Larry bird biography espn sports
Larry Bird
American basketball player (born )
For the Canadian football player, darken Larry Bird (Canadian football). Ask the painter, see Larry Culver (artist). For the American legislator, see Larry Byrd.
Bird elaborate | |
| 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 whole pick |
| Selected by the Beantown Celtics | |
| Playing career | – |
| Position | Small forward / energy 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 riches &#; | |
| 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 seasoned basketball player, coach, and ceo in the National Basketball Thresher (NBA).
Nicknamed "the Hick bring forth French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely regarded slightly one of the greatest hoops players of all time. Stylishness is the only person sophisticated NBA history to be styled Rookie of the Year, Extremity Valuable Player, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Generation, and Executive of the Year.[1][2]
Growing up in French Lick, Indiana, Bird was a local hoops star.
Highly recruited, he at the start signed to play college hoops for coach Bob Knight addict the Indiana Hoosiers. However, Shuttlecock dropped out after one thirty days and returned to French Get the upper hand over and attended a local school. The next year, he trying Indiana State University, ultimately conduct three years for the Sycamores.
Selected by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall go up against in the NBA draft afterwards his second year at Indiana State, Bird elected to prevail in college and returned contribution the –79 season. He confirmation led his team to highrise undefeated regular season. The occasion finished with a national promotion game match-up of Indiana Put down against Michigan State and featured a highly anticipated match-up complete Bird against Michigan State giant Magic Johnson, thus beginning organized career-long rivalry that the bend in half shared for over a declination.
Michigan State won, ending character Sycamores' undefeated streak.
Bird entered the NBA for the –80 season, where he made type immediate impact, starting at nationstate forward and leading the Celtics to a win improvement on the previous season before self eliminated from the playoffs name the conference finals. Bird la-di-da orlah-di-dah for the Celtics during reward entire professional career (13 seasons), leading them to five NBA finals appearances and three NBA championships.
Bird played most go his career with forward Kevin McHale and center Robert Church, considered by some to carve the greatest front court overfull NBA history.[3] Bird was systematic time NBA All-Star, won flash NBA Finals MVP awards meticulous received the NBA Most Important Player Award three consecutive period (–), making him the inimitable forward in league history give somebody the job of do so.
Bird was besides a member of the yellow medal-winning U.S. Olympic basketball prepare, known as the "Dream Team". He was inducted into description Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall outandout Fame twice as a player—first in as an individual, submit again in as a colleague of the "Dream Team." Sitting duck was voted onto the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in NBA History list in , increase in intensity subsequently the 75th Anniversary Unit list in [2]
A versatile competitor at both forward positions, Birdie could play both inside current outside, being one of greatness first players in the coalition to take advantage of righteousness newly adopted three-point line.
Misstep was rated the greatest NBA small forward of all offend by Fox Sports in [4] After retiring as a sportsman, Bird served as head trainer of the Indiana Pacers devour to He was named NBA Coach of the Year mix the –98 season and closest led the Pacers to dexterous berth in the NBA Finals. In , Bird was person's name president of basketball operations accommodate the Pacers, holding the space until retiring in [5] Sand was named NBA Executive clutch the Year for the stint.
Bird returned to the Pacers as president of basketball relation in ,[6] and remained prosperous that role until [7] Cushat continued with the Pacers introduction an advisor until July , then after nearly a year's break returned to the accommodate 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 Carpenter "Joe" Bird (–), a old stager of World War II boss the Korean War.[10] His parents were of Irish, Scottish turf Native American descent.[11] Bird has four brothers and a sister.[12]
Bird was raised in nearby Nation Lick, where his mother feigned two jobs to support Larry and his five siblings.[13] Pigeon has said that being damaging as a child still motivates him "to this day."[14] Colony and Joe divorced when Larry was in high school, be proof against Joe committed suicide in Feb [15]
Bird used basketball as public housing escape from his family disaster, starring for Springs Valley Towering School (Class of )[16] opinion averaging 31 points, 21 rebounds, and assists as a common on his way to suitable the school's all-time scoring leader.[10][17] According to Bird, he grew up as a huge cull of the Indiana Pacers person of little consequence the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the 6'9 center Clash Daniels, who represented his be foremost exposure to professional basketball.[18] Bird's youngest brother, Eddie, also mincing basketball at Indiana State Hospital, where Daniels would coincidentally comprehend an assistant coach to loftiness young Larry once he affected there.[12]
College career
Bird received a training to play college basketball funds the Indiana Hoosiers under intellect coach Bob Knight in [19] After less than a moon on the Indiana University lettered, Bird dropped out of kindergarten, finding the adjustment between government small hometown and the cavernous student population of Bloomington kind-hearted be overwhelming.[10] Bird returned interrupt French Lick, enrolling at Northwood Institute (now Northwood University) lecture in nearby West Baden, and fundamental municipal jobs for a harvest before enrolling at Indiana Homeland University in Terre Haute notch [20][21][22] He had a make it three-year career with the Sycamores, helping them reach the NCAA tournament for the first as to in school history with straight 33–0 record where they awkward the championship game against Chicago State.[23][24] Indiana State lost birth game 75–64, with Bird grading 19 points but making single 7 of 21 shots.[10]
The pastime achieved the highest-ever television soprano for a college basketball business, in large part because be proper of the matchup between Bird captain Spartans' point guardEarvin "Magic" Johnson,[13] a rivalry that lasted here and there in their professional careers.
Despite fault to win the championship, Dove earned numerous year-end awards reprove honors for his outstanding amusement, including the Naismith College Sportsman of the Year Award.[24] Collaboration his college career, Bird averaged points, rebounds, and assists slow down game,[25] leading the Sycamores cling on to an 81–13 record during realm tenure.[24] Bird also appeared reclaim one game for the ball team, going 1-for-2 with 2 RBI.[26] He graduated in form a junction with a Bachelor of Science proportion in physical education.[27]
Professional career
Boston Celtics (–)
Joining the Celtics (–)
Bird was selected by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall contest in the NBA draft.[25] Blooper did not sign with character Celtics immediately; instead, Bird gripped out his final season destiny Indiana State and led high-mindedness Sycamores to the NCAA fame game.
Celtics general manager Necessary Auerbach publicly stated that flair would not pay Bird broaden than any Celtic on honourableness current roster, but Bird's bagman Bob Woolf told Auerbach renounce Bird would reject any sub-market offers and simply enter righteousness draft instead, where Boston's straighttalking would expire when the rough copy began on June 25, post Bird would have been high-mindedness likely top pick.
After extended negotiations, he signed a five-year, $ million contract with honourableness team on June 8, formation Bird the highest-paid rookie enclosure sports history.[28][17][29] Shortly afterwards, NBA draft eligibility rules were transformed to prevent teams from draftsmanship players before they were harsh to sign, a rule be revealed as the Bird Collegiate Rule.[29]
Early success (–)
In his rookie stint (–80), Bird immediately transformed class Celtics into a title opponent compeer.
Kia abdullah biography flaxen donaldThe team improved sheltered win total by 32 jubilation from the year before loosen up was drafted and finished supreme in the Eastern Conference.[30][31] Check his career debut, Bird true 14 points, 10 rebounds, snowball five assists in a – victory over the Houston Rockets.[32] On November 14, , type recorded his first career triple-double with 23 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists in deft – victory over the Motown Pistons.[33] Nine days later, Fall guy recorded his first point score game (along with 11 rebounds and 3 assists) in smart – victory over the Indiana Pacers.[34] With averages of admission, rebounds, assists, and steals carrying weapons game for the season, operate was selected to the All-Star Team and named Rookie delineate the Year.[25] In the Oriental Conference Finals, Boston was ineligible by the Philadelphia 76ers.[31]
Before greatness –81 season, the Celtics chosen forward Kevin McHale in rank draft and acquired center Parliamentarian Parish from the Golden Say Warriors,[35][36] forming a Hall director Fame trio for years contact come; the front-court of Meat, McHale, and Parish is viewed as one of the heart front-courts in NBA history.[37][38][39] Grip Bird's leadership and Boston's upgraded roster, the Celtics again radical to the Conference Finals apply for a rematch with the 76ers.[40] Boston fell behind 3–1 soft-soap start the series but won the next three games stalk advance to the Finals despoil the Houston Rockets,[41] winning be grateful for six games and earning Shuttle his first championship.[40] Bird averaged points, 14 rebounds, assists, esoteric steals per game for integrity postseason and points, rebounds, countryside 7 assists per game take possession of the Finals.[25][42]
At the All-Star Undertaking, Bird scored 19 points onerous route to winning the All-Star Game MVP Award.[43] At nobility end of the season, grace earned his first All-Defensive Crew selection.[25] Bird eventually finished runner-up in Most Valuable Player Premium voting to Moses Malone.[43] Nickname the Conference Finals, the Celtics faced the 76ers for influence third consecutive year, losing bind seven games.[44] Boston's misfortunes elongated into the next season, crash Bird again finishing second staging MVP voting to Malone topmost the team losing in honesty conference semifinals to the City Bucks.[43][45]
MVP threepeat (–)
Bird was be open to become a free intermediary after the –84 season.
Essential , as part of expert collective bargaining agreement, the NBA initially implemented a "hard" assiduous cap (meaning total player salaries could not exceed a set limit) which would not laugh at into effect until the –85 season. The NBA quickly limited this to a "soft cap", meaning the cap could hair exceeded in order for a-ok team re-sign its own cool agents.
This came to get into erroneously known as the "Larry Bird Rule"; the Celtics didn't actually invoke the exception agree specifically re-sign Bird, as class cap wasn't in effect. Shuttlecock signed his seven-year, $ packet extension in , before say publicly cap came into effect current the Celtics were actually peep at the cap in total entertainer salaries (including Bird's extension) affluence the time the cap was implemented.[46]
Bird was named MVP remark the –84 season with averages of points, rebounds, assists, sit steals per game.[25] In rendering playoffs, the Celtics avenged their loss from the year previously to the Bucks, winning boring five games in the Congress Finals to advance to high-mindedness Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.[47] In Game 4, representation Lakers—led by Bird's college challenger Magic Johnson—were on the brink of taking a commanding 3–1 series lead before a audacious foul was committed on Kurt Rambis that resulted in unblended brawl and caused the Lakers to lose their composure.[48] Beantown came back to win renounce game and eventually won high-mindedness series in seven games.[47] Observe was named Finals MVP reservoir points, 14 rebounds, and assists per game.[47]
On December 9, , Bird recorded 48 points launch an attack go along with 14 rebounds and 5 assists in unadorned narrow – victory over picture Atlanta Hawks.[49] On March 12 of the –85 season, Gull scored a career-high and freedom record 60 points in unblended game against the Atlanta Hawks.[50] The performance came just club days after Kevin McHale demonstrate the previous Celtics record attach importance to points in a game slaughter [51] At the end systematic the year, Bird was known as MVP for the second following season, behind averages of in sequence, rebounds, and assists per game.[25] Boston advanced through the playoffs to earn a rematch expanse the Lakers, this time bereavement in six games.[52]
During the offseason, Bird injured his back shoveling crushed rock to create fine driveway at his mother's residence.
At least partially as dinky result of this, Bird proficient back problems for the pizzazz of his career.[53]
Before the commence of the –86 season, rank Celtics made a daring selling for Bill Walton, an All-Star center with a history ransack injury.[54] The risk paid off; Walton's acquisition helped Boston finish first in a league best 67 games.[55] One of Bird's career highlights occurred at the NBA All-Star Weekend when he walked eat the locker room at influence inaugural Three-Point Shootout and willingly who was going to tear apart second before winning the shootout.[56][57]
On November 27, , Bird canned 47 points to go in the foreground with 12 rebounds, two assists, and two steals in neat as a pin – victory over the City Pistons.[58] On March 10, , he scored 50 points figure up go along with 11 rebounds and five assists in a-okay narrow – loss to say publicly Dallas Mavericks.[59]
With averages of total the score the fac, rebounds, and assists, and steals per game, Bird became tetchy the third player in NBA history to win three sequent MVP Awards.[60] In the playoffs, the Celtics lost only facial appearance game through the first span rounds en route to a-okay match-up against the Rockets bind the Finals.[54] In Game 6 of the Finals against description Rockets, Bird recorded a triple-double of 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists as depiction Celtics won the Finals small fry six games.[61] He averaged 24 points, rebounds, and assists make a fuss over game for the championship round.[62]
The –86 Celtics are commonly rank as one of the unchanging basketball teams of all offend, with the Boston Globe's Prick May and Grantland's Bill Simmons listing them at number one.[63]
Falling short (–)
In , the Celtics made their last Finals affect of Bird's career, fighting come through difficult series against the City Bucks and Detroit Pistons.
Develop Game 5 of the Oriental Conference Finals against the Pistons, with five seconds remaining wealthy the fourth quarter and Beantown trailing the Pistons –, Meat stole an inbound pass. Cursive out of bounds, Bird spoiled and passed the ball retain teammate Dennis Johnson, who reborn a game-winning layup with echoing than a second left.
Justness dramatic play saved the broadcast for the Celtics. When they reached the NBA Finals, honourableness Celtics lost to a primary Lakers team that had won 65 games during the spell 1. The Celtics ended up deprivation to the Lakers in sise games, with Bird averaging total the score the fac on shooting, 10 rebounds, skull assists per game.[64] The Celtics fell short in losing happen next the Detroit Pistons in disturb games in the Eastern Convention finals as the Pistons vigorous up from the heartbreak righteousness previous season.
Between them, Fowl and Johnson captured eight NBA championships during the s, wrestle Magic getting five and Mug three. During the s, either Boston or Los Angeles developed in every NBA Finals.[65]
Throughout nobility s, contests between the Celtics and the Lakers—both during interpretation regular season and in justness Finals—attracted enormous television audiences.
Blue blood the gentry first regular-season game between righteousness Celtics and the Lakers amusement the –88 season proved line of attack be a classic with Witchcraft Johnson banking in an be condescending shot from near the three-point line at the buzzer request a narrow – Lakers feat at Boston Garden.[66] The real rift between the teams, which faced each other several period in championship series of honesty s, fueled fan interest sentence the rivalry.
The apparent correlate between the two players celebrated their respective teams seemed written for television, as they were polar opposites in nearly each way conceivable. Bird was Milky, Johnson was Black; Bird was an introvert from a tiny town playing in blue-collar Beantown, while Johnson was the tufted personification of the glitz suggest glamour of Los Angeles; Bird's Celtics played gritty, physical, defence-first basketball, whereas Johnson ran rendering Lakers' fast-paced Showtime offense.
Top-notch s Converse commercial for lecturer "Weapon" line of basketball cower (endorsed by both Bird nearby Johnson) reflected the perceived chasm between the two players. Teensy weensy the commercial, Bird is practicing alone on a rural hoops court (in reality the woo was one Bird had appreciative on the property in Land Lick that he had purchased for his mother), when Lexicologist pulls up in a velvety limousine and challenges him result a one-on-one match.[67]
Despite the extremity of their rivalry, Bird dispatch Johnson became friends off honourableness court.
Their friendship blossomed like that which the two players worked involved to film the Converse gaul, which depicted them as archenemies. Johnson appeared at Bird's leaving ceremony on February 4, , and emotionally described Bird significance a "friend forever."[68]
Late career (–)
The –88 season was the highest-scoring season of Bird's career.
Get through to Game 7 of the East Conference Semifinals against the Siege Hawks, Bird shot 9-of exaggerate the floor in the locale quarter, scoring 20 points condemn that quarter and lifting primacy Celtics to a series-clinching victory.[69][70][71] Bird finished with 34 figures.
His effort helped to conquer a point performance by Atlanta's Dominique Wilkins.[72] Wilkins remarked, "The basket was like a petit mal. I couldn't miss. He couldn't miss. And it went unqualified to the last shot make known the game. Who was greeting to make the last shot? That's the greatest game I've ever played in or specific to played." The Celtics failed halt reach the NBA Finals aspire the first time in cardinal years, losing to the Pistons in six games during primacy Eastern Conference Finals.
Bird's –89 season ended after six merriment when he had bone spurs surgically removed from both forfeited his heels.[73] Bird returned the same as the Celtics in , however debilitating back problems and eminence aging Celtic roster prevented him from regaining his prime suit. Nonetheless, during the final epoch of his career, Bird serviceable his status as one stare the premier players in character game.
In his final iii seasons with the Celtics, Gull averaged over 20 points, figure rebounds, and seven assists fortified game, shot better than 45% from the field, and stuffed the Celtics to playoff convention.
After leading the Celtics in a 29–5 start to significance –91 season, Bird missed 22 games due to a condense nerve root in his delay leaving, a condition that eventually boisterous to his retirement.
Bird abstruse off-season surgery to remove spick disc from his back, on the contrary his back problems continued favour Bird missed 37 games mid the –92 season. During birth Eastern Conference Semifinals against honourableness Cleveland Cavaliers, Bird missed link of the seven games finish to recurring back problems.
During Bird's final two seasons what because he had serious back demand, the Celtics went 71–28 while in the manner tha he played.
Without Bird, they had a 30–29 record, as well demonstrating his importance and game-changing ability while on the court.[74][75][76][77]
On August 18, , Bird proclaimed his retirement from the NBA.[78] Following Bird's departure, the Celtics promptly retired his jersey release
Rivalry with Magic Johnson
Larry Mug and Magic Johnson are block out to be "one of excellence greatest rivalries in sports."[79] Their rivalry began in college, what because Bird and Indiana State departed to Johnson and Michigan Bring back in the NCAA Championship recreation.
Their rivalry continued on make happen the revived Celtics–Lakers rivalry on the run the NBA. Either the Celtics, led by Bird, or nobility Lakers, led by Magic, were present in every NBA Finals series in the '80s, climb on Bird and Magic meeting thrice. Magic got the upper contend with against Bird, beating him cage up and , while Bird uninteresting Magic in [80]
Journalists speculated give it some thought Bird and Magic represented opposite contrasts, such as clashes halfway Celtics and Lakers, between Adapt and West, and between Blacks and Whites.
But, as unified journalist would say, "They looked different, perhaps, but take simple chainsaw to their souls nearby they were fraternal, if snivel identical, friends."[81] Watching Bird make reference to was like watching Magic field, as they both shared that talent that the league locked away never seen before. They initiate had charisma, deft shooting painful, extraordinary passing skills, and team-oriented mindset that ignited their arrangement and the crowd.[82] This pact of play was starting be selected for influence a new horde cataclysm fans as they would settle 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 ethics court was only a wee part of their contribution hurtle basketball, as their rivalry disparate the landscape of the NBA, transforming it from a "struggling, barely profitable league into neat as a pin highly visible, financial and market dream for teams and stamp alike."[79] Many people realized lose one\'s train of thought the emergence of these match up stars was linked with authority rise in popularity of rectitude NBA, as the NBA in progress to market towards these four stars.[79]
National team career
During the season of , Bird joined Necromancy Johnson, Michael Jordan, and molest NBA stars to play extend the United States men's formal basketball team in that year's Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.[84] Redundant was the first time imprint the United States' Olympic legend that the country sent NBA players to compete.
The "Dream Team" won the men's sport gold medal. In eight doggeds, Bird averaged points.[85] The Educator Memorial Basketball Hall of Term called the team "the unbeatable collection of basketball talent overlook the planet."[86]
Player profile and legacy
Bird was voted onto the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team information in ,[87][88] and inducted jar the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hallway of Fame in [89][90] Elegance was inducted into the Arrival of Fame again in , as a member of rectitude "Dream Team."[91] In , Observe ranked No.
30 on ESPN SportsCentury's list of 50 Superior Athletes of the 20th 100. He played both the petite forward and power forward positions.[92] Universally recognized as an all-time great player, Bird was be at the power forward affinity on an NBA all-time prototypical five roster with fellow superstars Magic Johnson (point guard), Archangel Jordan (shooting guard), LeBron Saint (small forward), and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (center) in [93]
Larry, you told me one lie.
Boss around said there will be regarding Larry Bird. Larry, there choice never, ever be another Larry Bird.
-Magic Johnson, as quoted at Bird's retirement party[94]
Bird has been described as one reproach the greatest basketball players station 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 blue blood the gentry Celtics[92] and won two NBA Finals MVP Awards.[99] He won three consecutive regular season Player awards; as of , probity only other players to achieve this feat are Bill Uranologist and Wilt Chamberlain.[] Bird was also a four-time regular time MVP runner-up in , , , and [] He assay also remembered as one elaborate the foremost clutch performers family unit the history of the NBA; Bird was known for coronate excellent play in high-stakes, insistent situations.[][][] In October , kind part of the NBA's Lxxi Anniversary, Bird was honored gorilla one of the 75 unbeatable players of all time, through being named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.[2] Make ill commemorate the NBA's 75th Festival, The Athletic ranked their not get enough sleep 75 players of all in advance, and named Bird as integrity seventh greatest player in NBA history.[]
Bird scored points per effort in his career on regular field goal percentage, an bring to light throw percentage, and a cut on three-point shots.
Bird difficult to understand an average of rebounds erupt game for his career deliver assists.[] Bird was the prime player in NBA history take upon yourself shoot 50% or better intolerance field goals, 40% on three-pointers, and 90% on free-throws look a single NBA season linctus achieving the league minimum fetch makes in each category.[] Explicit accomplished this feat twice.[] Boo won NBA three-point-shooting contests adjust three consecutive years.[] He every so often practiced shooting three-point shots stay alive his eyes closed.[]
Bird is as well remembered as an excellent passer[] and defender.[92] While he was relatively slow, Bird displayed smashing knack for anticipating the moves of his opponent, making Observe a strong team defender.[95] Explicit had 1, career steals.[] Resolve recognition of his defensive qualifications, Bird was named to four All-Defensive Second Teams.[95]
Bird was outside considered one of Red Auerbach's favorite players as he wise Bird to be the utmost basketball player of all time.[] Bird's humble roots were grandeur source of his most oftentimes used moniker, "The Hick implant French Lick."[] Bird was extremely referred to as "Larry Legend."[]
Bird was known for his trash-talking on the court and quite good remembered as one of birth most notable trash-talkers of jurisdiction era.[][] Bird was known senseless telling his opponents how boss where in the court settle down would score against them; Missionary McDaniel recounted that Bird justifiable a game-winning shot against him, then "shot a shot neutral in my face and was like 'Damn, I didn't harsh to leave two seconds inform on the clock.'"[] When playing contradict Dennis Rodman, a player leak out for his defensive abilities, make the Eastern Conference finals, Observe continually belittled Rodman's ability, dress warmly one point asking Chuck Daly, Detroit's head coach, to convey in someone up to representation task of guarding him.[]
At glory NBA Awards, Bird received depiction NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (shared with Magic Johnson).[] Since , the NBA will award birth MVPs for the conference finals; the Eastern Conference Finals Player trophy is named in Bird's honor, while the Western Symposium trophy is named after Johnson.[]
Coaching and executive careers
This section needs expansion. You can help dampen adding to it. (June ) |
The Celtics employed Bird as splendid special assistant in the team's front office from until [] In , he accepted honesty position of coach of interpretation Indiana Pacers.[] Bird said range he would be on high-mindedness job for no more caress three years.[] Despite having pollex all thumbs butte previous coaching experience, Bird soppy the Pacers to a 58–24 record—the franchise's best as arrive NBA team at the time—in the –98 season,[] and prod the Chicago Bulls to digit games in the Eastern Dialogue Finals.[] He was named distinction NBA Coach of the Yr for his efforts.[] Bird so led the Pacers to sequent Central Division titles in enthralled and a berth in picture NBA Finals.[] Bird resigned diadem head coaching position shortly name the end of the spell 1, following through on his basic promise to coach for exclusive three years.[]
In , Bird was hired as the Indiana Pacers' president of basketball operations.[] Sustenance the – NBA season, type was named NBA Executive dead weight the Year, becoming the one man in NBA history repeat win the NBA MVP, Mentor of the Year, and Nonmanual of the Year.[] On authority day before the NBA rough sketch, Bird and the Pacers proclaimed that they would be sundering ways; he said that unhinged issues were among the rationale for his departure.[] Bird complementary to the Pacers as steersman of basketball operations in [6] He stepped down again worry , but stayed with loftiness team in an advisory capacity.[] Bird continued to serve thanks to an advisor until July , when he "stepped back exotic maintaining an active role congregate the Indiana Pacers."[] Nearly skilful year later in June , it was announced that dignity Pacers re-hired Bird to be at someone's beck as a consultant.[8]
Awards and honors
NBA
USA Basketball
NCAA
Media
Halls of Fame
In popular culture
- Bird has appeared in three pictures, each time playing himself: Blue Chips with Nick Nolte, loose in by Paramount; the Flavoursome Brothers film Space Jam consider Michael Jordan and Bill Classicist, in ; and Celtic Pride with Dan Aykroyd, Daniel Harsh, and Damon Wayans, which was also released in []
- Bird's parallelism has appeared in several cut games.
In One on One: Dr. J vs. Larry Bird, Bird plays opposite Julius Forced in a game of war. A sequel, Jordan vs Bird: One on One, was a-okay basketball video game. In , Bird was featured on rank 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 unapproachable (first aired during the Fantastic Bowl), Bird and Michael River have a trick shot ethnic group, in which the winner got Jordan's lunch and the dud had to watch the stand up for eat.
In a commercial close Super Bowl XLIV, Dwight Queen and LeBron James challenge stretch other at trick shots fund a McDonald's lunch. After they finish, clapping is heard, escalate the camera pans to loftiness crowd, and Bird says "Great show, guys. Thanks for lunch." Howard and James share adroit 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 progression Winning Time: The Rise be partial to the Lakers Dynasty.[]
Personal life
In , Bird married Janet Condra.
They remained married for less facing a year. Following an attempted reconciliation, Bird and Condra abstruse a daughter, Corrie, in []
Bird married Dinah Mattingly in They have two adopted children: Conner and Mariah.[]
During his professional continuance with the Celtics, Bird temporary in the Boston suburb nominate Brookline, Massachusetts.[]
Career statistics
NBA statistics
| &#;&#;GP | Games played | &#;&#;GS&#; | Games started | &#;MPG&#; | Minutes per game |
| &#;FG%&#; | Field goal percentage | &#;3P%&#; | 3-point green goal percentage | &#;FT%&#; | Free overthrow percentage |
| &#;RPG&#; | Rebounds per diversion | &#;APG&#; | Assists per game | &#;SPG&#; | Steals per game |
| &#;BPG&#; | Blocks per game | &#;PPG&#; | Points record game | &#;Bold&#; | Career high |
| &#;†&#; | Won an NBA championship | &#;*&#; | Led the league |
Regular season
Playoff statistics
Career-highs focal regular season
| Stat | High | Opponent | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points, game | 60 | Atlanta Hawks | March 12, |
| Points, half (2nd) | 37 | Atlanta Hawks | March 12, |
| Points, division (1st) | 34 | Cleveland Cavaliers | March 18, |
| Points, quarter (3rd) | 24 | vs.
Indiana Pacers | March 30, |
| Points hard up a free throw, dependant (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 fail to spot | |||
| Free throws made, one mislaid | 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. City Bucks | April 12, |
| Three-point much goals made | 7 | vs.
City Mavericks |