Were Magic And Bird In The Same Draft
The NBA Draft is one of the biggest events in basketball. It is the moment when young players from college or overseas get the chance to join the ranks of the greatest basketball players in the world. Over the years, the NBA Draft has produced some of the most iconic players in the history of basketball, including Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Larry Bird. These two players were not only great basketball players, but they also had a rivalry that captivated the nation. But were Magic and Bird in the same draft?
The Draft Classes of Magic and Bird
Magic Johnson was drafted in 1979 by the Los Angeles Lakers. Larry Bird was drafted in the same year by the Boston Celtics. However, they were not in the same draft class. Magic was the first pick of the 1979 NBA Draft, while Bird was the sixth pick. Although they were not in the same draft class, their rivalry would come to define the NBA for years to come.
It's important to note that the 1979 NBA Draft was not the only draft to produce great players. The 1980 NBA Draft, for example, produced players like Kevin McHale and Robert Parish, who would both play alongside Bird on the Celtics' legendary teams of the 1980s. The 1984 NBA Draft, meanwhile, produced players like Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Charles Barkley. But it was the 1979 NBA Draft that produced two of the greatest players in basketball history.
The Rivalry Between Magic and Bird
Although Magic and Bird were not in the same draft class, their rivalry began in college, when Magic led Michigan State to a victory over Bird's Indiana State team in the 1979 NCAA Championship Game. This was the first time the two players had faced each other on the court, but it would not be the last.
After being drafted in 1979, Magic and Bird both had immediate impacts on their respective teams. Magic led the Lakers to an NBA Championship in his rookie season, while Bird led the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals. The following year, Bird led the Celtics to an NBA Championship, while Magic led the Lakers to the NBA Finals. The rivalry between the two players had officially begun.
Over the course of their careers, Magic and Bird would face each other in three NBA Finals, with each player winning one Championship against the other. They also faced each other in numerous regular season games, All-Star Games, and other high-profile events. Their rivalry transcended basketball and became a cultural phenomenon, with fans across the country tuning in to watch these two superstars go head-to-head.
The Legacy of Magic and Bird
Magic and Bird's rivalry helped to popularize the NBA and basketball as a whole. Their style of play, their personalities, and their success on the court helped to make basketball one of the most popular sports in the world. They also paved the way for future generations of basketball players, inspiring countless young players to pursue their dreams of playing in the NBA.
Today, Magic and Bird are considered two of the greatest basketball players of all time. Magic was a five-time NBA Champion, three-time NBA Finals MVP, three-time NBA MVP, and 12-time NBA All-Star. Bird, meanwhile, was a three-time NBA Champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP, three-time NBA MVP, and 12-time NBA All-Star. Both players were also inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Conclusion
So, were Magic and Bird in the same draft? No, they were not. Magic was the first pick of the 1979 NBA Draft, while Bird was the sixth pick. However, their rivalry would come to define the NBA for years to come. Their style of play, their personalities, and their success on the court helped to make basketball one of the most popular sports in the world. Magic and Bird's legacy will continue to inspire future generations of basketball players for years to come.