How Larry Bird Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

How the contributions of Larry Bird continue to shape the world today.

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

1985: Celtics Ranked Among Greatest Teams

In 1985, the Celtics team was commonly ranked as one of the greatest basketball teams of all time by the Boston Globe and Grantland.

1987: Celtics-Lakers Rivalry Attracts Enormous Audiences

Throughout the 1980s, contests between the Celtics and the Lakers attracted enormous television audiences. In 1987, the rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson intensified, captivating television audiences due to their contrasting styles and backgrounds, as highlighted in a Converse commercial.

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.

1996: Named One of NBA's 50 Greatest Players

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

1996: Named to NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team

In 1996, Larry Bird was voted onto the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team list.

1998: Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

In 1998, Larry Bird was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as an individual player.

1999: Ranked Among Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century

In 1999, Larry Bird was ranked No. 30 on ESPN SportsCentury's list of 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th century.

2010: Hall of Fame Induction as Dream Team Member

In 2010, Larry Bird was inducted into the Hall of Fame again as a member of the "Dream Team."

2010: Second Hall of Fame Induction

In 2010, Larry Bird was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for a second time as a member of the "Dream Team."

2016: Rated Greatest NBA Small Forward

In 2016, Fox Sports rated Larry Bird as the greatest NBA small forward of all time.

2016: "Sometimes my job really sucks."

In 2016, Larry Bird stated, "Sometimes my job really sucks."

2019: NBA Lifetime Achievement Award

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

2020: Named to NBA All-Time Starting Five Roster

In 2020, Larry Bird was placed at the power forward position on an NBA all-time starting five roster alongside Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

2020: Bird Ranked Among Top Players of All Time

In 2020, Larry Bird was placed at the power forward position on an NBA all-time starting five roster with fellow superstars Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

October 2021: Named to NBA's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team

In October 2021, as part of the NBA's 75th Anniversary, Larry Bird was honored as one of the 75 greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.

2021: Named to NBA's 75th Anniversary Team

In 2021, Larry Bird was named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team.

2022: Eastern Conference Finals MVP Trophy Named in Bird's Honor

Since 2022, the NBA will award 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.