From Frank Deford's Sports Illustrated article back in 1988:
Championships mean ever more to Bird—"His mission,' Auerbach calls them. "That's why I play," Bird says. "I'm just greedy on them
things. Winning the championship—I've never felt that way any other
time no matter how big some other game was. I remember the first time
we won, against Houston [in 1981]. We were way ahead at the end, and so I came out with three
minutes left, and my heart was pounding so on the bench, I thought it
would jump out of my chest. You know what you feel? You just want
everything to stop and to stay like that forever."
things. Winning the championship—I've never felt that way any other
time no matter how big some other game was. I remember the first time
we won, against Houston [in 1981]. We were way ahead at the end, and so I came out with three
minutes left, and my heart was pounding so on the bench, I thought it
would jump out of my chest. You know what you feel? You just want
everything to stop and to stay like that forever."
I stumbled upon this article while surfing SI.com for hoops news. It's a 10-pager, but a great read for anyone who wants to remember the glory days of professional basketball in Boston.
Jump to pages 8 and 9 to read how Larry handled the whole "if he were black, he'd be just another good player" comments made by Isiah Thomas and Dennis Rodman. Hint – Bird's mother got involved.
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