Former Celtics forward Larry Bird is widely considered one of the greatest players in NBA history. He won three NBA championships with the Celtics in 1981, 1984, and 1986, and was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998, six years after retiring in 1992.

Bird made an immediate impact in Boston, averaging 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists as a rookie. His on-court rivalry with Lakers superstar Magic Johnson brought the NBA to new heights of popularity, as the duo and their respective star-laden teams dueled for the NBA title three times in the 1980s. The Celts won in 1984, while the Lakers won in 1985 and 1987. The Bird-Johnson rivalry still stands as one of the most famous in all of sports.

In addition to being a three-time NBA champion, Bird won three straight MVP awards from 1984-86, and won NBA Finals MVP in 1984 and 1986. He was also a 12-time All-Star.

Keep scrolling for a collection of photos of Bird from throughout his Celtics career.

• Larry Bird and K.C. Jones

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  1988: Coach K.C. Jones and forward Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics talk to each other during a game at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Mandatory Credit: Allsport

• Larry Bird

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  1990: Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird shoots a layup during game against the Golden State Warriors at the Oakland Colesium Arena in Oakland, California. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr./Allsport

• Larry Bird

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  Undated: Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird shoots a jump shot during an NBA game. Mandatory Credit: Allsport
• Larry Bird

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  Forward Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics sits on the bench during a game. (Getty Images)

• Boston Celtics v Los Angeles Lakers

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  Feb. 19, 1988: Forward Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball as Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers defends during a game at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart/Allsport

• Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers

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  Larry Bird #33, power forward for the Boston Celtics, prepares to shoot for the basket as James Worthy #42 and Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers attempt to block during their NBA Pacific Division basketball game on Feb. 16, 1986 at The Forum in Inglewood, Los Angeles, California. The Celtics won the game 105-99. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Allsport/Getty Images)
• Los Angeles Lakers v Boston Celtics

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  Undated: Forward Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics prepares to block an the shot of forward A.C. Green of the Los Angeles Lakers during an NBA game at the Forum in Inglewood, California. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart/Allsport

• Larry Bird

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  1988: Forward Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics in action versus the Los Angeles Lakers at the Forum in Inglewood, California. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart/Allsport

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