I’m tired of seeing your face” – Michael Jordan’s retirement message to Larry Bird
Michael Jordan thanked Larry
Michael Jordan had a few hurdles to clear before he took the NBA by storm. It wasn’t until the 1990-91 season that MJ’s Chicago Bulls finally got over the hump and beat the Detroit Pistons en route to their first-ever NBA championship. But before he dethroned Isiah Thomas and the “Bad Boys,” Jordan’s initial postseason roadblock was the Larry Bird-led Boston Celtics.
When Larry Legend announced his retirement in 1992, Jordan paid the ultimate respect to his former Team USA teammate. However, Michael wasn’t sad about his rival calling it quits.
“Larry, I hear that you’re retiring. Thank goodness. I’m glad. I’m tired of seeing your face. You brought a lot of sad memories for me. I enjoyed it, and I wish you a lot of luck, and I think you had a great and wonderful career. You ruined a lot of my successful games against the Boston Celtics,” Jordan said via Larry Bird Retirement Ceremony.
Bird vs. Jordan
Bird and Jordan played against each other 28 times during the regular season; Larry won 17 games, and Jordan came out on top in 11 contests. They both performed exceptionally well, with Jordan averaging 33.5 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Bird, on the other hand, put up 27 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists.
Larry and Mike also faced each other in six postseason contests. MJ never won a playoff game against Bird, but he did have some all-time great performances as a sign of things to come.
His Airness averaged 39.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists against Bird. Larry, meanwhile, averaged 27.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 8.5 assists against Jordan.
“God disguised as Michael Jordan”
Michael’s Bulls never eliminated Bird’s Celtics in a playoff series. However, Jordan did have the greatest individual performance of their head-to-head matchups.
