Larry Bird Gave 200 Roses To A Physical Therapist’s Secretary To Join The 1992 Dream Team: “There’s Only One Way I Can Do It… You Have To Come With Me.”

Larry Bird retired from the NBA in 1992 due to a back injury after spending 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics. But after retiring, Bird returned to play basketball one last time for the 1992 Dream Team.

Considering Larry Bird’s career was cut short due to his back injury, not many thought he would join Team USA for the 1992 Olympics. So much so that even Bird had to give 200 roses to Dan Dyrek’s (a physical therapist) secretary to ensure he could play.

“We went into his office, and I said, ‘Dan, I’m not going to the Olympics. I tried fighting through this, and I can’t.’ … Finally, I said, ‘There’s only one way I can do it. You have to come with me,'” Bird said, according to Sportscasting.

Dyrek responded: “You better send my secretary about 200 red roses, for all the work she’s going to have to do in the next 24 hours.”

Larry Legend did just that and brought 200 roses for Dyrek’s secretary. Dan was obviously kidding about it, but Bird did it anyway to show how serious he was about representing his country.

“I told him, ‘I know that, Dan, but I also know how much work it took to get this done.’”

After fulfilling that hilarious request, Bird played for the 1992 Dream Team and helped them easily dominate the Olympics. Thus, recapturing the glory of Team USA at the international level.

Larry Bird Was Convinced By Magic Johnson To Play For The 1992 Dream Team

Magic Johnson and Larry Bird had arguably the best rivalry in the history of the NBA during the 1980s. The two superstars’ rivalry played a crucial role in saving the league.

Apart from being rivals, Johnson and Bird shared a personal bond as well. It was evident from the fact that it was none other than Magic who convinced his longtime rival to join the 1992 Dream Team.

“All you have to do is go stand in the corner or stand at the top of the key, you don’t have to do nothing else – I’m going to get you the ball, all you have to do is shoot it and make it,” Magic recalls telling Bird. “You can still do that, can’t you?”

Bird may have enjoyed his time with Team USA, but the Celtics legend did admit his basketball career was over after his retirement.

As for Bird’s time with the Dream Team, he played eight games and averaged 8.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.8 SPG, and 0.3 BPG. Bird recorded these numbers while shooting at 52.1% from the field and 33.3% from downtown.

We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.

Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.