The series was not a close one: the Cs took a 3-0 lead before Milwaukee won their second home game to stay alive. The Celtics did not warm up with their sweat pants on because of extreme heat, and an oxygen tank was provided to give air to an aging Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. And, to be clear, he came by it honestly. He stayed loyal to the Celtics throughout his entire career and they were the team that reaped the benefits of his five NBA Finals appearances and three NBAchampionships. Bird only averaged 15 points per game throughout the series but he did drop a series high 27 points in Game 6 to officially send the Rockets packing, as Bird won his first chip. He averaged 27.4 points, 14.0 boards and 3.6 assists per game for the series. In 1987-88, Bird was the first Celtic ever to record a 40-20 game, with a 42-point, 20-rebound effort against Indiana. However, despite sweeping the Bulls in the first round again, they had serious issues the next few. Boston entered the new decade by winning the 1981 NBA Finals. Dennis Johnson responded by sinking two free throws to seal the victory. Finally, lets discuss the NBA Finals. It must have lit a fire underneath Larry because he didnt let anything get in his way during his sophomore season. Traditional I have been a Boston sports fan for more than forty years. Im kind of country, she explained. As with many teams in the 1990s, the Pacers were stopped by the Chicago Bulls, losing the series in seven games as the Bulls did not lose a home game in the series. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Celtics star received 52 first placed votes, with second place Bernard King only getting eleven. Home; Tickets; Schedule. Unfortunately for the Pacers and Larry Bird, the Lakers were just too much for the Pacers. He averaged 23.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 6.0 . The 1984 NBA Finals is considered one of the most epic series in league history. The Bucks were no match for the Celtics, and this spelled the end of a competitive Bucks team that fizzled out after this season. FGA, TRB, AST, PF, GS over 99% complete back to 1975-76. Larry Bird is 6-9. Find out more. They did make the playoffs the year after and many thought that they would easily repeat at first. And, as if that wasn't enough, Bird found success after hanging up his sneakers. Known as "Larry Legend," Bird has achieved incredible success in his career, earning multiple awards and holding numerous records. Among his accomplishments, Bird set the new single-game franchise record for points. Jordan scored an all-time playoff record in game 2: 63 points. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. His back suffered major issues, as he injured it building on his farm. James has as many series losses in the Finals as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Larry Bird combined. Cedric Maxwell, Larry Birds teammate, was awarded Finals MVP with 18-9-3. The Cs won a couple home games to start the series then lost a close one on the road. Get the latest news on Larry Bird, biographical info . The NBA unveiled two new postseason awards on Thursday morning: the Eastern Conference Finals MVP and Western Conference Finals MVP. Johnson had the winning record in the regular season and playoffs, and he took down Bird twice in their three Finals showdowns although Johnson having the better team had something to do with that. This was the Celtics' first appearance in The Finals since their 1976 championship winning team against the Phoenix Suns.The Celtics were not quite the same team as five years before, as they added the likes of Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale, a trio that would come to be known as "The Big Three." M. L. Carr, Cedric Maxwell, and Nate Archibald were also capable players off the . Larry Bird won Finals MVP in 1984 & 1986, the trophy would go to his teammate Cedric Maxwell in 1981. He was pre-knee injury at this point and averaged 26 per game in the regular season and 29 per game in this series. However, this was not the case. Bird was named Finals MVP after averaging 27.4 points, 14.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game in the series. Bird: "So you're overpaid.". While Bird did not have the finals success of a Jordan or Russell, he still had a better record than greats including LeBron and Wilt. Please check your email for a confirmation. Larry Bird was named MVP of the series. The last four games all came down to the last shot, with all the games being decided by two points or less. Scott Rafferty is a Senior NBA Editor for The Sporting News. While that body of work would give anyone the right to too their own horn, Larry Legend took a different course of action. Larry Bird, the former basketball player for NBA's Boston Celtics, is a true icon in the world of basketball. You can't tell the story of the 1980s without Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. They snuck into the playoffs because of a weak Central division. Bird was very honest when taking up the role saying he would only coach the team for three years. Adding one more hall of famer, Bill Walton, put this team over the top. Bird set a career-high with 60 points against the Atlanta Hawks during the 1984-85 season. Sadly for Bird, Michigan State were just too much for him as the Spartans ran out 75-64 winners. She reported on the Celtics' sideline while Pat O'Brien reported on the Lakers' sideline. His team mate Cedric Maxwell won MVP. In Game 4, the Lakers had a five-point game lead with less than a minute to play, but made several execution errors, including Magic Johnson's bad pass to Robert Parish late in the fourth quarter, and missing two crucial free throws in OT as the Celtics tied the game and then came away with a 129-125 victory in overtime. This series prompted Bird to quote, Thats God disguised as Michael Jordan. Michael averaged 43 points through the three-game series. Even with Jordan exploding, only game two was close at 135-131. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. At the macro level, the famous won three titles with the Boston Celtics. Carr stole James Worthy's inbounds pass followed by a dunk to seal the win. Born in Indiana in 1956, Larry Bird began playing basketball at a young age. On May 16, 1985 the off-day between Games 2 and 3 of . Ruland, a center, averaged 22 points and 12 boards for the season. Both times it was to his rival dating back to college: Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers. Furthermore, Johnson and Bird earned five of the 10 MVP awards handed out during the 1980s. The Celtics next opponent was the Milwaukee Bucks, the team that swept them the year earlier. Los Angeles Lakers 4-3, Larry Bird Championship #3: 1986 Boston Celtics, 1986 First Round: Celtics def. The number two-seeded Bucks went down in a series sweep, with all five Celtics starters averaging double-digit points. He averaged a career-high 29.9 points that year, falling just five points . That NCAA tournament final is one of the most iconic games in college basketball history. Larry Bird and Earvin Magic Johnson helped define the modern NBA with their individual brilliance and team success in the 1980s. talent just don't get it. I have been a Boston sports fan for more than forty years. The Lakers destroyed the Cs in their first home game 137-104 in game 3. The Celtics swept the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals. This was brought on after Ralph had an altercation with a Boston player in game five. The Celtics won the series, with Bird getting a triple double in the deciding game six. The Bucks swept the Nets in the first round then took seven games to get by a tough Sixers squad starring a young. Three seasons later, the Celtics were in the finals again and this time they faced the Los Angeles Lakers and Magic Johnson for the first time. But it was in 1986 when the Celtics faced the Houston Rockets for the championship when Bird . NAME DATE SEASON SERIES TM OPP REC W% MIN PTS REB AST STL BLK TOV FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% PF +/-Magic Johnson: 5/27/1984: 1983-84 . The 1984 NBA Finals was the first championship meeting between old rivals Boston and Los Angeles since 1969. We had Larry Bird, Kevin Mchale, Robert Parish, and Dennis Johnson on the Celtics. L.A. went on to blow out the Celtics in Game 3 but the resilient Celtics responded with a 129-125 OT win in Game 4 which was sealed by Carrs steal at the buzzer. SI examines the rivalry between the basketball hall of famers and how they changed the landscape of the NBA. Larry Bird Championships: He Defeated the Best! Not that there was anything to really worry about for him, it really just added a chip on his shoulder to come back and perform to a high standard. What Was Michael Jordans Playoff Record? After . Larry Bird won the NBA Finals MVP two times. Larry Bird starred at Indiana State University before joining the NBA's Boston Celtics in 1979. . he guided the Pacers to a 58-24 record, which was the best in franchise history at the time. During that year Lesley Visser, Stockton's wife, became the first woman to cover the NBA Finals for CBS. Milwaukee Bucks 4-0, 1986 NBA Finals: Celtics def. In the playoffs, the Celtics defeated the Washington Bullets in four, the New York Knicks in seven, and the Milwaukee Bucks in five. The Celtics swept the Bulls after getting a bye in the first round for winning the Atlantic Division. Isn't 15.3 points, 15.3 rebounds and 7 assists per game one of the coolest statlines for an NBA playoff series ever?A quote from Larry Bird's book "Drive" co. This series was an eye-opener into how good the Celtics were this season. The rules shift was a big factor . Though just looking at his record can get a bit confusing. The Larry Bird Finals Record was first recorded by Bill Simmons in his book Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game. Bird does not have any titles outside of the NBA, despite making the NCAA tournament final in 1979. And after watching the Lakers face the Philadelphia 76ers twice during the 1982 and 1983 Finals, they were determined to win in 84. Which NBA Team had the Most Hall of Famers for one Season. He was the NBA Finals MVP in 1981, and the . The East's award is named after Larry Bird and the West's after Magic Johnson. Houston had gone 40-42 in the 1980-81 regular season compared to Boston's 62-20 season under second-year Celtics sensation Larry Bird you may have heard of him. Larry Bird of the Celtics and Magic Johnson of the Lakers, Malcolm Emmons and MPS - USA TODAY Sports. Larry Bird was a star. This series was a rematch of the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics after their rivalry was revived in 1979 with the Magic JohnsonLarry Bird pair entering the league. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? In total, Larry Bird went to five NBA finals in his career. They beat the Rockets twice and the Lakers once to win NBA titles. FTA complete back to 1948-49. Hey, it's enough to make Allen Iverson burn his Celtics throwbacks. The Boston Celtics were matched up against the Houston Rockets, led by Hall of Famer Moses Malone. Cedric Maxwell averaged 17.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists to win Finals MVP. Maxwell later claimed he said something like that but not quite so family friendly. Bird has four siblings' all brothers named Mike . Answer (1 of 2): Larry Bird has been in the NBA Finals 5 times as a player, all while playing with the Boston Celtics. Do you have a blog? . It was an offensive and defensive clinic. How Does Larry Birds Finals Record Compare to Other Great NBA Players? Larry Bird's Celtics made the Finals in 1985 and 1987 but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. But it is also quite possible even probable that Larry Bird cost the Celtics the 1985 NBA championship.". As of 2023, Larry Bird's net worth is around $80 million; he has different income sources. Aside from stats, Larry Bird was a winner, bringing home multiple championship rings during his time with the Celtics. How Many Finals MVPs Does Larry Bird Have? The Eastern Conference Finals were much more difficult. Bird became only the third player in NBA history to win three titles in a row. It was the same matchup with pretty much the same teams. The Philadelphia 76ers beat the Lakers in 1983 and the Detroit Pistons snuck by the Lakers in 1989. The Lakers took game 1 in Boston and looked like they made take a commanding 2-0 lead when Gerald Henderson stole the ball and the series. Birds great performances in games one and six helped lead the Celtics to the title and Bird claimed his first NBA Championship in 1981. . The Larry Bird Finals Record is a statistic of the player who most often wins the NBA Finals. Houston lost a close game 1 then won a tight game 2 in Boston. Johnson won 11 of those games, posting averages of 19.4 points, 11.5 assists and 6.8 rebounds in their head-to-head matchups compared to 21.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game for Bird. Bostons setbacks didnt end on the basketball court. This struggle did not deter Bird. Magic led the Lakers to victory at home in game 6, setting the stage for a Boston Garden Game 7. Birds Boston Celtics finished 16-15 in NBA Finals games and 3-2 in NBA Finals series. The Bucks now featured a young Terry Cummings along with Paul Pressey and Sidney Moncrief. Shoots: The Bucks, coached by Celtics legend Don Nelson, won the Central Division title in 1984. James Posey shared the culture that made the 2008 Boston Celtics experience so unique. Their rivalry was second to none and saw them meet up in the NBA Finals three times. Larry Bird reached 5 NBA Finals, wining 3 and losing 2, he played his entire career with the Boston Celtics. Nicknamed "the Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.He is the only person in NBA history to be named Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Finals . But what is Larry Birds record in the NBA Finals? Noise Group Limited is a UK registered company. Bird is a universally known NBA legend and is often credited with the NBAs explosion of popularity in the 1980s. How to say Basketball in different languages? In the playoffs, the team went 15-3 en route to winning the championship. At the risk of boring you with a list of his all-time accomplishments, well run through an abbreviated version of Birds body of work. Both teams could have easily succeeded in taking the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite home wins in games three and five, the Pacers lost the series in six games, with Shaq and Kobe just being too much for Indianas stars. 1984: Larry Bird: Boston Celtics: No stats available. Larry averaged 23-13-7 on his way to a four-game sweep. Unfortunately, the team was defeated by the Philadelphia 76ers in five games and they were sent home. Amazing! 0:00. Meanwhile, the Clydesdales, AKA the Celtics, were coming off a season where they went 56-26 and were swept by the Milwaukee Bucks in round 2 of the playoffs. Despite the similarities, the Lakers won the series in six games. He instead enrolled at the smaller Indiana State University. Celtics Starters: Tiny Archibald, Chris Ford, Larry Bird, Cedric Cornbread Maxwell and Robert Parish. He averaged 15.3 points, 15.3 rebounds and 7.0 assists for the series. The Celtics blew out Houston in game 5 behind a big effort from Cedric Maxwell and then took a big lead and held on to win in game 6. Head to Head: Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson. Jordan averaged an insane 43.7 points, 5.7 assists and 6.3 rebounds for this. Larry Bird would go after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar later on in the third quarter, and 1981 Finals MVP Cedric Maxwell further antagonized the Lakers by following a missed James Worthy free throw by crossing the lane with his hands around his own neck, symbolizing that Worthy was "choking" under pressure. It brought Bird his third and final NBA Championship. But does that record provide a fair verdict on James' performance in the NBA Finals? Carr. The league had changed the Finals homecourt schedule to the 2-3-2 format that year, allowing the team with the lesser record (LA) to host the middle three games. (the Lakers) learned a valuable lesson. Carr revealed that the motto of the 1983-84 Celtics was Dont be denied, and the team ended up winning the championship that no one thought they would win. In the Western Conference Finals the Rockets handled the defending champion Lakers in five games. home/away, monthly, etc More Larry Bird Basketball Reference pages, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 6:46PM. The 1984 championship series scored high TV ratings. Those same Lakers defeated Bird in both his finals losses. Learn more and register, International Stats at Basketball-Reference.com, College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com, Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. Stephen Curry is now a career 21-4 (.840) in playoff series. He won his second NBA Finals MVP. Magic beat Larry in their college showdown, but Bird made sure he got his revenge in 1984. Despite playing for another five seasons after his last title, Bird would retire with three NBA championships. the Celtics posted a 61-21 record and defeated the Houston Rockets to take the first NBA . Bird won two finals against very different Houston Rockets teams and one against the Showtime Lakers featuring Kareem and Magic. In Game 6, the Lakers evened the series with a 119-108 victory. During the playoffs, the Lakers defeated the Kansas City Kings in three, the Dallas Mavericks in five, and the Phoenix Suns in six. It was one of the most dominant playoff runs that we had ever seen in basketball at this time and it was hard to imagine them as anything other than favorites entering that series against the Rockets, a team that they already beat in the championship before. The Pacers got their revenge on the Knicks, winning the eastern conference finals in six games to go up against the Lakers. They lost twice to the same team: the Los Angeles Lakers. As weve mentioned, all these players were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Do you have a sports website? 1983: Moses Malone: C: 6-9 , 220lb (206cm, 99kg) More bio, uniform, draft, salary info. Despite excellent performances in his first two seasons, Indiana State had very little success. NY Knicks 4-3, 1984 Eastern Conference Final: Celtics def. The Lakers and the Celtics met again in 1987 where the Lakers won in six games. Boston had lost the previous two matchups to the Cavs and they were hungry for revenge last night. The Celtics won the Finals convincingly 4-2. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.
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