Imagine if Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were still active players in the NBA today.
In February 1986, during a skirmish during the Trail Blazers game, Larry Bird even used his left hand. Globe Employees Larry Bird was New England’s go-to sports miracle worker long before David Ortiz helped break the Red Sox curse and Tom Brady was winning Super Bowls in spectacular manner. Few performances were as good as his renowned triple-double “lefty” game, which proved his legendary talent.
On February 14, 1986, Bird played a large portion of the Friday night game in Portland with his left hand. Bird made 10 of his 21 field goals with his “off” hand against the Trail Blazers, despite not using it entirely. His final stats were 11 assists, 14 rebounds, and 47 points. In addition, it was his 14-foot fadeaway with three defenders in his face that gave the Celtics an overtime victory, 120-119.
After the game, Bird told Dan Shaughnessy of The Boston Globe, “I’m saving my right hand for the Lakers,” in an article headed “Just call him lefty Bird.” Two days later, the Celtics defeated the Lakers, 105-99. With his right hand unhinged, Bird scored 22 points and pulled down 18 rebounds.
