Larry Bird 3 Consecutive MVP Awards

Lore & Background

Larry Bird arrived in 1979 with small-town Indiana grit, but by the mid-80s, his basketball IQ had transformed into total court dominance. The first of his three consecutive MVPs arrived in 1983-84, anchoring the Celtics' 15th championship and a legendary Finals victory over the Lakers. He followed that with another award in 1985, even after falling short in the Finals, proving voters valued his brilliance above all else. The 1985-86 season was his apex: Bird led Boston to a historic 67-win regular season and another title, delivering what many call the greatest forward performance ever. This stretch saw him become the first player since Bill Russell to secure three straight MVPs, asserting total control over the game's pace.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Boston Garden hung heavy with humidity and anticipation in April 1986 as the regular season concluded. Larry Bird sat on the bench, a towel draped casually over his head, listening to the announcer read the final MVP voting results. He didn't need to look up; he knew what was coming. For three straight years, the league had voted him its best player. As the crowd erupted into a familiar chant of "Bird! Bird!", he finally lifted the towel, offering only a faint, confident smile. He stood and walked toward the tunnel not seeking validation, but acknowledging his place as the undisputed king of the court.

Reader's Guide

Larry Bird's consecutive MVP awards represent one of the most dominant individual stretches in NBA history, spanning three specific seasons: 1983-84, 1984-85, and 1985-86. In each of these years, Bird led the Boston Celtics to the playoffs with elite records, culminating in championships in '84 and '86. This period redefined the power forward position, showcasing a player who could dominate scoring, rebounding, and playmaking simultaneously.

Did You Know?

• Larry Bird is one of only three players in NBA history to win three consecutive MVP awards, alongside Bill Russell and Michael Jordan.
• During his third MVP season (1985-86), Bird averaged 25.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists while shooting nearly 50% from the field.
• Bird was the first player to win three MVPs without securing a Finals MVP in all those specific years; he won his only Finals MVP in 1984.
• The 1985-86 Celtics team is frequently cited as one of the greatest teams in NBA history, driven largely by Bird's leadership during this MVP run.