Mark Jackson and Reggie Miller recall a startling Larry Bird incident that flustered them.

At least when it came to the court, nothing the legendary Boston Celtics player Larry Bird did astonished anyone anymore.

Bird, who led the Celtics to three consecutive MVP titles in the 1980s, went on to have great success as an Indiana Pacers coach. He once startled captains Mark Jackson and Reggie Miller before one of their games while he was a coach.

When Miller and Jackson related their story about a pack of Newport smokes and an absent Coach Bird on the “Mark Jackson Show,” it was difficult for them not to chuckle.

On a June 2024 episode of the “Mark Jackson Show,” Miller was a guest, and the two couldn’t resist sharing their anecdote about their renowned mentor.

It was amazing to play for Larry Bird, Jackson remarked. “One of our heroes, one of the all-time greats, against whom we competed and watched.”

Our position at the layup line was peculiar. As the team captains, Reggie and I can’t recall what we had to follow up with Larry Bird regarding before to the game.

Reg and I jog off the court and get to the back with twenty seconds remaining. From there, it’s up to you.

Miller added, “So Jack and I head back into the locker room and we’re like, ‘Where’s Coach Bird? “He is in his office,” they say. When we get to his office, he isn’t there.

We had to ask him this question before we could go outside, so we head over to the shower. Larry Legend is seated in a chair when we turn the corner. He’s smoking away from a carton of Newports.

What do you guys require? We think we’re excellent coaches. Put it out of your mind. We’re doing fine. “All right, I’ll see you out there in a few minutes,” he says.

Jackson and Miller were shaken up to see Larry Bird puffing on a cigarette in the back room prior to the game. According to Jackson, the two appeared agitated. If Miller and Jackson ever discussed it with Bird, they were questioned about it.

“Oh no,” Jackson murmured. “And it’s official—it’s the worst opening half a starting backcourt has experienced.”

Oh, God, Miller exclaimed. “I was unable to make a shot.”

“We had lost our minds,” Jackson remarked. “Our champion. What we just saw had an impact on us.

Miller remarked, “Remember how we look at Larry Bird.” First of all, we were up against him. My strategy was inspired by Larry Legend. It was Lakers vs. Boston in the 1980s, and you had to take a side.

Although we were fans of the Laker team, I took my game from Larry Bird. I was curious in his workout routine, game strategy, trash-talking style, and other things.

This is the way we observed Larry. For us to turn the corner and find him smoking and just splayed out on a chair. He wasn’t exactly astounded to see our captains, like, “Oh God.” That wasn’t the case at all.

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