Larry Bird

As he returned home for a fifth-and-final battle against the spirited, seventh-seeded Indiana Pacers, Larry Bird first challenged the Boston Celtics’ crowd with an ultimatum: bring the needed energy, or Boston simply wouldn’t survive. No one knew it then, but in what would become one of his storybook career’s most unforgettable moments, Bird would supply them all the energy they needed. In the aftermath of a second-quarter scare that saw Bird’s head collide against the hardwood with an audible thud, the Hall of Famer’s status — and the Celtics’ odds — were officially in doubt. What followed were five magical words: “And here comes … Larry Bird.” Reminiscent of a professional wrestler making a surprise entrance, Bird jogged through the tunnel, supplying the spark needed to turn a two-point lead into a 16-point edge, and ultimately, a series-deciding victory on May 5, 1991. Operating on pure adrenaline, Bird stations along one of his go-to spots on the right midpost, faking a pass before pivoting towards the baseline for a crowd-stirring, and-one fadeaway bucket over Mike Sanders. Surviving the battle against his many ailments, Bird became Boston’s all-time playoffs scoring leader, finishing with 32 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and one steal.