Data Provided By When they mention length, they are not talking about a player's height, but more so his wingspan. (Larry Legend, The Hick from French Lick, Kodak, The Great White Hope), Position: Reggie Miller 6'7" 6'11" wingspan What players could were elite shooters with a wingspan ratio better than 10% of height Yenohb Robert Williams Posts: 345 Tommy Points: 73 Brandon Ingram would definitely be an exception. When they reached the NBA Finals, the Celticshampered by devastating injurieslost to a dominant Lakers team that had won 65 games during the season. Menu. All rights reserved. Bird's basketball prowess earned him an athletic scholarship to Indiana University, where he was to play for legendary coach Bob Knight. His concentration and composure were unrivaled as well, and he established himself as one of the most unshakable and driven players in the NBA. [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. [82] In 1999, Bird ranked No. [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. This is a very scary thought for a lot of NBA players, both past and present. College basketball games are played with two 20 minute periods, while professional NBA basketball games consist of four quarters of 12 minutes each. 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. 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. Kahit sa imports coming into the PBA, after the official measurement, they are suddenly 2 inches shorter, heee. 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 dramatic play saved the series for the Celtics. Bird has appeared in three movies, each time playing himself: Bird's likeness has appeared in several video games. Bird's 198889 season ended after six games when he had bone spurs surgically removed from both of his heels. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. [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. Larry Bird cemented his legacy in the sport by leading the Boston Celtics to three championships in the 1980s. He is still young, and could be molded into something, but as it stands now, the Bismack Biyombo experiment is teetering on bust status. Dinah Mattingly (1989-Present) - Larry Bird married his second wife Dinah Mattingly in 1989. 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. 1956 [25], In his rookie season (19791980), Bird immediately transformed the Celtics into a title contender. A triple-double in basketball is a term used to describe the impactful performance of a player that achieved a double-digit number in three of the five statistical basketball categories of points, assists, rebounds, steals, and blocked shots. [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. Wade is measure at 6 ft 3 3/4 Barefeet and he is also the same height as Kobe Bryant. 4. 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. Bird returned to the Pacers as president of basketball operations in 2013,[6] and remained in that role until 2017. [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. Rebound Chaser Raises the players ability to track down rebounds from farther distances than normal. [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. [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. All Rights Reserved. The losses of Moses Malone (60 years old), Darryl Dawkins (58), Anthony Mason (48), Christian Welp (51) and Jack Haley (51) all in the last year are a reminder of Bird's and others' contemporaries and peers during their playing days passing away far too young. [13], Larry used basketball as an escape from his family troubles, starring for Springs Valley High School and averaging 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 4 assists as a senior on his way to becoming the school's all-time scoring leader. For these reasons, the other badges you should consider upgrading are Bullet Passer, Post Playmaker, and Special Delivery. Who was going to make the last shot? Charles Barkley was measured at 6 ft 4 5/8, Jordan is anywhere from 6 ft 4 to 6 ft 4 1/2. Durant is one of the 6 members of the 50-40-90 club. He played for the Celtics during his entire professional career (13 seasons), leading them to five NBA finals appearances and three NBA championships. His mother, Cora Lillian, had an above average height at six feet. 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. [51][52], On November 27, 1985, Bird recorded 47 points to go along with 12 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in a 132124 win over the Detroit Pistons. From Jackie MacMullan of ESPN the Magazine: Bird, who has an enlarged heart, was diagnosed in 1995 with atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heartbeat resulting from electrical signals being generated chaotically throughout the heart's upper chambers. You can use it on Post Spin Technician to allow your player to be more effective inside the paint. [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. 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. 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". 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. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. Rajon Rondo only stands 61, but has a wingspan that stretches to 69. 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. 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. This is a player who has shot 50% from the field, 40% from 3 point land, and 90% from the line. Some pundits consider Bird as one of the best outlet passers in the history of the league. [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. LAST ATTENDED. [133], During his professional career with the Celtics, Bird lived in the Boston suburb of Brookline, Massachusetts.[134]. The reality is that Pippen did a lot of things that made Jordan a better player. He played both the small forward and power forward positions. "She hates it when I say that. However, by then his formerly relentless attack on the court had been slowed by a bad back. 2002 NBA Pre Draft Measurement 2002 NBA Pre-Draft Camp Measurements Player Ht. He was one of the best shot blockers in NBA history and a lot of that, obviously, had to do with the enormous wingspan. After leading the Pacers to the NBA Finals in 2000, he stepped down as head coach. Magic got the upper hand against Bird, beating him in 1985 and 1987, while Bird beat Magic in 1984. That is an 11% increase on his height. 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. Rajon Rondo's length at the point guard position makes him a one of a kind player. He couldn't miss. 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. Indiana State. [15] After less than a month on the Indiana University campus he dropped out of school, finding the adjustment between his small hometown and the large student population of Bloomington to be overwhelming. [21][38], At the 1982 All-Star Game, Bird scored 19 points en route to winning the All-Star Game MVP Award. He made the All-Star team 12 times and was named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in 1982. So much so, that Charles Barkley even admitted that he wasn't 6'6, but . [62], Despite the intensity of their rivalry, Bird and Johnson became friends off the court. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. 1. Bullet Passer Increases the velocity of passes and speeds up how quickly the player gets the ball out of their hands. 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. At the very least, he's as tall as players listed at 6'9. [101] In recognition of his defensive abilities, Bird was named to three All-Defensive Second Teams. The way you will be building your character will give you a lot of potential badge upgrades under the shooting category. 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 . Former American basketball player, who played with The Boston Celtics. [8] Bird's parents were of Irish, Scottish and some Native American descent. 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. Navigation Toggle NBA. This is another case of parents being relatively short to their son. [76] The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame called the team "the greatest collection of basketball talent on the planet". Their rivalry continued on in the revived CelticsLakers Rivalry in the NBA. However, Bird's height seems to come at a cost -- a cost he's well aware of and doesn't try to hide from. Larry Bird, along with "Magic" Johnson and Michael Jordan, is one of the most recognized names in the history of basketball. 2. According to our Database, He has no children. Growing up in French Lick, Indiana, he was a local basketball star. Or write about sports? Larry, there will never, ever be another Larry Bird. 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. Pippen used his incredible length to cover the best player on a nightly basis and whether they were a forward or a guard didn't matter, as Pippen had both the size and quickness to match up with anyone. Leonard is only 67, but possess a gigantic 73 wingspan, which is a full 8 inches longer than his height. A confirmation email has been sent. [6] He stepped down again in 2017, but stayed with the team in an advisory capacity. ", "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. Larry Bird starred at Indiana State University before joining the NBA's Boston Celtics in 1979. 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 Nicknamed "the Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. The 73 wing span is 11.5% greater than his height. This will give your shooting attributes a bit of a boost. [102] Bird's humble roots were the source of his most frequently used moniker, "The Hick from French Lick". One such case is the legendary Jerry West. Playing in the shadow of the greatest player in NBA history is a daunting task and people will always wonder how much of Pippens success was due to Jordan. Bird was also a member of the gold medal-winning 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team known as the "Dream Team". 30 on ESPN SportsCentury's list of 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th century. Join our newsletter! [64][65][66] Bird finished with 34 points. w/out shoes Ht. Many people following the NBA would love to see Bird play in todays era of basketball. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. 4:15 pm ET. 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. 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. Jason Maxiell was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the 1st round of the 2005 draft. [86], Bird was widely considered one of Red Auerbach's favorite players. [39] At the conclusion of the season, he earned his first All-Defensive Team selection. Maxiell shows how an undersized player can keep pace with taller guys when they possess elite wingspan. 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. [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. Larry Bird attended Springs Valley in French Lick, Indiana and Indiana State University. By visiting Celeb Heights you agree to its. It is that length that has sustained Brands career. There is no denying the greatness of Wilt Chamberlain and a superior length was a major reason he was unstoppable. 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. You will often hear basketball pundits state that a player has great length. 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. But, his biggest skill was his defense. I agree to receive the "CBS Sports HQ Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. D raft E xpress. And TMac is easily 6'8 or 6'9. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. Unfortunately he's had a difficult time keeping pace with the speed of the NBA, and his limited offensive game has come to light. His extra length allows him to keep the ball away from incoming defenders, making for some spectacular finishes. 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. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? 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. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. 1. Nicknamed "Larry Legend" or "The Hick from French Lick," Bird played the small forward and power forward positions. 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. Davis stands 610, and, at the 2012 pre-draft combine, was measured to have a 75 wing span. [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. To advance the ball down the court, players must bounce the ball (dribble) or pass it to a teammate. 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. [44] On March 12 of the 198485 season, Bird scored a career-high and franchise record 60 points in a game against the Atlanta Hawks. [19][20] Indiana State lost the game 7564, with Bird scoring 19 points but making only 7 of 21 shots. His other playmaking strengths include quick and flashy passes. Anonymous. DiamondLobby / NBA 2K22 / The Best Larry Bird Build in NBA 2K22. [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. Everyone knows that Manute Bol was the tallest player in NBA history, but he also possessed the largest wingspan. 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. [84], "Larry, you only told me one lie. Because of this, you can just focus on what Bird was exceptionally good at. The NBA logo features a silhouette of Jerry West, and that player does appear to have rather long arms. 9. Hit the button below and we'll send this post to your inbox! On August 18, 1992, Bird announced his retirement. He led the league in rebounds twice and during the 2000s he averaged 10.2 rebounds a game. Something went wrong while submitting the form. Great wingspan measurements comes from players of all heights. Deadeye Jump shots attempted with a defender closing out in front of the player will suffer a lower penalty. [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. Durant is what is referred to as a hop shooter, something rare for a player of his height. 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. So, you will have to allocate some of the points to these attributes. [33][34][35] Behind Bird's leadership and Boston's upgraded roster, the Celtics again advanced to the Conference Finals for a rematch with the 76ers. Larry Bird averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. Those three players would form a legendary frontline, perhaps the greatest in NBA history. The following top 15 will look at the most impressive wingspans in NBA history. 2022 Dimensions.com |All rights reserved. [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. One report claims McHale could tie his shoes without having to bend over. He says they build their hearts up so much that when they retire, the hearts just sit there. The Celtics won their first NBA title with Bird (and 14th overall) in 1981; they repeated with title wins in 1984 and 1986. During the MyCareer mode, you can be tasked to play some minutes at power forward depending on the rotation. He's closer to 7'1 I think. Bird has been married to Dinah Mattingly since 1989. Heights are barefeet estimates, derived from quotations, official websites, agency resumes, in person encounters with actors at conventions and pictures/films. For this, you will need a ton of VCs. As the big three start to fade out in San Antonio, Leonard will become the face of the franchise. An option for your characters secondary skill is playmaking. Highly recruited, he initially signed to play college basketball for coach Bob Knight of the Indiana Hoosiers, but Bird dropped out after one month and returned to French Lick to attend a local community college. Updated daily. Basketball icon Larry Bird won three MVP awards and three NBA championships during his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics. Following an attempted reconciliation, Bird and Condra had a daughter, Corrie, in 1977. he's at least 2 inches taller than duncan. He considered Bird to be the greatest basketball player of all time. [60], Throughout the 1980s, contests between the Celtics and the Lakersboth during the regular season and in the Finalsattracted enormous television audiences. [21] Boston advanced through the playoffs to earn a rematch with the Lakers, this time losing in six games. Bird won a gold medal in the 1992 Olympics besides being a three-time NBA MVP, twelve-time NBA All-Star, and two-time Finals MVP. 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. The couple . He was also quite adept at looking for the open man from the post. 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. Durant is a prime example that elite length, when combined with elite skills, make a truly special player. With proper medication, exercise and diet, atrial fibrillation can be controlled, but Bird abhorred medication and was prone to skipping his pills. This will provide a huge boost in the attributes under this category. Want updates on new Dimensions content? 2. LeBron was definitely a better player. These include Blinders and Deadeye. [114] He was named the NBA Coach of the Year for his efforts. And it went down to the last shot of the game. Right, Born: "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. [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. If it goes, it goes.". It seems like Leonard is only starting to scratch the surface of what he can do with such freaky physical attributes. Brand was a great post defender and shot blocker, as he averaged 2 blocks a game from 2001-2008. The "Dream Team" won the men's basketball gold medal. Lastly, the wingspan can be reduced to around 83.0 inches. The 19871988 season was the highest-scoring season of Bird's career. To round out the finishing, shooting, and playmaking categories, put some points on close shot, driving layup, driving dunk, and post hook. breaking news power outage today,