Polo, hats off to you! Nice assessment! I agree that MJ is and probably always will be the greatest, but a Cleveland native giving props to Larry over LeBron?! I'm shocked, and hope they let you back into Cleveland bro, lol!
@@epic103 Larry was unmatched on every level when he played. All of us here in Boston have been blessed with our NE teams over the years! What a run we've had!!
@@d.lawrence8059 - I'm from that area, I know exactly. I've been to the old Boston Garden a few times, and Bird will always be my favorite player. Cheers
If Bird and James played on the same team. James would have had to switch to the four. This really isn't close. Bird dominated when the NBA was a man's league. James. like every other modern player plays in the WNBA 2. It's two totally different leagues.
HoF coach Pat Riley said about Bird - “if I had to pick one player to take a shot to save a game, I'd pick Michael Jordan. If I had to pick one player to take a shot to save my life… I'd pick Larry Bird.”
When it mattered most...Most game-winners (last minute) of All-Time: #1) Kobe = 26 (in 1346 games) #2) Jordan = 25 (in 1072 games) #3) Bird. = 24 (in 897 games) #4) LeBron = 19 (in 1366 games) ... However, when it came to overall game-winners ratio per games played, here are the best of All-Time: #1) Bird = 2.67 #2) Jordan = 2.33 #3) Kobe 1.93 ... ** LeBron is NOT even in the Top 10
I’m 65 Laker fan, grew up watching Chamberlain, West, Baylor / Kareem, Magic, Worthy. Magic and Bird save the league. Larry Bird, hate and respected him. Bird was the smartest and most ruthless player in the league.
LeBron is amazing. So is Kobe. We don't have to say who is the 'best'. My favorite player is Bird. Best of all time, MJ. Who I'd want to helm my team, Kobe. Who I'd want at their prime for 15 years? Maybe LeBron. Who in their era was the absolute best, Bill Russell. I mean, so many great players.
@@darinmetzger9346 Ruthless is probably the word that separates Bird and Joker but both have a lot in common. Even off basketball. Bird loves cutting grass and Joker horses
In the past 50 years, here are the highest Total Career Avg Stat Points (PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK) #1) Jordan = 44.7 #2) LeBron = 44.4 #3) Bird = 43.1 #4) Kareem = 42.9 #5) Magic = 40.2 #6) Durant = 40.1 ... many other players #24) Curry = 37.3
The most respected player/trash talker of all time. Elgin Baylor, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem, Magic, Micheal, Isiah Thomas, Kobe, Tracy McGrady, Nikola Jokic , Doncic, Lebron are in a different class! But the 80, 90, Kobe & Michael era was better than today’s 3 point shooting contests! I think Kevin McHale was the best low post player IMO his footwork was off the charts!
Larry was an assassin of the highest order. He had physical limitations but he had no flaws. Basketball IQ was genius level. Passing, inside, mid-range, outside and 3 pointers AND was an over 90% free throw shooter. Demanded the last shot, told the defense where he was going to take it from and drilled it dead in their azz every time like a machine. Dude was cold AF. And I’m a lifelong, die hard LAKER fan!
Those finals match ups were still to this day the best games of all time. Two teams that very clearly, left every bit of themselves on the floor. There was nothing left to give.
Larry played with heart, grit, toughness. No flopping, crying, dodging press conferences, painted finger nails, none of that feminine energy like dominates todays NBA. Larry is a grown azz man that went to war, they just happened to have a basketball on the battlefield.
I remember my father who loved the Bob Cousy Celtics saying Bird was the one of the greatest he had ever seen. Passing, clutch shooting and heart of a lion.
Bird was not just a killer, he was a stone cold assassin. He broke you down physically and mentally. He did this dealing with a really bad back injury that he played through the pain for 8 years. There is a reason his nickname is Larry Legend.
And he f'd up his back hauling gravel to build a new driveway at his mother's house over the summer, instead of just paying a contractor to do it. Stupid for a superstar athlete to injure themselves like that, but he was blue collar to the bone.
@@adamgordon3990 Further down this road, prior to playing a single game in the NBA, he blew up his right index finger in a softball game. He's said that his shot was never the same. I shutter to think of the numbers he would have put up had he not had that finger and back injury with a career going say 18 years...
Yes Larry Bird was a phenomenal player and person all the way around, but least not forget the driving force behind Birds success and the was Irving Johnson, my heart is with all Boston teams but Irving Johnson is right up there with Bird
I am 58. I was in high school back then. I watched Larry Bird on my black & white television in my room. All time favorite basketball player. So smart & all around basketball player. His assists and passing skill was so exciting. Man, that guy was sharp.
I went to see the Celtics play in Dallas in 1986. I had a friend who worked at Reunion Arena at the time, who got me in early. I found my seat and there is Larry Bird two and a half hours before the game practicing. He was the only one on the court. He took a couple hundred shots from long range, hitting pretty much everything. That night he dropped 50 on the Mavericks with 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal. It was eyeopening to see how hard he worked to do what he did
I find the NBA very boring now. Haven't watched a game in probably about 15 years. It's just always the same. I don't get the joy I once did. Which is sad
When it mattered most...Most game-winners (last minute) of All-Time: #1) Kobe = 26 (in 1346 games) #2) Jordan = 25 (in 1072 games) #3) Bird. = 24 (in 897 games) #4) LeBron = 19 (in 1366 games) ... However, when it came to overall game-winners ratio per games played, here are the best of All-Time: #1) Bird = 2.67 #2) Jordan = 2.33 #3) Kobe 1.93 ... ** LeBron is NOT even in the Top 10
That was an amazing game! I think it was Doc Rivers saying the Hawks on the bench (Cliff Levingston) were giving each other high fives because Bird was hitting everything (60 point game)!! Even the Hawks announcers admitted it was the greatest shooting exhibition they had seen. Unfortunately for the Hawks, their coach was pissed and they paid the price after the game.
I believe that was the play he told the defender he was going to shoot from this spot, land and come down, get bumped by you into the statistician, bounce the ball off the backboard and in.
Doc Rivers said that when they watched film the next day, Coach Fratello showed the clip of them on the bench and replayed it 22 times before showing anything else, with a "Really?" look on his face.
I worked on the TV crew during the Bird years. We'd be setting up 4 hours before game time. Larry would be out on the court, every game, all alone with a trainer to feed him the ball, taking shots from all over the court for a good 20 minutes or more. He's the only player I ever saw do this. Then, he'd be back with the rest of the team for the "normal" warm ups. He never stopped working.
When it mattered most...Most game-winners (last minute) of All-Time: #1) Kobe = 26 (in 1346 games) #2) Jordan = 25 (in 1072 games) #3) Bird. = 24 (in 897 games) #4) LeBron = 19 (in 1366 games) ... However, when it came to overall game-winners ratio per games played, here are the best of All-Time: #1) Bird = 2.67 #2) Jordan = 2.33 #3) Kobe 1.93 ... ** LeBron is NOT even in the Top 10
I think if Bird had just relied on athleticism to carry him, he might have been a solid B player. But it was he intensity, work ethic, hustle, and killer instinct that made him the superstar he was. It's what differentiates him from nearly every other player. Just wish there was more of that today.
I concur. I was in college at Arizona State. Went to a Celtics - Suns game. Got there an hour before tip off. All alone on the court: Larry Bird taking shot after shot from every location he planned to shoot from during the game. I stopped counting after he made like 26 in a row. The three time League MVP, yet he was the only one out on the court, feeling he needed that extra preparation.
Magic & Larry, resurrected the game of basketball......My dad loved basketball, but stopped watching, until the competition between Johnson & Bird was highlighted......What my Dad used to say, about Larry's game, is that it reminded him of someone, who was not only playing basketball, but also, volleyball, dodgeball, hockey, baseball, track & Field, soccer, & strategic chess, all at the same time, and was what made him so great 😊He certainly was one of the most unique and gifted players, I have ever watched!
When it mattered most...Most game-winners (last minute) of All-Time: #1) Kobe = 26 (in 1346 games) #2) Jordan = 25 (in 1072 games) #3) Bird. = 24 (in 897 games) #4) LeBron = 19 (in 1366 games) ... However, when it came to overall game-winners ratio per games played, here are the best of All-Time: #1) Bird = 2.67 #2) Jordan = 2.33 #3) Kobe 1.93 ... ** LeBron is NOT even in the Top 10
Late 80's and 90's basketball was just pure gold. Magic, Larry, Ewing, Reggie. Those guys loved the sport, I looked up to those guys growing up. Thank you POLO for everything you do!
Kobe and I were born in the same year. I’ve gotten to see a lot of super talented basket players from Larry, Magic, MJ right through today. LeBron, Curry. 👍🏻👍🏻
You missed them saying when he came back out of the locker room that his right cheek was fractured. He finished the 3rd quarter and played the entire fourth quarter and they won. After the game he went to the hospital where they had to drill a hole in his face to insert a tool to pull the arch back into position. He also had a concussion. There is a video of the 5 times he was hurt and another highlighting 4 times. He played with pure heart because his back got so bad that when they traveled on commercial flights he had to lay in the floor of the plane. It was sad he only got to play 13 years.
Without bird or magic the NBA would be nothing, basketball players today are sissies spoiled money hungry brats. 😊 They say that larry bird couldn't play in the NBA . Bird would have donated today's players. Who would have stopped him 3 point plays can't touch another bird would have had a blast today it would be like a practice to him, playing in today soft NBA what bird could have done
I enjoyed this video, Rookie, but you need to watch entire games, including the NCAA Championship game between Michigan and Indiana when Magic and Bird played, the playoffs against Detroit, plus all the clips folks have created of his legendary trash talking that he always backed up. What a joy to see that level of confidence and heart and loyalty! Another good video is the top 50 Bird moments. It'll have you in tears.
"Larry Bird, Making the case" a must watch. And thank you for your honest review of this video. There are comparison made to other players in "Making the case" you may enjoy.
Dr J, Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Jordan, Bernard King, Dominique Wilkins, Clyde the Glide, A young Reggie, Pippen, the Mailman, Ewing, Stockton, Gary Payton,... Bird did it against the best, period!!🎉
Bird may have been the most complete player ever. He was college player of the year, NBA rookie of the year, MVP three straight years, won three NBA championships, won first three 3 point contests, coach of the year, manager of the year. He was best at every level of basketball. Bird and Magic made basketball a world sport.
I grew up in the 80's watching the Celtics and Lakers rivalry. Some of the greatest games ever. As Laker fans, we hated Bird. We hated him because we knew he could ruin your day at the drop of a hat. He was that good. After he retired, I missed that guy. He was getting league MVP's while he was playing against NBA legends. He is definitely top 5 all time.
He was arguably the best player of the 80s, an era that included Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Moses Malone, Dr. J, Isaiah Thomas, and a young Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon. You have to be pretty damn good to be the best of that bunch.
Same man! the ball back in the 80s and 90s was a present from the heavens!!! The rivalries were absolutely awesome! REAL MEN PLAYING BALL. now is a fucking joke lol
Respect. Was only nervous growing up when the C's played the Lakers, Hakeem's Rockets or Dr J's 76ers. Loved Magic showing at his retirement series - respect between two of the absolute best.
I cried when Larry Legend retired. Like Tom Brady, the game is never over when Larry is on your team. His heart, his skill, tenacity, and most of all, his creativity are off the charts.
The thing many people don't realize with many of these Bird highlight reels is that these don't necessarily span a career but represent just one or two games ! He did these things every game. Boston fans were truly blessed !!!!
I've posted this a number of times, I save it for objective analysis on Bird. Bird had an amazing BB IQ, could pull off amazing passes, steals, dinks and dunks. His situational awareness, knowing where everyone is, or going to be was unbelievable. I'm convinced he even knew where all the popcorn vendors were in the stadium. I agree wholeheartedly that "Heart" takes a good player and makes them a great player. I enjoyed listening to your commentary. Your personal history adds a stronger dimension to your reporting. Thank you for sharing this story.
No weakness in his game, perfect fundamentals, stone cold killer. highest basketball IQ ever. Bird was a phenomenon- and all the players of his era feared him, for very good reasons!
Best quote I ever read about Bird… “If the game is on the line, and you could place the ball in anyone’s hands for the last second, pick MJ. If instead, you’re life is on the line, pick Bird.” He just had so much grit and heart to go with all that unbelievable talent.
@ngcolby That's highly debatably. What's not is that if any of James' teams ever faced Bird era Celtics or Jordan era Bulls, he would be reduced to tears by the end of the first quarter.
I have never before watched someone discover Larry Legend. I am so impressed with your openness and honesty and knowledge re NBA style. You are an amazing man and I for one loved watching you learning about Larry Bird. I graduated from Indiana State the same year as Larry Bird and I am grateful that I got to watch him live every home college game he played. That was something!
Just so you will know the rest of the story. When Bird got hurt his back was gone. He had to be in traction before and after games. He suffered a concussion and fracture of the right cheek. The doctor told him he was done so Bird waited until he wasn’t looking and snuck back into the game. Bird was all heart 💜!!!!!
The greatest forward to ever play also the greatest defensive forward to ever play the greatest passing forward to ever play and one of if not the greatest clutch shooters of all time great defensively too also great rebounder first ballot Hall of Famer period
@@clifftanton8385 people just forget or don’t know. I watched Larry Bird and he is my all time favorite but I have done my research on players that were before my time and that’s what people don’t do. Elgin Baylor I think is better than some of the top small forwards they talk about. Way ahead of his time. People just don’t know
@@clifflawrence7479 When I made those comments I wanted to reiterate all the the things that Bird could do did not see Baylor play but did see Bird play
Larry Bird was the greatest tactician of the game. Larry Bird understood the game to the cellular level. He was absolutely phenomenal, and being a bball fan during the Bird years was a truly special time in this world.
I have been watching Larry Bird since I was a kid. I went to game 5 against the Pacers when I was 12. It was insane. He was insane. People just don't know. He is the absolute boss. Heart is everything. This video was so entertaining to me. I have seen the mixtape 100x but to see a non-fan react was hilarious and so real. Thank you!
Same. Dr J was my favorite. Then Bird and Magic. Then Isiah and Dumars, then MJ. I still watch today but to me the NBA peaked in the 90s. After the 90s they changed rules to prioritize offense to bring in more fans, started allowing flopping, stopped calling travels and carrying. And the game turned into a 3 point shooting contest.
Ratings were down and Yes Larry and Magic help revive the sport. I like to mention the two together. That rivalry started when Larry and Indiana State played Michigan State for the title. Magic had Greg Kelser on his team so they beat Bird.
I always disliked the Lakers because on occasion they would beat the Celtics. But loved Johnson, Cooper, Worthy, Jabbar, Rambis, Scott. Man they could play.
Celtics fast breaks back in the 80's were so much fun. Larry's passes were amazing, made possible by a bunch of teammates who had great hands and were always ready to catch that unexpected pass. The current NBA isn't quite the same.
This was awesome dude! I'm 52 and remember watching Bird play live on TV and seeing all those games back then as a kid. Bird was without a doubt, one of the most passionate and gifted players that ever lived. Just frikken beautiful to witness. I got goosebumps watching this knowing how magical and memorable those moments were. They almost seem even more special now looking back. Thank you bro.
The Lakers/Celtics games during the Magic/Bird era were some of the greatest games ever played IMO. They were both at their peak abilities for a few years and the mutual respect they had for each other was obvious. Both were team leaders.
@@davidplummer2619 Yeah, I remember it well. I think the major difference was the Celtics respected the Lakers and they hated the Sixers and the Pistons for that matter. Today’s players as talented as they are would struggle with the rough style of play in the 80s. Basketball being a supposed “no contact sport” was a joke. The battling in the paint was just brutal at times.
I was a part of that Basketball era and in my opinion, which is just my opinion, the players today (in my opinion), fall so far by the wayside in comparison. I'm watching a game today, where whoever gets the ball pushes it down the court while all the opposing players do everything in their power not to interfere with this particular player, in any way. Then said basketball player jacks up some ridiculous three pointer, while three of his teammates position themselves around the rim for an almost a guaranteed 2 points, which in today's game just doesn't have much purpose, until (oh wait), you see an important game lost, that could've been won, with only a few of those easily made 2 pointers. Today's game has little or no resemblance to the basketball game I used to play and to still call it a team sport, is a mockery, in my opinion. Anyone with a week's practice can consistently make 3 pointer's, but to take the ball to the hole while 5 other players are trying to dismantle you physically and to still manage to get the ball into the rim, well, that to me was always the magic of the game. And in my opinion, I was unstoppable. Even though many times, I came out broken and bruised, my teammates and friends were there to let me know what an incredible shot I had just made going through the gauntlet. While today the most comaraderie you find with teammates is when am I gonna get traded to a team that can win a championship. Not, a team that we can build into a championship team, but a team I ain't gotta work so hard to win a championship, on. That's just my opinion though..... and almost everyone whose actually played the game of basketball's, opinion. I suppose we could possibly be wrong, but I doubt it.
Dude was a Legend. Watching him was surreal. You knew you were witnessing something beyond special. He was unbelievable. So many great players during that time period. Respect to ALL of them.
@@juanmurillo3176 the mid and late 90s yes. Early 90s were about as good as 80s ball. You could see the change after Magic, Bird and Jordan retired in that order from 91-93. 94 on was increasingly bad.
By time Jordan came back the league was a lot weaker. He had no real competition until 98 when Pacers pushed them to 7 games in conference finals. Sonics and Jazz were really good but not good enough. I was surprised the Magic didnt give the Bulls more of a challenge. They beat them in second round in 95 but Jordan had only been back for a couple months. The next year Chicago wiped the floor with them. Rodman made a big difference too.
1a. MJ 1b. Larry Legend Keep going down the Bird rabbit hole. He has a whole trash talking video, he has a 10 min passing video, he has a video of a collection of NBA legends discussing how great he is and theres even a making the case for the GOAT video. The stuff he did was unbelievable just like MJ.
1a. Larry Legend 1b. Mikey The NBA changed defensive rules for Mikey after Bird and Magic retired in order to allow Mikey to get off the ground and showcase his above the rim play. However, while Larry and Ervin were in the league they kept him grounded.
@@criticalinfrastructurepart1959 Agreed. I only put Jordan ahead of Bird because Bird puts him ahead of himself. Bird is very humble but when he said God disguised himself like Michael Jordan I think he was being sincere
@@paulallen286 And Jordan never won anything till all the legends retired. Only after he had a HOF coach and HOF support. Bulls didn't become a lottery team when MJ left. MJ is one of the greats, but the shoes and media hype carried him beyond the reputation he deserves.
Feb. 14, 1986. Bird decided to shoot left-handed (he is right-handed) He finished with 47 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists in 49 minutes. He is still the GOAT.
He played only 3 quarters with the left. He was at 27 points at the end of the 3rd quarter. Then he played with his right, to put 20 more points in the 4th.
Remember this also … Bird played his entire career with a screwed up finger on his shooting hand. You can see it in the clip where he held his finger up after winning the 3 point contest. Also …nhalf his career he played with an extremely bad back. So bad that at times he would check into a hospital wherever they were playing the night before a game and stay in traction the entire night to straighten his back out so he could play the next day. His last 3 years he laid on the floor when he was t playing because sitting g made his back hurt. The game where he hit his face on the floor and broke his cheek bone he got a concussion. Ever had a concussion? Massive headache and double vision galore. Bird came out and played through that headache AND DOUBLE VISION!!! And still made shot after shot … while being double teamed. The guy was just a complete machine!!! Rarely did anything take him off his game. Even more rarely did he allow an injury to sideline him. Everyone says that Bird can’t be in the “goat debate” because he wasn’t fast or super athletic …Mia say bullshit! Bird had 2 things that beat super athleticism every time …the best basketball mind the sport has ever seen and the most efficient game ever. Bird wasted no movement. Bird wasted very few shots. Bird was able to pass the ball in ways that have never been reproduced. If you watch the review about his passing you can see examples of him spinning the ball and making it curve around defenders to a teammate. Magic was right when he said there would never be another Bird!!!!!
Young man, thank you for sharing. Bird was in a class of his own!! As you are about to see! Lew Abdul-Jabbar said Bird strongest asset was his mind!!! Bill Walton said Larry was the first in the gym AND the last to leave. Larry was at a different level. Professional sports back in these days were FUN to watch. These athletes LOVED the game....`Their level of their play showed just that` Young man this is my first visit to your channel and am impressed. You are knowledgeable and know the sport. I agree with several points you made. Most of the old timers payed because they loved it. Too many players today are a prima donna. If no one is stroking their ego, they pout & whine. Kinda like infants!!!. The current players make more money per season than the old timers made in their careers. YET the level of play does NOT compare. Professional sports are NOT what they used to be............ The formula was simple back then, the old players said you want to see what I can do, watch me play! Then they would do things on a regular basis that others dreamed of. There are exceptions. Not as many as you might think! Thanks for this sir.....................
One would expect certain top level athletes that have extremely good mind/body connections to be surgical with their shots. But Larry passes to moving players as if they’ve always been there. I can’t imagine what it was like to play with someone like that, someone who could find you in space like that when literally no one you ever played with before had been able to do that.
Always a step ahead mentally, wasn't he? I can't see 1 player in The NBA who is even close to that type of passing today. That PG from the Pacers has a little of that in him. Halliburton?
It took Jordan 7 years to get great Bird was great outa the gate with a harder nba that he had to play by the time Jordan was winning all the real legendary players were either old or retired now the nba is a fkn joke unwatchable trash
In the past 50 years, here are the highest Total Career Avg Stat Points (PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK) #1) Jordan = 44.7 #2) LeBron = 44.4 #3) Bird = 43.1 #4) Kareem = 42.9 #5) Magic = 40.2 #6) Durant = 40.1 ... many other players #24) Curry = 37.3
I don’t know if we can ever get back to how enjoyable watching the NBA was back then. We have created too many divas with the astronomical salaries and ticky tack fouls now. Really sucks we will never have this game again.
When it mattered most...Most game-winners (last minute) of All-Time: #1) Kobe = 26 (in 1346 games) #2) Jordan = 25 (in 1072 games) #3) Bird. = 24 (in 897 games) #4) LeBron = 19 (in 1366 games) ... However, when it came to overall game-winners ratio per games played, here are the best of All-Time: #1) Bird = 2.67 #2) Jordan = 2.33 #3) Kobe 1.93 ... ** LeBron is NOT even in the Top 10
Jordan and Bird are my two favorite players of all time. Both were so incredibly mesmerizing to watch play and gave their absolute all every time they were on the court. Killer assassins, skill, heart, mental toughness - bottled brilliance ;)
Nobody touched Larry's killer instinct, not even MJ. The more pressure you put on Bird, the better he got. You could say that Larry was the John Wick of basketball. He was sheer f'ing will.
Hey, Polo, great reactions from you, keep it coming with some Pete Maravitch, Spud Webb, Mugsy Boggs, Jason Williams, etc... thanks man, I'll be checkin'in.
Could you imagine a player in today's NBA coming back into a game after breaking their face!!!? Me either. Some big guy got wheelchaired off after a possible concussion...🤣🤣🤣 Edit: Watching Larry in 360p is better than watching most the league today in 4k
When it mattered most...Most game-winners (last minute) of All-Time: #1) Kobe = 26 (in 1346 games) #2) Jordan = 25 (in 1072 games) #3) Bird. = 24 (in 897 games) #4) LeBron = 19 (in 1366 games) ... However, when it came to overall game-winners ratio per games played, here are the best of All-Time: #1) Bird = 2.67 #2) Jordan = 2.33 #3) Kobe 1.93 ... ** LeBron is NOT even in the Top 10
You are partially right...please look up clips of early 80s....the rivalry between the Celtics and Philidelphia may equal in intensity the best days of 87--91...
Growing up as a Lakers fan, I hated Bird and the Celtics! Now, I have nothing but respect for the incredible team and a great appreciation for the rivalry that dominated the 80s and remains the greatest in basketball history. In my lifetime, I have Jordan, Lebron, Magic and Bird sitting on my personal Mt Rushmore. They are all incomparable legends in their own right.
This rivalry saved the NBA in the 1980s. I was always a Magic fan because I was Vegas kid. But, Bird was epic too! I miss the NBA (it’s just not the same since Kobe retired). Great RUclips, amico!
Birds the real GOAT. People these days and even when MJ came on the scene are so in to seeing the dunks and the athletic style of play they are quick to call those players the best. Bird did whatever he wanted when he wanted without the athletic excuse. He told you what he was going to do and there wasn’t one player including MJ that could do anything about it. Best all around player and it’s not that close beside MJ.
I love MJ and he does stand above everyone else as my All Time but Bird stands firmly in 2nd. But if I'm building a Team from scratch, my 1st pick will ALWAYS be Bird. Everything would center around him because he ELEVATED The Team. It took MJ a couple of years to understand that. Remember, Micheal never beat Bird in the playoffs. My starters would be Bird Jordan Russell Chamberlin Kareem On the Bench Magic Kobe O'Neal Dominique Washington
When it mattered most...Most game-winners (last minute) of All-Time: #1) Kobe = 26 (in 1346 games) #2) Jordan = 25 (in 1072 games) #3) Bird. = 24 (in 897 games) #4) LeBron = 19 (in 1366 games) ... However, when it came to overall game-winners ratio per games played, here are the best of All-Time: #1) Bird = 2.67 #2) Jordan = 2.33 #3) Kobe 1.93 ... ** LeBron is NOT even in the Top 10
Bird is in my top 5 all time. He was like MJ in the heart. He wanted break other players. And he did. With all the wins and Chips. Loyalty to his team and his leadership..that's why I have him top 5. Anyone that calls him trash. Just doesnt really know basketball in my opinion. Dude was a killer on the court. Great review
Everyone seems to only think about LB as a offensive player only....he was on 6 all defensive teams. Than puts him up there with some of the greatest defensive players in history. GOAT....prove me wrong. I guarantee your argument would be from your heart not your head.
@@Cottoncandyunderworldqueen bron bron isn't 6-0...in fact, he's lost six times when it counted. Also enjoy hearing sports commentators calling the new flopping rule the lebron rule
One thing that blows my mind is after that face plant, he came back with a fractured right cheek, refusing any treatment and continued his game like nothing happened. He was a beast!! GOAT
Polo, I had the privilege of witnessing the players of the 70', 80', an 90's. It makes my heart happy to hear someone of your generation actually watching and appreciating the greatness of the greats. Larry was truly a legend and simply fun to watch. Though the greats of today are amazing, I don't believe they will ever have the killer instinct that Larry, Magic, Michael, etc. ever had.
Greetings from the Caribbean. I am a fan of Larry Bird, even though my personal favorite player is Michael Jordan... Now..., about Mr. Bird.., I quite recently learned that the original bird logo for the app formerly known as Twitter, was designed and dedicated to him. If I ever wondered what "giant of the game" meant and who in Boston could exemplify it, the answer has been given - Larry 'Legend' Bird. Salutè..!
Watch some of the videos of Larry’s competitors talking about him calling shots and then making them exactly like he said he would. He was unstoppable. And even in today’s NBA- his basketball intelligence would make up for the lack of agility. He is grittier than any current NBA player today. He was and is The GOAT. Makes me really happy to see younger folks, take the time to watch the films and realizing how insanely good he was. Thanks for sharing and your honest assessment. Mad respect.
Bird was the total package. Watching his highlights is hypnotic. You can bet no team would use the same strategy the Spurs used on LeBron against Bird.
Hey man, loved this reaction video. You hit it on the head - Larry Bird was a killer. I'll never forget a game from when I was about 7 or 8 yrs. old. Prime Time Lakers where my team and they were up by like 28 points going into the 4th. Larry bird came on the court for that last Q and there was this look in his eyes like he got taken over by a demon. He ran absolutely rough-shod over the Lakers and the Celtics won and that game still stings to this day! Only in retrospect can I admire the guy. One of the all time legends.
Enjoyed you reaction sir and thank you for shining your spotlight on this player. For the youngsters who didn't get to witness his magic is just a shame. It was a different game then. Players didn't change teams all that much and were much more physical. Thanks again sir. Hello from Bama!
Larry Bird is the epitome on not judging a book by its cover. The man was an incredible passer and defender, as well a lethal scorer. Just ask Magic and Michael, they'll tell you.
I saw Bird live a number of times, and on TV many more. These highlight reels of course condense the most astonishing plays. But what it was like to see a full game was this: you'd get to halftime, and you'd think, "Yeah, well, Bird didn't do much. It was a quiet half." Then you look at the scoreboard, and Bird has 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Then the end comes and he's got 38 points and a triple double. And you hardly could tell. Normally a guy makes a triple double and he's all over the floor and everyone notices. Bird just quietly filled the scoresheet up. Over and over. And won and won. And the reason he's better than either LeBron or Jordan is this. If he is on the same team as either guy, he makes that guy better. But neither of them would or could make him better. That's the difference.
I’ve seen this compilation video at least a dozen or more times, and I always tear up at the end when Magic Johnson comes out and pays his respects to Larry Bird on the night of his retirement. Talk about a class act! I think that’s one of the things that is lacking in so many of today’s players… Class!
There's a documentary talking about the friendship between the two players. Definitely recommend watching it, makes the retirement speech so much more special when you find out that Bird was one of the few people in Magics life that was there for him after finding out about his disease. Even guys on his own team wouldn't want to practice with Magic, so when Bird called to check in on him, it really meant a lot.
Yea I mean 90's brought us Jordan as the ultimate finale to this era but if you aren't the greatest have that Deion primetime or that Iverson self serving attitude to get your money is now the norm.
I wasn’t a Celtics fan back then ,but I watched their games because of Bird . He and his teammates flowed so well and made basketball fun to watch . Same with Jordan.
I'm 53 I got a chance to see Larry play live. Larry was good. He was so good that Larry Bird is the only player to win a League MVP, a coach of the year, and executive of the year. His basketball ability extended to every aspect of the game. No other player has been able to win the top award in all three aspects of the game (player, coach, GM)
When it mattered most...Most game-winners (last minute) of All-Time: #1) Kobe = 26 (in 1346 games) #2) Jordan = 25 (in 1072 games) #3) Bird. = 24 (in 897 games) #4) LeBron = 19 (in 1366 games) ... However, when it came to overall game-winners ratio per games played, here are the best of All-Time: #1) Bird = 2.67 #2) Jordan = 2.33 #3) Kobe 1.93 ... ** LeBron is NOT even in the Top 10
My man, you have Bird and Magic to thank for literally saving the NBA. I saw it first hand. Those two played every game like it was their last. They were the two most unselfish superstars, and seemed to always shine in the biggest moments. The biggest tragedy was that both their careers didn't last longer. Bird's back, and Magic's HIV took, in my estimation several more years off of their careers.
Magic's hamstring issues really robbed him of a bunch of time as well. Can you imagine these guys with today's training and medical technology? Also try to imagine guarding Magic, Larry, MJ, etc with today's rules.....
@@bernardjameswilsonBird wasn’t lacking money to pave his mama’s driveway (he lived frugally and saved his money instead of flashing it around) - Bird just did his own work because that’s who he was.
@@imweakfordeaky that might be true but he was a man of the time. With the crazy stupid money they hand out nowadays his mentality would be very different. Plus the team management nowadays would never allow him to that stuff
I was growing up durring the 80s. I remembered the Celtics vs Lakers rivalry. My dad was a Celtics fan and my uncle was a Lakers fan. They would throw shit across the room when those 2 teams played each other.
This gentleman was the most articulate and perceptive Watcher of any of these tapes I have witnessed. It was a pure pleasure to watch along with him the amazing Larry Bird
His court awareness, passing, in the clutch dependable, entertaining…all heart. I grew up in LA and in the early 80’s it was all about the Lakers vs. Celtics games, and it was the best basketball you will ever see.
I watched Bird 33 growing up and I was so excited when the Celtics drafted my favorite college player from U of Maryland Len Bias. Well sadly we all know Larry didn't get to play with Len Bias, but imagine Bias and Bird together at the Garden, whew what a team that would've been. RIP #34 Len Bias
Pistons fans growing up and saw alot of Bird during that era. He was one of a kind and there's been nobody like him since. Celtic, Lakers, Bulls and Pistons had some of the best games in an era where physical ball was not only expected but respected.
What was the nickname for the Pistons? I think it was Bad boys or something like that. They played the toughest on defense of any team during their championship caliber years. They would beat people up. I was a Celtics fan and then later was watching the Bulls with MJ. Detroit was tough.
Listening to the NBA legends, on talk shows, talking about Larry Bird's trash talk is almost better than watching Bird's amazing skills on the court. Their stories are engaging, entertaining, and hilarious -- and they all had respect for Bird, and they all must have loved it, based on the fun they have re-living it.
He came back from the locker room with a fractured cheek and finished the game. He was fun to watch. He always knew where everyone was on the court, his passes were crazy.
Larry Bird was one of a kind and even the greats will tell you that. He had the best basketball brain ever, always thinking and one of the best passers ever. Basketball was great back then and I'm proud to have been around to watch it. If Bird played today with the new rules he would score 100 ever game. Him and others played many games bloody.
I was born and raised in Massachusetts. And most of my elementary and high school year was during the 80’s. So… Larry was my hero!! I had posters , jerseys everything Celtics !! My family gathered together for regular season and playoff games. He was a big part of my happiness during childhood…
Polo, hats off to you! Nice assessment! I agree that MJ is and probably always will be the greatest, but a Cleveland native giving props to Larry over LeBron?! I'm shocked, and hope they let you back into Cleveland bro, lol!
😂😂😂 I ain’t going back it’s a war zone
@@poloreacts27 - you have to react to Bird's 60pt game, it's insane. He hits from everywhere. It's one of the greatest shooting displays of all time.
@@epic103 Larry was unmatched on every level when he played. All of us here in Boston have been blessed with our NE teams over the years! What a run we've had!!
@@d.lawrence8059 - I'm from that area, I know exactly. I've been to the old Boston Garden a few times, and Bird will always be my favorite player. Cheers
If Bird and James played on the same team. James would have had to switch to the four. This really isn't close. Bird dominated when the NBA was a man's league. James. like every other modern player plays in the WNBA 2. It's two totally different leagues.
HoF coach Pat Riley said about Bird - “if I had to pick one player to take a shot to save a game, I'd pick Michael Jordan. If I had to pick one player to take a shot to save my life… I'd pick Larry Bird.”
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Jokic: 20.2 PPG / 10.5 RPG / 6.6 APG / 1.2 SPG / 0.7 BPG = 39.2
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Curry: 24.6 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 6.5 APG / 1.6 SPG / 0.2 BPG = 37.3
When it mattered most...Most game-winners (last minute) of All-Time:
#1) Kobe = 26 (in 1346 games)
#2) Jordan = 25 (in 1072 games)
#3) Bird. = 24 (in 897 games)
#4) LeBron = 19 (in 1366 games)
...
However, when it came to overall game-winners ratio per games played, here are the best of All-Time:
#1) Bird = 2.67
#2) Jordan = 2.33
#3) Kobe 1.93
...
** LeBron is NOT even in the Top 10
Well stated!
@@FreedomFighter2112 Comparing averages across positions and eras like this doesn't paint an accurate picture.
@@squanchy2925They use whatever stats they like to denigrate players like Bird
I’m 65 Laker fan, grew up watching Chamberlain, West, Baylor / Kareem, Magic, Worthy. Magic and Bird save the league. Larry Bird, hate and respected him. Bird was the smartest and most ruthless player in the league.
Yes. Ruthless. Perfect word👍🙏
LeBron is amazing. So is Kobe. We don't have to say who is the 'best'. My favorite player is Bird. Best of all time, MJ. Who I'd want to helm my team, Kobe. Who I'd want at their prime for 15 years? Maybe LeBron. Who in their era was the absolute best, Bill Russell. I mean, so many great players.
@@darinmetzger9346 Ruthless is probably the word that separates Bird and Joker but both have a lot in common. Even off basketball. Bird loves cutting grass and Joker horses
In the past 50 years, here are the highest Total Career Avg Stat Points (PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
#1) Jordan = 44.7
#2) LeBron = 44.4
#3) Bird = 43.1
#4) Kareem = 42.9
#5) Magic = 40.2
#6) Durant = 40.1
... many other players
#24) Curry = 37.3
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Jokic: 20.2 PPG / 10.5 RPG / 6.6 APG / 1.2 SPG / 0.7 BPG = 39.2
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Curry: 24.6 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 6.5 APG / 1.6 SPG / 0.2 BPG = 37.3
I love that more people are learning just how special Larry Bird was, that man was incredible
Theres a long running debate over the GOAT, but there's only ever been one LEGEND.
The most respected player/trash talker of all time. Elgin Baylor, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem, Magic, Micheal, Isiah Thomas, Kobe, Tracy McGrady, Nikola Jokic , Doncic, Lebron are in a different class! But the 80, 90, Kobe & Michael era was better than today’s 3 point shooting contests! I think Kevin McHale was the best low post player IMO his footwork was off the charts!
@@TwistedRC who was better at influencing the game without the ball?
Larry was an assassin of the highest order. He had physical limitations but he had no flaws. Basketball IQ was genius level. Passing, inside, mid-range, outside and 3 pointers AND was an over 90% free throw shooter. Demanded the last shot, told the defense where he was going to take it from and drilled it dead in their azz every time like a machine.
Dude was cold AF. And I’m a lifelong, die hard LAKER fan!
Those finals match ups were still to this day the best games of all time. Two teams that very clearly, left every bit of themselves on the floor. There was nothing left to give.
Larry played with heart, grit, toughness. No flopping, crying,
dodging press conferences, painted finger nails, none of that feminine energy like dominates todays NBA. Larry is a grown azz man that went to war, they just happened to have a basketball on the battlefield.
It's like Barkley said: God made Larry slow and not be able to jump in order to make it fair.
he was like a shark smelling blood in the water- at all times lol practice included..
What were his physical limitations? He was faster, a better shooter, a better passer….
The man's nickname is "Legend" AND HE'S STILL UNDERRATED
I remember my father who loved the Bob Cousy Celtics saying Bird was the one of the greatest he had ever seen. Passing, clutch shooting and heart of a lion.
Objectively top 5 of all time
He's certainly not underrated by those on the inside who REALLY know.
The "MOST UNDERRATED"
Imagine if he didn't quit early because of injuries, he would have accomplished much more .
Bird was not just a killer, he was a stone cold assassin. He broke you down physically and mentally. He did this dealing with a really bad back injury that he played through the pain for 8 years. There is a reason his nickname is Larry Legend.
Jordan and Bird were serial killers on the court . Best era in the NBA was the 80’s, and the 90’s.
And he f'd up his back hauling gravel to build a new driveway at his mother's house over the summer, instead of just paying a contractor to do it. Stupid for a superstar athlete to injure themselves like that, but he was blue collar to the bone.
@@adamgordon3990 Further down this road, prior to playing a single game in the NBA, he blew up his right index finger in a softball game. He's said that his shot was never the same. I shutter to think of the numbers he would have put up had he not had that finger and back injury with a career going say 18 years...
Yes Larry Bird was a phenomenal player and person all the way around, but least not forget the driving force behind Birds success and the was Irving Johnson, my heart is with all Boston teams but Irving Johnson is right up there with Bird
I am 58. I was in high school back then. I watched Larry Bird on my black & white television in my room. All time favorite basketball player. So smart & all around basketball player. His assists and passing skill was so exciting. Man, that guy was sharp.
I went to see the Celtics play in Dallas in 1986. I had a friend who worked at Reunion Arena at the time, who got me in early. I found my seat and there is Larry Bird two and a half hours before the game practicing. He was the only one on the court. He took a couple hundred shots from long range, hitting pretty much everything. That night he dropped 50 on the Mavericks with 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal. It was eyeopening to see how hard he worked to do what he did
1986 that was a year my friend
"The level of competition is just no longer there " great commentary ,dude👍
I find the NBA very boring now. Haven't watched a game in probably about 15 years. It's just always the same. I don't get the joy I once did. Which is sad
I’ve always said that Larry was not the highest jumper or the fastest runner, but he knew WHEN to jump and WHERE to run better than any player ever!
His basketball IQ is off the charts!
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Jokic: 20.2 PPG / 10.5 RPG / 6.6 APG / 1.2 SPG / 0.7 BPG = 39.2
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Curry: 24.6 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 6.5 APG / 1.6 SPG / 0.2 BPG = 37.3
When it mattered most...Most game-winners (last minute) of All-Time:
#1) Kobe = 26 (in 1346 games)
#2) Jordan = 25 (in 1072 games)
#3) Bird. = 24 (in 897 games)
#4) LeBron = 19 (in 1366 games)
...
However, when it came to overall game-winners ratio per games played, here are the best of All-Time:
#1) Bird = 2.67
#2) Jordan = 2.33
#3) Kobe 1.93
...
** LeBron is NOT even in the Top 10
Barkley said that Bird being unathletic made the floor more even
the wayne gretzky of basketball
This mixtape has single handedly changed the minds of so many people who have never seen Larry Bird play. Instant validation as a top player ever.
notice in the clip where the players on the bench are going crazy? thats the OTHER TEAM, pure respect
That was an amazing game! I think it was Doc Rivers saying the Hawks on the bench (Cliff Levingston) were giving each other high fives because Bird was hitting everything (60 point game)!! Even the Hawks announcers admitted it was the greatest shooting exhibition they had seen. Unfortunately for the Hawks, their coach was pissed and they paid the price after the game.
lol.. that when he put up 60 points on Atlanta Hawks! Those guys received fines after the game, but damn I would have had to cheer too!
I believe that was the play he told the defender he was going to shoot from this spot, land and come down, get bumped by you into the statistician, bounce the ball off the backboard and in.
those players all got fined and they still laugh about it
Doc Rivers said that when they watched film the next day, Coach Fratello showed the clip of them on the bench and replayed it 22 times before showing anything else, with a "Really?" look on his face.
I worked on the TV crew during the Bird years. We'd be setting up 4 hours before game time. Larry would be out on the court, every game, all alone with a trainer to feed him the ball, taking shots from all over the court for a good 20 minutes or more. He's the only player I ever saw do this. Then, he'd be back with the rest of the team for the "normal" warm ups. He never stopped working.
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Jokic: 20.2 PPG / 10.5 RPG / 6.6 APG / 1.2 SPG / 0.7 BPG = 39.2
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Curry: 24.6 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 6.5 APG / 1.6 SPG / 0.2 BPG = 37.3
When it mattered most...Most game-winners (last minute) of All-Time:
#1) Kobe = 26 (in 1346 games)
#2) Jordan = 25 (in 1072 games)
#3) Bird. = 24 (in 897 games)
#4) LeBron = 19 (in 1366 games)
...
However, when it came to overall game-winners ratio per games played, here are the best of All-Time:
#1) Bird = 2.67
#2) Jordan = 2.33
#3) Kobe 1.93
...
** LeBron is NOT even in the Top 10
I think if Bird had just relied on athleticism to carry him, he might have been a solid B player. But it was he intensity, work ethic, hustle, and killer instinct that made him the superstar he was. It's what differentiates him from nearly every other player. Just wish there was more of that today.
Amazing tales:)
I concur. I was in college at Arizona State. Went to a Celtics - Suns game. Got there an hour before tip off.
All alone on the court: Larry Bird taking shot after shot from every location he planned to shoot from during the game. I stopped counting after he made like 26 in a row.
The three time League MVP, yet he was the only one out on the court, feeling he needed that extra preparation.
Magic & Larry, resurrected the game of basketball......My dad loved basketball, but stopped watching, until the competition between Johnson & Bird was highlighted......What my Dad used to say, about Larry's game, is that it reminded him of someone, who was not only playing basketball, but also, volleyball, dodgeball, hockey, baseball, track & Field, soccer, & strategic chess, all at the same time, and was what made him so great 😊He certainly was one of the most unique and gifted players, I have ever watched!
Your dad was a wise and observant man
@@imweakfordeaky Awwww, thank you 😊
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Jokic: 20.2 PPG / 10.5 RPG / 6.6 APG / 1.2 SPG / 0.7 BPG = 39.2
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Curry: 24.6 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 6.5 APG / 1.6 SPG / 0.2 BPG = 37.3
When it mattered most...Most game-winners (last minute) of All-Time:
#1) Kobe = 26 (in 1346 games)
#2) Jordan = 25 (in 1072 games)
#3) Bird. = 24 (in 897 games)
#4) LeBron = 19 (in 1366 games)
...
However, when it came to overall game-winners ratio per games played, here are the best of All-Time:
#1) Bird = 2.67
#2) Jordan = 2.33
#3) Kobe 1.93
...
** LeBron is NOT even in the Top 10
Larry Bird ,in his prime would DOMINATE
Late 80's and 90's basketball was just pure gold. Magic, Larry, Ewing, Reggie. Those guys loved the sport, I looked up to those guys growing up. Thank you POLO for everything you do!
Don't forget Stockton and Malone. John Stockton, one of the greatest point guards to ever play
Kobe and I were born in the same year. I’ve gotten to see a lot of super talented basket players from Larry, Magic, MJ right through today. LeBron, Curry. 👍🏻👍🏻
@@chrish9762 Stockton is the greatest point guard ever.
Dr. J AND MOSES MALONE
By late 80s for all intents Larry was shot bodily
You missed them saying when he came back out of the locker room that his right cheek was fractured. He finished the 3rd quarter and played the entire fourth quarter and they won. After the game he went to the hospital where they had to drill a hole in his face to insert a tool to pull the arch back into position. He also had a concussion. There is a video of the 5 times he was hurt and another highlighting 4 times. He played with pure heart because his back got so bad that when they traveled on commercial flights he had to lay in the floor of the plane. It was sad he only got to play 13 years.
Alot of reactors miss that.
A quote of Larry Bird is "It makes me sick when I see a guy just watch a ball go out of bounds."....
Without bird or magic the NBA would be nothing, basketball players today are sissies spoiled money hungry brats. 😊 They say that larry bird couldn't play in the NBA . Bird would have donated today's players. Who would have stopped him 3 point plays can't touch another bird would have had a blast today it would be like a practice to him, playing in today soft NBA what bird could have done
I think he wasn’t listening when they said Larry told people he was going to play left-handed either.
@@meredithchandler73 he did not hear either one of them
Intellectual honesty is so important. The thing you said about 2/3 of the way through… "What happened to the NBA?" now that was honesty.
I enjoyed this video, Rookie, but you need to watch entire games, including the NCAA Championship game between Michigan and Indiana when Magic and Bird played, the playoffs against Detroit, plus all the clips folks have created of his legendary trash talking that he always backed up. What a joy to see that level of confidence and heart and loyalty! Another good video is the top 50 Bird moments. It'll have you in tears.
Larry is the GOAT, I feel sorry for the people who didn't get to see him play live.
DANG RIGHT!!!!!
Me too.
Him or M.J. real talk. Lebron does not make discussion if your 40 plus.
Absolutely. Tweet Tweet....take a seat. Lol
Nah, Michael Jordan is the GOAT. Larry Bird was great, top 10 for sure.
"Larry Bird, Making the case" a must watch. And thank you for your honest review of this video. There are comparison made to other players in "Making the case" you may enjoy.
One of the few players that you could actually watch his brain work while he was playing. He and Magic were so much fun to watch. Miss em both.
Those 80S Basketball games... Nothing Better! 😊
People forget how strong the competition was when Larry was doing his thing. Legends of the game all over the place.
Bird played when the entire Dream Team was in the league. Bird was the $HIT!
Right?
Look who else was in the league when Larry won MVP three years in a row.
Dr J, Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Jordan, Bernard King, Dominique Wilkins, Clyde the Glide, A young Reggie, Pippen, the Mailman, Ewing, Stockton, Gary Payton,... Bird did it against the best, period!!🎉
Before the Celtics even got to those finals against the Lakers, they had to get through epic matchups against Dr. J and the 76'ers.
Bird may have been the most complete player ever. He was college player of the year, NBA rookie of the year, MVP three straight years, won three NBA championships, won first three 3 point contests, coach of the year, manager of the year. He was best at every level of basketball. Bird and Magic made basketball a world sport.
I grew up in the 80's watching the Celtics and Lakers rivalry. Some of the greatest games ever. As Laker fans, we hated Bird. We hated him because we knew he could ruin your day at the drop of a hat. He was that good. After he retired, I missed that guy. He was getting league MVP's while he was playing against NBA legends. He is definitely top 5 all time.
He was arguably the best player of the 80s, an era that included Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Moses Malone, Dr. J, Isaiah Thomas, and a young Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon. You have to be pretty damn good to be the best of that bunch.
Love the 80's NBA
Same man! the ball back in the 80s and 90s was a present from the heavens!!! The rivalries were absolutely awesome! REAL MEN PLAYING BALL. now is a fucking joke lol
80's was the best decade for me
Respect. Was only nervous growing up when the C's played the Lakers, Hakeem's Rockets or Dr J's 76ers. Loved Magic showing at his retirement series - respect between two of the absolute best.
I cried when Larry Legend retired. Like Tom Brady, the game is never over when Larry is on your team. His heart, his skill, tenacity, and most of all, his creativity are off the charts.
Spygate, deflate gate. The Pats cheat.
The thing many people don't realize with many of these Bird highlight reels is that these don't necessarily span a career but represent just one or two games !
He did these things every game. Boston fans were truly blessed !!!!
why do you have to lie? we can all see the video...
I've posted this a number of times, I save it for objective analysis on Bird.
Bird had an amazing BB IQ, could pull off amazing passes, steals, dinks and dunks. His situational awareness, knowing where everyone is, or going to be was unbelievable.
I'm convinced he even knew where all the popcorn vendors were in the stadium.
I agree wholeheartedly that "Heart" takes a good player and makes them a great player.
I enjoyed listening to your commentary. Your personal history adds a stronger dimension to your reporting.
Thank you for sharing this story.
You forgot how he got into the minds of his opponents and could tell them what he was going to do before he did it.😂
No weakness in his game, perfect fundamentals, stone cold killer. highest basketball IQ ever. Bird was a phenomenon- and all the players of his era feared him, for very good reasons!
Highest basketball I.Q. ever. I couldn't agree more.
Nobody did more with less than he did.
@@ngcolby that is a fantastic way to put it- perfectly said.
Best quote I ever read about Bird… “If the game is on the line, and you could place the ball in anyone’s hands for the last second, pick MJ. If instead, you’re life is on the line, pick Bird.” He just had so much grit and heart to go with all that unbelievable talent.
Quoted by former coach Pat Riley.
"If I need a shot to win the game, I pick Jordan. If I need a shot to save my life, I pick Bird." --Pat Riley
The more pressure you put on Bird, the better he got. His killer instinct surpasses even Jordan's.
@ngcolby That's highly debatably. What's not is that if any of James' teams ever faced Bird era Celtics or Jordan era Bulls, he would be reduced to tears by the end of the first quarter.
I have never before watched someone discover Larry Legend. I am so impressed with your openness and honesty and knowledge re NBA style. You are an amazing man and I for one loved watching you learning about Larry Bird. I graduated from Indiana State the same year as Larry Bird and I am grateful that I got to watch him live every home college game he played. That was something!
I watched most of this when it happened and this is probably the 20th time watching highlights. Never gets old .
Just so you will know the rest of the story. When Bird got hurt his back was gone. He had to be in traction before and after games. He suffered a concussion and fracture of the right cheek. The doctor told him he was done so Bird waited until he wasn’t looking and snuck back into the game. Bird was all heart 💜!!!!!
The greatest forward to ever play also the greatest defensive forward to ever play the greatest passing forward to ever play and one of if not the greatest clutch shooters of all time great defensively too also great rebounder first ballot Hall of Famer period
@@clifftanton8385 people just forget or don’t know. I watched Larry Bird and he is my all time favorite but I have done my research on players that were before my time and that’s what people don’t do. Elgin Baylor I think is better than some of the top small forwards they talk about. Way ahead of his time. People just don’t know
@@clifflawrence7479 agree Baylor great
@@clifflawrence7479 When I made those comments I wanted to reiterate all the the things that Bird could do did not see Baylor play but did see Bird play
@@clifftanton8385 I think Magic said it best and I agree “Bird is so good it’s scary”. When Bird played most said he was the best that has ever been.
Larry Bird was the greatest tactician of the game. Larry Bird understood the game to the cellular level. He was absolutely phenomenal, and being a bball fan during the Bird years was a truly special time in this world.
I have been watching Larry Bird since I was a kid. I went to game 5 against the Pacers when I was 12. It was insane. He was insane. People just don't know. He is the absolute boss. Heart is everything. This video was so entertaining to me. I have seen the mixtape 100x but to see a non-fan react was hilarious and so real. Thank you!
I was lucky. I grew up with Bird, Jordan, Dr J, Moses, Isaiah, Magic, Kareem, etc. This was the best the game has ever been.
Yep.
Easily. And a more physical game. You could hand check back then
Same. Dr J was my favorite. Then Bird and Magic. Then Isiah and Dumars, then MJ. I still watch today but to me the NBA peaked in the 90s. After the 90s they changed rules to prioritize offense to bring in more fans, started allowing flopping, stopped calling travels and carrying. And the game turned into a 3 point shooting contest.
You nailed it!
Kareem couldn't be stopped from the middle-in with the hook.
The days of Magic and Bird were the greatest, from a fan standpoint. So much fun to watch.
Sure was a fun ride watching those two and then MJ taking over after.
Ratings were down and Yes Larry and Magic help revive the sport. I like to mention the two together. That rivalry started when Larry and Indiana State played Michigan State for the title. Magic had Greg Kelser on his team so they beat Bird.
I'm a Laker fan. Bird always scared me! He was a basketball genius!
Same, bird would just carve out your heart at the buzzer.
Same here.
Nowadays I'm not so tribal, and that gives me a lot of room to admire the 'opposition' for their skills. Even LeBron.
Exactly. I was a Detroit fan, and Bird scared you. If Bird shot a last second shot, you just turned off the TV and assumed it went in.
I always disliked the Lakers because on occasion they would beat the Celtics. But loved Johnson, Cooper, Worthy, Jabbar, Rambis, Scott. Man they could play.
Larry bird and magic Johnson saved the NBA when they entered the league in 79.
Kudos i subbed , you nailed it , a 3 point contest with powderpuffs! i haven't watched a game in 20 years and i love B.B.
The ultimate team player. The Celtics vs. the Lakers in the 80s was peak NBA.
Celtics fast breaks back in the 80's were so much fun. Larry's passes were amazing, made possible by a bunch of teammates who had great hands and were always ready to catch that unexpected pass. The current NBA isn't quite the same.
This was awesome dude! I'm 52 and remember watching Bird play live on TV and seeing all those games back then as a kid. Bird was without a doubt, one of the most passionate and gifted players that ever lived. Just frikken beautiful to witness. I got goosebumps watching this knowing how magical and memorable those moments were. They almost seem even more special now looking back. Thank you bro.
I'm 51. My world stopped when Larry played. I cried when he lost
Huge respect for honesty, you deserve to double your subscribers!
Larry’s fadeaway was undefendable. He splashed every time.
The Lakers/Celtics games during the Magic/Bird era were some of the greatest games ever played IMO. They were both at their peak abilities for a few years and the mutual respect they had for each other was obvious. Both were team leaders.
Yes, yes, yes!
Don't forget the Boston-Philly games, every bit as intense, maybe even more so.
@@davidplummer2619
Yeah, I remember it well. I think the major difference was the Celtics respected the Lakers and they hated the Sixers and the Pistons for that matter. Today’s players as talented as they are would struggle with the rough style of play in the 80s. Basketball being a supposed “no contact sport” was a joke. The battling in the paint was just brutal at times.
I was a part of that Basketball era and in my opinion, which is just my opinion, the players today (in my opinion), fall so far by the wayside in comparison. I'm watching a game today, where whoever gets the ball pushes it down the court while all the opposing players do everything in their power not to interfere with this particular player, in any way. Then said basketball player jacks up some ridiculous three pointer, while three of his teammates position themselves around the rim for an almost a guaranteed 2 points, which in today's game just doesn't have much purpose, until (oh wait), you see an important game lost, that could've been won, with only a few of those easily made 2 pointers. Today's game has little or no resemblance to the basketball game I used to play and to still call it a team sport, is a mockery, in my opinion. Anyone with a week's practice can consistently make 3 pointer's, but to take the ball to the hole while 5 other players are trying to dismantle you physically and to still manage to get the ball into the rim, well, that to me was always the magic of the game. And in my opinion, I was unstoppable. Even though many times, I came out broken and bruised, my teammates and friends were there to let me know what an incredible shot I had just made going through the gauntlet. While today the most comaraderie you find with teammates is when am I gonna get traded to a team that can win a championship. Not, a team that we can build into a championship team, but a team I ain't gotta work so hard to win a championship, on. That's just my opinion though..... and almost everyone whose actually played the game of basketball's, opinion. I suppose we could possibly be wrong, but I doubt it.
Waited all your for the finals and every game was great
Dude was a Legend. Watching him was surreal. You knew you were witnessing something beyond special. He was unbelievable. So many great players during that time period. Respect to ALL of them.
He was like Jordan in that you just had to watch as many games as you could, because you never knew what crazy thing they were going to do next.
Would you concur that the '80s were much more competitive than the '90s?
Was? He is a legend.
@@juanmurillo3176 the mid and late 90s yes. Early 90s were about as good as 80s ball. You could see the change after Magic, Bird and Jordan retired in that order from 91-93. 94 on was increasingly bad.
By time Jordan came back the league was a lot weaker. He had no real competition until 98 when Pacers pushed them to 7 games in conference finals. Sonics and Jazz were really good but not good enough. I was surprised the Magic didnt give the Bulls more of a challenge. They beat them in second round in 95 but Jordan had only been back for a couple months. The next year Chicago wiped the floor with them. Rodman made a big difference too.
Larry once played 3 quarters left handed and put up like 35 points. He is the Legend.
1a. MJ
1b. Larry Legend
Keep going down the Bird rabbit hole. He has a whole trash talking video, he has a 10 min passing video, he has a video of a collection of NBA legends discussing how great he is and theres even a making the case for the GOAT video. The stuff he did was unbelievable just like MJ.
1a. Larry Legend
1b. Mikey
The NBA changed defensive rules for Mikey after Bird and Magic retired in order to allow Mikey to get off the ground and showcase his above the rim play. However, while Larry and Ervin were in the league they kept him grounded.
@@criticalinfrastructurepart1959 Agreed. I only put Jordan ahead of Bird because Bird puts him ahead of himself. Bird is very humble but when he said God disguised himself like Michael Jordan I think he was being sincere
Jordan never beat Bird.
@@paulallen286 And Jordan never won anything till all the legends retired. Only after he had a HOF coach and HOF support. Bulls didn't become a lottery team when MJ left. MJ is one of the greats, but the shoes and media hype carried him beyond the reputation he deserves.
Feb. 14, 1986. Bird decided to shoot left-handed (he is right-handed) He finished with 47 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists in 49 minutes. He is still the GOAT.
Versus Portland Trailblazers
27 with the left
He played only 3 quarters with the left. He was at 27 points at the end of the 3rd quarter. Then he played with his right, to put 20 more points in the 4th.
He’s real good but not the goat. The 🐐 is Jordan!!
ABSOLUTELY 💯
GOAT❤❤❤
Remember this also … Bird played his entire career with a screwed up finger on his shooting hand. You can see it in the clip where he held his finger up after winning the 3 point contest. Also …nhalf his career he played with an extremely bad back. So bad that at times he would check into a hospital wherever they were playing the night before a game and stay in traction the entire night to straighten his back out so he could play the next day. His last 3 years he laid on the floor when he was t playing because sitting g made his back hurt.
The game where he hit his face on the floor and broke his cheek bone he got a concussion. Ever had a concussion? Massive headache and double vision galore. Bird came out and played through that headache AND DOUBLE VISION!!! And still made shot after shot … while being double teamed.
The guy was just a complete machine!!! Rarely did anything take him off his game. Even more rarely did he allow an injury to sideline him.
Everyone says that Bird can’t be in the “goat debate” because he wasn’t fast or super athletic …Mia say bullshit! Bird had 2 things that beat super athleticism every time …the best basketball mind the sport has ever seen and the most efficient game ever. Bird wasted no movement. Bird wasted very few shots. Bird was able to pass the ball in ways that have never been reproduced. If you watch the review about his passing you can see examples of him spinning the ball and making it curve around defenders to a teammate.
Magic was right when he said there would never be another Bird!!!!!
Well said!! Bird > LBJ
Every single word, truth. The Legend, The GOAT. ♥️🏀♥️
@@jaymax6127I'll take Larry every time..... And this coming from a person that hated him while he was playing. Lol
Young man, thank you for sharing. Bird was in a class of his own!! As you are about to see! Lew Abdul-Jabbar said Bird strongest asset was his mind!!! Bill Walton said Larry was the first in the gym AND the last to leave. Larry was at a different level. Professional sports back in these days were FUN to watch. These athletes LOVED the game....`Their level of their play showed just that`
Young man this is my first visit to your channel and am impressed. You are knowledgeable and know the sport. I agree with several points you made. Most of the old timers payed because they loved it. Too many players today are a prima donna. If no one is stroking their ego, they pout & whine. Kinda like infants!!!. The current players make more money per season than the old timers made in their careers. YET the level of play does NOT compare. Professional sports are NOT what they used to be............ The formula was simple back then, the old players said you want to see what I can do, watch me play! Then they would do things on a regular basis that others dreamed of. There are exceptions. Not as many as you might think! Thanks for this sir.....................
Bird was just the definition of “FLOW”. Straight instinct out there. So fun to watch 💯
Birds passing is what puts me in awe
A great pass is sweet AF. I enjoy the passes more than the shots.
That and his ability he had to juke out an opponent and take them off their game.
The speed that he reads the position of his teammates and can bump the ball to them with a flick is incredible.
One would expect certain top level athletes that have extremely good mind/body connections to be surgical with their shots. But Larry passes to moving players as if they’ve always been there. I can’t imagine what it was like to play with someone like that, someone who could find you in space like that when literally no one you ever played with before had been able to do that.
You shoulda seen Magic then.
Bird and Magic were absolutely poetry in motion. Love the old NBA.
The Celtics/Lakers/Pistons triangle of hate/respect will never be repeated in any sport.
Magic / Bird era:
Maybe its better we dont know when
Things will never be that good again.
Bro. Your insight is top shelf. This is only the tip of the iceberg. Keep them coming.
For his passing alone he’d be remembered forever.
Always a step ahead mentally, wasn't he? I can't see 1 player in The NBA who is even close to that type of passing today. That PG from the Pacers has a little of that in him. Halliburton?
He also was an underrated rebounder
That's my man!!! He takes my breath away every time I watch his highlights!!!
he made the nba earn top $, everybody should thank him and magic
Amen
There is no Michael Jordan if Bird and Magic didn't so what they did.
It took Jordan 7 years to get great Bird was great outa the gate with a harder nba that he had to play by the time Jordan was winning all the real legendary players were either old or retired now the nba is a fkn joke unwatchable trash
In the past 50 years, here are the highest Total Career Avg Stat Points (PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
#1) Jordan = 44.7
#2) LeBron = 44.4
#3) Bird = 43.1
#4) Kareem = 42.9
#5) Magic = 40.2
#6) Durant = 40.1
... many other players
#24) Curry = 37.3
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Jokic: 20.2 PPG / 10.5 RPG / 6.6 APG / 1.2 SPG / 0.7 BPG = 39.2
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Curry: 24.6 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 6.5 APG / 1.6 SPG / 0.2 BPG = 37.3
I don’t know if we can ever get back to how enjoyable watching the NBA was back then. We have created too many divas with the astronomical salaries and ticky tack fouls now. Really sucks we will never have this game again.
Bird lead by example and brought the entire team up another level. True warrior.
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Jokic: 20.2 PPG / 10.5 RPG / 6.6 APG / 1.2 SPG / 0.7 BPG = 39.2
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Curry: 24.6 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 6.5 APG / 1.6 SPG / 0.2 BPG = 37.3
When it mattered most...Most game-winners (last minute) of All-Time:
#1) Kobe = 26 (in 1346 games)
#2) Jordan = 25 (in 1072 games)
#3) Bird. = 24 (in 897 games)
#4) LeBron = 19 (in 1366 games)
...
However, when it came to overall game-winners ratio per games played, here are the best of All-Time:
#1) Bird = 2.67
#2) Jordan = 2.33
#3) Kobe 1.93
...
** LeBron is NOT even in the Top 10
Jordan and Bird are my two favorite players of all time. Both were so incredibly mesmerizing to watch play and gave their absolute all every time they were on the court. Killer assassins, skill, heart, mental toughness - bottled brilliance ;)
Nobody touched Larry's killer instinct, not even MJ. The more pressure you put on Bird, the better he got. You could say that Larry was the John Wick of basketball. He was sheer f'ing will.
JORDAN NEVER BEAT BIRD IN THE PLAYOFFS! AND I'M A NC NATIVE
LOVE THAT....John Wick of Basketball!
I disagree. John Wick is the Larry Bird of violence.
@@fredwaiss5955 haha
@@redpilledcovfefeidk if you know this but that statement is true no matter where you’re from. 😂
Hey, Polo, great reactions from you, keep it coming with some Pete Maravitch, Spud Webb, Mugsy Boggs, Jason Williams, etc... thanks man, I'll be checkin'in.
You are soooo right. Today's NBA is a joke!
I'm 65 and sorely miss 'yesterday's' players.😢
Wilt Chamberlain. You like me only saw the tail end of his career. We remember a player named Lew Alcindor before he became Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Jerry West also one of the best ever.
I am 64 and 100% agree. I rarely watch pro sports anymore
I still watch football but when my sonics left town I stopped watching the NBA except for the playoffs.@@wingandhog
Could you imagine a player in today's NBA coming back into a game after breaking their face!!!? Me either. Some big guy got wheelchaired off after a possible concussion...🤣🤣🤣
Edit: Watching Larry in 360p is better than watching most the league today in 4k
87 to 91 was the greatest era of basketball. Bird. Magic. Isaiah. Jordan. Unbelievable competition and skill. Nothing today comes close.
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Jokic: 20.2 PPG / 10.5 RPG / 6.6 APG / 1.2 SPG / 0.7 BPG = 39.2
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Curry: 24.6 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 6.5 APG / 1.6 SPG / 0.2 BPG = 37.3
When it mattered most...Most game-winners (last minute) of All-Time:
#1) Kobe = 26 (in 1346 games)
#2) Jordan = 25 (in 1072 games)
#3) Bird. = 24 (in 897 games)
#4) LeBron = 19 (in 1366 games)
...
However, when it came to overall game-winners ratio per games played, here are the best of All-Time:
#1) Bird = 2.67
#2) Jordan = 2.33
#3) Kobe 1.93
...
** LeBron is NOT even in the Top 10
@@FreedomFighter2112 None who watched the 80's even consider LBJ a top 10.
@@deihorus7927 and they are all idiots lol
You are partially right...please look up clips of early 80s....the rivalry between the Celtics and Philidelphia may equal in intensity the best days of 87--91...
Growing up as a Lakers fan, I hated Bird and the Celtics! Now, I have nothing but respect for the incredible team and a great appreciation for the rivalry that dominated the 80s and remains the greatest in basketball history. In my lifetime, I have Jordan, Lebron, Magic and Bird sitting on my personal Mt Rushmore. They are all incomparable legends in their own right.
Same for me, minus lebron.
Hey Celtic fan here but the Showtime lakers were the best team from top to bottom that I ever seen. I don’t know how they ever lost to anyone.
As a Celtics fan, much respect to the Lakers team of that era.
Magic And Larry saved the NBA from itself. Jordan and LeBron reaped the benefits. But you're right about those 4
As a Mavs kid, I couldn't stand going 7 over and over with the Lakers. I miss this game.
This rivalry saved the NBA in the 1980s. I was always a Magic fan because I was Vegas kid. But, Bird was epic too! I miss the NBA (it’s just not the same since Kobe retired). Great RUclips, amico!
Birds the real GOAT. People these days and even when MJ came on the scene are so in to seeing the dunks and the athletic style of play they are quick to call those players the best. Bird did whatever he wanted when he wanted without the athletic excuse. He told you what he was going to do and there wasn’t one player including MJ that could do anything about it. Best all around player and it’s not that close beside MJ.
I love MJ and he does stand above everyone else as my All Time but Bird stands firmly in 2nd. But if I'm building a Team from scratch, my 1st pick will ALWAYS be Bird. Everything would center around him because he ELEVATED The Team. It took MJ a couple of years to understand that.
Remember, Micheal never beat Bird in the playoffs. My starters would be
Bird
Jordan
Russell
Chamberlin
Kareem
On the Bench
Magic
Kobe
O'Neal
Dominique
Washington
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Jokic: 20.2 PPG / 10.5 RPG / 6.6 APG / 1.2 SPG / 0.7 BPG = 39.2
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Curry: 24.6 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 6.5 APG / 1.6 SPG / 0.2 BPG = 37.3
When it mattered most...Most game-winners (last minute) of All-Time:
#1) Kobe = 26 (in 1346 games)
#2) Jordan = 25 (in 1072 games)
#3) Bird. = 24 (in 897 games)
#4) LeBron = 19 (in 1366 games)
...
However, when it came to overall game-winners ratio per games played, here are the best of All-Time:
#1) Bird = 2.67
#2) Jordan = 2.33
#3) Kobe 1.93
...
** LeBron is NOT even in the Top 10
@@FreedomFighter2112 doesn’t surprise me that lebron isn’t in top 10.
No one could stop bird no one but bird didn't play champion Jordan when he took over the NBA
Bird is in my top 5 all time. He was like MJ in the heart. He wanted break other players. And he did. With all the wins and Chips. Loyalty to his team and his leadership..that's why I have him top 5. Anyone that calls him trash. Just doesnt really know basketball in my opinion. Dude was a killer on the court. Great review
Everyone seems to only think about LB as a offensive player only....he was on 6 all defensive teams. Than puts him up there with some of the greatest defensive players in history. GOAT....prove me wrong. I guarantee your argument would be from your heart not your head.
@@Cottoncandyunderworldqueen bron bron isn't 6-0...in fact, he's lost six times when it counted. Also enjoy hearing sports commentators calling the new flopping rule the lebron rule
Watching those Lakers vs Celtics matchips in the 80's were just fantastic. Magic and Bird.
One thing that blows my mind is after that face plant, he came back with a fractured right cheek, refusing any treatment and continued his game like nothing happened. He was a beast!! GOAT
Polo, I had the privilege of witnessing the players of the 70', 80', an 90's. It makes my heart happy to hear someone of your generation actually watching and appreciating the greatness of the greats. Larry was truly a legend and simply fun to watch. Though the greats of today are amazing, I don't believe they will ever have the killer instinct that Larry, Magic, Michael, etc. ever had.
Greetings from the Caribbean.
I am a fan of Larry Bird, even though my personal favorite player is Michael Jordan...
Now..., about Mr. Bird.., I quite recently learned that the original bird logo for the app formerly known as Twitter, was designed and dedicated to him.
If I ever wondered what "giant of the game" meant and who in Boston could exemplify it, the answer has been given - Larry 'Legend' Bird.
Salutè..!
Yup mentality!!!!!!!
Watch some of the videos of Larry’s competitors talking about him calling shots and then making them exactly like he said he would. He was unstoppable. And even in today’s NBA- his basketball intelligence would make up for the lack of agility. He is grittier than any current NBA player today. He was and is The GOAT.
Makes me really happy to see younger folks, take the time to watch the films and realizing how insanely good he was.
Thanks for sharing and your honest assessment. Mad respect.
Lack of agility? He was lookin pretty agile to me.
Bird was the total package. Watching his highlights is hypnotic. You can bet no team would use the same strategy the Spurs used on LeBron against Bird.
Bird did magic. So to speak. He played phenomenally, but he also made every player on his team *10.
Hey man, loved this reaction video. You hit it on the head - Larry Bird was a killer. I'll never forget a game from when I was about 7 or 8 yrs. old. Prime Time Lakers where my team and they were up by like 28 points going into the 4th. Larry bird came on the court for that last Q and there was this look in his eyes like he got taken over by a demon. He ran absolutely rough-shod over the Lakers and the Celtics won and that game still stings to this day! Only in retrospect can I admire the guy. One of the all time legends.
When you watch the highlights, they don’t lie. Larry was a BAD MAN!!!!
Those of us that got to grow up during the Bird/Magic ERA were so lucky. It was a site to behold!
Enjoyed you reaction sir and thank you for shining your spotlight on this player. For the youngsters who didn't get to witness his magic is just a shame. It was a different game then. Players didn't change teams all that much and were much more physical. Thanks again sir. Hello from Bama!
Larry Bird is the epitome on not judging a book by its cover. The man was an incredible passer and defender, as well a lethal scorer. Just ask Magic and Michael, they'll tell you.
he looks like a tall science teacher schoolin the NBA
I saw Bird live a number of times, and on TV many more. These highlight reels of course condense the most astonishing plays. But what it was like to see a full game was this: you'd get to halftime, and you'd think, "Yeah, well, Bird didn't do much. It was a quiet half." Then you look at the scoreboard, and Bird has 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Then the end comes and he's got 38 points and a triple double. And you hardly could tell. Normally a guy makes a triple double and he's all over the floor and everyone notices. Bird just quietly filled the scoresheet up. Over and over. And won and won. And the reason he's better than either LeBron or Jordan is this. If he is on the same team as either guy, he makes that guy better. But neither of them would or could make him better. That's the difference.
My family had Boston Celtics season tickets. I went to many Celtics game. He was unbelievable. Outstanding.
@@dongiovanni6796 I agree! Bird was an all-around player! No one can match Bird!
wow that last point is profound!! Thanks for sharing. You summed it up perfectly !
I’ve seen this compilation video at least a dozen or more times, and I always tear up at the end when Magic Johnson comes out and pays his respects to Larry Bird on the night of his retirement. Talk about a class act! I think that’s one of the things that is lacking in so many of today’s players… Class!
There's a documentary talking about the friendship between the two players. Definitely recommend watching it, makes the retirement speech so much more special when you find out that Bird was one of the few people in Magics life that was there for him after finding out about his disease. Even guys on his own team wouldn't want to practice with Magic, so when Bird called to check in on him, it really meant a lot.
I just did and felt kinda weird until I saw your comment.
Yea I mean 90's brought us Jordan as the ultimate finale to this era but if you aren't the greatest have that Deion primetime or that Iverson self serving attitude to get your money is now the norm.
Your deep appreciation for the game is infectious, awesome reaction.
My Dad and I loved watching Larry Bird era Celtics. Lots a great memories. What a team, what a time!
I wasn’t a Celtics fan back then ,but I watched their games because of Bird . He and his teammates flowed so well and made basketball fun to watch . Same with Jordan.
I'm 53 I got a chance to see Larry play live. Larry was good. He was so good that Larry Bird is the only player to win a League MVP, a coach of the year, and executive of the year. His basketball ability extended to every aspect of the game. No other player has been able to win the top award in all three aspects of the game (player, coach, GM)
Rookie of year too
The rivalry with Magic started in college
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Jokic: 20.2 PPG / 10.5 RPG / 6.6 APG / 1.2 SPG / 0.7 BPG = 39.2
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Curry: 24.6 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 6.5 APG / 1.6 SPG / 0.2 BPG = 37.3
When it mattered most...Most game-winners (last minute) of All-Time:
#1) Kobe = 26 (in 1346 games)
#2) Jordan = 25 (in 1072 games)
#3) Bird. = 24 (in 897 games)
#4) LeBron = 19 (in 1366 games)
...
However, when it came to overall game-winners ratio per games played, here are the best of All-Time:
#1) Bird = 2.67
#2) Jordan = 2.33
#3) Kobe 1.93
...
** LeBron is NOT even in the Top 10
My man, you have Bird and Magic to thank for literally
saving the NBA. I saw it first hand. Those two played
every game like it was their last. They were the two most
unselfish superstars, and seemed to always shine in the
biggest moments. The biggest tragedy was that both their
careers didn't last longer. Bird's back, and Magic's HIV took,
in my estimation several more years off of their careers.
Magic's hamstring issues really robbed him of a bunch of time as well. Can you imagine these guys with today's training and medical technology? Also try to imagine guarding Magic, Larry, MJ, etc with today's rules.....
@@rodgerlang884 if Bird had todays NBA money he wouldn't have been paving his moms driveway himself and end up getting injured.
@@bernardjameswilsonBird wasn’t lacking money to pave his mama’s driveway (he lived frugally and saved his money instead of flashing it around) - Bird just did his own work because that’s who he was.
@@imweakfordeaky that might be true but he was a man of the time. With the crazy stupid money they hand out nowadays his mentality would be very different. Plus the team management nowadays would never allow him to that stuff
@@bernardjameswilson Bird had plenty of money to have it done. He preferred to do it himself.
I was growing up durring the 80s. I remembered the Celtics vs Lakers rivalry. My dad was a Celtics fan and my uncle was a Lakers fan. They would throw shit across the room when those 2 teams played each other.
This gentleman was the most articulate and perceptive Watcher of any of these tapes I have witnessed. It was a pure pleasure to watch along with him the amazing Larry Bird
Yes, I agree
His court awareness, passing, in the clutch dependable, entertaining…all heart. I grew up in LA and in the early 80’s it was all about the Lakers vs. Celtics games, and it was the best basketball you will ever see.
You talked through the fact that he came back into that game against Indiana with a fracture of the left cheekbone.
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Jokic: 20.2 PPG / 10.5 RPG / 6.6 APG / 1.2 SPG / 0.7 BPG = 39.2
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1
Curry: 24.6 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 6.5 APG / 1.6 SPG / 0.2 BPG = 37.3
I watched Bird 33 growing up and I was so excited when the Celtics drafted my favorite college player from U of Maryland Len Bias. Well sadly we all know Larry didn't get to play with Len Bias, but imagine Bias and Bird together at the Garden, whew what a team that would've been.
RIP #34 Len Bias
Like Walton was saying Bird played the whole game left handed and got a triple double with 42pts! He will always be in my top five forever!
Who the other four that are hands down better than Bird?
Pistons fans growing up and saw alot of Bird during that era. He was one of a kind and there's been nobody like him since. Celtic, Lakers, Bulls and Pistons had some of the best games in an era where physical ball was not only expected but respected.
Me too and I hated Bird then! But, he was an absolute dawg!
What was the nickname for the Pistons? I think it was Bad boys or something like that. They played the toughest on defense of any team during their championship caliber years. They would beat people up. I was a Celtics fan and then later was watching the Bulls with MJ. Detroit was tough.
Listening to the NBA legends, on talk shows, talking about Larry Bird's trash talk is almost better than watching Bird's amazing skills on the court. Their stories are engaging, entertaining, and hilarious -- and they all had respect for Bird, and they all must have loved it, based on the fun they have re-living it.
Almost.
@@clpendygraft *lol*
I think it was because he wasnt actually trying to insult someone. He would just tell players what he would do, and do it.
Honest assessment.
These old guys were something!
He came back from the locker room with a fractured cheek and finished the game. He was fun to watch. He always knew where everyone was on the court, his passes were crazy.
Jordan got swept twice in the playoffs both times it was bird
in that game when you look at his face after he came out of the locker room he had the team is going to pay look on his face!!!
Larry Bird was one of a kind and even the greats will tell you that. He had the best basketball brain ever, always thinking and one of the best passers ever. Basketball was great back then and I'm proud to have been around to watch it. If Bird played today with the new rules he would score 100 ever game. Him and others played many games bloody.
I was born and raised in Massachusetts. And most of my elementary and high school year was during the 80’s. So… Larry was my hero!! I had posters , jerseys everything Celtics !! My family gathered together for regular season and playoff games. He was a big part of my happiness during childhood…