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[QUOTE="FfldCntyFan, post: 5036417, member: 71"]
The two seasons before Bird joined the team, the Celtics went 32-50 (77-78) & 29-53 (78-79). Beyond two aging veterans (Dave Cowens, Don Chaney) they had Chris Ford and a number of semi-descript players bouncing in and out with trades (Marvin Barnes, Sidney Wickes, Billy Knight, Curtis Rowe, Freeman Williams, Kermit Washington), 1977’s first round selection (Cedrick Maxwell) and an injury prone Nate Archibald.

The two years prior to Magic showing up in LA the Lakers did make the playoffs both years (45-37 in 77-78 & 47-35 in 78-79) but each was a third place finish in their division and they won only one playoff series over both seasons. Beyond a very disinterested Kareem, quite a few journeymen, an overrated, ball hog point guard (Norm Nixon) they had two pretty good players who unfortunately played the same position (Jamal Wilkes & Adrian Dantley).

Neither player walked into a ready made situation and if we want to take a deep dive on who any of the greats had around them and the quality of who it was that they needed to knock off on the way, I’m not sure the results would favor Jordan.
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