Larry Bird is considered one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. His unique and unconventional shooting style allowed him to sink shots from almost anywhere on the court. Bird had an innate ability to get the ball in the basket, and his shooting skills made him virtually unguardable at times.
Larry Bird’s Shooting Stance
When Larry Bird caught the ball and prepared to shoot, he would kick out his right leg and point his toes outward at a 45-degree angle. This open stance allowed him to quickly square his body to the basket. Bird would bend his knees slightly and keep the ball high above his shooting shoulder. His elbow was tucked in close to his body, with his shooting wrist cocked backwards underneath the ball. This kept the ball steady and allowed Bird to shoot in rhythm.
Bird’s open foot stance and high release point made it very difficult for defenders to block or alter his shot. The basketball left his hands from a high point, often releasing the ball on the way up from his jump. Bird had large hands which gave him great control over the basketball. His shooting mechanics allowed him to fire off shots extremely quickly, even when tightly guarded.
Larry Bird’s Unconventional Shooting Style
While most basketball players keep their shooting elbow tucked in and pointed towards the rim, Bird’s elbow stuck out away from his body at around a 45-degree angle. This created a wider base and more separation between Bird and the defender. Bird perfected this style through endless hours of practice. At first glance, his angled elbow appears flawed from a shooting standpoint. But the result was a nearly unblockable shot that splashed through the net from all angles.
Bird also rarely jumped straight up and down on his shot attempts. Instead, he drifted slightly forward or sideways, creating space for his angled elbow and high release point. Bird seemed to shoot better on the move and off balance. His body positioning was always fluid, allowing him to sink shots in awkward positions. While defenders hoped to force Bird into an off-balance shot, he actually felt more comfortable shooting on the move.
Larry Bird’s Shooting Range
Larry Bird had limitless shooting range, especially later in his career after building upper body strength. He could sink jumper after jumper from the 3-point line and wasn’t afraid to shoot from 30+ feet. In fact, Bird would sometimes intentionally shoot from a few feet behind the 3-point line just to intimidate opponents. His range was so deep that opposing teams had to extend their defense further up the court.
Bird could swish long jump shots with a hand in his face thanks to his high release point and ability to shoot over defenders. He thrived in end-of-quarter or end-of-game situations where the defense expected a 3-pointer. Bird also loved shooting game-winning shots over multiple defenders. His clutch shooting in pressure moments became legendary.
Larry Bird’s Long Two-Point Shooting
An underrated aspect of Larry Bird’s shooting was his accuracy from the long two-point area, between around 18-22 feet from the basket. The 3-point line didn’t exist for the first 8 seasons of Bird’s career. So he became an expert at nailing 18 to 21-foot jumpers. After the NBA implemented the 3-point line in 1979, Bird shot fewer long two pointers. But he remained deadly from this range throughout his career, especially late in the shot clock.
Larry Bird’s Three Point Shooting
Larry Bird was one of the pioneers of the 3-point shot in the NBA during the 1980s. He immediately took advantage of the new 3-point line, shooting 71 three-pointers and converting on 21.2% during the 1979-80 season. Within a few seasons, Bird established himself as one of the league’s most dangerous 3-point snipers. He averaged nearly 2 made 3-pointers per game in the 1985-86 and 1986-87 seasons on over 40% shooting.
For his career, Larry Bird shot 37.6% from the 3-point line and hit 649 total 3-pointers. He won the first ever Three-Point Shootout during All-Star Weekend in 1986. Bird’s clutch 3-point shooting in the 4th quarter helped the Celtics win multiple playoff series. His shooting range eventually extended far beyond the 3-point arc.
Larry Bird’s Pump Fake
Larry Bird became known for using the pump fake to get opponents off balance. He would fake a shooter’s motion without releasing the ball, forcing the defender to leave their feet. With the defender in the air, Bird could rise up or lean sideways and knock down an open jumper. He used this move often when receiving passes on the wing or at the top of the key. Bird’s pump fake was extremely quick and accurate, often creating lots of space.
Bird was an expert at reading defenders and knowing when to utilize the pump fake. He mastered the move through endless practice repetitions. Opponents feared Bird’s pump fake and thought twice about aggressively closing out on his jump shots. The threat of his pump fake opened up more space for Bird to shoot comfortably or blow by defenders off the dribble.
Larry Bird’s Head Fake
In addition to the traditional pump fake, Larry Bird also perfected the art of the head fake. He would turn his head one direction, getting the defender to shift his weight. Then Bird would shoot or drive in the opposite direction. This created even more space for Bird’s jump shot or drives to the basket. His head fake mirrored his pass fakes – a subtle look away before going the other direction. Bird used the head fake sparingly but effectively, often late in games to freeze tired defenders.
Catch and Shoot Situations
Larry Bird thrived in catch and shoot situations where he could fire off a jumper immediately after receiving a pass. His quick shooting motion allowed him to rise up before defenders could react. Bird was lethal at finding open space, drifting towards the 3-point line, and nailing catch and shoot threes.
As Rajon Rondo and other Celtic point guards rebounded the ball and pushed in transition, they knew to locate Bird leaking out behind the 3-point line. With just a short pass, he could catch and shoot in one fluid motion. Bird’s size allowed him to catch passes above smaller defenders and instantly elevate into his shooting motion.
In the half court offense, the Celtics would run Bird off multiple screens to free him up for catch and shoot jumpers. He was an expert at pausing for a split-second to square his body after coming off a screen before rising up. Bird could sink catch and shoot jumpers whether standing still, drifting sideways, or sprinting full speed without dribbling.
Trailing Three-Pointers
One of Bird’s go-to catch and shoot situations involved spotting up outside the 3-point line after a teammate pushed the ball in transition. As his teammate attacked 1-on-2 or 2-on-3, Bird would trail the play and find open space near the wing or top of the key. His teammates knew to kick it back to him for trailing three-pointers in transition. Bird’s feet would be set and ready to catch and fire.
Curling off Screens
The Celtics coaching staff developed numerous ways to get Bird open for midrange catch and shoot jumpers. One method involved him curling tightly off screens set by big men like Robert Parish and Kevin McHale. After curling hard off the screen, Bird could quickly catch a pass and rise up for a jumper at the elbow. His defender usually trailed a step behind after navigating the screen.
Larry Bird’s Interior Scoring
While most known for his outside shooting, Larry Bird was more than just a jump shooter. He had an array of moves to score from the low post and interior. Bird spent entire summers early in his career focused on developing footwork and skills with both hands around the basket.
By his third season, Bird had evolved into a lethal post scorer. He could score over either shoulder using hook shots or mini jumpers. Bird became adept at sealing his defender, establishing post position, then quickly spinning or turning for a point blank shot. He carried an immense amount of lower body strength, allowing him to overpower smaller or weaker defenders down low.
Bird could score on turnaround and fadeaway jumpers from the post using his trademark high release point. His shot was nearly impossible to block or alter down low. While not the most explosive leaper, Bird could maneuver his way into open space under the hoop for layups and putbacks. He shot 56% from the field for his career – an excellent mark for a non-center.
Larry Bird’s Up-and-Under Move
One of Larry Bird’s signature interior moves was the up-and-under play. After catching the ball in the post, he would fake one direction, getting his defender to shift that way. Then in one quick motion Bird would swing the ball back underneath and take a short jump hook or layup. The shot would release from under the defender’s arms before they could react.
Bird often used the up-and-under after overpowering his man for deep post position. If the defender bodied up to take away the middle, Bird would fake over his outside shoulder. But when defenders anticipated the fake, Bird would reverse direction and still manage to sink a tough angle shot using his impeccable touch.
Layups and Floaters
Despite his lack of blazing speed, Larry Bird was a very effective scorer off the dribble when attacking the rim. He had an array of scoop shots and runners that allowed him to score in traffic among big men. Bird developed a reliable finger roll layup that he could sink from any angle.
When defenders respected his pull up jump shot, Bird was able to get all the way to the rim for creative layups. He preferred to go left but was capable of finishing with either hand. Bird’s large hands allowed him to control the ball through contact and score off balance floaters. He had excellent body control maneuvering around shot blockers in the lane.
During fast breaks, Bird trailed the play and timed his runs perfectly to receive drop off passes for layups. He was one of the pioneers of the trailing transition three pointer – spotting up behind the arc for open catch and shoot threes in transition.
Larry Bird’s Left-Handed Layups
Although naturally right-handed, Larry Bird worked tirelessly throughout his career to develop his left hand. When attacking the rim, he showed a knack for tricky left-handed finishes. This included scoop shots across his body to avoid shot blockers and tough reverse layups while twisting backwards.
Bird could catch drop-off passes along the left baseline and swiftly maneuver into left-handed reverses. His defenders typically overplayed his right hand, allowing Bird to blow by them going left. Developing his left hand also made Bird’s shot fakes more convincing.
Larry Bird’s Free Throw Shooting
Larry Bird was an excellent free throw shooter, especially in clutch situations. He converted 88.6% of his free throw attempts during his 13 year career. Bird had a slow, methodical approach at the charity stripe. He took his time, visualized the shot, bent his knees, and stroked it smoothly with perfect backspin.
Late in close games, opponents would be forced to foul Bird. Despite immense pressure, he stepped to the line with supreme confidence and sank virtually every crucial free throw. Bird shot 90% or better from the line during 5 seasons of his career. In the playoffs, Bird shot 88.2% from the foul line in 164 total games.
His fundamentally sound mechanics and mental focus gave him an edge at the line with the game on the line. Bird had a slightly unorthodox sideways drifting style as he released his free throws. This made his shot nearly impossible for defenders to disrupt when fouling him on purpose.
Technical Free Throws
Larry Bird held the record for most consecutive made technical free throws with 71 until being surpassed by Jose Calderon. When called for a technical foul, Bird would saunter up to the line with extra focus before swishing the shot. He seemed to enjoy the psychological edge of swishing a technical free throw over his opponent.
Clutch Shooting
What truly set Larry Bird apart was his phenomenal shooting in the clutch. When the game was on the line, Bird wanted the ball in his hands. He lived for pressure packed moments. Despite extra defensive pressure, Bird would routinely sink jumpers and free throws in the closing seconds to win games for Boston.
Teammates like Dennis Johnson would assure Coach K.C. Jones late in games, “Just get the ball to Larry and he’ll make the shot.” His clutch shooting earned Bird the nickname “Larry Legend.” He finished his career with 42 game-winning shots in the regular season and playoffs.
Bird had unlimited range in clutch moments. He sunk numerous contested 3-pointers with the game on the line from 30+ feet. Bird also stepped up by nailing two or three free throws in a row to seal victories for the Celtics. His free throw shooting under pressure was incredible.
Playoff Clutch Shooting
Larry Bird consistently played his best during the NBA Playoffs. He seemed to thrive with the added pressure of postseason basketball. In playoff elimination games, Bird shot 47% from the field, 39% on three-pointers, and 90% from the free throw line.
His clutch shooting propelled the Celtics to multiple come from behind playoff series wins. Boston defeated the Lakers in Game 4 of the 1987 Finals on a last second jump shot by Bird over two Laker defenders.
Conclusion
Larry Bird had a truly unique and legendary shooting ability. His shot was both fundamentally sound and unorthodox at the same time. Bird spent countless hours perfecting every aspect of his shooting form. He could adapt his release and footwork to make shots from any spot on the floor.
Bird’s mental approach and competitiveness also set him apart as a clutch shooter. He wanted the ball with the game on the line and thrived under pressure. Bird’s complete mastery of shooting mechanics, footwork, range, and mentality establishes him as one of the greatest shooters the NBA has ever seen.