The two basketball players that started basketball on its journey to where it is today are Larry Bird and Earvin "Magic" Johnson. Their rivalry began when they met in the NCAA Championship Game of the Final Four Tournament. To this day, it remains the highest rated televised college basketball game. Magic Johnson’s Michigan State Spartans, 25-6 at the time, defeated Larry Bird’s Indiana State Sycamores, who were 33-0. Johnson won the championship game for Michigan State, defeating Larry Bird and Indiana State, 75-64. Both players continued their careers to the NBA, and spent 10 years battling each other. Magic Johnson was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, and Larry Bird drafted by the Celtics. These were the two most storied NBA franchises