30 Mind Blowing Facts About Larry Bird - President of The Indiana Pacers

Larry Joe Bird, an American professional basketball executive, former coach and former player, was born on December 7, 1956 at West Baden, Indiana to Georgia and Claude Joseph Bird. Here are 30 interesting facts about the player:

1. Bird won three Most Valuable Player awards and three NBA championships during his 13 years career.
2. His mother worked two jobs to support him and his five siblings after the death of his father who committed suicide. He was raised in French Link Township, Orange County, Indiana. He attended Springs Valley High Schools and took to basketball to escape from family problems.
3. He graduated in 1974 from Springs Valley High School with a record of becoming the school’s all time scoring leader. He averaged 31 points, 21 rebounds and 4 assists. Although he received scholarship for playing basketball for Indiana University Hoosiers, he opted for Indiana State University at his home town.
4. He helped the Sycamores to finals of NCAA tournament for the first time in 1979 against Michigan State. The game achieved highest ratings for college basketball game, with Bird scoring 19 points.
5. Bird was the most successful player with Indiana State University. The Sycamores had gone 81-13 during his tenure and he was named the 1978-79 Naismith College Player of the Year.
6. Bird was picked by Boston Celtics in the 1978 NBA draft. As Bird still had one more year with Indiana State and he didn’t participate in the 1978-79 NBA. The Boston Celtics recorded 32-50 their worst ever result that year, since 1949-50.
7. Bird rejected sub-market offer by the Boston Celtics for 1979-80 season and threatened to go for 1979 NBA Draft. This prompted NBA for draft eligibility rule change known as the Bird Collegiate Rule.
8. Bird turned up for 1979-80 season after signing five year contract worth $ 3.25 million a record for rookie in league at that time.
9. He was selected to the All-Star Team and named Rookie of the Year 1979-80. He had an average of 21.3 points with 10.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists for the season.
10. His arrival transformed Celtics to finish first in the Eastern Conference. They were eliminated in the final by the Philadelphia 76ers. Bird led Celtics to Conference Final against Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980-81season. Celtics won 4 games to 3 to reach the NBA final against Houston Rockets.
11. In the 1980-81 NBA finals Celtics defeated Houston Rockets 4 games to 2 for Birds first championship win. He averaged 21.9 points with 14 rebounds and 6.1 assists. He made it to All-NBA First Team.
12. Bird again led Celtics to Conference finals for the third consecutive years against Philadelphia 76ers but lost the finals. Bird made it to All-Star team and scored 19 points in the Game. He was awarded All-Star Game MVP Award.
13. Celtics won the NBA Finals against Los Angeles 4 games to 3. Bird was named MVP of the season averaging 24.2 points with 10.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists
14. On March 12 of the 1984-85season, Bird set a record of scoring 60 points in a game against Atlanta Hawks.
15. Celtics lost the NBA Final against Los Angeles Lakers 2 games to 4in the 1984-85season. Bird was voted MVP for the second consecutive seasons. He averaged 28.7 points with 10.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists.
16. He won his third consecutive MVP award in the 1985-86season. He was the third player to do so. He had averaged 25.8 points with 9.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists.
17. Bird won the inaugural Third point contest scoring 22 points out of possible 30. Before the shootout he walked into locker room and challenged with the confidence of a winner.
18. With Bird averaging 24 points with 9.7 rebounds and 9.5 assists, Celtics won its third championship of the decade beating Houston Rockets 4 games to 2 in the 1985-86.
19. In 1987 Celtics reached finals of NBA Final with Bird, but lost the final hampered by devastating injuries. He averaged 24.2 points with 10 rebounds and 5.5 assists.
20. In 1980s Bird had an endorsement deal with ‘Weapon’ line of basketball shoes of Converse company.
21. Bird was selected along with Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and other NBA star to represent United States in the 1992 Olympic Games in Spain. They won gold medal defeating Croatia 117-85 in the finals.
22. On August 18, 1992, Bird announced his retirement as an NBA player. This prompted his team Celtics to retire his jersey number 33.
23. In 1989 he published his autobiography ‘Drive: The Story of My Life.’ It chronicles his life and career of his NBA seasons.
24. In 1997 he accepted to become coach of Indiana Pacers, despite having no previous coaching experience. He had committed for the period of three years.
25. Pacers with Bird at its helm recorded a best result in their NBA history during 1997-98 season. He led them to 58-24 record and he was named NBA Coach of the year for his efforts.
26. In 2003 he became President of Basketball Operations for Pacers. He had a say in its personnel and coaching moves and team’s draft selections. At the end of 2011-12 season he named NBA Executive of the Year.
27. On June 27, 2012 it was announced that he would be leaving Pacers at the end of the season due to his health issues. A year later it was announced, he will be back to his post as President.
28. For the 2008 NBA Finals between Celtics and LA Lakers, he appeared in the split screen advertisement with Magic Johnson as part of ‘There Can Be Only One’ campaign, discussing the meaning of rivalries. Un till then players from rival teams competing only featured.
29. Bird has the distinction of being named as MVP, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year in the NBA history till date.
30. He is nicknamed ‘Kodak’ for his uncanny ability to predict and react to the strategies of his opponents.
31.  Larry Bird Net Worth: $45 Million