All about Larry Bird

Larry Bird's story of an economically challenged upbringing in a small Midwest town to Basketball Hall of Fame is a truly inspiring tale. From the "Hick from French Lick" to "Larry Legend" his story is one of hard work, mental toughness, and competitive fervor. Growing up the shy younger brother of high school basketball star Mark Bird, Larry had to work hard to get noticed. At first it didn't go well, but by his junior year in high school college teams began to take notice. By his senior year he was being scouted by Big 10 schools including the Boby Knight of the Indiana University Hoosiers. Although he signed up to play for Indiana University he never suited up for a game. Instead he dropped out and would eventually sign on with a much less powerful basketball program at Indiana State University. By his sophomore year as a Sycamore Larry was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Drafted into the NBA by the Boston Celtics Larry would his team to five NBA Finals winning three of those contests. Small town Indiana is small town basketball. In the decade before Michael Jordan Larry Bird and Magic Johnson set the basketball world on fire. Larry would go on to coach for his home state Indiana Pacers. In his third year he took the Reggie Miller lead Pacers to the NBA Finals as the Eastern Conference Champions. Larry still works for the Indiana Pacers today.