See Larry Bird execute the most stunning and ferocious dunk of his career
Welcome to the quietest part of the American sports calendar, the only three days of the year when none of our leagues have an official game.
During such a lull, a palate cleanser is in order before baseball picks up again on Thursday. So, let me introduce you to the most surprisingly aggressive dunk of Larry Bird’s career.
Typically, “Bird” and “dunk” are not words you find in the same sentence, as the Celtics Hall of Famer and NBA legend is often described with phrases like “can’t run, can’t jump.” However, Bird was much more athletic than he’s often credited for, especially in his early career.
For evidence, take a look at this Jayson Tatum-esque slam against the Rockets in 1983. The video’s a bit grainy, but fortunately, there’s a replay. Bird fakes out aging Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes on the left side, drives through the paint, and soars over a helpless Wally Walker for a poster-worthy dunk.
With two big strides and a full extension as he pulls back, Bird remarkably resembles Tatum, the NBA champion who similarly uses every inch of his wingspan when dunking in traffic.
