It is hard to imagine that Larry Bird, arguably the most iconic player in the history of the Boston Celtics, had dealt with a lot of uncertainty early on in his career with the C’s. Yes he did. And the Hall of Fame forward had detailed his initial days with the franchise in a 2009 interaction with Magic Johnson.
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Bird was nervous to start with. It was 1979. And the 22-year-old was drafted into not just a legacy franchise, but he had to move to a big city like Boston. An overwhelming experience for someone who grew up in the small town of French Lick, Indiana.
“Once I left, I was nervous about getting out there, getting settled,” Bird said. But he soon realized that Boston was the right place for him. Also, he was keen on getting his act together on the court so that he could meet, and try and beat his rival, Johnson, in the NBA. Their rivalry began in the 1979 NCAA championship game where Johnson and Michigan State defeated Bird’s Indiana State.
“Once I got settled in and got to know my way around a little bit in Boston, I knew it was a perfect fit for me,” the three-time NBA champion added. “And knowing you were on the West coast, and I was on the East coast, I was dreaming about getting another chance maybe to play against you.”
After the team posted a 61-21 record, a 32-win improvement, in Bird’s rookie season, the Celtics likely felt that the forward was a perfect fit for them as well.
As far as Bird’s rivalry with Johnson is concerned, the two played in the NBA finals against each other thrice in the 1980s. The Lakers and Magic won two of those matchups.
Bird also referred to his time in Boston as one of the best experiences of his life. After winning three MVPs and notching up 12 All-Star appearances while leading the Celtics’ return to glory, it’s not too surprising that Bird only has fond memories about his NBA home of 13 years.
This was not the only instance Bird reminisced about his time in Boston. Two years after his sit-down with Johnson, the Boston legend had recalled his time in the city while receiving an award in 2011.
Bird’s high regard for the city of Boston
Bird was one of six athletes honored at the TD Garden during the New England Sports Museum’s The Tradition’. He was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Throughout the ceremony, Bird gushed over his time and Boston and even reminisced on his first game in the city.
“I can remember the first time I walked in the Garden I wasn’t that impressed because I had to sit in the stands,” Bird recalled. “But as soon as I started playing it was awesome. The history and the fan support, being on some great teams are memories I won’t forget.”
Bird also appreciated the Boston fans, who he believes are arguably the best in sports.
“They’ll support you if you show them that you care,” Bird added. “There is nothing like being a sports fan in Boston. New York always talks the talk, but they don’t have the championships to back it. Boston is the greatest sports town in America, maybe the world.”
Bird’s legacy is something the subsequent generations of Boston players have been trying to emulate. The Celtics are playing some outstanding basketball in the Western Conference at the moment, and are one of the favorite to win the NBA championship this year.
