Bird Watching: On Playing and Coaching the Game I Love

by Jackie MacMullan and Larry Bird

Book Overview

Larry Bird captured the imagination and admiration of basketball fans throughout his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics with his trademark style of creative, intelligent, exciting, and hard-nosed play. And last year, in just his rookie season as head coach of the Indiana Pacers, he remarkably managed to turn around a slumping franchise, lead the team to the conference finals, and was subsequently named the NBA's "Coach of the Year." Now, this...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446524646
• ISBN13: 9780446524643
• Release Date: September 1999
• Publisher: Warner Books (NY)
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

BIRD spelled backwards is WINNER

This book explores the post playing days of arguably the best forward to ever play the game of basketball. Bird recaps his days of playing in the olympics, his time in the front office of the Celtics, and his coaching days of the Pacers. I have been a huge Bird fan since I was a kid, yet I never knew much about him, except for what I saw on the court. This book gave me a lot of insight into Bird's dynamic work ethic as both player and coach and showed how he was able to use his winning attitude to take the Pacers from 39 wins to 58 wins in one season as well as to the infamous clash with Jordan and the Bulls in the 98 Eastern Conference Finals. Bird also reveals his thoughts about the NBA today. If you want to know about the legend that is Larry Bird, you should read this book.

endearing

The most striking attribute of Bird Watching is its sincerity and candor. I've always liked Larry Bird and this was a must purchase. He doesn't pull any punches here. I was a little surprised by some of the things he wrote here, but still appreciated and enjoyed knowing it. I learned more about who Larry Bird is rather than an image....it may even change your impression of him after reading it

A must-read for Bird fans and sports fans!

I have read what I thought all there was to know about the greatest baskeball player of all-time. But through this book, I have learned more about the legendary Bird. The book takes you through the later years of Bird's injured-plagued career and through his first years coaching the Pacers. He walks us through his struggles and joys of coaching a team he plans will make the NBA Finals. The book shows me what I truly love about Larry Bird. A book not to be missed.

Most Valuable Book

Bird Watching is one of those rare books that captures both the man, his courage, yet his simplicity. This book is chock full of surprises and funny stories. Jackie MacMullan, who writes so well for Sports Illustrates, has really slam dunked her first book

thought i knew everything about bird. i was wrong.

As a long-time Bird and Celtic fan, I figured I knew most everything about Bird. But this book reveals a far more personal - and honest - side to our favorite basketball legend than I've seen or read anywhere. Kudos to the author for capturing Bird's introspective voice. i loved it.