That's the greatest game I've ever played in or seen played." [67] Wilkins remarked, "The basket was like a well. Last edited on 28 February 2023, at 21:21, retired by Springs Valley High Blackhawks, 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, United States men's national basketball team, List of career achievements by Larry Bird, List of National Basketball Association career assists leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff assists leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff free throw scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff steals leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff turnovers leaders, List of National Basketball Association career scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association career steals leaders, List of National Basketball Association career turnovers leaders, List of National Basketball Association players with most points in a game, List of National Basketball Association players with most steals in a game, List of National Basketball Association annual minutes leaders, List of NBA players who have spent their entire career with one franchise, List of NCAA Division I men's basketball career scoring leaders, List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 2000 points and 1000 rebounds, "Big Threes Beyond the Boston Celtics & Miami Heat: 50 Best Trios in NBA History", Fox Sports: Top 10 small forwards in NBA history, "Larry Bird resigns as Indiana Pacers president for second time", Larry Bird: Hall of Fame Basketball Superstar, "EDDIE BIRD HAS A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW AT INDIANA STATE", "Boston's Larry Bird, in what may be his finest season, gets Red Auerbach's voteover Bill Russellas the best ever", "Throwback Thursday: Celtics Draft Larry Bird Sixth Overall", "The story of how rookie phenom Larry Bird led the NBA's greatest turnaround season", "Larry Bird's baseball career: A lofty .500 batting average", "Houston Rockets at Boston Celtics Box Score, October 12, 1979", "Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics Box Score, November 14, 1979", "Indiana Pacers at Boston Celtics Box Score, November 23, 1979", "5 best players in Boston Celtics history", "NBA expert panel: Warriors not the greatest of all time, or even No. 9. He also had a career high of 60 points against the Atlanta Hawks on March 12, 1985. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are known to be "one of the greatest rivalries in sports. Even though he was a superstar, he also had no problem doing the dirty work, like playing hard-nose defense and hustling for loose balls. ", "LeBron James: Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Julius Erving Are 3 Best Players Ever", "Who Has Made The Most NBA All-Star Game Appearances of All-Time", "NBA MVP award: Steph Curry on list of multiple-time winners", Sporting News: James Harden joins exclusive group with third MVP runner-up finish, "Who is the most clutch player in NBA history? Part of the reason, he admits, was his own fatalistic view of what the future would bring. In 2003, Bird was named president of basketball operations for the Pacers, holding the position until retiring in 2012. He was a raw athlete out of the Democratic Republic of Congo, having only picked up the sport at the age of 16. The best they can do is continue to monitor their health, try to keep up with working out, and hope for the best. [3], A versatile player at both forward positions, he could play both inside and outside, being one of the first players in the league to take advantage of the newly adopted three-point line. [citation needed] The apparent contrast between the two players and their respective teams seemed scripted for television: Bird, the introverted small-town hero with the blue-collar work ethic, fit perfectly with the throwback, hard-nosed style of the Celtics, while the stylish, gregarious Johnson ran the Lakers' fast-paced Showtime offense amidst the bright lights and celebrities of Los Angeles. When in his defensive stance, Price looks almost impossible to get around, and his long arms allow him to play off players while contesting every shot. He was briefly married to first wife Janet Condra from 1975-76 and has a daughter with her named Corrie. West only stood 62 which would make his wingspan 9.5% greater than his height. 30 on ESPN SportsCentury's list of 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th century. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. Interceptor This significantly increases the frequency of successfully tipped or stolen passes. The dramatic play saved the series for the Celtics. [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. As morbid as the subject is, Bird doesn't really duck away from it and what it means for him and his family. 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. Larry Bird, along with "Magic" Johnson and Michael Jordan, is one of the most recognized names in the history of basketball. Special Delivery Improves the chances of connecting with an alley-oop pass and increases the shot percentage of teammates who receive a flashy pass from the player. Bird had an uncanny ability of reading and anticipating opponents passes that helped him record 1.7 steals per game throughout his career. . [45] The performance came just nine days after Kevin McHale set the previous Celtics record for points in a game with 56. Remarkably Leonards wingspan may not be his freakiest attribute, as that would go to his hand size. There are a couple of pictures showing Wilt out stretched, and he certainly looks to possess a wing span in the range of 80. In his own right McHale was one of the leagues great. In 1999, he was listed at No. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. What we do know is Chamberlain stood about 71, while his wingspan is up for debate. Great wingspan measurements comes from players of all heights. It was Larry Bird's height that made his basketball skills so remarkable. [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. . Here's what the science reveals. The two adopted a son and daughter, Conner and Mariah. [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. Homepage Mock Drafts. A recent promotional poster out of New Orleans shows Davis with a 77 wingspan. [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. Bird has appeared in three movies, each time playing himself: Bird's likeness has appeared in several video games. Some pundits consider Bird as one of the best outlet passers in the history of the league. Larry Bird Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com Larry Bird Larry Joe Bird (Larry Legend, The Hick from French Lick, Kodak, The Great White Hope) Position: Small Forward and Power Forward Shoots: Right 6-9 , 220lb (206cm, 99kg) More bio, uniform, draft, salary info Hall of Fame 12x All Star What he used was his strength and court sense to outmaneuver and outrebound opponents. [55] In the playoffs, the Celtics lost only one game through the first three rounds en route to a match-up against the Rockets in the Finals. We present them here for purely educational purposes. What you want to prioritize are those that will help you make shots even if defenders are right by you. 2. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). 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". A comprehensive reference database of dimensioned drawings documenting the standard measurements and sizes of the everyday objects and spaces that make up our world. [19][20] Indiana State lost the game 7564, with Bird scoring 19 points but making only 7 of 21 shots. Because Bird was wily in creating space for himself off the dribble, the Shot Creator takeover also sounds like a good option. A persons wingspan is the. 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. Want updates on new Dimensions content? Their friendship blossomed when the two players worked together to film the Converse commercial, which depicted them as archenemies. You said there will be another Larry Bird. That wingspan is the same size that the 75 Shawn Bradley had. Charles Barkley has been quoted saying McHale was the best player he ever played against. Bird was already known after two years in the league for consistent, clutch scoring and tenacious defense, which seemed especially uncanny as he was not particularly fast on his feet; instead, Bird developed a reputation for not merely responding to his opponents' moves but anticipating how they would unfold ahead of time. [10], He was raised in nearby French Lick, where his mother worked two jobs to support Larry and his five siblings. [101] In recognition of his defensive abilities, Bird was named to three All-Defensive Second Teams. USA. Not since Bill Russell squared off against Wilt Chamberlain had professional basketball enjoyed such a marquee matchup. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. Bird has been married to Dinah Mattingly since 1989. [53] On March 10, 1986, Bird scored 50 points to go along with 11 rebounds and 5 assists in a 115116 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. 1. 2002 NBA Pre Draft Measurement 2002 NBA Pre-Draft Camp Measurements Player Ht. [60], Throughout the 1980s, contests between the Celtics and the Lakersboth during the regular season and in the Finalsattracted enormous television audiences. His extra length allows him to keep the ball away from incoming defenders, making for some spectacular finishes. [86], Bird was widely considered one of Red Auerbach's favorite players. A persons wingspan is the measurement from the tips of one finger to the other. [12] Georgia and Joe divorced when Larry was in high school, and Joe died by suicide about a year later. home/away, monthly, etc More Larry Bird Basketball Reference pages. Difficult Shots High-difficulty jumpers attempted from the mid-range get an increased shot percentage. Wingspan data is something that has only been recorded precisely over the last couple of decades. [8][14], Bird's youngest brother, Eddie Bird, also played basketball at Indiana State University. Larry Bird stands 6'9" tall and weighs 220 pounds during his NBA playing days. Bird knows all about the problems with 7-footers and their health, and despite his wife's aversion to wanting to hear about it, reaching 75 years old isn't something Bird, 59 and now president of the Pacers, necessarily expects to accomplish. For these reasons, the other badges you should consider upgrading are Bullet Passer, Post Playmaker, and Special Delivery. That athleticism when combined with his physical attributes is going to reign terror over this league for many years, and it is going to be an utter joy to watch. Honestly, all of them fit Bird so well. Height: 5 feet 5 inches (167 cm) Weight: 56 kg (123 lb) Eye Colour: Hazel: Hair Colour: Golden: Shoe Size: N/A: Martial Status: Married: Husband: Larry Bird . Girlfriend / Spouse. The strain that goes on the heart of someone that tall is tough, and despite being rewarded financially for their skills and size, having that life cut short because of that same size is their reality. Post Spin Technician Attempting to perform post spins or drives result in more effective moves, and lessens the chances of getting stripped by opponents. Right, Born: [76] The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame called the team "the greatest collection of basketball talent on the planet". Larry Bird is 6 foot 9 inches (2.06 m) tall. His most famous steal was in Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. The couple . Larry Bird's bio Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 220 pounds Birthdate: Dec. 7, 1956 College: Indiana State NBA experience: 13 years Jersey number: 33 Larry Bird's career NBA stats Here are some of Larry Bird's notable career achievements and statistics: Three-time NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986) Two-time NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986) 6'9" (2.06m) WEIGHT. Per 48 minutes that number would be 8.6 blocks a game and the next closest to him is Mark Eaton at only 5.3. [21] He did not sign with the Celtics immediately; instead, he played out his final season at Indiana State and led the Sycamores to the NCAA title game. He led the league in rebounds twice and during the 2000s he averaged 10.2 rebounds a game. [120] He continued to serve as an advisor until July, 2022, when he "stepped back from maintaining an active role with the Indiana Pacers". [70] Many people realized that the emergence of these two stars were linked with the rise in popularity of the NBA, as the NBA started to market towards these two stars. Larry Bird is a charming man with brown eyes and dark brown hair. [43] Boston came back to win the game, eventually winning the series in seven. 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. However, I suggest going for Spot Up Shooter. Bird was one of the greatest players ever in crunch time, making four buzzer-beaters throughout his career. [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. Bird got his 3rd 2nd team all defense in 84, it's not like he was slouch on that end, even if Lebron was the better defender. I agree to receive the "CBS Sports HQ Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. His shotblocking prowess is also noted as he has led the league twice in this category, and has a career average of 2.2 blocks. The next year he attended the smaller Indiana State University, ultimately playing three years for the Sycamores. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? After leading the Celtics to a 295 start to the 199091 season, Bird missed 22 games due to a compressed nerve root in his back, a condition that eventually led to his retirement. Playing in the shadow of the greatest player in NBA history is a daunting task and people will always wonder how much of Pippens success was due to Jordan. [51][52], On November 27, 1985, Bird recorded 47 points to go along with 12 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in a 132124 win over the Detroit Pistons. One such case is the legendary Jerry West. "I tell my wife all the time, 'You don't see many 7-footers walking around at the age of 75,'" says Bird, who's 6-foot-9. To put that in perspective, his hands are larger than that of LeBron James. Larry Bird played the small forward and power forward positions at a height of 6'9" (2. . Join our newsletter! [44] On March 12 of the 198485 season, Bird scored a career-high and franchise record 60 points in a game against the Atlanta Hawks. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). 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. Find out more. Maxiell shows how an undersized player can keep pace with taller guys when they possess elite wingspan. [29] On November 23, Bird recorded his first 30-point scoring game (along with 11 rebounds and 3 assists) in a 118103 win over the Indiana Pacers. Scottie Pippen is one of the most versatile players in NBA history. Considering the troubling back issues Bird has had, which started during his playing days, exercise becomes a much tougher thing to do when you get older. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Following his junior year, Bird was selected with the sixth overall pick in the NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. [62], Despite the intensity of their rivalry, Bird and Johnson became friends off the court. 7mo ago. In the piece, Bird theorizes that the big men who played the hardest and ran the most are the most susceptible to passing away early. But if youre a fan of Birds game, then there are ways to customize your character to dominate on the court like the former Celtics superstar. [46] At the conclusion of the year, Bird was named MVP for the second consecutive season behind averages of 28.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. But dont let Birds efficient scoring distract you from the fact that he was proficient in the other aspects of his game. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. Larry Bird has dated - Janet Condra - Larry Bird was previously married to his high school sweetheart Janet Condra with whom he had a daughter named Corrie. 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. It is that length that has sustained Brands career. 8. To put that into perspective that is only one inch shorter than Shaq's wingspan. If it goes, it goes.". he's at least 2 inches taller than duncan. He was named NBA Coach of the Year for the 19971998 season and later led the Pacers to a berth in the 2000 NBA Finals. The reality is that Pippen did a lot of things that made Jordan a better player. Other vital statistics like weight or shoe size measurements have been sourced from newspapers, books, resumes or social media. When they mention length, they are not talking about a players height, but more so his wingspan. Bird entered the NBA for the 19791980 season, where he made an immediate impact, starting at power forward and leading the Celtics to a 32-win improvement over the previous season before being eliminated from the playoffs in the Conference Finals. Slippery Off-Ball Increases the players chances of shaking off an opponent when attempting to get open using off-ball screens. [27], Before the 198081 season, the Celtics selected forward Kevin McHale in the draft and acquired center Robert Parish from the Golden State Warriors,[31][32] forming a Hall of Fame trio for years to come; the front-court of Bird, McHale, and Parish is regarded as one of the greatest front-courts in NBA history. Bird was also a member of the gold medal-winning 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team known as the "Dream Team". [115] Bird then led the Pacers to consecutive Central Division titles in 1999 and 2000 and a berth in the 2000 NBA Finals. He chose to return to Indiana State for one more year and led the Sycamores to the NCAA championship game against the Michigan State Spartans, a team led by another future NBA superstar, Ervin .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}"Magic" Johnson. Blinders Jump shots attempted with an opponent closing out in the players peripheral vision will not be penalized that much. Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. Available in 3DM (Rhino), OBJ (NURB), SKP(Sketchup)formats, Dimensions.com is a project by Fantastic Offense, Dimensions is a project by Fantastic Offense. Thus, you have to upgrade the Break Starter badge. Bird averaged 10.0 rebounds per game in his career. [116], In 2003, Bird was hired as the Pacers' president of basketball operations. On the offensive side of the ball, Rondo like to drive with a scooping layup. That length helped him become one of the most prolific shot blocker in league history. It was the first time the two star players would face each other in a head-to-head battle, and it began a friendship and rivalry that would span both players' careers. This will allow your player to move faster when there are rebound opportunities. Additionally, the three-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection stood out in that end of the court. [21][38], At the 1982 All-Star Game, Bird scored 19 points en route to winning the All-Star Game MVP Award. The most accurate reports found that West had an 81 inch wingspan, which would translate to 69. This is another case of parents being relatively short to their son. 1 Answer. [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. 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. . I know there are a few of us who live a long time, but most of us big guys don't seem to last too long. [21] He eventually finished runner-up in Most Valuable Player Award voting to Moses Malone. Bird returned to the Pacers in 2003 as president of basketball operations. 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. Nicknamed The Claw, Leonard possess a hand spread that measures 11.25 inches, which is bigger than Wilt, Shaq or Bill Russell. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. His elite wingspan has allowed him to dominant the game over the last 10 years, and he has carved himself out a Hall of Fame worthy career. Only eight other NBA players have achieved the rare feat. [20] Bird also appeared in one game for the baseball team, going 1-for-2 with 2 RBI. But, his biggest skill was his defense. He was a great post scorer and could dominate the paint like a big man. Unfortunately he's had a difficult time keeping pace with the speed of the NBA, and his limited offensive game has come to light. There were also stories that he would walk up to opponents and tell them where he was going to attempt a game-winning shot. [108], At the 2019 NBA Awards, Bird received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (shared with Magic Johnson). A 6-foot 9-inch (2.06-metre) forward, he was known for his unflappable confidence and clutch shooting ability, which together created an intimidating presence on the court. [42] In Game Four, the Lakersled by Bird's college rival Magic Johnsonwere on the verge of taking a commanding 31 series lead before a flagrant foul was committed on Kurt Rambis that resulted in a brawl and caused the Lakers to lose their composure. [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. Bol is 15th all time in blocked shots with 2,086, but he did that in only 11,698 minutes. Ideally, you should be able to select a player archetype that excels in finishing, shooting, playmaking, and defense/rebounding to make the best Larry Bird build in NBA 2K22. To help you grind efficiently, we have a guide on how to earn more VCs in NBA 2K22. December 7, Because as previously discussed, Bird was an outstanding shooter. While standing 77, Bols wingspan was an unheard of 86. Larry Bird was 6'9" no wingspan numbers but he had average looking arms. Larry Bird was drafted by Boston Celtics, 1st round (6th pick, 6th overall), 1978 NBA Draft. During the early parts of his career, he even started at power forward for Boston. 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). In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pistons, with five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and Boston trailing the Pistons 107106, Bird stole an inbound pass. 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. 1. He mentioned in his own book about his height, saying, Photo ImageCollect.com / Mike Springer-PHOTOlink.net. All Rights Reserved. It's an entirely different game when you're Six-Nine." [98] Bird won NBA three-point-shooting contests in three consecutive years. College basketball games are played with two 20 minute periods, while professional NBA basketball games consist of four quarters of 12 minutes each. [30], With averages of 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game for the season, he was selected to the All-Star Team and named Rookie of the Year. 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. His effort helped to overcome a 47-point performance by Atlanta's Dominique Wilkins. Any data prior to that is not a guarantee, and much of it is urban legend that grew a life of its own. The way you will be building your character will give you a lot of potential badge upgrades under the shooting category. Two-time Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame inductee: College Basketball Hall of Fame (class of 2006). Bird also led the Celtics in rebounding, with an average of 10.4 per game, as well as in steals and minutes played. The other shooting badges you should look to upgrade are Catch & Shoot, Corner Specialist, Difficult Shots, Fade Ace, Slippery Off-Ball, and Volume Shooter. [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. I've got a theory that if you give 100 percent all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end. That is 8.5% greater than his height. [74], Bird and Magics presence on the court was only a small part of their contribution to basketball, as their rivalry changed the landscape of the NBA, transforming it from a struggling, barely profitable league into a highly visible, financial and marketing dream for teams and players alike. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. At either end of the spectrum, the measurement would be considered elite. [92] Bird is also remembered as one of the foremost clutch performers in the history of the NBA; he was known for his excellent play in high-stakes, high-pressure situations. This is a player who has shot 50% from the field, 40% from 3 point land, and 90% from the line. Unfortunately, a trade-off with this player archetype is that there will be fewer points available for the others. Rebound Chaser Raises the players ability to track down rebounds from farther distances than normal. He came out of nowhere to intercept an inbound pass by All-Star Isiah Thomas then immediately dished the ball to teammate Dennis Johnson who made the buzzer-beating layup to give the Celtics the win. Or write about sports? Coming into the league, many pundits wondered if Mourning could be a starting center at only 69. On the offensive side, superior wingspan allows a shooter to have less shots contested, as he can get the ball further away from a defender. [121], In 1975, Bird married Janet Condra. Larry Bird- 6'9 John Stockton - 5 ft 10 Clyde Drexler- 6 ft 5 Chris Mullin- 6 ft 5