It was Larry Bird's height that made his basketball skills so remarkable. [96] Bird was the first player in NBA history to shoot 50% or better on field goals, 40% on three-pointers, and 90% on free-throws in a single NBA season while achieving the league minimum for makes in each category. .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}Remembering Just Fontaine and His World Cup Record, The Man Behind the First All-Black Basketball Team, 8 Times Brothers Have Faced Off in a Championship, Every Black Quarterback to Play in the Super Bowl, Soccer Star Christian Atsu Survived an Earthquake. It's an entirely different game when you're Six-Nine." [84], "Larry, you only told me one lie. Charles Barkley has been quoted saying McHale was the best player he ever played against. 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. 6'9" (2.06m) WEIGHT. [111] In 1997, Bird accepted the position of coach of the Indiana Pacers[112] and said he would be on the job for no more than three years. Larry Bird was drafted by Boston Celtics, 1st round (6th pick, 6th overall), 1978 NBA Draft. When they mention length, they are not talking about a players height, but more so his wingspan. He couldn't miss. Larry Bird averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. What we do know is Chamberlain stood about 71, while his wingspan is up for debate. Nicknamed The Claw, Leonard possess a hand spread that measures 11.25 inches, which is bigger than Wilt, Shaq or Bill Russell. Larry Bird Height - CelebHeights.com 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." Indiana State University, High School: 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. He also had a career high of 60 points against the Atlanta Hawks on March 12, 1985. In 1999, he was listed at No. Oops! Your players skill breakdown should certainly focus primarily on shooting. This is a player who has shot 50% from the field, 40% from 3 point land, and 90% from the line. [86][87][88] He was selected to 12 NBA All-Star teams. Bird was born on December 7, 1956, in West Baden Springs, Indiana, and raised in the nearby town of French Lick, where he excelled at basketball at an early age. "She hates it when I say that. [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. That wingspan is the same size that the 75 Shawn Bradley had. Magic got the upper hand against Bird, beating him in 1985 and 1987, while Bird beat Magic in 1984. [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. Even after his retirement as a professional basketball player, Larry Birds name still comes up in the NBA because of his coaching skills and the executive role he holds in the NBA. He made the All-Star team 12 times and was named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in 1982. [8] Bird's parents were of Irish, Scottish and some Native American descent. As the big three start to fade out in San Antonio, Leonard will become the face of the franchise. 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. [93][94][95] In October 2021, as part of the NBA's 75th Anniversary, Bird was honored as one of the 75 greatest players of all time, by being named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. Biyombo has been playing center for Charlotte over the course of the past 3 years, and at 69, is one of the smaller centers in the league, but the wingspan more than makes up for the height deficiency. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. The couple . Blinders Jump shots attempted with an opponent closing out in the players peripheral vision will not be penalized that much. Navigation Toggle NBA. And TMac is easily 6'8 or 6'9. [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. [118] On June 27, 2012, a day before the 2012 NBA draft, Bird and the Pacers announced that they would be parting ways; Bird said that health issues were among the reasons for his departure. [69] Following Bird's departure, the Celtics promptly retired his jersey number 33. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Was Michael Jordan really 66? He always looked like he - Quora Remembering Just Fontaine and His World Cup Record, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Name: Larry Bird, Birth Year: 1956, Birth date: December 7, 1956, Birth State: Indiana, Birth City: West Baden Springs, Birth Country: United States. 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. 1. He mentioned in his own book about his height, saying, Photo ImageCollect.com / Mike Springer-PHOTOlink.net. [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. [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. Slippery Off-Ball Increases the players chances of shaking off an opponent when attempting to get open using off-ball screens. Because of this, you can just focus on what Bird was exceptionally good at. USA. Wade is measure at 6 ft 3 3/4 Barefeet and he is also the same height as Kobe Bryant. Ganyan naman talaga, you usually take off 1 1/2 to 2 inches off their published height - and you get their real height. [2] Bird was a 12-time NBA All-Star, won two NBA Finals MVP awards and received the NBA Most Valuable Player Award three consecutive times (19841986), making him the only forward in league history to do so. I've not seen that much of Chrichton reallycompared to seeing Bird, who can look taller than his listing at times. Over the course of his 13-year Hall of Fame career, the sharpshooting forward led the Celtics to three NBA titles and claimed three MVP awards. Part of the reason, he admits, was his own fatalistic view of what the future would bring. When Jordan played it was an open secret that players lied about their heights. 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. Signing with the Celtics for a then-record $650,000 a year, Bird justified his salary right out of the gate, averaging 21.3 points per game and claiming Rookie of the Year honors for the 1979-80 NBA season. But there are other players that are taller that their listed height like Garnett, McGrady (who Toronto played at PF in his early years and once averaged nearly 2 blocks a game) and probably Dirk (as Cuban once claimed). But, as one journalist would say, They looked different, perhaps, but take a chainsaw to their souls and they were fraternal, if not identical, friends.[72] Watching Bird play was like watching Magic play, as they both shared this talent that the league had never seen before. Leonard is only 67, but possess a gigantic 73 wingspan, which is a full 8 inches longer than his height. This will give your shooting attributes a bit of a boost. College basketball games are played with two 20 minute periods, while professional NBA basketball games consist of four quarters of 12 minutes each. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. [39] In the Conference Finals, the Celtics faced the 76ers for the third consecutive year, losing in seven games. When you factor in the rest of his all around game, it is no surprise he is one of the NBAs 50 greatest players. I'm not lying awake at night thinking about it. He was briefly married to first wife Janet Condra from 1975-76 and has a daughter with her named Corrie. [13], Larry used basketball as an escape from his family troubles, starring for Springs Valley High School and averaging 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 4 assists as a senior on his way to becoming the school's all-time scoring leader. Wilt Chamberlain is part of many extraordinary tales and finding accurate data on the legendary big man is no small feat. You can use it on Post Spin Technician to allow your player to be more effective inside the paint. I couldn't miss. But, his biggest skill was his defense. Larry Bird - Stats, Age & Height - Biography: Historical & Celebrity Two-time Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame inductee: College Basketball Hall of Fame (class of 2006). What that actual measurement was, we may never know. Both Dinah and Larry studied at Indiana State University. Subscribed! What was larry bird's wingspan? - Alexa Answers [54], With averages of 25.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists, and 2 steals per game, Bird became just the third player in NBA history to win three consecutive MVP Awards. Here's what the science reveals. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. This ratio is one of the higher percentages for players who have played in the NBA. [110], The Celtics employed Bird as a special assistant in the team's front office from 1992 until 1997. As an alternative to relying on badges for in-game boosts, you can target improving many of your attributes as soon as possible. But dont let Birds efficient scoring distract you from the fact that he was proficient in the other aspects of his game. He is the only person in NBA history to be named Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.[1]. What is so impressive is that he has maintained those percentages despite the heavy volume of shots he takes. The losses of Moses Malone (60 years old), Darryl Dawkins (58), Anthony Mason (48), Christian Welp (51) and Jack Haley (51) all in the last year are a reminder of Bird's and others' contemporaries and peers during their playing days passing away far too young. The best they can do is continue to monitor their health, try to keep up with working out, and hope for the best. The team improved its win total by 32 games from the year before he was drafted and finished first in the Eastern Conference. Because that was usually how the Hall of Famer took over games. What does stand out is Maxiells stature. The reason the Bobcats took a risk on this extremely raw player was due to his freakish wingspan. Bird attended Springs Valley High School in French Lick and was a key component of the school's basketball team, becoming its all-time leading scorer by the time he graduated in 1974. Mourning has the most blocks in NBA history for a player under 70 feet tall with 2,356 (11th on the all-time list). Howard makes up for his height with an elite wingspan that measures 75. [91] Bird was also a four-time regular season MVP runner-up in 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1988. [64][65][66] Bird finished with 34 points. [24][14][25] Shortly afterwards, NBA draft eligibility rules were changed to prevent teams from drafting players before they were ready to sign, a rule known as the Bird Collegiate Rule. 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. More player info Howard is also the only player in league history to have won Defensive Player of the Year in three consecutive years. Get to know Larry Bird: Stats, records and more - RSN These heights are still well below the NBA average and well below Kareem's height of 7'2". [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. Brand thwarted the pre-draft analysis that claimed he would be too small to have a sustainable career in the NBA. [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. Despite not being as tall as the Lakers legend, Leonard is just as long. [39][41], Bird was named MVP of the 198384 season with averages of 24.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. Underscoring his place in the game's history, he was named one of the NBA's Top 50 players in 1996, and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. He is not dating anyone. There is no denying the greatness of Wilt Chamberlain and a superior length was a major reason he was unstoppable. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. Jason Maxiell was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the 1st round of the 2005 draft. Find out more. [42], On December 9, 1984, Bird recorded 48 points to go along with 14 rebounds and 5 assists in a 128127 win over the Atlanta Hawks. [43] Boston came back to win the game, eventually winning the series in seven. Height. [26][27] In his career debut, Bird recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in a 114106 win over the Houston Rockets. Then you have a player like Dwyane Wade who is 65, but has a wingspan of 610. Kahit sa imports coming into the PBA, after the official measurement, they are suddenly 2 inches shorter, heee. Davis stands 610, and, at the 2012 pre-draft combine, was measured to have a 75 wing span. [48], Before the start of the 198586 season, the Celtics made a daring trade for Bill Walton, an All-Star center with a history of injury. His length gives nightmares to the NBAs best on a nightly basis as he would be frustrating the likes of Kobe, Melo, and LeBron. He is also the last player to win three straight MVP awards. The 7'3 wing span is 11.5% greater than his height. The smallest report records it at 78, while the largest account has it at 84 inches. Larry Bird Insane Peak From 1980-1988 (Consistent Top MVP - reddit he's at least 2 inches taller than duncan. In his career, Bol averaged 3.3 blocks a game, in just 18.7 minutes. Maxiell shows how an undersized player can keep pace with taller guys when they possess elite wingspan. [59] The Celtics fell short in 1988 losing to the Detroit Pistons in 6 games in the Eastern Conference Finals as the Pistons made up from the heartbreak the previous season. So, when selecting a physical profile for your player, I suggest choosing the combination of strength and agility. Below is a guide to help you create the best Larry Bird build in NBA 2K22. The following top 15 will look at the most impressive wingspans in NBA history. Johnson appeared at Bird's retirement ceremony on February 4, 1993, and emotionally described Bird as a "friend forever".[63]. Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players score points by shooting (throwing) a ball through an elevated hoop located on either side of the rectangular court. Bird also led the Celtics in rebounding, with an average of 10.4 per game, as well as in steals and minutes played. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. [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. Rondo also poses very large hands at 9.5 inches long, and 10 inches wide. Find out for yourself how a player like him would fare against this generations crop of basketball players by developing the best Larry Bird build in NBA 2K22. Conversely, the height change will cause a negative impact on perimeter defense, lateral quickness, and steal. One report claims McHale could tie his shoes without having to bend over. Scottie Pippen is one of the most versatile players in NBA history. [50] One of Bird's career highlights occurred at the 1986 NBA All-Star Weekend when he walked into the locker room at the inaugural Three-Point Shootout and asked who was going to finish second before winning the shootout. Tayshaun Prince broke out in the Detroit Pistons championship run of 2004. Prior to Bird's second year, the Celtics acquired center Robert Parrish from the Golden State Warriors and drafted Kevin McHale. [21] He eventually finished runner-up in Most Valuable Player Award voting to Moses Malone. 3. At 68, Brand is undersized as an NBA power forward, but has made up for it with a giant wingspan that measures 75. Larry Bird was 6'9" no wingspan numbers but he had average looking arms. With proper medication, exercise and diet, atrial fibrillation can be controlled, but Bird abhorred medication and was prone to skipping his pills. 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. All Rights Reserved. Elton Brand is entering his 16th year in the NBA this season with the Atlanta Hawks. Biyombo stands 68, but has a wingspan that stretches out to 76. For the defense/rebounding badges, there will only be a limited number of options. So much so, that Charles Barkley even admitted that he wasn't 6'6, but . As listed, his height is 6 ft 9 inches (2.06m), and his weight is 220lb (100kg). [10], Bird received a scholarship to play college basketball for the Indiana Hoosiers in 1974. Bird began the next chapter of his life as a front-office special assistant for the Celtics, a post he held for five years. Bird excelled in almost all facets of basketball. [6] He stepped down again in 2017, but stayed with the team in an advisory capacity. Unless you allot more points to finishing attributes, you will only have one potential upgrade for finishing badges. 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. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. 1956 Legends profile: Larry Bird | NBA.com - National Basketball Association Bird's basketball prowess earned him an athletic scholarship to Indiana University, where he was to play for legendary coach Bob Knight. [73] This style of play was starting to influence a new hoard of fans as they would sit and marvel at what they [Bird and Magic] can do while giving younger kids a different perspective of the game. Name: Larry Bird Birth Year: 1956 Birth date: December 7, 1956 Birth State: Indiana Birth City: West Baden Springs Birth Country: United States Gender: Male Best Known For: Basketball icon Larry. 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. Because as previously discussed, Bird was an outstanding shooter. 4:15 pm ET. Take a look at the great defenders in the NBA, and the one common thread you will find in all of them is an impressive wingspan. While standing 77, Bols wingspan was an unheard of 86. The 19871988 season was the highest-scoring season of Bird's career. In his own right McHale was one of the leagues great. LeBron was definitely a better player. 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. He complemented his all-around game with accurate outside shooting and unmatched bravado. During the 1980s, either Boston or Los Angeles appeared in every NBA Finals. Hit the button below and we'll send this post to your inbox! The reason for doing so is not just due to Bird being a proficient shooter and facilitator, but also because you will find out later that increasing the height will decrease these attributes. Bird returned to the Pacers as president of basketball operations in 2013,[6] and remained in that role until 2017. Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. An elite wingspan is considered as a measurement that is 6.5% greater than the players height. [20] For his college career, he averaged 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game,[21] leading the Sycamores to an 8113 record during his tenure. Bird was also a member of the gold medal-winning 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team known as the "Dream Team". Corner Specialist Three-point shots taken near the baseline off the dribble or a pass are given a percentage boost. The game will provide you with three takeover options. [23], Bird was selected by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft.
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