Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Magic Johnson’s Former Agent Revealed Larry Bird’s Trash Talk to Lakers Legend: “Sit Back, I’m Going To Put On A Show Tonight.’ He Scored 40.”
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Magic Johnson’s Former Agent Revealed Larry Bird’s Trash Talk to Lakers Legend: “Sit Back, I’m Going To Put On A Show Tonight.’ He Scored 40.”

Magic Johnson’s Former Agent Revealed Larry Bird’s Trash Talk to Lakers Legend: “Sit Back, I’m Going To Put On A Show Tonight.’ He Scored 40.”

Larry Bird was regarded as one of the biggest trash talkers in the sport.

Aaron Abhishek
Oct 2, 2022
3 Min Read
Share

Credit: Fadeaway World

Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics legends Magic Johnson and Larry Bird’s rivalry has been well-documented. The latter was regarded as one of the biggest trash talkers in the sport, but his incredible skill set also ensured that he could back it up.

And Bird did just that, especially after his competitive feud was on since their pre-NBA days. Vouching for the fact that Bird had ice in his veins was Johnson’s former agent, Lon Rosen.

Per a feature in The Athletic, Rosen recollected how Johnson would tell him that he had never heard someone trash talk as Bird it.

“Earvin used to tell me, ‘I’ve never heard anybody talk more trash than Larry.’ Now, Earvin talked a lot of trash, too, but he said there was nobody better than Larry.”

He also took the readers on a trip down memory lane:

“The Lakers were playing the Celtics at home and Magic wasn’t playing that game. Larry came up to Magic before the game and said, ‘Sit back, I’m going to put on a show tonight.’ He scored 40.”

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the duo shared that intense rivalry. The two teams have dueled it out 12 times in the NBA Finals and the two players squared off thrice in the marquee event.


Magic Johnson And Larry Bird’s Rivalry Received The Documentary Treatment In 2010

Titled ‘Magic & Bird’, a documentary was released on HBO with actor Liev Schreiber narrating the long-standing competitiveness between the two. It was inspired by ‘When the Game Was Ours’ by Jackie MacMullan.

The duo had been at it since the 1979 NCAA Basketball Championship Game and lasted till the time they clashed on the hardwood. 

Despite the immense talent they brought to the table, their careers were cut short. While Johnson’s HIV diagnosis saw him call curtains down on his decorated career, Bird’s debilitating back injury meant calling time on his playing days as well.

Their rivalry was also one of the storylines in HBO’s recent show, ‘Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty’. Quincy Isiah essayed Johnson, while Bird was played by Sean Patrick Small.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Boston Celtics ArchiveLarry Bird
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByAaron Abhishek
Aaron Abhishek is an NBA columnist for Fadeaway World. He graduated from St. Joseph's College with a Bachelor's in Visual Communication and a Master's in journalism.His passion for the sport began when he saw Michael Jordan take his final shot in the NBA, and he considers himself fortunate to have been a part of the Kobe Bryant era. Now he writes basketball news and analysis while waiting for the Los Angeles Lakers to win their 18th title.When not watching and writing basketball, you can find Aaron suited to play cricket, putting in some hard yards at the gym, trying a new coffee, and supporting Arsenal. Expertise: NBAFavorite Team: Los Angeles LakersPrevious Work: MEAWW, Blue Man Hoop, Sportskeeda
Previous Article Matt Barnes Says He Once Threatened To Hit Robert Sarver: “I’ll Slap The Sh*t Out Of You In Front Of Your Wife.”
Next Article Klay Thompson Jokingly Takes Dig At Jordan Poole After Beating Him In A 3-Point Contest: “It Was Nice To Humble Him”
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Every NBA Team's Best Starting Lineup Since 2000
NBA News & Analysis

Every NBA Team’s Best Starting Lineup Since 2000

October 3, 2025
Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick speaks to media before a Game 2 of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

JJ Redick Explains Why Lakers Got Blown Out By Suns In Preseason Opener

October 4, 2025
Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts against the Golden State Warriors at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Phoenix Suns News & Analysis

Devin Booker Trolls Deandre Ayton During Lakers-Suns Game

October 4, 2025
Lonzo Ball
Cleveland Cavaliers News & Analysis

Lonzo Ball On Track For Major Redemption Season, Turning Heads At Training Camp

October 4, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?