Larry Bird is the most famous player in the Celtics basketball team , a true professional. A magnificent scorer and defender, whom the fans nicknamed the “death blow” for his grandiose hits in the ring. He grew up and studied in Indiana before heading to the NBA to join the Boston Celtics. Over 13 seasons, Larry, thanks to his agile skills, led his team to victories, was named a valuable NBA player three times.
The list of his awards is innumerable: NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986); NBA Finalist MVP (1984, 1986); nine times his team was recognized as the best (1980-88); NBA Rookie of the Year (1980); one of the 50 great players of the NBA (1996); Olympic champion (1992). Not everyone knows that Bird is an avid tourist, loves country style music, loves auto racing and golf. Let's find out more about this great man!
Early years
Larry Bird was born in the mid-50s of the 20th century in the city of West Baden Springs (Indiana), and grew up in the neighboring city of French Lick. At Valley High School, he was a leading player in the school basketball team, becoming its top scorer.
At Indiana University, he played with legendary coach Bob Knight. Under his “guardianship,” Larry led his team to the NCAA championship against the Michigan team , led by Erwin “Magic” Johnson, the future NBA star. This was the first time that two great players had collided with each other in battle. Johnson won. But Bird was still awarded the Naismith Prize and was considered the 5th scorer on the NCAA list, although he played for only three years.
Basketball player Larry Bird in the NBA
In 1978, Larry signed a contract with the Boston Celtics for a then record $ 650,000 a year. However, he immediately justified his salary, gaining an average of 21.3 points per game. He used every free minute of his time to develop his skills and become the best. Significant growth (2.1 meters) of the athlete did not prevent him from developing good agility and speed. Two years later, the NBA took on the team of Robert Perrish and Kevin McHale. These three players will form the legendary front, arguably the largest in NBA history. In the same season, they will beat Houston Rockets with a score of 61:21. This was their first "great victory."
Celtics and Lakers
Along with Magic Johnson, who also joined the NBA in 1979, Larry Bird was a key player in the revival of the corporation in the 1980s: the Celtics and Lakers began to lead in all championships. During this time, Larry has already become famous thanks to his consistency and perseverance. Each fan knew that he not only reacts to the movements of his opponents, but also predicts their subsequent actions. His concentration and composure were unparalleled. Therefore, he has established himself as the most unshakable NBA player.
Larry Bird - Career Growth and Achievement
A great basketball player led the Celtics into the NBA playoffs for 12 consecutive seasons. He won the championship with his team in 1981, 1984 and 1986. Three times he was named the most valuable NBA player. And when the legendary scorer retired (in 1992), he had 21791 points in his piggy bank!
In the summer of 1992, the United States sent professional athletes to prepare for the Olympic Games. Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and other NBA stars form the American basketball team, which will later become known as the Dream Team. They easily win a gold Olympic medal for the United States. And a few weeks later, Larry Bird announced his retirement from professional basketball. The team and his comrades lost their mentor. The main reasons for the interruption of the career were numerous injuries of the athlete - he struggled for a long time with debilitating pain in the back.
After retirement
A year after this event, Larry begins a new page in his life - he works as a front-office special assistant for the Celtics. He held this position for 5 years. In 1997, he became the head coach of the Indiana Pacers. So he returned to his beloved homeland. Having no experience in the field of strategic management and command, he led his team to victory in the 1997-98 season and was recognized by the NBA as the best coach of the year. In 2000, he resigned from this post, but in 2003 returned to the organization as president of Basketball Operations. At the end of the 2011-12 season, he was named by the NBA as the best performer of the year. After this event, he decided to calmly do his other favorite things - to travel, listen to country music and attend car races.
It is important to note that the name Larry Bird was included in the list of the 50 best athletes of the 20th century in the Basketball Hall in 1998.
Larry today
In recent years, the famous basketball player travels with his wife to French Lick, visits the states of Indiana and Naples, Florida. The sports legend owns two large enterprises, a hotel and a restaurant in Terre Haute, a car dealership in Martinsville. He also successfully advertises his products with Heinz Corporation.
Thus, we can conclude: Larry Bird is a real Celtics superstar, a professional basketball player and a famous champion. This man was so confident and hardworking that many rivals were simply afraid of him. “Brilliant Larry” was and remains the idol of millions of fans. He was deservedly recognized as the best athlete of the twentieth century. And it is not for nothing that his name has become a legend!