Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Larry Bird

Discover the career path of Larry Bird, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Larry Bird, nicknamed "the Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend," is considered one of basketball's all-time greats. He excelled as a player, coach, and executive in the NBA. Bird achieved the unique distinction of being the only person in NBA history to win Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1978: Drafted by the Boston Celtics

In 1978, Larry Bird was selected by the Boston Celtics as the sixth overall pick in the NBA draft after his second year at Indiana State, but he elected to stay in college for the 1978–79 season.

November 14, 1979: First Career Triple-Double

On November 14, 1979, Larry Bird recorded his first career triple-double with 23 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists in a 115–111 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

1979: Entered the NBA

In 1979, Larry Bird entered the NBA for the 1979–80 season, where he made an immediate impact on the Celtics.

1979: Signed with the Boston Celtics

In 1979, after protracted negotiations, Larry Bird signed a five-year, $3.25 million contract with the Boston Celtics, making him the highest-paid rookie in sports history. Shortly afterwards, NBA draft eligibility rules were changed to prevent teams from drafting players before they were ready to sign, a rule known as the Bird Collegiate Rule.

1980: Celtics Draft Kevin McHale

Before the 1980-81 NBA season, the Celtics drafted forward Kevin McHale and acquired center Robert Parish from the Golden State Warriors. The front-court of Bird, McHale, and Parish is regarded as one of the greatest front-courts in NBA history.

1981: NBA championship in 1981

In 1981, Larry Bird and the Celtics won the NBA championship.

1982: All-Star Game MVP Award

At the 1982 All-Star Game, Larry Bird scored 19 points en route to winning the All-Star Game MVP Award.

1983: Signed a Seven-Year Extension

In 1983, Larry Bird signed a seven-year, $12.6 million extension before the NBA's salary cap came into effect.

1984: NBA championship in 1984

In 1984, Larry Bird and the Celtics won the NBA championship.

1984: "Soft Cap" and the "Larry Bird Rule"

In 1984, the NBA modified from a "hard" salary cap to a "soft cap", meaning the cap could be exceeded in order for a team to re-sign its own free agents. This came to be erroneously known as the "Larry Bird Rule"

1984: Bird beats Magic in 1984

Larry Bird beats Magic Johnson in 1984.

November 27, 1985: 47-point performance against Pistons

On November 27, 1985, Larry Bird scored 47 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, dished out two assists, and secured two steals in a 132–124 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

1985: Acquisition of Bill Walton

Before the start of the 1985-86 season, the Celtics acquired Bill Walton, an All-Star center with a history of injury.

1985: Rivalry with Magic Johnson Continues

In 1985, the Celtics, led by Larry Bird, faced the Lakers, led by Magic Johnson, in the NBA Finals, continuing their storied rivalry, with Magic ultimately winning.

March 10, 1986: 50-point game against Mavericks

On March 10, 1986, Larry Bird had an outstanding performance with 50 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists in a close 116–115 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

1986: NBA championship in 1986

In 1986, Larry Bird and the Celtics won the NBA championship.

1986: Won the Three-Point Shootout

In 1986, Larry Bird won the inaugural Three-Point Shootout during the NBA All-Star Weekend.

1987: Trash-talking incident with Dennis Rodman

During the 1987 Eastern Conference finals, Larry Bird engaged in intense trash-talking with Dennis Rodman, a player known for his defensive abilities, and belittled Rodman's skills.

1987: Classic Celtics-Lakers Game

During the 1987-88 season, a regular-season game between the Celtics and Lakers proved to be a classic, with Magic Johnson hitting a game-winning shot at the buzzer for a 115-114 Lakers victory at Boston Garden. The historical rift between the teams and the presence of Bird and Magic transformed the NBA.

1987: Magic Johnson's Lakers Defeat Larry Bird's Celtics

In 1987, Magic Johnson secured another victory against Larry Bird as the Lakers triumphed over the Celtics in the NBA Finals.

1987: Finals Appearance and Loss to Lakers

In 1987, the Celtics, led by Larry Bird, reached the NBA Finals but lost to the Lakers in six games. In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pistons, Bird made a crucial steal and pass to Dennis Johnson for a game-winning layup.

1988: Continued High Performance Despite Setbacks

Despite bone spur surgery, Larry Bird returned to the Celtics in 1989 and maintained his status as a premier player, averaging over 20 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in his final three seasons, leading the Celtics to playoff appearances.

1988: Highest-Scoring Season and Semifinals Victory

The 1987-88 season was the highest-scoring season of Larry Bird's career. In 1988, during Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks, Bird scored 20 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Celtics to a series-clinching victory.

1989: Season cut short by bone spurs

Larry Bird's 1988-89 season was cut short after six games when, in 1989, he had bone spurs surgically removed from both of his heels.

1992: Playing in the Olympics

During the summer of 1992, Larry Bird joined Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and other NBA stars to play for the United States men's national basketball team in the Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, marking the first time NBA players competed for the U.S. The team was co-captained by Bird and Johnson.

1992: Special assistant role

From 1992 until 1997, Larry Bird was employed by the Celtics as a special assistant in the team's front office.

1992: Member of the "Dream Team"

In 1992, Larry Bird was a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic basketball team, known as the "Dream Team".

1997: Special assistant role

From 1992 until 1997, Larry Bird was employed by the Celtics as a special assistant in the team's front office.

1997: Head Coach of the Indiana Pacers

In 1997, Larry Bird accepted the position of head coach for the Indiana Pacers, committing to a three-year tenure. Despite lacking prior coaching experience, he led the Pacers to a franchise-best 58–24 record during the 1997–98 season.

1999: Central Division Title

In 1999, Larry Bird led the Indiana Pacers to a Central Division title.

2000: NBA Finals Berth and Resignation

In 2000, Larry Bird coached the Indiana Pacers to the NBA Finals, where they were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers. Following the season, fulfilling his initial commitment, Bird resigned from his head coaching position.

2000: Led Pacers to NBA Finals Berth

In 2000, Larry Bird led the Pacers to a berth in the NBA Finals as their head coach.

2003: Hired as President of Basketball Operations

In 2003, Larry Bird was hired as the Indiana Pacers' president of basketball operations, replacing Isiah Thomas with Rick Carlisle as head coach.

2003: President of Basketball Operations for Pacers

In 2003, Larry Bird was named president of basketball operations for the Indiana Pacers.

2006: Roster Overhaul

From 2006 onwards, as president of basketball operations, Larry Bird began overhauling the Indiana Pacers' roster by trading away veteran players and making strategic draft picks.

2011: NBA Executive of the Year

In 2011, Larry Bird was named NBA Executive of the Year after the Indiana Pacers secured the No. 3 seed in the East.

2012: NBA Executive of the Year

In 2012, Larry Bird was named NBA Executive of the Year.

2012: Parting Ways with the Pacers

On the day before the 2012 NBA draft, Larry Bird and the Indiana Pacers announced that they would be parting ways, citing health issues as a contributing factor.