The Best Larry Bird vs Michael Jordan Story Ever Told

BECOME A PATREON MEMBER: patreon.com/primelarrybird

In 1987 I met him by accident. My friends and I went to a game in the garden. We showed up 3 hours early out of excitement for the Celtics. There was a shoot around warmup. Someone from the garden staff said"Hey guys go down and have fun." Well halfway through our 6th game of horse my friends looked at me like I had wasp near my head. What's going on? I turned around it was Larry Bird. "Hey kid good arc release but you aim with your two big fingers like a slingshot." Then from half court he hits a no rim shot. He played with us for an hour and a half. Signed 6 basketballs and pointed to us when he was near us during the game. I still have that basketball to this day. I met my hero and he was everything I thought he was.I had to give it. He was everything your hero meets. Thank you Larry Bird.

I love that "Jordan made you look slow" "Bird made you look stupid" 🤣🤣

Almost makes me sad to watch because we will likely never watch such a magical era of NBA basketball ever again.

Back when basketball was played with passion and courage. Im lucky I was able to witness that. MJ,Bird,Magic,Kareem. Golden years of basketball 🏀

In 1974 Larry Bird was my P.E assistant when I was in the 8th grade and he was a senior at Springs Valley High School. At the beginning of each P.E. class we always ran 10 warmup laps around the gym. One day, a trampoline was set up on the basketball court and there was Larry Bird bouncing on it. As the whistle blew and we reluctantly lined up to run our laps, our teacher (who was also Larry's basketball coach) blew his whistle, and said "Larry is going to take 10 shots while jumping on the trampoline. If Larry makes any shots, each one made will delete a lap that you must run." Coach threw the ball to Larry and right there in front of me and the entire boys Jr. High P.E. class, Larry proceeded to hit 7 out of 10 shots while bouncing up and down on the trampoline, 35 feet away from the goal. Larry set an incredible example for me as a young boy in French Lick, Indiana that helped me through my entire adult career. If you are willing to work very hard and never give up, your dreams can and will come true. Thank you Larry.

Larry Bird faced the toughest era of basketball against arguably the best talent in the nba against legendary teams and dominated....no doubt Larry Bird is one if not the greatest players ever....mad respect

It was amazing how Bird performed so well against Jordan with all those injuries. A true LEGEND!

Michael Cooper is one of the all time great defensive players and he stated it perfectly. You not only had to worry about Bird scoring from the low, mid and high post when he had the ball but also him setting picks, passing and he was one of the best offensive rebounders.

As a young man I HATED Boston, specifically Bird and McHale. I could not figure out how 2 slow dudes always beat my team. Now that I am much older, I see how they did it, teamwork and fundamentally sound basketball. Now Bird (clutch shooting) and McHale (inside play) are 2 of my all time favorites.

I love the fact Bird is finally getting the recognition he deserves from everyone. Truly an underrated person in the GOAT conversation

Keep in mind Bird played his entire career with disjointed index finger on his shooting hand. He was the smartest, most talented, trash talking stud on the floor. There will never be another. He was magical.

I'm an old school street baller from way back. Love those Celtic teams. Also a huge Jordan fan. Larry's work ethic was beyond approach. As well as his Humor, Ability, and Comradery with his teammates.

"He could affect the game without the ball in his hands" That's a hell of a compliment.

I'm a Lakers fan and I'm saying this right now. Bird is one of the top 5 players of all time and is HIGHLY under rated. And while playing during the best NBA Era. Don't you forget that Bird use too tell players WHAT he was going to do. And would still scored on you.

LB is a true legend. MJ recognizes the LB 's greatness, with the Celtics' win on that playoffs, when MJ dropped 63 pts, it's proof enough that even the most talented player can't beat a well assembled team, and don't forget it wasn't that MJ didn't beat LB, it was that MJ didn't beat the Celtics, because MJ was almost alone against an already Champion Team.

This is one of the best narratives discussing bird vs jordan. I really loved it and saved it to watch again. Thank you so much 😻

People truly have no idea how good Larry B was. Such a special talent

MJ's "a lot of sad memories to me" is probably the biggest acknowledgement a true competitor can give

MJ was 22 when Bird was 29, who already won 2 championships before MJ got in the league. MJ had a weak team throughout the 80's, but being the youngest, still managed to get those sorry jokers to the Playoff's every time, and averaged 43.7 points - 6.3 rebounds - 5.7 assists - 2.3 steals - 1.3 blocks in 1986, while Bird averaged 28.3 points - 8 rebounds - 8 assists - 1.7 steals - 1.3 blocks. However, the Celtics dynasty meant that they were stacked since 1957 (Bird only got 3 rings for them at the end 81, 84, and 86). The Bulls began their dynasty WITH MJ (the ONLY one to do it so far 91, 92, 93, 96, 97, 98). Players do not win championships, TEAMS do, but the stats show MJ affected the game vastly better than ALL of his opponents. Stats don't lie.