"Larry doesn't say a word for 18 holes" - Magic Johnson recalled when Larry Bird "had the best time by not talking" on golf course

While Larry Bird 's legendary status as a player is often attributed to his versatility and game acumen, his most renowned trait was his penchant for on-court trash-talking. However, off the basketball court, Larry wasn't always that person.

Magic on Bird off the court

Whether it's Bird telling Tom Chambers that only God could guard him or promising Xavier McDaniel he would " bust his a*s " in the fourth quarter, there are enough stories out there that prove the myth about Larry, the trash talker. However, there were times when the Celtics legend wasn't up for talking.

In an interview with ESPN, Magic Johnson recounted a story from a golf court that shows Bird occasionally enjoyed competing in silence.

"I know a guy whose best friend lives next door to Larry down in Florida. He asked Larry did he want to play golf? Larry says, 'OK.' This guy thought they would talk while playing golf. But Larry never said a word about talking," Magic said . "He just said he'd play golf. So they play golf, and Larry doesn't say a word for 18 holes."

Competing in silence

Naturally, Bird's golfing companion perceived the silence as awkward and contemplated whether he had inadvertently offended the NBA legend with his words or actions. While he felt that the day the two spent together was a complete mess, for Bird, that wasn't the case. Instead, the two-time Finals MVP thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

"So now they're loading the clubs back in the car, and Larry says, 'I had fun. Wanna do it again tomorrow?'" Magic added. " Larry had the best time by not talking. "

On the basketball court, the Celtics forward was all about winning and telling his opponents about it in the process. However, away from NBA arenas, Bird, at times at least, refrained from engaging in unnecessary verbal confrontations and valued moments of peace.

On the other hand, the likes of Kevin Garnett, Michael Jordan, Reggie Miller, Gary Payton, and Charles Barkley didn't stop talking smack after they ended their NBA careers. The latter even talked trash to Tiger Woods while the two played golf, and it backfired.

Perhaps that's why Larry kept his mouth shut around his neighbor. Perhaps the guy was that much better better at golf than Bird.

Related: "Michael is competitive in all things that don't make sense" - Kobe Bryant on why he always declined Michael Jordan's invites to play golf