Larry Bird

Basketball Player

Larry Joe Bird is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association. Nicknamed "the Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

Full Name

Larry Joe Bird

Birthday

Dec 7, 1956

deathday

AGE

BORN

United States

BIrth SIGN

Sagittarius

RElationship

Married

Height

6′ 9″

Net Worth

$75M

About

Larry Joe Bird was born on December 7, 1956 in West Baden Springs, Indiana. His zodiac sign is Sagittarius and his ethnicity is Caucasian. He was raised by his mother Georgia and father Claude Joseph “Joe” Bird. His parents separated when he was very young and his mother gave him the nickname “Doodle” as a way to make him feel special.

Bird began playing basketball at an early age with the encouragement of his mother and sister. He attended Springs Valley High School where he excelled in basketball, baseball, and track. Bird was offered a full scholarship to play basketball at Indiana University but instead chose to attend Indiana State University so that he could stay close to home and help take care of his family. After two seasons playing for Indiana State, Bird declared himself eligible for the 1978 NBA Draft and was selected sixth overall by the Boston Celtics.

In 1979-80 season, Bird was named Rookie of the Year after averaging 21 points per game, 10 rebounds per game, 4 assists per game, 1 steal per game, and a .505 field goal percentage. In 1984-85 season he won the MVP award after averaging 28 points per game, 10 rebounds per game , 6 assists per game , 2 steals per game , and a .527 field goal percentage. Bird also won three consecutive MVP awards from 1984–1986 while leading the Celtics to three NBA championships in 1981–1986.

He retired from basketball in 1992 with career averages of 24 points per game, 10 rebounds per game , 6 assists per game , 1 steal per game , and a .496 field goal percentage over 13 seasons in the NBA. Following his retirement as a player, Larry Bird went on to become one of the most successful coaches in NBA history leading the Indiana Pacers to three consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances from 1998-2000. In 2003 he was inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame becoming only the fourth person ever to be inducted as both a player and coach

Life Timeline

<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1956</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Larry Bird is Born</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">On December 7, 1956, Larry Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana.</p></div>

<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1975</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Graduates from Indiana State University</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">Bird graduates from Indiana State University with a degree in physical education.</p></div>

<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1978</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Drafted 6th Overall by the Boston Celtics</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">Larry Bird is drafted 6th overall by the Boston Celtics.</p></div>

<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1979</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Named NBA Rookie of the Year</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">Bird is named the NBA Rookie of the Year and helps lead the Celtics to a 61-21 record.</p></div>

<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1980</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Wins 1st of 3 Consecutive NBA MVP Awards</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">Larry Bird wins his first of three consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player awards.</p></div>

<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1986</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Wins 1st NBA Championship</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">The Celtics win their 16th NBA championship with Larry Bird leading the way.</p></div>

<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1992</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Retires From Basketball</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">After 12 seasons with the Celtics, Larry Bird retires from professional basketball.</p></div>

Why We Love Them

<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">A.</span> He's a Great Leader</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Larry Bird is renowned for his leadership skills on and off the court. He was instrumental in helping the Boston Celtics become one of the most successful teams in NBA history, winning three championships and making five trips to the NBA Finals. He also inspired and motivated his teammates to work hard and achieve their goals.</p></div>

<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">B.</span> He's an Incredible Shooter</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Larry Bird was an incredible shooter, capable of hitting shots from anywhere on the court. His ability to shoot accurately and consistently from long range made him one of the most feared players of his era.</p></div>

<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">C.</span> He's Unselfish</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Larry Bird was known for being unselfish and willing to make sacrifices for the benefit of the team. He was always willing to pass up shots if it meant getting his teammates involved in the offense. His selflessness helped create a winning culture in Boston.</p></div>

Interesting Facts

<div id="" class="facts-item"><h3 id="" class="facts-title"><span class="facts-number">1.</span> Played for Indiana State University</h3><p id="" class="facts-text">Larry Bird played college basketball at Indiana State University and led the team to the 1979 NCAA championship game against Michigan State University.</p></div>

<div id="" class="facts-item"><h3 id="" class="facts-title"><span class="facts-number">2.</span> Was Drafted Sixth Overall in 1978</h3><p id="" class="facts-text">Larry Bird was drafted sixth overall by the Boston Celtics in the 1978 NBA draft.</p></div>

<div id="" class="facts-item"><h3 id="" class="facts-title"><span class="facts-number">3.</span> First Player to Win Three Consecutive MVPs</h3><p id="" class="facts-text">Larry Bird was the first player in NBA history to win three consecutive MVP awards, from 1984 to 1986.</p></div>

<div id="" class="facts-item"><h3 id="" class="facts-title"><span class="facts-number">4.</span> Won Olympic Gold Medal</h3><p id="" class="facts-text">Larry Bird was part of the 1992 US Men's Olympic Basketball Team that won the gold medal in Barcelona, Spain.</p></div>