Larry Bird: 10 quotes on his birthday

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 lack of speed or jumping ability. His high points as a player are well-known. As a senior at Indiana State (where he matriculated after leaving Indiana University after finding it too big), he led the Cinderella-like Sycamores to the 1979 NCAA championship game, where they lost to Magic Johnson and Michigan State. As a pro, he teamed on Boston’s front line with Robert Parish and Kevin McHale to secure three titles for the Celtics in 1981, 1984, and 1986. He played on the US Olympic Dream Team in 1992, his last year in action. Thereafter he served as the coach and president of basketball operations for the Indiana Pacers, earning Coach and Executive of the Year honors to go along with his three MVP awards as a player. Bird is only person to achieve each of these honors. He is currently taking a year off to decide what’s next in his life.