Thank you! "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. 220lb (100kg) COUNTRY. To help you with the boards, you can upgrade the Rebound Chaser badge. [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. Answer (1 of 14): Jordan supposedly being shorter than his listed 6'6 NBA height is not unfounded, as he was listed at 6'4 for the 1992 Olympics. For the defense/rebounding badges, there will only be a limited number of options. 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 19871988 season was the highest-scoring season of Bird's career. 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. Nicknamed The Claw, Leonard possess a hand spread that measures 11.25 inches, which is bigger than Wilt, Shaq or Bill Russell. 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. That's the greatest game I've ever played in or seen played." Former American basketball player, who played with The Boston Celtics. Learn more and register. Larry Bird. Hit the button below and we'll send this post to your inbox! [47], During the 1985 offseason, Bird injured his back shoveling crushed rock to create a driveway at his mother's house. On August 18, 1992, Bird announced his retirement. Kahit sa imports coming into the PBA, after the official measurement, they are suddenly 2 inches shorter, heee. [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. Not since Bill Russell squared off against Wilt Chamberlain had professional basketball enjoyed such a marquee matchup. KG Living Legend Don Nelson Posts: 8383 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. 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 Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Want updates on new Dimensions content? Honestly, all of them fit Bird so well. 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. Or write about sports? It was Larry Bird's height that made his basketball skills so remarkable. While standing 77, Bols wingspan was an unheard of 86. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. Magic got the upper hand against Bird, beating him in 1985 and 1987, while Bird beat Magic in 1984. Unfortunately, thats not possible and some sacrifices will have to be made. Bird is one of the best shooters in the history of the sport. THIS VIDEO GIVES A STEP BY STEP BLUEPRINT ON HOW TO CREA. Post Spin Technician Attempting to perform post spins or drives result in more effective moves, and lessens the chances of getting stripped by opponents. 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. [64][65][66] Bird finished with 34 points. The Boston Celtics won the NBA Championship thrice under his work, making Bird the NBA Most Valuable Player three times. Although he announced his departure around that time, he reclaimed his post as team president in the summer of 2013. When they mention length, they are not talking about a players height, but more so his wingspan. ", "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. 14 Dwight Howard 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. He was a great post scorer and could dominate the paint like a big man. I've not seen that much of Chrichton reallycompared to seeing Bird, who can look taller than his listing at times. [56] Bird averaged 24 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game for the championship round. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. He complemented his all-around game with accurate outside shooting and unmatched bravado. [43] Boston came back to win the game, eventually winning the series in seven. Height: 6'9" (206 cm) Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg) Position: F High School: . He says they build their hearts up so much that when they retire, the hearts just sit there. Who was going to make the last shot? Updated daily. Larry Bird cemented his legacy in the sport by leading the Boston Celtics to three championships in the 1980s. When adjusting your players height, you can just copy Birds real height. The first regular-season game between the Celtics and the Lakers in the 198788 season proved to be a classic with Magic Johnson banking in an off-balance shot from near the three-point line at the buzzer for a 115114 Lakers win at Boston Garden. [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. Basketball icon Larry Bird won three MVP awards and three NBA championships during his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics. There are a couple of pictures showing Wilt out stretched, and he certainly looks to possess a wing span in the range of 80. Mock Archives 2017 Mock Draft 2016 Mock Draft . Lastly, the wingspan can be reduced to around 83.0 inches. When he was on fire from the three-point line or mid-range, no one can stop him. Bird's basketball prowess earned him an athletic scholarship to Indiana University, where he was to play for legendary coach Bob Knight. 3. 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. In 1999, he was listed at No. 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. Wade is measure at 6 ft 3 3/4 Barefeet and he is also the same height as Kobe Bryant. He is the only player in NBA history to have more blocks than points (2,086 blocks vs. 1599 points). Do you have a blog? 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. 7mo ago. They remained married for less than a year. 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. [89] Bird won three NBA championships (in 1981, 1984, and 1986) with the Celtics[83] and won two NBA Finals MVP Awards. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. His length gives nightmares to the NBAs best on a nightly basis as he would be frustrating the likes of Kobe, Melo, and LeBron. Their rivalry continued on in the revived CelticsLakers Rivalry in the NBA. [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. With proper medication, exercise and diet, atrial fibrillation can be controlled, but Bird abhorred medication and was prone to skipping his pills. "[70] Their rivalry began in college, when Larry Bird and Indiana State lost to Magic Johnson and Michigan State in the NCAA Championship game. Bird, Johnson, Michael Jordan and other NBA stars formed the American men's basketball team, which would become known as the "Dream Team." USA. But, his biggest skill was his defense. 30 on ESPN SportsCentury's Top 50 athletes of the 20th century, with only five other basketball players ranked higher. [8][14], Bird's youngest brother, Eddie Bird, also played basketball at Indiana State University. To be part of this group, a player must record at least 50% field goal percentage, 40% three-point field goal percentage, and 90% free throw percentage throughout a season. Brand was the #1 overall pick in 1999 out of Duke. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! Larry Bird was such a player. 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. [50] One of Bird's career highlights occurred at the 1986 NBA All-Star Weekend when he walked into the locker room at the inaugural Three-Point Shootout and asked who was going to finish second before winning the shootout. A comprehensive reference database of dimensioned drawings documenting the standard measurements and sizes of the everyday objects and spaces that make up our world. Available in 3DM (Rhino), OBJ (NURB), SKP(Sketchup)formats, Dimensions.com is a project by Fantastic Offense, Dimensions is a project by Fantastic Offense. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are known to be "one of the greatest rivalries in sports. Growing up in French Lick, Indiana, he was a local basketball star. 6. Because as previously discussed, Bird was an outstanding shooter. [21] In the Conference Finals, Boston was eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers. He was briefly married to first wife Janet Condra from 1975-76 and has a daughter with her named Corrie. 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. That is 8.5% greater than his height. ", -Magic Johnson, as quoted at Bird's retirement party. [20] Bird also appeared in one game for the baseball team, going 1-for-2 with 2 RBI. [133], During his professional career with the Celtics, Bird lived in the Boston suburb of Brookline, Massachusetts.[134]. On the offensive side of the ball, Rondo like to drive with a scooping layup. . West only stood 62 which would make his wingspan 9.5% greater than his height. Shoots: At either end of the spectrum, the measurement would be considered elite. [23], Bird was selected by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft. 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. 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. So, you will have to allocate some of the points to these attributes. [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. [133], Bird married Dinah Mattingly in 1989. he's at least 2 inches taller than duncan. Prior to Bird's second year, the Celtics acquired center Robert Parrish from the Golden State Warriors and drafted Kevin McHale. Kareem's father, Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Sr., was fairly tall at 6'2". However, Bird's height seems to come at a cost -- a cost he's well aware of and doesn't try to hide from. [11] Bird has said that being poor as a child still motivates him "to this day". [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. [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. Rondo also poses very large hands at 9.5 inches long, and 10 inches wide. 3. Your submission has been received! inWest Baden,Indiana These include Blinders and Deadeye. There were also stories that he would walk up to opponents and tell them where he was going to attempt a game-winning shot. The average modern human being is said to have a wingspan 2 inches greater than his height. To help you operate in the lane, this guide discusses the most effective post moves in NBA 2K22. Although there are only 48 total minutes of time on the clock in an NBA game, the regulation time is stopped often for fouls, timeouts, and when the ball is out of bounds. To help you grind efficiently, we have a guide on how to earn more VCs in NBA 2K22. [80][81] He was inducted into the Hall of Fame again in 2010, as a member of the "Dream Team". . Height. Tayshaun Prince broke out in the Detroit Pistons championship run of 2004. You will often hear basketball pundits state that a player has great length. The "Dream Team" won the men's basketball gold medal. Remarkably Leonards wingspan may not be his freakiest attribute, as that would go to his hand size. 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. 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. w/ shoes Weight Wingspan Standing Reach. To put that in perspective, his hands are larger than that of LeBron James. The couple . That is 6.5% greater than his height. [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. Great wingspan measurements comes from players of all heights. So, when selecting a physical profile for your player, I suggest choosing the combination of strength and agility. 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. [59] The Celtics fell short in 1988 losing to the Detroit Pistons in 6 games in the Eastern Conference Finals as the Pistons made up from the heartbreak the previous season. [103] Bird was also referred to as "Larry Legend". [39][41], Bird was named MVP of the 198384 season with averages of 24.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. As for the weight, you can lower it by one pound (219 lbs) to give your player an additional point in acceleration. 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. 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? 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. Slippery Off-Ball Increases the players chances of shaking off an opponent when attempting to get open using off-ball screens. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. [110], The Celtics employed Bird as a special assistant in the team's front office from 1992 until 1997. [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. Elton Brand is entering his 16th year in the NBA this season with the Atlanta Hawks. This is a player who has shot 50% from the field, 40% from 3 point land, and 90% from the line. [82] In 1999, Bird ranked No. This entry could be part of Ripleys Believe it or Not. [39] At the conclusion of the season, he earned his first All-Defensive Team selection. [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. Bird's 198889 season ended after six games when he had bone spurs surgically removed from both of his heels. His effort helped to overcome a 47-point performance by Atlanta's Dominique Wilkins. This ratio is one of the higher percentages for players who have played in the NBA. 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. Even though he was a superstar, he also had no problem doing the dirty work, like playing hard-nose defense and hustling for loose balls. He was one of the best shot blockers in NBA history and a lot of that, obviously, had to do with the enormous wingspan. Bird was one of the greatest players ever in crunch time, making four buzzer-beaters throughout his career. Great height does not necessarily equate elite wingspan. Available in DWG (CAD, Imperial &Metric), SVG, JPG formats, For 3D Downloads of this element, upgrade to a Dimensions Pro Membership. Do you have a sports website? [67] Wilkins remarked, "The basket was like a well. If Bol had any type of offensive game to merit him more minutes, he would have set the blocks record so high that it would have never been touched. The smallest report records it at 78, while the largest account has it at 84 inches. 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. [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.