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. Nicknamed "the Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. 6 ft 9 in or 206 cm. Bird has appeared in three movies, each time playing himself: Bird's likeness has appeared in several video games. [4] After retiring as a player, Bird served as head coach of the Indiana Pacers from 1997 to 2000. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. At 68, Brand is undersized as an NBA power forward, but has made up for it with a giant wingspan that measures 75. He was voted onto the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in NBA History list in 1996, and consequently the 75th Anniversary Team list in 2021. [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. This entry could be part of Ripleys Believe it or Not. What does stand out is Maxiells stature. What he showed us is that truly elite stats can be produced by some with almost no talent, but insanely freaky physical attributes. Prince will not go down in any record books, but ask some of the games best who the toughest defender they faced is, and Tayshaun Princes name will be be right up there. He made the All-Star team 12 times and was named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in 1982. [97] He accomplished this feat twice. [22] He graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. It's an entirely different game when you're Six-Nine." With Wilt being the most dominant force of his era, it lends to the theory that his wingspan was truly elite. Following his retirement in 1992, Bird became a successful head coach and front-office executive with the Indiana Pacers. Sign in or Register to join the conversations! [89] Bird won three NBA championships (in 1981, 1984, and 1986) with the Celtics[83] and won two NBA Finals MVP Awards. Bird is one of the best shooters in the history of the sport. He is also the youngest player to reach 1,000 rebounds, and each benchmark from that point through to 9,000 rebounds. 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]. Despite failing to win the championship, Bird earned numerous year-end awards and honors for his outstanding play, including the Naismith College Player of the Year Award. Those three players would form a legendary frontline, perhaps the greatest in NBA history. By going for a shooting plus defense/rebounding build, you will have a two-way player at your disposal. Because Bird was wily in creating space for himself off the dribble, the Shot Creator takeover also sounds like a good option. Larry Bird (Larry Legend; The Hick from French Lick) Position: Forward 6-9, 220lb (206cm, 99kg) School: Indiana State (Men) Draft: Boston Celtics, 1st round (6th pick, 6th overall), 1978 NBA draft. The game will provide you with three takeover options. Shoots: Scottie Pippen is one of the most versatile players in NBA history. [61] The historical rift between the teams, which faced each other several times in championship series of the 1960s, fueled fan interest in the rivalry. 4:15 pm ET. During the MyCareer mode, you can be tasked to play some minutes at power forward depending on the rotation. [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. The three-time MVP helped redefine the position and his battles with Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers is the standard for NBA rivalry even today. Howard is also the only player in league history to have won Defensive Player of the Year in three consecutive years. LIVE. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are known to be "one of the greatest rivalries in sports. [12] Georgia and Joe divorced when Larry was in high school, and Joe died by suicide about a year later. Deadeye Jump shots attempted with a defender closing out in front of the player will suffer a lower penalty. Join our linker program. Bird returned to the Pacers as president of basketball operations in 2013,[6] and remained in that role until 2017. Bird's basketball prowess earned him an athletic scholarship to Indiana University, where he was to play for legendary coach Bob Knight. [101] In recognition of his defensive abilities, Bird was named to three All-Defensive Second Teams. [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. .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. Kareem's father, Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Sr., was fairly tall at 6'2". Both Dinah and Larry studied at Indiana State University. . Drafted by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft after his second year at Indiana State, Bird elected to stay in college and returned for the 19781979 season. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. As for the weight, you can lower it by one pound (219 lbs) to give your player an additional point in acceleration. Chew on these numbers for a moment. Larry Bird- 6'9 John Stockton - 5 ft 10 Clyde Drexler- 6 ft 5 Chris Mullin- 6 ft 5 We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. He played most of his career with forward Kevin McHale and center Robert Parish, considered by some to be the greatest front court in NBA history. Here's what the science reveals. Redick is 6'4 tall and has a wingspan of 6'3. 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. This will give your shooting attributes a bit of a boost. [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. The legend was quite ahead of his time. While standing 77, Bols wingspan was an unheard of 86. Larry, there will never, ever be another Larry Bird. 220lb (100kg) COUNTRY. You said there will be another Larry Bird. Coming into the league, many pundits wondered if Mourning could be a starting center at only 69. The average NBA basketball game lasts between two and two and a half hours. What he used was his strength and court sense to outmaneuver and outrebound opponents. ", -Magic Johnson, as quoted at Bird's retirement party. [91] Bird was also a four-time regular season MVP runner-up in 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1988. So much so, that Charles Barkley even admitted that he wasn't 6'6, but . Increasing the height will give these attributes a huge boost anyway. Below is a guide to help you create the best Larry Bird build in NBA 2K22. He is not dating anyone. [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 was such a player. He stood 6 feet, 11.25 inches tall, with a wingspan of 7 inches, 5.25 inches, and possessed the Combine's longest hands at 10 inches. [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. Bird was one of the greatest players ever in crunch time, making four buzzer-beaters throughout his career. You will often hear basketball pundits state that a player has great length. [99] He sometimes practiced shooting three-point shots with his eyes closed. To put that in perspective, his hands are larger than that of LeBron James. Slippery Off-Ball Increases the players chances of shaking off an opponent when attempting to get open using off-ball screens. Because that was usually how the Hall of Famer took over games. Great height does not necessarily equate elite wingspan. Lastly, the wingspan can be reduced to around 83.0 inches. 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. Larry Bird DraftExpress Profile: scouting reports, videos, stats and logs. 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. 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. But, his biggest skill was his defense. Part of the reason, he admits, was his own fatalistic view of what the future would bring. 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. Many people following the NBA would love to see Bird play in todays era of basketball. Leonard is only 67, but possess a gigantic 73 wingspan, which is a full 8 inches longer than his height. I couldn't miss. [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. When they mention length, they are not talking about a players height, but more so his wingspan. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nba | pageType: stories | [121], In 1975, Bird married Janet Condra. [108], At the 2019 NBA Awards, Bird received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (shared with Magic Johnson). That is a 12% increase in wingspan from his height. You will often hear basketball pundits state that a player has great length. Larry Bird played the small forward and power forward positions at a height of 6'9" (2. . In the commercial, Bird is practicing alone on a rural basketball court (in reality the court was one Bird had made on the property in French Lick that he had purchased for his mother), when Johnson pulls up in a sleek limousine and challenges him to a one-on-one match. Another badge you must target is Interceptor. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. There is no denying the greatness of Wilt Chamberlain and a superior length was a major reason he was unstoppable. [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. An option for your characters secondary skill is playmaking. [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. 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. This is a player who has shot 50% from the field, 40% from 3 point land, and 90% from the line. Larry Bird made at least $25,870,000 playing professional basketball. Someone like Boozer who's measured as 6'7 3/4 isn't any shorter than other players listed at 6'9 too. The average modern human being is said to have a wingspan 2 inches greater than his height. Charles Barkley has been quoted saying McHale was the best player he ever played against. What that actual measurement was, we may never know. KG Living Legend Don Nelson Posts: 8383 And TMac is easily 6'8 or 6'9. He mentioned in his own book about his height, saying, Photo ImageCollect.com / Mike Springer-PHOTOlink.net. For the defense/rebounding badges, there will only be a limited number of options. I've not seen that much of Chrichton reallycompared to seeing Bird, who can look taller than his listing at times. ", "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? 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. [8][14], Bird's youngest brother, Eddie Bird, also played basketball at Indiana State University. Break Starter Deep outlet passes attempted immediately after grabbing a defensive rebound are more likely to connect. Positions: Small forward, power forwardYears Active: 19791992, Drawings include:Larry Bird standing, shooting, dribbling, NBA - National Basketball AssociationWikipedia - Basketball. This will allow your player to move faster when there are rebound opportunities. Biyombo stands 68, but has a wingspan that stretches out to 76. The average NBA player will have a wingspan 4 inches greater than his height. The NBA logo features a silhouette of Jerry West, and that player does appear to have rather long arms. Unfortunately he's had a difficult time keeping pace with the speed of the NBA, and his limited offensive game has come to light. 30 on ESPN SportsCentury's Top 50 athletes of the 20th century, with only five other basketball players ranked higher. [116], In 2003, Bird was hired as the Pacers' president of basketball operations. at With at least 10 potential upgrade points, you will have several options for playmaking badges. 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. 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. Larry Bird Stats and news - NBA stats and news on Boston Celtics Forward Larry Bird. Hit the button below and we'll send this post to your inbox! Want updates on new Dimensions content? There are a couple of pictures showing Wilt out stretched, and he certainly looks to possess a wing span in the range of 80. Nicknamed The Claw, Leonard possess a hand spread that measures 11.25 inches, which is bigger than Wilt, Shaq or Bill Russell. [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. 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. However, I suggest going for Spot Up Shooter. A persons wingspan is the. [20] Bird also appeared in one game for the baseball team, going 1-for-2 with 2 RBI. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. [86], Bird was widely considered one of Red Auerbach's favorite players. us, College: Wade is measure at 6 ft 3 3/4 Barefeet and he is also the same height as Kobe Bryant. Some pundits consider Bird as one of the best outlet passers in the history of the league. NBA 2K users have loved playing as Larry Legend not just because of his ability to score from anywhere on the court, but also because of his versatile game. On the opening night of the 2014 season, he went for 26 points, 17 boards, 3 steals, and 9 blocks. "She hates it when I say that. Springs Valley in French Lick, Indiana, Draft: [133], Bird married Dinah Mattingly in 1989. The following top 15 will look at the most impressive wingspans in NBA history. Larry Bird's wife, Dinah Mattingly, is his high school sweetheart who got engaged and married the former NBA legend in 1989. Maxiell shows how an undersized player can keep pace with taller guys when they possess elite wingspan. Alonzo Mourning had a decorated NBA career as a seven-time all-star who had two Defensive Player of the Year awards and one NBA title. Even when considering his height, the wingspan is still 12.1% larger than his body. To put that in perspective, number 10 is legendary Robert Parish and he put up only 300 more blocks than Bol in his career, but it took him 45,704 minutes. Homepage Mock Drafts. To help you grind efficiently, we have a guide on how to earn more VCs in NBA 2K22. 6. [98] Bird won NBA three-point-shooting contests in three consecutive years. Interceptor This significantly increases the frequency of successfully tipped or stolen passes. In 1999, he was listed at No. Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. [39] In the Conference Finals, the Celtics faced the 76ers for the third consecutive year, losing in seven games. The other shooting badges you should look to upgrade are Catch & Shoot, Corner Specialist, Difficult Shots, Fade Ace, Slippery Off-Ball, and Volume Shooter. He also had a career high of 60 points against the Atlanta Hawks on March 12, 1985. So, when selecting a physical profile for your player, I suggest choosing the combination of strength and agility. 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. [25], In his rookie season (19791980), Bird immediately transformed the Celtics into a title contender. In, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 21:21. 9. 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. Larry Bird cemented his legacy in the sport by leading the Boston Celtics to three championships in the 1980s. 1. 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." For this, you will need a ton of VCs. Brand was a great post defender and shot blocker, as he averaged 2 blocks a game from 2001-2008. With his freakish physical attributes, the future seems in very good, and large, hands. Learn more and register. [47], During the 1985 offseason, Bird injured his back shoveling crushed rock to create a driveway at his mother's house. Between them, Bird and Johnson captured eight NBA championships during the 1980s, with Magic getting five and Bird three. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. 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. Thus, you have to upgrade the Break Starter badge. One such case is the legendary Jerry West. Indiana State. It was Larry Bird's height that made his basketball skills so remarkable. His most famous steal was in Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals. [42] Bird was named Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Brand was the #1 overall pick in 1999 out of Duke. [82] In 1999, Bird ranked No. When Durant drives the lane, his length allows him to finish with greater success, and have less shots contested. 3940. [110], The Celtics employed Bird as a special assistant in the team's front office from 1992 until 1997. 2. 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. [8] He returned to French Lick, enrolling at Northwood Institute (now Northwood University) in nearby West Baden, and working municipal jobs for a year before enrolling at Indiana State University in Terre Haute in 1975. That is an 11% increase on his height. Celtics booed off floor after blowing 28-point lead, Randle's game-winner runs Knicks' win streak to eight, Durant passes Robertson for 13th on NBA scoring list, Grizzlies' Brooks: 'I don't like Draymond at all', Magic's Isaac undergoes season-ending surgery, Suns vs. Bulls odds, picks, predictions, bets. 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. "[70] Their rivalry began in college, when Larry Bird and Indiana State lost to Magic Johnson and Michigan State in the NCAA Championship game. At the age of 19, Biyombo averaged 2.8 blocks per 36 minutes and showed some promise. Fade Ace This provides a shot boost to post fadeaways. Only eight other NBA players have achieved the rare feat. West was known for his extremely quick jump shot, and when coupled with his length, it formed one of the deadliest jump shots in NBA history. Former American basketball player, who played with The Boston Celtics. The smallest report records it at 78, while the largest account has it at 84 inches. 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. 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 Anonymous. His time leading the Boston Celtics was one of the most spectacular stretches of basketball you could imagine. The Celtics, led by Bird, and the Lakers, led by Magic, were present in every NBA Finals series in the 80s, with Bird and Magic meeting three times. But Don't Bet That He Won't Be Back", "Larry Bird stepping down from Pacers post", "For 2nd time, Hall-of-Famer Bird resigns as Pacers president", "Larry Bird resigns as Pacers president, Kevin Pritchard to take over", "Pacers' Larry Bird is NBA Executive of the Year", "Indiana Pacers part ways with Larry Bird", "Bird Steps Down; Pritchard Named President of Basketball Operations", "Larry Bird No Longer Has an Active Role with the Pacers, Confirms Kevin Pritchard", NBA unveils redesigned Larry O'Brien, Bill Russell trophies, announces new conference finals MVP awards - CBS Sports.com, 1992 U.S. OLYMPIC MENS BASKETBALL TEAM - Team USA.org, "2017 Class of FIBA Hall of Fame: Dream Team", "FULL VERSION: McDonald's Commercial with LeBron James and Dwight Howard", "Twitter's Logo Is Named After Larry Bird", "Larry Bird is Always on Twitter Even Without Having an Account", "ESPN Classic - Bird had eye for victory", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Larry_Bird&oldid=1142161893, Trophy named in Bird's honor (Larry Bird Trophy) awarded to Eastern Conference Finals MVP (established in 2022), 1992 Olympic gold medal (U.S. national team).
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