"My job is to go out and play" - Larry Bird on why he could never be Mr. Spokesman for the NBA

While many NBA superstars use their platform to speak up on issues outside of basketball, Larry Bird always had a different approach. The three-time MVP was solely focused on excelling as a player and winning games for the Boston Celtics without adopting additional, off-the-court responsibilities that come with that.

Bird only cared about the game

The Indiana native was renowned for his mastery on the basketball court. He was a trash-talking genius, a wizard with the ball, and one of the best players of his era. Naturally, Bird's greatness opened up many opportunities for him away from the court. And while he took some of them, Larry kept his endeavors in the realm of the game. Everything else, according to the Celtics legend, didn't fit his job description.

That's why, even at the peak of his career in 1985, the 12-time All-Star confessed that he was not interested in being an advocate for the league.

"I can never see me as Mr. Spokesman for the NBA or for this or that," Bird said . "That's not my job. My job is to go out and play the best I possibly can for the Boston Celtics and win basketball games. After that, it's over, and I can go home."

Larry wanted all the spotlight on the court

Bird's unparalelled dedication to basketball extended back to his time at Spring Valley High. Since then, the legendary forward never entertained the idea of using his fame for other purposes, and instead decided to immerse himself the game.

This dedication allowed a young Larry to thrive under pressure, making him accustomed to the situations where he was required to be'the 'hero’ when the stakes were highest.

Bird recounted a defining moment from his past, recalling how he once broke his ankle and made a return to the court for the sectionals tournament. Despite his injury, his coach called him off the bench during clutch time. With just 10 seconds remaining, Larry got the opportunity to secure a victory for his team

"We're one point down with 10 seconds left when the other team fouls me and I go to the free-throw line thinking, ‘I could be a hero.’ I made both shots, and we won the game," he added. "Ever since then, I've always had the feeling that I liked being center stage. I liked having the ball in my hands and making things happen."

While numerous NBA players have leveraged their platform to make commendable contributBird'sway from the game, Bird always saw himself as a player and nothing more. The same can be said for Nikola Jokic, who, despite showing unprecedented level of greatness, only cares about what happens on the court.

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