My high school coach George Fox used to tell me to never take my talent for granted.
“You’re special, Earvin,” Fox used to say. “But you can’t stop working hard. Just remember there’s someone out there who is just as talented as you, and he’s working just as hard. maybe even harder.
When Coach Fox told me those things I’d nod my head, but in my mind i was thinking, “I’d like to meet this guy because i haven’t seen him.” Truthfully? I wasn’t sure anyone like that existed.
That changed the day in 1978 when I walked into a gym in Lexington, Kentucky, and met Larry Bird for the first time.
As said by Earvin “Magic” Johnson in the brilliant biography When the Game was Ours. Written by Johnson, Larry Bird and Jackie MacMullan, it is filled with insight and anecdotes of the engrossing rivalry between the two stars of the LA Lakers and Boston Celtics that peaked in the 1980s.
Alex Raphael 
a great lesson
It is. The book is full of inspiration and determination. It’s fascinating how they used each other to drive themselves and their teammates further on. And it’s touching how they became friends later in life.
Yes
I watched a doc recently which highlighted their era. I remember living in Maine at the time and loved watching Bird and the Celtics. Johnson was likable, too.
Was it the three part ESPN 30 for 30 series? That was brilliant. It focused a lot more on the history of both teams and the racial aspect than the book does; so it runs as a nice parallels. I really do recommend the book. It’s really well written and full of anecdotes and insight.
Yes! That’s it. I forgot a lot of their achievements. It was fun to watch. I will get the book. 😉
That’s so cool. That’s great! I know you’ll love it. A great book to be able to dip in and out of. And as an added bonus, what a cover!
ha ha
I don’t often hear of Englanders liking US Basketball. It’s an interesting side to your personality.
Elite level sport is great. The rivalries and narratives it presents. The big moments and consequences. The UK could really do with a truly great basketball player to increase interest.
The book might be didactic in every line and this line indicates what separates winners from others.You’ve to work with talent.You can’t sit hoping that the world will come to see your talent and you’ve got to go out there.
For sure. Pretty much every page is a different form of inspiration.
Yes it must be.