Although Michael Jordan is often remembered as an untouchable competitor thanks to his flawless NBA Finals record and overwhelming control of the league throughout the 1990s, his rise to championship success was anything but immediate. Jordan didn’t capture his first NBA title until his seventh season in the league.

Like many all-time greats, Jordan endured years of setbacks before finally reaching the pinnacle. Countless legends have had to battle through losses against established stars before becoming champions themselves. Those difficult defeats often provide the lessons that shape future greatness, and Jordan’s journey was no exception.

During the 1980s, MJ developed several notable rivalries as he emerged as the NBA’s premier talent. He frequently ran into roadblocks created by Isiah Thomas’ Pistons and Magic Johnson’s Showtime Lakers. Jordan’s teams were eliminated from the playoffs in each of his first six seasons, with five of those exits coming against just two opponents. Three postseason losses came against Detroit, while two of his earliest heartbreaks were delivered by a player widely regarded as one of the greatest in basketball history.

Michael Jordan Praised NBA Legend For Having No Weaknesses

Before suffering consecutive playoff sweeps at the hands of that star, Jordan was asked about him in 1987 and offered a surprisingly unique assessment of his game.

But who was it he was talking about?

Larry Bird’s place among basketball’s all-time elite is well deserved. Across his Hall of Fame career, he earned 12 All-Star selections and 10 All-NBA honours. Bird also captured three MVP awards, three NBA championships, and two Finals MVP trophies. Even though injuries shortened the latter stages of his career, he remains firmly in the conversation as one of the greatest small forwards ever.

What makes his accomplishments even more remarkable is that he achieved them without the elite athletic traits commonly associated with legendary players. Few superstars have reached his level while relying so little on physical advantages.

As Jordan pointed out, Bird’s game contained virtually no weaknesses. He wasn’t the fastest player on the court, nor was he known for explosive leaping ability. While those attributes can create advantages, they are not the defining characteristics of a champion.

Bird built his reputation through elite skill, competitive toughness, basketball IQ, and a confidence that often intimidated opponents. He was among the finest shooters of his generation, capable of scoring from long range, the mid-range area, or around the basket. Regardless of the situation, he had a knack for delivering big shots.

Beyond scoring, Bird was a gifted passer whose court vision ranked among the best the game has ever seen. He routinely identified opportunities before they developed and delivered creative passes with either hand. He also contributed heavily on the glass, averaging 10.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists throughout his career.

Defensively, Bird was never considered a shutdown one-on-one defender, but his awareness and positioning allowed him to be highly effective. He excelled within team defensive schemes and consistently used anticipation to offset any physical disadvantages.

Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest player in NBA history. Bird isn’t far behind on many all-time lists, despite possessing nowhere near Jordan’s athletic gifts. Through a combination of skill, intelligence, and all-around excellence, Bird repeatedly challenged and defeated Jordan early in his career – a fact Jordan himself readily acknowledged.

Benjamin Mendy’s life has changed drastically just three years on from leaving Manchester City, with the defender now living and playing football in Poland.

The 31-year-old was a regular starter for Pep Guardiola‘s side following his £52 million switch from AS Monaco in 2017, playing 75 times for the club, with nine trophies won in his stint at the Etihad Stadium.

Mendy was charged in 2021 and 2022 with eight counts of rape, one count of sexual assault, and one count of attempted rape, with Man City deciding to suspend him while pending a trial.

He was later found not guilty on all counts in two trials held in late 2022 and early 2023, before he was ultimately released by City at the end of his contract in June 2023.

In three years since, the former France international has played for three different clubs, the latest of which has him living a very different life in Poland.

Benjamin Mendy’s Career After Manchester City

After the not guilty verdict, and the expiry of his contract at Man City, Mendy made a move to France, where he joined FC Lorient on a two-year deal.

That switch was met with backlash from some of the supporters, but he was available to play regardless, and ended up making his debut for the club in September 2023.

The left-back only managed to feature 15 times for Lorient, as injuries ravaged his second season with the French club, ultimately ending it with two goals and one assist.

That prompted an exit in February 2025, as Mendy moved to Switzerland, joining FC Zurich on a short-term deal until the end of the 2024/25 season.

This move was once again met with criticism, as a local women’s charity group hit out at the club’s decision to hire the former Manchester City defender.

It was another short stint, as he went on to make just eight appearances for the Swiss club, moving on at the end of his deal to become a free agent.

That summer, a move to Poland was on the cards, as Pogon Szczecin became his next destination, with a one-year deal signed with an option of a further season.

It remains to be seen whether that option will be taken up, with only 11 appearances for the club over the past year, as he could face yet another career move.

What Is Benjamin Mendy Doing Now?

While Mendy’s career on the pitch has changed drastically since leaving Manchester City, it appears as though his life has also taken a turn.

A report from the Daily Mail cites that his life in Poland is quiet, living in the city of Szczecin, which is located in the north-west of the country and is home to around 395,000 people.

It’s claimed that locals have often seen him pushing a cart around local supermarkets, a far cry from his days being paid millions by Manchester City.

A friend of the player spoke to paper and said: “The young players are in awe of him because of the World Cup and he always finds time to help them and ask how they’re doing. He’s never arrogant, just always friendly and down to earth. He never plays the big man.”

Meanwhile, Polish sports journalist Michal Horbaczewski claims that the player is trying to improve his own public image, stating:

It remains to be seen whether that life in Poland will continue, with his contract expiring this summer.

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has claimed he is “not surprised” that Arne Slot was dismissed by the Merseyside outfit, following the Dutch head coach’s exit.

The Reds announced the move after a thorough post-season review, deciding that ultimately the 2025/26 campaign was concerning enough to warrant a change in the dugout.

Under Slot, Liverpool went from unexpected Premier League champions in season one, to frustratingly dragging themselves over the line for Champions League qualification in season two.

With a challenge on the cards in handling expectations, and a style of play that ultimately failed to win over the Anfield faithful, the Liverpool hierarchy has made their move.

Some have been left torn over the call, with two diametrically opposite campaigns making it tough to judge just how good the manager really is.

But for Gerrard, there was no shock in the decision to sack Slot this summer.

Steven Gerrard Speaks Out On Arne Slot Sacking

With news filtering through of Slot’s dismissal at Liverpool, plenty of reaction has flooded in surrounding the decision, one that former midfielder Gerrard believes was the right one, even if it was tough to make.

Speaking to TNT Sports before the Champions League final, the 46-year-old said: “Not surprised. I’m gutted for Arne Slot, because in his first year, he’s done an incredible job.

“I think taking the reins from the great Jurgen Klopp, that was a tough task and big shoes to fill, and I think he’s done it seamlessly. It’s very difficult to win the Premier League, I know that more than most, so for him to deliver that in year one, that can’t be forgotten.

“So I think he’ll go down in the history books and be remembered forever. Having said that, Laura [Woods], the last ten games of last season, and for the majority of this season, we haven’t looked like Liverpool.

“The style, it’s been difficult to watch at times. It looks disjointed, it looks broken, and when I got the news today, of course, your initial reaction is surprise and shock, but when you analyse it properly, it’s probably the right time, in my opinion.”

Slot has ultimately left Liverpool with a better reputation than when he joined, showing he can make the step-up and win, but couldn’t do enough to win over the hearts of fans over the long-term.

So attention instead turns to who could replace the Dutchman, with a clear frontrunner appearing as the next one to step into the Anfield dugout.

Gerrard On Andoni Iraola To Liverpool

Liverpool are linked with a move for Andoni Iraola as their next head coach, with the former Bournemouth manager viewed as the leading candidate to take the job.

It would be a potential return to the pressing style of play that became synonymous with Jurgen Klopp’s side that were at the peak of their powers in the late 2010s and early 2020s.

With that in mind, Gerrard has praised the work done by the Spaniard in his time on the south coast, while believing he should be in the discussion to take the role.

He continued: “Well, look, I think we’ve all been around the game long enough to know how the process works, and I’d be very surprised if they made that decision and all of a sudden thought, ‘Well, who are we going to appoint next?’

“Liverpool don’t work like that. Liverpool are an organised machine, up top, they have been for a long time. I think it’s the right time because at the end of the season, the new guy will get a pre-season, he’ll get that chance to recruit new players.

“As a manager going in, it’s the best time to go in, to reset everyone and get everyone moving forward in the new direction. But I’d be extremely surprised if the people above Arne Slot, who make the big decisions at Liverpool, have all of a sudden started from three or four hours ago looking for a new successor.

“I think he’s done a fabulous job at Bournemouth. I think his style would suit Liverpool, but let’s not beat around the bush.

“Liverpool Football Club is an attractive job for a lot of elite managers around the world, so I don’t think he’ll be the only name on the table.

“But because of the link to Bournemouth and the guys that have come from Bournemouth to Liverpool [sporting director Richard Hughes] in terms of board level, they will know him very well.

“But then, you know, there’s other names out there as well that I’m sure would want that Liverpool job. It’s a huge job in world football. But potentially, to answer your question, I think he should be in the conversation, yes.”

It remains to be seen whether a deal will get done, but Liverpool look set to enter their new era in a matter of weeks.