On this date in 1981, Celtics star Larry Bird made one of the greatest on-the-fly adjustments we've ever seen in basketball. Anticipating that his jumper from the right of the key during Game 1 of the Finals against Houston was going to be off target, he raced to the right baseline, grabbed the rebound with his right hand, switched the ball into his left hand as his momentum was taking him out of bounds, and somehow laid it in the basket. Red Auerbach called it the greatest play he had ever seen, both for Bird’s physical ability to make the shot and his basketball instinct to get into position for the rebound. The Celtics won the game 98-95, and went on to take the series in six games.
Got a fantastic basketball blog piece that you want featured on Hoops Rumors? Send your submissions to HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here's this week's look around the web..
- Soaring Down South looks ahead to a new beginning for the Hawks.
- Singh Sports News says big playoff minutes are affecting players, including Carmelo Anthony.
- Red94 thanks the Rockets for the memories. Cue that Green Day song.
- The Basketball Post looks at the decisions that the Bucks have to make.
- Hoops Addict thinks the Thunder now appear to be mortal.
- 3SOB is excorcising the demons of playoffs past.
- Forum Blue And Gold has four questions from the Lakers exit interviews.
- Silver Screen And Roll says the Lakers have to maintain future cap space.
- Pounding The Rock talks about the perils of smallball.
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