Some people may take this as a surprise, but when it comes down to it, Larry Bird appears to be a realist that’s able to admit defeat.
He was legendary on the court not only for his skill, but for his remarkable ability to trash talk. You didn’t expect an unassuming white man from Indiana to talk this way – let alone play basketball as well as he did.
While his answer would have undoubtedly been different if he were asked during their playing career, Larry Bird admits now that MJ would take home the W in a 1-on-1 match up played nowadays.
“I hate to admit this, but (Jordan) would kill me,” a jovial Bird said. “I’m forty pounds more than I was when I played, I’m broken down, I really don’t care like I used to … I have a fight in me but it’s not the fight that I once had.”
However, the hyper-competitive Bird did give himself some rightful credit.
“But it would be a pretty close game,” Bird added.
He still gives respect where its due by adding that it “would be a pretty close game“, but Bird realizes Jordan has remained in incredible shape for a man over 50 years old.
The real question remains: could Larry Bird defeat MJ in 1-on-1 while they were both in their prime? By the sounds of it, Bird thinks so. What do you think?
Also – treat yourself to some of the best trash talking of all time, posted below.
H/T theScore