Larry Bird turns 70 this December, and his name is still handed out every spring: since 2022 the Eastern Conference Finals MVP has lifted the Larry Bird Trophy. In 2024 the free-to-enter Larry Bird Museum opened in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Here is how the Hick from French Lick became Larry Legend, and helped revive a league along the way. Shop every hoops icon in our basketball collection.
Larry Bird Fact File
| Full name | Larry Joe Bird |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 7 December 1956 (age 69) |
| Place of birth | West Baden Springs, Indiana, USA |
| Height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Position | Small forward / power forward |
| Nationality | American |
| Current status | Retired; former Pacers coach and president |
| Shirt number | 33 (retired by Boston) |
| Nickname | Larry Legend, the Hick from French Lick |
Career History
| Years | Team | Games | Points | PPG | RPG | APG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976–1979 | Indiana State (NCAA) | – | – | 30.3 | 13.3 | 4.6 |
| 1979–1992 | Boston Celtics | 897 | 21,791 | 24.3 | 10.0 | 6.3 |
| Playoffs | Boston Celtics | 164 | – | 23.8 | 10.3 | 6.5 |
NBA figures from Basketball-Reference. As Pacers head coach (1997–2000) he went 147-67 in the regular season.
French Lick to Indiana State
Bird averaged 31 points and 21 rebounds as a senior at Springs Valley High. After a brief spell at Indiana University he moved to Indiana State, and Boston drafted him sixth overall in 1978 while he still had a season of college left.
In 1978–79 Indiana State went 33-0 before losing the NCAA final to Magic Johnson's Michigan State. The rivalry born that night is widely credited with reviving the NBA.
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Rookie of the Year to Three-Time MVP
Bird signed what was then the richest rookie contract in sport and won Rookie of the Year in 1980. A first title came in 1981 against Houston.
In 1984 he beat Magic's Lakers in seven games to win the title and Finals MVP, and that season began a run of three straight MVP awards, a feat matched only by Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. In March 1985 he scored a career-high 60 points against Atlanta.
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1986 and the Steal
The 1985–86 Celtics won 67 games, and Bird sealed the title against Houston with a triple-double in Game 6, collecting his second Finals MVP. In Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference finals he stole a Detroit inbound pass with seconds left and fed Dennis Johnson for the winning layup.
He also won three straight Three-Point Contests and posted two 50-40-90 shooting seasons.
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Dream Team and the Pacers
Back trouble slowed his final years, and he retired in August 1992 after winning Olympic gold with the Dream Team. He later coached the Pacers to the 2000 NBA Finals and, as their president, became the first person to win NBA MVP, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year.
Honours
Boston Celtics
- NBA champion: 1981, 1984, 1986
Individual
- NBA MVP: 1984, 1985, 1986
- NBA Finals MVP: 1984, 1986
- Rookie of the Year: 1980
- 12 All-Star selections
- Three-Point Contest: 1986, 1987, 1988
- Naismith Hall of Fame: 1998 (and 2010 with the Dream Team)
International and front office
- Olympic gold: 1992
- NBA Coach of the Year: 1998
- NBA Executive of the Year: 2012
Off the Court
Bird published his autobiography, Drive, in 1989 and has appeared in films including Blue Chips and Space Jam. He insisted that entry to the Larry Bird Museum in Terre Haute be free for every fan.
FAQs
How old is Larry Bird?
Larry Bird was born on 7 December 1956, so he is 69 and turns 70 in December 2026.
Where was Larry Bird born?
He was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana, and grew up in nearby French Lick.
How tall is Larry Bird?
He is 6 ft 9 in, about 2.06 m.
What teams did Larry Bird play for?
He played his whole NBA career with the Boston Celtics (1979–1992), after college at Indiana State.
How many MVPs did Larry Bird win?
Three regular-season MVPs in a row (1984, 1985 and 1986), plus two Finals MVPs.
What was Larry Bird's famous steal?
In Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference finals he stole an inbound pass with Boston trailing by a point and set up Dennis Johnson's winning layup against Detroit.
Shop the Larry Bird Collection
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Browse more Boston heroes in our Boston Celtics collection and every hoops legend in our basketball collection, or create your own with our custom name hoodie.
Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan.
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