Kevin McHale Shares Incredible Larry Bird NBA Trash-Talk Stories

Kevin McHale fondly remembers when he recognized Larry Bird as the NBA’s king of trash talk.

The Boston Celtics legend recounted his favorite Bird trash-talking stories Tuesday during his appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show.” McHale and Bird were teammates on the Celtics between 1980 and 1992, winning three NBA championships and making countless other memories on the court.

But Bird’s legendary trash talking also helped define that NBA era, as he used it to create doubt in opponents’ minds and entertain his teammates. McHale shared two such examples: one during one of Bird’s off nights against the Phoenix Suns and the other vs. the New York Knicks.

Bird’s antics prove the truth of one of Muhammad Ali’s greatest quotes: “It’s not bragging if you can back it up.”