Larry Bird

Larry Bird, a basketball icon, was born on December 7, 1956. He was known for his exceptional shooting and fierce competitiveness.

Larry Bird, born on December 7, 1956 in West Baden, Indiana, U.S., is an American basketball player known for leading the Boston Celtics to three NBA championships and being one of the greatest shooters in basketball history.

In July 1962, Larry Bird began his basketball career, marking the beginning of his successful journey in the sport.

The rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson began on October 29, 1977. This iconic rivalry would go on to shape the landscape of basketball and captivate fans for years to come.

In 1978, Larry Bird was selected as the No. 1 draft pick by the Boston Celtics, signing a record-breaking contract and paving the way for his legendary NBA career.

Larry Bird was drafted to the Boston Celtics in 1978.

Larry Bird signed a five-year, $3.25 million contract with the Boston Celtics on June 8, 1979, making him the highest-paid rookie in sports history. This contract negotiation also led to a rule change in NBA draft eligibility known as the Bird Collegiate Rule.

Larry Bird was awarded the NBA Rookie of the Year title in 1979, showcasing his exceptional skills and setting the stage for a remarkable professional basketball journey.

On November 14, 1979, Larry Bird achieved his first career triple-double with 23 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game against the Detroit Pistons.

On November 23, 1979, Larry Bird scored his first 30-point game along with 11 rebounds and 3 assists in a match against the Indiana Pacers.

The Boston Celtics, led by Larry Bird, won their first NBA Championship by defeating the Houston Rockets after posting a 61–21 record in the season.

An offseason trade with Golden State brought center Robert Parish and a future first-round pick (which became Kevin McHale) to Boston. They teamed with Larry Bird and Cedric Maxwell in a frontcourt that led the Celtics to the championship in 1981.

At the 1982 All-Star Game, Larry Bird scored 19 points and won the All-Star Game MVP Award.

Larry Bird led the Boston Celtics to victory in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Bird was named Finals MVP with impressive statistics.

On March 12, 1985, Larry Bird set a Boston Celtic record by scoring 60 points in a single game.

On November 27, 1985, Larry Bird scored 47 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and had 2 assists and 2 steals in a game against the Detroit Pistons, leading his team to a 132–124 victory.

Larry Bird celebrated the 1986 championship victory with his team.

On March 10, 1986, Larry Bird scored 50 points, along with 11 rebounds and 5 assists, in a game against the Dallas Mavericks, despite his team losing 115–116.

On January 15, 1987, Larry Bird was honored by 'The Sporting News' and 'Associated Press' as Man of the Year and Athlete of the Year respectively, marking the first time one athlete received both distinctions in the same year.

The Celtics suffered a significant defeat against the Lakers in a championship game.

Starting on September 9, 1987, Larry Bird embarked on a streak of 59 consecutive successful free throws in the NBA.

In Game 7 of the 1988 Eastern Conference semifinals, Bird scored 20 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Celtics to a series-clinching victory over the Atlanta Hawks. His exceptional performance helped overcome Dominique Wilkins' 47-point game.

At the age of 32, NBA legend Larry Bird married his long-time girlfriend Dinah Mattingly on September 30, 1989 in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Larry Bird tied the knot with Dinah Mattingly in a ceremony.

Larry Bird started a new streak on December 19, 1989, by successfully making free throws in 71 consecutive NBA games.

On August 18, 1992, Larry Bird announced his retirement from professional basketball. This marked the end of an era for the Boston Celtics and the NBA as a whole.

Boston Celtic Larry Bird undergoes backfusion surgery to address his back issues.

Larry Bird was voted onto the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in NBA History list in 1996.

On May 12, 1997, Larry Bird was appointed as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers. Despite his lack of coaching experience, Bird was entrusted with leading the team.

Larry Bird returns to Boston as head coach of the Indiana Pacers for the first time, coinciding with the honoring of former Celtics center Robert Parish by raising his No. 00 jersey to the Fleet Center rafters.

A book titled 'Larry Bird: Bird of Prey' edited by MacCambridge was published in 1999 as part of the ESPN SportsCentury series, providing insights into the life and career of basketball legend Larry Bird.

In 2000, Larry Bird coached the Indiana Pacers to consecutive Central Division titles and a berth in the 2000 NBA Finals.

In 2003, Larry Bird was named president of basketball operations for the Indiana Pacers, a position he held until retiring in 2012.

In 2007, Peter May released a book titled 'The Big Three: Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish', highlighting the trio's dominance as the best frontcourt in basketball history.

In 2009, Larry Bird was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame as a member of the iconic 'The Dream Team'.

Larry Bird was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame again in 2010 as a member of the 'Dream Team'.

In June 2012, Larry Bird resigned from his position in the Indiana Pacers' front office shortly after winning the Executive of the Year award for the previous season.

At the 2019 NBA Awards, Larry Bird received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award, which he shared with Magic Johnson.

In 2020, Larry Bird was selected for the power forward position on an NBA all-time starting five roster, showcasing his exceptional skills and influence in the sport.

In October 2021, Larry Bird was honored as one of the 75 greatest players of all time as part of the NBA's 75th Anniversary, recognizing his enduring legacy in basketball.

Since 2022, the NBA awards the MVPs for the conference finals; the Eastern Conference Finals MVP trophy is named in Larry Bird's honor, while the Western Conference trophy is named after Magic Johnson.