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.

Visit Larry Bird's profile on Basketball-Reference.com.

Read the latest articles about Larry Bird:

Magic Johnson drives past Larry Bird.
NBA
At One Point, Larry Bird Actually Felt Sorry for Magic Johnson During Their Heated NBA Rivalry

There was a time when Larry Bird actually felt sorry for his biggest rival, Magic Johnson, during their playing days.

Mike Thomas • 21 Sep 2023
Larry Bird
NBA
An Angry Larry Bird Followed Through on His Promise After Humiliating Sweep by the Milwaukee Bucks in '83

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

Mike Thomas • 15 Sep 2023
Boston Celtics star Larry Bird drives past Detroit's Dennis Rodman.
NBA
Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics Accepted Reality When the Detroit Pistons Took Over the East in 1988

The Boston Celtics accepted reality after losing to the Detroit Pistons in the 1988 conference finals.

Mike Thomas • 14 Sep 2023
Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics squares to the basket.
NBA
Larry Bird Explained Why He's Proud of His Iconic Towel-Waving Photo

Larry Bird's iconic towel-waving photo from the Boston Celtics bench means a lot to him.

Mike Thomas • 10 Sep 2023
Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird shoots a jumper over Los Angeles Lakers guard Magic Johnson.
NBA
What's the Bigger Personal NBA Rivalry: Wilt Chamberlain vs. Bill Russell or Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson?

Is the Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson rivalry bigger than Wilt Chamberlain vs. Bill Russell?

Mike Thomas • 08 Sep 2023
Julius Erving takes Larry Bird's shoulder in the face as Bird goes in for the basket.
NBA
Larry Bird Shooting Slump? Things Got Ugly for the Boston Celtics Star En Route to His First NBA Title in 1981

Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird suffered through his biggest shooting slump in his second season in the NBA.

Mike Thomas • 07 Sep 2023
Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird starts a fast break in front of Los Angeles Lakers forward Kurt Rambis.
NBA
Does Larry Bird Not Want to Reunite With His Former Boston Celtics Teammates?

Would Larry Bird join a reunion with his former Boston Celtics teammates?

Mike Thomas • 03 Sep 2023
Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics in action against the New York Knicks.
NBA
Cedric Maxwell Reveals What Really Set Larry Bird Apart From His Boston Celtics Teammates: ‘I Was Envious'

Cedric Maxwell recently explained what really set former Boston Celtics star Larry Bird apart from the rest of the team.

Mike Thomas • 29 Aug 2023
Atlanta Hawks forward Dominique Wilkins goes in for a layup against the Boston Celtics.
NBA
Dominique Wilkins Recalls Paying His Dues Against Larry Bird As a Rookie With the Atlanta Hawks

Dominique Wilkins said he had to pay his dues as a rookie when he faced Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics.

Mike Thomas • 25 Aug 2023
Los Angeles Lakers Kurt Rambis gets a rebound over Boston Celtics Larry Bird and Danny Ainge.
NBA
Danny Ainge Sets the Record Straight on Larry Bird's Trash-Talking

According to former Boston Celtics teammate Danny Ainge, Larry Bird's trash-talking was mostly used to motivate himself.

Mike Thomas • 19 Aug 2023