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When the Game Was Ours

By: Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Jackie MacMullan, Larry Bird
Narrated by: Dick Hill
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Publisher's summary

From the moment these two players took the court on opposing sides, they engaged in a fierce physical and psychological battle. Their uncommonly competitive relationship came to symbolize the most compelling rivalry in the NBA. These were the basketball epics of the 1980s - Celtics vs Lakers, East vs West, physical vs finesse, Old School vs Showtime, even white vs black.

Each pushed the other to greatness - together Bird and Johnson collected eight NBA Championships, and six MVP awards and helped save the floundering NBA at its most critical time. When it started they were bitter rivals, but along the way they became lifelong friends.

With intimate, fly-on-the-wall detail, When the Game Was Ours transports listeners to this electric era of basketball and reveals for the first time the inner workings of two players dead set on besting one another. From the heady days of trading championships to the darker days of injury and illness, we come to understand Larry's obsessive devotion to winning and how his demons drove him on the court. We hear him talk with candor about playing through chronic pain and its truly exacting toll. In Magic we see a young, invincible star struggle with the sting of defeat, not just as a player but as a team leader. We are there the moment he learns he's contracted HIV and hear in his own words how that devastating news impacted his relationships in basketball and beyond. But always, in both cases, we see them prevail.

A compelling, up close and personal portrait of basketball's most inimitable duo and a rollicking ride through professional basketball's best times.

©2009 Larry Bird and Earvin Johnson (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.
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What listeners say about When the Game Was Ours

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Laker or Celtic fan will love

Mostly known information from these two stars
I enjoyed the dribble down memory lane
Brought back the excitement that the NBA had in the 80s

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, well narrated

Who wouldn’t enjoy a history lesson concerning the two greatest NBA players of all time?

Narration is top notch

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book for those who didn’t grow up in the 80s NBA

This book paints the lives of Magic and Bird like a Picasso painting! Must read!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Just fantastic. Enjoyed immensely

Fantastic really enjoyed it. History of their rivalry and ultimate friendship. Nothing but respect for these guys.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Great book for the old Celtics-Lakers fans

Great book. Lots of memories about that time period and the great rivalry between players and cities. Lots of insight into mindset of various players and other important NBA personalities from that time. Highly recommend

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Brought me back to my younger years!

I enjoyed every minute of this book and was unable to stop listening. Great people, great times, great basketball.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Insight

I really enjoyed discovering the behind-the-scenes insight each player shared during important games they shared.

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Best Basketball book ever

I saw the special on TV and just like everything else the book was better there was more detail than a special could cover and the way it is read was amazing. I have listened to this book at least 5 times and enjoy it.

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Amazing.

Loved it from the beginning. Great book great narrator overall just excellent. Will be listening again the future.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding Book!!!

I was a little apprehensive when I started this book, but was pleasantly surprised at its content and how easy it read. If you were a basketball fan during the Magic/Bird era, then this is a must read. It provides great insight into their characters, their commitment to the game and their drive to win. Sadly, it shows how modern day game has deteriorated since the departure of the Magic, Bird, Jordon legends.

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4 people found this helpful