Larry Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, not only for his incredible skills but also for his legendary trash-talking.
His confidence and competitive spirit were unmatched, and his ability to back up his words with action made him a formidable opponent on the court. Kevin McHale, Bird’s teammate and fellow Boston Celtics legend, recently shared one of his favorite stories that perfectly encapsulates Bird’s unique blend of bravado and talent:
The Story
Reporter: “Every time we have someone who played against Bird, we ask them to share their favorite trash-talking story. You were there every single night with him. Do you have a favorite Bird trash talk story?”
Kevin: “Oh my gosh, probably my favorite one is playing down there in Phoenix. We were giving it to them. We were way up, like +15, and all of a sudden, we are having the worst 4th quarter in our history.
Larry is missing shots, throwing the ball to the other team, and throwing it into the third row. Phoenix somehow managed to come back, and they go up by two.
So, at the time out, we are designing a play to take it into overtime. As we are leaving the T.O., Larry says to me, ‘Forget about that, I am going to hit a 3, and we are going home.’
I’m like, ‘Larry, don’t do that. Let’s shoot a two, please. Go to the rim, get the bucket, and let’s try to win it in overtime.’ Larry looks at me and says, ‘Nah, man, I am going to bust the 3 on them.’
Oh my God, and you think it ends here? It doesn’t. He goes to the Phoenix bench and tells the coaches, ‘Yeah dudes, I am busting a 3 on you guys, and let’s all go home because I am tired.’
So the very next moment, he gets the ball, dumps the play we had in mind, shoots the ball from the 3, and I swear, the ball was still in the air, he turned to the Phoenix bench and says, ‘TOLD YOU SO!’ and starts running to the locker room.
I look at the ball, it went in, and I just started laughing. Oh man… What did I just witness? But Larry had that about him. He had that confidence. And then later on in the locker room, he said, ‘I won the game in the first 3 quarters. I lost it in the 4th, so I had to win it in the last second.’”
Larry Bird and Kevin McHale won three championships together in Boston, and their team is remembered as one of the best in NBA history.
This story is just one example of the many unforgettable moments that defined their time together on the court. Bird’s confidence and clutch performances, combined with McHale’s skill and support, created a dynasty that basketball fans still celebrate today.
