Bird: "I'm on the bandwagon"

[Jason Svoboda]

Sorry Larry, I'm not sure if there is any more room.

More quotes:

Bird on ISUs effort:

"They play hard, they play together, that was big for us"

And...

"They had Purdue in a tight game until the end. They play so hard & they're well coached, that's usually a good combination"

And...

"To put a new coach in and have them playing the way they are playing, Greg has done a heckuva a job."

http://twitter.com/#!/JJFOX59SPORTS

 

[TreeTop]

Sorry Jason, I just scooted over to make room. Welcome LARRY!

 

[TreeTop]

Sorry Larry, I'm not sure if there is any more room.

More quotes:

Bird on ISUs effort:


And...


http://twitter.com/#!/JJFOX59SPORTS

Awesome, he was paying attention when we played Purdue...I love it.

 

[Sycamore Proud]

Nice to see his comments.

 

[SycamoreBlue3209]

Would be pretty awesome if Larry could make it to our first round game and help us cheer the guys on!

 

[IndyTreeFan]

I do like his reference to "us" in the first quote. He still loves ISU. I just think he hates to overshadow the current players (at any given time). He'll do enough of that over the next two weeks without actually doing anything.

Perhaps if ISU hadn't treated him as a human ATM machine during his NBA years, he wouldn't have had the rift that developed. He has been much more supportive in the last few years. Credit to KMac and RP for making that happen...

 

[LoyalAlum]

I do like his reference to "us" in the first quote. He still loves ISU. I just think he hates to overshadow the current players (at any given time). He'll do enough of that over the next two weeks without actually doing anything.

Perhaps if ISU hadn't treated him as a human ATM machine during his NBA years, he wouldn't have had the rift that developed. He has been much more supportive in the last few years. Credit to KMac and RP for making that happen...

Excellent post, and I, too, noticed his use of "us" instead of "them", immediately.

 

[Jason Svoboda]

The video:

http://www.fox59.com/sports/wxin-la...t-to-the-ncaa-basket-20110307,0,6722183.story

 

[Bally #50]

I do believe that the "cold war" between ISU and the Birdman is improving. It will not happen overnight but there are outward signs that this might be happening. It started with his number being retired and a beautiful speech he had prepared. His schedule I would imagine involves a lot of travel and his availability is at a premium but I watched him for awhile at the Purdue game and he seemed genuinely interested in the game and it's outcome. Obviously, he was impressed with the team's play. Time will tell but my guess is Dr. B will find the way to heal old wounds.

 

[TJames]

I was impressed with his comments that....

he had seen the Sycamores play about six times this year.

 

[Sackalot]

Good to hear, see, etc. Mr Bird saying, "us" is the most impressive and important thing he said. I personally don't want or see any reason for ISU to "go to the well" with Larry. Just let him be a fan...he will come around more and more and then, when the students raise enough money to get that statue erected...it will be a great day in TH and for ISU.

 

[sycamorebacker]

Maybe we should rename Hulman Center to BirdHouse.

 

[Bally #50]

Maybe we should rename Hulman Center to BirdHouse.

With the Hulman family swimming in black crude, I would think this would be a GREAT time to enhance our relationships with the entire Hulman family. Especially with the strong ties ISU has with all of the Hulman Companies (Hulman and Co, IMS and Indy Car and Clabbergirl).

I know you were sort of kidding but I certainly love the name Bird House.

 

[XTreeXC]

One thing you gotta love about Larry is that, real or perceived, he still seems like a down-to-earth home boy.

I worked at Larry Bird's Boston Connection as a night auditor when I was at ISU, and there was a period of about two weeks when he stayed at the hotel while recovering from his double heel (??) surgery. He'd come rolling out of the MVP Club in his walking casts at about 1:00am when few people were around, but I never spoke to him because it was strictly forbidden by management.

My long-winded point is that I wish I'd broken the rule because I'll bet he would have stood there and chatted me up for a couple minutes. Might have been worth losing my $5.50/hour job to potentially shoot the bull with The Legend.

 

[4Q_iu]

One thing you gotta love about Larry is that, real or perceived, he still seems like a down-to-earth home boy.

I worked at Larry Bird's Boston Connection as a night auditor when I was at ISU, and there was a period of about two weeks when he stayed at the hotel while recovering from his double heel (??) surgery. He'd come rolling out of the MVP Club in his walking casts at about 1:00am when few people were around, but I never spoke to him because it was strictly forbidden by management.

My long-winded point is that I wish I'd broken the rule because I'll bet he would have stood there and chatted me up for a couple minutes. Might have been worth losing my $5.50/hour job to potentially shoot the bull with The Legend.

State also forbade students from approaching Larry when he watched games at the Hulman Center -- Larry DIDN'T care, it was the Hulman Usher crew...

 

[BankShot]

Bird House

Maybe we should rename Hulman Center to BirdHouse.

The KFC-Yum Center in Louisville ALMOST fell into a similar trap before people resorted to REAL world thinking...:talktohand:

 

[Callmedoc]

My cousin had an experience as a child at a camp with Larry, Shooting free throws a tall guy walks up and said "Hey buddy keep that elbow in, if you dont your shot wont be as consistent as ya want it to be." guy walked away, and then he realized he just got free throw help from Larry Bird, "That's better good job"

 

[Chief_Quabachi]

I have often thought about writing a short personal letter to Larry simply to tell him that he will never be forgotten and that the ISU community and the entire Wabash Valley respects and loves him for the JOY that he brought to us.

Simply short and to the point expressing gratitude.

 

[BankShot]

Isn't Eddie the Director of Parks & Recreation in TH? You don't hear much about the 2nd Bird, who was also pretty good shot but unfortunately, played during an era when ISU hoop was gasping for O2.

 

[die hard]

Butler fan

For what it is worth, I was very happy to hear that you guys are going dancing. Indiana, and its basketball history should be well represented at the ncaa tourney. Win some games for all the little schools. Hope to see you there.