When You Stop To Think, Bird Does Have What It Takes

Larry Bird is going to be a great NBA coach.

I know this because I have talked to Dick Motta, Cotton Fitzsimmons and Gene Shue, who rank among the 10 winningest coaches in NBA history.

I also have talked with K.C. Jones, Rick Adelman, Tom Heinsohn, Larry Costello, Don Nelson and Bob Hill, who rank, by winning percentage, among the 20 best coaches in NBA history.

It is not that hard.

Remember, these guys mostly went to school to be gym teachers.

OK, writing sports columns isn’t that hard, either. But that’s for someone else to say.

So what is coaching in the NBA?

It’s one play - a screen - with 74 variations, and making sure your pants are pressed.

OK, perhaps that’s unfair. Yet, that is part of writing a column.

Larry Bird made his first appearance here Monday as coach of the Indiana Pacers.

And everyone outside of Indiana - here they were riveted by every word carried live on local TV and then included Bird in their bedtime prayers - asked what credentials Bird has to coach in the NBA.

After all, he was a great player and everyone knows great players don’t have the patience to watch mere mortals play. And who has he ever coached but a partner on a 2-foot putt? And wait until he gets a look at today’s selfish dunk-or-shoot-a-three-pointer player who will pay attention as long as his cell phone isn’t ringing.

“I played with a lot of players who were not as dedicated to working as hard as I was,” said Bird, who, we should remember, was on championship teams with Sam Vincent, Greg Kite, Cedric Maxwell, M.L. Carr, Eric Fernsten and Rick Robey. “I don’t expect everyone to stay an hour and a half or two hours after practice shooting (like Bird did). But I do expect them to work on their weaknesses.

“There were guys I played with you had to beg to play every night,” Bird said. “I go back now and talk to some of these guys and they say, ‘Can you believe these guys today not wanting to play?’ And I say, ‘You did the same thing when you played.’

“These guys (today) are no different. They’re a little wilder than they used to be, but they have talent. I’m sure I’ll be tested. But I’ve been there. I know what it takes.”

Which is one huge advantage Bird has.

This was no sudden decision to get back in the action, like Magic Johnson’s.

And who would you listen to: Bob Hill, Brian Hill, Paul Westphal, Jim Lynam, Mike Dunleavy, Brian Winters or Larry Bird?

This is no short white guy with a clipboard. This is a guy who not only has won, but did so without great individual talent, but hard work, a feel for the game, intelligence and confidence.

Coaching requires honesty and respect for the players, not taking yourself too seriously (although Pat Riley has survived that), knowledge of the game, compassion and passion.

And good players.

“I talked to Kevin (McHale, ex-Celtic now Timberwolves general manager), and he always talked about me going into the front office,” Bird said. “He told me how many fish he catches and the golf he’s playing. That’s not where I want to be.”

Which is on the court, and not because former Celtics like Dave Cowens and Danny Ainge have prospered as rookie coaches.

“I would never consult Danny Ainge on anything,” joked Bird. “The only think I ever told him was I wished he’d do something on the court so his man would quit defending me.”

Bird will want to hire some veteran assistants, and those close to him say he’s an adept judge of young talent. He has got two kids under 7, so he knows patience. He says his wife is pleased he finally has a job. And as for the media, someone wondered how the often reluctant Bird would do since coaches are supposed to meet with the media every day.

“I heard they used to,” Bird shot back.

Tell me this guy is not going to be a great coach.