Larry Bird revolutionized the 3-point line for big-men, according to Chris Webber, and he should be on the Mount Rushmore of NBA players.
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Larry Bird was one of the most deceptive players to have ever played the game of basketball. He made up for his lack of athleticism and brute strength with an absolute refinement of his offensive skillset. Everything from subtle head-fakes to pump-fakes, and even multiple jab-steps to go along with them; Bird had his game down to a ‘T’.
Guys like Michael Jordan, Stephen Curry, and Dirk Nowitzki all took some elements of Bird’s game even if they were the slightest aspects. The Mount Rushmore of most influential NBA players of all time has guys like that up for the running. Unfortunately, Bird’s name is rarely mentioned in that conversation.
Revolutionizing the game and leaving it in a state that it most certainly wasn’t when you first joined the game is what is needed to be a part of this list and it’s safe to say that the way Larry Bird played helped pave the way for 6’7+ guys to be able to stretch the floor.
Chris Webber on Larry Bird.
Chris Webber came into the league after Larry Bird had retired from the game due to severe back problems. Despite never having played against the ‘Hick from French Lick’ on NBA hardwood, the ‘Fab Five’ alum has the utmost respect for him.
In an interview with Dan Patrick, Webber is asked about his Mount Rushmore of players who revolutionized the game of basketball. According to him, there would be no Dirk if there was no Larry Bird.
“Magic is the one who made us want to play point guard but Bird is the one who was the first big-man to start shooting 3s. There’d be no Dirk if it weren’t for Bird.”
While he may seem like it, Larry Bird is merely an inch shorter than what Kevin Durant is currently listed at. So technically, at 6’9, the 3x champ is a big-man, especially going by today’s standards of big-men where guys like Bam Adebayo consistently play center.
![Jason Williams and Chris Webber have always been known to indulge in strange antics with each other, which was raised by Comedian Andrew Schulz, on his show, Flagrant. Appearing on the show, Jason Williams was asked whether he was involved "in a drive-by paintball shooting of Chris Webber's house in Sacramento". The White Chocolate burst into laughter and "plead the fifth". Williams confessed that maybe "his house caught some bullets along the way". However, to everyone's surprise, he told the comedian that "he [Chris Webber] was probably with me in some them drivebys." Adding to this, Williams also shared a hilarious story of a similar driveby with Webber, where the latter's shoe fell off but he had to somehow get it back. "We were doing that one time..we couldn't get in the gate or something so we decided we're going to go down and do our thing at the security guard at night, right, so we got two little scooters we are riding on these scooters and we dropped them in the dark and we are walking through the woods and whatever, we go the paintballs, we got the rocks, boom boom and we take off and left the scooters. But C Web's shoe falls off. And we got back and I was like 'Bro, where is your shoe?'" The story left everyone in the panel in splits as Williams made the 2021 Hall of Fame Inductee go all the way back to fetch his shoe because living in an all-white community, Webber was probably the only one with that size of shoe. However, on a serious note, the 2006 NBA champion confessed that it was one of the most fun times he had with his former teammate. He added that "it was a blessing in disguise" because they had to play a lot of games in different locations. It is obviously heartwarming to see such a chemistry between the legendary duo of Sacramento Kings. Jason Williams once had to travel in the undercarriage of the team bus Rookie hazing has been a part of teams in the NBA, where the veterans on the team try to build chemistry with young players in their own ways like alotting chores. Chris Webber once narrated one such incident where the rookie Jason Williams hid in the undercarriage of the team bus to avoid it. Upon reaching the hotel, the team noticed that Williams was missing. After searching for some time, the team looked under the bus and there was the 1998 draftee. When Webber asked him the reason, White Chocolate responded, "I don't wanna ride with y'all bi*ches up here." Even though it is a fun tradition among teammates to get to know each other, it did take a toll on the one-time All-Star. However, it was not long after this, the two developed good team ability to make some amazing plays together.](https://cdn-wp.thesportsrush.com/2023/11/7f3ad985-nba-2023-11-08t231816.707.jpg?format=auto&w=384&q=75)