NBA Trash Talk: Where has all the trash talk gone? “There was a time not all that long ago when the ability to spew verbal shrapnel was as much a part of a player’s basketball repertoire as his dribbling ability or crossover skills … In Boston, Larry Bird was seldom shy about self-aggrandizing. During one game against the Sonics, Bird scored over Xavier McDaniel with two seconds left. Bird then turned to McDaniel and deadpanned, ‘Damn! I didn’t mean to leave any time left on the clock.’ Shaq … often questioned the masculinity of the subject. The Sacramento Kings were ‘the Sacramento Queens.’ Lawrence Frank became ‘Laura Frank,’ after the Nets’ coach complained that O’Neal benefitted from too many calls. When Jerry Stackhouse attempted to intentionally foul Shaq, he responded, ‘My daughters tackle me harder when I come home. … It actually felt pretty good to get hit like that. Thanks, Jerry.’” [SI]