Larry Bird: His first practice with the Celtics... Kevin McHale blocked my shots 1st two times...

foreign Members First practice with Celtics I thought well I'm going to kill this guy today because he came in late winter about the first two or three times we blocked my shot and I thought you know Burger this guy a little bit more respect I mean he actually blocked my shot the first two times I went in there and I thought boy this guy could play defense well come to find out he's a great defensive player but he's a heck of love every score [Music] welcome ladies and gentlemen [Applause] today number 32 joins two other numbers on the third Banner of Honor which will hang from these Boston Garden Rapids description says number 32 has now joined those of the other Celtic Legend raised above the garden parquet I'm sorry Kevin but that's all we could afford today Kevin was a pleasure playing with me all those years we had a lot of fun together kicked a lot of butt [Applause] so you won't forget the big three uh we'd like to dedicate the Jersey to your autograph from Larry myself uh from Larry to the best poster to play in the history of the NBA best wishes from Larry [Applause] and also for me keep talking and don't lose your sense of humor all right I like to wish you and your family very best in the future I want to thank Kevin for what he's given to the Celtics he personifies everything we dreamed about of being a Celtic player hi thanks Kevin and lots of luck to you ladies and gentlemen a man who has always been willing to say a few words number 32 Kevin McCann so many people that you want to thank I had 13 of the best years of my life standing in this building and playing in front of all you people it's so hard to thank each and every one I'd really like to thank my family my beautiful wife Lenny and my five kids who have made being on Boston so much fun with everybody that we've met my mother who gave me all the love and attention any little boy could need and she gives all the support any man could ever have I'd like to say a special thanks special thanks to my dad who um gave me so much and he's not here right now but I know he's watching so Dad I tell you what I've never been up on on the Rafters without you I love you and I'll see you when I get home I look back on my career here and it just went so fast I played with such great players I mean you talk about the tiny arch of all the Cedric Maxwell the Robert Parish is the Larry Birds Danny Ames DJ Bill Walton seasoning I mean those are names of players that can play the game we played the game I thought the way it should have been played when we were all healthy and we were getting after it I knew every single night that we stepped on the court that we were going to give it our best shot and a lot of times with our championship years I was lucky enough to win three of them here and those were absolutely the best days of my life um it seems like it was just yesterday that I was out here playing it doesn't seem like it was a half a year ago but the best times of my life were spent on this parquet floor and I remember the first time I came out here I looked around and I thought man this looks a lot better on television but uh it'll be a very very sad day when this building goes because I have so many memories here and all those memories remain so much better by all of you people thank you enough for making me feel like a Bostonian for 13 years and giving me all the support and I tell you what you made it easy to come on this part and play I played hurt a lot but I came on here I look in the stands like I did today it was all worth it thank you very much Bridge generations of Celtic players number 32 goes to the Raptors my number is going out for people I played with went to war with and fought with and my sons are pulling it up my little daughter and red Arabic my mother my wife that really meant a lot I mean here you're doing something that's a culmination of a which has been an unbelievable ride just uh it's like a fairy tale ride and it's it's culminating with people that you care the most about helping you put that banner up there and you know I tell you what I I can guarantee it every time I come to this building I'll look up there and look at him oh [Applause] time Members First practice with Celtics I thought well I'm going to kill this guy today because he came in late went there about the first two or three times we blocked my shot and I thought you know Burger this guy a little bit more respect I mean he actually blocked my shot the first two times I went in there and I thought boy this guy could play defense well come to find out he's a great defensive player but I love that score he was the type of guy that you found yourself watching him you know what is he going to do next you know because he like said he had so many moves around the basket and you got to realize Kevin McHale didn't believe in passing the ball back out once he got it so he doing these unbelievable moves over two and three people I was thinking sum up in any amount of time was like being a Celtic I suppose just an immense Pride uh willingness to do whatever it takes to win playing hurt playing when you didn't feel like it and playing for the best organization that there's ever been I mean it's just uh Larry said it best I think he said if you didn't play for the Celtics I'm not sure you ever played basketball [Music]

Channel: AllBasketballTV

Views: 291,374

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Id: 5trUibdZrdo

Length: 6min 43sec (403 seconds)

Published: Wed Oct 04 2023