After the game, reporters surrounded Bird to ask his thoughts on forgoing the rare feat. "That's not why I play," he said. While Larry Bird got most of the recognition, he was the ultimate team player The 1979 championship game between Larry Bird’s Indiana State and Magic Johnson’s Michigan State has been the most watched game, averaging 35.1 million viewers. Celtics forward Larry Bird averaged 27 points and 14 rebounds a game during the series, earning the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP). This series was a rematch of the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics after their rivalry was revived in 1979 with the Magic Johnson–Larry Bird pair entering the league. After alternating wins with the On this day in Boston Celtics history, legendary Celtics forward Larry Bird, one of the greatest to play the game in the history of the NBA, retired from the game as a player in 1992. Plagued by back problems, the “Hick from French Lick” (as he was called) quit playing at age 35 after three titles, three Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards Larry Bird scored his fewest points in a game against the Warriors on January 2, 1981, with 0 points. 9IoJ7F. Bird averaged 27 points and 14 rebounds a game during the series, earning the Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) honor. Bird was also named the league regular season MVP for that year. In 1985, however, the Lakers avenged the loss, defeating the Celtics in game six of the Finals in the Boston Garden. On this day in Boston Celtics history, legendary Celtics forward Larry Bird, one of the greatest to play the game in the history of the NBA, retired from the game as a player in 1992. Plagued by back problems, the “Hick from French Lick” (as he was called) quit playing at age 35 after three titles, three Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards Detroit Pistons had Boston Celtics on the ropes in Game 5 of 1987 NBA playoffs, until Larry Bird stole the ball on Isiah Thomas' pass. finishing with 36 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. Bird (Indiana State, 1976-79): Indiana State arrived at the 1979 national championship game with a perfect 33-0 record thanks to Bird, who averaged 29 points and 15 rebounds for the Sycamores That included Larry Bird, the Pacers’ president of basketball operations. going for 30 points and 16 rebounds in the season opener. But from there, the Pacers were, frankly, awful

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