Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Robert Parish recently joined Michael Cooper on his Showtime podcast. The 2 legends Relive the 1984 & 85 Celtics vs Lakers NBA Finals. Coop and parish chart the Larry Bird Magic Johnson rivalry and how it expanded to encompass and revive the Boston vs LA Rivalry of the Red Auerbach, Bill Russell, Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain matchups of the 1960s.



0:21 - Larry Bird and Magic Johnson rivalry
1:05 - 1984 championship loss still haunts
2:12 - Focus on Celtics and Lakers rivalry
3:55 - Importance of defense in championships
4:23 - Magic's determination after the game
5:24 - Competitive nature of the 85 championship series
6:25 - Discussing the impact of Len Bias
7:00 - Strategies for guarding Robert Parish

KEY TAKEAWAYS—

Reliving the Celtics vs Lakers Rivalry: Bird vs Magic in the 1980s

Bird and Magic: The Legendary Celtics vs Lakers Finals Rivalry Explained

How Bird and Magic Defined the Celtics-Lakers Rivalry in the NBA

The Historic 1980s NBA Finals: Bird, Magic, and Their Epic Rivalry

Celtics vs Lakers: Bird and Magic's Impact on NBA History and Legacy