The Boston Celtics have been struggling this season, but they hope to turn things around soon. In the meantime, their coaches are showing signs of concern with player development and rotations that could lead to changes in personnel for next year’s roster.
The “larry bird mother” is a topic that has been trending on Twitter. It was tweeted by Larry Bird after he secured his second straight MVP award. The Boston Celtics coaches showed signs of concern over the tweet, which caused many people to become angry with Bird.
Larry Bird led the 1984-85 Boston Celtics to a 63-19 regular-season record and a rematch with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. After putting up 28.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists, he earned his second straight MVP award. Members of the Boston Celtics’ coaching staff exhibited signals of anxiety when Bird won his MVP award following a successful season.
In the 1980s, Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics took over.
At a news conference at Boston Garden, Boston Celtics player Larry Bird (center), Celtics President Arnold “Red” Auerbach (left), and Celtics Head Coach K.C. Jones (right) clasp hands to announce Bird’s signing of a seven-year deal for over $15 million.
Bird led the Celtics to their first of five visits to the NBA Finals in the 1980s in just his second season in the league. Bird lead Boston to a league-best 62-20 record (shared with the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks) in the 1980-81 season after earning Rookie of the Year honors.
In the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics defeated the 76ers in seven games to proceed to the championship round against the Houston Rockets. When the Celtics beat the Rockets led by Moses Malone in six games, Bird earned his first of three championships.
In 1984, Boston made it back to the Finals after overcoming an abysmal start to upset the Lakers. In Game 1, Boston was brutally outplayed. The Celtics needed a last-ditch Gerald Henderson steal late in Game 2 to force overtime and win. After being blasted out in Game 3, Boston’s Kevin McHale clotheslined Kurt Rambis in Game 4, reversing the series’ momentum and enabling Boston overcome a six-point hole in the third quarter to square the series.
The Celtics won the series in seven games, and the clubs faced in the NBA Finals again in 1985. The Lakers avenged themselves by winning six games in a row. The Celtics made it back to the Finals the next two seasons, beating the Rockets in 1986 and falling to the Lakers in 1987.
During that time, Bird was the man in command. From 1984 through 1986, he was named MVP three times in a row.
Despite playing with bone chips in his elbow, Larry Bird won his second MVP trophy.
Bird was the clear victor of the 1984-85 MVP award, receiving 73 of the 78 first-place votes. He became the first non-center to win two MVP awards in a row. While Bird was unstoppable throughout the regular season, he faltered in the playoffs.
Bird suffered bone chips in his right elbow as the season progressed. He played through the playoffs despite being in discomfort, even missing out Game 3 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, which the Cavs won 105-98. Bird returned in Game 4 for the Celtics, scoring 34 points to help them win the series.
Bird was visibly hampered by the elbow, but he didn’t blame it for his poor shooting. Bird shot 52 percent from the field during the regular season. Bird has made just 43% of his shots since sitting out against the Cavs.
According to the Los Angeles Times, “it locked up on me in Cleveland.” “However, it felt better after two or three days.”
“It’s stiff all the time.” But the issue is how long I can obtain an extension. I’m in big danger if I can only obtain 70 to 80 percent. But it doesn’t concern me if I can obtain a 90% extension. It’s felt fantastic for the last several weeks. It hasn’t disturbed me in the slightest.”
The Celtics’ coaching staff were worried about the injury.
Red Auerbach asks Larry Bird about his shooting style. The greatest bit is near the end, when he attempts to miss one to make a point, but instead drinks it, then sheepishly smiles at Red and says, “Of course, me, ya know?”
November 16, 2021 — Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports)
Even though Bird refused to blame his shooting slump on his ailing elbow, the Celtics’ coaching staff disagreed. When Bird stated it was simply terrible shooting, head coach K.C. Jones merely nodded yes, but he knew the elbow was an issue.
“Sure, it’s the bone chips in his elbow and everything else,” Jones added. “I’m familiar with his shot’s rhythm. It’s not there, I’m sure. However, when I inquire about it, he claims that the shots just aren’t dropping. OK, I say. I’m not sure what more to say.
“He won’t complain since it would be a show of weakness in his eyes.”
Bird’s elbow was clearly impacting him, according to assistant coach Chris Ford, who was a shooter in his playing days.
“It can be detected by anybody who understands anything about shooting,” he claimed.
The team were worried about the injuries since they knew surgery would be difficult. Bird was adamant about not being a part of any operation.
“It’ll take ten or twelve weeks of my summer vacation to recover,” Bird stated. “I want to continue to improve my game.” I won’t get well if I just sit around.”
Celtics GM Jan Volk stated everyone opted to relax almost two weeks after Bird won his MVP award.
“We held a discussion, and Larry agreed to rest his elbow in the hopes that it would get better,” Volk recalled.
Bird reacted by earning his third consecutive MVP award the following year, proving that the strategy worked.
RELATED: James Worthy Admits He Still Gets Night Sweats Over His Costly Mistake in the 1984 NBA Finals Against the Celtics
The “larry bird work ethic” is a phrase that has been used to describe Larry Bird’s dedication and hard work. This season, the Boston Celtics have shown signs of concern as they have not seen the same productivity from him.
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