Larry "Legend" Bird; Don't let the legend be forgotten
"Larry Bird just throws the ball in the air and God moves the basket underneath it" - Cavs public address announcer
I recently heard a discussion on talk radio about the best Small Forwards in NBA history. A recent list had Bird rightfully in 2nd place (behind Lebron "King" James). But one of the radio personalities was arguing no way should Bird be 2nd All Time.
Larry Legend -
There are the basics -
Larry Bird hurt his back in the beginning of his 10th year. In his 1st 9 years, from his rookie year through year 9 Larry Legend was as good as it gets. His career was cut short. But look at what he achieved in his 1st 9 years in the league.
9x 1st TEAM ALL NBA (every year including his rookie year he was the best small forward in the NBA)
3x 2nd TEAM ALL DEF (for always being dinged for not being a good defender, he was on an all-def team 3x. Magic Johnson was on Zero all-def teams)
His team was never worse than 3rd OVERALL in the NBA (6x Celtics #1 in NBA, 2x #2, 1x #3) - Celtics averaged 61.1 wins in those 1st 9 years
5x NBA FINALS (Won 3x) - below is results with Birds stats in each years series
If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game, I'd choose Michael Jordan. If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life...I'd take Larry Bird" - Pat Riley
Great Moments. Like Jordan, Magic, Careem, Wilt, Russell, etc. All Greats have Great Moments. Bird had many...here are a few -
- Game 5 1987 ECF - Isiah Thomas and the Bad Boys Pistons had the game won...until...Bird steals Thomas' inbounds pass and feeds a cutting DJ for the game winning layup. This lead to the famous Isiah Thomas all time worst loser quote "if Bird was black, he'd be just another good guy."
- Game 7 1984 2nd Round - Vs Bernard King and the Knicks...39pt, 12reb, 10ast.
- Game 7 1988 2nd Round - Vs Dominique Wilkins and the Hawks, Bird outdueled Wilkins by shooting 9 of 10 in the 4th quarter for 20pts 4th qrt in a 2pt game 7 win.
- Feb 18th, 1985 - Playing @ Utah, Bird posted 30pt, 12reb, 10ast, 9stl...IN 3QRTS (33 min). A near quadruple double in 3/4 of a game.
- March 12, 1985 - Playing @ Atlanta, Bird posted 60pts (amazingly just 1 3pointer)
- Feb 11, 1981 - Playing @ Lakers, Bird posted 36pt, 21reb, 5ast, 5stl, 5blk.
- There are MANY MANY MANY MANY more games, moments, and memories.
"Larry, you only told me one lie. You said there will be another Larry Bird. Larry; there will NEVER, EVER be another Larry Bird" - Magic Johnson
