June 19, 2025

SPORTS HISTORY IN BLACK: ‘Magic’ Johnson edges past Larry Bird for Rookie of the Year

The National Basketball Association is built on rivalries, and there was no stronger rivalry in
the NBA than between Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Larry Bird. These two started
battling in college, as Magic’s Michigan State Spartans would beat Larry’s Indiana State
Sycamores in the 1979 NCAA Championship Game 75-64.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, then of the Los Angeles Lakers, center, goes up for two points as Larry Bird, left, then of the Boston Celtics, looks on in the second half of the a playoff game in the Boston Garden, Sunday, May 27, 1984, in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo credit: Mike Kullen, The Associated Press
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, then of the Los Angeles Lakers, center, goes up for two points as Larry Bird, left, then of the Boston Celtics, looks on in the second half of the a playoff game in the Boston Garden, Sunday, May 27, 1984, in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo credit: Mike Kullen, The Associated Press

The rivalry moved on to the NBA after the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Magic and the Boston Celtics drafted Bird. Both played great in their rookie seasons, but unfortunately, there could only be one Rookie of the Year. On May 29, 1980, the NBA named Magic Johnson Rookie of the Year over Larry Bird.

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