Larry Bird is widely regarded as one of the NBA’s most exceptional forwards, renowned for his prowess on both offense and defense, and for redefining the role of a forward in basketball. According to Bill Simmons, Bird’s initial years in the league were so outstanding that they constitute the greatest start to an NBA career ever witnessed.
Simmons remarked, “I’ve always said this about Larry Bird. His first nine years represent the pinnacle of career starts in NBA history. With three championships, five Finals appearances, three MVP titles, and two Finals MVP awards… There was never a moment after his rookie season when he wasn’t considered one of the top three players in the league, and in his rookie year, he was ranked as the fourth best.”
Bird’s impressive statistics during the first nine seasons of his career further validate this claim. In 711 regular-season games, he averaged 25.0 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 6.1 assists. During this period, Bird amassed an impressive array of accolades, including three NBA Championships, three regular-season MVP honors, two Finals MVP trophies, nine All-Star selections, three All-Defense nods, and nine appearances in the All-NBA First Team.
While injuries hindered Bird’s later years in the league, resulting in his retirement in 1992 after 13 seasons, his decision was influenced by a desire to preserve his health and avoid further complications. Despite having a contractual option worth $4.5 million, Bird opted to retire before the deadline, refusing to accept the money if he couldn’t actively contribute on the court. This principled decision highlights Bird’s commitment to his team and his integrity as a player.
