Written by the Scribner

January 17, 2022

The former basketball star that showed the world that white men can dunk, and they got it, can do what the bros can, though not with the same swagger.

Larry Bird is not doing well, not where he is. Life has been quite different after basketball; playing and coaching are two different things.

Larry Bird is a magic man. He has been dabbling in things. The truth is not always apparent, but eventually, all that is buried always does come up, a secret daughter.

Magic Mike really enjoyed playing but loved coaching, and that was where he could mold things. Sometimes it is easier to mold things than to do the work or mold oneself.

He is a study in character, both in development and assassination, but he has a lot of stories to tell about his time in the NBA. He was glad at his remarkable career and how far he went as one of the few old basketball stars. He existed. The endorsement deal wasn't like Mike, but he was not really interested. He is a white guy and has a way to rebound back as if nothing happened. Larry Bird, Big Bird, sponta taker, dribbler, passer, just Bird, or birdman, so many identities, but he is one man.

Larry Bird is one of those that made an impact. He came and played and respected the game. He enjoyed the collegiality, known as the white guy that can play. He sort of kept to himself, had very few interactions, and worked on cultivating a life outside basketball and a business. He is always drawn to the illusion and to develop the next talent or work with the newbies. He came and conquered. One of the greatest and quite humble.

Basketball was not everything to him. It was a path he chose and worked on. This path took him places he did not imagine he would go. He met people he would not have otherwise met, and had a great time and experience playing the game. It was his calling and his essence. For that, basketball will always be a source of fondness for him. He enjoyed it, his life, and his children.

He was able to make an impact, and that was important to him. Nothing wrong, but the man is dying. But the fruit of his life has been sweet and fruitful. That he is okay even in transition. That he came and did all he could in the best way he knew how. He did not always accomplish his goals, but he worked at it.

He is a man that will be remembered. White people loved heroes and ones that never rocked Whiteville or brought unnecessary attention to them. He will always be great. To Larry, he is just Larry, and that is how the cookie crumbles.