Larry Bird is one of the greatest players ever to play in the NBA. Even if he lacked elite athleticism, players like Patrick Ewing knew they couldn’t stop him from making an impact.
The NBA had many icons in its glorious history. One of the few players who truly dominated the sport was birds. The Boston Celtics icon was a modest athlete, but he was always a star on the court.
Despite his reputation as Sterling, some people thought he wasn’t as good as it was advertised. That changed every time they saw him play.
Ewing had a friend who went home to talk about birds.
The Celtics legend may have had a shorter career than expected, but he stamped his legacy as the best of all time.
Ewing was his first overall pick in the 1985 NBA Draft. At the time, Bird was already the best player in the league.
Nevertheless, not everyone considered him the best player in definitely. Some people, including Ewing’s friends who return home, felt he wasn’t a real deal.
When Ewing reached the league and played against Bird, he immediately knew he was special. He goes back to his friend and tells them that it’s wrong to judge the bird game too early.
The combination of scores, playmaking and basketball IQ made the birds unstoppable. Even if he wasn’t the most explosive athlete, he always found a way to help his team win. For basketball players who see it close, they will recognize his talent.
“When I got to the league, I told all my friends back home.
“This guy is amazing. He’s destroying everyone for a guy who can’t jump, whatever you’re saying. He’s doing it against the best defense in the league.”
Despite retiring decades ago, Bird remains the greatest basketball player of all time. He was a great player worthy of all the praise. This includes 12 All-Stars, 3 Champions, 3 MVPs and 2 Finals MVPs.
The most notable physical feature that set him apart as a player was his height. But other than that, he was almost a modest person. He didn’t look like an elite athlete, but he continued to prove everyone wrong.
Players like Ewing and Magic Johnson were immediately impressed with Bird’s talent. He was a real deal as he left the NBA with undeniable marks on three-point shooting, playmaking and trash talk.
Thankfully, people recognize him as one of the greatest people in NBA history, and no one can erase his influence. He is a legend and will remain an icon of the near future.