Dale Ellis on dealing with ‘Lucky Larry’ Bird in 3-point contest in 1988
Dale Ellis spoke with IndyStar sports activities reporter Dana Benbow about his loss to Larry Bird within the 1988 NBA All-Star 3-point contest.
Larry Bird was well-known throughout his days with the Boston Celtics for his trash-talking skill.
In a recent episode of the Podcast P with Paul George present, Brian Shaw instructed a narrative from when he was with the Celtics within the late Eighties. By that time, Bird was a three-time NBA champion and three-time MVP winner.
“I used to be like, ‘Man, they’re letting this white boy who cannot bounce, who’s not athletic, kill them like that. He ain’t that rattling good,'” Shaw stated. “Until I obtained there.”
During one of many first practices with the Celtics Shaw took half in, Bird challenged Shaw and Reggie Lewis, a 1992 NBA All-Star, to a recreation of two on one as much as 7 factors.
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The solely catch? Bird obtained the ball first.
“Me and Reggie have a look at one another and we’re like, ‘Yeah, all proper man, no matter.’ The subsequent factor you realize it is six-nothing. We hadn’t even touched the ball but. He hit his first six pictures.”
Shaw stated their preliminary technique was to have both Lewis or Shaw guard Bird whereas the opposite tried to seize the rebound. But that shortly modified.
“We double-teamed him and he lastly missed,” Shaw stated. “We obtained the ball after which we form of performed stay away from him. We ended up successful seven to 6. That was one in every of my early experiences with him.”
