He was reportedly a drinker and had fallen behind in child-support payments. He was the first person to win NBA MVP, NBA Coach of the Year and NBA Executive of the year. There was just so much going on, but, really, the outlet was basketball. When Bird boarded the team bus on the morning of the game, Jordan, ill as he was, was on it. Back at the hotel, still in bed, was Michael Jordan. Bill Walton reflects on Larry Bird and the 1986 Boston Celtics. by. Marty Fenn; January 26, 2020. Since retiring as a player, he has been a mainstay in the Indiana Pacers organization, currently serving as team president. She was 66. That’s the way I looked at it then, and the way I look at it now. They have two adopted children, Conner and Mariah. Bryant was making his debut, becoming the youngest All-Star in NBA history. But just like anything else, life goes on.”, Despite all the turmoil in his life, life did go on for Larry Bird. It was mostly the school.”. Copyright 1985 NBAE. Your ad choices | It was a shock. "Kobe was trying to go after Michael early," Bird said. The future Boston Celtics legend was wanted for his basketball talents. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics stands on the court during Game Six of the 1985 NBA Finals against against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Boston Garden on June 9, 1985 in Boston, Massachusetts. Bird died early Tuesday morning at her West Baden Springs home of her daughter, Linda Goughenour. He was the fourth of Joe and Georgia Bird's six children. Though Bryant won the crowd with his 360-dunk and thunderous alley-oop off a lob from 21-year-old Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jordan was named the game's most valuable player. Larry Bird might be the most well-known Celtics player of all time, and his incredible career led to him being dubbed with an iconic nickname: Larry Legend. He made the first of his nine straight NBA All-Star Game appearances that season. Not yet a starter for the Lakers, he was voted into the starting lineup for the West. He'll be the first rookie coach to guide an All-Star team since Bird did so in 1998. Hodges was a guy who wouldn’t take no for an answer and wound up getting Bird on board in 1975. "Just going along with business as usual.". Larry Bird Coronavirus Does Larry Bird Have the coronavirus? Larry is alive and kicking and is currently 63 years old. “People naturally think it was trouble between (Bobby) Knight and me, but it wasn’t,” Bird said. He has been very valuable to our league over the years and I think he'll get it right.". His status initially was in doubt, but he ended up playing more minutes than any other player. Three-time NBA champion with Boston Celtics - 1981, 1984, and 1986. Partner of iOne Digital / Cassius Network. So, to hear those comments come from him now is great,” Kobe said in the same 2012 ESPN interview. Celebrities and Famous People Who Passed Away Today in History. "And Michael started going back at him.". Nicknamed the "Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend.". Even though I hated the Celtics, I admired Bird for his work ethic and for his determination. "I can't say I was intimidated or a little nervous about it," Bird said of coaching so many stars. "I can remember there was a lot of talent," Bird said. Bird was a 12-time NBA All-Star. Bird and the Celtics couldn’t come to a contract agreement so he went back to Indiana State for another college season. Jordan suddenly didn't resemble someone who spent the previous day in bed with a 101-degree fever. According to ESPN, Larry Bird averaged 31 points, 21 rebounds, and four assists as a senior for Springs Valley High School. The future Boston Celtics legend was wanted for his basketball talents. That meant, for just one day, he would coach Jordan, the Chicago Bulls superstar -- who was listed as questionable for the game. On Sunday, Golden State's Steve Kerr -- who turned down the Knicks' coaching job over the summer -- will lead the Western Conference All-Stars.