Asking Larry Bird about the health of pro basketball can leave some questions unanswered, because he and the Boston Celtics are a happening, wherever they go.

For that reason, asking Larry Bird much about anything in recent years has meant grabbing a word here and an elbow there. Peace and quiet, two items he has to cherish, are as rare to him as scoreless quarters. He is alone only when at the free throw line.

Still, like many of the greatest of the great athletes, Bird is growing more aware at the glorious age of 28. The games still carry utmost importance, but so does The Game, which means the best basketball player ever to put on his short pants one leg at a time looks for more now than the open man.

''First three seasons in the league, all I worried about was the Boston Celtics,'' said Bird. ''But I realize the NBA is only as strong as its weakest link, so I`m concerned about more than us now. I still don`t wake up and check attendances around the league every morning in the paper, but I feel like the sport`s getting better all the time.

''Last year was the most competitive of the six I`ve been around. Only our second playoff series, against New York, was like a war. Great games. This year, some teams like the Knicks are down because of injuries. But if people get healthy, the second half of this season, and then the playoffs, could be the best yet. The NBA is perking up all the time.''

Bird spoke Tuesday evening after the world champions had vanquished the Bulls 110-106 in a visceral Stadium affair before 18,061 customers who needed their chairs only occasionally. Bird required a seat now, fighting fatigue and a bug, with a towel over his legs and a beer. He had played 42 minutes and watched Michael Jordan the other 6.

''I have never seen one player turn a team around like that,'' said Bird, snapping his fingers. ''All the Bulls have become better because of him. Orlando Woolridge will probably be an All-Star for the rest of his career. And pretty soon, this place will be packed every night, not just when the Celtics come to town. They`ll pay just to watch Jordan. Got to.''

Bird recently volunteered his vote for Jordan as the finest athlete he`d ever witnessed or opposed, mentioning the Bulls` electric rookie in the same monologue as Wayne Gretzky. After observing Jordan gyrate for 41 points, a game-high 12 rebounds and 7 assists Tuesday night, Bird was in no mood for second opinions.

''Best,'' said Bird. ''Never seen anyone like him. Unlike anyone I`ve ever seen. Phenomenal. One of a kind.''

In other words . . .

''One of a kind,'' he repeated. ''That`s what I mean about the league. With guys like him coming in from college year after year, we just can`t help but get a better image, better crowds, better TV ratings. He`s the best. Ever.''

Better than Larry Bird?

''Yup,'' said Bird. ''At his stage in his career, he`s doing more than I ever did. I couldn`t do what he did as a rookie. Heck, there was one drive tonight. He had the ball up in his right hand, then he took it down, then he brought it back up. I got a hand on it, fouled him, and he still scored. And all the while, he`s in the air. You have to play this game to know how difficult that is. You see that and figure, `Well, what the heck can you do?` ''

One of Jordan`s creations didn`t make it to the scorebook. Near the end of the first quarter, he posed at the center line, dribbling seconds away, like an airplane about to take off. Then he bore through and over a sea of green jerseys for a slam. Mike Mathis, the out official, figured something so spectacular couldn`t also be legal, so he whistled Jordan for an offensive foul.

''Best,'' repeated Bird. ''I`d seen a little of him before and wasn`t that impressed. I mean, I thought he`d be good, but not this good. Ain`t nothing he can`t do. That`s good for this franchise, good for the league.''

A lot of good things are happening to the NBA, which will interrupt its endless schedule for Sunday`s All-Star Game in Indianapolis. Bird figures that`ll be ''our best ever . . . and if the East can`t win with the lineup we`ve got, something`s wrong.'' With Bird returning to his home state, feel free to assume he`ll be properly motivated to excel.

But then, he always is, and always does. Only now, he`s become somewhat of an NBA statesman, too. Bird doesn`t understand the salary cap, but who does, except the agents? Drugs, yes, that problem must be crushed, and the only way is to rid the league of users, forever. And what of the marvelous idea advanced by Denver Nugget Alex English to donate every All-Star`s share to the famine in Ethiopia?

''It`s super,'' said Bird, adding that the NBA might also consider a similar gesture for the hungry in this country.

Bird shares a prevailing theory that, for all its games and travel, the NBA lacks surprises. Pick the four or five outstanding teams in October and you`ll likely not be shocked in May. Still, take away four or five arenas where spiderwebs thrive, and the league`s once-sorry situation is improving. Parity is a problem; having the Boston Celtics in town is a profitable spanking.

''Like I say, it`s tough for me to really judge the league,'' Bird said.

''At home, and most places on the road, the buildings are full. This one will be pretty soon, too, every night because of Michael Jordan. He`s the best.''

Better than . . .

''Yup,'' said Larry Bird, coughing up a storm. The NBA shall not rest easily until this cold front passes, because for the league to be healthy, it can`t afford for its leading man to be sick.