Larry Bird Finals Record: 5 Finals, 3 Titles and 2 MVPs
Larry Bird finals record is amazing, he went to 5 NBA Finals and came away with 3 Championship rings and 2 Finals MVPs with the Boston Celtics. He helped lead them to 3 championships wins and 2 losses against tough competition like the Los Angeles Lakers’ Magic Johnson.
In 1981, just his second pro season, Bird led the Celtics past the Houston Rockets for his first title. His teammate Cedric Maxwell was named Finals MVP, but Bird made key plays on both offense and defense beyond just scoring.
One of the most famous Finals matchups was in 1984 against Magic Johnson and the Lakers. The rivalry between these two stars made it a really hyped series. Bird came through for Boston, averaging over 27 points and 14 rebounds per game on the way to earning his first Finals MVP award in the Celtics game 7 victory.
The next couple years though, Bird’s Celtics lost painful series to the Lakers in the Finals in 1985 and 1987. But in 1986, he helped lead them back to a championship over the Houston Rockets again, putting up big numbers all over the stat sheet to take home another Finals MVP trophy.
Even in defeat his scoring, rebounding, passing, and clutch playmaking made him a legend. Back injuries cut his career short, but his Finals performances remain all-time great moments in basketball history.
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Larry Bird Finals Record
1981 NBA Finals: Celtics Won Over Rockets 4-2
The 1981 Finals marked the first of Larry Legend’s championships, 24-year-old only, even if his scoring wasn’t eye-popping. Facing a tough Houston squad, the young Bird faced heat from defenders like Robert Reid shadowing his every move. He was locked up tight!
In back-to-back games, Bird uncharacteristically put up just 8 points total. For a scorer like him, I’m sure that stung. Some in Boston started to worry if he was slipping. But the greats know it’s never just about one thing.
While contained as a shooter, Bird found other ways to stand out. Crashing the glass with reckless abandon, he grabbed a wicked 21 rebounds in each of those first two matchups! Beyond the numbers, his feisty physical and mental presence drove Boston.
With the trophy in sight, Bird’s Hall of Fame talent took over late. He dropped 27 points while ripping down 13 boards in the title clincher, again showing his killer instinct when it mattered most.
For the series, Bird averaged 15 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists, not eye-popping numbers for him. But his versatility and leadership lifting the Celtics to their first title in years showed Bird’s success couldn’t be measured in scoring alone.
He did whatever it took to win, even without big point totals.
Teaming up with other future Hall of Famers like Robert Parish and Kevin McHale, Bird’s do-it-all mentality launched a Boston dynasty. In just his second NBA season, he showed all the qualities of a champion player.
1984 NBA Finals: Celtics Won Over Lakers 4-3
The 1984 Finals marked round one between Larry Legend and his college rival Magic, now on the NBA’s biggest stage. With Boston against Magic’s Lakers, this series became an instant classic.
Bird was flat out dominant, putting up 27 points and 14 rebounds per game. He finally had his shot at revenge against Magic after their historic NCAA championship matchup.
The 7 games were intensely competitive, with two going into overtime. Both superstars battled hard, but Bird willed the veteran Celtics to victory. His scoring punch, rebounding muscle, and crunch time shot-making was eye-opening.
Bird’s leadership and two-way play lifted Boston past a Lakers team that seemed to have their number. Just getting to the Finals had been a struggle for the banged-up Celtics.
In finally conquering Magic as a pro, Bird cemented his legacy among the NBA elite. Any time two all-time greats clash with a championship on the line, something special is bound to happen. This was Larry and Magic’s long-awaited first chapter.
1985 NBA Finals: Celtics Loss to Lakers 2-4
The 1985 Finals pitted Larry Bird and the Celtics against their bitter rivals, Magic Johnson’s Lakers.
Bird was his typical brilliant self, Bird averaged 23.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. But the Lakers boasted their own firepower in Magic running the show and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar dominating down low.
In Game 1, Boston smashed LA by 34 points (148-114) behind Bird’s 36. However, the Memorial Day Massacre woke the Lakers up. An angry Kareem responded with 30 & 17 in Game 2, evening the series. His resurgence spearheaded LA for the rest of the war.
Bird kept battling, going for 26 points in a Game 4 victory. But the Lakers were too balanced. However, despite Bird’s efforts, the Lakers’ collective performance, led by Abdul-Jabbar’s resurgence and Magic Johnson’s playmaking, ultimately overcame the Celtics.
Abdul-Jabbar won Finals MVP putting up 26 and 9 per game, edged Boston in 6.
For the Celtics, it was a tough loss on their home court. Bird shot just 12 of 29 in the last game, struggling some to find his stroke. Still, his scoring ability, rebounding, and leadership made fans marvel throughout.
Though LA won that year, the Magic vs Bird rivalry was just heating up. Their Showtime vs Celtics clash would help define the NBA in the coming decade.
1986 NBA Finals: Celtics Won Over Rockets 4-2
The 1986 Finals marked a peak for Larry Legend and the dominant Celtics. Facing the Houston Rockets, Boston won in 6 games behind Bird’s incredible all-around play.
Larry was utterly brilliant all series long. He stuffed the stat sheet with 24 points, nearly 10 rebounds, and almost 10 assists per game – incredible numbers. Bird drained shots from everywhere, sniped 3-pointers, and carved up defenses with expert passing.
His signature performance came in Game 6 with the title on the line. Bird came through with a triple-double of 29-11-12 to clinch the series and Finals MVP. It capped an epic season where the Celtics won 67 regular season contests.
While Kevin McHale, Robert Parish and Boston’s loaded roster all starred too, this championship run was defined by Bird’s versatility and leadership. He controlled games from start to finish, outsmarting opponents and willing the Celtics to optimal performance.
This would be the last title for Boston in the Bird/Magic 1980s heyday. But Bird’s all-around dominance and basketball genius shining through reminded everyone he was still at the peak of his powers. In a career filled with spectacular moments, his 1986 Finals tour de force stood out as utterly masterful.
1987 NBA Finals: Celtics Loss to Lakers 2-4
The 1987 Finals pitted Larry Bird’s Celtics against their rivals, Magic Johnson’s Lakers squad considered one of the NBA’s best ever. Though Boston fell in 6 games, Bird was magnificent, averaging 24.2 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists.
Bird came out blazing in Game 1, putting up 32 points and 7 rebounds. His scoring ability, rebounding and playmaking were on full display all series long. In a pivotal Game 3 win, Larry Legend went off 30-12-4.
But the Lakers were a juggernaut, powered by Magic running the show and a deep roster with lots of weapons. After a dream season winning 65 games, LA swept through the West playoffs. Meanwhile, Boston endured a grueling 7-game battle just to make the Finals.
The Lakers finally solved the Celtics mystery by crushing them on their beloved Boston Garden home court in Game 6. It was a tough loss for Bird to swallow.
Despite injuries and age wearing him down, Bird valiantly posted big numbers trying to will his team to victory. His performance only further cemented his legacy as a clutch legend.
FAQ
How many times did Larry Bird go to the finals?
Bird went to the championship round 5 times with the Celtics – in 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987. He helped lead them to 3 titles in ’81, ’84 and ’86. The other 2 times Boston came up just short.
Does Larry Bird have a Finals MVP?
Yes, Bird won the prestigious Finals MVP trophy twice. In 1984 when the Celtics beat Magic Johnson’s Lakers, and again in 1986 after topping the Houston Rockets. Larry was simply awesome in both those series wins.
How old was Larry Bird when he won his first championship?
Bird was born on December 7, 1956. He won his first title with Boston in 1981 at the age of 24, beating the Rockets. It was just his second NBA season, pretty crazy! That championship kicked off a decade of success for Bird and the Celtics.
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Kenya Lee
