Larry Bird is a name that shines bright in basketball history. He played the game with incredible skill and passion. Many fans cheered for him in arenas across the country. Moreover, his style changed how people viewed basketball. Even today, stories of his amazing plays inspire new players.
Larry grew up in a small town with big dreams. He spent countless hours practicing on the court. As a result, his talent grew quickly. Friends noticed his dedication and hard work. Therefore, he soon became a standout in his community.
Even after retiring, Bird’s influence in basketball didn’t fade. His presence continued to be felt off the court. Many see him as a symbol of hard work and leadership. Beyond the court, Larry influenced many lives. He showed that anyone can achieve greatness with effort. Furthermore, he encouraged others to follow their dreams.
Bio Table | |
Full Name | Larry Joe Bird |
Known as | Larry Legend |
Date of Birth | 7 December, 1970 |
Age (As of 2024) | 67 years |
Hometown | French Lick, Indiana |
Nationality | American |
Religion | Catholic |
Profession | Professional Basketball Player (Former) Basketball Coach (Former) President of Basketball Operations, Indiana Pacers |
Height | 6 Ft. 9 Inch. |
Coach/Mentor | William Charles Fitch |
Net Worth | Approx. 80 Million USD |
Marital status (As of 2024) | Married |
Basketball Teams | Boston Celtics (As a Player) Indiana Pacers (Coach and the President of Basketball Operations) |
Education | Springs Valley High School Indiana University(Dropped out) Northwood University Indiana State University |
Table of Contents
Who is Larry Bird?
Larry Bird is a former American Basketball Player. He was known for his unique playstyle. Unlike most other NBA players, he was not very athletic. However, he compensated for his lack of athleticism with exceptional shooting and passing skills. His basketball intelligence and court vision gave him an advantage over the others.
He was a very good wing defender, but he mostly played as a power forward. Larry Bird was a three-time regular season MVP. Not only that, he achieved this feat in 3 consecutive years, from 1984 to 1986. He also led the Boston Celtics to 3 championships.
After retirement, he returned to his home state, Indiana, to coach the Indiana Pacers for three years, before becoming their President of Operations.
Early Life
Larry Bird was born on 7th December 1956, in the North American State of Indiana. He grew up in a poor household with 5 siblings. His mother, Georgia Marie, worked two jobs to support them. His father, Claude “Joe” Bird, was a veteran of the Second World War.
When Larry Bird was in High School, his parents separated, and his father committed suicide in 1975. Larry started playing basketball as an escape from his family troubles. In high school, he played for the Springs Valley and averaged 31 Points, 21 Rebounds, and 4 Assists, throughout his senior year.
Due to his amazing performance in high school years, he received a full scholarship from Indiana Hoosiers to play college basketball. However, he was unable to adjust there and decided to drop out after a month. Later on, he enrolled in the Indiana State University and led the Sycamores to the 1979 NCAA Championship.
Education
Larry went to the Springs Valley High School, a public high school in his hometown. There, he played High School basketball for about three years before graduating in 1974. Larry Bird did not divert his attention from his game in his early years. However, he decided to complete his college education.
Therefore, he enrolled in the Indiana State University in 1975. He played 3 years of college basketball, averaging 30.3 Points, 13.3 Rebounds, and 4.6 Assists. Larry graduated from the Indiana State University in 1979 and started his professional NBA career.
Family
Larry Bird grew up in a large family with five siblings. His parents, Joe Bird and Georgia Marie, worked hard to support their children. However, life wasn’t always easy for them. His father, Joe, was a veteran and often struggled with finding steady work. This put a lot of pressure on the family, but they stayed close through the tough times. Larry formed a strong bond with his mother, Georgia, who played a big role in shaping his character.
However, during his high school years, Joe and Georgia decided to separate. Later on, his father committed suicide in 1975. This affected Larry Bird very deeply. Instead of focusing on his troubles, Larry decided to focus on Basketball. Georgia and his siblings supported him in any way they could.
Family Table | |
Father | Claude “Joe” Bird |
Mother | Georgia Marie |
Sister | Linda Bird Campbell |
Brothers | Eddie Bird Mark Bird Jeff Bird Mike Bird |
Wife | Janet Condra (1975-76) Dinah Mattingly (1979 – Present) |
Children | Corrie Bird Connor Bird Mariah Bird |
Career
Larry Bird’s basketball career is legendary. He joined the NBA in 1979, playing for the Boston Celtics. From his first season, he made a huge impact. His sharp shooting, smart passing, and tough defense helped the Celtics become a dominant team. Bird led his team to three NBA championships, showing great leadership on and off the court. As a forward, his ability to score from long range and control the game made him one of the best players ever.
Throughout his career, Bird faced off against some of the greatest players in the NBA, including Magic Johnson. Their rivalry became one of the most famous in sports history. Bird earned three MVP awards and played in 12 All-Star games, proving his excellence year after year. Even though injuries slowed him down later in his career, he continued to inspire with his determination and love for the game. After retiring in 1992, Larry Bird left a lasting mark on basketball, both as a player and later as a coach and executive.
Famous For
Larry Bird is famous for his incredible basketball skills and leadership. He played for the Boston Celtics and led them to three NBA championships. His sharp shooting and smart plays made him a top player. Fans also loved his fierce competitiveness and ability to perform under pressure.
Besides his scoring, Larry was known for his teamwork and defense. He could pass the ball perfectly and defend well against opponents. Many consider him one of the greatest basketball players ever, thanks to his all-around talent and dedication.
Achievements
Throughout his 13-year NBA career, Larry Bird broke a lot of records. Some of his notable achievements were:
- Larry Bird won three NBA championships with the Boston Celtics in 1981, 1984, and 1986.
- He earned the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award three times in a row, from 1984 to 1986.
- Bird was a 12-time NBA All-Star, showing consistent excellence throughout his career.
- He was named to the All-NBA First Team nine times, recognizing him as one of the league’s best players.
- Larry Bird is one of the few players to have both an NBA MVP award and an NBA Coach of the Year award.
Unknown Facts
- Larry Bird was a skilled golfer and often played during the off-season, even competing in pro-am tournaments.
- Bird was known for his trash-talking, often challenging opponents to beat him in shooting contests.
- He wore number 33 in college and in the NBA, a tribute to the late Celtics great, Bill Russell.
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FAQs
Bird played for a total of 13 season in the NBA. Even so, he managed to make it into the All-Star team 12 out of those 13 seasons, showcasing his talent.
Larry Bird scored a total of 649 threes on 1727 attempts.
Larry decided to retire from professional basketball in 1992.
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