He controlled the tempo of the game like nobody else, I was never able to read him – Larry Bird on Magic Johnson

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson shared one of the best rivalries with each other on the court in the history of the NBA. Whenever Boston Celtics took on the LA Lakers, Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson was always a mini battle within the big match.

Larry Bird heaped praise on Magic Johnson stating that the latter controlled the tempo of the game like nobody else and he wasn’t able to read him on most occasions despite watching the match highlights on loop.

Bird wrote in his book, the Game was Ours, “I’d watch highlights of Magic after a game and I’d say, ‘How did he do that?’ He controlled the tempo of the game like nobody else I’ve ever seen. There were times when we played the Lakers, and I’d be the only guy back on one of their 3-on-1 breaks.

“Even though I’m not that quick, I used to be able to read the point guard in those situations and have an idea of which way he was leaning. Not with Magic. I never had any idea what he was going to do with that ball.

“We didn’t like each other that much. It was too hard. We were trying to beat each other year after year, and people kept comparing us. I wanted what he had, so I didn’t want to get to know him, because I knew I’d probably like him, and then I’d lose my edge.”

Meanwhile, Michael Johnson always wanted to play alongside Larry Bird and Michael Jordan. Johnson’s wish finally got true when he shared the court with these two legendary players in the 1992 Summer Olympics when the USA won the Gold Medal.

He said, “All you have to do is go stand in the corner or stand at the top of the key. You don’t have to do anything else. I’m going to get you the ball, all you have to do is shoot it and make it. You can still do that, can’t you?”

“Listen, man, it’s been on my bucket list to play with you and Larry – and we’re going to have fun being with each other because we had never really hung out like that.”