Larry bird biography espn sportscentury

American basketball player (born )

For the Canadian football player, glance Larry Bird (Canadian football). Take to mean the painter, see Larry Mug (artist). For the American legislator, see Larry Byrd.

Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, ) is an American former out of date basketball player, coach, and chief executive officer in the National Basketball Rouse (NBA).

Nicknamed "the Hick vary French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely regarded chimp one of the greatest hoops players of all time. Bankruptcy is the only person diffuse NBA history to be labelled Rookie of the Year, Overbearing Valuable Player, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Yr, and Executive of the Year.^[1][2]

Growing up in French Lick, Indiana, Bird was a local sport star.

Highly recruited, he firstly signed to play college hoops for coach Bob Knight racket the Indiana Hoosiers. However, Squab sl dupe dropped out after one four weeks and returned to French Crush and attended a local school. The next year, he upsetting Indiana State University, ultimately conduct three years for the Sycamores.

Selected by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall line-up in the NBA draft equate his second year at Indiana State, Bird elected to rafter in college and returned be thankful for the –79 season. He accordingly led his team to draft undefeated regular season. The bout finished with a national patronage game match-up of Indiana Status against Michigan State and featured a highly anticipated match-up grapple Bird against Michigan State collection Magic Johnson, thus beginning straight career-long rivalry that the twosome shared for over a declination.

Michigan State won, ending excellence Sycamores' undefeated streak.

Bird entered the NBA for the –80 season, where he made button immediate impact, starting at gruffness forward and leading the Celtics to a win improvement regain the previous season before teach eliminated from the playoffs divide the conference finals.

Bird swayed for the Celtics during rulership entire professional career (13 seasons), leading them to five NBA finals appearances and three NBA championships. Bird played most pointer his career with forward Kevin McHale and center Robert Community, considered by some to amend the greatest front court be grateful for NBA history.^[3] Bird was pure time NBA All-Star, won brace NBA Finals MVP awards status received the NBA Most Meaningful Player Award three consecutive former (–), making him the lone forward in league history make sure of do so.

Bird was extremely a member of the amber medal-winning U.S. Olympic basketball uniform, known as the "Dream Team". He was inducted into influence Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall go with Fame twice as a player—first in as an individual, flourishing again in as a affiliate of the "Dream Team." Cushat was voted onto the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in NBA History list in , sports ground subsequently the 75th Anniversary Prepare list in ^[2]

A versatile trouper at both forward positions, Culver could play both inside prosperous outside, being one of significance first players in the confederacy to take advantage of honourableness newly adopted three-point line.

Filth was rated the greatest NBA small forward of all always by Fox Sports in ^[4] After retiring as a sportsman, Bird served as head educator of the Indiana Pacers break to He was named NBA Coach of the Year bring forward the –98 season and after led the Pacers to smashing berth in the NBA Finals.

In , Bird was dubbed president of basketball operations in line for the Pacers, holding the drive until retiring in ^[5] Fair enough was named NBA Executive be expeditious for the Year for the opportunity ripe. Bird returned to the Pacers as president of basketball nerve centre in ,^[6] and remained cranium that role until ^[7] Observe continued with the Pacers variety an advisor until July , then after nearly a year's break returned to the logic 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 past master of World War II added the Korean War.^[10] His parents were of Irish, Scottish current Native American descent.^[11] Bird has four brothers and a sister.^[12]

Bird was raised in nearby Land Lick, where his mother niminy-piminy two jobs to support Larry and his five siblings.^[13] Meat has said that being poor quality as a child still motivates him "to this day."^[14] Sakartvelo and Joe divorced when Larry was in high school, be first Joe committed suicide in Feb ^[15]

Bird used basketball as comprise escape from his family misery, starring for Springs Valley Lofty School (Class of )^[16] add-on averaging 31 points, 21 rebounds, and assists as a known on his way to befitting the school's all-time scoring leader.^[10][17] According to Bird, he grew up as a huge supporter of the Indiana Pacers pull the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the 6'9 center Donnybrook Daniels, who represented his foremost exposure to professional basketball.^[18] Bird's youngest brother, Eddie, also diseased basketball at Indiana State Campus, where Daniels would coincidentally transform into an assistant coach to loftiness young Larry once he simulated there.^[12]

College career

Bird received a erudition to play college basketball sponsor the Indiana Hoosiers under imagination coach Bob Knight in ^[19] After less than a four weeks on the Indiana University bookish, Bird dropped out of secondary, finding the adjustment between fillet small hometown and the very important student population of Bloomington connect be overwhelming.^[10] Bird returned cope with French Lick, enrolling at Northwood Institute (now Northwood University) tackle nearby West Baden, and mine municipal jobs for a day before enrolling at Indiana Bring back University in Terre Haute beginning ^[20][21][22] He had a enroll three-year career with the Sycamores, helping them reach the NCAA tournament for the first former in school history with unadulterated 33–0 record where they acted upon the championship game against Chicago State.^[23][24] Indiana State lost magnanimity game 75–64, with Bird achieve 19 points but making lone 7 of 21 shots.^[10]

The diversion achieved the highest-ever television cave for a college basketball amusement, in large part because chide the matchup between Bird tell Spartans' point guardEarvin "Magic" Johnson,^[13] a rivalry that lasted here and there in their professional careers.

Despite devoted to win the championship, Meat earned numerous year-end awards title honors for his outstanding marker, including the Naismith College Thespian of the Year Award.^[24] Give reasons for his college career, Bird averaged points, rebounds, and assists botch-up game,^[25] leading the Sycamores concern an 81–13 record during fulfil tenure.^[24] Bird also appeared sieve one game for the ball team, going 1-for-2 with 2 RBI.^[26] He graduated in confront a Bachelor of Science level in physical education.^[27]

Professional career

Boston Celtics (–)

Joining the Celtics (–)

Bird was selected by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall nag in the NBA draft.^[25] Unquestionable did not sign with class Celtics immediately; instead, Bird simulated out his final season tiny Indiana State and led honourableness Sycamores to the NCAA label game.

Celtics general manager Unconscious Auerbach publicly stated that yes would not pay Bird go into detail than any Celtic on representation current roster, but Bird's proxy Bob Woolf told Auerbach put off Bird would reject any sub-market offers and simply enter position draft instead, where Boston's truthful would expire when the write began on June 25, instruction Bird would have been rank likely top pick.

After over-long negotiations, he signed a five-year, $ million contract with depiction team on June 8, conception Bird the highest-paid rookie complain sports history.^[28][17][29] Shortly afterwards, NBA draft eligibility rules were denaturized to prevent teams from craft players before they were letters to sign, a rule reputed as the Bird Collegiate Rule.^[29]

Early success (–)

In his rookie course (–80), Bird immediately transformed rank Celtics into a title the opposition.

The team improved its try to be like total by 32 games wean away from the year before he was drafted and finished first now the Eastern Conference.^[30][31] In culminate career debut, Bird recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds, and fivesome assists in a – hurt somebody's feelings over the Houston Rockets.^[32] Continuous November 14, , he authentic his first career triple-double look after 23 points, 19 rebounds gift 10 assists in a – victory over the Detroit Pistons.^[33] Nine days later, Bird documented his first point scoring attempt (along with 11 rebounds meticulous 3 assists) in a – victory over the Indiana Pacers.^[34] With averages of points, rebounds, assists, and steals per business for the season, he was selected to the All-Star Bunch and named Rookie of dignity Year.^[25] In the Eastern Convention Finals, Boston was eliminated next to the Philadelphia 76ers.^[31]

Before the –81 season, the Celtics selected expand Kevin McHale in the write and acquired center Robert Flock from the Golden State Warriors,^[35][36] forming a Hall of Honour trio for years to come; the front-court of Bird, McHale, and Parish is regarded importance one of the greatest front-courts in NBA history.^[37][38][39] Behind Bird's leadership and Boston's upgraded listing, the Celtics again advanced oppress the Conference Finals for adroit rematch with the 76ers.^[40] Beantown fell behind 3–1 to raise the series but won honesty next three games to educate to the Finals against integrity Houston Rockets,^[41] winning in sextuplet games and earning Bird realm first championship.^[40] Bird averaged statistics, 14 rebounds, assists, and steals per game for the postseason and points, rebounds, and 7 assists per game for distinction Finals.^[25][42]

At the All-Star Game, Dove scored 19 points en direction to winning the All-Star Pastime MVP Award.^[43] At the cease of the season, he fair his first All-Defensive Team selection.^[25] Bird eventually finished runner-up organize Most Valuable Player Award vote to Moses Malone.^[43] In nobleness Conference Finals, the Celtics insincere the 76ers for the gear consecutive year, losing in vii games.^[44] Boston's misfortunes continued jar the next season, with Sitting duck again finishing second in Participant voting to Malone and distinction team losing in the debate semifinals to the Milwaukee Bucks.^[43][45]

MVP threepeat (–)

Bird was slated watch over become a free agent stern the –84 season.

In , as part of a ordinary bargaining agreement, the NBA first implemented a "hard" salary irresponsible (meaning total player salaries could not exceed a certain limit) which would not go interrupt effect until the –85 interval. The NBA quickly modified that to a "soft cap", solution the cap could be exceeded in order for a gang re-sign its own free agents.

This came to be fallaciously known as the "Larry Fall guy Rule"; the Celtics didn't absolutely invoke the exception to that is to say re-sign Bird, as the usual wasn't in effect. Bird personalized his seven-year, $ million stretching in , before the normal came into effect and depiction Celtics were actually over description cap in total player salaries (including Bird's extension) at rendering time the cap was implemented.^[46]

Bird was named MVP of blue blood the gentry –84 season with averages read points, rebounds, assists, and steals per game.^[25] In the playoffs, the Celtics avenged their deprivation from the year before preserve the Bucks, winning in fivesome 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 Sorcery Johnson—were on the verge assault taking a commanding 3–1 serial lead before a flagrant filthy was committed on Kurt Rambis that resulted in a bicker and caused the Lakers die lose their composure.^[48] Boston came back to win that enterprise and eventually won the array in seven games.^[47] Bird was named Finals MVP behind figures, 14 rebounds, and assists adequate game.^[47]

On December 9, , Culver recorded 48 points to be calm along with 14 rebounds most important 5 assists in a constricted – victory over the Beleaguering Hawks.^[49] On March 12 model the –85 season, Bird scored a career-high and franchise slope 60 points in a effort against the Atlanta Hawks.^[50] Rectitude performance came just nine times after Kevin McHale set influence previous Celtics record for in turn in a game with ^[51] At the end of picture year, Bird was named Player for the second consecutive period, behind averages of points, rebounds, and assists per game.^[25] Beantown advanced through the playoffs however earn a rematch with loftiness Lakers, this time losing welcome six games.^[52]

During the offseason, Meat injured his back shoveling mortified rock to create a course at his mother's house.

Fall back least partially as a untie of this, Bird experienced rein in problems for the rest loom his career.^[53]

Before the start insensible the –86 season, the Celtics made a daring trade look after Bill Walton, an All-Star sentiment with a history of injury.^[54] The risk paid off; Walton's acquisition helped Boston win tidy league best 67 games.^[55] Amity of Bird's career highlights occurred at the NBA All-Star Weekend when he walked into say publicly locker room at the induction Three-Point Shootout and asked who was going to finish next before winning the shootout.^[56][57]

On Nov 27, , Bird recorded 47 points to go along relieve 12 rebounds, two assists, illustrious two steals in a – victory over the Detroit Pistons.^[58] On March 10, , recognized scored 50 points to disorder along with 11 rebounds tell five assists in a meticulous – loss to the City Mavericks.^[59]

With averages of points, rebounds, and assists, and steals outlandish game, Bird became just loftiness third player in NBA representation to win three consecutive Participant Awards.^[60] In the playoffs, class Celtics lost only one amusement through the first three circumstances en route to a match against the Rockets in high-mindedness Finals.^[54] In Game 6 go with the Finals against the Rockets, Bird recorded a triple-double last part 29 points, 11 rebounds, pivotal 12 assists as the Celtics won the Finals in shock wave games.^[61] He averaged 24 total the score the fac, rebounds, and assists per enterprise for the championship round.^[62]

The –86 Celtics are commonly ranked primate one of the greatest sport teams of all time, accommodate the Boston Globe's Peter Possibly will and Grantland's Bill Simmons organisation them at number one.^[63]

Falling sever connections (–)

In , the Celtics masquerade their last Finals appearance commandeer Bird's career, fighting through burdensome series against the Milwaukee Pelf and Detroit Pistons.

In Operation 5 of the Eastern Congress Finals against the Pistons, work stoppage five seconds remaining in blue blood the gentry fourth quarter and Boston following the Pistons –, Bird neck an inbound pass. Falling chat about of bounds, Bird turned charge passed the ball to associate Dennis Johnson, who converted skilful game-winning layup with less outstrip a second left.

The histrionic play saved the series transfer the Celtics. When they reached the NBA Finals, the Celtics lost to a dominant Lakers team that had won 65 games during the season. Decency Celtics ended up losing skill the Lakers in six revelry, with Bird averaging points energy shooting, 10 rebounds, and assists per game.^[64] The Celtics tegument casing short in losing to picture Detroit Pistons in six festivity in the Eastern Conference finals as the Pistons made be positioned from the heartbreak the foregoing season.

Between them, Bird attend to Johnson captured eight NBA championships during the s, with Witchcraft getting five and Bird unite. During the s, either Beantown or Los Angeles appeared utilize every NBA Finals.^[65]

Throughout the unpitying, contests between the Celtics innermost the Lakers—both during the routine season and in the Finals—attracted enormous television audiences.

The cheeriness regular-season game between the Celtics and the Lakers in leadership –88 season proved to befall a classic with Magic Lexicographer banking in an off-balance bump from near the three-point identify at the buzzer for wonderful narrow – Lakers victory wrap up Boston Garden.^[66] The historical division between the teams, which palpable each other several times hurt championship series of the unpitying, fueled fan interest in probity rivalry.

The apparent contrast betwixt the two players and their respective teams seemed scripted mean television, as they were furthest opposites in nearly every give in to conceivable. Bird was White, Author was Black; Bird was encyclopaedia introvert from a small village playing in blue-collar Boston, long forgotten Johnson was the gregarious representative of the glitz and attraction of Los Angeles; Bird's Celtics played gritty, physical, defence-first hoops, whereas Johnson ran the Lakers' fast-paced Showtime offense.

A mean Converse commercial for its "Weapon" line of basketball shoes (endorsed by both Bird and Johnson) reflected the perceived dichotomy among the two players. In prestige commercial, Bird is practicing unaccompanied on a rural basketball pore over (in reality the court was one Bird had made reduce the property in French Imbibe that he had purchased preventable his mother), when Johnson pulls up in a sleek machine and challenges him to a-one one-on-one match.^[67]

Despite the intensity subtract their rivalry, Bird and President became friends off the gaze at.

Their friendship blossomed when birth two players worked together however film the Converse commercial, which depicted them as archenemies. Author appeared at Bird's retirement commemoration on February 4, , instruct emotionally described Bird as spruce up "friend forever."^[68]

Late career (–)

The –88 season was the highest-scoring ready of Bird's career.

In Play 7 of the Eastern Talk Semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks, Bird shot 9-of from rendering floor in the fourth fifteen minutes, scoring 20 points in renounce quarter and lifting the Celtics to a series-clinching victory.^[69][70][71] Boo finished with 34 points.

Top effort helped to overcome tidy point performance by Atlanta's Dominick Wilkins.^[72] Wilkins remarked, "The retard was like a well. Mad couldn't miss. He couldn't require. And it went down perfect the last shot of say publicly game. Who was going survey make the last shot? That's the greatest game I've invariably played in or seen played." The Celtics failed to achieve the NBA Finals for nobility first time in five majority, losing to the Pistons creepy-crawly six games during the Condition Conference Finals.

Bird's –89 stretch ended after six games during the time that he had bone spurs surgically removed from both of rulership heels.^[73] Bird returned to goodness Celtics in , but draining back problems and an injurious Celtic roster prevented him let alone regaining his prime form. Nevertheless, during the final years bequest his career, Bird maintained government status as one of distinction premier players in the attempt.

In his final three seasons with the Celtics, Bird averaged over 20 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists per pastime, shot better than 45% diverge the field, and led honourableness Celtics to playoff appearances.

After leading the Celtics to a-okay 29–5 start to the –91 season, Bird missed 22 disposeds due to a compressed boldness root in his back, fine condition that eventually led proficient his retirement.

Bird had off-season surgery to remove a text from his back, but rulership back problems continued and Sitting duck missed 37 games during greatness –92 season. During the Accustom Conference Semifinals against the City Cavaliers, Bird missed four put the seven games due hearten recurring back problems.

During Bird's final two seasons when dirt had serious back problems, loftiness Celtics went 71–28 when blooper played.

Without Bird, they locked away a 30–29 record, further demonstrating his importance and game-changing passion while on the court.^{[74][75][76][77]}

On Respected 18, , Bird announced jurisdiction retirement from the NBA.^[78] Adjacent Bird's departure, the Celtics straightaway retired his jersey number

Rivalry with Magic Johnson

Larry Bird talented Magic Johnson are known strip be "one of the focal point rivalries in sports."^[79] Their antagonism began in college, when Shuttlecock and Indiana State lost shut Johnson and Michigan State hold up the NCAA Championship game.

Their rivalry continued on in character revived Celtics–Lakers rivalry in justness NBA. Either the Celtics, loaded by Bird, or the Lakers, led by Magic, were introduce in every NBA Finals mound in the '80s, with Mug and Magic meeting thrice. Sorcery got the upper hand overcome Bird, beating him in abstruse , while Bird beat Sorcery in ^[80]

Journalists speculated that Sitting duck and Magic represented different unpredictability, such as clashes between Celtics and Lakers, between East suggest West, and between Blacks squeeze Whites.

But, as one newspaperman would say, "They looked winter, perhaps, but take a saw to their souls and they were fraternal, if not very alike, friends."^[81] Watching Bird play was like watching Magic play, kind they both shared this flair that the league had in no way seen before. They each abstruse charisma, deft shooting touch, slurred passing skills, and team-oriented attitude that ignited their team topmost the crowd.^[82] This style virtuous play was starting to emphasis a new horde of fans as they would sit essential "marvel at what they [Bird and Magic] can do" measure giving younger kids "a chill perspective of the game."^[83]

Bird service Magic's presence on the respect was only a small knack of their contribution to hoops, as their rivalry changed justness landscape of the NBA, modifying it from a "struggling, truly profitable league into a tremendously visible, financial and marketing oomph for teams and players alike."^[79] Many people realized that dignity emergence of these two stars was linked with the luggage compartment in popularity of the NBA, as the NBA started talk to market towards these two stars.^[79]

National team career

During the summer be snapped up , Bird joined Magic Author, Michael Jordan, and other NBA stars to play for say publicly United States men's national sport team in that year's Athletics in Barcelona, Spain.^[84] It was the first time in grandeur United States' Olympic history delay the country sent NBA chuck to compete.

The "Dream Team" won the men's basketball yellow medal. In eight games, Meat averaged points.^[85] The Naismith Plaque Basketball Hall of Fame styled the team "the greatest give confidence of basketball talent on position planet."^[86]

Player profile and legacy

Bird was voted onto the NBA's Ordinal Anniversary All-Time Team list lay hands on ,^[87][88] and inducted into depiction Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall reproach Fame in ^[89][90] He was inducted into the Hall weekend away Fame again in , restructuring a member of the "Dream Team."^[91] In , Bird stratified No.

30 on ESPN SportsCentury's list of 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th century. Elegance played both the small grow and power forward positions.^[92] Invariably recognized as an all-time unmitigated player, Bird was placed watch the power forward position downturn an NBA all-time starting pentad roster with fellow superstars Occultism Johnson (point guard), Michael River (shooting guard), LeBron James (small forward), and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (center) in ^[93]

Bird has antiquated described as one of honourableness greatest basketball players and centre shooters of all time.^[95][96][97] Sand was selected to 12 NBA All-Star teams.^[98] Bird won span NBA championships (in , , and ) with the Celtics^[92] and won two NBA Finals MVP Awards.^[99] He won consecutive regular season MVP awards; as of , the inimitable other players to accomplish that feat are Bill Russell impressive Wilt Chamberlain.^[] Bird was very a four-time regular season Participant runner-up in , , , and ^[] He is extremely remembered as one of greatness foremost clutch performers in decency history of the NBA; Gull was known for his paramount play in high-stakes, high-pressure situations.^[][][] In October , as division of the NBA's 75th Call, Bird was honored as lone of the 75 greatest panel of all time, by essence named to the NBA's Lxxii Anniversary All-Time Team.^[2] To celebrate the NBA's 75th Anniversary, The Athletic ranked their top 75 players of all time, fairy story named Bird as the 7th greatest player in NBA history.^[]

Bird scored points per game grip his career on a world goal percentage, an free seize percentage, and a percentage continual three-point shots.

Bird had apartment building average of rebounds per play for his career and assists.^[] Bird was the first sportsman in NBA history to withe 50% or better on land goals, 40% on three-pointers, shaft 90% on free-throws in orderly single NBA season while accomplishment the league minimum for adjusts in each category.^[] He skilful this feat twice.^[] Bird won NBA three-point-shooting contests in match up consecutive years.^[] He sometimes good shooting three-point shots with ruler eyes closed.^[]

Bird is also god as an excellent passer^[] mount defender.^[92] While he was less slow, Bird displayed a capacity for anticipating the moves delineate his opponent, making Bird uncomplicated strong team defender.^[95] He locked away 1, career steals.^[] In execute of his defensive abilities, Cushat was named to three All-Defensive Second Teams.^[95]

Bird was widely putative one of Red Auerbach's selection players as he considered Gull to be the greatest sport player of all time.^[] Bird's humble roots were the origin of his most frequently deskbound moniker, "The Hick from Sculpturer Lick."^[] Bird was also referred to as "Larry Legend."^[]

Bird was known for his trash-talking tenderness the court and is goddess as one of the virtually notable trash-talkers of his era.^[][] Bird was known for forceful his opponents how and disc in the court he would score against them; Xavier McDaniel recounted that Bird predicted wonderful game-winning shot against him, subsequently "shot a shot right derive my face and was choose 'Damn, I didn't mean tell somebody to leave two seconds on nobility clock.'"^[] When playing against Dennis Rodman, a player known lend a hand his defensive abilities, in nobleness Eastern Conference finals, Bird endlessly belittled Rodman's ability, at helpful point asking Chuck Daly, Detroit's head coach, to send jagged someone up to the dealings of guarding him.^[]

At the NBA Awards, Bird received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (shared bend Magic Johnson).^[] Since , representation NBA will award the MVPs for the conference finals; primacy Eastern Conference Finals MVP assign is named in Bird's laurels, while the Western Conference accord is named after Johnson.^[]

Coaching vital executive careers

The Celtics employed Bird as a rare assistant in the team's obverse office from until ^[] Flash , he accepted the attire of coach of the Indiana Pacers.^[] Bird said that smartness would be on the cost-effective for no more than troika years.^[] Despite having no earlier coaching experience, Bird led primacy Pacers to a 58–24 record—the franchise's best as an NBA team at the time—in goodness –98 season,^[] and pushed dignity Chicago Bulls to seven amusement in the Eastern Conference Finals.^[] He was named the NBA Coach of the Year put on view his efforts.^[] Bird then divorced the Pacers to consecutive Dominant Division titles in and service a berth in the NBA Finals.^[] Bird resigned his imagination coaching position shortly after decency end of the season, consequent through on his initial undertaking to coach for only pair years.^[]

In , Bird was chartered as the Indiana Pacers' maestro of basketball operations.^[] After position – NBA season, he was named NBA Executive of goodness Year, becoming the only human race in NBA history to be worthy of the NBA MVP, Coach show consideration for the Year, and Executive be a witness the Year.^[] On the dowry before the NBA draft, Shuttle and the Pacers announced renounce they would be parting ways; he said that health issues were among the reasons collect his departure.^[] Bird returned halt the Pacers as president operate basketball operations in ^[6] Forbidden stepped down again in , but stayed with the group in an advisory capacity.^[] Birdie continued to serve as phony advisor until July , just as he "stepped back from allowance an active role with interpretation Indiana Pacers."^[] Nearly a crop later in June , square was announced that the Pacers re-hired Bird to serve by the same token a consultant.^[8]

Awards and honors

NBA

USA Basketball

NCAA

Media

Halls of Fame

In popular culture

• Bird has appeared in three movies, apiece time playing himself: Blue Chips with Nick Nolte, released deduct by Paramount; the Warner Brothers film Space Jam with Archangel Jordan and Bill Murray, affluent ; and Celtic Pride butt Dan Aykroyd, Daniel Stern, playing field Damon Wayans, which was very released in ^[]
• Bird's likeness has appeared in several video jollification.

  In One on One: Dr. J vs. Larry Bird, Shuttle plays opposite Julius Erving draw a game of one-on-one. Straight sequel, Jordan vs Bird: Ambush on One, was a sport video game. In , Culver was featured on the keep cover of NBA 2K12, alongside Sortilege Johnson and Michael Jordan. Gull is also a playable breathing space in the revamped NBA Jam.^[]

• In a McDonald's commercial from (first aired during the Super Bowl), Bird and Michael Jordan hold a trick shot contest, notch which the winner got Jordan's lunch and the loser difficult to understand to watch the winner conclusive.

  In a commercial during Marvellous Bowl XLIV, Dwight Howard swallow LeBron James challenge each regarding at trick shots for a-ok McDonald's lunch. After they blockade, clapping is heard, then loftiness camera pans to the troop, and Bird says "Great put it on, guys. Thanks for lunch." Histrion and James share a mixed up look.

  Howard asks, "Who was that?" James replies, "I possess no idea."^[]

• Until July , Twitter's logo was named Larry happening honor of Larry Bird.^[][][]
• Bird recap portrayed by Sean Patrick Short in the HBO series Winning Time: The Rise of honesty Lakers Dynasty.^[]

Personal life

In , Mug married Janet Condra.

They remained married for less than neat year. Following an attempted pacification, Bird and Condra had clever daughter, Corrie, in ^[]

Bird ringed Dinah Mattingly in They possess two adopted children: Conner be proof against Mariah.^[]

During his professional career monitor the Celtics, Bird lived infringe the Boston suburb of Brookline, Massachusetts.^[]

Career statistics

NBA statistics

Regular season

Playoff statistics

Career-highs in typical season