Hockey was once one of the four major American sports. The big four were the National Football League, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League. But yet, even as some in those group dominate the others (the NFL dominates all sports in terms of popularity), the NHL has not been able to really keep up with the others.

However, hockey as dropped off the list of major sports. Right now, NASCAR racing is likely more popular with the general public than NHL hockey. Once one of the most important sports in the US, hockey is now seemingly shut out of the top tier looking in.

How did this happen to the NHL? Was it the entire season that was lost to the lockout that did this? No, that wasn’t the reason, that lost year to the lockout was actually a symptom of the problem itself. The lockout was held because salaries were getting out of control and many franchises, outside of the most popular ones such as the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings, simply could not afford to keep paying as much to their players as they were.

As any fan who lives in a city with a NHL franchise knows, declining ticket sales aren’t the cause of NHL franchises’ slumping revenues; games continue to be well attended and eagerly looked forward to. The reason for the lower revenue has to do with broadcast rights, a significant source of income for the NHL. Hockey is simply less popular as a televised sport than it once was.

The lockout however certainly didn’t help the situation. When hockey returned the next season they made a deal with the network known as OLN – now Versus – to broadcast their weekly national games. However that cable station reaches only a small fraction of the homes that the major networks reach. This means that hockey simply isn’t viewable by a great deal of the population, leaving it in a spot where it can hardly increase its popularity.

There is also the problem that many fans think that hockey is a sport which doesn’t lend itself well to the medium of television. Fans prefer to watch hockey games in person; and NHL games are often sold out. However, hockey fans think that some of the speed and the finesse of the sport are lacking in televised games. Sadly, this has led to hockey being harder and harder to watch at all and there are a lot of people who may never know just what they’re missing.

Therefore the answer to the question is that no, hockey is no longer one of the major sports in this country. It has lost it’s place in that upper echelon, and is struggling for a strategy to get back. It needs to find a way to make its television games more exciting, while also getting those games aired in a spot where more people can view them. Until both of those happen it may be hard for the NHL to regain the spotlight it once had.

Pele, a former Brazilian footballer, is thought by many to be the greatest footballer in history. Pele is his nickname; he was born in Brazil with the given name of Edison (Edson) Arantes do Nascimento on October 23, 1940. While his birth certificate reads that his first name is Edison, his preference is Edson, but Pele is the name that this sports legend is known by.

It’s hard to even imagine football without Pele; he seems as if he was born with the sole purpose of playing football. Pele’s ball control and speed are the stuff of legend and his passing skills are second to none and all his own, though often imitated. Nearly any time that Pele had the ball, amazing things would happen, thrilling fans worldwide. Pele scored an amazing career total of 1,283 goals, twelve of which were in the course of World Cup matches (in 1958, 1968 and 1970). Pele was the first player to win three World Cups.

Pele was discovered and nurtured by Waldemar de Brito, who began coaching him in 1954. In a mere two years, he began playing professionally and by 1957, Pele was in a starting position on Santos. The same year, Pele won a World Cup – by 1962, he was fielding (and considering) offers from European clubs. The Brazilian government, fearing that Pele would leave for greener pastures, declared him a national treasure, which effectively prevented him from going to a team outside of the country.

Pele played for the team until 1972, at which point he entered semi-retirement, playing only in especially tough games. In 1975, he came out of retirement to play for the New York Cosmos, a part of the North American League. Some said Pele was past his prime, but there is no doubt that he generated a lot of interest in the game amongst Americans and had the last laugh when he led the Cosmos to a NASL championship in 1977 during his last season.

In his homeland of Brazil, he is still regarded a national hero. He is well known for his contributions and accomplishments to football and was declared the football ambassador of the world by FIFA. He vocally supports policies that will improve the conditions of the less privileged. During his legendary career, he earned the title \”The King of Football\”. His is a member of the American National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Mixed martial arts is a sport which has been seeing an ever expanding fan base over the past decade. The sport really started to take off after a UFC-centered reality TV show which exposed the sport to the public. The UFC is the official MMA league which produces and promotes the matches; all of the professional MMA fighters are in the league, giving the UFC a lock on the sport. Many people worry that the attention paid to MMA comes at the expense of boxing, but the two sports are different enough that there shouldn’t be any cause for alarm – there is no reason to follow one sport and not the other, since MMA is not intended to replace boxing.

However, boxing has been declining in popularity in the US for some time now. Of course, the sweet science is at no risk of extinction – there is a core of loyal fans that will always support the sport. Despite the repeated predictions of boxing’s demise, the sport isn’t going anywhere. However, some long time boxing fans feel that MMA is nothing but a cheap, sensationalized knock off of their favorite sport.

There are also boxing fans who have found themselves drawn to MMA while still being every bit as loyal to boxing. There is plenty here for boxing fans (and anyone else) to enjoy in MMA. Mixed martial arts does include some elements drawn from boxing, but also incorporates techniques from MuayThai, kickboxing, judo and wrestling, among other fighting styles. This amalgam of different techniques and styles makes MMA something very different than boxing.

MMA fans likewise often enjoy boxing. The boxing seen in MMA matches leave a lot to be desired when compared to the expert footwork, advanced techniques and finesse which is on display in a boxing match. Since MMA fighters don’t tend to specialize in any one style (and even if so, this style is rarely boxing), the fighting styles of the two sports are worlds apart.

There are more TKOs in MMA matches than in boxing proper, however. This is due to the very small, light gloves used in MMA. Little more than knuckle guards, they don’t cushion the impact of a blow the way that traditional boxing gloves do. This is in line with MMA in general – it’s less focused on skill than on force and raw physicality than is boxing, which is unarguably a more refined sport. Both MMA and boxing have their own appeal to fans due to the differences in approach between the two.

You can certainly be a fan of boxing and MMA; there are different reasons why people enjoy each of these sports. There’s no need to feel as if you’re betraying boxing by enjoying a MMA match or vice versa. After all, you never hear people talking about how they can’t take in a basketball game since they’re also hockey fans. The two sports are different and are not in direct competition with each other, simple as that.

For both boxing and MMA to truly be appreciated, people have to come to the realization that they are separate from one another and that both can be enjoyed for any number of reasons. Of course you don’t have to like both, any fan is free to appreciate whatever sport appeals to them. The point is that there is no reason that you cannot like each sport for what it is.

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• which produces the most force? boxing or MMA

George Foreman

George Foreman has become a recognized name as a result of his lengthy and eventful boxing career. He not only has the distinction of being recognized as one of the top 25 boxers of all time, but he also became the oldest fighter to win a heavyweight title. In addition to his professional boxing career, he pastors his own church and is an accomplished businessman.

He finished his amateur career with an incredible 27-0 record before turning professional in 1969. That year, he won a total of 12 fights, with 11 via knockout. The following year, he continued on in pursuit of the undisputed heavyweight title by winning every one of his 12 fights in 1970, again with 11 of them by knockout. In 1971, Foreman won seven more victories. He had earned a phenomenal record of 32-0 by then, and was considered by the WBC and WBA to be the top challenger. Foreman continued his victorious streak with an additional five victories in 1972. He won each of these victories in three rounds.

In a historic 1973 match up, Foreman fought Joe Frazier, the undisputed and undefeated heavyweight world champion. In a bout called the Sunshine Showdown, broadcast by HBO Boxing, Foreman knocked Frazier to the canvas six times in only two rounds to win the championship by knockout. This became one of the greatest upsets in boxing history. Many boxing fans will always remember that final blow ” a forceful uppercut that lifted Frazier completely off his feet before crashing down for the last time.

Foreman kept his heavyweight title until 1974, when he was pitted against the former heavyweight champion, Mohamed Ali. This bout, dubbed The Rumble in the Jungle was fought in Zaire. This match marked Foremans first defeat in his entire professional boxing career. Foreman disappeared from the boxing scene for the rest of 1975 in the face of this crushing defeat.

He never formally retired from boxing but he did stop boxing. He became a minister of a church, devoting himself to his family and the church parishioners. A youth center was opened that bears his name. He continues to give testimonies regarding his conversion experience.

He has a large family, ten children, five boys, and five girls. He named all five of his sons George. In order of age they are George Jr., George III, George IV, George V and last but not least George VI.

Foreman has a large family of ten kids, including five girls and five boys. All five of his sons are named George. They are, of course, George Jr., George III, George IV, George V, and George VI.

In 1994, Foreman regained the heavyweight title when he challenged Michael Moorer on November 5 in Las Vegas. With this victory he broke two records; the oldest fighter to ever win the world heavyweight title as well as breaking the record of the longest interval between championships. He continued boxing until his second retirement in 1999.

Foreman went on to break two boxing records when he regained the heavyweight title after successfully challenging Michael Moorer in Las Vegas on November 5, 1994. He not only became the oldest boxer to win the world heavyweight title; he also broke the record for longest interval between championship wins. He kept boxing until his second retirement in 1999.

His other business ventures include doing commercials for Meineke Mufflers and promotion of his George Foreman Grill. He also began marketing his own brand of Big and Tall clothing through Casual Male in 2004.

Foremans other notable business ventures include commercial appearances for Meineke Mufflers, and promoting his own George Foreman Grill. In 2004, he started marketing his brand of Big and Tall clothing through Casual Male.

He has also published four books; all related to his life experiences. These books are sure to be interesting reading considering the interesting life George Foreman has led thus far.

He has also published four books; all related to his life experiences. These books are sure to be interesting reading considering the interesting life George Foreman has led thus far.

One of the world’s oldest (and largest) tennis tournaments, the US Open has been held annually since 1881. This is the fourth and final tournament of the Grand Slam tour and is held beginning in late August and concluding in early September. There are championship events in the following categories which are held at the US Open: Men’s and Women’s Singles, Men’s and Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles. IN addition, the tournament features Seniors, Juniors and wheelchair events.

The US Open is atypical for the Grand Slam in that the winners in these events are the winners of the final set’s tie break instead of the best of 5 sets (in Men’s) or best of 3 sets (Women’s) used in Wimbledon.

Like the rest of the Grand Slam, the US Open is a prestigious event; while there is no royalty in attendance as at Wimbledon, the tournament draws thousands of people from all over the world. The players compete for over $20 million in prizes, with the purses being larger than in the other Grand Slam tournaments. There are more than 600 players in each year’s tournament.

The US Open is held in New York City, at the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, home of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Unlike Wimbledon, the events are held on an acrylic court rather than grass.

Since there is more prize money to be won, many players aspire to compete in this tournament. There is a $1.5 million prize for the winners of the main events, with half that amount going to the runner up. Semifinalists are awarded $320,000, quarterfinalists half of this and so on. There are many prizes to be won even by those players who leave without a trophy.

There are many prizes for US Tennis Open winners that are not in the singles events. The money for winners of doubles is split up in 7 different ways and totals $1.8 million. The mixed doubles event totals $500,000 in prizes. Men’s and women’s qualifying events of 128 draws pays out up to $1 million. The total player compensation to players in the event totals $20,657,000 in prize money.

There are many US Tennis Open winners each year that walk away with prize money. This Grand Slam tennis tournament is one that recognizes many different winners in many different events. There are many ways to win in this tournament and a lot of money given out. This is one of the most popular events in the Grand Slam.

Masters golf winners are very proud to hold the titles they do. This golf tournament is one of four major golf championships held in Augusta, Georgia at the Augusta National Golf club. This is a private golf club that is not open to the public.

The Masters Tournament is also known as the U.S. Masters and it is an official event of the PGA Tour, the Japan Golf Tour, and the PGA European Tour. This event is by invitation only and is entirely controlled by the Augusta National Golf Club. Because this event is by invitation only there are fewer players in this tournament than most major championships. This is the first tournament to be played of the year scheduled in the first week of April.

The top prize awarded to Masters Golf Winners is the green jacket. While this jacket was once a subject of disdain because of its unusual color, it is now a much sought after prize. Since 1949, the jacket has been part of the victor\’s spoils; the winner of the tournament may keep and wear the jacket for a year before returning it to the Augusta National Golf Club. One of the traditions attached to the jacket is that the previous winner of the jacket helps the new champion into the jacket upon their winning the tournament.

There is also prize money awarded to Masters golf winners totaling $7.5 million. The top winner of the tournament is awarded $1.35 million and a Gold Medal. The player with the lowest score of the day receives a crystal vase. All players that perform a hole in one or a double eagle are awarded a large crystal bowl. Players that perform an eagle are given a set of crystal goblets. The winner of the par 3 competition the day before the tournament is also given a crystal bowl. The runner up wins a Silver Medal.

Some legendary Masters Golf winners have managed to triumph more than once in their careers in this tournament. These golf legends include Jack Nicklaus with no less than six Masters championship wins between the years of 1963 and 1986. Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer are also part of this exclusive winner\’s circle, with four Masters championships each.

Masters golf winners are considered to be very fortunate and excellent athletes. They perform very well and the lowest score on the golf course at the Augusta Private Golf Course at the Masters Tournament as a part of the PGA tour. Athletes in this tournament are only allowed to attend by invitation only. There are many awards given at this tournament for the top winner, the runner up, and other things like a double eagle, an eagle, and more. Some of the prizes that tournament winners receive include a green jacket, vases, goblets, and a large purse of prize money to take home with them.

Even before he was old enough to drive a car, it was obvious that Jack Nicklaus (also known as The Golden Bear) was destined to become a golf legend. At the age of 13, this son of a Columbus, Ohio pharmacist broke 70 while playing 18 holes.

As a junior player he won the Ohio Open in 1956 at sixteen years of age, the US Amateur twice (1959 and 1961), and an NCAA Championship in 1961. When Nicklaus played in the 1960 US Open he had a 282 and finished second behind golf great Arnold Palmer. He was also a part of and won the US Eisenhower Trophy with his team in 1960 with a four-round score of 269-this record still stands today.

By the close of 1961, Jack turned pro and in 1962, he played and won in one of his first major championship-The US Open. Beating Arnold Palmer, an achievement in itself, gave Nicklaus notice by fans and in 1966, he won the Masters Tournament for two consecutive years. He won the Open Championship as well in 1966, however, failed to win another until the Open Championship title again in 1970. During the years 1971-1980, he won nine major titles and overtook Bobby Jones’s record of thirteen titles. At 46 years of age, Jack won his 18th major championship, which was also his last, at the 1986 Masters Tournament-he was the oldest winner of this event.

Joining the Senior PGA Tour in 1990, by 1996 he had an impressive ten wins, eight of them being that tour’s majors. He made his last appearances at The Open Championship and the Master Tourney in 2005. Golf wasn’t the only thing on Jack’s mind and he has been involved in golf course design, writing, and organizing and holding his own tourney on the PGA Tour, The Memorial Tournament. His golf course design company is one of the largest in the world and his writing skills range from instructional to autobiographical to titles on how to play golf-his way.

Like his long-time rival Arnold Palmer, Nicklaus came to prominence as golf was beginning to be a televised sport. He quickly became one of the highest paid players, earning a then unheard of $60,000 in 1962; a year he would also win Rookie of the Year. 1963 was an even better year for Palmer as he captured the PGA and Masters championships.

Nicklaus was always known as a record setter, having set a record for lowest score in the last 36 holes during the1964 British Open and a 1965 Masters-winning 271. This record stood until 1997 when it was broken by Tiger Woods.

Once asked about himself and his career during 1970, Nicklaus said, “I was playing good golf, but it really wasn’t that big a deal to me one way or the other. And then my father passed away and I sort of realized he had certainly lived his life through my golf game. I really hadn’t probably given him the best of that. So I sort of got myself back to work. So 1970 was an emotional one for me from that standpoint-it was a big boost.” Perhaps this is true, as Jack became known as the “Record Setter,” being the first golfer to win all four major tournaments twice in a career.

Nicklaus won his third PGA player of the year award in 1974 and became one of the first additions to the World Golf Hall of Fame. The following year, he took his fifth Masters and fourth PGA championship titles. He was named the ABC Wide World of Sports Athlete of the year the same year. Unbelievable for anyone but the golden bear, he won his sixth Masters in 1986. In fact, Nicklaus shares the record for having won all major championship three times with Tiger Woods. For his record breaking achievements in the game and his support for the sport off of it, The Golden Bear will always be a legend to golf fans. He remains an active force n the golf world and is still continuing to contribute to the game – Jack Nicklaus is nothing if not impressive.

Opening day for the new Yankee Stadium is not too far away now; while for eager fans, it may seem like an eternity, Spring 2009 will soon be upon us and fans will be able to see and experience the latest chapter in Yankees history for themselves. While there are some who are of the opinion that with the old stadium an important piece of New York history will be lost; and indeed Yankee Stadium has seen a lot of changes in the South Bronx in the last 86 years, the new stadium promises to be something which fans new and old alike will enjoy. The new $1.3 billion Yankee Stadium will be a worthy addition to the Yankees and to the up and coming South Bronx.

The idea of moving the stadium is not a new one – in 1980, the owner wanted to move the stadium to an area considered safer than the South Bronx was at the time. Ideas were talked over and discarded over the following years; in the meantime, the team acquired a legion of new fans and the neighborhood improved considerably. The idea of a new stadium remained – but it was now to be built in the Bronx.

The largest hurdle faced by the Yankees organization in building a new stadium was finances. Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani was in favor of the city supporting new stadiums for both the Yankees and Mets with $800 million in construction funds and a $390 million investment in improved public transportation. The Mets would also receive $80,000 in the form of debt forgiveness and along with the Yankees, would receive $25 million in funds for planning and logistics. Giuliani’s plan also included a waiver on sales and property taxes for both teams, as well as low cost, state subsidized electricity. Both teams would also receive 96% of ticket sales and 100% of parking fees for the new stadiums and other revenues.

The plan also waived sales and property taxes on the teams, would have provided both stadiums with state subsidized low cost electricity and allowed the teams to keep 100% of parking and other revenue brought in by the stadiums, with the city receiving a mere 4% of the ticket sales. Things looked a little less rosy for New York’s ball clubs when current Mayor Michael Bloomberg too office. Mayor Bloomberg decided to exercise the escape clause provided for in the contract – however, the contract also included a provision allowing the teams to leave the city should the escape clause be used! Happily, the city and the two teams came to a new agreement and planning for new Yankees and Mets stadiums kept moving along.

Much planning has gone into designing the new Yankee Stadium. The exterior will be built of Indiana Limestone and will encircle the perimeter of the entire property it will look a lot like the original park did before renovations in 1974. Keeping with the theme of the original stadium a replica of the copper frieze that adorned the first stadium will be built. Along with the original feel will come better amenities and two new restaurants that will be open year round.

Whether or not you are in favor of the new Yankee Stadium, we can all agree that the new Yankee Stadium will pay a sincere homage to the original stadium and offer amenities which will make for a more comfortable day at the ballpark for fans. The original Yankee Stadium was something of a gamble – one which paid off; and history looks poised to repeat itself in the South Bronx.

Magic “Earvin” Johnson, Jr. was born on August 14, 1959 in Landing, Michigan. His career began at Everett High School in Lansing and he went on to Michigan State before being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979. Magic had nine brothers and sisters and his father worked for General Motors while his mother was a school custodian. In his own words, Magic would say as a kid, “I practiced all day and I dribbled to the store with my right hand and back with my left-I even slept with my basketball.”

Johnson became known as “Magic” while still playing on his high school basketball team. A reporter covering a game could find no other way to convey the skill with which Johnson played. After graduating from high school, Johnson chose to attend Michigan State in East Lansing, MI in order to stay close to home. While in college, Johnson played on the school team, the well known Spartans. While a Spartan, Johnson led the team to a 25-5 record and a Big Ten conference title in his first year! His record the following year was no less impressive; the Spartans defeated Larry Bird’s Indiana State team to capture the national title in one of the most closely watched NCAA games ever.

Opting the pro route, Johnson joined the 1979 draft, where the Lakers picked him up. With a new coach in hand in Jack McKinney and a new owner (Dr. Jerry Buss), the fans couldn’t wait to see one of the best college players in their Lakers uniform. Players from all teams saw the Magic of Johnson and although the NBA rookie of the year went to Larry Bird, the Lakers won the NBA Championship in 1979 with a 60-22 record. When coach McKinney was replaced by Paul Westhead the following year, Magic’s numbers matched his college efforts at 18 ppg, 7.7 rpg, and 73 apg. Proudly, he was the first rookie to start in an NBA All-Star Game-something that hadn’t been done in eleven years!

As fans and sportswriters everywhere will tell you, in 1980, the NBA finals that featured the Lakers and Philly’s 76ers showed a legend in the making when Johnson performance clinched the win in the sixth game of the series. In that game, he scored 42 points, 15, boards, 7 assists, and 3 steals. Again, he was the first and only rookie to ever win the Finals MVP Award. As Magic put it, “I just wanted to do whatever the (Lakers) needed to do to win. I was having fun.” The following year, pro sports hit Johnson, when he missed 45 games with a torn knee cartilage.

Johnson and his team came back in the 1981-82 season, easily winning their division and facing the 76ers once more for the NBA championship-a repeat win and a repeat MVP Award. Maybe due to some of Johnson’s comments after the 1982 season, or maybe it was just time or for whatever reason, Coach Westhead was replaced by Pat Riley-who would become a legend in coaching in his own right. While some fans weren’t happy at this decision or Magic’s comments to the press, Johnson was jeered this season, but still his averages never dipped below 17.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 10.5 assists throughout his career.

In 1984, Johnson signed a $25 million contract with the Lakers. It was a good investment for the team, which captured three of the next four NBA titles. Johnson would also score a stunning 38 points in a game against Houston and an even more incredible 46 in a match-up with Sacramento in the 1986-1987 season. This season also saw Johnson’s career-high scoring average of 23.9 points per game. Johnson would win the NBA’s MVP award this season; an honor he would also receive in 1989 and 1990.

Before the beginning of the 1991-1992 season, Johnson announced that he has been diagnosed with HIV and would retire from the game. He didn’t leave the game without making his exit in style, however – Johnson played in the 1991 All-Star game, winning the MVP award. However, he had found a new focus: outreach and educating the public about HIV/AIDS. Johnson received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award from the NBA for his work in this field. Johnson also played on the US Olympic Basketball team in the 1992 Olympics, wrote a book on safe sex and started up philanthropic foundations. He also was an NBC sports commentator and served as head coach of the Lakers for part of the 1993-1994 season. And all of this was before he returned to the Lakers in 1996 where he played 32 more games before retiring from the game for good – unless he elects to make another comeback.

Magic Johnson, in his thirteen NBA seasons came away with 17,707 points, 19.5 points per game average, 6,559 rebounds, and 10,141 assists. He also had an impressive 1,724 steals placing him at ninth place on the all-time list. In 1996-97, he was invited to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team and in 2002, he entered the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Magic was a star in basketball and perhaps a former NBA player who knew him best, said it best-”Magic is head-and-shoulders above everybody else. I’ve never seen anybody as good as him,”-Larry Bird.

Larry Joe Bird was born on December 7, 1956 in West Baden Springs, Indiana to parents Joe and Georgia and was raised in nearby French Lick. Excelling at Basketball at an early age, Larry attended Springs Valley High School and became his team’s all-time leading scorer; he graduated in 1974. Perhaps no one knew the greatness of Larry Bird or that his name would be forever synonymous with basketball but his high school efforts landed him a scholarship to the University of Indiana-a premonition of things to come.

Coming from a small town, Bird felt a little out of place at the immense campus of the Hoosiers and wanted to drop out right away. Once satisfied with his decision to leave, he took a year off and then enrolled at Indiana State becoming part of their Sycamore team. Here he began to show true promise and in 1979 as a senior, Bird led his team to the NCAA Championship game where they faced the Michigan State Spartans. Another future legend, Magic Johnson, was a Spartan team member and it was at this first game the two would meet, but certainly not the last time these two forwards would play against each other. Indiana finished its year with a 33-1 record giving Larry a place in the school’s history. When he left Indiana State, he left with a 30.3 points per game average and was the fifth-highest scorer in NCAA history-quite the accomplishment for the three-year only player.

The number one choice of the Boston Celtics in 1979, Bird was paid a record salary of $650,000 per year. Making an average of 21.3 points per game, Bird won the Rookie of the Year award in a season which saw a 61-21 record for the team and Bird gaining a lot of popularity with fans.

The following year, the Celtics relocated to the Robert Parrish Center and took on Kevin McHale. Bird and McHale are considered by many to have been the best frontline in NBA history. In the 1980-1981 season, the Celtics made it to the NBA finals, where they defeated the Houston Rockets six times to take the championship. In the 1980′s, the Celtics made it to nearly every NBA final, often facing off against the Lakers.

Now at master playmaker, Celtic’s coach Bill Fitch gave Larry the nickname “Kodak.” Of this nickname, Fitch explained, “it’s for his ability to picture how a play would unfold. He can turn a play into points.” Bird’s defense was also recognized and one season saw 59 triple-doubles in the regular season and ten more in the playoffs-his tallies for the 1981-82 year would reach the double digits. In the 1982-83 season the Celtics would revamp their team again when KC Jones was announced as coach and guard Dennis Johnson was acquired-this would set the stage for a winning team that would last for several years.

The team would also take the NBA championship in the 1983-1984 season, defeating the Lakers in a seven game series, finishing with a 111-102 score in the seventh game. Bird averages 27 pounds and 14 rebounds per game in the series, which also saw him winning the MVP award for the season and the series. The next season Bird would also win the MVP award, although the team lost the championship to Magic Johnson’s Lakers.

The Celtics returned to finals once again in the 1985-1986 season; they defeated the Houston Rockets in six games and finished with a 76-15 record for the year. Bird again won the series MVP in this, his third NBA championship victory with an average of 24 points per game, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. This year also saw him winning the league MVP award, the third player to do so. Bird’s Celtics would also come out on top in the finals the next year, beating the Lakers in six games. Bird, like his rival Magic Johnson was becoming synonymous with the game of basketball.

Bird’s biggest season in terms of numbers was 1987-1988 with an average of 29.9 points per game in 30 minutes per game. His field goal percentage was .527 and his free throws .916. He had to sit out the 1988-1989 season due to a bone spur, but came back for the following season; however, he knew it was getting close to time to retire. His status as legend was cemented in 1992, when he joined Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson on the US Olympic “Dream Team”, winning the gold medal. With his career average of 24 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists per game, his 49.6% field goal average and a stunning 88.6% average on free throws, as well as a 37.6% three-pointer average and twelve All-Star games, Bird is a legend and his name is a synonym for basketball with fans all over the world.