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. At the time, he was also the fifth-highest scorer in NCAA history. [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.
Larry Bird Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, Weight, Biography, Wiki and Despite not being as tall as the Lakers legend, Leonard is just as long. With proper medication, exercise and diet, atrial fibrillation can be controlled, but Bird abhorred medication and was prone to skipping his pills. Unfortunately he's had a difficult time keeping pace with the speed of the NBA, and his limited offensive game has come to light. He is a 66 player, and he's held his own thanks to a 260 pound base and a 73 wingspan.
Larry Bird Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more 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. Clutch Shooter Shot attempts made during the final moments of the fourth quarter or overtime receive a large boost. Then you have a player like Dwyane Wade who is 65, but has a wingspan of 610. Bird stands 6-foot-9, and his listed weight during his playing days was 220 lbs. The smallest report records it at 78, while the largest account has it at 84 inches. [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 played both the small forward and power forward positions. During the 1992 Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bird missed four of the seven games due to recurring back problems. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. At either end of the spectrum, the measurement would be considered elite. 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. That's the greatest game I've ever played in or seen played." [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. 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 Bird | Boston Celtics | NBA.com 1 Answer. Their friendship blossomed when the two players worked together to film the Converse commercial, which depicted them as archenemies. Part of the reason, he admits, was his own fatalistic view of what the future would bring. What he showed us is that truly elite stats can be produced by some with almost no talent, but insanely freaky physical attributes. Bird is one of the best shooters in the history of the sport. 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. Growing up in French Lick, Indiana, he was a local basketball star. His length gives nightmares to the NBAs best on a nightly basis as he would be frustrating the likes of Kobe, Melo, and LeBron.
Get to know Larry Bird: Stats, records and more - RSN The best they can do is continue to monitor their health, try to keep up with working out, and hope for the best. [83] While he was relatively slow, Bird displayed a knack for anticipating the moves of his opponent, making him a strong team defender. However, by then his formerly relentless attack on the court had been slowed by a bad back. [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. 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 starred at Indiana State University before joining the NBA's Boston Celtics in 1979. Someone like Boozer who's measured as 6'7 3/4 isn't any shorter than other players listed at 6'9 too. [110], The Celtics employed Bird as a special assistant in the team's front office from 1992 until 1997. This is a player who has shot 50% from the field, 40% from 3 point land, and 90% from the line. at [25], In his rookie season (19791980), Bird immediately transformed the Celtics into a title contender. One report claims McHale could tie his shoes without having to bend over. The legend was quite ahead of his time. The average NBA basketball game lasts between two and two and a half hours.
His concentration and composure were unrivaled as well, and he established himself as one of the most unshakable and driven players in the NBA. [21] He eventually finished runner-up in Most Valuable Player Award voting to Moses Malone. On the opening night of the 2014 season, he went for 26 points, 17 boards, 3 steals, and 9 blocks. What we do know is Chamberlain stood about 71, while his wingspan is up for debate. Former American basketball player, who played with The Boston Celtics. [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. 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. He is not dating anyone. Volume Shooter Gives an additional boost to shot attributes to every subsequent shot attempted after the player has already taken a handful of shots. Larry Bird Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. What you want to prioritize are those that will help you make shots even if defenders are right by you. [11] Bird has said that being poor as a child still motivates him "to this day". 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. USA. Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players score points by shooting (throwing) a ball through an elevated hoop located on either side of the rectangular court. I couldn't miss. [49] In Game 6 of the Finals series, Bird recorded a triple-double of 29 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists as the Celtics won the Finals series 4 games to 2 against the Rockets. That wingspan is the same size that the 75 Shawn Bradley had. 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. Durant is a prime example that elite length, when combined with elite skills, make a truly special player. 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. CelebHeights.com Rob Paul 2004-2023.
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. Charles Barkley was measured at 6 ft 4 5/8, Jordan is anywhere from 6 ft 4 to 6 ft 4 1/2. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. 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. The other shooting badges you should look to upgrade are Catch & Shoot, Corner Specialist, Difficult Shots, Fade Ace, Slippery Off-Ball, and Volume Shooter. Also, make sure to equip the Clutch Shooter badge. But I recommend opting for defense/rebounding instead. [91] Bird was also a four-time regular season MVP runner-up in 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1988. Drafted by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft after his second year at Indiana State, Bird elected to stay in college and returned for the 19781979 season. 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. In 1997 Bird accepted the head coach position with the Indiana Pacers, a move that returned him to his home state. Larry Bird, along with "Magic" Johnson and Michael Jordan, is one of the most recognized names in the history of basketball. DiamondLobby.com makes money from advertising. Great wingspan measurements comes from players of all 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. Same with Amare who's listed at 6'10 but measured at 6'8 1/2. He finished his career with sterling averages of 24.6 points and 10 rebounds per game. Because that was usually how the Hall of Famer took over games. Dinah Mattingly (1989-Present) - Larry Bird married his second wife Dinah Mattingly in 1989. 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. Rebound Chaser Raises the players ability to track down rebounds from farther distances than normal. [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. Bird averaged 10.0 rebounds per game in his career. 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. [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. 7. Larry Bird- 6'9 John Stockton - 5 ft 10 Clyde Drexler- 6 ft 5 Chris Mullin- 6 ft 5 [8], The game achieved the highest-ever television rating for a college basketball game, in large part because of the matchup between Bird and Spartans' point guard Earvin "Magic" Johnson,[11] a rivalry that lasted throughout their professional careers. Blinders Jump shots attempted with an opponent closing out in the players peripheral vision will not be penalized that much. Following an attempted reconciliation, Bird and Condra had a daughter, Corrie, in 1977. The three-time MVP helped redefine the position and his battles with Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers is the standard for NBA rivalry even today. [60], Throughout the 1980s, contests between the Celtics and the Lakersboth during the regular season and in the Finalsattracted enormous television audiences.
Larry Bird believes NBA big men die young. Is he right? - ESPN.com Bird has appeared in three movies, each time playing himself: Bird's likeness has appeared in several video games. Springs Valley in French Lick, Indiana, Draft: Bird returned to the Pacers as president of basketball operations in 2013,[6] and remained in that role until 2017. He mentioned in his own book about his height, saying "I was almost six-four as a junior, six-six or so as a senior and I grew to Six-Nine. . Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. BEST LARRY BIRD BUILD 2K22 NEXT GEN (EXACT HEIGHT, WEIGHT & WINGSPAN) REAL LIFE BUILD SERIES VOL.44. Data Provided By To help you operate in the lane, this guide discusses the most effective post moves in NBA 2K22. [2] Bird was a 12-time NBA All-Star, won two NBA Finals MVP awards and received the NBA Most Valuable Player Award three consecutive times (19841986), making him the only forward in league history to do so. His effort helped to overcome a 47-point performance by Atlanta's Dominique Wilkins. [21] In the Conference Finals, Boston was eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers. 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. When Durant drives the lane, his length allows him to finish with greater success, and have less shots contested. A persons wingspan is the measurement from the tips of one finger to the other. Brand thwarted the pre-draft analysis that claimed he would be too small to have a sustainable career in the NBA. Larry looks fit and has an athletic body, but he had to go through back fusion surgery, leading him to end his playing career. 7mo ago. Any data prior to that is not a guarantee, and much of it is urban legend that grew a life of its own. Chew on these numbers for a moment. 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. Shoots: Deadeye Jump shots attempted with a defender closing out in front of the player will suffer a lower penalty. [86] He had 1,556 career steals.
Larry Bird - Wikipedia 9. In his own right McHale was one of the leagues great. [133], During his professional career with the Celtics, Bird lived in the Boston suburb of Brookline, Massachusetts.[134]. Subscribed! 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. [45] The performance came just nine days after Kevin McHale set the previous Celtics record for points in a game with 56. 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. In the piece, Bird theorizes that the big men who played the hardest and ran the most are the most susceptible to passing away early. ", "LeBron James: Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Julius Erving Are 3 Best Players Ever", "Who Has Made The Most NBA All-Star Game Appearances of All-Time", "NBA MVP award: Steph Curry on list of multiple-time winners", Sporting News: James Harden joins exclusive group with third MVP runner-up finish, "Who is the most clutch player in NBA history? Magic got the upper hand against Bird, beating him in 1985 and 1987, while Bird beat Magic in 1984. 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. 14 Dwight Howard 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. The Best Michael Jordan Build in NBA 2K22, How to Set Realistic Game Sliders in NBA 2K22, Teams With the Most Cap Space in NBA 2K22 MyGM. 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. 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. [101] In recognition of his defensive abilities, Bird was named to three All-Defensive Second Teams. Despite many peoples belief, Bol was not solely a freakshow, as he sustained a 10 year NBA career, playing for 4 different teams.
Top 15 Most Impressive Wingspans In NBA History - TheSportster KG Living Legend Don Nelson Posts: 8383 "[70] Their rivalry began in college, when Larry Bird and Indiana State lost to Magic Johnson and Michigan State in the NCAA Championship game. [9] He has four brothers and a sister. Bird is universally regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Two-time Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame inductee: College Basketball Hall of Fame (class of 2006). His time leading the Boston Celtics was one of the most spectacular stretches of basketball you could imagine. Larry Legend, The Hick from French Lick, Kodak, The Great White Hope are nicknames for Larry Bird. Bird was rated the greatest NBA small forward of all time by Fox Sports in 2016. Height. However, I suggest going for Spot Up Shooter. [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. Updated daily. In, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 21:21. 220lb (100kg) COUNTRY. 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. There are a couple of pictures showing Wilt out stretched, and he certainly looks to possess a wing span in the range of 80. [86], Bird was widely considered one of Red Auerbach's favorite players. Bird has been married to Dinah Mattingly since 1989. What is so impressive is that he has maintained those percentages despite the heavy volume of shots he takes. There were also stories that he would walk up to opponents and tell them where he was going to attempt a game-winning shot. [85], Bird has been described as one of the greatest basketball players and greatest shooters of all time. As morbid as the subject is, Bird doesn't really duck away from it and what it means for him and his family. Indiana State University, High School: To put that into perspective that is only one inch shorter than Shaq's wingspan. When they mention length, they are not talking about a players height, but more so his wingspan. Heights are barefeet estimates, derived from quotations, official websites, agency resumes, in person encounters with actors at conventions and pictures/films. [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. So, you will have to allocate some of the points to these attributes. Shooting badges will allow you to convert more field goal attempts from anywhere outside the key. Nicknamed "the Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. he's at least 2 inches taller than duncan. [133], Bird married Dinah Mattingly in 1989. Larry Bird made at least $25,870,000 playing professional basketball. [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. 6. The problem for Bol was his offensive game was non-existent. During the early parts of his career, he even started at power forward for Boston.
Larry Bird - College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com 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. 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. To round out the finishing, shooting, and playmaking categories, put some points on close shot, driving layup, driving dunk, and post hook. [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. [7], Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana, to Georgia (ne Kerns) and Claude Joseph "Joe" Bird, a veteran of the Korean War. 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. Available in 3DM (Rhino), OBJ (NURB), SKP(Sketchup)formats, Dimensions.com is a project by Fantastic Offense, Dimensions is a project by Fantastic Offense. What does stand out is Maxiells stature. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). 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. Height 1 Feet 9.5 Inch Weight 100 kg Personal Info Date of Birth 1956, December 7 Age 65 Years Old Famous Name Country United States US Facts Birth Name Larry Joe Bird Net Worth $55 million Currently Married Yes Birth Country West Baden Springs, Indiana Married to Dannah Mattingly Famous Name Larry Past married if any Janet Condra Children Yes [40] Boston's misfortunes continued into the next season, with Bird again finishing second in MVP voting to Malone and the team losing in the Conference Semifinals to the Milwaukee Bucks. When they reached the NBA Finals, the Celticshampered by devastating injurieslost to a dominant Lakers team that had won 65 games during the season. Larry Bird was inducted to the Hall of Fame as a Player in 1998 (Full List) He is still young, and could be molded into something, but as it stands now, the Bismack Biyombo experiment is teetering on bust status. 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. Weight. [114] He was named the NBA Coach of the Year for his efforts. 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. Howard has used that wingspan to become an elite rebounder and shot blocker. The 73 wing span is 11.5% greater than his height. In 1999, when he won his first Defensive Player of the Year, he had an insane 3.9 blocks a game.
Legends profile: Larry Bird | NBA.com - National Basketball Association Larry Bird NBA 2K23 Rating (All-Time Boston Celtics) - 2KRatings.com In setting your players potential, be sure to maximize shooting and playmaking attributes, particularly the mid-range shot, three-point shot, free throw, pass accuracy, and ball handle. 1. [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. [120] He continued to serve as an advisor until July, 2022, when he "stepped back from maintaining an active role with the Indiana Pacers". [26][27] In his career debut, Bird recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in a 114106 win over the Houston Rockets. Difficult Shots High-difficulty jumpers attempted from the mid-range get an increased shot percentage. He made the All-Star team 12 times and was named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in 1982.
Hit the button below and we'll send this post to your inbox! [21] Boston advanced through the playoffs to earn a rematch with the Lakers, this time losing in six games. Bullet Passer Increases the velocity of passes and speeds up how quickly the player gets the ball out of their hands. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. I know there are a few of us who live a long time, but most of us big guys don't seem to last too long. Rajon Rondo's length at the point guard position makes him a one of a kind player. He is a 6'6 player, and he's held his own thanks to a 260 pound base and a 7'3 wingspan. The hop shooting style allows him to get his shot off very quickly, and what makes Durant special is his point of release. [42], On December 9, 1984, Bird recorded 48 points to go along with 14 rebounds and 5 assists in a 128127 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Larry Bird. [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. [5] He was named NBA Executive of the Year for the 2012 season. [80][81] He was inducted into the Hall of Fame again in 2010, as a member of the "Dream Team". Want updates on new Dimensions content? As for the weight, you can lower it by one pound (219 lbs) to give your player an additional point in acceleration. He is also the youngest player to reach 1,000 rebounds, and each benchmark from that point through to 9,000 rebounds. Charles Barkley has been quoted saying McHale was the best player he ever played against. 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. The Boston Celtics won the NBA Championship thrice under his work, making Bird the NBA Most Valuable Player three times. He complemented his all-around game with accurate outside shooting and unmatched bravado. Find out more. [96], Bird is also remembered as an excellent passer[100] and defender.