The Celtics went on to win in double-overtime against the Portland Trail Blazers. Two days later, Bird confirmed his return to the game and embarked on a legendary college career. Bird. Larry legend was married to Janet Condra in 1975, but after a year, they started having issues, which almost led them to be separated. He played his entire 13-year professional career for the Celtics, winning three NBA championships and two NBA Finals MVP awards. Bird resigned in 2000 after guiding the Pacers to an appearance in the NBA finals during the previous season, and he became the Pacers president of basketball operations in 2003. In the years that followed Larrys retirement, he became a very successful coach for the Indiana Pacers, even winning the NBA Coach of the Year award. Bird and Johnson even appeared in a commercial for Converse shoes with an epic one-on-one match, playing off of the duos real life rivalry. The frame around the shot is a carryover from their 1989 design, but the gradient gray background behind it and position of player name and team info mixed things up. "I really like the game now. 1 min read. A large pink beam lays behind the star. His passion is life is watching sports and being able to share his passion for sports through his writing. His 1990 Fleer card shows a nice shot of Bird in the middle of one of his legendary jumpshots. Mark Bird, to the left, running in a sack race at a spring OCC social event and enjoying the college life. Bird was an NBA All-Star in 12 of his 13 seasons in the league. The photo is outlined in yellow and placed on a red-white-and-blue striped background. In addition to the size of the school, Bird also voted the heavy course load as a factor. Contact us! $34999. In 1975, Hodges was just a guy who had spent a decade as an assistant coach at Marian, Tennessee Tech, and Armstrong State in Savannah, Georgia, before joining Indiana State. Bird retired in 1992 and moved to a front-office position with the Celtics. He would go on to have a very successful career in the basketball world off the courts as a coach and president of the Indiana Pacers. Larry Bird is regarded as one of the greatest three-point%27shooting guards of all time, and he was known for his ability to break defenses with big shots late in the fourth quarter. No reviews. The Celtics won their first NBA title with Bird (and 14th overall) in 1981; they repeated with title wins in 1984 and 1986. Bird was drafted by the Celtics after his junior year at Indiana State (1978) but did not play professionally until the 197980 season, when he won the Rookie of the Year award after contributing to one of the largest single-season turnarounds in NBA history (a 32-win improvement). I really like the game now. Menu Kevin Durant vs other NBA players NBA: NBA Championships Year By Year Records and Stats All-Time Leaders Honors and Awards NBA Teams Teams Head to Head NBA Players Players Comparison Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs. Steven Adams vs. Bam Adebayo vs. Zach Wolpin is an NBA expert and has been betting on the league for over three years now. In addition to his 9.64 rebound average, Bird averaged 6.80 assists per game last season. Larry Joe Bird (Larry Legend, The Hick from French Lick, Kodak, The Great White Hope) Position: Small Forward and Power Forward Shoots: Right 6-9 , 220lb (206cm, 99kg) More bio, uniform, draft, salary info Hall of Fame 12x All Star 3x NBA Champ 10x All-NBA 1979-80 All-Rookie 1979-80 ROY 3x All-Defensive 1981-82 AS MVP 2x Finals MVP 3x MVP Michael Jordan is unquestionably the greatest basketball player of all time. Bird was raised in French Lick, Indiana, and attended Indiana State University, where he helped revive the basketball program and led the team to a 331 record in his senior season. The Celtics had decided not to pay Bird more than any other players, but eventually, he ended up signing a five-year, $3.25 million contract with the Celtics and was the highest-paid rookie time of his career. Teams, players profiles, awards, stats, records and championships. Stadium Club took a similar route, showcasing borderless photos as their card fronts. 30 on ESPN Sports Centurys Top 50 athletes in 1999. Here is a list of his top cards that you should consider for your collection. Larry Legend was just that: a basketball legend. Once a man named Eric James Trophy, who was found guilty of robbery and intended to kill, requested his 30 years sentenced in prison to 33 years so that he could match it with Larry Birds jersey, which is no. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. As a result, Larrys family went through an economic struggle. He won six NBA Championships and is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame five times. In 1975, Hodges was just a guy who had spent a decade as an assistant coach at Marian, Tennessee Tech, and Armstrong State in Savannah, Georgia, before joining Indiana State. As Bird had proved himself as a star player through his high school achievements, he received a scholarship from Indiana State University in 1974. The greats came home sporting gold medals around their necks. He is ranked 5th of all time for triple doubles. Its the sixth card available from his retirement year, and an excellent conclusion for any fans set. He serves in this position today, and makes his business decisions just as cutthroat as his game playing. Birds talent brought all the major schools to town. Amazon.com: Larry Bird Basketball Cards 1-48 of 688 results for "larry bird basketball cards" RESULTS Larry Bird Basketball Cards Assorted (5) Bundle - Boston Celtics Trading Card Gift Pack 4.6 (78) $1699 FREE delivery Mar 7 - 8 1989-90 Hoops Basketball #150 Larry Bird Boston Celtics Official NBA Trading Card 4.8 (18) $495 FREE delivery Mar 6 - 9 During his college day, he won numerous awards and the Naismith College Player of the Year Award. Larry Bird played college basketball at Indiana State University, an unheralded program that was completely overshadowed by its in-state counterpart, Indiana University. Jayson Tatum has his 34th 30-point game of the season. I really think they cleaned it up as far as the grabbing, the holding, the cheap shots, he said. Larry Bird, in full Larry Joe Bird, (born December 7, 1956, West Baden, Indiana, U.S.), American basketball player who led the Boston Celtics to three National Basketball Association (NBA) championships (1981, 1984, and 1986) and is considered one of the greatest pure shooters of all time. Boston had lost the previous two matchups to the Cavs and they were hungry for revenge last night. The 1988 Fleer Larry Bird basketball card shows an in-game Larry running down the court with a Laker legend James Worthy close behind. View 3 Comments He addressed the subject with his typical candor. Hoops burst onto the basketball card scene in 1989 with its unforgettable design featuring players in an arch-shaped photo. Furthermore, he has also dipped his toe in the business world and owned a hotel and restaurant and a car dealership in Indiana. They faced each other in the NBA during the 1960s and 1970s, and Johnson won two titles. Similarly, the popular figure earns a decent amount through endorsement deals from companies like Heinz Corporation. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time. 33. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). In his book, the thrill of the games is here but the choice for chapters and the lack of statistics make it very difficult to follow his seasons. A black and white gradient is set behind the framing of the picture. Larry Bird and Kevin McHale talk about changes in the @NBA game and the hand-check rule. When looking at their statistics, Bird averaged more points per game and more assists per game than James. The four-time all-star had a few rough games after the all-star break with his shooting efficiency, but found his touch again last night with a big 41-point performance. As listed, his height is 6 ft 9 inches (2.06m), and his weight is 220lb (100kg). Now, instead of watching it after the reading, I should have watched it before, because the pictures offer great visualizations about his career highlights. The space behind Larrys name looks like a painted basketball, which was kind of an interesting touch to the design, although it does make it harder to read the lettering. history to be named Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, N.B.A. Tatum and the rest of his team are eager to avenge the loss in the Finals they had last season. If the forward was out to prove he could be somebody, he more than exceeded those goals. Land of Basketball is a fan website, for official NBA information visit National Basketball Association's website. Computer graphics were taking off in leaps and bounds, and no sports cards were safe. The first two meetings of the season between Cleveland and Boston took OT, but the Celtics were able to sneak a 117-113 win at home. He averages 25.1 points, 8.9 assists, and 7.0 steals per 36 minutes, along with 25.1 points, 8.9 assists, and 8.0 steals per 36 minutes. He had to deal with emotional turbulence after his parents divorced, and his father committed suicide when he was in high school. Larry Bird And Magic Johnson Fighting For The Championship Title He was NBA All-Star for the 12th time and two times got into NBA finals of MVP in 1984 and 1986. He finished his career, averaging 24.3 points and 10 rebounds per game. They also gave a nod to the Dream Team with the USA Basketball logo in the bottom right. A 6-foot 9-inch (2.06-metre) forward, he was known for his unflappable confidence and clutch shooting ability, which together created an intimidating presence on the court. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. His mother, Georgia, struggled to raise the six kids after separation from her husband and suicide. / Links. Suggestions? Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. While originally the three-panelled card was not a favorite among collectors, this card in particular became an amazing coincidence by showcasing three of basketballs best known heroes: Larry Bird, Julius Erving and Magic Johnson. Boston is one of the two most historic franchises in the league along with the Lakers. For 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, from 1979-80 through 1991-92, Bird personified hustle, consistency and excellence in all areas of play as a scorer, a. This is a difficult question to answer, and one that I find difficult to summarize. Heavily edited photos were a staple of the nineties. With his 34th 30-point game of the season he passed Larry Bird for the most 30-point games by a Celtic in a single season. Bird averaged 21.3 points, 10.4 assists, and 4.5 steals in 82 games during his rookie season in 1979-80. Bird made 50.0% of his shots from the field that season, giving up the ball 125 times and accruing 82 fouls. Drake sophomore Tucker DeVries has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year. He was NBA All-Star for the 12th time and two times got into NBA finals of MVP in 1984 and 1986. It is clear that both players are great shooters. The final card on our list today has a fairly traditional design with a mid game action shot on the front. The two have raised two adopted children. He was a versatile player who could play both forward positions. Larry Bird was the NBA champion with Boston Celtics three times in 1981, 1984, and 1986. The two of them were talking about how one of Birds friends was a great high school player, but he was now forgotten since he didnt go to college. Appearing on Topps, Hoops, Fleer, Skybox and Upper Deckissues over the years, there are several key Larry Birdcards that any serious collector should own. Larry Bird is a charming man with brown eyes and dark brown hair. Furthermore, the basketball player had to go through back fusion surgery that led his playing career to an end at 36 years old. The Celtics retired Birds number 33 shortly after he retired as a player. But it seems like Bird himself is not fond of using social media as there are no personal accounts though we can find numbers of his fan pages over Twitter, Darius Days Bio: Family, Contracts And Net Worth, Gus Johnson Bio: Family, Documentary & Net Worth, Mike Conley Net Worth: Charity & Endorsements, Shaun Livingston Bio: Injuries, NBA Championships, Net Worth & Kids. This wealth makes him one of the wealthiest people in the NBA. Before he became an NBA News Writer, Wolpin attended Montclair State University where he graduated in 2021. In 48 foul line attempts, James has made 32, giving him a 66.7% foul line percentage. For our third annual Birdmas celebration, Evil Ted and Basketbawful Productions take you on an exclusive tour of this amazing park, visiting top attractions like Bill Russell Title Town, DJ's Science Circle, and the Larry Coaster. Larry Birds Coach at Indiana State Discovered The Legend Playing Basketball With a Resort Kitchen Staff and Convinced Him to Join the Sycamores With One Simple Phrase: Thats When I Knew I Had Him. His first experience at college left him so disillusioned that he was willing to quit basketball then and there and get a normal job. As a result of his foul shooting, James has made 7,8 shots from the field for a 73.6% clip. Knight eventually admitted that his conduct with Bird was one of my greatest mistakes, but the damage was done. Still, he had always been loved. Larry Bird is an American former professional basketball player who played his entire career for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Bird played 13 seasons in the NBA, all with the Boston Celtics. Bird was having an exceptionally bad time with his back, and ended up missing 4 out of 7 games. Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James Kobe Bryant vs. Jordan Jordan Kevin Durant vs. LeBron James Stephen Curry vs. Kyrie Irving Stephen Curry vs. LeBron James Stephen Curry vs. Kevin Durant Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. LeBron Wilt Chamberlain vs Bill Russell Larry Bird vs. LeBron James Luka Doncic vs. Jayson Tatum In his early childhood, Bird had to go through emotional and economic chaos after his fathers demise, Claude Joseph, a Korean War veteran. The Indiana-born was the highest-paid rookie of the year, with $3.25 million an average of $650,000 a year in a 5-year contract with the Celtics. The American greatest basketball still worked as a coach and executive in the NBA, which had indeed led him to get over the low economic lifestyle of his early age, which he had discussed in his several interviews. Navigation Toggle NBA. He is undeniably one of the greatest basketball players of all time, which has earned him , Bird had always been a perfectionist whom millions of, When Larry Bird had to retire due to his back surgery in, Since his high school days at Spring Valley High School, he proved himself a star player with averaged, As Bird had proved himself as a star player through his high school achievements, he received a scholarship from, The American player moved back to French Lick and enrolled at the, Larry legend graduated with a Bachelor of Science in physical education in, On another side, he, too, had a successful college basketball career. Former Career Rivals Turned Friends, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson. The photo has a border that is both light and dark green. Larry Legend is glad that offensive players have a bit more room to strut their stuff. Larry Bird, in full Larry Joe Bird, (born December 7, 1956, West Baden, Indiana, U.S.), American basketball player who led the Boston Celtics to three National Basketball Association (NBA) championships (1981, 1984, and 1986) and is considered one of the greatest pure shooters of all time. He is a former basketball player, coach, and executive in the N.B.A. His NBA years: from 1980 to 1992 Larry Bird NBA Stats Summary: Career Averages Larry Bird Full Stats by Year : Per Game: Regular Season Stats Playoffs Stats My concern 15 years ago was everybodys going to be 6-(foot)-9 like Magic Johnson at the point guard, and the little guys are going to get squeezed out. Land Of Basketball.com Teams, players profiles, awards, stats, records and championships. Larry Bird's birthday was yesterday, and we celebrated with a couple highlight videos. He left the school after only 24 days on campus. That's the most in a season by a Celtics player since Larry Bird in 1987-88. pic.twitter.com/vThxsyA2Ye, ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 2, 2023. Bird was a 12- time NBA All-Star and was named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) three . You can own some of these excellent graphics yourself for around $15. Bird was also an excellent three-point shooter and free throw shooter. Bird had played 879games in his career until his retirement in 1992. He is undeniably one of the greatest basketball players of all time, which has earned him the Hick from French Lick and Larry Legend nicknames. Unsurprisingly, given his exploits in the Three-Point Contest, one of those was the evolution of NBA offense. In 13 . Aside from that, several documentaries upon Birds legacy and career has been released. This is mostly due to the fact that its nearly impossible to find a decent specimen of this card. In terms of shooting percentage, Bird has a higher field goal percentage and three-point percentage than James. He became the head coach of the Indiana Pacers (despite having no previous coaching experience) in 1997 and was named Coach of the Year after his first season. The card features a somewhat bland photo of Bird wearing a Celtics jacket warming up pre-game. The Hick from the French Lick has got yellow-toned tan skin. Last night he had to duel with Clevelands all-star SG Donovan Mitchell who dropped 44 points, however, his team was fighting clawing back for most of he second half. Larry Bird Stats and news - NBA stats and news on Boston Celtics Forward Larry Bird. They faced each other a total of 37 times in NBA games. Jayson Tatum had a rough first quarter yesterday, but followed that up with 15 in the second and 18 in the third. When betting your capital is at risk. Larry Bird is a true basketball legendfrom the golden age of the sport. Tells the Story of the Greatest Basketball player that has ever lived, Larry Bird! The thick blue border on the left was an interesting design choice at the time making the 1991 Fleer set easily recognizable. Besides that, the basketballers career earning in the NBA was$24,070,000. He was frustrated with his current status and promised his wife Connie that he would find a new professional if he couldnt get Bird to the school. Recently, he stepped down as the president of the Indiana Pacers and said, Im 60 years old, and I want to do other things away from basketball. There is no clear answer, as both players have had great success shooting the ball throughout their careers. Bird was considered by many to be one of the most versatile basketball athletes, being the only one in N.B.A. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After finishing 1980 as the NBA Rookie of The Year and making it to the NBA All-Star team, Larry blasted into 81 with all kinds of momentum. I remember Larry having cast-down eyes whenever people made eye contact with him. NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers are now part owners of MLS franchise Nashville SC, Bucks emerge as frontrunners to sign veteran guard Goran Dragic, Will Bartons Potential Impact on Toronto, 3 things we learned from Kevin Durants debut with the Phoenix Suns, LeBron James out at least three weeks due to right foot tendon injury. The 91 season did have a true moment of glory for Larry. In these comments, it appears that Curry is a better player than Jordan. Magic Johnson has a 22-15 winning record over Larry Bird, including a 11-8 record in Playoffs. Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum were carrying their teams on the offensive end and Tatum had his best game back since all-star break after a lackluster start. Larry Bird left a small town of only 2,000 people to attend a school of 33,000 students. The back shows Larry sitting courtside, watching the game play out, as he would have had to for so many games that season. March seems to be a team when he plays his best basketball as well. And while Larry Bird can certainly be set in his ways, he had no problem with the NBA becoming more and more reliant on outside shooting. In total, he would miss 37 games that year due to severe back pain. His regular-season record against Jordan was 35-11, and he averaged 27.4 points, 8.9 assists, and 8.1 boards per game. Since his high school days at Spring Valley High School, he proved himself a star player with averaged 31 points, 21 rebounds, and four assists as a senior. Now its just the opposite, Bird said. However, James averages more rebounds per game and more steals per game than Bird. The border is green, matching the team colors perfectly. This article was most recently revised and updated by, The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Larry-Bird, AEI Speakers Bureau - Biography of Larry Bird, Larry Bird - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), Celtics stars Tatum and Brown put on quite an All-Star show. Larry Bird currently has a net worth of $75 million. The query length is limited to 70 characters, Jayson Tatum Passed Celtics Legend Larry Bird 1987 88 Last Night With His 34th 30 Point Game Of The 2022 23 Season, Captain Jack Casino No Deposit Bonus Code, Auburn Tigers Bruce Pearl Targets Annor Boateng for 2024 Recruiting Class. Boston Celtics selected Larry in 1978, but he wished to finish his final season at Indiana University, but he didnt join the Celtics. When youre out there playing, you like to have freedom, and they have that now.. While they have been a contender for a while now, they cannot seem to climb the mountain top and be the top dog in the NBA once again. Bird was a 12-time All Star and won three consecutive league Most Valuable Player awards (198486), the first noncentre to do so. James attempts 27,044 shots and converts 13,643 baskets, resulting in a 25.1 points per game average and a 50.4% shooting percentage. Larry Bird With His Wife, Dinah Mattingly. Always a man of his word, Bird promised to fulfill the remainder of his contract in the team front office. This article was last updated by Krishna Gurung on January 9, 2023. Copyright 2023. landofbasketball.com - All rights reserved. Larry looks fit and has an athletic body, but he had to go through back fusion surgery, leading him to end his playing career. The college signing deadline was two weeks away, so Hodges had to move fast to pull this off. You dont go to college, Larry? Bird was as infamous for his trash-talking as he was famous for his skills on the court. He is an Olympic gold medalist, a three time NBA champ and a three time NBA Most Valuable Player. Because of this, he's one of the most popular players of all-time and one of the most highly collected in the basketball card hobby. like https://sircharlesincharge.com/, https://gmenhq.com/, and https://www.tapinto.net/towns/south-plainfield/. The great point guard was unquestionably one of the greatest players of all time, but the great point guard of the modern era, Stephen Curry, can also help his team win by playing defense and passing the ball. His 1986 Fleer card features an action shot of Bird mid-dribble. The "Hick from French Lick" was known not only for his impressive basketball skills but his hard work ethic and grueling style of play. As someone who shone in the rough-and-tumble 1980s, Larry Legend is glad that offensive players have a bit more room to strut their stuff. Larry Bird averages for the NBA season and Playoffs, including points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and other categories, year by year and career numbers. Bill looked Larry in the eyes, said Patrick Wood, writer and director of an upcoming film based on Birds recruitment to Indiana State, to the Indy Star. He stepped into a sportsman as a basketball player, which helped him get out of his family troubles. Larry sometimes came to his brother's basketball games and stood out, not because he was famous, but because he looked so much like Mark. The 1988 Fleer Larry Bird basketball card shows an in-game Larry running down the court with a Laker legend James Worthy close behind. Larry Bird basketball cards continue to be extremely popular among sports card collectors. When Larry Bird had to retire due to his back surgery in 1992, Commissioner David J. Stern said, Larry Bird has helped define how a generation of basketball fans has come to view and appreciate the NBA.. Weve brought together some of the best Larry Bird basketball cards out there with this list. Both players have had illustrious careers, with Bird being a 3-time NBA champion and James a 4-time NBA champion. The former Boston Celtics player recently signed a multiyear contract with the Pacers. Larry Bird began 45 games and played 1,662 minutes during his NBA career. Today the net worth of Larry Bird is estimated to be over $75 million. In the summer of 1992, he would announce his retirement from the NBA, mainly because of his never-ending back problems. Thats why, in this article, we will be sharing with you about Lary Bird in detail, like his age, height, weight, education, Instagram, and Twitter. It's one thing to know Bird's numbers. It's another to see how spectacular of a scorer, passer and trash-talker he was. Bob Knight also had a hand in his exit. Comments? Ever the people person, the coach refused to acknowledge Bird on campus when his player said hello. However, they harmonized for a while and had a daughter Corrie; in1977, they separated permanently. Since his retirement as a player, Bird has served as a coach and then as the president of basketball operations for his home state team, The Indiana Pacers. During his prime, Bird was one of the best players in the NBA and he achieved a lot of success in it. Later, in 1989 Bird got married to Dinah Mattingly, and the couple adopted two children. There might be times when Bird was accused of being overrated at times. In a 2019 Associated Press story (h/t the Daily Hampshire Gazette), Brian Mahoney chatted with the living legend about a handful of topics. We sometimes use affiliate links in our content, when clicking on those we might receive a commission at no extra cost to you. His player efficiency rating ranks him at 18th of all time. Larry Bird, along with "Magic" Johnson and Michael Jordan, is one of the most recognized names in the history of basketball. Contact us! He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall . Larrys name and position are seen in the top left corner of the card. The Hick from the French Lick has got yellow-toned tan skin. He rose from a difficult family life in Indiana to being one of the greats alongside Michael Jordan and Birds long time friendly rival, Magic Johnson. This is the detail of NBA games in which Larry Bird and Magic Johnson played against each other, including head-to-head record, stats average, game highs and game-by-game data both in the Regular Season and Playoffs. Its not hard to see why so many have added Larry Bird to their list of basketball card must-haves. These cards are easy to come by for under $10, so what better way to honor the year Bird took home the gold medal than with this fine piece of sports memorabilia. Home; Tickets; Schedule. I timed this documentary with the reading of his autobiography ("Drive"). Larry Bird, NBA legend and president of the Indiana Pacers, is selling his home in Naples, Fl., for $4.8 million. There is no clear winner, but there is a lot at stake. In 1998, Larry was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Currently, Bird is enjoying his life away from basketball. This card came out right in the middle of the 80s when Bird and Johnsons rivalry was arguably at its height. The 1991 Upper Deck set was beautifully designed with its great action shots and hardwood graphic design along the right and bottom of the cards. Larry Bird: A Basketball Legend: With Daniel Stern, Larry Bird. Larry Bird's Wife: Social Media Dinah tries her best to avoid it on the day when most celebrities are rocking social media. Allen Iverson Bio: Career, NBA, 76ers, Wife, IG, Net Worth Wiki >>. While the legendary forward wasnt a one-trick pony he was a pure scorer and a deadly trash-talker he certainly knew how to tickle the twine from downtown. Estimated PSA 10 value: $50. Corrections? The bottom left corner highlights Larrys position, name and team in an almost comic-like blast. Larry Bird Signed Celtics Green 1985-86 Style Mitchell & Ness N.B.A Basketball Shorts - Larry Bird Authentic. He also loves to write about the hobby and has written for Beckett, Topps, SABR and of course, this website. The card was likely in the last row for printing and is notorious for centering issues. We can find his followers updated about his news, achievements, and photos through the fan page of Larry Bird. He played for Celtics until his retirement but always stayed part of the team as an advisor. Larry Bird is an American former professional basketball player who played his entire career for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). With numbers like that, how did he ever lose? In June 2012 he resigned from the Pacers front office, just weeks after winning the previous seasons Executive of the Year award.