Larry Bird’s top 5 moments in his career! What comes to your mind when you think of Larry Bird? Is it all those titles he won? When he went one-on-one against Jordan or Magic? There are so many great moments in his career, but which ones would be his top 5?
These are Larry Bird’s top 5 moments in his career! These top five moments are the ones you do not want to miss!
Number Five:
Larry Bird doing what he does best, trash-talking. Back in the 1986 three-point contest, Larry Bird did the ultimate trash-talking. Before the contest even started Bird walked back into the locker room and said this:
“I’m just trying to see who’ll come in second.”
We have to remember that, at the time, those were the best shooters. Those shooters just got trash-talked on by Bird. We all know who came in first, Bird, of course. The player who came in second was Craig Hodges.
Number Four:
Larry Bird’s middle name should have been called “in-human,” why? Simply because this man doesn’t feel pain nor tiredness. Unless he does a great job of not showing it.
Back in 1985, was a special, unique time. In the 1985 NBA Finals, it was game 5 between the Lakers and Celtics. Series was tied 2-2, this was the deciding game. It appeared everyone was ready, besides the air condition.
The AC was working, so the players had to go without air condition. This would make it harder for a player to play unless your Larry Bird. Bird wasn’t being fazed by this.
The man scored an impressive 34 points, and 17 rebounds to go along with that. Bird got a double-double in the final game of the Finals, with no AC, to win it for his team. Final score? The Celtics won against the Lakers 121-103.
What makes this even more incredible, is the fact that this was Bird’s second ring and was the first of three Final MVP Awards he earned.
Number Three:
Who knew Larry bird could have feelings! Larry Bird was beating the Jazz so bad by 30 points. It was so bad, he almost achieved a quadruple-double. All he needed was one more steal, but what’s the response we get? We get this:
“I already did enough damage. Why go for it if we’re up by 30?”
I know Bird never liked chasing after records, especially when up by tons of points, but he could have done something even more special. That would have been everywhere, that would have been the headline after the game.
But, to be honest, I think the Jazz were happy that Bird decided not to cream them anymore.
Number Two:
Larry Bird….. the man was probably bored. Coming in at number two is something special. How? Well, for starters Bird was shooting the ball left-handed. He is a right-handed basketball player but decided to play lefty.
And you know what? It worked. Only Bird can post up a 47 point night, known as the Left-Handed Game, against the Trail Blazers. To back up how great of a trash-talker he is, he told everyone (including the media) that he was going to play the next game left-handed.
He scored off of ten fields, while only attempting 21 shots. That is how good Bird is because this man can do anything. It doesn’t matter what hand he uses, he is STILL going to be effective on the court.
Only Larry Bird could do what he did back in the ’80s and ’90s. Truly remarkable.
Number One:
Nothing is like celebrating after a victory, but nothing is like celebrating after winning your first title! Larry Bird back in 1981, did just that: win a title.
The Celtics were able to beat the Rockets in six games. Bird was posting spectacular numbers like 22 points per game, 14 rebounds per game, and then topping it off with 6 assists per game.
Even though he wasn’t the Finals MVP, Cedric Maxwell won that award, Bird was everywhere you needed. As he was ready at all times, trying to make a play, hustling up and down the court, etc.
Imagine winning your first title, after all that hard work. Now that is a HUGE celebration.
1981 NBA Finals featuring Larry Bird
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According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, confirmed by the organization, head coach Joe Mazzulla has signed a mutli-year extension with the Boston Celtics. It became official Friday morning.
Since the indefinite suspension, and subsequent exit, of now Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka, Mazzulla took over as the coach of the Celtics. He has been on a path of excellency and fulfilling high standards.
In his first season, the 37-year-old led the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals. The following year, in 2024, Mazzulla took them to the NBA Finals and won in five against Dallas Mavericks – when Luka Doncic played for the organization.
“This is truly a blessing,” said Mazzulla. “I would not be here without my faith, my wife, and my children. We are thankful for the partnership with our ownership groups, Brad’s mentorship, and the support of our staff. Most importantly, I am grateful for the players I have been able to coach the past three seasons. I look forward to competing for the Celtics and the city of Boston.”
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Boston Celtics have made significant strides in reducing their overall payroll and luxury tax since the beginning of this offseason.
June 15th, Boston was hovering around a projection of $540 million. August 5th, Boston is now around $239 million. That’s a total of $301 million they’ve been able to eliminate.
To be able to get a huge chunk of their payroll shedded, the Celtics traded away Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. In addition to the two trades, fans also saw the Celtics part ways with Luke Kornet and Al Horford.
Rumor has it that they are looking to trade Anfernee Simons, if it means getting a good deal in return and being able to reduce their payroll even more.
The 2024 NBA champions are looking to reassembling this team through the draft and around Jayson Tatum for when he returns from his Achilles tear.
According to Marc Stein, the Boston Celtics continue to seek out potential trade options involving Anfernee Simons – a player they traded for a month ago when dealing out Jrue Holiday.
Simons is currently on an expiring contract worth $27.7 million. Boston wants to continue to shed off cap space to get under the luxury tax, which they are still $20 million over the bill.
The long-term strategy here is get under the luxury tax while Jayson Tatum is rehabbing his Achilles injury so that they have more flexibility for 2027 and beyond.
Despite wanting to shed money, they want to retain Sam Hauser, who is on a four-year deal worth $45 million. Boston’s front office is only focusing on Simons, especially after trading away Kristaps Porzingis and Holiday.
Right now, it is unclear the level of interest teams have for the talented guard. It’s expected this will be an on-going situation throughout the offseason.