Larry Bird

Before the question could be finished, Jordan quickly responded, "Larry Bird."[Sports Illustrated, June 21, 2005]. These greetings or phrases may also be used just before children receive their red packets, when gifts are exchanged, when visiting temples, or even when tossing the shredded ingredients of yusheng particularly popular in Malaysia and Singapore. Michael Jordan, who may have supplanted Bird as the league's most feared clutch player through his heroics with the Chicago Bulls, once was asked who he would want to take a shot with the game on the line, other than himself. Similarly, 年年有余 (Niánnián yǒuyú), a wish for surpluses and bountiful harvests every year, plays on the word yú to also refer to 魚 (meaning fish), making it a catch phrase for fish-based Chinese new year dishes and for paintings or graphics of fish that are hung on walls or presented as gifts. An Indiana farm boy who made it to the pros - he never flinched, and he was always clutch. 歲 (Suì, meaning "age") is homophonous with 碎 (meaning "shatter"), in demonstration of the Chinese love for wordplay in auspicious phrases. Larry Bird embodied discipline in the NBA. For example, as breaking objects during the new year is considered inauspicious, one may then say 歲歲平安 (Suìsuì píng'ān) immediately, which means everlasting peace year after year.

The following is merely a sample of the notable clutch efforts of Bird's career:. Numerous other greetings exist, some of which may be exclaimed out loud to no one in particular in specific situations. Few players before or since Bird have performed as brilliantly in critical moments of games. In other English-speaking communities with a larger Chinese-speaking population, the Mandarin version tends to prevail especially when multiple dialect groups exist, particularly in Malaysia and Singapore. Above all, Bird is remembered as one of the foremost clutch performers in the history of the NBA. The saying is now commonly heard in English speaking communities for greetings during Chinese New Year in parts of the world where there is a sizable Chinese-speaking community, for instance in Australia, Canada and America among others. Unspectactular but effective defensive moves, such as jumping into a passing lane to make a steal or allowing his man to step past and drive to the hoop, then blocking the opponent's shot from behind, were staples of Bird's defensive game. Some of the most common examples may include:.

He was not fast or quick-footed, and rarely could shut down an individual player one-on-one, but Bird consistently displayed a knack for anticipating the moves of his opponent, thereby reacting to passes and creating turnovers. The Chinese New Year is often accompanied by loud, enthusiastic greetings, often referred to as 吉祥話 (Jíxiánghùa), or loosely translated as auspicious words or phrases. Bird is also remembered as an excellent defender, as evidenced by his career 1,556 steals. Template:Sec-stub. Of the players of his era, only Johnson, and perhaps John Stockton, could execute the no-look or touch pass to a teammate as craftily and creatively as Bird. The following are popular floral decorations for the New Year and are available at the new year markets. In addition to his offensive proficiency, Bird made the simple task of passing the ball an artistic feat. The practice of shopping for the perfect peach blossom is not dissimilar to the Western tradition of buying a Christmas tree.

Former teammates of Bird frequently said that through his selfless play and leadership, Bird elevated their level of play. These usually open-air markets feature floral products, toys, clothing, for shoppers to buy gifts for new year visitations as well as decor for their homes. Throughout his career, Bird was a fierce competitor and outstanding team leader. Markets (年宵市場) are set up near the New Year especially for vendors to sell New Year-related products. His talent for recognizing the moves of opponents and teammates prompted his first coach with the Celtics, Bill Fitch, to nickname him "Kodak," because he seemed to formulate mental pictures of every play that took place on the court. Typically the game of mahjong is played in some families. Despite having relatively few athletic advantages (other than his height, at 6'9"), Bird possessed an uncanny and unparalleled ability to anticipate and react to the strategies of his opponents. Chinese New Year is celebrated with firecrackers, dragon dances and lion dances.

Bird's humble roots led to his most frequently used moniker, "The Hick From French Lick." More cynical or facetious observers called him "The Great White Hope." As a Caucasian superstar in a league dominated by African-American athletes, Bird undoubtedly stood out because of his race, but his skin color has little to do with his place in NBA history. Traditionally, red packets (Mandarin: 'hong bao' (紅包); Hokkien: 'ang pow' (POJ: âng-pau); Hakka: 'fung bao'; Cantonese: 'lai see' (利是)) are passed out during the Chinese New Year's celebrations, from married couples to unmarried people (usually children). In 2003, he returned as the Pacers' President of Basketball Operations, where he oversees team personnel and coaching moves, as well as the team's draft selections. Depending on locality, the same day may also be celebrated as the Lantern Festival, or as the Chinese Valentine's Day. Bird resigned as Pacers coach shortly after the end of the 2000 season. The fifteenth and last day of the new year is celebrated as Yuanxiao jie (元宵节) or otherwise known as Chap Goh Mei in Fujian dialect, marked by the eating of tangyuan (Simplified Chinese: 汤圆; Traditional Chinese: 湯圓; Hanyu Pinyin: tāngyuán), a sweet rice ball dumpling soup. He was named the NBA Coach of the Year for the 1997-1998 season. On this day, people have preparations to celebrate the Lantern Festival which is held on the fifteenth day (last new year day).

Despite having no previous coaching experience, Bird led the Pacers to three straight Eastern Conference finals appearances and one trip to the NBA Finals in 2000. On the thirteenth day, people traditionally have simple rice congee and mustard greens to cleanse their digestive system after having so much rich food during the past twelve days. In 1997, Bird accepted the position of coach of the Indiana Pacers. From the tenth day through the twelfth day are periods when friends and relatives would be invited for dinner. The Celtics employed Bird as a special assistant in the team's front office from 1992 until 1997. On this day, people make offerings to the Jade Emperor. Following Bird's departure, the Celtics promptly retired his number, '33'. At midnight they offer prayers to the Jade Emperor or the God of Heaven.

For his career, Bird shot 49.6 percent from the field, 88.6 percent from the free throw line and 37.6 percent from three-point range. On this day, the Fujian people have another family reunion dinner. He finished his career with averages of more than 24 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists per game. For many Chinese, this is a day to avoid meat, and to enjoy 'jai', a vegetarian meal. Following his Olympic experience, on August 18, 1992, Bird announced his retirement as an NBA player. This is a tradition that is not commonly practiced by Chinese in other parts of the world. The "Dream Team" easily won the men's basketball gold medal. This is celebrated primarily among the Chinese in Southeast Asia, such as Malaysia and Singapore.

It was the first time in America's Olympic history that the country sent professional basketball players to compete. People get together to toss the colorful salad and make wishes for continued wealth and prosperity. In the summer of 1992, Bird joined Johnson, Michael Jordan and other NBA stars to play for the United States basketball team in that year's Olympics. It is also the day when tossed fish salad, yusheng, is eaten. Bird led the Celtics to playoff appearances in each of those three seasons. The seventh day traditionally is known as the common man's birthday, the day when everyone grows one year older. He averaged over 20 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists a game in his last three seasons with the Celtics, and shot better than 45 percent from the field in each. Many people also visit temples to pray for good fortune and health.

Nonetheless, through the final years of his career, Bird maintained his status as one of the premier players in the game. From the sixth to the tenth day, people visit their relatives and friends freely. He returned to the Celtics in 1989, but debilitating back problems and an aging Celtic roster prevented him from regaining his mid-1980's form. In north China, people eat Jiaozi (dumplings) on the morning of Po Wu. Bird started the 1988-89 season with Boston, but ended his season after six games to have bone spurs surgically removed from both of his heels. Traditionally, people do not visit families and friends on the fifth day because it is believed it will bring both parties bad luck. In 1988, the Celtics failed to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in four years, losing to the Pistons in six games during the Eastern Conference Finals. This is the day when people stay home to welcome the God of Wealth.

Johnson appeared at Bird's retirement ceremony in 1992 and emotionally described Bird as a "friend forever.". This day is called Po Wu (破五). Somewhat ironically, their relationship blossomed when the two players worked together to film the 1984 Converse commercial, which depicted them as archenemies. The third day of Chinese New Year is not appropriate to visit any relative because it is known as "chec hao" (赤口), meaning easy to get into argument. Despite the intensity of their rivalry, Bird and Johnson became friends off the court. It is also believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs. In fact, their playing styles were not that dissimilar; both relied on knowledge of the game more than pure athletic ability. They are extra kind to dogs and feed them well.

In the commercial, Bird is practicing alone on a rural basketball court when Johnson pulls up in a sleek limousine and challenges him to a one-on-one match. On this day, the Chinese offer prayers to their ancestors as well as to all the deities. A 1984 Converse commercial for its "Weapon" line of basketball shoes (endorsed by both Bird and Johnson) reflected the perceived dichotomy between the two players. It is the second day of Chinese New Year for sons-in-laws to visit their parents-in-law. The apparent contrast between the two players and their respective teams seemed scripted for television: Bird, the introverted small-town hero with the blue-collar work ethic, fit perfectly with the throwback, hard-nosed style of the Celtics, while the stylish, gregarious Johnson ran the Lakers' fast-paced "Showtime" offense amidst the bright lights and celebrities of Los Angeles. Chinese red firecrackers will also be on display where the deafening explosions of each firecracker is believed to scare evil spirits away. Not since Boston's Bill Russell squared off against the Lakers' Wilt Chamberlain had professional basketball enjoyed such a marquee matchup. Some families will invite a Lion dance troupe to their home as a symbolic ritual to usher in the Lunar New Year as well as to force-evict bad spirits out of the premises.

The historical rift between the teams, who faced each other several times in championship series of the 1960s, fueled fan interest in the rivalry. This has been in practice for many centuries. Throughout the 1980s, contests between the Celtics and the Lakers--both during the regular season and in the Finals--attracted enormous television audiences. The venue of the aforementioned Renunion Dinner is usually, if not always, at the eldest and most respected family member's residence. During the 1980s, either Boston or Los Angeles appeared in every NBA Finals. Most importantly, the first day of Chinese New Year is a time where family members, in order of their seniority, will pay a visit to their oldest and most senior member of their family, usually their parents or grandparents, or even great grandparents. Between themselves, Bird and Johnson captured eight NBA championships during the 1980s, with Magic getting five and Bird three. Employers may also give red envelopes to their employees on the first working day after the festival.

Johnson's Lakers would ultimately win the Finals again in 1988. Red packets are also given to unmarried visitors but the sums are often smaller than the envelope given to family members or close friends. In 1987, the Celtics made their last Finals appearance of Bird's career, fighting through difficult series against the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons before losing to the Lakers in six games. In some families this tradition has evolved into the practice to substituting money-like instruments (stocks, bonds, unit trust) in place of large sums of cash. He also won his third consecutive league MVP award. The gift was originally a token amount but these days it is not uncommon to receive large sums in affluent families. Bird again was named the Finals' MVP for that year, averaging 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists per game for the series. However, this is not strictly adhered to.

The 1986 Celtic team, which finished the regular season 67-15 and defeated the Rockets in six games, is generally considered to be the best of Bird's career. Similarly "multiples of 2" such as $1.10 and $2.20 were also acceptable. Boston would return to the Finals in 1986, albeit not against Johnson and the Lakers, who lost in the Western Conference Finals to the Houston Rockets. Amounts like $2 , or $20 were acceptable. That year, the NBA again named Bird the league MVP. Red packets traditionally consisted of amounts which were considered multiples. In 1985, however, the Lakers avenged the loss, defeating the Celtics in game 6 of the Finals in Boston Garden. It is at this gathering that red envelopes are given by senior members of the family, usually married, to unmarried junior members of the family.

Bird was also named the league regular season MVP for that year. Usually family members gather on the morning of New Year's Day. Bird averaged 27 points and 14 rebounds a game during the series, earning the award of Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP). New Year's day is also celebrated within the family. In 1984, the Celtics defeated the Lakers in a seven-game Finals, winning game seven 111-102. Many people abstain from meat consumption on the first day because it is believed that this will ensure long and happy lives for them. Magic, quickly became one of the greatest rivalries in the history of professional sports. The first day (初一 or "chu yi") is for the welcoming of the gods of the heavens and earth.

Celtics, and specifically Bird vs. However, mandarin oranges are the most popular and most abundant fruit during Chinese New Year amongst Chinese simply because of, inter alia, how the name of the fruit is phonetically similar to gold -- Jin ju (金橘子) or Kamm (金) in Cantonese. Lakers vs. This gold nugget is called 金元宝 (jin yuán bǎo). Bird and Johnson first dueled in the 1979 NCAA title game; as professional basketball players, they would face off numerous times during the 1980's, including the NBA Finals of 1984, 1985 and 1987. Most Northerners serve dumplings as the main dish on this festive season, although most Chinese around the world would do the same because it is believed that dumplings (饺子--jiǎo zi) 饺子 is wrapped in the semblance of Chinese gold nuggets (illustrated) used in ancient China. Immediately upon their entry into the league, the two players became virtually annual presences in the NBA Finals; Bird's Celtics won the NBA title in 1981, while Johnson's Lakers captured the championship in 1980 and 1982. Because certain things and/or food sound alike to certain Chinese well-wishes, the belief is that having one will lead to the other.

The additions of Bird and Johnson rejuvenated the NBA, which had suffered from low attendance and minimal television interest through much of the 1970s. Hakka will serve kiu nyuk (扣肉) and ngiong tiu fu. It would be the first of three championships for Bird's career, as well as the first of his five Finals appearances. A type of black hair-like algae, pronounced "fat choy" in Cantonese, is also featured in many dishes since its name sounds similar to "prosperity". In the 1980-81 season, Bird led the Celtics past the 76ers to the NBA Finals, where they defeated the Houston Rockets in six games. Fish (魚, yú) is included, but not eaten up completely (and the remaining stored overnight), as the Chinese phrase 年年有餘; (nián nián yǒu yú, or "every year there is leftover/surpluses") is a homophone for phrases which could mean "be blessed every year" or "have something leftover every year" or phrases to that effect, since "yú" is also the pronunciation for "leftover" or more accurately, surplus. In Bird's first few seasons with the Celtics, his and their immediate rivals were Julius Erving and the Philadelphia 76ers, with whom they would battle each year in the Eastern Conference finals. The New Year's Eve dinner is very large and traditionally includes chicken.

The three would anchor the Celtics throughout Bird's career. A reunion dinner is held on New Year's Eve where members of the family, near and far, get together for celebration. With Bird at small forward, the additions of Parish and McHale gave Boston one of the more formidable frontcourts in the game. Homes are decorated with paper cutouts of Chinese auspicious phrases and couplets (short phrases) that speak of "happiness," "wealth," "longevity.". Following the 1979-80 season, the Celtics acquired center Robert Parish and the draft rights to power forward Kevin McHale via a trade with the Golden State Warriors. Some people give their homes, doors and windowpanes a new coat of red paint. For the 1979 season, Bird led the Celtics in scoring (21.3 points/game), rebounding (10.4 rebounds/game), steals (143), and minutes played (2,955) and was second in assists (4.5 assists/game) and three-pointers (58). All brooms and dust pans are put away on New Year's Eve so that good luck cannot be swept away.

Despite a strong rookie season from Johnson, Bird was named the league's 1979 Rookie of the Year and was voted onto the Eastern Conference All-Star team (an honor he would receive for each of his 12 full seasons in the NBA). It is believed the cleaning sweeps away bad luck and makes their homes ready for good luck to arrive. Bird's collegiate rival, Magic Johnson, also had entered the NBA in 1979, joining the Los Angeles Lakers. On the days before the New Year celebration, Chinese families give their home a thorough cleaning. The Celtics were 32-50 during the 1978-79 season, but with Bird the team improved to 61-21 in 1979-80, winning the league's Atlantic Division. In the Gregorian calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on different dates each year, on a date between January 21 and February 21. Bird's impact on the Celtics was immediate. This occurs around the time of the full moon as each lunation is about 29.53 days in duration.

Shortly before that deadline, Bird agreed to sign with Boston for a USD$650,000 a year contract, making him the highest-paid rookie in the history of the NBA. Chinese New Year starts on the first day of the new year containing a new moon (some sources even include New Year's Eve) and ends on the Lantern Festival fourteen days later. Bird ultimately decided to stay another year at Indiana State, but the Celtics retained their exclusive right to sign him until the 1979 NBA Draft. The same calendar is used in countries that have adopted the Confucian and Buddhism tradition and in many cultures influenced by the Chinese, notably the Koreans, the Tibetans, the Vietnamese and the pagan Bulgars. The Boston Celtics selected Bird as their first-round draft pick in 1978, even though they were uncertain whether he would play his senior season at Indiana State or enter the NBA. The date of the Chinese New Year is determined by the Chinese calendar, a lunisolar calendar. After playing only three years at Indiana State, he left as the fifth-highest scorer in NCAA history. However, Chinese believe that on the third day (年初三) of the Chinese New Year it is not appropriate to visit family and friends, and call the day "chec hao" (赤口), meaning "easy to get into arguments".

That year, Bird won the Naismith and Wooden Awards, given to the year's top male college basketball player. The celebrations end on the important and colourful Lantern Festival on the evening of the 15th day of the month. He carried the ISU Sycamores to the NCAA championship game in 1979, his senior season, only to lose to the Michigan State University Spartans, who were led by his future NBA rival, Magic Johnson. The first week is the most important and most often celebrated with visits to friends and family as well as greetings of good luck. After briefly attending a local community college and working numerous odd jobs around the town (including a stint as a garbage man), Bird enrolled at Indiana State University, where he was coached by Bob King. New Year season lasts fifteen days. However, Bird--homesick, short on money and overwhelmed by the size and population of the university--left the school after one month and returned to French Lick. Also like many other countries in the world, a statutory holiday is added on the following work day when the New Year falls on the weekend.

At the time, Indiana was one of the premier college basketball programs in the country, coached by esteemed head coach Bobby Knight. Since Chinese New Year falls on different dates on the Gregorian calendar every year on different days of the week, some of these governments opt to shift working days in order to accomodate a longer public holiday. Bird received a basketball scholarship with Indiana University in 1975. Chinese New Year is observed as a public holiday in a number of countries and territories in the where are sizeable Chinese population resides. He starred for the area high school team, Springs Valley High School, where he left as the school's all-time scoring leader. See Chinese astrology for a list of Chinese New Year dates for every year from 1900 to 2020, covering one full sexagesimal cycle (1924–1983) and portions of two others. In spite of his domestic woes, by the time he was a high-school sophomore, Bird had become one of the better basketball players in French Lick. Many online Chinese Sign calculators do not account for the non-alignment of the two calendars, incorrectly using Gregorian-calendar years rather than official Chinese New Year dates.

In 1975, after Bird's parents divorced, his father committed suicide. This means that anyone born from January 1 to 25 January 1990 was actually born in the year of the snake rather than the year of the horse. The Bird family's struggle with poverty was compounded by the alcoholism and personal difficulties of Joe Bird. However, the 1989 year of the snake officially ended on 26 January 1990. Being poor as a child, Bird told Sports Illustrated, "motivates me to this day."[2]. The year 1990 is considered by some people to be the year of the horse. I don't mean she wouldn't pay the bank, but the children always came first."[1] Bird sometimes was sent to live with his grandmother due to the family's struggles. For example, the 1989 year of the snake began on 6 February 1989.

In a 1988 interview with Sports Illustrated, Bird recalled how his mother would make do on the family's meager earnings: "If there was a payment to the bank due, and we needed shoes, she'd get the shoes, and then deal with them guys at the bank. Because the Chinese New Year starts in late January to mid February, the Chinese year of dates from 1 January until that day in the new Gregorian year remain unchanged from the previous Gregorian year. Financial troubles would plague the Bird family for most of Larry's childhood. Many non-Chinese people confuse their Chinese birth-year with their Gregorian birth-year. He grew up in both West Baden and the adjacent town French Lick. The dates of the Spring Festival from 1996 to 2019 (in the Gregorian calendar) are listed below with pinyin romanizations for the earthly branches associated with the animals, which are not their translations. Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana, the son of Georgia and Joe Bird. .

. Chinese New Year is also the time when the largest human migration takes place when Chinese all around the world return home on the eve of Chinese New Year to have reunion dinners with their families. In 2003, he assumed the role of president of basketball operations for the Pacers, a position he still holds. Celebrated internationally in areas with large populations of ethnic Chinese, Chinese New Year is considered to be a major holiday for the Chinese as well as ethnic groups such as the Mongolians, Koreans, the Miao (Chinese Hmong), the Vietnamese (see Tết), Tibetans, the Nepalese and the Bhutanese (see Losar) who were influenced by Chinese culture in terms of religious and philosophical worldview, language and culture in general. After working as an assistant in the Celtics front office from 1992 to 1997, Bird was the head coach of the Indiana Pacers from 1997 to 2000. These customs led to the first New Year celebrations. He retired as a player from the NBA in 1992. The Chinese learned that Nian was sensitive to loud noises and the color red, and so they scared it away with explosions, fireworks and the liberal use of the color red.

Drafted sixth overall by the Boston Celtics in 1978, Bird played small forward for the team for his entire 13-year career. According to legend, in ancient China, Nian ("Nyan"), a man-eating predatory beast could infiltrate houses silently. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998, and was voted to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996. (The next time this occurs is in 2033.) The Chinese New Year period ends with the Lantern Festival, on the fifteenth day of the festival. Bird is generally considered to be one of the best players in NBA history. In such a case, the New Year falls on the day of the third new moon after the solstice. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is a former NBA basketball player. This is the day of the second new moon after the winter solstice, unless there is an intercalary eleventh or twelfth month in the lead-up to the New Year.

The shot went in, winning the competition 17-15 and capturing Bird's third-straight shootout title. Bird raises his arm in anticipation after firing the winning shot of the 1988 Three Point Contest . It consists of a period of celebrations, starting on New Year's Day, celebrated on the first day of the first month of the Chinese calendar. After Bird shot the last ball in the rack, he raised his arm and index finger as the ball was halfway to the rim, and walked away. Chinese New Year (Traditional Chinese: 春節 or 農曆新年; Simplified Chinese: 春节 or 农历新年; Pinyin: Chūnjíe or Nónglì Xīnnián), also known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. He did so. Chinese New Year. Bird started slowly, then ran off a series of makes, needing to hit his final three shots to beat Ellis. While the first two words of this phrase had a much longer historical significance (legend has it that the congratulatory messages were traded for surviving the ravaging beast of Nian, although in practical terms in may also involve surviving the harsh winter conditions), the last two words were added later as capitalism and consumerism ideas took greater significance in Chinese societies around the world.

Ellis went first and scored 15 points. Traditional Chinese: 恭喜發財; Simplified Chinese: 恭喜发财; pinyin: Gōngxǐ fācái; Hokkien Keong hee huat chye (POJ: Kiong-hí hoat-châi); Cantonese: Kung hei fat choi (also spelled kung hei fat choy or kung hey fat choi), although the actual pronunciation is much closer to "goong hei faht choi"; Hakka: Kung hee fat choi, which loosely translates to "Congratulations and be prosperous." Often mistakenly assumed to be synonymous with "Happy new year", its usage dates back several centuries, with the Cantonese transliteration said to have first entered English usage in the 1800s, for instance. In the 1988 All-Star Game Three Point Contest, Bird--the winner of the event in both years since its creation in 1986--faced Seattle Supersonics guard Dale Ellis in the final round of the competition. And 过年好 can be used from the first day to the fifth day of chinese new year. Despite a concussion and a resultant severe headache, Bird scored 32 points on 12 for 19 shooting, leading Boston to victory for the game and the series. But in northern part of china, traditionally people say Simplified Chinese: 过年好; pinyin: Guo Nian Hao, instead of Simplified Chinese: 新年快乐, to make difference from the international new year. A hushed Garden crowd watched as Bird was escorted to the locker room, then erupted in the third quarter as Bird dramatically came up the ramp to the court and rejoined his teammates. A more contemporary greeting reflective of western influences, it literally translates from the greeting "Happy new year" more common in the west.

In the second quarter of game 5 of the Celtics' 1991 first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, Bird slipped and fell, crashing face-first onto the Boston Garden floor. Traditional Chinese: 新年快樂; Simplified Chinese: 新年快乐; pinyin: Xīnnián kuàilè; Hokkien POJ: Sin-nî khòai-lo̍k; Cantonese: Sun nin fai loh. Bird had previously guaranteed to reporters that Boston would not lose the game; his fourth-quarter performance delivered his promise. The word "hair" is a homonym to the word for "prosperity". Bird outdueled the Hawks' Dominique Wilkins, who scored 47 points in that game. A hair-cut is considered inauspicious when done during over the holidays. In game 7 of the 1988 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks, Bird shot 9 of 10 in the fourth quarter, scoring 20 points in that quarter alone and lifting the Celtics to a narrow series-clinching victory over Atlanta. kwatji.

The shot was on line, but glanced off the rim and missed as time expired. Candy. With only a few seconds remaining, he recieved the ball behind the three-point line and fired again. Fish. Magic Johnson would regain the lead for the Lakers with a clutch shot of his own, but Bird had one final chance to win the game. Chrysanthemum (symbolises longevity). In game 4 of the 1987 Finals against the Lakers, Bird fought off defender James Worthy, got the ball, turned and hit a three-point shot with less than a minute remaining to give the Celtics the lead. Narcissus.

Instead, after losing in Detroit, Boston won game 7 and advanced to the Finals. Kumquat plants (symbolises prosperity). The dramatic play--known simply to Boston fans as "The Steal"--saved the series for the Celtics, who, had they lost game 5, would have had to win game 6 in Detroit (where they were winless in the series) to force a decisive seventh game. Peach blossom (symbolises luck). With the clock ticking down and with his momentum carrying him out of bounds, Bird turned and fired the ball to teammate Dennis Johnson, who converted a layup with 2 seconds left to win the game for Boston. The first two days. In game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons, with five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and Boston trailing the Pistons 107-106, Bird stole an inbound pass from Isiah Thomas intended for Bill Laimbeer. The first three days.

In the clinching game 6 of the 1986 Finals, Bird recorded a triple-double (the basketball term for double-digit numbers in three categories) of 29 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists. The first three days. In the late stages of this game 7 Bird also had two key steals, two free throws made, a rebound, and blocked a shot. The first five days. That basket won Boston the game and the series and they would go on to win the NBA championship in the Finals. In game 7 of the 1981 Eastern Conference finals against the rival Philadelphia 76ers, Boston was behind by one in the last minute when Bird sank a fast-break mid-range pull-up bank shot, a very difficult shot to execute under intense pressure.