Larry Bird Quotes

A collection of quotes by Larry Bird.

Larry Bird is a former professional basketball player and coach, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He was born on December 7, 1956, in West Baden Springs, Indiana. Bird attended Indiana State University, where he led the Sycamores to the NCAA Championship Game in 1979, earning him national recognition.

After his college career, Bird was selected by the Boston Celtics as the sixth overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft. He spent his entire 13-season NBA career with the Celtics. Bird quickly established himself as a dominant force in the league, earning three consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards from 1984 to 1986.

Over his career, Bird won three NBA championships with the Celtics in 1981, 1984, and 1986. Known for his exceptional shooting and versatility, Bird was a 12-time NBA All-Star and won two NBA Finals MVP awards. He was also named to the All-NBA First Team nine times and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team three times.

After retiring as a player in 1992, Bird transitioned into coaching and held various coaching and front office positions in the NBA. He served as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers from 1997 to 2000 and later as the team's President of Basketball Operations. Bird's impact on the game is lasting, as he is celebrated not only for his accomplishments but also for his intense work ethic and fierce competitiveness.

Leadership is diving for a loose ball, getting the crowd inv

Leadership is diving for a loose ball, getting the crowd involved, getting other players involved. It's being able to take it as well as dish it out. That's the only way you're going to get respect from the players.

Larry Bird


The best player I ever played with was Dennis Johnson.

The best player I ever played with was Dennis Johnson.

Larry Bird

Best

Leadership is getting players to believe in you. If you tell

Leadership is getting players to believe in you. If you tell a teammate you're ready to play as tough as you're able to, you'd better go out there and do it. Players will see right through a phony. And they can tell when you're not giving it all you've got. Leadership is diving for a loose ball, getting the crowd involved, getting other players involved. It's being able to take it as well as dish it out. That's the only way you're going to get respect from the players.

Larry Bird

Leadership

A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, wo

A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses these skills to accomplish his goals.

Larry Bird

Winning Winners

I don't know if I practiced more than anybody, but I sure pr

I don't know if I practiced more than anybody, but I sure practiced enough. I still wonder if somebody -- somewhere -- was practicing more than me.

Larry Bird

Practice

When I was young, I never wanted to leave the court until I

When I was young, I never wanted to leave the court until I got things exactly correct. My dream was to become a pro.

Larry Bird

Practice

I always know what's happening on the court. I see a situati

I always know what's happening on the court. I see a situation occur, and I respond.

Larry Bird

Observation

Push yourself again and again. Don't give an inch until the

Push yourself again and again. Don't give an inch until the final buzzer sounds.

Larry Bird

Effort

Don't worry about the war. It's all over but the shooting.

Don't worry about the war. It's all over but the shooting.

Samuel Goldwyn

Attitude

Leadership is getting players to believe in you. If you tell

Leadership is getting players to believe in you. If you tell a teammate you're ready to play as tough as you're able to, you'd better go out there and do it. Players will see right through a phony. And they can tell when you're not giving it all you've got.

Larry Bird

Leadership

I've got a theory that if you give 100% all of the time, som

I've got a theory that if you give 100% all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end.

Larry Bird

Time

While day by day the overzealous student stores up facts for

While day by day the overzealous student stores up facts for future use, he who has learned to trust nature finds need for ever fewer external directions. He will discard formula after formula, until he reaches the conclusion: Let nature take its course.

Larry Bird

Future

I really don't like talking about money. All I can say is th

I really don't like talking about money. All I can say is that the Good Lord must have wanted me to have it.

Larry Bird

Money