/ Decade
1980s — Magic vs Bird
4 peak campaigns from the 1980s
Magic vs Bird. Showtime vs Beat-You-Up. The decade that saved the league commercially and elevated the rivalry to pop-culture status.
MVP Seasons
4
Title Runs
2
Finals MVP
1
1984-85BOS
Larry Bird
PPG
28.7
RPG
10.5
APG
6.6
MVP
Do-It-All WingOff-Ball Shooter
Second straight MVP. Boston reached the Finals; lost to Magic's Lakers.
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1985-86BOS
Larry Bird
PPG
25.8
RPG
9.8
APG
6.8
MVP🏆
Do-It-All WingOff-Ball Shooter
Third straight MVP. Boston won 67 games and the title.
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1986-87LAL
Magic Johnson
PPG
23.9
RPG
6.3
APG
12.2
MVPFMVP🏆
Elite PasserPace Setter
First MVP at age 27, Lakers' 'Showtime' title run, Finals MVP.
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1987-88CHI
Michael Jordan
PPG
35.0
RPG
5.5
APG
5.9
MVPDPOYScoring
High-Usage ScorerISO Creator
MVP + DPOY in the same year — still the only player to win both.
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