larry bird height and wingspan

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. Larry Bird. 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. 1. Here's what the science reveals. 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. Anonymous. However, I suggest going for Spot Up Shooter. His concentration and composure were unrivaled as well, and he established himself as one of the most unshakable and driven players in the NBA. 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. The two adopted a son and daughter, Conner and Mariah. When you factor in the rest of his all around game, it is no surprise he is one of the NBAs 50 greatest players. Honestly, all of them fit Bird so well. It's an entirely different game when you're Six-Nine." 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. 1956 LeBron was definitely a better player. . On August 18, 1992, Bird announced his retirement. Larry, there will never, ever be another Larry Bird. By going for a shooting plus defense/rebounding build, you will have a two-way player at your disposal. [24][14][25] Shortly afterwards, NBA draft eligibility rules were changed to prevent teams from drafting players before they were ready to sign, a rule known as the Bird Collegiate Rule. Along with Larry Bird, and Robert Parish, McHale formed the most dominant front line in NBA history. [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. Bird's basketball prowess earned him an athletic scholarship to Indiana University, where he was to play for legendary coach Bob Knight. Doubleday, pp. Someone like Boozer who's measured as 6'7 3/4 isn't any shorter than other players listed at 6'9 too. That is 6.5% greater than his height. What is so impressive is that he has maintained those percentages despite the heavy volume of shots he takes. Bird had an average of 10.0 rebounds per game for his career and 6.3 assists. [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. Howard is also the only player in league history to have won Defensive Player of the Year in three consecutive years. He was a great scorer, rebounder, passer, and defender. When Jordan played it was an open secret that players lied about their heights. [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. Bird returned to the Pacers in 2003 as president of basketball operations. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. Kevin McHale was one of the best players of the 1980s. And TMac is easily 6'8 or 6'9. Not since Bill Russell squared off against Wilt Chamberlain had professional basketball enjoyed such a marquee matchup. ", "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. Prior to Bird's second year, the Celtics acquired center Robert Parrish from the Golden State Warriors and drafted Kevin McHale. 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). For the defense/rebounding badges, there will only be a limited number of options. [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. Bird, Johnson, Michael Jordan and other NBA stars formed the American men's basketball team, which would become known as the "Dream Team." Bird excelled in almost all facets of basketball. Bird returned to the Pacers as president of basketball operations in 2013,[6] and remained in that role until 2017. Of course, there are some who prefer using a player based on his archrival, Magic Johnson. He complemented his all-around game with accurate outside shooting and unmatched bravado. 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. Maxiell shows how an undersized player can keep pace with taller guys when they possess elite wingspan. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. KG Living Legend Don Nelson Posts: 8383 [83] Universally recognized as an all-time great player, Bird was placed at the power forward position on an NBA all-time starting five roster with fellow superstars Magic Johnson (point guard), Michael Jordan (shooting guard), LeBron James (small forward), and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (center) in 2020. He was also quite adept at looking for the open man from the post. [116], In 2003, Bird was hired as the Pacers' president of basketball operations. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nba | pageType: stories | 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. Howard has used that wingspan to become an elite rebounder and shot blocker. us, College: THIS VIDEO GIVES A STEP BY STEP BLUEPRINT ON HOW TO CREA. In his final three seasons with the Celtics, Bird averaged over 20 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists per game, shot better than 45% from the field, and led the Celtics to playoff appearances. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. Oops! I've got a theory that if you give 100 percent all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. [86][87][88] He was selected to 12 NBA All-Star teams. He was a raw athlete out of the Democratic Republic of Congo, having only picked up the sport at the age of 16. Highly recruited, he initially signed to play college basketball for coach Bob Knight of the Indiana Hoosiers, but Bird dropped out after one month and returned to French Lick to attend a local community college. Available in DWG (CAD, Imperial &Metric), SVG, JPG formats, For 3D Downloads of this element, upgrade to a Dimensions Pro Membership. Shooting badges will allow you to convert more field goal attempts from anywhere outside the key. 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. Jason Maxiell was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the 1st round of the 2005 draft. Do you have a sports website? [8] Bird's parents were of Irish, Scottish and some Native American descent. Mock Archives 2017 Mock Draft 2016 Mock Draft . [75] It was the first time in the United States' Olympic history that the country sent NBA players to compete. Growing up in French Lick, Indiana, he was a local basketball star. Both Dinah and Larry studied at Indiana State University. After retiring as a player in 1992, he was appointed as the coach for the team the Boston Celtics. The legend was quite ahead of his time. [43] Boston came back to win the game, eventually winning the series in seven. [102] Bird's humble roots were the source of his most frequently used moniker, "The Hick from French Lick". During the early parts of his career, he even started at power forward for Boston. [21] In the Conference Finals, Boston was eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers. The Hick from the French Lick has got yellow-toned tan skin. [21] In the playoffs, the Celtics avenged their loss from the year before to the Bucks, winning in five games in the Conference Finals to advance to the Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. 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. At 68, Brand is undersized as an NBA power forward, but has made up for it with a giant wingspan that measures 75. Honestly, all of them fit Bird so well. The summer of 1992 marked the first time the United States sent professional athletes to the Olympic Games. When he was on fire from the three-point line or mid-range, no one can stop him. [21] Boston advanced through the playoffs to earn a rematch with the Lakers, this time losing in six games. Larry looks fit and has an athletic body, but he had to go through back fusion surgery, leading him to end his playing career. [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. At least partially as a result of this, he experienced back problems for the remainder of his career. 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. Unfortunately, a trade-off with this player archetype is that there will be fewer points available for the others. It's a given that most players are listed 1-1.5 inches taller than they're actual heights since they're measured with shoes. [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. [121], In 1975, Bird married Janet Condra. 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. 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. LAST ATTENDED. Post Playmaker When the player passes out of the post or coming off an offensive board, the recipient receives a shot boost. 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. Bird is universally regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. 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. [115] Bird then led the Pacers to consecutive Central Division titles in 1999 and 2000 and a berth in the 2000 NBA Finals. 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. [96], Bird is also remembered as an excellent passer[100] and defender. On the offensive side of the ball, Rondo like to drive with a scooping layup. 1. [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. '"[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. To put that into perspective that is only one inch shorter than Shaq's wingspan. he's at least 2 inches taller than duncan. Want updates on new Dimensions content? Catch & Shoot The badge increases the shooting percentage of a player attempting a three-pointer immediately after receiving a pass. Larry Bird stands 6'9" tall and weighs 220 pounds during his NBA playing days. [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. There is no denying the greatness of Wilt Chamberlain and a superior length was a major reason he was unstoppable. They each had charisma, deft shooting touch, extraordinary passing skills, and team-oriented mindset that ignited their team and the crowd. More player info Indiana State University, High School: 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. 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. Many people following the NBA would love to see Bird play in todays era of basketball. During the 2000s, Brand was one of the better rebounders and defenders. If it goes, it goes.". [21][38], At the 1982 All-Star Game, Bird scored 19 points en route to winning the All-Star Game MVP Award. Ganyan naman talaga, you usually take off 1 1/2 to 2 inches off their published height - and you get their real height. 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. At the age of 19, Biyombo averaged 2.8 blocks per 36 minutes and showed some promise. [19][20] Indiana State lost the game 7564, with Bird scoring 19 points but making only 7 of 21 shots. [76] The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame called the team "the greatest collection of basketball talent on the planet". The reality is that Pippen did a lot of things that made Jordan a better player. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. Kahit sa imports coming into the PBA, after the official measurement, they are suddenly 2 inches shorter, heee. What we do know is Chamberlain stood about 71, while his wingspan is up for debate. 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. Anthony Davis is one of the leagues biggest stars. [83] While he was relatively slow, Bird displayed a knack for anticipating the moves of his opponent, making him a strong team defender. Break Starter Deep outlet passes attempted immediately after grabbing a defensive rebound are more likely to connect. 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). [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. [6] He stepped down again in 2017, but stayed with the team in an advisory capacity. 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. Positions: Small forward, power forwardYears Active: 19791992, Drawings include:Larry Bird standing, shooting, dribbling, NBA - National Basketball AssociationWikipedia - Basketball. This is a player who has shot 50% from the field, 40% from 3 point land, and 90% from the line. [25], In his rookie season (19791980), Bird immediately transformed the Celtics into a title contender. Larry Bird was inducted to the Hall of Fame as a Player in 1998 (Full List) That length has made him one of the best point guard defenders. He has seen his points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and field goal percentage increase in each of his first three seasons in the league. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. 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. [103] Bird was also referred to as "Larry Legend". Part of the reason, he admits, was his own fatalistic view of what the future would bring. The reason the Bobcats took a risk on this extremely raw player was due to his freakish wingspan. [10], Bird received a scholarship to play college basketball for the Indiana Hoosiers in 1974. [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. 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. We present them here for purely educational purposes. 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 . December 7, Larry Bird weighed 220 lbs (99 kg) when playing. [22] He graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. [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. West only stood 62 which would make his wingspan 9.5% greater than his height. 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. Bird has appeared in three movies, each time playing himself: Bird's likeness has appeared in several video games. 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). In 1999, when he won his first Defensive Player of the Year, he had an insane 3.9 blocks a game. . He was a great post scorer and could dominate the paint like a big man. [133], Bird married Dinah Mattingly in 1989. [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. This ratio is one of the higher percentages for players who have played in the NBA. [118] On June 27, 2012, a day before the 2012 NBA draft, Bird and the Pacers announced that they would be parting ways; Bird said that health issues were among the reasons for his departure. [56] Bird averaged 24 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game for the championship round. His extra length allows him to keep the ball away from incoming defenders, making for some spectacular finishes. Tayshaun Prince broke out in the Detroit Pistons championship run of 2004. Their rivalry continued on in the revived CelticsLakers Rivalry in the NBA. Former American basketball player, who played with The Boston Celtics. At either end of the spectrum, the measurement would be considered elite. Any data prior to that is not a guarantee, and much of it is urban legend that grew a life of its own. [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. 2", "Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics Box Score, December 9, 1984", "Relive the Moment: Larry Bird Easily Wins Inaugural 3-Point Contest After Asking Field Who Would Finish Second", "Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics Box Score, November 27, 1985", "Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks Box Score, March 10, 1986", "Larry Legend Bird wins third straight MVP", "Houston Rockets at Boston Celtics Box Score, June 8, 1986", "Converse Commercial (1986) with Larry Bird and Magic Johnson", "Bird's Garden Party: Celtics Make It a Magical Night for Larry Legend", "Against All Those Hawks, One Bird Is Enough for Celtics", "Legendary Moments in NBA History: Larry Bird and Dominique Wilkins battle in Game 7", "Bird Bids Farewell, Retires From Celtics", "Dream Team a star-studded sight to behold for gazers on, off court", "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame - Hall of Famers", "10 reasons we still love Larry Bird on his 60th birthday", "PRO BASKETBALL; A Bashful Larry Bird Joins Hall Of Fame", "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Hall of Famers", "1992 Dream Team Inducted into Hall of Fame", It started in Sacramento: LeBron James, back in NBA Finals, makes our all-time starting 5, "Who's The Best Small Forward Of All Time: Larry Bird Or LeBron James?