The NBA was at perhaps its lowest point of fan interest since its founding, and in real danger when Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird and his counterpart on the longtime rival of the Celtics — the Los Angeles Lakers — Earvin “Magic” Johnson arrived on the scene to revive the moribund league with their famous personal rivalry.
It dovetailed nicely onto the history of battles in the NBA Finals between the two storied franchises and breathed new life into the Association whose momentum still carries the NBA forward. Dating back to even before they joined their respective teams in the Eastern and Western Conferences, the two were even going at it in the NCAA title game the spring before they were drafted.
Watch the video linked below from the ESPN Archive to hear the duo wax nostalgic about their long friendship off the court — and intense battles on it.
This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
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