Larry Bird once said that, “A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses these skills to accomplish his goals”.
Larry Joe Bird was born in West Baden, Indiana on December 7, 1956. Larry Bird went to West Braden Springs where he became a key component in his high school basketball team. Larry Bird was the leading top scorer for his high basketball team which landed him an athletic scholarship to the University of Indiana. Larry Bird soon decided that the Hoosier campus was not for him, so he transferred to Indiana State University.
Larry Bird’s senior year was basically the year that would lead him to be a NBA superstar. Larry Bird led the game against Michigan State Spartans which turn into a NCAA Championship. Larry bird left that year at Indiana State University as the USBWA College Player of the year, the Naismith Award, and the Wooden Award. He was also seen as the fifth highest scorer in the NCAA history.
Larry Bird was Boston Celtics number one draft pick in 1978, signing a contract worth $650,000 dollars a year. According to Biography.com, “Larry Bird first year in the NBA, averaging 21.3 points per game and taking NBA Rookie of the Year honors. Bird also led the Celtics in rebounding, averaging 10.4 rebounds per game; as well as steals and minutes played, with an average of 143 steals and 2,955 minutes played each game.” In his second year Larry Bird and two of his teammates were seen as the legendary frontline in the NBA history. The Celtics that season posted a record 61-21 and defeated the Houston Rockets. This was Larry Bird’s first NBA Championship in his career.
Today, Larry Bird is said to have played 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics; Larry Bird in 1981, 84, 86 won three NBA championships; and in 1984,85,86 he got three NBA MVP. Larry Bird was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998.