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So, in the midst of depreciating neighborhoods and job lay-offs, basketball fans sought relief by watching memorable lay-ups on the hardwood of L.A.?s Great Western Forum and at The Garden in Boston. Since their Spartan vs. Sycamore battle (the Spartans left victoriously in ?79?s NCAA championship), Johnson and Bird blessed both cities with multiple NBA championship rings in the early ?80s. Eventually, both contenders joined forces to bring gold medals to the States during the ?92 Olympics in Barcelona. Specific details on the countless ways in which Bird and Johnson completely revolutionized the game of basketball are left for NBA fans and historians to explain.
As for sneakerheads, eyes instantly focused on what Bird and Magic wore on those unforgettable nights. Converse couldn?t have chosen a more befitting name for the gladiators? footwear other than the ?Weapon.?? Johnson frequently sported the white, yellow, and purple version, while Bird usually donned the black and white pair.? Before the debut of Air Jordans, Weapons were an absolute must-have; other contenders like Isaiah Thomas also sported their own pair. Converse elevated the shoe?s popularity by airing commercials with the players sporting ?The Bird Shoe? and ?The Magic Shoe.?? Consumers were told in campaign ads:? ?Choose Your Weapon.?? The question of which Weapon was better than the other is left for you to decide.
