Bird's adjustments were swift and decisive.
Of course, this is the regular season, where the main rotation usually involves 9-10 players.
Coaches use this time to test lineups and train newcomers, often making large-scale substitutions in a short period.
Moreover, traditional coaches prefer to evenly distribute playing time among players for a more team-oriented approach.
The coach who influenced Bird the most has always been Bill Fitch. During Fitch's tenure with the Celtics, Bird's playing time was always kept below 40 minutes.
When KC Jones became the head coach of the Celtics, Bird's playing time increased steadily, second only to Gan Guoyang in the '80s.
KC Jones was more conservative with personnel, especially in the playoffs, where a 6-man rotation was common to maintain stability in form and intensity.
As a player, Bird had no issue with this style of play and rotation. He had incredible endurance and enjoyed staying on the court for tough games.
