Is Sue Bird related to Larry Bird? Revisiting former WNBA star’s admission about relation with NBA legend

Despite sharing the same surname and being renowned for their skills as shooters and playmakers, Larry Bird and Sue Bird are not related. While Larry Bird is widely recognized as one of the greatest players in NBA history, Sue Bird is considered one of the biggest stars in WNBA history. However, let’s revisit what the WNBA legend herself has said about any potential relationship with “Larry Legend.”

During an interview with the Business Insider in 2022, Sue revealed details about her connection with Larry. Although they are not related, Sue had referred to the Boston Celtics legend as “Uncle Larry”during her childhood years.

“It’s like a famous story in my childhood school and neighborhood that I lied and I would tell people he was my uncle like all the time,”Sue said. “I mean, I was like 6 or 7, so I feel like that’s excusable.”

Larry Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana, but was raised in French Lick. In contrast, Sue Bird was born and brought up in New York City. Her paternal grandparents hailed from Ukraine and their birth name was “Boorda.”

The Legacy of Larry Bird: A Legendary NBA Career

Larry Bird is widely recognized as one of the most exceptional players in NBA history, with some even ranking him among the Top 10. Throughout his career from 1979 to 1992, Bird remained loyal to the Boston Celtics. He achieved three NBA championships and was awarded two NBA Finals MVPs.

Larry Bird was the recipient of the league MVP award for three consecutive years, from 1984 to 1986, a feat that has not been achieved by anyone since. While he is renowned for his shooting and playmaking abilities, Bird’s trash talk was equally legendary.

Additionally, “The Hick from French Lick”holds a gold medal as a member of the Dream Team and has been honored with two inductions into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Many also attribute Bird’s rivalry with Magic Johnson as the key factor in reviving the NBA during the 1980s.

Sue Bird’s Dominant Stint in the WNBA

Sue Bird was selected as the top pick by the Seattle Storm in the 2002 WNBA Draft after a successful college tenure at UConn. Throughout her 20-year career, she secured five championships and was a 13-time All-Star. Additionally, she topped the league in assists three times before retiring.

Over the course of 10 seasons, Bird played for three different teams in Russia – Dynamo Moscow, Spartak Moscow, and UMMC Ekaterinburg. During her time with Spartak, she achieved four consecutive EuroLeague Women’s Championships from 2007 to 2010. She then went on to win her fifth title with Ekaterinburg in 2013.