“Someone at one point told me to take that jacket off,” said Larry Bird, who was participating in a three-point contest while wearing a warm-up jacket. “Interesting Competition”

Michael Jordan was as astounded by Bird’s extraordinary performance.

Michael Jordan was as astounded by Bird’s extraordinary performance.Michael Jordan was as astounded by Bird’s extraordinary performance.

The greatest player to ever compete in the NBA three-point shootout is Larry Bird. The Boston Celtics icon won the first three iterations of the competition, including defeating Craig Hodges in the championship round of the inaugural three-point shootout in 1986, despite the fact that Hodges and Bird each won the event three times.

But more than anything else, “Larry Legend” will always be known for entering the shootout wearing his warm-up jacket. It makes obvious that it would be more comfortable to shoot baskets while sporting a basketball jersey. Still, Bird liked to dominate the opposition while sporting his warm-up jacket.

In the last round, Bird removed his jacket. Hodges had finished first in the 1986 competition after the first round. In the semifinal round, he was accompanied by Trent Tucker (19), Dale Ellis (17), and Bird (16) with 25 points. In order to face Bird in the final round, Hodges had to defeat Tucker in a shoot-off after the jacket-wearing Larry scored eighteen points in the second round.

Bird wore his warm-up jacket the entire time in 1987. In 1998, he achieved a similar feat by winning his third consecutive three-point game. Even Michael Jordan, 24, who was watching the action backstage with Jerome Kersey and a few reporters during the second round, was in wonder of Larry’s ability to put on a shooting clinic because he was so frigid.

Jordan stated, “He hasn’t taken off his top yet.” “I’d hate to witness his top being removed.It’s difficult to shoot after Bird recently made 23.”

Bird made it to the final round with 23 points out of a potential 30. In the final round, Larry defeated Ellis with just 16 points, securing his third victory. Despite having trouble early on, he finished the game with eight of ten shots made, including the game-winning money ball. Bird famously raised his right hand to signal the final basket before it was made during that last shot. Typical fare from Larry Legend!