Barkley couldn't take it anymore and retorted, "You're heavier than me now, Larry!"
Having successfully lost weight, Barkley indeed looked more fit and lean, whereas Bird, who had been retired for years, had clearly started to gain weight, so it was normal for him to outweigh Barkley.
Bird smiled and said, "That's because I'm wearing a few more rings than you."
Barkley had nothing to say, so he buried himself in training; he would forever be overshadowed until he got a championship ring.
Endless physical training, it's a tradition of the Trail Blazers, and a hallmark of Bird's training method.
The entire morning was spent on basic fitness exercises to awaken the players' bodies that had "slept" for four or five months.
During the lunch break, Larry Bird reminded Carl that the Trail Blazers are an aging team, so don't spend too much time on physical training.
"Maintaining health, comfort, reducing fatigue, and avoiding injuries are among your main tasks this season," said Bird.
