Larry meant more to basketball than just statistics, but his stats are great. If you're talking about a great player that had more heart and love for the game than anyone else...Larry Bird.
Good commentary, it is interesting to see things broken down into the finer points. I don't think it is really possible to choose a GOAT, because there are too many factors to understand. But I love to watch him play and I appreciate his all out drive for the game and the fans. Thank you for this one.
It makes sense why people who aren’t true basketball junkies dont appreciate bird. It’s the nuances that made him so great. Passing, rebounding for his position, playing off ball, underrated defense, constant hustle. If you don’t appreciate hoops these are things you just don’t even see
Agreed. Not afraid to take the tough shots. All time and rank and I’m not a fan of Lebron at all. Take the centers out bc they dominate underneath the basket. 1) His Airness 2) Larry Legend 3) Lebron James 4) Magic Johnson 5) Kobe Bryant
Another intelligent reaction! Much appreciation for your knowledge of playing the game correctly and for understanding the history of the great game of basketball!! Keep the reactions coming! Good luck on your channel.... much love and respect 🤙
Bird was the greatest player in an era that produced the most Hall Of Fame players, while winning league MVP three years in a row and finishing 2nd four other times. The dude was ahead of his time. Great commentary bro.
He was not ahead of his time. The reason he’s an innovator is because he came at the exact time he was need d to push the evolution of the game. That’s how evolution works.
IMHO I think for honesty sake, in those first years particularly, for comparisons like this, Bird's shots standing *on* the 3pt line or *just inside it* should be factored into his "comparison" average. That line didn't matter to Bird in his entire previous basketball experience. It didn't exist as a factor on the floor from the time of his birth like it has for guys like Steph. Since Bird could sink those baskets from 3 inches inside that line, he could certainly do it from the other side of it. It was discouraged. It was seen by some as a low percentage "hot shot" type of shot. So... Bird used it strategically. "Dagger threes" I believe they are called. and 🤔 Deep twos might have lulled his opponents into forgetting that Bird always had a three available just inches away beyond that line? 😁
This guy is a little off. Larry was a great defensive player. He made three all-defense teams in his first 6 years in the league. He got hurt and slowed down. He was so versatile on the offensive end, even when his body was failing, he was still scoring with ease.
Opponents scored less when Bird was on the court. Bird led the league in DWSs 4 seasons. He was in the top 10 every year until his double heel surgery. @TheIcemanthomas
I grew up watching Larry and I am telling you that NOBODY did a "Stepback Jumpshot" before he did and I believe the NBA has officially credited him for kind of "patenting" the move and shot. Also, a word about a 3 back then. Remember, the 3pt line was introduced the year Larry and Magic entered the league and so many of the coaches, not just Bill Fitch was worried that it'd become some kind of gimmick then lessen what would eventually become its effectiveness later on when Bird learned how to use it WHEN to use it, like when it really counted. Thanks for showing him some love! 🙂👍🩷 Larry's #1 fan!
@TheIcemanthomas - maybe but Kiki hasn't gotten the credit for it. I've nothing against him. Just stating the facts. If he wants then perhaps he should show some game film to the commissioner and challenge it. Oh and RIP Bill "Big Red" Walton. 🥺😢
Watched him through his whole career. Until he broke his back, he had a good athleticism and speed. I think he also a good man coverage and foot speed. The back injury visibly negatively affected his lateral movement, his foot speed and ability to contort his body. Just compare his highlights from 79-80 through 84-85 to after. Then 88-89 pretty much took the rest with the reinjure of his back and double achilles surgery. I broke my back in 1982 and have had several surgeries. How this man could even play basketball, much less at an elite level has always boggled my mind.
Yes and I think 1982 was a missed opportunity for the Celtics. Those 76ers didn’t make it easy to get to the finals. Unlike the Lakers that had very little competition in the Western Conference.
if you watch the 84 finals between the lakers and celtics, they put a smaller quicker player like Cooper on bird to stop his off ball catch and shoot game.. he went down low and forced them to put a bigger player on him, so he went back to the off ball perimeter game.. if they DID manage to shut his scoring down, he would FACILITATE.. you can see him change his style of play IN GAME.. he knew hes weaknesses (mid athletic ability) but also knew how to exploit ALL his strengths (well rounded player in EVERY area that could do it all when needed for his team to win)..
The next logical step is for you to watch the 1991 game Bird versus Jordan game. Where they both scored a combined 71 points 18 rebs and 21 assists. Keep in mind Larry is one year away from retirement in Jordan won the championship this year. I know you appreciate the video please react.
@@TheIcemanthomas Opponents scored less when he was on the court. Bird led the league in Defensive Win Shares for 4 seasons. He was in the Top 10 for every season until the double Achilles surgery.
Bird averaged 1.7 steals and .8 blocks per game for his CAREER .. thats better than Lebron, Kobe, Kawhai, butler.. Bird played defense EXACTLY lke he played offense, with all out hustle, intelligence and anticipation. Bird also led the league in Defensive Win Shares 4 times and only about 6 other players in history have done that, including Hakeem, Tim Duncan, Ben Wallace, Dwight Howard.. Bird is one of 3 players in history to shoot 50/40/90 MULTIPLE times (KD and Steve Nash). as well as one of 3 players to shoot 5/40/90 scoring OVER 28 points a game. (KD and Steph Curry) Bird is also the ONLY PLAYER in history to have career averages of ATLEAST 24 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists.. If Yokic manages these numbers when his career is over, he WONT have the defensive numbers or shooting splits Bird had... The video didnt really capture this. nice video tho.
Steals and blocks don’t make u a great defender. And win shares are vastly impacted by your TEAMs defense. Not just the individual. The man had flaws. Stop trying to make it seem like he was perfect.
@@TheIcemanthomas thats funny. cuz the COMPANY HE KEEPS on those lists ARE great defenders.. every single one of them.. yet bird is not? seems like you HAVE ZERO argument here. and yea bird was a GREAT TEAM DEFENDER.. and if win shares are a TEAM thing, why isnt parish or Mchale or DJ on that list?.. BIRD IS.
@@TheIcemanthomas i get that he is white. but the man's STATS speak for themselves.. you make the NFL hall of fame cuz of your stats. you win. rushing yards.. passing yards.. sacks.. MLB the same with OPS, On Base %, home run count, strikeouts.. im not making ANYTHING SEEM LIKE ANYTHING.. im speaking FACTS.. Bird made a few all defensive teams as well. yea he was DEFINATELY a good or even GREAT defender.. but noone is perfect, his MAN defense was just OK.. decent.. but he has LESS weaknesses than just about any other player and his STATS PROVE IT.
@@TheIcemanthomas you HAVE ZERO argument here. anything you say WILL be your OPINION.. which CANNOT HOLD UP against the STATS AND NUMBERs ive ALREADY POSTED.
But does anyone watch hundreds and hundreds of hours and provide data from those to come to a calculated conclusion? Nope. You watched a few games here and there here and some highlights and think u know more than people who actually watch the games for a job. Eveyth by said in this beside is BASED on some kind of factual evidence. The only thing that really is opinion is where they rank him. But that’s about it.
@@TheIcemanthomas Criticizing Bird's lay-ups is just, in my opinion, an attempt by the source video creator to find something to label as a fault. Same thing with his nonsensical critique of Bird's passing. "He's not perfect." But the commentary then can't help but praise that same passing. The creator of the source video had to do a bit of fault finding to be "balanced" in his own eyes. Good video overall tho, in my opinion.
You make some excellent observations! You know you're stuff! Impressive! 🎉❤🎉
Thank you
Larry meant more to basketball than just statistics, but his stats are great. If you're talking about a great player that had more heart and love for the game than anyone else...Larry Bird.
Good commentary, it is interesting to see things broken down into the finer points. I don't think it is really possible to choose a GOAT, because there are too many factors to understand. But I love to watch him play and I appreciate his all out drive for the game and the fans. Thank you for this one.
It makes sense why people who aren’t true basketball junkies dont appreciate bird. It’s the nuances that made him so great. Passing, rebounding for his position, playing off ball, underrated defense, constant hustle. If you don’t appreciate hoops these are things you just don’t even see
24 10 and 10 and 3 steals in 86 finals hes had great numbers in finals and playoffs
I appreciate you doing this video thank you.
Larry Legend, MJ and Kobe had that killer instinct
Agreed. Not afraid to take the tough shots. All time and rank and I’m not a fan of Lebron at all. Take the centers out bc they dominate underneath the basket.
1) His Airness
2) Larry Legend
3) Lebron James
4) Magic Johnson
5) Kobe Bryant
LOL! There's nothing like the three step "step back".
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Another intelligent reaction! Much appreciation for your knowledge of playing the game correctly and for understanding the history of the great game of basketball!! Keep the reactions coming! Good luck on your channel.... much love and respect 🤙
That’s a really good point. Bird could just go get the offensive rebound. He didn’t need to slow the game down and keep the ball in his hands.
Bird was the greatest player in an era that produced the most Hall Of Fame players, while winning league MVP three years in a row and finishing 2nd four other times. The dude was ahead of his time. Great commentary bro.
He was not ahead of his time. The reason he’s an innovator is because he came at the exact time he was need d to push the evolution of the game. That’s how evolution works.
And that was after the NBA/ABA merger, which meant more teams and more players.
Basketball high IQ was great. Served him well.
the 3 point line wasn't introduced till 1979, same year Bird entered the NBA. Larry had to develop his 3 point shooting while in the NBA
IMHO I think for honesty sake, in those first years particularly, for comparisons like this, Bird's shots standing *on* the 3pt line or *just inside it* should be factored into his "comparison" average.
That line didn't matter to Bird in his entire previous basketball experience. It didn't exist as a factor on the floor from the time of his birth like it has for guys like Steph.
Since Bird could sink those baskets from 3 inches inside that line, he could certainly do it from the other side of it.
It was discouraged. It was seen by some as a low percentage "hot shot" type of shot. So... Bird used it strategically. "Dagger threes" I believe they are called.
and 🤔
Deep twos might have lulled his opponents into forgetting that Bird always had a three available just inches away beyond that line? 😁
This guy is a little off. Larry was a great defensive player. He made three all-defense teams in his first 6 years in the league. He got hurt and slowed down. He was so versatile on the offensive end, even when his body was failing, he was still scoring with ease.
He provided facts based on watching him play and using data. You just saying something doesn’t make it true.
Opponents scored less when Bird was on the court. Bird led the league in DWSs 4 seasons. He was in the top 10 every year until his double heel surgery.
@TheIcemanthomas
I grew up watching Larry and I am telling you that NOBODY did a "Stepback Jumpshot" before he did and I believe the NBA has officially credited him for kind of "patenting" the move and shot.
Also, a word about a 3 back then. Remember, the 3pt line was introduced the year Larry and Magic entered the league and so many of the coaches, not just Bill Fitch was worried that it'd become some kind of gimmick then lessen what would eventually become its effectiveness later on when Bird learned how to use it WHEN to use it, like when it really counted.
Thanks for showing him some love!
🙂👍🩷
Larry's #1 fan!
That’s simply not true. Kiki was definitely doing it before him.
@TheIcemanthomas - maybe but Kiki hasn't gotten the credit for it. I've nothing against him. Just stating the facts. If he wants then perhaps he should show some game film to the commissioner and challenge it.
Oh and RIP Bill "Big Red" Walton. 🥺😢
Watched him through his whole career. Until he broke his back, he had a good athleticism and speed. I think he also a good man coverage and foot speed. The back injury visibly negatively affected his lateral movement, his foot speed and ability to contort his body. Just compare his highlights from 79-80 through 84-85 to after. Then 88-89 pretty much took the rest with the reinjure of his back and double achilles surgery. I broke my back in 1982 and have had several surgeries. How this man could even play basketball, much less at an elite level has always boggled my mind.
Yes and I think 1982 was a missed opportunity for the Celtics. Those 76ers didn’t make it easy to get to the finals. Unlike the Lakers that had very little competition in the Western Conference.
Thanks for sharing this.
I enjoy hearing your insights
and reactions.
Those scratches!
And how is the man not COVERED in bruises?
The 3 point line wasn't introduced until Larry Legend first year in the league
Wasn’t introduce in the nba. It was already around in the Aba for years
Great video and great analysis of the game.
Great commentary. scribed.
Did you notice where Bird was when he casually put that 3pt shot up at 7:16 ?
if you watch the 84 finals between the lakers and celtics, they put a smaller quicker player like Cooper on bird to stop his off ball catch and shoot game.. he went down low and forced them to put a bigger player on him, so he went back to the off ball perimeter game.. if they DID manage to shut his scoring down, he would FACILITATE.. you can see him change his style of play IN GAME.. he knew hes weaknesses (mid athletic ability) but also knew how to exploit ALL his strengths (well rounded player in EVERY area that could do it all when needed for his team to win)..
Good insight. The great ones do what it takes to win or put their team in the position to win the game.
It's been said many times, and your insights highlight it, Bird was playing chess while everyone else was playing checkers.
💯
The next logical step is for you to watch the 1991 game Bird versus Jordan game. Where they both scored a combined 71 points 18 rebs and 21 assists. Keep in mind Larry is one year away from retirement in Jordan won the championship this year. I know you appreciate the video please react.
Only 1 goat
What player can take a last place team to a championship in 2yrs?
Even if normal. Using both hands is not normal
Of course his scoring was down in the playoffs. The east was loaded defensively during his career.
I’d be curious to know Jordan’s scoring drop off against the bad boy Pistons.
It's there IQ
Wilt was doing that Stepback when Bird was in diapers.
Just stop. Bird was a great defender. Especially early in his career
Prove it
@@TheIcemanthomas Opponents scored less when he was on the court. Bird led the league in Defensive Win Shares for 4 seasons. He was in the Top 10 for every season until the double Achilles surgery.
Still
Why does he bring up his career playoff numbers if this is supposed to be peak. I guarantee there was no defense off in 86
Peak includes the playoffs bud
Bird averaged 1.7 steals and .8 blocks per game for his CAREER .. thats better than Lebron, Kobe, Kawhai, butler.. Bird played defense EXACTLY lke he played offense, with all out hustle, intelligence and anticipation.
Bird also led the league in Defensive Win Shares 4 times and only about 6 other players in history have done that, including Hakeem, Tim Duncan, Ben Wallace, Dwight Howard..
Bird is one of 3 players in history to shoot 50/40/90 MULTIPLE times (KD and Steve Nash). as well as one of 3 players to shoot 5/40/90 scoring OVER 28 points a game. (KD and Steph Curry)
Bird is also the ONLY PLAYER in history to have career averages of ATLEAST 24 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists.. If Yokic manages these numbers when his career is over, he WONT have the defensive numbers or shooting splits Bird had...
The video didnt really capture this.
nice video tho.
Steals and blocks don’t make u a great defender. And win shares are vastly impacted by your TEAMs defense. Not just the individual. The man had flaws. Stop trying to make it seem like he was perfect.
@@TheIcemanthomas thats funny. cuz the COMPANY HE KEEPS on those lists ARE great defenders.. every single one of them.. yet bird is not? seems like you HAVE ZERO argument here. and yea bird was a GREAT TEAM DEFENDER.. and if win shares are a TEAM thing, why isnt parish or Mchale or DJ on that list?.. BIRD IS.
@@TheIcemanthomas i get that he is white. but the man's STATS speak for themselves.. you make the NFL hall of fame cuz of your stats. you win. rushing yards.. passing yards.. sacks.. MLB the same with OPS, On Base %, home run count, strikeouts.. im not making ANYTHING SEEM LIKE ANYTHING.. im speaking FACTS.. Bird made a few all defensive teams as well. yea he was DEFINATELY a good or even GREAT defender.. but noone is perfect, his MAN defense was just OK.. decent.. but he has LESS weaknesses than just about any other player and his STATS PROVE IT.
@@TheIcemanthomas you HAVE ZERO argument here. anything you say WILL be your OPINION.. which CANNOT HOLD UP against the STATS AND NUMBERs ive ALREADY POSTED.
@@TheIcemanthomas EVERYTHING ive said is TRUE. EVERYTHING.. you can VERIFY IT. lol
Who was gonna touch him that year???
Take this video with a grain of salt. These aren't all true facts. And anyone can make a video with fails to make a player look bad.
But does anyone watch hundreds and hundreds of hours and provide data from those to come to a calculated conclusion? Nope. You watched a few games here and there here and some highlights and think u know more than people who actually watch the games for a job. Eveyth by said in this beside is BASED on some kind of factual evidence. The only thing that really is opinion is where they rank him. But that’s about it.
@@TheIcemanthomas Criticizing Bird's lay-ups is just, in my opinion, an attempt by the source video creator to find something to label as a fault.
Same thing with his nonsensical critique of Bird's passing. "He's not perfect." But the commentary then can't help but praise that same passing.
The creator of the source video had to do a bit of fault finding to be "balanced" in his own eyes.
Good video overall tho, in my opinion.
IMAGINE LARRY BIRD PLAYING THE POINT AND MICHAEL JEFFERY JORDAN PLAYING THE TWO?!😂🤣😱🧨🏀🪅