NBA

Larry Bird through the years

USA TODAY
In this March 25, 1979 file photo, Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, left, of Michigan State, and Larry Bird of Indiana State during a news conference in Salt Lake City.
In this March 25, 1979 file photo, Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, left, of Michigan State, and Larry Bird of Indiana State during a news conference in Salt Lake City.
Jerome McLendon, AP
Julius Erving #6 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a jump shot against the Larry Bird # 33 of the Boston Celtics during an NBA game in 1982 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Julius Erving #6 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a jump shot against the Larry Bird # 33 of the Boston Celtics during an NBA game in 1982 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Jerry Wachter, NBAE/Getty Images
Boston Celtics' Larry Bird (33) moves around Los Angeles Lakers' Earvin "Magic" Johnson (32) during first period action of the NBA championship at the Los Angeles Forum, June 3, 1984.
Boston Celtics' Larry Bird (33) moves around Los Angeles Lakers' Earvin "Magic" Johnson (32) during first period action of the NBA championship at the Los Angeles Forum, June 3, 1984.
Lennox McLendon, AP
Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers battles for position against Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics during a game in 1984 at The Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California.
Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers battles for position against Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics during a game in 1984 at The Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California.
Andrew D. Bernstein, NBAE/Getty Images
Boston Celtics' Larry Bird, left, holds his NBA Championship Ring on Oct. 31,1984 at Boston Garden.
Boston Celtics' Larry Bird, left, holds his NBA Championship Ring on Oct. 31,1984 at Boston Garden.
Paul R. Benoit, Associated Press
Larry Bird takes a jumper in a 1986 game against the Washington Bullets.
Larry Bird takes a jumper in a 1986 game against the Washington Bullets.
Porter Binks, USAT
Ralph Sampson #50 of the Houston Rockets posts up against Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics during the 1986 NBA Finals at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Ralph Sampson #50 of the Houston Rockets posts up against Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics during the 1986 NBA Finals at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Dick Raphael, NBAE/Getty Images
Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait with Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers with each holding the NBA Championship Trophy at The Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California.
Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait with Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers with each holding the NBA Championship Trophy at The Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California.
Andrew D. Bernstein, NBAE/Getty Images
Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics shoots a jumpshot against James Worthy of the Los Angeles Lakers during the NBA game at The Boston Garden on January 1, 1987 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics shoots a jumpshot against James Worthy of the Los Angeles Lakers during the NBA game at The Boston Garden on January 1, 1987 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Andrew D. Bernstein, NBAE/Getty Images
Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics celebrates victory over the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of the NBA Playoffs at Boston Garden in this May 26, 1987 photo.
Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics celebrates victory over the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of the NBA Playoffs at Boston Garden in this May 26, 1987 photo.
Peter Southwick, Associated Press
Kevin Mchale #32 and Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics play defense during a game played in 1989 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Kevin Mchale #32 and Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics play defense during a game played in 1989 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Andrew D. Bernstein, NBAE/Getty Images
Boston Celtics' Larry Bird brings the ball up the court against the Indiana Pacers on March 27, 1990, in Indianapolis.
Boston Celtics' Larry Bird brings the ball up the court against the Indiana Pacers on March 27, 1990, in Indianapolis.
Davis Boe, Associated Press
This is a November 1991 file photo of Boston Celtic legend Larry Bird driving against Charlotte Hornet forward J.R. Reid in a game at the Boston Garden in Boston.
This is a November 1991 file photo of Boston Celtic legend Larry Bird driving against Charlotte Hornet forward J.R. Reid in a game at the Boston Garden in Boston.
Charles Krupa, Associated Press
This is a November 1991 file photo showing former Boston Celtics stars Robert Parish, left, Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, right, together on the bench during a game at the Boston Garden in Boston.
This is a November 1991 file photo showing former Boston Celtics stars Robert Parish, left, Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, right, together on the bench during a game at the Boston Garden in Boston.
Stephen Savoia, Associated Press
Larry Bird #7, Michael Jordan #9, and Magic Johnson #15 of the United States National Team pose for a photo during the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
Larry Bird #7, Michael Jordan #9, and Magic Johnson #15 of the United States National Team pose for a photo during the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
Neil Leifer, NBAE/Getty Images
Larry Bird of the United States Men's Basketball Team watches while laying down during a game at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
Larry Bird of the United States Men's Basketball Team watches while laying down during a game at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
Nathaniel S. Butler, NBAE/Getty Images
Larry Bird #7 of the United States National Team shoots a jump shot during the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
Larry Bird #7 of the United States National Team shoots a jump shot during the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
Andrew D. Bernstein, NBAE/Getty Images
Larry Bird #7 of the United States National Team battles for position during the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
Larry Bird #7 of the United States National Team battles for position during the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
Andrew D. Bernstein, NBAE/Getty Images
Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics with Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers during Larry Bird Night at the Boston Garden on February 4, 1993.
Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics with Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers during Larry Bird Night at the Boston Garden on February 4, 1993.
Andrew D. Bernstein, NBAE/Getty Images
Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics with teamates Kevin McHale and Robert Parish during Larry Bird Night at the Boston Garden on February 4, 1993 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics with teamates Kevin McHale and Robert Parish during Larry Bird Night at the Boston Garden on February 4, 1993 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Andrew D. Bernstein, NBAE/Getty Images
This is a January 29, 1996 file photo of Boston Celtic legend Larry Bird stretching at the Fleet Center in Boston.
This is a January 29, 1996 file photo of Boston Celtic legend Larry Bird stretching at the Fleet Center in Boston.
Ed Nessen, Associated Press
Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird inbounds the ball during the Celtics' practice at Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass., Nov. 19, 1996.
Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird inbounds the ball during the Celtics' practice at Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass., Nov. 19, 1996.
Ed Nessen, Associated Press
Former Boston Celtic Larry Bird talks with Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan, Utah Jazz's John Stockton, and former Boston Celtic Sam Jones during a photo session with the Legends of the NBA Saturday, Feb. 8, 1997.
Former Boston Celtic Larry Bird talks with Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan, Utah Jazz's John Stockton, and former Boston Celtic Sam Jones during a photo session with the Legends of the NBA Saturday, Feb. 8, 1997.
Beth A. Keiser, Associated Press
Former Celtics star Robert Parish, left, looks towards his family as he stands with former teammate Larry Bird, right, and their banner during Parish's number retirement ceremony in Boston Sunday, Jan. 18, 1998.
Former Celtics star Robert Parish, left, looks towards his family as he stands with former teammate Larry Bird, right, and their banner during Parish's number retirement ceremony in Boston Sunday, Jan. 18, 1998.
Victoria Arocho, Associated Press
Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Larry Bird waves to the crowd during a standing ovation, on stage at the hall of fame induction ceremony held at the Springfield, Mass., civic center, Friday, Oct. 2, 1998.
Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Larry Bird waves to the crowd during a standing ovation, on stage at the hall of fame induction ceremony held at the Springfield, Mass., civic center, Friday, Oct. 2, 1998.
Matthew Cavanaugh, Associated Press
Pacers coach Larry Bird expresses himself to official Jim Clark during a 1998 game.
Pacers coach Larry Bird expresses himself to official Jim Clark during a 1998 game.
Robert Deutsch, USAT
Indiana Pacers coach Larry Bird, left, talks with Pacers guard Jalen Rose as they play the Washington Wizards in the season opening game in Indianapolis, Feb. 5, 1999.
Indiana Pacers coach Larry Bird, left, talks with Pacers guard Jalen Rose as they play the Washington Wizards in the season opening game in Indianapolis, Feb. 5, 1999.
Michael Conroy, Associated Press
Indiana Pacers coach Larry Bird, right, jokes with Magic Johnson before the taping of a segment in Indianapolis Monday Feb. 22, 1999, on the 20th anniversary of the 1979 NCAA national championship game that featured Bird and Johnson.
Indiana Pacers coach Larry Bird, right, jokes with Magic Johnson before the taping of a segment in Indianapolis Monday Feb. 22, 1999, on the 20th anniversary of the 1979 NCAA national championship game that featured Bird and Johnson.
Michael Conroy, Associated Press
Indiana Pacers coach Larry Bird watches practice from the sidelines Tuesday, May 25, 1999 in Indianapolis as the team prepares for an Eastern Conference Championship matchup with the New York Knicks.
Indiana Pacers coach Larry Bird watches practice from the sidelines Tuesday, May 25, 1999 in Indianapolis as the team prepares for an Eastern Conference Championship matchup with the New York Knicks.
Michael Conroy, Associated Press
Indiana Pacers head coach Larry Bird watches his team in the 1st quarter during the 6th game of the NBA Finals between the Pacers and the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center, June 19, 2000.
Indiana Pacers head coach Larry Bird watches his team in the 1st quarter during the 6th game of the NBA Finals between the Pacers and the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center, June 19, 2000.
Diane Weiss, USAT
Former NBA players Earvin "Magic" Johnson, right, and Larry Bird share a laugh at a news conference before the championship game between Michigan State and North Carolina at the men's NCAA Final Four college basketball tournament Monday, April 6, 2009.
Former NBA players Earvin "Magic" Johnson, right, and Larry Bird share a laugh at a news conference before the championship game between Michigan State and North Carolina at the men's NCAA Final Four college basketball tournament Monday, April 6, 2009.
Amy Sancetta, AP
President of basketball operations for the Indiana Pacers, Larry Bird answers questions during a press conference, Wednesday, May 30, 2012.
President of basketball operations for the Indiana Pacers, Larry Bird answers questions during a press conference, Wednesday, May 30, 2012.
Kelly Wilkinson, Indianapolis Star
Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird watches the game against the Miami Heat in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena.
Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird watches the game against the Miami Heat in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports