Michael Jordan 1985 (Rookie): 33pts Vs. Bird's Boston Celtics

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[@victory2659]

Clearly even at this beginning novice rookie level, Jordan was still so much better than everybody else in the league. He came in the league nearly complete, he had it all, physically and mentally, plus loads of amazing potential. He makes these guys look like high school. Simply the Greatest to ever do it.

[@MaximusWolfe]

Even? You must be extremely idiotic. Bird could beat you 10,000 different ways in a game whereas Jordan could do two things at this point in his career, score and steal the ball. Bird was a much more complete player for at least the next three seasons which is why Jordan never even came close to winning an MVP until years later. Not trying to downplay Jordan’s greatness because the guy was incredible, but at this point Larry bird was the greatest player on the face of the earth and during that particular part of his career, arguably the greatest player to ever play the game in an all around sense.

[@jaman3321]

@@MaximusWolfe jordan is literally better than bird and twice the legend

[@burningkarma]

You watch a lot of this early stuff and he had a mostly inside game. Driving to the basket and sneaking in for those 10-12 footers. Over the years he developed his legendary mid range game as he became a little less explosive and the defenses doubled him up more and filled the paint to keep him from driving.

[@NewPatek_]

And yet all he ever was before Pippen and Phil Jackson was a certified Elgin Baylor. Never amounted to anything outside of the Triangle Offense just an overhyped and over glorified money making gamble that somehow worked. Lebron is way better than this fraud

[@Riles3152]

Individually he was better then the rest, but OVERALL, he still wasn't on Bird or Magic's level. He didn't know how to win and get his numbers while making everyone else around him better, like Bird and Magic. To say he was "so much better then everyone else" which would obviously include Bird, who was on his way to securing his 2nd or 3 straight league MVPS, and Magic, who was on his way to winning his 3rd and 5 NBA titles during that decade, is honestly disrespectful. In 84-85, the league STILL belonged to Magic and Bird. heck, Kareem at that point was still ahead of young MJ.

[@ricardocastro3645]

Wow! MJ was everywhere in that court, totally in another level of play and class of his own!

[@JNMininger]

I remember going to a few games early on in his career. All I had to say was wow! He was by far and away the best player on the court ... even early on it was so obvious.
That lineup for the Celtics was ridiculous. Loved seeing this video ... I had forgotten how good those Celtics teams were.

[@leoolimac]

You simply can't train to reach this level, you have to born with it. MJ is the GOAT.

[@x-man9473]

Michael was going off in this game.
>He was hitting mid range and outside jumpers.
>He was making great steals-leading to fast break points.
>And he was making great passes.
It was incredible to watch.

[@ninjabomb9346]

In todays era Jordan and Bird would team up and make grown men cry all game long.

[@Cuffski]

LOL but you have a valid point. Bird was dope !!! He was crazy how skilled this dude was, I mean just insane. MJ was another level.

[@fredsavage3565]

This guy has so mutch potential, To bad he broke his foot the next season and was never the same again.

[@A7OldRscplayer]

lol

[@dhingdhing8257]

r u into weed???

[@giovannigarcia7616]

mine centi your ridiculous Weed Don’t Get you that Stupid! Must be some other shit lol

[@MaximusWolfe]

crack is whack, Jack.

[@sohaminyoh]

Ainge said the Celtics didn't realize how good Jordan was until he scored 63 on them in '86. Pretty weird considering the fact that he was already destroying teams his rookie year.

[@Head318Hunter]

Ernesto Hendrix
Destroying teams his rookie year? Jordans Bulls got swept in the first rd his rookie year. And swept in the first rd for the next half decade after that. Haha destroying teams.

[@TwoOfSpears]

Ernesto Hendrix MJ was a good scorer but nothin more. He started winning when a system was built around him with Jackson. Before that he only was a “very good player”

[@heruapocalypse2021]

Ernesto Hendrix Exactly Mike Jordan came and Straight Dismantled Teams.

[@megadrive6573]

@faccosh 264
I guess that's why the 2x MVP Larry Bird said that Michael Jordan is the best player ever...when Jordan was still a rookie...

[@sodapop2930]

@@Head318Hunter Jordan bulls swept his first 3 yrs in playoffs.. then his teams never lost a 1st round playoff series after that. He was killing teams the moment he entered the league but needed help to advance in the playoffs..

[@wallacesharpe196]

this was really impressive because a rookie MJ beat the current champion of 5 allstars in his first year with a team of scrumbs

[@Stuffaluff17]

Right .at THEIR home 😎

[@MrEternity1]

that was great christmas present. I love seeing old jordan and larrybird game. Larry's jumper was sick

[@HoustonIsImmortal]

Look at the stiffs Jordan was forced to play with early on! He is almost solely responsible for dragging the Bulls from the outhouse to the penthouse.

[@Head318Hunter]

HoustonIsImmortal
I see someone has bought the hype. Look at what impact Bird and Magic had on their (dismal the season before) teams in their rookie seasons. Jordan was a selfish player who totally lacked the ability to improve team play or be a leader much MUCH less take his team to a title in his first or second year. Instead his Bulls were swept in rd one every year Jordans first SIX years. He had to wait for Pippen and Kukoc to bail him out. Jordan was always an individual who put himself before the team. Not a winning formula. When he left to play baseball the Bulls didn't hardly skip a beat. The Jordan hype machine was a cash cow creation by Stern & Co. to fill the void left by Bird & Magic.
"It's a lot easier to fool a man than to convince him he's been fooled". M. Twain.
You and millions of other have been fooled.

[@NecroSexy]

didn't Woolridge have a cocaine addiction?

[@MicroWave233]

@@NecroSexy he did

[@Redfoot138]

@@Head318Hunter Pure drivel.
Magic had Wilkes, Kareem, Worthy, Cooper, and Scott.
Bird had McHale, Parish, DJ, Ainge, and Walton.
Both Bird and Magic were surrounded by Hall of Fame talent pretty much day one.
Jordan had Orlando Woolridge and Dave Corzine
His first three years they were swept in the first round but his fourth they lost in the second round and in season 5 and 6 they lost in the Eastern Conference finals in six and seven games, respectively.
It's true Jordan had Pippen and Grant but they didn't develop until MJ's third and fourth seasons
Kuckoc didn't even show up until the 1993-94 season after Jordan had retired.
Bulls were going nowhere in 1995 and Jordan's return pretty much sparked them to the playoffs, going 13-4 in those final 17 games.

[@elvis316]

@@Head318Hunter Yeah, Bird and Magic lifted those teams. Kareem who?

[@wallacesharpe196]

it was in this game that Bird realized that Jordan was special and didn;t p;lay with them. A rookie beat the champons wow

[@MaximusWolfe]

Which team went to the finals that year and then won the championship the next year. It was one fluky loss to a team with an obviously gifted rookie. Stop acting like it was such a big deal.

[@hoopsencyclopedia]

@flight23magic32
Final score was Bulls 107-104.
Bird had 25 on 11-24 fg.
Parish had 26 on 10-20 fg,
McHale had 22 on 8-14 fg.

[@jordanlover23]

He was so poised, and his game so smooth even as a rookie. The player you see in this video would be NO WORSE than the third best player in the league today - as a rookie. Think about that. Imagine if we saw a rookie come in today and instantly be top 2-3 in the league? Crazy.

[@MaximusWolfe]

I definitely wouldn’t say that Jordan was one of the top 2 to 3 best players in the league in 1985. I would put him outside the top 10 in fact. He was obviously an athletic marvel but really only a great scorer and steal artist. Basketball is more than just a two trick pony game. Jordan didn’t become a well-rounded player with a killer instinct until at least ‘87 at which point he obviously became one of the greatest players of all time.

[@jordanlover23]

@@MaximusWolfe He was definitely no worse than top 6. Name the better players. Magic, Bird...possibly Isiah and?

[@fatalsniper3413]

@@jordanlover23 Charles Barkley was better

[@jordanlover23]

@@fatalsniper3413 So a 14 pt/9 reb/1 stl/1 blk/54% FG player was better than a 29/6/6/2/2/52% FG player who was also a much better defender even beyond the steal block numbers, as well as being more clutch? Yeah...no.

[@fatalsniper3413]

@@jordanlover23 I was just joking but 85 was a horrible year for top players. You had Magic and Bird and then a bunch of good/very good players. The 80/90s to me is overrated as the NBA sold out and was adding new teams every other year and they don't have enough talent for that.

[@SugizoYoshikiX]

Man, jordan use to clutch every shot. What separates jordan is how good he finishes around the rim. Either banking, or silky smooth finger roll.

[@MrYoumitube]

Jordan's got 33 Mmm Mmm Mmm!!! What's New! Check out Birds expression every time Jordan scores a basket..it's like he saying...."not this guy again..he's damn good"

[@PINGPONGROCKSBRAH]

I don't get how Larry Bird was such a good basketball player. When you look at him, you'd never think "man, that guy must be a great basketball player. He looks so un-athletic compared to Jordan. Yet somehow, despite his physical limitations, he turned into one of the best basketball players of all time.

[@TenshinhanIsKing]

It's because of his IQ

[@johnokapal9537]

PINGPONGROCKSBRAH It's like telling God, it's no fair that Einstein is so great, cause he looks wierd?

[@nunyabusiness7927]

Exactly right.

[@aaadj2744]

This is Larry Bird during his prime time too

[@sodapop2930]

That's the problem with today's games.. all based off athletic abilities. Yet.. look at how golden state plays bball.. they move without the ball and force teams into bad choice.. yet they're nominating the league

[@petertorrey236]

GOAT.period.

[@ta4life27]

He s amazing my favorite player of all time

[@johnokapal9537]

Bird was also awesome with his clutch points!

[@MaximusWolfe]

@Sir Tristan
You talk a lot of smack like you know basketball but if you’re downplaying the greatness of Larry bird then you are a novice at best. Bird didn’t have to score 50 points to beat you. He could beat you any number of ways on a given night. That’s what made him different from everybody else in the league and got him those three MVPs in a row. By this point Jordan was basically good at two things, scoring and stealing.Even he would tell you that he was not in Birds league that early on. But just keep on running your mouth like you’re some kind of sage. No one takes you seriously.

[@firatnacar7678]

Simply best.

[@MsIKeePiT100]

The G.O.A.T MJ is the best!

[@Jumpman1989]

damn, Boston was one of the best (if not the best) teams in the NBA and they had to double team some Jordan guy at that time, come on he was a rookie!
There was something unusual about him form the beginning

[@abbasrizvi9389]

That was an awesome win, I remember it like yesterday!!! So much fun.

[@mikemcgrath6150]

This is why mj is the best ever. Hes a rookie playing against one of the all time teams, and like alot of high octane play were ra he gets his stats. But he also makes all the crucial plays down the stretch even when they were keying in on him. As a rookie. Nit just stat watching or messaging a narrative like these guys do now.

[@Howiej23]

Just a rookie, and the Boston fans are cheering for him in the player intros. You know he was something special just from that.

[@kidpeligro7878]

MJ was sensational.
But notice how he was steady at the freethrow line in a close game, ice in his veins even as a rookie.

[@catsnake7]

Best Basketball player who will EVER live guaranteed!

[@BrawlerTM]

What kind of rookie is this? For goodness sake

[@YoungBlood507]

Not even his rookie year, rookie year was 84

[@bloody_outlaw8000]

@@YoungBlood507 84/85 u genious ...

[@mauricedavis1740]

Unlimited delete this comment you look stupid....

[@ObiWanGinobiliTopFan]

It's The Jordan kind. 😁

[@courtneywhite8290]

Jordan didn't have a good team, that's why he didn't win a Championships in the 80s,Put Jordan on the Celtics he would've won in the 80s

[@AHMAD-2324]

No shit captain obvious...

[@alvislancaster5967]

Dean smith didn't let him be a one man team at unc....its a team sport....that's why he was successful at chicago.....he wasn't a ball hog...had many assists...

[@AHMAD-2324]

Unbelievable TALENT you didn't know he would go on to become the Greatest player of All-time. But you Damn sho knew GOOD LAWD he's something truly SPECIAL!

[@x-man9473]

Jordan whooped the Celtics ass in this game. Lol

[@MrGiantkiller33]

Larry had big games vs great players as well. 43 once vs Michael( himself), 42-6 vs Dr. j, Drexler and 60 points vs Human highlight Film Dominique Wilkins.

[@chrisx2k6]

May the Greatness of Michael Jordan bless you this holiday season!!

[@CM-bc4oc]

I take Bird over Lebron 10 out of 10 times. All day every day.

[@ap6160]

All sensible people would. Only dumbasses would take Lebron over Legend

[@AHMAD-2324]

Of course you would Bird is the Greatest SF of All-time.

[@ram0666]

the big plays in all the finals were made by lebrons teammates.

[@MaximusWolfe]

@MAN UTD
Fuck soccer

[@MaximusWolfe]

@Sir Tristan
No, he’s correct. Bird was better by far. LeBron is a gifted athlete but He is lacking for the leadership and IQ that Bird had. Were it not for Len bias’s death and Birds back ailments, which would’ve been easily dealt with in today’s game according to advances in Sportsmedicine, Bird would probably have one at least two more championships. I would say that the only fanaticism on display is yours.

[@master-kq3nw]

fantastic jordan

[@junior_brozay]

Classic Michael Jordan

[@airtime23]

He was just ahead of his time !!!! Considering how short memories can be in sports (as we in those comparisons) imagine how people would talk of Jordan if Kobe and LeBron would have been in the league before him...They would say he is like Kobe version 3.0 or something like that because his game is just so much better....!! His defensive awareness is simply unbelievable...I mean that's a ROOKIE we're talking about !!!!!

[@wowhenryxl]

awesome game from mj's younger years.

[@MrYoumitube]

Did anyone notice Bird expression of disbelief whenever Jordan scored a basket in the lane. He knew straight away Jordan was going to be huge & later surpass him.

[@rickymills1934]

jordan was the best

[@MaximusWolfe]

In 1985 Larry bird was the best player in the world. And even Michael Jordan would tell you that. Bird may not have scored 1000 points every night but he could beat you 1 million different ways and that was what made him special. Jordan could score a bunch of points and get a bunch of steals but he couldn’t control an entire game and overwhelm an entire team without having to do the lion share of the scoring.

[@lefty3295]

How bout this game??? Unbelievable and unknown! What a show he put on ...all in the name of winning!!!

[@sohaminyoh]

already one of the best in the league as a rookie

[@bloody_outlaw8000]

he was the best since day 1

[@Estonskii]

That was one of those Bird's shots on clutch situations that didn't went in,

[@rumarspencer7302]

Bulls held on to beat the Celtics, 107-104, on this March 6th 1985 game, to close out the 6th and last meeting of 84-85.

[@BigCrockDawg]

wow the Bulls won this game.........that's absurd lol I didn't know this.

[@lovingadam2011]

Notice how Jordan's shorts are longer than anyone's else?

[@MaximusWolfe]

No and don’t care.

[@nadersrevenge1780]

He had em longer so he could wear the North Carolina shorts under them

[@alfreshly]

RIP Dennis Johnson

[@Head318Hunter]

2:44
Bird could've been a QB in the NFL
3:41

[@daniellinehan63]

Inferior team beating the BEST team in the NBA

[@x-man9473]

Jordan was tearing the Celtics up. His jumpshots were going down, he was drawing fouls, dominating the glass, stealing the ball, and making great passes. Unreal.

[@Head318Hunter]

2:43 vintage 80's Celtics

[@JRAFF145]

Amazing stuff. Having grown up back there, people ask, "Did you go to a lot of Celtics games?" - almost impossible to get tickets once the season had started.

[@popeyeisgood]

thanks for the rare game!!
I particularly like that juke fakes at 4:41, so many little moves in a short amount of time to deceive his defender. look how wide his legs were spreaded and how far that dude is standing in front of him, in less than half a second he just blows him by with ease. his first step is no doubt the quickest in the history.
and another example to show how he already had his mid range game from day 1.

[@vernongray4477]

Ennis "Enimo" Whatley!! Phillips High School, Birmingham, Al. Also, on McDonald's High School All American team with Michael Jordan, much props to my homie!!!

[@likedamaster]

Jordan clutch and pulling veteran moves as a rook.

[@sportjames23]

Nice Christmas gift for us, hoops!

[@airtime23]

I know it sounds crazy...but I think MJ was UNDERrated....

[@destressfrlyf843]

If anyone wants to say that Toni Kukoč had an excuse to lose against Jordan & Pippen, during the Olympics, needs to see Jordan win against the Celtics

[@goodman5836]

bird's post game tho...

[@Queen_Wong]

mj is just too crazy

[@Mearonm]

@defghik I think alot of Jordan fans noticed that, it seems in his earlier years he was pushing the ball towards the rim it kind of looked and felt forced, but later he seemed to have mastered the flick of the wrist which gave him much more control of the ball. A reporter or someone should ask him about that I'd like to know the real answer

[@andgar923]

thanks as usual!

[@defghik]

Damn, Jordan was skinny as a rookie. His shooting form was also noticeably different as a rookie compared to any other year, look at him shooting FTs here and compare it to a game from '87.

[@samderrida]

defghik I thought it was more around 89, when he gained muscle, that his shooting form changed

[@bobbo0383]

I think this also dispells any notion that the refs made him greater then he was. I guarantee he got no foul calls in this game because there was no concept of how good Jordan would become. Yet he goes into Boston, beats Bird, Mchale, and Parish, toys with Dennis Johnson, and he was just a rookie.
Imagine Wall or Griffin going into LA and taking over a game to beat the Lakers, or going into Boston and taking over a game to beat the Celtics. It just isn't happening.

[@deepeej]

Goat

[@Bigtimekillr]

Wow nice quality!

[@carlosjamesyap18]

Jordan was too quick and it's really hard to guard if you are tall you might just watch jordan take the jump shot. It's really hard to guard the player too quick and can shoot out side and inside.

[@AhkmedNetworks]

jordans got 33 mmm mmm whats new LOL.

[@worldlfree]

This is different player from the MJ earlier in the season vs Boston..

[@MichaelSmith-nc8nr]

This happened 38 years ago today.

[@zendo09]

is Jordan a rookie here ... he play at a high level game and against the celtics pride ... w0w ...

[@TheMimetolithman]

Bird shocked me 2 mistakes = odd Jordon got 1

[@CJPCHI82]

4:32 the play by play announcer gives everyone a little too much info on what his plans are at halftime.

[@JTS1128]

Most impressive
But what do you expect from Mike?
:)

[@migueltxo69]

@flight23magic32 that jordan today would score 40 points a game without any effort!

[@thebeastblock999]

7:10 Larry bird past it to a player out of bounds

[@MicroWave233]

Yah im not sure if he was giving the ball to angie so he could inbound. Still it did look like he passed it out of bounds, and they say this guy is the best basketball player 😂, jk, Larry was great but that should have been called a turnover by the officials.

[@x-man9473]

Why are Bird lovers silent on this game?

[@dynamicsasquatch]

Because it was just a boring regular season game for them lol

[@x-man9473]

@@dynamicsasquatch The players didn't seem to treat it like a "boring regular season game". They were trying to win and failed.
There's other boring regular season games, where the Celtics win and Bird lovers dominate the comments section.

[@dynamicsasquatch]

@@x-man9473 Bird is the best player to ever play. Jordan is 2nd...

[@x-man9473]

@@dynamicsasquatch Bird is the best player to play...if you're a white fan. Reality puts Jordan at #1.

[@dynamicsasquatch]

@@x-man9473 ok ok u went with the race thing. Kinda expected that...little sad but figured that'd get brought up

[@popeyeisgood]

@triklops
yea this guy is simply a lot better for everything. much faster, more agile and stronger even as a rookie. already has enough moves to score big on any team at that time.
and all those stupid offical nba jordan video programs or sport channels are always promoting him as somewhat inadequate in certain aspects of the game when he started ( only focused on scoring with not enough defensive skill, and has no fadeaway or mid range game), which are not true.

[@jlee562]

@Belcario yeah, because you already know that he becomes the greatest later in the future...

[@jaymiller5669]

I hope before he dies scientists invent a regenerative medicine that turn the clock back to when MJ was 30 and we get to see a few more years of greatness again

[@tommybrown187]

ty for this christmas gift

[@chrisdrake9807]

Classic clash of the titans!

[@killerecho]

@jordanlover23 In a league where Bird and Magic were in their primes no less.

[@ShinAkuma21]

Marry Christmas Michael Jordan lol =P

[@MrGiantkiller33]

Larry Bird still owned a lifetime winning record vs his airness! 23-11. Jordan said he was happy when Larry retired. Who else, do u remember michael him saying this about?

[@MrGiantkiller33]

+Ramses Stafford Jordan also played like 16 or 17 seasons, next to Larry's 12 to get those numbers. Besides, the point was, Larry Bird, does have a head to head winning record against your g.oa.t., something very few people can say.

[@MrGiantkiller33]

+Ramses Stafford Wait, so the rest of the world doesn't call Larry Legend for a reason then? I have no proble,, saying michael is the #1 point g in history. I also think Larry is the greatest s.f. of all time!

[@sohaminyoh]

That's because Bird had a better team for the vast majority of games in which they faced off.

[@spitnificent]

I also remember Larry Bird saying that he hopes to retire before a league of Michael Jordans take over the league.

[@Head318Hunter]

Ernesto Hendrix
Always with the crybaby better team excuses. Why didn't Jordan make his team better? Bird and Magic made their teams waay better. Why didn't MJ? I'll tell you why because MJ didn't give a damn about his team only cared about himself. He was never a leader like Bird or Magic. He was a hype machine creation that millions of fools bought into. Apparently you're one of them.

[@raulgreen8369]

Michael Jordan's rookie year on WGN-TV Channel 9 1984

[@Shem441]

Dame announcers eas talking trash about what nordan needed to learn and had to shut up cause he stole the ball....Jordan was very athletic and you could see it...his jumping ability made him superior over his peers and you could tell cause he would go inside towards a big man like stop me I dare you...posterizing guys getting in their head cause you werent gonna stop with regular defense. Thats why detroit played dirty against him cause that was the only way to win.

[@josephcollins628]

The first nba game I went to was in March 1985 against the Bulls. Is this that game?

[@Longenecker1776]

Imagine if you were only 6 foot tall but had the same hands and vertical as MJ. I’d settle for that.

[@Iam6ixRings]

7:10 "mmm mmm mmm What's New!"

[@josephcollins628]

What's the date of this game? I went March 31, 1985

[@Shadoexz]

this why they needed len bias suffered much r.i.p

[@speedy9313]

6 foot 6-ah number 23-ah Michael Jordan lol

[@Silligk]

my left ear enjoyed this

[@alvislancaster5967]

Who is that man with the cape?...why it is super Jordan....

[@BigBoyzStyles]

7:11 Bird steped the FUCK out in front of the ref.

[@uberathlete]

What shoes was MJ wearing here?

[@enp.lardahilan7025]

Kaypee

[@bwade5544]

:33 Peep the spin dude did. Extra 80's corny level.

[@fatalsniper3413]

Lol he killed it

[@dimedropper1992]

rare

[@RohoicRamz94]

@hoopsencyclopedia Im glad you showed the lineups to show stupid fans how weak MJs team was compared to Birds.

[@YoungBlood507]

This is not rookie year, his rookie year was 1984

[@PIMPSTIR]

In today's game you can't rely on your rookie like this.