Amazon.com Review The first sentence of Larry Bird's candid post-player memoir begins blandly enough: "On August 18, 1992, I announced my retirement from the Boston Celtics." It's the one that follows--"It was one of the happiest days of my life"--that sets the tone for the book. Most stars have to be pulled off center stage, but as Bird Watching makes clear, the former Celtic legend who returned home to eventually coach the Indiana Pacers is certainly a rare bird. He's not afraid to ruffle feathers. And he's not afraid to tell his truth.
Perhaps the most striking revelations concern his heart. On top of the back pain that plagued him through much of his career, from time to time Bird experienced the feeling--and disorienting flush--of an irregular heartbeat, which he kept hidden from the Celtics. Even now, in the stress-filled world of coaching, Bird has almost passed out on the bench a couple of times--but he remains a fierce competitor. "I'm not going to be stupid about this heart condition, but I'm not going to live my whole life in fear of this thing either. If it goes, it goes."
Bird Watchingspends virtually no time with Bird the player; he's not one for looking back. He's more interested in explaining his evolution and thinking as a coach, examining the current state of the NBA, and picking apart the Pacer's disastrous 1999 playoff loss to the Knicks. He does, however, reminisce about his amazing connection to Magic Johnson, comparing it to the bond between Ali and Frazier. "I knew it was going to be like that forever after I played him in college for the national championship," Bird writes. "I never came up against anyone, other than Magic, who could challenge me mentally. Magic always took me to the limit." From Bird, it's hard to imagine a more heartfelt compliment. --Jeff Silverman
Product Description With extraordinary candor, passion, and insight, basketball legend Larry Bird talks about the incomparable sport that made him an international superstar and one of the most respected figures in the game.Larry Bird captured the imagination and admiration of basketball fans throughout his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics with his trademark style of creative, intelligent, exciting, and hard-nosed play. And last year, in just his rookie season as head coach of the Indiana Pacers, he remarkably managed to turn around a slumping franchise, lead the team to the conference finals, and was subsequently named the NBA's Coach of the Year. Now, this beloved sports legend shares his thoughts on the game he loves: From dissecting offensive and defensive strategies to assessing the talent of NBA players and coaches to describing how he manages today's temperamental and overpriced players, it's all here, a must-read for every fan.Larry Bird's autobiography, Drive (Doubleday, 1989), sold more than 300,000 copies in hardcover and more than 350,000 copies in paperback. It spent over two months on the New York Times bestseller list, and foreign rights were sold in six countries.Before Michael Jordan, there was Larry Bird. Arguably the best player of his generation, Bird led the Boston Celtics to three NBA titles, was a 12-time NBA All-Star, and a 12-time member of the ALL-NBA First Team. He was also a member of the original Dream Team which won the Gold Medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.Also available as a Time Warner AudioBook.
A must-read for Bird fans and sports fans!January 14, 2000 Rachel M. Stenberg(New Jersey, USA) 4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I have read what I thought all there was to know about the greatest baskeball player of all-time. But through this book, I have learned more about the legendary Bird. The book takes you through the later years of Bird's injured-plagued career and through his first years coaching the Pacers. He walks us through his struggles and joys of coaching a team he plans will make the NBA Finals. The book shows me what I truly love about Larry Bird. A book not to be missed.
Most Valuable BookNovember 19, 1999 4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Bird Watching is one of those rare books that captures both the man, his courage, yet his simplicity. This book is chock full of surprises and funny stories. Jackie MacMullan, who writes so well for Sports Illustrates, has really slam dunked her first book
thought i knew everything about bird. i was wrong.September 24, 1999 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As a long-time Bird and Celtic fan, I figured I knew most everything about Bird. But this book reveals a far more personal - and honest - side to our favorite basketball legend than I've seen or read anywhere. Kudos to the author for capturing Bird's introspective voice. i loved it.
BIRD spelled backwards is WINNERMarch 6, 2002 Rocco(Metropolis, IL) 2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book explores the post playing days of arguably the best forward to ever play the game of basketball. Bird recaps his days of playing in the olympics, his time in the front office of the Celtics, and his coaching days of the Pacers. I have been a huge Bird fan since I was a kid, yet I never knew much about him, except for what I saw on the court. This book gave me a lot of insight into Bird's dynamic work ethic as both player and coach and showed how he was able to use his winning attitude to take the Pacers from 39 wins to 58 wins in one season as well as to the infamous clash with Jordan and the Bulls in the 98 Eastern Conference Finals. Bird also reveals his thoughts about the NBA today. If you want to know about the legend that is Larry Bird, you should read this book.
endearingMarch 3, 2000 D. Salinero(Delta) The most striking attribute of Bird Watching is its sincerity and candor. I've always liked Larry Bird and this was a must purchase. He doesn't pull any punches here. I was a little surprised by some of the things he wrote here, but still appreciated and enjoyed knowing it. I learned more about who Larry Bird is rather than an image....it may even change your impression of him after reading it
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