Larry Bird already knew the challenges of being a coach in the NBA before he signed a three-year deal with the Indiana Pacers. The Xs and Os were just a small part of the equation. Bird knew the real challenge lay in navigating player egos and differences in their individual career goals.

Different motivations

In all those years as a player in the Association, Bird realized not everyone was out to win as many championships as possible. To most NBA players, “greatness” didn’t necessarily mean raising the Larry O’Brien trophy at the end of the season but earning a living to sustain their lifestyles.

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While this is understandable, Larry was irked by how some players boast about their rings as if they played a pivotal part in the team’s success. He hated how players who didn’t necessarily put in the work enjoy the fruits of success and ride the coattails of those who spent countless hours in the gym.

“If they get traded to Chicago and win a championship, that’s great,” Bird said in 1997, via the Chicago Tribune. “But they didn’t do anything, then they say, ‘I won a championship.’ They don’t want to pay the price of being a star, playing every night, challenging and meeting the challenge. They want to play on someone like Michael Jordan’s team, so if they go down, blame him.”

Not on my team

Bird’s comments came following his appointment as the Pacers’ new head coach. Given his stacked resume as a player for the Boston Celtics, people expected him to achieve the same level of success for his hometown team. Larry Legend is regarded as one of the smartest players in history, and critics expected no less from the three-time NBA Champion.

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Larry assured critics that his team, led by Reggie Miller, will always be prepared physically and mentally. Their game plans will be detailed and precise. Every single player on the team masters the offense like the back of their hand.

Apart from the tactical nuances of the game itself, Bird wanted his team to behave with professional integrity. Larry wanted his players to follow the rules accordingly, believing it would ultimately help in developing team chemistry.

“What I can’t stand is somebody who lies, steals or is late. One guy is not going to hold the other 11 up,” Bird said. “If you’re late for practices or planes, you’ll be late in the fourth quarter when we need a basket. I learned over the years you don’t take coaching jobs to make friends. I’m very aware of that. All I can ask for is respect.”

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Bird’s three-year stint as Pacers coach yielded two Eastern Conference Finals and one NBA Finals appearance. The 1998 ECF had to be decided in seven games, and though Indiana ultimately fell, Michael Jordan admitted the Pacers were one of their toughest foes in all their campaigns.

After his three-year contract ended, fans and players urged Bird to return for at least one more year as head coach. He was a natural at it, and he needed at least one more season to fully become a master of the craft. But Larry remained true to his word and walked off the sidelines after the 2000 NBA Playoffs.

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 30, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.