LARRY BIRD: You know, back in '84 when we shot that commercial, we really didn't know each other. We played in one All-Star Game together. When the ball went up, when we played against each other, everything was off. I mean, we were competitive. We wanted to win. We did whatever we had to do to get ourselves prepared. I know in the summertime, no matter how we finished up, I geared everything to playing The Finals against the Lakers. That's how I spent my summers.
You hear guys going out and having dinner together before the games. That was never gonna happen, believe me, because we were too competitive. Leave all that stuff for the summertime.
We did get to know one another. I had a lot of friends of mine were big Magic fans, thought he was the type of player you'd never be able to see again. I had so much respect for him, how he handled himself, how his teams played. He was the man with the ball. He was making the decisions. It all started in '84 and it's carried on now to 24 years later.
MAGIC JOHNSON: Exactly.
Read more:
Larry Bird and Magic Johnson teleconference interview - InsideHoops.com
Converse commercial with Larry bird and Magic johnson - YouTube
Breh.....they been friends since 1984. They're rivalry ain't stop til the late 80s. They just left that friend shyt on the sidelines.
WATCH: The sneaker commercial that made Magic and Bird friends
By DAN GOOD
Last Updated: 6:50 AM, April 12, 2012
Posted: 12:54 AM, April 12, 2012
Share on emailShare on facebook More Sharing ServicesMore Print Basketball legends Larry Bird and Earvin Magic Johnson visited the Late Show With David Letterman Wednesday to discuss their friendship which began in earnest in French Lick, Indiana, on the set of a sneaker commercial.
I did not want to go to Indiana, Johnson said of the
1986 encounter. I was going to his home, too. I protested.
The duos appearance on Letterman coincides with the Broadway opening of Magic/Bird, the play about their rivalry and off-court connection.
"MAGIC/BIRD" REVIEW
Their rivalry simmered for more than a decade, a battle of one-upmanship between Birds Celtics and Johnsons Lakers. Magic won five NBA championships (along with the 1979 NCAA championship), and Larry three.
Both grew up poor in the Midwest. They were the most exciting basketball players of their generation, in the years before Michael Jordan became a superstar.
Their star power transcended the sport with that star power making the Converse commercial all the more exciting.
The pair shot the first half of the Converse commercial, then it was time for lunch. Magic figured he would head to his trailer. Instead, Larry invited his rival into the house.
Larrys mom was waiting with food and a big hug.
His mom greeted me on the porch, Johnson said. It was a Mom Bird hug, like my mom would hug me.
I got to know Larry the man that day, and he got to know Earvin.
Beyond the bonding, the pair also made a great commercial that day. The
1986 spot shows Magic roll up in a limo and Larry waiting in knee-high socks, short shorts and new Converse kicks, ready to ball.
Hey Magic, show me what you got! Bird says, and the game begins.
Their respect carried from that day, deepening with Magics 1991 HIV announcement, which Bird says made him not want to play that night, it shook him so much.
But Johnsons still around and so is Bird, two old friends, a testament to competition and respect realized in French Lick and now on Broadway.
LINK
WATCH: The sneaker commercial that made Magic and Bird friends - NYPOST.com
@2:03 
at KD talkin' about keepin' his head high, then the next clip shows with his head down 
. He'll be alright though.
