GoatmontWaters

GoatmontWaters

By May of 88’ Larry Bird was sick of hearing about Michael Jordan’s defense. Jordan had been terrorizing the league and it was a major talking point among the media, racking up an ungodly amount of steals and blocks.

These are Larry’s averages from his 2 wins versus Jordan in their final two games of the 88’ season on May 20th and April 21st:

39/9/6 on 67/100/100 shooting splits

He barely even missed a shot across 2 games versus the 50 win Bulls during Jordan’s DPOY and MVP year just to prove a point that Jordan’s defense has no effect on him.

While I have you here, enjoy these other Jordan vs Bird stats

Bird is 23-11 lifetime against Jordan with a 68% win rate
In those 34 games Bird’s averages are 27/9/7 on 50/46/91 splits
Before Bird retired, in 1991 in their final matchup of their careers: Bird dropped 34/15/8 and played 52 minutes to secure the win in double overtime. A few weeks later Jordan won the MVP and then went on to win his first ring.

At the end of 88' Jordan was the leading candidate for DPOY by a mile. The hype around Jordan's defense was at an all time high. Larry Bird saw it as a challenge.

At the end of 88' Jordan was the leading candidate for DPOY by a mile. The hype around Jordan's defense was at an all time high. Larry Bird saw it as a challenge.