"Larry's gonna kill you tomorrow, there's no Magic here" - Magic Johnson recalls a wild interaction with airport staff in Boston
Rivalries in the NBA constantly stir intense emotions, but few match the historical weight and drama of the Boston Celtics' and Los Angeles Lakers' rivalry. Moreover, this rivalry was at its most intense in the 1980s, mainly because both teams were led by generational talents. Fans didn't leave a chance to boast their hero's supremacy when the other dared to step on their territory.
Magic Johnson learned this the hard way during the 1984 NBA Finals. As soon as he set foot in Boston, he learned that Larry Bird would always be a more dominant force over him.
Magic was told clearly that Boston was 'Bird's Town'
The 1984 NBA Finals marked the first time in five years, since Magic and Bird entered the league, that they were bound to battle it out on the biggest stage. While Celtics fans boasted about Larry edging out Magic for the Rookie of the Year award, Lakers fans were content with Johnson leading the franchise to a title in 1980 as the Finals MVP.
But now, with the title on the line, it felt like everything - from bragging rights to legacy - was up for grabs. Put simply, the stakes couldn't have been higher.
Magic later recalled just how hostile the environment was in Boston. Right from the moment he stepped foot in the city, the local Celtics fans reminded him that his trickery wouldn't work, and no matter how hard he tried to emerge as the best player, it would always be Bird who will come out on top.
"When that game was coming up, two-three weeks out, people were preparing then. As soon as we hit town, it was like the devil hidden town. It was like, 'Oh, Oh, the devil is here,'" Magic recalled while holding onto his laughter. "I mean the baggage guys at the airport, 'Oh, Magic? Larry's gonna kill you tomorrow. There's no Magic here, this is Larry Bird's town.'"
Magic Johnson still managed to leave an impression
Despite the early taunts and pressure from the Boston crowd, Magic stayed locked in. In Game 1 of the 1984 NBA Finals, he let his performance speak louder than any insult. Johnson finished with 18 points on a highly efficient 7-of-11 shooting from the field. Moreover, the star point guard also dished out 10 assists and came up with a game-high four steals, helping the Lakers secure a 115-109 win, despite a second-half push by the Celtics.
To Bird's credit, he had a better performance in that game, logging 24 points and 14 rebounds. So, while it was Magic who showed his testament early on, Bird made sure that his loyal fans didn't have to bow their heads down to the Lakers' point guard that year as he dropped a series-high 27.4 points nd 14 rebounds to lead the Celtics to a miraculous win.
Even though the Celtics had the last laugh that year, Magic's stories from that series remain a vivid reminder of how ruthless the atmosphere could be in those days. Each visit to Boston or LA felt like entering a warzone, especially for the likes of Magic and Bird.This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
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