After retiring as a player in 1992, he was appointed as the coach for the team the Boston Celtics. To put that in perspective, his hands are larger than that of LeBron James. 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. 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. [75] It was the first time in the United States' Olympic history that the country sent NBA players to compete. One such case is the legendary Jerry West. ", "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. Along with Larry Bird, and Robert Parish, McHale formed the most dominant front line in NBA history. Larry Bird is 6 foot 9 inches (2.06 m) tall. Blinders Jump shots attempted with an opponent closing out in the players peripheral vision will not be penalized that much. Larry Bird was 6'9" no wingspan numbers but he had average looking arms. Howard is also the only player in league history to have won Defensive Player of the Year in three consecutive years. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 6:45PM. He mentioned in his own book about his height, saying, Photo ImageCollect.com / Mike Springer-PHOTOlink.net. Davis stands 610, and, at the 2012 pre-draft combine, was measured to have a 75 wing span. [25], In his rookie season (19791980), Bird immediately transformed the Celtics into a title contender. When they mention length, they are not talking about a player's height, but more so his wingspan. [56] Bird averaged 24 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game for the championship round. You will often hear basketball pundits state that a player has great length. 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. Celebrity Fan Photos and Agency Pictures of stars are to their respective owners. That's the greatest game I've ever played in or seen played." Larry Bird- 6'9 John Stockton - 5 ft 10 Clyde Drexler- 6 ft 5 Chris Mullin- 6 ft 5 What is so impressive is that he has maintained those percentages despite the heavy volume of shots he takes. Maxiell shows how an undersized player can keep pace with taller guys when they possess elite wingspan. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. [96], Bird is also remembered as an excellent passer[100] and defender. Larry Bird was such a player. When Durant drives the lane, his length allows him to finish with greater success, and have less shots contested. This will provide a huge boost in the attributes under this category. Rebound Chaser Raises the players ability to track down rebounds from farther distances than normal. section: | slug: nba-legend-larry-bird-says-he-doesnt-think-hell-make-it-to-the-age-of-75 | sport: basketball | route: article_single.us | 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. 6. 2022 Dimensions.com |All rights reserved. Bird is universally regarded as one of the greatest basketball players 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. What does stand out is Maxiells stature. He was a great post scorer and could dominate the paint like a big man. What he used was his strength and court sense to outmaneuver and outrebound opponents. The dramatic play saved the series for the Celtics. Rajon Rondo only stands 61, but has a wingspan that stretches to 69. [36] Boston fell behind 31 to start the series but won the next three games to advance to the Finals against the Houston Rockets,[37] winning in six games and earning Bird his first championship. 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. Brand was a great post defender and shot blocker, as he averaged 2 blocks a game from 2001-2008. We present them here for purely educational purposes. At 68, Brand is undersized as an NBA power forward, but has made up for it with a giant wingspan that measures 75. With Wilt being the most dominant force of his era, it lends to the theory that his wingspan was truly elite. [97] He accomplished this feat twice. It was the first time the two star players would face each other in a head-to-head battle, and it began a friendship and rivalry that would span both players' careers. Dinah Mattingly (1989-Present) - Larry Bird married his second wife Dinah Mattingly in 1989. His most famous steal was in Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals. He finished his career with sterling averages of 24.6 points and 10 rebounds per game. Rondo also poses very large hands at 9.5 inches long, and 10 inches wide. 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. For three consecutive years, from 1984 to 1986, Bird was named the NBA's MVP, and in 1990, he hit a milestone by reaching 20,000 career points. And it went down to the last shot of the game. An elite wingspan is considered as a measurement that is 6.5% greater than the players height. The Celtics failed to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in five years, losing to the Pistons in six games during the Eastern Conference Finals. Available in 3DM (Rhino), OBJ (NURB), SKP(Sketchup)formats, Dimensions.com is a project by Fantastic Offense, Dimensions is a project by Fantastic Offense. December 7, Alonzo Mourning had a decorated NBA career as a seven-time all-star who had two Defensive Player of the Year awards and one NBA title. [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. Bird has been married to Dinah Mattingly since 1989. Unfortunately he's had a difficult time keeping pace with the speed of the NBA, and his limited offensive game has come to light. Height: 6'9" (206 cm) Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg) Position: F High School: . Bismack Biyombo was selected 7th overall in the 2011 NBA draft by the Charlotte Bobcats at the tender age of 18. During the 1980s, either Boston or Los Angeles appeared in every NBA Finals. Anonymous. In 2003, Bird was named president of basketball operations for the Pacers, holding the position until retiring in 2012. [57], The '86 Celtics are commonly ranked as one of the greatest basketball teams of all time, with the Boston Globe's Peter May and Grantland's Bill Simmons listing them at number one. Maxiell shows how an undersized player can keep pace with taller guys when they possess elite wingspan. CelebHeights.com Rob Paul 2004-2023. Everyone knows that Manute Bol was the tallest player in NBA history, but he also possessed the largest wingspan. 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. On the opening night of the 2014 season, he went for 26 points, 17 boards, 3 steals, and 9 blocks. 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. Nonetheless, during the final years of his career, Bird maintained his status as one of the premier players in the game. Some pundits consider Bird as one of the best outlet passers in the history of the league. As the big three start to fade out in San Antonio, Leonard will become the face of the franchise. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. 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. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Pippen could pass like a point guard, rebound like a power forward, and score like a shooting guard. Want updates on new Dimensions content? [103] Bird was also referred to as "Larry Legend". At the time, he was also the fifth-highest scorer in NCAA history. Their rivalry continued on in the revived CelticsLakers Rivalry in the NBA. [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. 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. And TMac is easily 6'8 or 6'9. Because that was usually how the Hall of Famer took over games. Tayshaun Prince broke out in the Detroit Pistons championship run of 2004. Larry Bird's bio Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 220 pounds Birthdate: Dec. 7, 1956 College: Indiana State NBA experience: 13 years Jersey number: 33 Larry Bird's career NBA stats Here are some of Larry Bird's notable career achievements and statistics: Three-time NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986) Two-time NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986) He considered Bird to be the greatest basketball player of all time. Even when considering his height, the wingspan is still 12.1% larger than his body. [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. 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. [21] He eventually finished runner-up in Most Valuable Player Award voting to Moses Malone. 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. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! 4. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Larry Bird is a charming man with brown eyes and dark brown hair. Right, Born: [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. 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. Being that tall will give you an advantage in-game. Great height does not necessarily equate elite wingspan. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. [26][27] In his career debut, Bird recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in a 114106 win over the Houston Rockets. Homepage Mock Drafts. 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. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Basketball icon Larry Bird won three MVP awards and three NBA championships during his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics. Scottie Pippen is one of the most versatile players in NBA history. NBA 2K users have loved playing as Larry Legend not just because of his ability to score from anywhere on the court, but also because of his versatile game. [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. 3940. 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. At the age of 19, Biyombo averaged 2.8 blocks per 36 minutes and showed some promise. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. [80][81] He was inducted into the Hall of Fame again in 2010, as a member of the "Dream Team". Honestly, all of them fit Bird so well.
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