Power of Caring
  presented by CIGNA

		Nov. 9, 1981 In SI's first extended feature on Bird, "Gifts That God Didn't Give," staff writer John Papanek explored the attribute that helped Bird overcome his physical shortcomings: his unparalleled work ethic. At the beginning of Bird's third NBA season, Papanek wrote that he "may not be the best player—at least he doesn't think he is—but no one playing the game today can do as many different things on a court as well as Larry Bird." photography by George Tiedemann