Larry Bird is Almost 70, How He Lives is Sad…

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Larry Bird: The Basketball Genius Who Battled Pain Beyond the Court

Larry Bird, one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history, is now approaching 70 years old. His life today is marked by physical challenges that contrast sharply with the dominance he once displayed on the hardwood. Known for his incredible basketball IQ and unmatched skill, Bird’s story is one of brilliance, resilience, and the harsh realities that come with a career of relentless physical demand.

The Brain on the Basketball Court

Larry Bird was often called “the brain” on the basketball court, a nickname that reflected his extraordinary ability to anticipate plays and outthink opponents. Unlike many young players who develop through organized youth programs, Bird honed his skills playing pickup basketball against older, more experienced players in his hometown of French Lick, Indiana. These seasoned opponents forced him to develop a smart, strategic style of play—one that relied on mental acuity rather than raw athleticism.

Bird’s basketball intelligence was unparalleled. He was a master passer with laser-like vision, able to thread the ball through the tightest windows and start his passes even before catching the ball. Between 1984 and 1988, his turnover rate ranked in the 78th percentile among comparable playmakers, showcasing his efficiency and precision.

His off-ball movement was equally legendary. Bird was often called the best off-ball forward in NBA history because of his relentless spinning, cutting, and boxing out, which made him a nightmare for defenders. This constant activity helped him excel in rebounding, placing him in the 91st percentile among players who also shot three-pointers. The Boston Celtics utilized stack sets to free Bird for catch-and-shoot opportunities, capitalizing on his shooting prowess.

A Shooting Style Like No Other

Bird’s shooting was pure artistry. His reputation as one of the greatest pure shooters was built on his ability to convert difficult shots from anywhere on the court. What made his shooting unique was its unorthodox form. Bird’s body was often turned slightly sideways rather than squared to the basket. Despite this unconventional stance, he maintained perfect alignment of his hip, shoulder, and elbow, meticulously pointing his dominant hip directly toward the basket. This alignment gave him exceptional control over direction and power.

Additionally, Bird used a “window guide hand” technique, moving his set point up and over to create an unobstructed view of the basket for aiming. This distinctive style prioritized accuracy and consistency above all else. His mastery of these specific alignments minimized error, proving that being different did not mean being ineffective.

Bird was the first player to join the exclusive 50/40/90 club—shooting at least 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range, and 90% from the free throw line over a full season. He achieved this feat multiple times, peaking during the 1986-87 and 1987-88 seasons with averages nearing 29 points per game.

The Physical Toll of Greatness

Despite his mental brilliance and skill, Bird’s career was plagued by severe physical challenges. In the summer of 1985, while shoveling gravel at his mother’s house, Bird suffered a back injury that would haunt him for the rest of his career. This incident caused sharp, debilitating pain and significant loss of mobility, but it was not the sole cause of his problems.

Bird had a pre-existing genetic condition—a naturally narrow spinal canal—that made him prone to chronic back issues. His surgeon expressed surprise that Bird managed to play professionally as long as he did given this congenital vulnerability. Years of physical exertion, diving for loose balls, and battling larger opponents worsened his condition. His lower back vertebrae became compressed, twisting and trapping nerves, causing burning pain that radiated down his leg.

Throughout his career, Bird endured nights in a back brace and engaged in rigorous physical therapy to manage his pain. Despite warnings from fellow players and medical professionals to retire, Bird’s relentless drive pushed him to keep playing. He famously admitted, “Every time I would play, I was wondering if I was going to be in a wheelchair.”

Beyond his back problems, Bird also faced injuries to his feet and hands, including surgeries on both heels that limited him to just six games in the 1988-89 season. Achilles injuries and bone spurs further shortened his career. His intense training regimen, which included running miles before and after games, contributed to the wear and tear on his body.

Life After Playing

Larry Bird retired on August 18, 1992, shortly after helping the iconic “Dream Team” win gold at the Barcelona Olympics. He ended his playing career just 209 points shy of 22,000 career points. The Boston Celtics immediately retired his number 33 jersey, honoring his legacy.

Post-retirement, Bird stayed deeply involved in basketball. He served as a special assistant for the Celtics before becoming head coach of the Indiana Pacers from 1997 to 2000. In his first year as coach, he earned NBA Coach of the Year honors and led the Pacers to the NBA Finals in 2000. Later, he transitioned into front office roles, serving as president of basketball operations for the Pacers, earning NBA Executive of the Year in 2012.

However, Bird’s health continued to decline, forcing him to step down from his executive role due to chronic back problems and other complications, including an enlarged heart and atrial fibrillation. He has spoken openly about the toll basketball has taken on his body, noting that few players of his stature live long, healthy lives.

A Legacy of Mental Mastery and Resilience

Larry Bird’s story is one of extraordinary mental mastery and resilience in the face of physical limitation. His basketball intelligence, court vision, and shooting artistry revolutionized the game. Despite debilitating pain and injuries, Bird’s relentless pursuit of perfection allowed him to perform at an elite level for over a decade.

Today, Bird’s physical abilities are limited. He can no longer engage in strenuous workouts and is restricted to jogging and using a sauna. Yet, his legacy endures—not just in championships and records, but in the profound understanding of basketball and the strength to battle the physical toll of greatness.

Larry Bird remains an icon, the “Hick from French Lick,” revered not only for his accolades but for his enduring spirit and the unmatched intelligence he brought to the game.

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