Larry Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He had a remarkable career with the Boston Celtics, winning 3 NBA championships and 3 MVP awards. Bird’s skill, leadership, and clutch performances made him a legend. But what exactly made him so great? Here are some key reasons why Larry Bird is considered one of the best ever:
Incredible scorer
Larry Bird was an incredibly gifted scorer. He averaged 24.3 points per game for his career, with a single season high of 28.7 PPG in 1986-1987. Bird could score in a variety of ways:
- Deadly accurate shooter – He was one of the greatest shooters ever, with a career field goal percentage of .496 and 3-point field goal percentage of .376. Bird would punish teams if they gave him an open look.
- Master of the mid-range – Bird perfected the art of the mid-range jumper. He could pull up off the dribble or utilize screens to get open for his patented high release shot.
- Brilliant footwork and finishes – He used pivot moves, shot fakes, and clever angles to create high percentage shots near the basket.
- Automatic free throw shooter – At .886 for his career, Bird was extremely reliable at the foul line in clutch situations.
Bird had an uncanny knack for taking over games with his scoring. He could single-handedly break open a close game with a barrage of baskets. While not the most athletic player, his scoring skill was nearly unparalleled.
Elite rebounder
For a player who was not extremely tall or explosive at 6’9″, Bird was an elite rebounder. He averaged 10 rebounds per game for his career. Bird could read shots off the rim and utilize his positioning and fundamentals to control the glass:
- Anticipation – He had a knack for reading the ball off the rim and anticipating where it would land.
- Box outs – Bird was a master at establishing inside position and boxing out defenders.
- Great hands – He had exceptionally strong hands to secure tough rebounds in traffic.
- Grittiness – Bird had a willingness to battle bigger players for contested rebounds.
His reboundingability gave the Celtics extra possessions and kept opponents from getting second chance opportunities. Combined with his scoring, Bird’s rebounding made him a matchup nightmare.
Brilliant playmaker
Bird was more than just a scorer – he was also one of the most brilliant offensive orchestrators of all time. He had exceptional vision and feel as a passer:
- Court vision – Bird could see openings and angles that most players would miss. He was a master of reading defenses.
- Creativity – He could make threading the needle passes, whipbullet entry passes, perfectly placed lobs, and no look passes with ease.
- Ambidextrous – Bird could pass equally well with both his left and right hand.
- Unselfishness – Despite being a gifted scorer, Bird always kept his teammates involved and got them easy baskets.
For his career, Bird averaged 6.3 assists per game and had a season high of 7.6 APG in 1986-1987. The combination of his scoring gravity and playmaking allowed the Celtics offense to hum.
Clutch performer
One of Bird’s most pronounced traits was his ability to raise his game in crunch time. He lived for pressure situations and thrived with games on the line:
- Confidence – Bird wanted the ball in clutch moments and believed he would deliver.
- Competitiveness – He seemed to relish the challenge of sinking a game winner over the outstretched arms of a defender.
- Steady nerves – He never seemed to get rattled in tense situations, maintaining composure.
- No fear – Bird had no fear of failure, even if it meant taking the last controversial shot.
Some of Bird’s most memorable games came down to his late game heroics, such as stealing the ball and making a layup against the Pistons in 1987. He seemed utterly unfazed by all the pressure.
Defensive ability
While offense was his greatest strength, Bird developed into an impactful defender as well. He averaged 1.7 steals per game for his career at small forward. Bird used his high basketball IQ, large hands, and competitiveness to make key defensive plays:
- Reading lanes – His anticipation skills allowed him to jump into passing lanes for steals and deflections.
- Contesting shots – He used his length well to close out shooters and block shots for a player his size.
- Taking charges – Bird was willing to sacrifice his body to take charges on drivers.
- Versatility – He could effectively guard multiple positions and handle different matchups.
Coach KC Jones started using Bird to guard players as big as Dominique Wilkins because of his defensive prowess. Bird’s willingness to defend enhanced his all-around value.
Legendary competitiveness and drive
At the core of Bird’s greatness was his mythic competitiveness and drive for excellence:
- Hated losing – Bird was filled with palpable fury after losses. He took each loss personally.
- Killer instinct – He seemed to have an assassin’s mentality on the court, looking to destroy opponents.
- Work ethic – Bird was known for being a tireless worker, constantly improving his skills in offseason.
- Leadership – He led by example, practicing hard and playing hurt, inspiring teammates to follow.
Former Boston GM Jan Volk summed up Bird’s mentality nicely: “Larry Bird was the fiercest, most tenacious competitor I have ever seen.” This inner fire fueled his success.
Basketball IQ
Bird possessed one of the highest basketball IQs ever. He had an incredible understanding of the game that enabled him to be incredibly efficient:
- Reading defenses – He was masterful at identifying holes in defenses and exploiting them.
- Decision making – Bird always seemed to make the right pass or right shot at the right time.
- Processing speed – He could absorb information and react quicker than almost any player.
- Creativity – Bird saw openings and possibilities on the court before they developed.
Former Celtics coach Bill Fitch stated: “Larry has a very high basketball IQ. He sees things develop before they even happen.” Bird’s mental mastery was integral to his success.
Accomplishments and awards
Bird amassed an astonishing collection of accomplishments and accolades during his legendary 13 year career:
- 3 x NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986)
- 3 x NBA Most Valuable Player (1984-1986)
- 12 x NBA All-Star (1980-1988, 1990-1992)
- 2 x NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986)
- 9 x All-NBA First Team (1980-1988)
- 3 x All-Defensive Second Team (1982-1984)
- 1980 Rookie of the Year
- 3 x NBA 3-point Shootout Champion (1986-1988)
- 50-40-90 club (1987)
- No.33 jersey retired by Boston Celtics
Bird’s individual brilliance and team success makes him one of the most decorated players ever. He delivered from the start, winning Rookie of the Year, and continued piling up accolades from there. Bird simply produced at an elite level throughout the entirety of his career.
Conclusion
In the final analysis, Larry Bird is rightfully considered one of the greatest basketball players ever for good reason. He could simply do it all – from scoring to playmaking to rebounding to defense. Bird had the clutch gene, competitiveness, basketball IQ, and skill to deliver championships. His decade plus run of dominance and complete game places him firmly among the NBA’s upper pantheon of legendary players.