Let's put it this way: I certainly wouldn't want to drive the lane w/ Bird, McHale and Parish waiting in there.
Chances are pretty good you were gonna get smacked around if you tried it. Danny Ainge was pretty intense. Can't remember so much about guys like DJ and Maxwell.
Guess what happened in the Laker-Celts series in 1984. Larry Bird called out his teammates telling the media that his teammates were playing like a bunch of sissies. Then in Game 4 what happens? Celts play much more physical resulting in a McHale clothesline. The series changed after that to more physical dirty play.
I was rooting for Celts so I was happy -- but it still was dirty. Players could get hurt. DO you know you can go and google Bird's comments on that clothelsline and he says it wasn't a hard foul. This is from the leader of the team. So can you imagine how revved he is getting his teammates away from the camera?
And you can look back even when he was an Exec-- the young Pacers had a good run and faced Miami in the playoffs before they were expected to be really good - and after being down 2-1 to Miami Bird came out and said his team was playing soft. After that the series changed. Forever changed how Indiana would play Miami. This was similar to what happened in 1984.
ANd to think this physical play is okay but we need to vilify DT? IMO it's a classic double-standard. "The leader" is getting his team revved up to play a physical style that "could lead to injury" is somehow excused?
IMO they are both fine. But what you are speaking of -- this Bird instigating a rough style. That rough style could also lead to injury. ANd "lead to injury" is subjective too. Look at 1:24 and 1:47 too. They "could" lead to injury but not likely. But you can claim many things - an elbow or a poke in the ye "can lead to injury."
And let's take a look at he 2nd video (Larry Bird Top 5 Fights) around the 1:05 - 1:07 mark. I think Bird is having scuffle with Iavaroni- but Iavaroni's hands are down - and then Bird throws a punch at 1:07. But yet we hear on here Bird never tried to hurt anyone while ripping DT? Please. LOL. Double-standard.
Top Five Larry Bird Fights