Three-time NBA champion Rick Fox has had the privilege of sharing the court with some of basketball’s most legendary figures. From his early years in Boston with Celtics icons Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish to winning championships in Los Angeles alongside Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, Fox’s career has intersected with greatness at every turn. But when reflecting on his formative years in the league, it’s clear that his time with Larry Bird left a lasting impression—particularly Bird’s final iconic moments in the NBA.
Drafted by the Celtics with the 24th overall pick in 1991, Rick Fox arrived in Boston with high hopes. A versatile and polished small forward out of North Carolina, Fox believed his experience playing under legendary coach Dean Smith and his understanding of the game would serve him well in the NBA. He had grown up watching the Celtics dominate the 1980s, and now he was joining the tail end of that dynasty. But no college training or highlight reel could prepare him for what it was like to witness Larry Bird up close.
“Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish — that last year of the Big Three — I was their rookie,” Fox shared during an interview on Hot 97. “Watching them work as professionals gave me a blueprint for how it’s supposed to get done.”
Though Bird’s body was breaking down and his back issues were well documented by the early ‘90s, Fox quickly realized that greatness isn’t just about physical ability—it’s about heart, intelligence, and an unshakable competitive fire. In what would become his final season, Bird continued to produce jaw-dropping performances despite the pain. One game in particular stood out to Fox, a game that defined everything about Bird’s toughness and legacy.
“This is what everyone means when they talk about Bird being a bad mofo,” Fox said, recalling Bird’s relentless drive and refusal to be anything less than legendary, even on the brink of retirement.
In Bird’s final years, he didn’t just play basketball—he endured it. With a battered body and limited mobility, he still managed to control games with his passing, shooting, and basketball IQ. Fox, just a wide-eyed rookie at the time, watched as Bird dissected defenses, dropped pinpoint assists, and hit clutch shots with ice in his veins.
Those final performances weren’t just impressive—they were iconic. They symbolized what made Bird so revered among his peers and feared by his opponents. He didn’t need to fly above the rim or dazzle with speed. His will to win, precision, and grit spoke louder than any vertical leap.
What stood out to Fox wasn’t just Bird’s skill, but his example. “He gave me a master class in professionalism,” Fox said. “He showed me what it meant to play through pain, to lead by example, and to compete with everything you have.”
Rick Fox went on to have a successful NBA career, but those early days in Boston laid the foundation for everything that followed. Playing alongside Larry Bird wasn’t just an introduction to the league—it was an education in greatness.
As fans continue to celebrate Larry Bird’s contributions to basketball, stories like Rick Fox’s serve as powerful reminders of why Bird remains one of the most respected and feared players in NBA history. His final games weren’t just farewell performances—they were proof that true legends never fade quietly.