Times like these call for a palate cleanser before baseball resumes on Thursday, so allow me to present to you the most unexpectedly violent dunk of Larry Bird’s career.
“Bird” and “dunk” don’t usually find their way into the same sentence, because the Celtics Hall of Famer and all-time NBA great is typically described with some variation of “can’t run, can’t jump.” But Bird was far more athletic than he’s given credit for, particularly early in his career.
As proof, check out this Jayson Tatum-esque hammer on the Rockets in 1983. The video’s a little grainy, but thankfully there’s a replay. Bird upfakes aging Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes from the left side, drives the paint, and soars over helpless defender Wally Walker for the poster.
With two big strides and full extension as he rocks back, Bird really does bear a passing resemblance to Tatum, the NBA champion who utilizes every inch of his wingspan when throwing one down in traffic, too.
The Warriors were in a hole before the opening tip Wednesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, with the team deciding to shut down Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis for the remainder of this year’s NBA Summer League slate.
Yet that didn’t stop the Warriors from beating the Cavs 96-85 at COX Pavilion in Las Vegas. The win improved the Warriors to an undefeated 6-0 this summer.
Coach Anthony Vereen’s team dominated nearly every facet of the game. They took 11 fewer shots but made three more total than Cleveland. Both teams made 13 threes; however, the Warriors were the more accurate team. The Warriors also made five more free throws than the Cavs, had 10 more rebounds, four more assists and were called for five fewer fouls.
Their only downside was committing 20 turnovers, and allowing the Cavs to total 13 steals.
