Total Page : 352
Publisher : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date : 2009 11 04
>> One of the best sports stories I have ever read
I m from Michigan and followed Magic Johnson during his college career
I did not know who Larry Bird was until the NCAA tournament and the National
Championship game I admired him very much and have during his NBA career
The book tells a wonderful story about two great basketball stars
>> Two powerful stars not a review
If you grew up in this era you know the power of these two players and the impact they had on the entire game both collegiate and professional There is nothing in the book that was not seen on TV or has already been discussed The rivalry was important but the mutual respect between the two was fantastic They combined for a total of six NBA championships and had some great series In fact if you ask me they rekindled the spirit and rivalries in the NBA
I also liked the fact that the book took a look at their lives off the court including Bird s career with the Pacers It s been up and down Magic has had some success with his business deals and other ventures outside of basketball
Overall these two men are titans in the NBA and really awakened the fans
>> I laughed so many times
I wouldn t say I m the world s biggest fan of Jackie MacMullen s writing but the anecdotes and stories contained in this book from two of the most accomplished players in history are pure gold
These two fierce competitors followed each other more closely than either ever realized until long after they finished playing They measured their accomplishments by each other s success When it was time for Magic to enter the Hall of Fame he didn t pick Kareem or Worthy to induct him but turned to Larry Bird because in Magic s own words he never would have reached the heights he did without Bird to push him Bird obviously felt exactly the same way
When Bird won his first title against the Houston Rockets he was disappointed it wasn t against Magic When Magic watched Bird light up an Auerbach cigar on television to celebrate he grew so frustrated that he called a friend and went to the gym for a full basketball workout anxious for the day he would get Bird in the Finals The next day Quinn Buckner went to Bird s house still euphoric over their championship and wanting to share in the moment but Bird wasn t home he was out for his usual 5 mile run his wife explained Buckner incredulously asked Bird what he was doing when he got back Getting ready for next year Neither Magic or Bird ever thought they could let up in preparation because the other man was always on their mind and they believed HE was doing everything possible to get ready for their next meeting so how could you take a break
A great look back at a fantastic NBA era
