“He taught me everything I know about getting in folks’ heads” – Jordan admits he took a page out of Larry Bird’s book when it came to trash talking

Throughout his career, Michael Jordan acknowledged that he learned how to gain a mental edge over opponents from Larry Bird. In a 2021 interview with The Athletic, Jordan commended Bird for his ability to psychologically overpower his direct opposition.

“The best mind-gamer and trash talker of all time is Larry Bird. He gave me all the knowledge I had about entering people’s minds,” he disclosed.

Bird deliberately played mental chess.
Even though Michael Jordan is recognized by many as the best player of all time, he didn’t avoid learning from his predecessors. It is not the first time that Michael Jordan has acknowledged his admiration for the legends who came before him and said that he borrowed some of their game mechanics.

Jordan entered the league in ’84, around the time the Magic Johnson-Larry Bird era was at its peak. Everyone saw a new generation with Isiah Thomas and him showing potential to take over one day, but they still had much to learn.

In this case, it was Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird, who was one of the pioneers who made trash-talking revered in the NBA. During an interview with Sportscenter, Larry Legend admitted it was also a behavior that was taught on the floor.

I learned early in life to strive to take advantage of every opportunity. It boosts my confidence and makes me feel better. And because I can’t support myself as well as I used to, I don’t talk as much as I used to. It energizes me, and I’m not sure if it affects the opponent in any way,” he remarked.

Bird vs. MJ in a matchup
Bird has a 17-11 career win-loss record versus MJ. Few athletes can claim to have defeated Jordan in face-to-face competition. Yet, in those 28 games, the six-time NBA champion scored 40 points six times, thus even if he might have won the scoring contest, he lost because