"The only white guy that was mentioned in the barbershop" - Magic Johnson says Larry Bird was well-respected in Black communities

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"The only white guy that was mentioned in the barbershop" - Magic Johnson says Larry Bird was well-respected in Black communities originally appeared on Basketball Network.
Magic Johnson transcended his status as a celebrated NBA superstar and became a beloved figure within Black communities. He emerged as a powerful role model for his fellow African Americans and is still inspiring them to this very day.
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As per Earvin, his former archrival, Larry Bird, also earned the same respect and admiration from Black communities during their playing careers. Johnson once revealed that Larry Legend was not viewed by Black NBA fans through the lens of racial stereotypes.
Instead, Magic noted that they recognized the Boston Celtics legend for his exceptional skills. In fact, they often laud him for his greatness.
"His game, you see, Larry Bird was the only [white] guy that was mentioned in the barbershop. 'Cause that's where all the talking in our community is, the barbershop or on the playground," Earvin once said via ESPN.
Magic gave Bird the utmost respect
Johnson and Bird were strikingly contrasting in terms of appearance and qualities as players. Despite their differences, Magic never had disdain for Larry. Instead, he even admired his nemesis for his remarkable talent and competitive spirit.
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From the very moment Johnson and Bird first faced each other on the hardwood, it was clear that both players were meant to change the game forever. They possessed a unique set of skills that separated them from the rest, and they were eager to dominate each other.
Their opposite styles and approaches to the game made for a captivating rivalry. However, it never escalated to animosity. Magic had always given "Larry Legend" the utmost respect he deserved as a competitor.
"Larry and I have an unusual relationship. We've been both competitors and good friends for many years. I have tremendous respect for Larry. He won't quit; he has the will to win. I spent a lot of sleepless nights preparing for him. That's respect," Magic wrote on a classic Skybox NBA card of Bird.
"The highest respect you can pay to any player is that you fear him. Larry's the only player I feared," the Los Angeles Lakers icon continued.
Related: "Lot of teammates don't be as close as us three are after basketball" - Gary Payton on why he keeps close ties with his old SuperSonics teammates
Bird didn't need to be Black to be a great player
For decades, the NBA has been predominantly Black. Currently available online data from 2023 states that the league has approximately 70.4% African American players. Nevertheless, Bird never felt intimidated or out of place.
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Bird has always believed that basketball is a Black man's game. However, he never let this lingering thought affect his mentality and drive as a player. He recognized early on that he did not have the innate athleticism that many of his Black peers possessed. Rather than allowing this realization to affect him, The Hick from French Lick focused on working on other aspects of his game.
Bird dedicated himself to improving his shooting accuracy, playmaking skills and mastering the fundamentals. Through relentless practice and determination, Larry quickly transformed his game, earning a reputation as one of the premier players of his generation.
Before long, Bird's exceptional work ethic and strategic mindset allowed him to break into the elite ranks of Black NBA players, including Magic. Today, Bird is revered by basketball fans from all walks of life and ethnicities.
Related: Quinn Buckner reveals Larry Bird only watches Nikola Jokic play: "Larry said there is only one guy that he watches play"
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.