of the 80's. So respect that.

@Prone2Thrill

6 ай бұрын

The Pistons were mean as hell and tougher than a hell hound. The NBA back then was for MEN

I never saw Magic, Bird or MJ ever quit. LeBron on the other hand? Too many times to count.

In their prime, people would compare Reggie Miller with Jordan, but hindsight has shown that Jordan dominated. The truth is no one could rival Jordan, which is why he's considered the greatest of all time.

@GaryDennisMialocq

6 ай бұрын

Bird was undefeated against Michael who says that he learned everything he knows from Bird whom he refers to as 'THE GOAT"

Go look at his 1987 highlights.

Magic scored triple doubles every game. Entertaining? That's why they dubbed the Laker's game "show time".

There was nothing to compare to this rivalry

Rasheed Wallace was a big guy that could handle the ball!

@SoCal2420

6 ай бұрын

😂 Rasheed was good for his size and position but he was tiers (plural) below Magic's ball handling

@brettteeter3461

6 ай бұрын

Haha, bro.

I'm 55 yrs old Trust

If you want to check out a great passer,check out Jason Williams.

Anyone who doesn't think Magic is the greatest point guard of all time just doesn't understand this sport.

What u haven’t brought up is no TRAVELING!!!! Side note Go Browns!!!!!

Larry Bird is the man. No question. G.O.A.T.

Do you think teams weren’t building to try and beat a six ring team? When a team is running the league like the Bulls were they have the target on their backs, they are the bench mark. You best believe teams were trying to construct a squad to beat Jordan and the Bulls.