BIRD WATCHING

Here’s what Bird couldn’t reveal in the sports pages about his back injury, his decision to coach the Pacers, his thoughts on fellow players and coaches, his honors, and more. Bird with Bob Ryan wrote Drive in 1989, but this one should win the tip-off. Only the first quarter of this articulate, candid book concentrates on Bird’s playing days, NBA to “Dream Team,” and is initially dominated by the back troubles that curtailed his spectacular career. We couldn’t know what kind of agony Bird was playing with or missing games for. Thanks to “with” author MacMullan, we learn the details of his condition, and how therapist Dan Dyrek became a more constant and intimate friend than any teammates, coaches, or rivals—many of whom, especially “Magic,” there are interesting anecdotes about. The pain was so bad that when he retired without fanfare in 1992 it was a happy occasion for this fierce competitor, and like a hick from French Lick, Ind., Bird removed his back brace, “took out my shotgun and blew it to pieces.” Because this superstar is genuinely, refreshingly shy, he didn’t want to play for the Olympics “in some kind of honorary role,” and he was embarrassed that his presence overshadowed the retirement of Parrish’s number and that fellow inductees in the Hall of Fame had to say “thank you all for inviting me to Larry’s party.” There are enough descriptions of Celtics and Pacers games, and playing against Michael Jordan, “Magic,” playoff teams and their coaches to keep basketball enthusiasts happy. The book is endearing for its humanity, however, as we see this poor son of a waitress and suicide realize his hoop dreams but put away his money and ego. (There is a foreword by Pat Riley.) Courtside seats to one of the game’s greatest, most driven and pained figures. (TV satellite tour)