33 Amazing Tales of Larry Bird’s Trash Talk That Show Why….
Larry Bird is regarded as the all-time great when it comes to trash talking.
In addition to his skillful play on the court, he exuded confidence and swagger, allowing him to talk a lot and back it up.
Do you remember Bird’s historic 60-point performance against the Hawks?
Doc Rivers will be allowed to narrate the tale:
“In the one game where I believe he tormented Dominique, Bird got in the zone and began dictating the shots and yelling “off the glass.”
“He simply tormented Dominique mentally because he thought he was this young, talented athlete. He called shots, saying things like “off the glass,” “who’s next,” and “where you want this one from,” torturing each of us as he went. You could see it was unique when he reached roughly the 55th point.
We were so down at the moment that you had time to realize the game, even if you’re a player—something that doesn’t normally happen. When he stated, “in the trainer’s lap,” he was indicating that the final shot would be from deep and a three. He then asked, “Who wants it?” Then, I believe (though I’m not positive) Reggie Brown, or whatever it was, chased after him. He fired this high rainbow, which entered, and Reggie rushed into him, unintentionally knocking him onto our trainer’s lap.
Thus, it was precisely as he described it—it was an accident that verged on fate. It was pretty fantastic when they showed an image of our bench with Cliff Livingston and Eddie Johnson getting up and giving each other high fives.
“That wasn’t a great night.” We had to return to the room, where Mike Fratello called a team meeting and said, “It’s one thing to be in awe, it’s another thing to cheer for the other team,” instead of going out to dinner. And he repeatedly does the high five while demonstrating this back and forth. It was fantastic.
This one was contributed by Michael Cooper: “I hope everyone in here is thinking about second place because I’m winning this,” says Larry as he enters.Excuse me?
“And he fired off without missing a shot.”
Naturally, he triumphed, raising his finger in the air prior to the last shot being fired and refusing to take off his warm-up jacket.
In the subsequent year’s All-Star 3-point shooting competition, Dale Ellis informed the media that Bird had not spoken anything. “This time, there’s no need to talk,” stated Bird. Who will prevail is known to all of us.
Later, following Craig Hodges’ victory in the NBA All-Star Game Three-Point Shootout without Bird, Hodges was questioned about whether the win was compromised by Bird’s non-participation. “He is aware of my location,” Hodges shot back. Bird responded, “Yeah, at the end of the Bulls bench,” when informed of Hodges’ challenge.
