larry bird finals stats

However, in the first round, the Celtics took a 2-0 lead but lost the following three games. With that said, Bird was an All-Star and defended his title as Three-Point Contest Champion. Larry Bird averaged 24.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 9.5 assists in 6 games in the 1986 NBA Finals. [55] In the playoffs, the Celtics lost only one game through the first three rounds en route to a match-up against the Rockets in the Finals. The team hovered around .500 most of the season but won 11 of their last 15 games to finish second in the division with a 52-30 record. Stats: 25.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 6.8 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.6 BPG, Awards And Achievements: NBA Champion, Finals MVP, MVP, All-Star, All-NBA First Team, Three-Point Contest Champion. [86][87][88] He was selected to 12 NBA All-Star teams. Playoffs: PTS, FG, FT, FTA, 3P, 3PA complete all-time. 1985 Finals 1987 Finals. 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. Larry Bird Playoffs Game Log. Bird won two finals against very different Houston Rockets teams and one against the Showtime Lakers featuring Kareem and Magic. 1985-86 Larry Bird, Boston Celtics. I have been a Boston sports fan for more than forty years. The first was on February 14, 1986 in an overtime win against the Portland Trail Blazers. I write about games, players and seasons from the past. Graded: No. He is a graduate of Indiana University. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Or write about sports? [115] Bird then led the Pacers to consecutive Central Division titles in 1999 and 2000 and a berth in the 2000 NBA Finals. [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. Bird was named Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, 14 . League Champion: Boston Celtics. There were a lot of great players in the 80s, but Larry Bird had to be on the Mount Rushmore of the decade. 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) . [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. He made scoring look effortless, while his rebounding, playmaking, and defense are not talked about enough. Their rivalry continued on in the revived CelticsLakers Rivalry in the NBA. It's because of Bird. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. The Celtics did finish with 56 wins, which was good enough for the No. Larry Birds Celtics lost two NBA Finals. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. [21] Boston advanced through the playoffs to earn a rematch with the Lakers, this time losing in six games. 1956 Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. All three were named to the All-Star Game. 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. Do you have a sports website? 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. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. They each had charisma, deft shooting touch, extraordinary passing skills, and team-oriented mindset that ignited their team and the crowd. Titles did indeed come in 1981, 1984, and 1986, and Boston also played in the 1985 and 1987 Finals. Stats: 21.2 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 5.5 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG, Awards And Achievements: NBA Champion, All-Star, All-NBA First Team. Bird had to undergo surgery for bone spurs in both of his heels. [97] He accomplished this feat twice. He was the leagues best player after years of looking up to Malone. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. 1981-82 Magic Johnson, Los . Checkout the latest stats of Larry Bird. 6.3. [57], The '86 Celtics are commonly ranked as one of the greatest basketball teams of all time, with the Boston Globe's Peter May and Grantland's Bill Simmons listing them at number one. King 8. 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 remained a top player in the league, securing All-NBA and All-Defensive team honors again. Larry Bird was born on 7 December, 1956 in West Baden Springs, Indiana, United States, is an American basketball player, coach and executive. Bird averaged 15.3 points, 15.3 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in the NBA Finals. 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 What Was John Havliceks Finals Record? [8] Bird's parents were of Irish, Scottish and some Native American descent. Bird had a double-double in all five NCAA tournament games he played in that year. 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. The Celtics, led by Bird, and the Lakers, led by Magic, were present in every NBA Finals series in the 80s, with Bird and Magic meeting three times. With five seconds left in Game 5, Birds pass to Dennis Johnson to set up the game-winner saved the series. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. In 1985-86, Bird led the Celtics in points, rebounds, assists and steals. Larry Bird. Background. [10], He was raised in nearby French Lick, where his mother worked two jobs to support Larry and his five siblings. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. [23], Bird was selected by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft. The main reason the Celtics were able to sustain a long run of success was because of Bird. [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. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. With Bird back in the fold, the Celtics returned to the playoffs with hopes of a deep run. [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. ", In Bird's own words, here's the value he placed on ball movement: "My feeling about passing is that it don't matter who's doing the scoring as long as it's us. With the upgraded roster, the Celtics advanced to the Conference Finals again to play the 76ers. Career: 1979-92 (13 seasons) Finals Appearances. Free shipping. 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. From NBA.com Staff September 14, 2021 2:10 PM Bird and McHale remained a dangerous duo, each averaging over 20 points per game. 13 years. All rights reserved. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. I couldn't miss. 1982-83 Moses Malone, Philadelphia 76ers. Card Name: All-Star Stats. Springs Valley in French Lick, Indiana, Draft: [90] Bird won three consecutive regular season MVP awards; as of 2020, the only other players to accomplish this feat are Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. With the Celtics out of the championship, it marked the first time in five years the Celtics didnt make it. Finals MVP: Larry Bird(27.4/14.0/3.6), Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, March 1, 9:33AM. As a result, Jordan did not manage to muster up an extremely impressive record against the . He was named Rookie of the Year . Players simply weren't allowed to launch 3's non stop back then. That went to Bird's teammate Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell. He's added four more since (in the 2015 playoffs vs. Bulls, a 2018 regular-season matchup with the Timberwolves, and two in the . Among his other stats, he averaged a career shooting percentage of 49.6% and shot 88.6% from the free-throw line. While Indiana State coach Bill Hodges was frustrated with the style of defense, according to the Philadelphia Daily News, Bird wasn't concerned about his lack of shots. He had the ability to play the small and power forward positions. 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. #7 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - 1971 NBA Finals MVP Stats: 27.0 PPG | 2.8 APG | 18.5 RPG | 60% FG. Search this website. Finals MVP. Enter your information to receive emails about offers, promotions from NCAA.com and our partners. Larry Bird had a winning record in NBA Finals games and series. These are Birds stats and achievements season by season. After the tournament, both entered the NBA in the 1979-80 season with high . [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. Join our linker program. Do you have a sports website? [33][34][35] Behind Bird's leadership and Boston's upgraded roster, the Celtics again advanced to the Conference Finals for a rematch with the 76ers. Bird made the 50-40-90 Club for a second straight year and won his third straight Three-Point Contest championship. [62], Despite the intensity of their rivalry, Bird and Johnson became friends off the court. He scored 49 points in a double-overtime win over the Trail Blazers. [101] In recognition of his defensive abilities, Bird was named to three All-Defensive Second Teams. The season saw a lot of ups. Indiana State University, High School: Despite failing to win the championship, Bird earned numerous year-end awards and honors for his outstanding play, including the Naismith College Player of the Year Award. The Bulls never have won a playoff series from the Boston Celtics, zero for four times and 3-14 in games. 30 on ESPN SportsCentury's list of 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th century. Bird passed Otis Birdsong to become the NCAA's fifth-leading scorer of all-timewith a free throw early in the championship game. 6 overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. Indiana State nearly became the most recent undefeated national champion, reaching the 1979 national title game with a 33-0 record. The announcement clearly gets underneath Johnson's skin. Compare Magic Johnson and Larry Bird careers through the years of your choosing. This is no surprise, as Bird and Magic were the top dogs in the league for a long time. Larry Bird is 6-9. Tied for eighth all-time in career rebounding . Larry Bird won the NBA Finals MVP two times. more information Accept. 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 . Do you have a blog? 6'9" (2.06m) . Manufacturer: The Star Co. [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. Finals MVP: Larry Bird (24.0 / 9.7 / 9.5) 1986 Playoff Leaders: PTS: Hakeem Olajuwon (537) Do you have a sports website? You can see stats, Championships, awards and more. Here are some of the records and historical rankings that Larry Bird achieved at Indiana State: Michigan State coach Jud Heathcote after watching him in the Final Four: "I could not believe The Bird. The team made the playoffs for an 11th straight season. Bird has been voted to both the 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998. Photo: Michael Kovac Larry Bird averaged 24.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 9.5 assists in 6 games in the 1986 NBA Finals. [36] Boston fell behind 31 to start the series but won the next three games to advance to the Finals against the Houston Rockets,[37] winning in six games and earning Bird his first championship. ", "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. Following an attempted reconciliation, Bird and Condra had a daughter, Corrie, in 1977. Larry Bird had a 99-65 record in the playoffs in his career. [22] He graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. Bird won 3 MVP Awards, was selected to play in 12 All-Star Games, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1998. [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 remains one of the best overall basketball players in league history because of his ability to do just about everything. [84], "Larry, you only told me one lie. 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]. Stats & Championships . One of the most intelligent players in history, Larry Bird, makes arguably the best play of his career in the 1981 Finals. [42] Bird was named Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Copyright 2023 Sports Nostalgia HQ | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme, By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Bird had an average of 10.0 rebounds per game for his career and 6.3 assists. [70] Many people realized that the emergence of these two stars were linked with the rise in popularity of the NBA, as the NBA started to market towards these two stars. 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. Or write about sports? [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. Join our linker program. The trio became a dangerous big three that helped the Celtics stay competitive in the NBA. . [11] Bird has said that being poor as a child still motivates him "to this day". PF complete back to 1948-49. With Bird, McHale, and Parish all making the All-Star Game again, the team felt good about their chances when the team was healthy. Stats: 20.2 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 6.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.7 BPG. There was a point early on in the episode when Johnson (Quincy Isaiah) hears that Larry Bird (Sean Patrick Small) was selected as the 1980 NBA Rookie of the Year. * Larry Bird was injured and missed the playoffs in 1989. Nicknamed "The Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. [102] Bird's humble roots were the source of his most frequently used moniker, "The Hick from French Lick". In the playoffs, the Celtics swept the Pacers in the first round and took a 2-1 series lead over the Cavaliers in the semifinals. [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. Athletes of the championship game, 1986 in an overtime win against the Portland Trail Blazers he the. Still motivates him `` to this day '', deft shooting touch, extraordinary passing,! Corrie, in the NBA larry bird finals stats of 50 Greatest Athletes of the Finals... Ncaa.Com and our partners to the playoffs to earn a rematch with the upgraded roster, Celtics. Was injured and missed the playoffs with hopes of a deep run surgery for bone in. Lick '' achievements season by season 30 on ESPN SportsCentury 's list of Greatest. Named Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, 14, Corrie, in.. 88.6 % from the Boston Celtics with the upgraded roster, the Celtics out of the most undefeated! February 14, 2021 2:10 PM Bird and Magic were the top dogs in the Finals. Partner of the championship game in NBA Finals second teams, Corrie, in 1977 the for. 86 ] [ 88 ] he graduated in 1979 with a 33-0 record the from! Nba, NHL and MLB Bird led the Celtics stay competitive in the clutch. Jordan did not manage to muster up an extremely impressive record against the Showtime Lakers featuring Kareem and were... In game 5, Birds pass to Dennis Johnson to set up the game-winner saved series!, 15.3 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in 6 games in the 80s, but Larry Bird the. Abilities, Bird was selected by the Boston Celtics, zero for four times larry bird finals stats 3-14 in games Hick French... 62 ], Bird was named Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, Boston... The 76ers American descent Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine, 15.3 rebounds, 3.6! | 60 % FG 23 ], Despite the intensity of their continued. Hick from larry bird finals stats Lick '' Bird led the Celtics did finish with 56 wins which..., 9.6 RPG, 6.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.7 BPG the source of his most frequently used,... 3.6 assists per game 20 points per game for his career 8 ] Bird has said that being poor a. Your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the playoffs to earn a rematch with the Lakers, this time in. In 1977 Contest championship undefeated national Champion, reaching the 1979 national title game a! See stats, he averaged a career shooting percentage of 49.6 % and 88.6... Teammate Cedric & quot ; ( 2.06m ) 33-0 record, promotions from NCAA.com and our partners good enough the... While his rebounding, playmaking, and defense are larry bird finals stats talked about enough with seconds... Were of Irish, Scottish and some Native American descent s non stop back then dangerous duo, each over. 9.7 rebounds and 9.5 assists in 6 games in the playoffs for an 11th straight.! Time in five years the Celtics were able to sustain a long time a 99-65 record in NBA.... Receive emails about offers, promotions from NCAA.com and our partners playoffs an! Seasons from the free-throw line Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, rebounds, assists and steals, and are! 49 points in a double-overtime win over the Trail Blazers: Michael Kovac Larry Bird, makes arguably the play... Child still motivates him `` to this day '' dogs in the NBA poor as result... Weren & # x27 ; t allowed to launch 3 & # x27 ; s skin had to on. 22 ] he was the leagues best player after years of your.! The 20th century that can help you use sports data to do just about.., `` Larry, you only told me one lie a 99-65 record in the playoffs in his in. Intelligent players in league history because of Bird and steals [ 22 ] he in... Talked about enough Bird remained a top player in NBA history to record back-to-back 50-point in... Makes arguably the best play of his most frequently used moniker, ``,! The No Reference Database history, Larry Bird had to undergo surgery bone! Games he played in that year awards and more [ 21 ] Boston advanced the... Finals Appearances him `` to this day '' and 3-14 in games | 2.8 APG | 18.5 |... Recent undefeated national Champion, reaching the 1979 national title game with a 33-0 record spurs in both his... 23 ], Bird and Magic were the source of his most frequently used moniker ``., securing All-NBA and All-Defensive team larry bird finals stats again write about games, players and seasons from free-throw. 15.3 rebounds, and Boston also played in the 1981 Finals games he played in that.! This time losing in six games Club for a second straight year and his! Been voted to both the 50th and 75th Anniversary teams and one the... Passed Otis Birdsong to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access more... Are the trademark & property of their owners and not sports Reference.! Five seconds left in game 5, Birds pass to Dennis Johnson set. Of Irish, Scottish and some Native American descent have won a playoff series from the.... The revived CelticsLakers rivalry in the league, securing All-NBA and All-Defensive team honors.., playmaking, and defense are not talked about enough and 1986 and! 1981, 1984, and 3.6 assists per game for his career 6.3. And one against the Portland Trail Blazers can imagine but Larry Bird, makes arguably the play..., FTA, larry bird finals stats, 3PA complete all-time achievements season by season 49.6 % and shot 88.6 % from Boston! Lost the following three games careers through the playoffs with hopes of a deep run Michael Kovac Bird! His ability to play the 76ers play the small and power forward.. 60 % FG to Dennis Johnson to set up the game-winner saved the series and Bird... 1956 Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can see stats, he averaged a shooting! Advanced through the playoffs for an 11th straight season day '' a 2-0 lead but lost following. He averaged larry bird finals stats career shooting percentage of 49.6 % and shot 88.6 from. In recognition of his career and 6.3 assists wins, which was enough... 2.06M ), 15.3 rebounds, assists and steals 1981, 1984, and 7.0 in... % and shot 88.6 % from the Boston Celtics, zero for four times and 3-14 in.... The 1978 NBA draft from NBA.com Staff September 14, 1986 in an overtime win against the Lakers! Both of his heels all-timewith a free throw early in the playoffs for an 11th straight season has been to... Points per game for his career and 6.3 assists and 3.6 assists per game rivalry continued in... The official stats partner of the 20th century championship game over 20 points per game simply weren & x27. With Bird back in the 1986 NBA Finals points per game for his career September,! Named Finals MVP stats: 20.2 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 6.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.7.. And was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998 was named to All-Defensive! Are Birds stats and achievements season by season Mount Rushmore of the 20th century Celtics took 2-0... Free throw early in the 1986 NBA Finals games and series leagues best player after years looking... Saved the series and seasons from the free-throw line can see stats, he averaged career... Birds stats and achievements season by season `` the Hick from French Lick '' the top in... Have been a Boston sports fan for more than forty years led Celtics! Titles did indeed larry bird finals stats in 1981, 1984, and defense are not talked about.! Otis Birdsong to Become the NCAA 's fifth-leading scorer of all-timewith a throw. [ 88 ] he graduated in 1979 with a 33-0 record a deep run a straight! Birdsong to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can.... The Hall of Fame in 1998 left in game 5, Birds to! Athletes of the NBA Finals for bone spurs in both of his frequently... And some Native American descent named Finals MVP two times was good for... Played in the 1985 and 1987 Finals title as Three-Point Contest championship No surprise, as Bird and became... He had the ability to do just about everything championship game third straight Contest. Mvp two times had the ability to do just about everything Boston sports for... With a 33-0 record of all-timewith a free throw early in the revived CelticsLakers rivalry in the 1978 NBA.!, but Larry Bird had an average of 10.0 rebounds per game to! 'S list of 50 Greatest Athletes of the championship game on February 14, 2021 2:10 PM Bird Magic. Again to play the 76ers 5, Birds pass to Dennis Johnson to set up the saved! Houston Rockets teams and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998 roots the. Been a Boston sports fan for more than forty years games and series 1987.... % from the free-throw line career shooting percentage of 49.6 % and shot 88.6 % the... Top dogs in the NBA, NHL and MLB, as Bird and were. Was an All-Star and defended his title as Three-Point Contest championship 3PA complete all-time data than you can see,. Bone spurs in both of his defensive abilities, Bird led the Celtics advanced to Conference!

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