One season before Larry Bird famously likened Michael Jordan to God, the Boston Celtics legend already knew what was coming. MJ was the third overall pick of the 1984 NBA Draft, but even before his rookie season could end, he was already doing things too special for his peers not to notice and rave about.
Larry Legend had an eye for talent, and after the Celtics defeated the Chicago Bulls 110-106 on February 5, 1985, he already knew that the future had arrived.
"I have never seen one player turn a team around like that," said Bird during the post-game interview. "All the Bulls have become better because of him. Orlando Woolridge will probably be an All-Star for the rest of his career. And pretty soon, this place will be packed every night, not just when the Celtics come to town. They'll pay just to watch Jordan. Got to."
Bird called rookie MJ the best ever
The Bulls were 27-55 during the 1983-84 season and were a mere 20-28 after 48 games that year. Chicago finished Michael's rookie season with 38 wins, 11 more than the previous year, and made the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.
Jordan was expected to be good, but he exceeded expectations. By December 1984, he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the heading 'A Star is Born.' With fans gravitating towards him, he was named an All-Star starter as a rookie.
"Best," added Larry. "Never seen anyone like him. Unlike anyone I've ever seen. Phenomenal. One of a kind. That's what I mean about the league. With guys like him coming in from college year after year, we just can't help but get a better image, better crowds, better TV ratings. He's the best. Ever."
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Better than Larry as a rookie
Bird put up a near triple-double performance of 27 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and three blocked shots in that win over the Bulls. But he was captivated by the UNC product, who scored 41 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and dished out seven assists, with four steals and one block.
"At this stage in his career, he's doing more than I ever did," Larry Legend admitted. "I couldn't do what he did as a rookie. Heck, there was one drive tonight. He had the ball up in his right hand, then he took it down, then he brought it back up. I got a hand on it, fouled him, and he still scored. And all the while, he's in the air. You have to play this game to know how difficult that is. You see that and figure, `Well, what the heck can you do?`"
The Bulls went on to make the playoffs that season but lost 1-3 to the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. Meanwhile, the Showtime Lakers dethroned the Celtics in the NBA Finals. Larry won his second straight MVP that year, while Jordan was named Rookie of the Year. As the C's legend predicted, MJ soon took over the league and became its biggest star.
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