I’m a Celtics fan, and out of respect for Magic I’d never EVER have a conversation about who’s better. We have basketball today because of them, that’s it. The GOATS

Larry is having a great time in this interview ! - he just has a *very* dry sense of humor. I think he’s hilarious!

Larry, Magic and Micheal will always be my favorite 3. They are just from another planet

I love Larrys dry humor and dry delivery.

Courtship of Rivals is, HANDS DOWN, the best sports documentary I have ever seen. And I've seen it several times. My wife will walk into the family room and say, "Really? Again?!"

Getting these two together for an interview made for one of Letterman's best shows. They're both hilarious in a way that lets you know they're also very smart.

It is really cool how they became friends. They were filming a commercial together and Larry still wanted nothing to do with Magic. But Larry's mother was a huge Magic fan and wanted to meet him. So Bird invited him to lunch and they got to talking and realized they had a lot in common.

I agree with Magic, they cared more about winning and making their team mates better than scoring points. Loved watching the two of them play, they had some of the slickest moves that would just come out of nowhere.

These two were both supremely confident here. They knew they were the best of their era. Michael took over in the '90's but these two were the sh*t in the '80's! And their personalities just dominated here. The rest of the interview is just as epic. Magic telling how he and Larry developed their relationship, etc. This is Letterman's best show, in my opinion. He pressed just enough but I feel that he knew that Bird was not some Hollywood suck-up looking to plug their latest movie. And Magic was the same, like "I'm cool with this but I don't need it, either. This is who we are and don't you all just love it?"

Larry exhibits Classic Deadpan Humor. It's not an act. It's just Larry Bird. Majic is Majic. Just a smiling super outgoing likable guy. Their Bromance is a heartwarming thing to see. Two totally opposite personalities and very close friends.

Magic Johnson and Larry Bird always credited each other as the better player, that's how much they respected each other ✔️ and they are very good friends to this day

in 1985 Bird severely injured his back shoveling crushed rock. He was still great, but was never the same after that. Before that inury Bird was the best player in the NBA, and arguably the best ever

Don't let the smile fool you...Magic was a straight killer..Bird knows

Barkley had a hilarious story about Bird from back in the day. He said Larry was cussing under his breath, visibly upset during one game. Barkley asked him what was up. Bird said, "you guys are disrespecting me!" Barkley said, " Whadda mean Larry?!" Bird says " you put a white guy on me!" Barkley fell out!

One of the best comments I’ve read on another reaction to this is that Magic looks like he spent 7 hours in front of the mirror getting ready and Bird looks like he reluctantly put on the suit his wife laid out for him.

Letterman was talking to his band leader Paul Schaffer (and that's who Magic was pointing to). You should definitely do the entire interview! Also, you absolutely should react to the HBO documentary they are talking about. Break it up into pieces if you have to. Best NBA documentary ever.

Larry was listed at 6'9". But, he was closer to 6'10". Magic is 6'9", but Bird is noticeably taller.

Back when they played, they were both listed at 6'9". I've heard that small forwards always either lied about their height, or the teams told the league they were shorter than they really were for some reason. In the Larry Bird story compilation videos, there are some of the superstars telling stories about how big Bird actually was, most saying he was 6'10".

Larry Bird is a great humble man. His "net worrth" isn't even important to HIM. Just as long as he can provide for his family he's good. Just the kinda dude he is....Luckily I met him twice. He'd help anyone out & doesn't need gold or diamonds to feel special. He made himself special on the court for years.

I started watching the Lakers and became a fan in Magic’s third season (81-82)….and grew up as a fan in the “Showtime” era….those two guys and their rivalry and their teams…saved the NBA and made it what it is today!

Before the back injuries Bird was the best player in the NBA, and you could argue ever. He was that good

l just love their friendship!!! My favorite video of theirs is when they talk about becoming friends while shooting a commercial :)

Magic had the killer instinct he hid it behind the laugh & smile Larry was just a stone killer don't let the good ol boy persona fool ya

Dude, picturing Larry the Legend talking with tiny little Paul Schaefers voice had me rollin. Bird would probably pile drive you just for the thought if he didn't have a bad back. Bro in his day he would have pile drove you behind the 3 point line and still made the game winning shot with 1 second left on the clock

They said Larry Legend and MJ had that killer Instinct, but Larry loved Magic and good friends with MJ 🐐🐐🐐

Yes please do parts 2 and 3. If you enjoy these you will love the documentary that David Letterman was talking about. Magic and Bird A Courtship of Rivals. Best sports doc ever

Just love the whole dynamic of the conversation. Respect and plenty of comedy digs these guys didn’t fuck about

Don’t let Magic’s laughing and smiling fool you, he got it in and competed on as high a level as anyone that ever played the game. He’s the GOAT PG for a reason.

These two were the reasons why I wanted to play basketball as a kid back in the late 80's. They made the game look easy & fun, and that you dont have to be super athletic to excel in it.

They are just the best! Watching Celtics/Lakers games when they played against each other was the absolute pinnacle of Basketball. You should see if you can find some archives and watch them. But seriously... the greatest gift we fans got was when the played together on the U.S. Olympic "Dream Team" in 1992. It was Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, David Robinson, Scottie Pippen, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, Chris Mullin and Christian Laettner. It was the first time NBA players were allowed to participate in the Olympics, and they just decimated the competition!

The two greatest players Being two great friends.

I've stood next to Larry Legend. He is easily 6'10" even though he's listed 6'9". Everyone says that Magic is 6'9" but he's really 6'8".

I love them both soo much and they have the most heartwarming friendship. Theh will go down as the two who saved the nba.

Magic was just as competitive. It's just that he would smile at you while he ripped your heart out.

Magic and Larry were both listed at 6'9" but Larry was more like 6'10" and Magic about 6'8"

They were equally legends , you couldn’t pick wich one is better, both beasts , and both good dudes.

There's a reason for Larry's demeanor going way back in the day.

my moms church friend was basically larrys assistant when he was running the pacers. super cool dude. may come off as not friendly but he’s great

There simply isn't a GOAT. There are GOAT'S and these are 2 of them.

LOVE THE CHANNEL! Magic's line was the best!

He was the biggest trash talker that didn't talk trash. He would tell em I'm gonna do this and then he did it.

Subscribed for your continued Larry Bird videos! Awesome!

I always leave a like for you and almost always comment

I wasn't really into basketball when I was a kid but I watched the Celtics. Bird, McHale, Parrish, Ainge and DJ where a match for anyone. I'd take that team over anything the NBA can put together today. I watched Ainge hit 7 3 pointers in a game and at the time it was unheard of. Boston in general has been a long time sports Meca. One of my earliest memories is watching Bobby Orr win the Stanley Cup in 70 and 72.

You said Magic was a "tall-ass point guard, he could play power forward or small forward..." Are you aware that in game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals, Magic--in his rookie season--started at center (Kareem was injured) and played all 5 positions? And he was the Finals MVP. Also, Magic asked that his contract be restructured lower so the Lakers would have more salary money available. Kinda the opposite of the controversy when Kobe signed his last contract for $24 million a year, which killed the Lakers ability to rebuild their team. Finally a story about Magic. Back in the 90s he built a new home in an exclusive hilltop community on a lot overlooking the canyon in the rear. Of course he wanted a half court in the back yard and his designer asked him if he wanted the basket on the canyon side or the house side. Magic asked what difference would it make and his designer said, well with the basket on the canyon side, if you miss, you will lose the ball down the canyon. Magic smiled and said, Put it on the canyon side.

Magic/Bird got me interested in basketball again...Pete M. was my individual hero, he got me shooting baskets, nut Mgic/Larry...they elevated the whole league. Both heroes of mine for that.

In their playing days, these two were obsessed with each others game. Larry once said he would look a the sports section of a newspaper every night during the season to see what Magic's stats were for the game he played the night before.

Can’t wait for you to react to the rest. Magic and Larry are 2 real ones and Larry is sneaky funny

You said it perfect killer mentality number one. Jordan, Black Mamba, Steph Curry. Killers!!!

magic could dribble pass and play make and rebound and he learned to be a fairly good out side shooter and could drive the ball , larry could do all of these things larry could score inside or out side and was a fabulous shooter . why did magic win more rings ? there was a guy called kareem with his sky hook which could not be defensed .

I remember having the 80’s video game One-On-One: Dr. J vs Larry Bird …and shooting the Nerf basketball in my bedroom while pretending to be them. The Celtics-Sixers-Lakers-Bulls-Pistons were so fun to watch during that era 🏀

What a great interview moment on Letterman. Just hilarious to see these former rivals and now great friends together. Definitely check out the HBO special about them. One of the best ever.

Awesome segment !!! Ride on !!!

I love, love, love, Magic and Bird!

Back in the day, the listed height for an NBA player was given by the agent. The NBA did not confirm this stat. Magic Johnson said himself that he was 6' 7 and 1/2" and Larry confirmed that he is 6' 9". So yes Larry was taller.

I love both of them Awesome athletes and they are legends

BOTH Larry and Magic were listed as 6'9". But Larry grew another inch after his rookie season, and was closer to 6'10".

BIG DUDES

this cracked me the F up nice one

Bird and Magic! Magic and. Bird! They brought out the best in each other on and off the court!

2 of the greatest!!

Those two almost saved the NBA by themselves at that point in time. They Celtic-Lakers rivalry along with both of their unselfish play turned the NBA around..

I love that I got to grow up watching these absolute LEGENDS of basketball. These were great years to be alive enjoying a sport I think at the height of its existence.

That was great.

Great reaction.

I could listen to them talk for hours.

Larry Bird was 6'10" and Magic seems like he was 6"8" when they stand together.

Bird and Magic would only score about 8-10 points against today's NBA. But remember, both of them are almost 70 years old now.

I loved that both are great, but in their own ways. Sort of like strawberry and vanilla ice cream are both great, but in their own way. In the interview they both shine yet also they are almost polar opposites. Great video and awesome reaction.

THe voice at the beginning off camera is the side kick or leader of the band on set with David Letterman. The guy who leads the band leading in & out of commercial breaks. Supposably both Bird & johnson were 6'9

Larry's 6'9. That was Paul Schafer's voice. (The band leader)

I love both of these men. 2 of the greatest to ever play. But, Magic, that dude is a special human being. I have tremendous respect and admiration for him.

It was my first year as a college student at Johns Hopkins University without a basketball team, prompting me to seek out a team to support and for some strange reason I picked Bird and simultaneously admired Magic. They lived up to the hype. Post college, they changed the NBA to be powerhouse sport. Larry has always been my favorite.

Met Larry Bird right after he was named Coach of the Pacers and he couldn't have been nicer

Definitely watch all parts

They were both listed at 6'9" but Larry was closer to 6'10" and magic closer to 6'8"

Magic was a great competitor but an extrovert and a warm guy.

Dude Magic has that killer mentality. Ask my 76ers in 1980, when he played center and dominated them.

They are really really good friends for many years

Regardless of who was better or more competitive, Magic had that twinkle and explosive smile that made you like him.

The guy talking on the background is Paul Schaeffer (he was David Letterman's bandleader and sideman). He would comment a lot from the side of the stage. It was not Larry Bird.

Magic is a big biz guy now... Worth way more than Bird

If I had to start a team would be Bird or Magic. They both made their teams and players better.

Larry had that Indiana State team at 33-0 before the Championship game, but Michigan State (26-6) as a team was too much that night, and maybe just better overall

Paul Schaefer is the voice you asked about, he was the band leader. Magic was 6'8" min, LB was 6'9" minimum.

The guy talking in the background is Paul Shaffer the one who used to do like the music intros for the guest when they came on. him and David Letterman would always talk all the time when things were going on

Gotta watch the rest of this interview, that’s when you really see the closeness of these two guys, don’t know if there will be anything like this again

The voice is Paul Shaffer, he was Letterman's sidekick and band leader....bird was 6,10" Pat Riley put Magic in at Center in one game. He has played all 5 positions at some point in his career.

Part 2 & 3 please : )

Approximately 75 million - the voice you hear during the intro is Paul Schrader, Letterman's musical directer and sidekick.

That's the voice of the band leader, Paul Schaefer.

Paul Schafer was Dave's sidekick.

Subbed. Magic my favorite player and got me into basketball. I likedthe way he was able to “trick” his opponents and yet still alt competitive. I was actually recruited by the lead scout of the Harlem Globetrotters and while I was too old and fat by that time and they were watching footage of me in my prime I still was the opening act for them on MLK day 2007. All footage on my channel. Bird had ice water in his veins and my Dads favorite player. Enjoyed your comentary and jealous cause you got twice my subs brother. But I still added you one.

Dude that is bandleader Paul Shaffer talking in the background at the beginning. Yeah he has a funny voice. He is also an insanely gifted musician.

Magic and Bird saved the NBA. Games weren't even broadcast live when they came into the league. Then they passed the torch to Jordan.

They say 6'9 but he's really 6'10"

The voice was Dave's music director, Paul Shaffer. They are both 6'9"

Continue with the complete interview.👍

LARRY LEGEND. ...........that's my dude for life. ..............GRIM

That voice was Paul Schafer, band leader.