'They were cheering and high-fiving on our bench' - Nique made sure to get his teammates fined for enjoying Bird's performance

Originally posted on Basketball Network
By Yakshpat Bhargava | Last updated Nov 20, 2024 9:03 AM ET

Larry Bird was a prime example of how hard work, determination, and a high basketball IQ could outshine elite athleticism. Whether through rebounding, playmaking, or scoring, "Larry Legend" found one way or another to establish himself as the most impactful player on the court.

One of the most iconic demonstrations of his brilliance came during a matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. The three-time MVP not only overshadowed Dominique Wilkins, but his ability to take over the game prompted the Hawks players to cheer him from their bench.

The Hawks players enjoyed Bird taking over

During the 1984-85 season, the Boston Celtics faced the Hawks in mid-March. Larry delivered such a performance that solidified his case for winning his second consecutive MVP award. In 14 minutes of the second half, the two-time Finals MVP dropped 34 points and finished the game with a career-high 60 points on 61.1 percent shooting and seven rebounds.

Reflecting on that performance in an interview with Bill Simmons, Wilkins recalled how his own team members were seen cheering for Bird. Ultimately, embarrassed and enraged "Nique" ensured those players were fined for essentially hyping the opposition's best player to beat their team in a home game.

"When I saw it, I was like, 'Hey, these guys are going to get fined.' You don't do that for the opposing team," Wilkins said. "But Bird was so hot, he shot a couple of threes with his left (hand). They were cheering and high-fiving on our bench. I made sure those guys got fined because you don't do that."

Larry's heroics overshadowed Wilkins

While the nine-time All-Star acknowledged Bird's dominance, he admitted his frustration at being overlooked for his 36 points and game-high 4-steal performance due to the former's heroics.

"I make fun of this all the time. They don't even talk about the 30 or 40 I had that game; they say Bird had 60. He had gotten into a groove earlier in the game," Wilkins added. "When you get a guy in that zone, there's no defense designed that can stop them."

Even after decades, Bird's 60-point explosion remains one of the most memorable moments in NBA history. In this game, his greatness overcame rivalry and animosity toward the opposition team. "Nique" had every right to be upset, but those cheers confirmed that the Celtics legend game made him beloved by everybody even his opponents.

This article first appeared on Basketball Network and was syndicated with permission.

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