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Larry Bird says Magic Johnson was more successful because of his championships

Originally posted on HITC | By Aikansh Chaudhary | Last updated Oct 12, 2025 7:00 AM ET

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson helped define basketball in the 1980s, their rivalry driving the NBA into the mainstream. Although many saw them as evenly matched, Bird believes Johnson came out ahead.

In the 1970s, the NBA didn’t have the following it enjoys today. That began to change when Magic Johnson and Larry Bird entered the league in 1979. They had already crossed paths a few months earlier in the NCAA championship game, where Magic’s Michigan State team took down Bird’s Indiana State.

Despite Johnson liking the idea of swapping careers, both men ended up becoming icons for two storied franchises. Magic spent his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, while Bird was with the Boston Celtics. It fit perfectly since those teams already had a long-standing rivalry.

The Lakers and Celtics squared off three times in Finals during that decade. The Lakers won twice, first in 1985 and again in 1987, while Boston took home one title over that span with their win in 1984.

Larry Bird believes Magic Johnson had a more successful career

Despite their on-court battles, there’s a lot of mutual respect between Bird and Johnson. Even early on, Johnson recognised Bird’s talent, and the Celtics legend never took any cheap shots at his longtime rival.

Bird has even gone as far as to call Johnson the more successful player. That’s no small compliment coming from someone like Bird, who was known for his competitive edge and sharp tongue. But when it comes to Johnson, he’s always been respectful.

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That kind of praise might catch some fans off guard because Bird had a remarkable career in his own right. Still, he’s never been shy about how much he respects what Magic achieved.

“Actually, I’ve always said that I go by success. He’s won more championships, so I give him the nod,” Bird said during an appearance on Letterman back in 2012.

Johnson responded in kind: “I’ve always said Larry was the better player because he can do more, shoot from the outside, those types of things. To us, at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter because what matters to me is that I played against the best. I got to know the man Larry Bird and we got this friendship.”

Magic and Bird’s place in history is secure

While the question of who was better between Bird and Johnson will never go away, there’s no denying what they meant to basketball. Their rivalry wasn’t just about wins and losses—it was a major reason the NBA became a global phenomenon.

Jordan may have become the face of the league later on, but Magic and Bird paved the way. Magic has even spoken about how much he valued playing alongside Jordan during their time together.

Decades after their careers ended, Bird and Johnson are still celebrated as two of the best to ever play the game. They reached the top of their profession, shaping how future generations approached both competition and friendship in sport.

Even though Bird often points to Johnson’s greater success in terms of championships, plenty of fans still back him as the better player. It’s a debate that won’t fade anytime soon—one more legacy from one of basketball’s great rivalries.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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