In 1979–80, super rookie Bird took Boston from 29 victories to 61 wins, bringing the Celtic dynasty—as well as a faltering league—back to life.
With the sixth choice of the 1978 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics selected Larry Bird, an obscure Indiana State junior eligible player, in the first round.
Though it would ultimately turn out to be the savior of a highly troubled league and team, the decision didn’t garner much attention at the time.
Since his initial class was graduating in 1978, Bird was eligible to be selected under the regulations of the time, even though he still had one more year of playing time left in college. In the fall of 1974, Larry enrolled at Indiana University, but he left before the semester began. After that, he attended the tiny Northwood Institute in southern Indiana before enrolling at ISU, where he excelled.
The Indiana Pacers, who were interested in choosing the hometown hero as the first pick in the 1978 draft, were owned by Bird’s native state. Bird spoke with Pacers coach/general manager Bob “Slick” Leonard, a former Indiana University standout, to see if he would be interested in leaving school to play in the NBA.
The Indiana Pacers, who were interested in choosing the hometown hero as the first pick in the 1978 draft, were owned by Bird’s native state. Bird spoke with Pacers coach/general manager Bob “Slick” Leonard, a former Indiana University standout, to see if he would be interested in leaving school to play in the NBA.
After telling Slick he was going to continue in college for his senior season, the All-American forward revealed to him that his mother had wanted him to be the first Bird to graduate from college. This was after a few Heineken beers.
Leonard was unsure whether ailing Indiana, an ABA powerhouse currently undergoing reconstruction, could afford to pay the top overall choice. Leonard’s squad was already monetarily challenged after paying a large NBA entry fee during the ABA merger two years prior.
After Bird rejected him, he sent the first pick to Portland in exchange for Johnny Davis, a quick young guard who had played a big role in the 1977 Blazer championship squad, who was selected third overall.
Then, with the third overall pick, Leonard chose center Rick Robey, who had won the 1978 NCAA championship with Kentucky. Strangely, Robey and Bird would go on to become good friends and beer drinkers when playing together with the Celtics from 1979 to 1983.
