Jump Ball

By Melissa August, Val Castronovo, Matthew Cooper, Daren Fonda, David Kuhn, Ellin Martens, Benjamin Nugent, Julie Rawe, John Rosenblatt, Josh Tyrangiel, Alexandra Wolfe

Magic Johnson, part owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Larry Bird, coach of the Indiana Pacers, have battled on the court for years; now their teams are facing off in the NBA finals. Their stats prove how they match up as athletes, but how do they compare as artistes?

BOOKS

BIRD: Drive: The Story of My Life LAST LINE: "When the time comes, I just want to be able to walk out on that court one last time and say thank you."

MAGIC: My Life LAST LINE: "Whatever your dream is, go for it."

WINNER: Magic, with sentiment this light, an economy of words is appreciated.

CINEMA

BIRD: Celtic Pride, Space Jam, Blue Chips PLAYS: Himself, himself, himself

MAGIC: She's Having a Baby PLAYS: Himself

WINNER: Bird. In Celtic Pride, delivers the lines "Fans like you make me sick: you love us when we're winning and you hate us when we're losing. It's pathetic" with convincing pathos.

COMMEMORATIVE PLATES

BIRD: The influence of Russian iconography is plain in Bird's martyred expression.

MAGIC: Deeply Norman Rockwell in its inherent American optimism.

WINNER: Tie. Work like this enriches everyone.

TELEVISION

BIRD: None

MAGIC: Host, The Magic Hour

WINNER: Bird. Did you see The Magic Hour?