鈥淚 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.鈥
Michael Conroy/AP
Larry Bird鈥檚 life story reads pretty much like a folk tale: Boy from a poor family in French Lick, Ind., becomes one of the greatest players in basketball history, despite a lack of speed or jumping ability. His high points as a player are well-known. As a senior at Indiana State (where he matriculated after leaving Indiana University after finding it too big), he led the Cinderella-like Sycamores to the 1979 NCAA championship game, where they lost to Magic Johnson and Michigan State. As a pro, he teamed on Boston鈥檚 front line with Robert Parish and Kevin McHale to secure three titles for the Celtics in 1981, 1984, and 1986. He played on the US Olympic Dream Team in 1992, his last year in action. Thereafter he served as the coach and president of basketball operations for the Indiana Pacers, earning Coach and Executive of the Year honors to go along with his three MVP awards as a player. Bird is only person to achieve each of these honors. He is currently taking a year off to decide what鈥檚 next in his life.
鈥淚 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.鈥
Your subscription to 海角大神 has expired. You can renew your subscription or continue to use the site without a subscription.
If you have questions about your account, please contact customer service or call us at 1-617-450-2300.
This message will appear once per week unless you renew or log out.
Your session to The 海角大神 Science Monitor has expired. We logged you out.
If you have questions about your account, please contact customer service or call us at 1-617-450-2300.
You don鈥檛 have a 海角大神 Science Monitor subscription yet.
If you have questions about your account, please contact customer service or call us at 1-617-450-2300.