", "Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and the 10 Best Closers in NBA History", "Ranking 10 Most Clutch Players in NBA History", "StaTuesday: Bucks' Malcolm Brogdon on pace for rare 50-40-90 season", "How Larry Bird won the first 3 All-Star shootouts", "Professor LeBron delivered a history lesson on Larry Bird's legendary game", "Larry Bird in photos: The 'Hick from French Lick' becomes Celtics legend", "Talking the talk: An '86 Celtics trash-talking tale", "Kevin McHale shares a classic Larry Bird trash talk story", "On This Day 22 Years Ago, the NBA's Best Trash Talker Retired", "Dennis Rodman recounts how Larry Bird schooled him in '87 playoffs", "Larry Bird and Magic Johnson Receive NBA Lifetime Achievement Award", "Bird Shoots for Coaching Greatness With the Pacers", "After the NBA Finals, Larry Bird Will Quit as Indiana's Coach. Bird excelled in almost all facets of basketball. Larry Bird Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics - Healthy Celeb Or write about sports? West only stood 62 which would make his wingspan 9.5% greater than his height. [84], "Larry, you only told me one lie. [3], Bird scored 24.3 points per game in his career on a .496 field goal percentage, an .886 free throw percentage, and a .376 percentage on three-point shots. Talk about all topics relevant to Pinoys around the world. Tayshaun Prince broke out in the Detroit Pistons championship run of 2004. McHale stood 610 and was reported to have a colossal wingspan that stretched to 80. Dwight Howard is one of the premiere big men of the modern area, but stands at only 610. 6 ft 9 in or 206 cm. DiamondLobby / NBA 2K22 / The Best Larry Bird Build in NBA 2K22. To be part of this group, a player must record at least 50% field goal percentage, 40% three-point field goal percentage, and 90% free throw percentage throughout a season. section: | slug: nba-legend-larry-bird-says-he-doesnt-think-hell-make-it-to-the-age-of-75 | sport: basketball | route: article_single.us | 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. Whether it be to reach for a block, getting into passing lanes, or poking balls away, extra length is a determining factor for a great defender. 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. Growing up in French Lick, Indiana, he was a local basketball star. [113] Despite having no previous coaching experience, Bird led the Pacers to a 5824 recordthe franchise's best as an NBA team at the timein the 199798 season,[114] and pushed the Chicago Bulls to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Takeover The game will provide you with three takeover options. . The Best shooters have shorter arms. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. A confirmation email has been sent. 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. When they mention length, they are not talking about a players height, but more so his wingspan. [11] Bird has said that being poor as a child still motivates him "to this day". The other shooting badges you should look to upgrade are Catch & Shoot, Corner Specialist, Difficult Shots, Fade Ace, Slippery Off-Ball, and Volume Shooter. 30 on ESPN SportsCentury's list of 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th century. Below is a guide to help you create the best Larry Bird build in NBA 2K22. [82] In 1999, Bird ranked No. Height: 6'9" (206 cm) Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg) Position: F High School: . That is a 12% increase in wingspan from his height. You will often hear basketball pundits state that a player has great length. What that actual measurement was, we may never know. Bird had an average of 10.0 rebounds per game for his career and 6.3 assists. BEST LARRY BIRD BUILD 2K22 NEXT GEN (EXACT HEIGHT, WEIGHT & WINGSPAN) REAL LIFE BUILD SERIES VOL.44. Larry Bird - Wikipedia [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. During the MyCareer mode, you can be tasked to play some minutes at power forward depending on the rotation. LIVE. [69] Following Bird's departure, the Celtics promptly retired his jersey number 33. 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. Bird was also a member of the gold medal-winning 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team known as the "Dream Team". Bird was rated the greatest NBA small forward of all time by Fox Sports in 2016. He also had a career high of 60 points against the Atlanta Hawks on March 12, 1985. With Wilt being the most dominant force of his era, it lends to the theory that his wingspan was truly elite. Larry Bird cemented his legacy in the sport by leading the Boston Celtics to three championships in the 1980s. He has seen his points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and field goal percentage increase in each of his first three seasons in the league. [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. 5. [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. The 7'3 wing span is 11.5% greater than his height. Larry Bird played the small forward and power forward positions at a height of 6'9" (2.06 m). Larry Legend, The Hick from French Lick, Kodak, The Great White Hope are nicknames for Larry Bird. Bird is universally regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. The Celtics won their first NBA title with Bird (and 14th overall) in 1981; they repeated with title wins in 1984 and 1986. [21] In the Conference Finals, Boston was eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers. Larry Bird was such a player. [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 Durant drives the lane, his length allows him to finish with greater success, and have less shots contested. He is also the last player to win three straight MVP awards. So, when selecting a physical profile for your player, I suggest choosing the combination of strength and agility. [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. December 7, [96], Bird is also remembered as an excellent passer[100] and defender. [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. Wingspan is a key measurement because it allows a player of a lesser stature to compete with players who may be physically taller than them. Volume Shooter Gives an additional boost to shot attributes to every subsequent shot attempted after the player has already taken a handful of shots. College basketball games are played with two 20 minute periods, while professional NBA basketball games consist of four quarters of 12 minutes each. The Hick from the French Lick has got yellow-toned tan skin. Anonymous. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Johnson appeared at Bird's retirement ceremony on February 4, 1993, and emotionally described Bird as a "friend forever".[63]. After retiring as a player in 1992, he was appointed as the coach for the team the Boston Celtics. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Larry Bird DraftExpress Profile: scouting reports, videos, stats and logs. Indiana State University, High School: Charles Barkley has been quoted saying McHale was the best player he ever played against. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. Thank you! [105][106] He was known for telling his opponents how and where in the court he would score against them; Xavier McDaniel recounted that Bird predicted a game-winning shot against him, then "shot a shot right in my face and was like 'Damn, I didn't mean to leave two seconds on the clock. 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. Bird returned to the Pacers as president of basketball operations in 2013,[6] and remained in that role until 2017. This ratio is one of the higher percentages for players who have played in the NBA. To advance the ball down the court, players must bounce the ball (dribble) or pass it to a teammate. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. Wingspan data is something that has only been recorded precisely over the last couple of decades. THIS VIDEO GIVES A STEP BY STEP BLUEPRINT ON HOW TO CREA. [67] Wilkins remarked, "The basket was like a well. 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." The season finished with a national championship game match-up of Indiana State against Michigan State and featured a highly anticipated match-up of Bird against Michigan State great Magic Johnson, thus beginning a career-long rivalry that the two shared for over a decade. 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. The dramatic play saved the series for the Celtics. [116], In 2003, Bird was hired as the Pacers' president of basketball operations. Larry Bird was inducted to the Hall of Fame as a Player in 1998 (Full List) inWest Baden,Indiana The Celtics ended up losing to the Lakers in six games, with Bird averaging 24.2 points on .445 shooting, 10 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game in the championship series. 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. 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. w/ shoes Weight Wingspan Standing Reach. [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. He mentioned in his own book about his height, saying, Photo ImageCollect.com / Mike Springer-PHOTOlink.net. He is a 6'6 player, and he's held his own thanks to a 260 pound base and a 7'3 wingspan. [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. His mother, Cora Lillian, had an above average height at six feet. Dinah Mattingly (1989-Present) - Larry Bird married his second wife Dinah Mattingly in 1989. Larry Bird believes NBA big men die young. Is he right? - ESPN.com 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. Homepage Mock Drafts. Conversely, the height change will cause a negative impact on perimeter defense, lateral quickness, and steal. That wingspan is the same size that the 75 Shawn Bradley had. What you want to prioritize are those that will help you make shots even if defenders are right by you. [42] Bird was named Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. These include Blinders and Deadeye. In 1999, when he won his first Defensive Player of the Year, he had an insane 3.9 blocks a game. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. 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. On the offensive side of the ball, Rondo like to drive with a scooping layup. 1956 Bird and his teammates easily won the Olympic gold medal for the United States, and just a few weeks later, Bird announced his retirement as a player. However, Bird's height seems to come at a cost -- a cost he's well aware of and doesn't try to hide from. Other vital statistics like weight or shoe size measurements have been sourced from newspapers, books, resumes or social media. On the opening night of the 2014 season, he went for 26 points, 17 boards, 3 steals, and 9 blocks. Both Dinah and Larry studied at Indiana State University. Hit the button below and we'll send this post to your inbox! [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. Was Michael Jordan really 66? He always looked like he - Quora Take for instance Yao Ming, who stood an impressive 76, but his wingspan was actually smaller than his height at 75 inches. Brand was the #1 overall pick in 1999 out of Duke. That season, the Celtics posted a 61-21 record and defeated the Houston Rockets to take the first NBA championship of Bird's career. A persons wingspan is the. Bird's 198889 season ended after six games when he had bone spurs surgically removed from both of his heels. Because that was usually how the Hall of Famer took over games. Following his junior year, Bird was selected with the sixth overall pick in the NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. [64][65][66] Bird finished with 34 points. Same with Amare who's listed at 6'10 but measured at 6'8 1/2. 7mo ago. The Best Larry Bird Build in NBA 2K22 | DiamondLobby 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. 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. Blinders Jump shots attempted with an opponent closing out in the players peripheral vision will not be penalized that much. Wade is measure at 6 ft 3 3/4 Barefeet and he is also the same height as Kobe Bryant. "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. Larry Bird Stats and news - NBA stats and news on Boston Celtics Forward Larry Bird. LAST ATTENDED. 3. CelebHeights.com Rob Paul 2004-2023. 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. The following top 15 will look at the most impressive wingspans in NBA history. 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. Those three players would form a legendary frontline, perhaps the greatest in NBA history. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. The reason the Bobcats took a risk on this extremely raw player was due to his freakish wingspan. Height 1 Feet 9.5 Inch Weight 100 kg Personal Info Date of Birth 1956, December 7 Age 65 Years Old Famous Name Country United States US Facts Birth Name Larry Joe Bird Net Worth $55 million Currently Married Yes Birth Country West Baden Springs, Indiana Married to Dannah Mattingly Famous Name Larry Past married if any Janet Condra Children Yes Navigation Toggle NBA. '"[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. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Larry Bird was drafted by Boston Celtics, 1st round (6th pick, 6th overall), 1978 NBA Draft. 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". home/away, monthly, etc More Larry Bird Basketball Reference pages. In his own right McHale was one of the leagues great. He made the All-Star team 12 times and was named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in 1982. Basketball icon Larry Bird won three MVP awards and three NBA championships during his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics. That would have been a 17% increase on his height. 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. You can use it on Post Spin Technician to allow your player to be more effective inside the paint. His time leading the Boston Celtics was one of the most spectacular stretches of basketball you could imagine. The summer of 1992 marked the first time the United States sent professional athletes to the Olympic Games. Only eight other NBA players have achieved the rare feat. [120] He continued to serve as an advisor until July, 2022, when he "stepped back from maintaining an active role with the Indiana Pacers". 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. They have two adopted children, Conner and Mariah. A big reason for those 9 blocks can be attributed to his gargantuan wingspan. Scottie Pippen stood 68 inches, but had a wingspan of 73, which is modest in comparison to some of the other players on this list, but Pippen used that length to its full extent. As for the weight, you can lower it by one pound (219 lbs) to give your player an additional point in acceleration. Charles Barkley was measured at 6 ft 4 5/8, Jordan is anywhere from 6 ft 4 to 6 ft 4 1/2. 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. Shooting badges will allow you to convert more field goal attempts from anywhere outside the key. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Menu. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. For these reasons, the other badges you should consider upgrading are Bullet Passer, Post Playmaker, and Special Delivery. Post Spin Technician Attempting to perform post spins or drives result in more effective moves, and lessens the chances of getting stripped by opponents. NBA legend Larry Bird says he doesn't think he'll make it to the age of [10], He was raised in nearby French Lick, where his mother worked two jobs to support Larry and his five siblings. [20] Bird also appeared in one game for the baseball team, going 1-for-2 with 2 RBI. Lastly, the wingspan can be reduced to around 83.0 inches. He's closer to 7'1 I think. More player info 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. [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. At the very least, he's as tall as players listed at 6'9. [71], Journalists speculated that Bird and Magic represented different contrasts, such as clashes between Celtics and Lakers, between East and West, and between Blacks and Whites. If Bol had any type of offensive game to merit him more minutes, he would have set the blocks record so high that it would have never been touched. To put that in perspective, his hands are larger than that of LeBron James. Break Starter Deep outlet passes attempted immediately after grabbing a defensive rebound are more likely to connect. In, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 21:21. Rajon Rondo is currently one of the best point guards in the league. Bird returned to the Pacers in 2003 as president of basketball operations. What Mourning lacked in height, he made up for with a massive 76 wingspan. 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. Bird's basketball prowess earned him an athletic scholarship to Indiana University, where he was to play for legendary coach Bob Knight. All Rights Reserved. All Rights Reserved. [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. Do you have a blog? 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. 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. 6. To round out the finishing, shooting, and playmaking categories, put some points on close shot, driving layup, driving dunk, and post hook. Larry looks fit and has an athletic body, but he had to go through back fusion surgery, leading him to end his playing career. 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. Elton Brand is entering his 16th year in the NBA this season with the Atlanta Hawks. [7], Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana, to Georgia (ne Kerns) and Claude Joseph "Joe" Bird, a veteran of the Korean War. 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. . [86][87][88] He was selected to 12 NBA All-Star teams. Tall NBA Players Who Had Relatively Short Parents With at least 10 potential upgrade points, you will have several options for playmaking badges. But, his biggest skill was his defense. A persons wingspan is the measurement from the tips of one finger to the other. The couple . However, I suggest going for Spot Up Shooter. 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). 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. Bird also led the Celtics in rebounding, with an average of 10.4 per game, as well as in steals and minutes played. [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. Former American basketball player, who played with The Boston Celtics. [45] The performance came just nine days after Kevin McHale set the previous Celtics record for points in a game with 56. A recent promotional poster out of New Orleans shows Davis with a 77 wingspan. Doubleday, pp. Positions: Small forward, power forwardYears Active: 19791992, Drawings include:Larry Bird standing, shooting, dribbling, NBA - National Basketball AssociationWikipedia - Basketball. There are a couple of pictures showing Wilt out stretched, and he certainly looks to possess a wing span in the range of 80. He couldn't miss. 1 Answer. Unfortunately he's had a difficult time keeping pace with the speed of the NBA, and his limited offensive game has come to light. Springs Valley in French Lick, Indiana, Draft: Here's what the science reveals. Larry Bird Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more 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. It was Larry Bird's height that made his basketball skills so remarkable. [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. 2. Larry Bird stands 6'9" tall and weighs 220 pounds during his NBA playing days. He was a great post scorer and could dominate the paint like a big man. 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. Slippery Off-Ball Increases the players chances of shaking off an opponent when attempting to get open using off-ball screens. Being that tall will give you an advantage in-game. 14 Dwight Howard Chew on these numbers for a moment. This year marks his 10th year in the league, and by all accounts, he's had a relative unspectacular career.