Biography of Larry Bird

Candide natural charisma

December 7, 1956 Legendary basketball player, Boston Celtics flag, Larry Joe Bird born the day December 7, 1956 in West Baden Springs, Indiana (USA). He is considered one of the best basketball players ever, and certainly the strongest and the most popular players who are not of color (emerging in an era that, unlike today, saw very few white players from the ranks of NBA teams). In the years ' 80 with colleagues, rivals but also friends Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, has revolutionised the game of basketball in his most important temple: the NBA Championship. Celtics career lasted for 12 years during which he won 3 titles. During his career, Larry Bird has earned the nickname "The Legend". The young Larry grows in the town of French Lick, where he soon became a star of the basketball team of its high school. Then enrolled at Indiana University, in Bloomington, but still leaves before the team of the Institute plays its first race: returns home and decides to look for a job. Becomes so refuse collection truck driver. The pressure of friends and parental support led him to reattempt the athlete's career: he enrolled so at Indiana State University. This time he is convinced: from a sporting point of view leads the team of the University all the way to the final of the Championship (NCAA, 1979): will lose against the "Spartans" of Michigan State University, led by a young Magic Johnson. To date of that game remains the record of "most watched college game in the history of the Championship." On that occasion Bird WINS however "Naismith Award and the Wooden Award," awards to the best college player of the year. In the role of wing, with 206 cm altrzza, Bird is also a great shooter, and it is not uncommon for it to end at the top of the rankings of the best three point shooters and free throws; WINS even three times the race of three-point shooting of "NBA All-Star Game". In career average points per game is 24.3 points, with a maximum of 29.9 points in the season 1987-1988. A versatile athlete, his qualities were always many: very good rebounder, an assist man, strong in defense. But the best quality of Larry Bird is undoubtedly its natural charisma: he's a leader, and he proved with facts, on and off the pitch. Always the first to arrive at practice, the last to leave the gym. An example for his teammates. At one point the NBA imposed a "salary cap", a limitation of salaries of all players under a maximum level; It was then extended with a special measure that allowed a team to exceed the limit for keeping a player already in the team: this measure was dubbed "Larry Bird Rule". Once again with friends Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics to fly to Europe 1992: the Dream Team wins Olympic gold. Soon after, August 9, 1992, Larry Bird announced his retirement; famous are the tv images that show him lying on the ground for pain relief that her back was old by now. After retiring Bird is now included in the prestigious "Hall of Fame". The Boston Celtics have retired his Jersey number 33. In 1996 his name was written from the NBA's list of the 50 best players of all time. Early in the season 1997-1998 Larry Bird begins coaching career as coach of the Indiana Pacers. Wins the "NBA Coach of the Year Award" and brings the team to three consecutive Eastern Conference finals and the finals of the "absolute" in 2000, leaving defeated by the Lakers. Leave the job after the end of the 1999-2000 season, despite the disapproval of the fans. Back to Pacers in 2003 as Director of football.

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