Larry Bird developed into one of the best basketball players the NBA has ever seen, for whatever reason. Not the most athletically gifted player to ever go onto the court was the Boston Celtics legend. Although he was neither the fastest or the highest jumper, Bird managed to win three MVP awards in a row in the middle of the 1980s.
Bird sat down to talk about their playing days with former Detroit Pistons champion Isiah Thomas and former Indiana Pacers player Reggie Miller at All-player Weekend. “I brought it every night,” was how Bird succinctly and properly summarised his career in five words throughout the conversation.
Possibly the greatest player in Boston Celtics history is Larry Bird.
Many people believe that Bird is the greatest player in Celtics history. If not first, he trails only the great center Bill Russell in the rankings. Naturally, Russell’s resume is stronger because he won 11 titles with the league.
Bird was a better player overall, while Russell was a defensive-minded center who won five MVP awards. In the 1980s, Bird—possibly the greatest passing forward in league history—led the Celtics to three titles and five trips to the NBA Finals.
Bird was unique. He performed despite being hurt. Every night he played to win. His career may have been cut short by his extreme effort since he played through back problems, which ultimately forced him to retire.
With Miller and Thomas on NBA on TNT, Bird stated, “The one thing that I have that a lot of people don’t have—there are a lot of players who have it—was the ability to play every night.” “Every night, I brought it.
“I knew full well that the Celtics were paying me to win basketball games. I felt like I had to win every time I went out there because it was my duty to win basketball games and I wanted to please them. I can say with certainty that I gave everything I did my all. I suffered a great deal of injuries as a result of my constant sacrifice, but practicing and playing every night improved me. I was also up against the top players in the world. That is the main focus.
