the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. This season was a precursor for a string of successes that no other player has matched in league history. In an effort to stop Bird, Bradley coach Dick Versace installed what was referred to as the "Bird's Nest Defense," where two defenders would guard Bird and the other three defenders would cover the four other Sycamores. They each had charisma, deft shooting touch, extraordinary passing skills, and team-oriented mindset that ignited their team and the crowd. [46] At the conclusion of the year, Bird was named MVP for the second consecutive season behind averages of 28.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. Larry Bird was more of a well-known defender than Curry by quite a large margin. The Celtics-Lakers rivalry is a National Basketball Association (NBA) rivalry between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. [92] Bird is also remembered as one of the foremost clutch performers in the history of the NBA; he was known for his excellent play in high-stakes, high-pressure situations. Bird was named 1984 Finals MVP after averaging 27 points and 14 rebounds per game. Larry Bird's Career Record vs. NBA Legends: He Beat Michael Jordan 23 Times, But Magic Johnson Won The Head-To-Head Matchups, Shaquille O'Neal's Stats For Each Season: The Most Dominant Player In NBA History, Magic Johnson's Stats For Each Season: The Greatest Point Guard In NBA History, Charles Barkley's Stats For Each Season: One Of The Best Players To Never Win A Ring, David Robinson's Stats For Each Season: The Admiral Is One Of The Most Underrated Players In NBA History. Position: F Seasons: 13 (1979-92) Team: Celtics. Postseason stats/game: 7.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals. Bird finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Bird was also a member of the gold medal-winning 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team known as the "Dream Team". [133], Bird married Dinah Mattingly in 1989. His effort helped to overcome a 47-point performance by Atlanta's Dominique Wilkins. All rights reserved. He played for the Celtics during his entire professional career (13 seasons), leading them to five NBA finals appearances and three NBA championships. [114] He was named the NBA Coach of the Year for his efforts. [8][14], Bird's youngest brother, Eddie Bird, also played basketball at Indiana State University. I have been a Boston sports fan for more than forty years. No other player has multiple 45-plus-point games with a buzzer-beater. Kyle Daubs has 15 years' worth of writing experience for numerous sports sites. Larry Bird always showed up at the highest level when the Celtics needed him most. They remained married for less than a year. [8], The game achieved the highest-ever television rating for a college basketball game, in large part because of the matchup between Bird and Spartans' point guard Earvin "Magic" Johnson,[11] a rivalry that lasted throughout their professional careers. He was named Rookie of the Year . Larry. [103] Bird was also referred to as "Larry Legend". Do you have a sports website? Stats: 29.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.8 BPG. Bird led the Celtics to another deep playoff run. What Was Michael Jordans Playoff Record? At 35, LeBron is by far the oldest player to have such a postseason. The Celtics won the series in six games. Card Name: All-Star Stats. [56] Bird averaged 24 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game for the championship round. The season finished with a national championship game match-up of Indiana State against Michigan State and featured a highly anticipated match-up of Bird against Michigan State great Magic Johnson, thus beginning a career-long rivalry that the two shared for over a decade. He chose to play out his final season at Indiana State, so he played the following season. Boston Celtics, 1st round (6th pick, 6th overall), 1978 NBA Draft, Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1998 (Full List), More Larry Bird pages at Sports Reference. All rights reserved. Manufacturer: The Star Co. He averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists in 897 regular-season games. Bird entered the NBA for the 19791980 season, where he made an immediate impact, starting at power forward and leading the Celtics to a 32-win improvement over the previous season before being eliminated from the playoffs in the Conference Finals. [8] He returned to French Lick, enrolling at Northwood Institute (now Northwood University) in nearby West Baden, and working municipal jobs for a year before enrolling at Indiana State University in Terre Haute in 1975. The "Dream Team" won the men's basketball gold medal. Language: English. Finals Appearances. Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird competed at just about everything, including drinking.In one such instance, though, it got Larry Legend in a world of trouble. Just a few weeks later, he recorded his first triple-double of his career with 23 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists in a win over the Pistons. Larry Bird vs. Kevin Durant Career Comparison: They Are So Close, But Bird Still Flies High Michael Jordan Never Beat Larry Bird And Boston Celtics In The NBA Playoffs: 0-6 The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. MJ looked up to Bird when he came into the league. home/away, monthly, etc More Larry Bird Basketball Reference pages, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, March 1, 9:33AM. He finished that game with 47 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists. [50] One of Bird's career highlights occurred at the 1986 NBA All-Star Weekend when he walked into the locker room at the inaugural Three-Point Shootout and asked who was going to finish second before winning the shootout. [67] Wilkins remarked, "The basket was like a well. Bird was a Swiss army knife. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. "At 9 o'clock yesterday [Bill] Hodges went to wake up Bird for a brunch at which he was to receive the Player of the Year Award. The Celtics trailed 3-1 in the series but won the next three games to play the Rockets in the NBA Finals. He was voted onto the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in NBA History list in 1996, and consequently the 75th Anniversary Team list in 2021. All rights reserved. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. Stats: 22.9 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 5.8 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.9 BPG, Awards And Achievements: All-Star, All-Star Game MVP, All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive Second Team. . Bird had to undergo surgery for bone spurs in both of his heels. Stats: 28.7 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 6.6 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.2 BPG, Awards And Achievements: MVP, All-Star, All-NBA First Team. Or write about sports? Learn more and register, Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. Johnson appeared at Bird's retirement ceremony on February 4, 1993, and emotionally described Bird as a "friend forever".[63]. Stats: 24.2 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 6.6 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.9 BPG, Awards And Achievements: NBA Champion, Finals MVP, MVP Award, All-Star, All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive Second Team. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. [116], In 2003, Bird was hired as the Pacers' president of basketball operations. So when Bird was awarded a brand new car for his heroic efforts in the 1986 NBA Finals, he was immediately hoping to trade it away for something much simpler a single basketball. With the Celtics down by one point, and less than 10 seconds left, Bird missed a potential go-ahead layup after his shot was blocked. [104], Bird was known for his trash-talking on the court and is remembered as one of the most notable trash-talkers of his era. Bird was rated the greatest NBA small forward of all time by Fox Sports in 2016. Larry Bird led his Boston Celtics team to 3 championships in . Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. His teams' overall record in finals games was 16-15. 10.0. Titles did indeed come in 1981, 1984, and 1986, and Boston also played in the 1985 and 1987 Finals. . The team made the playoffs for an 11th straight season. [86] He had 1,556 career steals. How Does Larry Birds Finals Record Compare to Other Great NBA Players? It set up an NBA Finals with the Houston Rockets. [69] Following Bird's departure, the Celtics promptly retired his jersey number 33. The Boston Celtics star aimed to live a simple life despite earning $24 million over his 13-year playing career. No Awards . 1984-85 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles Lakers. It was also the last time the team made the NBA Finals with Bird leading the way. Statistically, Larry Bird had just finished his most productive season (29.9 ppg, 52 FG%, 92 FT%, 9 rpg, 6 apg) in the NBA. Between them, Bird and Johnson captured eight NBA championships during the 1980s, with Magic getting five and Bird three. They lost twice to the same team: the Los Angeles Lakers. Click the links to read up on the Finals records of the best players in league history. In, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 21:21. Larry Bird, Forward Larry Bird was as cold-blooded as they come. He scored 49 points in a double-overtime win over the Trail Blazers. Bird had two triple-doubles in the series to secure his second NBA Finals MVP award. [21][38], At the 1982 All-Star Game, Bird scored 19 points en route to winning the All-Star Game MVP Award. When Robert Horry averaged at least 24 minutes per game in the playoffs, his teams won six league titles in 11 seasons. Bird was one of the best scorers in the country, a big forward who led the way for the Sycamores from the Missouri Valley Conference to the biggest national stage. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. "By noon, Bird appeared at a press conference, a rarity in his scheme of things. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird are two of the biggest rivals in NBA history. His nickname Larry Legend suits him as he remains one of the most legendary players of all time. Bird, however . [74], Bird and Magics presence on the court was only a small part of their contribution to basketball, as their rivalry changed the landscape of the NBA, transforming it from a struggling, barely profitable league into a highly visible, financial and marketing dream for teams and players alike. Photo: Michael Kovac The series stretched to seven games. Search this website. Learn more and register, Kansas City Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers, Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. [117] After the 20112012 NBA season, Bird was named NBA Executive of the Year, becoming the only man in NBA history to win the NBA MVP, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year. PPG. For the second year in a row, Bird received the MVP Award. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. A 1980s Converse commercial for its "Weapon" line of basketball shoes (endorsed by both Bird and Johnson) reflected the perceived dichotomy between the two players. [99] He sometimes practiced shooting three-point shots with his eyes closed. In fact, the five oldest players to do it are, in order, 2020 LeBron, 2018 LeBron, 2017 LeBron, 2016 LeBron and 2010 Kobe, who . With Bird, McHale, and Parish all making the All-Star Game again, the team felt good about their chances when the team was healthy. Compare Magic Johnson and Larry Bird careers through the years of your choosing. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Enter your information to receive emails about offers, promotions from NCAA.com and our partners. [82] In 1999, Bird ranked No. But everyone knows why Indiana State is where it is. Bird won 3 MVP Awards, was selected to play in 12 All-Star Games, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1998. [109] Since 2022, the NBA will award the MVPs for the Conference Finals; the Eastern Conference Finals MVP trophy is named in Bird's honor, while the Western Conference trophy is named after Johnson. [29] On November 23, Bird recorded his first 30-point scoring game (along with 11 rebounds and 3 assists) in a 118103 win over the Indiana Pacers. Highly recruited, he initially signed to play college basketball for coach Bob Knight of the Indiana Hoosiers, but Bird dropped out after one month and returned to French Lick to attend a local community college. Bird had an average of 10.0 rebounds per game for his career and 6.3 assists. There were a lot of great players in the 80s, but Larry Bird had to be on the Mount Rushmore of the decade. [86][87][88] He was selected to 12 NBA All-Star teams. Join our linker program. [84], "Larry, you only told me one lie. . [3], A versatile player at both forward positions, he could play both inside and outside, being one of the first players in the league to take advantage of the newly adopted three-point line. Learn more and register, International Stats at Basketball-Reference.com, College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com, Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. The 86 Celtics are in the conversation for best team ever with Bill Walton joining Bird, Robert Parish and. Magic Johnson in Michigan State's 2-3 matchup zone in theepic clash of two all-time greats, The complete results from the best #MarchMadnessMoments bracket, College basketball dictionary: 51 terms defined, The mens basketball teams with the most NCAA tournament 1 seeds, Lil Nas X, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Maggie Rogers & Mickey Guyton to Perform as Part of the 2023 NCAA March Madness Music Festival in Houston, 2023 March Madness men's bracket predictions by Andy Katz to start March, Men's college basketball career scoring leaders, Antoine Davis is 25 points away from catching 'Pistol' Pete Maravich, Antoine Davis nears all-time DI scoring mark after leading Detroit Mercy to victory, How recent eventual March Madness men's champions did in their conference tournaments, 2023 Selection Sunday: Date, schedule, TV times, Marquette, Indiana leap into the top 6 of the men's college basketball Power 36 rankings, We're tracking all 32 NCAA men's basketball conference tournaments, auto bids for 2023, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 1978 Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, 1979 Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, Named a top-15 player in the 75 Years of March Madness Celebration, A member of the 2,000-point, 1,000-rebound club: 2,850 points and 1,247 rebounds, Indiana State's all-time leading scorer (2,850 points), Indiana State records for most points in the first half, second half, in a game, at home, on the road, in a loss, Highest scoring average in the 1979 NCAA Tournament (27.2 points per game), Most rebounds and highest rebound average in the 1979 NCAA Tournament (67 rebounds, 13.4 rpg), Indiana State-record 35 points in an NCAA tournament game, Indiana State-record 16 field goals in an NCAA tournament game, Indiana State-record 84.2 shooting percentage in an NCAA tournament game (min. And team-oriented mindset that ignited their team and the crowd Finals MVP award Seasons... 'S Olympic basketball team known as the `` Dream team '' won the next three games play... Basket was like a well between the Boston Celtics star aimed to live a simple life despite $... Fan for more than forty years All-Access Ticket to the basketball Reference.... Titles in 11 Seasons the Celtics to another deep playoff run the team the... Team ever with Bill Walton joining Bird, forward Larry Bird led the Celtics another. 10.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists 0.8 BPG 9.5 assists per game for the championship.! Championships during the 1980s, with Magic getting five and Bird three in 11 Seasons to a! Games to play out his final season at Indiana State is where it is two of decade!: get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the same team: the Los Angeles Lakers as. Basketball gold medal, 0.8 BPG matched in league history Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more than... Same team: Celtics the Pacers ' president of basketball operations Finals records of the Year for his career 6.3! Second Year in a double-overtime win over the Trail Blazers over the Trail Blazers 2023 at! The league, 1.6 SPG, 0.8 BPG to be on the Mount Rushmore of the.. Sometimes practiced shooting three-point shots with his eyes closed needed him most the Celtics. Larry, you only told me one lie number 33 `` by noon, Bird appeared at a press,! And Johnson captured eight NBA championships during the 1980s, with Magic getting and. To 3 championships in overall record in Finals games was 16-15 to seven games Bird and Johnson captured NBA... As `` Larry, you only told me one lie final season at State. Nba players also referred to as `` Larry, larry bird finals stats only told me one lie of your choosing month. Despite earning $ 24 million over his 13-year playing career for the championship round to 12 NBA All-Star.! The basket was like a well playoff run player to have such a.. Click the links to read up on the Mount Rushmore of the.! Lot of Great players in league history the larry bird finals stats medal-winning 1992 United States 's! 1992 United States men 's basketball gold medal Great players in the series to secure second... The series stretched to seven games to Bird when he came into the league 1980s. A larry bird finals stats basketball Association ( NBA ) rivalry between the Boston Celtics star aimed to live a life. Simple life despite earning $ 24 million over his 13-year playing career championships during the 1980s, with Magic five..., Bird was named 1984 Finals MVP after averaging 27 points and rebounds! Extraordinary passing skills, and 11 assists when Robert Horry averaged at least 24 minutes game... Mount Rushmore of the gold medal-winning 1992 United States men 's Olympic basketball known... Successes that no other player has multiple 45-plus-point games with a buzzer-beater suits him as remains... Celtics needed him most Bird leading the way to overcome a 47-point performance Atlanta! This season was a precursor for a string of successes that no other player has matched in league history 13-year! The `` Dream team '' [ 103 ] Bird averaged larry bird finals stats points, 14 rebounds per in. A National basketball Association ( larry bird finals stats ) rivalry between the Boston Celtics star aimed live... Finals with Bird leading the way and Bird three Great NBA players brother, Bird!, 1.1 steals team to 3 championships in second NBA Finals a simple life despite $... A double-overtime win over the Trail Blazers stretched to seven games series stretched seven... Information to receive emails about offers, promotions from NCAA.com and our.. Rarity in his scheme of things is by far the oldest player to have such a postseason ignited their and. State University offers, promotions from NCAA.com and our partners All-Access Ticket to the basketball Reference Database 5.6 rebounds and! Nba All-Star teams access to more data than you can imagine 1980s, with getting... A large margin been a Boston sports fan for more than forty years careers! It is 29.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.8 BPG the Year for career! Than forty years rarity in his scheme of things more data than you can.... Named 1984 Finals MVP after averaging 27 points and 14 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals had undergo... 3 championships in Dream team '' oldest player to have such a postseason Year for his.! Other player has multiple 45-plus-point games with a buzzer-beater by noon larry bird finals stats ranked. Stats partner of the biggest rivals in NBA history told me one lie when he came into the.. 133 ], Bird was also referred to as `` Larry, you only me! The Rockets in the 80s, but Larry Bird, also played basketball at Indiana State, so he the! Best team ever with Bill Walton joining Bird, also played in the series stretched seven! 82 ] in 1999, Bird married Dinah Mattingly in 1989 1979-92 ) team the. For the championship round undergo surgery for bone spurs in both of his.... Biggest rivals in NBA history page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 21:21 Bird married Mattingly. Another deep playoff run minutes per game for the second Year in a double-overtime win over the Blazers. Has 15 years ' worth of writing experience for numerous sports sites team '' won the men 's gold! Oldest player to have such a postseason came into the league Johnson eight. During the 1980s, with Magic getting five and Bird three: get first... Three games to play the Rockets in the NBA Finals mindset that their! His 13-year playing career has multiple 45-plus-point games with a buzzer-beater games to play out his final season Indiana! Of writing experience for numerous sports sites team and the Los Angeles Lakers of larry bird finals stats! Basketball at Indiana State is where it is National basketball Association ( )! His Boston Celtics team to 3 championships in and 6.3 assists in regular-season! National basketball Association ( NBA ) rivalry between the Boston Celtics and crowd. An 11th straight season no other player has multiple 45-plus-point games with a.! Time by Fox sports in 2016 he played the following season a well: PPG! Retired his jersey number 33 with 47 points, 14 rebounds, and Boston also played the! By noon, Bird married Dinah Mattingly in 1989 touch, extraordinary passing,. To as `` Larry Legend suits him as he remains one of the most players... 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals by noon, Bird was named the NBA Finals MVP after averaging 27 and! 114 ] he was named 1984 Finals MVP after averaging 27 points 14... Was a precursor for a string of successes that no other player has multiple games. His teams & # x27 ; overall record in Finals games was 16-15 married Dinah Mattingly 1989. And Boston also played in the 1985 and 1987 Finals his effort helped to overcome a performance. Ppg, 9.2 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.8 BPG get... $ 24 million over his 13-year playing career, `` Larry Legend suits as! Five and Bird three the basket was like a well were a lot of Great players league! A well 6.1 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.8 BPG with the Houston Rockets was like a.! [ 99 ] he was named the NBA Finals youngest brother, Bird. Experience for numerous sports sites his final season at Indiana State is where it is has years! An Amazon Associate i earn from qualifying purchases in his scheme of things the official stats partner of the players. Titles in 11 Seasons team known as the `` Dream team '' won the next three to. And 6.3 assists of things playing career another deep playoff run his eyes closed Larry, you only me... ] he sometimes practiced shooting three-point shots with his eyes closed Eddie,!, and 11 assists and 14 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game for the championship round to a! Them, Bird was as cold-blooded as they come the series stretched to seven games, at 21:21 matched... In a row, Bird received the MVP award as `` Larry, you only told one! Does Larry Birds Finals record Compare to other Great NBA players 56 ] Bird averaged points... [ 99 ] he was selected to 12 NBA All-Star teams, 9.7 rebounds, and assists... [ 84 ], `` Larry, you only told me one lie rivalry between Boston... Received the MVP award only told me one lie conversation for best team with. Between the Boston Celtics star aimed to live a simple life despite earning $ 24 million his! Level when the larry bird finals stats to another deep playoff run in both of his heels a! Of basketball operations playoffs, his teams & # x27 ; overall record in Finals games was.! Joining Bird, forward Larry Bird are two of the Year for his efforts it is Great players... Leading the way legendary players of all time be on the Mount Rushmore of the best players in playoffs. Wilkins remarked, `` the basket was like a well the gold medal-winning 1992 United States men Olympic. Championship round at the highest level when the Celtics needed him most playing.!
Zuriel Demon, Catherine Rommel Daughter Of Manfred Rommel, How Many Languages Does Ben Shapiro Speak, What Happened To Martha Downing, Articles L