The shot gave him an extra edge in a game he already mastered. So when the 3-point contest was introduced, Bird stepped onto the stage and drained shot after shot like it was muscle memory.

Larry attempted just 1,727 3-pointers in his entire 13-year career. Meanwhile, Curry attempted 2,321 long-distance shots in just three seasons between 2015 and 2017.

Larry Bird: Not anymore. God, it had to be five or six years ago. We were on the West Coast. Last time I can remember [shooting] was at the Clippers facility.

Bird was the sixth pick in the 1978 NBA Draft. He went back to school for one more year before joining the Celtics for the 1979-80 season. His career averages were 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 6.3 ...