09/07/2026
Larry Bird Showed Up to the 1987-88 Season Slimmer Stronger and Quicker. He Had Spent the Summer Lifting Weights for the First Time in His Career. Michael Jordan Watched All of It and Said When I Get to That Point in My Career I Might Pick Up a Few Weights.
Larry Bird entered the 1987-88 season with a different body.
He had spent the summer lifting weights for the first time in his entire career. The goal was simple. Play all 82 games. His body had been taking a physical toll and he believed added strength could prevent the injuries that kept derailing his seasons.
Jordan was in his fourth year. He watched Bird's transformation and had one immediate takeaway.
"He doesn't settle for just one style of play. He is always trying to get better and better. Perhaps he is at that time in his career where he wanted to try it. When I get to that point in my career, I might pick up a few weights."
He filed it away. Didn't act on it yet. His natural gifts were still carrying him over almost everyone.
Then came three consecutive Detroit playoff exits.
Laimbeer. Rodman. Mahorn. The most physically punishing defensive unit in basketball history targeting Jordan specifically every single postseason. Knocking him to the floor. Making every drive a physical negotiation. Wearing him down until his body couldn't sustain the damage anymore.
The summer of 1990 Jordan hired Tim Grover. Everything changed.
Grover described the philosophy that drove the whole transformation.
"If your core is strong, all of your muscles can produce more force and perform at a higher level. Many athletes do hundreds of crunches and neglect their oblique and erector muscles. Injury can occur if any part of the core is weak."
Then what made Jordan specifically different from everyone else who worked just as hard.
"The greatness came from the work he put in, his dedication to be his best, not wanting to lose at anything and studying the film and movements of his opponents. His mental make-up was completely different. It's extremely rare."
Bird lifted weights to play 82 games. Jordan watched it and filed it away. The Bad Boys made him act on it.
The chain ran from French Lick to the United Center and ended with six rings.
