"Larry Bird harshly denies Patrick Ewing's assertion of repeatedly dominating him in past encounters"
Larry Bird was a trash-talking legend on the basketball court, and his former teammates and rivals can vouch for that. Kevin Gamble recalls Bird mocking him on the court with comments like, "I told you, motherfucker. I told you I was going to do that," while Xavier McDaniel recalled, "You had to get up to play him because he was one of those guys that would torch you and talk shit until the end."
Even the great Dominique Wilkins fell victim to Bird's witty putdowns. The Boston Celtics star spent the best part of 13 seasons dominating his opponents en-route to three NBA Championships during the '80s. Bird's iconic No. 33 jersey was retired in Boston, and he walked away with three MVP awards, 21,791 points, and a reputation as one of the greatest trash talkers in NBA history.
But Bird didn't just sit on his laurels once he retired. Upon learning about Bird's retirement, New York Knicks superstar Patrick Ewing joked about how he would miss torching the Celtics legend. Their rivalry in the '80s was intense, and the two engaged in fierce battles to lead their respective teams to Eastern Conference glory.
Ewing couldn't resist a parting shot when Bird retired. "I will be sad. I won't be able to bust his ass on the court anymore," he said. Bird clapped back quickly, "As far as Patrick, he's had eight years to bust me. He hasn't done it yet. I couldn't stay around a lifetime and wait on him."
Despite their rivalry, the two did actually become close friends during the Olympics. Both featured on the 1992 Dream Team, and during their downtime, they discovered a bond that went beyond basketball. Bird and Ewing were soon named "Harry and Larry," bosom buddies, shocking their teammates.
Their relationship representaed an evolution of their rivalry, with the shared experience of representing their country and playing alongside each other in a collaborative, high-stakes setting shifting their dynamic from rivalry to friendship. The unique team environment on the 1992 Dream Team allowed them to move past their NBA rivalry, forge respect, and build a lasting personal connection.
- After retiring from the NBA, Larry Bird's witty putdowns extended to other sports as well, as demonstrated by his playful banter with New York Knicks' Patrick Ewing.
- Interestingly, Patrick Ewing, known for his competitive battles with Bird in the NBA, also found time to engage in friendly banter with him.
- The sports world is not the only arena where Larry Bird's charm and competitiveness shine; his rapport with Patrick Ewing beyond basketball, during their Olympic tenure, revealed another side of their relationship.
- Contrary to their fierce NBA rivalry, Larry Bird and Patrick Ewing formed a close friendship on the 1992 Dream Team, which showcased an unexpected harmony amidst their shared love for sports.
