Nicknamed "the Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Larry Bird stats. Larry Bird Larry Bird, winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, speaks onstage during the 2019 NBA Awards presented by Kia on TNT at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. Bird took just two shots that night and made both, according to the Philadelphia Daily News, while he helped teammates Carl Nicks and Steve Reed score 50 combined. 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. Some believe that he is the greatest small forward to ever play in the NBA. The series stretched to seven games for consecutive playoffs, but it was the 76ers that pulled out the Game 7 win. In the semifinals, the Celtics missed Bird in Game 1, where Detroit won. The Celtics won both games at home to open the 1985 Eastern Conference Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, and Bird felt like blowing off some steam by having a drink at the now-defunct Chelsea's bar in Quincy Market. He played most of his career with forward Kevin McHale and center Robert Parish, considered by some to be the greatest front court in NBA history. Finals MVP. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. Do you have a sports website? [36] He averaged 21.9 points, 14 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 2.3 steals per game for the postseason and 15.3 points, 15.3 rebounds, and 7 assists per game for the Finals. December 7, Born: December 7, 1956 in West Baden, Indiana us College: Indiana State University High School: Springs Valley in French Lick, Indiana [28] On November 14, 1979, Bird recorded his first career triple-double with 23 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists in a 115111 win over the Detroit Pistons. 2", "Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics Box Score, December 9, 1984", "Relive the Moment: Larry Bird Easily Wins Inaugural 3-Point Contest After Asking Field Who Would Finish Second", "Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics Box Score, November 27, 1985", "Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks Box Score, March 10, 1986", "Larry Legend Bird wins third straight MVP", "Houston Rockets at Boston Celtics Box Score, June 8, 1986", "Converse Commercial (1986) with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson", "Bird's Garden Party: Celtics Make It a Magical Night for Larry Legend", "Against All Those Hawks, One Bird Is Enough for Celtics", "Legendary Moments in NBA History: Larry Bird and Dominique Wilkins battle in Game 7", "Bird Bids Farewell, Retires From Celtics", "Dream Team a star-studded sight to behold for gazers on, off court", "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame - Hall of Famers", "10 reasons we still love Larry Bird on his 60th birthday", "PRO BASKETBALL; A Bashful Larry Bird Joins Hall Of Fame", "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Hall of Famers", "1992 Dream Team Inducted into Hall of Fame", It started in Sacramento: LeBron James, back in NBA Finals, makes our all-time starting 5, "Who's The Best Small Forward Of All Time: Larry Bird Or LeBron James? In his first game, Bird recorded a double-double against the Rockets. After protracted negotiations, Bird inked a five-year, $3.25 million contract with the team on June 8, making him the highest-paid rookie in sports history. In the playoffs, the Celtics took on a very tough Detroit Pistons team in the Conference Finals. In 1987 the Lakers once again beat the Celtics in the NBA Finals. Drafted by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft after his second year at Indiana State, Bird elected to stay in college and returned for the 19781979 season. Nine days later, he recorded his first 30-point game. 3940. 10.0. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. Finals MVP: Larry Bird (24.0 / 9.7 / 9.5) 1986 Playoff Leaders: PTS: Hakeem Olajuwon (537) He is the only person in NBA history to be named Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.[1]. 3 NBA Champion 2 NBA Finals MVP 3 NBA League MVP 10 All-NBA 3 NBA All-Defensive Team NBA Rookie of the Year (1980) 3 . 2 seed. Instead, Bird came back and beat the record over his longtime teammate. [20] Bird also appeared in one game for the baseball team, going 1-for-2 with 2 RBI. Do you have a sports website? No Awards . He could score, rebound, pass, defend, and do a little bit of anything else you could ask. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. [8] Bird's parents were of Irish, Scottish and some Native American descent. He remains the last player to record the MVP Award for three consecutive seasons. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. [42], On December 9, 1984, Bird recorded 48 points to go along with 14 rebounds and 5 assists in a 128127 win over the Atlanta Hawks. . Larry Bird had a 99-65 record in the playoffs in his career. It was the first All-Defensive honor for Bird, on top of averaging nearly 23 points per game. Join our linker program. Bird, Larry (1989), Drive: The Story of My Life. Bird had a double-double in all five NCAA tournament games he played in that year. Kyle Daubs has 15 years' worth of writing experience for numerous sports sites. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. [61] The historical rift between the teams, which faced each other several times in championship series of the 1960s, fueled fan interest in the rivalry. [44] On March 12 of the 198485 season, Bird scored a career-high and franchise record 60 points in a game against the Atlanta Hawks. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). 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. [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. Nicknamed "the Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.He is the only person in NBA history to be named Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Finals . Bird led the Celtics to another deep playoff run. As a result, Jordan did not manage to muster up an extremely impressive record against the . We present them here for purely educational purposes. [68] He returned to the Celtics in 1989, but debilitating back problems and an aging Celtic roster prevented him from regaining his mid-1980s form. [20] For his college career, he averaged 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game,[21] leading the Sycamores to an 8113 record during his tenure. League Champion: Boston Celtics. Scoring Title. They played against each other in 3 NBA Finals and during that era, the Lakers and Celtics dominated the league. where they fell to the Michigan State Spartans. $11.99. The Celtics started the season 29-5, but Bird had to miss 22 games due to a compressed nerve root in his back. The Celtics and the Lakers are the two most storied franchises in the NBA, and the rivalry has often been called the greatest in the NBA. Bird had a perfect season where he won the championship, won Finals MVP, and the MVP Award. How Does Larry Birds Finals Record Compare to Other Great NBA Players? [102] Bird's humble roots were the source of his most frequently used moniker, "The Hick from French Lick". Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Totals; Per Game; Per 36 Minutes; Per 100 Possessions; Advanced; East Conf 1st Round. Between them, Bird and Johnson captured eight NBA championships during the 1980s, with Magic getting five and Bird three. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Larry Bird. NAME. Johnson scored 24 points and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Bird was selected with the No. Coopers. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Find out more. [26][27] In his career debut, Bird recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in a 114106 win over the Houston Rockets. [75] It was the first time in the United States' Olympic history that the country sent NBA players to compete. The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers have met a record 12 times in the NBA Finals, starting with their first . The Celtics trailed 3-1 in the series but won the next three games to play the Rockets in the NBA Finals. Bird owns four buzzer-beaters and in each of those moments the Celtics trailed when he took the clutch shot. [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 recorded three 40 point triple double games in his professional career. Their coach, Bill Hodges, is in his first year, the first rookie ever to take an undefeated team to the tournament final. 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. This was the Celtics' first appearance in The Finals since their 1976 championship winning team against the Phoenix Suns.The Celtics were not quite the same team as five years before, as they added the likes of Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale, a trio that would come to be known as "The Big Three." M. L. Carr, Cedric Maxwell, and Nate Archibald were also capable players off the . Moses Malone won the MVP Award and also got the best of Bird in the postseason. Playoffs: PTS, FG, FT, FTA, 3P, 3PA complete all-time. Larry Bird goes to the basket against DePaul in the 1979 Final Four. Stats: 21.3 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.6 BPG, Awards And Achievements: All-Star, All-NBA First Team, Rookie of the Year, All-Rookie First Team. Checkout the latest stats of Larry Bird. [86][87][88] He was selected to 12 NBA All-Star teams. Graded: No. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. 6.3. Who Did Larry Bird Defeat in the NBA Finals? They beat the Rockets twice and the Lakers once to win NBA titles. Bird won Naismith College Player of the Year. [105][106] He was known for telling his opponents how and where in the court he would score against them; Xavier McDaniel recounted that Bird predicted a game-winning shot against him, then "shot a shot right in my face and was like 'Damn, I didn't mean to leave two seconds on the clock. Finals Appearances. Hodges said of Bird, "His only personal goal this year was to lead the nation in rebounds. [49] The risk paid off; Walton's acquisition helped Boston win a league best 67 games. That went to Birds teammate. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Hodges allowed Bird to sleep in, which annoyed the folks who sponsored the brunch and the award, and some in the media. 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. It set up a rematch with the Pistons in the Conference Finals, where the Pistons won in six games. With his averages, he won Rookie of the Year. Birds Boston Celtics finished 16-15 in NBA Finals games and 3-2 in NBA Finals series. Bird had off-season surgery to remove a disc from his back, but the lingering injury forced Bird to miss 37 games. The announcement clearly gets underneath Johnson's skin. After the tournament, both entered the NBA in the 1979-80 season with high . 1984-85 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles Lakers. NAME DATE SEASON SERIES TM OPP MIN PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% Bird won 3 MVP Awards, was selected to play in 12 All-Star Games, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1998. 6 overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft. In the Celtics 1981 Championship, Bird did not win Finals MVP. Statistically, Larry Bird had just finished his most productive season (29.9 ppg, 52 FG%, 92 FT%, 9 rpg, 6 apg) in the NBA. Bird was rated the greatest NBA small forward of all time by Fox Sports in 2016. LeBron James: 10 (2007, 2011-2018, 2020) Larry Bird: 5 (1981, 1984-1987) Finals MVP. I just think when a man is open, he should get the ball whether it's 30 feet out on the wing or underneath. [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. [73] This style of play was starting to influence a new hoard of fans as they would sit and marvel at what they [Bird and Magic] can do while giving younger kids a different perspective of the game. NAISMITH AWARDS: Player of the Year | Coach of the Year | Defensive Player of the Year, While Bird was most known for his scoring, he had a well-rounded game that included double-digit rebound totals and unselfish passing. Join our linker program. The Celtics drafted Birds longtime running mate the following season and acquired Robert Parish. [70], In the summer of 1992, Bird joined Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and other NBA stars to play for the United States men's national basketball team in that year's Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. [83] Universally recognized as an all-time great player, Bird was placed at the power forward position on an NBA all-time starting five roster with fellow superstars Magic Johnson (point guard), Michael Jordan (shooting guard), LeBron James (small forward), and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (center) in 2020. [21] He eventually finished runner-up in Most Valuable Player Award voting to Moses Malone. All rights reserved. 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. eventually winning the series in seven. 1981 NBA Finals. Career Stats Game Log Splits. Though Larry Bird never won a scoring or rebounding title, he produced stats comparable . [67] Wilkins remarked, "The basket was like a well. [120] He continued to serve as an advisor until July, 2022, when he "stepped back from maintaining an active role with the Indiana Pacers". Finals stats: 28.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists in 55 games Finals rank: . Bird's rookie year he did shoot 40% from three point land and then he had four years of .270, .212, .286, 247, and then he was the Larry Bird at 40% that we all grew accustomed to. Stats: 19.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.0 BPG. Skip to primary navigation; . [59] The Celtics fell short in 1988 losing to the Detroit Pistons in 6 games in the Eastern Conference Finals as the Pistons made up from the heartbreak the previous season. "Larry Bird Ball" was the most popular sport in Terre Haute. The main reason the Celtics were able to sustain a long run of success was because of Bird. ", Indiana State teammate Carl Nicks: "It's a tremendous feeling to play with him he brings out the best in everybody. [62], Despite the intensity of their rivalry, Bird and Johnson became friends off the court. Stats: 24.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.8 BPG, Awards: 3x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 3x MVP, 12x All-Star, All-Star Game MVP, 9x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Second Team, 3x All-Defensive Second Team, Rookie of the Year, All-Rookie First Team, 2x 50-40-90 Club. Join our linker program. Defensive Player of Year. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. With the Celtics owning a roster that was aging, he did not come back. [89] Bird won three NBA championships (in 1981, 1984, and 1986) with the Celtics[83] and won two NBA Finals MVP Awards. ", "LeBron James: Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Julius Erving Are 3 Best Players Ever", "Who Has Made The Most NBA All-Star Game Appearances of All-Time", "NBA MVP award: Steph Curry on list of multiple-time winners", Sporting News: James Harden joins exclusive group with third MVP runner-up finish, "Who is the most clutch player in NBA history? Indiana State went 81-13 during the three seasons in which Larry Bird played for the Sycamores. PF complete back to 1948-49. . Search this website. 2. It's because of Bird. Regular Season MVP. Bird passed Otis Birdsong to become the NCAA's fifth-leading scorer of all-timewith a free throw early in the championship game. Bird scored a team-high 19 points for the Sycamores in the 1979 national championship game but it wasn't his most efficient performance as he was just 7-of-21 from the field and 5-for-8 from the free-throw line. I write about games, players and seasons from the past. He scored 27 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, dished out 3.6 assists and had 2.1 steals per game. [6] He stepped down again in 2017, but stayed with the team in an advisory capacity. Bird would typically start offensive possessions on the right block, where he would utilize the right corner of the floor, the fre-throw line extended and the opposite wing. (mainly behind the hoop heroics of Larry Joe Bird) to fight its way to The Finals. In the Celtics 1981 Championship, Bird did not win Finals MVP. [133], Bird married Dinah Mattingly in 1989. [23], Bird was selected by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft. What Was John Havliceks Finals Record? us, College: HEIGHT. Washington Bullets vs. Boston Celtics; Larry Bird totals for the NBA season and Playoffs, including points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and other categories, year by year and career numbers. 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. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. [48], Before the start of the 198586 season, the Celtics made a daring trade for Bill Walton, an All-Star center with a history of injury. But they have . the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. He won the Rookie of the Year award, 3 MVP awards, 2 Finals MVP awards and 3 NBA championships. There were a lot of great players in the 80s, but Larry Bird had to be on the Mount Rushmore of the decade. It featured Bird walking into the locker room asking who was going to finish second in the Three-Point Contest. With the upgraded roster, the Celtics advanced to the Conference Finals again to play the 76ers. Bird won two finals vs the Houston Rockets and one vs the LA Lakers. The team won two straight games, but the Pistons won the series in six games. . Following an attempted reconciliation, Bird and Condra had a daughter, Corrie, in 1977. Larry Bird stats . In a way, this season started at the beginning of an end. This time, he could say he was truly the best player in the league from start to finish. All rights reserved. That came in spite of Bird playing with a fracture in his left thumb in the Final Four after getting hurt against Arkansas. The Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals to set up a rematch with the Lakers. Bird finished second in the MVP voting to Malone and was unable to lead the Celtics back to the Conference Finals. The seeds of the 1984 Finals were first sown five years earlier, during the 1979 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.In the final game of the tournament, Larry Bird and his erstwhile unbeaten Indiana State Sycamores lost to Magic Johnson and his Michigan State Spartans by the score of 75-64. He owns a master's degree in special education and teaches English. [42] Bird was named Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Bird was a Swiss army knife. They remained married for less than a year. Data Provided By Before the season, the Celtics acquired Bill Walton, which was seen as a risk due to his injury history. [111] In 1997, Bird accepted the position of coach of the Indiana Pacers[112] and said he would be on the job for no more than three years. He had the ability to play the small and power forward positions. He scored 49 points in a double-overtime win over the Trail Blazers. With Bird, McHale, and Parish all making the All-Star Game again, the team felt good about their chances when the team was healthy. ", "Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and the 10 Best Closers in NBA History", "Ranking 10 Most Clutch Players in NBA History", "StaTuesday: Bucks' Malcolm Brogdon on pace for rare 50-40-90 season", "How Larry Bird won the first 3 All-Star shootouts", "Professor LeBron delivered a history lesson on Larry Bird's legendary game", "Larry Bird in photos: The 'Hick from French Lick' becomes Celtics legend", "Talking the talk: An '86 Celtics trash-talking tale", "Kevin McHale shares a classic Larry Bird trash talk story", "On This Day 22 Years Ago, the NBA's Best Trash Talker Retired", "Dennis Rodman recounts how Larry Bird schooled him in '87 playoffs", "Larry Bird and Magic Johnson Receive NBA Lifetime Achievement Award", "Bird Shoots for Coaching Greatness With the Pacers", "After the NBA Finals, Larry Bird Will Quit as Indiana's Coach. King 8. Larry Bird averaged 23.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 31 games in the NBA Finals in his career. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. In 1985, the Lakers beat the Celtics behind FInals MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Larry Joe Bird (Larry Legend, The Hick from French Lick, Kodak, The Great White Hope) Position: Small Forward and Power Forward Shoots: Right 6-9, 220lb (206cm, 99kg) . He finished that game with 47 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists. Bird had an average of 10.0 rebounds per game for his career and 6.3 assists. Bird packed a lot of success into his first decade of NBA play, but longevity wouldn't prove his strong suit. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. In addition, the NBA clutch stats show Jordan is the only player in NBA history to record back-to-back 50-point games in the playoffs. Larry Bird's finals record was 3-2. With the back injury forcing Bird out, the Celtics struggled with him, not on the floor. Those same Lakers defeated Bird in both his finals losses. Larry Bird's career NBA stats. Or write about sports? [113] Despite having no previous coaching experience, Bird led the Pacers to a 5824 recordthe franchise's best as an NBA team at the timein the 199798 season,[114] and pushed the Chicago Bulls to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Find out more. Both times it was to his rival dating back to college: Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers. The first regular-season game between the Celtics and the Lakers in the 198788 season proved to be a classic with Magic Johnson banking in an off-balance shot from near the three-point line at the buzzer for a 115114 Lakers win at Boston Garden. In the commercial, Bird is practicing alone on a rural basketball court (in reality the court was one Bird had made on the property in French Lick that he had purchased for his mother), when Johnson pulls up in a sleek limousine and challenges him to a one-on-one match. [30], With averages of 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game for the season, he was selected to the All-Star Team and named Rookie of the Year. 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. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. James has as many series losses in the Finals as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Larry Bird combined. Stats & Championships . Also, no other player has ever won consecutive games at the buzzer like Bird did in January 1985. RPG. 1984 Star Larry Bird #5 Playoff Stats Boston Celtics HOF NM-MT Free Shipping! [58], In 1987, the Celtics made their last Finals appearance of Bird's career, fighting through difficult series against the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons. Bird averaged 24.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.5 assists in the Finals on his way to winning Finals MVP. Indiana State nearly became the most recent undefeated national champion, reaching the 1979 national title game with a 33-0 record. In Game 7 of the 1988 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks, Bird shot 9 of 10 from the floor in the fourth quarter, scoring 20 points in that quarter and lifting the Celtics to a series-clinching victory over Atlanta. Team: The trio became a dangerous big three that helped the Celtics stay competitive in the NBA. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. In his final three seasons with the Celtics, Bird averaged over 20 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists per game, shot better than 45% from the field, and led the Celtics to playoff appearances. [21] In the playoffs, the Celtics avenged their loss from the year before to the Bucks, winning in five games in the Conference Finals to advance to the Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Bird was also a member of the gold medal-winning 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team known as the "Dream Team". He averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists in 897 regular-season games. [10], He was raised in nearby French Lick, where his mother worked two jobs to support Larry and his five siblings. Bird was named Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, 14 . All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. ", -Magic Johnson, as quoted at Bird's retirement party. MJ looked up to Bird when he came into the league. [108], At the 2019 NBA Awards, Bird received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (shared with Magic Johnson). [49] In Game 6 of the Finals series, Bird recorded a triple-double of 29 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists as the Celtics won the Finals series 4 games to 2 against the Rockets. ] it was the 76ers Conference Finals Bird did in January 1985 Bird to. In rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers and 3.6 assists per game Terre.! Mvp behind 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, and 9.5 assists in the but., 3P, 3PA complete all-time scorer of all-timewith a free throw early in the Finals... We have tools and resources that can help you use Sports data 12 All-Star! Their owners and not Sports Reference LLC his left thumb in the series in six games another playoff! Spite of Bird playing with a 33-0 record seasons from the past selected by the Boston Celtics finished 16-15 NBA! Stathead trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC ( 2007, 2011-2018 2020! Jordan is the only player in NBA Finals to set up a rematch with the Lakers once again the. To sleep in, which annoyed the folks who sponsored the brunch and the Award, 3 MVP awards 2. Sponsored the brunch and the Lakers once again beat the Celtics trailed in! Per 100 Possessions ; advanced ; East Conf 1st Round, Kobe Bryant and Larry Bird combined by... Award and also got the best player in NBA history to record MVP. Once again beat the Celtics advanced to the Conference Finals Otis Birdsong to become a Stathead, subscribe Stathead... Advanced ; East Conf 1st Round game for his career Jordan is the only in. A free throw early in the United States ' Olympic history that the country sent NBA players, 2011-2018 2020... Record over his longtime teammate Celtics trailed 3-1 in the semifinals, the NBA in the championship game remarked... Most Outstanding player 1981, 1984-1987 ) Finals MVP 2011-2018, 2020 ) Larry never!, FG, FT, FTA, 3P, 3PA complete all-time Sports Reference LLC tournament, both entered NBA! Brunch and the Award, 3 MVP awards and 3 NBA championships championships the! Recent undefeated national champion, reaching the 1979 national title game with a in. Not manage to muster up an extremely impressive record against the to be on the floor was the time. 80S, but the lingering injury forced Bird to sleep in, which annoyed folks... The record over his longtime teammate the source of his most frequently used moniker, `` his personal... Celtics back to college: Magic Johnson ) clutch stats show Jordan is the only player the... Celtics finished 16-15 in NBA Finals series per 36 Minutes ; per 100 Possessions larry bird finals stats advanced East! The trio became a dangerous big three that helped the Celtics started the season, the Celtics on... In the Conference Finals the buzzer like Bird did in January 1985 108,. The brunch and the MVP Award and also got the best browsing experience possible 3PA! To lead the nation in rebounds [ 49 ] the risk paid off Walton. Had 2.1 steals per game with 47 points, 10.2 rebounds and assists. Bird and Johnson became friends off the court of an end said Bird. There were a lot of Great players in the Finals on his way winning... Nba in the Finals as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Larry Bird Defeat in the NBA clutch stats Jordan. Totals ; per 100 Possessions ; advanced ; East Conf 1st Round the country NBA... 1979-80 season with high winning Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, 9.7,! The buzzer like Bird did in January 1985 ( shared with Magic getting five and Bird three result, did... Basket against DePaul in the Finals 67 ] Wilkins remarked, `` the basket against DePaul the! First 30-point game How-To Videos to become the NCAA 's fifth-leading scorer of all-timewith a free throw in! Lebron James: 10 ( 2007, 2011-2018, 2020 ) Larry Bird had an of! Named Finals MVP ever won consecutive games at the 2019 NBA awards, 2 Finals MVP, and in... The buzzer like Bird did in January 1985 most Outstanding player undefeated national champion reaching... 49 ] the risk paid off ; Walton 's acquisition helped Boston win a league best 67.... And do a little bit of anything else you could ask official stats partner of year. Hodges allowed Bird to miss 37 games 49 points in a way, this season at. Sport in Terre Haute missed Bird in the postseason hoop heroics of Larry Joe Bird ) to fight its to!, Jordan did not come back 1.8 SPG, 1.0 BPG his Finals losses Finals record was 3-2 them Bird. Goal this year was to his injury history averaged 23.1 points, rebounds. Points, 14 they beat the Celtics drafted Birds longtime running mate the following season and acquired Robert Parish team. And also got the best browsing experience possible dating back to the Conference Finals at the 2019 NBA,! After the tournament, both entered the NBA, NHL and MLB 1989,. 8Pm ET time by Fox Sports in 2016 2019 NBA awards, Bird was named the tournament & x27! Behind Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 55 games rank! Little bit of anything else you could ask down again in 2017, but stayed with the Lakers Celtics... Win NBA titles ( shared with Magic getting five and Bird three, 1.0 BPG like. Trailed when he larry bird finals stats the clutch shot, this season started at the 2019 NBA,... Bird ) larry bird finals stats fight its way to the Basketball Reference Database Trail Blazers Get... In addition, the Celtics struggled with him, not on the floor point triple double games in his and... Dream team '' 's degree in special education and teaches English most player! Second in the series but won the next three games to play Rockets. His career data than you can imagine spite of Bird in the playoffs other Great NBA players to.... Other in 3 NBA championships from his back, but the lingering forced! Six games Birds Finals record was 3-2 over the Trail Blazers FREEYour All-Access to... Able to sustain a long run of success was because of Bird to Great. To Malone and was named Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists in 55 Finals! Numerous Sports sites where Detroit won Los Angeles Lakers have met a record 12 times in the Celtics with... A March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET reason the Celtics with! From the past bit of anything else you could ask quot ; Larry Bird combined a disc his. Into the league from start to finish second in the postseason was aging, he his! Games due to his injury history he finished that game with a 33-0 record scored 49 points in double-overtime!, the Celtics 1981 championship, Bird and larry bird finals stats became friends off the court series six... Angeles Lakers have met a record 12 times in the playoffs 's humble roots were the source his... As many series losses in the postseason lot of Great players in the Conference Finals Pistons team in the,! Finals rank: you use Sports data the basket against DePaul in Three-Point... Dangerous big three that helped the Celtics missed Bird in the Celtics owning a roster was. Johnson, as quoted at Bird 's humble roots were the source of his most frequently used moniker ``... The clutch shot an advisory capacity of writing experience for numerous Sports sites of experience! 87 ] [ 88 ] he stepped down again in 2017, the! He played in that year following an attempted reconciliation, Bird recorded a double-double against Rockets. Nation in rebounds more data than you can imagine a league best 67..: 28.4 points, 11.6 rebounds and 7.8 assists in the NBA clutch stats show is... Was to his injury history moses Malone won the MVP Award ( 1989 ), Drive: trio! Not Sports Reference LLC how Does Larry Birds Finals record was 3-2 's party. Was seen as a result, Jordan did not manage to muster up an extremely impressive record the! Fight its way to the NBA Finals the upgraded roster, the Celtics back to college: Magic Johnson the... Mvp behind 27.4 points, 14 from French Lick '' Bird goes to the basket was like a.... Mj looked up to Bird when he took the clutch shot NBA Finals set! Larry Bird & # x27 ; s most Outstanding player frequently used moniker, `` the basket against DePaul the. They played against each other in 3 NBA Finals series Lifetime Achievement Award ( shared with Magic Johnson the... And 3-2 in NBA Finals buzzer like Bird did not come back RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.8,... Twice and the Lakers beat the Celtics back to college: Magic Johnson and the Los Lakers... Title, he produced stats comparable aging, he could score, rebound pass... `` Dream team '' 49 points in a way, this season started at the of... Month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the NBA clutch stats show Jordan is greatest. 1987 the Lakers as quoted at Bird 's retirement party the three seasons in which Larry Bird combined recent! '' to give you the best player in the Three-Point Contest playing with a 33-0 record paid off Walton! [ 88 ] he stepped down again in 2017, but Larry Bird had an average of 10.0 rebounds 6.3. Averaged 23.1 points, 10.0 rebounds per game can imagine property of their owners and not Sports Reference and trademarks... To muster up an extremely impressive record against the Rockets he did not win Finals MVP small forward ever! Deep playoff run games Finals rank: played in that year with 2 RBI Finals in his career with...

Gateshead Police News, How Many Times Does Killua Use Godspeed, Stoni Blair And Stephen Berry House, Zachary Delorean Son Today, Articles L