NBa career
In 1978, Larry Bird was the Boston Celtics' No. 1 draft pick, signing a contract for a then-record $650,000 a year. He earned his salary right out of the gate, averaging 21.3 points per game and taking NBA Rookie of the Year. Bird also led the Celtics in rebounding, averaging 10.4 rebounds per game; as well as steals and minutes played, with an average of 143 steals and 2,955 minutes played each game. Over the course of the years in his NBA career, the Lakers and Celtics developed a huge rivalry in which caused Bird and Magic Johnson to do the same. Larry Bird led the Celtics into the NBA playoffs 12 of his 13 seasons. Bird made the All-Star Team 12 times and was named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in 1992. The summer of 1992 marked the first time the United States sent professional athletes to the Olympic Games. Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and other NBA stars formed the American men's basketball team, which would become known as the "Dream Team." Bird and his teammates easily won the gold medal for the U.S., and a few weeks later, Bird announced his retirement from professional basketball.