“As many times as I had broken that guy’s heart” - Larry Bird had the perfect response for being ‘forgotten’ in the 1992 Dream Team
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In the realm of basketball greatness, the 1992 Dream Team stands as an unparalleled assembly of NBA superstars. While luminaries like Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, and John Stockton, among others, took center stage, Larry Bird’s presence was unremembered. The three-time MVP wasn’t just dealing with severe back issues but was also in the last phase of his career.
Despite being 35 years old and not in peak form, Bird showcased that his savagery and humor were undiminished. In a lighthearted moment, he tolled coach Chuck Daly for ‘forgetting’ to use him in the gold medal match.
Larry Bird trolled coach Chuck Daly
While the 1992 Dream Team’s incredible dominance and flashy style of play brought immense excitement, it also carried an element of predictability that made some moments somewhat dull.
In the gold medal match against Croatia, where Team USA led 52-46 at halftime, Bird wasn’t even introduced in the game until that point. Noticing the oversight, assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo approached the Boston Celtics star and told him coach Daly planned to start him in the second half.
Amused by Carlisemo’s remark, Bird dismissed any notion of being bothered by the lack of playing time. Displaying his trademark wit, he had a clever comeback for Daly, the head of Detroit Pistons, which his Celtics had owned in the ‘80s.
“As many times as I had broken that guy’s heart, you’d think he’d remember,” Bird said in Jackie MacMullan’s book” When the Game Was Ours.
Bird averaged 8.0 points for the 1992 Dream Team
While the 1992 Dream Team showcased resilience, the offensive burden predominantly fell on Jordan and Barkley, who boasted team-high averages of 18.0 and 14.9 points, respectively, throughout the 8 Olympic games. Conversely, Magic and Bird assumed the roles of seasoned veterans, contributing 8.4 and 8.0 points per game, respectively, in an average of 18.0 minutes per game.
Anticipating that the Dream Team experience would be the final chapter in his basketball career, ‘The Great White Hope couldn’t endure any more wear and tear of injuries late in his career, which is why, after the Olympics in Barcelona, he even announced his decision to retire form the NBA.