I just released a mini-documentary breaking down this game, and I want to use this space to give you the quick essential context.

The Context

By 1992, the Celtics were clearly an aging team.
Bird was fighting through back, nerve issues and, on this afternoon, an Achilles injury.
Kevin McHale was near the end and Robert Parish had started to lose that quick step.
Meanwhile, Portland came into Boston as one of the best teams in the NBA — a legitimate title contender with Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, Buck Williams, Kevin Duckwarth and a deep bench.

Everything pointed toward a Portland win.

But Larry-Legend never played by expectations.

Bird Always Brought Something Extra Against the Blazers

As I show in the video, the Blazers had already seen some of the most iconic moments of Bird’s career:

• The 47-point left-handed game

• The drifting corner game-winner

• A history of big scoring nights and high-efficiency performances

For whatever reason, Bird always sharpened against Portland — and March 15, 1992 fit that pattern perfectly.

.@CLNS_Nick takes a look back at Larry Bird’s Final Masterpiece

A 49-point, 14-rebound, 12-assist masterpiece against the Portland Trail Blazers at the old Boston Garden

FULL Game Breakdown on @NBAHistoryCLNS: https://t.co/PuuxyXIRRR pic.twitter.com/z4xryzGfi4

— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) December 11, 2025

The Comeback Boston Fans Didn’t See Coming

I remember watching this game when it aired live. Late in the fourth quarter, the Celtics trailed by double digits. For the first time in years, I saw footage of fans actually leaving the Garden early.

Then Bird took over. He turned back the clock and gave us one more very special Sunday afternoon at the Garden.

He hit tough shots, forced turnovers, controlled the game’s pace, and capped it with an off-balance, leaning three that tied the game and sent the Garden into chaos.

Fans who had walked out sprinted back to their seats.

Only in Boston.

Overtime: One Last Clinic

In overtime, Bird mixed scoring, passing, and pure command to carry Boston to a 152–148 double-overtime win.

His final line — 49 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists — says everything.

This was his last true masterpiece.

Watch the Full Mini-Doc

It breaks down the game, the context, and why this performance still resonates all these years later.

https://youtu.be/bupR0diDu_c?si=5j9E-8W8Ap0h3KW_

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What if Larry Bird had been drafted by the New York Knicks instead of the Boston Celtics? In this captivating podcast episode featuring sports legends Bob Ryan and Jeff Goodman, we dive deep into the alternate history of the NBA and explore how Bird’s unique talents could have transformed the Knicks’ fortunes. From his scoring prowess to his compatibility with stars like Michael Ray Richardson and Bernard King, the discussion reveals the potential for a powerhouse team in New York. We also examine the coaching dynamics that could have shaped Bird’s career, comparing the styles of Hubie Brown and Bill Fitch. Join us as we speculate on the broader implications of Bird’s hypothetical move and reflect on the legacy of one of basketball’s greatest players.

00:00 – Introduction to the podcast
2:50 – Comparing Larry Bird and Bernard King
4:01 – Coaching styles of Hubie Brown and Bill Fitch
6:57 – Larry Bird’s impact on the Knicks
8:06 – Prize Picks: Daily fantasy sports explained
10:41 – Monarch Money: Personal finance tool overview
12:55 – Bob Knight’s regret about Larry Bird
14:01 – Celtics’ turnaround with Larry Bird
15:11 – Key players contributing to Celtics’ success
18:03 – Impact of Larry Bird on NBA history

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0:00 Teaser
0:51 Intro
2:36 Jeff Goodman on his exclusive interview with Jayson Tatum on The Messenger
6:21 Jayson Tatum understands what it takes to end up on Celtics Mount Rushmore
7:39 Tatum on Marcus Smart departure and how much Celtics will miss him
11:29 FanDuel Sportsbook
12:13 Jayson Tatum cont’d
13:01 Bob shares Larry Bird story
15:02 Jayson Tatum is showing maturity and understanding on what’s needed of him
16:09 Tatum on referees
18:10 NBA storylines heading into next season
23:39 OddsR
24:52 What’s going to happen with Team USA Basketball ahead of Paris Olympics?
29:48 Did fans want Jayson Tatum to play in the FIBA World Cup and risk fatigue?
33:39 Daniel Theis had GREAT World Cup
35:55 Outro

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In this riveting episode, we’re joined by the legendary Charles Oakley as we dive deep into the world of NBA management. Oakley pulls no punches as he shares his candid thoughts on the distinct eras of NBA leadership, comparing the robust approach of David Stern to the contemporary style of Adam Silver.

Believing that Stern’s management brought about an authentic and gritty NBA, Oakley feels the game has since become watered down and players are now overcompensated. Join us for this heated discussion and discover insights from behind the scenes of the NBA. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more candid conversations on the Showtime with Coop’s podcast!

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Did the Bucks get better with their offseason so far? Or did the Celtics get worse after trading away Marcus Smart for Kristaps Porzingis? Bob, Jeff and Gary discuss, as well as react and dissect Doctor J’s picks for Top 10 Greatest Players in NBA History.

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Basketball is a sport that never fails to entertain, and sometimes that entertainment goes beyond the court. One of the most iconic moments in NBA history is the unforgettable scuffle between Sidney Moncrief and Danny Ainge in the 1987 NBA Eastern Conference Semi Finals. Recently, Moncrief shared his perspective on this legendary incident with fellow legend, Michael Cooper. Moncrief sheds light on the emotions, tension, and camaraderie that pushed the usually mild mannered Milwaukee Bucks guard to body slam Ainge.

The stage was set on March 15, 1987, during the sixth game of another heated playoff battle between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics. Sidney Moncrief, a five-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, squared off against Danny Ainge, a notoriously feisty Celtics guard who would go on to become an NBA All-Star and two-time NBA champion.

The contest was a heated battle from the very beginning, with both teams showcasing their skills and grit. Tensions were high, as both squads were fighting for the right to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. As the intensity of the game grew, so did the hostility between the players.

According to Moncrief, it all started when Ainge fouled him hard during a fast break. Ainge would continue to swing elbows and Moncrief, known for his competitive yet mild mannered spirit, took exception to the jabs from Ainge. The two began to exchange words, and before anyone knew it, they were locked in a physical altercation.

The melee involved players from both teams, as well as coaches trying to break up the fight highlighted by Moncrief issuing a WWE style body slam to Ainge landing him on his back in the expensive courtside seats.

In the years that followed, Moncrief and Ainge would face each other numerous times on the court, always with a sense of mutual respect. They would later become friends, sharing laughs over their infamous confrontation.

Sidney Moncrief, now retired and reflecting on his storied career recently with Lakers’ legend, Michael Cooper, shares a unique perspective on that fateful night. He acknowledges that the fight was a result of the passion and competitiveness that both players brought to the game. Moncrief views the incident as a defining moment in the series against the Celtics who would advance in the 7th game at Boston Garden.

The Sidney Moncrief-Danny Ainge fight has become a symbol of the fierce competition that defined the NBA during the 1980s. The incident serves as a reminder of the intense passion and dedication that both Moncrief and Ainge brought to the game of basketball. Today, as the NBA continues to evolve, the story of their iconic altercation remains a testament to the power of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and the indomitable spirit of competition.

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When it comes to the greatest backcourt trios in NBA history, there are two groups of players that are often compared: Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, and Vinnie Johnson of the Detroit Pistons, and Magic Johnson, Byron Scott, and Michael Cooper of the Los Angeles Lakers. While the Lakers’ trio is often celebrated for their dominance in the NBA in the 1980s, the Pistons’ trio deserves just as much recognition, if not more, for their incredible skills and accomplishments. Here are some reasons why the Pistons’ trio was a better backcourt than the Lakers‘ trio.

First, the Pistons’ trio was known for their incredible toughness and resilience. They were nicknamed the “Bad Boys” for a reason, as they played an aggressive and physical style of basketball that often intimidated their opponents. Thomas was the heart and soul of the team, known for his fiery personality and fearless approach to the game. Dumars was a steady and reliable shooting guard who could score from anywhere on the court and was a lockdown defender. Johnson, meanwhile, was a sixth man who came off the bench and provided an instant spark with his scoring ability, giving him his nickname, “The Microwave”.

Together, these three players formed a backcourt that was almost impossible to stop. They had a remarkable chemistry on the court, with Thomas and Dumars combining for a deadly one-two punch and Johnson adding a crucial scoring boost off the bench. They were also able to play excellent defense, with Thomas and Dumars frequently shutting down some of the best guards in the league.

In addition to their toughness and skill, the Pistons’ trio was also incredibly successful. They won back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990, beating old rival Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks and LA Lakers along the way. They were able to defeat the Lakers in the 1989 NBA Finals, proving that they were a force to be reckoned with even against some of the greatest players in the game.

While the Lakers’ trio was undoubtedly talented, they were not quite as dominant as the Pistons’ trio. Johnson was a transcendent talent and one of the greatest players in NBA history, but Scott and Cooper were more role players than superstars. They were both excellent at what they did, with Scott providing a scoring boost and Cooper playing lockdown defense, but they were not quite as versatile or dominant as Thomas and Dumars.

In the end, while both backcourt trios were exceptional in their own right, the Pistons’ trio of Thomas, Dumars, and Johnson was simply better. They were tougher, more resilient, and more dynamic than the Lakers’ trio, and they left an indelible mark on the game of basketball. They may not be as celebrated as some of the other great players in NBA history, but they deserve just as much recognition for their incredible skills and accomplishments.

The post The ‘Bad Boys’ vs Showtime Lakers: Why the Pistons’ Backcourt Trio Reigns Supreme appeared first on CLNS Media.

Recently, Isiah Thomas gave his reactions to the latest controversy surrounding Memphis Grizzlies’ star player, Ja Morant. After a flurry of news broke earlier this month about Morant and his alleged behavior with guns last summer, Ja sadly doubled down on the accusations with a new gun exhibition on social media, this time in a strip club full of people.

This is the latest in a string of bad press for the NBA and professional athletes in general.

NBA legend and Hall of Famer, Isiah Thomas, shared his thoughts on the matter recently on the Cedric Maxwell Podcast on CLNS Media. “Zeke” shed light on the importance of wisdom and guidance around young NBA players like Ja. He notes that Memphis is one of the newer NBA franchises that, unlike legacy teams such as Boston, LA, New York, Philadelphia & Detroit, Memphis has no “old heads” to guide and mentor their younger players.

Isiah got this “old head” thinking about his statement…

Initially when the news broke about Morant in the summer of 2022 and then again, on his social media, I immediately found myself saddened and very critical of the NBA today. Similar to other outrageous behavior by NBA players surrounding homophobia, antisemitism and conspiracy theories, I was overwhelmed with disgust that the NBA League Office for not speaking out or taking immediate action. I drifted to thoughts of how, since the passing of legendary, heavy fisted, Commissioner Stern passed away, the NBA brass have seemed to take a much more passive approach towards player disciplinary action. I was screaming inside, “If only David Stern were still here!”

As the “curator” of NBA history at CLNS, I never considered how today’s legends of the game are possibly failing young players. As Isiah jogged my mind about teams  like Memphis being devoid of “wisdom” from their former stars, I found myself agreeing and even building upon that premise in my mind. Is it possible that NBA legends are failing today’s players?

There it’s no doubt that the legends of decades past are very active and in the view of fans and players alike. Podcasts, Vidcast and traditional game broadcasts are loaded with a cast of who’s who of NBA royalty. As fans, we are blessed to have guys like Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaq and Reggie Miller around to remind us of how good they were in in their era— I am thankful for that.

It’s also understandable that current players, or newly retired players players-turned media personalities get frustrated with the constant reminders of how good the NBA used to be— I am also thankful for that.

But are the legends too consumed with defending bygone eras instead of celebrating the current players? Are they failing today’s super-maxed out stars by sparring with them instead of inspiring them and guiding them on and off the court?

I believe they are.

Former stars do have a responsibility to mentor and guide. As some one who grew up in the 1980’s and grew into an adult in the 1990’s, retired legends such as Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain (for better and worse…), Doctor Julius Erving, George Gervin, John Havlicek, Jo Jo White, Paul Silas, Jerry West, Dave Cowens, Bob Lanier Tiny Archibald, Bob McAdoo Bob Cousy, Tommy Heinsohn, Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe and many others were a staple in NBA arenas. They didn’t boast that they played in tougher eras or that they were better than guys like Barkley, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson or Michael Jordan, Instead they helped them. They became “ambassadors” of the game around the globe. They’d never succeed in their ambassadorship if they were overly critical.

In decades past, their was rarely a jab from the retired to the current.

So, I do believe former NBA stars have a responsibility to contribute more to the players mental well-being, ability to adjust to instant wealth and fame. After all, though the money was far less back then, the legends of yesteryear still faced similar struggles along their journey. Like Isiah Thomas insinuated, he and his contemporaries certainly benefited from the mentoring and encouragement of good foundational structure within team communities.

I just might be changing my stance on the player – legend dynamic in sports, especially basketball.

I always reserved calling upon the legends for debates with young people and current players for arguments such as who’s generation was the best.. As recently as a week before Ja Morant’s disturbing strip club incident, I had basked in the fury of young fans, being forced to endure another round of critical comments from iconic players like Charles Barkley, Michael Cooper, Cedric Maxwell, Dominique Wilkens and even old school scribes like Bob Ryan and Peter Vescey.

Ja Morant shared a video of himself holding a gun on his Instagram story, which led to widespread criticism and concerns about his safety and reputation. During the podcast, Thomas weighed in on the matter. Isiah fell short of expressing any disappointment in Ja but put a heavy emphasis on the lack of guidance and mentorship surrounding Ja in Memphis.

Thomas emphasized the importance of “wisdom” and experience in the NBA, especially for young players like Ja, who need guidance and support both on and off the court. He also highlights the role of veteran players, coaches, and executives in providing their time, wisdom and leadership for the next generation of NBA stars.

Thomas shares his own experiences and insights as a former NBA player who grew up in poverty on the streets of Chicago.

Though “Zeke” stopped short of adding any criticism or blame on anyone, His statements on how today’s players are taken from poverty and placed among a few dozen co-workers who share millionaire status- not exactly what the average person of any age experiences. These facts raise questions on how current professional athletes are addressing the challenges and pressures they face as young, wealthy professional athletes today. I can’t help but also consider how 24/7 scrutiny is brought on by direct access of fans and the press on social media.

Regardless of celebrity status or every day “Joe,” it’s painful to even ponder how you (or me) would cope with similar scrutiny in public.

I now feel that a little less comparing, criticism and chest pumping from the now senior citizen stars of the 1980’s and 1990’s and a little more mentoring, guidance and, as Zeke put it, “wisdom” would only help today’s stars and thus the NBA as a whole.

It starts at the top though. The NBA community and retired players association, in coordination with the league office needs to step up and provide more support for young players, especially those facing challenges, mental illness and controversies.

Finally, I think it’s important for the stars of the past to act more as the “ambassadors” of the game as the stars that came before them did in decades past. This may not resolve the issues facing today’s players but if the NBA wants to charge into the 21st century with the success that found the league in the last quarter of the 20th century, it’s going to take a team effort and who better to lead the charge than the people who contributed on the court in the 80’s and 90’s?

The trash talking between the former and current players is fun for fans (and for me) but if that is the only interactions current players have with their predecessors, the only thing being hurt is the game of basketball in the future.

Less “trash bagging” and more ambassadoring might not be the solution but it is a positive step towards it.

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