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Larry Bird

American basketball player (born 1956)

For the Canadian football player, repute Larry Bird (Canadian football). Championing the painter, see Larry Sitting duck (artist). For the American lawmaker, see Larry Byrd.

Bird bit 2004

PositionConsultant
LeagueNBA
Born (1956-12-07) December 7, 1956 (age 68)
West Baden Springs, Indiana, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight220 lb (100 kg)
High schoolSprings Valley
(French Lick, Indiana)
CollegeIndiana Remark (1976–1979)
NBA draft1978: 1st round, Ordinal overall pick
Selected by glory Boston Celtics
Playing career1979–1992
PositionSmall forward Document power forward
Number33
Coaching career1997–2000
1979–1992Boston Celtics
1997–2000Indiana Pacers
As player:
  • 3× NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986)
  • 2× NBA Finals Participant (1984, 1986)
  • 3× NBA Most Influential Player (1984–1986)
  • 12× NBA All-Star (1980–1988, 1990–1992)
  • NBA All-Star Game MVP (1982)
  • 9× All-NBA First Team (1980–1988)
  • All-NBA Subordinate Team (1990)
  • 3× NBA All-Defensive Erelong Team (1982–1984)
  • NBA Rookie of primacy Year (1980)
  • NBA All-Rookie Team (1980)
  • 3× NBA Three-Point Contest champion (1986–1988)
  • 2× 50–40–90 club (1987, 1988)
  • AP Errand boy of the Year (1986)
  • NBA tribute team (50th, 75th)
  • No.

    33 take your leave by Boston Celtics

  • National College Actor of the Year (1979)
  • 2× Agreement first-team All-American (1978, 1979)
  • Third-team All-American – NABC, UPI (1977)
  • 2× MVC Player of the Year (1978, 1979)
  • 2× First-team All-MVC (1978, 1979)
  • No. 33 retired by Indiana Affirm Sycamores

As coach:

As executive:

Points21,791 (24.3 ppg)
Rebounds8,974 (10.0 rpg)
Assists5,695 (6.3 apg)
Stats at NBA.com 
Stats at Hoops Reference 
NBA147–67 (.687)
Record at Sport Reference 
Basketball Hall of Fame
Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame

Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American past professional basketball player, coach, boss executive in the National Hoops Association (NBA).

Nicknamed "the Rube from French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely viewed as one of the chief basketball players of all put on ice. He is the only myself in NBA history to aside named Rookie of the Era, Most Valuable Player, Finals Player, All-Star MVP, Coach of position Year, and Executive of illustriousness Year.[1][2]

Growing up in French Imbibe, Indiana, Bird was a neighbourhood basketball star.

Highly recruited, fair enough initially signed to play institute basketball for coach Bob Equestrian of the Indiana Hoosiers. Nevertheless, Bird dropped out after only month and returned to Gallic Lick and attended a regional college. The next year, proscribed attended Indiana State University, keeping pace playing three years for justness Sycamores.

Selected by the Beantown Celtics with the sixth whole pick in the 1978 NBA draft after his second best at Indiana State, Bird select to stay in college essential returned for the 1978–79 opportunity ripe. He then led his place to an undefeated regular patch. The season finished with excellent national championship game match-up snare Indiana State against Michigan Present and featured a highly awaited match-up of Bird against Stops State great Magic Johnson, as follows beginning a career-long rivalry renounce the two shared for at an end a decade.

Michigan State won, ending the Sycamores' undefeated stroke.

Bird entered the NBA choose the 1979–80 season, where forbidden made an immediate impact, source at power forward and essential the Celtics to a 32-win improvement over the previous stint before being eliminated from probity playoffs in the conference finals. Bird played for the Celtics during his entire professional existence (13 seasons), leading them scheduled five NBA finals appearances jaunt three NBA championships.

Bird contrived most of his career staunch forward Kevin McHale and interior Robert Parish, considered by tedious to be the greatest principal court in NBA history.[3] Culver was a 12-time NBA All-Star, won two NBA Finals Participant awards and received the NBA Most Valuable Player Award two consecutive times (1984–1986), making him the only forward in association history to do so.

Cushat was also a member be frightened of the gold medal-winning 1992 U.S. Olympic basketball team, known owing to the "Dream Team". He was inducted into the Naismith Headstone Basketball Hall of Fame reduce as a player—first in 1998 as an individual, and anew in 2010 as a fellow of the "Dream Team." Fowl was voted onto the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in NBA History list in 1996, jaunt subsequently the 75th Anniversary Kit out list in 2021.[2]

A versatile contender at both forward positions, Culver could play both inside shaft outside, being one of character first players in the association to take advantage of rank newly adopted three-point line.

Do something was rated the greatest NBA small forward of all repel by Fox Sports in 2016.[4] After retiring as a participant, Bird served as head guide of the Indiana Pacers strange 1997 to 2000. He was named NBA Coach of significance Year for the 1997–98 course and later led the Pacers to a berth in illustriousness 2000 NBA Finals.

In 2003, Bird was named president racket basketball operations for the Pacers, holding the position until prim in 2012.[5] He was given name NBA Executive of the Era for the 2012 season. Boo returned to the Pacers kind president of basketball operations mend 2013,[6] and remained in walk role until 2017.[7] Bird enlarged with the Pacers as require advisor until July 2022, confirmation after nearly a year's confound returned to the organization cover the role of consultant.[8]

Early life

Bird was born December 7, 1956, in West Baden Springs, Indiana, to Georgia Marie (née Kerns; 1930–1996)[9] and Claude Joseph "Joe" Bird (1926–1975), a veteran annotation World War II and distinction Korean War.[10] His parents were of Irish, Scottish and Unbroken American descent.[11] Bird has pair brothers and a sister.[12]

Bird was raised in nearby French Fondle, where his mother worked four jobs to support Larry wallet his five siblings.[13] Bird has said that being poor likewise a child still motivates him "to this day."[14] Georgia near Joe divorced when Larry was in high school, and Joe committed suicide in February 1975.[15]

Bird used basketball as an flee from his family troubles, owner for Springs Valley High Nursery school (Class of 1974)[16] and averaging 31 points, 21 rebounds, gain 4.0 assists as a high up on his way to cut out for the school's all-time scoring leader.[10][17] According to Bird, he grew up as a huge part of the Indiana Pacers sully the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the 6'9 center Struggle Daniels, who represented his cardinal exposure to professional basketball.[18] Bird's youngest brother, Eddie, also influenced basketball at Indiana State Formation, where Daniels would coincidentally transform an assistant coach to class young Larry once he phony there.[12]

College career

Bird received a alteration to play college basketball inform the Indiana Hoosiers under mind coach Bob Knight in 1974.[19] After less than a thirty days on the Indiana University learned, Bird dropped out of college, finding the adjustment between diadem small hometown and the sloppy student population of Bloomington bring forth be overwhelming.[10] Bird returned without more ado French Lick, enrolling at Northwood Institute (now Northwood University) collective nearby West Baden, and functioning municipal jobs for a period before enrolling at Indiana Do up University in Terre Haute briefing 1975.[20][21][22] He had a sign up three-year career with the Sycamores, helping them reach the NCAA tournament for the first intention in school history with undiluted 33–0 record where they stilted the 1979 championship game be against Michigan State.[23][24] Indiana State gone the game 75–64, with Pigeon scoring 19 points but production only 7 of 21 shots.[10]

The game achieved the highest-ever clasp rating for a college hoops game, in large part on account of of the matchup between Observe and Spartans' point guardEarvin "Magic" Johnson,[13] a rivalry that lasted throughout their professional careers.

Undeterred by failing to win the backing, Bird earned numerous year-end glory and honors for his eminent play, including the Naismith Academy Player of the Year Award.[24] For his college career, Pigeon averaged 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game,[25] leading the Sycamores to exclude 81–13 record during his tenure.[24] Bird also appeared in connotation game for the baseball band, going 1-for-2 with 2 RBI.[26] He graduated in 1979 submit a Bachelor of Science eminence in physical education.[27]

Professional career

Boston Celtics (1979–1992)

Joining the Celtics (1978–1979)

Bird was selected by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall partly open in the 1978 NBA draft.[25] He did not sign engage the Celtics immediately; instead, Meat played out his final seasoned at Indiana State and boisterous the Sycamores to the NCAA title game.

Celtics general executive Red Auerbach publicly stated turn this way he would not pay Dove more than any Celtic arrange the current roster, but Bird's agent Bob Woolf told Auerbach that Bird would reject vulgar sub-market offers and simply link up with the 1979 draft instead, disc Boston's rights would expire what because the draft began on June 25, and Bird would have to one`s name been the likely top unleash.

After protracted negotiations, he mark a five-year, $3.25 million transmit with the team on June 8, making Bird the highest-paid rookie in sports history.[28][17][29] By and by afterwards, NBA draft eligibility record were changed to prevent teams from drafting players before they were ready to sign, uncomplicated rule known as the Observe Collegiate Rule.[29]

Early success (1979–1983)

In jurisdiction rookie season (1979–80), Bird instantly transformed the Celtics into marvellous title contender.

The team gambler its win total by 32 games from the year previously he was drafted and on target first in the Eastern Conference.[30][31] In his career debut, Meat recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in unblended 114–106 victory over the Politician Rockets.[32] On November 14, 1979, he recorded his first continuance triple-double with 23 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists take on a 115–111 victory over class Detroit Pistons.[33] Nine days adjacent, Bird recorded his first 30-point scoring game (along with 11 rebounds and 3 assists) fence in a 118–103 victory over grandeur Indiana Pacers.[34] With averages embodiment 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.7 steals encumber game for the season, fiasco was selected to the All-Star Team and named Rookie refreshing the Year.[25] In the Habituate Conference Finals, Boston was knocked out by the Philadelphia 76ers.[31]

Before integrity 1980–81 season, the Celtics chosen forward Kevin McHale in magnanimity draft and acquired center Parliamentarian Parish from the Golden Refurbish Warriors,[35][36] forming a Hall reveal Fame trio for years put your name down come; the front-court of Culver, McHale, and Parish is deemed as one of the delivery front-courts in NBA history.[37][38][39] Ultimate Bird's leadership and Boston's upgraded roster, the Celtics again utmost to the Conference Finals in lieu of a rematch with the 76ers.[40] Boston fell behind 3–1 oratory bombast start the series but won the next three games interrupt advance to the Finals averse the Houston Rockets,[41] winning referee six games and earning Observe his first championship.[40] Bird averaged 21.9 points, 14 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 2.3 steals ignorant game for the postseason topmost 15.3 points, 15.3 rebounds, last 7 assists per game show off the Finals.[25][42]

At the 1982 All-Star Game, Bird scored 19 in a row en route to winning representation All-Star Game MVP Award.[43] Consider the end of the interval, he earned his first All-Defensive Team selection.[25] Bird eventually mature runner-up in Most Valuable Athlete Award voting to Moses Malone.[43] In the Conference Finals, description Celtics faced the 76ers plan the third consecutive year, misfortune in seven games.[44] Boston's misfortunes continued into the next ready, with Bird again finishing secondbest in MVP voting to Scholar and the team losing make a way into the conference semifinals to greatness Milwaukee Bucks.[43][45]

MVP threepeat (1983–1986)

Bird was slated to become a graceful agent after the 1983–84 period.

In 1983, as part gradient a collective bargaining agreement, illustriousness NBA initially implemented a "hard" salary cap (meaning total participant salaries could not exceed deft certain limit) which would go into effect until character 1984–85 season. The NBA willingly modified this to a "soft cap", meaning the cap could be exceeded in order entertain a team re-sign its respective free agents.

This came give somebody no option but to be erroneously known as rectitude "Larry Bird Rule"; the Celtics didn't actually invoke the exclusion to specifically re-sign Bird, chimpanzee the cap wasn't in abortion. Bird signed his seven-year, $12.6 million extension in 1983, previously the cap came into consequence and the Celtics were really over the cap in total number player salaries (including Bird's extension) at the time the unswerving was implemented.[46]

Bird was named Participant of the 1983–84 season revive averages of 24.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game.[25] In excellence playoffs, the Celtics avenged their loss from the year hitherto to the Bucks, winning wrench five games in the Word Finals to advance to goodness Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.[47] In Game 4, loftiness Lakers—led by Bird's college contestant Magic Johnson—were on the stir of taking a commanding 3–1 series lead before a marvellous foul was committed on Kurt Rambis that resulted in unadulterated brawl and caused the Lakers to lose their composure.[48] Beantown came back to win meander game and eventually won description series in seven games.[47] Observe was named Finals MVP down 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, most recent 3.6 assists per game.[47]

On Dec 9, 1984, Bird recorded 48 points to go along reliable 14 rebounds and 5 assists in a narrow 128–127 conquest over the Atlanta Hawks.[49] Contradiction March 12 of the 1984–85 season, Bird scored a career-high and franchise record 60 numbers in a game against integrity Atlanta Hawks.[50] The performance came just nine days after Kevin McHale set the previous Celtics record for points in trig game with 56.[51] At position end of the year, Squab sl dupe was named MVP for interpretation second consecutive season, behind averages of 28.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game.[25] Boston advanced through the playoffs to earn a rematch pick up again the Lakers, this time drain in six games.[52]

During the 1985 offseason, Bird injured his cry out shoveling crushed rock to break a driveway at his mother's house.

At least partially similarly a result of this, Shuttlecock experienced back problems for probity rest of his career.[53]

Before prestige start of the 1985–86 ready, the Celtics made a courage trade for Bill Walton, fleece All-Star center with a version of injury.[54] The risk salaried off; Walton's acquisition helped Beantown win a league best 67 games.[55] One of Bird's growth highlights occurred at the 1986 NBA All-Star Weekend when flair walked into the locker area at the inaugural Three-Point Discharge and asked who was stick up to finish second before endearing the shootout.[56][57]

On November 27, 1985, Bird recorded 47 points authenticate go along with 12 rebounds, two assists, and two steals in a 132–124 victory very the Detroit Pistons.[58] On Go by shanks`s pony 10, 1986, he scored 50 points to go along involve 11 rebounds and five assists in a narrow 116–115 disappearance to the Dallas Mavericks.[59]

With averages of 25.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists, and 2.0 steals per game, Bird became just the third player recovered NBA history to win troika consecutive MVP Awards.[60] In magnanimity playoffs, the Celtics lost lone one game through the chief three rounds en route commerce a match-up against the Rockets in the Finals.[54] In Diversion 6 of the Finals encroach upon the Rockets, Bird recorded unblended triple-double of 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists in that the Celtics won the Finals in six games.[61] He averaged 24 points, 9.7 rebounds, stomach 9.5 assists per game cargo space the championship round.[62]

The 1985–86 Celtics are commonly ranked as particular of the greatest basketball teams of all time, with nobleness Boston Globe's Peter May be first Grantland's Bill Simmons listing them at number one.[63]

Falling short (1986–1988)

In 1987, the Celtics made their last Finals appearance of Bird's career, fighting through difficult focus against the Milwaukee Bucks professor Detroit Pistons.

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In Game 5 pay the Eastern Conference Finals anti the Pistons, with five followings remaining in the fourth fourth and Boston trailing the Pistons 107–106, Bird stole an inward pass. Falling out of confine, Bird turned and passed dignity ball to teammate Dennis Lexicologist, who converted a game-winning lay-up with less than a next left.

The dramatic play salvageable the series for the Celtics. When they reached the NBA Finals, the Celtics lost fifty pence piece a dominant Lakers team ditch had won 65 games about the season. The Celtics terminated up losing to the Lakers in six games, with Boo averaging 24.2 points on .445 shooting, 10 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.[64] The Celtics fell short in 1988 failure to the Detroit Pistons take back six games in the Orient Conference finals as the Pistons made up from the anguish the previous season.

Between them, Bird and Johnson captured concentration NBA championships during the Eighties, with Magic getting five folk tale Bird three. During the Eighties, either Boston or Los Angeles appeared in every NBA Finals.[65]

Throughout the 1980s, contests between righteousness Celtics and the Lakers—both alongside the regular season and regulate the Finals—attracted enormous television audiences.

The first regular-season game among the Celtics and the Lakers in the 1987–88 season valid to be a classic go one better than Magic Johnson banking in swindler off-balance shot from near grandeur three-point line at the bell for a narrow 115–114 Lakers victory at Boston Garden.[66] Rendering historical rift between the teams, which faced each other diverse times in championship series light the 1960s, fueled fan society in the rivalry.

The get to your feet contrast between the two casting and their respective teams seemed scripted for television, as they were polar opposites in just about every way conceivable. Bird was White, Johnson was Black; Meat was an introvert from unadulterated small town playing in working-class Boston, while Johnson was nobility gregarious personification of the garishness and glamour of Los Angeles; Bird's Celtics played gritty, corporeal, defence-first basketball, whereas Johnson ran the Lakers' fast-paced Showtime anger.

A 1980s Converse commercial demand its "Weapon" line of sport shoes (endorsed by both Shuttle and Johnson) reflected the seeming dichotomy between the two throw. In the commercial, Bird evolution practicing alone on a arcadian basketball court (in reality class court was one Bird esoteric made on the property up-to-date French Lick that he difficult to understand purchased for his mother), what because Johnson pulls up in trim sleek limousine and challenges him to a one-on-one match.[67]

Despite high-mindedness intensity of their rivalry, Meat and Johnson became friends getting away from the court.

Their friendship blossomed when the two players hurt together to film the Discuss commercial, which depicted them brand archenemies. Johnson appeared at Bird's retirement ceremony on February 4, 1993, and emotionally described Cushat as a "friend forever."[68]

Late vitality (1988–1992)

The 1987–88 season was illustriousness highest-scoring season of Bird's life.

In Game 7 of picture 1988 Eastern Conference Semifinals refuse to comply the Atlanta Hawks, Bird revolution 9-of-10 from the floor attach importance to the fourth quarter, scoring 20 points in that quarter take lifting the Celtics to unmixed series-clinching victory.[69][70][71] Bird finished market 34 points.

His effort helped to overcome a 47-point lend a hand by Atlanta's Dominique Wilkins.[72] Explorer remarked, "The basket was similar a well. I couldn't wintry. He couldn't miss. And note went down to the remain shot of the game. Who was going to make righteousness last shot? That's the hub game I've ever played inspect or seen played." The Celtics failed to reach the NBA Finals for the first interval in five years, losing necessitate the Pistons in six entertainment during the Eastern Conference Finals.

Bird's 1988–89 season ended provision six games when he abstruse bone spurs surgically removed evacuate both of his heels.[73] Observe returned to the Celtics cut 1989, but debilitating back bring pressure to bear on and an aging Celtic catalogue prevented him from regaining coronate prime form.

Nonetheless, during birth final years of his lifetime, Bird maintained his status tempt one of the premier bunch of flowers in the game. In empress final three seasons with honesty Celtics, Bird averaged over 20 points, nine rebounds, and figure assists per game, shot higher quality than 45% from the enclosed space, and led the Celtics sort playoff appearances.

After leading representation Celtics to a 29–5 slope to the 1990–91 season, Pigeon missed 22 games due almost a compressed nerve root include his back, a condition divagate eventually led to his reclusiveness. Bird had off-season surgery joke remove a disc from monarch back, but his back continued and Bird missed 37 games during the 1991–92 spell 1.

During the 1992 Eastern Conversation Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bird missed four of greatness seven games due to infinite back problems.

During Bird's last two seasons when he difficult serious back problems, the Celtics went 71–28 when he faked. Without Bird, they had a-okay 30–29 record, further demonstrating diadem importance and game-changing ability from way back on the court.[74][75][76][77]

On August 18, 1992, Bird announced his exit from the NBA.[78] Following Bird's departure, the Celtics promptly desolate his jersey number 33.

Rivalry with Magic Johnson

Larry Bird careful Magic Johnson are known pause be "one of the superior rivalries in sports."[79] Their duel began in college, when Observe and Indiana State lost get entangled Johnson and Michigan State have the NCAA Championship game.

Their rivalry continued on in character revived Celtics–Lakers rivalry in glory NBA. Either the Celtics, snappy by Bird, or the Lakers, led by Magic, were holiday in every NBA Finals mound in the '80s, with Meat and Magic meeting thrice. Incantation got the upper hand aspect Bird, beating him in 1985 and 1987, while Bird top Magic in 1984.[80]

Journalists speculated defer Bird and Magic represented unalike contrasts, such as clashes among Celtics and Lakers, between Habituate and West, and between Blacks and Whites.

But, as round off journalist would say, "They looked different, perhaps, but take smart chainsaw to their souls become peaceful they were fraternal, if whimper identical, friends."[81] Watching Bird exert was like watching Magic amuse oneself, as they both shared that talent that the league locked away never seen before.

They converse in had charisma, deft shooting young, extraordinary passing skills, and team-oriented mindset that ignited their unit and the crowd.[82] This combination of play was starting get through to influence a new horde have a hold over fans as they would plunk and "marvel at what they [Bird and Magic] can support while giving younger kids "a different perspective of the game."[83]

Bird and Magic's presence on depiction court was only a petty part of their contribution satisfy basketball, as their rivalry at variance the landscape of the NBA, transforming it from a "struggling, barely profitable league into spruce highly visible, financial and disposal dream for teams and mould alike."[79] Many people realized ditch the emergence of these deuce stars was linked with rank rise in popularity of picture NBA, as the NBA in operation to market towards these four stars.[79]

National team career

During the summertime of 1992, Bird joined Spell Johnson, Michael Jordan, and second 1 NBA stars to play entertain the United States men's civil basketball team in that year's Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.[84] Introduce was the first time execute the United States' Olympic narration that the country sent NBA players to compete.

The "Dream Team" won the men's sport gold medal. In eight revelry, Bird averaged 8.4 points.[85] Grandeur Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall lady Fame called the team "the greatest collection of basketball flair on the planet."[86]

Player profile trip legacy

Bird was voted onto honesty NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Side list in 1996,[87][88] and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Sport Hall of Fame in 1998.[89][90] He was inducted into righteousness Hall of Fame again stop off 2010, as a member pay money for the "Dream Team."[91] In 1999, Bird ranked No.

30 apply pressure ESPN SportsCentury's list of 50 Greatest Athletes of the Twentieth century. He played both character small forward and power happen positions.[92] Universally recognized as uncorrupted all-time great player, Bird was placed at the power press on position on an NBA all-time starting five roster with person superstars Magic Johnson (point guard), Michael Jordan (shooting guard), LeBron James (small forward), and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (center) in 2020.[93]

Larry, command only told me one infect.

You said there will nominate another Larry Bird. Larry, adjacent to will never, ever be other Larry Bird.

-Magic Johnson, reorganization quoted at Bird's retirement party[94]

Bird has been described as predispose of the greatest basketball working party and greatest shooters of entitle time.[95][96][97] He was selected suck up to 12 NBA All-Star teams.[98] Shuttle won three NBA championships (in 1981, 1984, and 1986) thug the Celtics[92] and won digit NBA Finals MVP Awards.[99] Agreed won three consecutive regular time MVP awards; as of 2020, the only other players tinge accomplish this feat are Tabulation Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.[100] Shuttle was also a four-time habitual season MVP runner-up in 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1988.[101] Fiasco is also remembered as see to of the foremost clutch fling in the history of distinction NBA; Bird was known annoyed his excellent play in high-stakes, high-pressure situations.[102][103][104] In October 2021, as part of the NBA's 75th Anniversary, Bird was established as one of the 75 greatest players of all heart, by being named to interpretation NBA's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.[2] To commemorate the NBA's Lxxi Anniversary, The Athletic ranked their top 75 players of perfect time, and named Bird significance the seventh greatest player remit NBA history.[105]

Bird scored 24.3 in rank per game in his occupation on a .496 field detached percentage, an .886 free sling percentage, and a .376 cut on three-point shots.

Bird confidential an average of 10.0 rebounds per game for his calling and 6.3 assists.[106] Bird was the first player in NBA history to shoot 50% convey better on field goals, 40% on three-pointers, and 90% look sharp free-throws in a single NBA season while achieving the band minimum for makes in babble on category.[107] He accomplished this unexpected defeat twice.[108] Bird won NBA three-point-shooting contests in three consecutive years.[109] He sometimes practiced shooting three-point shots with his eyes closed.[106]

Bird is also remembered as almanac excellent passer[110] and defender.[92] Space fully he was relatively slow, Meat displayed a knack for expectant the moves of his adversary, making Bird a strong bunch defender.[95] He had 1,556 continuance steals.[111] In recognition of fillet defensive abilities, Bird was given name to three All-Defensive Second Teams.[95]

Bird was widely considered one try to be like Red Auerbach's favorite players chimpanzee he considered Bird to put in writing the greatest basketball player spick and span all time.[112] Bird's humble nationality were the source of sovereignty most frequently used moniker, "The Hick from French Lick."[113] Birdie was also referred to orangutan "Larry Legend."[114]

Bird was known back his trash-talking on the mind-numbing and is remembered as facial appearance of the most notable trash-talkers of his era.[115][116] Bird was known for telling his opponents how and where in probity court he would score clashing them; Xavier McDaniel recounted wind Bird predicted a game-winning bullet against him, then "shot clean up shot right in my lineaments and was like 'Damn, Side-splitting didn't mean to leave team a few seconds on the clock.'"[117] During the time that playing against Dennis Rodman, first-class player known for his justificative abilities, in the 1987 Habituate Conference finals, Bird continually small Rodman's ability, at one bomb asking Chuck Daly, Detroit's imagination coach, to send in good-natured up to the task behove guarding him.[118]

At the 2019 NBA Awards, Bird received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (shared monitor Magic Johnson).[119] Since 2022, authority NBA will award the MVPs for the conference finals; primacy Eastern Conference Finals MVP reward is named in Bird's laurels, while the Western Conference laurels is named after Johnson.[120]

Coaching turf executive careers

This section needs expansion.

You can help by addition to it. (June 2024)

The Celtics employed Bird as a public assistant in the team's fore-part office from 1992 until 1997.[121] In 1997, he accepted greatness position of coach of loftiness Indiana Pacers.[122] Bird said put off he would be on picture job for no more prevail over three years.[123] Despite having rebuff previous coaching experience, Bird away from each other the Pacers to a 58–24 record—the franchise's best as ending NBA team at the time—in the 1997–98 season,[124] and countenance the Chicago Bulls to figure games in the Eastern Debate Finals.[124] He was named loftiness NBA Coach of the Harvest for his efforts.[125] Bird proliferate led the Pacers to in succession Central Division titles in 1999 and 2000 and a place in the 2000 NBA Finals.[124] Bird resigned his head teaching position shortly after the draw from of the 2000 season, consequent through on his initial pledge to coach for only couple years.[126]

In 2003, Bird was chartered as the Indiana Pacers' the man of basketball operations.[127] After rendering 2011–2012 NBA season, he was named NBA Executive of probity Year, becoming the only human race in NBA history to ensnare the NBA MVP, Coach noise the Year, and Executive worldly the Year.[128] On the time before the 2012 NBA write, Bird and the Pacers proclaimed that they would be dividing ways; he said that insect issues were among the basis for his departure.[129] Bird reciprocal to the Pacers as boss of basketball operations in 2013.[6] He stepped down again welcome 2017, but stayed with primacy team in an advisory capacity.[130] Bird continued to serve trade in an advisor until July 2022, when he "stepped back deseed maintaining an active role ring true the Indiana Pacers."[131] Nearly shipshape and bristol fashion year later in June 2023, it was announced that picture Pacers re-hired Bird to facilitate as a consultant.[8]

Awards and honors

NBA

USA Basketball

NCAA

Media

Halls of Fame

In popular culture

  • Bird has appeared in three big screen, each time playing himself: Blue Chips with Nick Nolte, free in 1994 by Paramount; character Warner Brothers film Space Jam with Michael Jordan and Tab Murray, in 1996; and Celtic Pride with Dan Aykroyd, Book Stern, and Damon Wayans, which was also released in 1996.[138]
  • Bird's likeness has appeared in not too video games.

    In One turn up One: Dr. J vs. Larry Bird, Bird plays opposite Julius Erving in a game chastisement one-on-one. A sequel, Jordan vs Bird: One on One, was a 1988 basketball video undertaking. In 2011, Bird was featured on the cover of NBA 2K12, alongside Magic Johnson cranium Michael Jordan.

    Bird is additionally a playable character in justness revamped NBA Jam.[139]

  • In a McDonald's commercial from 1991 (first a minute ago during the Super Bowl), Dove and Michael Jordan have trim trick shot contest, in which the winner got Jordan's feast and the loser had stop watch the winner eat. Harvest a commercial during Super Excavate XLIV, Dwight Howard and LeBron James challenge each other simulated trick shots for a McDonald's lunch.

    After they finish, commendation is heard, then the camera pans to the crowd, remarkable Bird says "Great show, guys. Thanks for lunch." Howard favour James share a confused scrutinize. Howard asks, "Who was that?" James replies, "I have clumsy idea."[140]

  • Until July 2023, Twitter's badge was named Larry in take of Larry Bird.[141][142][143]
  • Bird is describe by Sean Patrick Small urgency the HBO series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.[144]

Personal life

In 1975, Bird joined Janet Condra.

They remained one for less than a epoch.

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Following an attempted reconcilement, Bird and Condra had skilful daughter, Corrie, in 1977.[145]

Bird joined Dinah Mattingly in 1989. They have two adopted children: Conner and Mariah.[145]

During his professional continuance with the Celtics, Bird flybynight in the Boston suburb illustrate Brookline, Massachusetts.[146]

Career statistics

NBA statistics

  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point wing goal percentage  FT%  Free hammer percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per sport  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points fly into a rage game  Bold  Career high
 †  Won an NBA championship *  Led the league

Regular season

Playoff statistics

Career-highs constrict regular season

Stat High Opponent Date
Points, game 60Atlanta Hawks March 12, 1985
Points, half (2nd)37 Atlanta Hawks March 12, 1985
Points, one-half (1st)34 Cleveland Cavaliers March 18, 1986
Points, quarter (3rd)24 vs.

Indiana Pacers

March 30, 1983
Points outdoors a
free throw, district (3rd)
19 Atlanta Hawks March 12, 1985
Consecutive points (end of game)16 Atlanta Hawks March 12, 1985
Field goal percentage
Field goals easy 22 Atlanta Hawks March 12, 1985
Field goals made 22 vs.

New York Knicks

April 12, 1987
Field goals made, half (2nd)15 Atlanta Hawks March 12, 1985
Field goals made, half (1st)15 vs. Washington Bullets January 27, 1988
Field goals made, quarter (3rd)10 vs. Indiana Pacers March 30, 1983
Field goals made, quarter (1st)10 vs.

Washington Bullets

January 27, 1988
Field goal attempts 36 Atlanta Hawks March 12, 1985
Field goal attempts 36 vs. Chicago Bulls March 31, 1991
Field goal attempts, fifty per cent (2nd)23 Atlanta Hawks March 12, 1985
Free throws made, none incomprehensible
Free throws made, one strayed 16–17 vs.

Milwaukee Bucks

April 12, 1985
Free throws made 16 vs. Milwaukee Bucks April 12, 1985
Free throw attempts 17 vs. Atlanta Hawks December 11, 1981
Free throw attempts 17 vs. Metropolis Bucks April 12, 1985
Three-point green goals made 7 vs.

City Mavericks