Larry Bird explains how growth spurt changed his game and career: "I would've never been in the league at 6'6"

Larry Bird explains how growth spurt changed his game and career: “I would’ve never been in the league at 6’6” originally appeared on Basketball Network.

The legendary Larry Bird has always been honest about himself and his capabilities as a player. For him, it’s always as simple as whether he could do it or not. Interestingly, he also applied the same mindset regarding his height.

During a special 1-on-1 interview with his former Boston Celtics teammate Kevin McHale in 2018, Bird was asked to comment about the impact of his growth spurt on his career. As per Larry Legend, he recognized early on that growing several inches taller dictated his future as an athlete.

Admittedly, Bird didn’t see himself becoming a professional basketball player had he not reached 6’9.” But when he finally did, he definitely made the most out of it.

“Going from 6’6″ to 6’9″ changed my whole game,” Bird candidly reflected. “I mean, I would’ve never been in the league at 6’6.” But at 6’9,” I was bigger and able to do things that most players can’t do at 6’6″ because I can see the court better, I can see over the defender.”

Bird knew what he would’ve been if he didn’t grow taller

As far back as Bird can remember, he was just a little over 6-feet tall when he began playing basketball. Though he had the passion to prove that he could be a great player, “The Hick from French Lick” was open to forgetting about his basketball aspirations if he didn’t have a growth spurt sooner rather than later.

Just when Bird thought he would spend the better part of his youth working full-time somewhere in his hometown, basketball found its way back into his life. All of a sudden, he grew taller, and he went on to pursue a basketball career.

“Thank God I grew, or I’d still be working on that garbage truck,” Bird said as he looked back at his basketball journey during the opening of his museum in Terre Haute, Indiana, last year. “At 6’1″, you don’t make it to the NBA unless you are special and very quick.”

Bird’s height wasn’t his only strength

For a small forward, Bird was taller and bigger than most players. With his height and size advantage, Bird could capitalize on mismatches. He would either shoot over smaller opponents or post them up down low. However, it wasn’t only Bird’s tall stature that he maximized as a player. He also took it upon himself to do everything he could to match his contemporaries’ athleticism and explosiveness.

Early on, Bird acknowledged which aspects of the game he was good at and bad at. While he already had the height, Bird knew he lacked the hops and agility of other players in his position. At that point, Bird accepted that he had to work on only the facets of the game he had control of. Among those were his shooting and basketball IQ.

At 6’9,” Larry Legend became one of the first tall players who could knock it down from the outside. Apart from shooting, Bird also developed his playmaking skills and timing. He went on to become one of the best, if not the best, playmaking big men in the NBA.

Bird went down in NBA history as one of the greatest players of all time. Looking back on his illustrious career, Bird couldn’t help but be grateful for his growth spurts.

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.

Larry Bird explains how growth spurt changed his game and career: “I would’ve never been in the league at 6’6”

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