How many rings does Larry Bird and Magic Johnson have?

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are two of the greatest basketball players of all time, and have amassed a large number of accolades during their respective careers.

Between them, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson have a total of 9 NBA Championship rings – 3 for Larry Bird, and 6 for Magic Johnson. Larry’s rings come from his 1981, 1984, and 1986 Championship titles with the Boston Celtics, while Magic’s rings are from the Lakers’ 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 2000 Championship titles.

In addition, the two men have earned dozens of individual honors, including gaining entry into the Basketball Hall of Fame, multiple Most Valuable Player Awards, NBA Championships Finals MVP Awards, All-Star Games, and All-NBA Team honors.

Altogether, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson have a combined total of 9 NBA Championship rings to their names, as well as over a dozen individual accolades for their amazing accomplishments in the NBA.

Was Bird or Magic better?

This is ultimately a subjective question, as it depends on a person’s individual opinion as to whether they feel that either Bird or Magic was a better basketball player.

Bird was a prodigious shooter and rebounder who also had excellent court vision. His successful three-point shooting helped revolutionize the game, while his ability to make plays for his teammates made him an all-around threat.

Bird was a fierce competitor and was a major part of the Boston Celtics’ historic 1980s resurgence.

Magic was a masterful facilitator, who had seemingly unlimited energy and a flair for the dramatic. He was a three-time MVP who could do it all: dominate on offense, rebound and make big defensive plays.

His impeccable ball-handling and passing abilities made him one of the most prolific point guards of all time. Magic was instrumental in helping the Los Angeles Lakers to five championships during the 1980s.

Both Bird and Magic were great players who changed the game of basketball in major ways, and each has a strong argument to be considered one of the best of all time. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference as to which player was better, but it’s safe to say that neither one should be discounted.

How many rings did Magic and Kareem win together?

Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won five NBA championships together with the Los Angeles Lakers between 1980 and 1988. The first championship victory came in 1980 when the Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in six games.

The team won again the following year against the 76ers, this time in a clean sweep. The Lakers continued their dominance in the 1982 and 1983 season, sweeping both the San Antonio Spurs and the Milwaukee Bucks, respectively.

In 1985 and 1988, they respectively defeated the Boston Celtics and the Detroit Pistons to win the NBA championship. In total, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won five championship rings together.

Who else has 7 NBA rings?

The only other players with 7 NBA championship rings are Robert Horry and John Salley. Robert Horry is widely known as “Big Shot Rob” for his clutch shots, especially in the playoffs. He won two rings with the Houston Rockets, three rings with the Los Angeles Lakers, and two more with the San Antonio Spurs from 1993-2005.

Meanwhile, John Salley won two rings with the Detroit Pistons in 1989 and 1990 and then four rings with the Chicago Bulls in 1991, 1992 and 1996-1998.

What NBA player has 13 rings?

The NBA player with 13 rings is Bill Russell. He is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time and won 11 championship rings as a player and two additional championship rings with the Boston Celtics as an assistant coach.

Russell was an incredible defender, rebounder, and team leader during his playing career and dominated the NBA during his time in the league. He was an All-Star 12 times and won five MVP awards, as well as being named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time team.

Russell was also honored with a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.

Is Larry Bird a top 5 player of all time?

Yes, Larry Bird is generally considered to be a top 5 player of all time. He was an iconic star of the NBA and is considered one of the greatest players in history due to his unparalleled skills, leadership, and charisma.

He was an incredibly efficient all-around player who made an impact on both ends of the court. As an intense competitor and leader, Bird’s tenacity and fearlessness cemented him as one of the greatest players of all time.

He was adept at both offensive and defensive plays, setting countless records throughout his career. He played with a relentless passion that was unmatched by his peers, leading his teams to championship victories time and time again.

His career accomplishments alone make a strong case for his inclusion in the list of the top 5 players of all time.

Who has the 2nd most NBA rings?

The player with the second most NBA rings is Bill Russell, with 11 championships. He played for the Boston Celtics from 1956-1969 and was also the first African-American head coach in the NBA. Russell played an integral role in transforming the Celtics into one of the most dominant franchises in NBA history, appearing in 12 All-Star Games and winning five MVP awards.

He also won an Olympic gold medal in 1956. With the Celtics, Russell won his first championship in 1957 and went on to become the only player to win eight consecutive titles. He retired in 1969 with 11 championship rings, second only to his teammate and close friend, the legendary Larry Bird, who has 12.

How many times did Bird and Magic meet in the finals?

Bird and Magic Johnson met three times in the final series of the NBA. The first time was in the 1984 NBA Finals, when Johnson’s Los Angeles Lakers defeated Bird’s Boston Celtics in seven games to win the league title.

The second time was in the 1985 NBA Finals, when the Cavaliers defeated the Celtics in six games, putting an end to the Lakers’ run of championships. Finally, the third and last time Bird and Magic met in the finals was in 1987, when the Lakers defeated the Celtics in six games for their ninth championship.

Did Magic win a ring without Kareem?

No, the Los Angeles Lakers did not win a championship without Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Kareem spent 14 seasons with the Lakers and was an integral part of their success during that period, especially during the 1980s when they won five championships.

Both Magic Johnson and Kareem were there as amazing duo each time the Lakers won the title during that span. They were often thought of as the best 1-2 punch in the NBA and their success was inextricably linked to each other.

While Magic does have five championship rings without Kareem due to other successful runs with other teams, he never was able to win a title as a Laker without Kareem. Their near misses in 1989 and 1991 were both times that Magic and Kareem were together but ultimately did not finish the job.

Ultimately, Kareem provided a strong presence in the paint and a reliable scoring option that the Lakers could not have won without.

Did Magic accept the MVP for Kareem?

Yes, Magic Johnson accepted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award on behalf of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar when Kareem was unable to attend the NBA Awards in 1984. Johnson was a Lakers teammate of Abdul-Jabbar’s, winning five championships with him in Los Angeles.

Johnson had much respect for Abdul-Jabbar, as he responded to receiving the MVP Trophy on his behalf saying, “I just want to accept this trophy for the best basketball player ever — the incomparable, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

” Abdul-Jabbar is one of the greatest NBA players of all-time and Johnson’s act of accepting the MVP Award on his behalf showed the great respect he had for his former teammate. Johnson was six-time champion, three-time NBA MVP, twelve-time All-Star, no one was better suited to receive the prestigious MVP Award for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player on behalf of Abdul-Jabbar.

Why didn t Kareem win MVP?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did not win MVP in the 1973-1974 season for a few reasons. First, he was young and relatively unproven, having only played six seasons prior to the season in question, and his numbers were only slightly above average.

Second, despite the fact that he was already a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection, players such as Bob McAdoo, John Havlicek, and Nate Archibald had already established themselves as stars and were in contention for the award.

Third, Abdul-Jabbar’s Bucks were struggling that season, posting a 40-42 record despite his impressive performance. Lastly, his statistical numbers were not as impressive as other players who were vying for the award, such as Bob McAdoo, who won MVP that season averaging 34.

5 points and 14. 1 rebounds per game. Ultimately, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s performance that season solidified his position as one of the greats, but it wasn’t good enough for him to take home the MVP award.

Did Magic and Kareem dislike each other?

No, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did not dislike each other. In fact, they had a strong friendship and a great level of mutual respect. They were two of the most iconic and successful players in NBA history, and this was reflected in their relationship.

Magic often credits Kareem for teaching him a lot about the game of basketball and for being an invaluable mentor in his early career. While their respective teams (Lakers and Bucks) competed fiercely against each other during their tenures in the NBA, this never seemed to get in the way of their friendship.

Ultimately, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are fondly remembered not only for their individual legacies, but also for their successful partnership as teammates with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980’s.

Why did Kareem wear the goggles?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar famously wore a pair of goggles during his NBA tenure. The goggles were actually prescribed to him by an eye doctor to help protect his eyes from any potential damage during his basketball playing career.

Kareem had already suffered from an eye injury when he was a teenager and was worried about getting injured again. The goggles also helped him keep sweat and dirt out of his eyes, which improved his visibility during the game.

He was also an innovator and had a unique style, so wearing the goggles also complemented his image.

Who did Magic win his first ring against?

Magic Johnson won his first NBA championship in 1980 when his Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers four games to two in the NBA Finals. This was the first of five championships that Johnson would win with the Lakers during his illustrious career.

The Finals matchup featured a number of Hall of Famers, including Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bob McAdoo, Jamaal Wilkes, Julius Erving, and Moses Malone, among many others. The Lakers took control of the series in Game 4 when Johnson scored 42 points, including a buzzer-beater in the first overtime to lead Los Angeles to a 129–121 win.

The Lakers went on to win the series in six games and secure the first championship in Johnson’s career.

Who was better between Magic and Bird?

It’s impossible to definitively say whether Magic Johnson or Larry Bird was the better basketball player because it depends on the criteria used to measure success. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.

Magic Johnson could do pretty much everything on the basketball court: initiate the offense, run the fast break, score, rebound, and dish out assists. He was also a clutch performer who had a knack for rising to the occasion in the playoffs.

Johnson led his team to five NBA championships and three MVP awards.

Similarly, Larry Bird was a jack-of-all-trades. He rebounded exceptionally well and had unrivaled passing and court vision. His uncanny shooting ability and competitive spirit made him a leader on the court.

Bird was named the MVP three times and won three NBA championships with the Boston Celtics.

Overall, both players are remembered as two of the greatest basketball players of all time. Despite numerous awards and accolades, it’s ultimately hard to say with certainty who was better between Magic and Bird.