He complemented his all-around game with accurate outside shooting and unmatched bravado. At the very least, he's as tall as players listed at 6'9. Bird returned to the Pacers as president of basketball operations in 2013,[6] and remained in that role until 2017. This is a very scary thought for a lot of NBA players, both past and present. 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. [96], Bird is also remembered as an excellent passer[100] and defender. 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. 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. [121], In 1975, Bird married Janet Condra. 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. 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. What you want to prioritize are those that will help you make shots even if defenders are right by you. [64][65][66] Bird finished with 34 points. His other playmaking strengths include quick and flashy passes. To put that into perspective that is only one inch shorter than Shaq's wingspan. What he used was his strength and court sense to outmaneuver and outrebound opponents. AboutPressCopyrightContact. 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. 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. Corner Specialist Three-point shots taken near the baseline off the dribble or a pass are given a percentage boost. [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. 3940. Astrological Sign: Sagittarius, Article Title: Larry Bird Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/athletes/larry-bird, Publisher: A&E; Television Networks, Last Updated: April 20, 2021, Original Published Date: April 2, 2014. [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. Brand was a great post defender and shot blocker, as he averaged 2 blocks a game from 2001-2008. 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. Homepage Mock Drafts. Unfortunately, a trade-off with this player archetype is that there will be fewer points available for the others. In 1997 Bird accepted the head coach position with the Indiana Pacers, a move that returned him to his home state. Because Bird was wily in creating space for himself off the dribble, the Shot Creator takeover also sounds like a good option. 1. That athleticism when combined with his physical attributes is going to reign terror over this league for many years, and it is going to be an utter joy to watch. The Celtics won their first NBA title with Bird (and 14th overall) in 1981; they repeated with title wins in 1984 and 1986. Wilt Chamberlain is part of many extraordinary tales and finding accurate data on the legendary big man is no small feat. As the big three start to fade out in San Antonio, Leonard will become the face of the franchise. That is 6.5% greater than his height. During the 1992 Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bird missed four of the seven games due to recurring back problems. 5. Unless you allot more points to finishing attributes, you will only have one potential upgrade for finishing badges. Prince was never a skilled offensive player, but has been one of the best perimeter defenders of the last decade. Any data prior to that is not a guarantee, and much of it is urban legend that grew a life of its own. The summer of 1992 marked the first time the United States sent professional athletes to the Olympic Games. DiamondLobby / NBA 2K22 / The Best Larry Bird Build in NBA 2K22. Wade is measure at 6 ft 3 3/4 Barefeet and he is also the same height as Kobe Bryant. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Dwight Howard is one of the premiere big men of the modern area, but stands at only 610. During the early parts of his career, he even started at power forward for Boston. [7], Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana, to Georgia (ne Kerns) and Claude Joseph "Joe" Bird, a veteran of the Korean War. Thats both confident and cold-blooded. [42] Bird was named Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. The dramatic play saved the series for the Celtics. [12] Georgia and Joe divorced when Larry was in high school, and Joe died by suicide about a year later. Right, Born: He played both the small forward and power forward positions. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. 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. Larry Bird weighed 220 lbs (99 kg) when playing. He's closer to 7'1 I think. Great wingspan measurements comes from players of all heights. Shoots: This ratio is one of the higher percentages for players who have played in the NBA. According to our Database, He has no children. Bird had an average of 10.0 rebounds per game for his career and 6.3 assists. Magic got the upper hand against Bird, beating him in 1985 and 1987, while Bird beat Magic in 1984. Larry Bird was drafted by Boston Celtics, 1st round (6th pick, 6th overall), 1978 NBA Draft. Both Dinah and Larry studied at Indiana State University. The 7'3 wing span is 11.5% greater than his height. Rondo also poses very large hands at 9.5 inches long, and 10 inches wide. A 6-foot-9 forward who could dribble, pass and shoot the way Bird could made him one of the greatest NBA players. Do you have a blog? [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. More player info [109] Since 2022, the NBA will award the MVPs for the Conference Finals; the Eastern Conference Finals MVP trophy is named in Bird's honor, while the Western Conference trophy is named after Johnson. Despite no previous coaching experience, he led the Pacers to a 58-24 record the franchise's best at the time in the 1997-98 season and was named the NBA Coach of the Year. 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). Larry Bird was such a player. [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. Kevin McHale was one of the best players of the 1980s. 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. 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. 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. [85], Bird has been described as one of the greatest basketball players and greatest shooters of all time. When you factor in the rest of his all around game, it is no surprise he is one of the NBAs 50 greatest players. Bol is 15th all time in blocked shots with 2,086, but he did that in only 11,698 minutes. It's an entirely different game when you're Six-Nine." Larry Bird was 6'9" no wingspan numbers but he had average looking arms. [29] On November 23, Bird recorded his first 30-point scoring game (along with 11 rebounds and 3 assists) in a 118103 win over the Indiana Pacers. Larry Bird's wife, Dinah Mattingly, is his high school sweetheart who got engaged and married the former NBA legend in 1989. . Have you heard of the 50-40-90 club? Rajon Rondo's length at the point guard position makes him a one of a kind player. At either end of the spectrum, the measurement would be considered elite. Chew on these numbers for a moment. [75] It was the first time in the United States' Olympic history that the country sent NBA players to compete. Rebound Chaser Raises the players ability to track down rebounds from farther distances than normal. A persons wingspan is the. Bird is universally regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. 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. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. larry bird height and wingspan - harryeklof.com His extra length allows him to keep the ball away from incoming defenders, making for some spectacular finishes. 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. Brand thwarted the pre-draft analysis that claimed he would be too small to have a sustainable career in the NBA. Larry Bird stands 6'9" tall and weighs 220 pounds during his NBA playing days. [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. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. Part of the reason, he admits, was his own fatalistic view of what the future would bring. 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. Larry Bird played the small forward and power forward positions at a height of 6'9" (2. . 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 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. 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. When Jordan played it was an open secret that players lied about their heights. The way you will be building your character will give you a lot of potential badge upgrades under the shooting category. Larry Bird Dimensions & Drawings | Dimensions.com One of those things was being a relentless defender. What he showed us is that truly elite stats can be produced by some with almost no talent, but insanely freaky physical attributes. He is the only player in NBA history to have more blocks than points (2,086 blocks vs. 1599 points). The two adopted a son and daughter, Conner and Mariah. This will provide a huge boost in the attributes under this category. w/ shoes Weight Wingspan Standing Reach. w/out shoes Ht. [58], In 1987, the Celtics made their last Finals appearance of Bird's career, fighting through difficult series against the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons. 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. When he was on fire from the three-point line or mid-range, no one can stop him. He considered Bird to be the greatest basketball player of all time. 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. All Rights Reserved. Although he announced his departure around that time, he reclaimed his post as team president in the summer of 2013. Larry Bird. Want updates on new Dimensions content? 8. The reason the Bobcats took a risk on this extremely raw player was due to his freakish wingspan. When they reached the NBA Finals, the Celticshampered by devastating injurieslost to a dominant Lakers team that had won 65 games during the season. Something went wrong while submitting the form. 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. Of course, there are some who prefer using a player based on his archrival, Magic Johnson. ", "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. 7. Larry, there will never, ever be another Larry Bird. Because that was usually how the Hall of Famer took over games. A triple-double in basketball is a term used to describe the impactful performance of a player that achieved a double-digit number in three of the five statistical basketball categories of points, assists, rebounds, steals, and blocked shots. 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. This year marks his 10th year in the league, and by all accounts, he's had a relative unspectacular career. But I recommend opting for defense/rebounding instead. Bird's 198889 season ended after six games when he had bone spurs surgically removed from both of his heels. [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. He came out of nowhere to intercept an inbound pass by All-Star Isiah Thomas then immediately dished the ball to teammate Dennis Johnson who made the buzzer-beating layup to give the Celtics the win. Thus, you have to upgrade the Break Starter badge. Despite not being as tall as the Lakers legend, Leonard is just as long. Interceptor This significantly increases the frequency of successfully tipped or stolen passes. It was Larry Bird's height that made his basketball skills so remarkable. Only eight other NBA players have achieved the rare feat. [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. Their friendship blossomed when the two players worked together to film the Converse commercial, which depicted them as archenemies. Maxiell shows how an undersized player can keep pace with taller guys when they possess elite wingspan. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. While standing 77, Bols wingspan was an unheard of 86. The "Dream Team" won the men's basketball gold medal. [6] He stepped down again in 2017, but stayed with the team in an advisory capacity. That season, the Celtics posted a 61-21 record and defeated the Houston Rockets to take the first NBA championship of Bird's career. Leonard is only 67, but possess a gigantic 73 wingspan, which is a full 8 inches longer than his height. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. '"[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 Celtics reached the playoffs in every one of Bird's 13 seasons, although he missed most of the 1988-89 season due to injury, and added titles in 1984 and 1986. A confirmation email has been sent. [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. 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. His Competitiveness Has Taken Its Toll. [91] Bird was also a four-time regular season MVP runner-up in 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1988. he's at least 2 inches taller than duncan. West only stood 62 which would make his wingspan 9.5% greater than his height. When Durant drives the lane, his length allows him to finish with greater success, and have less shots contested. Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. The hop shooting style allows him to get his shot off very quickly, and what makes Durant special is his point of release. 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. 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. The next year he attended the smaller Indiana State University, ultimately playing three years for the Sycamores. [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. There is no denying the greatness of Wilt Chamberlain and a superior length was a major reason he was unstoppable. Bird was one of the greatest players ever in crunch time, making four buzzer-beaters throughout his career. [39] At the conclusion of the season, he earned his first All-Defensive Team selection. He made the All-Star team 12 times and was named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in 1982. Leonardo Da Vincis Vitruvian man depicts the ideal human as having a wingspan equal to his height, but this was based off a human that was 55. 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. Shooting badges will allow you to convert more field goal attempts from anywhere outside the key. Anonymous. I've not seen that much of Chrichton reallycompared to seeing Bird, who can look taller than his listing at times. Everyone knows that Manute Bol was the tallest player in NBA history, but he also possessed the largest wingspan. 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. Or write about sports? It was the first time the two star players would face each other in a head-to-head battle, and it began a friendship and rivalry that would span both players' careers. 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. Here's what the science reveals. [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. Kahit sa imports coming into the PBA, after the official measurement, they are suddenly 2 inches shorter, heee. But if youre a fan of Birds game, then there are ways to customize your character to dominate on the court like the former Celtics superstar. [56] Bird averaged 24 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game for the championship round. With his freakish physical attributes, the future seems in very good, and large, hands. Unfortunately, thats not possible and some sacrifices will have to be made. 9. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. Learn more and register. 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. Because of this, you can just focus on what Bird was exceptionally good at. Taller individuals have more growth hormone, which accumulates more damage and dysfunction at a faster pace, and tend to have shorter life expectancies due to rapid aging. Following an attempted reconciliation, Bird and Condra had a daughter, Corrie, in 1977. CelebHeights.com Rob Paul 2004-2023. [11] Bird has said that being poor as a child still motivates him "to this day". Charles Barkley has been quoted saying McHale was the best player he ever played against. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 6:45PM. 1. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). On the offensive side of the ball, Rondo like to drive with a scooping layup. Best Known For: Basketball icon Larry Bird won three MVP awards and three NBA championships during his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics. 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. It seems like Leonard is only starting to scratch the surface of what he can do with such freaky physical attributes. In 1999, he was listed at No. [60], Throughout the 1980s, contests between the Celtics and the Lakersboth during the regular season and in the Finalsattracted enormous television audiences. ", -Magic Johnson, as quoted at Bird's retirement party. In Game 7 of the 1988 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks, Bird shot 9 of 10 from the floor in the fourth quarter, scoring 20 points in that quarter and lifting the Celtics to a series-clinching victory over Atlanta. Clutch Shooter Shot attempts made during the final moments of the fourth quarter or overtime receive a large boost. But, his biggest skill was his defense. [70], In the summer of 1992, Bird joined Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and other NBA stars to play for the United States men's national basketball team in that year's Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. With proper medication, exercise and diet, atrial fibrillation can be controlled, but Bird abhorred medication and was prone to skipping his pills. Bird was rated the greatest NBA small forward of all time by Fox Sports in 2016. [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. During the 2000s, Brand was one of the better rebounders and defenders. Rajon Rondo only stands 61, but has a wingspan that stretches to 69. With Wilt being the most dominant force of his era, it lends to the theory that his wingspan was truly elite. However, by then his formerly relentless attack on the court had been slowed by a bad back. Two-time Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame inductee: College Basketball Hall of Fame (class of 2006). Even after his retirement as a professional basketball player, Larry Bird's name still comes up in the NBA because of his coaching skills and the executive role he holds in the NBA. DraftExpress - Larry Bird DraftExpress Profile: Stats, Comparisons, and Subscribed! Bismack Biyombo was selected 7th overall in the 2011 NBA draft by the Charlotte Bobcats at the tender age of 18. He is not dating anyone. This will give your shooting attributes a bit of a boost. What does stand out is Maxiells stature. For that, we have developed the best Magic Johnson build in NBA 2K22. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe.

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