| Larry Bird is widely regarded as one of the three | | | | could see the plays before they actually |
| greatest NBA players to ever lace up their | | | | happened. For this reason, his first NBA coach Bill |
| sneakers on basketball's premiere stage alongside | | | | Fitch nicknamed him "Kodak" because he form |
| Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. He led the | | | | mental snapshots of every play. This ability |
| Celtics to three NBA championships in the eighties | | | | allowed him to make passing into an art form. He |
| before retiring from the NBA in 1992. In 1996, he | | | | could often spot open teammates even before |
| was voted to the NBA's 50th Anniversary | | | | they knew they were open. This gift also allowed |
| All-Time Team. He was inducted into the Naismith | | | | him to snag critical rebounds and make key steals |
| Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. | | | | even though he was not extraordinarily big or |
| Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana and | | | | quick. |
| his family experienced much financial difficulty | | | | Bird finished his high school career as the all-time |
| during his early years. The Bird family was also | | | | scoring leader of Springs Valley High school. He |
| embroiled in personal turmoil, which came to a | | | | accepted a scholarship of Indiana University in |
| head when his father, Joe Bird, committed suicide | | | | 1976, but left after a month. He later enrolled at |
| in 1975. Bird admits that being poor motivated a | | | | Indiana State University and led the Sycamores |
| great deal. His humble beginnings also earned him | | | | to a 33-1 record and to the national championship |
| the "The Hick From French Lick." | | | | game in 1979 where his team lost to the Michigan |
| The most famous of Bird's nicknames was "Larry | | | | State University, led by Earvin "Magic" Johnson, |
| Legend," which he earned for his exploits on the | | | | who would become Bird's chief rival in the NBA |
| court and for having a sixth sense about the | | | | for over a decade. Off the court, the two were |
| game. He possessed an uncanny ability to | | | | close friends and together, they rejuvenated first |
| anticipate and react to the action on the floor. He | | | | the college game and later the NBA. |