Michael Jordan’s legacy is known by NBA fans all over the world. With 6 titles for the Bulls, the ‘number 23’ was a game-changer for the sport itself. He inspired several kids to pick up basketball with the aspiration to be like him. Even today, fans across multiple generations regard Jordan as the greatest of all time.

One of the factors that made Jordan so great was his drive to be the best among his peers. These peers included the likes of NBA legends like Karl Malone, Isiah Thomas, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Reggie Miller, and Clyde Drexler. And so, when Celtics’ legend Larry Bird announced his retirement, MJ had a special message for him.

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Jordan’s message to Bird

In August 1992, Boston Celtics’ legendary forward Larry Bird would announce his retirement citing issues with his back. In 13 seasons, Bird helped the Celtics to 3 NBA championships, while also turning out to be one of MJ’s fiercest rivals. So when Bird announced his retirement, MJ would congratulate him in a funny, but competitive manner.

“Larry, I hear that you’re retiring. Thank goodness, I’m glad. I’m tired of seeing your face,” said MJ.

“You know, a lot of sad memories to me, but I enjoyed you tremendously. I wish you a lot of luck, and I think you had a very wonderful career, even though you probably ruined a lot of my successful games against the Boston Celtics,” he added.

“And I see you somewhere along the road, somewhere playing golf,” concluded Jordan.

Clearly, Larry Bird was one of MJ’s biggest rivals. Jordan truly believed that if he had to be the best in the league, one of the players that he’d have to beat was Bird.

Jordan and Bird on the 1992 Dream Team

Despite Bird and Jordan playing as competitors for several years in the NBA, they would feature as teammates in the USA’s Dream Team that was assembled for the 1992 Olympics. This would also be the first time that the USA basketball team featured NBA stars. Team USA would prove their might by defeating Croatia in the finals to secure the Gold Medal.

Although the latter part of Bird’s career was plagued with injuries, he and MJ would combine for nearly 20% of all the points scored by the team. Moreover, the two would even combine defensively by contributing to the team with 47 steals. Clearly, the combination of old and young benefitted the team as they went undefeated in the tournament.

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