But as the USA trounced Croatia 177-85 for the gold medal Aug. 8, 1992, Bird wasn't just a role player. He was a contributor, an important contributor.

The Hawks played 12 home games in New Orleans during the 1984-85 season. Yet what people – including several Hawks players – remember most is the Larry Bird 60-point game.

Bird exploded on the court that night, scoring a career-high 60 points to lead Boston in a 126-115 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in the UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans.