Bird is the Only Player to Win Both Preseason MVP and Finals MVP
Larry Bird
Fun Fact
5 min read
Larry Bird is the only player in NBA history to win both Preseason MVP and Finals MVP. This record is very unique because Preseason MVP and Finals MVP are usually considered honors at completely different levels. Bird won Preseason MVP in the 1984-85 season and won Finals MVP twice (1984 and 1986). This record shows that Bird maintained high-level performance at all stages of his career, whether in the preseason or the most important Finals.
More Details
- In the 1984 Finals, Bird helped the Celtics defeat the Lakers, his first career championship
- In the 1984 Finals, he averaged 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, winning Finals MVP
- In the 1986 Finals, Bird again helped the Celtics defeat the Rockets, his third career championship
- In the 1986 Finals, he averaged 24 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game, nearly achieving a triple-double
- Bird is the only player in NBA history to win three consecutive regular season MVPs (1984, 1985, 1986)
- He won 3 championship rings in his career, all with the Celtics
- Bird is one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, with a career field goal percentage of 49.6% and three-point percentage of 37.6%
- In the 1988 All-Star three-point contest, he told other contestants before the competition: "Are you guys here to compete for second place?"
- Bird won that three-point contest wearing his practice jersey, easily taking the title
- His rivalry with Magic Johnson is considered one of the greatest in NBA history
- Bird is one of the greatest trash-talkers in NBA history, with trash talk that is both humorous and psychologically tactical
- In the 1986 playoffs, he suffered a serious back injury but still continued playing, showing tenacious willpower
- Bird is the only player in NBA history to win both regular season MVP and Finals MVP in the same season (1984, 1986)
- He averaged 24.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game in his career, showing all-around ability
- After retirement, Bird became head coach and general manager of the Pacers, continuing to work in the NBA
Tip
Maintaining high-level performance at all stages shows true greatness.
"Bird maintained high-level performance at all stages of his career, whether in the preseason or the most important Finals."
