The answer is Magic Johnson has more rings than Larry Bird. Magic Johnson won five championships as a player with the Los Angeles Lakers while Larry Bird won three championships with the Boston Celtics.
Magic Johnson won his first championship in 1980, followed by four more in 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988. Larry Bird won his first championship in 1981, followed by two more in 1984 and 1986. Magic Johnson also won two championships as a coach for the Lakers in 2000 and 2001.
All in all, Magic Johnson has seven championship rings, while Larry Bird has three.
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How many ring do Larry Bird have?
Larry Bird has three NBA Championship rings. He won them as a player with the Boston Celtics in 1981, 1984, and 1986. He was a 12-time All-Star, three-time MVP, two-time Finals MVP and nine-time All-NBA first team selection during his career.
These accomplishments were recognized with induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. After retiring, Larry Bird became the head coach of the Pacers, leading them to an Eastern Conference title and NBA Finals appearance in 2000.
He was also a mentor for the Indiana Pacers and a part-time member of the Celtics’ front office. He was given a fourth ring in 2008 when the Celtics won the championship.
How many rings Magic Johnson have?
Magic Johnson has won a total of 5 NBA championship rings of which 4 are as a player with the Los Angeles Lakers and 1 as the head coach of the Lakers. The 5 titles in total make him the 3rd most decorated NBA champion alongside, Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant.
Magic was instrumental in bringing the Lakers to prominence during the 1980s winning all 4 his rings throughout the decade. He won the first one in 1980, then went on to win three more – in 1982, 1985 and 1987.
He was also the head coach of the Lakers from 1994 to 1996 during which he won his fifth championship ring.
What is Magic Johnson record against Larry Bird?
Magic Johnson and Larry Bird faced off against each other in the NBA for 13 seasons, from 1979 to 1992. Magic’s Lakers and Bird’s Celtics met 10 times during the playoffs throughout that span, with the Lakers winning nine series and the Celtics winning one.
During the regular season, Magic and the Lakers won 42 of their 78 games against Bird and the Celtics.
As for individual matchups, Magic appeared to have the edge. He posted a career average of 21. 5 points, 12. 8 assists and 6. 1 rebounds against the Celtics while Larry scored 17. 3 points, 7. 8 assists and 10.
0 rebounds. Magic also won more awards in head-to-head matchups, including the MVP award in their very first playoff meeting in 1984, as well as the Finals MVP award in 1985.
Overall, Magic Johnson had a very successful record against Larry Bird, making him one of the most memorable matchups in NBA history.
Is Larry Bird a top 5 player of all time?
Yes, Larry Bird is widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time and is a definite top-5 player. He is most often listed in the top-5 alongside other legends like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
During his 13-year NBA career, he was an extraordinary shooter, passer, and rebounder who dominated the court. He won three championships and was the league MVP three times—an accomplishment that only two other players in NBA history have achieved.
He also made 12 NBA All-Star teams and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. Bird’s talents, work ethic, and ability to elevate his team’s play made him one of the most electrifying players in the league during his career.
As such, there’s no denying his place as one of the greatest players of all time.
Did Bird ever beat Magic?
No, Bird and Magic never played against one another. Bird and Magic were two of the best players in NBA history, but they never crossed paths on the court. Bird played for the Boston Celtics and Magic played for the Los Angeles Lakers, so they were in different conferences, so they only played against each other two times in total—both during the NBA All-Star Game in 1984 and 1985.
While Bird was named MVP of the first game, Magic ended up taking the title in the second game with a final score of 154–145. With these meetings being the only times these two legendary players ever faced off on the court, the answer is no, Bird never beat Magic.
How many times did Bird beat Magic?
Bird and Magic faced off against each other a total of 26 times during their careers in the NBA. Of those 26 matchups, Larry Bird was able to come out on top 14 times, while Magic Johnson won 12 games.
These two iconic players met in the NBA Finals three consecutive years from 1984-1986, with Bird’s Boston Celtics winning 2 out of the three series. Despite Bird having a higher overall winning percentage against Magic, both players would become known as two of the greatest of all time.
Who was Larry Bird’s toughest defender?
Larry Bird’s toughest defender was likely Chicago Bulls player Michael Jordan. Jordan and Bird were two of the most iconic players in the National Basketball Association and faced off against each other 15 times in their careers.
While Bird was a dominant player and held several records during his time with the Boston Celtics, he seemed to have the most difficulty when matched up against Jordan. Jordan was always up for the challenge of taking on one of the all-time greats on the court and was devoted to outplaying Bird every time they faced off.
Their head-to-head matchups were always down to the wire, with Jordan and Bird trading off game-winners that kept their respective teams in contention for the championship title. Jordan was often considered Bird’s greatest rival, and held a regular-season record of 8-7 against him.
Ultimately, Jordan was the one player throughout Bird’s career that presented the greatest challenge.
Who has the most NBA rings top 10?
The NBA has crowned a champion every year since 1947, with a total of 73 championships overall. Of those 73, the top 10 players with the most NBA rings are as follows:
1. Bill Russell – 11 championships (Boston Celtics, 1956–57, 1961–62, 1959–1966, 1968–1969)
2. Sam Jones – 10 championships (Boston Celtics, 1959–60, 1961–62, 1962–1963, 1964–1967, 1968–1969)
3. Tom Heinsohn – 8 championships (Boston Celtics, 1956–1957, 1959–1966, 1968–1969)
4. K.C. Jones – 8 championships (Boston Celtics, 1956–1957, 1959–1966, 1968–1969)
5. Robert Horry – 7 championships (Los Angeles Lakers, 2000–2002, Houston Rockets, 1994–95, San Antonio Spurs, 2005–07)
6. Michael Jordan – 6 championships (Chicago Bulls, 1991–1993, 1996–1998)
7. Scottie Pippen – 6 championships (Chicago Bulls, 1991–1993, 1996–1998)
8. LeBron James – 4 championships (Miami Heat, 2012-13, Cleveland Cavaliers, 2016, Los Angeles Lakers, 2020)
9. Magic Johnson – 5 championships (Los Angeles Lakers, 1980–1982, 1985, 1987–1988)
10. Tim Duncan – 5 championships (San Antonio Spurs 1999–2003, 2005)
Who has more than 6 rings?
The most prominent athlete to have more than six rings is Michael Jordan, who won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. His six titles came in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998. Jordan’s incredible success with the Bulls makes him one of the most successful and recognizable athletes of all time.
Other athletes with more than six rings include Bill Russell, who won 11 championships with the Boston Celtics, and Magic Johnson, who won five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. Additionally, Robert Horry has seven championships—two with the Houston Rockets, three with the Los Angeles Lakers, and two with the San Antonio Spurs.
How many rings did Magic and Kareem win together?
Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won five NBA championships together as members of the Los Angeles Lakers. They first won a championship in the 1981 season and then followed it up with four consecutive championships from the 1982-1985 seasons.
During their time together, Magic and Kareem were some of the greatest players of their generation, and the Lakers were one of the most dominant teams of the era. They were key players for the historic “Showtime” Lakers teams and each player was individually recognized for their contributions to the team.
Magic was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player three times during the championship run, while Kareem also won three MVP titles and was selected to a record 19 All-Star teams. Their five titles together is a testament to their greatness and the success they brought to the Lakers’ organization.
Who has the most championship rings?
The player with the most championship rings is Robert Horry. Robert Horry won seven National Basketball Association (NBA) championships as a player with three different teams—the Houston Rockets (1994, 1995), the Los Angeles Lakers (2000, 2001, 2002) and the San Antonio Spurs (2005, 2007).
Robert Horry also holds two additional titles, one as an Assistant Coach at the Los Angeles Lakers in 2010 and one as the Director of Player Personnel for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014. He is the only NBA player in history with seven championship rings.
Did Magic steal Finals MVP from Kareem?
No, Magic Johnson did not steal the Finals MVP award from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Johnson won the Finals MVP award in 1980 after leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers during the 1980 NBA Finals.
Abdul-Jabbar had previously won the Finals MVP award three times before Johnson won it in 1980. However, Johnson’s performance during the Finals was so exceptional—he averaged an astonishing 17. 7 points, 8.
3 rebounds and 13. 2 assists in that series—that the award committee decided he deserved the Finals MVP.
Who else has 7 NBA rings?
Michael Jordan is the only other NBA player to own 7 NBA championship rings. Jordan won his first NBA title as a member of the Chicago Bulls in 1991, and added six more championships in the following years – 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999.
Michael Jordan is widely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time, and his seven NBA title wins cement his status as one of the most successful and decorated athletes in professional sports history.
Which NBA person has the most rings?
The NBA person with the most rings is Bill Russell. Throughout his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics, Bill Russell won an astonishing 11 championships. He was a powerhouse of the Celtics, starting center and team captain who acted as a mentor and leader on the court.
During his professional NBA career (1956-1969), Bill Russell lead the Celtics to an unprecedented string of championship titles, including six in a row from 1959-1966, an incredible feat that has yet to be matched by any other franchise in the league’s history.
He was a five-time NBA Most Valuable Player, three-time All-Star, and was exclusive member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. Undoubtedly, Bill Russell was the most successful player in NBA history and has the record for most rings in the league.
