Sports Illustrated December 14, 1992 Magic Johnson vs Larry Bird VF/NM

Sports Illustrated December 14, 1992 issue is a landmark edition for basketball fans, as it serves as a dual retirement tribute to the two men who defined the NBA in the 1980s: Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

The Cover: "End of an Era"

The cover features an iconic 1987 action photo of Magic Johnson (Lakers) and Larry Bird (Celtics) battling for position.Though the photo was five years old at the time, it was chosen to commemorate their legendary rivalry following their official retirements (Bird in August 1992 and Magic’s second retirement following the 1992 Olympics).

• The Main Feature: Titled "The Everything Men," written by Jack McCallum, the 18-page retrospective explored how their careers were inextricably linked and how they essentially saved the NBA from financial and cultural irrelevance.
• The Contrast: The article juxtaposed Bird’s "hick from French Lick" blue-collar persona with Magic’s "Showtime" charisma, highlighting that despite their differences, they shared an identical obsession with winning.

Key Content & Features

While the Magic/Bird retrospective is the centerpiece, the issue also covered a shifting landscape across other sports:

• Dennis Green and the Vikings: A feature on Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green, who was in his first season and had led the team to a surprising NFC Central title.
  
• John McEnroe: A look at the "bad boy" of tennis as he reached the twilight of his career, focusing on his transition from dominant champion to a veteran presence in the Davis Cup.
  
• Duke Basketball: Coverage of the Duke Blue Devils men's team, who were the two-time defending champions and favorites to repeat under Coach K, featuring stars like Bobby Hurley and Grant Hill.
  
• NFL Playoff Race: Investigative reporting on the final stretch of the NFL season, specifically how the San Francisco 49ers (with Steve Young) and the Dallas Cowboys were on a collision course for the NFC Championship.

Historical Context: Mid-December 1992

This issue was published just one week before Sports Illustrated announced its 1992 Sportsperson of the Year, which famously went to Arthur Ashe.

Because it was December, the magazine was also filled with promotions for the upcoming 1993 Swimsuit Issue, which featured a then-rising star named Tyra Banks in the Florida Keys.