Michael Jordan Reminds Larry Bird's Dominance in 1984: 'He showed me I was beneath him.'

[{"selector":"#anim-a9b442eb-8ae2-4cd4-8c9f-fb6313e1ce4c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Michael Jordan Reminds Larry Bird's Dominance in 1984: 'He showed me I was beneath him.'

[{"selector":"#anim-ff54098b-1a66-4d02-9c28-b56024d9cc97 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.294221584607268%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] In 1984, the college-based USA men's basketball team, led by Michael Jordan, astonished the sports world by defeating an NBA All-Star team.

[{"selector":"#anim-d1d586a0-53bb-4c59-8fdb-d3f3409bbfff [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] This exhibition game before the 1984 Olympics displayed Jordan's early talent and marked a new basketball era.

[{"selector":"#anim-8d6b87f4-5378-4e0c-9b7d-1e3c908f4fd7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-20.228636712562608%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Jordan, a talented North Carolina player, had yet to play in the NBA but was already a future icon.

[{"selector":"#anim-07817b05-4d26-4dfe-8d72-f8702a42c15a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Magic Johnson and Larry Bird refused to relinquish the spotlight. Bird showed his competitiveness against Jordan in a historic match. According to Curry Kirkpatrick in Sports Illustrated,

[{"selector":"#anim-e8054bb2-128d-4453-b7e0-e0fb5337e3e2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.294221584607268%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Bird kicked a wayward ball over his head during a pregame warmup in Indianapolis, signaling to Jordan that the route to greatness would be difficult.

[{"selector":"#anim-935a9185-1d1e-4c64-ba38-d9235d3e6aab [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] College legends Chris Mullin, Sam Perkins, and Patrick Ewing outperformed professional icons Isiah Thomas, Kevin McHale, and Bill Walton.

[{"selector":"#anim-dce1841f-35b5-44a9-b0d3-9c5444247394 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.51505363237644%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Jordan led a remarkable eight-game win streak over pros.

[{"selector":"#anim-ae87339d-6d7b-46f3-bbee-4471738e532a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] This performance foreshadowed Jordan's NBA debut with the Chicago Bulls and laid the stage for the team's perfect 8-0 run and Olympic gold medal win, despite Charles Barkley and Karl Malone's absence.

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[{"selector":"#anim-081ef117-d2e7-476f-b11e-09dea1594167 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-35.2812499106872%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":9000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The #1 Best Snack for Weight Loss Learn more