They hung me out to dry” – Larry Bird felt bad for Magic Johnson when the Lakers players gave up on him
After their unforgettable duel in the 1979 NCAA Men’s Championship game, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson continued their rivalry in the NBA.
Each NBA Finals throughout the ’80s featured either Larry’s Boston Celtics or Magic’s Los Angeles Lakers, with Bird winning three and Johnson securing five championships. However, despite their rivalry, there was never any animosity between them.
In fact, Larry Legend held a soft spot for the legendary point guard, which was evident when Magic wasn’t supported by Lakers Nation and its players.
Magic received no support from his teammates
Magic faced a tumultuous period in his early years with coach Paul Westhead and some of his teammates. The situation escalated even further when he signed a 25-year, $25 million contract with the purple and gold.
Many of Johnson’s teammates thought he was aligning more with the management than the players. There was a growing distrust, as any remarks made in the locker room about the management could seemingly be reported by the point guard to the higher-ups.