Related: Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty review – over-stretched basketball drama In the 1980s, basketball went from a marginal interest to an absolute phenomenon.
The reasons for the game’s ascent are varied and complicated – including increased television interest, endorsement deals with McDonald’s and Nike and the expansion of the league to more markets – but one major draw was the rivalry between the LA Lakers and Boston Celtics, and in particular, between Lakers point guard Magic Johnson and Celtics forward Larry Bird.
Like all great rivalries, it’s the differences between enemies that allow for the closest matchups. Magic was Hollywood personified; with his thousand-watt smile and razzle-dazzle style of play, he brought showmanship to the NBA.
Lakers games were a form of theatre, and sold-out arenas filled with the likes of Farrah Fawcett, Rob Lowe and Jack Nicholson sitting courtside. Gallery: Batmobiles down the ages - check out Batman's best-ever vehicles (Pocket-lint)Celebrities started attending Lakers games at the LA Forum just to be seen; the narrator (and a Celtics fan), Donnie Wahlberg, dismissively calls the Forum “the arena that doubles as a nightclub. ” Lakers games quickly became the centre of Hollywood glamour and Magic was the ringleader, standing 6ft 9in high, and appearing much larger.
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