Larry Bird

"I have really enjoyed coaching. It's a great experience. Every player should have the chance to do it. The problem is, I'm not that good at it."

"Well, I don't worry about ratings. I'm trying to win a ballgame right now. Whatever it takes to win a ballgame, we're going to do it. If it takes a four-hour game, that's what we have to do."

"I'm a firm believer in that you play the way you practice."

"I've always been interested in jobs in the NBA. But I've been in this for 20 years and it might be time to do something else."

"I hate to lose more than I like to win."

"You can make all the excuses you want, but if you're not mentally tough and you're not prepared to play every night, you're not going to win."

"There is nothing better than being out there when the game is on the line; only now, I get to see what my players will do. How will they react? Retirement is fine for some people, but I got bored. I'm used to more of a fast-paced life."

"I was always making decisions and they were easier decisions because I had control of the game, I had control of the ball. As a coach you sort of put the ball in other player's hands and let them make decisions for you. But I still get a kick out of winning basketball games and that's what I'm in this for."

"I know the rigors of the NBA and what these guys can expect. I know my job is to prepare them, to get them in shape. We'll find a good offense and a good defense. And then let's do it."

"I wanted to compete at the highest level again - and that's the NBA."

"When thou was a player, I didn't expect my teammates to play the way I did. I did expect them to work hard hard every day and get better. And I never learned anything by losing."

"It's unbelievable. But I've never been to a pro football game. I've never been to a pro hockey game, either. I guess I'm not much of a sports fan."

"I don't miss it at all. I'm glad I'm out."

"Basketball has been my life and I worked at it so hard because I enjoyed it so much."

"Larry Bird is what keeps me going. He's my measuring stick. I don't think I would be as interested in the game if I weren't trying to play better than him."

"Larry is different than people think. He really loves the game and is really smart. He has the innate ability to focus on what's important and has a great feel for players. He knows how to deal with people. He's direct and definite. I think the players appreciate that."

"The guy has been there. What he tells us is not just what he believes deep down, but what he knows, because he has been through it."

"Who in their right mind wouldn't listen to what Larry Bird tells them? He knows what it takes to be a successful player, and he's letting us do the things to have the success."

"It's not what he says, it is how he says it that is making the difference. He doesn't scream at you, he doesn't embarrass you when you make a mistake. He just looks at you, and you get the message. Then when the time is right, he'll talk to you calmly and explain what he wants."

"Guys like Larry Bird -- he played so hard, he wants everybody else to play hard. That's not unreasonable. Any coach would want that and demand that."