Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson One of the greatest rivalries in NBA history Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. #33 vs # 32, The Lakers vs The Celtics. Bird was drafted in 1978 6th overall. Magic was drafted in 1st overall in 1979. Larry Bird was born in the corn town of West Baden, Indiana. Magic born in the great state of Michigan Lansing to be exact. He had to grow up with 9 brothers and sisters. His mom was a school custodian and his dad worked at a General Motors Plant. For Bird things were different he lived in a small town there was about 2,000 people that lived there most of who came to watch Bird play high school ball. The two rivals are both 6 foot 9 and each played 13 seasons in the NBA. Bird was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998,