Larry Bird Explained to His Protector How He Would Hit Him….
Legendary Boston Celtics player Larry Bird was not only a great talker but also a solid negotiator. The Bird trash talk stories are famous, whether it was referring to his shot as coming “from the trainer’s lap” or labeling his opponent in the Three-Point Contest as a benchwarmer.
Xavier McDaniel, a 12-year NBA veteran, has one of the better stories of Bird calling his shot. The play took place at the conclusion of a close Celtics vs. Seattle Supersonics game in 1986. Bird gave the X-Man precise instructions before carrying them out. But unlike a lot of Bird’s crazy moments, this one didn’t go as planned.
In a string of fantastic seasons for Bird, the 1986–1987 campaign was just as good. He had just won three straight NBA MVP Awards and was once again the league’s dominant player. In terms of minutes (40.6), made 3-pointers (90), and free throw percentage (91.0%), he led the NBA. In addition, Bird had a game average of 28.1 points, 7.6 assists, and 9.2 rebounds.
However, Magic Johnson, his competitor from the west, won the MVP that season after he had won it twice in a row. Moreover, Johnson defeated Bird in the NBA Finals. The Celtics and Lakers squared up in the Finals and the rubber match series between the two illustrious teams for the third time in four years.
Magic received the MVP award for the Finals, and Johnson and the Lakers won the series four games to two. It was Bird’s final appearance in the Finals. The Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, made and won the Finals the next three seasons after the “Bad Boy” Detroit Pistons emerged from the East.
Although Bird’s performance would suffer in the ensuing years due to injuries, Larry Legend was still at the height of his career in 1986. It was none other than Larry Bird who imparted knowledge to McDaniel in a moment that would go down in Bird legend.
In December, following a close game, K.C. Jones, the coach of the Boston Celtics, proceeded to sketch up a play. “At that point, Larry intervenes and asks, ‘Coach, could you just pass the ball to me and tell everyone to move aside?'” Bird informed Jones.
After Jones made the decision to grant Bird his wish, the French Lick Hick revealed his scheme to McDaniel, the player tasked with protecting Bird.
McDaniel was informed by Bird that he was winning the ball. McDaniel responded, “I know, and I’m going to be waiting.” Bird informed McDaniel that he was “going to shoot it right in your face” as he pointed out the precise location he was going. The remaining details are related by McDaniel:
Even while Bird’s use of trash talk and execution was excellent, it wasn’t the only time it happened.
