I remember that game. Emotions throughout New England soared that day for all watching that game. The man who gave us so much joy for over a decade went down so hard but then came back, unexpectedly, like part of the hero's journey. At that moment, we all knew. Everyone watching the game knew. The game was won at that moment. There was no way Larry Bird was going to lose that game.
I'm a New Zealander and basketball isn't our game. But everyone growing up in the '80s here with any interest in sport knew who Larry Bird was. Regardless of your sport there's a very small, very exclusive club of players who seem to be able to bend time and space to their will. Larry was one of them.
@chicaliqc, that was Larry. He’d beat the hell out of you, embarrass you, talk sh*t about you, then win or lose (usually a win, of course), he’d buy you a beer.
In my opinion the most complete player ever. He could pass, shoot, defend, take the last shot, rebound and always had the mental and toughness edge over everyone. And btw if you’ve never had a back injury you’ll never know how hard it is to even just get out of bed. I know because I’ve had it several times and to push through that and not only perform but to perform on a high level is a testament.
I grew up watching hockey and football and had no interest in basketball until by accident i watched the Boston Celtics play on tv. From that moment on i was a Celtics fan watching the amazing Larry Bird. After he retired i never watched or cared much for basketball again. He became my favorite player in any sport and still is today, nobody can come close to this mans talent and heart for the game and the excitement he gave me.
Might be a hard sell from me to you . Give the ny knicks a watch this season . They truly have the same physical and mental fortitude the gladiators of those eras had . Like modano and hull on the stars playing through broken bones and ligaments . It’s the purest form of competition , and it’s why we love sports . Seriously give the knicks a shot if you want to relive some of that heart pounding and exhilaration of rooting for a team and players giving it their all
Similar story, I didn't know anything about basketball, but one day I saw a game on TV as a kid, with a bunch of showboaters and hotdoggers playing against a team of humble players playing as a team. I fell in love with the latter team. It was the Lakers v. Celtics, with Larry Bird leading.
My heart is pounding and I'm getting goosebumps watching this. And I've seen this a hundred times. I'm still amazed by Larry Bird's talent, toughness, leadership, and winning ways. He'll forever be my favorite player.
Pat Riley said this iconic quote: "If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game, I choose Michael Jordan. If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life, I'd choose Larry Bird."
@@maddymud You go with the odds. Steph Curry has missed plenty of shots and yet he is the greatest shooter ever in the NBA. So you really don't have a point.
I am from the UK and to be honest, basketball is just not a big thing here. However, Mr Bird is just a phenomenon. His passion, commitment and talent combined to make him, undeniably the GREATEST OF ALL TIME.
All that with a broken body yet his name is seldom mentioned while talking about all world players. But I noticed most all the players he played against Jabbar, Jordan, lPayton on and on all have nothing but the highest regard for Bird. I think of the quote by Isaiah saying he believed if him , Jordon , Jabbar and Magic got it on that Bird would be the one that takes it all
Love bird . I have him second best to Jordan. Every single team I put together will have Larry Bird on it starting over Lebron. Matter of fact NO team would have Lebron on it. Top 12 doesn’t include Lebron. Defense is important . Lebron can’t even spell it .
Larry Bird is 1 of kind, they broke the mold after they made him. He is number 2 on my all greatest list right behind Jordan. Larry Legend was able to do amazing things even being 3/4s crippled. I suffer from chronic back pain and even spent time in a wheelchair. People don't understand how hard it is unless they deal with it themselves. The fact he was able to play the 91 season is insane! Then he went on to play iIn the dream team in 92 is also insane! His pain tolerance is extraordinary!! There's no athlete in history I respect more than Larry Bird. #33 was a Beast!
He is still my top 1 of all time- And i watched a lotta ball back in the day..no one played smarter- yes more people hogged the ball and made great shots- he was a tap, a flick a throw and shared the glory with his team...
I hated Larry at the time because he was a Celtic. Damn, that man was unreal. Talked that shit to everyone, and beat everyone. Years later, I find out I descend from multiple Bird/ Byrds. I still hate him for being a Celtic, but he has my undying respect as a competitor at the highest level. What fun it was watching the Magic Bird Show. The peak of the NBA.
That is the toughest thing I have ever seen. IMO much harder than Jordan's 104 degree performance or Isiah's 4th quarter broken leg. (I actually worked out with a 104 degree fever, it was exhausting but when your adrenaline gets going you don't feel as tired. However I paid for it afterwards.) I had a concussion before and you can't even think straight let alone shoot a basketball and certainly anyone with a herniated disk in the lower back knows just how bad this is. Sharp pain shooting down your leg anytime you move. And to top it off, he broke a bone in face. That's three injuries to overcome, not just one. The man is simply indestructible.
I will concur with you on that. In college, I played in an intramural sporting event with a 104 fever, and didn't think twice about it . Right next door was the infirmary, so I went their afterwards, and was diagnosed with "the worse strep throat I've ever seen", per the doctor (it no doubt looked particularly bad because of what I had just been doing, which I didn't mention to the doctor.) Years later, I had a herniated disc. I can't imagine playing any sports with that back pain. Nor can I imagine trying to shoot a basketball with double vision from a broken bone in my face.
I remember that game well. His "Willis Reed" moment. Larry was no where near 100% BEFORE crashing to the floor. With Larry out there was no way they'd have beaten the Pacers that day. When he returned, there was no way they could have lost. He had nothing to prove. He was the best shooter, passed like Magic, rebounded like Wilt, stole like Stockton, was King of the 40/50/90 club. LEGEND!!!!🏀
Bird in TRACTION and plays. And here I am hoping Embiid doesn’t take too many nights off, and on him I’m pinning my hopes? Contender vs Pretender right there!!
With bird's passing all five players were dangerous. Live forty minutes from french lick , i played in a scramble for charity at the old Donald Ross hill course in French lick, bird was supposed to play in it but had to cancel. Everyone was buzzing with excitement, still a great day on a very good golf course.
I'm 64, and remember that game like it was yesterday. Those were the days when i couldn't catch the game live, so I'd tape it on those old vhs tapes. The 80's was without question the best decade of the NBA. Not one player in today's NBA could play back then. First off, you couldn't walk 5 steps like they do today , and secondly, you had to play team ball, which is unheard of today. If i were starting a team today, Bird would be my number 1 pick, no questions asked.
Just shows you the level of physical competition guys like Bird played against. Chuck Person was a solid player and gave Larry a tough night every time he faced him. I miss these days of the NBA
As a Pacers fan this amazing game is often forgotten because it hurt so much and yet it’s one of Indiana’s own who just put on a clinic of epic proportions. We also forget how good Chuck was - mostly because he was under Bird’s shadow in these bouts. Great micro rivalry of that end of Celtics / Larry run.
I grew up watching 80's 90's basketball. You know every team told players. Don't piss off Bird unless you can handle it. Love a good sports rivalry!!!!!
Theyre are great players and there are great players but only a handful of those great players can actually be called legends and of those legends only a select few can be called Timeless. Larry Bird is the player most of the legends talk about. Nobody wanted to play against him. Nobody could talk as much trash as he could and nobody could back that trash up as well as he could. Even Michael Jordan will say he hated playing against the Bird. If I had to pick the greatest of all time Larry Bird is the one I pick. Best all around player ever.
That game is burned into my memory forever. We were watching the end of an era when Bird went down. . . and then he came back out of the tunnel. As soon as the we saw that look in his eyes, we knew the Pacers were going home. Chills just thinking about it.
Dealing with the pain is a Day to Day issue, as many of us know. Getting up and out of bed is how you start, what follows is your decision. Following a lead by a Great competitor is a good Strat.. Prescriptions wont help, it's up to how to deal.
I am Philly to the core - hated Bird back in day - today he is one of my all time favorite players. Funny thing is for me is the title of this vid "arrogant showboat" lol first off that is like day one in the code speak class course work and also incredibly ironic as Bird himself was one of the top 5 all time NBA trash talking, disrespectful arrogant showboats EVER!!!
Back then players loved the game of basketball. They played with heart and determination. They played sick and broken. They were very grateful that they made it to the NBA.
The kindness and honesty of Lasalle Thompson. You can see it in the way he touches Birds back. He knew he was touching greatness. Respect for your opponent.
That shows how great Larry Bird is, I'm a bulls fan but this man was one of the greatest because there are many on this sport and they all played so hard and fiercely and they deserve to be named the GOAT
I remember watching that game and when it was over my then gf asked me "why are you crying" (I wasn't 'crying', I just had tears in my eyes... okay, maybe my lips quivered a bit), I said, "everyone's happier than hell right now, but I suddenly feel like it (Larry's career) is going to end soon, very soon and I may have thought about how one day his career will end like every retired player's did, like Kareem's, Dr. J's, and Magic's (I was a Laker fan living in LA throughout the 80's...hating Larry Legend), but I didn't realize how much I would miss him until that moment and it struck me deeply...but it prepared me for when he finally did retire not long after that 'legendary performance'. I still get all sentimental looking at these old 'flashback' videos of Larry, I was blessed and so lucky to have been in my 20's living in L.A. watching the Lakers, Celtics, Pistons, BLAZERS, Sonics, Dr. J. Moses, Barkley, Cheeks with the Sixers, Ewing, Starks, King, Jackson, Oakley, Strickland with the Knicks, Stockton, Malone, Eaton with Utah, Dominique, Rivers, Spud Webb, with Atlanta, Aguirre, Blackman, with the Mavs, I could go on and on, but after Bird and Magic left I watched less and less of the regular season games except the Lakers and the return to glory with Kobe & Shaq, but there will always be something about how lucky we were to have been blessed by Larry Legend to fight against and marvel at his awesomeness that will forever cause feelings of nostalgia and tug on heart strings until I die.
The Rifleman, Chuck Person, was a volume scoring three point specialist in an era when that wasn't a thing. But Larry Legend was a force of Nature. Even as an Isaiah Thomas Detroit Pistons fan, I will never deny his greatness.
What people don't realize is zzBird risked his life in that game. He was obviously shot up with pain killers. One real bad injury to his spinal cord could have left him paralized, or dead.
They say back pain is the worst. Larry to play at that elite level and deal with that horrible pain is just legendary. I will say this with no hesitation Larry at his prime the greatest small forward no the greatest all around player to play the game.
No player would ever come back in today's game what Larry went through. The only player I can think of is Michael Jordan cuz he played through injuries and 104 fever
These players today are soft and weak Felicia's and Karen's. Baby Boomers and Gen X will always be the strongest. I remember playing Soccer. Bruised my ankle and still came out played and scored two goals. Had a slight limp hard to walk after the game was over.
I go back to this when defending Bird being old and over his prime with the Dream Team. When he needed it, he could craftily out do a man 7 years his age (with a lot less baggage) and come out with the win. Huge Chuck P fan, loved the Rifleman. Hated the Celtics. BUT dang, if Bird so willed that old injured back of his, he could come back and bury you. When it comes down to it, it is mentality and leadership, and well, championship mentality . he always had that.
Bird had a syncopal episode prior to the fall. He was out before he nailed his head. The side shot, in slo mo is abundantly clear. His feet get caught up because he was so lightheaded prior to the fall
Hated him when I watched him. Wanted the Celts to lose. But he literally made me giggle at the fakn plays he made. Making guys look helpless. Damn. Greatness.
I watched this game, real time, on TV and have watched this video, probably 50 times in a couple or more years. I still cloud up a little each time I watch it. To me, there hasn't been anything quite like it, in sports.
I’d like to preface this by saying that I played basketball in NYC in an all primarily black high school and got my nick name from the brothers playing at The Cage and at Rucker Park. We were all trying to emulate what Larry Bird was doing on the playground and it was impossible for us. However, I remember hearing what Pat Riley said, “If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game, I’d choose Michael Jordan, but if I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life, I’d take Larry Bird."
I remember that game. Emotions throughout New England soared that day for all watching that game. The man who gave us so much joy for over a decade went down so hard but then came back, unexpectedly, like part of the hero's journey. At that moment, we all knew. Everyone watching the game knew. The game was won at that moment. There was no way Larry Bird was going to lose that game.
I remember it like it was yesterday
I'm a New Zealander and basketball isn't our game. But everyone growing up in the '80s here with any interest in sport knew who Larry Bird was. Regardless of your sport there's a very small, very exclusive club of players who seem to be able to bend time and space to their will. Larry was one of them.
Young persons. Old Bird. Bird still always gets the last word
Most importantly Bird showed respect for Chuck on the way to the Locker room its just hard nose competition at the end of the day
@chicaliqc, that was Larry. He’d beat the hell out of you, embarrass you, talk sh*t about you, then win or lose (usually a win, of course), he’d buy you a beer.
The Bird is the word!
Don't get it twisted though. Person was giving it to Larry Bird all series long. Person was on fire ❤🔥
@@BK-gh9us HE HAVE NICKNAME ROFFLE FOR REASON. BUT BIRD ALWAYS LAUGH LAST LIKE VERSUS JORDAN. EVEN OLD HE GAVE MJ MANY L'S AND 30, 40 PTS
In my opinion the most complete player ever. He could pass, shoot, defend, take the last shot, rebound and always had the mental and toughness edge over everyone. And btw if you’ve never had a back injury you’ll never know how hard it is to even just get out of bed. I know because I’ve had it several times and to push through that and not only perform but to perform on a high level is a testament.
I grew up watching hockey and football and had no interest in basketball until by accident i watched the Boston Celtics play on tv. From that moment on i was a Celtics fan watching the amazing Larry Bird. After he retired i never watched or cared much for basketball again. He became my favorite player in any sport and still is today, nobody can come close to this mans talent and heart for the game and the excitement he gave me.
Might be a hard sell from me to you .
Give the ny knicks a watch this season . They truly have the same physical and mental fortitude the gladiators of those eras had .
Like modano and hull on the stars playing through broken bones and ligaments .
It’s the purest form of competition , and it’s why we love sports . Seriously give the knicks a shot if you want to relive some of that heart pounding and exhilaration of rooting for a team and players giving it their all
Similar story, I didn't know anything about basketball, but one day I saw a game on TV as a kid, with a bunch of showboaters and hotdoggers playing against a team of humble players playing as a team. I fell in love with the latter team. It was the Lakers v. Celtics, with Larry Bird leading.
Bird was a beast. A true competitor
He had 0 quit
My heart is pounding and I'm getting goosebumps watching this. And I've seen this a hundred times. I'm still amazed by Larry Bird's talent, toughness, leadership, and winning ways. He'll forever be my favorite player.
Guys like Bird, Jordan, and Magic will always put the honor of the game and competitive spirit before they're own well being.
JORDAN QUIT 3 TIMES LOAD MANAGED 450+ GAMES. DONT PUT HIM INSAME BREATH
@@PIP...33 What 3 times are you speaking of ????
Pat Riley said this iconic quote: "If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game, I choose Michael Jordan. If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life, I'd choose Larry Bird."
and yet Pat watched Larry get space to hit a three and win the game and miss
@@maddymud You go with the odds. Steph Curry has missed plenty of shots and yet he is the greatest shooter ever in the NBA. So you really don't have a point.
❤
Hope he changes his quote when he sees Steph Curry 😅
And Larry Bird said MJ was God disguised as Michael Jordan
I am from the UK and to be honest, basketball is just not a big thing here. However, Mr Bird is just a phenomenon. His passion, commitment and talent combined to make him, undeniably the GREATEST OF ALL TIME.
Bird is best ever.basket ball is crap tho.
All that with a broken body yet his name is seldom mentioned while talking about all world players. But I noticed most all the players he played against Jabbar, Jordan, lPayton on and on all have nothing but the highest regard for Bird. I think of the quote by Isaiah saying he believed if him , Jordon , Jabbar and Magic got it on that Bird would be the one that takes it all
Bird is the greatest and all the other greats like MJ LeBron, Kobe Russell are not afraid to admit it
Love bird . I have him second best to Jordan. Every single team I put together will have Larry Bird on it starting over Lebron. Matter of fact NO team would have Lebron on it. Top 12 doesn’t include Lebron. Defense is important . Lebron can’t even spell it .
@@christopheralton-moonn2097lol MJ isn’t second to Larry. But I have Larry as second greatest ever .
Watched it live on tv. Unbelievable really. Just another reason why he's Larry Legend
Me too, I remember that game like yesterday.
Thank you for sharing Larry birds story’s, he’s my favorite basketball player and doesn’t get enough credit
Players who played against him give ALL the credit. And that’s WAAAY better credit than from any fan, pundit or media goof.
@@DustyTail 🎯
Bird is a real "man" & just a perfect player, teammate, coach & executive.
Absolutely one of the greatest players I've ever seen!!!!
Larry Bird aka Greatest of all time!!!
Larry Bird is 1 of kind, they broke the mold after they made him. He is number 2 on my all greatest list right behind Jordan.
Larry Legend was able to do amazing things even being 3/4s crippled. I suffer from chronic back pain and even spent time in a wheelchair. People don't understand how hard it is unless they deal with it themselves. The fact he was able to play the 91 season is insane! Then he went on to play iIn the dream team in 92 is also insane!
His pain tolerance is extraordinary!! There's no athlete in history I respect more than Larry Bird.
#33 was a Beast!
LARRY LEGEND IS A UNICORN AND THE TRUE GOAT!!! 🐐 ☘️
❤
@@sugarnads ❤️
Larry Bird……. THE GOAT!!!!!!!!!
Larry Legend will always be my top 5 All Time‼
He is still my top 1 of all time- And i watched a lotta ball back in the day..no one played smarter- yes more people hogged the ball and made great shots- he was a tap, a flick a throw and shared the glory with his team...
Always !
The guy is just insane. Insanely good.
Every time I see his face hit the hardwood.. his face bounces off.. OUCH.. and he came back.. incredible.. Today's players.. never happening.
If that was AD he'd be out for the season
@@Faven2011 You mean AD as in "Always Disabled"?
I hated Larry at the time because he was a Celtic. Damn, that man was unreal. Talked that shit to everyone, and beat everyone. Years later, I find out I descend from multiple Bird/ Byrds. I still hate him for being a Celtic, but he has my undying respect as a competitor at the highest level. What fun it was watching the Magic Bird Show. The peak of the NBA.
It's why he's called Larry Legend.
Players today plays for money, players of yester years plays out of passion and love of the game....
Look at Bird's hair standing up when he came back out. He went Super Saiyan.
That is the toughest thing I have ever seen. IMO much harder than Jordan's 104 degree performance or Isiah's 4th quarter broken leg. (I actually worked out with a 104 degree fever, it was exhausting but when your adrenaline gets going you don't feel as tired. However I paid for it afterwards.) I had a concussion before and you can't even think straight let alone shoot a basketball and certainly anyone with a herniated disk in the lower back knows just how bad this is. Sharp pain shooting down your leg anytime you move. And to top it off, he broke a bone in face. That's three injuries to overcome, not just one. The man is simply indestructible.
I will concur with you on that. In college, I played in an intramural sporting event with a 104 fever, and didn't think twice about it . Right next door was the infirmary, so I went their afterwards, and was diagnosed with "the worse strep throat I've ever seen", per the doctor (it no doubt looked particularly bad because of what I had just been doing, which I didn't mention to the doctor.) Years later, I had a herniated disc. I can't imagine playing any sports with that back pain. Nor can I imagine trying to shoot a basketball with double vision from a broken bone in my face.
Larry said he had double vision when he came back out and had to figure out which was the right one.
@@anonygent He said he aimed for the left basket, and it went in, so he just kept aiming for the left basket.
GOAT!!!!!!
Absolutely no doubt, total, all around. Some great in way, he was in ALL ways.
Damn I love this man. I just looked up the word competitor in the dictionary it said pleas see Larry Bird.
I remember that game well. His "Willis Reed" moment. Larry was no where near 100% BEFORE crashing to the floor. With Larry out there was no way they'd have beaten the Pacers that day. When he returned, there was no way they could have lost. He had nothing to prove. He was the best shooter, passed like Magic, rebounded like Wilt, stole like Stockton, was King of the 40/50/90 club. LEGEND!!!!🏀
Larry Bird had one of the sweetest strokes of all time when he shoots the basketball. Most of the time it's all net!!!
Bird in TRACTION and plays. And here I am hoping Embiid doesn’t take too many nights off, and on him I’m pinning my hopes? Contender vs Pretender right there!!
Traction is no big deal, a machine stretches the back. Calm down fan boy.
I get the last word. That’s the biggest understatement ever. Bird is the GOAT.
Larry is the GOAT. He was the best clutch player i've ever seen.
The best clutch player I've ever seen is Jerry West - AKA "Mr. Clutch" and the NBA logo. RIP Jerry
With bird's passing all five players were dangerous. Live forty minutes from french lick , i played in a scramble for charity at the old Donald Ross hill course in French lick, bird was supposed to play in it but had to cancel. Everyone was buzzing with excitement, still a great day on a very good golf course.
You don't mess with Larry bird youl regret it these guys today couldn't play half a game with those guys back then
I'm 64, and remember that game like it was yesterday. Those were the days when i couldn't catch the game live, so I'd tape it on those old vhs tapes.
The 80's was without question the best decade of the NBA. Not one player in today's NBA could play back then. First off, you couldn't walk 5 steps like they do today , and secondly, you had to play team ball, which is unheard of today. If i were starting a team today, Bird would be my number 1 pick, no questions asked.
Never watched BB after he left -I miss Larry So much !
Almost same. Few years left after him but I always call it the end of the Bird Era. Couldn't pay me to watch these days.
Just shows you the level of physical competition guys like Bird played against. Chuck Person was a solid player and gave Larry a tough night every time he faced him. I miss these days of the NBA
Larry Legend
I didn't see this game. Larry Legend indeed.
The GOAT of GOATS.
As a Pacers fan this amazing game is often forgotten because it hurt so much and yet it’s one of Indiana’s own who just put on a clinic of epic proportions. We also forget how good Chuck was - mostly because he was under Bird’s shadow in these bouts. Great micro rivalry of that end of Celtics / Larry run.
I'm a Laker fan but if I had to put a team together, Bird would play every minute!
Just à phenomenal all around player!!
Larry was willing to die trying to win a game. A true warrior
Give me Magic, Bird, Jordan, Dr. J and Kareem against any 5 from any era! These guys were built tough and played through anything.
Ill throw you Kobe Lebron KD Tim Duncan Shaq
@@zoesaintvil7900 nice. Let’s play with the rules from the 80’s tho! Oh, and no flopping. 👍🏼
@@salsafirejrivera1037 if we doing no flopping im taking kawhi over lebron lmao
@@zoesaintvil7900 😂😂😂…hands down the best response everrrr!!! 😂😂😂
Wilt instead of kareem
I grew up watching 80's 90's basketball. You know every team told players. Don't piss off Bird unless you can handle it. Love a good sports rivalry!!!!!
Theyre are great players and there are great players but only a handful of those great players can actually be called legends and of those legends only a select few can be called Timeless. Larry Bird is the player most of the legends talk about. Nobody wanted to play against him. Nobody could talk as much trash as he could and nobody could back that trash up as well as he could. Even Michael Jordan will say he hated playing against the Bird. If I had to pick the greatest of all time Larry Bird is the one I pick. Best all around player ever.
When it comes to tenacity and the driving fortitude to play the game? Larry Bird is bar none !!!!
That game is burned into my memory forever. We were watching the end of an era when Bird went down. . . and then he came back out of the tunnel. As soon as the we saw that look in his eyes, we knew the Pacers were going home. Chills just thinking about it.
This is a great video. I didn't realize that Bird had a Willis Reed moment. Thanks for sharing.
Lakers fan here saw all the Magic vs Bird battles. Don't ever disrespect or discount Larry Bird he will make you pay!
I wasn't into basketball after my Sonics won the Championship. I guess I dropped out for a few decades. Nice to be able to relive what I missed.
Funny: Thompson on Indiana pats Larry on the back going into the tunnel..
Thompson then realized he just touched GREATNESS!!
Thompson was telling Bird this was the greatest thing he had seen and would tell his grandchildren he Thompson was part of it.
I saw a video of Lasalle Thompson talking about it.
Dealing with the pain is a Day to Day issue, as many of us know. Getting up and out of bed is how you start, what follows is your decision. Following a lead by a Great competitor is a good Strat.. Prescriptions wont help, it's up to how to deal.
LARRY! LARRY! LARRY! LARRY!
7:28 I throw my cell phone he is the GOAT 🐐
The game was over right there.
I remember when Coach Chris Ford played for the Pistons. Saw former Piston Mel Carr in the crowd too. B-Ball was different then.
Man , it's Larry Legend , nothing more to say !!!❤❤
I am Philly to the core - hated Bird back in day - today he is one of my all time favorite players. Funny thing is for me is the title of this vid "arrogant showboat" lol first off that is like day one in the code speak class course work and also incredibly ironic as Bird himself was one of the top 5 all time NBA trash talking, disrespectful arrogant showboats EVER!!!
Same here my friend. I hated Bird.. ONLY ONE PLAYER IN HISTORY I WOULD CHOOSE BEFORE HIM... WILT
This video is damn good and very well put together. Like an sub
Back then players loved the game of basketball. They played with heart and determination. They played sick and broken. They were very grateful that they made it to the NBA.
The kindness and honesty of Lasalle Thompson. You can see it in the way he touches Birds back. He knew he was touching greatness. Respect for your opponent.
That shows how great Larry Bird is, I'm a bulls fan but this man was one of the greatest because there are many on this sport and they all played so hard and fiercely and they deserve to be named the GOAT
The Rifle man, Chuck Person, and Bird use to go at it!
I remember watching that game and when it was over my then gf asked me "why are you crying" (I wasn't 'crying', I just had tears in my eyes... okay, maybe my lips quivered a bit), I said, "everyone's happier than hell right now, but I suddenly feel like it (Larry's career) is going to end soon, very soon and I may have thought about how one day his career will end like every retired player's did, like Kareem's, Dr. J's, and Magic's (I was a Laker fan living in LA throughout the 80's...hating Larry Legend), but I didn't realize how much I would miss him until that moment and it struck me deeply...but it prepared me for when he finally did retire not long after that 'legendary performance'.
I still get all sentimental looking at these old 'flashback' videos of Larry, I was blessed and so lucky to have been in my 20's living in L.A. watching the Lakers, Celtics, Pistons, BLAZERS, Sonics, Dr. J. Moses, Barkley, Cheeks with the Sixers, Ewing, Starks, King, Jackson, Oakley, Strickland with the Knicks, Stockton, Malone, Eaton with Utah, Dominique, Rivers, Spud Webb, with Atlanta, Aguirre, Blackman, with the Mavs, I could go on and on, but after Bird and Magic left I watched less and less of the regular season games except the Lakers and the return to glory with Kobe & Shaq, but there will always be something about how lucky we were to have been blessed by Larry Legend to fight against and marvel at his awesomeness that will forever cause feelings of nostalgia and tug on heart strings until I die.
The fact Larry Bird is not on anyone’s all time team is a damn shame. Jordan,bird and Magic are all elite. Shaq and Kobe. Game over
Two people I enjoyed watching play was Micheal Jordan and Larry Bird.
The Rifleman, Chuck Person, was a volume scoring three point specialist in an era when that wasn't a thing. But Larry Legend was a force of Nature. Even as an Isaiah Thomas Detroit Pistons fan, I will never deny his greatness.
The showboat was dirty. Really dirty. Dirty or not the GOAT still owned him. After watching this. Auburn should be ashamed of him.
He was a dirty recruiter for Auburn, but this is not dirty play
Larry Bird. Maybe the toughest and definitely the smartest player the NBA has ever seen.
Bird and McHale had no business being on a court with the bodies they had. Yet a couple of the best players ever
Did not like the Celtics but Bird was on another level. GO PISTONS!!
I definitely loved that era, Celts, Lakers, Portland, Detroit! A lot of great players!
Larry always gets the last word...
LITTERALLY !!! 🤣🤣🤣
Not in the same league
What people don't realize is zzBird risked his life in that game. He was obviously shot up with pain killers. One real bad injury to his spinal cord could have left him paralized, or dead.
Man was spent..
Back ruined.
Still top 5 in the league when he retired
Larry Bird was the best player ever! The rules changed or no one would beat him!
The GOAT. Even if he were playing against the Planet Krypton All Stars, Larry would still be the MVP! What a stud!
The floor woke up a Beast!!
They say back pain is the worst. Larry to play at that elite level and deal with that horrible pain is just legendary. I will say this with no hesitation Larry at his prime the greatest small forward no the greatest all around player to play the game.
He got bird in his late years not the birdof 84 -88
Ain't nobody NEVER taught Larry Bird no MOTHA EFFIN LESSON!
I'm from Chicago and I adore Michael, but LB is something else. Such a magnificent player. The two greatest players of all time.
No player would ever come back in today's game what Larry went through. The only player I can think of is Michael Jordan cuz he played through injuries and 104 fever
Best forward of all time including pippin
Larry Bird: “I don’t want some little injury to affect my season.”
Also Larry Bird: Concussion and broken bone in his face, “I’m good, let’s play.”
What was this guy's name? Never heard of him. History has already forgotten...Bird will be discussed eternal...
These players today are soft and weak Felicia's and Karen's. Baby Boomers and Gen X will always be the strongest. I remember playing Soccer. Bruised my ankle and still came out played and scored two goals. Had a slight limp hard to walk after the game was over.
Bird should have been a movie star too
What a stud!!! I watched this one as it happened, epic!
I go back to this when defending Bird being old and over his prime with the Dream Team. When he needed it, he could craftily out do a man 7 years his age (with a lot less baggage) and come out with the win. Huge Chuck P fan, loved the Rifleman. Hated the Celtics. BUT dang, if Bird so willed that old injured back of his, he could come back and bury you. When it comes down to it, it is mentality and leadership, and well, championship mentality . he always had that.
BIRD IS THE WORD
Bird had a syncopal episode prior to the fall. He was out before he nailed his head. The side shot, in slo mo is abundantly clear. His feet get caught up because he was so lightheaded prior to the fall
Hated him when I watched him. Wanted the Celts to lose. But he literally made me giggle at the fakn plays he made. Making guys look helpless. Damn. Greatness.
My girlfriend
In college lived down the street from
Bird we would walk by and he be cutting his own lawn! LARRY legend
I watched this game, real time, on TV and have watched this video, probably 50 times in a couple or more years. I still cloud up a little each time I watch it. To me, there hasn't been anything quite like it, in sports.
There has never been...... Nor will there ever be another basketball player as good as Larry Bird was......
I’d like to preface this by saying that I played basketball in NYC in an all primarily black high school and got my nick name from the brothers playing at The Cage and at Rucker Park. We were all trying to emulate what Larry Bird was doing on the playground and it was impossible for us. However, I remember hearing what Pat Riley said, “If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game, I’d choose Michael Jordan, but if I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life, I’d take Larry Bird."
Today’s players would miss six weeks with that injury.
I highly recommend Larrys book. It’s a must read