A 6-foot-9 forward who could dribble, pass and shoot the way Bird could made him one of the greatest NBA players we've ever seen and will ever see. What is so impressive is that he has maintained those percentages despite the heavy volume of shots he takes. When Jordan played it was an open secret that players lied about their heights. [108], At the 2019 NBA Awards, Bird received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (shared with Magic Johnson). Brand was a great post defender and shot blocker, as he averaged 2 blocks a game from 2001-2008. It seems every time he steps on a court he is a threat for a triple double, and a lot of that can attributed to his ridiculous wingspan. He had off-season surgery to remove a disc from his back, but his back problems continued and he missed 37 games during the 199192 season. Anonymous. [25], In his rookie season (19791980), Bird immediately transformed the Celtics into a title contender. Take for instance Yao Ming, who stood an impressive 76, but his wingspan was actually smaller than his height at 75 inches. Homepage Mock Drafts. Larry Bird played the small forward and power forward positions at a height of 6'9" (2.06 m). Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. (Larry Legend, The Hick from French Lick, Kodak, The Great White Hope), Position: Shoots: Honestly, all of them fit Bird so well. Bird was one of the greatest players ever in crunch time, making four buzzer-beaters throughout his career. Former NBA coach Hubie Brown had this to say about McHale: "He was totally unstoppable because of his quickness, diversification of moves and the long arms that gave him an angle to release the ball over a taller man or more explosive jumper." In his career, he averaged 2 steals a game and was named to the all-defensive team 10 out of 17 years he was in the league. [133], During his professional career with the Celtics, Bird lived in the Boston suburb of Brookline, Massachusetts.[134]. The Celtics won their first NBA title with Bird (and 14th overall) in 1981; they repeated with title wins in 1984 and 1986. [86], Bird was widely considered one of Red Auerbach's favorite players. [36] He averaged 21.9 points, 14 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 2.3 steals per game for the postseason and 15.3 points, 15.3 rebounds, and 7 assists per game for the Finals. So, when selecting a physical profile for your player, I suggest choosing the combination of strength and agility. Mourning was blessed with God given length, but it was his heart and passion for the game that ultimately made him one of the best that ever stepped on an NBA court. Bird returned to the Pacers as president of basketball operations in 2013,[6] and remained in that role until 2017. [7], Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana, to Georgia (ne Kerns) and Claude Joseph "Joe" Bird, a veteran of the Korean War. Who was going to make the last shot? Despite not being as tall as the Lakers legend, Leonard is just as long. That is 6.5% greater than his height. He says they build their hearts up so much that when they retire, the hearts just sit there. However, Bird's height seems to come at a cost -- a cost he's well aware of and doesn't try to hide from. He finished his career with sterling averages of 24.6 points and 10 rebounds per game. This will provide a huge boost in the attributes under this category. Indiana State University, High School: Boston Celtics, 1st round (6th pick, 6th overall), 1978 NBA Draft, Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1998 (Full List), More Larry Bird pages at Sports Reference. He complemented his all-around game with accurate outside shooting and unmatched bravado. His concentration and composure were unrivaled as well, and he established himself as one of the most unshakable and driven players in the NBA. He made the All-Star team 12 times and was named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in 1982. Charles Barkley has been quoted saying McHale was the best player he ever played against. Great wingspan measurements comes from players of all heights. With his added length, Durant is able to get the ball in a position that is very hard to defend. It was Larry Bird's height that made his basketball skills so remarkable. 4:15 pm ET. [49] In Game 6 of the Finals series, Bird recorded a triple-double of 29 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists as the Celtics won the Finals series 4 games to 2 against the Rockets. One such case is the legendary Jerry West. The Best Michael Jordan Build in NBA 2K22, How to Set Realistic Game Sliders in NBA 2K22, Teams With the Most Cap Space in NBA 2K22 MyGM. At the end of the 2011-12 season, he was named NBA Executive of the Year, making him the only person to be named the NBA's MVP, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year. Larry Bird Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. The best they can do is continue to monitor their health, try to keep up with working out, and hope for the best. [8], The game achieved the highest-ever television rating for a college basketball game, in large part because of the matchup between Bird and Spartans' point guard Earvin "Magic" Johnson,[11] a rivalry that lasted throughout their professional careers. That wingspan is the same size that the 75 Shawn Bradley had. Lastly, the wingspan can be reduced to around 83.0 inches. If Bol had any type of offensive game to merit him more minutes, he would have set the blocks record so high that it would have never been touched. Nicknamed Larry Legend or The Hick from French Lick, Bird played the small forward and power forward positions for the Boston Celtics in his entire career. Along with Larry Bird, and Robert Parish, McHale formed the most dominant front line in NBA history. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice as a playerfirst in 1998 as an individual, and again in 2010 as a member of the "Dream Team". The most accurate reports found that West had an 81 inch wingspan, which would translate to 69. Below is a guide to help you create the best Larry Bird build in NBA 2K22. inWest Baden,Indiana Although there are only 48 total minutes of time on the clock in an NBA game, the regulation time is stopped often for fouls, timeouts, and when the ball is out of bounds. In his career, Bol averaged 3.3 blocks a game, in just 18.7 minutes. A triple-double in basketball is a term used to describe the impactful performance of a player that achieved a double-digit number in three of the five statistical basketball categories of points, assists, rebounds, steals, and blocked shots. "[70] Their rivalry began in college, when Larry Bird and Indiana State lost to Magic Johnson and Michigan State in the NCAA Championship game. [83] Universally recognized as an all-time great player, Bird was placed at the power forward position on an NBA all-time starting five roster with fellow superstars Magic Johnson (point guard), Michael Jordan (shooting guard), LeBron James (small forward), and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (center) in 2020. Despite no previous coaching experience, he led the Pacers to a 58-24 record the franchise's best at the time in the 1997-98 season and was named the NBA Coach of the Year. Scottie Pippen is one of the most versatile players in NBA history. [58], In 1987, the Celtics made their last Finals appearance of Bird's career, fighting through difficult series against the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons. Updated daily. This ratio is one of the higher percentages for players who have played in the NBA. Rondo also poses very large hands at 9.5 inches long, and 10 inches wide. The "Dream Team" won the men's basketball gold medal. Pippen used his incredible length to cover the best player on a nightly basis and whether they were a forward or a guard didn't matter, as Pippen had both the size and quickness to match up with anyone. All rights reserved. Learn more and register. Scaled 2Ddrawings and 3Dmodels available for download. [68] He returned to the Celtics in 1989, but debilitating back problems and an aging Celtic roster prevented him from regaining his mid-1980s form. [11] Bird has said that being poor as a child still motivates him "to this day". A 1980s Converse commercial for its "Weapon" line of basketball shoes (endorsed by both Bird and Johnson) reflected the perceived dichotomy between the two players. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 6:45PM. International Stats at Basketball-Reference.com, College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com, Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. Kevin McHale was one of the best players of the 1980s. The 7'3 wing span is 11.5% greater than his height. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. [9] He has four brothers and a sister. Elton Brand is entering his 16th year in the NBA this season with the Atlanta Hawks. In 1997 Bird accepted the head coach position with the Indiana Pacers, a move that returned him to his home state. at He is also the youngest player to reach 1,000 rebounds, and each benchmark from that point through to 9,000 rebounds. What he showed us is that truly elite stats can be produced by some with almost no talent, but insanely freaky physical attributes. Larry Bird's wife, Dinah Mattingly, is his high school sweetheart who got engaged and married the former NBA legend in 1989. That is 8.5% greater than his height. His length gives nightmares to the NBAs best on a nightly basis as he would be frustrating the likes of Kobe, Melo, and LeBron. The season finished with a national championship game match-up of Indiana State against Michigan State and featured a highly anticipated match-up of Bird against Michigan State great Magic Johnson, thus beginning a career-long rivalry that the two shared for over a decade. An elite wingspan is considered as a measurement that is 6.5% greater than the players height. Bird returned to the Pacers in 2003 as president of basketball operations. Coming into the league, many pundits wondered if Mourning could be a starting center at only 69. Right, Born: Available in 3DM (Rhino), OBJ (NURB), SKP(Sketchup)formats, Dimensions.com is a project by Fantastic Offense, Dimensions is a project by Fantastic Offense. Post Playmaker When the player passes out of the post or coming off an offensive board, the recipient receives a shot boost. Dwight Howard is one of the premiere big men of the modern area, but stands at only 610. To help you operate in the lane, this guide discusses the most effective post moves in NBA 2K22. In his final three seasons with the Celtics, Bird averaged over 20 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists per game, shot better than 45% from the field, and led the Celtics to playoff appearances. Only eight other NBA players have achieved the rare feat. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. While standing 77, Bols wingspan was an unheard of 86. Bird began the next chapter of his life as a front-office special assistant for the Celtics, a post he held for five years. Larry Bird played the small forward and power forward positions at a height of 6'9" (2. . Find out more. he's at least 2 inches taller than duncan. 14 Dwight Howard Same with Amare who's listed at 6'10 but measured at 6'8 1/2. Slippery Off-Ball Increases the players chances of shaking off an opponent when attempting to get open using off-ball screens. [10], He was raised in nearby French Lick, where his mother worked two jobs to support Larry and his five siblings. Along with Johnson, who also entered the NBA in 1979 with the Los Angeles Lakers, Bird was a key figure in revitalizing the league in the 1980s. Growing up in French Lick, Indiana, he was a local basketball star. Bird had an average of 10.0 rebounds per game for his career and 6.3 assists. home/away, monthly, etc More Larry Bird Basketball Reference pages. [91] Bird was also a four-time regular season MVP runner-up in 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1988. 7mo ago. 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. 9. Being that tall will give you an advantage in-game. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. [57], The '86 Celtics are commonly ranked as one of the greatest basketball teams of all time, with the Boston Globe's Peter May and Grantland's Bill Simmons listing them at number one. Magic got the upper hand against Bird, beating him in 1985 and 1987, while Bird beat Magic in 1984. Jason Maxiell was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the 1st round of the 2005 draft. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not state or reflect the views of PEx Online Community Corp. i remember when duncan and kg had an altercation, tim was looking up at KG. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. Not since Bill Russell squared off against Wilt Chamberlain had professional basketball enjoyed such a marquee matchup. Celtics General Manager Red Auerbach publicly stated that he would not pay Bird more than any Celtic on the current roster, but Bird's agent Bob Woolf told Auerbach that Bird would reject any sub-market offers and simply enter the 1979 draft instead, where Boston's rights would expire when the draft began on June 25, and Bird would have been the likely top pick. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are known to be "one of the greatest rivalries in sports. He mentioned in his own book about his height, saying "I was almost six-four as a junior, six-six or so as a senior and I grew to Six-Nine. [26][27] In his career debut, Bird recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in a 114106 win over the Houston Rockets. [77], Bird was voted onto the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team list in 1996,[78][79] and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. I've not seen that much of Chrichton reallycompared to seeing Bird, who can look taller than his listing at times. Unlike the other popular wing players of his generation, such as Julius Erving, Michael Jordan, and Dominique Wilkins, Bird did not have the hops to jump over opponents. Despite many peoples belief, Bol was not solely a freakshow, as he sustained a 10 year NBA career, playing for 4 different teams. Celebrity Fan Photos and Agency Pictures of stars are to their respective owners. Standing 69, Prince has a 72 inch wingspan, which appears even greater due to his rail thin physique (some people claim his wingspan is closer to 76). 2022 Dimensions.com |All rights reserved. When adjusting your players height, you can just copy Birds real height. To round out the finishing, shooting, and playmaking categories, put some points on close shot, driving layup, driving dunk, and post hook. A recent promotional poster out of New Orleans shows Davis with a 77 wingspan. [119] Bird returned to the Pacers as president of basketball operations in 2013. Kevin McHale has gone down as one of the 50 best NBA players of all time, and is probably the best example in NBA history of how length can be used to dominate on both ends of the court. LAST ATTENDED. During the MyCareer mode, you can be tasked to play some minutes at power forward depending on the rotation. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. [12] Georgia and Joe divorced when Larry was in high school, and Joe died by suicide about a year later. [83] While he was relatively slow, Bird displayed a knack for anticipating the moves of his opponent, making him a strong team defender. He is a four-time All-Defensive team member, and he led the league in steals in 2009-10. [33][34][35] Behind Bird's leadership and Boston's upgraded roster, the Celtics again advanced to the Conference Finals for a rematch with the 76ers. McHale is known as one of the best post players in NBA history due to his great footwork and arsenal of moves. LeBron was definitely a better player. Their rivalry continued on in the revived CelticsLakers Rivalry in the NBA. 1 Answer. Increasing the height will give these attributes a huge boost anyway. Highly recruited, he initially signed to play college basketball for coach Bob Knight of the Indiana Hoosiers, but Bird dropped out after one month and returned to French Lick to attend a local community college. DiamondLobby.com makes money from advertising. [15] After less than a month on the Indiana University campus he dropped out of school, finding the adjustment between his small hometown and the large student population of Bloomington to be overwhelming. Durant is one of the 6 members of the 50-40-90 club. [121], In 1975, Bird married Janet Condra. Howard has used that wingspan to become an elite rebounder and shot blocker. Any data prior to that is not a guarantee, and much of it is urban legend that grew a life of its own. [39] In the Conference Finals, the Celtics faced the 76ers for the third consecutive year, losing in seven games. I've got a theory that if you give 100 percent all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. Larry Bird was 6'9" no wingspan numbers but he had average looking arms. After protracted negotiations, Bird inked a five-year, $3.25 million contract with the team on June 8, making him the highest-paid rookie in sports history. [113] Despite having no previous coaching experience, Bird led the Pacers to a 5824 recordthe franchise's best as an NBA team at the timein the 199798 season,[114] and pushed the Chicago Bulls to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals. The first regular-season game between the Celtics and the Lakers in the 198788 season proved to be a classic with Magic Johnson banking in an off-balance shot from near the three-point line at the buzzer for a 115114 Lakers win at Boston Garden. That is 4x the amount of time it took Bol to put up roughly the same amount of blocks. Answer (1 of 14): Jordan supposedly being shorter than his listed 6'6 NBA height is not unfounded, as he was listed at 6'4 for the 1992 Olympics. KG Living Legend Don Nelson Posts: 8383 It seems like Leonard is only starting to scratch the surface of what he can do with such freaky physical attributes. ", "Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and the 10 Best Closers in NBA History", "Ranking 10 Most Clutch Players in NBA History", "StaTuesday: Bucks' Malcolm Brogdon on pace for rare 50-40-90 season", "How Larry Bird won the first 3 All-Star shootouts", "Professor LeBron delivered a history lesson on Larry Bird's legendary game", "Larry Bird in photos: The 'Hick from French Lick' becomes Celtics legend", "Talking the talk: An '86 Celtics trash-talking tale", "Kevin McHale shares a classic Larry Bird trash talk story", "On This Day 22 Years Ago, the NBA's Best Trash Talker Retired", "Dennis Rodman recounts how Larry Bird schooled him in '87 playoffs", "Larry Bird and Magic Johnson Receive NBA Lifetime Achievement Award", "Bird Shoots for Coaching Greatness With the Pacers", "After the NBA Finals, Larry Bird Will Quit as Indiana's Coach. [105][106] He was known for telling his opponents how and where in the court he would score against them; Xavier McDaniel recounted that Bird predicted a game-winning shot against him, then "shot a shot right in my face and was like 'Damn, I didn't mean to leave two seconds on the clock. As for the weight, you can lower it by one pound (219 lbs) to give your player an additional point in acceleration. [75] It was the first time in the United States' Olympic history that the country sent NBA players to compete. [115] Bird then led the Pacers to consecutive Central Division titles in 1999 and 2000 and a berth in the 2000 NBA Finals. 6'9" (2.06m) WEIGHT. [90] Bird won three consecutive regular season MVP awards; as of 2020, the only other players to accomplish this feat are Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. Or write about sports? Astrological Sign: Sagittarius, Article Title: Larry Bird Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/athletes/larry-bird, Publisher: A&E; Television Networks, Last Updated: April 20, 2021, Original Published Date: April 2, 2014. Thank you! Rajon Rondo is currently one of the best point guards in the league. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. [22] He graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. Indiana State. The Hick from French Lick was the first ever to join the club. He led the league in rebounds twice and during the 2000s he averaged 10.2 rebounds a game. In 2003, Bird was named president of basketball operations for the Pacers, holding the position until retiring in 2012. You will often hear basketball pundits state that a player has great length. [21] In the Conference Finals, Boston was eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers.

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