Editing Larry Bird (section)

==Player profile and legacy==
Bird was voted onto the [[NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team]] list in 1996,<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.foxsports.com/nba/gallery/10-reasons-still-love-larry-bird-60th-birthday-120716 |title = 10 reasons we still love Larry Bird on his 60th birthday |website = FOX Sports |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329211348/https://www.foxsports.com/nba/gallery/10-reasons-still-love-larry-bird-60th-birthday-120716 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref name=birdsummary>{{cite web |url = http://www.nba.com/history/players/bird_summary.html |title = Larry Bird Summary |publisher = NBA |access-date = May 13, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150502141802/http://www.nba.com/history/players/bird_summary.html |archive-date = May 2, 2015 |url-status = dead }}</ref> and inducted into the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]] in 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/03/sports/pro-basketball-a-bashful-larry-bird-joins-hall-of-fame.html |title = PRO BASKETBALL; A Bashful Larry Bird Joins Hall Of Fame |first = Mike |last = Wise |date = October 3, 1998 |access-date = March 29, 2019 |website = [[The New York Times]] |archive-date = March 30, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190330002303/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/03/sports/pro-basketball-a-bashful-larry-bird-joins-hall-of-fame.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/tag/larry-j-bird |title = The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame – Hall of Famers |website = Hoop Hall |date = December 7, 1956 |access-date = May 13, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090829080355/http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/tag/larry-j-bird |archive-date = August 29, 2009 }}</ref> He was inducted into the Hall of Fame again in 2010, as a member of the "Dream Team."<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/1992-dream-team-inducted-into-hall-of-fame/ |title = 1992 Dream Team Inducted into Hall of Fame |website = CBS News |date = August 14, 2010 |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329230017/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/1992-dream-team-inducted-into-hall-of-fame/ |url-status = live }}</ref> In 1999, Bird ranked {{abbr|No.|Number}} 30 on [[ESPN]] SportsCentury's list of [[SportsCentury#SportsCentury: Top 50 American Athletes of the 20th Century (Original series)|50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th century]]. He played both the small forward and power forward positions.<ref name="biography.com">{{cite web |url = https://www.biography.com/people/larry-bird-9213087 |title = Larry Bird |website = Biography.com |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = January 16, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190116050230/https://www.biography.com/people/larry-bird-9213087 |url-status = live }}</ref> Universally recognized as an all-time great player, Bird was placed at the power forward position on an NBA all-time starting five roster with fellow superstars [[Magic Johnson]] (point guard), [[Michael Jordan]] (shooting guard), [[LeBron James]] (small forward), and [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] (center) in 2020.<ref>[https://www.sacbee.com/sports/article246099995.html It started in Sacramento: LeBron James, back in NBA Finals, makes our all-time starting 5] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113205904/https://www.sacbee.com/sports/article246099995.html |date=November 13, 2020 }}. The Sacramento Bee, September 30, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.</ref>
{{quote box|width=30em|align=left|quote=Larry, you only told me one lie. You said there will be another Larry Bird. Larry, there will never, ever be another Larry Bird.|salign=right|source=-Magic Johnson, as quoted at Bird's retirement party<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nba.com/history/Classic_NBA_Quotes_Index.html |publisher = NBA |title = Classic NBA Quotes |access-date = September 12, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091201214524/http://www.nba.com/history/Classic_NBA_Quotes_Index.html |archive-date = December 1, 2009 |url-status = dead }}</ref>}}

Bird has been described as one of the greatest basketball players and greatest shooters of all time.<ref name="nba.com1">{{cite web |url = http://www.nba.com/history/legends/profiles/larry-bird |title = Legends profile: Larry Bird |website = NBA |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329211844/https://www.nba.com/history/legends/profiles/larry-bird |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://boston.cbslocal.com/2016/06/22/whos-the-best-small-forward-of-all-time-larry-bird-or-lebron-james/ |title = Who's The Best Small Forward Of All Time: Larry Bird Or LeBron James? |date = June 22, 2016 |website = CBS Boston |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329211337/https://boston.cbslocal.com/2016/06/22/whos-the-best-small-forward-of-all-time-larry-bird-or-lebron-james/ |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1745748-lebron-james-michael-jordan-larry-bird-julius-erving-are-best-3-players-ever |title = LeBron James: Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Julius Erving Are 3 Best Players Ever |first = Adam |last = Fromal |website = Bleacher Report |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329211339/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1745748-lebron-james-michael-jordan-larry-bird-julius-erving-are-best-3-players-ever |url-status = live }}</ref> He was selected to 12 NBA All-Star teams.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.foxsports.com/southwest/gallery/who-has-made-the-most-nba-all-star-game-appearances-of-all-time-021519 |title = Who Has Made The Most NBA All-Star Game Appearances of All-Time |date = February 15, 2019 |website = FOX Sports |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329211343/https://www.foxsports.com/southwest/gallery/who-has-made-the-most-nba-all-star-game-appearances-of-all-time-021519 |url-status = live }}</ref> Bird won three NBA championships (in 1981, 1984, and 1986) with the Celtics<ref name="biography.com"/> and won two NBA Finals MVP Awards.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.cnn.com/2014/12/08/us/larry-bird-fast-facts/index.html |title = Larry Bird Fast Facts |date = December 8, 2014 |website = CNN |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = April 11, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190411211004/https://www.cnn.com/2014/12/08/us/larry-bird-fast-facts/index.html |url-status = live }}</ref> He won three consecutive regular season MVP awards; as of 2020, the only other players to accomplish this feat are [[Bill Russell]] and [[Wilt Chamberlain]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/heat-index/2016/05/10/nba-mvp-steph-curry-joins-list-multiple-time-winners/84188984/ |title = NBA MVP award: Steph Curry on list of multiple-time winners |website = AZCentral |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = March 7, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230307083332/https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/heat-index/2016/05/10/nba-mvp-steph-curry-joins-list-multiple-time-winners/84188984/ |url-status = live }}</ref> Bird was also a four-time regular season MVP runner-up in 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1988.<ref>[https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/james-harden-joins-exclusive-group-with-third-mvp-runner-up-finish/3wcnt3c1xn4f1omjan4d6u0zh Sporting News: James Harden joins exclusive group with third MVP runner-up finish] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604074659/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/james-harden-joins-exclusive-group-with-third-mvp-runner-up-finish/3wcnt3c1xn4f1omjan4d6u0zh |date=June 4, 2020 }}. Sportingnews.com, June 25, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2020.</ref> He is also remembered as one of the foremost [[Clutch (sports)|clutch performers]] in the history of the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]; Bird was known for his excellent play in high-stakes, high-pressure situations.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/25/17/who-is-the-most-clutch-player-in-nba-history |title = Who is the most clutch player in NBA history? |date = May 25, 2017 |website = ABS-CBN News |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329225728/https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/25/17/who-is-the-most-clutch-player-in-nba-history |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://bleacherreport.com/articles/514471-kobe-bryant-larry-bird-michael-jordan-and-the-10-best-closers-in-nba-history |title = Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and the 10 Best Closers in NBA History |first = Nicholas |last = Goss |website = Bleacher Report |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329211338/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/514471-kobe-bryant-larry-bird-michael-jordan-and-the-10-best-closers-in-nba-history |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.nba.com/magic/ranking-clutch-history-2-20180207 |title = Ranking 10 Most Clutch Players in NBA History |date = February 7, 2018 |website = Orlando Magic |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = March 30, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190330000848/https://www.nba.com/magic/ranking-clutch-history-2-20180207 |url-status = live }}</ref> In October 2021, as part of the NBA's 75th Anniversary, Bird was honored as one of the 75 greatest players of all time, by being named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> To commemorate the NBA's 75th Anniversary, ''[[The Athletic]]'' ranked their top 75 players of all time, and named Bird as the seventh greatest player in NBA history.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://theathletic.com/3112879/2022/02/10/nba-75-at-no-7-larry-bird-was-a-legendary-all-around-player-who-won-3-titles-with-the-celtics-and-changed-the-league/?source=rss | title=NBA 75: At No. 7, Larry Bird was a legendary all-around player who won 3 titles with the Celtics — and changed the league | access-date=March 11, 2023 | archive-date=March 11, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311004319/https://theathletic.com/3112879/2022/02/10/nba-75-at-no-7-larry-bird-was-a-legendary-all-around-player-who-won-3-titles-with-the-celtics-and-changed-the-league/?source=rss | url-status=live | last1=Kravitz | first1=Bob }}</ref>

Bird scored 24.3 points per game in his career on a .496 field goal percentage, an .886 free throw percentage, and a .376 percentage on three-point shots. Bird had an average of 10.0 rebounds per game for his career and 6.3 assists.<ref name="nba.com">{{cite web |url = https://www.nba.com/history/players/bird_summary.html |title = Larry Bird Summary |website = NBA |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329232438/https://www.nba.com/history/players/bird_summary.html |archive-date = March 29, 2019 |url-status = dead }}</ref> Bird was the first player in NBA history to shoot [[50-40-90 club|50% or better on field goals, 40% on three-pointers, and 90% on free-throws]] in a single NBA season while achieving the league minimum for makes in each category.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.opencourt-basketball.com/50-40-90-club-expanding/ |title = The 50-40-90 Club Could Be Expanding |date = January 2, 2018 |website = OpenCourt-Basketball |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329225117/https://www.opencourt-basketball.com/50-40-90-club-expanding/ |url-status = live }}</ref> He accomplished this feat twice.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/statuesday-malcolm-brogdon-50-40-90-club-milwaukee-bucks-012219 |title = StaTuesday: Bucks' Malcolm Brogdon on pace for rare 50-40-90 season |website = FOX Sports Wisconsin |date = January 22, 2019 |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329211341/https://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/statuesday-malcolm-brogdon-50-40-90-club-milwaukee-bucks-012219 |url-status = live }}</ref> Bird won NBA three-point-shooting contests in three consecutive years.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.celticsblog.com/2014/10/30/7087479/larry-legends-three-point-shootout-three-peat |title = How Larry Bird won the first 3 All-Star shootouts |first = Professor |last = Parquet |date = October 30, 2014 |website = CelticsBlog |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329225400/https://www.celticsblog.com/2014/10/30/7087479/larry-legends-three-point-shootout-three-peat |url-status = live }}</ref> He sometimes practiced shooting three-point shots with his eyes closed.<ref name="nba.com"/>

Bird is also remembered as an excellent passer<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.sbnation.com/2017/12/15/16780624/lebron-james-history-lesson-larry-bird-triple-doubles |title = Professor LeBron delivered a history lesson on Larry Bird's legendary game |first = Chris |last = Greenberg |date = December 15, 2017 |website = SBNation |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329223323/https://www.sbnation.com/2017/12/15/16780624/lebron-james-history-lesson-larry-bird-triple-doubles |url-status = live }}</ref> and defender.<ref name="biography.com"/> While he was relatively slow, Bird displayed a knack for anticipating the moves of his opponent, making Bird a strong team defender.<ref name="nba.com1"/> He had 1,556 career steals.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/STL_career.html |title = Career Leaders and Records for Steals |website = Basketball Reference |access-date = July 11, 2010 |archive-date = July 16, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100716122005/http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/stl_career.html |url-status = dead }}</ref> In recognition of his defensive abilities, Bird was named to three All-Defensive Second Teams.<ref name="nba.com1"/>

Bird was widely considered one of Red Auerbach's favorite players as he considered Bird to be the greatest basketball player of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1998/bird/flashbacks/1988flash.html |title = A Player for the Ages |date = March 21, 1988 |access-date = June 26, 2005 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130404102817/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1998/bird/flashbacks/1988flash.html |archive-date = April 4, 2013 |url-status = dead }}</ref> Bird's humble roots were the source of his most frequently used moniker, "The Hick from French Lick."<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.sportingnews.com/us/us/nba/photos/larry-bird-photos-classic-boston-celtics-legend-indiana/11ffr6pyv6yeu1jzstf3k1f38w |title = Larry Bird in photos: The 'Hick from French Lick' becomes Celtics legend |website = Sporting News |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329230148/http://www.sportingnews.com/us/us/nba/photos/larry-bird-photos-classic-boston-celtics-legend-indiana/11ffr6pyv6yeu1jzstf3k1f38w |url-status = dead }}</ref> Bird was also referred to as "Larry Legend."<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nba.com/history/players/bird_summary.html |website = NBA |title = Larry Bird Summary |access-date = June 3, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090429004945/http://www.nba.com/history/players/bird_summary.html |archive-date = April 29, 2009 |url-status = dead }}</ref>

Bird was known for his [[Trash talk|trash-talking]] on the court and is remembered as one of the most notable trash-talkers of his era.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/boston-celtics/talking-talk-86-celtics-trash-talking-tale |title = Talking the talk: An '86 Celtics trash-talking tale |date = January 20, 2016 |website = NBC Sports Boston |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329223541/https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/boston-celtics/talking-talk-86-celtics-trash-talking-tale |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/05/larry-bird-trash-talk-story-kevin-mchale-dan-patrick-show |title = Kevin McHale shares a classic Larry Bird trash talk story |date = May 1, 2018 |website = USA Today |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329225606/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/05/larry-bird-trash-talk-story-kevin-mchale-dan-patrick-show |url-status = live }}</ref> Bird was known for telling his opponents how and where in the court he would score against them; [[Xavier McDaniel]] recounted that Bird predicted a game-winning shot against him, then "shot a shot right in my face and was like 'Damn, I didn't mean to leave two seconds on the [[Shot clock|clock]].'"<ref>{{Cite web |title = On This Day 22 Years Ago, the NBA's Best Trash Talker Retired |url = https://www.boston.com/sports/celtics-blog/2014/08/18/on_this_day_22_years_ago_the_nbas_best_trash_talker_retired/ |access-date = February 2, 2023 |website = www.boston.com |language = en-US |archive-date = February 2, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230202201351/https://www.boston.com/sports/celtics-blog/2014/08/18/on_this_day_22_years_ago_the_nbas_best_trash_talker_retired/ |url-status = live }}</ref> When playing against [[Dennis Rodman]], a player known for his defensive abilities, in the 1987 Eastern Conference finals, Bird continually belittled Rodman's ability, at one point asking [[Chuck Daly]], Detroit's head coach, to send in someone up to the task of guarding him.<ref>{{Cite web |date = April 23, 2020 |title = Dennis Rodman recounts how Larry Bird schooled him in '87 playoffs |url = https://celticswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/22/nba-boston-celtics-dennis-rodman-larry-bird-east-finals-1987/ |access-date = February 2, 2023 |website = Celtics Wire |language = en-US |archive-date = February 2, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230202201517/https://celticswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/22/nba-boston-celtics-dennis-rodman-larry-bird-east-finals-1987/ |url-status = live }}</ref>

At the [[2019 NBA Awards]], Bird received the [[NBA Lifetime Achievement Award]] (shared with Magic Johnson).<ref>{{cite web |title = Larry Bird and Magic Johnson Receive NBA Lifetime Achievement Award |url = https://people.com/sports/nba-awards-2019-larry-bird-magic-johnson-lifetime-achievement/ |website = [[People (magazine)|People]] |date = June 24, 2019 |access-date = June 24, 2019 |archive-date = March 8, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210308073329/https://people.com/sports/nba-awards-2019-larry-bird-magic-johnson-lifetime-achievement/ |url-status = live }}</ref> Since 2022, the NBA will award the MVPs for the conference finals; the [[NBA Conference Finals Most Valuable Player Award|Eastern Conference Finals MVP]] trophy is named in Bird's honor, while the Western Conference trophy is named after Johnson.<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://nba.nbcsports.com/2022/05/12/nba-to-name-conference-finals-mvps/ |title = NBA to name conference finals MVPs |publisher = [[NBC Sports]] |date = May 12, 2022 |access-date = May 18, 2022 |archive-date = June 10, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220610165832/https://nba.nbcsports.com/2022/05/12/nba-to-name-conference-finals-mvps/ |url-status = live }}</ref>