“The superstar out there breaking his back, literally, shoveling gravel” - How building a new driveway for his mom was the beginning of the end for Larry Bird

As the spectators of the game, it’s always tough to witness our favorite players battle injuries, and for Boston Celtics fans, that pain was palpable when Larry Bird struggled with a bad back in the latter part of his career. While one might assume that the three-time MVP’s issues began on the court, that wasn’t the case. Instead, it was when he decided to personally install a new driveway for his mother that he began experiencing immense pain in his back.

Bird’s doctor knew it was the beginning of the end

In 1985, Bird’s mother required a new driveaway, and despite his celebrity status, the 12-time All-Star opted to take care of the task personally. It turned out to be a fateful decision. In a YouTube video, his orthopedic doctor, Dan Dyrek, detailed how the physical strain of that activity plunged the Boston Celtics forward into a world of agony.

"Larry decides to do it himself," Dyrek said . "Larry Bird, the superstar, out there breaking his back, literally, shoveling gravel. And that was the beginning of a process."

From that point onward, the Indiana native’s on-court athleticism undermarked a stark decline. Dyrek explained that Bird’s back would frequently shift out of alignment, adopting uncomfortable positions in an attempt to find stability. While Larry Legend would temporarily manage the pain, allowing him to grace the court for brief spells, the underlying issues persisted. Bird himself was astutely aware that each time he stepped onto the court, he risked exacerbating that pain, potentially inflicting irreparable damage to his body.

"Every time I would play, I was wondering if I was gonna be in a wheelchair," Bird explained. "Was I ever going to be able to, you know, walk on the beach or hold my kids?"

Bird managed to lead the Celtics to a championship after that

Despite his subconscious awareness of the potential health risks, the two-time Finals MVP pressed on, propelling the Celtics to a title in 1986. During that remarkable season, he maintained averages of 25.8 points per game and 9.8 rebounds, all while leading the league in free throw shooting during the regular season. Impressively, he improved his performance in the playoffs, scoring 25.9 points per game, rightfully winning yet another Finals MVP honor.

This speaks volumes about Bird’s journey in the NBA. While he may not have ended his career most dominantly, he gave his all, enduring immense pain in pursuit of further success.

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