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. Larry, there will never, ever be another Larry Bird. THIS VIDEO GIVES A STEP BY STEP BLUEPRINT ON HOW TO CREA. 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. [36] Boston fell behind 31 to start the series but won the next three games to advance to the Finals against the Houston Rockets,[37] winning in six games and earning Bird his first championship. Height: 6'9" (206 cm) Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg) Position: F High School: . [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. LAST ATTENDED. 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. Get to know Larry Bird: Stats, records and more - RSN Small Forward and Power Forward When you factor in the rest of his all around game, it is no surprise he is one of the NBAs 50 greatest players. Additionally, the three-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection stood out in that end of the court. 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. Unfortunately, thats not possible and some sacrifices will have to be made. [83] While he was relatively slow, Bird displayed a knack for anticipating the moves of his opponent, making him a strong team defender. 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]. It seems like Leonard is only starting to scratch the surface of what he can do with such freaky physical attributes. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. And TMac is easily 6'8 or 6'9. he's at least 2 inches taller than duncan. The following top 15 will look at the most impressive wingspans in NBA history. Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. Kahit sa imports coming into the PBA, after the official measurement, they are suddenly 2 inches shorter, heee. [114] Bird resigned his head coaching position shortly after the end of the 2000 season, following through on his initial promise to coach for only three years. You will often hear basketball pundits state that a player has great length. Do you have a sports website? . [101] In recognition of his defensive abilities, Bird was named to three All-Defensive Second Teams. [76] The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame called the team "the greatest collection of basketball talent on the planet". Post Playmaker When the player passes out of the post or coming off an offensive board, the recipient receives a shot boost. Larry Bird - Wikipedia The smallest report records it at 78, while the largest account has it at 84 inches. Tayshaun Prince broke out in the Detroit Pistons championship run of 2004. Height. 30 on ESPN SportsCentury's list of 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th century. This entry could be part of Ripleys Believe it or Not. West only stood 62 which would make his wingspan 9.5% greater than his height. Brand thwarted the pre-draft analysis that claimed he would be too small to have a sustainable career in the NBA. He has seen his points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and field goal percentage increase in each of his first three seasons in the league. 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. Sign in or Register to join the conversations! 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. [115] Bird then led the Pacers to consecutive Central Division titles in 1999 and 2000 and a berth in the 2000 NBA Finals. Larry Bird DraftExpress Profile: scouting reports, videos, stats and logs. Pippen could pass like a point guard, rebound like a power forward, and score like a shooting guard. [19][20] Indiana State lost the game 7564, with Bird scoring 19 points but making only 7 of 21 shots. Kevin McHale was one of the best players of the 1980s. [56] Bird averaged 24 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game for the championship round. [117] After the 20112012 NBA season, Bird was named NBA Executive of the Year, becoming the only man in NBA history to win the NBA MVP, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year. Bird, Larry (1989), Drive: The Story of My Life. Those three players would form a legendary frontline, perhaps the greatest in NBA history. During the 2000s, Brand was one of the better rebounders and defenders. Bird returned to the Pacers as president of basketball operations in 2013,[6] and remained in that role until 2017. Bullet Passer Increases the velocity of passes and speeds up how quickly the player gets the ball out of their hands. 6'9" (2.06m) WEIGHT. 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. home/away, monthly, etc More Larry Bird Basketball Reference pages. During the 1992 Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bird missed four of the seven games due to recurring back problems. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Larry Bird believes NBA big men die young. Is he right? - ESPN.com Larry Bird was inducted to the Hall of Fame as a Player in 1998 (Full List) Bol is 15th all time in blocked shots with 2,086, but he did that in only 11,698 minutes. [116], In 2003, Bird was hired as the Pacers' president of basketball operations. Bird is one of the best shooters in the history of the sport. Although he announced his departure around that time, he reclaimed his post as team president in the summer of 2013. His Competitiveness Has Taken Its Toll. The Best shooters have shorter arms. Larry Bird played the small forward and power forward positions at a height of 6'9" (2.06 m). Subscribed! At 66 years old, Larry Bird height is 206 cm . The hop shooting style allows him to get his shot off very quickly, and what makes Durant special is his point of release. 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. The average NBA player will have a wingspan 4 inches greater than his height. .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. A persons wingspan is the measurement from the tips of one finger to the other. 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. Biyombo has been playing center for Charlotte over the course of the past 3 years, and at 69, is one of the smaller centers in the league, but the wingspan more than makes up for the height deficiency. Durant is what is referred to as a hop shooter, something rare for a player of his height. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? All Rights Reserved. [86][87][88] He was selected to 12 NBA All-Star teams. Larry Bird | Boston Celtics | NBA.com His mother, Cora Lillian, had an above average height at six feet. [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. Rebound Chaser Raises the players ability to track down rebounds from farther distances than normal. [49] The risk paid off; Walton's acquisition helped Boston win a league best 67 games. On the opening night of the 2014 season, he went for 26 points, 17 boards, 3 steals, and 9 blocks. His name is imprinted twice in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and besides being named Player of the Year frequently, he has received coach for the Year and Executive of the Year awards. Corner Specialist Three-point shots taken near the baseline off the dribble or a pass are given a percentage boost. Thus, you have to upgrade the Break Starter badge. I've not seen that much of Chrichton reallycompared to seeing Bird, who can look taller than his listing at times. [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. Larry Bird Height - CelebHeights.com Larry Bird Dimensions & Drawings | Dimensions.com To help you grind efficiently, we have a guide on how to earn more VCs in NBA 2K22. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. [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. Larry Bird NBA 2K23 Nationality: United States Team: All-Time Boston Celtics Archetype: 2-Way 3-Level Point Forward Position: SF / PF Height: 6'9" (206cm) | Weight: 220lbs (99kg) Jersey: #33 Prior to NBA: Indiana State University Ranks #8 out of 459 All-Time NBA Players Ranks #31 out of all NBA Players on 2K Compare Larry Bird Badges 3 4 23 9 39 [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. Bird also led the Celtics in rebounding, with an average of 10.4 per game, as well as in steals and minutes played. Two-time Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame inductee: College Basketball Hall of Fame (class of 2006). Their rivalry continued on in the revived CelticsLakers Rivalry in the NBA. [26][27] In his career debut, Bird recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in a 114106 win over the Houston Rockets. A confirmation email has been sent. If it goes, it goes.". Rajon Rondo is currently one of the best point guards in the league. He is a 6'6 player, and he's held his own thanks to a 260 pound base and a 7'3 wingspan. Larry Legend, The Hick from French Lick, Kodak, The Great White Hope are nicknames for Larry Bird. That length helped him become one of the most prolific shot blocker in league history. Larry Bird. 5. In his career, Bol averaged 3.3 blocks a game, in just 18.7 minutes. Learn more and register. DraftExpress - Larry Bird DraftExpress Profile: Stats, Comparisons, and The problem for Bol was his offensive game was non-existent. In 1997 Bird accepted the head coach position with the Indiana Pacers, a move that returned him to his home state. [60], Throughout the 1980s, contests between the Celtics and the Lakersboth during the regular season and in the Finalsattracted enormous television audiences. 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. Both Dinah and Larry studied at Indiana State University. Girlfriend / Spouse. 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 is 6 foot 9 inches (2.06 m) tall. [5] He was named NBA Executive of the Year for the 2012 season. Larry Bird was drafted by 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". Who was going to make the last shot? Height: 5 feet 5 inches (167 cm) Weight: 56 kg (123 lb) Eye Colour: Hazel: Hair Colour: Golden: Shoe Size: N/A: Martial Status: Married: Husband: Larry Bird . Nonetheless, during the final years of his career, Bird maintained his status as one of the premier players in the game. 1. Was Michael Jordan really 66? He always looked like he - Quora [23], Bird was selected by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft. For the defense/rebounding badges, there will only be a limited number of options. [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. Larry Bird's Height 6ft 9 (205.7 cm) Former American basketball player, who played with The Boston Celtics. Prior to Bird's second year, the Celtics acquired center Robert Parrish from the Golden State Warriors and drafted Kevin McHale. NBA 2K23 Larry Bird Packs Card Name Overall Position Offense Defense Height Wingspan Weight Badges Total Stats Larry Bird Premium End Game 99 SF/PF 99 99 6'9 7'0 220 lbs 0, 0, 0, 80 3366 Larry Bird Premium Invincible 99 PG/SF 99 99 6'9 7'0 220 lbs 0, 0, 13, 65 3365 Larry Bird Premium Continue reading "NBA 2K23 Larry Bird Packs Card Challenge" Post Spin Technician Attempting to perform post spins or drives result in more effective moves, and lessens the chances of getting stripped by opponents. [108], At the 2019 NBA Awards, Bird received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (shared with Magic Johnson). Want updates on new Dimensions content? He is a four-time All-Defensive team member, and he led the league in steals in 2009-10. Larry Bird played the small forward and power forward positions at a height of 6'9" (2. . An elite wingspan is considered as a measurement that is 6.5% greater than the players height. 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. [22] He graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. The game will provide you with three takeover options. 1. For these reasons, the other badges you should consider upgrading are Bullet Passer, Post Playmaker, and Special Delivery. Also, make sure to equip the Clutch Shooter badge. The dramatic play saved the series for the Celtics. The other shooting badges you should look to upgrade are Catch & Shoot, Corner Specialist, Difficult Shots, Fade Ace, Slippery Off-Ball, and Volume Shooter. Something went wrong while submitting the form. [97] He accomplished this feat twice. To round out the finishing, shooting, and playmaking categories, put some points on close shot, driving layup, driving dunk, and post hook. Everyone knows that Manute Bol was the tallest player in NBA history, but he also possessed the largest wingspan. 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. December 7, This will allow your player to move faster when there are rebound opportunities. A big reason for those 9 blocks can be attributed to his gargantuan wingspan. In, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 21:21. The reason for doing so is not just due to Bird being a proficient shooter and facilitator, but also because you will find out later that increasing the height will decrease these attributes. 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. 6 ft 9 in or 206 cm. By visiting Celeb Heights you agree to its. Larry Bird Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family Fade Ace This provides a shot boost to post fadeaways. Indiana State. The Best Larry Bird Build in NBA 2K22 | DiamondLobby Your players skill breakdown should certainly focus primarily on shooting. 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. Durant is one of the 6 members of the 50-40-90 club. The Hick from French Lick was the first ever to join the club. This will give your shooting attributes a bit of a boost. Wade is measure at 6 ft 3 3/4 Barefeet and he is also the same height as Kobe Bryant. Interceptor This significantly increases the frequency of successfully tipped or stolen passes. The best they can do is continue to monitor their health, try to keep up with working out, and hope for the best. All Rights Reserved. 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. Larry Bird Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more Larry Bird Stats and news - NBA stats and news on Boston Celtics Forward Larry Bird. Wingspan data is something that has only been recorded precisely over the last couple of decades. Bird had an uncanny ability of reading and anticipating opponents passes that helped him record 1.7 steals per game throughout his career. 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. Boston Celtics, 1st round (6th pick, 6th overall), 1978 NBA Draft, Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1998 (Full List), More Larry Bird pages at Sports Reference. 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. As for the weight, you can lower it by one pound (219 lbs) to give your player an additional point in acceleration. Menu. Mock Archives 2017 Mock Draft 2016 Mock Draft . Standing 69, Prince has a 72 inch wingspan, which appears even greater due to his rail thin physique (some people claim his wingspan is closer to 76). But dont let Birds efficient scoring distract you from the fact that he was proficient in the other aspects of his game. A 6-foot-9 forward who could dribble, pass and shoot the way Bird could made him one of the greatest NBA players. Other vital statistics like weight or shoe size measurements have been sourced from newspapers, books, resumes or social media. Even when considering his height, the wingspan is still 12.1% larger than his body. [86] He had 1,556 career steals. Kevin Durant stands 610 and has a 75 wingspan. What he showed us is that truly elite stats can be produced by some with almost no talent, but insanely freaky physical attributes. 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. Larry Bird's wife, Dinah Mattingly, is his high school sweetheart who got engaged and married the former NBA legend in 1989. 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. 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.