Larry Bird is one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA. Bird was a dominant figure in the NBA and was a pivotal figure in the league during the 1980s. His rivalry with Magic Johnson was the defining rivalry of the decade, and he became an all-time great during that time.
But surprisingly, there were doubts about Bird before he entered the league. Larry Bird played at Indiana State for his collegiate stint. And while he was a great player during his stint in college, there were concerns about whether Larry would be able to find success in the NBA.
Larry Bird was confident in his abilities. During an interview in the past, Bird spoke about the doubts that surrounded him when he first entered the NBA. Larry realized that he could find great success in the NBA only three days after his rookie training camp with the Boston Celtics that summer.
“They say ‘well you never played against a UCLA or a Notre Dame or an IU”.
Once I got out of college and came to the pros, ‘well how’s he going to do, he won’t get his jump shot off in the pros. Or he won’t be quick enough, won’t be able to rebound’. And I think it probably took me three days after rookie camp, I felt like this league is nothing. I can play in this league and I can dominate in this league.”
Larry had an incredible stint in college. In fact, Nolan Richardson once shared a story of hearing about Bird’s incredible game in college on the radio and then saw a picture of Bird in the newspaper the next day.
Larry Bird had an incredible rookie year with the Celtics, winning the 1979 NBA Rookie Of The Year award. Within 3 years of entering the league, Bird would go on to win the NBA championship with the Boston Celtics. He would go on to win the NBA championships 3 times in his career.
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