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 a retired American professional basketball player, coach, and executive. Widely considered one of basketball's all-time greats, Bird achieved the unique distinction of winning NBA Rookie of the Year, MVP, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year awards. His career spanned from 1979 to 1992, all with the Boston Celtics, where he won three NBA championships and three MVP awards.

Sections (5)

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

1974: Scholarship to Indiana Hoosiers

In 1974, Larry Bird received a scholarship to play college basketball for the Indiana Hoosiers under coach Bob Knight.

1975: Enrolled at Indiana State University

In 1975, after a brief period at Northwood Institute, Larry Bird enrolled at Indiana State University in Terre Haute.

1978: Drafted by the Boston Celtics

In 1978, Larry Bird was drafted by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall pick in the NBA draft after his second year at Indiana State, but he chose to remain in college for another year.

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 and made an immediate impact with the Boston Celtics.

1979: Signed with Boston Celtics

In 1979, after protracted negotiations, Larry Bird signed a five-year, $3.25 million contract with the Boston Celtics, becoming the highest-paid rookie in sports history.

1980: Celtics draft Kevin McHale and acquire Robert Parish

Before the 1980-81 NBA season, the Celtics drafted Kevin McHale and acquired Robert Parish. This marked the formation of the big three in Boston and started the run of dominance in the 80's.

1981: NBA Championship with the Celtics

In 1981, Larry Bird won an NBA championship with the Celtics.

1982: NBA 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.

1982: Runner-up for Regular Season MVP

In 1982, Larry Bird was a regular season MVP runner-up.

1983: Signed Extension

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

1983: Runner-up for Regular Season MVP

In 1983, Larry Bird was a regular season MVP runner-up.

1983: Named MVP of 1983-84 Season

Larry Bird was named MVP of the 1983-84 NBA season with averages of 24.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game.

December 9, 1984: 48 Points Against Hawks

On December 9, 1984, Larry Bird recorded 48 points to go along with 14 rebounds and 5 assists in a narrow 128–127 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

1984: NBA Finals Victory Over Lakers

In 1984, Larry Bird beat Magic Johnson in the NBA Finals.

1984: NBA Championship with the Celtics

In 1984, Larry Bird won an NBA championship with the Celtics and won an NBA Finals MVP Award.

1984: Hard Salary Cap Implemented

In 1984, as part of a collective bargaining agreement, the NBA implemented a "hard" salary cap but quickly modified it to a "soft cap", allowing teams to re-sign their own free agents.

November 27, 1985: 47-Point Game vs. Pistons

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

1985: Celtics Trade for Bill Walton

Before the start of the 1985–86 season, the Celtics made a daring trade for Bill Walton, an All-Star center with a history of injury.

1985: NBA Finals Victory Over Lakers

In 1985, Magic Johnson and the Lakers got the upper hand against Larry Bird, beating him in the NBA Finals.

March 10, 1986: 50-Point Game vs. Mavericks

On March 10, 1986, Larry Bird recorded 50 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists in a 116–115 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

1986: NBA Championship with the Celtics

In 1986, Larry Bird won an NBA championship with the Celtics.

1986: NBA All-Star Weekend Three-Point Shootout

In 1986, at the NBA All-Star Weekend, Larry Bird famously predicted he would win the inaugural Three-Point Shootout and then won the shootout.

1987: Trash-Talking During Eastern Conference Finals

During the 1987 Eastern Conference finals, Larry Bird continually belittled Dennis Rodman's defensive abilities and trash-talked, showcasing his reputation as one of the most notable trash-talkers of his era.

1987: NBA Finals Appearance and Game-Saving Steal

In 1987, Larry Bird led the Celtics to the NBA Finals after a dramatic Game 5 steal against the Detroit Pistons, passing to Dennis Johnson for the game-winning layup. However, the Celtics lost to the Lakers in six games.

1987: NBA Finals Victory Over Celtics

In 1987, Magic Johnson and the Lakers beat Larry Bird and the Celtics in the NBA Finals.

1988: High-Scoring Season and Game 7 Performance

In 1988, Larry Bird had his highest-scoring season. During Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks, Bird scored 20 points in the fourth quarter, finishing with 34, to secure a series-clinching victory, overcoming Dominique Wilkins' 47-point performance. The Celtics, however, lost to the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals.

1988: Runner-up for Regular Season MVP

In 1988, Larry Bird was a regular season MVP runner-up.

1988: Loss to Pistons in Eastern Conference Finals

In 1988, the Celtics, with Larry Bird, lost to the Detroit Pistons in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals.

1989: Return to the Celtics

In 1989, Larry Bird returned to the Celtics after surgery for bone spurs, facing debilitating back problems that impacted his prime form, though he maintained a high level of play.

August 18, 1992: Retirement Announcement

On August 18, 1992, Larry Bird announced his retirement from the NBA, after which the Celtics promptly retired his jersey number 33.

1992: Olympic Gold Medal with the Dream Team

During the summer of 1992, Larry Bird joined the "Dream Team" and won a gold medal at the Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, averaging 8.4 points in eight games.

1992: Special Assistant for the Celtics

From 1992 until 1997, Larry Bird worked as a special assistant in the Celtics' front office.

1997: Coach of the Indiana Pacers

In 1997, Larry Bird accepted the position of coach of the Indiana Pacers, committing to the job for a maximum of three years.

1999: Central Division Title

In 1999, Larry Bird led the Pacers to consecutive Central Division titles

2000: NBA Finals Berth and Resignation

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

2000: Led Pacers to NBA Finals

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

2003: President of Basketball Operations for Pacers

In 2003, Larry Bird was hired as the Indiana Pacers' president of basketball operations.

2011: NBA Executive of the Year

After the 2011-2012 NBA season, Larry Bird was named NBA Executive of the Year.

2012: Parting Ways with Pacers

In 2012, Larry Bird and the Pacers announced that they would be parting ways due to health issues.

2012: NBA Executive of the Year

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

2013: Return to Pacers as President

In 2013, Larry Bird returned to the Indiana Pacers as president of basketball operations.

2017: Stepping Down as President

In 2017, Larry Bird stepped down as president of basketball operations for the Pacers but stayed with the team in an advisory capacity.

July 2022: Stepped Back from Active Role with Pacers

In July 2022, Larry Bird "stepped back from maintaining an active role with the Indiana Pacers,"

July 2022: Return to Pacers as Consultant

In July 2022, Larry Bird returned to the Indiana Pacers organization as a consultant after a brief break.

June 2023: Re-hired as Consultant for Pacers

In June 2023, Larry Bird was re-hired by the Pacers to serve as a consultant.

2025: Consultant for the Indiana Pacers

As of 2025, Larry Bird continues to serve as a consultant for the Indiana Pacers.

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