Larry Bird says NBA needs more white stars

**VonErich Lives** · 06-12-2004, 06:52 AM

http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=2475988

Report: Bird says NBA needs more white stars

FOXSports.com
Posted: 17 hours ago

Larry Bird says he knows what the NBA needs � more white superstars. The Hall of Famer made the remark during a television interview which will air prior to Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.

Bird, who is currently the Indiana Pacers' president of basketball operations, says during the interview that while the league will forever be dominated by black athletes, the presence of more star players who are white would appeal to a fan base which Bird feels is predominantly white.

"You know when I played, you had me and Kevin (McHale) and some others throughout the league." Bird said. "I think it's good for a fan base because as we all know the majority of the fans are white America.

"And if you just had a couple of white guys in there, you might get them a little excited. But it is a black man's game, and it will be forever. I mean, the greatest athletes in the world are African-American."

The interview also included LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Magic Johnson, who besides helping Bird inject life into the league in the 1980s, also seemed to agree with Bird.

"We need some more LB's, Larry Birds," Magic said. Larry Bird, you see, can go into any neighborhood. When you say 'Larry Bird,' black people know who he is, Hispanics, whites, and they give him the respect."

Bird went on to say that, as a player, he was offended when white players attempted to guard him.

ok, happened a few days ago, but no one posted it yet. Some people have gone off the deep end that he's a hick/racist. Others felt he was joking. Comments like being offended when gaurded by a white guy. Magic was there with him, and some say he was poking fun w/ Magic. What I find really interesting is a lot of black players have said if anyone has the right to say that, it's bird.

06-12-2004, 06:52 AM	#1
VonErich Lives WTF do you want? Posts: 14,760	Larry Bird says NBA needs more white stars http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=2475988 Report: Bird says NBA needs more white stars FOXSports.com Posted: 17 hours ago Larry Bird says he knows what the NBA needs � more white superstars. The Hall of Famer made the remark during a television interview which will air prior to Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Thursday. Bird, who is currently the Indiana Pacers' president of basketball operations, says during the interview that while the league will forever be dominated by black athletes, the presence of more star players who are white would appeal to a fan base which Bird feels is predominantly white. "You know when I played, you had me and Kevin (McHale) and some others throughout the league." Bird said. "I think it's good for a fan base because as we all know the majority of the fans are white America. "And if you just had a couple of white guys in there, you might get them a little excited. But it is a black man's game, and it will be forever. I mean, the greatest athletes in the world are African-American." The interview also included LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Magic Johnson, who besides helping Bird inject life into the league in the 1980s, also seemed to agree with Bird. "We need some more LB's, Larry Birds," Magic said. Larry Bird, you see, can go into any neighborhood. When you say 'Larry Bird,' black people know who he is, Hispanics, whites, and they give him the respect." Bird went on to say that, as a player, he was offended when white players attempted to guard him. ok, happened a few days ago, but no one posted it yet. Some people have gone off the deep end that he's a hick/racist. Others felt he was joking. Comments like being offended when gaurded by a white guy. Magic was there with him, and some say he was poking fun w/ Magic. What I find really interesting is a lot of black players have said if anyone has the right to say that, it's bird.