Larry Bird Was ‘Very Sad’ When Michael Jordan Retired In 1993: ‘No One Was Ever Better Than Him’

When Michael Jordan retired from the NBA for the first time in 1993, he was a three-time champion, a three-time Finals MVP, a three-time regular-season MVP, a seven-time scoring champion, a three-time steals champion and a one-time Defensive Player of the Year.

The Chicago Bulls legend achieved those feats in nine years and left the league on top.

The GOAT debate between Jordan and LeBron James has grown even louder after the latter won his fourth title and fourth Finals MVP and became the leading scorer in NBA history.

However, it’s safe to assume that Boston Celtics icon Larry Bird is still going with Jordan since he thought MJ was the GOAT in 1993.

Bird, who retired following the 1991-92 NBA season, was “very sad” when he found out Jordan was leaving the NBA in 1993. Bird said Jordan was the best player he’d ever seen.

“I am very sad to hear the news,” Bird said in 1993, via Chicago sports historian Jack M Silverstein. “No one was ever better than him.”

Bird had a 17-11 record against Jordan during his career. The forward averaged 26.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 6.4 assists versus MJ and swept him twice in the playoffs.

However, Bird was in awe of what Jordan achieved during his first nine years. We may never see another player accomplish what Jordan did in nine seasons again.

After nine years in the NBA, Jordan retired with three rings, three Finals MVPs, three regular-season MVPs, one All-Star Game MVP, two Slam Dunk titles, three steals titles, nine All-Star selections, seven first-team All-NBA selections, six first-team All-Defensive selections, one Defensive Player of the Year Award, seven scoring titles and two gold medals.

From 1984-85 to 1992-93, Jordan averaged 32.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.7 steals in 667 regular-season games with the Bulls while shooting 51.6% from the field.

It wasn’t just what Jordan did in the regular season that made him special. It’s what he did in the playoffs and NBA Finals that took his status to another level.

Not only is Jordan first in NBA history in points per game, but he also holds that record in the playoffs. Jordan averaged 30.1 points in the regular season and 33.4 points in the playoffs.

In 35 NBA Finals games versus the Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, Seattle SuperSonics and Utah Jazz, Jordan averaged 33.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists. He’s second all-time in Finals points per game, trailing only the late great Jerry West (36.3).

The Bulls won six championships, three-peated twice and never lost in the NBA Finals during the Jordan era. 

Both Jordan and Bird are in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. They won the 1992 gold medal together on “The Dream Team” and will likely be linked forever as two of the most iconic basketball players ever to step foot in the NBA.

Jordan averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 0.8 blocks in the NBA with the Bulls and Washington Wizards. He won three steals titles, 10 scoring titles, one DPOY, five regular-season MVPs, six rings and six Finals MVPs. 

Meanwhile, Bird averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.8 blocks for the Celtics while winning three regular-season MVPs, three championships and two Finals MVPs. Larry Legend is 10th all-time in triple-doubles.