NBA Legends Reveal the Dark Truth About Larry Bird

Many people don’t realize this, but Larry Bird was one of the biggest trash talkers in basketball history. Players who faced him for the first time often walked away stunned—not just by his skill, but by his relentless, cold-blooded psychological warfare. From refusing handshakes to calling his shots, Bird didn’t just play the game—he owned every moment. These are some of the most unforgettable first encounters shared by NBA legends who went up against him.

Dominique Wilkins
Fresh out of college as the 3rd overall pick in 1982, Dominique Wilkins entered the league with admiration for the stars he grew up watching—Bird among them. In their first matchup, Wilkins approached Bird to shake hands, only to be coldly dismissed. Bird put both hands behind his back, refusing the handshake, then drained a three in Dominique’s face on the first possession. “I don’t know why they got you guarding me, Holmes,” Bird told him. That moment marked the start of a 13-year rivalry, filled with mutual respect but no words spoken between them until Bird’s retirement.

Shawn Kemp
Kemp, fresh out of high school, was already famous in Indiana for breaking many of Bird’s high school records. In their first meeting, Bird approached Kemp pre-game and told him, “It’s gonna be a [bleep] up night for you.” Bird not only remembered Kemp dunking on his brother, but also promised to teach him a lesson—and he delivered with a 40-point triple-double. Even while being defended aggressively, Bird called out his shots: “Next time, bank shot left side… I’mma pump fake you, and your dumb ass is going to go for it.” After the game, Bird sent a note over, praising Kemp’s defense and even inviting him to train during All-Star weekend.

Byron Scott
During the heated Lakers-Celtics rivalry, Scott often found himself chasing Bird through screens. Bird once casually told him during a game, “You’re a little too late, Scott.” In another game, with the clock ticking, Bird walked over and told James Worthy exactly what play was coming, down to the spot on the floor and the outcome. He followed through exactly as described. Scott said, “It wasn’t even trash talk—because he always backed it up. He told you what he’d do, then he did it.”

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem, a seasoned veteran, was already a superstar when Bird entered the league. He recalled a 1981 game in Boston where Bird posted 36 points, 21 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals, and 3 blocks. The local broadcaster played the Superman theme after the game. Kareem respected Bird immensely, calling him one of the toughest opponents he ever faced. According to Kevin McHale, though, the two legends couldn’t stand each other—a rivalry as intense off the court as it was on it.

Patrick Ewing
Growing up in Boston, Ewing didn’t initially buy the Bird hype. “He can’t jump, he’s not athletic,” people said. But after facing Bird in the NBA for the first time—and getting hit with trash talk like “You better sit down before you pop your arm out your socket trying to block this”—Ewing quickly changed his mind. Bird held a 22–8 record over Ewing. The two later bonded during the 1992 Dream Team, trading trash talk and ultimately forming a friendship.

John Salley
Salley, while in college, worked at Celtics training camps. He was stunned to see Bird after games, covered in ice packs from head to toe. “He looked like an Eskimo,” Salley said. But Bird would show up the next day and play as if nothing hurt. That moment taught Salley the price of greatness and the physical toll the NBA takes on elite players.

Jamal Mashburn
As part of the college select team scrimmaging against the Dream Team in 1992, Mashburn saw Bird in the hotel hallway. Bird looked at him and said, “Get some rest. It’s gonna be a long week.” After teammate Rodney Rogers joked, “Larry, you haven’t hit a jumper since ’84,” Bird went on a tear, scoring repeatedly on Rogers while telling him every move in advance. After eight buckets in a row, Bird walked off the court saying, “Look like ’84, huh?”

Chris Webber
Webber shared a limo with Bird en route to the Dream Team camp in 1992. Bird was quiet at first but ended the ride by saying, “Hope you get your sleep tonight. I’m gonna bust your ass tomorrow.” Webber, shocked and starstruck, still managed to talk some trash back. In their scrimmage, the college kids stunned the pros with a win, but Bird got the last word the next day. After pump-faking Rodney Rogers into the air and hitting a three, he quipped, “Welcome to the parachute club, rookie.”

Magic Johnson
Their rivalry began in college and grew into one of the most iconic in sports history. Magic admitted that at first, he doubted Bird—until he saw him play. Magic once tried to greet Bird before the 1979 NCAA Championship Game, and Bird rejected the gesture. But over time, their mutual respect evolved into a deep friendship, especially after a Converse commercial shoot in Bird’s hometown.

Gary Payton
Known as one of the NBA’s most notorious trash talkers, Payton met his match in Bird. In a 1991 game, Bird told Payton, “I’m gonna shoot this jumper in your face—that’s your Christmas present.” Then he did exactly that. Payton admitted that Bird was the only player who could truly shut him up. “He was the coldest dude I’ve ever seen with that,” Payton said, noting that Bird doesn’t get enough credit among the greats.