Bird would typically start offensive possessions on the right block, where he would utilize the right corner of the floor, the fre-throw line extended and the opposite wing. When healthy, Bird looked vintage. James has an edge over Bird in scoring and assists as he averaged 27.2 points and 7.3 assists per game in the regular season and 28.9 points and 7.1assists per game in the playoffs. It was a great storyline as Magic Johnson and Bird were former college rivals. This time, he could say he was truly the best player in the league from start to finish. He was voted onto the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in NBA History list in 1996, and consequently the 75th Anniversary Team list in 2021. In the playoffs, the Bird lost just one game in the first three rounds. [96], Bird is also remembered as an excellent passer[100] and defender. us, College: December 7, We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Johnson appeared at Bird's retirement ceremony on February 4, 1993, and emotionally described Bird as a "friend forever".[63]. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. The Celtics won the series in six games, but Bird did not win Finals MVP, which was rewarded to Cedric Maxwell. The Celtics started the season 29-5, but Bird had to miss 22 games due to a compressed nerve root in his back. How many games did Larry Bird field goal miss a season due to injury? Nicknamed "The Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Find out more. 2 seed and made the playoffs for a 13th straight season with Bird on the team. Sixth Man of the Year. Larry Bird played 13 seasons for the Celtics. [105][106] He was known for telling his opponents how and where in the court he would score against them; Xavier McDaniel recounted that Bird predicted a game-winning shot against him, then "shot a shot right in my face and was like 'Damn, I didn't mean to leave two seconds on the clock. HEIGHT. 2. That came in spite of Bird playing with a fracture in his left thumb in the Final Four after getting hurt against Arkansas. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are known to be "one of the greatest rivalries in sports. For the second year in a row, Bird received the MVP Award. [22] He graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. 10 attempts), Indiana State-record 83.3 free throw percentage in an NCAA tournament game (min. ", -Magic Johnson, as quoted at Bird's retirement party. . Larry Bird had a winning record in NBA Finals games and series. In the playoffs, the Bucks defeated the Bucks in the Conference Finals to set up a showdown with the Lakers in the NBA Finals. He even plays defense, although that's not what's causing the NBA Boston Celtics to salivate over him.". APG. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. that the Celtics returned to the NBA Finals. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, former coach and former executive. 1981 NBA Finals. Bird won Finals MVP in 1984 when his Celttics defeated the Lakers in seven games. 1986 NBA Finals. We had guys last year who didn't care about passing. Bird was a Swiss army knife. Bird entered the NBA for the 19791980 season, where he made an immediate impact, starting at power forward and leading the Celtics to a 32-win improvement over the previous season before being eliminated from the playoffs in the Conference Finals. That went to Birds teammate. Magic led the team in scoring this time but was still joined by the same stars: Kareem, James Worthy, Byron Scott and Michael Cooper. There was a point early on in the episode when Johnson (Quincy Isaiah) hears that Larry Bird (Sean Patrick Small) was selected as the 1980 NBA Rookie of the Year. 1 in the country, and they are one win from the title. Bird was named Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, 14 . If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. Who was going to make the last shot? Basketball icon Larry Bird won three MVP awards and three NBA championships during his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics. Hodges said of Bird, "His only personal goal this year was to lead the nation in rebounds. 1980 Finals 1982 Finals. With Bird back in the fold, the Celtics returned to the playoffs with hopes of a deep run. Stats: 19.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG. His NBA years : from 1980 to 1992 Larry Bird NBA Stats Summary : In the Celtics 1981 Championship, Bird did not win Finals MVP. Or write about sports? Finals MVP. [20] For his college career, he averaged 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game,[21] leading the Sycamores to an 8113 record during his tenure. "At 9 o'clock yesterday [Bill] Hodges went to wake up Bird for a brunch at which he was to receive the Player of the Year Award. Bird had an average of 10.0 rebounds per game for his career and 6.3 assists. [9] He has four brothers and a sister. He was named NBA Head Coach of . [92] Bird is also remembered as one of the foremost clutch performers in the history of the NBA; he was known for his excellent play in high-stakes, high-pressure situations. [39][41], Bird was named MVP of the 198384 season with averages of 24.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. [103] Bird was also referred to as "Larry Legend". Bird won two finals vs the Houston Rockets and one vs the LA Lakers. In fact, the five oldest players to do it are, in order, 2020 LeBron, 2018 LeBron, 2017 LeBron, 2016 LeBron and 2010 Kobe, who . In 1985, the Lakers beat the Celtics behind FInals MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. [74], Bird and Magics presence on the court was only a small part of their contribution to basketball, as their rivalry changed the landscape of the NBA, transforming it from a struggling, barely profitable league into a highly visible, financial and marketing dream for teams and players alike. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame . [13], Larry used basketball as an escape from his family troubles, starring for Springs Valley High School and averaging 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 4 assists as a senior on his way to becoming the school's all-time scoring leader. After protracted negotiations, Bird inked a five-year, $3.25 million contract with the team on June 8, making him the highest-paid rookie in sports history. With five seconds left in Game 5, Birds pass to Dennis Johnson to set up the game-winner saved the series. Find out more. Who Did Larry Bird Lose To In the NBA Finals? That's the greatest game I've ever played in or seen played." When media outlets conduct their all-time great lists, Bird is spotted on those lists every time. Bird was raised in French Lick, Indiana, and attended Indiana State University, where he helped revive . The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. Sam Smith. Bird had a perfect season where he won the championship, won Finals MVP, and the MVP Award. This season was a precursor for a string of successes that no other player has matched in league history. [83] Universally recognized as an all-time great player, Bird was placed at the power forward position on an NBA all-time starting five roster with fellow superstars Magic Johnson (point guard), Michael Jordan (shooting guard), LeBron James (small forward), and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (center) in 2020. [80][81] He was inducted into the Hall of Fame again in 2010, as a member of the "Dream Team". Bird ultimately finished ninth in the MVP voting, while McHale was sixth in the Sixth Man of the Year voting. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Bird remained a top player in the league, securing All-NBA and All-Defensive team honors again. All rights reserved. [62], Despite the intensity of their rivalry, Bird and Johnson became friends off the court. The first was on February 14, 1986 in an overtime win against the Portland Trail Blazers. Stats & Championships . But everyone knows why Indiana State is where it is. Larry Bird Playoffs Game Log. Card Name: All-Star Stats. Other notable performances by Bird include his career-high 49 points against Wichita State in February 1979, scoring 29 points in the first half against Butler in December 1978, just 10 months after he dropped 47 on the Bulldogs on the road. During the 1980s, either Boston or Los Angeles appeared in every NBA Finals. Shoots: [28] On November 14, 1979, Bird recorded his first career triple-double with 23 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists in a 115111 win over the Detroit Pistons. But Don't Bet That He Won't Be Back", "Larry Bird stepping down from Pacers post", "For 2nd time, Hall-of-Famer Bird resigns as Pacers president", "Larry Bird resigns as Pacers president, Kevin Pritchard to take over", "Pacers' Larry Bird is NBA Executive of the Year", "Indiana Pacers part ways with Larry Bird", "Bird Steps Down; Pritchard Named President of Basketball Operations", "Larry Bird No Longer Has an Active Role with the Pacers, Confirms Kevin Pritchard", NBA unveils redesigned Larry O'Brien, Bill Russell trophies, announces new conference finals MVP awards - CBS Sports.com, 1992 U.S. OLYMPIC MENS BASKETBALL TEAM - Team USA.org, "2017 Class of FIBA Hall of Fame: Dream Team", "FULL VERSION: McDonald's Commercial with LeBron James and Dwight Howard", "Twitter's Logo Is Named After Larry Bird", "Larry Bird is Always on Twitter Even Without Having an Account", "ESPN Classic - Bird had eye for victory", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Larry_Bird&oldid=1142161893, Trophy named in Bird's honor (Larry Bird Trophy) awarded to Eastern Conference Finals MVP (established in 2022), 1992 Olympic gold medal (U.S. national team). Bird had to undergo surgery for bone spurs in both of his heels. What Was John Havliceks Finals Record? The Celtics made the Conference Finals before losing to the 76ers. [56] Bird averaged 24 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game for the championship round. The Celtics ended up losing to the Lakers in six games, with Bird averaging 24.2 points on .445 shooting, 10 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game in the championship series. Join our linker program. . [42] Bird was named Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. [26][27] In his career debut, Bird recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in a 114106 win over the Houston Rockets. [27], Before the 198081 season, the Celtics selected forward Kevin McHale in the draft and acquired center Robert Parish from the Golden State Warriors,[31][32] forming a Hall of Fame trio for years to come; the front-court of Bird, McHale, and Parish is regarded as one of the greatest front-courts in NBA history. Playoffs: PTS, FG, FT, FTA, 3P, 3PA complete all-time. Larry Bird was named the league MVP three times in his career, and they all came in consecutive fashion. Ultimately, the Cavaliers rallied to win the series in seven games, which ended their career of Bird. His teams overall record in finals games was 16-15. Eighth in Final Four history with an 84.2 shooting percentage against DePaul. Stats; Standings; Teams; Players; All-Star . Larry Bird's Career Record vs. NBA Legends: He Beat Michael Jordan 23 Times, But Magic Johnson Won The Head-To-Head Matchups, Shaquille O'Neal's Stats For Each Season: The Most Dominant Player In NBA History, Magic Johnson's Stats For Each Season: The Greatest Point Guard In NBA History, Charles Barkley's Stats For Each Season: One Of The Best Players To Never Win A Ring, David Robinson's Stats For Each Season: The Admiral Is One Of The Most Underrated Players In NBA History. Click the links to read up on the Finals records of the best players in league history. He made scoring look effortless, while his rebounding, playmaking, and defense are not talked about enough. Stats: 25.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 6.8 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.6 BPG, Awards And Achievements: NBA Champion, Finals MVP, MVP, All-Star, All-NBA First Team, Three-Point Contest Champion. The series stretched to seven games for consecutive playoffs, but it was the 76ers that pulled out the Game 7 win. After the tournament, both entered the NBA in the 1979-80 season with high . School: Indiana StatePosition: ForwardHeight: 6-9Weight: 220 poundsYears active: 1976-79NCAA tournament record: 4-1Career averages: 30.3 points per game, 13.3 rebounds per game, 4.6 assists per game, 53.3% shooting. [99] He sometimes practiced shooting three-point shots with his eyes closed. Larry Bird goes to the basket against DePaul in the 1979 Final Four. Totals; Per Game; Per 36 Minutes; Per 100 Possessions; Advanced; East Conf 1st Round. He is the only person in NBA history to be named Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.[1]. Finals MVP: Larry Bird (27.4 / 14.0 / 3.6) 1984 Playoff Leaders: PTS: Larry Bird (632) TRB: Larry Bird (252) AST: Magic Johnson (284) WS: Larry Bird (4.7) More playoffs info. ", The New York Times' Dave Anderson: "[Bill] Hodges likes to say that his primary contribution to the Sycamores this season has been 'not messing up Larry Bird. Also, no other player has ever won consecutive games at the buzzer like Bird did in January 1985. NBA Finals. He played for the Celtics during his entire professional career (13 seasons), leading them to five NBA finals appearances and three NBA championships. 6.3. We present them here for purely educational purposes. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Larry Bird Stats and news - NBA stats and news on Boston Celtics Forward Larry Bird . League Champion: Boston Celtics. . Bird was often checked by Magic Johnson in Michigan State's 2-3 matchup zone in theepic clash of two all-time greats. 1981-82 Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? 2", "Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics Box Score, December 9, 1984", "Relive the Moment: Larry Bird Easily Wins Inaugural 3-Point Contest After Asking Field Who Would Finish Second", "Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics Box Score, November 27, 1985", "Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks Box Score, March 10, 1986", "Larry Legend Bird wins third straight MVP", "Houston Rockets at Boston Celtics Box Score, June 8, 1986", "Converse Commercial (1986) with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson", "Bird's Garden Party: Celtics Make It a Magical Night for Larry Legend", "Against All Those Hawks, One Bird Is Enough for Celtics", "Legendary Moments in NBA History: Larry Bird and Dominique Wilkins battle in Game 7", "Bird Bids Farewell, Retires From Celtics", "Dream Team a star-studded sight to behold for gazers on, off court", "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame - Hall of Famers", "10 reasons we still love Larry Bird on his 60th birthday", "PRO BASKETBALL; A Bashful Larry Bird Joins Hall Of Fame", "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Hall of Famers", "1992 Dream Team Inducted into Hall of Fame", It started in Sacramento: LeBron James, back in NBA Finals, makes our all-time starting 5, "Who's The Best Small Forward Of All Time: Larry Bird Or LeBron James? 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