Larry Bird is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He had an illustrious career with the Boston Celtics, winning 3 NBA championships and 3 MVP awards. Bird was known for his versatile offensive game and deadly shooting ability. However, he is best known as a right-handed shooter. This leads to an interesting question – did Larry Bird ever shoot left-handed in an NBA game?
Larry Bird’s Background
Larry Bird was born in 1956 in West Baden Springs, Indiana. He had a rough childhood, growing up in poverty with an absent father. Bird was introduced to basketball by his older brothers and he practiced obsessively from a young age. He became a local phenom in high school, leading his team to the state finals.
Bird attended Indiana State University where he had a storied college career. He led his team to the NCAA championship game in 1979, where they lost to Magic Johnson and Michigan State. Bird averaged 30.3 points and 13.3 rebounds per game his senior year of college.
The Boston Celtics selected Bird 6th overall in the 1978 NBA draft. Bird did not immediately join the NBA, instead playing one more year of college basketball. He signed with the Celtics in 1979 and went on to have an illustrious 13-year career in Boston.
Key Facts About Larry Bird
- Played full NBA career with Boston Celtics (1979-1992)
- 3x NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986)
- 3x NBA MVP (1984-1986)
- 12x NBA All-Star
- Known as a clutch shooter, passer, and rebounder
- One of the greatest small forwards in NBA history
- Member of 1992 USA Olympic “Dream Team”
- Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998
Bird was known for his competitive fire and trash talking. He had several legendary matchups against rivals like Magic Johnson and Julius Erving during his career. Bird was a quintessential team player who worked well with teammates like Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, and Dennis Johnson.
Larry Bird’s Shooting
Larry Bird had a smooth, effortless shooting stroke that allowed him to score effectively from anywhere on the court. He was dangerous from long range as well as around the basket. Some key stats about Bird’s shooting prowess:
- Career field goal %: .496
- Career 3-point %: .376
- Career free throw %: .886
- Career playoff FG%: .472
- 4 seasons with 50-40-90 shooting splits
- 3x 3-point contest champion
- Regularly ranked among league leaders in scoring average
Bird scored over 20 points per game in 11 of his 13 seasons in the league. His jump shot mechanics were nearly flawless – he kept the ball high, had a quick release, great arc, and textbook follow through. Bird could catch and shoot as well as create space for shots off the dribble. His shooting ability opened up passing lanes and he became an excellent playmaker.
Bird was a right-handed shooter for his entire basketball career. There is no record of him ever shooting jump shots left-handed in his youth, college, or NBA days. However, that leads to the fascinating question – did he ever take a left-handed shot during an NBA game?
Examining Games Where Bird May Have Shot Left-Handed
To determine if Larry Bird ever shot left-handed in an NBA game, let’s examine some games where he may have been forced or inclined to shoot with his left hand:
Games Where Bird Was Injured
Bird battled numerous injuries throughout his career related to his back, elbows, fingers, and feet. If his right hand or arm was injured, he may have been forced to shoot with his left. Some key games to examine:
- 1985-86 season – Bird injures his shooting elbow in January
- 1985 playoffs – Bird injures index finger on right hand
- 1988-89 season – Bird requires surgery on both feet
- 1989-90 season – Bird has elbow surgery in summer of 1989
There is no record of Bird shooting left-handed in any games following these injuries. He was known for his high pain tolerance and ability to play through injuries. Even with damaged fingers or elbows, he seemed capable of shooting effectively right-handed.
Games Where Bird May Have Been Fouled On Purpose
Opponents occasionally committed intentional fouls to make Bird shoot free throws left-handed. However, this strategy did not induce him to shoot left-handed:
- Nov. 15, 1985 vs. Seattle – Bird shoots FTs right-handed after a sore elbow
- May 31, 1987 vs. Detroit – Bird shoots FT right-handed after hard foul from Laimbeer
Bird never gave in to opponents’ ploys and stubbornly shot free throws right-handed, even when fouled hard on his sore shooting arm.
Blowout Games
If the Celtics were ahead by a large margin late in a game, it’s possible Bird may have shot left-handed just to play around. Some potential blowout games to analyze:
- Dec. 13, 1983 – Celtics lead Warriors by 22 entering 4th quarter
- March 31, 1986 – Celtics up 30 on Clippers entering 4th
- May 8, 1986 – Celtics lead Bulls 96-58 after 3 quarters
However, there is no evidence Bird shot left-handed during blowout games. He likely remained focused on playing properly and improving his skills even when games were out of hand.
All-Star Games
The NBA All-Star Game is more relaxed and provides a stage for showcasing skills. If Bird shot left-handed, it may have come in one of his 12 All-Star appearances. However, All-Star Games during his era remained relatively competitive. Bird averaged over 20 points per All-Star Game during his career – he seemed locked in despite the lack of defense.
Analysis of Bird Shooting Left-Handed
Though it would be interesting to discover Larry Bird hitting a left-handed shot, there are no accounts of him doing so in an NBA game. Several factors may explain this:
Bird’s Competitive Mentality
Larry Bird took every game extremely seriously and played to win at all costs. Even if his team had a huge lead, Bird remained focused on playing the right way. He would never compromise his mechanics or shooting form just to clown around. Bird also disliked giving opponents extra motivation through taunting or showing off.
Impact on Shooting Touch
Developing his flawless shooting form was Bird’s lifelong obsession. He was unlikely to jeopardize his perfect touch by shooting left-handed. Even while injured, Bird shot right-handed to ingrain proper mechanics. He understood the importance of deliberate practice.
Bird Was Not Ambidextrous
Though somewhat skilled with his left hand, Bird was not truly ambidextrous. He signed autographs and shot free throws right-handed. Bird could not simply switch hands and shoot jumpers left-handed with anywhere close to his normal accuracy. The made shot totals would reflect poorly in his stats.
Preserving His Image
Larry Bird cultivated an image as a no-nonsense competitor who saved his best for when it counted most. Shooting gratuitous left-handed shots would seem like hot-dogging and damage his serious demeanor. Maintaining this focused game face was important to Bird.
Conclusion
In summary, it appears highly unlikely that Larry Bird ever shot a field goal or free throw left-handed in an NBA game. He showed no inclination to shoot left-handed during his career despite injuries, fouls, or blowout games that may have led to it. Bird’s competitive drive and obsession with proper shooting form precluded him from attempting shots left-handed. His skills and statistics provide no indications that he deviated from shooting right-handed throughout his professional career. While it makes for an intriguing debate among fans, there remains no evidence that Larry Legend ever went left-handed in an NBA game.
