Even a long time after his retirement, Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson stays an icon within the eyes of most NBA followers.
For many followers, Magic Johnson’s largest contribution stays serving to the NBA stand again on its ft throughout the Eighties. It was the results of Magic’s iconic rivalry towards Boston Celtics legend Larry Chicken.
The Corridor of Famers locked horns within the NBA Finals on three separate events, with Johnson holding a 2-1 report over Chicken. In some methods, followers fondly keep in mind the 2 legends teaming up on the 1992 Dream Staff greater than their rivalry within the Eighties. However it wasn’t the primary time that Magic and Chicken performed on the identical aspect.
Lengthy earlier than representing Staff USA on the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Magic and Chicken wore the nationwide colours for a World Invitational Match in 1978. The round-robin occasion featured the USA going through off towards Cuba, Russia, and Yugoslavia.
Johnson was surprised by the then-Indiana State Sycamores ahead’s elite abilities. In reality, the longer term Lakers legend even labeled Chicken because the ‘baddest white dude’ after watching him dominate within the Invitational Match.
“They’d put Larry Chicken and I on the identical staff to scrimmage. It was dominating my thoughts as a result of he was domianting Jack Giiven – Participant of the 12 months in school basketball. Larry Chicken is consuming him alive,” Johnson mentioned.
He added: “I couldn’t wait to go dwelling and inform my boys, ‘Man, this dude named Larry Chicken is actual. That is the baddest white dude I’ve ever seen in my life.’”
Over time, white gamers have struggled at instances to compete with athletes of shade on the court docket. Nevertheless, Johnson was blown away by Larry Legend’s basketball prowess.
Chicken was later drafted by the Boston Celtics with the sixth general choose within the 1978 NBA draft. The Indiana State ahead went on to have a terrific profession and gained three NBA championships amongst different accolades.
Magic and Chicken could have grow to be future rivals within the NBA, they’ve at all times shared a way of mutual respect between one another. That was evident from the very fact Chicken hailed Johnson as arguably the most effective level guard on Staff USA’s 1978 Invitational Match roster.
“I believed he’s most likely the most effective guard on the staff. We didn’t get to play so much, however you would inform. While you play with Magic, there’s one thing about it. You need to make that additional move. You need to get that rebound, begin the break,” Chicken mentioned.
Who might have identified the 2 breathtaking prospects would at some point carry the NBA on their shoulders?
In a approach, Magic and Chicken’s rivalry paved the trail for future NBA greats. In any other case, the world might have missed out on a few of the most gifted gamers to ever step foot on the hardwood.
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