9 Best sophomore seasons in pro/NBA history

#5 Larry Bird

2019 NBA Draft Combine - Day 1

Only once or twice in a generation does a player come around who can be genuinely acknowledged as the top talent of his decade, and so does the case of Larry Bird and his Indiana shovelling roots. Born to a poor, disadvantaged, orthodox Christian family, Bird's uncanny ability to put the 29.5" ball into the hoop.

For 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, from 1979-80 through 1991-92, Bird personified hustle, consistency and excellence in all areas of play -- as a scorer, a passer, a rebounder, a defender, a team player, and, perhaps above all, as a clutch performer. Bird was so self-confident that he was known to waltz up to the opponents' bench before tipoff and predict a 40-point performance for himself.

Regularly regarded as the league's best trashtalker even with the advent of #23, Bird's second-year achievements speak for themselves. While he didn't win Finals MVP during the Cs' championship run, it was beyond any fan's doubt that the traditional Lakers/Celtics rivalry had come alive.

His second season averages are as follows:

21.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.8 blocks per game