Craziest part of that story, was "He left the court because he had to lay down because of his back." Serving up a young athlete in his physical prime while trash talking, literally calling his shots, all with a jacked up back? Bird was an assassin to the end.
@@snikles3134they were rivals from the beginning, but became friends when Magic came to French Lick to shoot a Converse commercial on Bird's court. Bird took Magic to his mom's house so she could fix them lunch. Mrs. Bird took an immediate liking to the gregarious Earvin Johnson. Once Larry realized his mom liked Magic, it thawed the ice between them and they became close friends. When Magic was diagnosed with HIV (which at that time was a death sentence), Bird was one of the first people who called to check on him. They became lifelong friends.
Magic is not going to let anyone disrespect Larry or his abilities. Another snapshot of one of the greatest friendships in sports. I would have loved to hear the private convo between Magic and Larry right before this happened.
So true. The guy was a fucking beast. Played balls out no matter if it was a meaningless blowout in November or Game 7 of the NBA Finals. No nights off.
I grew up in Boston in the '80's, and I remember one of the local sportscasters was interviewing Bird during a practice. Bird had a ball under his arm as they were standing off beyond the 3-point line, and you could see the basket in the background. A rookie, Brad Lohaus - a legit 7-footer - asked Larry for the ball (mid interview). Bird said, "Play defense", and proceeded to shoot it flat-footed over the outstretched arms of a leaping Brad Lohaus - nothing but net. Bird turns back to the interviewer, shakes his head, laughs and says, "Rookies".
@@beep6641 in your mind... No one in Bird's prime can beat him... Bird find the way to beat them. Look at Larry's team. They were mediocre and he made them all stars. Look at Johnson's team, or Jordan's. They were all stars from the beginning.
Even though Larry won 3 straight MVP's, 3 straight 3 point competitions, and 3 NBA Championships, there were still doubters. This goes to show that even college superstars can be humbled by an old guy on the verge of retirement. Well done Larry!
Larry's back was so bad and caused him so much pain that he couldn't move after games sometimes. The fact he was able to play as long as he did with those back issues is legendary in itself.
If he doesn't try to pave his mama's driveway with a fucking wheel barrow in the summer of 1986, and Len Bias doesn't OD, we win at least 2 more titles between 87 and 90. Period. I still cannot believe Larry did THAT bullshit. Lol
@@teddavis6093- I don't believe the C's stop the Pistons reign at the top, it was just their time. What that would've done was allowed the C's to take a few years retooling as a good squad and pick-up a few more titles in the '90's.
This is such an awesome story, and Jamal deserves so much credit for telling it so well. Just a fantastic job of painting the picture. And I love the line "this is when I knew they were a different breed." So much respect from a guy who was a damned great player in his own right.
special relationship they had...I can imagine Magic being ashamed of the disrespect a young brother just showed a Legend...set about helping make things right...
@@jmc7504 I think even he thought it J mc...but there's magic in that man outside of the game itself...I don't wanna meet Jordan but I reckon it'd be special if you got to meet Magic or Larry...
I can hear Magic say to Bird, something like, did you hear what that young puppy just said ? We’re going to take care of their asses tomorrow Larry, you feel me.
How is this not one of the most iconic Larry Bird stories? How I am only learning this now? I have seen dozens of compilations of Bird stories, never heard this one. And it is easily in the top 3 of them all.
It's a great tale, and the best because it's well told by the "young" buck. Great because they were mostly all kinda old, probably not in 100% ready for the season shape, and DID'N' give half a shit about 8 college kids "lighting them up" . Daly did. But they didn't. Cuz they knew that when they shifted into serious mode, they'd snuff any kind of pre-rookie collection of young hot shots. "old age and trickery will always overcome youth and strength ". (trickery, skill and attitude)
@kanajingly8957 I love what Kareem said: "That Larry beat you with this" as he tapped his head, (meaning his brain). Kareem respected court IQ more than brawn.
@@bonnieplasha4684and Kareem was a very smart player too. Probably one of the top 10 or so most intelligent people ever to play the game. So to get his respect means a lot.
There is another Larry Bird story that i watched but cant find anymore, is that the Celtics tried to trick him so they can pay him his salary for the year he retired, and Larry saw through that and refused, saying if he’s not gonna play he does’nt wanna get paid. Talk about integrity, a legend in and out of the court.
If he had delayed announcing his retirement by a week then his upcoming year's salary would've been paid.....and the Celtics President, Dave Gavitt advised him to delay and take the money which Gavitt believed was "well earned". The Legend said no, if I don't play, I don't want to get paid. Truth.
@Gregory Holden From what i remember, Bird came in a few days before the deadline, then the owner told him to come back in a week so he can think about it, w/c would have been after the deadline thereby the Celtics would already be obliged to pay him whether he retires or not, Bird told them that he’s not stupid and that he knows what date it was, so if he wasnt playing he didnt wanna get paid. Which is why i believed they were trying to trick him. Besides that how many organizations would go out of their way to relieve themselves of that money. Bird was a class act himself.
It’s a great move from Larry, but let’s also talk about the owner of the Celtics. How many owners now would just give unearned money to a player? That was a classy attempt on his part too.
I met Jamal Mashburn when he played for the Heat in the 90s. Nicest and friendliest star athlete you could ever talk to. He was totally approachable and humble. I put Zach Thomas in that category as well.
I could listen to Mashburn tell this story every day!!! Larry Bird was a straight killa who looked like a middle school English teacher. Those Celtics vs Lakers rivalries were EPIC in the 80s
Mashburn didn't exactly have a bad career himself and saying all this. He tells a good story, would like to hear more from him on his career. Larry is the legend but I remember Mashburn was a guy that could just flat out score and put up buckets.
This has to be in the top 3 stories I have heard about Bird. They are not lying when they say Bird is a big guy. I met Bird at a Pacers game and boy that guy is huge. He is also a really cool guy.
I'm from Brooklyn, NY. I grew up a Knicks fan. Like most kids, I had posters on the wall. I didn't like the Celtics due to them always dominating the East but Larry Bird was my idol. I had a poster of him shooting a free throw. I tried my hardest to emulate his form. I was fortunate enough to grow up during the 80's and 90's. The Celtics and Lakers were on top of the world in the 80's. Larry Bird continues to be a Legend to me.
Ever hear the true story of when Bird first set foot in Boston to see the city? Unaware that Bird wanted to walk around and see the city on his own--this was pre-internet and pre-cable, so there was very little knowledge of this tall white guy about to stroll around Boston--and Larry just so happens to enter a VERY notorious bar known for 2 things: catering to mainly locals, and fights. Anyway, in walks this 6'9 white guy dressed in a flannel shirt and one of those Mack Truck caps, DEFINITELY didn't look like a city dude from Boston. So Larry orders a beer. Most in the bar didn't know who Bird was, but soon some rumblings about Larry being the much-heralded player the Celtics just drafted recently. Worried that Larry might end up in a brawl, someone evidently called the Celtics' brass, and one of the Cs PR guys panicked and rushed over to "save" Larry before it was too late. At this point the patrons pretty much all knew who this 6'9 hick from Indiana was, so when the Cs PR guy arrived, Bird was yucking it up with the locals and having a good 'ole time drinking beer and just at home with the locals. The Cs PR guy said he was amazed that not only did Bird not into a fight, but that the locals in the bar loved hanging out with Larry, and Bird with them. And the reason the patrons and Larry got along so well is they soon realized Bird was essentially one of them--just a regular guy who likes to hang out, put down a few beers, talk shit, and have a good time.
@@mikes3827 what’s even more wild is he was like the locals too when it came to fights lol. Larry would literally go out of his way to get into fights when he was younger or get his brother into Em. I’m sure you know that already but it’s cool as hell that Larry was just *that guy*
All I know is I LIVED to watch Boston and L.A. play! Bird and Magic were exactly that....MAGIC!.....Best years of my life. Thank you Larry and Earvin!...You guys......I don't have the words. Just "Thank you" for the amazing times you gave us!
Cool true story: Coach Chuck Daly (bonafide genious!) needed the dream team to lose somehow to take Olympics seriously. If they held back at all, it would be an embarrassment. The media was already there. First, he made them wait outside. Then he told the dream team, "Take it easy. Kinda get used to each other on same team and feel each other out a bit. They are just here to give you a little workout and warm you up is all. It's not even a scrimmage" Then he told a few of the college guys in private, "Bring everything you got. Go hard like your life depends on it." It worked perfect. The NBA guys played, ...not soft, but didn't wanna take over by themselves and play agressive either. The kids were winning and even started talking some noise. He even benched Jordan the whole game just to make sure they lost. (Plus he knew MJ would've caught on and buried the college kids himself) He stopped game, 62-54, gathered the dream team, and said "From now, on EVERYONE is watching!" He reset the scoreboard to 0 - 0, and let the media and cameras in. The message got thru... That's why they never took the foot off the gas, even if they were up against countries by 40 or 50 already.
How this doesn’t literally have a billion views is sad Not only is Jamal and everyone he mentioned from college underrated af, but possibly top 3 most amazing basketball story ever told This is truly epic
Good in college only means something if you pull off an NBA Hall of fame career. Jamal was garbage in the nba, as was rodney rogers. Bird could have beat both of those guys with a blindfold on!
It is a great story (as most of Bird stories are lol), but I think the low(ish) view count is simply because it’s been posted a ton of times already so most already know this story. Obviously a bunch here never did by the comments so it’s always good to hear reactions but this story is old and this actual interview posted here has been posted prior
I remember Rodney Rogers at Wake Forest and as a pro, dude was a physical specimen and a great defender. Bird jacking him up is saying a lot about Larry Legend at the end of his career.
@@matthewbingham8824 Did you just call someone who for 11/13 seasons had a positive VORP (best season of 3.0) and ended with a career positive box plus minus while averaging 19 ppg in the NBA garbage lol? People are ridiculous.
Me being a diehard Los Angeles Lakers fan, I know there are far too many Larry Legend stories out there that are just mind boggling about him. Larry Bird was one of the very last guys you wanted to trash talk. He could back it up and then some!
After a Celtics time-out, Larry Bird would tell the opposing coaches and players the play the Celtics drew up on the time-out. He'd tell them the exact play and to be ready for it. Nothing but net. Bird would ask the opposing coach if they had any players that could cover him. The Coach would turn to look down at his bench and answered truthfully. Nope! Larry "Legend" Bird. Best of the best.
Such an excellent story. Jamal, you told it so well too! I am 52, and I was a boy when the Dream Team players were in their prime. I could name almost every player on every team easy back then.
Im 57 you were a lil younger but you were. I just said Magic Bird Doc Kareem Neek Nig Moses and Zeke coulda bust anybody's ass from any era they were all game changers in one way or another…
Same here. I mean you can't think that every single Bird story is always 100% legit, but Mashburn was a big time player in his own right so I'd think there's no reason he be lying about this one.
"Young fella, look like 84 huh?" Haha, that was an awesome Bird story. I thought I had heard them all. I can appreciate a young Rodney Rogers wanting to test the legend, and the legend didn't disappoint. I know tragedy happened to Rogers, but thank the Lord he still speaks and is a jovial guy. So I would love to one day hear the story from him and see him have a good laugh about it. Thx for posting!
The scary part is you also has all these others greats on that Dream Team, including Jordan. That is some scary shit! It only took one of these guys to be pumped up to crush an entire team by himself and they were all playing on the same team!
@@Mike1122.What you laughing about, sparky. Pre back/feet injury Bird was the best all around player, ever. He isn’t in GOAT discussions because he didn’t play long enough and wasn’t healthy long enough to put up the numbers.
That was one of the best Bird stories. I was always a big Larry Bird fan and also a big Monster Mash fan at Kentucky. He also had a great NBA career himself.
A great story. I forget what an outstanding group of college players were on that team. I think that we had such great talent in college at that time that they would have won the gold medal.
What makes this story so great is how perfectly it lines up with all we've come to learn about Magic and Bird individually, as well as that Dream Team and how Chuck pushed their buttons.
You watched him play in the eighties and you only thought he was "good"? Where you hanging around those two fools named Dennis Rodman and Isiah Thomas? The three of you must have made up the worst judges of talent on the planet!!!!!
I watched almost every pro game he played. There never was or is a single player that I had rather watch play than Larry Bird. He was serious as a heart attack, but more fun to watch than the Globe Trotters. His skill at the whole, all around game and court awareness were unmatched.
@@wmden1 My father wasn't a Celtics fan per se, but he never missed an opportunity to watch Larry Bird play. He just appreciated the skill that "the hick from French Lick" brought to every game... and my Dad was HARD to impress.
I love these Larry Bird stories. The reactions from the tellers and the listeners is priceless. You can tell that not only was Larry respected, he was loved.
@@dentedilupo81Yes! Definitely!! I've seen interviews with eventual HOF'ers admitting that they had nightmares as much as 2 weeks before having to play/cover Bird. Kind of surprised that they admitted it.
Stories like this give me chills man... Also, shouts to Rodney Rogers man, still can't believe someone so physically strong and imposing could have happen to them what he had happen 💯
Watching Bird being forced to lie face down on the sidelines during games (Because of his back pain) in the early 90's was the truest devotion to the game I have ever seen.
Great story! I have right now condition like Larry in late of His Carieer. I can imagine pain after that stretch. But Larry is The Legend - and he could treat young blood - in '92 like it was 84 - despite severe back pain. RESPECT. I love dream team stories. I was 12 in Poland that time, I've just started playing in bb club and I didn't miss a single game from 92 Olympic. Dream team was something special! Thank you Mash for this story!
After Larry's back injuries and till his retirement (1986 to 1992), Larry Legend's stat line was: FG% - 49.5 3pt% - 39.4 Ft% - 91.1 25.1 PPG 9.3 REB 7.0 AST WITH A BROKEN SPINE ! ! !
What a great commentary! And that college group was an outstanding group of players...but they woke up a sleeping giant. Can you imagine facing Larry Bird...like looking down the barrel of a loaded gun! (And that was with his messed up back).
It’s actually not different in its facts. The difference is the perspective. They are BOTH true. And Coach Daly DID rig it. Jordan sat out a good portion of that game & Coach Daly made weird substitutions….
@@irishgrl He probably targeted the players that weren't putting what they needed to into the game. He needed to show them that there were dudes out there with the hunger and drive he wanted to see out of them.
It's AMAZING how many pros have the same story about Larry......."He had the ball told me EXACTLY what he was going to do and did it......BUCKET!!!!" Honestly I've never heard that about a single other player past or present and I've heard at least 10 or so different stories just like that about Bird. Many game winners too. My man is the GREATEST small Forward EVER......Sorry Lebron Facts are Facts!!!!!
Most players are shy of their listed height. Brid was legit 6'10" listed at 9" and BIG. Even MJ, who was 0-6 vs a post back injury Bird in the playoffs, including Pippen some of those years, knew Bird was the TRUTH. Prime Bird is the pinnacle of basketball.
@@billyboblillybob344, you may be right; it would make sense; but Jamal Mashburn is talking about running into Larry at the very end of his career. Larry had just finished his last NBA season and was finishing up by joining The Dream Team for the Olympics.
Thanks Jamal - I feel like I was right there with you the way you told it. Respect for LB! And btw, you young guns did pretty well yourselves in the Big Show.
People don't realize how much of a killer Mash was. On 2/22/2003 I was at a Pistons game at the Palace of Auburn Hills and Mash dropped 29 and laced a game winning turnaround J with .2 seconds left. I had watched him on the heat and played with him on NBA Jam throughout my life, but seeing his skills in person 10 rows back was awe-inspiring. Big ups to Monster Mash 💯
Dominique can tell some great Larry Bird stories when Larry was messing with Nique during his rookie year. Larry called Dominique "Holmes" during Dominques rookie year.
Jamal Mashburn. I purchased your shirt in 1999. I did it in Türkiye and you never know what I planned to get it. I don’t know why but I really like you bro. Great story, great storytelling.
I love hearing these stories…it pays great homage to the ones before them. Also gives us a greater perspective on how much greater those guys were as basketball legends when the younger Gen speaks highly of them. I’m Kobe’s age (God Bless U Mamba…Mamba4Ever) and Magic was my all time fav. To watch him and Bird was amazing, but to hear these stories gives me more insight on what I saw to be true. Larry Legend was still a dawg on his way out! 💪🏾💪🏾🏀⛹️
Larry's pain was converted to precision and power. I'm thankful I had friends who were basketball fans and I got to watch him from about '79 or '80 through '88 or '89. The 1980s were great years in basketball history.
one of the elite nba players of our geration, man it was fun we had jordans, mashburns, iversons, larry johnson, kevin johnson ,barkley, zo them were the days
I watched a video that, a player or coach or someoen said that first game they wernt playing as a team, just individuals and egos. so the coach intentionally subbed out certain players so the college team would win, as a way of uniting the dream team. something like that
"Magic Johnson fed Larry Bird the ball." Possibly one of the scariest basketball lines, ever.
😂
Absolutely!!!
Yeah, imagine if those two had been on the same team even for a season.....
Magic enabling revenge, Larry taking revenge. Meanwhile, Rodney Rogers gets torched, shrinks in size, and crawls away to hide under the bench.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Craziest part of that story, was "He left the court because he had to lay down because of his back." Serving up a young athlete in his physical prime while trash talking, literally calling his shots, all with a jacked up back? Bird was an assassin to the end.
Agreed. Magic was right. There will never ever EVER be another Larry Bird ☘️
Nah that was way past his prime!!!! Didnt matter tho
@@williamvecchiolli3235 Read it again, man. You've got it wrong.
@@Gerclun yep, re read dude, not referring to Legends prime
Bird the best shooter to ever do it in his prime. 6'10 with the sweet release.
"Magic heard that s%#@". I love that line. He had Larry's back.
I see what you did there! “Had Larry’s back” 😊
By the time of the Dream Team they were friends
@@snikles3134 True
Pity Larry's back didn't have Larry's back.
@@snikles3134they were rivals from the beginning, but became friends when Magic came to French Lick to shoot a Converse commercial on Bird's court. Bird took Magic to his mom's house so she could fix them lunch. Mrs. Bird took an immediate liking to the gregarious Earvin Johnson. Once Larry realized his mom liked Magic, it thawed the ice between them and they became close friends. When Magic was diagnosed with HIV (which at that time was a death sentence), Bird was one of the first people who called to check on him. They became lifelong friends.
Magic is not going to let anyone disrespect Larry or his abilities.
Another snapshot of one of the greatest friendships in sports.
I would have loved to hear the private convo between Magic and Larry right before this happened.
Facts!
@@irishgrlexactly like pippen and Jordan when they held some resentment on Toni kukoc and guarded him when they played Croatia 🇭🇷
Alan Houston, Bobby Hurley. Whoop they ass
Youngsters have no clue how cold Larry Legend was.
So true. The guy was a fucking beast. Played balls out no matter if it was a meaningless blowout in November or Game 7 of the NBA Finals. No nights off.
Damn shame 💯 Larry MF Legend
I grew up in Boston in the '80's, and I remember one of the local sportscasters was interviewing Bird during a practice. Bird had a ball under his arm as they were standing off beyond the 3-point line, and you could see the basket in the background. A rookie, Brad Lohaus - a legit 7-footer - asked Larry for the ball (mid interview). Bird said, "Play defense", and proceeded to shoot it flat-footed over the outstretched arms of a leaping Brad Lohaus - nothing but net. Bird turns back to the interviewer, shakes his head, laughs and says, "Rookies".
I LOVE that story 😃
That’s a great story thanks for sharing
That’s awesome 😎
That's Gangsta
I feel so old for knowing who Brad Lohaus is
When Jamal said, “That’s when I knew they’re a different breed”…nuff said
Jamal beat the Dream Team. So did CWebb
I've never heard this story...30 years after and still, we hear Larry Legend's wonderful tales of greatness.
He is the TRUE GOAT 🐐
@@irishgrl i think so too, no doubt
the rivalry between the lakera & the celtics was one of the greatest sports rivalries of all time; too many legendary moments in every damn game.
@@beep6641 she's irish & he played for the celtics; he's HER goat lol
@@beep6641 in your mind... No one in Bird's prime can beat him... Bird find the way to beat them.
Look at Larry's team. They were mediocre and he made them all stars. Look at Johnson's team, or Jordan's. They were all stars from the beginning.
This is the BEST Larry Bird story ever!!!! Never tire of hearing it.
Even though Larry won 3 straight MVP's, 3 straight 3 point competitions, and 3 NBA Championships, there were still doubters. This goes to show that even college superstars can be humbled by an old guy on the verge of retirement. Well done Larry!
A broke back
spinal
Top 2 in MVP voting 7 out of 8 straight years, the 8th one a 3rd place finish.
Larry is that guy
By Bad-Back Larry Bird at that.
Larry's back was so bad and caused him so much pain that he couldn't move after games sometimes. The fact he was able to play as long as he did with those back issues is legendary in itself.
For a f u c k i n g driveway
If he doesn't try to pave his mama's driveway with a fucking wheel barrow in the summer of 1986, and Len Bias doesn't OD, we win at least 2 more titles between 87 and 90. Period.
I still cannot believe Larry did THAT bullshit. Lol
@@teddavis6093- I don't believe the C's stop the Pistons reign at the top, it was just their time. What that would've done was allowed the C's to take a few years retooling as a good squad and pick-up a few more titles in the '90's.
Imagine being considered top ten and having those types of injuries for 2/3 of career 😳
Dumb azz cheapskate Bird hurt his back putting in a driveway for his parents instead of paying someone to do it.
Even old and hurt, Bird had the heart of a lion, and could still muster a game no one could handle.
💯 💯 💯 👍
Yeah, and after Bird retired, the Celtics went back to the basement just like they were the year before Bird arrived.
You already knew what was up. Especially when Magic heard it too.
@@klicknkreate7077 And that college team he was on hasn't done anything since he was there. Before or after. He took them to the championship haha
Great story from Jamal, I love how Magic got fired up and just kept feeding Bird, definition of team and respect. Awesome story!
Love it! And calling every shot! Savage!
This is such an awesome story, and Jamal deserves so much credit for telling it so well. Just a fantastic job of painting the picture. And I love the line "this is when I knew they were a different breed." So much respect from a guy who was a damned great player in his own right.
Agreed 100% his pause for affect is spot on. He played for us in Miami. Seems like a great dude and his shooting stance is one of the coolest ever
💯
I got to see Mashburn play in person with the Charlotte Hornets against the Kidd Nets. He was a star of that time
Magic and Larry always had each others’ back, as long as they weren’t playing against each other
special relationship they had...I can imagine Magic being ashamed of the disrespect a young brother just showed a Legend...set about helping make things right...
@@desiolle2874 im glad magic is doing great, when he announced having aids l thought he would be gone soon
@@jmc7504 I think even he thought it J mc...but there's magic in that man outside of the game itself...I don't wanna meet Jordan but I reckon it'd be special if you got to meet Magic or Larry...
I can hear Magic say to Bird, something like, did you hear what that young puppy just said ? We’re going to take care of their asses tomorrow Larry, you feel me.
Larry and Magic legit love each other like brothers. you don't piss of a brother.
I l love all these Larry Bird stories.
Me too!
How is this not one of the most iconic Larry Bird stories? How I am only learning this now? I have seen dozens of compilations of Bird stories, never heard this one. And it is easily in the top 3 of them all.
I was thinking the same thing!
Larry was already at it with Mashburn and CWebb in the corridor. You love to see it and you come to expect it.
It's a great tale, and the best because it's well told by the "young" buck. Great because they were mostly all kinda old, probably not in 100% ready for the season shape, and DID'N' give half a shit
about 8 college kids "lighting them up" . Daly did. But they didn't. Cuz they knew that when they shifted into serious mode, they'd snuff any kind of pre-rookie collection of young hot shots.
"old age and trickery will always overcome youth and strength ". (trickery, skill and attitude)
I don't think this discussion is that old. Maybe a yr ago on Q and Darius's show
Bro I burst out laughing hearing this!
"Seem like 84"
line is one of the best I have ever heard!
Bird is on my Mt. Rushmore of NBA legends. There will never be another like him. Dude was a one off then they broke that mold
You are still young to the game there have been many great players do some research
@kanajingly8957 I love what Kareem said: "That Larry beat you with this" as he tapped his head, (meaning his brain). Kareem respected court IQ more than brawn.
@@bonnieplasha4684and Kareem was a very smart player too. Probably one of the top 10 or so most intelligent people ever to play the game. So to get his respect means a lot.
@@charlestonbrown148nah man, Larry was special
Warms my heart to listen to the story of Magic feeding Larry the ball to show it to those young'uns ❤🧡
Mine too 🥰
@@irishgrl one heart to you too from me ❤
One of the best parts of the story is how Magic heard it and set his boy up to cook. Great story! 💯
Yep! Dissing on Larry was like dissing on Magic too cuz that was Magic’s most feared rival.
There is another Larry Bird story that i watched but cant find anymore, is that the Celtics tried to trick him so they can pay him his salary for the year he retired, and Larry saw through that and refused, saying if he’s not gonna play he does’nt wanna get paid. Talk about integrity, a legend in and out of the court.
That is fact. There is a video of Larry saying that.
If he had delayed announcing his retirement by a week then his upcoming year's salary would've been paid.....and the Celtics President, Dave Gavitt advised him to delay and take the money which Gavitt believed was "well earned". The Legend said no, if I don't play, I don't want to get paid. Truth.
@@spike02176 all truth
@Gregory Holden From what i remember, Bird came in a few days before the deadline, then the owner told him to come back in a week so he can think about it, w/c would have been after the deadline thereby the Celtics would already be obliged to pay him whether he retires or not, Bird told them that he’s not stupid and that he knows what date it was, so if he wasnt playing he didnt wanna get paid. Which is why i believed they were trying to trick him. Besides that how many organizations would go out of their way to relieve themselves of that money. Bird was a class act himself.
It’s a great move from Larry, but let’s also talk about the owner of the Celtics. How many owners now would just give unearned money to a player? That was a classy attempt on his part too.
I met Jamal Mashburn when he played for the Heat in the 90s. Nicest and friendliest star athlete you could ever talk to. He was totally approachable and humble. I put Zach Thomas in that category as well.
Bro He was a legend in the Bronx when he played ball in high school .. never heard anyone say anything bad about that man
Because Zack Randolph was always high so he was laid back
Dude was a straight baller!! The kids dont know. He'd be destroying the league right now
@@lndnskggs "I Love Walter !" Constant refrain by our late great Tommy Heinsohn. I Love Walter!
Larry just wanted a little respect, and just as he lives his life, he earned it.
I could listen to Mashburn tell this story every day!!! Larry Bird was a straight killa who looked like a middle school English teacher. Those Celtics vs Lakers rivalries were EPIC in the 80s
That is a fucking amazing story!!!! It was told so well by Mash. He’s a damn good storyteller. That shit that was awesome
Thx for visiting my channel!
Told it incredibly well! Not everyone can tell a story good
I actually like Mashburn's story.
Mashburn didn't exactly have a bad career himself and saying all this. He tells a good story, would like to hear more from him on his career. Larry is the legend but I remember Mashburn was a guy that could just flat out score and put up buckets.
I bet he told this story about 100 times before. When you have got such a story in your life to tell, everybody listens!
Larry Bird was difficult for everyone. Another great story about him. Respect.
Basically Larry Legend's day at the story office
You know how badass you are when people talk about you all the time and the stories
This has to be in the top 3 stories I have heard about Bird. They are not lying when they say Bird is a big guy. I met Bird at a Pacers game and boy that guy is huge. He is also a really cool guy.
You are a lucky dog!
Im from Indy too
Lol..
Much respect to bird. As a Sixers fan bird was the truth. So many times he kick our a***. He was a baller . No other way to put it.
Jamal, is a KENTUCKY legend. He is still loved here.
He talks like a New Yorker
I love how these brothers love telling Larry Bird stories
Me too.
Larry the Legend is arguably the best to have laced up a tennis shoe/bball sneaker.Him, Wilt and Russell would be my all time favorite front line.
I'm from Brooklyn, NY. I grew up a Knicks fan. Like most kids, I had posters on the wall. I didn't like the Celtics due to them always dominating the East but Larry Bird was my idol. I had a poster of him shooting a free throw. I tried my hardest to emulate his form. I was fortunate enough to grow up during the 80's and 90's. The Celtics and Lakers were on top of the world in the 80's. Larry Bird continues to be a Legend to me.
That’s wonderful 🥰
Bird stories really are the best. There are so many ex players who all loved the guy.
Yeah, ... I really loved the "hot dog" story, that Kevin McHale told.
@@ericmcdowell5762 100%. that hot dog story and this Mashburn story (1st time heard it here) are awesome
He got an invite to the bbq
Ever hear the true story of when Bird first set foot in Boston to see the city? Unaware that Bird wanted to walk around and see the city on his own--this was pre-internet and pre-cable, so there was very little knowledge of this tall white guy about to stroll around Boston--and Larry just so happens to enter a VERY notorious bar known for 2 things: catering to mainly locals, and fights.
Anyway, in walks this 6'9 white guy dressed in a flannel shirt and one of those Mack Truck caps, DEFINITELY didn't look like a city dude from Boston. So Larry orders a beer. Most in the bar didn't know who Bird was, but soon some rumblings about Larry being the much-heralded player the Celtics just drafted recently. Worried that Larry might end up in a brawl, someone evidently called the Celtics' brass, and one of the Cs PR guys panicked and rushed over to "save" Larry before it was too late. At this point the patrons pretty much all knew who this 6'9 hick from Indiana was, so when the Cs PR guy arrived, Bird was yucking it up with the locals and having a good 'ole time drinking beer and just at home with the locals.
The Cs PR guy said he was amazed that not only did Bird not into a fight, but that the locals in the bar loved hanging out with Larry, and Bird with them. And the reason the patrons and Larry got along so well is they soon realized Bird was essentially one of them--just a regular guy who likes to hang out, put down a few beers, talk shit, and have a good time.
@@mikes3827 what’s even more wild is he was like the locals too when it came to fights lol. Larry would literally go out of his way to get into fights when he was younger or get his brother into Em. I’m sure you know that already but it’s cool as hell that Larry was just *that guy*
All I know is I LIVED to watch Boston and L.A. play! Bird and Magic were exactly that....MAGIC!.....Best years of my life. Thank you Larry and Earvin!...You guys......I don't have the words. Just "Thank you" for the amazing times you gave us!
All they did was save the NBA.
Cool true story:
Coach Chuck Daly (bonafide genious!) needed the dream team to lose somehow to take Olympics seriously. If they held back at all, it would be an embarrassment. The media was already there. First, he made them wait outside. Then he told the dream team, "Take it easy. Kinda get used to each other on same team and feel each other out a bit. They are just here to give you a little workout and warm you up is all. It's not even a scrimmage"
Then he told a few of the college guys in private, "Bring everything you got. Go hard like your life depends on it." It worked perfect. The NBA guys played, ...not soft, but didn't wanna take over by themselves and play agressive either. The kids were winning and even started talking some noise. He even benched Jordan the whole game just to make sure they lost. (Plus he knew MJ would've caught on and buried the college kids himself)
He stopped game, 62-54, gathered the dream team, and said "From now, on EVERYONE is watching!" He reset the scoreboard to 0 - 0, and let the media and cameras in. The message got thru... That's why they never took the foot off the gas, even if they were up against countries by 40 or 50 already.
Nice 👍
How this doesn’t literally have a billion views is sad
Not only is Jamal and everyone he mentioned from college underrated af, but possibly top 3 most amazing basketball story ever told
This is truly epic
Good in college only means something if you pull off an NBA Hall of fame career. Jamal was garbage in the nba, as was rodney rogers. Bird could have beat both of those guys with a blindfold on!
It is a great story (as most of Bird stories are lol), but I think the low(ish) view count is simply because it’s been posted a ton of times already so most already know this story. Obviously a bunch here never did by the comments so it’s always good to hear reactions but this story is old and this actual interview posted here has been posted prior
I remember Rodney Rogers at Wake Forest and as a pro, dude was a physical specimen and a great defender. Bird jacking him up is saying a lot about Larry Legend at the end of his career.
all those reactors used MY clip 🤷♀️
@@matthewbingham8824 Did you just call someone who for 11/13 seasons had a positive VORP (best season of 3.0) and ended with a career positive box plus minus while averaging 19 ppg in the NBA garbage lol? People are ridiculous.
Me being a diehard Los Angeles Lakers fan, I know there are far too many Larry Legend stories out there that are just mind boggling about him. Larry Bird was one of the very last guys you wanted to trash talk. He could back it up and then some!
After a Celtics time-out, Larry Bird would tell the opposing coaches and players the play the Celtics drew up on the time-out. He'd tell them the exact play and to be ready for it. Nothing but net. Bird would ask the opposing coach if they had any players that could cover him. The Coach would turn to look down at his bench and answered truthfully. Nope! Larry "Legend" Bird. Best of the best.
Larry stories are the best. You can tell the players have the utmost respect for him.
He’s EARNED it!
Such an excellent story. Jamal, you told it so well too! I am 52, and I was a boy when the Dream Team players were in their prime. I could name almost every player on every team easy back then.
THE TRUTH THE WHOLE TRUTH & NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH!!!!
Im 57 you were a lil younger but you were. I just said Magic Bird Doc Kareem Neek Nig Moses and Zeke coulda bust anybody's ass from any era they were all game changers in one way or another…
A 23 year old boy?🤣🤣
By far most of that team was still reaching its prime!
@@joebillings7164
Bird - 80s
Magic - 80s
Stockton 84
Malone 85
Jordan 84
Ewing 85
Pippen 87
Clyde Drexler 83
Mullin 85
Sir Charles 84
I turned 18 in 1988.
Get some fkng rest. It's gonna be a long week
I'm a big Larry fan. Everytime we thought he was on his last legs, he did something to amaze us.
He’s the TRUE GOAT in my eyes.
His final response was so great and fitting too. He took the best course.
@@irishgrl now they say that lebron is best sf😆
@@ziginaigra only the stupid ones say that
That's the 1st time I've heard that story. Thanks!
Same here. I mean you can't think that every single Bird story is always 100% legit, but Mashburn was a big time player in his own right so I'd think there's no reason he be lying about this one.
Grant Hill, Mashburn, Rodney and Webber. That's a Dream Team
"Young fella, look like 84 huh?" Haha, that was an awesome Bird story. I thought I had heard them all. I can appreciate a young Rodney Rogers wanting to test the legend, and the legend didn't disappoint. I know tragedy happened to Rogers, but thank the Lord he still speaks and is a jovial guy. So I would love to one day hear the story from him and see him have a good laugh about it. Thx for posting!
Rodney in his prime was fantastic. He won the Sixth Man award in Phoenix, made the NBA Finals as a New Jersey Net
The scary part is you also has all these others greats on that Dream Team, including Jordan.
That is some scary shit! It only took one of these guys to be pumped up to crush an entire team by himself and they were all playing on the same team!
Eric Montross just passed away recently, RIP. I saw him play as a 6'7" high school sophomore. He played on that team as Mashburn mentioned.
The Bird wasn't just the greatest all around basketball player of all time, he was warrior athlete. Relentless attack, everywhere with every thing.
Lol
@@Mike1122.What you laughing about, sparky. Pre back/feet injury Bird was the best all around player, ever. He isn’t in GOAT discussions because he didn’t play long enough and wasn’t healthy long enough to put up the numbers.
Imagine all the stories out there. Need to interview all these guys about these legends.
Larry a fucking menace man
That was one of the best Bird stories. I was always a big Larry Bird fan and also a big Monster Mash fan at Kentucky. He also had a great NBA career himself.
Mashburn played for the Hornets, one of the few times the Hornets made the playoffs.
@@aarondigby5054 Do you remember that game against Duke. I thought Kentucky had the game wrapped up til….
"Get some f***king rest, it's going to be a long week." Love it 💖
Larry. Trash talker extraordinaire 👍
Gangsta from Indiana
A great story. I forget what an outstanding group of college players were on that team. I think that we had such great talent in college at that time that they would have won the gold medal.
I've been rewatching this every couple of weeks. Probably the best short sports story I've ever heard!
I love it too!
Bucket.
@@fkarumoyoung fella. Look like 84, huh?
@@arriuscalpurniuspiso "One dribble, pull up, going left. Off glass." Bucket!
@@fkarumo get some fkng rest. It's gonna be a long week. And he walked off.
What makes this story so great is how perfectly it lines up with all we've come to learn about Magic and Bird individually, as well as that Dream Team and how Chuck pushed their buttons.
Love anything Larry Bird content. This was a new one for me.
Thanks.
Great story. Bird and Magic. Can't get no better
I miss that NBA
Watched Larry play in the 80s. Knew he was good. But when you hear these types of stories and there are many, you realize just how good he really was!
You watched him play in the eighties and you only thought he was "good"? Where you hanging around
those two fools named Dennis Rodman and Isiah Thomas? The three of you must have made up the
worst judges of talent on the planet!!!!!
@@steverenom.299 OMG!! finally someone said it. awesome comment and dead right
I watched him in the 80's against my Lakers. He was great! Only player I've ever feared them playing against.
I watched almost every pro game he played. There never was or is a single player that I had rather watch play than Larry Bird. He was serious as a heart attack, but more fun to watch than the Globe Trotters. His skill at the whole, all around game and court awareness were unmatched.
@@wmden1 My father wasn't a Celtics fan per se, but he never missed an opportunity to watch Larry Bird play. He just appreciated the skill that "the hick from French Lick" brought to every game... and my Dad was HARD to impress.
I love these Larry Bird stories. The reactions from the tellers and the listeners is priceless. You can tell that not only was Larry respected, he was loved.
Yes. And he earned it on his own terms.
and feared to...
@@dentedilupo81Yes! Definitely!! I've seen interviews with eventual HOF'ers admitting that they had nightmares as much as 2 weeks before having to play/cover Bird. Kind of surprised that they admitted it.
Stories like this give me chills man...
Also, shouts to Rodney Rogers man, still can't believe someone so physically strong and imposing could have happen to them what he had happen 💯
Rodney Rogers was 6'7" or 6'8" so Bird would have had no trouble shooting over him.
Watching Bird being forced to lie face down on the sidelines during games (Because of his back pain) in the early 90's was the truest devotion to the game I have ever seen.
Also the saddest 😞
Larry didn't want to be on the dream team but magic talked him into it since neither got to do it in college.
I had Grant Hill at my basketball camp in 93. He told the same story.
😂
Great story! I have right now condition like Larry in late of His Carieer. I can imagine pain after that stretch. But Larry is The Legend - and he could treat young blood - in '92 like it was 84 - despite severe back pain. RESPECT. I love dream team stories. I was 12 in Poland that time, I've just started playing in bb club and I didn't miss a single game from 92 Olympic. Dream team was something special! Thank you Mash for this story!
"They kicked our ass the rest of the week."
Jamal comes across as a natural storyteller. have seen this vids multiple times and laugh each time.
Until now, I thought I knew all the Larry Bird stories.
Slow build up but amazing ending.
After Larry's back injuries and till his retirement (1986 to 1992),
Larry Legend's stat line was:
FG% - 49.5
3pt% - 39.4
Ft% - 91.1
25.1 PPG
9.3 REB
7.0 AST
WITH A BROKEN SPINE ! ! !
KD who? Lol
Larry bird and mike Tyson had the same injury, spinal
Well damn. 😳
Crazy part is I just saw another interview he said he didn't practice shooting threes lol. Goes to shoot 40% lol
Damn Larry
Awesome Larry Bird story. Thanks!
After all these years,this is the best Bird story
This is Iverson level. The tone. The quotes
You know what I Love is these SUPER HUMANS, love and respect each other as the years pass more and more.
What a great commentary! And that college group was an outstanding group of players...but they woke up a sleeping giant. Can you imagine facing Larry Bird...like looking down the barrel of a loaded gun! (And that was with his messed up back).
This is a drastically different story than is told in the “Dream Team” documentary.🤔 yet I believe Mr. Mashburn is telling the truth.
It’s actually not different in its facts. The difference is the perspective. They are BOTH true. And Coach Daly DID rig it. Jordan sat out a good portion of that game & Coach Daly made weird substitutions….
@@irishgrl He probably targeted the players that weren't putting what they needed to into the game. He needed to show them that there were dudes out there with the hunger and drive he wanted to see out of them.
What a great story and he tells it so well.
Mashburn delivered a great story. He added onto the starting greatness of a Larry Legend's hilarious and fantastic story by default.
That was a great Larry Bird story.😂
It's AMAZING how many pros have the same story about Larry......."He had the ball told me EXACTLY what he was going to do and did it......BUCKET!!!!" Honestly I've never heard that about a single other player past or present and I've heard at least 10 or so different stories just like that about Bird. Many game winners too. My man is the GREATEST small Forward EVER......Sorry Lebron Facts are Facts!!!!!
Magic heard that shit... 🎉
Most players are shy of their listed height. Brid was legit 6'10" listed at 9" and BIG. Even MJ, who was 0-6 vs a post back injury Bird in the playoffs, including Pippen some of those years, knew Bird was the TRUTH.
Prime Bird is the pinnacle of basketball.
Absolutely. Nobody better in my eyes. NOBODY.
Larry Bird was 6'10" and had some long-ass arms, too.
By the end of his career he was probably 6'9" because of his back issues...it happens...
@@billyboblillybob344, you may be right; it would make sense; but Jamal Mashburn is talking about running into Larry at the very end of his career. Larry had just finished his last NBA season and was finishing up by joining The Dream Team for the Olympics.
All hail the Birdman!
One of my favorite stories I’ll keep watching this for years and years.❤❤❤❤❤ Jamal tells it really well ❤.
Larry Legend! Nice story by Mashburn
This is great. I haven't seen this before & I watched all these games live if you can call it that with the 4 hour delay haha
Thanks Jamal - I feel like I was right there with you the way you told it.
Respect for LB! And btw, you young guns did pretty well yourselves in the Big Show.
Love hearing Larry Bird playing day stories. Ultimate smack talker!
People don't realize how much of a killer Mash was. On 2/22/2003 I was at a Pistons game at the Palace of Auburn Hills and Mash dropped 29 and laced a game winning turnaround J with .2 seconds left.
I had watched him on the heat and played with him on NBA Jam throughout my life, but seeing his skills in person 10 rows back was awe-inspiring.
Big ups to Monster Mash 💯
I'm a Duke fan and have been my entire life but I say with certainty that if Mash doesn't foul out of that game in 92, there are no Laettner heroics.
Eh you think? Didn’t he foul out with like a few seconds left in overtime? Christain was perfect from the field the whole game inc overtime
One of the great basketball stories of all time.
Dominique can tell some great Larry Bird stories when Larry was messing with Nique during his rookie year. Larry called Dominique "Holmes" during Dominques rookie year.
Jamal Mashburn. I purchased your shirt in 1999. I did it in Türkiye and you never know what I planned to get it. I don’t know why but I really like you bro. Great story, great storytelling.
What a great story by Mash. Even Larry on a bad back could score buckets against dudes in their prime.
You couldn't tell enough Larry Bird stories to satisfy my love for him in basketball 🔥❤️🔥
I can listen to these stories all day 🐐💪🏿
Thank you!! I've heard many Bird stories repeatedly but this is a new one! 100% Legend.
The Legend continues.
Forever. It seems like everyone has a Larry Legend story 😂
This speech is an instant classic. Mashburn the Great 🎉
Great great story / thanks for sharing that honest story > Jamal Mashburn 👍👍👍
I love hearing these stories…it pays great homage to the ones before them. Also gives us a greater perspective on how much greater those guys were as basketball legends when the younger Gen speaks highly of them. I’m Kobe’s age (God Bless U Mamba…Mamba4Ever) and Magic was my all time fav. To watch him and Bird was amazing, but to hear these stories gives me more insight on what I saw to be true. Larry Legend was still a dawg on his way out! 💪🏾💪🏾🏀⛹️
Larry's pain was converted to precision and power. I'm thankful I had friends who were basketball fans and I got to watch him from about '79 or '80 through '88 or '89. The 1980s were great years in basketball history.
Lucky you!
@@irishgrl we're both lucky 'cause we're both Irish - G.E. Clanawley.
one of the elite nba players of our geration, man it was fun we had jordans, mashburns, iversons, larry johnson, kevin johnson ,barkley, zo them were the days
The best trash talker the NBA ever had🏀
Every time I hear the word “practice”, I think of AI.
Wow, what a hell of a take. Super interesting, Mashburn is great here. Love to hear this whole thing. Beautiful stuff. I love this game!
I watched a video that, a player or coach or someoen said that first game they wernt playing as a team, just individuals and egos. so the coach intentionally subbed out certain players so the college team would win, as a way of uniting the dream team. something like that
Yes. It may even have been part of a Dream Team documentary. Coach Daly had his work cut out for him 👍
Jamal Mashburn is grossly underrated! I'm a longtime UofL fan, but I loved watching Jamal "monster mash" Mashburn when he was @UK and the NBA!!!
Magic and Legend are the 2 most important players in NBA history. The league goes bankrupt without these two.