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Charles Barkley Finally Admits What Everyone Suspected About Larry Bird!

Posted on June 4, 2025 - 9:19 am by

Larry Bird, the Boston Celtics legend, remains one of the most iconic figures in NBA history. His final NBA season was 1991-92, but his legacy continues to spark discussions among fans and analysts alike. Recently, Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley shared his thoughts on Bird’s place in basketball history during an interview with Dan Patrick.

Patrick posed a provocative question: “Can you see a time or get ready for Larry Bird dropping out as one of the top ten players of all time? Could you see a scenario where Larry is not ranked in the top ten all time?” Barkley’s response was emphatic, underscoring Bird’s indelible impact on the sport. “Well, let me say this: the three most important figures in NBA history are Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan,” Barkley declared. “There are a lot of great players, but there’s only a few guys who transcend the sport… Nobody can take away the historic significance…. Magic and Bird started the transformation, Michael Jordan took it to another level.”

Selected sixth overall in the 1978 NBA Draft out of Indiana State, Bird spent his entire 13-year professional career with the Boston Celtics. His career statistics are staggering: an average of 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, while shooting an impressive 49.6% from the field and 37.6% from three-point range across 897 games.

Bird’s accolades further cement his greatness. As noted by X user @KenMantia, Bird is the only player in NBA history to achieve the following: Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year. He is also the only player to maintain career averages of at least 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists per game, and the only non-center to win three consecutive MVP awards.

Bird’s contributions, both on and off the court, have left an enduring mark on basketball. As Barkley’s comments suggest, Bird’s role in transforming the NBA alongside Magic Johnson, paving the way for Michael Jordan’s global influence, ensures his place among the all-time greats is secure.