Magic Johnson is a legendary point guard and one of the most decorated athletes in sports history. Because of his playmaking and exceptional basketball IQ, he is regarded as the best captain in basketball history. During his career, the player won an amazing five NBA titles, all of which he won while playing for the Lakers.
Along with winning four assist titles, Magic also won three MVP honors and three Finals MVP honors with the Lakers. Magic Johnson is the most significant point guard to the Los Angeles Lakers club because of his championship achievements and his role as the impetus for the “Showtime” period, which produced one of the most adored teams in NBA history. Earvin Johnson is arguably the player who has meant the most to the Purple and Gold, aside from Kobe Bryant.
Naturally, Larry Bird, Magic’s well-known adversary, is standing next to him. Magic’s primary rival year after year as they swapped MVP honors and titles was the legendary Celtic. In addition, many consider Larry to be among the top ten players that have ever played with Magic Johnson. Bird won two MVP awards in the Finals, three NBA titles, and three MVP honors overall.
Bird won two MVP awards in the Finals, three NBA titles, and three MVP honors overall. Magic Johnson and superstar small forward Larry Bird dominated the 1980s; Bird was the best at his position until LeBron James arrived. In addition, Bird was among the most tenacious opponents the league has ever seen.
But who of the all-time top 10 players is superior to the other? It is difficult to rank many players higher than Magic and Bird because they ruled the NBA for such an extended period of time throughout the 1980s. Here is the definitive career comparison of Larry “The Great White Hope” Bird and Earvin “Magic” Johnson, without further ado.
Magic Johnson has five championships (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988).
Three (1981, 1984, 1986) Larry Bird
The legendary Magic Johnson was the floor general for the Lakers’ five NBA championships. He was a massive guard with perfect guard skills, including passing and dribbling. Throughout each of his five NBA championship seasons, he was among the best players in the league and an unstoppable force on the break. With his unparalleled ability to command the court and make plays, the legendary Earvin Magic Johnson was the most dominant point guard we have ever seen. Without a question, Magic led the Lakers, even though he won three of the five Finals MVP titles.
In the 1980s, Larry Bird guided the Boston Celtics to three championships out of five possible appearances. After the Celtics defeated the Houston Rockets in six games in 1981, and then again in seven games against the Lakers in 1984, Bird earned his first title. Those are two noteworthy triumphs over other top-tier superstar players. After the Boston Celtics defeated the Houston Rockets in six games, Larry Legend led the team to the NBA championship once more. In 31 Finals games over his career, Bird averaged 23.1 PPG, 11.6 RPG, and 6.0 APG. But when it comes to titles won, Magic Johnson ultimately has the advantage.
Magic Johnson is an advantage.
Magic Johnson: Three Finals MVP Awards (1980, 1982, 1987)
Two (1984, 1986) Larry Bird
For three of his five titles, Magic Johnson was without a doubt the best player on the court. Magic Johnson was named the MVP of the Finals each time the Lakers won an NBA title, even though Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the man in the 1985 Finals and James Worthy produced clutch performances in the 1988 Finals.
In 1980, Johnson was the Lakers’ most valuable player, averaging 21.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, 8.7 assists, and 2.7 steals while shooting 57.3% from the floor and 87.5% of his free throws. The point guard, who had averaged 16.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.0 assists in a six-game victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, was awarded Finals MVP in the Lakers’ subsequent championship victory. In 1987, Johnson won his third MVP title in the Finals with an average of 26.2 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 13.0 APG.
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