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Today in Celtics History: Bird Three-peat 05.28.09 at 12:08 am ET
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On May 28, 1986, Larry Bird won his third straight NBA MVP Award. He also won the NBA Finals MVP en route to the Celtics 16th world championship over the Houston Rockets. Bird joined Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain as the only players to receive the award in three consecutive seasons. Since then four players (Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Steve Nash) have won back-to-back titles, but no one has accomplished the three-peat.

See how this season’s MVP stacked up to Bird’s award-winning performance: (All stats per regular season game; advantage in bold)

Larry Bird (1986)
Boston Celtics: 67-15 (won NBA Finals)
Points: 25.8
Rebounds: 9.8
Assists: 6.8
FG: 49.6%
3PG: 42.3%
FT: 89.6%
Steals: 2.0
Blocks: 0.6

LeBron James (2009)
Cleveland Cavaliers: 66-16 (down 3-1 in Eastern Conference Finals)
Points: 28.4
Rebounds: 7.6
Assists: 7.2
FG: 48.9%
3PG: 34.4%
FT: 78.0%
Steals: 1.7
Blocks: 1.1

Edge: Bird, 6-3

On the same date in 1978 former Celtics guard, the late Dennis Johnson, blocked seven shots in Game 3 of the NBA Finals as a member of the Seattle SuperSonics. No other guard has ever blocked as many shots in an NBA Finals game.

Read More: Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dennis Johnson, Larry Bird Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Steve

    Love this comparison…While LeBron may be a better scorer and athlete, Larry outshines in the end…LeBron is a better one on one defender, but they are close as team defenders. Larry is clearly a better shooter and a better clutch player. Larry was a better rebounder, but they both make the extra pass and make their teammates better. This was one is close, LeBron being the better athlete, but the end will determine the outcome. If LeBron loses to the Magic, then Larry Legend takes this one.

  • http://www.northstationsports.blogspot.com Nick Gelso

    Great break down Steve.

    I agree, Larry-Legend beats out LeBron this year. Though they are both very very intellegent ball players, I would have to say Larry had a higher basketball IQ as his instinctive play in the clutch never wavered. Not even later on in his career when he was playing with severe back pain.

    Reference: 1992 double OT vs Portland. Larry – 49 pts. Off balance 3 pointer to put game into OT. AMAZING GAME!

  • http://www.cheapsaleing.com weedy

    nice artical,iwill looking for your update.

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