In 1999, he was listed at No. He finished his career with sterling averages of 24.6 points and 10 rebounds per game. The dramatic play saved the series for the Celtics. Break Starter Deep outlet passes attempted immediately after grabbing a defensive rebound are more likely to connect. [45] The performance came just nine days after Kevin McHale set the previous Celtics record for points in a game with 56. 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) Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. Someone like Boozer who's measured as 6'7 3/4 isn't any shorter than other players listed at 6'9 too. The reason the Bobcats took a risk on this extremely raw player was due to his freakish wingspan. [101] In recognition of his defensive abilities, Bird was named to three All-Defensive Second Teams. The "Dream Team" won the men's basketball gold medal. Or write about sports? [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. Nicknamed "the Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. 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. [7], Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana, to Georgia (ne Kerns) and Claude Joseph "Joe" Bird, a veteran of the Korean War. Redick is 6'4 tall and has a wingspan of 6'3. [110], The Celtics employed Bird as a special assistant in the team's front office from 1992 until 1997. Magic got the upper hand against Bird, beating him in 1985 and 1987, while Bird beat Magic in 1984. The team improved its win total by 32 games from the year before he was drafted and finished first in the Eastern Conference. us, College: Honestly, all of them fit Bird so well. Bird, Larry (1989), Drive: The Story of My Life. To round out the finishing, shooting, and playmaking categories, put some points on close shot, driving layup, driving dunk, and post hook. 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. [119] Bird returned to the Pacers as president of basketball operations in 2013. Do you have a sports website? This entry could be part of Ripleys Believe it or Not. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Larry Bird is 6 foot 9 inches (2.06 m) tall. These include Blinders and Deadeye. '"[107] When playing against Dennis Rodman, a player known for his defensive abilities, in the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals, Bird continually belittled Rodman's ability, at one point asking the opposing head coach to send in someone up to the task of guarding him. Bird won 3 MVPs in a row, 2 rings, and 2 finals MVPs in that stretch, plus was 2nd and 3rd in MVP voting in the 2 years he didn't win MVP in that stretch. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. His time leading the Boston Celtics was one of the most spectacular stretches of basketball you could imagine. Between them, Bird and Johnson captured eight NBA championships during the 1980s, with Magic getting five and Bird three. The average modern human being is said to have a wingspan 2 inches greater than his height. That's the greatest game I've ever played in or seen played." What is so impressive is that he has maintained those percentages despite the heavy volume of shots he takes. Larry Bird DraftExpress Profile: scouting reports, videos, stats and logs. [10], He was raised in nearby French Lick, where his mother worked two jobs to support Larry and his five siblings. Basketball icon Larry Bird won three MVP awards and three NBA championships during his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics. [121], In 1975, Bird married Janet Condra. [8][14], Bird's youngest brother, Eddie Bird, also played basketball at Indiana State University. Larry, there will never, ever be another Larry Bird. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. [39] In the Conference Finals, the Celtics faced the 76ers for the third consecutive year, losing in seven games. He is a 66 player, and he's held his own thanks to a 260 pound base and a 73 wingspan. Volume Shooter Gives an additional boost to shot attributes to every subsequent shot attempted after the player has already taken a handful of shots. 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). His most famous steal was in Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals. That is 4x the amount of time it took Bol to put up roughly the same amount of blocks. 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. It was Larry Bird's height that made his basketball skills so remarkable. He considered Bird to be the greatest basketball player of all time. Another badge you must target is Interceptor. "She hates it when I say that. Larry Bird was 6'9" no wingspan numbers but he had average looking arms. 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. 14 Dwight Howard Bird returned to the Pacers as president of basketball operations in 2013,[6] and remained in that role until 2017. However, I suggest going for Spot Up Shooter. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Maxiell shows how an undersized player can keep pace with taller guys when they possess elite wingspan. And TMac is easily 6'8 or 6'9. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. Bird was also a member of the gold medal-winning 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team known as the "Dream Team". Below is a guide to help you create the best Larry Bird build in NBA 2K22. 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. Updated daily. He was a raw athlete out of the Democratic Republic of Congo, having only picked up the sport at the age of 16. [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. Ganyan naman talaga, you usually take off 1 1/2 to 2 inches off their published height - and you get their real height. The legend was quite ahead of his time. Larry Bird- 6'9 John Stockton - 5 ft 10 Clyde Drexler- 6 ft 5 Chris Mullin- 6 ft 5 [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. 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. [98] Bird won NBA three-point-shooting contests in three consecutive years. [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. 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. 30 on ESPN SportsCentury's list of 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th century. inWest Baden,Indiana 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. When Kawhi Leonard took home the NBA playoff MVP, he became the second youngest player to do so, as only Magic Johnson (who did it twice before the age of 23) did it younger. [43] Boston came back to win the game, eventually winning the series in seven. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. [91] Bird was also a four-time regular season MVP runner-up in 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1988. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. DiamondLobby is owned and operated by Rank Zero LTD, Company Number 10507049, and is a registered trade mark (UK00003715943). [133], Bird married Dinah Mattingly in 1989. Former American basketball player, who played with The Boston Celtics. 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. What he showed us is that truly elite stats can be produced by some with almost no talent, but insanely freaky physical attributes. [4] After retiring as a player, Bird served as head coach of the Indiana Pacers from 1997 to 2000. Bird is universally regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He is not dating anyone. [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. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He led the league in rebounds twice and during the 2000s he averaged 10.2 rebounds a game. This has lead some to believe that he is still growing, while most believe it is just a case of the Pelicans stretching the truth a little. [28] On November 14, 1979, Bird recorded his first career triple-double with 23 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists in a 115111 win over the Detroit Pistons. [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. [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. Do you have a blog? ", "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? Following an attempted reconciliation, Bird and Condra had a daughter, Corrie, in 1977. 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." Larry Bird played the small forward and power forward positions at a height of 6'9" (2.06 m). Available in DWG (CAD, Imperial &Metric), SVG, JPG formats, For 3D Downloads of this element, upgrade to a Dimensions Pro Membership. However, Bird's height seems to come at a cost -- a cost he's well aware of and doesn't try to hide from. [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. What does stand out is Maxiells stature. [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. Bird's 198889 season ended after six games when he had bone spurs surgically removed from both of his heels. At 66 years old, Larry Bird height is 206 cm . Homepage Mock Drafts. When Jordan played it was an open secret that players lied about their heights. [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. Take for instance Yao Ming, who stood an impressive 76, but his wingspan was actually smaller than his height at 75 inches. 8. Their friendship blossomed when the two players worked together to film the Converse commercial, which depicted them as archenemies. So, when selecting a physical profile for your player, I suggest choosing the combination of strength and agility. Subscribed! McHale is known as one of the best post players in NBA history due to his great footwork and arsenal of moves. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Reggie Miller 6'7" 6'11" wingspan What players could were elite shooters with a wingspan ratio better than 10% of height Yenohb Robert Williams Posts: 345 Tommy Points: 73 Brandon Ingram would definitely be an exception. [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. There is no denying the greatness of Wilt Chamberlain and a superior length was a major reason he was unstoppable. [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. Positions: Small forward, power forwardYears Active: 19791992, Drawings include:Larry Bird standing, shooting, dribbling, NBA - National Basketball AssociationWikipedia - Basketball. Durant is what is referred to as a hop shooter, something rare for a player of his height. In, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 21:21. Larry Bird weighed 220 lbs (99 kg) when playing. Falling out of bounds, Bird turned and passed the ball to teammate Dennis Johnson, who converted a game-winning 2-point layup with less than a second left. Johnson and the Spartans triumphed, but Larry Bird left Indiana State that year with the USBWA College Player of the Year Award, the Naismith Award and the Wooden Award. 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. Coming into the league, many pundits wondered if Mourning could be a starting center at only 69. Kevin Durant stands 610 and has a 75 wingspan. 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. That length helped him become one of the most prolific shot blocker in league history. His concentration and composure were unrivaled as well, and he established himself as one of the most unshakable and driven players in the NBA. Chew on these numbers for a moment. 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]. Bird had an average of 10.0 rebounds per game for his career and 6.3 assists. Following his retirement in 1992, Bird became a successful head coach and front-office executive with the Indiana Pacers. He says they build their hearts up so much that when they retire, the hearts just sit there. During the 2000s, Brand was one of the better rebounders and defenders. Larry Bird made at least $25,870,000 playing professional basketball. But dont let Birds efficient scoring distract you from the fact that he was proficient in the other aspects of his game. His other playmaking strengths include quick and flashy passes. [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. 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. This will give your shooting attributes a bit of a boost. 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. Dinah Mattingly (1989-Present) - Larry Bird married his second wife Dinah Mattingly in 1989. The Celtics failed to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in five years, losing to the Pistons in six games during the Eastern Conference Finals. 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. The reality is that Pippen did a lot of things that made Jordan a better player. Post Spin Technician Attempting to perform post spins or drives result in more effective moves, and lessens the chances of getting stripped by opponents. [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. The other shooting badges you should look to upgrade are Catch & Shoot, Corner Specialist, Difficult Shots, Fade Ace, Slippery Off-Ball, and Volume Shooter. [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. Unfortunately, a trade-off with this player archetype is that there will be fewer points available for the others. This is a very scary thought for a lot of NBA players, both past and present. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. He played for the Celtics during his entire professional career (13 seasons), leading them to five NBA finals appearances and three NBA championships. Larry Bird is a charming man with brown eyes and dark brown hair. Wade is measure at 6 ft 3 3/4 Barefeet and he is also the same height as Kobe Bryant. McHale stood 610 and was reported to have a colossal wingspan that stretched to 80. This will give your shooting attributes a bit of a boost. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. 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 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. Available in 3DM (Rhino), OBJ (NURB), SKP(Sketchup)formats, Dimensions.com is a project by Fantastic Offense, Dimensions is a project by Fantastic Offense. [21][38], At the 1982 All-Star Game, Bird scored 19 points en route to winning the All-Star Game MVP Award. [84], "Larry, you only told me one lie. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Thats both confident and cold-blooded. 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. These heights are still well below the NBA average and well below Kareem's height of 7'2". On the opening night of the 2014 season, he went for 26 points, 17 boards, 3 steals, and 9 blocks. However, the sharpshooting forward felt some trepidation about the size of the Hoosier campus and withdrew from school, enrolling at Indiana State the next year. From Jackie MacMullan of ESPN the Magazine: Bird, who has an enlarged heart, was diagnosed in 1995 with atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heartbeat resulting from electrical signals being generated chaotically throughout the heart's upper chambers. Doubleday, pp. After leading the Pacers to the NBA Finals in 2000, he stepped down as head coach. When you factor in the rest of his all around game, it is no surprise he is one of the NBAs 50 greatest players. [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. He mentioned in his own book about his height, saying, Photo ImageCollect.com / Mike Springer-PHOTOlink.net. 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. Larry Bird was drafted by Boston Celtics, 1st round (6th pick, 6th overall), 1978 NBA Draft. Despite many peoples belief, Bol was not solely a freakshow, as he sustained a 10 year NBA career, playing for 4 different teams. [75] It was the first time in the United States' Olympic history that the country sent NBA players to compete. With his added length, Durant is able to get the ball in a position that is very hard to defend. [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. 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. All rights reserved. Other vital statistics like weight or shoe size measurements have been sourced from newspapers, books, resumes or social media. The two adopted a son and daughter, Conner and Mariah. As for the weight, you can lower it by one pound (219 lbs) to give your player an additional point in acceleration. Bird returned to the Pacers in 2003 as president of basketball operations. Part of the reason, he admits, was his own fatalistic view of what the future would bring. 100 kg or 220.5 lbs. After all, Bird dished out 6.3 assists per game for his entire career. Remarkably Leonards wingspan may not be his freakiest attribute, as that would go to his hand size. At the very least, he's as tall as players listed at 6'9. Only eight other NBA players have achieved the rare feat. 9. Sign in or Register to join the conversations! So, you will have to allocate some of the points to these attributes. In his career, Bol averaged 3.3 blocks a game, in just 18.7 minutes. [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.
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