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.
- Birthday: December 7, 1956
- Hometown: French Lick, Indiana
- College: Indiana State University
- Height: 6'9″
- Spouse: Dinah Mattingly (m. 1989), Janet Condra (m. 1975–1976)
- Children: Corrie Bird, Connor Bird, and Mariah Bird
- Jersey: No. 33
- Number of NBA championship wins: three
- Number of NBA championship appearances: five
Visit Larry Bird's profile on Basketball-Reference.com.
Read the latest articles about Larry Bird:
Larry Bird was cool as ever as Boston Garden was a sauna in Game 5 of the 1984 NBA Finals.
Legendary Detroit Pistons guard Isiah Thomas doesn't agree with Dennis Rodman about Larry Bird this time.
Larry Bird is one of the all-time NBA greats but is nowhere near one of the league's all-time greatest three-point shooters.
Larry Bird had to find a way to use the advantages he had against Michael Cooper in the 1984 NBA Finals.
Playing alongside Larry Bird certainly made things easier on the court, but it did come with some challenges.
Cedric Maxwell didn't leave Boston on good terms, but he's happy he returned for Larry Bird's retirement ceremony in 1993.
Larry Bird wasn't a fan of All-Star games, but he made history playing in his first one.
When it comes to Charles Oakley and Dennis Rodman, you know that neither man will be shy about speaking their mind.
When still an executive with the Pacers, Larry Bird had a strong reason in refusing to trade for any of LeBron James' Cavaliers teammates.
Larry Bird said he didn't realize how passionate Boston Celtics fans were until he went to the city as an unsigned rookie.
