It was on this day in 1986 that Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird was named the regular season Most Valuable Player.  Bird joined Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain as the only players to win the award in three consecutive years.

1985-86 was one of the best seasons in Larry Bird’s historic career.  He averaged 25.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists while appearing in all 82 regular season games and leading the Celtic’s to the NBA’s best record of 67-15.  Bird also averaged a career high two steals per game.  However, Bird saved his best for Boston’s long playoff run.

In the NBA finals against the Houston Rockets, Bird nearly averaged a triple-double on his way to being named the finals Most Valuable Player.  The Celtics would beat the Rockets in six games to capture their third championship in the last six seasons.

Here are Bird’s best plays from the Championship clinching game

Notable Birthdays

Jerry West: NBA – Born May 28th 1938 (age 72) in Chelyan, West Virginia

Kirk Gibson: MLB – Born May 28th 1957 (age 53) in Pontiac, Michigan

Michael Oher: NFL – Born May 28th 1986 (age 24) in Memphis, Tennessee

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