‘He Was Better Than All of Us’: When Larry Bird Gave Michael Jordan the Best GOAT Endorsement of All Time

Larry Bird's ultimate praise, declaring Michael Jordan the best of his era, adding weight to the GOAT debate.

By Agrima Rawat

Published on Aug 07, 2024 | 06:33 PM IST | 48K

Larry Bird praised Michael Jordan

It is well known that Larry Bird does not mince words when it comes to the basketball discussion over who is the GOAT (Greatest of All Time). Well-known for his quiet demeanor and seldom public remarks, Bird's opinions are highly influential when he does choose to express them. This was the case when he declared emphatically that Michael Jordan was the greatest player of all time in the NBA 75 marketing film, praising the star.

Bird made a powerful statement: "There are a lot of ways Michael could beat you. He can outsmart you on the cerebral and physical levels. He can defend you and score as well. I know he was better than any of us when I was there." Despite Bird's propensity for conservatism, players and fans alike found great resonance in this comment.

One of the most genuine and noteworthy assertions of Jordan's greatness is still Bird's, notwithstanding the current debates and statistical comparisons between LeBron and Jordan. Based on personal experience and his humble but sincere admission that Jordan outperformed him when they were together, Bird makes a strong case for Michael Jackson's legacy.

On the court, Jordan's Bulls and Bird's Celtics frequently squared off. Bird's Celtics beat Jordan's Bulls 17-11 in 34 encounters during the regular season, and they won both of their postseason series 6-0. Even with these team numbers, Jordan had one of his best games ever throughout these matches. In a memorable semifinal matchup between Jordan's astounding 63 points against Bird's Celtics, Bird declared, "I think he's God disguised as Michael Jordan."

By acknowledging Jordan, the three-time NBA champion and MVP, Bird backs up his claim to be the greatest player of all time. After Bird retired, Jordan continued to build his name and win six NBA titles, turning himself into a household name in basketball history.

But the GOAT controversy has changed over time. LeBron James has been a serious contender to dethrone Michael Jordan in the last several years. This change is reflected in polls like this one from The Athletic, which indicates that the difference between Jordan and James is getting closer. According to the most recent polls, Jordan and James' lead is currently only a few percentage points.

Peers' appreciation and recognition—who saw Jordan's genius firsthand—give a precious perspective, while polls and data offer numerical contrasts. One of the most noteworthy supporter endorsements in the GOAT argument is Larry Bird's homage to Michael Jordan, which expresses the belief that Jordan was unequaled in his period.

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