The name Larry Bird is synonymous with basketball. He started his NBA career at the right time.
After the drug crisis, Bird re-energized the fans and gave the organization a fresh start. Bird joined the Boston Celtics, a team that had long struggled with losing, and quickly helped it change.
He increased the number of wins in a season and put the team back on top of the league. At the same time, he helps the team win several championships.
Learn what you need to know about Byrd’s career and the rings he won here.
How many rings does Larry Bird have?
Larry Bird owns three NBA championship rings. Bird ensured that the Celtics would reach the postseason every year he played for the team, despite only winning three times.
He got his rings in subsequent years:
- 1981
- 1984
- 1986
There is no doubt that one of the greatest teams in this sport was able to return to the field because of Bird’s talent and diligence.
Does Larry Bird have the most rings in the NBA?
Most NBA rings do not belong to Larry Bird. Compared to Bill Russell, who has 11 rings, he has three rings. Russell and Bird both played for the Boston Celtics.
However, Russell played for the Celtics in the 1960s, a very successful era. The Boston Celtics lost several of his seasons when the reign ended.
It wasn’t until Bird joined the Celtics in the 1980s that the club was able to return to the top of the league. Despite his great talent, Larry Bird only won three rings.
He is not even among the top ten players in a number of rings. Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant have six, four, and five more rings than Bird, respectively.
Could Larry Bird have won more rings?
Some followers ponder whether Larry Bird could have won more championships with the Boston Celtics.
When Bird joined the Celtics, three other teams dominated the league. Those were the Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers’ Magic Johnson, in particular, was Bird’s fiercest opponent.
The team often failed to beat the other big teams, as Bird was responsible for most (if not all) of the team’s offense.
The condition of the bird was another factor. Back injuries and other health issues affected his performance. The back made his performance iffy and that was one of the main reasons for his retirement.
Even if Byrd had played a few more years, the mix of tough teams and health issues probably would have prevented him from winning more rings. Had that been the case, Jordan’s rival would have been the Chicago Bulls.
Despite all this, Bird is still a famous athlete. He is a member of the Hall of Fame and has three championship rings and multiple MVP awards. He also has many other awards and admirable coaching accomplishments in his career.
What do Larry Bird’s NBA championship rings look like?
The championship rings awarded to the Boston Celtics during Bird’s career are just as stunning as the team’s other rings. Here’s what you need to know about the rings Bird received, and what they look like.
- the Boston Celtics’ 1980-81 NBA championship ring
At the start of the 1981 season, there was a lot of anxiety surrounding the Celtics. They found themselves in a difficult situation due to several unfortunate departures and a failed draft. However, they had assembled the strongest team they could muster.
One of their best picks was Byrd. Prior to this season, his career had improved the Celtics. They started winning regularly again. Their main rival early in the regular season was the Philadelphia 76ers.
They competed against each other in every game. In the end, the Boston Celtics prevailed and finished the season with a 62-20 record. In the finals, they meet Philadelphia again. Initially, things did not look good for the Celtics.
Bird helped Philadelphia win two games in a row after having previously won four in a row. He also made a jump shot later in the game. The Celtics beat Philadelphia 91-90 to advance to the championship game.
Their opponent in the Finals is the Houston Rockets, who are playing in the NBA Finals for the first time in their team’s history. Despite a disappointing regular season, they made it to the championship series.
There they were defeated by the Boston Celtics, who clinched the title. This was Bird’s first win. The 1981 championship ring is a beautiful jewel with an emerald in the center front. The emerald honors the team’s colors.
There is also a large round diamond in the center of the ring. This is the basketball on the championship trophy. The inscriptions read “World Champions” and “NBA”.
The number 14 is the Celtics’ 14th win.
Behind it is the word “Pride.” The Celtics have lived this as one of their main motifs all season. The NBA logo is on the other side of the ring. It also has an emerald green background.
The year the Celtics won the championship is written in large letters on both sides of the NBA logo. Below the NBA logo is the word “Teamwork”. The team adhered to this motto and one other throughout the season.
Bird, in particular, always emphasized passing the ball more than scoring. As he saw the other players’ faces light up when he scored, he found passing the ball more fun.
- the Boston Celtics’ championship ring from 1983-1984.
In 1984, one of the most remarkable playoff runs in NBA history took place. At that time, the LA Lakers and Boston Celtics faced each other. Many fans wanted the Boston Celtics to beat the LA Lakers as they had a bad reputation at the time.
After the second game, however, the score was tied. At the end of regulation time, the Celtics scored a few more points and won the game. The Lakers won the third game and became champions again.
They came close to triumphing in the fourth game as well, but the Celtics took the game away from them in the final minutes. As for the series wins, it remained even. In games five and seven, it was hot in the non-air-conditioned gym.
The Celtics won both games and captured the 1984 NBA championship despite the horrible conditions. Bird scored an average of 27 points per game and grabbed an average of 14 rebounds. He was eventually named MVP of the season.
The franchise decided to commission Balfour, who had previously designed and made his ring, to make it.
The 1984 ring fully reflects the Celtics’ joy after winning the championship. An enameled shamrock is proudly displayed in the center front.
In the center of the shamrock is a large diamond weighing 0.5 carats. Other, smaller diamonds frame it. The rest of the bracelet, including the inscriptions, is made of 14k gold.
The words “World Champions” are inscribed below it. The leprechaun, the mascot of the Boston Celtics, is depicted on one side of the ring pointing to the championship trophy while smoking a pipe. The basketball portion of the trophy features the XV.
According to this, the franchise has now won 15 championships. Bird’s name is also inscribed on this side of the ring. The word “Pride” is inscribed below the mascot. This refers to the team’s motto. It is reflected on the other side of the ring.
At the bottom of that side is the word “Teamwork”. The ring honors the team’s saying and mantra. The NBA logo is also found here.
On either side of the logo is the year of the championship. Not surprisingly, the 1984 ring holds a special place in Bird’s heart, considering the effort he put forth to earn it.
- the Boston Celtics’ 1985-86 NBA championship ring.
The Celtics’ 1985 season was devastating. The team could not play at its best due to numerous injuries.
Even Bird struggled because of an elbow problem that hampered him. The Lakes faced them again and this time they won.
The team owner sold some players to make room for new players and to prepare for the 1986 season. As a result, the team improved and finished the season as one of the best in the league. For the entire season, the team achieved a record of 67-15.
At the time, it was the best performance in the league. The San Antonio Spurs were able to set this record as recently as the 2015-2016 season.
There was no doubt they would make it to the Finals. In their first game, they face Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
In game 2, only Michael Jordan scored 63 points. The Atlanta Hawks were the first challenger before the Bulls faced them.
In the ensuing Game 5, the Hawks finally lost their advantage.
This meant they would finally meet the Houston Rockets. According to several spectators, this game recreated the 1981 NBA Finals.
It was also only the second Finals in the 1980s that the Lakers did not participate in. As the series progressed, the Celtics had little trouble with the Rockets.
The Rockets lost to the Celtics four games to two, despite having several stars on their team. It was the Celtics’ last win until 2008. Balfour also created this ring.
He made an enameled shamrock out of 10k gold and glued it to the front of the ring.
The ball of the trophy is made of a large cut diamond. The top of the ring reads “Boston Celtics” and the bottom reads “World Champions.” The sides of the ring resemble some of the earlier designs that Balfour created for the Celtics.
One side features the NBA emblem, whose green background honors the team’s colors. On either side of the logo is the year of the title. Below the logo is written “Teamwork.” The other side of the ring is slightly different from previous versions.
At the top of the ring is the name of the bird. He holds the number 16 in front of him in a half-hug while spinning a gold basketball on his finger. The number is an allusion to the franchise’s 16 wins.
Below the mascot is a banner that reads “World Champions.” The word “Pride” then appears. The team motto is “Teamwork and Pride.” This is Bird’s last championship with the Boston Celtics.
Thanks to the win, he also received the MVP award. Although few players have more rings than Bird, the Celtics fan proudly displays his three NBA championship rings.
Has Larry Bird won rings as a coach?
Larry Bird left the NBA as a player in 1992 but returned as a coach in 1997. He eventually became head coach of the Indiana Pacers. Early in his coaching career, Bird promised that he would only be doing this for three years.
He kept his word and did what he said. He only coached for three years, but he did get some recognition.
Bird failed to win a championship ring with the Pacers despite his coaching experience. However, the playoffs were won under his leadership. Although he wasn’t as flashy and loud as some of the other coaches, many believe Bird was a successful coach.
Although he didn’t hesitate to speak negatively about others, he preferred to let the best players do their jobs.
He didn’t talk much; he only spoke when he had something to say and people listened. Thanks to his experience as a player, he learned that yelling at other players didn’t lead to anything good.
How much are Larry Bird’s rings worth?
It’s hard to put a price on it since Byrd hasn’t listed his rings for sale yet. However, other rings from the same game have already been listed for sale. They were worth between $20,000 and $50,000 each.
These are not the most expensive rings in the NBA, as the Boston Celtics own more gold than diamonds in terms of gem value. Bird rings, however, can be very expensive due to their sentimental value.
This is due to the fact that Bird is a famous basketball player. He tells an interesting story about the rings he wears.
Conclusion:
Larry Bird is a fantastic player for the Boston Celtics. During his career, he earned three NBA championship rings. Aside from the many MVP titles, he has also received several other awards and trophies.
He even had a successful coaching career after that. Larry Bird could have won even more championship rings if not for his health problems.