Larry Bird put fear in the hearts of all his opponents throughout his career. His unorthodox style of play confounded defenders to the extent that he was considered one of the hardest matchups in the NBA.
Lakers’ forward James Worthy feared guarding Bird even more than Michael Jordan, as he had once revealed in an ESPN documentary.
(3:55) “I’d much rather guard Michael Jordan than Larry Bird because you have to play the game as a thinker when you play him. You’ve gotta get inside his mind.”
Michael Jordan is arguably the greatest player in NBA history and an absolute terror to guard. However, Jordan often used his skill, speed, and athleticism to impose his will on opponents. What made Bird more frustrating was his ability to play the game at his own pace and dominate players no matter what coverage was being thrown at him.
Very few players have a gift like Bird’s offensive arsenal, especially at his size and speed. The closest comparison we have seen is Luka Doncic, who has proven to be one of the most challenging one-on-one matchups in the NBA over his short career. But even he is yet to ascend to the level of Larry Legend just yet.
Larry Bird’s Dominance In His Prime
Nikola Jokic is hoping to win his third MVP in a row this season. This is a very rare accomplishment that hasn’t been earned in the NBA since 1986 when Larry Bird became the last player to achieve this feat.
Bird won the award from 1984 to 1986 and averaged 26.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.7 assists across those seasons. Bird also only missed 5 games in that 3-season span, a feat that looks impossible in the modern era. 2 out of those 3 seasons also ended with championships, as Bird won the title in 1984 and 1986 to become a 3-time NBA Champion. His first title win came in 1981.
Bird also has a perfect 6-0 record against Michael Jordan in the playoffs, so there was definitely an era where players feared Bird more than MJ. However, Jordan would soon take the mantle and write a legacy in the sport that’s still unmatched.
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