Larry Bird is one of the greatest to ever play the game of basketball. He is also one of the greatest trash talkers ever.
And he also liked to have a lot of fun in the process.
Like the time 33 years ago today when playing the Trail Blazers in Portland he told the media that he was going to score most of his points that night with his left hand, his off hand, because he wanted to save his right hand for the Los Angeles Lakers, who the Celtics faced next on the road trip in 1986.
He ended up scoring 47 points and had a triple double against Portland.
Two nights before a matchup with the rival Los Angeles Lakers, Bird decided to play with his off, left hand for the majority of the game against the Blazers. His reason why? “I’m saving my right hand for the Lakers.”
Bird scored 10 of his 21 field goals against Portland with his left hand, and finished the game with 47 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists. The Celtics won the game 120–119 in overtime.
Two nights later, Bird finished with 22 points, 18 rebounds and seven assists in the Celtics’ 105-99 win over the Lakers in L.A.
Imagine if this happened today?
How awesome was that?
Bird would go on to lead the Celtics to their 16th NBA title later that year.
With the All-Star Weekend about to begin, here’s a look back at the time he won the 3-point contest by hitting the money ball with his last shot and walking off with his finger in the air before it went in:
What a legend.
