The resemblance is striking, the moves similar. And Eddie Bird has heard it all before - the comparisons to brother Larry.
The famous last name brought Eddie Bird opportunity and self-doubt as he set out to find his own place in the NBA."It used to bother me, but not anymore," he explains for the umpteenth time in the friendly drawl of south Indiana. "It's probably better to be his brother than not. It's opened a lot of doors for me."
But pressure, too, has dogged him from Springs Valley High School to Indiana State, and again this week at rookie-free agent camp, where the 24-year-old forward has been trying out with the Sacramento Kings.
Larry will earn more than $7 million on the Boston Celtics next season, but to hear Eddie talk, the $120 he won in a shooting drill at camp may be the only money he ever earns in the NBA. More likely prospects, he believes, are a European team or the Continental Basketball Association.
"I don't think I'm good enough. I'm not ready for the NBA. I need to be stronger and quicker," he said.
Friends have heard that tune before.
"It seems that he really underestimates his talent. Everybody tells him that - his coaches, everybody," said Jill Leone, executive vice president of Bob Woolf & Associates, agents for Larry and Eddie.
"I know that Larry does not heap praise on him when he's around because he wants Eddie to learn for himself. But when he's not around he'll say that Eddie is very good, and he's very supportive of him."
Larry has stepped in when needed to offer guidance, help out financially or kick Eddie's tail when the work ethic starts lapsing. But he's also careful to let Eddie be Eddie.
"He doesn't give advice really. He just lets me do what I think is best. He wants me to make it on my own first," Eddie said.
But it was Larry who suggested that Eddie seek a slot on the Sacramento roster during the Rocky Mountain Revue here in Salt Lake City. The 11-day camp has drawn rookies and draft picks from Utah, Sacramento, Golden State, Denver, Phoenix, Portland and Seattle.Leading up to the end-of-camp tournament Wednesday, Bird had played 62 minutes and scored 22 points in five of Sacramento's six games. He shot 10-for-24 from the field, with seven rebounds, two assists, one steal and three blocked shots.
In one game against the Trail Blazers, he played 12 minutes, scoring three points. Carl Thomas, Reid Newey and Pete Chilcutt were the stars of the game, but it was Eddie Bird the young fans besieged for autographs afterward.
Many eyes have scrutinized No. 42 throughout the week, and there has been a bit of joshing from other players about "Bird II."
"It's just weird because his brother's so famous and he talks just like him," said Beau Reid, a Nebraska product also hoping to join Sacramento.
It started in French Lick, Ind., when 16-year-old Larry taught 6-year-old Eddie a hook shot to amuse his friends. By second grade, Eddie was telling teachers he would break Larry's high school scoring record and be a better ballplayer.
"I was better than him in high school," chortles Eddie, who still holds the scoring record at Springs Valley High.
The one man who coached them both never saw such talent again.
"There's a lot of natural ability there, not only in basketball but in baseball and other sports, too. All the Bird boys were just very competitive," said Gary Holland, who began coaching at Springs Valley when he was not much older than Larry and stayed 19 years.
"Larry had a little bit harder time than Eddie did, but Eddie had to play behind Larry's name," Holland said.
Opinions are mixed on Eddie's NBA future. Past coaches say he has strong passing and driving ability, and he has a complete knowledge of the game.
"I always thought he did have what it takes," Holland said. "I think if he worked at it he could do it."
Agent Bob Woolf believes Eddie could earn a six-figure salary in Europe.
"We'll see. Eddie Bird has the talent. If he will give it the same dedication as his brother, he would go all the way."