Everyone agrees that Larry Bird is among the greatest NBA players of all time. He was a powerful person with exceptional scoring and playmaking abilities. During the 1980s, Larry Legend was one of the best players, taking home three MVP titles in a row from 1984 to 1986.
Another important factor in the NBA’s success worldwide was Bird. It was his rivalry with Earvin “Magic” Johnson that brought spectators to the games. They introduced basketball to a wider audience and paved the way for some of the greatest names in sports to follow.
Bob Knight, the famed head coach of Indiana University, was one man who saw Larry’s potential as a major player. Although Bird was only a player at IU for a month before moving to Indiana State, Knight recognized something unique in him.
Knight remarked on ESPN SportsCentury, “He had the best hand-eye coordination of anyone who has ever played basketball. His mind was like a camera.”