Isiah Thomas BREAKS DOWN the Larry Bird Steal | Celtics Pistons 87
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- Опубликовано: 17 мар 2023
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Isiah Thomas BREAKS DOWN the Larry Bird Steal, Celtics vs Pistons.
Recently, Isiah Thomas l appeared on the Cedric Maxwell podcast and discussed the infamous play where Larry Bird stole the ball from him in the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals. Thomas said that the play was as much about Bird's greatness as his own mistake. He admitted that he didn't see Bird coming and should have been more aware of his surroundings.
Thomas also expressed his respect for Bird as a player and acknowledged his impact on the game. He said that Bird was one of the toughest players he ever faced and described him as a "psychological assassin" on the court.
Overall, Thomas's appearance on the podcast offered insight into the mindset of a legendary player and provided context for one of the most iconic plays in NBA history.
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To watch the full episode(s) of the Cedric Maxwell podcast with Isiah Thomas, click below:
Part 1 - • Isiah Thomas Interview...
Part 2 - • Isiah Thomas Interview...
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To watch the full episode(s) of the Cedric Maxwell podcast with Isiah Thomas, click below:
Part 1 - ruclips.net/video/u1ntMWqin40/видео.html
Part 2 - ruclips.net/video/TBq7iScz_7U/видео.html
That truly was a great steal and a great pass to DJ, but let me tell you, that was a great cut to the basket and that layup was no gimme. Right hand, wrong side of the basket, a little flip to reverse spin it off the backboard. It was tight. There were a LOT of great plays in that brief couple of seconds.
Actually, Bird wasn't going for the steal, he was going to foul Lame-beer, but he got there a step early.Look it up. . .
@@noelharris5488 I remember watching this live. Larry baited Isaiah. I remember thinking, Bill is an amazing and reliable free throw shooter. Bird knew Laimbeer was the obvious go to guy. The whole world knew!! As I was watching live, I'm thinking, shouldn't someone be on Bill? Then I saw it. As you watch the play, you can see Larry leans into Dumars, as Thomas throws the ball, then slow, unathletic, Larry Bird, swooped in and stole the ball. DJ....now that's another story! He, The Celtics, were very fortunate. Overall, a great play by two teammates who just happen to have a sixth sense with each other. Also, watch how Bird and DJ get into defense mode immediately! Oh, nice spelling of "Lame-beer"! LOL!! had me double checking my spelling! Peace!
@@josecastellanos5187 A tremendous play all the way around!
@@noelharris5488 yes sir!
DJ was so smart too. He saw Dumars? cutting towards him after he got the pass, and slightly turned his body to shield the layup as much as he could from possibly being blocked from the side.
Not hugely noticeable, but by using that booty of his, it gave him just that lil more space, just in case. Really smart play.
Dj layup is masterpiece
The great Johnny Most with radio commentary of this play is epic
I can hear Isaih tell that story over and over again and gain a deeper respect for him each and every time. ❤
This play is absolutely amazing on so many epic levels!
1). Thomas throwing the ball away!
2). The steal!
3). The perfect pass to DJ!
4). The hardest lay up under pressure by ANYONE by DJ!
5) The defense and lack of emotion by the Celtics on the floor.... Like they knew!
And that was the difference between the Celtics and almost all of the other teams - they were, and played, as a TEAM. Stats be damned - only wins counted.
That’s a great story. Isaiah seems much more humble than I remember.
He's lying. He blamed Laimbeer for not coming to the ball.
No he didn’t. Haha.
Don't be fooled. Isiah is still a turd of a person.
He does seem more humble. Generational player, but I thought he was an A hole for a longgggg time.
@@NBAHistoryCLNS
He still a hater tho.
Don't be fooled by his ever-smiley face
This piece of Bird-DJ genius is one of those few sporting events that, when seeing it again, also recalls exactly where and who you were with when it actually occurred.
I still remember watching this at my grandmas house w my brother. I remember being totally dejected after Zeke hit what was essentially the game winner (or should’ve been). Celtics have last play of game. I had my hands over my face when my bro said, “Nick, we are going to win this game bc Larry Legend is on the court. No way he lets us lose” - I’ll never forget that feeling as Bird about to force a foul and mahorn roughed him up and the game was over. They kept showing Walton on sidelines and i thought we were DONE! Then Larry did what my bro said would happen, just not the way we’d envisioned it haha. What a play. One for the ages and def top 5 plays in nba history and on the list for top in sports history.
Thx for commenting. ☘️
Isiah always seems like such a nice guy. Hard to believe he was the leader of the meanest team in NBA history.
The propaganda of the Pistons were that they were 'dirty' and that came from who?...The same rules that the Pistons played under, everyone else had the same rules.... The Pistons didn't have two basketballs; they didn't get special treatment by the refs; if you got fouled hard, you could foul Detroit back hard; if you got hit you could hit back; if you fell down you could get up and put them down....So the Pistons didn't have special rules to gain any advantage -- the other teams, particularly Jordan and the Bulls -- just complained and used the media to promote propaganda....If the Pistons were so 'dirty' why would Jordan vouch for having Rodman on the Bulls from 1995-96 to 1997-98?...It was Rodman that threw down Pippen in game 4 of the 1991 ECF; Rodman didn't shake hands in 1991 when the Pistons walked-off the floor...but Jordan wanted Rodman, Salley, and Edwards (who didn't shake hands) on the 1995-96 Bulls forming the greatest Chicago Bulls' team of all-time....So the lies against Detroit was 100% propaganda.
@@plainsimple244 Complete hogwash. They were incredibly dirty, infinitely dirtier than any other team in the league at the time. And they were out to hurt players and injure players intentionally, especially Laimbeer but approved of big time by Isiah.
Then you mention the incredibly dirty play by Rodman on Pippen.
Then dumber yet, pretend that the fact that Bulls wanted Rodman somehow proves the Pistons weren’t dirty, when it does nothing of the kind.
@@peteshrakeif they were so dirty, and not shaking hands so unforgivable, why did Staley and Rodman end up on The Bulls. They were flat out recruited.
@@fairy2000 What connection are you making with how obviously dirty they were with the Pistons and then that the Bulls management wanted them on the Bulls later on?
@@peteshrake that don’t worry about it, you not in it. You can’t speak on a code you ain’t in. We can’t really, but it’s obvious it’s not out of bounds.
After DJ made the layup he faced the inbounder hands up to play defense..
That's as great a life story as you will hear. Every emotion, life experience, professional respect, caring,. From Bird's wink, Laimbeer's pain, Russell's call, DJ's empathy, Thomas's road grew higher through losing this series. Celtics didn't just develop champions in Boston.
Pure class from Mr Russell of course.... Never heard much different about him.
We was so happy to block Birds shot. I personally never seen Bird handled physically like that but he kept his head. Bird always kept his head. Lesson learned and that shit hurts to this day.
To be truthful I never much cared for basketball. But I remember this when it happened and I enjoyed this recap. Pretty Cool!!
Thx so much!!!!!
Just wow! What a story about the Celtics. I hated them but I admired them. The beat you and taught you along the way.
Thanks for tuning in. More good segments to come
Hated everything about the Celtics, growing up a Dr.J. fan, but now? I still hate todays Celtics, but those 80s versions, were just so smart and played so well together that I love them. Its hard to even admit, but I think Dr.J and Bird are a tie for me in terms of my favorite players ever.
Theres 3 elements to the play that are all individually impossible to believe on their own that all combine to make one all time play.
1) the steal, how Bird came virtually from nowhere.
2) Larry staying inbounds. The tightrope act
3) the connect that DJ had with Larry. He didnt hesitate to come in for the pass.
Well said. We’ll never see anything as miraculous again. Speaking of DJ, Check out this segment w Coop & Dee Brown discussing Johnson’s secret strategy that led to so many late-game steals. Crazy. Coop reaction priceless. ruclips.net/video/F2zq3JBaZXc/видео.html
Bird saw Detroit celebrating he knew he had em smart
Sometimes "schooling" someone is a good thing.
The best learn from defeat and become harder to defeat...
So much respect for guys like this.
This is a lovely tribute by Isaiah. And he is right, he DOES always give the Celtics their due. 🙏
Because of that angle, I just realized that Bird was using Ainge as a screen so that Isiah didn't really notice him there. Fuckin a man!
It took being a Man for Isaiah to come of his shell, with a little help from Bill Russell and the Celtics teaching.🏀😮
Bill Russell was a special man; you could say he also helped the city of Boston mature and evolve...socially and spiritually.
For a guy that wasn't supposedly a good defender, It was without question the play that defined bird's career!
Whoever said Bird couldn't play defense didn't watch him play.
That play was very nice but Larry defining "play" and he had many was 1981 Game 1 NBA finals- shot with left off his own miss.
Amen. Everybody remembers Birds defense from Nique and Jordan shredding him, but that wasnt him as a defender, and almost EVERYBODY got shredded by those guys.
Birds career was defined LONG before this play.
@@DanaFrank1701D I guess u don't understand the meaning of defined?
Yes,it looks like Bird's ankles would break to keep from going out of bounds,I never noticed that before.But THAT was actually the amazing part of the play.
I watched this game and read the papers the next day. Thomas was quoted that Laimbeer should have moved forward to receive the pass. I agree. If Laimbeer moves forward a foot or so to catch the inbounds pass, different story.
That play in real-time I still remember all these years later
Were you watching CBS, or listening to Johnny Most?
@@chocolatetownforever7537 cbs, just heard Johnny Most through youtube
Thomas doesn't call a timeout. Doesn't look around and survey the court for options. Rushes, but puts no zip on the pass. A pass that he throws under the opposing team's hoop when up by 1. What on earth was he thinking?
I said the same thing; the more I look at that game 5 in 1987, the more I can only come to one conclusion: Thomas did this on purpose...makes no sense that he didn't even throw the ball to his offensive side of the court where Rodman/Mahorn were....Remember when the steal came, you saw Rodman/Mahorn following; Thomas didn't trust those guys instead he threw the ball to Laimbeer right under the Celtics' basket...he didn't call time out and didn't even throw the ball to his offensive end and here's the thing -- nobody on the team even called time out, neither did the coaches...so you can see how 'everybody' froze but throwing the ball right there in that position as Thomas did was INSANE!...It was so insane you have to think the man did this on purpose and the guard doesn't even take the ball out in that situation, especially the captains...even if you took a breath, you let Laimbeer take it out or a bad foul shooter but once again, no time out called.
Exactly. He didn’t see Chuck asking for a timeout. Some say he waved the timeout off from Chuck.
I mean, even the greats make mistakes. Thomas was a great player. It's nice that years later, you can talk about how much you learned from it.
Wow
A plus by Isiah
I have a lot more respect for him now
PTSD moment for Isaiah, glad he can laugh about it now.
Looking at play in slow motion, it looks like Bird takes 3 steps after stealing the ball - never noticed that possible travel before.
Bird’s steal was great, but so was DJs instinctive cut to the basket-I feel like DJ is sometimes under recognized on that amazing play.
And how cool was it for Bill Russell to console Isaiah afterwards-never knew that.
Thanks for posting this!
Watched the video over and over,,, No Traveling. Caught the ball in the air and then 2 steps on the turnaround.
@@joes6883 Agree! Once he gathered it in his hands, his pivot foot never budged.
No. Bird knocked it down, which you would count as a dribble and then only took two steps to set himself when he regathered.
@@MrT67 No, not as a dribble. An intercepted redirection of the original flight of the ball. The Legend.
@@joes6883 Yup, that’s correct. When I first saw it in slo mo, Sichstings leg blocked my view of the redirection/dribble that accompanied his first step. No traveling.
The 2 clutch plays I remember the most that year were Birds steal and Magic’s hook in the lane in the Finals.
Isaiah is one of the greats that made basketball great
Was a Celtics fan and truly hated the Pistons. This gave me some serious respect for Isaiah I never had before.
Isiah is humble and honest and accepted full responsibility. Don’t see that much anymore
I seen this video some years back. Only 3 Legends in the History of the NBA. Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Larry Bird. Reason >> Thee Only 3 players to win the NBA MVP 3 years in a ROW. If there were others, someone please correct me.
Great genuous feelings from all the players
Great people great teams all were are winners
That was really good. I used to enjoy the NBA; it's essentially shit now but it was great for about 20 years. Thank you for this stroll down memory lane.
People make Isiah Thomas out to be some sort of bitter, conniving, and envious type of person but he seems like a genuine guy truly. My perspective has changed after hearing him speak. He gives a lot of love to his competitors especially Bird and Jordan, the 2 players he and the Pistons arguably hated the most.
Isiah Thomas what a basketball legend and great all around competitor and great guy.
No one ever mentions that Bill Laimbeer actually stepped backwards when receiving the inbounds pass rather than coming toward it. This gave Bird that fraction of a second and the space he needed to make the interception. Not saying Isiah's pass was good, but you've got to aggressively go out and 'own' a pass in circumstances like that.
Johnny Most’s call of the play made me the maddest!🤨
Class Isiah
Awsome
Thomas was perhaps the most hated, multi ring point guard in NBA history. Bird never cared for Thomas or Black Hat Bill.
It was an ill-advised inbound pass, a great steal, and a great layup with a few seconds left in the game. A lot of teams have learned from this play as to what not to do in that situation. When you call plays like that against great players, that is what can and ultimately will happen. I bet nobody decides to attempt a touchdown pass again in a Super Bowl from the half-foot line with seconds left.
Laimbeer should be inbounding to a Thomas. A center inbounds to a guard. Laimbeer is just as much to blame.
I love Isiah Thomas
That Bird stole that inbound from Thomas was cool
Amen. ESPECIALLY considering Thomas' BS racial comments about Bird, which Larry took the high road on.
Bird came to Isiah’s rescue after he agreed with Dennis Rodman made what sounded like a racist remark, but just an observation to me. Bird sat with Isiah at a press conference and told the reporters if it didn’t bother him it shouldn’t bother anybody
Isiah should’ve thrown the ball long. Even if boston somehow got it back they’d have to throw up a prayer from beyond half court most likely. Never throw it under your own defensive basket.
Good coaching decision
Five seconds left, Pistons are inbounding the ball at the Celtics end, they have the lead. They need to only run out those five seconds and they win. I remember watching that game as it happened. Here are questions I have always had about that play. Isiah, what was the hurry to inbound the ball? You should have taken a deep breath, waited until you had a sure inbound pass to a teammate. Why, oh why, did you not heave the ball all the way down the court to the Piston's end? You may have been able to score again in those five seconds, ensuring victory. You would have forced the Celtics to defend that end to prevent you from scoring and try to get the ball back. Even if they did get the ball after an inbound to the Piston's end, they are much further away from their basket, it is much more difficult (and much more unlikely) that they will score in the time remaining and the precious five seconds would have been much more likely to expire before the Celtics could make anything happen. I am a total Larry Bird fan. I was jumping up and down like a school girl after that play. But, I have always wondered: WHY, Isiah Thomas, did you not heave the ball to the other end when inbounding on that play?
I still remember watching this at my grandmas house w my brother. I remember being totally dejected after Zeke hit what was essentially the game winner (or should’ve been). Celtics have last play of game. I had my hands over my face when my bro said, “Nick, we are going to win this game bc Larry Legend is on the court. No way he lets us lose” - I’ll never forget that feeling as Bird about to force a foul and mahorn roughed him up and the game was over. They kept showing Walton on sidelines and i thought we were DONE! Then Larry did what my bro said would happen, just not the way we’d envisioned it haha. What a play. One for the ages and def top 5 plays in nba history and on the list for top in sports history.
As for your Isiah questions, I’m positive he’s asked himself all those questions, prob until he beat the lakers 2 seasons later. Thx for commenting. ☘️
The difference was the basketball IQ difference between the Celtics and everyone else out on the court. Isiah should have learned years before to not celebrate early and not force a play in a hurry.
Bill Laimbeer should’ve come back for the ball but instead he tiptoed into the lane away from the ball and let Isiah take the blame.
Bill Laimbeer, always a turd of a human being.
Hey, that man does not age.😜
Great story.
Isaiah failed at least twice. Once with the bad pass, the second time not shaking the Bull's hands.
I think the equivalent to the Isiah pass would be instead of Russell hitting the wire it got stolen and they got the bucket. I guess Isiah needed a wire or something
I don’t understand the play was good but even if the Celtics lost that game. They would have only been down 3-2 it wasn’t Iike a game 7.
A game in Detroit though to clinch, against a team that would go on win the next two NBA championships in 88 and 89? Not exactly the best spot to be in if youre Boston. Losing a game like that at home would have been EXTREMELY hard to come back from.
Also, keep in mind, this was the last stand for that great Celtics team. It was a special play.
Thomas threw that ball away on purpose, in my humble opinion; just like he let Jordan win the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals...I still doubt if Thomas was 'as-hurt' as noted in 1988, same as Magic in '89...How do I know they were 'as-hurt' as noted?... I don't.
Delusional
oh
Beautiful.
Why would they inbound the ball under the Celtic basket instead of downcourt toward your own basket? It was an idiot play. You asked for it.
Words of wisdom from Isiah.
Wow. Isiah screws up in slow motion!
Great steal, and an even greater error.😂
Isiah Thomas is the 2nd greatest PG of all time.
Who’s the first?
1. Steph 2. Magic 3. Robertson 4. Zeke 5. Stockton
@@elanzankman4399 Steph is at the bottom of that list.
@@thambone30 Steph is a different breed but you can't have him as a PG without a Point Forward in the lineup.
@@thereisnoend Isiah Thomas was a different breed and could play with anyone and make them better.
Isiah is such a class act. And should have been on the Dream Team and everyone knows that, and I mean everyone. Including MJ.
One of the dumbest plays. Daddy Rich wanted a timeout!
Which play is the most instrumental to the Lakers' back-to-back in 1987 and 1988?
It's this play, "Bird stole the ball"!
Had Bird not stolen Isiah's inbound pass, the Pistons would have reached the NBA Finals by beating the older Celtics at home in game 6. So they would have reached the finals a year earlier.
In 1987, the Lakers were more dominant so they would have beaten the Pistons anyway.
However, with the pain of losing the 1987 Finals, the Pistons wouldn't have blown it in 1988. For the 1988 Finals, they outscored the Lakers by 18 points. The Lakers won the 1988 series thanks to two nail-biting games in Games 6 & 7. With the lessons learned from the prior season, I doubt the Pistons would have lost those two nail-biting games.
In other words, no back-to-back for the Lakers.
So the Eastern Conference champions those two years, the battered Celtics with no bench in 1987, and a new-kid-on-the-block Pistons in 1988, were perfect for the Lakers.
That's pretty cool story
Thomas shouldn't have felt bad. I don't see it as a bad pass, I see it as a great steal! Just happened to be the greatest steal ever!
I could of SWORE that Bird was out of bounds on that play. That was one heck of a play though.
Kids , pay attention to the teacher part.
They won bc they lost but learned.
Kids don’t get that today.
Wink?
Zeke !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! west side .........chitown ................
#legend
Isiah u won next year so u learned asap
Bird anticipated the pass and played the passing lane to steal the ball.
I don’t believe any of this BS from Isaiah. He’s trying to be all friendly with people after he was the king of the bad boys and said inflammatory things about Bird. At least he’s smart enough to do this so that he has a forum as opposed to his other thug buddy, Bill Laimbeer, who can’t get an NBA job because he doesn’t know how to play the PR game like Isaiah.
Zeke ,one of the best players.
Zeke never going to get one more person to like him ever.
Monster player, I give credit
Will always be a Weasel snake oil salesman
Dumbest pass in NBA history - with the lead & the ball & a timeout left he tries to sneak it in to Laimbeer - the slowest and most non-athletic player on the floor. Take the TO - advance the ball & throw it to anyone but Lame-beer - 😆 🤣 😂
Laimbeer was an excellent free throw shooter
If that's the case then you got to call out head coach Chuck Daly for not calling time out for his team to advance the ball.
Doesn't make any difference that he was a good free throw shooter - the ball never made it to him
True. Daly at fault as well
Far better player than u Isaiah
Larry Bird is the GOAT.
*Isaiah Thomas knows that.*
Dennis johnson never gets credit for the lay up either that was no gimme opp side lay up is no easy thing epsecially when it makes or breaks the game
Precisely!