Larry Bird on Magic Johnson, free agency and shooting 3s

Larry Bird’s place in NBA history stretches from the record book to the rule book.

A Hall of Fame player later became a successful coach and team executive. Along the way, he watched free agency transform from something rarely discussed to practically a year-round conversation — with his name one of the talking points — and the 3-point shot go from afterthought to essential.

He will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award during the NBA Awards on Monday along with Magic Johnson, his rival-turned-friend with whom he competed in some of the most important events — they were bigger than just games — in basketball history.

Their meeting in the 1979 NCAA championship game is still the highest-rated college game on television, and the 1992 U.S. Olympic team they captained to gold in Barcelona was a pivotal moment in basketball truly becoming a global game.

“We came in in 1980. Here it is 2019. Whoever thought we’d be around this long?” Bird said. “But it’s a great honor and we’ve seen a lot in this NBA over the years, and a lot of good and it continues to get better.”

It’s been a little rocky lately for Johnson, with his recent resignation as Lakers president and subsequent reports of a bad work ethic and bad working environment. Bird eventually decided to read some of the stories for himself and was dubious.

“That’s not him,” Bird said. “That don’t sound like Magic at all to me and I just hope everything works out for him because we have a good relationship.”

It grew through the 1980s, when the Lakers won five titles and the Celtics three. With the expectation of competing for the championship every year, Bird never thought about leaving Boston or even when he’d be able to consider it.

That’s not the way today’s NBA works.

“I...