Larry Bird, the legendary former Boston Celtics player, has remained actively involved in the NBA since his retirement in 1992. Recently, Bird rejoined the Indiana Pacers as a consultant, continuing his long-standing relationship with the franchise. After his playing days, Bird initially worked in the front office of the Celtics as a special assistant from 1992 to 1997, staying close to the game while learning the ropes of management.
In 1997, Bird transitioned to coaching, taking over as head coach of the Indiana Pacers. Despite having no previous coaching experience, he led the team to an impressive 58-24 record in his first season (1997-98). The Pacers reached the Eastern Conference Finals but lost to Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls. Bird’s impact was immediate, and his remarkable debut season earned him the Coach of the Year award.
The following season (1998-99), the Pacers continued to excel under Bird’s leadership, finishing the lockout-shortened season with a 33-17 record. However, they were eliminated in the playoffs by the eighth-seeded New York Knicks. In Bird’s final season as head coach (1999-2000), the Pacers had their best year, reaching the NBA Finals after a 56-26 regular season. Although they ultimately lost to the Los Angeles Lakers, Bird’s coaching record remained impressive, with a winning percentage of 68.7% in the regular season and 61.5% in the playoffs.
After his successful coaching stint, Bird transitioned back to the front office in 2003 as the president of basketball operations for the Pacers. He held this role until 2012, during which time he transformed the Pacers into consistent playoff contenders. Bird’s sharp decision-making as an executive earned him the NBA Executive of the Year award in 2012. He returned to the role in 2013 for another four-year stretch until 2017, further cementing his legacy in management.
Bird briefly stepped away from the Pacers in 2017, serving as an advisor to the team until 2022. After a short break, he has now rejoined the franchise as a consultant. His influence on the team remains significant, as Bird’s basketball IQ and leadership continue to shape the organization’s future.
With a career spanning 44 years, Larry Bird is one of the few individuals to have excelled in multiple capacities within the NBA. His unparalleled success as a player, coach, and executive has solidified his place in basketball history. Notably, Bird is the only person to have won the NBA MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year awards, making him a unique figure in the sport’s legacy.
