Michael Jordan quickly rose to prominence in the NBA, and it didn't take long before fans started comparing him to Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Some were even convinced MJ was already better than the two iconic NBA figures.
Despite acknowledging how fans felt about the debate, Jordan did not view himself as superior to any of his predecessors, specifically Bird and Magic. Instead, "His Airness" regarded them as teachers who helped shape his overall game, especially his winning mentality.
"I don't put myself above them," Jordan told SLAM in 2013. "I think that we're all on parallel ground here. You know, they educated me about a lot of things about the game, from a team standpoint. So, I can't put myself above…I mean, people try to, but we played in different eras."
MJ doesn't see it as a rivalry
Jordan's admiration for "Larry Legend" and Magic stemmed from their unique playing styles, the impact they had on the NBA, and, more importantly, the duels they had on the court. But unlike other rivalries, MJ did not grow animosity towards Bird and Johnson through those battles.
Ultimately, the Chicago Bulls legend reckoned that what he, Bird, and Magic had back then was not merely about competition. Jordan stressed that it was about him proving he was the right guy to fill Bird and Johnson's shoes as they approached their twilight years in the league.
"I had an opportunity to go against them in the peak of their careers while I was still young. And I went against them when I was at the peak of mine, when they was on the other end. So, it was a passing of trends there, and we never had the opportunity to play against each other in peak years. You know, so it's hard to say that I'm above them, by no means. I like to consider myself parallel to them," the six-time NBA champion explained.
Related: "Malone really was the weak link" - Isiah Thomas believes the Jazz would have beaten the Bulls if Karl Malone had made his free throws
Magic and Bird agreed MJ was the greatest
Jordan, Bird, and Magic have addressed the comparisons among them many times. The most famous discussion, however, took place during their time together at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
As expected, the trio traded a few barbs until Larry and Earvin eventually agreed that MJ was the greatest player in the NBA . However, Bird believed that Jordan didn't hold that title in every game he played.
"As usual, Michael and I were cracking on Magic. At one point, Ahmad asked us who we thought was the best basketball player ever. After a lot of discussion, we all concluded that Michael was the best — not every night, though," the Boston Celtics legend wrote in his book, "Bird Watching."
Today, most NBA fans think Jordan is the GOAT. While that might be true, it's refreshing to learn that regardless of what people think, MJ will always feel he is equal to Bird and Magic. After all, without the two of them, there would be no No.23.
Related: When Larry Bird gave Michael Jordan the best GOAT compliment: "I know in my time he was better than all of us"
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