Magic versus Bird. Earvin against Larry. The French Lick Hick versus Buck. A showman versus a folk hero. Whatever your perspective, only one game has ever really contributed to the development of college basketball into the dynamic, buzzing phenomenon that it is today. There has been endless discussion of the legendary rivalry between Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Larry Bird. The legends of college basketball were first entwined on that fateful night, March 26, 1979, when the sport grew from a simple pastime on tape delay into an enormous titan. This night marked the Finals appearances, championships, and rings.
The two were diametrically opposed. Magic welcomed the attention from the media, while Bird detested it all. Bird was meticulous, Magic theatrical. One was a forward with guard-like passing and shooting skills. The other was a guard who was about the size of a forward, dishing out transitional no-look dimes. The emergence of two superstars who defied the positional rigidity of the game were the driving forces behind college basketball’s evolution.
