Larry Bird facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Larry Bird

Bird in 2004
Indiana Pacers
Consultant
Personal information
Born	(1956-12-07) December 7, 1956 (age 69) West Baden Springs, Indiana, U.S.
High school	Springs Valley (French Lick, Indiana)
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight	220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
College	Indiana State (1976–1979)
NBA Draft	1978 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6th overall
Selected by the Boston Celtics
Pro career	1979–1992
Coaching career	1997–2000
League	NBA
Career history
As player:
1979–1992	Boston Celtics
As coach:
1997–2000	Indiana Pacers
Career highlights and awards
3× NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986) 2× NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986) 3× NBA Most Valuable Player (1984–1986) 12× NBA All-Star (1980–1988, 1990–1992) NBA All-Star Game MVP (1982) 9× All-NBA First Team (1980–1988) All-NBA Second Team (1990) 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1982–1984) NBA Rookie of the Year (1980) NBA All-Rookie Team (1980) 3× NBA Three-Point Contest champion (1986–1988) AP Athlete of the Year (1986) NBA anniversary team (50th, 75th) No. 33 retired by Boston Celtics National College Player of the Year (1979) 2× Consensus first-team All-American (1978, 1979) Third-team All-American – NABC, UPI (1977) 2× MVC Player of the Year (1978, 1979) 2× First-team All-MVC (1978, 1979) No. 33 retired by Indiana State Sycamores NBA Coach of the Year (1998) NBA All-Star Game head coach (1998) NBA Executive of the Year (2012)
Career NBA statistics
Points	21,791 (24.3 ppg)
Rebounds	8,974 (10.0 rpg)
Assists	5,695 (6.3 apg)
Medals Men's basketball Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 1992 Barcelona Men's Basketball FIBA Americas Championship Gold 1992 Portland Men's basketball World University Games Gold 1977 Sofia Men's Basketball

Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is a famous American basketball player, coach, and team executive. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). People often called him "the Hick from French Lick" or "Larry Legend." Many consider Bird one of the best basketball players ever. He is the only person in NBA history to win the awards for Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.

Larry grew up in French Lick, Indiana, where he was a local basketball star. Many colleges wanted him to play for them. He first went to Indiana University but left after a month. He then joined Indiana State University and played for their team, the Sycamores, for three years. The Boston Celtics chose Bird as the sixth player in the 1978 NBA draft. Even though he was drafted, he decided to finish his college season. He led Indiana State to an amazing undefeated season and the national championship game. There, he played against Magic Johnson and Michigan State, starting a famous rivalry that lasted throughout their professional careers.

Bird joined the NBA in the 1979–80 season and quickly made a big difference. He helped the Celtics win 32 more games than the year before! He played his whole 13-season career with the Celtics. He led them to five NBA Finals and won three NBA championships. He often played alongside Kevin McHale and Robert Parish, forming what many call one of the best groups of forwards and centers ever. Bird was chosen for the NBA All-Star team 12 times. He won two NBA Finals MVP awards and was named the NBA Most Valuable Player three times in a row (1984–1986). This made him the only forward to achieve this! Bird also won a gold medal with the famous "Dream Team" at the 1992 U.S. Olympic Games. He was honored in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice as a player. First, in 1998, and again in 2010 as part of the "Dream Team." He was also named one of the NBA's 50 greatest players in 1996 and one of the 75 greatest in 2021. Larry was a very flexible player. He could score from anywhere on the court and was one of the first to use the three-point line effectively.

After he stopped playing, Bird became the head coach for the Indiana Pacers from 1997 to 2000. He won the NBA Coach of the Year award in the 1997–98 season. He even led the Pacers to the 2000 NBA Finals. In 2003, Bird became the president of basketball operations for the Pacers. He held this job until 2012 and was named NBA Executive of the Year in 2012. Bird came back to the Pacers in 2013 as president and stayed until 2017. He then worked as an advisor until July 2022. After a short break, he returned to the team as a consultant in June 2023.

Larry Bird: A Basketball Legend

Early Life and High School Basketball

Larry Bird was born on December 7, 1956, in West Baden Springs, Indiana. His parents were Georgia and Claude "Joe" Bird. Larry grew up in French Lick, Indiana, with his four brothers and one sister. His mother worked very hard to support the family. Larry often said that growing up without much money motivated him throughout his life. Larry's parents divorced when he was in high school, and his father passed away in 1975.

Basketball became a way for Larry to focus his energy. He was a star player at Springs Valley High School, graduating in 1974. In his senior year, he averaged an amazing 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. He became the school's all-time leading scorer! Larry wore jersey number 33 in high school, a number he kept throughout his college and professional career. He was a big fan of the Indiana Pacers and player Mel Daniels when he was young. Later, Daniels even became an assistant coach for Larry at Indiana State University.

College Basketball Journey

In 1974, Bird received a scholarship to play for the Indiana Hoosiers. But after less than a month, he left the university. He found it hard to adjust from his small hometown to the big campus. Larry went back to French Lick and worked for a year. Then, in 1975, he enrolled at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. He had a fantastic three-year career with the Sycamores. He helped them reach the NCAA tournament for the first time ever, with a perfect 33–0 record! They played in the 1979 championship game against Michigan State. Indiana State lost that game 75–64, even though Bird scored 19 points.

Bird warming up for Indiana State

This championship game became the most-watched college basketball game ever on TV. This was largely because of the exciting match-up between Bird and Michigan State's Magic Johnson. Their rivalry became legendary and continued throughout their professional careers. Even though they didn't win the championship, Bird received many awards for his amazing play. These included the Naismith College Player of the Year Award. During his college career, Bird averaged 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. He led the Sycamores to an impressive 81–13 record. Larry graduated in 1979 with a degree in physical education.

Joining the Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics chose Bird as the sixth player in the 1978 NBA draft. But Larry didn't sign with them right away. He wanted to play his final season at Indiana State first. The Celtics' general manager, Red Auerbach, initially said he wouldn't pay Bird more than other Celtics players. However, Bird's agent made it clear that Larry would wait for the next draft if the offer wasn't fair. After long talks, Bird signed a five-year, $3.25 million contract on June 8. This made him the highest-paid rookie in sports history at that time! Soon after, the NBA changed its draft rules to prevent teams from drafting players before they were ready to sign. This new rule was even called the "Bird Collegiate Rule."

Early NBA Success and Championships

Bird recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in his NBA debut against the Houston Rockets on October 12, 1979.

In his first NBA season (1979–80), Bird quickly made the Celtics a top team. They won 32 more games than the previous year and finished first in their conference! In his very first game, Bird scored 14 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and made 5 assists. He even achieved his first "triple-double" (scoring double digits in three different stats) with 23 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists. Bird was selected for the All-Star Team and named Rookie of the Year. The Celtics reached the Eastern Conference Finals but lost to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Before the 1980–81 season, the Celtics added Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. These three players—Bird, McHale, and Parish—formed what many consider one of the greatest groups of forwards and centers in NBA history. With Bird leading the way, the Celtics returned to the Conference Finals. They beat the 76ers and then won the NBA Finals against the Houston Rockets in six games. This was Bird's first championship!

At the 1982 All-Star Game, Bird scored 19 points and won the All-Star Game MVP Award. He also earned his first All-Defensive Team selection that season. The Celtics faced the 76ers again in the Conference Finals but lost in a close seven-game series.

MVP Three-Peat and More Titles

Bird in a game against the Washington Bullets

Bird was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the 1983–84 season. He averaged 24.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. In the playoffs, the Celtics made it to the Finals to play against the Los Angeles Lakers. This was a big rematch against Bird's college rival, Magic Johnson. The Celtics won the series in seven games, and Bird was named the Finals MVP.

Bird in 1983

On March 12, 1985, Bird scored a career-high and Celtics franchise record of 60 points against the Atlanta Hawks. He was named MVP for the second year in a row, averaging 28.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists. The Celtics reached the Finals again but lost to the Lakers this time.

During the 1985 offseason, Bird injured his back while doing yard work. This injury caused him back problems for the rest of his career.

Bird playing for the Celtics in the 1985 NBA playoffs

Before the 1985–86 season, the Celtics traded for Bill Walton, a talented center. This helped Boston win a league-best 67 games. At the 1986 NBA All-Star Weekend, Bird famously asked who was going to finish second before winning the first-ever Three-Point Shootout.

Bird won his third straight MVP award, averaging 25.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists. He became only the third player in NBA history to win three consecutive MVP awards. In the playoffs, the Celtics dominated and won the Finals against the Houston Rockets in six games. Bird recorded a triple-double in the final game and was named Finals MVP again. The 1985–86 Celtics team is often called one of the greatest basketball teams of all time.

Later Career and Retirement

In 1987, the Celtics made their last Finals appearance with Bird, losing to a strong Lakers team. The 1987–88 season was Bird's highest-scoring year, as he averaged almost 30 points per game. He led the Celtics to 57 wins. In a memorable playoff game against the Atlanta Hawks, Bird scored 20 points in the fourth quarter to win the series.

Bird's 1988–89 season ended early due to surgery on his heels. He returned in 1989, but ongoing back problems and an aging team prevented the Celtics from reaching their previous heights. Despite his injuries, Bird remained a top player. In his final three seasons, he averaged over 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists per game.

Bird's back problems continued, causing him to miss many games in his last two seasons. On August 18, 1992, Larry Bird announced his retirement from the NBA. The Celtics immediately retired his jersey number 33 to honor him.

The Famous Rivalry with Magic Johnson

Bird's rivalry with Magic Johnson (pictured) is often credited with popularizing the NBA.

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson had one of the greatest rivalries in sports history. It began in college when Bird's Indiana State team lost to Johnson's Michigan State team in the NCAA Championship. Their rivalry continued in the NBA, bringing back the excitement of the Celtics–Lakers rivalry. Throughout the 1980s, either Bird's Celtics or Magic's Lakers were in every NBA Finals. They met three times in the Finals, with Magic winning in 1985 and 1987, and Bird winning in 1984.

Games between the Celtics and Lakers were incredibly popular and watched by huge television audiences. This rivalry helped make the NBA much more popular and successful. Many people believe that the rise of these two stars transformed the NBA into a highly visible and exciting league.

Bird and Magic seemed like opposites. Bird was quiet and from a small town, playing for blue-collar Boston. Magic was outgoing and represented the glitz of Los Angeles. Bird's Celtics played tough, defensive basketball, while Magic's Lakers ran a fast-paced "Showtime" offense. A famous 1980s commercial for Converse shoes even showed them as rivals. In the ad, Bird practiced alone on a rural court, and Magic arrived in a fancy limousine to challenge him.

Despite their intense competition, Bird and Johnson became good friends off the court. Their friendship grew while filming the Converse commercial. Magic Johnson even spoke emotionally at Bird's retirement ceremony, calling him a "friend forever."

Olympic Gold with the Dream Team

In the summer of 1992, Bird joined other NBA stars like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan to play for the United States men's national basketball team in the Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. This was the first time the U.S. sent professional NBA players to the Olympics. This team became known as the "Dream Team."

Bird and Magic Johnson were co-captains of this incredible team. The Dream Team easily won the men's basketball gold medal. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame called them "the greatest collection of basketball talent on the planet."

Larry Bird's Playing Style

Bird is known as one of the greatest basketball players and shooters of all time. He was selected for 12 NBA All-Star teams and won three NBA championships. He also won three MVP awards in a row, a feat only achieved by two other players, Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.

Bird averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game in his career. He was the first player in NBA history to shoot 50% or better on field goals, 40% on three-pointers, and 90% on free throws in a single season. He did this twice! Bird also won the NBA three-point shooting contest three years in a row. He even practiced shooting three-pointers with his eyes closed sometimes!

Larry Bird was famous for his ability to perform well in important, high-pressure moments. Pat Riley, a coach who faced Bird in the Finals, once said that if he needed a shot to save his life, he would choose Larry Bird.

Bird was also an excellent passer and defender. Even though he wasn't the fastest, he was great at predicting what his opponents would do. This made him a strong team defender, and he had 1,556 steals in his career. He was named to the All-Defensive Second Team three times.

Bird was also known for his "trash-talking" on the court. He would sometimes tell opponents exactly how and where he was going to score against them! Michael Jordan once told his rookie teammate not to talk back to Bird, saying, "No one talk to Larry Bird." Jordan later said, "Larry Bird is the greatest trash-talker and mind-game player of all time. He taught me everything I know."

Legacy and Honors

Bird was named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996 and the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice: in 1998 as an individual player and in 2010 as a member of the "Dream Team."

In 2011, Bird received a lifetime achievement award at The Sports Museum's "The Tradition" event in Boston. The award for the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year is named in his honor.

There is a street named after Bird on the campus of Indiana State University. In 2013, the university unveiled a bronze statue of him in front of the Hulman Center. Indiana Governor Mike Pence even declared November 9th as Larry Bird Day in Indiana.

At the 2019 NBA Awards, Bird received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award along with Magic Johnson. Since 2022, the trophy for the Eastern Conference Finals MVP has been named the Larry Bird Trophy.

In May 2024, the Larry Bird Museum opened in Terre Haute, Indiana. It displays items from his high school, college, and NBA careers. It also features interactive exhibits and interviews with people who knew him.

Coaching and Executive Roles

After retiring as a player, Bird worked as a special assistant in the Celtics' front office from 1992 to 1997.

In 1997, Bird became the head coach of the Indiana Pacers. Even without coaching experience, he led the Pacers to a great 58–24 record in his first season. He even took them to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they played a tough seven-game series against Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls. Bird was named the NBA Coach of the Year for his efforts. He then led the Pacers to the 2000 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. Bird kept his promise to coach for only three years and resigned after the 2000 season.

In 2003, Bird was hired as the Indiana Pacers' president of basketball operations. He made smart decisions, like trading for new players and making good draft picks. This was important because the Pacers were a smaller market team that couldn't always sign expensive free agents. After the 2011–2012 season, Bird was named NBA Executive of the Year, making him the only person in NBA history to win MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year!

Bird left the Pacers in 2012 due to health reasons but returned as president in 2013. He stepped down again in 2017 but stayed as an advisor until July 2022. In June 2023, he returned to the organization as a consultant. As of 2025, Larry Bird still holds his position as a consultant for the Indiana Pacers.

Career Statistics Summary

During his NBA playing career, Larry Bird played 897 regular season games. He averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. He shot 49.6% from the field, 37.6% from three-point range, and 88.6% from the free-throw line.

In the playoffs, Bird played 164 games. He averaged 23.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game.

As a head coach for the Indiana Pacers, Bird had a regular season record of 147 wins and 67 losses. In the playoffs, his teams won 32 games and lost 20.

Awards and Honors

NBA

• 3× NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986)
• 2× NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986)
• 3× NBA Most Valuable Player (1984–1986)
• 12× NBA All-Star (1980–1988, 1990–1992)
• NBA All-Star Game MVP (1982)
• 9× All-NBA First Team (1980–1988)
• NBA Rookie of the Year (1980)
• 3× NBA Three-Point Contest Champion (1986–1988)
• Named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996)
• Selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team (2021)
• No. 33 retired by Boston Celtics
• NBA Coach of the Year (1998)
• NBA Executive of the Year (2012)
• NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (2019)

USA Basketball

• 1977 World University Games gold medal
• 1992 FIBA Americas Championship gold medal
• 1992 Olympic gold medal

NCAA

• Consensus National Player of the Year (1979)
• 2× MVC Player of the Year (1978, 1979)
• No. 33 retired by Indiana State Sycamores

Halls of Fame

• Two-time Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee:
  • 1998 – individual
  • 2010 – member of "The Dream Team"
• National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (2006)
• U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame (2009 as a member of "The Dream Team")

Personal Life

In 1975, Bird married Janet Condra. They had a daughter named Corrie in 1977.

Bird married Dinah Mattingly in 1989. They have two adopted children, Conner and Mariah. In the same year, Bird released his autobiography, Drive: The Story of My Life. The book shared stories about his childhood and family challenges, along with his basketball triumphs.

Larry Bird is known for his quiet lifestyle. He enjoys activities like fishing and playing golf in his free time. He is also a generous person who supports charities, especially the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. He prefers to keep his charitable work private, saying, "I don't need the publicity. I'm not doing it for the publicity. But I do care. And that's what matters most."

Images for kids

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  A Larry Bird plaque at Quincy Market, Boston

See also

In Spanish: Larry Bird para niños