Editing Larry Bird (section)

==Professional career==

===Boston Celtics (1979–1992)===

====Joining the Celtics (1978–1979)====
Bird was selected by the [[1978–79 Boston Celtics season|Boston Celtics]] with the sixth overall pick in the [[1978 NBA draft]].<ref name="Larry Bird" /> He did not sign with the Celtics immediately; instead, Bird played out his final season at Indiana State and led the Sycamores to the NCAA title game. Celtics general manager [[Red Auerbach]] publicly stated that he would not pay Bird more than any Celtic on the current roster, but Bird's agent [[Bob Woolf]] told Auerbach that Bird would reject any sub-market offers and simply enter the [[1979 NBA draft|1979 draft]] instead, where Boston's rights would expire when the draft began on June 25, and Bird would have been the likely top pick. After protracted negotiations, he signed a five-year, $3.25 million contract with the team on June 8, making Bird the highest-paid rookie in sports history<!-- at the time-->.<ref name=clndbr>{{cite news |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dyxHAAAAIBAJ&pg=1610%2C1503176 |work = The Day |location = (New London, Connecticut) |agency = Associated Press |last = Braude |first = Dick |title = For $3.25 million, Celtics land Bird |date = June 8, 1979 |page = 33 |access-date = November 14, 2020 |archive-date = June 8, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210608095925/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dyxHAAAAIBAJ&pg=1610%2C1503176 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="Larry Bird: Biography" /><ref name=big-three-57>{{cite book |last = May |first = Peter |title = The Big Three |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=6owRYSf9llMC&pg=PA57 |access-date = March 21, 2013 |year = 2007 |orig-year = 1994 |publisher = Simon and Schuster |location = New York |isbn = 978-1-4165-5207-9 |page = 57 |oclc = 86221987 }}</ref> Shortly afterwards, NBA draft eligibility rules were changed to prevent teams from drafting players before they were ready to sign, a rule known as the Bird Collegiate Rule.<ref name=big-three-57 />

====Early success (1979–1983)====
[[File:Houston Rockets at Boston Celtics 1979-10-12 (Official Scorer's Report) (Larry Bird crop).jpg|alt=A box score with Bird's numbers highlighted|thumb|upright=1.3|Bird recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in his NBA debut against the Houston Rockets on October 12, 1979.]]
In his rookie season (1979–80), Bird immediately transformed the Celtics into a title contender. The team improved its win total by 32 games from the [[1978–79 Boston Celtics season|year before he was drafted]] and finished first in the [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern Conference]].<ref>{{cite web |title = 1978–79 NBA Season Summary |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1979.html |publisher = Basketball Reference |access-date = March 2, 2014 |archive-date = October 14, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131014055415/http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1979.html |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name=BR80>{{cite web |title = 1979–80 NBA Season Summary |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1980.html |publisher = Basketball Reference |access-date = March 2, 2014 |archive-date = August 4, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110804024957/http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1980.html |url-status = live }}</ref> In his career debut, Bird recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a 114–106 victory over the Houston Rockets.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197910120BOS.html |title = Houston Rockets at Boston Celtics Box Score, October 12, 1979 |publisher = Basketball-Reference |access-date = November 22, 2019 |archive-date = January 2, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200102080327/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197910120BOS.html |url-status = live }}</ref> On November 14, 1979, he recorded his first career triple-double with 23 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists in a 115–111 victory over the Detroit Pistons.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197911140BOS.html |title = Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics Box Score, November 14, 1979 |publisher = Basketball-Reference |access-date = November 12, 2019 |archive-date = November 12, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191112112037/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197911140BOS.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Nine days later, Bird recorded his first 30-point scoring game (along with 11 rebounds and 3 assists) in a 118–103 victory over the Indiana Pacers.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197911230BOS.html |title = Indiana Pacers at Boston Celtics Box Score, November 23, 1979 |publisher = Basketball-Reference |access-date = November 22, 2019 |archive-date = March 3, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200303093739/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197911230BOS.html |url-status = live }}</ref> With averages of 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game for the [[1979–80 Boston Celtics season|season]], he was selected to the [[NBA All-Star Game|All-Star Team]] and named [[NBA Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year]].<ref name="Larry Bird" /> In the [[1980 NBA Playoffs|Eastern Conference Finals]], Boston was eliminated by the [[1979–80 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia 76ers]].<ref name="BR80" />

Before the [[1980–81 NBA season|1980–81 season]], the Celtics selected forward [[Kevin McHale (basketball)|Kevin McHale]] in the [[1980 NBA draft|draft]] and acquired center [[Robert Parish]] from the [[Golden State Warriors]],<ref>{{cite web |title = Kevin McHale NBA & ABA Stats |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mchalke01.html |website = Basketball Reference |access-date = March 2, 2014 |archive-date = August 5, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110805065633/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mchalke01.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = Robert Parish NBA & ABA Stats |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/parisro01.html |website = Basketball Reference |access-date = March 2, 2014 |archive-date = February 24, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110224181056/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/parisro01.html |url-status = dead }}</ref> forming a Hall of Fame trio for years to come; the front-court of Bird, McHale, and Parish is regarded as one of the greatest front-courts in NBA history.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/5-best-players-in-boston-celtics-history-101316 |title = 5 best players in Boston Celtics history |date = October 13, 2016 |website = FOX Sports |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329211345/https://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/5-best-players-in-boston-celtics-history-101316 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.nba.com/history/legends/profiles/kevin-mchale |title = Legends profile: Kevin McHale |website = NBA.com |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329211337/https://www.nba.com/history/legends/profiles/kevin-mchale |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/06/13/expert-panel-warriors-not-greatest-team-of-all-time/ |title = NBA expert panel: Warriors not the greatest of all time, or even No. 2 |date = June 13, 2017 |website = Mercury News |access-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-date = March 29, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329225234/https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/06/13/expert-panel-warriors-not-greatest-team-of-all-time/ |url-status = live }}</ref> Behind Bird's leadership and Boston's upgraded roster, the Celtics again advanced to the [[1981 NBA playoffs|Conference Finals]] for a rematch with the 76ers.<ref name="BR81">{{cite web |title = 1980–81 NBA Season Summary |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1981.html |website = Basketball Reference |access-date = March 2, 2014 |archive-date = August 7, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110807021052/http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1981.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Boston fell behind 3–1 to start the series but won the next three games to advance to the Finals against the [[1980–81 Houston Rockets season|Houston Rockets]],<ref>{{cite web |title = 1981 NBA Eastern Conference finals |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1981_ECF.html#BOS-PHI |website = Basketball Reference |access-date = March 2, 2014 |archive-date = March 2, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140302233036/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1981_ECF.html#BOS-PHI |url-status = live }}</ref> winning in six games and earning Bird his first [[List of NBA champions|championship]].<ref name="BR81" /> Bird averaged 21.9 points, 14 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 2.3 steals per game for the postseason and 15.3 points, 15.3 rebounds, and 7 assists per game for the Finals.<ref name="Larry Bird" /><ref>{{cite web |title = 1981 NBA Finals |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1981_finals.html#BOS-HOU |website = Basketball Reference |access-date = March 2, 2014 |archive-date = March 2, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140302232351/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1981_finals.html#BOS-HOU |url-status = live }}</ref>

At the [[1982 NBA All-Star Game|1982 All-Star Game]], Bird scored 19 points en route to winning the [[NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award|All-Star Game MVP Award]].<ref name="NBA Bird">{{cite web |title = NBA.com: Larry Bird Bio |url = http://www.nba.com/history/players/bird_bio.html |website = NBA |access-date = March 8, 2014 |archive-date = January 13, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120113101905/http://www.nba.com/history/players/bird_bio.html |url-status = live }}</ref> At the end of the [[1981–82 NBA season|season]], he earned his first [[NBA All-Defensive Team|All-Defensive Team]] selection.<ref name="Larry Bird" /> Bird eventually finished runner-up in [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player Award]] voting to [[Moses Malone]].<ref name="NBA Bird" /> In the [[1982 NBA Playoffs|Conference Finals]], the Celtics faced the [[1981–82 Philadelphia 76ers season|76ers]] for the third consecutive year, losing in seven games.<ref>{{cite web |title = 1982 NBA Playoffs Summary |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1982.html |website = Basketball Reference |access-date = March 8, 2014 |archive-date = July 11, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220711135344/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1982.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Boston's misfortunes continued into [[1982–83 NBA season|the next season]], with Bird again finishing second in MVP voting to Malone and the team losing in the conference semifinals to the Milwaukee Bucks.<ref name="NBA Bird" /><ref>{{cite web |title = 1983 NBA Playoffs Summary |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1983.html |website = Basketball Reference |access-date = March 8, 2014 |archive-date = June 4, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200604201835/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1983.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

====MVP threepeat (1983–1986)====
[[File:Larry Bird layup.jpg|thumb|upright|right|alt=Bird jumping into a layup|Bird in a game against the [[Washington Bullets]]]]
Bird was slated to become a [[free agent]] after the 1983–84 season.  In 1983, as part of a collective bargaining agreement, the NBA initially implemented a "hard" [[salary cap]] (meaning total player salaries could not exceed a certain limit) which would not go into effect until the 1984–85 season.  The NBA quickly modified this to a "soft cap", meaning the cap could be exceeded in order for a team re-sign its own free agents. This came to be erroneously known as the "Larry Bird Rule"; the Celtics didn't actually invoke the exception to specifically re-sign Bird, as the cap wasn't in effect.  Bird signed his seven-year, $12.6 million extension in 1983, before the cap came into effect and the Celtics were actually over the cap in total player salaries (including Bird's extension) at the time the cap was implemented.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/sports-now/story/2010-05-05/sports-legends-revealed-how-did-the-larry-bird-exception-to-the-nba-salary-cap-get-its-name |title=Sports Legends Revealed: How did the 'Larry Bird exception' to the NBA salary cap get its name? |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 5, 2010 |access-date=January 14, 2025}}</ref>

Bird was named MVP of the [[1983–84 NBA season|1983–84 season]] with averages of 24.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game.<ref name="Larry Bird" /> In the [[1984 NBA Playoffs|playoffs]], the Celtics avenged their loss from the year before to the Bucks, winning in five games in the Conference Finals to advance to the Finals against the [[1983–84 Los Angeles Lakers season|Los Angeles Lakers]].<ref name=84P>{{cite web |title = 1984 NBA Playoffs Summary |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1984.html |publisher = Basketball Reference |access-date = March 20, 2014 |archive-date = July 11, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220711140927/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1984.html |url-status = live }}</ref> In Game 4, the Lakers—led by Bird's college rival Magic Johnson—were on the verge of taking a commanding 3–1 series lead before a flagrant foul was committed on [[Kurt Rambis]] that resulted in a brawl and caused the Lakers to lose their composure.<ref>{{cite book |last = MacMullan |first = Jackie |title = When the Game Was Ours |date = 2009 |publisher = Mariner |isbn = 978-0-547-39458-9 |page = 136 }}</ref> Boston came back to win that game and eventually won the series in seven games.<ref name=84P /> Bird was named [[NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|Finals MVP]] behind 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.<ref name=84P />
[[File:December 1983 One on One Dr J vs Larry Bird advertisement by Electronic Arts (cropped) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Bird in 1983]]
On December 9, 1984, Bird recorded 48 points to go along with 14 rebounds and 5 assists in a narrow 128–127 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198412090BOS.html |title = Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics Box Score, December 9, 1984 |website = Basketball Reference |access-date = November 22, 2019 |archive-date = June 4, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200604074726/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198412090BOS.html |url-status = live }}</ref> On March 12 of the [[1984–85 NBA season|1984–85 season]], Bird scored a career-high and franchise record 60 points in a game against the [[Atlanta Hawks]].<ref>{{cite web |last = Schwartz |first = Larry |title = Eye for victory |url = https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00014103.html |website = ESPN |access-date = March 29, 2014 |archive-date = September 26, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130926235432/http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00014103.html |url-status = live }}</ref> The performance came just nine days after Kevin McHale set the previous Celtics record for points in a game with 56.<ref>{{cite book |last = MacMullan |first = Jackie |title = When the Game Was Ours |date = 2009 |publisher = Mariner |isbn = 978-0-547-39458-9 |page = 15 }}</ref> At the end of the year, Bird was named MVP for the second consecutive season, behind averages of 28.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game.<ref name="Larry Bird" /> Boston advanced through the [[1985 NBA Playoffs|playoffs]] to earn a rematch with the Lakers, this time losing in six games.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1985_finals.html |title = 1985 NBA Finals Composite Box Score |website = Basketballreference.com |access-date = December 31, 2015 |archive-date = September 23, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110923012030/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1985_finals.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

During the 1985 offseason, Bird injured his back shoveling crushed rock to create a driveway at his mother's house. At least partially as a result of this, Bird experienced back problems for the rest of his career.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 13, 2023 |title=7 Surprising Larry Bird Facts |url=https://hoopmaestro.com/7-surprising-larry-bird-facts/ |access-date= |website=HoopMaestro |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313205837/https://hoopmaestro.com/7-surprising-larry-bird-facts/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Larry Bird Lipofsky.jpg|thumb|upright|right|alt=Bird holding a basketball, aiming to shoot|Bird playing for the Celtics in the [[1985 NBA Playoffs|1985 NBA playoffs]]]]
Before the start of the [[1985–86 NBA season|1985–86 season]], the Celtics made a daring trade for [[Bill Walton]], an All-Star center with a history of injury.<ref name=86C>{{cite web |title = 1985–86 Boston Celtics |url = http://www.nba.com/playoffs2004/challenge_celtics1986.html |work = NBA.com |access-date = March 30, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140414075156/http://www.nba.com/playoffs2004/challenge_celtics1986.html |archive-date = April 14, 2014 |url-status = dead }}</ref> The risk paid off; Walton's acquisition helped Boston win a league best 67 games.<ref>{{cite web |title = 1985–86 NBA Season Summary |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1986.html |publisher = Basketball Reference |access-date = March 30, 2014 |archive-date = May 1, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120501203633/http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1986.html |url-status = live }}</ref> One of Bird's career highlights occurred at the [[1986 NBA All-Star Game|1986 NBA All-Star Weekend]] when he walked into the locker room at the inaugural [[Three-Point Shootout]] and asked who was going to finish second before winning the shootout.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.espn.com/dallas/nba/columns/story?id=4888727 |title = With Bird in, good things came with 3s |access-date = June 15, 2014 |date = February 5, 2010 |publisher = [[ESPN]] |last = Caplan |first = Jeff |archive-date = January 2, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160102055556/http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba/columns/story?id=4888727 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://nesn.com/2011/08/relive-the-moment-larry-bird-wins-inaugural-three-point-contest/ |title = Relive the Moment: Larry Bird Easily Wins Inaugural 3-Point Contest After Asking Field Who Would Finish Second |access-date = June 15, 2014 |date = August 17, 2011 |publisher = [[New England Sports Network]] |archive-date = July 26, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140726181929/http://nesn.com/2011/08/relive-the-moment-larry-bird-wins-inaugural-three-point-contest/ |url-status = live }}</ref><!-- Note that one source claims that he won the first two and then laid down the challenge before winning the third one http://www.nba.com/allstar2006/moments_bird88.html User:TonyTheTiger -->

On November 27, 1985, Bird recorded 47 points to go along with 12 rebounds, two assists, and two steals in a 132–124 victory over the Detroit Pistons.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198511270BOS.html |title = Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics Box Score, November 27, 1985 |publisher = Basketball-Reference |access-date = November 22, 2019 |archive-date = June 4, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200604074724/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198511270BOS.html |url-status = live }}</ref> On March 10, 1986, he scored 50 points to go along with 11 rebounds and five assists in a narrow 116–115 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198603100DAL.html |title = Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks Box Score, March 10, 1986 |publisher = Basketball-Reference |access-date = November 22, 2019 |archive-date = August 29, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190829020245/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198603100DAL.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

With averages of 25.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists, and 2.0 steals per game, Bird became just the third player in NBA history to win three consecutive MVP Awards.<ref>{{cite web |title = Larry Legend – Bird wins third straight MVP |url = https://www.espn.com/classic/s/moment010528bird-mvp.html |publisher = ESPN Classic |access-date = March 30, 2014 |archive-date = October 2, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131002102445/http://espn.go.com/classic/s/moment010528bird-mvp.html |url-status = live }}</ref> In the [[1986 NBA Playoffs|playoffs]], the Celtics lost only one game through the first three rounds en route to a match-up against the [[1985–86 Houston Rockets season|Rockets]] in the Finals.<ref name=86C /> In Game 6 of the Finals against the Rockets, Bird recorded a triple-double of 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists as the Celtics won the Finals in six games.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198606080BOS.html |title = Houston Rockets at Boston Celtics Box Score, June 8, 1986 |website = Basketball Reference |access-date = November 22, 2019 |archive-date = November 16, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171116075408/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198606080BOS.html |url-status = live }}</ref> He averaged 24 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game for the championship round.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1986_finals.html |title = 1986 NBA Finals Composite Box Score |website = Basketball Reference |access-date = December 31, 2015 |archive-date = May 18, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110518193752/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1986_finals.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

The [[1985–86 Boston Celtics season|1985–86 Celtics]] are commonly ranked as one of the greatest basketball teams of all time, with the ''[[Boston Globe]]''{{'}}s Peter May and [[Grantland]]'s [[Bill Simmons]] listing them at number one.<ref>{{cite web |last = Poulard |first = JM |title = The 1985–86 Boston Celtics |url = https://www.warriorsworld.net/2011/08/25/1985-86-boston-celtics/ |date = August 25, 2011 |website = Warriors World |access-date = April 13, 2014 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140414052549/https://www.warriorsworld.net/2011/08/25/1985-86-boston-celtics/ |archive-date = April 14, 2014 }}</ref>

====Falling short (1986–1988)====
In 1987, the [[1986–87 Boston Celtics season|Celtics]] made their last Finals appearance of Bird's career, fighting through difficult series against the [[1986–87 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee Bucks]] and [[1986–87 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit Pistons]]. In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pistons, with five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and Boston trailing the Pistons 107–106, Bird stole an inbound pass. Falling out of bounds, Bird turned and passed the ball to teammate [[Dennis Johnson]], who converted a game-winning layup with less than a second left. The dramatic play saved the series for the Celtics. When they reached the NBA Finals, the Celtics lost to a dominant Lakers team that had won 65 games during the season. The Celtics ended up losing to the Lakers in six games, with Bird averaging 24.2 points on .445 shooting, 10 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1987_finals.html |title = 1987 NBA Finals Composite Box Score |website = Basketball Reference |access-date = December 31, 2015 |archive-date = August 8, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110808123105/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1987_finals.html |url-status = live }}</ref> The Celtics fell short in 1988 losing to the [[1987–88 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit Pistons]] in six games in the Eastern Conference finals as the Pistons made up from the heartbreak the previous season. Between them, Bird and Johnson captured eight NBA championships during the 1980s, with Magic getting five and Bird three. During the 1980s, either Boston or Los Angeles appeared in every NBA Finals.<ref>{{Cite news |url = http://www.nba.com/history/season-recap-index |title = NBA Season Recaps: 1946-2018 |work = NBA |access-date = November 24, 2018 |language = en |archive-date = April 20, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210420043950/https://www.nba.com/history/season-recap-index |url-status = live }}</ref>

Throughout the 1980s, contests between the Celtics and the Lakers—both during the regular season and in the Finals—attracted enormous television audiences. The first regular-season game between the Celtics and the Lakers in the 1987–88 season proved to be a classic with [[Magic Johnson]] banking in an off-balance shot from near the three-point line at the buzzer for a narrow 115–114 Lakers victory at [[Boston Garden]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/pgl.cgi?player=birdla01&year=1988 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120730215557/http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/pgl.cgi?player=birdla01&year=1988 |url-status = dead |archive-date = July 30, 2012 |title = Celtics-Lakers Box Score |website = Basketball Reference }}</ref> The historical rift between the teams, which faced each other several times in championship series of the 1960s, fueled fan interest in the rivalry. The apparent contrast between the two players and their respective teams seemed scripted for television, as they were polar opposites in nearly every way conceivable. Bird was White, Johnson was Black; Bird was an introvert from a small town playing in blue-collar Boston, while Johnson was the gregarious personification of the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles; Bird's Celtics played gritty, physical, defence-first basketball, whereas Johnson ran the Lakers' fast-paced [[Showtime (basketball)|Showtime offense]]. A 1980s [[Converse (shoe company)|Converse]] commercial for its "Weapon" line of basketball shoes (endorsed by both Bird and Johnson) reflected the perceived dichotomy between the two players. In the commercial, Bird is practicing alone on a rural basketball court (in reality the court was one Bird had made on the property in French Lick that he had purchased for his mother), when Johnson pulls up in a sleek [[limousine]] and challenges him to a one-on-one match.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmkwzqG4How |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/GmkwzqG4How |archive-date = October 28, 2021 |title = Converse Commercial (1986) with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson |website = YouTube |date = June 3, 2010 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Despite the intensity of their rivalry, Bird and Johnson became friends off the court. Their friendship blossomed when the two players worked together to film the Converse commercial, which depicted them as archenemies. Johnson appeared at Bird's retirement ceremony on February 4, 1993, and emotionally described Bird as a "friend forever."<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-02-05-sp-1105-story.html |title = Bird's Garden Party : Celtics Make It a Magical Night for Larry Legend |website = [[Los Angeles Times]] |date = February 5, 1993 |access-date = June 23, 2021 |archive-date = June 24, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204649/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-02-05-sp-1105-story.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

====Late career (1988–1992)====
The 1987–88 season was the highest-scoring season of Bird's career. In Game 7 of the 1988 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the [[Atlanta Hawks]], Bird shot 9-of-10 from the floor in the fourth quarter, scoring 20 points in that quarter and lifting the Celtics to a series-clinching victory.<ref>{{cite news |title = Celtics' Mr. Clutch Downs the Hawks |url = https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/23/sports/nba-playoffs-celtics-mr-clutch-downs-the-hawks.html |newspaper = [[The New York Times]] |date = May 23, 1988 |access-date = May 9, 2022 |archive-date = March 11, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220311115008/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/23/sports/nba-playoffs-celtics-mr-clutch-downs-the-hawks.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = Against All Those Hawks, One Bird Is Enough for Celtics |url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-23-sp-2200-story.html |newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]] |date = May 23, 1988 |access-date = May 9, 2022 |archive-date = May 10, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220510021707/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-23-sp-2200-story.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = HAWKS CAN'T REWRITE CELTICS' SCRIPT |url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-05-24-8801020065-story.html |newspaper = [[The Chicago Tribune]] |date = May 23, 1988 |access-date = May 9, 2022 |archive-date = May 10, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220510021707/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-05-24-8801020065-story.html |url-status = live }}</ref> Bird finished with 34 points. His effort helped to overcome a 47-point performance by Atlanta's [[Dominique Wilkins]].<ref>{{cite web |title = Legendary Moments in NBA History: Larry Bird and Dominique Wilkins battle in Game 7 |url = https://www.nba.com/news/legendary-moments-larry-bird-dominique-wilkins-celtics-hawks-1988-game-7 |publisher = [[National Basketball Association]] |date = May 22, 2018 |access-date = May 9, 2022 |archive-date = May 10, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220510021707/https://www.nba.com/news/legendary-moments-larry-bird-dominique-wilkins-celtics-hawks-1988-game-7 |url-status = live }}</ref> Wilkins remarked, "The basket was like a well. I couldn't miss. He couldn't miss. And it went down to the last shot of the game. Who was going to make the last shot? That's the greatest game I've ever played in or seen played." The Celtics failed to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in five years, losing to the Pistons in six games during the Eastern Conference Finals.

Bird's [[1988–89 NBA season|1988–89 season]] ended after six games when he had bone spurs surgically removed from both of his heels.<ref>{{cite magazine |title = The Bird is Grounded |url = https://vault.si.com/vault/1988/11/28/the-bird-is-grounded-the-struggling-celtics-have-lost-larry-bird-to-bone-spurs-until-at-least-march |magazine = [[Sports Illustrated]] |date = November 28, 1988 |access-date = May 9, 2022 |archive-date = May 10, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220510022505/https://vault.si.com/vault/1988/11/28/the-bird-is-grounded-the-struggling-celtics-have-lost-larry-bird-to-bone-spurs-until-at-least-march |url-status = live }}</ref> Bird returned to the Celtics in 1989, but debilitating back problems and an aging Celtic roster prevented him from regaining his prime form. Nonetheless, during the final years of his career, Bird maintained his status as one of the premier players in the game. In his final three seasons with the Celtics, Bird averaged over 20 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists per game, shot better than 45% from the field, and led the Celtics to playoff appearances.

After leading the Celtics to a 29–5 start to the [[1990–91 NBA season|1990–91 season]], Bird missed 22 games due to a compressed nerve root in his back, a condition that eventually led to his retirement. Bird had off-season surgery to remove a disc from his back, but his back problems continued and Bird missed 37 games during the [[1991–92 NBA season|1991–92 season]]. During the 1992 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the [[1991–92 Cleveland Cavaliers season|Cleveland Cavaliers]], Bird missed four of the seven games due to recurring back problems.

During Bird's final two seasons when he had serious back problems, the Celtics went 71–28 when he played. Without Bird, they had a 30–29 record, further demonstrating his importance and game-changing ability while on the court.<ref>{{cite web |title = The Boston Celtics had a 10-12 record without Larry Bird in 1990-91. |url = https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=celtics+record+without+larry+bird+90-91 |publisher = StatMuse |access-date = September 9, 2023 |archive-date = October 8, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231008073737/https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=celtics+record+without+larry+bird+90-91 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = 1990-91 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1991.html |publisher = Basketball-Reference.com |access-date = September 9, 2023 |archive-date = October 8, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231008073732/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1991.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = The Boston Celtics had a 20-17 record without Larry Bird in 1991-92. |url = https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=celtics+record+without+larry+bird+91-92 |publisher = StatMuse |access-date = September 9, 2023 |archive-date = October 8, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231008073734/https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=celtics+record+without+larry+bird+91-92 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = 1991-92 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats |url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1992.html |publisher = Basketball-Reference.com |access-date = September 9, 2023 |archive-date = August 23, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230823130303/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1992.html |url-status = live }}</ref>

On August 18, 1992, Bird announced his retirement from the NBA.<ref>{{cite news |title = Bird Bids Farewell, Retires From Celtics |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1992/08/19/bird-bids-farewell-retires-from-celtics/c6856473-4bdf-4901-9cc5-48f1681924a4/ |newspaper = [[The Washington Post]] |date = August 19, 1992 |access-date = May 9, 2022 }}</ref> Following Bird's departure, the Celtics promptly retired his jersey number 33.