Larry Bird, nicknamed the Hick from French Lick and Larry Legend, was an American professional basketball player, coach and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, he was known for his versatile skills, trash-talking, and competitive spirit.
Throughout his career, Bird averaged 24.3 points per game, 10.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists, showcasing his all-around abilities.
He achieved the remarkable feat of shooting 50% or better on field goals, 40% on three-pointers and 90% on free-throws in a single NBA season twice, a testament to his shooting prowess.
Bird was also a three-time winner of the NBA three-point-shooting contest and was known to practice shooting three-point shots with his eyes closed.
| Net worth | $75 million |
| Profession | Former basketball player, coach, NBA executive |
| Date of birth | December 7, 1956 |
| Nationality | American |
Background
Bird was born on December 7, 1956, in West Baden Springs, Indiana, to parents Georgia and Claude Joseph Bird.
His family struggled financially, with his father working as a laborer and his mother as a waitress.
They had six children, including Larry, who was the fourth.
The family moved to French Lick, Indiana, where Larry grew up and became a local basketball star.
He played for Springs Valley High School, leading the team to a 21-4 record in his senior year and becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer.
Larry’s father, Claude, struggled with employment and child-support payments, eventually committing suicide in 1975 when Larry was in high school.
Despite the family’s financial struggles and personal losses, Larry’s passion for basketball and dedication to teamwork drove him to become one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Net worth
Bird has a net worth of $75 million.
He earned $24,070,000 during his 13-season NBA career, with his salary peaking at $7,070,000 in the 1991-92 season.
Apart from his basketball earnings, Bird has made significant wealth through investments and business ventures, including endorsements with the Heinz Corporation, Coca-Cola, Nike, and General Electric.
His investments in real estate are also noteworthy, with a $3.3 million mansion in Naples, Florida, and a $2.3 million former mansion in Indianapolis, which he sold in 2021.
Salary and contracts
Bird’s NBA career salary and contracts are significant, with his five-year rookie contract worth $3.25 million, signed in 1979 with the Boston Celtics, paying him $650,000 per season.
In his sixth season, he earned $1.8 million, and his salary peaked at $7,070,000 in the 1991-92 season, bringing his total career earnings in the NBA to $24.07 million.
Real estate
Bird has owned several real estate properties throughout his career.
In Indianapolis, he owned a $2.3 million English manor, which was custom-built for him and his wife, Dinah, by Estridge Homes in 2002.
The 10,232-square-foot home sits on 1.5 acres and features five bedrooms, eight bathrooms, three fireplaces, a tennis court, multi-level patios, pool, pool house with a kitchen, billiard room, home theater, pub-style wet bar, wine cellar and fitness room.
Bird bought the home in cash for $3.3 million in 2003, and it was listed for $2.35 million in 2019 before being sold for $2.2 million.
In Naples, Florida, he owned a $5 million custom-built waterfront home that overlooks the Venetian Bay, which he bought in 1998 and had the existing home on the site razed to custom build a new residence in 2001.
The 6,007-square-foot home has four bedrooms, six bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, state-of-the-art home theater, infinity pool, tiki hut, hot tub, massive saltwater aquarium, 8-pillar foyer, four-car garage and an 80-foot boat dock.
Bird put the Naples house on the market in 2013 for $4.8 million, but it was taken off the market in 2017 after he left his job as Pacers president.
He also owned a house in Zionsville, Indiana, which was sold for $1.95 million in 2019, and a house in Geist, Indiana, which was sold for $4.8 million in 2019.
College career
Bird attended Indiana State University from 1976 to 1979, where he became a standout player for the Sycamores.
He originally enrolled at Indiana University but transferred to a local junior college before joining Indiana State.
Bird led the Sycamores to an impressive 81-13 record during his three years at the school.
He was a prolific scorer, averaging over 30 points per game and setting numerous scoring records.
Bird’s college career culminated in a memorable performance in the 1979 NCAA Tournament Championship Game, where he scored 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in a narrow loss to Magic Johnson’s Michigan State team.
Bird’s college career earned him numerous accolades, including being named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year in 1978 and 1979, a Consensus All-American in 1979 and a member of the NCAA Tournament All-Time Team.
NBA career
Bird’s professional career began when he was selected by the Boston Celtics as the sixth overall choice in the 1978 NBA Draft.
He led the Celtics to three National Basketball Championships in 1981, 1984 and 1986, earning the title of NBA MVP in those years.
Bird was a 12-time NBA All-Star, won two NBA Finals MVP awards and received the NBA Most Valuable Player Award three consecutive times from 1984 to 1986, making him the only forward in league history to do so.
Bird’s impact on the NBA extends beyond his playing career, as he was instrumental in the league’s adoption of fully guaranteed contracts and the introduction of the Larry Bird Rule or Bird Collegiate Rule, which changed draft eligibility rules for college players.
His career statistics include 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game, making him one of the most versatile players in NBA history.
Bird was also a two-time NBA three-point field goals leader in 1986 and 1987, showcasing his shooting prowess.
His legacy extends beyond his playing career, as he has been named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and was selected on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.
The Boston Celtics retired his number 33 in his honor, and the Larry Bird Trophy is awarded to the Eastern Conference finals MVP.
Coaching career
Bird’s coaching career spanned from 1997 to 2000, during which he served as head coach of the Indiana Pacers.
He was named NBA Coach of the Year for the 1997-98 season and led the Pacers to a berth in the 2000 NBA Finals.
Bird’s coaching record was 147-67, with a winning percentage of .686.
His coaching philosophy was questioned by some in the NBA, particularly after he dismissed Frank Vogel in 2016.
Jeff Van Gundy, a former coach, criticized Bird’s decision to change coaches every three years, stating that it was an absurd notion and that many successful coaches had long tenures with their teams.
His coaching career was marked by success, with the Pacers making the conference finals in all three years that he coached and reaching the NBA Finals in 2000.
Bird’s coaching record, combined with his success as a player and executive, solidified his status as one of the greatest figures in NBA history.
Accolades
Bird was a three-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) from 1984 to 1986, joining only Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain as the only players to have won three straight MVP awards.
He was also a 12-time NBA All-Star and a two-time NBA Finals MVP.
Bird was a key member of the Boston Celtics, winning three NBA championships with the team in 1981, 1984 and 1986.
He was also a member of the “Dream Team” that won the gold medal at the 1992 Olympics.
Bird was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998 and was named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team list in 1996.
He was also a successful coach, with a .687 win percentage in three seasons as a head coach.
Bird was widely considered one of the greatest basketball players and greatest shooters of all time, known for his excellent play in high-stakes, high-pressure situations.
Philanthropic efforts
Bird has dedicated his time and resources to various philanthropic endeavors.
He is an Honorary Director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Bird has supported charities focused on depression and suicide, family and parent support, grief support and miscellaneous causes.
His commitment to these causes reflects his desire to make a positive impact on individuals and communities, particularly in his home state of Indiana.
Despite his fame and success, Bird has chosen to maintain a private personal life and has not sought publicity for his charity work.
His dedication to giving back and making a difference is a testament to his character and his commitment to making the world a better place.
Personal life
Bird’s wife is Dinah Mattingly, whom he married in 1989.
They have two children together, named Corrie and Connor.
Additionally, Bird and Dinah have adopted two children, Mariah and Connor, making their family complete with four children.
