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larry bird height and wingspan

His effort helped to overcome a 47-point performance by Atlanta's Dominique Wilkins. [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. More player info [84], "Larry, you only told me one lie. Mourning has the most blocks in NBA history for a player under 70 feet tall with 2,356 (11th on the all-time list). Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are known to be "one of the greatest rivalries in sports. He couldn't miss. Larry Bird cemented his legacy in the sport by leading the Boston Celtics to three championships in the 1980s. For these reasons, the other badges you should consider upgrading are Bullet Passer, Post Playmaker, and Special Delivery. Larry Bird made at least $25,870,000 playing professional basketball. DiamondLobby / NBA 2K22 / The Best Larry Bird Build in NBA 2K22. Navigation Toggle NBA. Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. 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. Post Playmaker When the player passes out of the post or coming off an offensive board, the recipient receives a shot boost. [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. He has seen his points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and field goal percentage increase in each of his first three seasons in the league. However, I suggest going for Spot Up Shooter. As for the weight, you can lower it by one pound (219 lbs) to give your player an additional point in acceleration. 4:15 pm ET. He had off-season surgery to remove a disc from his back, but his back problems continued and he missed 37 games during the 199192 season. 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 ratio is one of the higher percentages for players who have played in the NBA. 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. Height. However, the sharpshooting forward felt some trepidation about the size of the Hoosier campus and withdrew from school, enrolling at Indiana State the next year. Someone like Boozer who's measured as 6'7 3/4 isn't any shorter than other players listed at 6'9 too. The Boston Celtics won the NBA Championship thrice under his work, making Bird the NBA Most Valuable Player three times. That would have been a 17% increase on his height. Larry Bird's bio Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 220 pounds Birthdate: Dec. 7, 1956 College: Indiana State NBA experience: 13 years Jersey number: 33 Larry Bird's career NBA stats Here are some of Larry Bird's notable career achievements and statistics: Three-time NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986) Two-time NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986) Not since Bill Russell squared off against Wilt Chamberlain had professional basketball enjoyed such a marquee matchup. 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. Dinah Mattingly (1989-Present) - Larry Bird married his second wife Dinah Mattingly in 1989. 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. 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. Also, make sure to equip the Clutch Shooter badge. A big reason for those 9 blocks can be attributed to his gargantuan wingspan. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. 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. "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. Learn more and register. Larry Bird's wife, Dinah Mattingly, is his high school sweetheart who got engaged and married the former NBA legend in 1989. Other vital statistics like weight or shoe size measurements have been sourced from newspapers, books, resumes or social media. 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. When they reached the NBA Finals, the Celticshampered by devastating injurieslost to a dominant Lakers team that had won 65 games during the season. He also had a career high of 60 points against the Atlanta Hawks on March 12, 1985. [49] The risk paid off; Walton's acquisition helped Boston win a league best 67 games. What that actual measurement was, we may never know. Brand was the #1 overall pick in 1999 out of Duke. After protracted negotiations, Bird inked a five-year, $3.25 million contract with the team on June 8, making him the highest-paid rookie in sports history. 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. [86] He had 1,556 career steals. at Unfortunately, a trade-off with this player archetype is that there will be fewer points available for the others. 30 on ESPN SportsCentury's Top 50 athletes of the 20th century, with only five other basketball players ranked higher. [85], Bird has been described as one of the greatest basketball players and greatest shooters of all time. Redick is 6'4 tall and has a wingspan of 6'3. At 66 years old, Larry Bird height is 206 cm . Indiana State University, High School: He complemented his all-around game with accurate outside shooting and unmatched bravado. Bismack Biyombo was selected 7th overall in the 2011 NBA draft by the Charlotte Bobcats at the tender age of 18. 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. 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. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. That length has made him one of the best point guard defenders. He is also the youngest player to reach 1,000 rebounds, and each benchmark from that point through to 9,000 rebounds. Last edited on 28 February 2023, at 21:21, retired by Springs Valley High Blackhawks, 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, United States men's national basketball team, List of career achievements by Larry Bird, List of National Basketball Association career assists leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff assists leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff free throw scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff rebounding leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff steals leaders, List of National Basketball Association career playoff turnovers leaders, List of National Basketball Association career scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association career steals leaders, List of National Basketball Association career turnovers leaders, List of National Basketball Association players with most points in a game, List of National Basketball Association players with most steals in a game, List of National Basketball Association annual minutes leaders, List of NBA players who have spent their entire career with one franchise, List of NCAA Division I men's basketball career scoring leaders, List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 2000 points and 1000 rebounds, "Big Threes Beyond the Boston Celtics & Miami Heat: 50 Best Trios in NBA History", Fox Sports: Top 10 small forwards in NBA history, "Larry Bird resigns as Indiana Pacers president for second time", Larry Bird: Hall of Fame Basketball Superstar, "EDDIE BIRD HAS A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW AT INDIANA STATE", "Boston's Larry Bird, in what may be his finest season, gets Red Auerbach's voteover Bill Russellas the best ever", "Throwback Thursday: Celtics Draft Larry Bird Sixth Overall", "The story of how rookie phenom Larry Bird led the NBA's greatest turnaround season", "Larry Bird's baseball career: A lofty .500 batting average", "Houston Rockets at Boston Celtics Box Score, October 12, 1979", "Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics Box Score, November 14, 1979", "Indiana Pacers at Boston Celtics Box Score, November 23, 1979", "5 best players in Boston Celtics history", "NBA expert panel: Warriors not the greatest of all time, or even No. 30 on ESPN SportsCentury's list of 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th century. 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. Difficult Shots High-difficulty jumpers attempted from the mid-range get an increased shot percentage. Coming into the league, many pundits wondered if Mourning could be a starting center at only 69. Durant is what is referred to as a hop shooter, something rare for a player of his height. [20] For his college career, he averaged 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game,[21] leading the Sycamores to an 8113 record during his tenure. That season, the Celtics posted a 61-21 record and defeated the Houston Rockets to take the first NBA championship of Bird's career. 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. But I recommend opting for defense/rebounding instead. Interceptor This significantly increases the frequency of successfully tipped or stolen passes. Something went wrong while submitting the form. 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. 4. Weight. The Celtics and Lakers dominated, with one team or the other, or both, appearing in every NBA championship throughout the decade. Talk about all topics relevant to Pinoys around the world. Unfortunately, thats not possible and some sacrifices will have to be made. So, when selecting a physical profile for your player, I suggest choosing the combination of strength and agility. McHale stood 610 and was reported to have a colossal wingspan that stretched to 80. He is not dating anyone. [82] In 1999, Bird ranked No. McHale is known as one of the best post players in NBA history due to his great footwork and arsenal of moves. [69] Following Bird's departure, the Celtics promptly retired his jersey number 33. The strain that goes on the heart of someone that tall is tough, and despite being rewarded financially for their skills and size, having that life cut short because of that same size is their reality. This is a player who has shot 50% from the field, 40% from 3 point land, and 90% from the line. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). [114] He was named the NBA Coach of the Year for his efforts. Break Starter Deep outlet passes attempted immediately after grabbing a defensive rebound are more likely to connect. 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. 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 . Larry Bird was such a player. Larry, there will never, ever be another Larry Bird. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. 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. He was also quite adept at looking for the open man from the post. 8. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 6:45PM. 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. With his added length, Durant is able to get the ball in a position that is very hard to defend. Dwight Howard is one of the premiere big men of the modern area, but stands at only 610. The two adopted a son and daughter, Conner and Mariah. home/away, monthly, etc More Larry Bird Basketball Reference pages. Everyone knows that Manute Bol was the tallest player in NBA history, but he also possessed the largest wingspan. [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. Following his junior year, Bird was selected with the sixth overall pick in the NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. 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. Rebound Chaser Raises the players ability to track down rebounds from farther distances than normal. ", "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. Remarkably Leonards wingspan may not be his freakiest attribute, as that would go to his hand size. [121], In 1975, Bird married Janet Condra. (Larry Legend, The Hick from French Lick, Kodak, The Great White Hope), Position: The dramatic play saved the series for the Celtics. 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. 100 kg or 220.5 lbs. us, College: Kevin McHale was one of the best players of the 1980s. He then led his team to an undefeated regular season. 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. [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. Top 15 Most Impressive Wingspans In NBA History, 10 WCW Character Transformations That Made No Sense, 10 Wrestlers Vince McMahon Signed From The AWA (& Turned Them Into Stars), Dominik Mysterio Speaks About Where His "Prison Dom" Character In WWE Came From. Following an attempted reconciliation, Bird and Condra had a daughter, Corrie, in 1977. West only stood 62 which would make his wingspan 9.5% greater than his height. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. 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. [60], Throughout the 1980s, contests between the Celtics and the Lakersboth during the regular season and in the Finalsattracted enormous television audiences. [90] Bird won three consecutive regular season MVP awards; as of 2020, the only other players to accomplish this feat are Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. Because as previously discussed, Bird was an outstanding shooter. 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. Celebrity Fan Photos and Agency Pictures of stars are to their respective owners. 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. Wingspan data is something that has only been recorded precisely over the last couple of decades. In his own right McHale was one of the leagues great. The next year he attended the smaller Indiana State University, ultimately playing three years for the Sycamores. In 1999, when he won his first Defensive Player of the Year, he had an insane 3.9 blocks a game. 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. He is still young, and could be molded into something, but as it stands now, the Bismack Biyombo experiment is teetering on bust status. [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 had an uncanny ability of reading and anticipating opponents passes that helped him record 1.7 steals per game throughout his career. 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. And TMac is easily 6'8 or 6'9. [133], During his professional career with the Celtics, Bird lived in the Boston suburb of Brookline, Massachusetts.[134]. [62], Despite the intensity of their rivalry, Bird and Johnson became friends off the court. All Rights Reserved. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. [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. Bird is universally regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. The following top 15 will look at the most impressive wingspans in NBA history. he's at least 2 inches taller than duncan. Volume Shooter Gives an additional boost to shot attributes to every subsequent shot attempted after the player has already taken a handful of shots. 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. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Larry Bird Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. 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. 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. [108], At the 2019 NBA Awards, Bird received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (shared with Magic Johnson). DiamondLobby is owned and operated by Rank Zero LTD, Company Number 10507049, and is a registered trade mark (UK00003715943). inWest Baden,Indiana 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. CelebHeights.com Rob Paul 2004-2023. w/out shoes Ht. [45] The performance came just nine days after Kevin McHale set the previous Celtics record for points in a game with 56. Per 48 minutes that number would be 8.6 blocks a game and the next closest to him is Mark Eaton at only 5.3. Kahit sa imports coming into the PBA, after the official measurement, they are suddenly 2 inches shorter, heee. They have two adopted children, Conner and Mariah. The Hick from the French Lick has got yellow-toned tan skin. Howard has used that wingspan to become an elite rebounder and shot blocker. [67] Wilkins remarked, "The basket was like a well. 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. A 6-foot 9-inch (2.06-metre) forward, he was known for his unflappable confidence and clutch shooting ability, which together created an intimidating presence on the court. You will often hear basketball pundits state that a player has great length. At the very least, he's as tall as players listed at 6'9. The Hick from French Lick was the first ever to join the club. What Mourning lacked in height, he made up for with a massive 76 wingspan. You will often hear basketball pundits state that a player has great length. 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. Howard makes up for his height with an elite wingspan that measures 75. He was a great scorer, rebounder, passer, and defender. Elton Brand is entering his 16th year in the NBA this season with the Atlanta Hawks. Despite not being as tall as the Lakers legend, Leonard is just as long. [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. These heights are still well below the NBA average and well below Kareem's height of 7'2". Hit the button below and we'll send this post to your inbox! His other playmaking strengths include quick and flashy passes. Menu. Bird was one of the greatest players ever in crunch time, making four buzzer-beaters throughout his career. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. [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. Former American basketball player, who played with The Boston Celtics. After leading the Pacers to the NBA Finals in 2000, he stepped down as head coach. [115] Bird then led the Pacers to consecutive Central Division titles in 1999 and 2000 and a berth in the 2000 NBA Finals. [39] At the conclusion of the season, he earned his first All-Defensive Team selection. To put that in perspective, his hands are larger than that of LeBron James. He considered Bird to be the greatest basketball player of all time. 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. I couldn't miss. [36] He averaged 21.9 points, 14 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 2.3 steals per game for the postseason and 15.3 points, 15.3 rebounds, and 7 assists per game for the Finals. 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. Who was going to make the last shot? Do you have a blog? 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). Conversely, the height change will cause a negative impact on perimeter defense, lateral quickness, and steal. Girlfriend / Spouse. That wingspan is the same size that the 75 Shawn Bradley had. So much so, that Charles Barkley even admitted that he wasn't 6'6, but . [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. [22] He graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. Unless you allot more points to finishing attributes, you will only have one potential upgrade for finishing badges. His concentration and composure were unrivaled as well, and he established himself as one of the most unshakable and driven players in the NBA.

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