STORIES by Larry Bird demonstrating his superiority as a trash talker

Larry Bird is renowned not only for his exceptional basketball skills but also for his legendary trash-talking abilities. Here are a couple of stories that highlight why many consider him the best trash talker in NBA history:

1. The Three-Point Contest Challenge: During the 1986 NBA All-Star Weekend’s Three-Point Contest, Bird strolled into the locker room, looked around at the other competitors, and famously asked, “I want all of you to know I am winning this thing. I’m just looking around to see who’s gonna finish up second.” True to his words, Bird went on to win the contest, showcasing his remarkable confidence and ability to back it up on the court.
2. Predicting His Game-Winning Shot: In a regular-season game against the Seattle SuperSonics, with seconds left on the clock and the Boston Celtics trailing by one point, Bird calmly walked up to SuperSonics forward Xavier McDaniel. He told McDaniel, “I’m going to get the ball right here and I’m going to shoot it in your face.” Sure enough, Bird received the inbound pass, rose up for a jumper, and buried the shot over McDaniel, securing the win for the Celtics. This incident not only demonstrates Bird’s fearlessness in clutch moments but also his ability to psych out opponents with his trash talk.

These stories, among many others, illustrate Larry Bird’s unparalleled confidence, mental toughness, and knack for getting into the heads of his opponents through his witty and often brutal trash talk. It’s these qualities, combined with his exceptional basketball skills, that solidify Bird’s reputation as one of the greatest trash talkers in the history of the NBA.