Jackie MacMullen was on WEEI this morning talking about her new book - When the Game Was Ours.
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. 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.
Jackie shared some great stories this morning about just how much these guys wanted to top each other and how they became great friends while shooting the famous Converse commercial in French Lick.
She says Bird was devastated by the news that Magic contracted HIV. Magic's other good friend, Isiah Thomas, became paranoid Magic was gay and that ultimately ended their relationship. And since Bird, Michael Jordan and Magic hated Isiah, he had no chance of making the 92 Dream Team.