AthleteWiki
Live
WRESTLINGStyles AJ Styles Reacts to Son Avery's Impressive Spiral Tap MoveSWIMMINGPeaty Adam Peaty suffers shock defeat in Commonwealth Games finalSWIMMINGPeaty Adam Peaty wins bronze at Commonwealth Games but breaks down ...WRESTLINGStyles AJ Styles Gives Hopeful Advice to Wrestlers Rejected in WWE T...WRESTLINGStyles AJ Styles reveals indie stars he handpicked for WWE tryouts a...CHESSFirouzja Alireza Firouzja Breaks Free in Grand Chess Tour Croatia BlitzWRESTLINGStyles AJ Styles Reacts to Son Avery's Impressive Spiral Tap MoveSWIMMINGPeaty Adam Peaty suffers shock defeat in Commonwealth Games finalSWIMMINGPeaty Adam Peaty wins bronze at Commonwealth Games but breaks down ...WRESTLINGStyles AJ Styles Gives Hopeful Advice to Wrestlers Rejected in WWE T...WRESTLINGStyles AJ Styles reveals indie stars he handpicked for WWE tryouts a...CHESSFirouzja Alireza Firouzja Breaks Free in Grand Chess Tour Croatia Blitz

Larry Bird Admits He Had No Interest in NBA Before Joining

2026-06-24 · Larry Bird · Player Focus

Larry Bird Admits He Had No Interest in NBA Before Joining

Larry Bird admitted he had no interest in the NBA before joining the league in 1979. He preferred the American Basketball Association's style.

What drew Larry Bird to the ABA?

The ABA was more attractive to Bird due to its free-flowing style, which was described by George Gervin as the opposite of the NBA's "old-man ball".

How did the NBA change after Larry Bird joined?

The NBA's pace and style began to shift after Bird joined, with the introduction of the three-point line in 1979, and the influence of former ABA franchises.

The league was still struggling with attendance and drug use among players, but Bird's arrival marked the beginning of a new era.

What was the turning point for the NBA?

The 1984 season, with David Stern as commissioner, and the Finals matchup between Bird's Celtics and Magic Johnson's Lakers, was a made-for-television moment that changed everything.

Bird's Celtics won the championship that year, and the league's popularity began to soar, with Bird at the forefront of the shift.

The NBA's transformation was not immediate, but Bird's presence, along with other factors, contributed to its growth into the global phenomenon it is today.

Bird's preference for the ABA's style was evident in his playing career, and his impact on the NBA was significant, even if he didn't plan it that way.

The 1984 season was a pivotal moment in the NBA's history, and Bird's role in it cannot be overstated, as he helped bring attention and excitement to the league.

And Bird's legacy continues to be felt, with his name often mentioned among the NBA's all-time greats, a testament to his enduring impact on the sport.

But what's often forgotten is that Bird didn't always follow the NBA, and his journey to becoming one of its defining figures was not straightforward.

So, the next time you think of the NBA's greatest players, remember Larry Bird, the man who helped shift the league's style and popularity, and whose legacy continues to inspire new generations of players and fans.

More Larry Bird news →