When you think of Larry Bird and his NBA legacy, you instantly imagine him in the classic Green & White Boston Celtics jersey. Naturally, as Larry Legend played only for the C’s during his 13-year career in the Association, he became a franchise legend and fan favorite in Beantown.
In a December 1992 interview, after his last season in the NBA, Bird discussed the prospect of suiting up for another franchise during his playing career. However, the Indiana native was quick to dismantle the possibility of playing for any other team, as his heart belonged to the Celtics and their fan base.
“There’s no way I would ever play for another team. I would have before I came here because I didn’t know much about Boston. But once I got here, got settled in and started playing, I’m like Bobby, if you’re giving an honest effort out there, the fans react to that. And then you get in one place and the fans start liking you, that’s hard to leave,” Bird explained his love for C’s fans.
Larry almost got traded
Despite growing up in the basketball state of Indiana and spending his college years at Indiana State University, Bird didn’t take long to fall in love with the city of Boston. Getting picked 6th in the 1978 NBA Draft and debuting for the Celtics in 1979, Larry recognized right away that this was an environment he could easily fit into.
Celtics fans were accustomed to winning from their Bill Russell days and were very knowledgeable of the game, as Larry Legend figured he was the next guy up to lead the franchise back to the top. With his mix of skills and fiery character, the C’s fans fell in love with their 6’8” superstar and showed him love every step of the way.
Bird would repay them with three championships and numerous individual accolades that immortalized him as one of the best players in NBA history. However, as Larry recalled, there was one time he almost got traded and was scared to death.
“I will tell you a little secret. Three or four years ago, I was in Oakland, California, and had a friend call me, ‘The Pacers are getting ready to make a deal for you. They gonna trade for you.’ I was just sitting there on the phone, thinking, ‘God! The Celtics are gonna trade me. I can’t believe it.’…I packed my bags and I was waiting for my coach to call that the deal was being done,” Bird described the scare of almost being shipped away.
Thankful for Larry and Celtics Nation, which never came to fruition, as he remained in Boston for the rest of his career — making him one of the rare all-time greats who were one-team guys for their entire NBA tenures.
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Boston hold the reputation to this day
While competing for championships year in and year out due to the incredible roster around him and adept management, Bird loved playing for the Celtics because of the fans. The Garden was always rocking with Boston fans cheering them on and appreciating the hard work.
While they also receive some bad rep, mostly from opposing rivals, Boston still holds a high spot when discussing some of the best and passionate fan bases in the NBA. The likes of Jayson Tatum and co. to this day emphasize the importance of feeling the home support, as it is no surprise to see so many stars stay with the Celtics for such large chunks of their careers — just like Larry Legend.