Larry Bird, famously known as “Larry Legend,” is the only individual in NBA history to have won the league’s MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year awards. Selected sixth overall by the Boston Celtics in the 1978 NBA Draft, Bird became the driving force behind the Celtics’ dominance in the 1980s. He led the team to three NBA championships and solidified his legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of the league.
Biography
In 1974, Larry Bird received a basketball scholarship to play for the Indiana Hoosiers but left Indiana University after just one month. The following year, he enrolled at Indiana State University, where he quickly became the face of the Sycamores' basketball program.
Bird’s collegiate career peaked in 1979 when he led Indiana State to a perfect 33-0 record and their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. That historic run culminated in a national championship showdown against Michigan State, led by Earvin "Magic" Johnson—who would go on to become Bird’s biggest rival in the NBA. Although Indiana State fell 75-64 in the final, Bird’s performance earned him widespread acclaim.
During his time at Indiana State, Bird collected numerous accolades:
Two-time consensus First-Team All-American (1978, 1979)
College Player of the Year (1979)
Two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year (1978, 1979)
His No. 33 jersey was retired by Indiana State
In 1978, Bird was selected by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall pick in the NBA Draft, but he chose to complete his senior season with the Sycamores. This decision led to a contract standoff with Celtics executive Red Auerbach, as Bird demanded a higher salary than initially offered. Eventually, they reached an agreement on a then-record rookie deal worth $3.25 million over five years. This negotiation prompted the NBA to introduce the "Bird Collegiate Rule," which required players to declare for the draft before completing their college eligibility.
Bird officially joined the Celtics in 1979 and made an immediate impact, averaging 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game in his rookie season. He was named Rookie of the Year and led Boston to 32 wins more than the previous season.
In 1981, Bird helped the Celtics win the NBA Championship against the Houston Rockets. The following year, he scored 19 points in the All-Star Game and earned the All-Star Game MVP Award, also finishing as runner-up for the league MVP.
Despite a brief downturn, Bird and the Celtics rebounded. Between 1984 and 1985, Bird hit a career-high 60 points in a single game and secured back-to-back NBA MVP awards. However, the Celtics struggled in later years. In 1987, they lost six straight games to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. Although Bird continued to deliver stellar performances, injuries began to take a toll.
A chronic heel injury sidelined him in the late 1980s, and although he returned in 1989, his physical condition continued to decline. He managed to finish on a high note, winning Olympic gold with the U.S. “Dream Team” at the 1992 Barcelona Games.
On August 18, 1992, Larry Bird officially announced his retirement, concluding a legendary career that changed the face of the NBA.
Larry Bird's career NBA stats
Here are some of Larry Bird's notable career achievements and statistics:
Three-time NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986)
Two-time NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986)
Three-time NBA MVP (1984-86)
12-time NBA All-Star (1980-88, 1990-92)
Nine-time All-NBA First Team (1980-88)
All-NBA Second Team (1990)
Three-time All-NBA Defensive Second Team (1982-84)
NBA Rookie of the Year (1980)
NBA All-Rookie Team (1980)
Three-time NBA Three-Point Contest champion (1986-88)
Career-high in points: 60 (March 12, 1985) -- tied for franchise record with Jayson Tatum
No. 33 retired by Celtics
24.3 points per game
10.0 rebounds per game
6.3 assists per game
88.6% free throw percentage
49.6% field goal percentage
37.6% 3-point percentage
Facts
Grew up in the formerly famed resort town of French Lick, Indiana.
Nicknamed the "Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend."
He stands 6'9".
Wore the number 33 on his basketball jersey in high school, college and with the Boston Celtics.
Attended Indiana University for only 24 days.
Three-time NBA champion with Boston Celtics - 1981, 1984, and 1986.
Won three consecutive NBA MVP awards - 1984, 1985, and 1986.
12-time NBA All-Star.
Two-time NBA Finals MVP - 1984 and 1986.
He was the first person to win NBA MVP, NBA Coach of the Year and NBA Executive of the year.
Twitter named its original bird logo after him, "Larry the Bird."
Larry Bird Awards And Accomplishments
1979 | John Wooden Award as Collegiate Player of the Year, Los Angeles Athletic Association |
1980 | Named NBA Rookie of the Year |
1981, 1984, 1986 | NBA championship (with Boston Celtics) |
1984-85 | NBA Most Valuable Player in Playoffs |
1984-86 | Named NBA Player of the Year |
1985 | Man of the Year, Sporting News |
1985 | Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year |
1992 | Olympic Gold Medal (U.S. men's basketball team) |
1998 | Inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame |
1998 | Named NBA Coach of the Year |
Also Read | Top 10 Indian Basketball Legends of all time
