The elder generation of NBA players frequently has complaints to make about the current players and league. Many aspects about the modern NBA bother them, and most of the criticisms center on how the games are played and how rough and physical the league is. Larry Bird, one of the more seasoned players and NBA superstars, took a different tack and expressed his passion for the game and the way the league is run now as opposed to when he was a player for the Boston Celtics.
Bird talked about his favorite aspects of the game now and how it has changed over the years in an interview with Kevin McHale, his former colleague. Defense play throughout Bird’s career was very different from what it is today in that it was more physical and difficult, particularly in the paint. The NBA used to have a lot of cheap shots and dirty plays, but according to Bird, it is a great thing because it gives players the freedom they need to be successful.
Moreover, Bird considers the development of the three-point shot and its numerous modifications to the game to be among his greatest assets. Every NBA team in the 1980s concentrated a large portion of its offensive on playing from the post. Due to the regulations in place at the time, driving to the basket would have resulted in numerous players taking up the paint, which would have definitely placed you on your back.
Moreover, Bird considers the development of the three-point shot and its numerous modifications to the game to be among his greatest assets. Every NBA team in the 1980s concentrated a large portion of its offensive on playing from the post. Due to the regulations in place at the time, driving to the basket would have resulted in numerous players taking up the paint, which would have definitely placed you on your back.
The three-point line’s rise in popularity, particularly in the past ten years, has given players greater room to roam, which Bird believes is a great feature of the modern game. Great players get even more from it since it positions their skill set for even greater success on the court.
Despite being a superb shooter in his own right, Bird was incredibly versatile on both sides of the court and found other ways to score baskets. Consider the impact his shooting would have had if he were still playing in the NBA today. He was widely recognized as one of the best shooters in the game at the time. It’s also astounding to learn that Bird is one of those former players that don’t harbor resentment and respect everything that current players accomplish on the basketball court.
