The Untold Chapter of Larry Bird's Father: Unveiling His College Career and Impact in Winning Time Season 2

Summary

Delving into the chronicles of HBO's "Winning Time: The Rise of The Lakers Dynasty," the most recent installment sheds light on the compelling narrative behind the ascent of the renowned NBA icon, Larry Bird. His humble and rural origins stand in stark contrast to the flamboyance exhibited by Magic Johnson and the illustrious Showtime Lakers.

The episode provides a thorough examination of Bird's life, faithfully capturing important moments such as his rise to becoming the highest-paid NBA rookie and his poignant bond with his father, who tragically took his own life. The documentary also showcases Bird's recruitment by assistant coaches Bill Hodges and Stan Evans to play for Indiana State University, showcasing his triumphant college career and the start of his legendary rivalry with Magic Johnson at the 1979 NCAA Championship. Presently, Bird's remarkable net worth is estimated to range between $75-80 million.

In the latest episode of HBO's Winning Time: The Rise of The Lakers Dynasty, viewers are taken on a journey through NBA legend Larry Bird's humble upbringing and his extraordinary rise to stardom. The show brilliantly contrasts Bird's grounded and down-to-earth personality with the flashy glamour of Magic Johnson and the Showtime Lakers. Despite their contrasting styles and perspectives, both Bird and Johnson showcased exceptional talent on the basketball court, making them fierce competitors who consistently performed at the highest level. This rivalry, which originally began in college, continued to evolve in the NBA for over a decade.

The third episode of Season 2 of Winning Time offers an in-depth look into Bird's real-life experiences. In this HBO series, known for its tendency to exaggerate events surrounding the 1981 Showtime Lakers for dramatic effect, the portrayal of Bird's backstory remains authentic and true to its source material. One particularly memorable scene in the episode features Bird and Red Auerbach discussing the groundbreaking contract negotiations that resulted in Bird becoming the highest-paid rookie in NBA history. With this deal, Bird solidified his position as the face of the Boston Celtics, just as his fierce competitor, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, held that status on the other side of the country.

Larry Bird's Father Tragically Died By Suicide In 1975

As depicted in Winning Time, Larry Bird's father, Joe Bird, passed away in 1975 due to suicide. At the time of his death, Larry was nineteen years old, while Joe was 48. Larry and his father had a close bond and enjoyed fishing together during their upbringing. It is believed that Joe Bird, a Korean War veteran, experienced emotional and psychological trauma from his time at war. He struggled with alcoholism and was considered a heavy drinker, which hindered his ability to find and maintain steady employment. Consequently, Bird's family often faced financial hardships. Prior to Joe's suicide, he and his wife Georgia, who is Larry's mother and the mother of his five siblings, had recently divorced in real life.

Why Larry Bird Really Dropped Out Of Indiana University

In episode 3 of Winning Time season 2, a young Larry Bird is portrayed as facing difficulties outside his hometown and decides to drop out of Indiana University. This reflects the true story of Larry Bird, who left college in 1974 and worked as a garbage collector in French Lick, Indiana. Eventually, Bird enrolled at Indiana State University and achieved great success by reaching the NCAA Championship in 1979. Bird cherished his time as a garbage man and embraced a simple life surrounded by his friends. He even utilized his familiarity with the community to identify areas for improvement while driving around his hometown. This period of his life brought Bird immense happiness.

Larry Bird's Recruitment By Bill Hodges & Stats At Indiana State University Explained

Larry Bird initially hesitated to continue his basketball career in college after leaving Indiana University, which was renowned for its prestigious basketball program. However, Assistant Coach Bill Hodges successfully convinced Bird to join Indiana State by personally visiting Bird's hometown of French Lick, Indiana, and acknowledging his exceptional talents. Hodges emphasized to Bird the immense potential he would waste if he settled for a mundane life collecting garbage in his hometown, echoing advice from Larry's father Joe that was shared in episode 3 of Winning Time season 2. Additionally, assistant coach Stan Evans played a crucial role in recruiting Bird to Indiana State.

During his time at Indiana State, Bird played three seasons, contributing to the team's impressive win-loss record of 81-13. The team notably achieved an undefeated 33-0 record in 1979 before advancing to the 1979 NCAA Championship, where they ultimately suffered a loss. Throughout his 94 games at Indiana State, Bird showcased remarkable statistics, averaging a team-leading 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. Standing at 6'9" and weighing 220 pounds, Bird was a formidable power forward who shot an impressive 53% from the field. His exceptional performance made him one of the greatest players in the history of Indiana State University.

Magic Johnson & Larry Bird's Rivalry Truly Began At The 1979 NCAA Championship

Bird and Magic's rivalry began prior to their entry into the professional basketball league when Bird's Indiana State team lost to Magic Johnson's Michigan State in the 1979 NCAA Championship game. This highly personal match held significance as both players were representing their home states, with Magic hailing from Lansing, Michigan. Demonstrating their skills, Magic led his team with 24 points while Larry earned 19 points and 13 rebounds. The game concluded with Magic emerging victorious, and it became one of the most-watched NCAA Championships in history.

Their historic rivalry continued at the NBA championship level on three separate occasions. The Bird-Magic rivalry not only revolutionized basketball programs and cultures at their respective colleges, but it also transformed the NBA for many years to come. The Lakers and Celtics were already highly successful franchises, yet the intense competition between Bird and Magic propelled both organizations to greater heights. Their contrasting styles and approaches created an East Coast/West Coast rivalry, amplified by the exceptional talent displayed by both players on the court.

What The Real Larry Bird's Net Worth Is Today

Larry Bird went from rags to riches, securing a rookie contract with the Boston Celtics that guaranteed him $650,000 annually for five years. Adjusted for inflation, this is equivalent to approximately $2.74 million per year today. At 66 years old, Bird's net worth is estimated to be between $75-80 million. During his NBA career, Bird earned around $26 million, including a four-year contract signed in 1984 after his rookie deal, where he made $1.8 million per year. Reportedly, Bird's highest salary was $7 million for the 1991-1992 season with the Boston Celtics. The story of his rise to stardom and his rivalry with Magic Johnson will be documented in Winning Time season 2.