Bermuda this morning probably thinking about the emotional farewell he made to professional basketball exactly one year ago today.

More likely, however, he will be pondering whether or not to eat that extra croissant for breakfast -- especially since he has packed on an additional 25 pounds since the retirement announcement.

Yesterday, from the comfort of his hotel suite at the Marriott Castle Harbour Hotel, Bird was aghast at the shape his retirement was taking.

"It's bad,'' he said, laughing. "I'm at 248! I played at around 222 so I'd like to get it down to 230.'' Discussing the weighty issues of his life of leisure -- if that is what you can call a man who now has a clutch of jobs with such diverse companies as Spalding, Converse, Upper Deck, Miller Lite and the Celtics, Bird readily admits that delicate back surgery last February has prevented him from strenuous activity.

So much so that he has spent his first visit to Bermuda away from the golf course and just "sort of relaxing.

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world though,'' said Bird, who is here along with another basketball great, Julius "Dr. J'' Erving, as guests of Converse, the giant sporting goods conglomerate. "Usually in the summer all I want to do is stay at home in Indiana. Now that I'm retired I'm a lot more willing to go on a real vacation in the summer.'' The six-foot-nine Bird -- visiting Bermuda with his wife Dinah -- turned his back on the game, or more precisely his back turned on him, after an illustrious 13 years with Boston. He made his mark right from the start when he was named rookie of the year after a sparkling 1979-80 season, helping the Celtics to a 32 win improvement from the previous season.

Add to that a dozen All-Star Game appearances, 10 All-NBA teams, three regular season MVP awards and two play-off MVP's, Bird was the primary component to the Celtics World Championship titles in 1981, 1984 and 1986.

"Sure, it was tough to leave the game,'' said Bird, who wears a size 131 shoe. "I really needed the competitive nature of the sport, but with the injuries it really wasn't worth it anymore.

"I couldn't see myself trying to fight through another season. Actually I retired a year earlier than I wanted to since I originally planned to do it at end of last season.'' While the last three years "were really tough on me'', nothing could compare to the pain of learning that former teammate Reggie Lewis had died last month.

Moments before the funeral, the Lewis family asked Bird if he would speak at the service.

"The family wanted me to speak,'' recalled Bird, his speech slowing, "but I was so caught up in everything, not that I was nervous, but I was just plain heartbroken.

"I had known Reggie ever since he broke into the league. You see a young man and you watch him go from being a mediocre player to a great one, and he really became the heart and soul of Celtics.

"It was great to see the outpouring of love. I don't think Reggie ever understood how much the people of Boston really loved him.

"His death has had an effect on everyone. Hopefully it will bring the team together. Some people will never get over it, others will bring their games to a new level because of it.'' Bird is still involved with the game -- and the Celtics -- as special assistant to Senior Executive vice president Dave Gavitt.