Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 11:30 am  |  75 responses

Win Larry and Magic’s New Book!

Your chance to cop an autographed copy!

by Ryne NelsonWhen the Game Was Ours

For some people, the past defines them. They talk about the times of yesteryear like they were civilization’s greatest moments. Some people choose to remember the past so fondly that they barely seem to be present. Not only do these people make for poor company (‘Oh, it’s this old story again…’), but they often remember events to be more grandiose than what they were.

No doubt, the majority of reporters and fans who witnessed the 1980s NBA agree, it was Golden Era for the League and Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, in no small part, were the heart and soul of that Era. And even if you didn’t experience the depth of rivalries and talent during that time, you’ve surely heard your fair share about it.

But very few have heard the stories straight from the era’s two biggest stars. Rest assured, this isn’t like listening to the same old story for the 52nd time.

If you put two TVs next to one another — one playing the 1987 Finals and the other playing the 2009 Finals — there would be major differences, and we’re not just talking about visual broadcast quality and camera angles! Clearly, basketball has changed in the past 20 years. The product certainly is different, but still full of instances ‘Where Amazing Happens’ (please remove these memories from history though, please!).

I believe the keys to a successful future for the NBA lie in its past. Books like When the Game Was Ours provide not only a unique perspective into a ‘Golden’ NBA landscape, but also inspiration and direction for the future. So, with that thought in mind, I pose this question: What aspects of the Magic and Larry Era — the 1980s and the early 90s — could improve today’s NBA?

Based on the responses, we will choose three winners to receive a hardcover, first edition book signed by Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Have at it!

  • Add a Comment
  • Share
  • RSS

Tags: , , , , ,

← Older Comments
  • Max L

    Truthfully, I believe that back in the days of the Bird/Johnson era, basketball was solely played for the love of the game. Throughout the 1970s,80s, and 90s, basketball was a conservative sport where people actually boxed out, dove for the ball, and didn’t care about tangible goods such as money as they did for team pride and spirit. In today’s generation, basketball has become a highly advertised sport that bolsters the individual, physical qualities of a player instead of the cerebral, collective qualities of a team. Bird and Johnson were extremely smart players, and came mentally prepared to every game in their careers. Unfortunately, the same doesn’t apply to the prodigious amount of players today, and therefore the beautiful, immaculate plays that Bird and Magic once orchestrated are on the brink of extinction. In addition to that, the Magic and Bird era can improve the NBA today by emphasizing the humble, team-first thinking the two stars embraced. Presently, the NBA is saturated with lucrative contracts and endorsements that give athletes the incentive to play for money and fame overshadow the want for players to strive with others as a collective unit. Hopefully, a revival of basketball fundamentals will exhume the Bird and Magic Era, and ameliorate a basketball league that has been plagued with individualism, materialism, and unnecessary media expansion.

  • JDH21

    First off the NBA would not be what it is today without the Larry Bird Magic Johnson rivalry. It is fair to say that their arrival into the NBA saved the league. This same epic rivalry also gave new life to the NCAA tournament with their epic battle in 1979. UCLA had long been the dominant force in college basketball led by John Wooden. The 1979 final was a rarity though where two lesser known schools were led by two stars in Bird & Magic. To this day that game is still the highest rated college basketball game ever. Although Magic’s led Michigan State Spartans got the best of Bird’s Indiana State Sycamores on that day this would only be the beginning of the rivalry. With the structure of the league today it is rare to have a rivalry of this magnitude carry on so quickly to the NBA from the college ranks. This was a time where the concept of one and done was non-existent. When Bird and Magic were drafted by the two most heralded franchises in NBA history the stage was set for one of the greatest rivalries in basketball history. They transformed the NBA from simply a novelty in many people’s eyes into a form of entertainment. During the 1980′s the Celtics or the Lakers were in the NBA finals every year, playing each other 3 times. To this day there has never been a rivalry that changed the sport quite like Bird vs. Magic, and I don’t know if there ever will be. Never once did either of them demand a trade or go on a media tirade. They were true role models of the NBA and revolutionized the sport as we know it. To only make a few points of how the era of these two legends could improve the NBA today is injustice to both. Considering they saved the league as we know it and helped make it what it is today.

  • Taranvir Sandhu

    When does this end?

  • http://aol.com Martin Fenn

    Magic and Bird epitomized the term (and practically coined it too) “love for the game.” They played with heart and hustle simply for the welfare of the NBA. You always hear Michael Jordan say “I had the individual accolades, but I needed that ring to take me above Bird and Magic.” Dr.J put the fun into basketball and Magic and Bird put the creativity and spirit into the game and from there people like MJ added to basketball’s legacy. Today, superstars seek money and fame, while Magic and Bird could have made a living ballin’ for FREE. The love for the game needs to be reestablished by someone down the line, as Magic and Bird had done before our decade.

  • Ball For Life

    Its been over a week now

  • http://www.jameyburke.blogspot.com KobeWearsAPurpleThong

    1st off, we MUST get that NBA on NBC music back-even if TNT or ABC buys the right. “da da da da da da da DA..” Some of you youngin’s may have to Google it. Next, we have to bring back toughness-these guys missing game after game for these trivial, lame injuries has got to go. Next, no more arenas named for corporate sponsors. When Bird and Magic played, we had the Boston Garden, The Fabulous Forum etc. Now we have the FedEx Forum, Staples Center-ugh. And finally, the sneakers. Bird and Magic rocked very simply, yet dope Converse Weapons. Now we have all these ugly, ridiculous kicks. Kobe and Lebron with a different colorway for each game?? AWFUL-Keep it simple yet elegant fellas. We could all learn a little from YouTubing a little NBA on NBC Lakers-Celtics action….

  • Ali Saadat

    I think the Game today can use some more emotional freedom. You express as much emotion on the court than you could in the 80s and 90s. Magic and Bird played with so much emotion which made them that much more entertaining to watch. These guys love the game so much and its hard for them to lay with love when they can’t express their competitevness and heart. But then again, like you said in one the recent issues of SLAM, blame the Malice at the Palace.

  • Al

    Ryne, have the winners already received their books? Will the winner be announced? The suspense is killing me!

  • Ball For Life

    Please, when are u gonna annouce it !

  • rodman5179

    Plain and simple, Its all about the mateships of the players in the Golden Era. Bird and Magic, Sir Charles and Jordan, Dominique and the Detriot Bad Boys.
    Then they would step over that white line and F#@*ing kill each other.
    AHH the good old days.

  • Ball For Life

    Man its been more than a week!!!!! Announce the winners already

  • Ball For Life

    please announce the winners. For Christmas

  • joe

    i’m never going to do a slam contest again. lies…LIES!

  • God Shamgod

    Ryne,

    Your killing us here. This is an awesome prize make the announcement already.

  • James Hernandez

    I THINK IF THEY WERE PLAYING IN THE NBA THEY WOULD MAKE A LITTLE DIFFERENCE IN THEIR TEAM BECAUSE THERE TEAM IS REALLY GOOD RIGHT NOW.THEY WOULDN’T ALMOST IMPROVE NOTHING.

  • John Rebelo

    As we aproach the 2010 off season everyone wants to know where Labron Wade and Bosh will sign. Back in the day players where loyal to there teams, guys would start and finsh thier career in the same city. The ego’s of players today are out of control you never heard Bird or Magic say make my team a winner or im leaving. The great players would make thier teams contenders, not ask to be traded to one.

  • Dunkman

    What I think should come back is the amazing teamwork of the Magic – Bird Era. If you compare game film from that era and a modern NBA game, you would notice the emphasis on passing. Whenever Magic or Bird had the choice to do it themselves or pass it to someone else, they’d pass it. Currently, players are so focused on taking it to the hole themselves, or making that big play themselves, that there are seldom plays where there are more than 3 or 4 passes. I would love to see an unselfish player like Magic or Bird come along and bring teamwork and passing back into the NBA.

  • God Shamgod

    Will there ever be a winner……..

  • Taylor Hackett

    There are so many different things that can be taken from the Bird/Magic days. Magic’s enthusiasm from day 1 where he jumped into kareem’s arms and kareem said calm down its only the first game! and magic said i dont care im always gonna be like this. Bird’s inspirational love for the game and dedication to practicing the fundamental’s and basics. These two players may not have been the best of all time, but they are sure one of a kind. Bird was not the most athletic, tallest, or strongest player; but he outsmarted and outworked more gifted athletes. Magic was such a badass some people don’t even realize his real nme is Earvin! Magic’s passing has drawn outlines for so many great players since him: chris paul, jason kidd, john stockton, and gary payton. He brought “Showtime” and excitement back into the NBA when it was in a slump. Without these two players revitalizing and rejuvenating the NBA; it may not exist today. I credit these two players for single-handedly saving the NBA. These players created the greatet rivalry of its era. Teams and players these days don’t get into rivalries or get as emotional as they used to. Going outside of the box and forgetting about the players and the league itself; i think the Arena’s and Fan bases are so much lower. During games their are so many advertisements and distractions away from the game that the fans don’t fall in love with the team and its players like they did in these days. Myself and others may still be die-hard NBA fans, but the population of us has considerably shrunk since Bird/Magic and eve the Jordan Era. I want to see the people who choose the season tickets of their team over a month’s worth of groceries. The players now play the game for the money, not the love of the game. I would love to see today’s game with the physicality of the 80′s and 90′s. Not these Tick-tack fouls left and right which take the best players out of the game. I would give anything to have seen these two players and their teams go up against eachother in the final’s during their primes. I want this book so badly I can taste it.

  • Charlie

    It’s been a looong week Ryne when the contest was supposed to be closed and 3 winners were to be announced. Make the cutoff 2 weeks from when you opened the contest up and announce the winners…

  • Ball For Life

    ya, like just pick winners already!!!

  • Who is Dnastee?

    Please announce the winners.

  • http://slamonline.com Ben Osborne

    Winners were chosen and sent the books. Ryne will post their names in here soon. Sorry we didn’t close the contest.

  • http://Slam Jasmine

    Bird and Magic were both great players and will alaways be remembered. Why they inspire NBA stars from today to play hard to get to the sport were they were. Those two are legends and every NBA star wants to be like them. They dont just inspire the NBA stars they inspire the NBA nation. These to great players will alaways bring impact to the game.

  • http://Slam Jasmine

    Im sorry i ment spot instead of sport.

← Older Comments
Advertisement