“Would you go to him or a guy who has taken that many shots in the course of a year?” – Larry Bird explaining his constant desire to attempt the final shot

“Would you go to him or a guy who has taken that many shots in the course of a year?” – Larry Bird explaining his constant desire to attempt the final shot

Larry’s self-assurance stemmed from more than just his superiority.

The legendary Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics believed he was simply the best at making the final shot of the game. The three-time champion felt he put in more work than anyone, especially during practice and shootaround, so he was always confident in his ability to make shots.

“If it were my final shot, I would take it over anyone because I would have probably taken two or three thousand more shots than my teammates over the course of the entire season or in the playoffs. Would you rather go to him now, or to a person who’s had that many shots in a year? Bird remarked in a 1991 interview with NBA.com, “I always felt that I’m the guy they should go to because I’m the guy who is going to hit the shot.”

Bird didn’t act arrogant when he said he expected to make a shot in the closing minutes of the game. The numbers speak for themselves, thus it is true.’Larry Legend’ scored 24.3 points per game on 49.6% field goals and 37.6% three-point shooting during the course of his 13 NBA seasons.

Larry had the ability to light it up, and his confidence grew as the situation grew more significant.

“Practice is essential for success in anything, and I’ve always believed that the best way to improve is to practice and find your rhythm. I consistently make 80% of my shots when I go. However, in a game setting, you have to develop your ability to make shots under duress. That’s where, in my opinion, you take the guy away from the boys later in the game, said Larry.

In addition, Larry feels that by knowing where to be on the court at all times, he improved his teammates in addition to his ability to make baskets late in the game. Kevin McHale was the teammate who, in his opinion, improved him. Playing with him had given Bird the desire to be that player for his club.

1. Being a valuable teammate entails more than just coming through for the group when someone else misses a shot. It entails understanding how to penetrate the defense of the opposition and find openings where his teammates can throw the ball to him while they are confined to the court.

   “I can throw the ball almost anywhere, and if the guy is on me and I’m in trouble, Kev’s down low, he’ll get in and put it in and make it look really easy.” Thus, I believe that’s how other guys perceive me. That’s essentially what’s happened over the last several years—when they get into trouble, they know they can come to me when they need two points,” Bird said.