Suggestions? Bird made 50.0% of his shots from the field that season, giving up the ball 125 times and accruing 82 fouls. As listed, his height is 6 ft 9 inches (2.06m), and his weight is 220lb (100kg). He averaged 24.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game over the course of his career, and his 21,791 total points scored was the 11th highest in NBA history at the time of his retirement. There are a total of 591,591 baskets. Its not hard to see why so many have added Larry Bird to their list of basketball card must-haves. Over 50 schools reportedly recruited him, but he was always predisposed to staying close to home, according to The Crimson Quarry. The latter inspired his team members, along with millions of basketball fans. The great point guard was unquestionably one of the greatest players of all time, but the great point guard of the modern era, Stephen Curry, can also help his team win by playing defense and passing the ball. It has only 27 posts and he hasnt posted since February 8, 2015. This equates to 37.6%. He is ranked 5th of all time for triple doubles. Due to the low price of this card, it is an easy one to find autographed, with multiple sources selling signed specimens for around $30. We can find his followers updated about his news, achievements, and photos through the fan page of Larry Bird. In the summer of 1992, he would announce his retirement from the NBA, mainly because of his never-ending back problems. As Bird had proved himself as a star player through his high school achievements, he received a scholarship from Indiana State University in 1974. Now its just the opposite, Bird said. It would be the first of the three years that Larry would lead The Celtics to win the NBA Championship. The Celtics went on to win in double-overtime against the Portland Trail Blazers. Need help buying or selling cards or have a general question about the hobby? Larry Birds Coach at Indiana State Discovered The Legend Playing Basketball With a Resort Kitchen Staff and Convinced Him to Join the Sycamores With One Simple Phrase: Thats When I Knew I Had Him. The "Hick from French Lick" was known not only for his impressive basketball skills but his hard work ethic and grueling style of play. Larry Bird is an American former professional basketball player who was a 12-time NBA All-Star, three-time NBA champion, and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP). He is undeniably one of the greatest basketball players of all time, which has earned him the Hick from French Lick and Larry Legend nicknames. Some of them are Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals, Celtics/Lakers: Best of Enemies, Larry Bird: A Basketball Legend, etc. LarryLand, a theme park devoted to NBA basketball legend Larry Bird, was built in 1987 on the outskirts of French Lick, Indiana. Heavily edited photos were a staple of the nineties. He has written about the NBA and other sports leagues through various media outlets over the years. Thank yoi for all your saying.. Heres one foe ya Practice makes perfect, perfect practice makes perfection. Jaylen Adams Age, College, Basketball, Girlfriend, Net Worth, Salary, Instagram >>. In terms of shooting percentage, Bird has a higher field goal percentage and three-point percentage than James. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. You dont go to college, Larry? For 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, from 1979-80 through 1991-92, Bird personified hustle, consistency and excellence in all areas of play as a scorer, a. The Celtics had decided not to pay Bird more than any other players, but eventually, he ended up signing a five-year, $3.25 million contract with the Celtics and was the highest-paid rookie time of his career. His NBA years: from 1980 to 1992 Larry Bird NBA Stats Summary: Career Averages Larry Bird Full Stats by Year : Per Game: Regular Season Stats Playoffs Stats I will do some scouting for the Pacers, NBA, college, international, do some appearances and stay in a capacity to advise senior basketball management., Larry Bird has always been instrument on the way my kids were raised. This is the detail of NBA games in which Larry Bird and Michael Jordan played against each other, including head-to-head record, stats average, game highs and game-by-game data both in the Regular Season and Playoffs. Larry Bird rookie cards are not the cheapest in the hobby, and are near the top of the most valuable basketball cards in the hobby. Bob Knight also had a hand in his exit. He also would take the Celtics to win the championship for a third time, and be named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for his contributions to the victory. He played for Celtics until his retirement but always stayed part of the team as an advisor. Bird was a 12-time All Star and won three consecutive league Most Valuable Player awards (198486), the first noncentre to do so. When looking at their statistics, Bird averaged more points per game and more assists per game than James. Comments? Computer graphics were taking off in leaps and bounds, and no sports cards were safe. Contact us! Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Only 11 left in stock - order soon. His player efficiency rating ranks him at 18th of all time. Still, he had always been loved. He was picked by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft. The Fleer card features Bird mid game, coming down with a hard-earned rebound. They faced each other a total of 37 times in NBA games. Bird was a 12- time NBA All-Star and was named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) three . Larry sometimes came to his brother's basketball games and stood out, not because he was famous, but because he looked so much like Mark. During the 1985 NBA season, Larry sustained an injury to his back while shoveling crushed rock to create a driveway at his mothers house. When a former player speaks about the evolution of their preferred sports, its reasonable to expect a back in my day mentality. My concern 15 years ago was everybodys going to be 6-(foot)-9 like Magic Johnson at the point guard, and the little guys are going to get squeezed out. history to be named Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, N.B.A. Debilitating injuries plagued Larry for much of 1989. It's one thing to know Bird's numbers. You have entered an incorrect email address! The legendary basketballers wife is Dinah Mattingly. The photo has a border that is both light and dark green. Three-point shooting, after all, is essentially a requirement, and almost everyone, barring the purest of centers, will float to the perimeter. You can pick up a mint condition card for under $20, so really why wouldnt you? James has 10,114 assists, 2,147 steals, and 1,048 blocks in his career, according to data from the NBA. Before he became an NBA News Writer, Wolpin attended Montclair State University where he graduated in 2021. He would win the NBAs Most Valuable Player Award for the third year in a row in the 86 season. He compressed a nerve root in his back which caused him to miss 22 games that year. Everything I do is done a little differently for me. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. In his early childhood, Bird had to go through emotional and economic chaos after his fathers demise, Along with Birds entrance into the team, the, As a result of his tremendous performance at the, Bird even participated in the World University Game in, His love for basketball rose from his high school ending up in Boston, To add to this, he has also won three consecutive NBA MVP awards in the year, Still, he had always been loved. Suggestions? Menu Kevin Durant vs other NBA players NBA: NBA Championships Year By Year Records and Stats All-Time Leaders Honors and Awards NBA Teams Teams Head to Head NBA Players Players Comparison Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs. Steven Adams vs. Bam Adebayo vs. So, although Jordan scored more points per game, Bird still scored more points over the course of his career. All of Larrys family incidents affected him because Larry Legend abandoned his family, but this made him take the path towards the opportunity to be a basketball player. Larry Bird is a true basketball legendfrom the golden age of the sport. Larry Bird left a small town of only 2,000 people to attend a school of 33,000 students. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Two days later, Bird confirmed his return to the game and embarked on a legendary college career. 33. . His 1986 Fleer card features an action shot of Bird mid-dribble. Furthermore, he has also dipped his toe in the business world and owned a hotel and restaurant and a car dealership in Indiana. Louisville Cardinals Poised to Land Top Small Forward Trentyn Flowers, Washington State Gambling Commission make arrest after $300,000 found missing from VGW Post 3207, 2024s Number One Ranked Point Guard Boogie Fland Expected to Commit to North Carolina Tar Heels, Milwaukees Superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo Set To Have Further Testing Done On His Wrist In NYC. I really like the game now. And while Larry Bird can certainly be set in his ways, he had no problem with the NBA becoming more and more reliant on outside shooting. Even though it was Hall of Fame Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird who was on the court when the first 3-pointer in NBA history was shot by teammate Chris . After a year away from the sport, he returned to his position as the Pacers president of basketball operations in June 2013. In the last 7 years, Ive been covering everything related to the career and job seeking world. Contact us! While the legendary forward wasnt a one-trick pony he was a pure scorer and a deadly trash-talker he certainly knew how to tickle the twine from downtown. The photo has a border that is both light and dark green. View 3 Comments With numbers like that, how did he ever lose? Matter of fact, when I played, we never guarded guys out there, he added. Magic Johnson has a 22-15 winning record over Larry Bird, including a 11-8 record in Playoffs. Land Of Basketball .com Teams, players profiles, awards, stats, records and championships. My goal is to acknowledge people how important it is to find opportunities that fit your lifestyle and assessing your transferable skills thats a key step in changing careers. And while we know that Larry Bird has no problem holding firm on any of his convictions, he doesnt seem to have a problem with the way basketball has changed. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Larry Bird is an American former professional basketball player who played his entire career for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He averages 25.1 points, 8.9 assists, and 7.0 steals per 36 minutes, along with 25.1 points, 8.9 assists, and 8.0 steals per 36 minutes. The back shows Larry sitting courtside, watching the game play out, as he would have had to for so many games that season. While 86 was Birds big year, the 1987 Fleer #11 card is far more valuable. In February 2018, he shared his take on the way NBA physicality has evolved over the years. like https://sircharlesincharge.com/, https://gmenhq.com/, and https://www.tapinto.net/towns/south-plainfield/. The card was likely in the last row for printing and is notorious for centering issues. The result looks great, relying on excellent action shots instead of computer graphics. In 1975, Hodges was just a guy who had spent a decade as an assistant coach at Marian, Tennessee Tech, and Armstrong State in Savannah, Georgia, before joining Indiana State. Larry Bird began 45 games and played 1,662 minutes during his NBA career. Prepare for a Larrylicious amount of fun. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. In the years that followed Larrys retirement, he became a very successful coach for the Indiana Pacers, even winning the NBA Coach of the Year award. He is undeniably one of the greatest basketball players of all time, which has earned him , Bird had always been a perfectionist whom millions of, When Larry Bird had to retire due to his back surgery in, Since his high school days at Spring Valley High School, he proved himself a star player with averaged, As Bird had proved himself as a star player through his high school achievements, he received a scholarship from, The American player moved back to French Lick and enrolled at the, Larry legend graduated with a Bachelor of Science in physical education in, On another side, he, too, had a successful college basketball career. Bird just hitchhiked his way back home. Bird and Johnson even appeared in a commercial for Converse shoes with an epic one-on-one match, playing off of the duos real life rivalry. But it seems like Bird himself is not fond of using social media as there are no personal accounts though we can find numbers of his fan pages over Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Larry Legend admitted that, back in his day, defenses didnt really bother covering players in three-point land. They faced each other a total of 37 times in NBA games. Bird again stepped down in May 2017, having constructed teams that qualified for the play-offs in 8 of his 13 seasons in that position, and then took a role in the Pacers organization as a scout and consultant. In addition to his 9.64 rebound average, Bird averaged 6.80 assists per game last season. Bird was raised in French Lick, Indiana, and attended Indiana State University, where he helped revive the basketball program and led the team to a 331 record in his senior season. Estimated PSA 10 value: $50. Michael Jordan had a better career than Larry Bird, as Bird had a better winning percentage in his career. He has 1,556 steals, 755 blocks, and 5,695 assists. A crowd of fans joined him for the induction, chanting his name as he joined the ranks of the everlasting basketball greats. Later, in 1989 Bird got married to Dinah Mattingly, and the couple adopted two children. The 91 season did have a true moment of glory for Larry. Bird transformed the Indiana State Sycamores into a successful college program, leading them to a 48-12 record in his first 2 seasons. Larry Bird was born in 1956 and he celebrates his birthday on December 7 every year. 2022-23 Season Schedule; . Always a man of his word, Bird promised to fulfill the remainder of his contract in the team front office. On June 24, 2019, Bird shared NBA Life Time Achievement Award with Jhonson. Larry Bird 2021-22 Panini Player of the Day Basketball Card #82 Boston Celtics | Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop, Sports Trading Cards, Trading Card Singles | eBay! Larry Bird's wife Dinah Mattingly deserves a lot of credit for the success of the basketball star. On August 8, 1992 Larry Bird would announce his retirement from basketball. During his college day, he won numerous awards and the, However, they harmonized for a while and had a daughter. Ross is the founder of Old Sports Cards and has been collecting sports cards for over 30 years. This is a difficult question to answer, and one that I find difficult to summarize. Hope she makes a college team she will be a junior this year . $34999. Unsurprisingly, given his exploits in the Three-Point Contest, one of those was the evolution of NBA offense. Larry Bird is rightly remembered as one of the best players to ever grace a basketball court. Games. During his career, Bird was considered one of the best players in the history of basketball. Larry legend graduated with a Bachelor of Science in physical education in 1979. However, due to some circumstances, Larry was not able to continue his study in Indiana. He was unhappy at Indiana for a couple of reasons. Aside from that, several documentaries upon Birds legacy and career has been released. Currently, Bird is enjoying his life away from basketball. While they have been a contender for a while now, they cannot seem to climb the mountain top and be the top dog in the NBA once again. In 13 . When youre out there playing, you like to have freedom, and they have that now.. Mint copies of this card can go for triple the price of the 1986 Bird card, usually maxing out around $2,500 3,000. Over the course of his 13 seasons with the Celtics, the self-described hick from French Lick cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players in NBA history. I have a grand daughter playing at Culver High School. He initially enrolled at junior college North wood Institute, but dropped out and worked odd jobs like cutting grass, painting benches, striping streets, and driving a garbage truck. In addition to the size of the school, Bird also voted the heavy course load as a factor. The percentage of shots in the air is 49.6%. 1 min read. But it seems like Bird himself is not fond of using social media as there are no personal accounts though we can find numbers of his fan pages over Twitter, Darius Days Bio: Family, Contracts And Net Worth, Gus Johnson Bio: Family, Documentary & Net Worth, Mike Conley Net Worth: Charity & Endorsements, Shaun Livingston Bio: Injuries, NBA Championships, Net Worth & Kids. He stepped into a sportsman as a basketball player, which helped him get out of his family troubles. As a result of his tremendous performance at the Celtics, he got selected to the All-Star team and was also praised with the title Rookie of the Year. Copyright 2023. landofbasketball.com - All rights reserved. Since his retirement as a player, Bird has served as a coach and then as the president of basketball operations for his home state team, The Indiana Pacers. Massachusetts Sports Betting sites have the Celtics at (+300) to win the Finals this season. Bird even participated in the World University Game in 1977 in Sofia, where he won gold with the US team and participated in Summer Olympics in 1992. Bird was drafted by the Celtics after his junior year at Indiana State (1978) but did not play professionally until the 197980 season, when he won the Rookie of the Year award after contributing to one of the largest single-season turnarounds in NBA history (a 32-win improvement). He finished his career, averaging 24.3 points and 10 rebounds per game. Larry Bird Had 1 Requirement When He Returned to Indiana State for His Final College Season And, lest you think that Bird's comments were a one-off, there are some other quotes from the. Amazon.com: Larry Bird Basketball Cards 1-48 of 688 results for "larry bird basketball cards" RESULTS Larry Bird Basketball Cards Assorted (5) Bundle - Boston Celtics Trading Card Gift Pack 4.6 (78) $1699 FREE delivery Mar 7 - 8 1989-90 Hoops Basketball #150 Larry Bird Boston Celtics Official NBA Trading Card 4.8 (18) $495 FREE delivery Mar 6 - 9 I can remember watching Kentucky play, and Rick Pitino was shooting 3-pointers all the time, and I go, Jesus Christ, no way you can win like that. Now if you dont do it, youre not going to win.. Contact him at [emailprotected]. Now, instead of watching it after the reading, I should have watched it before, because the pictures offer great visualizations about his career highlights. The Hick from the French Lick has got yellow-toned tan skin. Bird ultimately chose to attend Indiana University because He likes coach Bobby Knight, the players, the fans and the way they have things set up there. For a local kid, joining the Hoosiers tends to be a dream come true, but for Bird, the transition proved to be a struggle. Larry Bird With His Wife, Dinah Mattingly. His first experience at college left him so disillusioned that he was willing to quit basketball then and there and get a normal job. Michael Jordan and Birds rival-turned-friend, Magic Johnson would join Larry in Spain. Is Russell Westbrook The Next NBA Legend. Privacy and Cookies Policy. Or fastest delivery Fri, Mar 3. In 36 minutes played in Bostons 117-113 win last night, Tatum finished with 41/11/8 along with four three-pointers made on 13-21 shooting from the field. Bird had played 879games in his career until his retirement in 1992. No reviews. While mint condition cards can go for $700, you can grab a near-mint for around $20 to commemorate this legendary year in Birds career. "I really like the game now. I timed this documentary with the reading of his autobiography ("Drive"). In his 15-year career, Larry Bird averaged 24.3 points per game, while Michael Jordan averaged 30.1 points per game over his 15-year career. Former Career Rivals Turned Friends, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson. A cut out of Bird dribbling the ball is placed over a heavily edited background, not unlike the school photo backdrops of the time. Attending Springs Valley High School, Bird dominated the local basketball scene. This wealth makes him one of the wealthiest people in the NBA. Bird retired in 1992 and moved to a front-office position with the Celtics. The final Larry Bird Topps card features a photo of Bird just moments before shooting the ball. The college signing deadline was two weeks away, so Hodges had to move fast to pull this off. The 1988 Fleer Larry Bird basketball card shows an in-game Larry running down the court with a Laker legend James Worthy close behind. Larry Bird vs Darius Garland Larry Bird vs Kevin Garnett Larry Bird vs Marc Gasol Larry Bird vs Pau Gasol Larry Bird vs Rudy Gay Larry Bird vs Paul George Larry Bird vs George Gervin Larry Bird vs Josh Giddey Larry Bird vs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Larry Bird vs Artis Gilmore Larry Bird vs Manu Ginobili Larry Bird vs Rudy Gobert The 1991 Upper Deck set was beautifully designed with its great action shots and hardwood graphic design along the right and bottom of the cards. In 1998, Larry was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Wedding, Kids & Girlfriends. Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James Kobe Bryant vs. Jordan Jordan Kevin Durant vs. LeBron James Stephen Curry vs. Kyrie Irving Stephen Curry vs. LeBron James Stephen Curry vs. Kevin Durant Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. LeBron Wilt Chamberlain vs Bill Russell Larry Bird vs. LeBron James Luka Doncic vs. Jayson Tatum Tatum and the rest of his team are eager to avenge the loss in the Finals they had last season. A large pink beam lays behind the star. Bird had always been a perfectionist whom millions of Celtics fans and basketball players idolize. He left the school after only 24 days on campus. Comments? The frame around the shot is a carryover from their 1989 design, but the gradient gray background behind it and position of player name and team info mixed things up. Name: Larry Bird Birth Year: 1956 Birth date: December 7, 1956 Birth State: Indiana Birth City: West Baden Springs Birth Country: United States Gender: Male Best Known For: Basketball icon. The first two meetings of the season between Cleveland and Boston took OT, but the Celtics were able to sneak a 117-113 win at home. Larry Bird had given up on basketball, but one person still believed he had a future in the game: Bill Hodges. Taken in his last season of professional basketball, this card is an affordable, good-looking piece to any Larry Bird basketball card collection. Since his high school days at Spring Valley High School, he proved himself a star player with averaged 31 points, 21 rebounds, and four assists as a senior. Rachel Hunter Bio: Early Life, Net Worth, Children & West Baden Springs, Indiana, United States of America, The Hick from French Lick and Larry Legend, High school from Springs Valley (French Lick, Indiana), Playing career (1979-1992): Boston Celtics, Coaching career(1997-2000): Indiana Pacers. Jayson Tatum has his 34th 30-point game of the season. After his three years were up, he came back to the Indiana Pacers as the President of Basketball Operations. His birthplace is West Baden Springs, Indiana but later he grew up in French Lick. The 1990 Skybox set features full color on both the front and back of the cards. Larry Bird Had 1 Requirement When He Returned to Indiana State for His Final College Season And, lest you think that Bird's comments were a one-off, there are some other quotes from the former star about the state of modern basketball. He rose from a difficult family life in Indiana to being one of the greats alongside Michael Jordan and Birds long time friendly rival, Magic Johnson. Larry Bird And Magic Johnson Fighting For The Championship Title He was NBA All-Star for the 12th time and two times got into NBA finals of MVP in 1984 and 1986. This card shows Larry barreling down the court with the ball, determined to score. In February 2018, he shared his take on the way NBA physicality has evolved over the years. As listed, his height is. Bird was a 12-time NBA All-Star and was named the leagues Most Valuable Player (MVP) three times. A black and white gradient is set behind the framing of the picture. If he scored on that particular play, surely thered be some trash talk to follow. Note that the content on this site should not be considered betting advice. By using this website you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. Wolpin has been a fan of the NBA and has been watching for a decade and a half. Larry Bird is a charming man with brown eyes and dark brown hair. While originally the three-panelled card was not a favorite among collectors, this card in particular became an amazing coincidence by showcasing three of basketballs best known heroes: Larry Bird, Julius Erving and Magic Johnson. Bird averaged 21.3 points, 10.4 assists, and 4.5 steals in 82 games during his rookie season in 1979-80. Larry Legends fan page on Instagram has over 28.3k followers. In 48 foul line attempts, James has made 32, giving him a 66.7% foul line percentage. There is no clear winner, but there is a lot at stake. Tells the Story of the Greatest Basketball player that has ever lived, Larry Bird! Larry Legend is glad that offensive players have a bit more room to strut their stuff. The people of French Lick (Frenchies? Larry Bird, NBA legend and president of the Indiana Pacers, is selling his home in Naples, Fl., for $4.8 million. Because of this, he's one of the most popular players of all-time and one of the most highly collected in the basketball card hobby. Larry Bird played college basketball at Indiana State University, an unheralded program that was completely overshadowed by its in-state counterpart, Indiana University. Also, Bird was the first person to be titled NBA MVP, NBA Coach of the Year, and NBA Executive. 1986 was a huge year for Larry Bird. Bird was considered by many to be one of the most versatile basketball athletes, being the only one in N.B.A. In total, he would miss 37 games that year due to severe back pain. We hope youve enjoyed the list. Currently, he is in his 60s, due to which his bodily figure is not as athletic as before. Standing at 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m), he played the small forward and power forward positions. Bird was also an excellent three-point shooter and free throw shooter. Here is a list of his top cards that you should consider for your collection. NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers are now part owners of MLS franchise Nashville SC, Bucks emerge as frontrunners to sign veteran guard Goran Dragic, Will Bartons Potential Impact on Toronto, 3 things we learned from Kevin Durants debut with the Phoenix Suns, LeBron James out at least three weeks due to right foot tendon injury. The card is extremely difficult to find in decent condition as copies are riddled with print defects. Rating: True About this rating On June 29, 2021, Atlanta Hawks player Clint Capela hit a shot from. In June 2012 he resigned from the Pacers front office, just weeks after winning the previous seasons Executive of the Year award. He is an Olympic gold medalist, a three time NBA champ and a three time NBA Most Valuable Player. Clearly, the Michael Jordan rookie card is the key to this famous set but Birds card is essential, too. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. He was frustrated with his current status and promised his wife Connie that he would find a new professional if he couldnt get Bird to the school. Larry once again got to make history in the summer of 92. The image would actually be much more impressive as poster than a pocket sized picture. That wasnt the entirety of his comments, however. They were fierce rivals in college and throughout their NBA careers so Topps was smart to pair them up on this card. Thats why, in this article, we will be sharing with you about Lary Bird in detail, like his age, height, weight, education, Instagram, and Twitter. He would go on to have a very successful career in the basketball world off the courts as a coach and president of the Indiana Pacers. As a result, Larrys family went through an economic struggle. While his impressive career was cut short due to a progressive back injury, Larry has still remained as an important Basketball figure. Larry Bird Stats and news - NBA stats and news on Boston Celtics Forward Larry Bird. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He was a versatile player who could play both forward positions. He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. And, lest you think that Birds comments were a one-off, there are some other quotes from the former star about the state of modern basketball.