Larry Bird ’s legendary status in the NBA, already secure from his playing days with the Boston Celtics, was further enhanced by his short tenure as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers . In just one season, Larry Legend transformed a team that had struggled with a 39-43 record in the 1996-97 season into a formidable force, finishing the 1997-98 season with an impressive 58-24 record (2nd best in the Central Division).
However, Bird’s coaching acumen was put to the test in the EC Finals against the Chicago Bulls. As the series stretched to seven games, it was the three-time MVP’s critical mistake of benching the in-form Jalen Rose that cost his team a chance in the championship round.
Rose was ‘pissed’ by Bird’s decision
The series between the Pacers and the Bulls proved to be a closely contested affair. After Chicago established a 2-0 lead, Indiana responded by winning the next two games, each with a 2-point margin. Then, facing elimination in Game 6, Bird’s Pacers showed their mettle by registering a hard-fought 92-89 win. So, it became evident that if Indiana was to beat the Bulls, it would be via another close encounter.
As Game 7 entered its final quarter, the Bulls held a slim 69-65 advantage. At that moment, Rose, though he wasn’t as refined a scorer as he later became, made a couple of clutch plays by knocking jumpers to tie the score at 69 apiece. However, just when ‘Jinx’ seemed to be taking over, coach Bird moved him to the bench.
In his absence, the Pacers failed to capitalize on the Bulls’ 19-point performance and eventually lost the game 88-83.
"I was pissed," Rose said during his appearance on All The Smoke podcast. "I was mad. … I was like, 'I can't believe this just happened.'"
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Larry admitted to his mistake
Since Jalen wasn’t a top player, he didn't have any media obligations, so he walked straight to the bus. However, upon noticing Bird already seated, he chose to ignore him out of frustration with his decision. Yet, when he saw the head coach admit his mistake, Rose’s anger dissipated immediately.
"He was like, 'Jalen.'… He had a beer in his hand. He was like, 'I f**ked up. I should've got you back out there,'" Rose added. "He (didn’t have to) say that to me. Even if he felt like that, he didn’t have to say that to me, and I know it. And I was like, 'I ain't gonna say nothing else about it.' I let it go right then."
Safe to say, while Larry may have angered Rose by taking him out when he was confident enough to take over, Bird's admission of his mistake earned Jalen's respect even more.
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