Conan O’Brien recently tried to summon the spirit of Larry Bird in a game of horse against the legendary Magic Johnson.
On Tuesday night’s Conan, Conan O’Brien got the incredible opportunity to play a round of horse with Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson.
Per Jill O’Rourke of A Plus, O’Brien, who has been around many stars, was star struck in view of what was happening. Before the competition commenced, the late-night talk show host admitted that “My dream has long been to play a game of horse with Magic Johnson.”
Before O’Brien said that, though, things were already getting interesting on the court. O’Brien told Magic that he grew up in the 1980s when the latter played the vast majority of his career.
However, the TV host informed Magic of some “magic” words that will not make Lakers fans happy. O’Brien said that because he grew up in Boston, he was “always rooting for Bird,” via Yahoo Sports.
On that note, it is easy to tell that O’Brien was doing everything he could to rekindle the past. The Magic and Bird rivalry is among the most competitive ones in sports history. The pair went at it many times during that revolutionary era, especially on the NBA’s biggest stage.
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In spite of Conan’s efforts, though, he demonstrated that he has no traces of Larry Bird within him. The game of horse was not even close to being candid. Saying it was not even close is putting it lightly.
The night revealed that Magic, on the other hand, still has a little bit of muscle memory left. It is curious if Johnson’s success translated due to O’Brien’s love of Boston’s Bird. It very well could have sparked some additional energy within the Lakers’ legend, even if it was just a friendly game.
From the get-go, Magic was not taking it easy on the late-night host. The three-time MVP was regularly swishing mid-range shots. On account of this, O’Brien fell behind in a heartbeat.
O’Brien did what he could to make matters tougher for the Hall of Famer. It is fair to give him props for that. After referencing Bird before horse began, O’Brien took things to another level once he was down four letters.
According to the Indianapolis Star’s Joseph Spears, the TV host attempted to psychologically affect E.J. the Deejay. O’Brien brought a Larry Bird mask into the equation and comically wore it at one point. The Bostonian native joked around with Magic, telling the Lakers’ president of basketball operations to envision being in the Boston Garden again.
This moment inclined Magic to let out quite a laugh. Although that is true, O’Brien’s tactic did not alter Magic’s abilities whatsoever. However, the mind trick did cause Magic to want to join in on the fun.
Near the end of the match, the Lakers’ legend put on the Bird mask as well. Courtesy of what Spears transcribes, Magic said the following as he made the wardrobe change.
"“Man, this is the first time I’m wearing a white face here,” said Johnson. “I got Larry Bird’s face on as a black man. Wow.”"
The final outcome was not shocking, granted O’Brien hilariously coined it as a “shocking, shocking upset.” Magic caused the late-night personality to get an “e” via a mini skyhook he executed in the paint.
In the spirit of Magic’s “W,” though, the star of Conan courteously treated Johnson to a meal from Jack in the Box. Thus, despite the so-called “upset,” O’Brien clearly wanted to make the most of his dream. Even by Hollywood standards, Magic is a standout among the stars. To spend a few minutes with someone like that is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
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For Lakers lovers, though, the particularly cool part was the regurgitation of the past. Albeit Conan is not the most skilled baller ever, his attempt to relive the glorious Magic-Bird days was commendable. Those are times not even just Lakers fans, but sports fans, in general, will never forget.