Magic Johnson makes his feelings known on lack of modern NBA rivalries
Hall of Famer Magic Johnson discussed the current state of NBA rivalries on "Speak" on FS1 as he described the differences between the game's past and present.
"They don't hate each other," Johnson said on Wednesday when asked about what's happened to rivalries in the modern NBA.
Johnson recounted the intense emotions that fueled the Lakers and Celtics' rivalry in the 1980s.
"The Celtics, Lakers hated each other, disliked each other," Johnson said. "So, it made for great TV and people tuning in."
The LA Lakers legend said the lack of that fire could have to do with the way modern basketball players grow up through the AAU circuit.
"I don't know if it's AAU," Johnson said. "I don't know what it is. Now, everybody is shaking each other's hands, everybody likes each other, won't go at each other, like, really hard."
The conversation led the panel to bring up the NBA All-Star Game, which has been criticized heavily in recent years for having a lack of competitive spirit.
"That's what happened to the All-Star Game," Johnson said. "See, we hated the East. I'm coming to bust you. Michael, Isiah, Dr. J, you can't have one over me."
Johnson said that the ASG features too many pleasantries and no one is trying to stop one another from scoring.
"When I played, we were forced to play because Kob — Kob (Kobe Bryant) was going to force you to play," former Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce said. "Don't come out here lollygagging 'cause he coming hard. It's gotta come from the top."
Pierce, who won the 2008 NBA championship against none other than the Lakers, said that the stars of the league have to set the standard for everyone else.
Recreating rivalries just one area of focus for NBA
Magic Johnson and Pierced bounced off one another while tying in how the lack of competitiveness has affected several other areas of concern for the NBA, not just team rivalries.
"It's a reason why the numbers, the viewership, is going down," Johnson said. "And these guys better wake up and say, 'Hey, man, we've got to change this. And also, load management. The guys got to play."
"They've got to play!" Pierce chimed in. "We took pride in playing. 82 games, I wanted to. Toe hurtin', knee, ear, finger. ... I still wanted to play. I'm out there."
Whether it's been establishing a minimum games played threshold for end-of-season awards or changing the All-Star Game's format, finding a way to reengage players and fans alike during the season has become one of the league's top priorities.