Larry Bird built his Hall of Fame reputation on two things: his basketball IQ and his mouth.
The Boston Celtics legend is the gold standard of NBA trash talk but a story that’s been circulating for years finally went viral this week after two-time champion Vernon Maxwell confirmed it with zero hesitation on “All the Smoke.”
Maxwell, 60, averaged 12.8 points and 3.4 assists over 13 NBA seasons, winning back-to-back titles with the Houston Rockets in 1994 and 1995. He built his own rep as one of the more ferocious competitors of the ’80s and ’90s.
He once held Michael Jordan below his scoring average in a matchup and famously ran into the stands in Portland to confront a fan. He rarely seemed shaken but Bird was an exception.
Vernon Maxwell explains why he brushed off Larry Bird’s N-word taunt tied to Indiana roots
During a game against the Celtics, Maxwell and teammate Buck Johnson tried to double-team Larry Bird, but Bird used a pump fake that sent both defenders flying into each other. They crashed to the floor. As they lay there, Bird stood over them and used a racial slur, telling them to get off the ground. He then hit the jump shot.
On this week’s “All the Smoke” podcast, Maxwell confirmed the story he says he’s told many times. When host Matt Barnes asked why Bird would say that, Maxwell’s response was absolutely blunt.
He said, “That m——- from French Lick, Indiana. So what the f—- we expect? Back in them days? … I heard a lot of s**t that — you know, it is what it is. And yes, that’s the God Heaven f—– truth. He called me and Buck Johnson, ’N—– get off the floor.’ And he hit us with that m——-g.”
Larry Bird was talkin WILD mid-game 😳
Mad Max says things escalated after the pump fake. pic.twitter.com/2Czzvv36aT
— All the Smoke (@allthesmokeprod) February 19, 2026
Despite the nature of the trash talk, Maxwell remains a vocal admirer of Bird’s skills, repeatedly calling him “the best m—— white boy I ever seen.” And he also said that he loves Bird so much and has nothing against him.
According to Land of Basketball, Bird and Mad Max faced each other only three times in the regular season. Bird won all three matchups, nearly averaging a triple-double with 19.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game. Maxwell was also productive, averaging 16.3 points across those contests.
Their final meeting took place on Dec. 1990 in a 107-95 Celtics victory over the Rockets. Maxwell led Houston with 24 points, while Bird recorded 21 points and 10 rebounds.
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Maxwell has stated that this game was the last time he crossed paths with Bird. Since his retirement, Bird has rarely made public appearances, and he has not responded to Maxwell’s recent comments.
