Great post. Bird did everyting, throwing the ball off of the opposition to save possession, blocked shots, diving on the floor for the ball, setting up teammates with passes, rebounding in traffic, post up game to score and step back 3 pointers. This guy had the most complete game of any player in NBA history. Amazing skill set, court vision and decision making. The best ever and so enjoyable to watch.
You don't see hustle like that anymore, look at him get on the floor! Great video, shows it all - shooting, driving, passing, rebounding, hustling, even blocking a few shots, he did it all. Best ever
2:50 If you brought the ball behind your head and Bird was near you, that ball was gone, trust me on this, I've seen Bird make blocks on many H of F's this way.
Bird got amazing stats even with having to share the scoring/rebounding load with McHale, Parrish, etc...its not like they were a 1 man team and he was getting ridiculous stats. His stats probably would have been much greater with less of a supporting cast. Those guys had to get their points too.
Besides the great plays by Bird, it was great when DJ had the ball - everything was going to be okay. we knew he'd do something smart with the ball and get it to the right person or hit the clutch jumper. Not to mention play good defense. RIP DJ.
0:33 How did this ball get into McHale's hands? It's like a magician's act. And the confidence of McHale to expect Bird to come away with the ball... because of course, Bird almost always does. If any one else fell to the floor in a scramble, everyone on the team would normally expect the play is broken and drift back on D or reset.
Talent? He had the most talent I'd say, the hand eye coordination, I've never seen a player get a rebound and an assist simultaneously so many times over and over..his quick touch passes were ridiculous ...athletically talented not as much. But even there he wasn't nonathletic at all..he was the least athletic of all of the all time greats. His peers. You can't make it to the NBA without some athleticism...and getting 10rpg almost two steals a game means that he was athletic enough.
You notice how in the 80's fans just wore their regular clothes they would wear at a birthday party. The stands aren't all green like you would see today. Back then it was a mix of green blue red orange shirts. Nobody painted their face or wore green wigs and Bird Jersey's everywhere !! Just something I noticed when you watch NBA games in the 80's. When did that change ? Mid 90's ??
Bucks were pretty good in the 80's. You can see much of their main problem(s) here. Pressey was a solid player and defender, but was 6'5, maybe 6'6. Larry has his way on the boards, as aside from 6'9 Cummings, Bucks' best players were about 6'3 to 6'7. Moncrief, Pierce, Pressey, Reynolds. No real size among their tops.
As a hardcore Celtics fan I can say I greatly admired the mid 80's Bucks. If not for my beloved Celtics, especially the greatest all time team in 1986, the Bucks would have won 1-2 World Championships in the 80's. Much respect to the 80's Bucks.
Larry Bird was the best basketball player in NBA history.
Great post. Bird did everyting, throwing the ball off of the opposition to save possession, blocked shots, diving on the floor for the ball, setting up teammates with passes, rebounding in traffic, post up game to score and step back 3 pointers. This guy had the most complete game of any player in NBA history. Amazing skill set, court vision and decision making. The best ever and so enjoyable to watch.
💯 💯 💯
mrgrandprix fourspeed you know your basketball!! For sure
He watched Dave Cowens who hustled same way a decade earlier
You don't see hustle like that anymore, look at him get on the floor! Great video, shows it all - shooting, driving, passing, rebounding, hustling, even blocking a few shots, he did it all. Best ever
2:50 If you brought the ball behind your head and Bird was near you, that ball was gone, trust me on this, I've seen Bird make blocks on many H of F's this way.
Bird got amazing stats even with having to share the scoring/rebounding load with McHale, Parrish, etc...its not like they were a 1 man team and he was getting ridiculous stats. His stats probably would have been much greater with less of a supporting cast. Those guys had to get their points too.
Larry Bird breaks the infatuation with numbers and flashiness.
True GOAT
Besides the great plays by Bird, it was great when DJ had the ball - everything was going to be okay. we knew he'd do something smart with the ball and get it to the right person or hit the clutch jumper. Not to mention play good defense. RIP DJ.
The two announcers here, Mike Gorman and Tommy Heinsohn, still announce the Celtics games on local TV today -- 30 years later.
The famous '85-86 season in Boston. A healthy Bill Walton and they were 50-1 at home. Greatest season ever put together by a team.
Pure Skill And All Around Game
0:33 How did this ball get into McHale's hands? It's like a magician's act. And the confidence of McHale to expect Bird to come away with the ball... because of course, Bird almost always does. If any one else fell to the floor in a scramble, everyone on the team would normally expect the play is broken and drift back on D or reset.
Bird is the fucking word - he was the best
Talent? He had the most talent I'd say, the hand eye coordination, I've never seen a player get a rebound and an assist simultaneously so many times over and over..his quick touch passes were ridiculous ...athletically talented not as much. But even there he wasn't nonathletic at all..he was the least athletic of all of the all time greats. His peers. You can't make it to the NBA without some athleticism...and getting 10rpg almost two steals a game means that he was athletic enough.
After the 83 sweep Larry tortured the Bucks every chance he got.
Athleticism?? If you can stuff a guy - get the ball - and move it up the floor all in one motion - I'd say that's athleticism...
If Bird was more selfish or offensive minded, he could have been a consistent thirty point per game scorer. Perhaps the best all around player ever...
You notice how in the 80's fans just wore their regular clothes they would wear at a birthday party. The stands aren't all green like you would see today. Back then it was a mix of green blue red orange shirts. Nobody painted their face or wore green wigs and Bird Jersey's everywhere !! Just something I noticed when you watch NBA games in the 80's. When did that change ? Mid 90's ??
Awesome basketball
If you watch this video and don't consider Bird the greatest player in history, seek help.
Bucks were pretty good in the 80's. You can see much of their main problem(s) here. Pressey was a solid player and defender, but was 6'5, maybe 6'6. Larry has his way on the boards, as aside from 6'9 Cummings, Bucks' best players were about 6'3 to 6'7. Moncrief, Pierce, Pressey, Reynolds. No real size among their tops.
Bird owned Terry Cummings real estate, just another long list of brothers he dominated in the eighties, what can you say, the white boy was BADASS!
(3:33) In your face. 🤣
Larry Bird was a real badass.
I love the black leprechaun at 1:31.
YES! The goal at the end of the rainbow 😂
Yup
@MrTApples just a few.. hundred, that is.
As a hardcore Celtics fan I can say I greatly admired the mid 80's Bucks. If not for my beloved Celtics, especially the greatest all time team in 1986, the Bucks would have won 1-2 World Championships in the 80's. Much respect to the 80's Bucks.