Larry Bird

Lore & Background

Bird grew up in French Lick, Indiana, where he starred at Springs Valley High School, averaging 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 4.0 assists as a senior. He initially signed to play for Indiana University Bloomington but dropped out after one month, later attending Indiana State University. He led the Sycamores to an undefeated regular season and the 1979 NCAA championship game, where they lost to Michigan State and Magic Johnson, launching a career-long rivalry. Bird was selected by the Boston Celtics as the sixth overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft but stayed in college for the 1978–79 season before signing a five-year, $3.25 million contract, making him the highest-paid rookie in sports history at the time.

Reader's Guide

Larry Bird's significance lies in his unprecedented versatility and impact on the NBA. As a forward who could play both inside and outside, he was one of the first players to exploit the newly adopted three-point line. His rivalry with Magic Johnson, which began in the 1979 NCAA championship game, is credited with revitalizing the NBA's popularity in the 1980s. Bird's career achievements—being the only person to win Rookie of the Year, MVP, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year—underscore his multifaceted contributions to the sport. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice: as an individual in 1998 and as a member of the 'Dream Team' in 2010. He was also voted onto the NBA's 50 Greatest Players list in 1996 and the 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. Fox Sports rated him the greatest NBA small forward of all time in 2016.

Did You Know?

• Bird 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.
• He led the Indiana State Sycamores to an undefeated regular season and the 1979 NCAA championship game, where they faced Michigan State and Magic Johnson.
• Bird signed a five-year, $3.25 million contract with the Boston Celtics in 1979, making him the highest-paid rookie in sports history at the time.
• He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice: as an individual in 1998 and as a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic 'Dream Team' in 2010.

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"I have really enjoyed coaching. It's a great experience. Every player should have the chance to do it. The problem is, I'm not that good at it." — Larry Bird "Peter Vecsey (May 26, 2000) "Looks Like Larry's Indy Mood to Stay", New York Post." — Larry Bird "Well, I don't worry about ratings. I'm trying to win a ballgame right now. Whatever it takes to win a ballgame, we're going to do it. If it takes a four-hour game, that's what we have to do." — Larry Bird "Marty McNeal (June 11, 2000) "Bryant: A Game-Day Decision - Magic Had to Convince Him to Stay Out After Friday's Injury", The Sacramento Bee, p. C13." — Larry Bird