Legends profile: Larry Bird

Larry Bird was a remarkable player in Boston and is considered one of the NBA’s most legendary athletes.

> Archive 75: Larry Bird | 75 Stories: Larry Bird

Every now and then, a player emerges who can genuinely be labelled a superstar. Larry Bird was one of these players.

Bird embodied the spirit of determination, consistency, and brilliance in every aspect of the game – scoring, passing, rebounding, defending, and team play – during his 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics from 1979-80 to 1991-92. His performance in clutch situations was perhaps his most defining trait. Bird’s self-assurance was such that he was famous for walking up to the opposing team’s bench before a game’s start and forecasting a 40-point performance for himself.

His shooting skills were so deadly that he often practiced 3-pointers blindfolded. Among his peers, possibly only Earvin “Magic” Johnson was deemed a superior passer and was a player with whom he would forever be inextricably linked. Bird was among the toughest players, willing to dive into crowds and over press tables in pursuit of loose balls.

Bird epitomized “Celtics Pride.” His classy, confident and hardworking persona thrived under pressure and fueled his teammates to reach their greatest potential. Much like Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, John Havlicek, and Dave Cowens, Bird was a low-key player who never demanded the spotlight but instead worked to bring out the best in his fellow players. However, Bird’s ability to fill the Boston Garden with awestruck fans and dominate games was unparalleled, even among these legendary players.

In the late 1970s, the Celtics franchise was plagued with sub-par performance and low attendance, but that changed when Bird stepped in to help rebuild. Bird, who was the centerpiece of a balanced team, led the Celtics to three NBA championships and 10 Atlantic Division titles. Besides his three championship victories, Bird amassed an impressive array of individual accolades. He was the first non-center and only the third player in history to win three straight NBA Most Valuable Player Awards. Bird also earned a spot in the All-Star team 12 times, was twice named NBA Finals MVP, and was a nine-time inclusion in the All-NBA First Team. Moreover, he topped the league in free-throw percentage on four occasions.

Bird, an obsessive perfectionist, was revered by fans of the Celtics and basketball purists of every stripe. His last-minute feats, which included everything from seemingly unattainable reverse layups to awe-inspiring 35-foot shots over multiple defenders, consistently astonished those who tracked his career.

“When Larry Bird retired in 1992 due to a painful back condition, after winning a gold medal with the original Dream Team at the Barcelona Olympics, Commissioner David J. Stern said, ‘Larry Bird has influenced how a generation of basketball fans perceives and values the NBA,'”

Larry Joe Bird, the legendary basketball player, was born in the small town of French Lick, nestled in Indiana’s corn belt, where his family led a simple, spartan lifestyle. French Lick had a population of 2,059, the majority of whom often attended the home games of Springs Valley High School, showcasing the state’s serious passion for schoolboy basketball. The games often attracted 1,600 attendees, all eager to see the blonde-haired sharpshooter with a quirky smile – none other than Larry Joe Bird.

After a truncated sophomore season due to a broken ankle, Bird shone during his junior year. His team, Springs Valley, recorded 19 wins and only 2 losses, and Bird soon became a local star. Fans were often eager to provide transportation for Bird’s parents, who were unable to own a car. During his senior year, Bird established himself as the school’s highest-scoring player ever, and his final home game drew a crowd of around 4,000 spectators.

Bird struggled with adapting to college life. Initially, he was an Indiana Hoosier, playing under the guidance of the renowned coach, Bobby Knight. However, he later quit the school and team, following which he also left Northwood Institute, a local junior college. Eventually, Bird decided to join Indiana State. The school had an average record of 12-14 in the two years prior to his joining. The pressure at Indiana State was noticeably less than at Indiana, a consistently strong Big Ten team and a contender for the national title.

When Bird joined Indiana State, home-game attendance was roughly 3,100. However, just as he did in Springs Valley, Bird alone was able to fill the stadium and bring prestige to his team. He managed to average over 30 points and 10 rebounds per game for the Sycamores in his initial season. Subsequently, season-ticket sales witnessed a threefold increase. TV stations preferred showing Bird’s film clips over commercials. Even students skipped their classes to queue up for tickets eight hours prior to the game’s start.

“Larry Bird Ball” was the most favored sport in Terre Haute.

During Bird’s senior year, the Sycamores remained undefeated and climbed to No. 1, until they were defeated by a Michigan State team featuring the 6-foot-9 guard Earvin “Magic” Johnson in the 1979 NCAA Championship Game. This game is considered one of the most viewed confrontations in basketball history. Bird, who was named the College Player of the Year 1978-79, left Indiana State as the fifth-highest scorer in NCAA history. Throughout Bird’s three-year career, the Sycamores scored an impressive 81-13 record.

In the 1978 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics chose Bird, who had become eligible for the NBA after his junior year. The Celtics hoped Bird would skip his senior season, but they were willing to wait even if he didn’t. During the 1977-78 season, the Celtics had a disappointing 32-50 record, their worst since the 1949-50 season. The Celtics’ record dropped to 29-53 when Bird decided to go back to Indiana State for another year. However, Bird finally joined the Celtics for the 1979-80 season and spearheaded one of the most remarkable single-season revivals in NBA history.

The Celtics of 1979-80 improved their performance by 32 games, with a record of 61-21, and ascended to the top of their division. Bird, who participated in all 82 games, was the leading scorer for the team, with 21.3 points per game, in addition to leading in rebounds (10.4 rpg), steals (143), and minutes played (2,955). He also was second in assists (4.5 apg) and 3-pointers (58). Despite Johnson’s commendable first season with the NBA-champion Los Angeles Lakers, Bird was awarded Rookie of the Year and embarked on the first of his twelve All-Star Game appearances.

A trade with Golden State during the offseason, seen by many as the most one-sided in NBA history, brought Robert Parish, a center, and a future first-round pick (who turned out to be Kevin McHale) to Boston. Together with Bird and veteran Cedric Maxwell, they formed a frontcourt that led the Celtics to the 1981 championship.

The Boston Celtics made a memorable comeback in the Eastern Conference finals against Philadelphia, overcoming a 3-1 deficit and securing victories in the final three games. They then defeated Moses Malone and the Houston Rockets in a six-game NBA Finals to clinch the title. Bird was a standout player for the team, leading in points (21.2 ppg), rebounds (10.9 rpg), steals (161), and minutes (3,239).

Not only was Boston Garden, which sold out the last 541 games of Bird’s career, packed with fans, but so were arenas across the country, all there to witness Bird’s extraordinary performances. Bird, along with Magic, was breathing new life into the NBA, helping the league embody its new motto, “NBA Action: It’s FAN-tastic.” After just two seasons, fans, coaches, and players had a clear understanding of what Bird signified: impressive statistics and decisive performances. Bird’s focus and calm were unparalleled. He was unshakeable and nearly invincible. The countless hours he had dedicated to improving his shot as a young player yielded significant rewards in the NBA. No player of his time matched Bird’s shooting prowess and consistency.

Bird first appeared on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 1981-82, beginning a run of three consecutive inclusions. Despite his relative slowness and less than stellar one-on-one defense, Bird was unmatched as a team defender due to his anticipation and understanding of the game. Many people noted that he had the ability to foresee plays before they even began to develop.

Bird came second to Moses Malone for the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, repeating this feat the subsequent year. He scored 19 points in the 1982 NBA All-Star Game, contributing 12 of the East’s final 15 points, which secured him the game’s MVP trophy. It wasn’t until the 1983-84 season that the Celtics made their way back to the NBA Finals. By then, Bird’s scoring average had climbed to the mid-20s, with an average of more than seven assists. He also made close to 90 percent of his free-throw attempts.

Bird, known for his cunning defensive plays, is most remembered for an incredible steal during Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals against Detroit. With just five seconds left on the clock and the Celtics trailing 107-106, Bird intercepted an inbound pass from Isiah Thomas and passed it to Dennis Johnson, who scored a layup and secured a victory for Boston. The Celtics emerged victorious from the intensely competitive seven-game series, advancing to the NBA Finals for the fourth year in a row, where they faced the Lakers for the third time. However, the Lakers triumphed in the series, winning in six games.

Bird, who is now 30 years old and dealing with a deteriorating back condition along with foot issues, would not secure a fourth championship ring. However, plenty of heroic moments were yet to unfold.

Bird became the first Celtic in history to record a 40-20 game in the 1987-88 season, scoring 42 points and 20 rebounds against Indiana. That year, he also registered a career-high average of 29.9 points per game, narrowly missing out on averaging 30 points per game. Additionally, Bird clinched his third consecutive 3-point shootout title, a record equaled by Craig Hodges of the Chicago Bulls from 1990 to 1992.

During the 1988 Eastern Conference semifinals’ Game 7 against Atlanta, Larry Bird had a notable fourth-quarter face-off with Dominique Wilkins of the Hawks. Despite suffering from bronchial pneumonia, Bird managed to score 20 points in the last period, outpacing Wilkins and leading the Celtics to a win. However, the Celtics were later defeated by the Pistons in the conference finals.

In the 1988-89 season, Bird was able to play only six games due to a surgery to remove bone spurs from both his heels. However, the next year, he achieved the third-longest free-throw streak in NBA history by successfully making 71 consecutive attempts. Bird’s 1990-91 season was cut short by 22 games due to a compressed nerve root in his back, which eventually lead to his retirement. Despite his back pain, Bird managed to return in the third quarter of a first-round series game against Indiana, where he had a severe facial bruise from a fall in the second quarter. His return helped the Celtics secure an emotional 124-121 victory. After the season, a disk was removed from Bird’s back, but it didn’t significantly alleviate his condition.

Bird’s final year was the subsequent one, during which he sat out 37 games due to persistent back issues. In a game against Portland that was broadcasted nationally in March, Bird executed a spectacular final performance. He racked up 16 points in the fourth quarter, which included the Celtics’ final nine points and a 3-pointer that tied the game with only two seconds remaining. The Celtics eventually triumphed over Portland, 152-148, after double overtime. Bird’s overall tally for the game was an impressive 49 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists, and four steals.

“Anytime you have Bird on the floor, anything can happen,” Portland’s Clyde Drexler told the Boston Herald after the game.

Bird made one of the few significant mistakes of his career when he missed a routine layup in overtime that could have evened the score in Game 4 of a playoff series against Cleveland that spring. The Cavaliers ultimately triumphed in seven games, while Boston lost three out of four games, with Bird unable to play due to his back condition.

Bird’s career was nearing its conclusion, but not without one final accomplishment: securing a gold medal with the 1992 U.S. Olympic Dream Team. This team dominated the competition in Barcelona and won over millions of sports fans with their exceptional performance.

As the NBA season of 1992-93 was about to commence, Bird concluded that he couldn’t go on. He made his retirement announcement on August 18, 1992. Bird’s career saw him play 897 games, scoring 21,791 points (averaging 24.3 points per game), making 8,974 rebounds (averaging 10.0 rebounds per game), and 5,695 assists (averaging 6.3 assists per game). His shooting accuracy was .496 from the field and .886 from the free-throw line, which placed him fifth in the all-time free throw shooters list, behind Mark Price, Rick Barry, Calvin Murphy, and Scott Skiles when he retired.

Bird was named a special assistant in the Celtics’ front office, with limited duties that included some scouting and player evaluation. In reality, he spent most of the next five years in Florida, playing golf and taking it easy. He did some commercials and appeared in a few films, including Michael Jordan’s Space Jam.

Primarily, he was plagued by boredom. He yearned for the thrill of competition and with every year that passed, he felt an increasing desire to re-engage with the NBA more actively. The Celtics’ gradual decline, reaching its nadir in 1996-97, compelled Bird to finally make his move. However, when Rick Pitino was appointed as the new president and coach of the Celtics, Bird realized that he would only have a minor role in Boston. As a result, he severed his ties and returned home.

Bird was appointed as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers on May 12, 1997. Despite having no previous coaching experience, the Pacers were confident in handing over control to Bird.

“Bird embodies all I’ve endeavored to achieve here,” stated Donnie Walsh, the then-president of Pacers. “From the onset, my goal was to unify the realms of high school, college, and professional basketball, and Bird personifies this. I truly think he has the potential to be an outstanding coach.”

“He has a knack for uniting people. When he speaks, you’re drawn into his sphere. That’s a crucial quality for a coach to possess.”

Despite humorously expressing hopes of getting the Xs and Os right in the huddle and not sketching any plays involving himself, Bird tackled his new role with his usual modest confidence.

“He said, “Even though I’m new to the coaching game, I believe I am capable of doing the job well. I have utmost confidence that I can manage these guys and take the requisite steps to win games.”

Bird performed excellently in his three-season tenure as a coach. In his debut season, the Pacers, spearheaded by Reggie Miller, were narrowly defeated by the reigning champions, the Chicago Bulls, led by Jordan, in a hard-fought seven-game conference finals series.

In the 2000 NBA Finals, the Pacers lost to the Lakers in a six-game series. The Lakers, led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, secured their first of three consecutive titles with this victory.

The Coach of the Year in 1997-98, Bird, resigned from his position as coach of the Pacers after they appeared in the Indiana’s Finals. Besides being an avid outdoorsman, Bird also has a deep interest in country music, auto racing, golf, and the St. Louis Cardinals. He is the proprietor of “Larry Bird’s Boston Connection”, a hotel and restaurant in Terre Haute, which also houses a museum displaying many of his trophies and awards.

In 2003, he became the president of basketball operations for the Pacers, working closely with Walsh to transform Indiana into a competitive team. When Walsh transitioned to a similar position with the Knicks prior to the 2008-09 season, Bird assumed full control of the Pacers’ basketball operations. His efforts contributed to the Pacers breaking a four-year absence from the playoffs in the 2010-11 season. In 2012, he was named NBA Executive of the Year, making him the sole individual in NBA history to have received the titles of Most Valuable Player, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.

Bird resigned as the President of Basketball Operations for the Pacers after the 2011-12 season, attributing his decision to health concerns. He claimed readiness to depart from the team following the 2010-11 season, given the promising trajectory of the Pacers. His impending exit had been a topic of discussion between him and team owner, Herb Simon, for several years.

In 2013, Bird resumed his role with the Pacers, but stepped down in 2017 to take on an advisory position for the franchise.