Career of Larry Bird :: essays research papers

Some player's wish of winning a NBA Title but 'Larry Legend' won 3. Being the 5th overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft Larry Bird played 13 seasons as a Boston Celtic, winning 3 NBA Championships in 1981, '84, and '86. He was Finals MVP twice in 1984, and '86, NBA MVP 3 straight years in 1984, ?85, and ?86, NBA All- Star for 9 straight years 1980- '89, elected to the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 1998, Nine- time All NBA 1st Team 1980- '88, and Olympic Gold Medalist in 1992 with the 'Dream Team'. Born on December 7, 1956 in West Baden, Indiana, Larry Bird was raised in French Link, Indiana, he went to Springs Valley High School, and he also attended and played basketball for Indiana, and Indiana State University. Growing up Larry's family always struggled financially so Georgia and Joe Bird would often send their son Larry to live with his grandparents. In 1975 after Larry's parents had divorced his father Joe Bird committed suicide due to alcoholism and personal difficulties. Despite everything he had been through by the time he was a sophomore in high school Larry had become one of the best players in French Link. In 1976 Larry received a basketball scholarship to Indiana University where he would've played for coach Bobby Knight, but he left school after a week because he was homesick. A few months later Larry enrolled himself into Indiana State University. In his senior season at ISU Larry led the Sycamores to the NCAA Championship game where they played the Michigan State Spartans led by Larry's soon to be rival Earvin 'Magic' Johnson. Unfortunately for Larry and the Sycamores they lost to the Spartans, but Larry left ISU as the 5th highest scorer in NCAA history. Shortly before the deadline Larry finally signed with the Boston Celtics for $650,000, making him the highest paid rookie in NBA history. Larry's collegiate rival Earvin 'Magic' Johnson had also entered the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers. Not only did they fight for the National Championship a year before, but their rookie seasons they were both in the run for Rookie of the Year. Magic may have taken the NCAA title but Larry took the Rookie of the Year award and was voted into the Eastern Conference All- Star team in the 1979- '80 season.