Larry Bird Disapproved of Being the Focus of Attention Right Away…
In the 1980s, when Dr. J’s Philadelphia 76ers hosted Larry Bird’s Boston Celtics, Bird and Erving were well-known for their furious altercations. Early in the decade, the 76ers and Celtics were fierce rivals, and in 1984, the two superstars got into an iconic brawl.
Following his 1979 NCAA title game victory with Indiana State, Bird entered the NBA as a highly anticipated rookie. In his debut season, he helped transform a team that had only won 29 games the year before into a winning squad that had won 61. Fame followed triumph for Bird, who had never felt at ease in the spotlight. After chatting with Erving early in his NBA career, he learnt how to handle it.
Bird anticipated the attention. He was a rising star entering a large market. The next season, he led the Celtics to their first of three titles in the 1980s in addition to winning Rookie of the Year with them.
The Celtics executed what is perhaps the greatest transaction in team history following his rookie season. In a franchise-changing decision in 1980, they traded the number one pick to the Golden State Warriors. In exchange for center Robert Parish and the third overall pick, they also added the thirteenth pick. They selected Kevin McHale with the third overall choice, assembling what may be the greatest frontcourt in NBA history.
In 1981, 1984, and 1986, Bird, McHale, and Parish contributed to Boston’s championship victories. The Celtics’ subdued leader was named Bird. He always found attention even though he never sought it. You can’t run away when you’re the face of a championship team in a major market.
Bird never had much privacy, but he still appreciated it. Whether or whether he had a huge game, he was constantly harassed by the media.
Former teammate Fred Roberts said to Sportscasting in May that “(Bird) loved his privacy, but people were always around him.” “He used the basketball court for his personal time.”
When he was on the court, Bird didn’t mind being the center of attention. He would gladly take the ball if the game was on the line. He never wavered in his attempt to make the game-winning shot. It was everything else that came with it that he didn’t need.
