“I wanted to compete at the highest level again - and that's the NBA.”
Dan Weber (October 30, 1997) "Life Is Still Good For Coach Larry", Post-Tribune, p. C1.
Larry Joe Bird je bývalý americký basketbalista. Je považovaný za jedného z najlepších basketbalistov všetkých čias.
V roku 1978 ho do NBA draftoval tím Boston Celtics, za ktorý hral v rokoch 1979 – 1992.
Svoj tím doviedol trikrát k víťazstvu vo finále NBA . Sám bol trikrát vyhlásený za najužitočnejšieho hráča NBA a dvakrát za najužitočnejšieho hráča finálovej série NBA.
V roku 1992 bol členom tímu, ktorý získal zlatú medailu na olympijských hrách v Barcelone.
Od roku 1998 je členom basketbalovej Siene slávy .Po skončení kariéry profesionálneho hráča pracoval ako funkcionár pre Celtics. V roku 1997 prijal miesto trénera tímu Indiana Pacers. Do tej doby nie príliš známy a úspešný tím doviedol počas troch sezón trikrát do konferenčného finále, raz v ňom Pacers zvíťazili. V roku 1998 bol vyhlásený za trénera roka v NBA.
Wikipedia
“I wanted to compete at the highest level again - and that's the NBA.”
Dan Weber (October 30, 1997) "Life Is Still Good For Coach Larry", Post-Tribune, p. C1.
Chris Mullin — reported in John Brennan (May 30, 1999) "Pacers: Timing Is On Our Side", The Record, p. S1.
About
Ross Atkin (January 29, 1998) "Yes, Great Players Can Make Good Coaches - Larry Bird enjoys immediate success with the Indiana Pacers", Christian Science Monitor, p. 14.
Sam Smith (February 14, 2000) "Bird's Flight Path May End at Boston", Chicago Tribune, p. 12.
“I'm a firm believer in that you play the way you practice.”
Michael Marot (May 24, 2000) "Pacers Notebook/Pacers Make Turnaround", The Journal Gazette, p. 2B.
Magic Johnson — reported in David Steele (May 9, 1997) "Magic Says Bird Will Succeed", San Francisco Chronicle, p. B8.
About
Reggie Miller — reported in Associated Press (May 12, 1998) "Report Says Bird Is Coach of the Year", The Orlando Sentinel, p. C4.
About
Sam Smith (February 17, 1998) "Making a Run From the Border", Chicago Tribune, p. 5.
“Basketball has been my life and I worked at it so hard because I enjoyed it so much.”
Sam Smith (December 25, 1991) "Bird Still Celtics' Main Man - At Age 35, He's Enjoying Basketball More Than Ever", Chicago Tribune, p. 1.
“I hate to lose more than I like to win.”
Douglas S. Looney (May 22, 1998) "Larry Bird : Doer and Teacher", Christian Science Monitor, p. 8.
Ailene Voisin (February 3, 1998) "Bird on the Bench - Larry the Legend Comes Home, Wins Accolades as Coach", The Sacramento Bee, p. D1.
Dan Shaughnessy (September 7, 1997) "There'll Be No Bird Watching", Boston Globe, p. D1.
Travis Best — reported in The Hawk Eye staff (January 16, 1998) "Bird achieves", The Hawk Eye.
About
Bob Ryan (October 31, 1997) "Bird Setting Feverish Pace With Indiana", Boston Globe, p. E1.
Peter Vecsey (May 26, 2000) "Looks Like Larry's Indy Mood to Stay", New York Post.
Magic Johnson — reported in Alan Goldstein (February 7, 1988) "Five at the Top of Their Game; Bird, Johnson aren't alone anymore as best players in the NBA", Baltimore Sun, p. 19.
About
Marty McNeal (June 11, 2000) "Bryant: A Game-Day Decision - Magic Had to Convince Him to Stay Out After Friday's Injury", The Sacramento Bee, p. C13.
“I don't miss it at all. I'm glad I'm out.”
Larry Guest (December 12, 1993) "In Background, A Legend Trying to Restock Celtics", The Orlando Sentinel, p. C1.
Donnie Walsh — reported in Sam Smith (February 8, 2004) "Bird sets fast pace - Hall of Fame player and former coach Larry Bird finds 'every day's exciting' in his first go-around as general manager of the Indiana Pacers", Chicago Tribune, p. 11.
About
Don Wade (October 18, 1997) "A Bird on the Bench is Worth 12,252 In Roberts Stadium Seats", The Evansville Courier, p. C1.