Only three men in NBA history have won three straight MVP awards: Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Larry Bird.
Bird's arrival in Boston immediately transformed the Celtics, who had won just 29 games in 1979. But in Bird's first season, the C's won 61 games, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. In his second season, Boston won the 14th title in franchise history -- and added two more in the next five years.
In addition to his three championships, Bird was also a 12-time All-Star and won the following awards: Rookie of the Year, All-Star MVP, NBA Finals MVP, Coach of the Year, Executive of the Year, and an Olympic gold medal.
Beyond all the accolades, his highlight reel is immeasurable, featuring crazy buzzer-beaters, unbelievable passes, game-winning steals, and memorable performances on the game's biggest stages.
NBC Sports Boston put together a walk down memory lane featuring some great moments from Bird's legendary career.
How the Celtics landed Larry Bird in the NBA Draft
Larry Bird is featured as members of the Celtics organization and The Boston Globe provide an oral history of how the Celtics landed their Hall of Fame small forward
Reliving Mike Gorman’s legendary Larry Bird pass calls
In honor of Mike Gorman's farewell season, we're taking a look back at his best calls of Larry Bird's iconic passes
Looking back on Larry Bird's 60-point game vs the Hawks
On March 12, 1985, Larry Bird put on a performance for the ages, finishing with 60 points. The game came nine days after Kevin McHale scored 56, leading Bird to famously say of his teammate, he "should have gone for 60."
Flashback: Larry Bird steal vs the Pistons
May 26, 1987: Larry Bird's famous steal of an inbounds pass by Isiah Thomas, and pass to a cutting Dennis Johnson to win the game for the Boston Celtics
Larry Bird steals the show at All-Star game
A look back at Larry Bird stealing the show at the 1986 All-Star game 3-point contest.
Larry Bird's comeback leads to series win
In this edition of our Miller Lite Moments as we celebrate 75 years of Celtics basketball, after leaving the game from suffering a hard fall Larry Bird returned and lead the Celtics to the series clinching win vs Pacers.
Brad Stevens on Larry Bird's iconic '91 playoffs vs Pacers
Brad Stevens talks to Brian Scalabrine about watching the Pacers play the Celtics in the playoffs when he was 14 years old, and a fellow Indiana native in Larry Bird have an iconic moment in the series
WATCH: Cedric Maxwell shares story of Bird/Maravich feud
With the recent Miami Heat debacle, Cedric Maxwell shared a great story of Larry Bird and Pete Maravich arguing during a game as teammates.
Bird scores 47 points, mainly with left hand
In this edition of our Miller Lite Moments as we celebrate 75 years of Celtics basketball, Larry Bird puts on a show in Portland. Scoring 47 points and finishing with a triple-double while shooting mainly left-handed.
Larry Bird outduels Dominique Wilkins in Game 7 classic
Watch Larry Bird go off in the 1988 Eastern Conference semifinals vs. Atlanta
