Bird, the solid white guy, won over Magic's fans with his creative shooting and flashy passing.

He wanted Bird to win player of the year on merit, Auriemma said, not on reputation.

Bird won every major player of the year award (including the Naismith and Wooden awards) in 1979.

Challenging Rose and Best, but not being demanding, Bird has won their trust, too.

Bird won the championship and the $12,500 first-place check, when Schrempf's final attempt, for 2 points, glanced off the front rim.

If Bird won the bet, Levy agreed to purchase Storm season tickets.

Bird won the fight on points by 39-38, a win described as a "big upset".

Bird won £10,000 in September 2009 when he took part in the first series of television gameshow The Cube.

Bird won the award in a landslide, becoming only the fourth rookie coach to finish on top.

Bird won a gold medal and quit on his terms.