"Michael Jordan expressed interest in partnering with Larry Bird from the Celtics in a significant trade deal"
The Incredible Bulls That Almost Were
Before the Miami Heat's Big Three and Golden State Warriors' Big Four, Michael Jordan almost formed the NBA's first Avengers-like crew.
In 1990, the Boston Celtics were on the hunt for a successor to their franchise icon, Larry Bird. The Celtics had won their last championship back in 1986, and management felt a shakeup was necessary to improve their playoff performances.
After undergoing heel surgery, Bird's playing days were numbered, and the Celtics planned to trade him for a younger talent. The trade rumors had the Chicago Bulls swapping but Scottie Pippen, B.J. Armstrong, and Stacey King for 'Larry Legend.'
Jordan, however, dismissed the rumors as foolish, but he admitted that if the Bulls had the chance to acquire Bird via trade, he'd be willing to take a pay cut to make it happen.
The blockbuster deal ultimately never materialized. The Celtics' franchise president, Red Auerbach, opted to keep Bird and Kevin McHale on the roster, immortalized in their famous green and white uniforms.
However, Bird briefly considered a move to his hometown Indiana Pacers. The Pacers would have inherited Bird's contract and had to pay $6 million for his services in the 1994 season. But Bird never openly entertained the thought of joining MJ. He always professed his loyalty, at least publicly, to the team that drafted him sixth overall in the 1978 NBA Draft.
The Bulls' decision not to pursue Bird more aggressively turned out to be a smart one. They went on to win three consecutive NBA championships between 1991-1993. Pippen, who likely would have been part of the trade for Bird, was an integral part of each title run and served as MJ's perfect foil during the entirety of the Bulls' dynasty.
Bird eventually got to play with Jordan. The two suited up for Team USA at the 1992 Olympics in Spain, though Bird only had a limited role. Bird's longtime rival, Magic Johnson, was also on the iconic 'Dream Team' that captured the hearts of basketball fans worldwide.
In his 1999 book, 'Bird Watching,' the Indiana native revealed that MJ was not always invincible on a nightly basis. Bird got to witness MJ's greatness firsthand when MJ dropped a record 63 points in Game 2 of the Bulls' first-round series against Boston in 1986.
Bird and Jordan faced off six times in the playoffs, with Bird coming out on top each time. Despite Bird's postseason success against MJ, Jordan solidified his legacy as the greatest basketball player, taking the NBA to even greater heights after Bird's retirement.
- Despite the potential of 'Michael Jordan' and 'Larry Bird' forming an NBA dynasty together, the blockbuster trade never materialized.
- 'Larry Bird' briefly considered a move to his hometown 'Indiana Pacers', but he never openly entertained the thought of joining 'Michael Jordan'.
- 'Pippen', who likely would have been part of the trade for 'Larry Bird', was an 'integral' part of each of the Bulls' three consecutive NBA championships (1991-1993).
- The decision not to pursue 'Larry Bird' more aggressively turned out to be a smart one for the Bulls, as they went on to achieve greatness without him.
- 'Basketball' fans worldwide fell in love with the epic rivalry between 'Magic Johnson' and 'Larry Bird', but 'Michael Jordan' eventually surpassed them both, solidifying his status as the greatest basketball player.
