It’s always fascinating to hear the insights into how the greatest players of all time evaluate talent across generations. One of the most intriguing examples of this is Larry Bird‘s documented admiration for one of the most skilled point guards in NBA history.
Larry Legend has always been a fan of pure and consistent talent. Even though he played the small forward position during his playing years, Bird enjoys watching the little guys showcase their skills on the NBA hardwood, so that’s why Rod Strickland was among his favorites.
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Bird was no stranger to having shared the court with some of the best point guards in the league during his time. However, for his keen eyes, Strickland’s versatile scoring mixed with mastery of tempo and angles was poetry in motion.
“He can score anytime he wants to,” the Hall of Famer wrote in his book, “Bird Watching: On Playing and Coaching The Game I Love” as he raved about Strickland’s game. “… He can also get the ball to anybody.”
Coach Bird’s only problem with Rod
It’s no surprise that Strickland became one of Bird’s favorite floor generals. Drafted by the New York Knicks in 1988, “Hot Rod” put together a stellar 17-year NBA career, compiling a total of 14,463 points and 7,897 assists.
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Strickland’s statistical apex arrived during the 1997-98 season with the Washington Wizards when he led the entire NBA in total assists. Rod logged 801 dimes and averaged 10.5 assists per game that season, earning him an All-NBA Second Team selection.
However, Bird’s praise was not entirely without caveats. As a notorious perfectionist who approached the game with legendary discipline and a fierce work ethic, Larry Legend openly admitted that he would have likely had a problem coaching Strickland.
For Bird, who coached the Indiana Pacers for three successful seasons, Rod’s laissez-faire approach to his responsibilities as a professional player would have pushed his coaching boundaries to the limit.
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“I think I would have a hard time coaching him, though, because from what I understand, he’s always late. I wouldn’t put up with that. The other thing is, he evidently doesn’t like to practice. That doesn’t mesh with me either.”
Rod knew he had messed up
As it turned out, Bird’s critical assessment of Strickland was surprisingly accurate. In fact, Strickland himself has once candidly come clean about being unprofessional, especially in the latter part of his NBA career.
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According to “Hot Rod,” he was careless and all he really wanted was to play without fully grasping the behavioral and professional standards expected of an NBA player. Eventually, Strickland’s issues caught up with him as he got involved in clashes with management, missing team flights and frequent contract disputes.
“After my 12th year, you could see the slide, right? And I got to tell on myself a little bit,” Rod once disclosed. “You know, if you look at my first 12 years, you look at the numbers — you know, I probably averaged like 16.8, 8 dimes, about four rebounds, almost two steals during that period. But because of my unprofessionalism and things, the last five years were tough because no one trusted me then.”
Strickland may not have panned out the way Bird initially envisioned it. However, the fact that he became one of Larry’s favorite players could already be considered a badge of honor.
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Related: Rod Strickland backed Kyrie Irving through Boston disappointment: “Proud of him”
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.