One season before Larry Bird famously compared Michael Jordan to God, the Boston Celtics legend already recognized Jordan’s exceptional talent. Jordan, the third overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft, quickly began to display extraordinary skills that caught the attention of his peers.
After a game where the Celtics narrowly defeated the Chicago Bulls 110-106 on February 5, 1985, Bird acknowledged Jordan’s impact on the Bulls and the NBA. Bird remarked, “I have never seen one player turn a team around like that.” He noted that Jordan’s presence improved the entire Bulls team and predicted that soon fans would flock to watch Jordan play, not just when popular teams visited.
During the 1983-84 season, the Bulls had a dismal 27-55 record. By the end of Jordan’s rookie season, they improved to 38 wins, an 11-game increase, and made the playoffs for the first time in four years. Jordan, exceeding high expectations, graced the cover of Sports Illustrated in December 1984 with the headline ‘A Star is Born’ and was named an All-Star starter as a rookie.
Bird was thoroughly impressed, stating, “Best. Never seen anyone like him. Phenomenal. One of a kind.” He praised Jordan’s ability to elevate the NBA’s image, attract larger crowds, and boost TV ratings. In their game against the Bulls, Bird nearly achieved a triple-double with 27 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, but Jordan’s performance stood out with 41 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, four steals, and one block.
Bird admitted that Jordan, even as a rookie, was performing feats that Bird himself couldn’t achieve at the same stage in his career. He recounted a play where Jordan maneuvered the ball in mid-air despite being fouled, showcasing his remarkable athleticism. The Bulls eventually made the playoffs but were defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. That year, the Showtime Lakers won the NBA Finals, Bird earned his second consecutive MVP award, and Jordan was named Rookie of the Year. As Bird had foreseen, Jordan quickly rose to become the NBA’s biggest star.
