Mark Price discusses what set Larry Bird apart from other legendary NBA players.
Mark Price, a former NBA player and one of the most underappreciated guards of the ’80s and ’90s, stopped by the Basketball Time Machine podcast as a guest. As the starting point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, Price had an incredible career.
During that time, there were many excellent teams and players in the NBA. One of the most well-known was the Larry Bird-led Boston Celtics. Several anecdotes document Larry’s prowess and supremacy throughout his career; Price even asserts that he stood out among the league’s top players at the time.
Price saw firsthand what made Bird one of the greatest and most versatile players in NBA history when he played against him in his prime. Price believed that Bird’s combination of size, skill set, and excellent basketball IQ put him apart from the competition. Being among the first NBA players to use the three-point shot benefited his squad, particularly Kevin McHale and Robert.
According to Price, Bird had a significant influence on both the Boston Celtics’ success and the game. His ability to inflict so much damage on opposition teams enhanced their chances of victory every time he played.
The year we made it to the Eastern Conference Finals was also Larry’s last game. I like to say, therefore, that I put an end to Larry’s career. He affected the game in so many different ways when he was in it and you were playing against them.
