Wow...this was the first I heard of Bird's comments and I must say I'm disappointed. For the most part because I don't think he makes a whole lot of sense.
1. Bird is falling into prejudice and stereotyping when talking about be disrespected by having a white guy guard him. Apparently, in Bird's mind, the fact that you're white means you can't play defense. Well, why couldn't someone else have an equally ridiculous opinion that the fact that your white means you've got not offense? I don't know if I'm explaining this well, but it seems Bird says...white = no good...so why wouldn't the opposing coach use the same logic. BTW, anyone remember guys like Bobby Jones - sixers - wasn't he a pretty good defender...and white?
2. As far as the league needing more white guys, I don't go along with it. The younger generations (for the most part) see less of a separation between races. Young white kids have no problem looking up to black athletes...and buying their shoes...and buying their jerseys... True, some more "mature" (read "older") individuals may prefer to cheer for someone with the same skin color, but I don't think that's the rule anymore. I don't think the league "needs" more white players. If it happens, it happens. It it doesn't, it doesn't.
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