He was briefly married to first wife Janet Condra from 1975-76 and has a daughter with her named Corrie. Mourning has the most blocks in NBA history for a player under 70 feet tall with 2,356 (11th on the all-time list). [67] Wilkins remarked, "The basket was like a well. You can use it on Post Spin Technician to allow your player to be more effective inside the paint. After retiring as a player in 1992, he was appointed as the coach for the team the Boston Celtics. Pippen could pass like a point guard, rebound like a power forward, and score like a shooting guard. Your players skill breakdown should certainly focus primarily on shooting. Both Dinah and Larry studied at Indiana State University. DiamondLobby / NBA 2K22 / The Best Larry Bird Build in NBA 2K22. [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 had an uncanny ability of reading and anticipating opponents passes that helped him record 1.7 steals per game throughout his career. [133], Bird married Dinah Mattingly in 1989. He finished his career with sterling averages of 24.6 points and 10 rebounds per game. The Boston Celtics won the NBA Championship thrice under his work, making Bird the NBA Most Valuable Player three times. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. [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. Nicknamed Larry Legend or The Hick from French Lick, Bird played the small forward and power forward positions for the Boston Celtics in his entire career. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. [48], Before the start of the 198586 season, the Celtics made a daring trade for Bill Walton, an All-Star center with a history of injury. 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[83] While he was relatively slow, Bird displayed a knack for anticipating the moves of his opponent, making him a strong team defender. 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? [21] In the Conference Finals, Boston was eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers. For this, you will need a ton of VCs. Despite not being as tall as the Lakers legend, Leonard is just as long. 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. Durant is what is referred to as a hop shooter, something rare for a player of his height. Bird began the next chapter of his life as a front-office special assistant for the Celtics, a post he held for five years. The other shooting badges you should look to upgrade are Catch & Shoot, Corner Specialist, Difficult Shots, Fade Ace, Slippery Off-Ball, and Volume Shooter. Kevin McHale has gone down as one of the 50 best NBA players of all time, and is probably the best example in NBA history of how length can be used to dominate on both ends of the court. Larry Bird Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family To help you grind efficiently, we have a guide on how to earn more VCs in NBA 2K22. [9] He has four brothers and a sister. 14 Dwight Howard The next year he attended the smaller Indiana State University, ultimately playing three years for the Sycamores. To round out the finishing, shooting, and playmaking categories, put some points on close shot, driving layup, driving dunk, and post hook. At either end of the spectrum, the measurement would be considered elite. During the 1980s, either Boston or Los Angeles appeared in every NBA Finals. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. The problem for Bol was his offensive game was non-existent. Weight. Celebrity Fan Photos and Agency Pictures of stars are to their respective owners. [64][65][66] Bird finished with 34 points. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 6:45PM. He played both the small forward and power forward positions. 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. Mourning was blessed with God given length, but it was his heart and passion for the game that ultimately made him one of the best that ever stepped on an NBA court. Larry Bird attended Springs Valley in French Lick, Indiana and Indiana State University. [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. 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. The hop shooting style allows him to get his shot off very quickly, and what makes Durant special is his point of release. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. Doubleday, pp. 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. That's the greatest game I've ever played in or seen played." He says they build their hearts up so much that when they retire, the hearts just sit there. He was one of the best shot blockers in NBA history and a lot of that, obviously, had to do with the enormous wingspan. By visiting Celeb Heights you agree to its. Larry Bird | Biography & Facts | Britannica His extra length allows him to keep the ball away from incoming defenders, making for some spectacular finishes. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Rajon Rondo only stands 61, but has a wingspan that stretches to 69. Jason Maxiell was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the 1st round of the 2005 draft. "[70] Their rivalry began in college, when Larry Bird and Indiana State lost to Magic Johnson and Michigan State in the NCAA Championship game. [60], Throughout the 1980s, contests between the Celtics and the Lakersboth during the regular season and in the Finalsattracted enormous television audiences. 8. . 7mo ago. [57], The '86 Celtics are commonly ranked as one of the greatest basketball teams of all time, with the Boston Globe's Peter May and Grantland's Bill Simmons listing them at number one. Larry Bird Stats and news - NBA stats and news on Boston Celtics Forward Larry Bird. [33][34][35] Behind Bird's leadership and Boston's upgraded roster, the Celtics again advanced to the Conference Finals for a rematch with the 76ers. [8][14], Bird's youngest brother, Eddie Bird, also played basketball at Indiana State University. The 19871988 season was the highest-scoring season of Bird's career. He was a raw athlete out of the Democratic Republic of Congo, having only picked up the sport at the age of 16. [121], In 1975, Bird married Janet Condra. Heights are barefeet estimates, derived from quotations, official websites, agency resumes, in person encounters with actors at conventions and pictures/films. As morbid as the subject is, Bird doesn't really duck away from it and what it means for him and his family. [45] The performance came just nine days after Kevin McHale set the previous Celtics record for points in a game with 56. 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. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. 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. Leonard is only 67, but possess a gigantic 73 wingspan, which is a full 8 inches longer than his height. 1956 [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. During the early parts of his career, he even started at power forward for Boston. However, I suggest going for Spot Up Shooter. Larry Bird, along with "Magic" Johnson and Michael Jordan, is one of the most recognized names in the history of basketball. Sign in or Register to join the conversations! A big reason for those 9 blocks can be attributed to his gargantuan wingspan. Top 15 Most Impressive Wingspans In NBA History - TheSportster Former American basketball player, who played with The Boston Celtics. You will often hear basketball pundits state that a player has great length. Larry Bird weighed 220 lbs (99 kg) when playing. Bird was also a member of the gold medal-winning 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team known as the "Dream Team". Unfortunately, a trade-off with this player archetype is that there will be fewer points available for the others. [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. When they mention length, they are not talking about a players height, but more so his wingspan. 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. Despite failing to win the championship, Bird earned numerous year-end awards and honors for his outstanding play, including the Naismith College Player of the Year Award. 3940. A recent promotional poster out of New Orleans shows Davis with a 77 wingspan. 30 on ESPN SportsCentury's list of 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th century. Prior to Bird's second year, the Celtics acquired center Robert Parrish from the Golden State Warriors and drafted Kevin McHale. 1 Answer. What that actual measurement was, we may never know. Thats both confident and cold-blooded. Durant is one of the 6 members of the 50-40-90 club. 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". This entry could be part of Ripleys Believe it or Not. Larry Bird's Height 6ft 9 (205.7 cm) Former American basketball player, who played with The Boston Celtics. 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. [23], Bird was selected by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft. Available in 3DM (Rhino), OBJ (NURB), SKP(Sketchup)formats, Dimensions.com is a project by Fantastic Offense, Dimensions is a project by Fantastic Offense. As the big three start to fade out in San Antonio, Leonard will become the face of the franchise. Larry Bird was such a player. 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. Larry Bird was 6'9" no wingspan numbers but he had average looking arms. 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. Another badge you must target is Interceptor. [20] Bird also appeared in one game for the baseball team, going 1-for-2 with 2 RBI. Brand was the #1 overall pick in 1999 out of Duke. He has seen his points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and field goal percentage increase in each of his first three seasons in the league. [102] Bird's humble roots were the source of his most frequently used moniker, "The Hick from French Lick". [4] After retiring as a player, Bird served as head coach of the Indiana Pacers from 1997 to 2000. During the 1992 Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bird missed four of the seven games due to recurring back problems. He is still young, and could be molded into something, but as it stands now, the Bismack Biyombo experiment is teetering on bust status. 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. To put that into perspective that is only one inch shorter than Shaq's wingspan. 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 | 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. His mother, Cora Lillian, had an above average height at six feet. What he showed us is that truly elite stats can be produced by some with almost no talent, but insanely freaky physical attributes. Bird entered the NBA for the 19791980 season, where he made an immediate impact, starting at power forward and leading the Celtics to a 32-win improvement over the previous season before being eliminated from the playoffs in the Conference Finals. All rights reserved. Those three players would form a legendary frontline, perhaps the greatest in NBA history. 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. A 1980s Converse commercial for its "Weapon" line of basketball shoes (endorsed by both Bird and Johnson) reflected the perceived dichotomy between the two players. He couldn't miss. [22] He graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. The couple . He complemented his all-around game with accurate outside shooting and unmatched bravado. 2. [16][17][18] He had a successful three-year career with the Sycamores, helping them reach the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history with a 330 record where they played the 1979 championship game against Michigan State. [39] In the Conference Finals, the Celtics faced the 76ers for the third consecutive year, losing in seven games. Deadeye Jump shots attempted with a defender closing out in front of the player will suffer a lower penalty. Then you have a player like Dwyane Wade who is 65, but has a wingspan of 610. So much so, that Charles Barkley even admitted that he wasn't 6'6, but . Only eight other NBA players have achieved the rare feat. Bird had an average of 10.0 rebounds per game for his career and 6.3 assists. I'm not lying awake at night thinking about it. Bird, Johnson, Michael Jordan and other NBA stars formed the American men's basketball team, which would become known as the "Dream Team." at When they reached the NBA Finals, the Celticshampered by devastating injurieslost to a dominant Lakers team that had won 65 games during the season. Was Michael Jordan really 66? He always looked like he - Quora Kevin McHale was one of the best players of the 1980s. CelebHeights.com Rob Paul 2004-2023. Available in DWG (CAD, Imperial &Metric), SVG, JPG formats, For 3D Downloads of this element, upgrade to a Dimensions Pro Membership. He stood 6 feet, 11.25 inches tall, with a wingspan of 7 inches, 5.25 inches, and possessed the Combine's longest hands at 10 inches. [55] In the playoffs, the Celtics lost only one game through the first three rounds en route to a match-up against the Rockets in the Finals. [75] It was the first time in the United States' Olympic history that the country sent NBA players to compete. Larry Bird Vertical Jump - Height, Number, Stats and Championship Rings 3. [7], Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana, to Georgia (ne Kerns) and Claude Joseph "Joe" Bird, a veteran of the Korean War. But, as one journalist would say, They looked different, perhaps, but take a chainsaw to their souls and they were fraternal, if not identical, friends.[72] Watching Bird play was like watching Magic play, as they both shared this talent that the league had never seen before. Mock Archives 2017 Mock Draft 2016 Mock Draft . Davis stands 610, and, at the 2012 pre-draft combine, was measured to have a 75 wing span. 4:15 pm ET. At the end of the 2011-12 season, he was named NBA Executive of the Year, making him the only person to be named the NBA's MVP, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year. Larry Bird starred at Indiana State University before joining the NBA's Boston Celtics in 1979. This is a very scary thought for a lot of NBA players, both past and present. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. 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. 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. [62], Despite the intensity of their rivalry, Bird and Johnson became friends off the court. '"[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. 6. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. 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. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. Bird averaged 10.0 rebounds per game in his career. Larry Bird DraftExpress Profile: scouting reports, videos, stats and logs. Along with Johnson, who also entered the NBA in 1979 with the Los Angeles Lakers, Bird was a key figure in revitalizing the league in the 1980s. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. Oops! Join our newsletter! He then led his team to an undefeated regular season. He was a great scorer, rebounder, passer, and defender. Same with Amare who's listed at 6'10 but measured at 6'8 1/2. Want updates on new Dimensions content? What he used was his strength and court sense to outmaneuver and outrebound opponents. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Below is a guide to help you create the best Larry Bird build in NBA 2K22. For that, we have developed the best Magic Johnson build in NBA 2K22. 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. [104], Bird was known for his trash-talking on the court and is remembered as one of the most notable trash-talkers of his era. Bird stands 6-foot-9, and his listed weight during his playing days was 220 lbs. http://www.nbadraft.net/2002predraftmeasurements.htm, http://www.insidehoops.com/chicago-camp-measurements.shtml, http://www.insidehoops.com/draft-prospect-measurements.shtml, http://www.friendster.com/user.php?uid=27447626, http://canadahoops.blogspot.com/2007/05/nba-predraft-camp-measurements-2002.html, http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/Orlando%202007-Complete%20%20Results.xls. And to show you how skill beats jumping ability and athleticism, during his 13-year NBA career from 1979 to 1992, he won 3 championship rings with the Celtics. 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. Larry Bird [2023 Update]: Wife, Net worth & Family - Players Bio THIS VIDEO GIVES A STEP BY STEP BLUEPRINT ON HOW TO CREA.
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