Moments- they make or break an athlete’s career. While wins and losses, and stats are important, it’s the moments that live on forever. Whether it be LeBron James with a physics-defying block in Game 7 of the NBA Finals or Stephen Curry cementing the first-ever unanimous MVP in league history with a 35-foot game-winner, the moments make a player immortal. For Michael Jordan, that moment came in 1986. However, his opponents from that magical night remain fierce in their rivalry.

So far in his career, Jordan was just a really good player. Sure, he had inhumane athleticism and swagger in spades, but on the court, he was far from the finished product. Whether it was a lack of playoff success or accolades, the 6x NBA Champion wasn’t among the elite. However, that all changed one magical night in April 1986.

Michael Jordan becomes “Black Jesus”

In a true coming out party, Michael Jordan arrived. Scoring a still-to-this-day NBA record 63 points against chief rivals Boston Celtics, Jordan was exquisite. He was so sublime that Larry Bird, inarguably one of the two best players in the league said: “God disguised as Michael Jordan.”?

But, not everyone has the same awe for the performance. After all, in his battles against the Celtics in the playoffs, MJ was 0-6. Former Celtics player and GM Danny Ainge had some choice words about the night during his recent appearance on the Knuckleheads podcast.

He said, “Michael was obviously a great player as a rookie but he had sat out most of the year with a foot injury.”

Ainge added, “We knew he was a great player. But in that series because, again that’s the 1986 Celtics team, and we weren’t losing. There was no way were losing.”

Clearly, the rivalry still lives fresh in Danny’s mind. After all, he is one of the very few who can factually say he got the better of the Chicago Bulls legend.

Boston-Chicago rivalry in the 1980s

Throughout his career, Michael Jordan had many rivals. However, there were none that got the better of him every time. Except for the Boston Celtics. In their two playoff meetings, in back-to-back years no less, the Celtics swept Jordan and the Bulls both times.

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Granted, Michael had a far inferior supporting cast. But, the fact still remains. Perhaps, Scottie Pippen’s comments had some truth to them. Even Ainge expanded on the same sentiments. “He had some good players on his team but nothing like he would have as his future expanded.”?

Whether it be 3 years or 30, sports remain competitive. And athletes, the fire for rivalries and competition burns bright in them forever.

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