Larry Bird's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Larry Bird.

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

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: 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.

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.

1982: Regular Season MVP runner-up

In 1982, Larry Bird was the runner-up for the regular season MVP award.

1983: Regular Season MVP runner-up

In 1983, Larry Bird was the runner-up for the regular season MVP award.

1983: Named MVP of the 1983-84 Season

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

December 9, 1984: 48 Points vs. Atlanta Hawks

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

1984: NBA championship in 1984

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

1984: NBA Most Valuable Player Award

In 1984, Larry Bird won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for the first time.

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: Celtics Ranked as One of the Greatest Teams

In 1985, the Celtics team was often considered one of the greatest basketball teams of all time according to Peter May of the Boston Globe and Bill Simmons of Grantland.

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: Second NBA Most Valuable Player Award

In 1986, Larry Bird won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for the third consecutive time.

1986: Won the Three-Point Shootout

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

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: Regular Season MVP runner-up

In 1988, Larry Bird was the runner-up for the regular season MVP award.

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.

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.

1996: Named to NBA's 50 Greatest Players in NBA History

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

1996: Selection 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: Central Division Title

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

1999: Ranking on Greatest Athletes Lists

In 1999, Larry Bird ranked No. 30 on ESPN SportsCentury's list of 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th century and No. 24 on the Associated Press's list of the 100 Greatest Athletes of the 20th century.

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.

2010: Hall of Fame Induction as Part of Dream Team

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 as a member of the "Dream Team".

2011: Lifetime achievement award

In 2011, Larry Bird was honored with a lifetime achievement award at The Sports Museum's 10th annual The Tradition event. The Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year trophy is named in Bird's honor.

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.

2013: Bronze Statue and Larry Bird Day

In 2013, Indiana State University unveiled a bronze statue of Larry Bird on campus. Additionally, November 9th was proclaimed as Larry Bird Day in the state of Indiana.

2016: Rated Greatest NBA Small Forward of All Time

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

2019: NBA Lifetime Achievement Award

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

2020: Historical recognition of Larry Bird

As of 2020, Larry Bird's record of winning three consecutive regular season MVP awards was matched only by Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. Also in 2020, Bird was placed at the power forward position on an NBA all-time starting five roster.

2020: 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.

October 2021: 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.