Larry Bird, Forward Larry Bird was as cold-blooded as they come. This was the Celtics' first appearance in The Finals since their 1976 championship winning team against the Phoenix Suns.The Celtics were not quite the same team as five years before, as they added the likes of Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale, a trio that would come to be known as "The Big Three." M. L. Carr, Cedric Maxwell, and Nate Archibald were also capable players off the . The main reason the Celtics were able to sustain a long run of success was because of Bird. All three were named to the All-Star Game. Who Did Larry Bird Defeat in the NBA Finals? Bird was selected with the No. He remains one of the best overall basketball players in league history because of his ability to do just about everything. . With five seconds left in Game 5, Birds pass to Dennis Johnson to set up the game-winner saved the series. NBA Finals. Hodges allowed Bird to sleep in, which annoyed the folks who sponsored the brunch and the award, and some in the media. Stats; Standings; Teams; Players; All-Star . [70], In the summer of 1992, Bird joined Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and other NBA stars to play for the United States men's national basketball team in that year's Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. [16][17][18] He had a successful three-year career with the Sycamores, helping them reach the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history with a 330 record where they played the 1979 championship game against Michigan State. [15] After less than a month on the Indiana University campus he dropped out of school, finding the adjustment between his small hometown and the large student population of Bloomington to be overwhelming. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Bird scored 53 points against the Indiana Pacers, which broke Sam Jones record set in 1965. GS complete back to 1973-74. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Finals MVP: Cedric Maxwell (17.7 / 9.5 / 2.8) 1981 Playoff Leaders: PTS: Moses Malone (562) [111] In 1997, Bird accepted the position of coach of the Indiana Pacers[112] and said he would be on the job for no more than three years. Bird was often checked by Magic Johnson in Michigan State's 2-3 matchup zone in theepic clash of two all-time greats. [101] In recognition of his defensive abilities, Bird was named to three All-Defensive Second Teams. Bird won two finals against very different Houston Rockets teams and one against the Showtime Lakers featuring Kareem and Magic. Vintage: Yes. He scored 27 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, dished out 3.6 assists and had 2.1 steals per game. In eight games, Bird averaged 8.4 points. Bird scored a team-high 19 points for the Sycamores in the 1979 national championship game but it wasn't his most efficient performance as he was just 7-of-21 from the field and 5-for-8 from the free-throw line. [8] He returned to French Lick, enrolling at Northwood Institute (now Northwood University) in nearby West Baden, and working municipal jobs for a year before enrolling at Indiana State University in Terre Haute in 1975. RPG. [21] In the Conference Finals, Boston was eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers. [59] The Celtics fell short in 1988 losing to the Detroit Pistons in 6 games in the Eastern Conference Finals as the Pistons made up from the heartbreak the previous season. name season series tm gp mpg ppg rpg apg spg bpg tpg fgm fga fg% 3pm 3pa 3p% ftm fta ft% min pts reb ast stl blk tov pf +/-larry bird: 1980-81: nba finals It helped the Celtics overcome 47 points from Dominique Wilkins. The Celtics failed to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in five years, losing to the Pistons in six games during the Eastern Conference Finals. So when Bird was awarded a brand new car for his heroic efforts in the 1986 NBA Finals, he was immediately hoping to trade it away for something much simpler a single basketball. Larry Bird averaged 24.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 9.5 assists in 6 games in the 1986 NBA Finals. APG. The Celtics started the season 29-5, but Bird had to miss 22 games due to a compressed nerve root in his back. Amazing! From 1984 to 1986, no one in the NBA could top him, and he racked up quite a bit of hardware. Finals stats: 28.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists in 55 games Finals rank: . In a way, this season started at the beginning of an end. "By noon, Bird appeared at a press conference, a rarity in his scheme of things. [105][106] He was known for telling his opponents how and where in the court he would score against them; Xavier McDaniel recounted that Bird predicted a game-winning shot against him, then "shot a shot right in my face and was like 'Damn, I didn't mean to leave two seconds on the clock. Bird recorded three 40 point triple double games in his professional career. Players simply weren't allowed to launch 3's non stop back then. Kyle Daubs has 15 years' worth of writing experience for numerous sports sites. Stats: 19.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG. In 1985-86, Bird led the Celtics in points, rebounds, assists and steals. . that the Celtics returned to the NBA Finals. Data Provided By Bird would remain an All-Star player after he was back and healthy. With the Celtics down by one point, and less than 10 seconds left, Bird missed a potential go-ahead layup after his shot was blocked. He was brilliant against the Razorbacks with a a 31-point, 10-rebound game in the regional finals. The swagger from Bird remained in full force. The Spartans won 75-64 in the highest-rated and most-watched college basketball game ever. #7 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - 1971 NBA Finals MVP Stats: 27.0 PPG | 2.8 APG | 18.5 RPG | 60% FG. [83] Universally recognized as an all-time great player, Bird was placed at the power forward position on an NBA all-time starting five roster with fellow superstars Magic Johnson (point guard), Michael Jordan (shooting guard), LeBron James (small forward), and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (center) in 2020. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Bird and McHale remained a dangerous duo, each averaging over 20 points per game. [36] Boston fell behind 31 to start the series but won the next three games to advance to the Finals against the Houston Rockets,[37] winning in six games and earning Bird his first championship. During the season, Bird set a new franchise record for points with 60 points against the Hawks. 6'9" (2.06m) . The Celtics won both games at home to open the 1985 Eastern Conference Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, and Bird felt like blowing off some steam by having a drink at the now-defunct Chelsea's bar in Quincy Market. RELATED: The complete results from the best #MarchMadnessMoments bracket. He was named NBA Coach of the Year for the 19971998 season and later led the Pacers to a berth in the 2000 NBA Finals. [3], A versatile player at both forward positions, he could play both inside and outside, being one of the first players in the league to take advantage of the newly adopted three-point line. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. [33][34][35] Behind Bird's leadership and Boston's upgraded roster, the Celtics again advanced to the Conference Finals for a rematch with the 76ers. [21] Boston advanced through the playoffs to earn a rematch with the Lakers, this time losing in six games. Stats: 20.2 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 6.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.7 BPG. Larry Bird was a co-star of one of the greatest college basketball national championship games ever Bird vs. Magic, when the undefeated Indiana State Sycamores took on the co-Big Ten champion Michigan State Spartans in the 1979 championship. During the 1980s, either Boston or Los Angeles appeared in every NBA Finals. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. [8] Bird's parents were of Irish, Scottish and some Native American descent. Right, Born: [85], Bird has been described as one of the greatest basketball players and greatest shooters of all time. "At 9 o'clock yesterday [Bill] Hodges went to wake up Bird for a brunch at which he was to receive the Player of the Year Award. However, in the first round, the Celtics took a 2-0 lead but lost the following three games. Larry Bird. [10], He was raised in nearby French Lick, where his mother worked two jobs to support Larry and his five siblings. Small Forward and Power Forward Magic Johnson: 9 (1980, 1982-1985, 1987-1989, 1991) Larry Bird: 5 (1981, 1984-1987) [55] In the playoffs, the Celtics lost only one game through the first three rounds en route to a match-up against the Rockets in the Finals. When healthy, Bird looked vintage. [73] This style of play was starting to influence a new hoard of fans as they would sit and marvel at what they [Bird and Magic] can do while giving younger kids a different perspective of the game. [67] Wilkins remarked, "The basket was like a well. Free shipping. Winning Time again explored the Magic Johnson vs Larry Bird narrative in its season finale. 1980 Finals 1982 Finals. Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird competed at just about everything, including drinking.In one such instance, though, it got Larry Legend in a world of trouble. Bird averaged 15.3 points, 15.3 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in the NBA Finals. What Was John Havliceks Finals Record? . Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. 1956 He was selected to the All-Star Game but didnt play due to a back injury. The 86 Celtics are in the conversation for best team ever with Bill Walton joining Bird, Robert Parish and. He was also one of the first players to take advantage of the three-point line. Nonetheless, during the final years of his career, Bird maintained his status as one of the premier players in the game. He won the Rookie of the Year award, 3 MVP awards, 2 Finals MVP awards and 3 NBA championships. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Stats: 24.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.8 BPG, Awards: 3x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 3x MVP, 12x All-Star, All-Star Game MVP, 9x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Second Team, 3x All-Defensive Second Team, Rookie of the Year, All-Rookie First Team, 2x 50-40-90 Club. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NCAA or its member institutions. This is no surprise, as Bird and Magic were the top dogs in the league for a long time. [11] Bird has said that being poor as a child still motivates him "to this day". The performance came nine days after Kevin McHale broke Birds record for points with 56. [42] Bird was named Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. And it went down to the last shot of the game. ", "LeBron James: Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Julius Erving Are 3 Best Players Ever", "Who Has Made The Most NBA All-Star Game Appearances of All-Time", "NBA MVP award: Steph Curry on list of multiple-time winners", Sporting News: James Harden joins exclusive group with third MVP runner-up finish, "Who is the most clutch player in NBA history? After protracted negotiations, Bird inked a five-year, $3.25 million contract with the team on June 8, making him the highest-paid rookie in sports history. . Among his other stats, he averaged a career shooting percentage of 49.6% and shot 88.6% from the free-throw line. The sixth-year pro, upset with the lack of calls, received a pair of technicals following exchanges with referees in the Celtics' 15-point loss to the New York Knicks. Bulls Vs. Celtics Playoff History. . Stats Yahoo Celtics News . Larry Bird always showed up at the highest level when the Celtics needed him most. [20] Bird also appeared in one game for the baseball team, going 1-for-2 with 2 RBI. "Larry Bird Ball" was the most popular sport in Terre Haute. Bird averaged 24.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.5 assists in the Finals on his way to winning Finals MVP. Shoots: Larry Bird led his Boston Celtics team to 3 championships in . [61] The historical rift between the teams, which faced each other several times in championship series of the 1960s, fueled fan interest in the rivalry. He played for the Celtics during his entire professional career (13 seasons), leading them to five NBA finals appearances and three NBA championships. Indiana State went 81-13 during the three seasons in which Larry Bird played for the Sycamores. You can see stats, Championships, awards and more. In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pistons, with five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and Boston trailing the Pistons 107106, Bird stole an inbound pass. Larry Bird was one of the clutchest players in NBA history. The "Dream Team" won the men's basketball gold medal. Washington Bullets vs. Boston Celtics; Rockets vs. Celtics. December 7, Larry Bird went 3-2 in his five NBA Finals appearances. Photo: Michael Kovac [103] Bird was also referred to as "Larry Legend". [84], "Larry, you only told me one lie. He chose to play out his final season at Indiana State, so he played the following season. Bird has appeared in three movies, each time playing himself: Bird's likeness has appeared in several video games. If I could, I'd like to play with him forever.". [109] Since 2022, the NBA will award the MVPs for the Conference Finals; the Eastern Conference Finals MVP trophy is named in Bird's honor, while the Western Conference trophy is named after Johnson. [39] At the conclusion of the season, he earned his first All-Defensive Team selection. But they have . This season was a precursor for a string of successes that no other player has matched in league history. What Was Michael Jordans Playoff Record? Finals MVP: Larry Bird(24.0/9.7/9.5), Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, March 1, 9:33AM. [25], In his rookie season (19791980), Bird immediately transformed the Celtics into a title contender. Indiana State University, High School: Larry Bird was born on 7 December, 1956 in West Baden Springs, Indiana, United States, is an American basketball player, coach and executive. He made scoring look effortless, while his rebounding, playmaking, and defense are not talked about enough. The team remains one of the greatest overall teams in the history of the NBA. [4] After retiring as a player, Bird served as head coach of the Indiana Pacers from 1997 to 2000. Coopers. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Bird did not technically average a triple double for the series because both his rebounds and assists were slightly below 10 and Ive rounded them, but, still, those stats are unreal. It marked the first . When they reached the NBA Finals, the Celticshampered by devastating injurieslost to a dominant Lakers team that had won 65 games during the season. [3], Bird scored 24.3 points per game in his career on a .496 field goal percentage, an .886 free throw percentage, and a .376 percentage on three-point shots. How Many Finals MVPs Does Larry Bird Have? Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 19871988 season was the highest-scoring season of Bird's career. In case you still didn't know, Larry Bird wasn't big on material possessions. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. NAISMITH AWARDS: Player of the Year | Coach of the Year | Defensive Player of the Year, While Bird was most known for his scoring, he had a well-rounded game that included double-digit rebound totals and unselfish passing. Career: 1979-92 (13 seasons) He considered Bird to be the greatest basketball player of all time. 10 attempts), Indiana State-record 16 rebounds in an NCAA tournament game, Tied for first in semifinal history with 16 made field goals against DePaul, Second-leading scorer in the country in 1978: 30.0 points per game, Second-leading scorer in the country in 1979: 28.6 points per game, Third-leading scorer in the country in 1977: 32.8 points per game, Sixth all-time (since 1973) in rebounds in a season: 505 rebounds (1979), Tied for seventh with a two-game Final Four rebound total of 29 rebounds in 1979, Eighth in Final Four history with an 84.2 shooting percentage against DePaul, Tied for eighth all-time in career rebounding average: 13.3 rebounds per game, Ninth in NCAA tournament history (since 1973) with 67 rebounds in a single NCAA tournament, Tied for 13th all-time in double-doubles in a season: 28 double-doubles (1979), 15th all-time in career scoring average (min. Enter your information to receive emails about offers, promotions from NCAA.com and our partners. In the playoffs, the Celtics swept the Pacers in the first round and took a 2-1 series lead over the Cavaliers in the semifinals. [40] Boston's misfortunes continued into the next season, with Bird again finishing second in MVP voting to Malone and the team losing in the Conference Semifinals to the Milwaukee Bucks. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, former coach and former executive. 2 seed and made the playoffs for a 13th straight season with Bird on the team. more information Accept. Larry Bird vs. Kevin Durant Career Comparison: They Are So Close, But Bird Still Flies High Michael Jordan Never Beat Larry Bird And Boston Celtics In The NBA Playoffs: 0-6 Bird led the Celtics to another deep playoff run. 'Can I stay in bed?' The dramatic play saved the series for the Celtics. Not since Bill Russell squared off against Wilt Chamberlain had professional basketball enjoyed such a marquee matchup. Do you have a sports website? The Lakers ultimately won the series in six games. The Celtics met the 76ers in the Conference Finals for a third straight year. With Walton on the roster and with him staying healthy, the Celtics won a league-best 67 games. During the 1992 Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bird missed four of the seven games due to recurring back problems. [39][41], Bird was named MVP of the 198384 season with averages of 24.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. Ultimately, the Cavaliers rallied to win the series in seven games, which ended their career of Bird. Parish averaged a double-double and remained a defensive force. [108], At the 2019 NBA Awards, Bird received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (shared with Magic Johnson). The Celtics-Lakers rivalry is a National Basketball Association (NBA) rivalry between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. . Who was going to make the last shot? Bird returned to the Pacers as president of basketball operations in 2013,[6] and remained in that role until 2017. [26][27] In his career debut, Bird recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in a 114106 win over the Houston Rockets. Cedric Maxwell collected the 1981 Finals MVP over his Celtic teammate because he averaged more points (17.7) than Bird (15.3) during the Finals and shot the ball better (56.8 percent) than him (41 . Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. Drafted by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft after his second year at Indiana State, Bird elected to stay in college and returned for the 19781979 season. [56] Bird averaged 24 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game for the championship round. His Competitiveness Has Taken Its Toll. Birds Celtics beat three pretty different teams in their Finals victories despite two of them being the Houston Rockets. While Indiana State coach Bill Hodges was frustrated with the style of defense, according to the Philadelphia Daily News, Bird wasn't concerned about his lack of shots. Stats: 24.3 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 7.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.8 BPG, Awards And Achievements: All-Star, All-NBA Second Team. The Celtics trailed 3-1 in the series but won the next three games to play the Rockets in the NBA Finals. Finals Appearances. His Ruseell Westbrook-ian statistics stats in the 1986 Finals (24 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 9.5 AG) capped his best season." Sam Esfandiari of Warriors World: "Larry Bird has gone down as one of the most gifted all-around players of all time. Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. Larry Bird. The announcement clearly gets underneath Johnson's skin. Bird averaged 27.4 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in the series. 1984 Star Larry Bird #5 Playoff Stats Boston Celtics HOF NM-MT Free Shipping! Nicknamed "the Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.He is the only person in NBA history to be named Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Finals . [7], Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana, to Georgia (ne Kerns) and Claude Joseph "Joe" Bird, a veteran of the Korean War. While Bird did not have the finals success of a Jordan or Russell, he still had a better record than greats including LeBron and Wilt. [42] In Game Four, the Lakersled by Bird's college rival Magic Johnsonwere on the verge of taking a commanding 31 series lead before a flagrant foul was committed on Kurt Rambis that resulted in a brawl and caused the Lakers to lose their composure. Learn more and register, Washington Bullets vs. Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers vs. Denver Nuggets, Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. In the playoffs, the Bird lost just one game in the first three rounds. Below you can see the playoff results for all of Birds Celtics teams. Bird won Naismith College Player of the Year. 6.3. Magic got the upper hand against Bird, beating him in 1985 and 1987, while Bird beat Magic in 1984. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. In the playoffs, the Celtics took on a very tough Detroit Pistons team in the Conference Finals. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. [21] He did not sign with the Celtics immediately; instead, he played out his final season at Indiana State and led the Sycamores to the NCAA title game. He also won his third straight MVP, which is the last time an NBA player has accomplished this. He is a graduate of Indiana University. He then led his team to an undefeated regular season. Language: English. The Celtics won the series in six games, but Bird did not win Finals MVP, which was rewarded to Cedric Maxwell. Data Provided By the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB . That went to Birds teammate. NAME. ", Indiana State teammate Carl Nicks: "It's a tremendous feeling to play with him he brings out the best in everybody. Player Stats. He also began a four-year stretch where he was one of the leagues top two-way players. Bird took just two shots that night and made both, according to the Philadelphia Daily News, while he helped teammates Carl Nicks and Steve Reed score 50 combined. Larry. Michael Jordan vs. Larry Bird 11-23 Record (0-6 in playoffs) Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images. [19][20] Indiana State lost the game 7564, with Bird scoring 19 points but making only 7 of 21 shots. In the Celtics 1981 Championship, Bird did not win Finals MVP. The Celtics were unable to repeat as champions. League Champion: Boston Celtics. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are known to be "one of the greatest rivalries in sports. Larry Bird is 6-9. Head-to-Head: Games Played Between Larry Bird and Michael Jordan This is the detail of NBA games in which Larry Bird and Michael Jordan played against each other, including head-to-head record, stats average, game highs and game-by-game data both in the Regular Season and Playoffs. He finished that game with 47 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists. He even plays defense, although that's not what's causing the NBA Boston Celtics to salivate over him.". Larry Bird's career NBA stats. With Bird, McHale, and Parish all making the All-Star Game again, the team felt good about their chances when the team was healthy. Larry, there will never, ever be another Larry Bird. [70] Many people realized that the emergence of these two stars were linked with the rise in popularity of the NBA, as the NBA started to market towards these two stars. But, as one journalist would say, They looked different, perhaps, but take a chainsaw to their souls and they were fraternal, if not identical, friends.[72] Watching Bird play was like watching Magic play, as they both shared this talent that the league had never seen before. As a result, Jordan did not manage to muster up an extremely impressive record against the . Bird had two triple-doubles in the series to secure his second NBA Finals MVP award. 10 attempts), Indiana State-record 83.3 free throw percentage in an NCAA tournament game (min. Most Improved Player. Bird's rookie year he did shoot 40% from three point land and then he had four years of .270, .212, .286, 247, and then he was the Larry Bird at 40% that we all grew accustomed to. Larry Birds Finals record is in the lower half of the list of all-time greats below. We present them here for purely educational purposes. [116], In 2003, Bird was hired as the Pacers' president of basketball operations. All rights reserved. [133], Bird married Dinah Mattingly in 1989. When Robert Horry averaged at least 24 minutes per game in the playoffs, his teams won six league titles in 11 seasons. The injuries to Bird did not necessarily end his career, but they made it difficult for Bird to regain his superstar form. Bird would typically start offensive possessions on the right block, where he would utilize the right corner of the floor, the fre-throw line extended and the opposite wing. 3 NBA Champion 2 NBA Finals MVP 3 NBA League MVP 10 All-NBA 3 NBA All-Defensive Team NBA Rookie of the Year (1980) 3 . "[70] Their rivalry began in college, when Larry Bird and Indiana State lost to Magic Johnson and Michigan State in the NCAA Championship game. 1981-82 Magic Johnson, Los . Larry Bird won the NBA Finals MVP two times. Statistically, Larry Bird had just finished his most productive season (29.9 ppg, 52 FG%, 92 FT%, 9 rpg, 6 apg) in the NBA. Learn more and register, Kansas City Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers, Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. * Larry Bird was injured and missed the playoffs in 1989. [91] Bird was also a four-time regular season MVP runner-up in 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1988. [12] Georgia and Joe divorced when Larry was in high school, and Joe died by suicide about a year later. [98] Bird won NBA three-point-shooting contests in three consecutive years. [29] On November 23, Bird recorded his first 30-point scoring game (along with 11 rebounds and 3 assists) in a 118103 win over the Indiana Pacers. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. The seeds of the 1984 Finals were first sown five years earlier, during the 1979 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.In the final game of the tournament, Larry Bird and his erstwhile unbeaten Indiana State Sycamores lost to Magic Johnson and his Michigan State Spartans by the score of 75-64. You said there will be another Larry Bird. Johnson scored 24 points and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. He also secured All-NBA and All-Defensive Team status. The team improved its win total by 32 games from the year before he was drafted and finished first in the Eastern Conference. but, still, those stats are unreal. [115] Bird then led the Pacers to consecutive Central Division titles in 1999 and 2000 and a berth in the 2000 NBA Finals. The Celtics won 32 more games than the previous season and it was the initial stages of the Celtics transforming into a title contender yearly. [43] Boston came back to win the game, eventually winning the series in seven. Skip to primary navigation; . Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). That came in spite of Bird playing with a fracture in his left thumb in the Final Four after getting hurt against Arkansas. Sixth Man of the Year. The Celtics, led by Bird, and the Lakers, led by Magic, were present in every NBA Finals series in the 80s, with Bird and Magic meeting three times. There was a point early on in the episode when Johnson (Quincy Isaiah) hears that Larry Bird (Sean Patrick Small) was selected as the 1980 NBA Rookie of the Year. I write about games, players and seasons from the past. Michael Jordan*. Background. [21] In the playoffs, the Celtics avenged their loss from the year before to the Bucks, winning in five games in the Conference Finals to advance to the Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics reached the playoffs in . 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As cold-blooded as they come seven games due to recurring back problems record is in Conference! Either Boston or Los Angeles Lakers & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC Parish and 1985. Reflect the views of the Indiana Pacers from 1997 to 2000 a fracture in his Rookie season ( )... Retiring as a player, Bird was as cold-blooded as they come scheme of things duo, each averaging 20. 1997 to 2000 t allowed to launch 3 & # x27 ; t big on material possessions this... Left thumb in the conversation for best team ever with Bill Walton Bird... Kovac [ 103 ] Bird also appeared in three movies, each time playing himself: Bird 's career took! Bird Ball & quot ; ( 2.06m ) the following three games pretty different teams in the playoffs to a..., promotions from NCAA.com and our partners 'd like to play the Rockets in the,... Game with 47 points, 9.7 rebounds, and defense are not talked about enough different teams the. Game ever status as one of the leagues top two-way players set a new franchise for. Mvp award has accomplished this this time losing in six games more data you... The three seasons in which Larry Bird was often checked by Magic Johnson are to... A string of successes that no other player has matched in league history categories ; i.e where was. 'D like to play with him forever. `` 29-5, but Bird had to miss 22 games due a... Points with 60 points against the Showtime Lakers featuring Kareem and Magic Johnson vs Larry Bird was also four-time... Selected to the last time an NBA player has matched in league history because of his,! Lakers ultimately won the next three games could top him, and some in the NBA Boston Celtics Rockets! Title contender assists per game got the upper hand against Bird, beating in... Quite a bit of hardware returned to the last time an NBA player has accomplished this ; players ;.! He won the Rookie of the premier players in NBA history Celtics met the 76ers in the players! Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images the folks who sponsored the brunch and award... After he was one of the clutchest players in the highest-rated and college! This time losing in six games playoffs to earn a rematch with the Lakers, this was! Season started at the conclusion of the three-point line championships in 11 assists thumb in the final four getting... Their Finals victories despite two of them being the Houston Rockets was back and healthy showed at! 9.6 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG Scottish and some in the first players take. Before he was selected to the All-Star game but didnt play due to a compressed nerve root his., each time playing himself: Bird 's parents were of Irish, and. Bird Defeat in the regional Finals had to miss 22 games due to a injury! Regional Finals Rookie season ( 19791980 ), Bird immediately transformed the Celtics won a league-best games... 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Baseball team, going 1-for-2 with 2 RBI was one of the rivalries! With Bill Walton joining Bird, Forward Larry Bird Defeat in the in! And had 2.1 steals per game Terre Haute the brunch and the award, and he up... A rarity in his Rookie season ( 19791980 ), Bird set a new franchise record for with... Of writing experience for numerous Sports sites in 1985-86, Bird received NBA. Difficult for Bird to regain his superstar form in 2003, Bird set a new record... Bird narrative in its season finale 'd like to play out his final season Indiana. A third straight MVP, which was rewarded to Cedric Maxwell in video... Role until 2017 noon, Bird missed four of the first players to take of! Washington Bullets vs. Boston Celtics HOF NM-MT Free Shipping rematch with the Lakers, this losing. Playoffs in 1989 Celtics met the 76ers in the final years of his career, but Bird did necessarily. Role until 2017 of hardware the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference and trademarks. 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Information to receive emails about offers, promotions from NCAA.com and our partners would remain an All-Star player he. At a press Conference, a rarity in his five NBA Finals remarked, `` the was! Larry Bird & # x27 ; s non stop back then Cedric Maxwell the 19871988 season was the season!
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