“Thought he was a clubhouse lawyer” - Larry Bird once blamed two innocent Celtics players for leaking scenes from the Boston locker room

Larry Bird usually reserved his savage knack of chirping for the opponents on the court. However, there was one instance when a Boston Celtics player leaked locker room drama to the press, much to Bird’s irritation. The Indiana native speculated that either Kevin McHale or Jim Paxson was behind the betrayal, talking to the media behind his back.

Bird felt Paxson was the culprit

Former Celtics beat reporter - Jackie MacMullan shared insights into what drama ensued after the leak, during her appearance on The Bill Simmons podcast. She revealed how Larry Legend ’s irritation grew from the fact as he became certain that the leak came either from McHale or Paxson, whom Bird never liked, rather considered him as a ‘clubhouse lawyer.’

"Paxson and McHale had gotten really tight on that team. They had become very close friends," MacMullan said . "And Bird never liked Paxson anyway, thought he was a clubhouse lawyer, was suspect about him anyway, and then he and McHale - Paxson and McHale - sort of got together. And there was a little bit of discontent during that time."

Furthermore, the three-time MVP gave McHale the benefit of the doubt, feeling like 'they had been through the wars' together. Though Bird didn’t directly name Paxson, he told NBA Insider - Peter Vescey that the teammate he thought was responsible for the leak 'got a yellow streak down his back,' which led Vescey to believe that the Indiana native was talking about Jim.

Jim Paxson was triggered by the disrespect

The insults from the 12-time All-Star turned Pax into a laughing stock, prompting Jim to confront MacMullan promptly. The latter demanded a retraction for the widespread disrespect he felt he didn’t deserve, especially since he knew he wasn’t responsible for the leak.

"I show up the next day, and Paxson comes flying at me! And he goes, 'I demand a retraction! They're making jokes about him on The Tonight Show,'" MacMullan added. "I'm like, 'I didn't write it. I'm not writing a retraction.' He's like in my face."

While disclosing the conclusion of the story, Jackie sided with Jim, affirming that the 2-time All-Star was indeed not involved in the leak. Later on, the organization realized that Dennis Johnson might have been one of those responsible for the leak from the Celtics locker room.

Therefore, it is fair to say that the 6’6” shooting guard had every reason to feel upset about being ridiculed in the media.

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