<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">KNIGHTSTOWN, Ind. -- Larry Bird says he wants to see more white superstars in the NBA, but the legendary former Celtic has also revealed that nothing in basketball bothered him more than being guarded by another white player. Bird made the comments during an ESPN special that will air Thursday at 7 p.m. ET featuring Bird's longtime rival, Magic Johnson, and rookies LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. The one-hour discussion is called "Two on Two." ESPN host Jim Gray asked Bird whether the NBA lacks enough white superstars. "Well, I think so," said Bird, the Indiana Pacers' president of basketball operations. "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. But it is a black man's game, and it will be forever. I mean, the greatest athletes in the world are African-American."</div> Full Story
Larry, Larry, Larry,....... It's a game, PERIOD. If you've got talent, then it doesn't matter if you're skins purple. I know his comments were from a marketing standpoint and the vast majority of people in the US are white. However, the emphasis should be to get people to watch no matter who's playing, not just because it's someone whom white people might identify better with. The longer we dwell on color differences, the longer we're going to remain un-unified as a country and world. Truly disappointing to be coming from Larry. I absolutely ripped Byron Scott for at least one of his public comments that alluded to the fact that "Larry Bird would have been regarded as just another player if he were black." Stupid move, which will provide substance to anyone that claims that Larry has racial bias issues.
You can see how the rooks were uneasy when he made that comment. Esp. when he said that the league needs more white players. He said that majority of the fans are white so it would be nice to put in "one or two white players". Magic tried to cover up by saying that the league needs more LB's instead of more white players but the damage's been done.
Yeah, it was just a slip, but one that will hurt him publically. Stuff like that only adds substance to claims by minorities that there should be more parody in other sports like NASCAR, Hockey, etc. The bottom line is simple: If you've got the talent, it shouldn't matter what color you are.
One funny thing about it is that Bird says the NBA needs more great white players, then he says he was insulted when a white player would guard him!
Wasn't Bird really the only white superstar in the 80s, too? So instead of a whopping one white superstar we now have an insufficient zero?
Would it be racist if you had a sport who's fanbase was black but the vast majority of players were white, and one of the black athletes said there should be more black athletes? Bird's comments didn't come off as racist or even necessarily wrong-headed; I think he was just being honest. Nothing wrong for the Yao's to want more Asian players or the Najera's to want more Hispanic players, is there? The sport will only benefit if its open and accepting of all races (and the best way to do that is to have great players of various races). So, what's wrong with Bird saying he'd like to see more star-caliber white players? They are clearly a dying breed. He was being candid and not worrying about political correctness. He accepted the obvious realities -- that the sport HAS become dominated by black athletes. Now, if you have a problem with him acknowledging this, fault the interviewer as he's the one who brought up race issues to begin with.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Truly disappointing to be coming from Larry. I absolutely ripped Byron Scott for at least one of his public comments that alluded to the fact that "Larry Bird would have been regarded as just another player if he were black." Stupid move, which will provide substance to anyone that claims that Larry has racial bias issues.</div> Is this why you hate B.Scott because that comment was made by Isiah Thomas. Thats why they have had their little personal beef over the past decade. But from what Ive heard, many people behind the scenes said it was really Dennis Rodman that made the comment but Isiah took blame because he was the Pistons leader at the time. Animus, Larry Bird was the biggest white superstar but he wasnt the only white alll-star player during the 80's. Mchale was one of the best forwards during the 80's, Kiki Vanderweghe was an all-star type player on the Nuggets & Blazers during the 80's. Mullin & Stockton came around the early to mid 80's. Their was a fair share of White all-star type players during the 80's
No it's not the reason I don't like Scott (hate is too strong a word). Isiah perportedly did say them, but Scott reitterated them when asked to comment on the remarks, ironically in a similar round table type discussion. I expect stupid things out of Isiah. This isn't the only issue I have with Scott comments but that's another convo.
Well, he's right. I don't think many people would dispute that the fact Larry Bird is white and one of the greatest players ever attracted a lot of people who didn't seem to care about basketball when it was dominated by only black players.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting RocketLaunch:</div><div class="quote_post">The Celtics were equally as popular when Bill Russel was their best player...</div> When Bill Russel was there best player, the league was still mostly white and there were plenty of white allstar-caliber players.
I truly worry about society sometimes. Why do you ask? Larry Bird stated an opinion based on whats presented. Does it make what he said racist? Of course not. If someone cannot state an opinion because it contains some commentary on race,and they get bashed and judged solely on that fact,then we still have a long way to go. I think Larry's comments were based on what he saw during his tenure in the League and what he sees now. Lets face it..the NBA is a black man's game. White players are rare in the NBA,really good white players are even more of a rarity. Does it mean anything beyond what he said? I don't think so. And there in lies the problem. Too many people try to read too much into something that means what it means. And the comment about the white players guarding him? Whats the deal? Alot of the white players that were put on him were crap defensive players and I can understand where he's coming from. I don't understand what all the uproar is. I don't understand what was so bad about Byron Scott's comments regarding Boston because they are based in fact and based on things he's seen and countless other players have seen. This country has a long history of racial injustice,but if we cannot discuss topics involving race openly and intelligently without someone screaming racism then we still have a LONG way to go before we reach the apex of where we need to be.
I was more or less thinking of it through a Celtic fan view, they were ga-ga over the Celtics when Russell was there best player too... But I see your point... Who's screaming racism? Seriously, I haven't heard anyone say it was racist... It's just being discussed heavily, almost as if the media is trying to find someone who thinks it's racist...
I just saw the clip of the interview and it didn't offend me at all (granted I'm neither black or white). Bird said what he said because that was how he feels. Saying the NBA is dominated by blacks isn't a stretch. Just look at the starting lineups of the two teams in the NBA finals. Luke Walton is the only non-Euro white player on either team if I'm not mistaken...I remember last year, a friend of mine was saying that Slava was just the token white guy on the Lakers, a result of affirmative action lol .... I remember there was a similar uproar a few years back when Barkley said "blacks generally jump higher than whites."
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post"> I remember there was a similar uproar a few years back when Barkley said "blacks generally jump higher than whites."</div> If someone took the median vertical jump of all the white players and then all the black players, I'm pretty sure the black athletes would be well ahead. I mean, just check the contestants for the slam dunk contest -- I can't recall a white one in recent memory other than Brent Barry.
Guys, im as big a larry legend fan as youll find here. I wish he was still with the celtics organizationg. he may be one of the top 5 players of all time but that doesnt change who he is as a person. you hear comments like that, you have to put them in perspective, they didnt call Larry the "hick from French lick" for nothing. doesnt detract from his greatness. Brett Farve is as big a hick as youll find but hes still the best
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting olskoolFunktitude:</div><div class="quote_post">Guys, im as big a larry legend fan as youll find here. I wish he was still with the celtics organizationg. he may be one of the top 5 players of all time but that doesnt change who he is as a person. you hear comments like that, you have to put them in perspective, they didnt call Larry the "hick from French lick" for nothing. doesnt detract from his greatness. Brett Farve is as big a hick as youll find but hes still the best</div> for the umpteenth time in as many posts from you,you show exactly the same thing. Zilch. His comments reflect nothing on him as a person,and for you to say so is ridiculous in the least. He was stating an opinion,that many people in this country have. Who cares if he's from a hicktown. That doesn't make him racist at all. And what kind of 'perspective' do they need to be put in? There was nothing at all offensive about what he said.
Some people thought there was and i was just telling them not to jusge him based on that. Even if he was saying really racist things it would make sense with his upbringing. Even at his hieght people knew he was a hick. its not an insult or anything. and whats youre problem anyway? saying ive shown zilch. I've posted here a long time. anyone will tell u im one of the better ones. my brief essay comparing auerback and jackson was articulate and made some really great points. ive only been back for a few days but you havent exactly shown me any piles of intellectual gold in the small handful of posts ive seen from u either
But what about his comment that the league needs "one or two white players" coz the fanbase is generally white?
