INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 18. Reggie Miller and Larry Bird look on during the NBA All-Star Game as part of NBA All-Star Weekend on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
NBA legend Larry Bird was living a quiet and contented life until the NBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis. Only then could he return to the limelight.
Although Bird is not a recluse—he goes to Pacers practices and socializes with the team—he has turned down the majority of interview offers since leaving his position as president of basketball operations for the Indiana Pacers in 2017. Prior to that, Bird had already shown reluctance, turning down an interview request from USA TODAY to talk about LeBron James’ fourth MVP award in 2013.
After spending a lifetime in the spotlight as a basketball player, coach, and executive, he would prefer to remain out of it.
But because it was his home state (Bird was born in French Lick and attended Indiana State for college basketball) and because it was All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, Bird consented to two interviews: one at the NBA Tech Summit on Friday with Isaiah Thomas and Reggie Miller, two former NBA players with ties to both the Pacers and Indiana, and one with TNT on Saturday.
