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:

Indiana State forward Larry Bird goes to the basket against DePaul .
NBA
Larry Bird Explained Why He Dedicated the 1984 Boston Celtics Championship to the People of Terre Haute, Indiana

When Larry Bird led the Boston Celtics to an NBA championship in 1984, he dedicated the title to the people of Terre Haute, Indiana.

Mike Thomas • 20 Jul 2023
Boston Celtics Larry Bird leaves court after the 1985 NBA Finals.
NBA
Ranking Larry Bird's Top 5 Memorable Moments With the Boston Celtics

It's a tough task, but we picked our top five Larry Bird moments from his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics.

Mike Thomas • 19 Jul 2023
Boston Celtics Larry Bird kneels down after being injured during a game against the Indiana Pacers at the Boston Garden, May 5, 1991.
NBA
Even After Smashing His Face Against the Pacers, Larry Bird Doesn't Get Enough Credit for His Toughness

Larry Bird's toughness ranks right up there with his basketball skill.

Mike Thomas • 18 Jul 2023
Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics shoots over Kelly Tripucka and Bill Laimbeer of the Detroit Pistons.
NBA
Bill Laimbeer Infamously Took Down Larry Bird and Then Suddenly Became ‘Steve Glassman'

Bill Laimbeer quickly became Steve Glassman during the 1985 playoff series against the Boston Celtics.

Mike Thomas • 13 Jul 2023
Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics looks on during a NBA game against the Washington Bullets.
NBA
Who's Pushing Larry Bird Off the Top-10 List of All-Time NBA Players?

It's tough to see Larry Bird losing his spot as a top-10 NBA player in history any time soon.

Mike Thomas • 13 Jul 2023
Members of the Boston Celtics 1986 championship team Kevin McHale, Bill Walton and Danny Ainge are honored at halftime of the game between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat.
NBA
During the 1985-86 Season, Larry Bird Knew Exactly Where To Turn for an Automatic 2 Points

Larry Bird was named MVP for the third straight time in 1986, but he also had plenty of help.

Mike Thomas • 18 Jul 2023
Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics reacts during the third quarter against the Miami Heat.
NBA
Jayson Tatum Could Learn a Lot From the Mentality of Larry Bird

Jayson Tatum can learn a lot from Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird.

Mike Thomas • 12 Jul 2023
Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird motors past Houston Rockets Rodney McCray.
NBA
Larry Bird Explained Why He Uncharacteristically Changed Uniforms at Halftime During Game 6 of the 1986 NBA Finals

You could say Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird was somewhat selfish during halftime of Game 6 of the 1986 NBA Finals.

Mike Thomas • 11 Jul 2023
The NBA champion Boston Celtics, selecting second in the NBA draft with a pick acquired from Seattle, took high-scoring Maryland forward Len Bias.
NBA
Larry Bird Called the Death of Len Bias ‘the Cruelest Thing I Had Ever Heard'

Len Bias was supposed to lead the next wave of Boston Celtics stars. He never got the chance.

Mike Thomas • 09 Jul 2023
Larry Bird (L) and Magic Johnson (R) meet the media after a Dream Team practice.
NBA
Larry Bird Didn't See Anything Special About the ‘Greatest Game Nobody Ever Saw'

Think that the Dream Team's Monaco scrimmage was a peak basketball moment? Allow Larry Bird to explain why that's not the case.

Joe Kozlowski • 08 Jul 2023