 |
Once every generation or so, a player comes along who can
truly be called a superstar. Larry Bird was such a player. For 13 seasons with
the Boston Celtics, from 1979-80 through 1991-92, Bird personified hustle, consistency
and excellence in all areas of play--as a scorer, a passer, a rebounder, a defender,
a team player, and, perhaps above all, as a clutch performer. Bird was so self-confident
that he was known to waltz up to the opponents' benchbefore tipoff and predict
a 40-point performance for himself. He was such a deadly shooter that he sometimes
practiced three-pointers with his eyes closed. After 13
seasons as a player in the NBA, including three championships with the Boston
Celtics, Larry Bird returned to Indiana to coach the Pacers in 1997. He agreed
to coach for three seasons stepping down at the end of the 2000 season. |
