CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: Bird Knows The Feeling

by Loyalist 2:00 AM

September 1, 2006

This one is a few days old, but I thought it interesting to post in light of the previous Reggie Lewis post by FL. It gets me thinking what if Bird ever went down in his career! SHeesh! I shouldn't even give a thought!

On March 17, 1998, Indiana Pacers coach Larry Bird was in the midst of barking instructions to his players during a tight game against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls when he suddenly felt his heart ``kick out."

``It was all out of rhythm," Bird recalled. ``My heart was jumping all over the place, and I was having trouble breathing."

He knew what was coming next. He began to sweat profusely as his heart rate elevated. As play continued, he began to feel dizzy and lightheaded, and he nearly collapsed in front of the Pacers' bench.

``I kept hoping for a television timeout, because if I didn't get one, I was going to pass out," Bird said.

When the referees finally whistled the scheduled TV break, Bird sank into his chair on the sideline, narrowly avoiding fainting in front of a nationally televised audience. After taking a moment to regain his composure, Bird coached the rest of game without incident. Neither his players nor assistant coaches noticed he was in distress and he didn't tell anyone except the team trainer, David Craig, and that was well after the game. [More]
source: Boston Globe

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Comments:

Lucky for us, a heart condition did not wipe out Bird's career prematurely. But his bad back certainly did.

With all the bad luck that's gone our way for a good portion of the last 2 decades, you'd think that we are entitled to another run.

# posted by

derrenmatts : 4:30 AM

I can't imagine what would have happened had Bird's heart problems cut short his career or even his life. We were blessed to have had the opportunity to watch him play some of the best basketball ever to be played.

I agree Derren. The Celtics have had an inordinate amount of bad luck... It is about time that turns around and the Leprechaun starts to do his thing again! We are way overdue for another run. I like the team we have and the direction we are going.

# posted by

FLCeltsFan : 10:01 AM

I definitely like the direction we are going. Ainge has done an immaculate job so far. He's gotten us a boatload of young talent and he's put us in pretty good position financially.

I think the winning will come shortly. The young kids are starting to come into their own.

# posted by

derrenmatts : 12:21 PM

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