Magic and Bird Documentary Magic and Bird is a documentary that chronicles the intense rivalry and eventual friendship between two basketball legends, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. These players, who both emerged in the late 1970s, not only revolutionized the game of basketball but also played a crucial role in shaping the future of the sport. The documentary explores the contrasting backgrounds and personalities of Magic and Bird. Magic, known for his charisma and flashy style of play, hailed from Michigan and was a star player for the Los Angeles Lakers. On the other hand, Bird, a quiet and reserved person, grew up in Indiana and dominated the court for the Boston Celtics. Despite their differences, the documentary highlights the incredible respect and admiration they held for each other.
For the filling add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and whisk until medium/stuff peaks form. Place the cake back into the cleaned Bundt pan and use a pairing knife to score a channel in the base of the cake and then use a spoon to scoop out the channel making a tunnel in the base of the cake. Add the filling to this channel and smooth out so the filling sits flush with the base of the cake. Carefully turn the cake out onto a serving plate or cake stand.
Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tray, sprinkle liberally with demerara sugar, then bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cakes spring back to a light touch. True, once you re baking 4-5 times a week, you ll consume flour and sugar and a scarily rapid rate, but that s probably about the time you ll realize that you can buy these ingredients from restaurant suppliers.
Despite their differences, the documentary highlights the incredible respect and admiration they held for each other. The film delves into the fierce rivalry between the Lakers and the Celtics during the 1980s. Magic and Bird led their respective teams to multiple NBA Finals matchups, captivating basketball fans across the country.
Blood Orange Almond Paste Cake
Is it weird that I have a favourite cake texture? I’ll let you decide but I’m guessing its not quite normal. Weird or not, the fact is I do have an ideal cake texture and todays recipe is a perfect example, a cake that I am completely in love with. The texture is found most commonly in pound cakes and loaf cakes, it's a dense and buttery texture, almost velvet-like in its tenderness. It’s the type of cake that sits on your counter and demands you take a little nibble every time you walk past it, a cake that needs sharing before you ‘accidentally’ eat 3 slices in 1 day.
This particular cake, made with the secret ingredient almond paste, is an adaption of a recipe from Elisabeth Prueitt of Tartine Bakery fame, itself an adaption of a recipe from the legendary baker Flo Braker. I’ve made many versions of this cake over the years, but always with an element of citrus to brighten and balance the sweetness in the recipe. Todays version is made with early season blood oranges, but if you cant get your hands on those, it’s also great with regular oranges or, more traditional, with lemons. If you have made a version of this recipe before and you’re in the US you may notice the ratio of eggs is different from the original recipe and this is simply to reflect UK egg sizes (UK size large is a US size extra-large).
Another reason I love this cake is that is baked in a pullman loaf pan. If you’re subscribed to Second Helpings, you’ll know that a pullman loaf pan produces loaves that are perfectly square, like this weeks post for Shokupan. I cant help but love the clean sharp edges it gives to the cake, giving it a very ‘bakery style’ look. If you are in the market for pullman loaf pans, I get mine from Rackmaster (if you want the lid for making square loaves of bread they can be purchased separately).
Making this cake normally requires a stand mixer, the almond paste needs breaking down with the sugar to create a breadcrumb like texture and this takes quite a bit of power, not something many hand mixers could handle. Thankfully I used my Wilfa Smooth Mix Hand Mixer which has a powerful 500W motor that is more than up to the task at hand. If you are in the market for a hand mixer, or you’re looking for the ideal gift for someone new to baking, I can wholeheartedly recommend this mixer. It has a 5-speed action with a useful boost function as well, comes with both whisk and dough hook attachments, and also just look really smart. One of the reasons I agreed to be Wilfa’s ambassador was that I was really taken with how well built and how powerful their equipment is, and that of course stands true for the hand mixer.
For 20% off Wilfa products use my code THEBOYWHOBAKES at checkout.
Blood Orange Almond Paste Loaf Cake
Serves 10
Almond Paste Cake
120g plain flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
250g almond paste (see note)
250g caster sugar
Zest of 3 blood oranges
280g unsalted butter, room temperature
5 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
A couple drops almond extract
Blood Orange Juice
100ml blood orange juice
100g caster sugar
Blood Orange Glaze
200g icing sugar
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
A couple drops almond extract
Pinch of salt
1 blood orange
Note: this recipe uses almond paste, not marzipan. The one I use is 50% almonds (marzipan tends to have a much lower almond content) and can be bought from Ocado and either online or in-store from ScandiKitchen in central London, among other places. It is a brilliant ingredient and well worth tracking down for the occasions you want to make a version of this cake.
Preheat the oven to 180ºC (160ºC Fan) and lightly grease a 9x4x4 pullman loaf pan and line with a piece of parchment that overhangs the long sides of the pan, securing in place with metal binder clips.
In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
Add the almond paste, in small chunks, to a large bowl along with the sugar and orange zest. Using the Wilfa Smooth Mix Hand Mixer mix together until the almond paste is broken down into a fine breadcrumb like mixture. If the almond paste remains in large chunks the final cake batter will have lumps. Add the butter and and continue to beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until fully combined before adding another. Add the vanilla and almond extract and mix briefly to distribute. Add the flour mixture and mix briefly just until a smooth cake batter is formed.
Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread into an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for about 70 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. While the cake is baking make the simple syrup. Place the orange juice and sugar into a small saucepan and bring just to a simmer to dissolve the sugar.
Once the cake is baked, allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before carefully turning out onto a wire rack. Brush the top and sides of the cake with the syrup and allow the cake to fully cool before glazing.
To make the glaze whisk together all the ingredients with just enough blood orange juice to make a thick but pourable glaze. Pour the glaze over the top of the cake, teasing it over the sides of the cake so it drips down the sides.
Kept covered the cake will keep for 3-4 days.
The competition was not just about winning championships; it was a battle to prove each player's superiority over the other. However, the documentary also emphasizes the transformative power of their rivalry. Magic and Bird's intense competition became the driving force behind the resurgence of the NBA during a time when the league was struggling. Their captivating rivalry attracted casual fans and elevated the sport's popularity to new heights. Aside from their on-court battles, the documentary sheds light on their off-court friendship. Magic and Bird developed a mutual respect for each other's skills and work ethic. This respect eventually blossomed into a deep personal friendship. They went on to jointly host a basketball camp and even starred in commercials together. Magic and Bird's impact on the game extended beyond the court. Their rivalry transcended race, and their contrasting styles of play captivated audiences far and wide. The documentary serves as a reminder of their immense contributions to the sport of basketball and how they forever changed the perception of the game. In conclusion, the Magic and Bird documentary explores the dynamic relationship between two basketball icons who not only dominated the court but also broke barriers and redefined the sport. Their rivalry, friendship, and lasting impact on basketball make their story a compelling subject for fans and enthusiasts alike..
Reviews for "Basketball's Innovators: The Magic and Bird Documentary"
1. John - 1 star
I was really looking forward to watching the "Magic and Bird" documentary, as I'm a big fan of both players and their rivalry. However, I was incredibly disappointed with what I saw. The documentary felt highly biased towards Magic Johnson, portraying him as the hero and Larry Bird as the villain. It completely undermined Bird's incredible skills and contributions to the game. I felt like the filmmakers missed a great opportunity to showcase the greatness of both players and their impact on the sport. Overall, it was a one-sided and poorly executed documentary.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
As a casual basketball fan, I was excited to learn more about the Magic and Bird era through this documentary. Unfortunately, I found it to be quite boring and lacking in depth. The documentary seemed more focused on presenting highlights of their games rather than providing any meaningful insights or analysis. It failed to give a comprehensive understanding of the players' personalities and the dynamics of their rivalry. I wish the filmmakers had delved deeper into their personal lives and off-court stories, rather than just showcasing their on-court performances. Overall, it left me feeling unsatisfied and wishing for a more well-rounded documentary.
3. Michael - 2 stars
I had high expectations for the "Magic and Bird" documentary, given the impact these two players had on the game of basketball. Unfortunately, the documentary failed to meet those expectations. It lacked a cohesive narrative and felt disjointed at times, jumping from one topic to another without proper transitions. The pacing was also an issue, as some parts dragged on while others were rushed. Additionally, I felt that some key moments and games were glossed over, omitting crucial details. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to explore the rivalry and legacy of both players in a more engaging and comprehensive manner.