In NBA history, Larry Bird executed the greatest play….
Fans, rivals, and teammates might all be impressed by Larry Bird’s skills. Even the legendary Red Auerbach of the Boston Celtics was impressed by the Boston Celtics legend.
Bird’s abilities led to three MVP awards in a row and three NBA titles. He won the first of the Celtics’ three titles in the 1980s in his second NBA season, defeating the Houston Rockets. Bird worked some magic during that series, writing an enlightening piece that Auerbach declared to be the best he had ever seen.
The Celtics selected Bird in the 1978 NBA Draft, despite the fact that he was named Rookie of the Year for the 1979–80 NBA season. As a junior at Indiana State, Auerbach took a chance by selecting him in the draft. But Bird decided to play during his final year in college. His rights were retained by the Celtics until the 1979 NBA Draft.
The Celtics and Bird negotiated right down to the wire. At times, the conversation between Auerbach and Bob Woolf, Bird’s agent, became heated.
During their first encounter, Auerbach said to Woolf, “I hope you don’t believe those numbers I’ve been seeing in the papers,” according to Sports Illustrated.
Naturally not, Woolf answered Red. “My thoughts are much higher now.”
Bird is nothing more than a cornerman, according to Auerbach. Thus, out of the three key positions (center, fast guard, and corner), he is the least significant.
