Larry Bird played in some memorable games during his 13-year professional basketball career. He was a member of three championship Boston Celtics teams and played in the NBA Finals — three times against the rival Los Angeles Lakers. On August 18, 1992, Bird announced he was retiring from the NBA after back problems and various injuries took their toll.
During his announcement, he reflected on his Hall of Fame career. He mentioned the one game where he was “fired up” more than any other. Surprisingly, it wasn’t any game against those Lakers.
Larry Bird said he put his body through ‘living hell’
Larry Bird, During Retirement Announcement, Issued Surprising Choice For Which 1 NBA Game Got Him ‘Fired Up’ Most
Members of the media swarm Larry Bird after he announced his retirement during a press conference at the Boston Garden, Aug. 18, 1992. | John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
It was a sad day for the NBA when Bird announced his retirement from the league. He had just returned from winning an Olympic gold medal with the Dream Team, but he knew it was time to call it a career. Injuries caught up with him, especially his back problems which had plagued him the last two seasons.
He made his retirement announcement at the Boston Garden. He said he wanted to make it clear he was finished.
“This is enough. I’ve had enough to last me a lifetime,” Bird said, according to United Press International. “Whatever you hear from now or next year, or whatever, I will not be playing basketball.
“The pounding and the pain made my decision for me. I gave my heart, my body, my soul to the Celtics. For the past 17 years, I have put my body through living hell.”
Bird missed 37 regular-season games in the 1991-92 season. The year before, he sat out 22.
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