For the record, I had Bird down as a wigger for a while.
And it just occurred to me:
ESPN host Jim Gray asked Bird whether the NBA lacks enough white superstars.
Let's get this straight: Larry Bird tells ESPN that the NBA needs more white superstars because the majority of fans are white.
"And if you had a couple of white guys in there," he says, "you might get them a little excited."
Not a Kevin Garnett clone. Not a twin of Tim Duncan.
Not Shaq's shadow. No Kobe copy.
More white guys.
Let's put aside whether Bird's sentiments are racist because, frankly, we're all worn out with that.
A lot of East/Southeast European players and Mediterranean Euros are making it. Goes to the other post again, more players coming from a motivation demographic. Plus the soccer sports there emphasize footwork, stamina, angles... Olajawon fundamentals...
Larry drafted Al Harrington and Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest didn't he? All those guys got game, if they got calls like the Lakers they would have rings by now.
One of those 3 will end up in LA next year with either Kobe/Shaq going elsewhere...
Posted by Mr. Murder at June 18, 2004 11:57 PM