SUMMARY:
In today's reading of Part III in Drive: The Story of My Life, Larry Bird talked about all the teams he faced and the places he been to because of the games. From Part III, Larry Bird talked about each place and team in a summary. He talked about how he doesn't like staying over night in the hotels of New York for a game because it is way too noisy but he love the audience at Madison Square Garden. He loves Philadelphia's fans and the feeling of rivalry so he didn't mind going there. He didn't like New Jersey because the building of New Jersey had too much open space. Larry Bird liked Washington because he had memories in the Capital Centre. For example: he never lost any games there in his first three or four years as a Celtics. Cleveland was a place he enjoyed because the building was set up really nice and he liked the lighting in Indiana and the fans recognize him because that was his home town. He had good games in Chicago and also bad games but he liked how he can see people like Michael Jordan there. Los Angeles was a place Larry Bird enjoyed going to. As he says, "The Forum is another place I just looove to play in"(Bird 225). There were more places.
After his opinion on the teams and places, he talked about the referees how some are appreciated and some were not. He thinks referees were "important" to the game. If they miss a call first time, they will never miss it again the second time and so on. Larry Bird thinks too much people make triple doubles in a game and he thinks he can make at least 41 triple-doubles in 82 games. Larry Bird praticed his free throws and concentrated on it. That is why he doesn't get why players won't pratice their free throws because it's easier to get an extra 2-points for the team. Then the last part was when he talked about how playoff games were different from regular season. He wasn't as excited and energetic about regular season although he did good in the games he played. Playoffs to him bring an different environment that can make him loose sleep because he thinking about the upcoming game.
Part IV was the conclusion of the book and Larry Bird's story of his life. He sums everything up about the day he became a part of the Celtics and he will play until the end. He injured himself multiple times and he appreciated everything the team and fans did for him. Larry Bird wanted to challenge and compete against the great new players at their time like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Dominique Wilkinses and much more. When it was time for him to retired, he wants to emulate Bill Russell. He going to retire without any Farewell Tour etc...He just wants to be a part of the Celtics forever and retire as a Celtics and his last words was to say "Thank you".
QUOTE:
As Larry Bird says, "I'll always be a Celtic. If they ever traded me, I'd be shattered. I have no desire to end my career with any other team. At this stage of my career, I'm just thinking about getting healthy again and giving the Celtics some more good years and the getting out"(Bird 257-258).
REACTION:
As I was reading the ending of this book to me Larry Bird is a true Celtics player. He joined the Celtics as a great player and did nothing but do his best at all times. He didn't think about going to another team because the team had a rough year, he didn't go to another team because it was a bigger chance to win a championship. Fore xample, Leone Powe, he was part of the Celtics, when he got injured, he didn't sign back with the Celtis evenwhen they offered him a contract. He thinks he could find a better team than the Celtics. Since day one when Larry Bird became a member of the Boston's team, he knows he's going to end his career as a retired Celtics. I admire hoe he would retire without having a ceremony or a farewell tour, he just wants to step out on the cout and say a one last, thank you. He had great determination and have a stream of fire that can never be put off.
In a way he reminds me of Paul Pierce, Pierce had been in the Celtics since he got drafted. He did nothing but play and defend for the team. He's a great leader, as Larry Bird said in the book about leadership, "Leadership is getting players to believe in you"(Bird 247).
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Drive: The Story of My Life (Pages 179-214)
Summary:
In today's reading of Drive by Larry Bird, he talked about the struggles he faces during the seasons. He had been injured so much, which included his back, arms,legs, and heels. During one game against Phoenix, Blair Rasmussen accidentally broke Larry Bird's nose. Two weeks after that incident, the Celtics was playing against Cleveland Cavaliers, when Dell Curry elbowed Larry Bird in the eye. It was directly at his socket and he couldn't see. He tried wearing the protection goggles so he can play the rest of the games. By wearing the glasses, Larry Bird's view is different without the goggles, he didn't get used to them but he did make couple of good shots.
With all the difficulties the Celtics encountered, either players getting injured or the coach, K.C. announced he is retiring, it just made the Celtics have an extra incentive. Larry Bird thinks that the coach should have gotten "Coach of the Year", but he didn't so the whole team wants to win the championship for K.C. before he retires. The team failed to accomplish their goal which was a dissapointment but the coach didn't blame them. After all the struggles, Larry Bird had good games and bad games. He regrets the season 1988-89, because he didn't play much games due to his injuries. He said he didn't even consider that a season for himself.
(Part 3 of the story: Observations) Larry Bird considered himself a team player, which he is, but when he's going on a one on one, he gets really competitive. There was a three-point contest which Bird claimed he was the "Three-Point King." Larry Bird love to be part of the Celtics more than anything else.
Red Auerbach, to Larry Bird was an "one of a kind" because Auerbach is a straight forward person. He thinks he great at everything and he prove that he is great at everything. He doesn't like people giving excuses on why they can't play or why they didn't play well in a game. Red had a hard attitude but at the same time it makes the other players play harder and better. Even though Red stopped playing and retired, Larry Bird will always remember him.
Walter Randall a.k.a Randy, was in his seventies but he is the equipment manager and had been around since 1928 when the Garden first opened. He always accuse players of stealing equipments, so once Larry Bird and the other took socks and put it in RICK's bag and told Randy he stole socks. Randy was yelling at Rick but after they found it as a joke. Randy reminds Larry Bird of his farther because he doesn't give up and fight until the end. Randy had cancer and he fought it for years and kept the Celtics running, but he past away after a couple years later.
Quote:
As Larry Bird says, "As an acrobat, Dominique is even more interesting in many ways than Michael Jordan. While Michael takes the ball straight to the basket, Dominique loves to spin"(Bird 183).
Reaction:
The quote above shows how different players have different style of playing basketball. Michael Jordan takes it straight up to the basket which is fast and simple. Not that I'm saying he's not a good player but a lot of people only know about Michael Jorden when there are a lot of other people out there that have their own unique style. Like Dominique, he love to do 360s when he makes a shot. Michael Jordan is a legend but he isn't the only one that is amazing, Larry Bird is also amazing, he nearly took the whole game on his own shoulder. He shoots perfect scores but he's just humble. http://trickysports.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/michael-jordan-by-slashfilmdotcom.jpg
Right now, as I'm typing this blog, I'm watching the Boston Celtics @ Cleveland Cavaliers, Paul Pierce is my favorite player. He isn't one of those loud players like Lebron James that shows of every move he can. Pierce is humble just like Larry Bird. He have a successful career, and he is breaking records. Just because he doesn't show it doesn't mean we can forget them and just remember the famous ones. All players have their individual personality and the different way they play their game.
In today's reading of Drive by Larry Bird, he talked about the struggles he faces during the seasons. He had been injured so much, which included his back, arms,legs, and heels. During one game against Phoenix, Blair Rasmussen accidentally broke Larry Bird's nose. Two weeks after that incident, the Celtics was playing against Cleveland Cavaliers, when Dell Curry elbowed Larry Bird in the eye. It was directly at his socket and he couldn't see. He tried wearing the protection goggles so he can play the rest of the games. By wearing the glasses, Larry Bird's view is different without the goggles, he didn't get used to them but he did make couple of good shots.
With all the difficulties the Celtics encountered, either players getting injured or the coach, K.C. announced he is retiring, it just made the Celtics have an extra incentive. Larry Bird thinks that the coach should have gotten "Coach of the Year", but he didn't so the whole team wants to win the championship for K.C. before he retires. The team failed to accomplish their goal which was a dissapointment but the coach didn't blame them. After all the struggles, Larry Bird had good games and bad games. He regrets the season 1988-89, because he didn't play much games due to his injuries. He said he didn't even consider that a season for himself.
(Part 3 of the story: Observations) Larry Bird considered himself a team player, which he is, but when he's going on a one on one, he gets really competitive. There was a three-point contest which Bird claimed he was the "Three-Point King." Larry Bird love to be part of the Celtics more than anything else.
Red Auerbach, to Larry Bird was an "one of a kind" because Auerbach is a straight forward person. He thinks he great at everything and he prove that he is great at everything. He doesn't like people giving excuses on why they can't play or why they didn't play well in a game. Red had a hard attitude but at the same time it makes the other players play harder and better. Even though Red stopped playing and retired, Larry Bird will always remember him.
Walter Randall a.k.a Randy, was in his seventies but he is the equipment manager and had been around since 1928 when the Garden first opened. He always accuse players of stealing equipments, so once Larry Bird and the other took socks and put it in RICK's bag and told Randy he stole socks. Randy was yelling at Rick but after they found it as a joke. Randy reminds Larry Bird of his farther because he doesn't give up and fight until the end. Randy had cancer and he fought it for years and kept the Celtics running, but he past away after a couple years later.
Quote:
As Larry Bird says, "As an acrobat, Dominique is even more interesting in many ways than Michael Jordan. While Michael takes the ball straight to the basket, Dominique loves to spin"(Bird 183).
Reaction:
The quote above shows how different players have different style of playing basketball. Michael Jordan takes it straight up to the basket which is fast and simple. Not that I'm saying he's not a good player but a lot of people only know about Michael Jorden when there are a lot of other people out there that have their own unique style. Like Dominique, he love to do 360s when he makes a shot. Michael Jordan is a legend but he isn't the only one that is amazing, Larry Bird is also amazing, he nearly took the whole game on his own shoulder. He shoots perfect scores but he's just humble. http://trickysports.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/michael-jordan-by-slashfilmdotcom.jpg
Right now, as I'm typing this blog, I'm watching the Boston Celtics @ Cleveland Cavaliers, Paul Pierce is my favorite player. He isn't one of those loud players like Lebron James that shows of every move he can. Pierce is humble just like Larry Bird. He have a successful career, and he is breaking records. Just because he doesn't show it doesn't mean we can forget them and just remember the famous ones. All players have their individual personality and the different way they play their game.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Drive: The Story of My Life (Pages 122-178)
Summary:
In the book from pages 122-178, Larry Bird talks about his relationship with the individuals on the Celtics' team. Larry Bird also talked about how he won MVP which he thought he could have done better and didn't deserve it. He won MVP two years in a role and thinking the second time was what he deserved because he played with a sore back and stiffed arm. As time went by, Celtics' management traded players with other teams or for a draft member. Larry Bird noticed how everyone he got closed to were traded.
Players like Cedric Maxwell, a great friend of Larry Bird's, didn't want to play for the Celtics anymore as time went by and he was traded for Bill Walton. Geald Henderson played for the Celtics and Larry Bird was cool with this guy but he was traded for a draft pick to the Sonics. When Gerald went against Celtics, he was not holding back. The Celtics drafted Len Bias as a second pick. Quinn Buckner was on of the great players in the Celtics at that time because he had strong defense, but he end up going back to Indiana. Larry Bird distanced from some players because he notice the peope he got close with or played well with got traded.
The team wasn't like it was before but they had to get over it and get back in shape. The other teams were taking advantage of them when they were weak, they end up losing the 1989 championship to Detroit Pistons. The Celtics team didn't give up, especially Bird, they won couple games but lost to Magics, Cleveland, and Atlanta.
One day Larry Bird recieved a phone call saying Len Bias had died of a heart attack. He thought that was the most dreadful and terrible news someone could tell him over the phone. The whole team was sad in losing a great player like Bias. During the 1987 playoffs, the team pulled themselves together and won 59 games. They went against Detroit and Bill Laimbeer caused trouble and had some drama with Larry Bird and Robert.
Quote:
When Larry Bird reflects back to his actions, "Even under those circumstances, I shouldn't have done that and of course I was kicked out of the game"(Bird 161).
Reaction:
The quote above explain how basketball isn't just a game because players might not get along but it is their job to remain their calm. For instance, when Laimbeer used his legs to hold Bird's shoulders or when he grabbed Larry Bird down, that was too aggresive. Even though it is wrong, Larry Bird shouldn't have threw the ball at him, which caused him to get ejected.
Example: Last season of NBA, the Celtics played against the Magic, Eddie House made a basket and smiled facing the Magic's bench which gave him a technical. Also when a player from the Magic slapped Eddie House on the back of the head because Eddie House made the basket. The refs. may not see every trick a player does but a basketball game can get really heated because people might be jealous of your skills so it's your responsibilty to remain humble. That is why Larry Bird regrets on throwing the ball at Laimbeer because he shouldn't have done that even under those circumstances.
In the book from pages 122-178, Larry Bird talks about his relationship with the individuals on the Celtics' team. Larry Bird also talked about how he won MVP which he thought he could have done better and didn't deserve it. He won MVP two years in a role and thinking the second time was what he deserved because he played with a sore back and stiffed arm. As time went by, Celtics' management traded players with other teams or for a draft member. Larry Bird noticed how everyone he got closed to were traded.
Players like Cedric Maxwell, a great friend of Larry Bird's, didn't want to play for the Celtics anymore as time went by and he was traded for Bill Walton. Geald Henderson played for the Celtics and Larry Bird was cool with this guy but he was traded for a draft pick to the Sonics. When Gerald went against Celtics, he was not holding back. The Celtics drafted Len Bias as a second pick. Quinn Buckner was on of the great players in the Celtics at that time because he had strong defense, but he end up going back to Indiana. Larry Bird distanced from some players because he notice the peope he got close with or played well with got traded.
The team wasn't like it was before but they had to get over it and get back in shape. The other teams were taking advantage of them when they were weak, they end up losing the 1989 championship to Detroit Pistons. The Celtics team didn't give up, especially Bird, they won couple games but lost to Magics, Cleveland, and Atlanta.
One day Larry Bird recieved a phone call saying Len Bias had died of a heart attack. He thought that was the most dreadful and terrible news someone could tell him over the phone. The whole team was sad in losing a great player like Bias. During the 1987 playoffs, the team pulled themselves together and won 59 games. They went against Detroit and Bill Laimbeer caused trouble and had some drama with Larry Bird and Robert.
Quote:
When Larry Bird reflects back to his actions, "Even under those circumstances, I shouldn't have done that and of course I was kicked out of the game"(Bird 161).
Reaction:
The quote above explain how basketball isn't just a game because players might not get along but it is their job to remain their calm. For instance, when Laimbeer used his legs to hold Bird's shoulders or when he grabbed Larry Bird down, that was too aggresive. Even though it is wrong, Larry Bird shouldn't have threw the ball at him, which caused him to get ejected.
Example: Last season of NBA, the Celtics played against the Magic, Eddie House made a basket and smiled facing the Magic's bench which gave him a technical. Also when a player from the Magic slapped Eddie House on the back of the head because Eddie House made the basket. The refs. may not see every trick a player does but a basketball game can get really heated because people might be jealous of your skills so it's your responsibilty to remain humble. That is why Larry Bird regrets on throwing the ball at Laimbeer because he shouldn't have done that even under those circumstances.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Drive: The Story of My Life (Pages 60-122)
SUMMARY:
From pages 60-66, Larry Bird talked about how he played baseball and softball. He seemed to become less interested in baseball when he played for the coach. Larry Bird played softball with his brothers Mike and Mark when Mike threw the ball really hard and shattered Larry Bird's finger. From page 69 (Part II), it is about Larry Bird's career when he was signed by the Celtics to have the best contract ever paid to a rookie at that time.
The rising action is when Larry Bird became a Celtics player, he was being testing by many players like Cedric Maxwell. Maxwell would pick on Larry Bird will his skills but in turned out, Bird was benefiting from this because he get to see the different style of basketball Maxwell played. Larry Bird worked really hard to focus on the game, he wasn't afraid of anyone. He was nominated to play in the All-Star Game, he won All-Star MVP in 1982. The Celtics team played against several teams and Larry Bird won MVP for the season.
Larry Bird met new players throughout the seasons, a person he met and got along with was Mr.Woolf, Bird even bought a house next to him, without knowing himself until Mr. Woolf told him.
Larry Bird started to love Boston, it took him 2-3 years to explore Boston. His wife, Dinah also feel in love with Boston when they expanded out to different parts of Boston. With Larry Bird being a rookie, he had pressure on him because if he doesn't do good, his reputation will be ruined. The team lost the first season he played but won the next 3 season and he personally thought the team would maintain the streak. Unfortunately they didn't and they lost. Larry Bird was upset because he really thought they can win the 4-5 championship in a roll. Because they lost, Larry Bird was determine to do better.
Throughout Larry Bird's career, he met a lot of new people, some became his good friends but he learned one important thing. The one important thing he learned was how to act when he won the championship, but he also had to learn how to react/feel when the team lose.
QUOTE:
As Larry Bird thinks, "When I was originally drafted by the Celtics, I couldn't have cared less about them. I had never been a fan of theirs and I had never followed them in any way"(Bird 63).
REACTION:
At this point of the story, it is the rising action of the book because Larry Bird is talking about his career and how he started to become a well-known basketball player. The quote above shows how ones mind can change in such a short period of time. When Larry Bird was officially playing for the Boston Celtics, he doesn't care about the team and knew nothing about it. When he moved to Boston, he started to get involved and dedicated himself to the team. According to him, all he thought about were practice and basketball for 24hours a day. I think the main point is how Larry Bird got used to winning and he doesn't like the feeling of losing but he had to learn to deal with his emotions about losing a game/season. He was upset every time he lose especially the championship and home games. In order to be a great player, he first have to learn to take the lose and he had to accept it and try to maintain positive about it. When the team failed to win, Larry Bird just gets motivated to do harder to do better. Also in the NBA, teammates could be traded to another team even if you're close to them or work well with them. That was also one of Larry Bird's challenge, he had to work with new people that joins the team, like Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge. I would also say, the narrator which is Larry Bird, telling the story when he was older. He was talking about his relationship with Dave Cowens, like how they got along and did many things together. He reflected back on how he should have spend more time with Cowens. So far in the book, it is interesting because I'm learning so much more about Larry Bird that I never knew about.
From pages 60-66, Larry Bird talked about how he played baseball and softball. He seemed to become less interested in baseball when he played for the coach. Larry Bird played softball with his brothers Mike and Mark when Mike threw the ball really hard and shattered Larry Bird's finger. From page 69 (Part II), it is about Larry Bird's career when he was signed by the Celtics to have the best contract ever paid to a rookie at that time.
The rising action is when Larry Bird became a Celtics player, he was being testing by many players like Cedric Maxwell. Maxwell would pick on Larry Bird will his skills but in turned out, Bird was benefiting from this because he get to see the different style of basketball Maxwell played. Larry Bird worked really hard to focus on the game, he wasn't afraid of anyone. He was nominated to play in the All-Star Game, he won All-Star MVP in 1982. The Celtics team played against several teams and Larry Bird won MVP for the season.
Larry Bird met new players throughout the seasons, a person he met and got along with was Mr.Woolf, Bird even bought a house next to him, without knowing himself until Mr. Woolf told him.
Larry Bird started to love Boston, it took him 2-3 years to explore Boston. His wife, Dinah also feel in love with Boston when they expanded out to different parts of Boston. With Larry Bird being a rookie, he had pressure on him because if he doesn't do good, his reputation will be ruined. The team lost the first season he played but won the next 3 season and he personally thought the team would maintain the streak. Unfortunately they didn't and they lost. Larry Bird was upset because he really thought they can win the 4-5 championship in a roll. Because they lost, Larry Bird was determine to do better.
Throughout Larry Bird's career, he met a lot of new people, some became his good friends but he learned one important thing. The one important thing he learned was how to act when he won the championship, but he also had to learn how to react/feel when the team lose.
QUOTE:
As Larry Bird thinks, "When I was originally drafted by the Celtics, I couldn't have cared less about them. I had never been a fan of theirs and I had never followed them in any way"(Bird 63).
REACTION:
At this point of the story, it is the rising action of the book because Larry Bird is talking about his career and how he started to become a well-known basketball player. The quote above shows how ones mind can change in such a short period of time. When Larry Bird was officially playing for the Boston Celtics, he doesn't care about the team and knew nothing about it. When he moved to Boston, he started to get involved and dedicated himself to the team. According to him, all he thought about were practice and basketball for 24hours a day. I think the main point is how Larry Bird got used to winning and he doesn't like the feeling of losing but he had to learn to deal with his emotions about losing a game/season. He was upset every time he lose especially the championship and home games. In order to be a great player, he first have to learn to take the lose and he had to accept it and try to maintain positive about it. When the team failed to win, Larry Bird just gets motivated to do harder to do better. Also in the NBA, teammates could be traded to another team even if you're close to them or work well with them. That was also one of Larry Bird's challenge, he had to work with new people that joins the team, like Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge. I would also say, the narrator which is Larry Bird, telling the story when he was older. He was talking about his relationship with Dave Cowens, like how they got along and did many things together. He reflected back on how he should have spend more time with Cowens. So far in the book, it is interesting because I'm learning so much more about Larry Bird that I never knew about.
Drive: The Story of My Life (Pages 1-59)
SUMMARY:
The exposition of the story, Drive: The Story of My Life by Larry Bird with Bob Ryan, was when Larry Bird introduce his life to the readers. Larry Bird grew up in French Lick, Indiana with his family. He have a mom and dad and three brothers and one sister. The oldest of brother was named Mike and the second oldest brother's name was Mark. Larry Bird also have an older sister named Linda and a younger brother named Eddie. Basketball wasn't Larry Bird's favorite sport while he grew up. He was more into baseball and some what football, too. One day when he played with a couple of kids, he found out he got the skills to play. He played basketball through out school ever since that day. Larry Bird's family wasn't wealthy, they had only a little but they made the best out of what they got. At this point, the rising action is when Larry Bird was drafted by the Pacers but he didn't know much about it so it end up Pacers trading the picks. After all the trading, Larry Bird ended up with the Celtics. At that point, Larry Bird didn't pay much attention to the Celtics but he became a member of this team.
http://thenation.indysportsnation.com/_Larry-Bird-Talks-About-the-Pacers/video/618746/105623.html
QUOTE:
As Larry Bird says, "Later on, I wanted to resume playing baseball. I wanted to play baseball as a junior and senior, but I never did. By that time I had fallen in love with basketball and when spring came I just couldn't get myself to play baseball. I had to play basketball"(Bird 21).
REACTIONS:
From pages 1-59 of this book, I learned so much about Larry Bird that I would never expected. In the exposition, he explained how his family didn't have everything and his mom and dad worked several jobs to support the family. During the period of time when he grew up, it was hard for his parents to agree on their financial problems, which caused them to divorce. I wouldn't have thought he went through the tough times like that because I always thought he paid to join basketball programs to increase his skills. He actually gain his skills by himself and practicing every moment he could. The quote that I chose made me realize how he didn't play basketball for the fame and for the money. He actually loves basketball because in the quote he said he "had" to play basketball. On page 31, Larry Bird said he isn't into college basketball games, I can relate to that because like him, I know nothing about it and I find it boring.
The exposition of the story, Drive: The Story of My Life by Larry Bird with Bob Ryan, was when Larry Bird introduce his life to the readers. Larry Bird grew up in French Lick, Indiana with his family. He have a mom and dad and three brothers and one sister. The oldest of brother was named Mike and the second oldest brother's name was Mark. Larry Bird also have an older sister named Linda and a younger brother named Eddie. Basketball wasn't Larry Bird's favorite sport while he grew up. He was more into baseball and some what football, too. One day when he played with a couple of kids, he found out he got the skills to play. He played basketball through out school ever since that day. Larry Bird's family wasn't wealthy, they had only a little but they made the best out of what they got. At this point, the rising action is when Larry Bird was drafted by the Pacers but he didn't know much about it so it end up Pacers trading the picks. After all the trading, Larry Bird ended up with the Celtics. At that point, Larry Bird didn't pay much attention to the Celtics but he became a member of this team.
http://thenation.indysportsnation.com/_Larry-Bird-Talks-About-the-Pacers/video/618746/105623.html
QUOTE:
As Larry Bird says, "Later on, I wanted to resume playing baseball. I wanted to play baseball as a junior and senior, but I never did. By that time I had fallen in love with basketball and when spring came I just couldn't get myself to play baseball. I had to play basketball"(Bird 21).
REACTIONS:
From pages 1-59 of this book, I learned so much about Larry Bird that I would never expected. In the exposition, he explained how his family didn't have everything and his mom and dad worked several jobs to support the family. During the period of time when he grew up, it was hard for his parents to agree on their financial problems, which caused them to divorce. I wouldn't have thought he went through the tough times like that because I always thought he paid to join basketball programs to increase his skills. He actually gain his skills by himself and practicing every moment he could. The quote that I chose made me realize how he didn't play basketball for the fame and for the money. He actually loves basketball because in the quote he said he "had" to play basketball. On page 31, Larry Bird said he isn't into college basketball games, I can relate to that because like him, I know nothing about it and I find it boring.
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