Larry Bird is easily one of the most iconic players of his generation and played a defining role in making the NBA the league it is today.
Bird was so impactful that players around the league feared his suave and impeccable scoring ability. Bird was a masterful trash-talker and had some incredible things to say to his opponents. Terrell Brandon, formerly on the Cleveland Cavaliers, revealed what he told him when Craig Ehlo was guarding Bird on a game-winning possession.
“Bird is a psychological assassin. We were up 1, and he said, ‘who’s guarding me?’ coming out of a timeout. I say, ‘Craig Ehlo’. He’s like, ‘why you got that white boy on me? Don’t put no white boy on me.’ He said, ‘I will go over here, in the corner, Dennis Johnson is gonna pass it to me, and I’m gonna hit the last second shot and it’s over.’ I told my team, ‘listen, the ball is gonna go to Larry.’ But everyone knows the ball is going to Larry Bird. Do whatever you can, Craig, Gerald, just cover him. He hit the shot and he was getting off of them. He walked off and said ‘legend’.”
Larry Bird was a phenom in basketball. He often told his opponents the exact move he was gonna do and then flawlessly pull it off, as he did in this case with Brandon’s Cavaliers as well. Craig Ehlo would also have the misfortune of being on the wrong end of one of Michael Jordan’s greatest highlights, so he ended up in some bad situations on the court.
Larry Legend Was Truly Unique
For years, analysts around the NBA have searched for the next Larry Bird. While some have tried giving Luka Doncic that title, it’s not a legitimate comparison. We have never seen a player like Bird perform on both ends of the floor as well as he did, especially shooting at that size. He redefined the game of basketball alongside Magic Johnson, who was another player who played in a way players his size didn’t, as Magic was a point guard.
Bird’s career would come to an early end due to back injuries that piled up. Bird even shot the back brace that got him through his final season with a shotgun after retirement, proving he worked through some bad feelings to continue playing. Bird even declined millions in his contract with the Celtics to retire honorably.
He was a truly one-of-one player and the fans of the NBA will be lucky to see another player like him emerge if he ever does.
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