Talk Today
02/01/2002 - Updated 02:23 PM ET
Larry Bird

Larry Bird

Wednesday, Feb. 6, 4:30 p.m. ET

Basketball Hall of Famer Larry Bird has been referred to as "The Living Legend" by Sports Illustrated. Talk to Bird about his career playing with the Celtics and coaching the Indiana Pacers, and the 'Link Up With a Legend' giveaway, an online auction that will award a round of 18 holes of golf with Bird to the highest bidder and three friends. Proceeds of the auction will go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

San Diego, CA : Larry, what have you been doing in your retirement?

Larry Bird: I'm real happy to be working with Heinz frozen food company and Boston Market frozen meals to generate donations for the Boys and Girls clubs of America through the Link Up With a Legend program. Consumers can log onto www.heinz.com/bostonmarket to get all the details on how to make their donations, and register to win a lot of great prizes. They can also get more information on how to bid on eBay between February the 6-16 for the chance to win a trip to Florida for three to play a round of golf with me at my home course. In addition to all the donations raised by the LUWAL Program, the Heinz frozen food company has guaranteed a matching donation of $10,000. So not only will a lot of winners have a great time here in Florida, an important children's organization will benefit as well. It's a great project for me to be involved in.

Hamden, CT. : I was wondering what you thought about the NBA going to a partial zone defense? Has it change the game in any way? Is it hard to be a coach in the pro ranks because of the individuality the sport has become? Would you ever consider coaching again in any level? Thanks for your time.

Larry Bird: I don't think the zone defenses have much to do with the game. I can't see where it disrupts or helps the game. I really don't think players are more individualistic than when I played.

Hamden, CT. : I was wondering what is your average score in golf? What is some of your favorite golf courses and playing partners? Thanks for your time.

Larry Bird: Right now I'm a 5 handicapper. I like any and all golf courses. Playing partners? It doesn't matter as long as they're fun and good guys.

Jackson, MS : Larry, what do you think of the newest Boston hero, Tom Brady? He has joined you and your Celtics teammates and the Bo Sox legends in Boston hero status by winning the Superbowl, would you agree?

Larry Bird: I'm very happy for the Patriots. They made a believer out of me! It's always a good thing to see a young man like Brady step into the limelight and show his skills. He did a fantastic job, and is definitely one of the leaders of the team.

Danville, CA : Hi Larry - it was a pleasure watching you play, and your competitiveness and talent are sorely missed. How do you think the LA Lakers of Shaq/Kobe would have fared against the Celtics of the mid-80's? Are they as good as the Kareem/Magic/Worthy Lakers of the same era?? thanks!

Larry Bird: It's hard to tell, but Shaq and Kobe are so dominating right now. It would have been interesting to play against them. Don't forget that the Lakers had a fine team in the 80s -- it would have been interesting to see how Shaq/Kobe stacked up against those guys.

chillicothe ohio : would you ever consider coaching the celtics if you were offered the job?

Larry Bird: I was actually offered the job about 5 or 6 years ago, and I turned it down. I had a good experience in Boston, but I don't want to go back there to coach. My goal now is to get in with some team, preferably Boston, to build a team to win a championship. So a front office job would be more my speed.

Hanson, Ma : Larry, What's the major difference in the NBA today vs. the 80's? I can remember when scores were always in the 100's, and now they are almost always below 100, my opinion is that there are way too many teams, allowing for mediocre players to play in the NBA.

Larry Bird: I think the major problem is that shooting percentages aren't as good as they were when I played. When a guy shot 44% in my day, we thought they were terrible. Guys aren't working on their shots the way they used to.

Madrid, Spain : I am originally from Boston and appreciate all you did for the Spirit of the city during the 80's. Could you please tell us what was the key to the teamwork of those Celtics teams that seams to be lacking in the NBA today. Thanks, David

Larry Bird: The team was very unselfish back then. We had guys scoring 25 or so points a game, but we worked as a team and played to our strengths.

Peoria, Il. : What do you think of MJ's return?

Larry Bird: I was a little surprised at first, but he means to much to so many people and he's wonderful to watch. The team he's on doesn't have much, but they're winning because of him.

I quit because of my back, and I had to get out when it was time. You won't see me coming back.

hong kong : What do you think about all the traveling and double-dribbling that goes on in the NBA today? If you could've picked up your second dribble and taken three or four steps with it, they would've called you one of the fastest guys in the league!

Larry Bird: I don't like it, and never did like it. Play by the rules.

Taipei,Taiwan. : come to Taiwan? What's your next step?...Golf champion?hope"Bird eats Tiger"

Larry Bird: HAhahahahaha! There's no chance of going pro in golf. I certainly can't play with him. I probably couldn't beat him in basketball now!

Fairbanks, Alaska : Larry. I need to settle a bet with a friend of mine. Did the old Boston Garden floor actually have certain dead spots known only to the home team Celtics?

Larry Bird: That's false. We had dead spots, but we never knew where they were going to be.

Camp Hill, PA. : Larry, is it true: During your rookie year in a Celtics championship game with about 7 seconds left, the Celtics needed a score to win, during a time out you told the coach "just give me the ball and get out the way?" Did that really happen?

Larry Bird: It wasn't in a championship game...I said that in every game when it was close!

Tysons Corner, VA : Mr. Bird, Thank you for all you brought to the game of basketball and your role in such an amazing rivalry between the Celtics and Lakers in the 80s. Have you ever had a "Jordan vs Bird" match on the golf course? Thank you, Alan

Larry Bird: Yes, I've played with Michael in Naples. We're similar in golf, but he was playing baseball a lot and I was playing golf a lot. I had the upper hand.

washington, dc : Do you still follow the NBA? If so, which team impresses you the most?

Larry Bird: The Lakers impress me the most, but I watch a lot of teams. I read as much as I can on the Pacers and Celtics, of course. I try to keep up with the players and the league.

Portland, OR : Hi Larry! Thanks for letting us chat with you! You made the game look easy out on the court, but I was wondering about 2 things -- what individual do you think could guard you the best during your career and which individual did you have the toughest time guarding?....... (i realize this is probably a tough question)

Larry Bird: Michael Cooper was the best defender. They were all tough for me to guard.

Austin, TX : Larry -- thank you so much for the unbelievable memories you game us in Boston. Question -- what is the status of your medical condition with your heart that was discovered when you were coaching the Pacers?

Larry Bird: I'm doing pretty good. It doesn't keep me from doing what I want to do. I have some problems, but not a lot.

washington DC : you were pretty good as a rookie for the celts. did the veterans on the team treat you like a lowly rookie?

Larry Bird: Yes. They sure did. I had to get all the balls after practice, go out and get them pizzas, all that stuff.

Portsmouth, NH : Mr. Bird- Before, I get to my question I would just like to say how enjoyable it was for me to be able to watch you, as I was growing up, play basketball for my home team Boston Celtics. You were, and always will be the Man! Now for my question: There had been talk, over the past couple of years, that you were going to put together a team of investors, and try and buy the Celtics. I was wondering if that is still a possability, or if it was all just talkshow fodder? I think you are exactly what the Franchise needs to get over this drought. Thank you for your time. Dennis M.

Larry Bird: Yes, it's still a possibility. Right now the owner's not interested in selling, but we'll keep trying.

Santa Fe, New Mexico : Hello Larry, What effect did the addition of a marquee player like Bill Walton have on you as a player and the Celtics as a team? Also, I recall seeing you and Bill at a Grateful Dead concert in Worcester, MA... What did you think of Jerry Garcia?

Larry Bird: Jerry Garcia was the Michael Jordan of musicians.

I knew that if we got Bill Walton healthy and in a Celtics uniform we'd win the championship. I always respected his game.

Comment from USATODAY.com Host: Sorry we couldn't get to all the questions. There were more queries than time for Larry to answer them, so we had to pick a representative set. Thanks to everyone who joined in, and to Larry Bird for being nice enough to come by.