There is so much to say about Larry in this Larry Bird profile. At that time, perhaps only Magic Johnson was considered a better passer than Larry.
But it’s hard to say which one was better. Both of them gave the world a spectacular show to watch. An epic battleof two basketball legends.
He was born in 1956 and his family struggled with his financies. Luckily for him, he excelled in basketball at an early age and that led him to acquire a scholarship inhigh school to theUniversity of Indiana.
Later on, in 1971 he led his Sycamores to the NCAA Championship game when he faced, for the first time another future hall of famer Ervin “Magic” Johnson who led the Michigan State Spartans. The Spartans won the game and that’s how they started one of the greatestrivalries in the history of sports.
Larry Bird was known for his great confidence, his hard-working attitude towards the game and tremendous will the play the game of basketball.
You couldn’t really find many NBA players who would jump into crowds and press tables only to see if they could get the loose ball.
1.) Magic Johnson once said that Larry Bird was so good it was frightening.
2.) Clyde Drexler once said that when you have Larry on the court, anything can happen.
3.) Bill Fitch nicknamed Larry Kodak because of his uncanny ability the picture how the game would unfold.
But you can’t really say what made him the legend that he became. It sure wasn’t one thing. It was whole bunch of things. I mean, if you only take his ability to handle pressure situations out, Larry Bird wouldn’t be Larry Bird.
For 13 seasons he gave the Celtics fans a measure by what true determination is measured and love for the game. It’s not for nothing that his nickname is “Larry Legend” and..
“Larry Legend” and..
He was chosen as one of the 50 greatest players to ever play the game.
Even when he first started to play the game, he had an immediate impact. He was a rookie of the year in 1980.
He has won 3 championship rings with the Celtics (1981, 1984, 1986).
Bird has been the NBA finals MVP two times. Once in 1984 and in 1986. No one even came close to winning those NBA finals MVP rewards.
And another very precious reward, is the Olympic gold medal in Barcelona 1992.
He has also appeared in three movies including “Blue Chips” together with Shaquille Oneal, “Space Jam” with Michael Jordan and Bill Murrey and “Celtic Pride” with Dan Aykroyd and Damon Wayans.
Considered by many, one of the greatest clutch shooters to every play in the NBA.
And here I give you 5 quotes from Larry in this Larry Bird profile…
“But it is a black man’s game, and it will be forever”
“I’ve got a theory that if you give 100% all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end”
“I really don’t like talking about money. All I can say is that the Good Lord must have wanted me to have it”
“I don’t know if I practiced more than anybody, but I sure practiced enough. I still wonder if somebody – somewhere – was practicing more than me”
Did you know that he was shooting 200 free throws every day when he was inhigh school?
“Push yourself again and again. Don’t give an inch until the final buzzer sounds”
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Larry Bird and his impact on the game