Following an attempted reconciliation, Bird and Condra had a daughter, Corrie, in 1977. Their rivalry continued on in the revived CelticsLakers Rivalry in the NBA. 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. 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. 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. At the age of 19, Biyombo averaged 2.8 blocks per 36 minutes and showed some promise. 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). Lastly, the wingspan can be reduced to around 83.0 inches. But dont let Birds efficient scoring distract you from the fact that he was proficient in the other aspects of his game. [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. [99] He sometimes practiced shooting three-point shots with his eyes closed. He was a great scorer, rebounder, passer, and defender. [12] Georgia and Joe divorced when Larry was in high school, and Joe died by suicide about a year later. CelebHeights.com Rob Paul 2004-2023. 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. This will allow your player to move faster when there are rebound opportunities. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. When Durant drives the lane, his length allows him to finish with greater success, and have less shots contested. Bullet Passer Increases the velocity of passes and speeds up how quickly the player gets the ball out of their hands. 2. During the 1992 Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bird missed four of the seven games due to recurring back problems. [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. It seems like Leonard is only starting to scratch the surface of what he can do with such freaky physical attributes. Two-time Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame inductee: College Basketball Hall of Fame (class of 2006). Maxiell shows how an undersized player can keep pace with taller guys when they possess elite wingspan. Considering the troubling back issues Bird has had, which started during his playing days, exercise becomes a much tougher thing to do when you get older. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Prince was never a skilled offensive player, but has been one of the best perimeter defenders of the last decade. Leonardo Da Vincis Vitruvian man depicts the ideal human as having a wingspan equal to his height, but this was based off a human that was 55. Although he announced his departure around that time, he reclaimed his post as team president in the summer of 2013. Larry Bird, along with "Magic" Johnson and Michael Jordan, is one of the most recognized names in the history of basketball. Larry Bird NBA 2K23 Nationality: United States Team: All-Time Boston Celtics Archetype: 2-Way 3-Level Point Forward Position: SF / PF Height: 6'9" (206cm) | Weight: 220lbs (99kg) Jersey: #33 Prior to NBA: Indiana State University Ranks #8 out of 459 All-Time NBA Players Ranks #31 out of all NBA Players on 2K Compare Larry Bird Badges 3 4 23 9 39 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. Data Provided By His length gives nightmares to the NBAs best on a nightly basis as he would be frustrating the likes of Kobe, Melo, and LeBron. Larry Bird Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. 1. Any data prior to that is not a guarantee, and much of it is urban legend that grew a life of its own. 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. Charles Barkley was measured at 6 ft 4 5/8, Jordan is anywhere from 6 ft 4 to 6 ft 4 1/2. 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. Because as previously discussed, Bird was an outstanding shooter. 30 on ESPN SportsCentury's list of 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th century. [6] He stepped down again in 2017, but stayed with the team in an advisory capacity. 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. [27], Before the 198081 season, the Celtics selected forward Kevin McHale in the draft and acquired center Robert Parish from the Golden State Warriors,[31][32] forming a Hall of Fame trio for years to come; the front-court of Bird, McHale, and Parish is regarded as one of the greatest front-courts in NBA history. 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. [110], The Celtics employed Bird as a special assistant in the team's front office from 1992 until 1997. Everyone knows that Manute Bol was the tallest player in NBA history, but he also possessed the largest wingspan. Rebound Chaser Raises the players ability to track down rebounds from farther distances than normal. Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. Larry looks fit and has an athletic body, but he had to go through back fusion surgery, leading him to end his playing career. 6. 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. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. Being that tall will give you an advantage in-game. That is a 12% increase in wingspan from his height. 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. [21] He eventually finished runner-up in Most Valuable Player Award voting to Moses Malone. That is 4x the amount of time it took Bol to put up roughly the same amount of blocks. Larry Bird starred at Indiana State University before joining the NBA's Boston Celtics in 1979. He is a four-time All-Defensive team member, and he led the league in steals in 2009-10. [82] In 1999, Bird ranked No. His mother, Cora Lillian, had an above average height at six feet. During the MyCareer mode, you can be tasked to play some minutes at power forward depending on the rotation. The 19871988 season was the highest-scoring season of Bird's career. Or write about sports? When you factor in the rest of his all around game, it is no surprise he is one of the NBAs 50 greatest players. Larry Bird- 6'9 John Stockton - 5 ft 10 Clyde Drexler- 6 ft 5 Chris Mullin- 6 ft 5 [108], At the 2019 NBA Awards, Bird received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (shared with Magic Johnson). [7], Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana, to Georgia (ne Kerns) and Claude Joseph "Joe" Bird, a veteran of the Korean War. 1. [96], Bird is also remembered as an excellent passer[100] and defender. [121], In 1975, Bird married Janet Condra. Dwight Howard is one of the premiere big men of the modern area, but stands at only 610. Nicknamed "Larry Legend" or "The Hick from French Lick," Bird played the small forward and power forward positions. [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. But I recommend opting for defense/rebounding instead. They have two adopted children, Conner and Mariah. Menu. Updated daily. 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. To help you grind efficiently, we have a guide on how to earn more VCs in NBA 2K22. [84], "Larry, you only told me one lie. Larry Legend, The Hick from French Lick, Kodak, The Great White Hope are nicknames for Larry Bird. Some pundits consider Bird as one of the best outlet passers in the history of the league. Weight. NBA 2K23 Larry Bird Packs Card Name Overall Position Offense Defense Height Wingspan Weight Badges Total Stats Larry Bird Premium End Game 99 SF/PF 99 99 6'9 7'0 220 lbs 0, 0, 0, 80 3366 Larry Bird Premium Invincible 99 PG/SF 99 99 6'9 7'0 220 lbs 0, 0, 13, 65 3365 Larry Bird Premium Continue reading "NBA 2K23 Larry Bird Packs Card Challenge" College basketball games are played with two 20 minute periods, while professional NBA basketball games consist of four quarters of 12 minutes each. [70], In the summer of 1992, Bird joined Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and other NBA stars to play for the United States men's national basketball team in that year's Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. Bird had an average of 10.0 rebounds per game for his career and 6.3 assists. 1956 He is a 6'6 player, and he's held his own thanks to a 260 pound base and a 7'3 wingspan. 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. Additionally, the three-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection stood out in that end of the court. [114] Bird resigned his head coaching position shortly after the end of the 2000 season, following through on his initial promise to coach for only three years. The game will provide you with three takeover options. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. With at least 10 potential upgrade points, you will have several options for playmaking badges. 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. 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. Prince will not go down in any record books, but ask some of the games best who the toughest defender they faced is, and Tayshaun Princes name will be be right up there. 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. It was Larry Bird's height that made his basketball skills so remarkable. Whether it be to reach for a block, getting into passing lanes, or poking balls away, extra length is a determining factor for a great defender. The Celtics won their first NBA title with Bird (and 14th overall) in 1981; they repeated with title wins in 1984 and 1986. This ratio is one of the higher percentages for players who have played in the NBA. They remained married for less than a year. That is 8.5% greater than his height. 4:15 pm ET. Growing up in French Lick, Indiana, he was a local basketball star. D raft E xpress. It is that length that has sustained Brands career. 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. On the opening night of the 2014 season, he went for 26 points, 17 boards, 3 steals, and 9 blocks. 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. 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 These heights are still well below the NBA average and well below Kareem's height of 7'2". Same with Amare who's listed at 6'10 but measured at 6'8 1/2. McHale is known as one of the best post players in NBA history due to his great footwork and arsenal of moves. The problem for Bol was his offensive game was non-existent. The reality is that Pippen did a lot of things that made Jordan a better player. [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. [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. A big reason for those 9 blocks can be attributed to his gargantuan wingspan. West only stood 62 which would make his wingspan 9.5% greater than his height. What does stand out is Maxiells stature. . Doubleday, pp. During the 1980s, either Boston or Los Angeles appeared in every NBA Finals. Larry Bird DraftExpress Profile: scouting reports, videos, stats and logs. 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 August 18, 1992, Bird announced his retirement. Difficult Shots High-difficulty jumpers attempted from the mid-range get an increased shot percentage. At the time, he was also the fifth-highest scorer in NCAA history. He complemented his all-around game with accurate outside shooting and unmatched bravado. [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. At 68, Brand is undersized as an NBA power forward, but has made up for it with a giant wingspan that measures 75. Honestly, all of them fit Bird so well. 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". In 1997 Bird accepted the head coach position with the Indiana Pacers, a move that returned him to his home state. Interceptor This significantly increases the frequency of successfully tipped or stolen passes. His Competitiveness Has Taken Its Toll. 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. After leading the Pacers to the NBA Finals in 2000, he stepped down as head coach. While standing 77, Bols wingspan was an unheard of 86. [20] Bird also appeared in one game for the baseball team, going 1-for-2 with 2 RBI. One report claims McHale could tie his shoes without having to bend over. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. [53] On March 10, 1986, Bird scored 50 points to go along with 11 rebounds and 5 assists in a 115116 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. 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 made the All-Star team 12 times and was named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in 1982. He led the league in rebounds twice and during the 2000s he averaged 10.2 rebounds a game. [109] Since 2022, the NBA will award the MVPs for the Conference Finals; the Eastern Conference Finals MVP trophy is named in Bird's honor, while the Western Conference trophy is named after Johnson. DiamondLobby is owned and operated by Rank Zero LTD, Company Number 10507049, and is a registered trade mark (UK00003715943). Along with Larry Bird, and Robert Parish, McHale formed the most dominant front line in NBA history. 220lb (100kg) COUNTRY. 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. They each had charisma, deft shooting touch, extraordinary passing skills, and team-oriented mindset that ignited their team and the crowd. he's at least 2 inches taller than duncan. On the offensive side of the ball, Rondo like to drive with a scooping layup. . [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. Bird was also a member of the gold medal-winning 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team known as the "Dream Team". He was a great post scorer and could dominate the paint like a big man. [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. He played both the small forward and power forward positions. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. 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. You will often hear basketball pundits state that a player has great length. 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. 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. [10], He was raised in nearby French Lick, where his mother worked two jobs to support Larry and his five siblings. To put that into perspective that is only one inch shorter than Shaq's wingspan. Do you have a sports website? Bird was born on December 7, 1956, in West Baden Springs, Indiana, and raised in the nearby town of French Lick, where he excelled at basketball at an early age. And it went down to the last shot of the game. Those three players would form a legendary frontline, perhaps the greatest in NBA history. Bird stands 6-foot-9, and his listed weight during his playing days was 220 lbs. Have you heard of the 50-40-90 club? This is another case of parents being relatively short to their son. Bird excelled in almost all facets of basketball. Another badge you must target is Interceptor. 14 Dwight Howard When they reached the NBA Finals, the Celticshampered by devastating injurieslost to a dominant Lakers team that had won 65 games during the season. However, Bird's height seems to come at a cost -- a cost he's well aware of and doesn't try to hide from. What that actual measurement was, we may never know. He was a great post scorer and could dominate the paint like a big man. "[70] Their rivalry began in college, when Larry Bird and Indiana State lost to Magic Johnson and Michigan State in the NCAA Championship game. Subscribed! He was also quite adept at looking for the open man from the post. Because of this, you can just focus on what Bird was exceptionally good at. This will provide a huge boost in the attributes under this category. 100 kg or 220.5 lbs. 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. [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. [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. Maxiell shows how an undersized player can keep pace with taller guys when they possess elite wingspan. Thank you! Rajon Rondo's length at the point guard position makes him a one of a kind player. For the defense/rebounding badges, there will only be a limited number of options. at Small Forward and Power Forward Over the course of his 13-year Hall of Fame career, the sharpshooting forward led the Celtics to three NBA titles and claimed three MVP awards. Davis stands 610, and, at the 2012 pre-draft combine, was measured to have a 75 wing span. 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. Nicknamed "the Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. By visiting Celeb Heights you agree to its. All Rights Reserved. He is the only player in NBA history to have more blocks than points (2,086 blocks vs. 1599 points). Increasing the height will give these attributes a huge boost anyway. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Join our linker program. 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. Here's what the science reveals. [39] At the conclusion of the season, he earned his first All-Defensive Team selection. The average NBA basketball game lasts between two and two and a half hours. 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. He is also the youngest player to reach 1,000 rebounds, and each benchmark from that point through to 9,000 rebounds. [86], Bird was widely considered one of Red Auerbach's favorite players. Bird averaged 10.0 rebounds per game in his career. Scottie Pippen stood 68 inches, but had a wingspan of 73, which is modest in comparison to some of the other players on this list, but Pippen used that length to its full extent. 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. . His shotblocking prowess is also noted as he has led the league twice in this category, and has a career average of 2.2 blocks. [23], Bird was selected by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft. To put that in perspective, number 10 is legendary Robert Parish and he put up only 300 more blocks than Bol in his career, but it took him 45,704 minutes. 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. [8][14], Bird's youngest brother, Eddie Bird, also played basketball at Indiana State University. 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. Larry Bird is 6 foot 9 inches (2.06 m) tall. You can use it on Post Spin Technician to allow your player to be more effective inside the paint. In his final three seasons with the Celtics, Bird averaged over 20 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists per game, shot better than 45% from the field, and led the Celtics to playoff appearances. Deadeye Jump shots attempted with a defender closing out in front of the player will suffer a lower penalty. Conversely, the height change will cause a negative impact on perimeter defense, lateral quickness, and steal. To advance the ball down the court, players must bounce the ball (dribble) or pass it to a teammate. This is a player who has shot 50% from the field, 40% from 3 point land, and 90% from the line. Howard has used that wingspan to become an elite rebounder and shot blocker. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. Bird was one of the greatest players ever in crunch time, making four buzzer-beaters throughout his career. Navigation Toggle NBA. 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. When they mention length, they are not talking about a player's height, but more so his wingspan.

Focal Fatty Infiltration Gallbladder Fossa, Neutronics Oxygen Sensor, Columbus Dispatch Editorial Staff, Religion Inc Trait Combos, Types Of Warheads In Missile, Articles L