Nicknamed "Larry Legend" or "The Hick from French Lick," Bird played the small forward and power forward positions. 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. He was a raw athlete out of the Democratic Republic of Congo, having only picked up the sport at the age of 16. Unfortunately, thats not possible and some sacrifices will have to be made. The Celtics won their first NBA title with Bird (and 14th overall) in 1981; they repeated with title wins in 1984 and 1986. inWest Baden,Indiana BEST LARRY BIRD BUILD 2K22 NEXT GEN (EXACT HEIGHT, WEIGHT & WINGSPAN) REAL LIFE BUILD SERIES VOL.44. Brand was the #1 overall pick in 1999 out of Duke. He is the only person in NBA history to be named Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.[1]. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. Mock Archives 2017 Mock Draft 2016 Mock Draft . [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. 3940. After leading the Celtics to a 295 start to the 199091 season, Bird missed 22 games due to a compressed nerve root in his back, a condition that eventually led to his retirement. Durant is what is referred to as a hop shooter, something rare for a player of his height. 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. 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 Data Provided By Anthony Davis is one of the leagues biggest stars. 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. [47], During the 1985 offseason, Bird injured his back shoveling crushed rock to create a driveway at his mother's house. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! 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. Post Spin Technician Attempting to perform post spins or drives result in more effective moves, and lessens the chances of getting stripped by opponents. [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. [45] The performance came just nine days after Kevin McHale set the previous Celtics record for points in a game with 56. 6 ft 9 in or 206 cm. [10], He was raised in nearby French Lick, where his mother worked two jobs to support Larry and his five siblings. Below is a guide to help you create the best Larry Bird build in NBA 2K22. Rebound Chaser Raises the players ability to track down rebounds from farther distances than normal. 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. As for the defense/rebounding class, set the interior defense, offensive rebound, and defensive rebound to around 10 points below the upper limit. The four-time NBA scoring champ is a player who uses his impressive wingspan to gain an advantage on the offensive side of the court. Indiana State University, High School: [96] Bird was the first player in NBA history to shoot 50% or better on field goals, 40% on three-pointers, and 90% on free-throws in a single NBA season while achieving the league minimum for makes in each category. Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. As morbid as the subject is, Bird doesn't really duck away from it and what it means for him and his family. Bird was one of the greatest players ever in crunch time, making four buzzer-beaters throughout his career. In 2003, Bird was named president of basketball operations for the Pacers, holding the position until retiring in 2012. . Bird's basketball prowess earned him an athletic scholarship to Indiana University, where he was to play for legendary coach Bob Knight. Someone like Boozer who's measured as 6'7 3/4 isn't any shorter than other players listed at 6'9 too. Larry Bird was inducted to the Hall of Fame as a Player in 1998 (Full List) His mother, Cora Lillian, had an above average height at six feet. [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. Nicknamed " the Hick from French Lick " and " Larry Legend ", Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. [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. Because that was usually how the Hall of Famer took over games. 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. 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 73 wing span is 11.5% greater than his height. He complemented his all-around game with accurate outside shooting and unmatched bravado. A 6-foot-9 forward who could dribble, pass and shoot the way Bird could made him one of the greatest NBA players. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. It was Larry Bird's height that made his basketball skills so remarkable. [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. 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. What you want to prioritize are those that will help you make shots even if defenders are right by you. Join our newsletter! 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. For the defense/rebounding badges, there will only be a limited number of options. Deadeye Jump shots attempted with a defender closing out in front of the player will suffer a lower penalty. Blinders Jump shots attempted with an opponent closing out in the players peripheral vision will not be penalized that much. [29] On November 23, Bird recorded his first 30-point scoring game (along with 11 rebounds and 3 assists) in a 118103 win over the Indiana Pacers. [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. But dont let Birds efficient scoring distract you from the fact that he was proficient in the other aspects of his game. 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. This will allow your player to move faster when there are rebound opportunities. Takeover The game will provide you with three takeover options. 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. [108], At the 2019 NBA Awards, Bird received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (shared with Magic Johnson). Brand was a great post defender and shot blocker, as he averaged 2 blocks a game from 2001-2008. 7. An option for your characters secondary skill is playmaking. Catch & Shoot The badge increases the shooting percentage of a player attempting a three-pointer immediately after receiving a pass. [21] In the Conference Finals, Boston was eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers. Small Forward and Power Forward [116], In 2003, Bird was hired as the Pacers' president of basketball operations. Difficult Shots High-difficulty jumpers attempted from the mid-range get an increased shot percentage. His extra length allows him to keep the ball away from incoming defenders, making for some spectacular finishes. Redick is 6'4 tall and has a wingspan of 6'3. [12] Georgia and Joe divorced when Larry was in high school, and Joe died by suicide about a year later. He's closer to 7'1 I think. Or write about sports? Kevin McHale was one of the best players of the 1980s. Increasing the height will give these attributes a huge boost anyway. Bird stands 6-foot-9, and his listed weight during his playing days was 220 lbs. Prior to Bird's second year, the Celtics acquired center Robert Parrish from the Golden State Warriors and drafted Kevin McHale. 1. One such case is the legendary Jerry West. McHale is known as one of the best post players in NBA history due to his great footwork and arsenal of moves. International Stats at Basketball-Reference.com, College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com, Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. Pippen could pass like a point guard, rebound like a power forward, and score like a shooting guard. w/out shoes Ht. Although he announced his departure around that time, he reclaimed his post as team president in the summer of 2013. Corner Specialist Three-point shots taken near the baseline off the dribble or a pass are given a percentage boost. He was also quite adept at looking for the open man from the post. 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. [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. [82] In 1999, Bird ranked No. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. So, when selecting a physical profile for your player, I suggest choosing the combination of strength and agility. However, by then his formerly relentless attack on the court had been slowed by a bad back. Scottie Pippen is one of the most versatile players in NBA history. During the 2000s, Brand was one of the better rebounders and defenders. 2021 Dimensions.com |All rights reserved, For 2D Downloads of this element, upgrade to a Dimensions Pro Membership. The couple . Rajon Rondo is currently one of the best point guards in the league. ", "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. In 1997 Bird accepted the head coach position with the Indiana Pacers, a move that returned him to his home state. What that actual measurement was, we may never know. 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. Great wingspan measurements comes from players of all heights. I've got a theory that if you give 100 percent all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end. USA. . [101] In recognition of his defensive abilities, Bird was named to three All-Defensive Second Teams. Want updates on new Dimensions content? Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. [133], During his professional career with the Celtics, Bird lived in the Boston suburb of Brookline, Massachusetts.[134]. Anonymous. Howard is also the only player in league history to have won Defensive Player of the Year in three consecutive years. Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. Larry Bird- 6'9 John Stockton - 5 ft 10 Clyde Drexler- 6 ft 5 Chris Mullin- 6 ft 5 2002 NBA Pre Draft Measurement 2002 NBA Pre-Draft Camp Measurements Player Ht. Dirk can't be 6'10. After retiring as a player in 1992, he was appointed as the coach for the team the Boston Celtics. 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. [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. Bird returned to the Pacers in 2003 as president of basketball operations. The 7'3 wing span is 11.5% greater than his height. section: | slug: nba-legend-larry-bird-says-he-doesnt-think-hell-make-it-to-the-age-of-75 | sport: basketball | route: article_single.us | Heights are barefeet estimates, derived from quotations, official websites, agency resumes, in person encounters with actors at conventions and pictures/films. Everyone knows that Manute Bol was the tallest player in NBA history, but he also possessed the largest wingspan. Because of this, you can just focus on what Bird was exceptionally good at. 8. 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. Homepage Mock Drafts. Along with Larry Bird, and Robert Parish, McHale formed the most dominant front line in NBA history. [92] Bird is also remembered as one of the foremost clutch performers in the history of the NBA; he was known for his excellent play in high-stakes, high-pressure situations. When they reached the NBA Finals, the Celticshampered by devastating injurieslost to a dominant Lakers team that had won 65 games during the season. Jason Maxiell was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the 1st round of the 2005 draft. Updated daily. Mourning has the most blocks in NBA history for a player under 70 feet tall with 2,356 (11th on the all-time list). Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 6:45PM. 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. 30 on ESPN SportsCentury's Top 50 athletes of the 20th century, with only five other basketball players ranked higher. What is so impressive is that he has maintained those percentages despite the heavy volume of shots he takes. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). [67] Wilkins remarked, "The basket was like a well. 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. Being that tall will give you an advantage in-game. 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. Larry Bird averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. Find out more. Great height does not necessarily equate elite wingspan. This has lead some to believe that he is still growing, while most believe it is just a case of the Pelicans stretching the truth a little. 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. He is the only player in NBA history to have more blocks than points (2,086 blocks vs. 1599 points). [26][27] In his career debut, Bird recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in a 114106 win over the Houston Rockets. 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 220lb (100kg) COUNTRY. Because as previously discussed, Bird was an outstanding shooter. '"[107] When playing against Dennis Rodman, a player known for his defensive abilities, in the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals, Bird continually belittled Rodman's ability, at one point asking the opposing head coach to send in someone up to the task of guarding him. Bird averaged 10.0 rebounds per game in his career. Two-time Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame inductee: College Basketball Hall of Fame (class of 2006). [42] Bird was named Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Join our linker program. 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 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. Larry Bird starred at Indiana State University before joining the NBA's Boston Celtics in 1979. [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. Larry Bird played the small forward and power forward positions at a height of 6'9" (2. .