Michael Jordan is arguably the greatest basketball player ever, and inarguably the greatest competitor in basketball history.

Numerous books and articles have been written, and documentaries made, describing Michael Jordan’s relentless competitive spirit and the extreme lengths he would go to absolutely destroy his opponents beyond repair.

As a result, the Chicago Bulls led by Michael Jordan vanquished almost any team that stood in their way and won six NBA championships. However, there’s one team they didn’t do so well against. Larry Bird’s Boston Celtics.

Larry Legend and the Boston Celtics

In a recent interview with djvald, Gilbert Arenas explained why Larry Bird was feared as the greatest trash talker ever.

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Arenas said he was infatuated with what Bird sometimes used to say to his teammates during pre-game handshakes, “Alright fellas, we gonna treat them like some little ho*s. We’re gonna get a little pu**y, and we gonna get outta here”.

Such kind of degrading speech would get under players’ skin, and make them play more passionately and less strategically. As a result, they were more likely to make mistakes, which the Celtics would capitalize on to win the game.

Arenas explained that Bird’s trash talking was never meant to be personal. It was either to rile up opponents or have some good-natured fun on the court.

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The scariest thing about Bird’s trash talking was that he could back it up on the court. The Celtics No.33 would say to his opponents exactly what he’s going to do and then do just that.

Michael Jordan vs Bird’s Celtics

Even though Michael Jordan was the most ruthless competitor in basketball, his demeanor was quite conservative compared to the venom Bird exuded.

Jordan and the Bulls faced Bird’s Celtics in the playoffs two times. They were swept on both occasions.

Jordan was still early in his career but averaged a staggering 39.7 points in 6 games against the Celtics. After he dropped 63 against them in Boston Garden in game 2 of a first-round matchup in 1986, Bird had said, “God disguised as Michael Jordan”.

Jordan and Bird always had mutual respect for each other. Bird knew Jordan will be the greatest player ever the very first time he saw him play.

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Jordan probably wanted to face Bird’s Celtics later on in his career to avenge the humiliation of two sweeps. But even he would probably think twice before engaging in a trash talking contest with Larry Legend.