TOTEM ARTICLES ARE BACK
Usually I see articles like MJ vs LeBron, Magic vs Steph and Russell vs Wilt, but very rarely do I see articles on the rivalry that literally saved the NBA back in the 1980s. These articles will take us back in time to the careers of Bird and Magic.
This'll be made over many articles, as I know it all won't fit in 20,000 characters. And I'll have Birds High School and College stats 1st, then Magic and compare them.
Let's get started!
Pt. 1
High School and College Careers
High School
Larry Bird
Larry Bird started off his basketball career at Springs Valley High School in French Link Indiana. Where he wore number 33 (like he did in the NBA) as his brother Mark wore it. In his time at Springs Valley, he would shine, especially his Senior year. But in his Junior year, there isn't much detail on his year, but apparently he scored 353 points in his Junior year, an average of 16 points per game. But his Senior year is where everything took off for him and scouts noticed him. Larry Bird averaged a huge 30.6 points per game and 20.6 rebounds per game. Bird accumulated over 1,100 points for Springs Valley, (764 in his Senior year) becoming the schools all-time scorer. However his most notable game for the school game in his final home game for Springs Valley where he put up an insane 54 point game. Along with 38 rebounds and 8 dimes. Also in his Senior year, he led Springs Valley to a Sectional Championship. That's when scouts really started to focus on him.
Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson attended Everett High School for his High School studies. Sadly, there are no single season stats for his Freshman, Sophomore or Junior years. But apparently he averaged 17 points, 8 boards and 7 assists in his early years. (Presume 1st 3 years) But there are stats available for his Senior year. His Nickname " Magic " came from Everett High School, after he dropped a 36 point 18 board 16 assist Triple Double while being a sophomore at 15 years old. While he was a Senior, he led his school to an insane 27-1 record across the whole year, averaging 29 points and 17 rebounds and leading Everett High School to a state championship final against Birmingham Brother Rice High School, where Magic led the team in an Overtime game. Magic scored 34 points, which was enough for Everett to win the state Championship! Magic also won a lot of awards from this spectacular season. He won the McDonals All-American match, he won Mr. Basketball of Michigan and he made 1st team Parade All-American.
College
Larry Bird
1976-77
Larry Bird originally attended Indiana University due to his elite basketball as he got a scholarship to play basketball. However, after less then a month at Indiana University, Bird left due to him being overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people there compared to his home town of French Lick. Bird attended Northwood University in French Lick for a year before enrolling in Indiana State University. So his whole Freshman year was filled with uncertainty about his future and didn't get to play much basketball across the year against high profile players. However he still managed to average an impressive 33 points 13 boards and 4 assists. Which was enough for him to make 3rd team All-American in 1977 as a Freshman. But in his Sophomore year, a new face came onto the floor. Magic Johnson. Despite Magic being a Freshman and Bird being a Sophomore, it was the 1st time these 2 faced eachother in a game.
Magic
1977-78
(Now this'll get confusing with both players, but I'll just go back and foward between the 2)
So Magic started off his College career One year later then Bird. Magic attended Michigan State University for his College years. He had offers from bigger schools like UCLA and Indiana. Imagine if Magic went to Indiana with Bird, that would've been insane. But ultimately decided with Michigan State, a College close to home in Michigan. Magic in his Freshman season with the Spartans led the team to a 25-5 record while averaging 17 points 8 boards and 7 assists. Fantastic for a Freshman. Magic's performances made sure that the Spartans won the Big 10 Confrence and a place in the 1978 NCAA tournament. Despite the Spartans losing in the Eilte Eight to eventual champions Michigan, Magic had shown that he was capable of competing with top tier players. Magic also won a bunch of awards. Such as being in the All-Big 10 1st team, and being in the Consensus All-American 1st team as a rookie.
Bird
Entering the 1977-78 NCAA season with the Sycamores, Larry Bird started off his 1st full season with Indiana State. There isn't much info I could find on Birds Sophomore year, but I did find that Bird had a stellar year for tye Sycamores, averaging 30 points 12 rebounds and 4 assists a game. Which was enough to get to get the Missouri Valley Confrence Player of the Year for Bird. Because of winning Player of the Year, he obviously made First-Team All MVC in 1978 aswell. Some very good stats from Bird which helped the team get a 23-9 record across the season. However it wasn't enough to book a spot in the 1978 NCAA tournament. (Now known as March Madness).
Now here's where things get a bit confusing. Bird declared for the NBA draft that year, despite him knowing and all the GMs knew that he was going back to Indiana State for another Year. The Boston Celtics used this to their advantage, acquiring him with the 6th pick in the 1978 NBA draft when he should've went higher. I couldn't find his full draft profile, but I found some key points in it.
Pre-Draft Profile: Highly intelligent, excellent passer and shooter, strong rebounder, fierce competitor, and a natural leader. He also had experience playing all five positions in high school.
1978-79 season.
Magic
Entering the 78-79 NCAA season, Magic Johnson and his Michigan State Spartans were fired up to succeeed. After a tough loss in last years tournament, they wanted to come back stronger. And that's what Magic did. Magic had a splendid season, averaging 16 points, 7 boards and 8 assists. Alongside teamates Greg Kesler and Jay Vincent, this team was a force to be reckoned with. The Spartans with the help of Magic got a record of 21-6, which got them the 2 seed for the NCAA tournament in the Mideast region. In which Magic had some amazing games, including 2 triple doubles in the round of 32 and in the Final Four. The Spartans breezed through with no issues whatsoever, meaning the Michigan State Spartans were in the NCAA tournament Final for the 1978-79 season.
Bird
So after Larry Bird being a confirmed Boston Celtic, he still returned to Indiana State for his final year in college. Bird was the main man for the Sycamores across the season, averaging 29 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists. Leading the team to a mind-boggling 29-0 season. Unbeaten season, UNBEATEN SEASON. Which obviously gave them the No 1. Seed in the MVC. And the No 1 seed in their respective confrence. The Midwest Region. It wasn't always smooth sailing for the Sycamores. But Bird played well in the 1st 4 games, getting a Double Double in every game. However in the Elite 8 and Final 4, the Sycamores only squeaked by, winning by only 2 points in both games. But they made it to the Championship, where they met Magic Johnson and the Michigan State Spartans. The 1st of many games against eachother in this elite rivalry.
Bird vs Magic. 1979 NCAA Tournament Final.
According to sources this was and still is the highest viewing College basketball game of all time. The 2 faced off in what was expected to be an absolute thriller of a game.
I know you don't care about any of the other players on the teams. Only Magic and Bird.
But at half time, the Magic led Spartans had a 9 point lead 37-28 was the score at half time. Bird was struggling with shooting during the game.
In the end, the Michigan State Spartans won by 11 and clinched the NCAA Championship for 1979 and won their 1st ever NCAA Championship in the schools history. Magic had a huge game on the offensive end to contribute to the teams success. He had 24 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. While Bird went 33% from the field, finishing with 19 points, 13 rebounds and 2 assists. A lackluster game from the Foward.
1978-79 awards.
Bird: Bird won the MVC player of the year and was on the All-MVC 1st team for the 2nd year in a row. He was also on the Consensus All-American 1st team in 1979. After his amazing performances, No. 33 was retired by the Sycamores.
Magic: Magic was named on the All-Big Ten 1st team for the 2nd season running. He also made All-American 1st team that season aswell alongside Larry Bird. Finally, he won the most outstanding player for the Final 4 for 1979. His number 33 was also retired for the Michigan State Spartans
Magic Draft
After winning the Championship, Magic declared for the 1979 NBA draft.
His pre draft report isn't available anywhere sadly, but some sources say that many reports said about his exceptional passing abilities, ability to score in the paint and his ability to Playmake on a regular basis.
Apparently this Resume was enough for the Los Angeles Lakers to draft him with the 1st pick in the 1979 NBA Draft. The Lakers were very interested in acquiring Magic for their PG.
The Rivalry has just started between these 2 top tier rookies.
With Magic being in the West and Bird being in the East, once again, the 2 players will only face eachother in the postseason, in the Finals exactly like in College.
This will probably be the shortest article I make this series as I had a time constraint to get it done before I go on vacation. Also I won't be online at all tmrw either. So don't be concerned. My vacation will last until the 11th of July, so I'll be gone until next Friday. But I'll be online a bit for the coming days up until I come back.
Thanks for reading! I hope you liked this article, I'm planning on doing more on this topic.