On this day: the first-ever NBA 3-pointer and the debut of Celtics legend Larry Bird

On this day: the first-ever NBA 3-pointer and the debut of Celtics legend Larry Bird.

On this day in 1979, Larry Bird, a French Lick, Indiana native and highly-regarded young prospect selected by the Boston Celtics the summer before, made his debut.

In a perfect coincidence, the night of Larry Legend’s NBA debut saw the first-ever 3-point field goal in league history, made by Celtics shooting guard Chris Ford from a distance. The game took place against the Houston Rockets.

Bird, originally from West Baden Springs, Indiana, spent his childhood in the neighboring town of French Lick—hence the nickname—and played collegiately for a short time at Indiana University before moving to Indiana State.

Due to this quirk, Bird became eligible for the 1978 NBA Draft during his junior year at Indiana State. Red Auerbach, the president of the Boston Celtics, took advantage of this opportunity and selected Bird with the sixth overall choice.

After playing his last season for Indiana State, where he lost to buddy and longtime rival Earvin “Magic” Johnson in the NCAA championship game, Bird would sign with Boston that October.

In addition to many other accolades, Bird would win three championships (1981, 1984, and 1986), three MVP awards between 1984 and 1986, two MVPs for the Finals (1984 and 1986), a twelve NBA All-Star elections, an All-Star MVP, ten All-NBA nominations, and three selections to the All-NBA Defensive Second Team.

After 13 seasons with the team, he would retire as a Celtic in 1992, and Boston retired his jersey number the same day he did.