Larry Bird
“The Hick from French Lick” is the only person in NBA history to win the NBA MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year. In 2017, Larry Bird stepped down from his last official NBA role after a 13-year NBA career and 25 years in administrative roles with the Indiana Pacers.
Bird first rose to basketball prominence during the three years he spent with the Indiana State Sycamores. The forward became the Naismith College Player of the Year en route to the 1979 NCAA championship game. The Boston Celtics drafted Bird No. 6 overall in the 1978 NBA Draft. As the NBA Rookie of the Year, he brought the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Over the next 12 years, Bird became a three-time NBA champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP, and earned the overall MVP two more times. Bird will be remembered for many things, including his legendary rivalry with Magic Johnson.
- Birthday: December 7, 1956
- Hometown: French Lick, Indiana
- College: Indiana State University
- Height: 6’9″
- Spouse: Dinah Mattingly (m. 1989), Janet Condra (m. 1975–1976)
- Children: Corrie Bird, Connor Bird, and Mariah Bird
- Jersey: No. 33
- Number of NBA championship wins: three
- Number of NBA championship appearances: five
Visit Larry Bird’s profile on Basketball-Reference.com.
Read the latest articles about Larry Bird:
There was a time when Larry Bird actually felt sorry for his biggest rival, Magic Johnson, during their playing days.
Larry Bird showed some rare emotion after the Boston Celtics were swept by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1983, according to former Boston Globe reporter Bob Ryan
The Boston Celtics accepted reality after losing to the Detroit Pistons in the 1988 conference finals.
Larry Bird’s iconic towel-waving photo from the Boston Celtics bench means a lot to him.
Is the Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson rivalry bigger than Wilt Chamberlain vs. Bill Russell?
Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird suffered through his biggest shooting slump in his second season in the NBA.
Would Larry Bird join a reunion with his former Boston Celtics teammates?
Cedric Maxwell recently explained what really set former Boston Celtics star Larry Bird apart from the rest of the team.
Dominique Wilkins said he had to pay his dues as a rookie when he faced Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics.
According to former Boston Celtics teammate Danny Ainge, Larry Bird’s trash-talking was mostly used to motivate himself.