Find out more. In eight games, Bird averaged 8.4 points. Everyone knows that Manute Bol was the tallest player in NBA history, but he also possessed the largest wingspan. Larry Bird Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. He is also the last player to win three straight MVP awards. [98] Bird won NBA three-point-shooting contests in three consecutive years. What that actual measurement was, we may never know. [56] Bird averaged 24 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game for the championship round. However, I suggest going for Spot Up Shooter. 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. You said there will be another Larry Bird. [28] On November 14, 1979, Bird recorded his first career triple-double with 23 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists in a 115111 win over the Detroit Pistons. Increasing the height will give these attributes a huge boost anyway. Wingspan data is something that has only been recorded precisely over the last couple of decades. Davis stands 610, and, at the 2012 pre-draft combine, was measured to have a 75 wing span. 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. Same with Amare who's listed at 6'10 but measured at 6'8 1/2. To put that into perspective that is only one inch shorter than Shaq's wingspan. [42] Bird was named Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. During the 1980s, either Boston or Los Angeles appeared in every NBA Finals. Larry Bird Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com Larry Bird Larry Joe Bird (Larry Legend, The Hick from French Lick, Kodak, The Great White Hope) Position: Small Forward and Power Forward Shoots: Right 6-9 , 220lb (206cm, 99kg) More bio, uniform, draft, salary info Hall of Fame 12x All Star I couldn't miss. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. The hop shooting style allows him to get his shot off very quickly, and what makes Durant special is his point of release. [80][81] He was inducted into the Hall of Fame again in 2010, as a member of the "Dream Team". The most accurate reports found that West had an 81 inch wingspan, which would translate to 69. [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. 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. Bird excelled in almost all facets of basketball. 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. One such case is the legendary Jerry West. Unfortunately, thats not possible and some sacrifices will have to be made. 4. In Game 7 of the 1988 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks, Bird shot 9 of 10 from the floor in the fourth quarter, scoring 20 points in that quarter and lifting the Celtics to a series-clinching victory over Atlanta. Talk about all topics relevant to Pinoys around the world. home/away, monthly, etc More Larry Bird Basketball Reference pages. 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. The Best shooters have shorter arms. Small Forward and Power Forward As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Larry Bird's wife, Dinah Mattingly, is his high school sweetheart who got engaged and married the former NBA legend in 1989. Scottie Pippen is one of the most versatile players in NBA history. USA. 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. 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. 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. Larry Bird starred at Indiana State University before joining the NBA's Boston Celtics in 1979. And it went down to the last shot of the game. Deadeye Jump shots attempted with a defender closing out in front of the player will suffer a lower penalty. Bird is one of the best shooters in the history of the sport. [21][38], At the 1982 All-Star Game, Bird scored 19 points en route to winning the All-Star Game MVP Award. He is not dating anyone. Bird was rated the greatest NBA small forward of all time by Fox Sports in 2016. 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. Wade is measure at 6 ft 3 3/4 Barefeet and he is also the same height as Kobe Bryant. Anthony Davis is one of the leagues biggest stars. Larry Bird Dimensions & Drawings | Dimensions.com [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. [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. It seems like Leonard is only starting to scratch the surface of what he can do with such freaky physical attributes. That length has made him one of the best point guard defenders. Have you heard of the 50-40-90 club? In, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 21:21. As an alternative to relying on badges for in-game boosts, you can target improving many of your attributes as soon as possible. Larry Bird- 6'9 John Stockton - 5 ft 10 Clyde Drexler- 6 ft 5 Chris Mullin- 6 ft 5 [83] While he was relatively slow, Bird displayed a knack for anticipating the moves of his opponent, making him a strong team defender. w/out shoes Ht. [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. DiamondLobby is owned and operated by Rank Zero LTD, Company Number 10507049, and is a registered trade mark (UK00003715943). What does stand out is Maxiells stature. Volume Shooter Gives an additional boost to shot attributes to every subsequent shot attempted after the player has already taken a handful of shots. He was a raw athlete out of the Democratic Republic of Congo, having only picked up the sport at the age of 16. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. He has seen his points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and field goal percentage increase in each of his first three seasons in the league. Celtics General Manager Red Auerbach publicly stated that he would not pay Bird more than any Celtic on the current roster, but Bird's agent Bob Woolf told Auerbach that Bird would reject any sub-market offers and simply enter the 1979 draft instead, where Boston's rights would expire when the draft began on June 25, and Bird would have been the likely top pick. Do you have a sports website? 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. 5. 4:15 pm ET. Their friendship blossomed when the two players worked together to film the Converse commercial, which depicted them as archenemies. They each had charisma, deft shooting touch, extraordinary passing skills, and team-oriented mindset that ignited their team and the crowd. The 73 wing span is 11.5% greater than his height. A confirmation email has been sent. His other playmaking strengths include quick and flashy passes. Honestly, all of them fit Bird so well. There are a couple of pictures showing Wilt out stretched, and he certainly looks to possess a wing span in the range of 80. Unfortunately he's had a difficult time keeping pace with the speed of the NBA, and his limited offensive game has come to light. BEST LARRY BIRD BUILD 2K22 NEXT GEN (EXACT HEIGHT, WEIGHT & WINGSPAN) REAL LIFE BUILD SERIES VOL.44. Catch & Shoot The badge increases the shooting percentage of a player attempting a three-pointer immediately after receiving a pass. A 6-foot-9 forward who could dribble, pass and shoot the way Bird could made him one of the greatest NBA players. It seems every time he steps on a court he is a threat for a triple double, and a lot of that can attributed to his ridiculous wingspan. Brand was a great post defender and shot blocker, as he averaged 2 blocks a game from 2001-2008. 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). 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. Bird was one of the greatest players ever in crunch time, making four buzzer-beaters throughout his career. [8][14], Bird's youngest brother, Eddie Bird, also played basketball at Indiana State University. The Celtics and Lakers dominated, with one team or the other, or both, appearing in every NBA championship throughout the decade. Brand thwarted the pre-draft analysis that claimed he would be too small to have a sustainable career in the NBA. To advance the ball down the court, players must bounce the ball (dribble) or pass it to a teammate. This entry could be part of Ripleys Believe it or Not. 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. [11] Bird has said that being poor as a child still motivates him "to this day". To help you grind efficiently, we have a guide on how to earn more VCs in NBA 2K22. Bird stands 6-foot-9, and his listed weight during his playing days was 220 lbs. Nicknamed "the Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Was Michael Jordan really 66? He always looked like he - Quora [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. The NBA logo features a silhouette of Jerry West, and that player does appear to have rather long arms. McHale is known as one of the best post players in NBA history due to his great footwork and arsenal of moves. Many NBA bigs, including Larry Bird and Bill Walton, believe there's a negative relationship between height and longevity. 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. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 6:45PM. That wingspan is the same size that the 75 Shawn Bradley had. He considered Bird to be the greatest basketball player of all time. 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. 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. 4. [39] At the conclusion of the season, he earned his first All-Defensive Team selection.