Larry Legend’s final stance: How he produced one of the greatest triple-doubles in NBA history 24 years ago today

Larry Legend’s final stance: How he produced one of the greatest triple-doubles in NBA history 24 years ago today.

Near the end of his last season on March 15, 1992, an aging and ailing Bird scored 49 points (including a running triple at the end of regulation) to lead Boston to a double OT epic win over the NBA’s second-best team.

Drexler then missed a long shot at the buzzer to force overtime at 122-122.

In the first OT, Bird buried a jumper but Portland edged ahead 132-128 with over a minute left. Bird then passed out of a double team to an open John Bagley, who swished a 17-footer off the textbook bounce pass feed from the master.

Terry Porter then missed from outside and Bird, the consummate defensive rebounding forward due to his anticipation, hands and positioning, grabbed the carom. At the other end, Larry stepped back against the rough defense of Mark Bryant and swished a 15-foot fallaway from the right wing to tie it at 132.

Number 33’s go-to shot these days due to weariness and a wobbly back is the fadeaway. He still possessed cunning, talent, willpower, and resolve, though.

A worn-out Bird let himself a rare display of frustration as the perfectionist walked back downcourt, upset at the misses, after Portland scored two foul shots to take the lead again.

With 4.4 seconds remaining and Portland leading by two, Buck Williams was fouled following an offensive rebound, forcing Boston to pull off another miracle. Once more, the leprechaun—or, most likely, exhaustion and poor shooting—saved the Celts when Buck missed both of his shots and Bird recovered. With 4.1 seconds remaining, the Celtics swiftly called a timeout and advanced.

With Boston down by two at the end of the extra session, all eyes were on Bird to attempt another game-tying jumper, but the Blazers would not give Larry the ball.

Both Drexler and Kersey had covered him, so Kevin Gamble, a quick-witted Celtic swingman, delivered the pass in bounds and ducked behind Drexler to the open corner. After receiving a pass from John Bagley, he made a 19-foot shot from the right baseline at the buzzer to force another extra session.

Boston had tied the game with a last-minute shot to narrowly avoid losing for the second time. The Blazers must have been considering their options in order to drive the last stake deep into the.

With Portland demoralized after two miracle shots and all their missed free throws, the Celtics took the early lead in the second OT as the Blazers missed their first five shots. Bird hung in the air and hit Bagley for a layup and the lead. McHale fouled out with 22 points while trying to block a driving Kersey dunk, but the shaky Blazer missed both shots again.

Clutch Bagley found Ed Pinckney for a layup and then buried another 18-footer for a 140-136 lead. Larry buried his final basket of the day when he head faked, then knocked down a right wing 16-footer as Williams was falling at his feet for a six-point lead at the 1:57 juncture.