Basketball

“Nobody 6ft 6′ and Under Can Guard Me”: Larry Bird Once Challenged Michael Jordan and Every Other Guard in the NBA

Nithin Joseph
|PublishedDec 27, 2022

“Nobody 6ft 6' and Under Can Guard Me”: Larry Bird Once Challenged Michael Jordan and Every Other Guard in the NBA

Credits: Twitter

The 1980s saw the dominance of two players and two teams. The first was the Lakers with Magic Johnson, and the second was none other than the Boston Celtics with Larry Bird.

The Hick from French Lick, to give him one of his many nicknames was an absolute beast on the court. He averaged around 24 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists per game, winning three championships and three league MVPs.

He was good, and the best part was that he knew how good he was. To the point where he refused to have players below 6’6″ guard him. Why? Because they just wouldn’t be able to stop him.

Also Read: “Merry F**King Christmas”: When 3x MVP Larry Bird Baited Indiana Pacers’ 1987 ROTY With His Demotivating Trash-Talk

Larry Bird took offense to anyone below 6’6″ guarding him in a match

Larry Bird is one of the coolest players in league history. The man was as amazing as it gets, and could dominate anyone on the court, especially if the opposing team gave him a smaller matchup. Just ask Rex Chapman.

Chapman in an interview with Rich Eisen recalled going up against Bird. Particularly how, Larry’s former teammate Jerry Sichting had informed them that he took offense to be guarded by anyone below 6’6″. Well, the Hornets, Chapman’s team at the time decided to put 6’5″ Kelly Tripucka on him, and it ended badly.

“He had told us in shootaround, “Larry says no man in the world 6’6″ or under can guard him!,” and he takes offense to it. So, if you notice, even when Boston played the Bulls, Michael didn’t match up with Larry a lot. It was Scottie or Horus or one of the bigger guys. Well, we put Kelly Tripucka on him and we went out for the jump ball and Larry looked at the rest of us and said, “You guys are putting Tripucka on me?”. Nobody said anything and he said, “All right guys. Whatever we’re running forget it!” and he just started running Kelly into the post. Calling his own plays. And, within four possession he had two baskets, and one, assist, and we had to mix it up. Kelly was no longer on him.”

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You never mess around when going up against Larry Legend. A good lesson to learn, and one some had to learn the hard way.

Larry Legend once taught rookie Shawn Kemp a lesson for breaking all his state records in Indiana

Shawn Kemp was an athletic freak of nature who was also a heck of a player. Growing up in Indiana, Kemp was a superstar and broke all the records of another state legend, Larry Bird. When the Reign Man went pro, Larry made it clear that he didn’t like the fact that his records were broken.

How did he deal with it? He dropped 40 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists while calling every shot on a rookie Kemp.

What did Kemp learn? A lesson that every player learned. Never piss off The Great White Hope.

Also Read: Larry Bird Once ‘Cold-Shouldered’ a Hollywood Star Worth $250 Million After Dismantling Magic Johnson’s Lakers

About the author

Nithin Joseph

Nithin is a content writer at The SportsRush. Like his favorite athlete Kobe Bryant, the company has helped Nithin elevate his writing skills to a whole new level, especially as an NBA content writer. With over 1500 articles to his name, Nithin's love for the sport knows no bounds. And, as he continues to watch the sport on a daily basis, he hopes his fascination with the NBA, especially the Miami Heat will inspire more and more readers to give the sport a chance. Perhaps, one day making basketball in India as big as it is in the United States.