“Michael Jordan Would Kill Me”: When 6ft 9’ Larry Bird Came Clean On Facing MJ One-On-One

There are several legendary players in the NBA to look up to, and most players mold their games following those players as idols. Larry Bird is among the few superstars whom nobody dares to copy.

The 6ft 9’ legendary forward, who came into the league in 1979 alongside Magic Johnson, could do it all. To top his skills that helped the Celtics win 3 championships in probably the toughest decade of the league, the man was a godly trash-talker.

Larry legend always had the game, to walk his talk and he delivered every single time. He feared none and defeated the likes of Showtime Lakers and Bad Boy Pistons, leading the Cs.

But even the greats bow down to somebody, don’t they?

Also read: Despite 5 Championships, $620 Million Lakers Legend Placed 26 Y/o Michael Jordan Over Himself and Larry Bird

When Larry Bird accepted Michael Jordan would kill him in a 1v1

The fans of Larry Bird reading this would not believe that Larry Bird would accept that he could be beaten by somebody on a basketball court. But he, most certainly, did.

The 3x MVP is one of the proudest players who is respected among the legends of the game much more than the fans for both his game and his flagrancy. Nevertheless, even he once admitted that Michael Jordan would “kill” him in a 1-on-1 game.

In his appearance on the Dan Patrick Show a few years back, to everyone’s surprise, the 2x FMVP confessed to something he would never do while he was playing.

Despite being the face of the league in the 80s, Bird was grounded and honest

With his finesse hidden behind pure dominance, Bird at his peak, defeated a prime Magic Johnson who had a near-perfect team.

The man even humbled the rough-and-tough Isiah Thomas’ Pistons on multiple occasions during the Celtics’ 4-Finlas runs between 1984 and 1987.

“The Hick From French Lick” along with Magic was responsible for taking NBA’s popularity to all-new heights before MJ took over in the 90s.

Even if he had said “I’d win because of my size, but I’d be a close contest,” nobody would call it arrogant. So, for him to accept that, when he didn’t have to, it was really humble of him.

Also read: “Kobe Bryant Is Different Than Me”: 6ft 6” Michael Jordan Vehemently Disagreed With Pundits Calling Mamba an ‘MJ Imitator’

About the author

Akash Murty

An Electrical and Electronics Engineer by degree, Akash Murty is an NBA Editor at The SportsRush. Previously a Software Engineer, Murty couldn’t keep himself away from sports, and his knack for writing and putting his opinion forward brought him to the TSR. A big Soccer enthusiast, his interest in basketball developed late, as he got access to a hoop for the first time at 17. Following this, he started watching basketball at the 2012 Olympics, which transitioned to NBA, and he became a fan of the game as he watched LeBron James dominate the league. Him being an avid learner of the game and ritually following the league for around a decade, he now writes articles ranging from throwbacks, and live game reports, to gossip. LA Lakers are his favourite basketball team, while Chelsea has his heart in football. He also likes travelling, reading fiction, and sometimes cooking.

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