The former champions, even as they advanced in years and their bodies betrayed them, remained convinced they could steal one more ring.

The Big Three believed they would summon the necessary resolve to make it happen because, simply, they always could. And, right to the bitter end, they resisted in conceding what others kept insisting: Their time had come and gone.

Now, 20 years later, they are viewed as sentimentality gone awry, a trio that should have been blown up before they imploded on their own.

Forgive Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish if they don't see it that way. They amassed 62,460 points, 30,811 rebounds and three NBA championships, more than enough, they feel, to have earned their final, poignant and ultimately fruitless stand.

"Red [Auerbach] used to say 9 out of 10 great players end their careers ungraciously," said McHale. "It's true."

"What we went through is similar to what those guys are going through now, but I would say they are more banded together than we were," Kevin McHale said of the Celtics' current Big 3. Jim Rogash/Getty Images

As the NBA's March 15 trade deadline approaches, the Celtics are again charting the diminishing returns of a Big Three, a championship trio that is aging, battling injuries and trying to hang on for one more run. And, like they did with the original Big Three, most prognosticators have declared Boston's title window closed.

"What we went through is similar to what those guys are going through now, but I would say they are more banded together than we were," McHale said. "When I watch them I still see three guys saying, 'Let's do this. Let's win some games together.'

"Their final run has brought out the best in them. Our final run really brought out the worst in us."

In their prime, Bird, Parish and McHale were universally viewed as the best front line in basketball. Bird was the brash leader and the clutch shooter, much like Paul Pierce. McHale was a gifted scorer too, but more interested in tormenting his opponents on the defensive end, similar to the other Kevin (Garnett). Parish was the ageless, regal third spoke who sacrificed scoring in deference to his more celebrated teammates, just as Ray Allen has done during his Celtics tenure.

The common threads among the Vintage Big Three and Nouveau Big Three end there. Pierce, Garnett and Allen were established veterans hastily assembled into a championship-caliber unit. Bird, Parish and McHale grew up in the NBA together, evolving alongside each other for 12 seasons. They established a dynasty that would ultimately crumble under the weight of debilitating injuries and frayed relationships.

At the peak of his career, Bird was the epitome of a team player. Yet in his final days, he was, at times, a petulent superstar who resisted his reduced role, even purposely passing up shots in a game against Detroit and declaring himself a "point forward."

In retrospect, Bird said, he should have retired as far back as 1986.

"The injuries I had made it impossible for me to put in the time on a daily basis to prepare," said Bird. "It was frustrating. Preparation was everything for me.