Just One Game’s It never occurred to Gary Waleik that he would be alone in an elevator with Larry Bird. However, that’s precisely what took place in 1994.

Just One Game’s It never occurred to Gary Waleik that he would be alone in an elevator with Larry Bird. However, that’s precisely what took place in 1994.

The age of this article exceeds eight years.
I went to the Boston Celtics office on a calm Sunday morning in 1994 to pick up my credentials for the team’s yearly basketball clinic for inner-city youth. The door on the street level was slightly ajar when I entered the lobby, and it shut with a loud “bang” as I left. I depressed the lift’s button. None appeared.

Three hard knocks on the glass door were then heard by me. I spun around and stopped. It was Larry Bird. 12-time All-Star. MVP of the league three times. three-time NBA champion. I moved toward the door that was locked. I opened the door for him. “Hello,” I said. All I had was that.

As we went up, I could see the Only A Game people back in our third-floor office, laughing about the basketball star who didn’t know where the office was and had a golden parachute. I choked back a smile. However, I then considered the questions I wished to put to him. Regarding the historic matchups against the Sixers, Lakers, and Knicks. about the clinic that day. Regarding his demand to mow his own yard. Which celebrity would do that? “Yes,” he replied when I inquired if he would be available to speak with after the clinic.

The clinic was run by Larry and a few of the Celtics players from that squad. In addition to having fun, kids learnt a few basketball-related concepts. When I spoke with Peter Cevoli, his son.

To his kid, Cevoli replied, “You’re going to practice, right? Dad wants to retire in about ten years.”

Yes, his son replied.

After hearing from other aspiring basketball players, I searched for Bird. However, he had already let go. My opportunity had passed.

The people in the Only A Game office laughed when I told them about my elevator meeting with Bird on Monday morning. However, I still question now what was overlooked.

Instead of just learning about who Larry Bird wasn’t, I might have learnt about who he really was.

This program was broadcast on January 23, 2016.