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. Redick is 6'4 tall and has a wingspan of 6'3. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nba | pageType: stories | After leading the Pacers to the NBA Finals in 2000, he stepped down as head coach. [54], With averages of 25.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists, and 2 steals per game, Bird became just the third player in NBA history to win three consecutive MVP Awards. 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) Larry Bird's wife, Dinah Mattingly, is his high school sweetheart who got engaged and married the former NBA legend in 1989. Chew on these numbers for a moment. Following his junior year, Bird was selected with the sixth overall pick in the NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. Maxiell shows how an undersized player can keep pace with taller guys when they possess elite wingspan. Bird's basketball prowess earned him an athletic scholarship to Indiana University, where he was to play for legendary coach Bob Knight. [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. A confirmation email has been sent. [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. At either end of the spectrum, the measurement would be considered elite. Learn more and register. On the offensive side of the ball, Rondo like to drive with a scooping layup. All Rights Reserved. [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. [111] In 1997, Bird accepted the position of coach of the Indiana Pacers[112] and said he would be on the job for no more than three years. Brand was the #1 overall pick in 1999 out of Duke. With proper medication, exercise and diet, atrial fibrillation can be controlled, but Bird abhorred medication and was prone to skipping his pills. In his career, Bol averaged 3.3 blocks a game, in just 18.7 minutes. 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. In setting your players potential, be sure to maximize shooting and playmaking attributes, particularly the mid-range shot, three-point shot, free throw, pass accuracy, and ball handle. [11] Bird has said that being poor as a child still motivates him "to this day". Larry Bird was inducted to the Hall of Fame as a Player in 1998 (Full List) The "Dream Team" won the men's basketball gold medal. The reality is that Pippen did a lot of things that made Jordan a better player. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. This year marks his 10th year in the league, and by all accounts, he's had a relative unspectacular career. 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. 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. 1. What he used was his strength and court sense to outmaneuver and outrebound opponents. Post Spin Technician Attempting to perform post spins or drives result in more effective moves, and lessens the chances of getting stripped by opponents. 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. As morbid as the subject is, Bird doesn't really duck away from it and what it means for him and his family. Data Provided By Some pundits consider Bird as one of the best outlet passers in the history of the league. [89] Bird won three NBA championships (in 1981, 1984, and 1986) with the Celtics[83] and won two NBA Finals MVP Awards. In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pistons, with five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and Boston trailing the Pistons 107106, Bird stole an inbound pass. To help you with the boards, you can upgrade the Rebound Chaser badge. During the 1992 Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bird missed four of the seven games due to recurring back problems. After retiring as a player in 1992, he was appointed as the coach for the team the Boston Celtics. Bird won 3 MVPs in a row, 2 rings, and 2 finals MVPs in that stretch, plus was 2nd and 3rd in MVP voting in the 2 years he didn't win MVP in that stretch. 1. Because Bird was wily in creating space for himself off the dribble, the Shot Creator takeover also sounds like a good option. When Durant drives the lane, his length allows him to finish with greater success, and have less shots contested. Bird, Larry (1989), Drive: The Story of My Life. The three-time MVP helped redefine the position and his battles with Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers is the standard for NBA rivalry even today. [47], During the 1985 offseason, Bird injured his back shoveling crushed rock to create a driveway at his mother's house. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Corner Specialist Three-point shots taken near the baseline off the dribble or a pass are given a percentage boost. 5. I'm not lying awake at night thinking about it. It seems like Leonard is only starting to scratch the surface of what he can do with such freaky physical attributes. He made the All-Star team 12 times and was named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in 1982. Positions: Small forward, power forwardYears Active: 19791992, Drawings include:Larry Bird standing, shooting, dribbling, NBA - National Basketball AssociationWikipedia - Basketball. Underscoring his place in the game's history, he was named one of the NBA's Top 50 players in 1996, and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. McHale is known as one of the best post players in NBA history due to his great footwork and arsenal of moves. [67] Wilkins remarked, "The basket was like a well. [26][27] In his career debut, Bird recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in a 114106 win over the Houston Rockets. [20] Bird also appeared in one game for the baseball team, going 1-for-2 with 2 RBI. Dirk can't be 6'10. 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. You can use it on Post Spin Technician to allow your player to be more effective inside the paint. This will give your shooting attributes a bit of a boost. At 68, Brand is undersized as an NBA power forward, but has made up for it with a giant wingspan that measures 75. section: | slug: nba-legend-larry-bird-says-he-doesnt-think-hell-make-it-to-the-age-of-75 | sport: basketball | route: article_single.us | 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. December 7, Because as previously discussed, Bird was an outstanding shooter. Do you have a blog? Both Dinah and Larry studied at Indiana State University. [103] Bird was also referred to as "Larry Legend". His time leading the Boston Celtics was one of the most spectacular stretches of basketball you could imagine. 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. [85], Bird has been described as one of the greatest basketball players and greatest shooters of all time. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. His mother, Cora Lillian, had an above average height at six feet. [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. Bullet Passer Increases the velocity of passes and speeds up how quickly the player gets the ball out of their hands. He played most of his career with forward Kevin McHale and center Robert Parish, considered by some to be the greatest front court in NBA history. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. He is a 6'6 player, and he's held his own thanks to a 260 pound base and a 7'3 wingspan. Answer (1 of 14): Jordan supposedly being shorter than his listed 6'6 NBA height is not unfounded, as he was listed at 6'4 for the 1992 Olympics. [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. Bird was one of the greatest players ever in crunch time, making four buzzer-beaters throughout his career. Hit the button below and we'll send this post to your inbox! This will provide a huge boost in the attributes under this category. Nicknamed The Claw, Leonard possess a hand spread that measures 11.25 inches, which is bigger than Wilt, Shaq or Bill Russell. Larry Bird's Height 6ft 9 (205.7 cm) Former American basketball player, who played with The Boston Celtics. Their friendship blossomed when the two players worked together to film the Converse commercial, which depicted them as archenemies. 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. [75] It was the first time in the United States' Olympic history that the country sent NBA players to compete. Celebrity Fan Photos and Agency Pictures of stars are to their respective owners. 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. [39][41], Bird was named MVP of the 198384 season with averages of 24.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. 100 kg or 220.5 lbs. Larry Bird was 6'9" no wingspan numbers but he had average looking arms. Sign in or Register to join the conversations! Wade is measure at 6 ft 3 3/4 Barefeet and he is also the same height as Kobe Bryant. [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. [70] Many people realized that the emergence of these two stars were linked with the rise in popularity of the NBA, as the NBA started to market towards these two stars. 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. He was a great scorer, rebounder, passer, and defender. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Updated daily. 7. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. [115] Bird then led the Pacers to consecutive Central Division titles in 1999 and 2000 and a berth in the 2000 NBA Finals. In his career, he averaged 2 steals a game and was named to the all-defensive team 10 out of 17 years he was in the league. Bird averaged 10.0 rebounds per game in his career. Indiana State University, High School: 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. Their rivalry continued on in the revived CelticsLakers Rivalry in the NBA. What Mourning lacked in height, he made up for with a massive 76 wingspan. 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. The following top 15 will look at the most impressive wingspans in NBA history. The Hick from French Lick was the first ever to join the club. [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. Shooting badges will allow you to convert more field goal attempts from anywhere outside the key. His most famous steal was in Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals. That would have been a 17% increase on his height. We present them here for purely educational purposes. 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. Nonetheless, during the final years of his career, Bird maintained his status as one of the premier players in the game. With at least 10 potential upgrade points, you will have several options for playmaking badges. 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. Bird was rated the greatest NBA small forward of all time by Fox Sports in 2016. Everyone knows that Manute Bol was the tallest player in NBA history, but he also possessed the largest wingspan. 2022 Dimensions.com |All rights reserved. All rights reserved. 2. This ratio is one of the higher percentages for players who have played in the NBA. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. The Boston Celtics won the NBA Championship thrice under his work, making Bird the NBA Most Valuable Player three times. 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. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. 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. [10], He was raised in nearby French Lick, where his mother worked two jobs to support Larry and his five siblings. The game will provide you with three takeover options. Nicknamed " the Hick from French Lick " and " Larry Legend ", Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Larry Bird stands 6'9" tall and weighs 220 pounds during his NBA playing days. [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. he's at least 2 inches taller than duncan. Fade Ace This provides a shot boost to post fadeaways. Between them, Bird and Johnson captured eight NBA championships during the 1980s, with Magic getting five and Bird three. DiamondLobby.com makes money from advertising. [76] The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame called the team "the greatest collection of basketball talent on the planet". Javascript is required for the selection of a player. His Competitiveness Has Taken Its Toll. 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. He mentioned in his own book about his height, saying "I was almost six-four as a junior, six-six or so as a senior and I grew to Six-Nine. [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. D raft E xpress. Kahit sa imports coming into the PBA, after the official measurement, they are suddenly 2 inches shorter, heee. Unless you allot more points to finishing attributes, you will only have one potential upgrade for finishing badges. At the very least, he's as tall as players listed at 6'9. His length gives nightmares to the NBAs best on a nightly basis as he would be frustrating the likes of Kobe, Melo, and LeBron. 2021 Dimensions.com |All rights reserved, For 2D Downloads of this element, upgrade to a Dimensions Pro Membership. That wingspan is the same size that the 75 Shawn Bradley had. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! 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. The NBA logo features a silhouette of Jerry West, and that player does appear to have rather long arms. Mourning was blessed with God given length, but it was his heart and passion for the game that ultimately made him one of the best that ever stepped on an NBA court. 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. 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. Larry Bird. So, when selecting a physical profile for your player, I suggest choosing the combination of strength and agility. [104], Bird was known for his trash-talking on the court and is remembered as one of the most notable trash-talkers of his era. [9] He has four brothers and a sister. More player info For this, you will need a ton of VCs. Bird entered the NBA for the 19791980 season, where he made an immediate impact, starting at power forward and leading the Celtics to a 32-win improvement over the previous season before being eliminated from the playoffs in the Conference Finals. Many people following the NBA would love to see Bird play in todays era of basketball. 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." [62], Despite the intensity of their rivalry, Bird and Johnson became friends off the court. Bird stands 6-foot-9, and his listed weight during his playing days was 220 lbs. [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. Honestly, all of them fit Bird so well. 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. [8][14], Bird's youngest brother, Eddie Bird, also played basketball at Indiana State University. [5] He was named NBA Executive of the Year for the 2012 season. Great wingspan measurements comes from players of all heights. Larry Bird is 6 foot 9 inches (2.06 m) tall. However, I suggest going for Spot Up Shooter. A recent promotional poster out of New Orleans shows Davis with a 77 wingspan. inWest Baden,Indiana 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. With Wilt being the most dominant force of his era, it lends to the theory that his wingspan was truly elite. 30 on ESPN SportsCentury's Top 50 athletes of the 20th century, with only five other basketball players ranked higher. 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. The dramatic play saved the series for the Celtics. [42] Bird was named Finals MVP behind 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Larry, there will never, ever be another Larry Bird. 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. [6] He stepped down again in 2017, but stayed with the team in an advisory capacity. McHale stood 610 and was reported to have a colossal wingspan that stretched to 80. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not state or reflect the views of PEx Online Community Corp. i remember when duncan and kg had an altercation, tim was looking up at KG. Nicknamed "Larry Legend" or "The Hick from French Lick," Bird played the small forward and power forward positions. Charles Barkley was measured at 6 ft 4 5/8, Jordan is anywhere from 6 ft 4 to 6 ft 4 1/2. [133], During his professional career with the Celtics, Bird lived in the Boston suburb of Brookline, Massachusetts.[134]. With his freakish physical attributes, the future seems in very good, and large, hands. Larry Bird attended Springs Valley in French Lick, Indiana and Indiana State University. [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. The summer of 1992 marked the first time the United States sent professional athletes to the Olympic Games. 1. at 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. [120] He continued to serve as an advisor until July, 2022, when he "stepped back from maintaining an active role with the Indiana Pacers". The Celtics ended up losing to the Lakers in six games, with Bird averaging 24.2 points on .445 shooting, 10 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game in the championship series. Only eight other NBA players have achieved the rare feat. [25], In his rookie season (19791980), Bird immediately transformed the Celtics into a title contender. Bird has been married to Dinah Mattingly since 1989. 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. They each had charisma, deft shooting touch, extraordinary passing skills, and team-oriented mindset that ignited their team and the crowd. He led the league in rebounds twice and during the 2000s he averaged 10.2 rebounds a game. Dwight Howard is one of the premiere big men of the modern area, but stands at only 610. 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. Larry Bird was drafted by Boston Celtics, 1st round (6th pick, 6th overall), 1978 NBA Draft. 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. There is no denying the greatness of Wilt Chamberlain and a superior length was a major reason he was unstoppable. Of course, there are some who prefer using a player based on his archrival, Magic Johnson. 8. [97] He accomplished this feat twice. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. He says they build their hearts up so much that when they retire, the hearts just sit there. Takeover The game will provide you with three takeover options. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. 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. Thus, you have to upgrade the Break Starter 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. [82] In 1999, Bird ranked No. This will give your shooting attributes a bit of a boost. You said there will be another Larry Bird. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. A persons wingspan is the measurement from the tips of one finger to the other. [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. Biyombo stands 68, but has a wingspan that stretches out to 76. [4] After retiring as a player, Bird served as head coach of the Indiana Pacers from 1997 to 2000. 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. Mourning has the most blocks in NBA history for a player under 70 feet tall with 2,356 (11th on the all-time list). Brand thwarted the pre-draft analysis that claimed he would be too small to have a sustainable career in the NBA. Scaled 2Ddrawings and 3Dmodels available for download. [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. 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. [49] The risk paid off; Walton's acquisition helped Boston win a league best 67 games. And it went down to the last shot of the game. Bird returned to the Pacers in 2003 as president of basketball operations. The legend was quite ahead of his time.