Magic Johnson reveals if he would have liked an alternate path for his NBA career.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics have unarguably the biggest rivalry in the NBA. Even today, the two teams’ clashes are the highlight of the season.
While both Lakers and Celtics have had their fair share of NBA legends don their jerseys, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird had the most iconic rivalry.
The two stars regularly faced off against each other during the 1980s, leading to an immense boom in the popularity of the NBA.
Decades after his retirement, Johnson still holds a special place in NBA fans’ hearts, thanks to his flamboyant playing style which resonated with the Purple and Gold.
But what if Magic had been drafted by the Celtics? Well, the 5x NBA champion recently shared his unfiltered take on this hypothetical situation.
“Well thank God the basketball gods didn’t do that. It’s different, you have to remember, Magic, Hollywood, Showtime, everything worked. Larry Bird worked in Boston. Perfect, his game, how he was, as a person and a man,” Johnson said on Fast Break.
But what about the success factor?
“If you [are] asking me ‘Would we have the same success?’ We would have been successful [collectively] because Larry Bird was about winning too. But to get a chance to come to Los Angeles and change everything about basketball.
“Pat Riley was extremely happy and he understood how to utilize all of us,” he added.
As Johnson explained, he was well-suited for the Showtime Lakers. He led the team to multiple NBA championships while enjoying the bright lights of Hollywood.
On the other hand, Bird enjoyed a phenomenal NBA stint, but playing in Boston was a completely different experience compared to LA.
Johnson’s playing days may be over, but the NBA legend continues to support the franchise that drafted him.
“Winning is winning, it’s a mindset, you can take that wherever you play. But trust me, I don’t dream of nothing but being in the Purple and Gold, and that’s it. I bleed it even today, nothing changed,” Magic concluded.
Johnson’s love for the LA Lakers is well-known in the NBA community. He has maintained a good relationship with the franchise and fulfilled several roles even after his NBA retirement.
Often regarded as the greatest point guard of all time, Magic is currently a die-hard fan of the Lakers similar to millions of fans around the globe.
