Larry Bird is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. During his 13-year NBA career with the Boston Celtics, he won 3 NBA championships and 3 MVP awards. But before reaching stardom in the NBA, Bird played basketball at various levels going back to high school.
High School
Larry Bird attended Springs Valley High School in French Lick, Indiana from 1973 to 1974. He led the Springs Valley Blackhawks to a 33-1 record and a sectional championship in his senior year. Bird averaged 31 points, 21 rebounds and 4 assists per game and was named Indiana’s Mr. Basketball.
College
After high school, Larry Bird played college basketball at Indiana State University from 1974 to 1979. He led the Indiana State Sycamores to the NCAA championship game in 1979, where they lost to Magic Johnson and Michigan State. Bird won numerous awards during his college career:
- Consensus first team All-American (1979)
- USBWA College Player of the Year (1979)
- Naismith College Player of the Year (1979)
- John R. Wooden Award (1979)
- Adolph Rupp Trophy (1979)
He finished his career at Indiana State with averages of 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.
NBA
Larry Bird was drafted by the Boston Celtics with the 6th overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft. He played his entire 13-year NBA career with the Celtics from 1979 to 1992. During that span, he led the Celtics to 3 NBA titles and won 3 consecutive MVP awards:
- NBA Finals MVP: 1984, 1986
- NBA MVP: 1984, 1985, 1986
- 12x NBA All-Star: 1980-1988, 1990-1992
- All-NBA First Team: 1981-1988
- 3x NBA All-Defensive Second Team: 1982-1984
Bird recorded averages of 24.3 points, 10 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game during his time with the Celtics. He cemented his legacy as one of the most clutch shooters and versatile small forwards in NBA history.
Olympics
In addition to his illustrious professional and college career, Larry Bird was also a member of the 1992 United States Olympic men’s basketball team, nicknamed the “Dream Team”. This team is described by many as the greatest sports team ever assembled.
The roster, which included NBA stars like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley and Scottie Pippen, won the gold medal in commanding fashion. Bird averaged 12.4 points per game and was one of the veteran leaders of the star-studded team.
Conclusion
To summarize, here are the main basketball teams that Larry Bird played for during his career:
- Springs Valley High School (French Lick, Indiana) – 1973-1974
- Indiana State University – 1974-1979
- Boston Celtics – 1979-1992
- 1992 United States Olympic Men’s Basketball “Dream Team” – 1992
Bird is considered one of the most skilled and intelligent players to ever play the game. His shooting, passing and rebounding abilities led the Celtics to 3 NBA championships in the 1980s. Bird’s college and Olympic careers were also filled with accolades and success. He will be remembered as a versatile legend of the sport.
Team | Years Played | Accomplishments and Stats |
---|---|---|
Springs Valley High School | 1973-1974 | – Led team to 33-1 record and sectional championship in senior year – Averaged 31 points, 21 rebounds, 4 assists per game – Named Indiana’s Mr. Basketball |
Indiana State University | 1974-1979 | – Led team to NCAA championship game in 1979 – Consensus first team All-American (1979) – USBWA College Player of the Year (1979) – Naismith College Player of the Year (1979) – John R. Wooden Award (1979) – Adolph Rupp Trophy (1979) – Averaged 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists per game |
Boston Celtics | 1979-1992 | – 3x NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986) – 2x NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986) – 3x NBA MVP (1984-1986) – 12x NBA All-Star (1980-1988, 1990-1992) – All-NBA First Team (1981-1988) – 3x NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1982-1984) – Averaged 24.3 points, 10 rebounds, 6.3 assists per game |
1992 USA Olympic “Dream Team” | 1992 | – Won gold medal in 1992 Olympics – Averaged 12.4 points per game – Veteran leader of star-studded roster |
In summary, Larry Bird had a remarkable basketball career at all levels – high school, college, NBA and Olympics. His elite scoring, rebounding, passing and clutch factor made him one of the most legendary and well-rounded players of all time.
Larry Bird’s High School Basketball Career
Larry Bird attended Springs Valley High School in French Lick, Indiana from 1973 to 1974. During his senior season in 1973-74, he led the Springs Valley Blackhawks to an incredible 33-1 record and a sectional championship.
Bird was known as a tenacious player who could score from anywhere on the court. He utilized his 6’7″ size and excellent shooting touch to dominate games. Bird averaged 31 points, 21 rebounds and 4 assists per game during his senior season, showcasing his well-rounded abilities.
For his efforts, Bird was named Indiana’s Mr. Basketball in 1974 – an award given annually to the top high school player in the state. This honor cemented his status as one of the most dangerous prep players in the country.
Bird’s amazing high school career put him on the recruiting radar of many top college programs. Though he struggled with academics early in high school, his dominant senior season showed he had the potential to excel at the next levels.
Larry Bird’s College Basketball Career
Larry Bird attended Indiana State University from 1974 to 1979. Under the tutelage of coach Bill Hodges, he led the Sycamores basketball team to new heights.
Though undersized as a power forward at 6’7”, Bird used intelligence and skill to dominate games. He exhibited excellent shooting range, crafty passing ability, and a fierce competitive drive throughout his illustrious college career.
Bird led the NCAA in scoring in 1977-78 and 1978-79, averaging over 30 points per game in both seasons. He helped the Sycamores reach the NCAA championship game vs. Michigan State and star Magic Johnson in 1979. Though they lost the thrilling matchup, Bird cemented his legacy as a college legend.
Here are some key accolades Bird won during his college career:
- 2x consensus First Team All-American (1978, 1979)
- The Sporting News College Player of the Year (1978, 1979)
- Naismith College Player of the Year (1979)
- John R. Wooden Award Winner (1979)
- Adolph Rupp Trophy Winner (1979)
In just 5 years, Bird transformed the Indiana State program into a national powerhouse. His elite skills, basketball IQ and work ethic set the stage for his legendary NBA career.
Larry Bird’s NBA Career with the Boston Celtics
Larry Bird was drafted 6th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 1978 NBA draft. He went on to play his entire illustrious 13-year career with the Celtics franchise.
Teaming up with stars like Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, and Dennis Johnson, Bird led the Celtics to 3 NBA championships in 1981, 1984 and 1986. He defeated Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals twice, intensifying the league’s most famous rivalry.
Bird was a 12x NBA All-Star from 1980 to 1988 and 1990 to 1992. He made the All-NBA First Team in each season from 1981 to 1988. He also made the All-Defensive Second Team 3 times demonstrating his versatility.
But Bird’s individual accolades truly set him apart:
- 3x NBA MVP (1984, 1985, 1986)
- 2x NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986)
- Rookie of the Year (1980)
- 3x Three-Point Contest Champion (1986–1988)
He is one of only four players to win 3 consecutive league MVP awards. Bird was simply on another level in his era.
Some key stats from Bird’s Celtics career:
- 24.3 points per game
- 10.0 rebounds per game
- 6.3 assists per game
- 49.6% FG, 37.6% 3PT, 88.6% FT
- 21.5 PER (Player Efficiency Rating)
Bird’s scoring prowess, rebounding, and passing ability made him one of the most complete players in league history. His heart, hustle, and legendary competitiveness also set him apart from the pack.
Larry Bird’s Dream Team Experience
In 1992, Larry Bird got the opportunity to play for the greatest basketball team ever assembled – the USA Men’s Olympic basketball “Dream Team” at the Barcelona Games.
The roster included fellow legends like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Scottie Pippen. With 11 future Hall of Famers, the Dream Team dominated their competition to easily win gold.
Bird was 35 years old and near the end of his career, but he provided veteran leadership along with clutch shooting and passing. He averaged 12.4 points per game and helped set the tone with his work ethic and competitiveness.
The Dream Team went down as the most dominant squad in Olympic history. Their average margin of victory was 44 points per game, and no opponent came within single digits. Bird’s presence and performance were crucial to securing USA’s long-awaited gold medal.
In many ways, Bird’s Dream Team experience bookended his incredible career. His winning pedigree, skill, and basketball IQ perfectly embodied the Dream Team’s total dominance on the Olympic stage.
Conclusion
Throughout his high school, college, NBA and Olympic career, Larry Bird cemented himself as one of the most skilled, intelligent and competitive players in basketball history. He found team success at every level while racking up individual accolades along the way.
Bird will always be remembered as a versatile legend of the game. His shooting touch, passing ability, rebounding and basketball IQ made him a dominant force everywhere he played. Bird represented the pinnacle of skill, winning, and leadership in the game.