Early Life
Larry Bird was born on the 7th of December, 1956 in West Baden, Indiana. He was the 4th child of Joe and Georgia Bird's 6 children. They grew up in French Lick, but they were very poor, meaning his parents struggled raising a family of 8. His dad was a strong alcoholic, so his mum was the one working most, but they somehow got through. Growing up in French Lick, Larry and his brothers were very active and played sport every day. Larry played different sports such as baseball and softball when he was growing up. He made the decision to start basketball when he was in high school which you would expect to be to late, but for Larry, it was as if he started the sport when he could first walk! When he started, he didn’t want to stop. He began to practice day and night at home, at school or wherever he could. He told Sports Illustrated, 'I played when I was cold and my body was aching and I was so tired. I don't know why, I just kept playing and playing... I guess I always wanted to make the most out of it." He attended Indiana State University, joined their basketball team, and led them to the 1978-1979 college basketball finals. From there, he was drafted into the Boston Celtics.
Career
Larry first started his basketball in highschool. Because he was such an active child growing up, he was fit and strong, which made it easier to play better. He played in the Indiana State University team for three years, and on his third year in 1979, he led their team - Indiana State Sycamores - into the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Championship game but they lost to Magic Johnson who played for the Michigan State Spartans. Larry Bird was drafted into the Boston Celtics in 1978 but did not play professionally until the 1979-1980 season. He played 13 seasons with the Celtics team and led them to 3 NBA Championships. By doing so, he earned his nickname 'Hick from French lick". He was one of the greatest Basketball players in NBA history. He was a 2.06 metre (6-foot 9-inch) forward player with a lot of potential. His dominate hand was his right and the skills he presented on the court made him calm and strong. In turn, that made him confident and courageous especially with his clutch shooting ability. During the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Larry Bird made his way to earning a spot on the American-superstar-laden 'Dream Team'. This team won the gold medal. He retired in 1992 and became front-office position with the Celtics. He then became the head coach of the Indiana Pacers even though he had no previous years of experience in the coaching area. After that season, he was named coach of the year. He resigned in 2000 but became the Indiana Pacers' president of basketball operations in 2003. He then resigned from that in 2012 but came back the following year to retake his position as the Pacer's president of basketball operations.
Achievements
Over Larry's outstanding career, he had won many different awards and achieved many different things, they are:
- 1979 - John Wooden Award as Collegiate Player of the Year, Los Angeles Athletic
Association
- 1980 - Named NBA rookie of the year
- 1981,1984 and 1986 - Won three NBA (National Basketball Association) Championships
- 1984-1985 - NBA most valuable player during the playoffs
- 1985 - Associated Press, Male athlete of the year
- 1985 - Sporting News, Man of the Year
- 1992 - Played in the American 'Dream Team' for the Olympics and won a gold medal
- 1998 - Initiated into Hall of Fame
- 1998 - Named NBA coach of the year
Family
Larry Bird was married to Janet Condra, his highschool girlfriend, in 1975, but divorced
in 1976. But, they had a daughter named coddie, but she slowly separated with
her Dad, Larry, when the divorce happened. On the first of October, 1989, Larry
married a women by the name of Dinah Mattingly. They are still together today and have
adopted a son named connor and a daughter named Mariah. They now live in Florida,
but is selling his house for $4.8 million dollars. He is very happy, loves talking about his
career and catching up with his mates such as Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan.
in 1976. But, they had a daughter named coddie, but she slowly separated with
her Dad, Larry, when the divorce happened. On the first of October, 1989, Larry
married a women by the name of Dinah Mattingly. They are still together today and have
adopted a son named connor and a daughter named Mariah. They now live in Florida,
but is selling his house for $4.8 million dollars. He is very happy, loves talking about his
career and catching up with his mates such as Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan.