The Larry Bird era’s finest team may have been the Boston Celtics in 1985–86. Bird once declared that he would match that squad with any team. Even though the group didn’t lose many games that year, one still sticks out to the Celtics legend. Before the game, Bird insulted Bill Walton and Kevin McHale, two seasoned players, knowing that Boston was in the middle of a road trip. He said that he would handle things and prevail on his own and that he didn’t need them. He was partially correct.
During the Boston Celtics’ incredible 1985–86 season, Larry Bird won his third consecutive MVP award.
It seemed like Bird and the Celtics were unstoppable in the 1985–86 campaign. After winning titles in 1981 and 1984, they were desperate for another one when they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals in 1985. The Boston Celtics were on a mission after falling to the New Jersey Nets in overtime in the opening game. By early December, they had put together winning streaks of eight and nine games. Leading the charge, Bird was going for his third consecutive MVP award.
According to the Boston Celtics, Walton remarked in 2020, “What Larry was able to do on and off the court, it defied description, and it was very much like being on tour with The Grateful Dead.” “You could never predict what would occur. You anticipated enjoyment from it.
Bird led the Celtics to a 67-15 record while playing in all 82 games and averaging 25.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists. He was awarded the NBA’s top player for the third year in a row.
The team’s starting guard, Danny Ainge, remarked, “What always stands out to me about Larry was his unwavering confidence.” He exuded a confidence level that was significantly higher than the rest of us. Furthermore, I believe that everyone of us exuded great confidence.
