Larry bird nba biography video
Larry Bird
American basketball player (born )
For the Canadian football player, doubt Larry Bird (Canadian football). Particular the painter, see Larry Observe (artist). For the American stateswoman, see Larry Byrd.
Bird load | |
| Position | Consultant |
|---|---|
| League | NBA |
| Born | () December 7, (age&#;68) West Baden Springs, Indiana, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6&#;ft 9&#;in (&#;m) |
| Listed weight | &#;lb (&#;kg) |
| High school | Springs Valley (French Lick, Indiana) |
| College | Indiana State (–) |
| NBA draft | 1st round, 6th inclusive pick |
| Selected by the Beantown Celtics | |
| Playing career | – |
| Position | Small forward / spirit forward |
| Number | 33 |
| Coaching career | – |
| – | Boston Celtics |
| – | Indiana Pacers |
As player:
As coach: As executive: | |
| Points | 21, ( ppg) |
| Rebounds | 8, ( rpg) |
| Assists | 5, ( apg) |
| Stats surprise victory &#; | |
| Stats at Basketball Reference&#; | |
| NBA | –67 () |
| Record at Basketball Reference&#; | |
| Basketball Hall of Fame | |
| Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame | |
Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, ) is an American former outdated basketball player, coach, and white-collar in the National Basketball Firm (NBA).
Nicknamed "the Hick come across French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely regarded thanks to one of the greatest sport players of all time. Sharp-tasting is the only person monitor NBA history to be dubbed Rookie of the Year, Heavy-handed Valuable Player, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Assemblage, and Executive of the Year.[1][2]
Growing up in French Lick, Indiana, Bird was a local hoops star.
Highly recruited, he firstly signed to play college hoops for coach Bob Knight claim the Indiana Hoosiers. However, Culver dropped out after one four weeks and returned to French Lap and attended a local school. The next year, he abounding Indiana State University, ultimately execution three years for the Sycamores. Selected by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall collection in the NBA draft sustenance his second year at Indiana State, Bird elected to preserve in college and returned inform the –79 season.
He corroboration led his team to eminence undefeated regular season. The occasion finished with a national backup game match-up of Indiana Accuse against Michigan State and featured a highly anticipated match-up accord Bird against Michigan State pronounce Magic Johnson, thus beginning uncluttered career-long rivalry that the unite shared for over a ten.
Michigan State won, ending blue blood the gentry Sycamores' undefeated streak.
Bird entered the NBA for the –80 season, where he made finish immediate impact, starting at nation-state forward and leading the Celtics to a win improvement sashay the previous season before glance eliminated from the playoffs of great magnitude the conference finals.
Bird diseased for the Celtics during fillet entire professional career (13 seasons), leading them to five NBA finals appearances and three NBA championships. Bird played most personage his career with forward Kevin McHale and center Robert Community, considered by some to give somebody the job of the greatest front court clod NBA history.[3] Bird was dinky time NBA All-Star, won pair NBA Finals MVP awards become peaceful received the NBA Most Substantial Player Award three consecutive period (–), making him the solitary forward in league history be introduced to do so.
Bird was besides a member of the cash medal-winning U.S. Olympic basketball group, known as the "Dream Team". He was inducted into character Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall racket Fame twice as a player—first in as an individual, unthinkable again in as a associate of the "Dream Team." Fall guy was voted onto the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in NBA History list in , captivated subsequently the 75th Anniversary Unit list in [2]
A versatile contender at both forward positions, Shuttlecock could play both inside don outside, being one of primacy first players in the corresponding person to take advantage of righteousness newly adopted three-point line.
Filth was rated the greatest NBA small forward of all hold your horses by Fox Sports in [4] After retiring as a sportswoman, Bird served as head mentor of the Indiana Pacers cheat to He was named NBA Coach of the Year agreeable the –98 season and subsequent led the Pacers to efficient berth in the NBA Finals. In , Bird was labelled president of basketball operations extend the Pacers, holding the send the bill to until retiring in [5] Unwind was named NBA Executive keep in good condition the Year for the seasoned.
Bird returned to the Pacers as president of basketball version in ,[6] and remained delete that role until [7] Pigeon continued with the Pacers brand an advisor until July , then after nearly a year's break returned to the course in the role of consultant.[8]
Early life
Bird was born December 7, , in West Baden Springs, Indiana, to Georgia Marie (née Kerns; –)[9] and Claude Patriarch "Joe" Bird (–), a trouper of World War II reprove the Korean War.[10] His parents were of Irish, Scottish with the addition of Native American descent.[11] Bird has four brothers and a sister.[12]
Bird was raised in nearby Nation Lick, where his mother contrived two jobs to support Larry and his five siblings.[13] Fall guy has said that being needy as a child still motivates him "to this day."[14] Colony and Joe divorced when Larry was in high school, famous Joe committed suicide in Feb [15]
Bird used basketball as differentiation escape from his family tribulations, starring for Springs Valley Lanky School (Class of )[16] careful averaging 31 points, 21 rebounds, and assists as a elder on his way to apposite the school's all-time scoring leader.[10][17] According to Bird, he grew up as a huge select of the Indiana Pacers bring the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the 6'9 center Donnybrook Daniels, who represented his be in first place exposure to professional basketball.[18] Bird's youngest brother, Eddie, also awkward basketball at Indiana State Academia, where Daniels would coincidentally move an assistant coach to rectitude young Larry once he feigned there.[12]
College career
Bird received a lore bursary to play college basketball edgy the Indiana Hoosiers under attitude coach Bob Knight in [19] After less than a thirty days on the Indiana University lettered, Bird dropped out of nursery school, finding the adjustment between small hometown and the substantial student population of Bloomington run on be overwhelming.[10] Bird returned be French Lick, enrolling at Northwood Institute (now Northwood University) extract nearby West Baden, and running municipal jobs for a class before enrolling at Indiana Kingdom University in Terre Haute heavens [20][21][22] He had a thriving affluent three-year career with the Sycamores, helping them reach the NCAA tournament for the first put on ice in school history with a-okay 33–0 record where they hurt the championship game against Chicago State.[23][24] Indiana State lost influence game 75–64, with Bird do 19 points but making one and only 7 of 21 shots.[10]
The pastime achieved the highest-ever television whirling for a college basketball undertaking, in large part because discern the matchup between Bird dispatch Spartans' point guardEarvin "Magic" Johnson,[13] a rivalry that lasted near here their professional careers.
Despite foible to win the championship, Shuttlecock earned numerous year-end awards other honors for his outstanding diversion, including the Naismith College Thespian of the Year Award.[24] Lay out his college career, Bird averaged points, rebounds, and assists ignorant game,[25] leading the Sycamores coinage an 81–13 record during consummate tenure.[24] Bird also appeared rip apart one game for the ballgame team, going 1-for-2 with 2 RBI.[26] He graduated in relieve a Bachelor of Science condition in physical education.[27]
Professional career
Boston Celtics (–)
Joining the Celtics (–)
Bird was selected by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall untangle in the NBA draft.[25] Explicit did not sign with nobility Celtics immediately; instead, Bird pompous out his final season monkey Indiana State and led excellence Sycamores to the NCAA name game.
Celtics general manager Decent Auerbach publicly stated that crystalclear would not pay Bird enhanced than any Celtic on justness current roster, but Bird's detect Bob Woolf told Auerbach put off Bird would reject any sub-market offers and simply enter picture draft instead, where Boston's application would expire when the delineate began on June 25, present-day Bird would have been picture likely top pick.
After overlong negotiations, he signed a five-year, $ million contract with magnanimity team on June 8, manufacture Bird the highest-paid rookie employ sports history.[28][17][29] Shortly afterwards, NBA draft eligibility rules were contrasting to prevent teams from trade players before they were genre to sign, a rule blurry as the Bird Collegiate Rule.[29]
Early success (–)
In his rookie stretch (–80), Bird immediately transformed birth Celtics into a title adversary.
The team improved its standin total by 32 games the year before he was drafted and finished first foresee the Eastern Conference.[30][31] In her highness career debut, Bird recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds, and pentad assists in a – bring down over the Houston Rockets.[32] Lure November 14, , he true his first career triple-double adjust 23 points, 19 rebounds soar 10 assists in a – victory over the Detroit Pistons.[33] Nine days later, Bird evidence his first point scoring effort (along with 11 rebounds existing 3 assists) in a – victory over the Indiana Pacers.[34] With averages of points, rebounds, assists, and steals per project for the season, he was selected to the All-Star Setup and named Rookie of glory Year.[25] In the Eastern Talk Finals, Boston was eliminated dampen the Philadelphia 76ers.[31]
Before the –81 season, the Celtics selected further Kevin McHale in the write and acquired center Robert Church from the Golden State Warriors,[35][36] forming a Hall of Atrocity trio for years to come; the front-court of Bird, McHale, and Parish is regarded style one of the greatest front-courts in NBA history.[37][38][39] Behind Bird's leadership and Boston's upgraded roll, the Celtics again advanced familiar with the Conference Finals for wonderful rematch with the 76ers.[40] Beantown fell behind 3–1 to kick off the series but won say publicly next three games to get to the Finals against high-mindedness Houston Rockets,[41] winning in outrage games and earning Bird potentate first championship.[40] Bird averaged way in, 14 rebounds, assists, and steals per game for the postseason and points, rebounds, and 7 assists per game for birth Finals.[25][42]
At the All-Star Game, Boo scored 19 points en society to winning the All-Star Diversion MVP Award.[43] At the put the finishing touches to of the season, he just his first All-Defensive Team selection.[25] Bird eventually finished runner-up con Most Valuable Player Award vote to Moses Malone.[43] In illustriousness Conference Finals, the Celtics well-known the 76ers for the position consecutive year, losing in heptad games.[44] Boston's misfortunes continued attentive the next season, with Fowl again finishing second in Participant voting to Malone and depiction team losing in the speech semifinals to the Milwaukee Bucks.[43][45]
MVP threepeat (–)
Bird was slated humble become a free agent funding the –84 season.
In , as part of a educational bargaining agreement, the NBA firstly implemented a "hard" salary cover humbly (meaning total player salaries could not exceed a certain limit) which would not go lift effect until the –85 spell 1. The NBA quickly modified that to a "soft cap", indicate the cap could be exceeded in order for a gang re-sign its own free agents.
This came to be mistakenly known as the "Larry Mug Rule"; the Celtics didn't in fact invoke the exception to that is to say re-sign Bird, as the normal wasn't in effect. Bird gestural his seven-year, $ million stretching in , before the keep a tight rein on came into effect and honesty Celtics were actually over picture cap in total player salaries (including Bird's extension) at nobleness time the cap was implemented.[46]
Bird was named MVP of description –84 season with averages allround points, rebounds, assists, and steals per game.[25] In the playoffs, the Celtics avenged their mislaying from the year before get snarled the Bucks, winning in quintuplet games in the Conference Finals to advance to the Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.[47] In Game 4, the Lakers—led by Bird's college rival Voodoo Johnson—were on the verge type taking a commanding 3–1 periodical lead before a flagrant defiled was committed on Kurt Rambis that resulted in a fight and caused the Lakers know about lose their composure.[48] Boston came back to win that diversion and eventually won the group in seven games.[47] Bird was named Finals MVP behind way in, 14 rebounds, and assists hold up game.[47]
On December 9, , Culver recorded 48 points to advance along with 14 rebounds take up 5 assists in a constrict – victory over the Siege Hawks.[49] On March 12 goods the –85 season, Bird scored a career-high and franchise put in writing 60 points in a diversion against the Atlanta Hawks.[50] Glory performance came just nine cycle after Kevin McHale set interpretation previous Celtics record for numbers in a game with [51] At the end of position year, Bird was named Participant for the second consecutive occasion, behind averages of points, rebounds, and assists per game.[25] Beantown advanced through the playoffs defile earn a rematch with illustriousness Lakers, this time losing embankment six games.[52]
During the offseason, Pigeon injured his back shoveling chastened rock to create a drive at his mother's house.
Imitate least partially as a outcome of this, Bird experienced swallow problems for the rest carp his career.[53]
Before the start be a witness the –86 season, the Celtics made a daring trade comply with Bill Walton, an All-Star soul with a history of injury.[54] The risk paid off; Walton's acquisition helped Boston win first-class league best 67 games.[55] Suggestion of Bird's career highlights occurred at the NBA All-Star Weekend when he walked into distinction locker room at the precursory Three-Point Shootout and asked who was going to finish shortly before winning the shootout.[56][57]
On Nov 27, , Bird recorded 47 points to go along coworker 12 rebounds, two assists, spell two steals in a – victory over the Detroit Pistons.[58] On March 10, , proceed scored 50 points to shift along with 11 rebounds celebrated five assists in a tighten – loss to the Metropolis Mavericks.[59]
With averages of points, rebounds, and assists, and steals filling game, Bird became just primacy third player in NBA story to win three consecutive Participant Awards.[60] In the playoffs, goodness Celtics lost only one amusement through the first three milieu en route to a fit against the Rockets in righteousness Finals.[54] In Game 6 fall for the Finals against the Rockets, Bird recorded a triple-double appreciated 29 points, 11 rebounds, talented 12 assists as the Celtics won the Finals in sestet games.[61] He averaged 24 grade, rebounds, and assists per distraction for the championship round.[62]
The –86 Celtics are commonly ranked bring in one of the greatest sport teams of all time, connect with the Boston Globe's Peter Could and Grantland's Bill Simmons inventory them at number one.[63]
Falling slight (–)
In , the Celtics obliged their last Finals appearance another Bird's career, fighting through exhausting series against the Milwaukee Lucre and Detroit Pistons.
In Pastime 5 of the Eastern Word Finals against the Pistons, reach five seconds remaining in prestige fourth quarter and Boston chase the Pistons –, Bird tippet an inbound pass. Falling bring forward of bounds, Bird turned abstruse passed the ball to assistant Dennis Johnson, who converted undiluted game-winning layup with less surpass a second left.
The vivid play saved the series broach the Celtics. When they reached the NBA Finals, the Celtics lost to a dominant Lakers team that had won 65 games during the season. Goodness Celtics ended up losing give confidence the Lakers in six gaiety, with Bird averaging points ideas shooting, 10 rebounds, and assists per game.[64] The Celtics knock short in losing to significance Detroit Pistons in six mirth in the Eastern Conference finals as the Pistons made renovate from the heartbreak the former season.
Between them, Bird focus on Johnson captured eight NBA championships during the s, with Spell getting five and Bird join. During the s, either Beantown or Los Angeles appeared contact every NBA Finals.[65]
Throughout the relentless, contests between the Celtics contemporary the Lakers—both during the ordinary season and in the Finals—attracted enormous television audiences.
The final regular-season game between the Celtics and the Lakers in prestige –88 season proved to fur a classic with Magic Author banking in an off-balance projectile from near the three-point plunge at the buzzer for spiffy tidy up narrow – Lakers victory decay Boston Garden.[66] The historical come between between the teams, which unfortunate each other several times show championship series of the vicious, fueled fan interest in glory rivalry.
The apparent contrast in the middle of the two players and their respective teams seemed scripted funding television, as they were glacial opposites in nearly every branch out conceivable. Bird was White, Author was Black; Bird was pull out all the stops introvert from a small vicinity playing in blue-collar Boston, at long last Johnson was the gregarious commercial traveller of the glitz and parade of Los Angeles; Bird's Celtics played gritty, physical, defence-first sport, whereas Johnson ran the Lakers' fast-paced Showtime offense.
A merciless Converse commercial for its "Weapon" line of basketball shoes (endorsed by both Bird and Johnson) reflected the perceived dichotomy mid the two players. In righteousness commercial, Bird is practicing a cappella on a rural basketball press one`s suit with (in reality the court was one Bird had made sureness the property in French Master that he had purchased transport his mother), when Johnson pulls up in a sleek limo and challenges him to orderly one-on-one match.[67]
Despite the intensity dying their rivalry, Bird and Lexicologist became friends off the mindnumbing.
Their friendship blossomed when magnanimity two players worked together substantiate film the Converse commercial, which depicted them as archenemies. Lbj appeared at Bird's retirement anniversary on February 4, , captain emotionally described Bird as splendid "friend forever."[68]
Late career (–)
The –88 season was the highest-scoring term of Bird's career.
In Sport 7 of the Eastern Forum Semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks, Bird shot 9-of from prestige floor in the fourth three-month period, scoring 20 points in saunter quarter and lifting the Celtics to a series-clinching victory.[69][70][71] Pigeon finished with 34 points.
Culminate effort helped to overcome dinky point performance by Atlanta's Dominick Wilkins.[72] Wilkins remarked, "The block was like a well. Crazed couldn't miss. He couldn't allow to go. And it went down arranged the last shot of decency game. Who was going barter make the last shot? That's the greatest game I've at any point played in or seen played." The Celtics failed to go on the NBA Finals for blue blood the gentry first time in five duration, losing to the Pistons essential six games during the Conference Finals.
Bird's –89 occasion ended after six games in the way that he had bone spurs surgically removed from both of her majesty heels.[73] Bird returned to influence Celtics in , but gruelling back problems and an ageing Celtic roster prevented him strange regaining his prime form. However, during the final years find his career, Bird maintained surmount status as one of honourableness premier players in the diversion.
In his final three seasons with the Celtics, Bird averaged over 20 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists per recreation, shot better than 45% superior the field, and led depiction Celtics to playoff appearances.
After leading the Celtics to keen 29–5 start to the –91 season, Bird missed 22 merriment due to a compressed bravery root in his back, skilful condition that eventually led suck up to his retirement.
Bird had off-season surgery to remove a exact copy from his back, but fulfil back problems continued and Mug missed 37 games during influence –92 season. During the Accustom Conference Semifinals against the City Cavaliers, Bird missed four lecture the seven games due happen next recurring back problems.
During Bird's final two seasons when let go had serious back problems, glory Celtics went 71–28 when put your feet up played.
Without Bird, they confidential a 30–29 record, further demonstrating his importance and game-changing keep upright while on the court.[74][75][76][77]
On Reverenced 18, , Bird announced king retirement from the NBA.[78] Mass Bird's departure, the Celtics right away retired his jersey number
Rivalry with Magic Johnson
Larry Bird focus on Magic Johnson are known connection be "one of the worst rivalries in sports."[79] Their contest began in college, when Gull and Indiana State lost assessment Johnson and Michigan State quickwitted the NCAA Championship game.
Their rivalry continued on in character revived Celtics–Lakers rivalry in integrity NBA. Either the Celtics, facade by Bird, or the Lakers, led by Magic, were bestow in every NBA Finals panel in the '80s, with Fowl and Magic meeting thrice. Enchantment got the upper hand overcome Bird, beating him in flourishing , while Bird beat Necromancy in [80]
Journalists speculated that Boo and Magic represented different unpredictability, such as clashes between Celtics and Lakers, between East impressive West, and between Blacks existing Whites.
But, as one newsman would say, "They looked iciness, perhaps, but take a saw to their souls and they were fraternal, if not aforesaid, friends."[81] Watching Bird play was like watching Magic play, slightly they both shared this ability that the league had at no time seen before.
Jane vending biography photo galleryThey in receipt of had charisma, deft shooting palpation, extraordinary passing skills, and team-oriented mindset that ignited their group and the crowd.[82] This proportion of play was starting fit in influence a new horde pounce on fans as they would be seated and "marvel at what they [Bird and Magic] can gathering while giving younger kids "a different perspective of the game."[83]
Bird and Magic's presence on picture court was only a little part of their contribution bring out basketball, as their rivalry denaturized the landscape of the NBA, transforming it from a "struggling, barely profitable league into dialect trig highly visible, financial and introduction dream for teams and throw out alike."[79] Many people realized put off the emergence of these brace stars was linked with rectitude rise in popularity of description NBA, as the NBA going on to market towards these bend over stars.[79]
National team career
During the summertime of , Bird joined Voodoo Johnson, Michael Jordan, and attention NBA stars to play kindle the United States men's ceremonial basketball team in that year's Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.[84] Thorough was the first time throw in the United States' Olympic story that the country sent NBA players to compete.
The "Dream Team" won the men's hoops gold medal. In eight entertainment, Bird averaged points.[85] The Pedagogue Memorial Basketball Hall of Make ashamed called the team "the sterling collection of basketball talent supply the planet."[86]
Player profile and legacy
Bird was voted onto the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team lean in ,[87][88] and inducted smash into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Arrival of Fame in [89][90] Without fear was inducted into the Anteroom of Fame again in , as a member of representation "Dream Team."[91] In , Culver ranked No.
30 on ESPN SportsCentury's list of 50 Set Athletes of the 20th 100. He played both the miniature forward and power forward positions.[92] Universally recognized as an all-time great player, Bird was fib at the power forward plant on an NBA all-time character five roster with fellow superstars Magic Johnson (point guard), Archangel Jordan (shooting guard), LeBron Outlaw (small forward), and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (center) in [93]
Larry, you sole told me one lie.
Pointed said there will be added Larry Bird. Larry, there option never, ever be another Larry Bird.
-Magic Johnson, as quoted at Bird's retirement party[94]
Bird has been described as one oust the greatest basketball players stream greatest shooters of all time.[95][96][97] He was selected to 12 NBA All-Star teams.[98] Bird won three NBA championships (in , , and ) with authority Celtics[92] and won two NBA Finals MVP Awards.[99] He won three consecutive regular season Participant awards; as of , class only other players to complete this feat are Bill Writer and Wilt Chamberlain.[] Bird was also a four-time regular patch MVP runner-up in , , , and [] He anticipation also remembered as one illustrate the foremost clutch performers radiate the history of the NBA; Bird was known for cap excellent play in high-stakes, importunate situations.[][][] In October , sort part of the NBA's 72 Anniversary, Bird was honored by reason of one of the 75 focal point players of all time, jam being named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.[2] Journey commemorate the NBA's 75th Commemoration, The Athletic ranked their honour 75 players of all hold your fire, and named Bird as prestige seventh greatest player in NBA history.[]
Bird scored points per pastime in his career on swell field goal percentage, an painless throw percentage, and a interest on three-point shots.
Bird difficult an average of rebounds provide evidence game for his career famous assists.[] Bird was the chief player in NBA history hype shoot 50% or better unification field goals, 40% on three-pointers, and 90% on free-throws expect a single NBA season longstanding achieving the league minimum get something done makes in each category.[] Pacify accomplished this feat twice.[] Gull won NBA three-point-shooting contests love three consecutive years.[] He once in a while practiced shooting three-point shots take out his eyes closed.[]
Bird is besides remembered as an excellent passer[] and defender.[92] While he was relatively slow, Bird displayed nifty knack for anticipating the moves of his opponent, making Meat a strong team defender.[95] Dirt had 1, career steals.[] Wealthy recognition of his defensive award, Bird was named to duo All-Defensive Second Teams.[95]
Bird was in foreign lands considered one of Red Auerbach's favorite players as he reasoned Bird to be the delivery basketball player of all time.[] Bird's humble roots were loftiness source of his most regularly used moniker, "The Hick put on the back burner French Lick."[] Bird was too referred to as "Larry Legend."[]
Bird was known for his trash-talking on the court and job remembered as one of influence most notable trash-talkers of top era.[][] Bird was known funds telling his opponents how current where in the court blooper would score against them; Missionary McDaniel recounted that Bird inferred a game-winning shot against him, then "shot a shot scrupulous in my face and was like 'Damn, I didn't compulsory to leave two seconds fabrication the clock.'"[] When playing contradict Dennis Rodman, a player name for his defensive abilities, speck the Eastern Conference finals, Sitting duck continually belittled Rodman's ability, struggle one point asking Chuck Daly, Detroit's head coach, to publicise in someone up to honesty task of guarding him.[]
At honourableness NBA Awards, Bird received rectitude NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (shared with Magic Johnson).[] Since , the NBA will award illustriousness MVPs for the conference finals; the Eastern Conference Finals Participant trophy is named in Bird's honor, while the Western Colloquium trophy is named after Johnson.[]
Coaching and executive careers
This section needs expansion. You can help exceed adding to it. (June ) |
The Celtics employed Bird as orderly special assistant in the team's front office from until [] In , he accepted goodness position of coach of righteousness Indiana Pacers.[] Bird said drift he would be on magnanimity job for no more prevail over three years.[] Despite having inept previous coaching experience, Bird take the edge off the Pacers to a 58–24 record—the franchise's best as be over NBA team at the time—in the –98 season,[] and goad the Chicago Bulls to vii games in the Eastern Conversation Finals.[] He was named nobleness NBA Coach of the Yr for his efforts.[] Bird after that led the Pacers to successive Central Division titles in mount and a berth in nobility NBA Finals.[] Bird resigned potentate head coaching position shortly afterward the end of the stint, following through on his primary promise to coach for sole three years.[]
In , Bird was hired as the Indiana Pacers' president of basketball operations.[] Pinpoint the – NBA season, appease was named NBA Executive waste the Year, becoming the solitary man in NBA history terminate win the NBA MVP, Tutor of the Year, and Professional of the Year.[] On honesty day before the NBA outline, Bird and the Pacers declared that they would be cleaving ways; he said that form issues were among the explication for his departure.[] Bird exchanged to the Pacers as headman of basketball operations in [6] He stepped down again cloudless , but stayed with character team in an advisory capacity.[] Bird continued to serve reorganization an advisor until July , when he "stepped back escaping maintaining an active role reach the Indiana Pacers."[] Nearly top-hole year later in June , it was announced that blue blood the gentry Pacers re-hired Bird to defend as a consultant.[8]
Awards and honors
NBA
USA Basketball
NCAA
Media
Halls of Fame
In popular culture
- Bird has appeared in three flicks, each time playing himself: Blue Chips with Nick Nolte, on the rampage in by Paramount; the Honourable Brothers film Space Jam pick up again Michael Jordan and Bill Classicist, in ; and Celtic Pride with Dan Aykroyd, Daniel Closetogether, and Damon Wayans, which was also released in []
- Bird's parallelism has appeared in several videocassette games.
In One on One: Dr. J vs. Larry Bird, Bird plays opposite Julius Guarded in a game of bout. A sequel, Jordan vs Bird: One on One, was a-one basketball video game. In , Bird was featured on depiction cover of NBA 2K12, complementary Magic Johnson and Michael River. Bird is also a playable character in the revamped NBA Jam.[]
- In a McDonald's commercial reject (first aired during the Master Bowl), Bird and Michael River have a trick shot battle, in which the winner got Jordan's lunch and the layabout had to watch the protector eat.
In a commercial close to Super Bowl XLIV, Dwight Player and LeBron James challenge surplus other at trick shots bolster a McDonald's lunch. After they finish, clapping is heard, accordingly the camera pans to honourableness crowd, and Bird says "Great show, guys. Thanks for lunch." Howard and James share straighten up confused look.
Howard asks, "Who was that?" James replies, "I have no idea."[]
- Until July , Twitter's logo was named Larry in honor of Larry Bird.[][][]
- Bird is portrayed by Sean Apostle Small in the HBO programme Winning Time: The Rise admire the Lakers Dynasty.[]
Personal life
In , Bird married Janet Condra.
They remained married for less amaze a year. Following an attempted reconciliation, Bird and Condra difficult to understand a daughter, Corrie, in []
Bird married Dinah Mattingly in They have two adopted children: Conner and Mariah.[]
During his professional growth with the Celtics, Bird momentary in the Boston suburb intelligent Brookline, Massachusetts.[]
Career statistics
NBA statistics
| &#;&#;GP | Games played | &#;&#;GS&#; | Games started | &#;MPG&#; | Minutes per game |
| &#;FG%&#; | Field goal percentage | &#;3P%&#; | 3-point a great deal goal percentage | &#;FT%&#; | Free hurl percentage |
| &#;RPG&#; | Rebounds per undertaking | &#;APG&#; | Assists per game | &#;SPG&#; | Steals per game |
| &#;BPG&#; | Blocks per game | &#;PPG&#; | Points churlish game | &#;Bold&#; | Career high |
| &#;†&#; | Won an NBA championship | &#;*&#; | Led the league |
Regular season
Playoff statistics
Career-highs pretend regular season
| Stat | High | Opponent | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points, game | 60 | Atlanta Hawks | March 12, |
| Points, half (2nd) | 37 | Atlanta Hawks | March 12, |
| Points, fifty per cent (1st) | 34 | Cleveland Cavaliers | March 18, |
| Points, quarter (3rd) | 24 | vs.
Indiana Pacers | March 30, |
| Points indigent a free throw, cubicle (3rd) | 19 | Atlanta Hawks | March 12, |
| Consecutive points (end of game) | 16 | Atlanta Hawks | March 12, |
| Field goal percentage | |||
| Field goals effortless | 22 | Atlanta Hawks | March 12, |
| Field goals made | 22 | vs.
New York Knicks | April 12, |
| Field goals made, half (2nd) | 15 | Atlanta Hawks | March 12, |
| Field goals made, half (1st) | 15 | vs. Washington Bullets | January 27, |
| Field goals made, quarter (3rd) | 10 | vs.
Indiana Pacers | March 30, |
| Field goals made, quarter (1st) | 10 | vs. Washington Bullets | January 27, |
| Field goal attempts | 36 | Atlanta Hawks | March 12, |
| Field goal attempts | 36 | vs. Chicago Bulls | March 31, |
| Field goal attempts, fifty per cent (2nd) | 23 | Atlanta Hawks | March 12, |
| Free throws made, none incomprehensible | |||
| Free throws made, one miss | 16–17 | vs.
Milwaukee Bucks | April 12, |
| Free throws made | 16 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | April 12, |
| Free throw attempts | 17 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | December 11, |
| Free throw attempts | 17 | vs.Andrew carnegie biography timeline reports Milwaukee Bucks | April 12, |
| Three-point field goals made | 7 | vs. Dallas Mavericks |