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Larry Bird is a former American Basketball player, coach and an executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Also famous with the nicknames like “the Hick from French Lick” and “Larry Legend” Bird is in the list of greatest Basketball players of all time and is the only player to be named Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.
Larry Bird has played for the Boston Celtics from 1979 to 1992 and then served as coach for Indiana Pacers from 1997 to 2000. He was also part of the USA Basketball team that won the Gold Medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Bird has been a star player during his Basketball career and used to earn a huge amount of income through his NBA contract. Apart from that, he is also a prominent name among popular brands and earned lucrative deals throughout the years. Let’s have a look at his Net Worth and Lifestyle.
| Full Name | Larry Bird |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 7th December, 1956 |
| Age | 67 years |
| Wife | Dinah Mattingly |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Former Basketball Player and a coach |
| Net Worth | Around $80 Millon |
| Salary | $24,070,000 (during his NBA career) |
Larry Bird Early Life and Career
Larry Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana on 7th December, 1956 to Georgia (née Kerns) and Claude Joseph “Joe” Bird. His father was a veteran of the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. Larry and his other four siblings were raised nearby French Lick by their mother who used to do multiple jobs to support the household. Larry’s parents got divorced when he was in high school and his father died by suicide after an year.
Being raised with financial difficulties and a lot of other problems in the family, Bird chose Basketball as an escape and played for Springs Valley High School during his younger days. He had an average of 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 4 assists for Springs Valley becoming the all-time leading scorer for the school.
After completing his High-School, Bird got a scholarship from Indiana University to play for Indiana Hoosiers in 1974 under Head Coach Bob Knight. However, within a month, he dropped out of High School and returned to French Lick. Bird joined Northwood University nearby West Baden and used to do multiple jobs for a year before he got enrolled at the Indiana State University in Terre Haute in 1975.
Bird played College Basketball for Indiana state from 1976 to 1979 and averaged 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. He also won the National College Player of the Award in 1979.
Due to his magnificent performance in college Basketball, Bird was picked by Boston Celtics as the sixth overall in the 1978 NBA Draft. However, he didn;t join the Celtics that time and decided to play his final season with Indiana State instead. Bird finally went on to play his Rookie season with the Celtics in 1979 and recorded and average of 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game for the season.
Larry Bird has only played for the Celtics throughout his NBA Career and recorded 21,791 points at an average of 24.3 points per game (ppg). Along with 8,974 (10.0 rpg), and 5695 Assists (6.3 apg).
Talking about his International career, Bird was in the United States men’s national basketball team along with other NBA stars including Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Spain. This was the first time that the United States sent their NBA players to compete in the Olympics, and it turned out to be great decision as that team ended up winning the Gold Medal in Basketball. Bird also played a crucial role in US’ Gold Medal triumph with an average of 8.4 points per match in eight games.
Larry Bird announced his retirement from professional Basketball on 18th August, 1992. However, he was still a part of the Boston Celtics as a special assistant in the team’s front office from 1992 to 1997. After that, he was appointed as a coach of the Indiana Pacers from 1997 to 2000.
Larry Bird NBA Salary
| YEAR | TEAM | SALARY |
|---|---|---|
| 1979-80 | Boston Celtics | $650,000 |
| 1980-81 | Boston Celtics | $650,000 |
| 1981-82 | Boston Celtics | $650,000 |
| 1982-83 | Boston Celtics | $650,000 |
| 1983-84 | Boston Celtics | $650,000 |
| 1984-85 | Boston Celtics | $1,800,000 |
| 1985-86 | Boston Celtics | $1,800,000 |
| 1987-88 | Boston Celtics | $1,800,000 |
| 1988-89 | Boston Celtics | $1,800,000 |
| 1989-90 | Boston Celtics | $2,750,000 |
| 1990-91 | Boston Celtics | $1,500,000 |
| 1991-92 | Boston Celtics | $7,070,000 |
| 1992-93 | Boston Celtics | $2,300,000 |
Larry Bird Brand Endorsements
Due to his immense popularity during his NBA Career, Larry Bird has appeared in several endorsements for clothing brands and video games. Apart from that, he also has a endorsement deal with Heinz Corporation.
Larry Bird House and Car Collection
Larry Bird used to own a 10,232-square-foot mansion in Indianapolis. The luxurious mansion had five bedrooms, eight bathrooms and three fireplaces along with a tennis court, multi-level patios, pool, and a pool house with a kitchen. Bird sold the mansions in 2019 for $2.3 Million. The former NBA also owns a property in Terre Haute, Indiana. Talking about his car collection, Bird owns a Thunderbird Mustang, and a Ford.
Larry Bird Charity Work
Larry Bird holds a position of a honorary Director of the American Foundation for the prevention of Suicide. He has also supported Charita Bulls, an organization that was formed to enhance and develop the lives of the youth in Chicago, He has actively taken part in Bulls’ educational, recreational, and social programs.
Larry Bird Wife
Source: Getty Images
Larry Bird married Janet Condra in 1975, only to part ways a year later. The couple was also blessed with a daughter named Corrie, in 1977. After getting divorced with his first wife, Bird found his new love interest in Dinah Mattingly and married her 1989. The couple adopted two children, Conner and Mariah.
FAQs
Q – Why is Larry Bird so famous?
A – Larry Bird is regarded as one of the greatest Basketball players in America. He is the three times NBA Champion as he clinched the title with Boston Celtics in 1981, 1984, and 1986.
Q – What happened to Larry Bird?
A – Larry Bird took retirement from professional Basketball in 1992 due to back issues. Post retirement, he joined Boston Celtics as a special assistant in the team’s front office
Q – What is a famous quote by Larry Bird?
A – “Leadership is diving for a loose ball, getting the crowd involved, getting other players involved. It’s being able to take it as well as dish it out. That’s the only way you’re going to get respect from the players.”
