good talk

Larry Bird (Larry Joe Bird, b. Dec. 7, 1956 in West Baden, Indiana) was raised in abject poverty in a ramshackle dump of a house by an alcoholic often-unemployed father who blew his brains out when Larry was "18." Recruited to play basketball by Bobby Knight at Indiana U., Larry was overwhelmed by the upscale atmosphere and soon left, to return home and work as a garbageman (...I loved it...), nothing you'd catch you people doing, and what have you accomplished in your lives? Eventually, he went to Indiana State in Terre Haute (Larry later had a big hotel in front of the campus with a large dining-room with his trophies and awards displayed, and a large bar, the "Bird's Nest," I've been there).  Larry led Indiana State to the NCAA Finals in 1979 where they fell to Magic Johnson and Michigan State, the most widely watched NCAA Final ever.  During Larry Bird's 13-year career with the Boston Celtics, the Celtics won 3 NBA Championships and Larry was named the NBA's MVP 3 times.  After his playing career ended, Larry was Coach and then President of the Indiana Pacers, and is the only person to be named MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year for the NBA.  A well-proven basketball-genius, Larry, while at Indiana State, stated ...I ain't no genius at school... you people would never make such a self-effacing assessment, as you're immodest.  A professor of mine said ...Isn't it surprising how often ignorance takes a pride in itself...