As one of the most iconic players of all time, Larry Bird left a lasting legacy in the NBA. But when Patrick Ewing first entered the league, he discovered firsthand how remarkable Bird truly was.
Ewing recalled on The Dan Patrick Show how his initial skepticism about Bird’s abilities quickly turned to admiration. When I got to the league, I called all my friends back home and said ‘You know, all the trash you were saying…you gotta squash all of that, this man is great.’ Whatever you were saying for a man who can’t jump, he’s demolishing everybody
, said Ewing.
Earnings His Spot as an All-Time Great
Larry Bird, coming off an exemplary college career at Indiana State, faced doubts about his potential to excel in the NBA. Yet, he quickly emerged as one of the top players, forming an intense rivalry with Magic Johnson. Despite initial skepticism from many, including Ewing’s friends who underestimated Bird’s skillset, Larry went on to prove them wrong consistently.
The Dynamics of Respect and Rivalry
Ewing knew he had to respect Bird but felt his friends underestimated the Celtics legend. Consistently performing well against the best defenses, Bird earned respect game after game. The mutual respect reached a new height when both became teammates in the 1992 Dream Team.
A Master Under Pressure
Larry Bird was renowned for performing under pressure. Known for his trash talk and ability to back it up, he set himself apart as one of the most clutch players in NBA history. Even Charles Barkley noted the competitive dynamics within the Dream Team practices on All The Smoke podcast, emphasizing how it brought out the best in legends like Bird and Ewing.
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