''Larry Bird is a very, very good basketball player. Larry Bird. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Then when he went to college he was the first one to the gym for practice and the last to leave. "I just shoot until I feel good.". Darron Cummings/AP File Photo By Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears That’s the only way your going to get respect from other players” – Larry Bird “Practice habits were crucial to my development in basketball. I think he’s an exceptional talent,'' Thomas said. The shooting practice was reflective of Bird's desire and his love for the game. Larry Bird might be the most well-known Celtics player of all time, and his incredible career led to him being dubbed with an iconic nickname: Larry Legend. A Few Words About Running from the Great Larry Bird. One of the benefits of practicing hard is that we gain confidence in our skills to execute them under pressure. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Larry Bird 63; Magic Johnson 3. If the … On one side of the court, players—some returning from last year’s roster and others hoping to make the cut—practice free throws. Larry Bird was born on December 7, 1956. His birthplace, West Baden, Indiana, is a small village just outside the slightly larger town of French Lick, Indiana, which a had a population of two thousand. Some great footage from Sports Channel of the Boston Celtics practicing at the Hellenic College. I didn’t play against the toughest competition in high school, but one reason I was able to do well in college was that I mastered the fundamentals. All That Progress Leads to Something Greater. DEMANDING RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR FROM YOUR TEAM. Other NBA coaches had used Bird as an example of a superb work ethics. Me Enough Know. Ed blankety-blank Pinckney. A Boston Celtics legend has opened up about Larry Bird bullying him during a practice session. You know how the story ends, Larry got the ball and hit the shot just as he predicted and marched triumphantly off the court with his team-mates while his opponent just shook his head. But behind that beauty was a lot of tedious and hard work. by July 23, 2013 Share. I didn’t play against the toughest competition in high school, but one reason I was able to do well in college was that I mastered the fundamentals. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. ( Log Out /  What can we learn from Larry Bird? Fans of professional basketball may know that 1979-80 was not only Bird’s rookie season, it was also the first year of the three-point line, which at 23’9’’ is quite a distance to hurl a basketball with either form or accuracy. April 17, 2010 in Inspirational People, Sports Stories and Principles | Tags: confidence, consistency, practice. "That's the number one thing, the desire," he explained. As the coach drew up a play, Larry interjected, saying, “Just give me the ball and get everyone out of the way.”  It was hard to argue with him. The formula of confidence is to like ourselves and feel good about our skill-set. This solid foundation in the fundamentals of his sport gave him a technique that he was able trust throughout his career. ESPN producer Bill Fairweather recalled Bird amazing even the great Micky Mantle. Then when he went to college he was the first one to the gym for practice and the last to leave. I still wonder if somebody - somewhere - was practicing more than me. Larry Bird. ... it seems apposite that the focus is now on a game in a practice session that was actually behind closed doors. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Larry was a better leaper than given credit for, especially early in his career, but Kevin was the superior jumper, yet due to his long wingspan, his ability to get up high and quickly as often underrated. Larry Bird Basketball Quotes “Leadership is diving for a loose ball. I don't know if I practiced more than anybody, but I sure practiced enough. Confidence is a huge factor in successful people. George recounted seeing Bird walk into the gym at a Pacers practice and … Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. It will pay off in the long run. I said Larry 239/ Magic 8. Investor's Business Daily Larry Bird was a high school sophomore when he discovered how he wanted to spend the rest of his life. Browse 5,122 larry bird stock photos and images available, or search for larry bird magic johnson to find more great stock photos and pictures. 5.0 out of 5 stars 3. When he first came to Boston, people would come out to watch this kid that was so highly touted practice and he was just milk toast, vanilla, nothing fancy because he was learning his assignments, learning where he should be in certain defensive situations and what his role was offensively. ( Log Out /  Address for Free Updates. Once you have experienced some success, you need to re-set your goals, revitalise your hunger and maintain your work ethic. Hard work paid off for Larry, and it will pay off for you, too, because hard work always does. Anyone with a reservation can now practice on the very court where Larry’s friendship with Magic Johnson began. As well as his shooting. Explore {{searchView.params.phrase}} by color family {{familyColorButtonText(colorFamily.name)}} Larry Bird and Walton bristled from their earliest moments, then later in the season the group decided to practice or not based on their half court shooting. Learn how your comment data is processed. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. "We had Mantle in the studio when I worked at WBZ in Boston, and the in-house camera feed showed Bird practicing at the Garden. Before Michael Jordan there was Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Larry Bird’s 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 … As the players made their way back out to the court, Bird went straight his opponent, renowned tough guy Xavier McDaniel, and told him that he was going to get the ball and pointed to the spot where he was going to hit the winning shot from. In 2007, Larry sold his home in French Lick just for this very purpose. ULTIMATE COACHES' CLINIC: LES MILES AND CHARLIE Mc... BRIAN TRACY: THE KEY TO LONG-TERM SUCCESS, BILLY DONOVAN ON UTLIZING THE 3-POINT SHOT, IT'S HOW FAR YOU RUN AFTER YOU GET KNOCKED DOWN, COACH DUNN A FAN OF HOOPTACTICS (WE ARE TOO! Larry Bird is a consultant for the Indiana Pacers, who played the Sacramento Kings in the NBA India Games. One brought his team to Boston Garden early to see number 33 in action. Larry Joe Bird (Larry Legend, The Hick from French Lick, Kodak, The Great White Hope) Position: Small Forward and Power Forward Shoots: Right 6-9, 220lb (206cm, 99kg) . Early the next morning, one of his team-mates who lived nearby dropped by to continue the drinking session. You’ve got to have them down before you can even think about playing.” Larry Bird… Remember, you reap what you sow, so start improving your skill-set now. I don’t know what your future holds or what your goals are, but what we can learn from Larry is to make sure that we start preparing now and begin practicing. Larry Bird said that in high school he would shoot 500 free throws every morning before his first class. He knew that talent alone wasn’t going to get the job done, so he found other ways to get to the top. Job interviews, public speaking, sales pitches, crises at work, dealing with difficult customers and effectively parenting your kids are just some of the many scenarios that you need confidence for. At the far end of the floor, the team’s president, Larry Bird, sits alone at a table making assessments, deciding futures. He was working on his conditioning that day. Change ). By Dan Simmons. Only 1 left in stock - order soon. Here's Bird out there shooting jumpers, one after another. I often say that the only thing harder than getting to the top is staying there. That achievement set the tone for the conditioning program the team endured over the summer as they approached training camp. NBA Larry Bird Vintage and Throwback Jerseys, Dream Team Gear and Larry Bird Memorabilia is all at the Official Online Store of the NBA. Practice, practice, practice:  Bird’s success started in high school when he would shoot 200 free throws every day before school. I don't know why I have it, but I do. From 1981-86, Bird won 54% of ALL 1st Place votes for MVP. ''But I’d have to agree with Rodman, if he was black he'd be just another good guy.” Bird’s legend began long … Don’t be satisfied with winning once:  After winning his first championship, Larry celebrated for the night with his team-mates. Veterans and rookies alike knew Bird had been obsessed with practice when he was with the Celtics, often showing up hours early so he could work on every face of his game. Roaming the basketball court during his heyday, Larry Bird was a genius, an artist, a purist, a perfectionist, and an ingenious passer, deadeye … Post was not sent - check your email addresses! It was like 4:00 and nobody was there but the maintenance people and a few ushers. He'd start with 6 to 10 free throws, move out on the court a bit, and then start firing away at a comfortable pace as comrade Joe Qatato hit him with perfect passes. While most players waltzed into the locker room the required 90 minutes before game time, Bird has been on the floor by at least 6:00, more than two hours before tip-off. To his amazement, Larry wasn't on the court. Larry Bird has had an outstanding career — he’s the only person in the history of the NBA to be named MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year. $695.00 $ 695. Whatever your aspirations are, start learning the necessary skills now, don’t just expect them to suddenly appear when you think you’ll need them. Watching Larry Bird shoot three-pointers is like looking at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. He was greeted by Larry’s wife who explained that Larry was out jogging, preparing for the next season. One day, Bird … In the loneliness of Boston Garden, with only attendants and a few Celtics season ticket holders present, Bird shot more than 300 practice shots. I hope that you are able to pick up a couple of things from someone I consider to be very inspirational. Larry Bird Impressed Paul George, Pacers, by Walking Into Practice, Draining 15 Shots, Walking Out. “Practice habits were crucial to my development in basketball. Previous post – The Solution to Most Business Problems, Next post – 4 Reasons Why You Should Write Lists, Don't Miss a Thing, Enter Your Email Larry continued to shoot his way further from the basket until he was at the 3-point line. ( Log Out /  Phenom Larry Bird sparked a record 32-game improvement as a Celtic rookie, improving from 29 wins to a league-best 61. Whilst he was 6 foot 9 inches tall, he certainly wasn’t blessed with the same athletic abilities of many of his peers. It’s about being able to take it as well as dish it out. I could tell the Mick was in awe of Bird. Nature Future Trust. 00. More than 15 years later, Bird astounded many of the Pacers players by running a mile in 5:20. ", COACH FINAMORE BLOG SITE WORTH CHECKING OUT, COACH SHARP TO LEAD KAY YOW/WBCA CANCER FUND, LEADERS LEAD WHEN THE COACHES AREN'T AROUND, BRIAN TRACY'S FOUR STEPS TO A SUPER ATTITUDE. Bird was the great perimeter shooter, Kevin arguably the greatest low post player ever, certainly among forwards. Also in the 6 seasons (1981-86) following that ROY no contest, here are the 1st Place MVP Votes Bird & Magic won in total: Larry Bird 239; Magic Johnson 8. the larry bird work ethic While playing for the Celtics, Larry Bird's daily program included a long-distance run, practice games with teammates, multiple sit-ups, and short-distance runs all sandwiched between lengthy shooting drills. With just a few seconds left in the game, the Celtics needed to score to win and they called a time-out. Embarrassed, the coach headed for the sidelines before looking up to see Bird running on the track. He also played in 12 All-Star games, testament to his consistency. Link Chain Icon. Larry Bird. I don't think you can teach desire. You’ve got to … The basketball god and running fanatic talks to Runner's World. Growing up, I loved basketball and as a Boston Celtics fan, Larry Bird was my hero. I am going to kill you today in practice.” Larry Bird once told the Phoenix Suns that he was tired of playing them, then hit the game-winner "I really don't count my shots," Bird said. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.Ben Eastaugh and Chris Sternal-Johnson. Mantle watched for awhile, and then said, 'This guy hasn't missed a shot since I got here.' ( Log Out /  Bird arrives in Boston. It's been a journey, the NBA. Larry Bird Quote: “Practice habits were crucial to my development in basketball. Practice, practice, practice: Bird’s success started in high school when he would shoot 200 free throws every day before school. Enjoy Fast Flat-Rate Shipping on all the Larry Bird apparel and collectibles in stock. Of course, you have to practice, which brings us to the answer to our question posed above: How hard did Larry work? Have confidence in your abilities:  One of my favourite Larry Bird stories comes from a game against the Seattle Supersonics. Twitter. Yes, read that again. He was a ruthless competitor who wanted to win at all costs. Larry Bird had homes in West Baden and French Lick, Indiana, which have now been turned into fancy hotels that any adoring fan can stay in. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Then the "Parquet Picasso," as he was dubbed, would speed up the routine and by the end of the workout throw up rapid-fire shots, many featuring the Bird "drop back a step" maneuver that guaranteed him an opening from every angle. He ended his career with three NBA titles and three MVP awards. ). Larry’s biography was called, “Drive” and this word is a great description of the inner will that he had to maximise his potential and get the most from his career. It’s breathtaking. According to Joe Kleine, Larry Legend approached Ed Pinckney before practice and simply said, “Ed blankety-blank Pinckney. Bird, who just returned to run the team after a year hiatus, still has it. Larry Bird Autographed Green Boston Celtics Jersey - Beautifully Matted and Framed - Hand Signed By Larry Bird and Certified Authentic by Beckett - Includes Certificate of Authenticity. "The ability to do the things you have to do to become a basketball player. It's taken me a lot farther than I ever expected. So feel good about who you are and what your skills are so that you can hit the winning shot when the pressure’s on. FREE Shipping. No-one remembers the one hit wonders, we remember those who were able to create winning habits and weren’t satisfied with being number one once. Born: December 7, 1956 in West Baden, Indiana us College: Indiana State University High School: Springs Valley in French Lick, Indiana Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. He was the fourth of Joe and Georgia Bird's six children. Bird wasn’t even above chirping his own teammates. The rest of the NBA over that time won 46%. Facebook.