When The Game Was Ours: The Untold Story of Legendary Rivalry

The Birth of a Rivalry

Back in the day, when the game was pure and the fans were captivated, a legendary rivalry was born. It was a time when two basketball icons dominated the court and captivated the world with their skills, charisma, and relentless competitiveness. When The Game Was Ours takes us back to that glorious era, shining a light on the thrilling battles between two of the greatest players the world has ever seen.

Meeting of the Legends

It all started in the late 1970s, when Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Larry Bird crossed paths for the first time. Magic was the charismatic point guard from Michigan State University, known for his flashy style and unmatched court vision. On the other hand, Bird was the lanky forward from Indiana State University, hailed for his deadly shooting accuracy and fiery passion.

When The Game Was Ours

by Larry Bird (Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	12799 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	369 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

While their college teams clashed in the 1979 NCAA Championship, the world witnessed the dawn of a new era in basketball. Bird's Indiana State team may have lost that day, but the chemistry between Magic and Bird was undeniable. Little did they know, their paths would cross once again in the NBA, shaping the future of the game forever.

Rivalry Heats Up in the NBA

The defining moment of their rivalry occurred during the 1984 NBA Finals. Magic's Los Angeles Lakers and Bird's Boston Celtics faced off in a battle for basketball supremacy. In an epic seven-game series, the two basketball titans showcased their exceptional skills and took their rivalry to new heights. The world was captivated by the sheer intensity and drama of their showdown.

Over the years, Magic and Bird continued to push each other to new heights, always striving to outshine their rival. Their rivalry extended beyond personal achievements and stats; it was a clash of styles, a duel between two different basketball philosophies. The flashy and charismatic Magic against the gritty and determined Bird. Each game between their respective teams was a spectacle, a must-watch event that grasped the attention of fans worldwide.

A Thawing Friendship

Despite the intense competition and their desire to defeat each other on the court, Magic and Bird developed a mutual respect and a deep friendship. This friendship extended beyond their careers, transcending the boundaries of rivalry. They became ambassadors for the game of basketball, using their platforms to inspire the next generation of players and foster unity in a divided world.

The Legacy Lives On

As the years went by, Magic and Bird retired from the game, leaving a void that no one could truly fill. Their impact on the sport, however, continues to reverberate. Their legendary performances still inspire aspiring athletes, their rivalry remains a benchmark for greatness, and their friendship stands as a testament to the power of sportsmanship and mutual respect.

When The Game Was Ours tells the untold story of a golden age in basketball, when legends roamed the courts and captivated the hearts of fans worldwide. It allows us to relive the thrill of their battles, the intensity of the game, and the enduring friendship that transcended competition.

In the end, their rivalry was not only about winning or losing, but a shared journey that elevated the game to new heights. It's a story that reminds us all that rivalries can bring out the best in us, pushing us to achieve greatness even in the face of formidable opponents.

When The Game Was Ours

by Larry Bird (Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	12799 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	369 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

The New York Times bestseller from Hall of Fame basketball legends Larry Bird and Earvin Magic Johnson.

From the moment these two players took the court on opposing sides, they engaged in a fierce physical and psychological battle. Their uncommonly competitive relationship came to symbolize the most compelling rivalry in the NBA. In Celtic green was Larry Bird, the hick from French Lick, with laser-beam focus, relentless determination, and a deadly jump shot, a player who demanded excellence from everyone and whose caustic wit left opponents quaking in their high-tops. Magic Johnson was Mr. Showtime, a magnetic personality with all the right moves. Young, indomitable, he was a pied piper in purple and gold. And he burned with an inextinguishable desire to win.

These were the basketball epics of the 1980s — Celtics vs Lakers, East vs West, physical vs finesse, Old School vs Showtime, even white vs black. Each pushed the other to greatness — together Bird and Johnson collected eight NBA Championships, six MVP awards and helped save the floundering NBA at its most critical time. When it started they were bitter rivals, but along the way they became lifelong friends.

With intimate, fly-on-the-wall detail, When the Game Was Ours transports readers to this electric era of basketball and reveals for the first time the inner workings of two players dead set on besting one another. From the heady days of trading championships to the darker days of injury and illness, we come to understand Larry’s obsessive devotion to winning and how his demons drove him on the court. We hear him talk with candor about playing through chronic pain and its truly exacting toll. In Magic we see a young, invincible star struggle with the sting of defeat, not just as a player but as a team leader. We are there the moment he learns he’s contracted HIV and hear in his own words how that devastating news impacted his relationships in basketball and beyond. But always, in both cases, we see them prevail.

A compelling, up-close-and-personal portrait of basketball’s most inimitable duo, When the Game Was Ours is a reevaluation of three decades in counterpoint. It is also a rollicking ride through professional basketball’s best times.