It was one of the biggest rivalries in sports history. It started in their college years and went all the way to the pro court.
It was between the L.A. Lakers's Earvin "Magic" Johnson and the Boston Celtics's Larry Bird.
Between the two of them, they won eight NBA titles and six MVPs. The rivalry produced a video game, commercials, a tear-jerking documentary and now a new play - "Magic/Bird" - which opens on Broadway tomorrow. It's about how they went from being each other's biggest competitors to best friends.
Zoraida sits down with Magic to talk about the play, his legendary career and his off-court battle with HIV. He also weighs in on the controversy over the Trayvon Martin case, and the outpouring of support from current NBA players.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertise with us | About us | Help | Advertising Practices
It does not matter what a person race is or the status of what they are worth. Justice needs to be served in this case. If it was a family member of yours or someone you knew personally you would want justice. Be very mindful that a young man who was not given a chance to even live his life. George Zimmerman should have stayed in his car and none of this would have happened. We would not be on this site or having these conversations we all must abide by rules. George was told to stay in his car by law inforcement. "If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything."
We don't really know what had happened or will we ever know until Trayvon comes back to life. It is unfortunate that police did not arrest Zimmerguy and hold him until trial. If he proves that he is acting on self-defense, then he is free. Blacks can start a riot and loot all the stores after the verdict. Just like Rodney King trial.
Innocent of murdering an unarmed teenager who DID NOT break into your home? Zimmerman isnt a cop and had no right to even approach this young kid, Magic has plenty of money and does not need to bow down to advertisers or business partners, money isnt everything atleast there are some people who still will not sell their souls or compliance for any amount, lol @ Magic learning a lesson lol you should learn from him.. im sure hes doing alot better in life than you.. even with HIV.
Well we know Trayvon was murdered by George Zimmerman. Enough said.
Shame on both of you Braves2 and Jim Beam. Mr. Johnson (yes! Mr. Johnson) can say and think what he wants. He's just expressing what a lot of people think.
how can an oppressed group in a domestic colonalistsituation be racist?They have no power at all and are on the bottom economically.Braves 2 u seem to have a problem with being "half black" as u said.you're probably just waiting for your chance to get at a teenager young brother.
The evidences speaks volume. I'm Black! Zimmerman chase that kid down and murdered him. Who are you to advise Magic Johnson?
I dont understand why magic johnson hasn't died from aids. I don't understand why you can't shot a white person and law enforcement is cool with it. Money and self defense law and your immortal.
Love you Magic Man
Big surprise...a black celebrity is outraged.
When you Magic Johnson you can always say how you really feel, not what others thin you should say.
He did not say justice should be given to Trayvon. He said justice should be served.
I'm down with whatever Jim Beam is saying.
If everybody and his mama can flap their gums over the Zimmerman case, so can Magic.
......if Magic wants to be the big businessman/spokesperson, he has a few lessons to learn; a la keep your big trap shut about issues that are controversial.
The Trayvon case is a tragedy; however, the facts have been so distorted and clouded, none of us really knows what happened.
I am sure Magic's Dodger partners were cringing re his decision to add fuel to this particular fire.
If Magic wants to be the model for big businessman, he better take some more PR lessons because corporate sponsorship and advertising, etc., is the name of the game, and none want a spokeman that public take sides in a heated issue.
If Magic wanted to speak on this, he should have simply left it with the comment about seeking a full and fair impartial investigation.
How can he be such a knucklehead at this point, right after the Dodger's deal when they will be seeking wide corporate sponsorship's ? Knucklehead.
First of all, you call Magic a knucklehead at the same time saying that he is a part owner of a 2 billion dollar deal to buy the Dodgers. I doubt that if you really looked at Magic's business decisions over the last 20 years and his business tactics you would not call him a knucklehead. So, that is an absolutely ignorant statement. Magic could speak on the situation just as you can because this is called the United States of America, not the United States of Certain People. So, there is nothing wrong with him saying as much as he wants to about this tragic situation. He is right when he says the black community has seen this over and over again. You first have to check the history of the great country and see the true oppression, lynchings and mental abuse that has taken place towards people of color. Facts Not Fiction. Did he take sides specifically about the case? No, he stated his feelings about the outrage that has taken place. You are just upset because he is a very liked, known personality that is expressing true feelings about the racial divide that exists. The facts are this – Trayvon is buried in the ground, George Zimmerman has not been arrested, George Zimmerman was carrying a weapon, Trayvon did not have anything but skittles and ice-t. Point blink. That is not distorted. Read the police report, get true information about what has happened on a daily basis to people before you call anyone a knucklehead or give a guy who has been an awesome representative of a US citizen in terms of his basketball career and business career any type of advice. I ask you, what is your position and/or business acumen to call Magic Johnson a knucklehead? Who jumped to conclusions about Magic Johnson after hearing a 5 minute interview when he has spoken and done more than you and me and millions of others in his lifetime. Now ask yourself who is the knucklehead?
Is Magic Johnson, in America yes he is and as a result he is allowed to share his opinion like you are. So Jim, instead of being hypocrit and telling LA to shut it. How about keeping you respect others opinions or receive none for yours.
Ther was nothing wrong with Magic's statement. I felt he played it safe and did not take sides. He did not speak out against the agressor zimmerman, but did show compassion and empathy for the grieving family. Nothing wrong with that at all. He was asked the question and he answered it quite politely and heartfelt. Looks like you are reaching for some negativity a bit, don't you?
Magic says there should be a thorough investigation, good point. But at the same time he says – Justice should be given to Trayvon. Why not Zimmerman? I am not saying Zimm is innocent, maybe he is – maybe he is not. But investigations says he is, atleast until now. I am half black, and I can say black people are the most insecured of the lot. A bit racist too.
I agree with you at 100% percent.
Black people have also had to endure the most. We should be lifting people up not calling each other names.
You are correct that as a people, black people have had to endure more than most people. However, they need to move past this. While there are many areas of the country where blacks are still not treated fairly, it goes both ways. Most murders that happen to black people are by other black people. Not white people. Not Hispanics. The people who succeed in this life are the ones that don't let anything keep them down. They are able to rise out of the worst situations and win. I also agree with Brave2. No one really knows the truth of what happened that night, but they have already acted as judge and jury to Zimmerman. As more evidence comes out we may find he truly was defending himself. Even so, that also does not make him innocent. He should have listened to the dispatcher and not followed Trayvon. We may find out that neither of them is innocent, only that a life was cut tragically short. I personally will be praying for both families and for that community.
And murders against white people are commited by white people. And why is it that people are always saying that blacks play the race card and they need to get over it? That's like telling a Jewish person to get over the Holocaust.
There is no justification for any person to be shot just because they looked suspicious.
What do you mean, Blacks are insecure and racist???? Maybe you need to shut up your white side. Have you not kept up with the news in this country as to how many Blacks are murdered by so called law enforcers? Magic Johnson, President Obama and EVERY black in this country has a right to comment on the Trayvon Martin story.
Then you must have it honestly on both sides. Poor guy...
Magic never said that we need justice for Trayvon, he said "they [referring to the family] need justice, in whichever way that is" and said that we need the truth to come out.
As to what the investigation says about Zimmerman's innocence...of course it "says" he's innocent. Someone in the U.S. is innocent until PROVEN guilty, even if he is indicted he'd be innocent unless he is eventually convicted. A part of me does feel for Zimmerman, because of that ridiculous law, and because of the seemingly botched up investigation Zimmerman seems guilty, it seems like there was a cover-up, it seems like the cops are hiding something...If Zimmerman isn't charged, it'll always seem like something has been covered up.
Either the half that is not black wrote this post or you have serious issues about your mixed race heritage. As a 100% black female, I take exception to your statement that black people are the most insecure of the lot. I know most non-blacks feel we are over sensitive about race issues and pull the "race card" about any and everything, but until you've actually walked a mile in our shoes, maybe you should just keep your mouth closed. Many of us have relatives who remember a time when a white man could kill a black man and no one would care or prosecute the white man. If the black man's family protested too much, they may find themselves hanging from a tree while whites had picnics around the base of the tree where the body was hanging. That's actually the origin of the word picnic, but it's been shortened. It was pick a n***a (nword). They would pick a nword hang him and the whites would sit around having a good time eating and socializing while they watched the black man or woman or child they hanged die at the end of a rope We just want to make sure that mess won't ever happen again! And if that means that some of you have to listen to what you feel is our moaning about nothing, well, we really don't give a flip! I hope the black half of your family has a really long talk with you. You have a lot to learn. You must not look black at all because you would be more concerned about finding yourself out late at night with a handful of skittles and someone like Zimmerman following YOU!
Not sure where you got that definition for picnic, but it's absolutely not true: http://www.snopes.com/language/offense/picnic.asp
picnic "really" your moms told you a lie and your so ignorant you believed it, sad