As player: Boston Celtics (1979–1992) As coach: Indiana Pacers (1997–2000) Career highlights and awards 3× NBA Champion (1981, 1984, 1986) 3× NBA Most Valuable Player (1984–1986) 12× NBA All-Star (1980–1988, 1990–1992) 2× NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986) 9× All-NBA First Team (1980–1988) All-NBA Second Team (1990) 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1982–1984) NBA Rookie of the Year (1980) NBA All-Rookie Team (1980) NBA All-Star Game MVP (1982) 3× Three-point Shootout winner (1986–1988) 50 Greatest Players in NBA History 1979 USBWA College Player of the Year #33 retired by Boston Celtics NBA Coach of the Year (1998) Career NBA statistics Points 21,791 (24.3 ppg) Assists 5,695 (6.3 apg) Rebounds 8,974 (10.0 rpg) Info Page Stats at Basketball-Reference.com Basketball Hall of Fame as player Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is a former American NBA basketball player and coach. Drafted into the NBA sixth overall by the Boston Celtics in 1978, Bird started at small forward and power forward for thirteen seasons, spearheading one of the NBA's most formidable frontcourts that included center Robert Parish and forward Kevin McHale. Due to chronic back problems, he retired as a player in 1992. Bird was voted to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996 and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. He served as head coach of the Indiana Pacers from 1997 to 2000. In 2003, he assumed the role of president of basketball operations for the Pacers, which he currently holds..