Jordan vs. Bird: One on One
Typed out by Adam Giese
JORDAN vs BIRD
ONE ON ONE
Milton Bradley
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THE PLAYER OF THE DECADE VS THE "AIR" APPARENT!
The Shooter: Larry Bird. His turnaround and fadeaway jump shots leave a
colorful blur of rainbows in your eyes. Nearly a decade into his award-laden
pro-basketball career, Bird continues to prove himself an all-star performer who
can swish the ball from almost anywhere on the court. Going shirt-to-shirt with
the Shooter means battling one of basketball's best!
The Slammer: Michael Jordan. His aerial show seems to defy the laws of physics.
But he's also a stealing, rebounding and point-making machine. Jordan's fast
hands, devastating drives and all-around aggressive play make him one of
basketball's most respected and entertaining players. It'll take a real
shooting star to hammer the Slammer!
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SWEET SPOTS, WEAK SPOTS AND SHOOTING PERCENTAGES
The computer-generated characters you're about to see were originally created
with the help of Larry Bird and Michael Jordan. If you're a fan of Larry and
Michael, you probably know how, when, and where they like to shoot. So does
the computer!
Each player's approximate sweet spots, weak spots and shooting percentages
(guarded and unguarded) have been programmed in. Your score will depend on
whether you're Michael or Larry, you timing, how well you're being guarded, and
where you're shooting from.
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USING THE CONTROLLERS
For complete controller instructions, see the individual game rules on pages
7-19.
-To Move - See control pad at right.
(UP=RUN FORWARD)
(LEFT=SHUFFLE LEFT)
(RIGHT=SHUFFLE RIGHT)
(DOWN=RUN BACK)
-To Run Sideways - Press BUTTON B as you shuffle left or right.
-To Turn Around - Press BUTTON B while pressing the control pad UP or DOWN.
-To Set and Shoot - Press and hold BUTTON A, then release BUTTON A.
-To steal the ball - Press BUTTON B while facing the offensive player.
-To advance to the next screen, or return to the GAME OPTIONS screen during a
game - Press START BUTTON
-To call Time Out during a One On One game - Press SELECT BUTTON when the ball
is not in play. To return to the action, press START BUTTON.
In a 2-player One On One game, use Controller 1 and Controller 2. For all other
games, use Controller 1 only. If you use the NES Advantage, turn off the Turbo
buttons.
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GAME OPTIONS
When the title screen appears, press the START BUTTON to get the GAME OPTIONS
screen. There are 8 game options: three One On One games, three Slam Dunk games
and two 3-Point games. To select a game, press the control pad DOWN to move the
basketball to the option you want, then press the START BUTTON. The individual
game sections explain how to play each game.
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ONE ON ONE GAMES
These 3 games pit Jordan against Bird. You are Michael or Larry; a friend or
the computer is the other player
Game Options
The ONE ON ONE game options are:
ONE ON ONE FULL GAME: You'll play four periods of 2, 5, 8, or 12 minutes each.
ONE ON ONE 15 OR 11: You'll play straight through to 15 or 11 points, with no
time limit.
ONE ON ONE WARM UP: Players can practice one at a time, with no time limit.
The Set Features Screen
On the SET FEATURES screen, select each feature as described below.
SELECT PLAYER: JORDAN OR BIRD
For a Warm Up game press BUTTON A to point the arrow to the player you want to
be. Then press the START BUTTON (you don't need to set any other features).
For a Full Game or a 15 or 11 game, each player presses BUTTON A or BUTTON B to
set his controller number (1 or 2) next to the player he wants to be. If you're
playing the computer, set "C" next to your computer opponent.
Move the control pad DOWN to the next feature, and press BUTTON A to set it.
When you're done setting the features, press the START BUTTON.
PLAY TO: For 15 or 11 games only. Select the length of your game to 15 or 11
points.
COMPUTER LEVEL: For games against the computer only. Choose from 4 levels of
difficulty. (Level 1 is the toughest, Level 4 the easiest.)
LEVEL 1: Professional: The big time! Taking on the computer at this level is
like playing a champion on his home court.
LEVEL 2: College: Play isn't quite so intense. It's just a little easier to
steal, block, and grab those rebounds.
LEVEL 3: Varsity: Defense loosens up. You can get away with a few cheap shots
and free fouls.
LEVEL 4: Schoolyard: This one's for beginners, but don't get cocky! It's not
easy to beat Michael or Larry, even at this level!
WINNER'S OUT: Choose YES to keep the ball after scoring a basket; choose NO to
turn the ball over to the defense.
FOULS: Choose YES to have fouls called; choose NO for a no-fouls game. Fouls
are explained on page 11.
PERIOD LENGTH: For the Full Game only. Choose 2, 5, 8, or 12 minutes for
each of the four periods of play.
Violations
If a violation is called against the offensive player, the defensive player gets
the ball and the shot clock is reset to 24 seconds. Violations are called even
in a NO FOULS game. They are:
-Traveling - You jump to shoot, but don't release the ball before your feet hit
the ground. Or you dribble, stop to fake, then dribble again.
-Violating the 24-Second Clock - You don't get a shot off before the clock runs
out.
-Failing to Clear the Ball - If you get a defensive rebound or steal the ball in
the key, you must take the ball outside of the key before you can shoot. (You
can return to the key to shoot as long as you've cleared the ball first.)
Fouls
The offensive foul is charging (body contact with the defensive player). The
defense gets the ball and the shot clock is reset to 24 seconds.
The defensive foul is blocking (body contact with the offensive player). The
offense keeps the ball and the shot clock is reset to 24 seconds.
Michael: "Larry fouls all the time, but it's not obvious. He gives a little
bump and falls away."
Larry: "Most fouls are committed because players are caught by surprise. Either
they haven't studied their opponent's offensive moves, or they aren't
concentrating."
Scoring
ONE ON ONE FULL GAME: A successful shot from the outside the 3-point line is
worth 3 points; and other successful shot is worth 2
points.
ONE ON ONE 15 or 11: A successful shot from outside the 3-point line is worth 2
points; and other successful show is worth 1 point.
There's no deuce (you don't have to win by 2 points).
The Stats Screen
At the end of each period, the STATS screen will appear. (You'll see the STATS
screen when you call Time Out, too). This screen shows the current score and
statistics for each player. Your stats will tell you why you're winning or
losing, and what you can improve on.
After looking at the STATS screen, press the START BUTTON.
NOTES: "**" in the percent column indicated 100%. The "Total" column totals
your stats for all periods played.
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SLAM DUNK GAMES
These 3 games feature Michael Jordan, the Sultan of Slam. Michael won the NBA
All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in 1987 and 1988, which makes him an expert on rim
bending and air walking.
Game Options
The Slam Dunk game options are:
SLAM DUNK CONTEST: Up to 4 players can compete. In a 1-player game, it's you
against the computer Michael.
SLAM DUNK WARM UP: You can practice dunks over and over again.
FOLLOW THE LEADER: Take a slam dunk course from Michael himself! Watch the
computer Michael dunk, then try the same dunk yourself.
Slam Dunk Contest
On the SET FEATURES screen, press BUTTON A to select the number of players (1,
2, 3, or 4). Then press the START BUTTON.
Choose Your Dunk: The Slam Dunk screen shows 10 different dunks. To select one
of them, press the control pad UP, DOWN, LEFT, or RIGHT. Then press the START
BUTTON.
How to Dunk: Press BUTTON A as you run toward the basket; release BUTTON A to
complete your dunk.
Each dunk has a specific take-off location. In the Follow The Leader game, the
computer Michael will show how each dunk is done. Scoring: You get 30 seconds
to complete a dunk. Each of the 5 judges awards up to 10 points for a dunk.
A perfect dunk scores 50 points!
The Slam Dunk Contest is played in rounds. Press the START BUTTON to move to
the next round.
1-Player Game: You'll play 3 Final Rounds against the computer Michael. Each
player gets 1 dunk per round; the high scorer wins.
2-, 3-, and 4-Player Elimination Games: A 4-player game starts with the
Preliminary Rounds. Each player gets 2 dunks; the low scorer is eliminated.
Then you move on to the Semi-Finals, which is where you start in a 3-player
game. Each player gets 3 dunks; the low scorer is eliminated. The last 2
players go to the Finals, which is where you start in a 2-player game. Each
player gets 3 dunks; the high scorer wins!
Slam Dunk Warm Up
Choose a dunk to practice. BUTTON B returns you to the Slam Dunk screen; the
START BUTTON returns you to the GAME OPTIONS screen.
Follow The Leader
The computer Michael dunks; then you try the same dunk. The START BUTTON
returns you to the GAME OPTIONS screen.
THE EVOLUTION OF MICHAEL'S DUNK
"In my neighborhood, we had goals that were lower than 10 feet. If you could
reach the basket, then you could start getting the timing down - that's when the
creativity became a part of it. You get the timing down and it's not long
before you start looking good.
I was barely dunking in the 9th grade and I wasn't dunking forcefully until
11th. My first dunk was in a high school JV game and it was a mistake! I
didn't think I was high enough, but I found out that I was. I was actually
going for a lay up. The guys called it the baby dunk.' I couldn't do it during
practice. In the game situation, the intensity was so high, I was able to do
it. I was happy about the dunk, but we still lost the game.
How do I create the dunks I do? It's sort of like the first one - it just
happens when I'm in the air. I don't know I can do it till I've done it. I
create most of my dunks as I'm doing them in a game."
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3-POINT GAMES
This is Larry Bird's domain. You can't win three NBA All-Star 3-Point Contests
by tossing up duds from behind that huge semi-circle!
Game Options
The 3-Point game options are:
3-POINT CONTEST: Up to 4 players can compete. In a 1-player game, it's you
against the computer Larry. Each player gets 60 seconds to
shoot 25 balls (5 balls each from 5 bins).
3-POINT WARM UP: Practice 3-pointers without any time limit.
For the 3-Point Contest, press BUTTON A on the SET FEATURES screen to select the
number of players (1, 2, 3, or 4). Then press the START BUTTON.
How to Shoot
To pick up a ball, press BUTTON B. Once you've shot all five balls from one
bin, quickly move to the next bin and continue shooting. The shot counter keeps
track of how many balls you've shot from each bin.
In the game, speed and accuracy are equally important. Larry hit 17 baskets
during the 3-Point Contest in the 1988 All-Star game. Can you shoot 25 winners
before time runs out?
Scoring
Each successful shot is worth one point, except for the last ball in each bin -
"the money ball." Each money ball is worth two points. A perfect score for one
round is 30 points.
Rounds of play in the 3-Point Contest is the same as in the Slam Dunk Contest;
see page 14 for details.
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OFFENSIVE NOTEBOOK
Michael's Tips
"I'm a better shooter coming off the dribble that I am a stand-still jump
shooter. I'm a better shooter if I can take the dribble this way or that way
and go up for the jump shot.
The jab step is a weapon I use to keep the defense honest. If he's playing me
for the drive - he's playing me close - I use the jab step as if I'm going to
fake for a drive. If he retreats, he opens me up for the jump shot and gives me
more room to operate. If I jab step and he stays, that's my key to go past.
If Larry's playing me, he'd probably play me off of the drive so I'd take the
jump shot. If my jump shot isn't falling, I'd close in on him and back him
until he's close to me. Then I can use my quickness to get past him.
Use the crossover ster in combination with your fake jumper. If Larry plays up
for the jump block, spin around him and drive around him and drive for the jam.
If he plays for the drive, advance with your back to him and position yourself
to either use the turnaround jumper if he plays off you, or step and slam if
he's too close.
Of course, I could always show him my aerial 360."
Larry's Tips
"The difference between a shooter and a scorer is this: a shooter puts the ball
up every time he has an open shot; a scorer puts it up only when he has the best
shot. To become a good shooter, you have to do three things: practice how to
shoot, learn where the good shots are, and learn when to shoot.
Once I practiced enough to get down to fundamentals, I practiced to refine my
skills so I could execute them without thinking. Once I refined my basic
skills, I started to practice putting them together in effective combinations,
like putting my shooting and dribbling together with fakes and moves to the
basket.
Watch out for Michael's quickness. Try to get him off balance with jabs and
fakes and get in position to shoot from the top of the key. I like to use my
turnaround jump shot as an offensive weapon. If he plays on me, I'd back in,
turn around, and shoot quickly.
Or maybe I'll just nail one."
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DEFENSIVE NOTEBOOK
Michael's Tips
"Larry can shoot it from any stance. He's got one of those fake shots where he
can fake it but look like he's going to shoot it. That gets me off my feet so
he can use that quick move of his to go past. When you think he won't shoot, he
will shoot it. When you think he will shoot, he won't shoot. I'd force him to
drive by, playing him close and denying his jump shot.
How do I decide when to steal or when to block? It's a gamble. If Larry goes
for the steal, he's going to pay for it if he doesn't get the ball. And if he
steals it, I'm the one in a bad shape. I think I'd rather get the steal because
then I'm in control of the ball. I go for the steal when the ball is clearly in
my vision, like when the offensive player has a mental lapse and puts it in my
face. If I don't get the steal but make the block, hopefully I'll pick it up.
If it's between blocking and rebounding, I'm getting in his face. If Larry is
open, there won't be a rebound. If he does get a shot off and you do have to go
for the rebound, you'll have to box him out so he can't get to the ball.
Luckily in one on one, you don't have to worry about another man getting to the
ball."
Larry's Tips
"Fundamentally, defense is a simple skill. It amounts to keeping your body
positioned between your opponent and the basket. It's about as simple as that.
But mentally, defense is tough. You've got to use your mental toughness to
constantly push your body around the court so it says 'no' to your opponent.
I jump on jump shooters. I move in on jump shooters until we're shirt-to-shirt.
I use a wide stance so if the shooter decides to forget the shot and try and
drive around me, he'll have to work at it. With Michael, it's different. He's
so quick I tend to play him off to stop his drive. If I see him square up, I'll
move in. Going for a steal against Michael is dangerous. If you commit and
miss, he's by you in a flash - and in the air for the slam.
Shot blocking is a spectacular defensive play. It's a defender's greatest
moment. It's a shooter's worst. Whenever you see you can block a show without
fouling the shooter, go ahead, put it in his face.
If I see a player like to shoot from particular areas of the court, I try to
beat him to his spot. I keep him out of his shooting positions. If Michael
seems to favor a spot, I'll see him there."
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PLAYER PROFILES
Larry Joe Bird
Born: December 7, 1956 in West Baden, Indiana
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 220 lbs.
High School: Springs Valley, French Lick, Ind.
Colleges: Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind; Indiana State University, Terre
Haute, Ind.
Drafted by Boston on first round as junior eligible, 1978 (6th pick)
It would be one thing to be a hot offensive player, hitting the three pointers,
driving for those high percentage shots. It would be another to be a great
defensive player, sticking to your man like gum on a hot sidewalk, denying the
ball with outrageous frequency. It would, yet again, be another thing to be a
team player, passing the ball when you see the open man, setting up the plays
that bring the team together. It would take a Larry Bird to be all of this.
During Bird's first nine years in the NBA, he has taken the opportunity to use
each year to improve himself the amazing all-around player that he is. His
successes run on like a Wall Street ticker tape: NBA Rookie of the Year, 1980...
NBA All-Rookie Team, 1980...NBA All-Star Game MVP, 1982...NBA Most Valuable
Player, 1984-1986...Named to All-NBA First Team, 1980-1988...Member of NBA
championship teams, 1981, 1984, 1986...NBA Playoff MVP 1984, 1986...NBA playoff
record for most points in one year, 1984...NBA all-time three-point field goal
leader...and this is just a partial list.
The 1987-1988 season brought more: Third overall in the NBA scoring...Second in
free throw percentage...Career highs in field goal percentage, free throw
percentage, and scoring average...NBA All-Star 3-Point Contest Winner, 1988.
Michael Jeffrey Jordan
Born: February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 195 lbs.
High School: Laney, Wilmington, N.C.
College: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Drafted by Chicago on first round as an undergraduate, 1984 (3rd pick)
The size of 34 shorts two inches extra long. The single wristband midway up the
left forearm. The pink tongue. Who else would these oddities belong to but a
unique player whose "love of the game" clause lets him play basketball anytime
he wants?
From the day the North Carolina freshman hit the jump shot that clinched the
NCAA championship in 1982, Jordan has never let up on the basketball throttle.
Jordan burst onto the professional basketball scene only a few years ago. But
the talented guard has already put his name at the top of numerous lists - both
for his record-breaking stats and in recognition of his all-around great play.
Some of his accolades include: NBA Rookie of the Year, 1985...NBA All-Rookie
Team, 1985...Leb NBA in scoring, 1987-1989...NBA All-Star MVP, 1988...First
player to get over 100 blocked shots and win the scoring title, 1988...Leading
vote-getter for the NBA All-Star Game, 1988...Defensive Player of the Year, 1988
...NBA Most Valuable Player, 1988...NBA All-Star Game Slam Dunk Champ, 1988.