An aura of invincibility enveloped Boston Celtics legend Cedric Maxwell, who was riding high off an outstanding NBA sophomore season. But things rapidly changed in 1979 when we faced a rookie Larry Bird, who took a tad bit off his confidence. Additionally, Maxwell had to change his mind about racism and basketball players that are white.
Recently, the two-time NBA champion made an appearance on a special live episode of Paul Pierce’s Truth Lounge program. Maxwell first discussed his first-ever practice battle with Larry Bird, then gave a summary of the current NBA Finals.
At first, Maxwell, who was averaging close to 20 points and 10 rebounds, didn’t really appreciate Bird when the two forwards lined up against one another in scrimmages. However, he discovered the hard way that the Celtics had found a treasure.
Cedric Maxwell talks about Larry Bird
The 68-year-old told Paul Pierce and the live studio audience during the broadcast that he wasn’t thrilled with the rookie’s agility or playing style and predicted a one-sided matchup with him. Maxwell was correct about the imbalance, but he was incorrect about the outcome.
Giving his account of what happened, he remarked,
“I’m looking at him when we have the first practice and thinking, ‘Pshhh. This ought to be a piece of cake.’ Guy don’t look fast, don’t look good. I’m about to do something to him. Boyyyyy, I’m telling you. It changed my opinion about racism in this world.”
“I remember he [Bird] scored the first basket on me, I scored on him. Second basket. But as I proceeded, he kept going further and further away,”
Bird’s bludgeoning made Maxwell rethink his contemptuous remarks about white players. He was honest enough to tell anyone who inquired about the youngster that he wasn’t your typical player. But for the most part, he let people make their own discoveries.
Bill Walton was the lone outstanding white player in the NBA in the late 1970s. But when Bird arrived in 1979—winning Rookie of the Year and placing fourth in the MVP competition—that all changed. Because of the extreme skill difference between the two of them and the other Caucasian players in the NBA, Bird thought it was unfair if a rival team matched him with a white player.
