Larry Bird Quotes - Page 3

My opinion about basketball, the way I was taught, was when you step on the court, you play to win.

If there was a payment to the bank due, and we needed shoes, she'd get the shoes, and then deal with them guys at the bank. I don't mean she wouldn't pay the bank, but the children always came first.

My name's been on this check for a week now.

You know when I played, you had me and Kevin (McHale) and some others throughout the league. I think it's good for a fan base because as we all know the majority of the fans are white America. And if you just had a couple of white guys in there, you might get them a little excited.

Anytime you've got an opportunity to play for your country and win a gold medal, I think that takes it all. That's the greatest thing you could ever achieve in your sport. So, I have been very fortunate to play on great teams, but the gold medal was probably the best.

When it gets down to it, basketball is basketball.

I've been around a while. I kinda know these things.

My goal was just to try and be the best player on my high school team, and look where I am now. And that was still my goal as a young kid, just to try and be a little better than my brother was.

The best basketball announcer is one who allows you to close your eyes.

I wanted to compete at the highest level again - and that's the NBA.

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

I can see why fans don't like to watch pro basketball. I don't, either. It's not exciting.

I think you have to work very hard and dedicate yourself and have the respect of your teammates before you're about to go out and just try to take a game over by yourself.

I was always making decisions and they were easier decisions because I had control of the game, I had control of the ball. As a coach you sort of put the ball in other player's hands and let them make decisions for you. But I still get a kick out of winning basketball games and that's what I'm in this for.

The nature of competition is such that any number of people invariably have their eyes on the same prize you do. Recognize your assets and employ them to the best of your ability.

I mean, the greatest athletes in the world are African-American.

Who in their right mind wouldn't listen to what Larry Bird tells them? He knows what it takes to be a successful player, and he's letting us do the things to have the success.

Guys like Larry Bird -- he played so hard, he wants everybody else to play hard. That's not unreasonable. Any coach would want that and demand that.

It's been a journey, the NBA. It's taken me a lot farther than I ever expected.

But it is a black man's game, and it will be forever.

I think a lot of blue collar people related to me because a lot of people work for their money.