Generally speaking, Larry Bird didn’t back down or show self-control. He was going to let you know, for example, if he felt you couldn’t stand up for him. The same may be said about his wardrobe and other more private decisions. Nothing could convince Larry Legend to change out of his summer clothes if he was on vacation.
This openness extended to discussing other teams as well. Bird publicly questioned the legitimacy of two other teams while he was a member of the Indiana Pacers. Could someone have taken that as an insult? Yes, but the well-known player who later became a coach was always sincere.
In his autobiography, Larry Bird made fun of the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Clippers.
When it comes to public remarks, there isn’t much room for middle ground in professional sports. Either you’re talking garbage, or you’re being cautious so as not to give stuff for the bulletin board. First among them is Larry Bird, who never shied away from a little verbal sparring. That remained the case even after he exchanged his sneakers for a suit and tie.
Take his book Bird Watching, published in 1999. Larry Legend didn’t hesitate to voice his criticism of the Association even though he was connected to the Indiana Pacers—he coached the team from 1997 to 2000 before moving on to the front office.
After talking about the Larry Bird exemption, he wrote, “Having been on both sides of it, I think it’s time to realize that things aren’t like they were before.” “It was time for both sides to put the interests of the league ahead of their own interests. You’re always hearing about teams losing money. Ever since I joined the league, I’ve heard that.
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