It takes decades and a goal of absolute perfection to develop a jump shot like Larry Birds. The Hick from French Lick was much more than just a shooter, but his ability to rise and fire over any defender was one of the Hall of Famers greatest strengths. It helped lead the Boston Celtics to NBA supremacy in the 1980s.
Bird had plenty of mentors during his 13-year career, but it was his sixth-grade coach, of all people, who taught him a trick that shaped one of the greatest jumpers of all time.
Its always about the grip
The three-time champion was a 37. 6% career three-point shooter in consistent high volume of attempts. He played basketball for twelve years in the NBA and made a basket above the three-point line in six of those years. Bird’s ability to shoot the three was a major factor in his on-court demeanor because it rendered him a complete player. In his own words, the three-point shot demoralizes every opponent.
Interestingly enough, Larry Legend once acknowledged that he wasn’t a great shooter when he first joined the NBA, but he knew he needed to improve that aspect of his game because the three-point line was added in his first season. Bird once demonstrated how he approaches every three-point shot attempt.
“I like to just come out and try to get a good release, rotate my backspin, and always keep my eyes on the rim before I shoot the ball.” The Celtics legend said, “I feel like if you don’t do that, it’ll be like shooting at a moving target.”
Larry Bird is one of the greatest shooters in nba history
Bird was a 49. 6% shooter for his career and a 37. 6% shooter from deep over his 13 seasons. 3-pointers had not yet gained traction when he played in the 1980s, especially not to the extent that they have in recent years.
Bird had never averaged more than three 3-pointers in a single season. 3. There were only three distinct years in which he averaged over three tries per game. Nevertheless, he shot more accurately than 2040 percent of the time from deep in six distinct seasons.
Applying that to the NBA of today, Bird would likely be making seven or more 3-pointers per game, assuming he continues to shoot at least his 37 percent of the field. On average over a 6% career, the three-time NBA champion would have scored closer to 30%. 0 points per game rather than 24. 3.
With one of the most beautiful jump shots ever, Bird would undoubtedly be an even more potent offensive threat in the league in 2021. A player who averaged more than six assists in his career would become even more of a playmaking threat due to the possibility of increased spacing brought about by his ability to stretch the floor.
Birds jumper began to take shape in sixth grade
In a sit-down interview with ESPN, Bird talked about some of the shooting secrets he picked up over his career that helped turn him into such a deadly marksman. One of those tricks was a simple one he learned from his sixth-grade coach.
Bird claimed that his trademark jumper was developed with the aid of a wrist-strengthening exercise. He clarified that it was the simple, traditional technique of twisting a roller that had weights and strings attached.
The three-time NBA MVP claimed that maneuver assisted in the development of a wrist-centric jumper known as a “slingshot.” One of the most lethal shooters in NBA history, Kevin Durant, is said to perform the same drill.
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