"The City Game" and Larry Bird

When I first came to NYC at age 17, I was amused to find that after a while I noticed that all NY sports commentators kept referring to basketball as "The City Game"-- as if all the passion for basketball in the Midwest didn't exist.

Basketball has now become known as an almost completely black ( or African American) sport-- you see a few white players these days, that is all.

The last great white player was Larry Bird, as I remember.
One website devoted to him notes the following:

• Larry Bird is considered as one of professional basketball's greatest players who helped revolutionize the game.

• He was first noted for his basketball skills when playing for Springs Valley High School.

• At Indiana University, Larry Bird excelled in basketball winning the Naismith and Wooden awards given to the best male player.

• Bird entered the NBA joining the Boston Celtics in 1979 with the largest contract ever paid to a rookie at that time.

• In his first season with the team, the Celtics were turned virtually in one season from a losing team to a winning team.

• Bird won the Rookie of the Year award in that first year with the team.

• With Bird's play, the Boston Celtics became one of basketball's most formidable teams winning three NBA crowns in six years.

• He was voted the league's Most Valuable Player in three consecutive years from 1984 to 1986.

• Bird was often credited as being the most versatile player in basketball showing both offensive and defensive strengths.

• He was named to all-star teams consistently during the time he played with the Celtics.

• The "Larry Bird Rule" was instigated so that teams could keep a player by exceeding the salary caps that were adopted by the NBA.

• Upon his retirement, Larry Bird started a career in coaching with the Indiana Pacers and was named Coach of the Year in his first season.

• He had three successful years coaching the Pacers including appearing in the NBA finals in 2000.

• Bird retired from coaching at the end of 2000 but returned in 2003 as President of Basketball Operations.

• In 1998, Larry Bird was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame and named one of the 50 all-time best players in the NBA.

All in all, a pretty impressive career.

(Note: basketball players are at the popular courts on West 4th Street in Greenwich Village).