I watched every Larry Bird game live that was nationally televised. Bird was my dad's favorite player and he made me watch them (at the start). These videos just bring back all these memories and PLB does a great job of capturing what you felt back then but it is impossible to capture how much emotion flowed from that fights and how wrapped up you were in it. Thank you PLB! You are one of the few YT accounts that I drop everything and just watch whatever you post. Love you man!
Those championship series were the best. Tough rosters, competitors, and characters on both of those squads. I feel fortunate to have grown up watching the NBA of that era. Great video as usual
That was the championship series that set the standard for the NBA. Ruthless pursuit of the trophy by the very best teams I have ever seen play the game.
@@NC-123-45 The 80s was more competetive, the 90s had the expansion teams and the superstars (Bird, Magic, MJ, Barkley, Karl Malone, Stockton, Pippen, Olajuwon, etc.) started retiring and lost a lot of prime talents so the NBA was watered down a lot. It still is morecompetetive and exciting than todays NBA where there is no defense and all about 3 point shots.
He didn't have to prove himself every time he stepped on the court....That ended a few weeks after he played every team. A few weeks top. People and fans could see he was a stone cold killer. And let me make it clear....people thought he would not succed due to his skin color.
Thank you for making and sharing this video. People that never saw Bird play have no idea how good of an all around player Bird was and just look at the ring count to evaluate a player. The number of rings is only part of the evaluation of a player because a championship requires a good team to earn it. Bird had a killer instinct and great leadership skills. Bird went to a 29 win team and with 1 player change to the roster in ML Carr and a new coach in Bill Fitch, Bird was the main reason for Boston winning 61 games = a 32 game turnaround. Bird won the ROY and was 4th in the MVP voting. For the next 8 seasons ( before the dual heel surgeries and back issues) Bird in the MVP finished 2,2,2,1,1,1,3, and 2nd again. Bird created the 50-40-90 shooting club, did it 2 years back to back (87 and 88) and was so close in 85 and 86 that if you total Bird's stats = Bird averaged 50-40-90 over 4 consecutive seasons. No other "goat" candidate can say that. Bird in his early years was on 3 all defense teams ( 2nd team) and in 1983 finished tied for 3rd place for the DPOY award. Bird led the league in defensive win shares 4 times and was 7 times in the top 5 in DWS. When it came to the end of the game = Bird hit many game winning shots and had the confidence to demand the ball even from the coach of the team. Bird was so good = it was must see TV whenever he played and he played like his life depended on the outcome. Thanks!
Have to say perfectly summed him up. I didn’t like the Celtics back and really never have. But that man earned all the respect every game. MJ is my legend but Bird was every thing they mentioned in this video. So White Men Can’t Jump is a thing. That man could straight up ball.
Bird is the best all around player in NBA history. And people don't realize his defensive/win rating is better than MJ's, Lebron's, Magic's, etc. @@Rob0243
What is truly amazing about being able to witness Larry Bird and Celtics when I was in my 20's was I didn't know about the trash talk and just how clutch Larry was in the time he was needed
You must see all of them flopping now and yet make millions of dollars thinking what about if you played back then with these dudes...would you still be called 'king' and shit like that ?
@@rayjones4616 Nope. They are all one dimensional. To be the greatest, you have to do everything better than everyone else....that is Larry F'ing Bird.
Yeah, nice try, but by that measure, LeBron or Westbrook would rank higher than Bird and Oscar and Magic would be the two greatest. The fact that you think that Kareem, Wilt and Michael were one-dimensional, shows how little you really know about the game. You just influenced me to put Kobe ahead of Bird.@@Mark-yn5lt
1984 NBA championship series is the all-time high water mark for the NBA, in my opinion. Largest rivalry ever in the NBA when they were at their peak. ENDLESS iconic games/plays/storylines, etc. That series saved the NBA. Cant be overstated.
The LA games on Sunday afternoon at the Garden was the best BB I've ever seen and will ever see. Those were the two best teams of all time and it's not close. The Boston Garden was electric, the only time I heard a louder crowd was at the Hagler fights where I sat in the second row.
Wow, not only were we privy to the Lakers Celtics rivalry but the absolute best in middle weight boxing with Hagler, Hearns, Leonard and Duran. What a great time to be a sports fan
@@bracefrederick5525 IT WAS!!! I was born in 1966 and my Dad would remind me "son, feel fortunate, you are watching the BEST player ever and the best team EVER and the best era of boxing EVER. I believed him! I got to SEE EVERY MINUTE OF IT ALL! Thank you Mom and Dad. lol
@@ianholland6494 Yup, no AC, shit falling from the ceiling, sometimes musty, but what a place to watch a game. The new places suc. Just like the old Orange bowl for watching the Canes, it was like no other, just awesome. New stadiums blow.
@@psymar 😂 My bad!!! That honestly made me laugh. When I saw it in thumbnail I thought "who did I insult?" Then when I came here I actually chuckled a little.
True that! Guys, I am 51 and was blessed to watch these games! Today’s NBA needs to go back to physical; not a global ratings seeking league. The games back in the 1980’s were just better: Jordan rules, Larry vs Bird, etc.. Those games were unmatched by this version of the NBA!! I mean, good God, the fact that the Nuggets won this past time should be a good indication of how much the NBA needs good competition!!
This game was brutal especially when the Celtics clotheslined Kurt Rambis. It's a wonder any of these players aren't in a wheelcar now because 80's Basketball was more physical than the WWE
Let's be real...in those days to win a ring you had to beat Atlanta,the lakers,the celtics,the pistons,the bulls.. You didn't win a ring.. You earned that ring... There were amazing hof talent on ALOT of teams
Unlike the NBA in this day and age. Larry Bird and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (along with Erwin "Magic" Johnson) had been virtually unstoppable in every step of the way. But what also interested me was between Larry Bird and Dennis Rodman. Man.......*that* had been epic.
@captainjim6300 wonder if larry bird still has machiel Jordan 60s points nightmare , laugh laugh, larry bird tell coach k.c Jones,please take me ( larry bird) out of the game got a machiel Jordan headache,larry bird tell , coach k.c Jones throw white towel, 60s points machiel Jordan nightmare ,, Nikola jokic would've ❤️ to play against larry bird, Nikola jokic would've ❤️ 🐦 sandwich from Boston Gardiner Cafe 50s points against ,larry bird retire before wouldn't have play against Kevin garnett& David Robinson would'vea 🐦sandwich ,, laugh laugh,, I hear larry bird didn't play much on 1992 dream team ,,Luka doncic & Nikola jokic like larry bird but much better
I watched every one of those games. Tough grinding battles. Being from west coast mostly Lakers. Except when they played the Celtics because Bird. Mad respect for KC Jones 2.
@@curbozerboomer1773 I can't disagree with that. I think the same thing, but there is a bit of physicality with blocking out for rebounds, setting picks and players running into them, fouls, etc. Tempers will flair. The officials let a lot go in the NBA, that they shouldn't, at times. Money being involved, has a lot to do with that, and it seems to please most of the crowd, also. If it were like that in high school and college, it would ruin the game for how it was intended to be played.
Kareem has mellowed greatly over the years. There was the activist inside him and there was lots of anger he dealt with but, it seems retirement and these latter years have him a much gentler man!
This is the basketball I grew up watching & I didn’t see color period. I grew up on a reservation and these guys are the players who brought America together
Thank god for video this brings you right back to the good old days these truely are the amazly gritty players that paved the way for so many of the greats of today ❤❤❤❤
You have understand what had happened. That a couple of minutes after McHale Clotheslined Kurt Rambis. It really had nothing to do with Larry Bird personally. Kareem was standing up for his teammates. This video is out of context. Do research.
Love the physicality, the manliness, the integrity and the giving of respect when it was earned. Also, good to see pros at a time when being tatted out was not a requirement.
Once they legally brought betting into professional sports they ruined everything. I can't believe they expect fans to believe that the referees aren't influencing games with their calls.
No replays, no ejections, no fines. Hear that NBA? Yeah it got rough sometimes, but you knew these guys were playing with heart. Today? Well, I think we all know what today's game is.
@@therealjaystone2344 You hadn't even hit it up as a brown stain on your mommas mattress yet kid when Bird was getting rings, and you're talking here like you think you know something.
Larry Bird Is The Goat I have the pleasure of watching him play when he was with Indiana in Las Cruces New Mexico who won the game with the full court shot right into the basket it was amazing that brought the house down
Download this ASAP in case it gets pulled. I still would like to see the previous one that had to get pulled and parts removed uploaded to rumb rokf or another less censored platform. Please let us know if you post it on a different platform. I would pay for the long form versions of these that our YT overlords won't let you post. Love you man! Keep being you and keep posting!
Words can’t describe how awesome that era of basketball was. The rivalries and the level of competitiveness and talent in that era was incredible. Miss the 80s and 90s nba.
Looking in slooo-mootion, you can see Kevin McHale is the one that slapped Kareem in the head from behind. Kareem thought it was Bird and threw an elbow at Bird for payback. Both Bird and Kareem thought the other was playing dirty and Kevin just stood by and watch.
These replays remind me of when I was a kid and everyone would come over to watch basketball because we had a satellite dish. Now I just feel old with good memories.
I remember watching the Lakers and Celtics battling. I'm Warriors fan but man o man were those series wars. Magic and Bird....it doesn't get any better
Jabber wasn't scary 👻 👽 of larry bird, jabber skyhook shot would've score 50s against larry, maybe jabber scary 👻 👽 of Robert Parrish in a fight , Joel embiid would've score 70s points against larry bird
@kjoc70 Robert Parrish wasn't afraid of jabber, seen Robert Parrish tried to bully jabber, Willis Reed had a deadly lefty hook punch, , jabber didn't want to mess with Willis Reed or Robert Parrish, laugh, laugh
@user-xb1em1zx5u larry bird has enough basketball fans to run for president however magic 🎩 Johnson has more nba championship 🏆 than larry bird in same Era, end of story.
I don't know when those interviews were, but, Cornbread Maxwell and Byron Scott look great man! As a kid, these were my idols, Rambis w/ the horned rim glasses, James Worthy, Tiny Archibald, and, of course Magic vs. Bird, so amazing.
Born in 68..and what I would give for more kareem,magic,bird,McHale playoffs...basketball at its best..win,lose,mad respect for your opponents,fist flying,beers drunk after games..when players actually gave a fuck
I think Larry Bird was the greatest to ever play the game. You keep hearing the same comment "he was the biggest trash talker ever but he could back it up!!" The game was much more physical than it is now, Larry was in extreme pain his last few seasons because of the beatings he took nearly every night.
"I'm gonna catch the ball right over here, catch it and shoot it in your face and there ain't a damn thing you can't do about it". Lolol. That's the most badass thing ever. And I've heard other players verify that exact quote and deed.
I am so tired of this BS about the basketball in the past was so much tougher. There was a lot of cheap shotting and the players nowadays are so much bigger and so more skilled in almost every position. Rodman would not be the rebound vacuum cleaner that he was back in the day.because he's just not that big as compared to people in his position nowadays.
@Jenny-px5tu I don't agree. There have been GREAT players all throughout history. Don't discount past talent simply because you were not an adult then. You have no idea unless you saw those old players in person. I would take PRIME Jordan, Bird, and Magic in my starting three to this day.
@@polyscroll I'm not discounting the greatness of those particular players as they were some of the best and I'm old enough to have seen and watch them play. However, it's many of the older players who always say it was so much better and so much tougher in the olden days and I think that's very debatable.
@Jenny-px5tu it was different back then, not better, but some of the great players back then would still be great players today if they played today in their primes.
Its actually endearing the way they talk about Bird. The guys from the 80's and 90's were the best and true gentlemen. They say they hated him but loved him. I miss watching the NBA but the game isn't what it used to be..
Nice. Clever. Almost poetic. But wrong. Magic was a great clutch player who was three time Finals MVP, became the best FT shooter in the league after that SNAFU and bested Bird in their other two finals. The two are mentioned together as rivals for good reason
When the Lakers came back from 17 down at the Garden in Game 4 in the 1987 Finals, Magic scored a sky hook over the outstretched arms of Bird, Parrish and Mc Kale to put the Lakers up by one point with seconds remaining. Bird took the last shot of game, an open shot from the corner, but missed. You made up a story about Bird making free throws of all things, while ignoring what actually happened on the floor in the same game in the NBA Finals. Magic made an incredibly difficult shot, while Bird missed an open shot that would have won the game for the Celtics. We really shouldn't rate one over the other, but if that is what you want to do, please use real world examples.
As you can see, nowadays interest in the NBA is NOWHERE near what is used to be. Also, at the end of this video, what Kareem said was all you need to know about LB.
The nba is much bigger today than then. It wasn’t even live finals till Magic and Bird. There was no show like the NBA on TNT. And the arenas back then were smaller and attendance is way up.
@jamespohl-md2eq Market share for NBA was much higher back then. If TV channels were as limited today as they were back then, NBA wouldn't even be on TV now. The product absolutely sux.
@@johnet22 Lol. You clearly have no clue. The nba wasn’t on national tv. Fact. The finals were on a tape delay. Fact. Arenas are bigger now. Worldwide audience. And the players are better today. Just stop digging.
@@jamespohl-md2eq The NBA sux. Players are "better" because they get to travel and carry the ball; get bailed out by touch fouls and cry for reply every time someone actually touches them. If you don't remember NBA being on CBS then that explains your ignorance. You're just a kid.
@jamespohl-md2eq Google "Average viewership for NBA Finals over time". Then take into account that 25% of today's viewers are international. In the 80s and 90s none were. Then kindly shut your trap. Today's NBA is a crap product.
Sure us Celtics fan all wished the lakers would die and burn in hell, but that was because of the respect we had for them as the opposing team. They were big, fast, smart, smooth, and the best talent on the court by far … Worthy, Coop, Kareem, Scott (microwave - cuz he was so hot right off the bench), and the Magic - truly a magician with his ball handling. The Lakers were never the underdogs like the press wanted to tell us … even in the gahden …
Remember the Days. THANKYOU for this documentary. I ve had 6 concussion and thats a time period i saw the guys, boom, i remembered quite a bit. Thought of every ones name as i saw their, Really Took Me Back.
After all of that and how that coach handled that whole situation, I would not even set foot in Texas as a recruit for Texas Baseball. I mean he showed his true colors and what he thinks and where he stands. He doesnt care about his players and if he says otherwise he is full of shit. Thats just shameful and if I were Texas A&M fans I would be beyond pissed.
The man was a stone cold killer!!!! Larry Bird had the best vision & is the smartest Basketball player ever. Tough as nails too, he would chew up everybody in today’s league.👏👏👏
Plain n simple, Bird won this series for the Celtics. After game 3, it was pretty much ALL Bird & the Celtics. Larry finished with 27.4 ppg 17 rpg. Bird had 98 rebounds. The top 2 Lakers had 111. Great series between 2 great teams!!
Bird was the best. Watching him when I wasa in my teens and growing up and being a Celtics fan......so different now with the ninny NBA. Boston or LA would absolutely wear out any NBA team they faced today if the rules of the 80's were sttill in play.
The league saw the Pistons and Knicks becoming dominant with a rough and tumble style and became concerned about the thug imagery so they softened it up to appease the fans. The game had gotten even too physical for the Celtics during the Bad Boy/Knicks era.
I've been following the NBA since a Child of the 70s and the 80s was the greatest decade of basketball. Bird is the GOAT, and by a large margin. The basketball talent in the man is way above anyone else. He might not sky like MJ or Dr. J but he can play ball better than anybody. Every decade after the 80s have decayed the league with lesser talent and too many teams. The product is awful now, no defense, a lot of hero ball and no one can shoot, even wide open. I can't believe anyone would watch this trash. It's unwatchable.
I got Bird at #2, ALL TIME! A lot of players have longevity careers that are close to Bird. What bothers me about most top 20 lists is that Oscar Robertson, gets NO LOVE!
@@lauranceking2757 Hey dude!! I know. I'm from CINCINNATI, it's the only city I have ever known. I have the advantage of (at the time) having my Dad with me. My Dad ALWAYS said "there was Oscar, and then everybody else." But when Bird came along, especially during those incredible seasons, especially with the style of ball that the NBA played back then. My Dad simply said "I've NEVER SEEN anybody like him." That said it all to me. My Dad KNEW HIS HOOPS! lol I ALWAYS wondered, how it was, that I'd watch Larry and at the end of the game I think "wow!!! dude just DOMINATED THAT ENTIRE GAME." But I'd look at the stats and Larry only scored 24 points. Grabbed 11 boards. Had 8 assists. Had 3 steals. Went 11-11 at the free throw line. Blocked 2 shots. Nothing MIND BLOWING, but when you put it ALL TOGETHER, that was why it seemed like he DOMINATED the game because HE DID!!! haha! Then I started wondering and I asked me Dad "why does it seem like no one does what he does?" My Dad answered with "because you are watching THE GREATEST PLAYER who EVER stepped onto the basketball court." THEN, it all made sense to me. Why didn't Magic or Michael etc. etc. etc. seemingly just CONTROL EVERY ASPECT OF THE GAME like Larry? Because I was watching THE BEST and that's why all the others didn't seem to be on his level. Because THEY WEREN'T! :o) My Dad seen em' all. Russell/ Couzy/ Wilt and Elgin. He said "you were blessed son to have been born when you were. Because you are watching the GREATEST player ever and the GREATEST STARTING FIVE ever to walk onto the court." I believed what my eyes were telling, but more importantly, I believed my Dad. haha!
I have not watched ONE HALF of one game since Larry left. You are correct. Year after year. Little by little everything went down and THEN there was the HUGE DROPOFF! It's simply nonsensical and silly now. I have more important things to do than to watch the NBA. I feel sorry for the youth of today. They have NO IDEA! haha
4:26 & 4:39 Larry Bird DID NOT say “we played like SISSIES.” For reasons that are (I’m sure) due to political incorrectness, this has been CONSTANTLY miss quoted for years! Look back at the actual footage…He actually said “we played like a bunch of WOMEN!”
I'm English. not a huge basketball fan but back in the day when I watched it, Larry Bird was the guy who made me love the game as a youngster.
That ending with Kareem giving LB his love is something to behold
Kareem Abdul jabber was jealous, very hard to break LeBron James new scoring record
Did KA-J call Larry 'Chubby White '??
The league and the media let the Celtics get away with pretty much whatever they wanted. They new this, and pushed the envelope.
Jealous of whom? It definitely wasn't the Celtics. But why are you on a Larry Bird was the GOAT channel with this BS?? @@LoydKline-uw4no
And his backhanded racism!
Simply iconic, these 2 teams were titans in basketball. There's been nothing like it since 🤘🤠❤️
I watched every Larry Bird game live that was nationally televised. Bird was my dad's favorite player and he made me watch them (at the start). These videos just bring back all these memories and PLB does a great job of capturing what you felt back then but it is impossible to capture how much emotion flowed from that fights and how wrapped up you were in it.
Thank you PLB! You are one of the few YT accounts that I drop everything and just watch whatever you post.
Love you man!
BEST LARRY COMMENT EVER! lol Me toooooooo!
After that time I couldn't watch basketball again because I have already seen the best.
Mary Lou Rhetton & the Celtics defined the 80s!
That's when Basketball was amazing! I loved watching the NBA at that time and those Celtics vs Lakers games were always fun to watch!
Those championship series were the best. Tough rosters, competitors, and characters on both of those squads. I feel fortunate to have grown up watching the NBA of that era. Great video as usual
when men were men
And though the hatred was strong for the opposing players and team, the respect now is just as strong 30+ years later!
@@stevez3332true but Danny Ainge was still a crybaby 😢
ya i can admit that he was for sure@@100hooker
Hell Yes!!!
That was the championship series that set the standard for the NBA. Ruthless pursuit of the trophy by the very best teams I have ever seen play the game.
Indeed dude AND it wasn't even close!!!
The 80s & 90s NBA was a beautiful thing to witness. And so many fantastic players setting records too. A different era, that's for sure.
It was the rivalry that saved the nba, no less. Anchored on magic/bird
@@NC-123-45 The 80s was more competetive, the 90s had the expansion teams and the superstars (Bird, Magic, MJ, Barkley, Karl Malone, Stockton, Pippen, Olajuwon, etc.) started retiring and lost a lot of prime talents so the NBA was watered down a lot. It still is morecompetetive and exciting than todays NBA where there is no defense and all about 3 point shots.
Good to hear a bunch of great players discussing Bird and all respectful good nature.
Nice to see the respect for Larry and well deserved.
He didn't have to prove himself every time he stepped on the court....That ended a few weeks after he played every team. A few weeks top. People and fans could see he was a stone cold killer. And let me make it clear....people thought he would not succed due to his skin color.
Thank you for making and sharing this video. People that never saw Bird play have no idea how good of an all around player Bird was and just look at the ring count to evaluate a player. The number of rings is only part of the evaluation of a player because a championship requires a good team to earn it. Bird had a killer instinct and great leadership skills. Bird went to a 29 win team and with 1 player change to the roster in ML Carr and a new coach in Bill Fitch, Bird was the main reason for Boston winning 61 games = a 32 game turnaround. Bird won the ROY and was 4th in the MVP voting. For the next 8 seasons ( before the dual heel surgeries and back issues) Bird in the MVP finished 2,2,2,1,1,1,3, and 2nd again. Bird created the 50-40-90 shooting club, did it 2 years back to back (87 and 88) and was so close in 85 and 86 that if you total Bird's stats = Bird averaged 50-40-90 over 4 consecutive seasons. No other "goat" candidate can say that. Bird in his early years was on 3 all defense teams ( 2nd team) and in 1983 finished tied for 3rd place for the DPOY award. Bird led the league in defensive win shares 4 times and was 7 times in the top 5 in DWS. When it came to the end of the game = Bird hit many game winning shots and had the confidence to demand the ball even from the coach of the team. Bird was so good = it was must see TV whenever he played and he played like his life depended on the outcome. Thanks!
Thank YOU. Great comments on all that Larry Bird brought to the game.
Have to say perfectly summed him up. I didn’t like the Celtics back and really never have. But that man earned all the respect every game. MJ is my legend but Bird was every thing they mentioned in this video. So White Men Can’t Jump is a thing. That man could straight up ball.
Bird is the best all around player in NBA history. And people don't realize his defensive/win rating is better than MJ's, Lebron's,
Magic's, etc. @@Rob0243
No one underestimated Bird after 10 games into his NBA career.
No one ever underestimated Bird. He and Magic were two of the most celebrated rookies ever to enter the league. He didn't sneak up on anyone.
The best line in the vid "This was grown-ass men basketball". Yes Sir!
Soon the NBA will merge with the WNBA and it will be Unisexball. 🤮
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Love it
Basketball were played by warriors. Plane and simple
In 5 years, there would be more contact in the 80s NBA than in the current day NFL.
@@zlinedavid TRUTH!
Always good to see the older players and how much respect that they had for each other.
What is truly amazing about being able to witness Larry Bird and Celtics when I was in my 20's was I didn't know about the trash talk and just how clutch Larry was in the time he was needed
While everyone else on the floor was playing checkers, Larry was playing chess.
Eh...Lakers 2-1 in the 80s finals. If it wasn't for DJ's steal, it would be 3-0.
i like the 80s Celtics, but I think the metaphor you're looking for is "checkers/pro-wrestling".
@@rayjohnson2711 LOL
No, everyone was paying chess, Larry was playing Basketball
Born in 1966 - what a privilege it was to witness Larry and those Celtic teams. There was nothing like it then.....and nothing like it now.
You must see all of them flopping now and yet make millions of dollars thinking what about if you played back then with these dudes...would you still be called 'king' and shit like that ?
Born the same year , you are absolutely correct , basketball has never been the same
Larry Bird wouldn't make a starting squad today. Look at these puffy slow guys.
@heatmoon Larry Bird was tougher that today's group of sissies.
I was born in 63. You just stated it perfectly my man 👍
larry bird is the goat no matter wat anybody says! there will never be a player as great
He's definitely top five or ten, but he's not the greatest. That's an argument between Kareem, Wilt and Jordan.
@@rayjones4616 stfu hes the greatest. larry bird is the goat. go cry about it.
@@rayjones4616 Nope. They are all one dimensional. To be the greatest, you have to do everything better than everyone else....that is Larry F'ing Bird.
Yeah, nice try, but by that measure, LeBron or Westbrook would rank higher than Bird and Oscar and Magic would be the two greatest. The fact that you think that Kareem, Wilt and Michael were one-dimensional, shows how little you really know about the game.
You just influenced me to put Kobe ahead of Bird.@@Mark-yn5lt
@@rayjones4616 none of them are even close to MJ so dont bring up lebron. larry bird is the goat. cry about it .
1984 NBA championship series is the all-time high water mark for the NBA, in my opinion. Largest rivalry ever in the NBA when they were at their peak. ENDLESS iconic games/plays/storylines, etc. That series saved the NBA. Cant be overstated.
The LA games on Sunday afternoon at the Garden was the best BB I've ever seen and will ever see. Those were the two best teams of all time and it's not close. The Boston Garden was electric, the only time I heard a louder crowd was at the Hagler fights where I sat in the second row.
Wow, not only were we privy to the Lakers Celtics rivalry but the absolute best in middle weight boxing with Hagler, Hearns, Leonard and Duran. What a great time to be a sports fan
@@bracefrederick5525 IT WAS!!! I was born in 1966 and my Dad would remind me "son, feel fortunate, you are watching the BEST player ever and the best team EVER and the best era of boxing EVER. I believed him! I got to SEE EVERY MINUTE OF IT ALL! Thank you Mom and Dad. lol
Electric and hot as hell…
@@ianholland6494 Yup, no AC, shit falling from the ceiling, sometimes musty, but what a place to watch a game. The new places suc. Just like the old Orange bowl for watching the Canes, it was like no other, just awesome. New stadiums blow.
@@BillJohnston-y7oI loved the old garden, it had its own party going on in each section. Nothing like going to a C's or B's game during the 1980's.
If the NBA had a finals with these types of things being ALLOWED to happen, it would be the highest rated finals in 20 years.
The league today might as well be YMCA, so weak.
@@TerryT0114That's an insult to the Y.
@@psymar 😂
My bad!!!
That honestly made me laugh.
When I saw it in thumbnail I thought "who did I insult?"
Then when I came here I actually chuckled a little.
@@psymar 😂🤣😂
True that! Guys, I am 51 and was blessed to watch these games! Today’s NBA needs to go back to physical; not a global ratings seeking league. The games back in the 1980’s were just better: Jordan rules, Larry vs Bird, etc.. Those games were unmatched by this version of the NBA!! I mean, good God, the fact that the Nuggets won this past time should be a good indication of how much the NBA needs good competition!!
This game was brutal especially when the Celtics clotheslined Kurt Rambis. It's a wonder any of these players aren't in a wheelcar now because 80's Basketball was more physical than the WWE
Rambis was a designated enforcer from New York Knick days.
@@MrReymoclif714Wtf you talking about?
@@govt.op.3683 He's saying that Rambis getting clotheslined was probably payback.
Let's be real...in those days to win a ring you had to beat Atlanta,the lakers,the celtics,the pistons,the bulls..
You didn't win a ring..
You earned that ring...
There were amazing hof talent on ALOT of teams
Unlike the NBA in this day and age. Larry Bird and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (along with Erwin "Magic" Johnson) had been virtually unstoppable in every step of the way.
But what also interested me was between Larry Bird and Dennis Rodman.
Man.......*that* had been epic.
Mainly, you have to go get past Boston and LA
Also the 76ers who were a tremendous team then
@@Milordvega yes,, people forget Larry played against dr.j
Houston, Bucks, Philly, later on Bulls and Cavs
❤❤❤ The way they all giggle with glee remembering LB’s trash talking….😂😂😂😂
When people try to say lebron is better than Bird i just laugh and laugh.
Yeah because bird can't compare..
It's the killer instinct and heart.... Bird is the GOAT
@@myronbledsoe44: Bird didn't tell black folks to vote Democrat then they get pushed to the back of the Democrat bus behind illegals.
Lebron does.
@@myronbledsoe44If your BOY ever had to play teams like that, he would run home crying😂
Yup he crys like a baby now.@craigregan1930
I had the privilege to watch his entire career and what a joy it was !! From player to coach !! He was the greatest in my book !
I love how retired Magic said: No question, he's the best... Playin right now.🤣
That famous steal and pass to Dennis Johnson? That was memorable!
Magic was a player when he made that statement. Later on he said the same thing about MJ.
Born in 75 Bird was the word ...my favorite player still
Luka doncic score 73 points last night Luka doncic would've score 73 points against larry bird
@@LoydKline-uw4no Not even after the back injury. Even Jordan never beat him in the Eastern Finals
@captainjim6300 wonder if larry bird still has machiel Jordan 60s points nightmare , laugh laugh, larry bird tell coach k.c Jones,please take me ( larry bird) out of the game got a machiel Jordan headache,larry bird tell , coach k.c Jones throw white towel, 60s points machiel Jordan nightmare ,, Nikola jokic would've ❤️ to play against larry bird, Nikola jokic would've ❤️ 🐦 sandwich from Boston Gardiner Cafe 50s points against ,larry bird retire before wouldn't have play against Kevin garnett& David Robinson would'vea 🐦sandwich ,, laugh laugh,, I hear larry bird didn't play much on 1992 dream team ,,Luka doncic & Nikola jokic like larry bird but much better
Me too august of 75
@@LoydKline-uw4no You're a dolt
I watched every one of those games. Tough grinding battles. Being from west coast mostly Lakers. Except when they played the Celtics because Bird. Mad respect for KC Jones 2.
I remember the Boston Celtics early 1980s because it was televised in Australia too. Larry Bird was awesome, my favourite for sure.
Cedric: “Grown ass man basketball”. That says it all. Bring back that intensity and physicality. Game got boring without it.
Weird to think that had the Celtics lost game 4 they would have been down 3-1 and it would have likely been the Lakers winning the championship !!
Disagree...The game of basketball is not intended to be like football!..Finesse, and total teamwork is what is needed to win at this sport.
@@curbozerboomer1773 I can't disagree with that. I think the same thing, but there is a bit of physicality with blocking out for rebounds, setting picks and players running into them, fouls, etc. Tempers will flair. The officials let a lot go in the NBA, that they shouldn't, at times. Money being involved, has a lot to do with that, and it seems to please most of the crowd, also. If it were like that in high school and college, it would ruin the game for how it was intended to be played.
Game’s weak without it.
We called this physical play…”Chinese rough house”!
Kareem has mellowed greatly over the years. There was the activist inside him and there was lots of anger he dealt with but, it seems retirement and these latter years have him a much gentler man!
This is the basketball I grew up watching & I didn’t see color period. I grew up on a reservation and these guys are the players who brought America together
Why did you bring up color?
Thank god for video this brings you right back to the good old days
these truely are the amazly gritty players that paved the way for so many of the greats of today
❤❤❤❤
These athletes are gracious and understand true sportsmanship!❤
It’s funny learning how frustrated Bird got Kareem. Kareem throws elbow at Bird. You just knew Bird was gonna go off.
You have understand what had happened. That a couple of minutes after McHale Clotheslined Kurt Rambis. It really had nothing to do with Larry Bird personally. Kareem was standing up for his teammates.
This video is out of context. Do research.
Kareem was an arrogant jerk
@@realg5276: A backside elbow is the wussy way.
A lowered shoulder in the jaw is the mams way.
It means soooo much more when compliments and accolades come from those you played with and against.
The 84 Finals has to be the absolute most iconic in NBA history. Definitely a turning point for league popularity since it was aired in primetime
Man that's 40 years ago man. Damn! Covers a lot of ground and nowhere close.
Celtics, Lakers, Bad Boys and up and coming Hawks, Bulls and Houston. It was a very special and entertaining time for the NBA.
Love the physicality, the manliness, the integrity and the giving of respect when it was earned. Also, good to see pros at a time when being tatted out was not a requirement.
“This was old grown man basketball “
That’s good shit!
Cedric Maxwell always speaks the truth.
I believe he said, "Grown assed men basketball", and yes it was.
Old to a kid maybe
Now everyone sees that the Detroit Pistons Bad Boys teams were not the only team that played a tough style of basketball.
Yes, when men in their upper 20s and low 30s looked 55 years old 😂
We are lucky to be alive, while Larry Bird made history.
Once they legally brought betting into professional sports they ruined everything. I can't believe they expect fans to believe that the referees aren't influencing games with their calls.
One of the things that gives me great respect for the legends is their great respect of each other after the fact. ❤🤟💯
I loved watching bird lay it down on all those new players who thought they could take him.
Hear Luka dancic 73 points, Luka doncic would've score 73 points against larry bird
I love hearing the greats of yesteryear giving their foes their flowers. You can't deny greatness.
I love how these players went to war against each other but after the war all love.
I Love Your Stuff On Larry. I Hope You Can Get More Reg Season Games To Share Of Larry & Celtics.
I was at fortunate enough to get to watch a lot of these guys play and wow they were great
No replays, no ejections, no fines. Hear that NBA? Yeah it got rough sometimes, but you knew these guys were playing with heart. Today? Well, I think we all know what today's game is.
All games were scripted
@@therealjaystone2344 You hadn't even hit it up as a brown stain on your mommas mattress yet kid when Bird was getting rings, and you're talking here like you think you know something.
@@Nick-wh4jt sounds like you need a bottle lol
@@therealjaystone2344 looking at both your comments now it sounds like you just need to worry about getting your tinfoil hat champ
@@Nick-wh4jt looking at your comment and you really need to face reality instead of rooting your team lol
Larry Bird Is The Goat I have the pleasure of watching him play when he was with Indiana in Las Cruces New Mexico who won the game with the full court shot right into the basket it was amazing that brought the house down
Download this ASAP in case it gets pulled. I still would like to see the previous one that had to get pulled and parts removed uploaded to rumb rokf or another less censored platform. Please let us know if you post it on a different platform. I would pay for the long form versions of these that our YT overlords won't let you post.
Love you man! Keep being you and keep posting!
Words can’t describe how awesome that era of basketball was. The rivalries and the level of competitiveness and talent in that era was incredible. Miss the 80s and 90s nba.
Bird is the Man!
Because Kareem knew how good Bird was...out of control good. Human nature. In reality even then he had oceans of respect for him.
Looking in slooo-mootion, you can see Kevin McHale is the one that slapped Kareem in the head from behind.
Kareem thought it was Bird and threw an elbow at Bird for payback.
Both Bird and Kareem thought the other was playing dirty and Kevin just stood by and watch.
Kevin was filthy. And we loved him.
😂🤣😂 I've gotta watch that! I missed it! lol
I just saw it! Thx lol I wasn't paying that close attention ...that's hilarious!
These replays remind me of when I was a kid and everyone would come over to watch basketball because we had a satellite dish. Now I just feel old with good memories.
Why do people say Larry Bird was not athletic. One of the greatest athletes ever. The most athletic people couldn't stop him. VERY ATHLETIC!
I remember watching the Lakers and Celtics battling. I'm Warriors fan but man o man were those series wars. Magic and Bird....it doesn't get any better
Say what you want, but Kareem didn't want any part of Bird and agreed, 21st century nba can't compare to then.
Jabber wasn't scary 👻 👽 of larry bird, jabber skyhook shot would've score 50s against larry, maybe jabber scary 👻 👽 of Robert Parrish in a fight , Joel embiid would've score 70s points against larry bird
It's a bit difficult to think of Jabbar being afraid of anyone after his kung fun training with Bruce Lee.
@kjoc70 Robert Parrish wasn't afraid of jabber, seen Robert Parrish tried to bully jabber, Willis Reed had a deadly lefty hook punch, , jabber didn't want to mess with Willis Reed or Robert Parrish, laugh, laugh
Yea okay if I say so … nobody was scared of country boy bird
@user-xb1em1zx5u larry bird has enough basketball fans to run for president however magic 🎩 Johnson has more nba championship 🏆 than larry bird in same Era, end of story.
I'm so Glad I got to witness all the great ball of the 70's' 80's and 90's. haven't really watched it since that time.
I don't know when those interviews were, but, Cornbread Maxwell and Byron Scott look great man! As a kid, these were my idols, Rambis w/ the horned rim glasses, James Worthy, Tiny Archibald, and, of course Magic vs. Bird, so amazing.
THAT was the best game I ever saw! Yeah I grew up in Boston, and Larry Bird is STILL the GOAT!
Players like Bird and Curry practiced relentlessly throughout their career and it paid off
Remember watching that game. Hats off to both teams . Class act from both sides
Born in '61. I saw all of those games. A few years before, the NBA was ready to fold. Bird and Johnston saved pro basketball.
Born in 68..and what I would give for more kareem,magic,bird,McHale playoffs...basketball at its best..win,lose,mad respect for your opponents,fist flying,beers drunk after games..when players actually gave a fuck
Dude had done a great job with these videos!!! I think I have seen all of them now!! These were very interesting!! Thanks for making these videos!!
🏀🇫🇷👍 Larry and Magic are my two favorite players ever !!! 😍😍😍
Larry Bird trashed talked everyone. -No one was safe. Coaches, ball boys, fans, Refs. Media. -He was an equal opportunity trash talker.
I was and am a Celtic fan but i secretly also liked the Lakers. I could not tell my Celtic loving friends. Those were the days!
I think Larry Bird was the greatest to ever play the game. You keep hearing the same comment "he was the biggest trash talker ever but he could back it up!!" The game was much more physical than it is now, Larry was in extreme pain his last few seasons because of the beatings he took nearly every night.
"I'm gonna catch the ball right over here, catch it and shoot it in your face and there ain't a damn thing you can't do about it". Lolol. That's the most badass thing ever. And I've heard other players verify that exact quote and deed.
Classic, I love how Kareem gives Bird his props
Born in 75, lived in Detroit. We love that gladiator shit 😂
Boy the pistons and bulls games was always blood at the end
New NBA is a daycare...
Love it!
I am so tired of this BS about the basketball in the past was so much tougher. There was a lot of cheap shotting and the players nowadays are so much bigger and so more skilled in almost every position. Rodman would not be the rebound vacuum cleaner that he was back in the day.because he's just not that big as compared to people in his position nowadays.
@Jenny-px5tu I don't agree. There have been GREAT players all throughout history. Don't discount past talent simply because you were not an adult then. You have no idea unless you saw those old players in person. I would take PRIME Jordan, Bird, and Magic in my starting three to this day.
@@polyscroll I'm not discounting the greatness of those particular players as they were some of the best and I'm old enough to have seen and watch them play. However, it's many of the older players who always say it was so much better and so much tougher in the olden days and I think that's very debatable.
@Jenny-px5tu it was different back then, not better, but some of the great players back then would still be great players today if they played today in their primes.
Its actually endearing the way they talk about Bird. The guys from the 80's and 90's were the best and true gentlemen. They say they hated him but loved him. I miss watching the NBA but the game isn't what it used to be..
if you give bird two free throws to win a championship, its over twice. That's what puts him above Magic.
Nice. Clever. Almost poetic. But wrong. Magic was a great clutch player who was three time Finals MVP, became the best FT shooter in the league after that SNAFU and bested Bird in their other two finals. The two are mentioned together as rivals for good reason
When the Lakers came back from 17 down at the Garden in Game 4 in the 1987 Finals, Magic scored a sky hook over the outstretched arms of Bird, Parrish and Mc Kale to put the Lakers up by one point with seconds remaining. Bird took the last shot of game, an open shot from the corner, but missed. You made up a story about Bird making free throws of all things, while ignoring what actually happened on the floor in the same game in the NBA Finals. Magic made an incredibly difficult shot, while Bird missed an open shot that would have won the game for the Celtics. We really shouldn't rate one over the other, but if that is what you want to do, please use real world examples.
As you can see, nowadays interest in the NBA is NOWHERE near what is used to be. Also, at the end of this video, what Kareem said was all you need to know about LB.
The nba is much bigger today than then. It wasn’t even live finals till Magic and Bird.
There was no show like the NBA on TNT.
And the arenas back then were smaller and attendance is way up.
@jamespohl-md2eq Market share for NBA was much higher back then. If TV channels were as limited today as they were back then, NBA wouldn't even be on TV now. The product absolutely sux.
@@johnet22 Lol. You clearly have no clue. The nba wasn’t on national tv. Fact. The finals were on a tape delay. Fact.
Arenas are bigger now. Worldwide audience.
And the players are better today.
Just stop digging.
@@jamespohl-md2eq The NBA sux. Players are "better" because they get to travel and carry the ball; get bailed out by touch fouls and cry for reply every time someone actually touches them. If you don't remember NBA being on CBS then that explains your ignorance. You're just a kid.
@jamespohl-md2eq Google "Average viewership for NBA Finals over time". Then take into account that 25% of today's viewers are international. In the 80s and 90s none were. Then kindly shut your trap. Today's NBA is a crap product.
Bird, my hero
Two things: Don't poke the bear.
Never let Larry in your kitchen.
Once he got into an opponents head, the outcome was history.
Sure us Celtics fan all wished the lakers would die and burn in hell, but that was because of the respect we had for them as the opposing team. They were big, fast, smart, smooth, and the best talent on the court by far … Worthy, Coop, Kareem, Scott (microwave - cuz he was so hot right off the bench), and the Magic - truly a magician with his ball handling. The Lakers were never the underdogs like the press wanted to tell us … even in the gahden …
RULE # 1 NEVER NEVER NEVER ....POKE THE GOAT. !
You are fast becoming a master of your craft.
Remember the Days. THANKYOU for this documentary. I ve had 6 concussion and thats a time period i saw the guys, boom, i remembered quite a bit. Thought of every ones name as i saw their, Really Took Me Back.
M.L. Carr was hilarious....the ultimate agitator. Lol.
9:50 I think they would say thank god we actually play basketball with skill and ability instead of trying to hurt each other
You forgot the number 1 reason they didn't like him.. at least Kareem mentioned it in the last 30 secs
After all of that and how that coach handled that whole situation, I would not even set foot in Texas as a recruit for Texas Baseball. I mean he showed his true colors and what he thinks and where he stands. He doesnt care about his players and if he says otherwise he is full of shit. Thats just shameful and if I were Texas A&M fans I would be beyond pissed.
The man was a stone cold killer!!!! Larry Bird had the best vision & is the smartest Basketball player ever. Tough as nails too, he would chew up everybody in today’s league.👏👏👏
Luka and the Joker would eat Bird alive.
Plain n simple, Bird won this series for the Celtics. After game 3, it was pretty much ALL Bird & the Celtics. Larry finished with 27.4 ppg 17 rpg. Bird had 98 rebounds. The top 2 Lakers had 111.
Great series between 2 great teams!!
Bird was the best. Watching him when I wasa in my teens and growing up and being a Celtics fan......so different now with the ninny NBA. Boston or LA would absolutely wear out any NBA team they faced today if the rules of the 80's were sttill in play.
The league saw the Pistons and Knicks becoming dominant with a rough and tumble style and became concerned about the thug imagery so they softened it up to appease the fans. The game had gotten even too physical for the Celtics during the Bad Boy/Knicks era.
Those were the glory days of American basketball.
I've been following the NBA since a Child of the 70s and the 80s was the greatest decade of basketball. Bird is the GOAT, and by a large margin. The basketball talent in the man is way above anyone else. He might not sky like MJ or Dr. J but he can play ball better than anybody. Every decade after the 80s have decayed the league with lesser talent and too many teams. The product is awful now, no defense, a lot of hero ball and no one can shoot, even wide open. I can't believe anyone would watch this trash. It's unwatchable.
I agree. There was Larry Bird and everyone else was fighting it out for the best player #2 - #10
I got Bird at #2, ALL TIME! A lot of players have longevity careers that are close to Bird. What bothers me about most top 20 lists is that Oscar Robertson, gets NO LOVE!
@@lauranceking2757 Hey dude!! I know. I'm from CINCINNATI, it's the only city I have ever known. I have the advantage of (at the time) having my Dad with me. My Dad ALWAYS said "there was Oscar, and then everybody else." But when Bird came along, especially during those incredible seasons, especially with the style of ball that the NBA played back then.
My Dad simply said "I've NEVER SEEN anybody like him." That said it all to me. My Dad KNEW HIS HOOPS! lol
I ALWAYS wondered, how it was, that I'd watch Larry and at the end of the game I think "wow!!! dude just DOMINATED THAT ENTIRE GAME." But I'd look at the stats and Larry only scored 24 points. Grabbed 11 boards. Had 8 assists. Had 3 steals. Went 11-11 at the free throw line. Blocked 2 shots. Nothing MIND BLOWING, but when you put it ALL TOGETHER, that was why it seemed like he DOMINATED the game because HE DID!!! haha!
Then I started wondering and I asked me Dad "why does it seem like no one does what he does?" My Dad answered with "because you are watching THE GREATEST PLAYER who EVER stepped onto the basketball court." THEN, it all made sense to me. Why didn't Magic or Michael etc. etc. etc. seemingly just CONTROL EVERY ASPECT OF THE GAME like Larry?
Because I was watching THE BEST and that's why all the others didn't seem to be on his level. Because THEY WEREN'T! :o)
My Dad seen em' all. Russell/ Couzy/ Wilt and Elgin. He said "you were blessed son to have been born when you were. Because you are watching the GREATEST player ever and the GREATEST STARTING FIVE ever to walk onto the court." I believed what my eyes were telling, but more importantly, I believed my Dad. haha!
I have not watched ONE HALF of one game since Larry left. You are correct. Year after year. Little by little everything went down and THEN there was the HUGE DROPOFF! It's simply nonsensical and silly now. I have more important things to do than to watch the NBA. I feel sorry for the youth of today. They have NO IDEA! haha
The greatest era in basketball history.
Everyone in the WNBA should be required to watch this. You don't disrespect Larry Bird.
These kids today can't hang with real ballers.
They have no clue about how ball was played in the 80's and 90's !
Could you imagine Steph , LeBron or KD going up against the old Pistons ? 😂😂
Loved his fighting spirit!!!
4:26 & 4:39 Larry Bird DID NOT say “we played like SISSIES.” For reasons that are (I’m sure) due to political incorrectness, this has been CONSTANTLY miss quoted for years! Look back at the actual footage…He actually said “we played like a bunch of WOMEN!”
My favorite NA Finals ever.
The next year, Kareem taught a lesson.
I've never seen anyone throw a stealth elbow like jabarr did to Larry that was ruthless.
McHale hit Kareem in the face which in retaliation he's throwing elbows at anyone nearby