Overview
Larry Bird was born in West Baden, Indiana and grew up there and the nearby town French Lick. In high school he quit football and baseball to concentrate on basketball. He accepted a scholarship to Indiana University but dropped out. He then enrolled at Northwood Institute but dropped out. He decided to work for the Street Department for a year while playing AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball for Hancock Construction. After that he went to Indiana State University. He led the team to the NCAA championship game in 1979 but lost to the Magic Johnson-led MIchigan State Spartans.
Bird entered the NBA in 1979. He helped lead the Boston Celtics into the playoffs his rookie year. In his second season he would help Boston win the NBA championship, defeating the Houston Rockets in 6 games. Throughout the 1980s Bird and Magic Johnson would revitalize the NBA with their rivalry. All in all Bird would win 3 NBA championships, 3 NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, Rookie of the Year in 1980, and was an All-Star 12 times.
After his NBA playing career, Bird was a special assistant in Boston's front office from 1992-1997. In 1997 he became the coach of the Indiana Pacers where he coached for three seasons, all winning seasons. In 2000 during his third season as coach he led the team to the Finals. After the 1999-2000 season Bird resigned. In 2003 he became the Pacers' President of Basketball Operations.
Bird is the only person in NBA history who has been named Coach of the Year, Executive of the Year and Most Valuable Player.
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