Re: Bird the Hick

["Greg Odegaard" <gmodegaa@longvred.rmc.com>]

As I first read this post I started thinking, "hey this is my Larry Bird
you are slamming, and on a Celtic list".  But as I read it further and read
it again, it donned on me, that some of what Dan is saying is true.  I too
had some problems with his comments and behaviour before and after the
game.  

And regarding that insane ESPN article regarding Bird leaving the team, I
first surmised that this was horsepoop made up by a rookie reporter looking
for an angle.  Then I concluded that we are talking about one of the most
respected sports news reporting agencies in the world, and it wouldn't seem
likely they would allow blatant untruths to be reported without some
foundation.  Of course this is a hunch on my part, but again there must be
some truth to the discussion.  

Regardless it is true that RP has done more with less, than was ever
expected, and LB has done what is expected with a veteran team.  At this
point I am more impressed by far with RP than LB as an NBA coach.  I
believe, or at least hope, RP will have a much longer and deeper success
(championships) than LB and the Pacers could ever imagine.  I can see LB
running out of steam in 2 to 3 years in rebuilding, having to deal with
rooks, just when RP is hitting on all cylinders and not looking back.  

The bottom line Dan is more or less right IMO in analyzing Bird as a
returning coach to his old stomping grounds.  He has luck on his side right
now to a large degree, but will eventually come down to earth.  I am sorry
he left Boston in the manner he did, but hope he can return for each game
keeping in decorum in line.

Greg

----------
> From: Dan <dforant1@nycap.rr.com>
> To: celtics@igtc.COM
> Subject: Bird the Hick
> Date: Monday, January 19, 1998 6:15 AM
> 
> Larry Bird is still a hick. The hick from Indiana still hasn't learned
how
> to get along with the world off the basketball court. At present, living
> off his past laurels, he is popular because he has been out of site for
> awhile. He has inherited a team that will be a contender at best for the
> 2-5 spots in the NBA for a year or two. Why because they are getting
older.
> Let's see what happens when they start the rebuilding phase. My bone with
> Larry is his arrogance. Did he give the Celts or Pitino any credit for
> gains we have made as a team? Haven't seen any remarks from him. Oh yes
he
> said "Definitely my biggest win since I've been coaching" Down deep he
> feels the Celts organization let him down, by letting him go. Only a big
> hug with Miller after the game, as if it were the 7th game of the
playoffs.
> Bird's statement about the All Star game "I have no desire to coach an
All
> Star game" and "I have no desire to go to an All Star game" Just who the
> hell does he think he is? No wonder he never really got along w/McHale.
> Another quote "I have no ties to this building, I loved that place next
> door" You just know anybody else would have said something nice about the
> new facility and the new Celtic start. He's living in the past. After the
> way the Celts gave him and his team the run around Sunday I think the
> Pacers are a little overblown, even though their #2 in the Eastern
> Conference. He could be a great promoter of the NBA, but he isn't. He
> should realize the applause will start to fade as time moves on. Love ya
> Larry, but your still a hick.