larry bird height and wingspan
-larry bird height and wingspan
[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. Even when considering his height, the wingspan is still 12.1% larger than his body. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. Difficult Shots High-difficulty jumpers attempted from the mid-range get an increased shot percentage. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. That's the greatest game I've ever played in or seen played." 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. He was voted onto the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in NBA History list in 1996, and consequently the 75th Anniversary Team list in 2021. Do you have a blog? There is no denying the greatness of Wilt Chamberlain and a superior length was a major reason he was unstoppable. [8] Bird's parents were of Irish, Scottish and some Native American descent. 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. [69] Following Bird's departure, the Celtics promptly retired his jersey number 33. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 6:45PM. However, by then his formerly relentless attack on the court had been slowed by a bad back. This ratio is one of the higher percentages for players who have played in the NBA. 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. Maxiell shows how an undersized player can keep pace with taller guys when they possess elite wingspan. Charles Barkley has been quoted saying McHale was the best player he ever played against. Another badge you must target is Interceptor. 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. Interceptor This significantly increases the frequency of successfully tipped or stolen passes. Corner Specialist Three-point shots taken near the baseline off the dribble or a pass are given a percentage boost. On the offensive side, superior wingspan allows a shooter to have less shots contested, as he can get the ball further away from a defender. [6] He stepped down again in 2017, but stayed with the team in an advisory capacity. [8][14], Bird's youngest brother, Eddie Bird, also played basketball at Indiana State University. That length has made him one of the best point guard defenders. Larry Bird attended Springs Valley in French Lick, Indiana and Indiana State University. 6'9" (2.06m) WEIGHT. At the very least, he's as tall as players listed at 6'9. DiamondLobby is owned and operated by Rank Zero LTD, Company Number 10507049, and is a registered trade mark (UK00003715943). Bird returned to the Pacers in 2003 as president of basketball operations. 7. [42] Bird was named Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. 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. .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}Remembering Just Fontaine and His World Cup Record, The Man Behind the First All-Black Basketball Team, 8 Times Brothers Have Faced Off in a Championship, Every Black Quarterback to Play in the Super Bowl, Soccer Star Christian Atsu Survived an Earthquake. [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. [98] Bird won NBA three-point-shooting contests in three consecutive years. 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. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. On the opening night of the 2014 season, he went for 26 points, 17 boards, 3 steals, and 9 blocks. After retiring as a player in 1992, he was appointed as the coach for the team the Boston Celtics. [75] It was the first time in the United States' Olympic history that the country sent NBA players to compete. With his freakish physical attributes, the future seems in very good, and large, hands. 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. More player info Scaled 2Ddrawings and 3Dmodels available for download. [21] In the Conference Finals, Boston was eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers. [43] Boston came back to win the game, eventually winning the series in seven. At 66 years old, Larry Bird height is 206 cm . w/out shoes Ht. Bird has appeared in three movies, each time playing himself: Bird's likeness has appeared in several video games. . Larry Bird Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. 1. The following top 15 will look at the most impressive wingspans in NBA 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. At the time, he was also the fifth-highest scorer in NCAA history. When they reached the NBA Finals, the Celticshampered by devastating injurieslost to a dominant Lakers team that had won 65 games during the season. He considered Bird to be the greatest basketball player of all time. Kareem's father, Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Sr., was fairly tall at 6'2". "She hates it when I say that. [71], Journalists speculated that Bird and Magic represented different contrasts, such as clashes between Celtics and Lakers, between East and West, and between Blacks and Whites. That is 4x the amount of time it took Bol to put up roughly the same amount of blocks. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Something went wrong while submitting the form. He was a great post scorer and could dominate the paint like a big man. Larry Bird starred at Indiana State University before joining the NBA's Boston Celtics in 1979. 9. 6. 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). Right, Born: Everyone knows that Manute Bol was the tallest player in NBA history, but he also possessed the largest wingspan. They each had charisma, deft shooting touch, extraordinary passing skills, and team-oriented mindset that ignited their team and the crowd. [24][14][25] Shortly afterwards, NBA draft eligibility rules were changed to prevent teams from drafting players before they were ready to sign, a rule known as the Bird Collegiate Rule. [121], In 1975, Bird married Janet Condra. 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. His most famous steal was in Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals. He was a raw athlete out of the Democratic Republic of Congo, having only picked up the sport at the age of 16. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. Thus, you have to upgrade the Break Starter badge. Nicknamed The Claw, Leonard possess a hand spread that measures 11.25 inches, which is bigger than Wilt, Shaq or Bill Russell. [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. [108], At the 2019 NBA Awards, Bird received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (shared with Magic Johnson). Bird returned to the Pacers as president of basketball operations in 2013,[6] and remained in that role until 2017. I've got a theory that if you give 100 percent all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end. His name is imprinted twice in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and besides being named Player of the Year frequently, he has received coach for the Year and Executive of the Year awards. 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. 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. Bird had an average of 10.0 rebounds per game for his career and 6.3 assists. Honestly, all of them fit Bird so well. The Celtics and Lakers dominated, with one team or the other, or both, appearing in every NBA championship throughout the decade. 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. He was a great post scorer and could dominate the paint like a big man. [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. he's at least 2 inches taller than duncan. Height. 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. 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. 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. The couple . [102] Bird's humble roots were the source of his most frequently used moniker, "The Hick from French Lick". Menu. College basketball games are played with two 20 minute periods, while professional NBA basketball games consist of four quarters of 12 minutes each. Signing with the Celtics for a then-record $650,000 a year, Bird justified his salary right out of the gate, averaging 21.3 points per game and claiming Rookie of the Year honors for the 1979-80 NBA season. Scottie Pippen is one of the most versatile players in NBA history. Standing 69, Prince has a 72 inch wingspan, which appears even greater due to his rail thin physique (some people claim his wingspan is closer to 76). Shoots: [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. 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. [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. Do you have a sports website? Many people following the NBA would love to see Bird play in todays era of basketball. 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. Larry Bird stands 6'9" tall and weighs 220 pounds during his NBA playing days. Post Spin Technician Attempting to perform post spins or drives result in more effective moves, and lessens the chances of getting stripped by opponents. Volume Shooter Gives an additional boost to shot attributes to every subsequent shot attempted after the player has already taken a handful of shots. McHale is known as one of the best post players in NBA history due to his great footwork and arsenal of moves. Larry Bird DraftExpress Profile: scouting reports, videos, stats and logs. The team improved its win total by 32 games from the year before he was drafted and finished first in the Eastern Conference. Bird's basketball prowess earned him an athletic scholarship to Indiana University, where he was to play for legendary coach Bob Knight. Homepage Mock Drafts. 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. Kevin McHale was one of the best players of the 1980s. Nicknamed "the Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Elton Brand is entering his 16th year in the NBA this season with the Atlanta Hawks. 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. Updated daily. Along with Larry Bird, and Robert Parish, McHale formed the most dominant front line in NBA history. [86] He had 1,556 career steals. 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. Larry Bird's wife, Dinah Mattingly, is his high school sweetheart who got engaged and married the former NBA legend in 1989. In 1997 Bird accepted the head coach position with the Indiana Pacers, a move that returned him to his home state. Here's what the science reveals. Prince was never a skilled offensive player, but has been one of the best perimeter defenders of the last decade. 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. us, College: He is also the youngest player to reach 1,000 rebounds, and each benchmark from that point through to 9,000 rebounds. Following his retirement in 1992, Bird became a successful head coach and front-office executive with the Indiana Pacers. There are a couple of pictures showing Wilt out stretched, and he certainly looks to possess a wing span in the range of 80. Also, make sure to equip the Clutch Shooter badge. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. AboutPressCopyrightContact. 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. By going for a shooting plus defense/rebounding build, you will have a two-way player at your disposal. 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 . His length gives nightmares to the NBAs best on a nightly basis as he would be frustrating the likes of Kobe, Melo, and LeBron. You can use it on Post Spin Technician to allow your player to be more effective inside the paint. [86][87][88] He was selected to 12 NBA All-Star teams. Doubleday, pp. [21][38], At the 1982 All-Star Game, Bird scored 19 points en route to winning the All-Star Game MVP Award. 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. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. In eight games, Bird averaged 8.4 points. 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. With at least 10 potential upgrade points, you will have several options for playmaking badges. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Because Bird was wily in creating space for himself off the dribble, the Shot Creator takeover also sounds like a good option. [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. Kevin Durant stands 610 and has a 75 wingspan. 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. 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. [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. On the offensive side of the ball, Rondo like to drive with a scooping layup. 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. Ideally, you should be able to select a player archetype that excels in finishing, shooting, playmaking, and defense/rebounding to make the best Larry Bird build in NBA 2K22. Howard makes up for his height with an elite wingspan that measures 75. Learn more and register. 3. This will allow your player to move faster when there are rebound opportunities. . [11] Bird has said that being poor as a child still motivates him "to this day". '"[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. USA. What does stand out is Maxiells stature. 1 Answer. Who was going to make the last shot? After leading the Pacers to the NBA Finals in 2000, he stepped down as head coach. To help you with the boards, you can upgrade the Rebound Chaser badge. 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. 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. Pippen could pass like a point guard, rebound like a power forward, and score like a shooting guard. It seems like Leonard is only starting to scratch the surface of what he can do with such freaky physical attributes. This will give your shooting attributes a bit of a boost. Larry Bird Stats and news - NBA stats and news on Boston Celtics Forward Larry Bird. [85], Bird has been described as one of the greatest basketball players and greatest shooters of all time. One report claims McHale could tie his shoes without having to bend over. When you factor in the rest of his all around game, it is no surprise he is one of the NBAs 50 greatest players. Bird averaged 10.0 rebounds per game in his career. Former NBA coach Hubie Brown had this to say about McHale: "He was totally unstoppable because of his quickness, diversification of moves and the long arms that gave him an angle to release the ball over a taller man or more explosive jumper." [8] He returned to French Lick, enrolling at Northwood Institute (now Northwood University) in nearby West Baden, and working municipal jobs for a year before enrolling at Indiana State University in Terre Haute in 1975. Only eight other NBA players have achieved the rare feat. [103] Bird was also referred to as "Larry Legend". He's closer to 7'1 I think. Despite many peoples belief, Bol was not solely a freakshow, as he sustained a 10 year NBA career, playing for 4 different teams. Bird was one of the greatest players ever in crunch time, making four buzzer-beaters throughout his career. Same with Amare who's listed at 6'10 but measured at 6'8 1/2. The summer of 1992 marked the first time the United States sent professional athletes to the Olympic Games. Great height does not necessarily equate elite wingspan. Lastly, the wingspan can be reduced to around 83.0 inches. Data Provided By 3. 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. 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. . Following his junior year, Bird was selected with the sixth overall pick in the NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. During the 1992 Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bird missed four of the seven games due to recurring back problems. In the commercial, Bird is practicing alone on a rural basketball court (in reality the court was one Bird had made on the property in French Lick that he had purchased for his mother), when Johnson pulls up in a sleek limousine and challenges him to a one-on-one match. Bird stands 6-foot-9, and his listed weight during his playing days was 220 lbs. To put that into perspective that is only one inch shorter than Shaq's wingspan. He played both the small forward and power forward positions. . 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" But Don't Bet That He Won't Be Back", "Larry Bird stepping down from Pacers post", "For 2nd time, Hall-of-Famer Bird resigns as Pacers president", "Larry Bird resigns as Pacers president, Kevin Pritchard to take over", "Pacers' Larry Bird is NBA Executive of the Year", "Indiana Pacers part ways with Larry Bird", "Bird Steps Down; Pritchard Named President of Basketball Operations", "Larry Bird No Longer Has an Active Role with the Pacers, Confirms Kevin Pritchard", NBA unveils redesigned Larry O'Brien, Bill Russell trophies, announces new conference finals MVP awards - CBS Sports.com, 1992 U.S. OLYMPIC MENS BASKETBALL TEAM - Team USA.org, "2017 Class of FIBA Hall of Fame: Dream Team", "FULL VERSION: McDonald's Commercial with LeBron James and Dwight Howard", "Twitter's Logo Is Named After Larry Bird", "Larry Bird is Always on Twitter Even Without Having an Account", "ESPN Classic - Bird had eye for victory", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Larry_Bird&oldid=1142161893, Trophy named in Bird's honor (Larry Bird Trophy) awarded to Eastern Conference Finals MVP (established in 2022), 1992 Olympic gold medal (U.S. national team). All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Some pundits consider Bird as one of the best outlet passers in the history of the league. What that actual measurement was, we may never know. [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. 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. The NBA logo features a silhouette of Jerry West, and that player does appear to have rather long arms. During the 2000s, Brand was one of the better rebounders and defenders. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. It was Larry Bird's height that made his basketball skills so remarkable. He says they build their hearts up so much that when they retire, the hearts just sit there. [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. According to our Database, He has no children. [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. [20] Bird also appeared in one game for the baseball team, going 1-for-2 with 2 RBI. [96], Bird is also remembered as an excellent passer[100] and defender. 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. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? 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. Nicknamed "Larry Legend" or "The Hick from French Lick," Bird played the small forward and power forward positions. Rebound Chaser Raises the players ability to track down rebounds from farther distances than normal. Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. 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. Even after his retirement as a professional basketball player, Larry Bird's name still comes up in the NBA because of his coaching skills and the executive role he holds in the NBA. Leonard is only 67, but possess a gigantic 73 wingspan, which is a full 8 inches longer than his height. 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. The Hick from French Lick was the first ever to join the club. 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.