right, if he pkayed in todays game todays soft rules he would destroy the league...btw he broke guys made them fall cause he could make any pass or any shot at any time- with either hand! how the H do u defend that? LARRY LEGEND the real GOAT
@@dbsti3006 I am a huge Bird fan. Pete was a magician, that is for sure.Bird definitely channeled him while playing but was more successful in his career.
Not only did Bird have 3 consecutive MVP's, he was runner-up 4 times. People frequently compare Luca to Bird, except the guys who played with Larry seem to think Luca is even slower than Bird was. They say Bird would dominate the game today because it's less physical, and all the medical advancements would have kept him healthier. Remember, he played his ENTIRE NBA career with a messed up right index finger - it was shattered playing softball and never healed properly. Larry said his feel for the ball was never the same after that. Also, he trashed his back shoveling gravel to build a driveway for his mom in '85. His BACK! How the hell do you play ball with a effed up back!? He apparently spent hours in traction before games just to be ok to play. Oh, let's not forget his *double* heel surgery to remove bone spurs in '88.
In today’s game, he’s a natural outside shooter with an unnatural ability to know where everyone is on the court. He is just as capable in the post and in today’s game where he couldn’t be touched he’d average 30-40 a game. By the way he averaged double digit boards for his career. More than Moses Malone. Founding member of the 50-40-90 club and did it twice. 3 consecutive MVPs. And in playoff games Jordan was 0-6 against bird.
All facts! I’m a big fan of the older era of basketball, so you get no argument from me when it comes to how soft the league is today! I agree that he would be a dominant player In today’s game. He was so well rounded as a player, there really isn’t much you could do to stop him! And with the game being so focused on the 3 now, yea he’d definitely be destroying dudes. Thanks for watching!!!
Athleticism or flashiness does not equate to greatness.. Larry is a special breed, because he was dominating all those so called very athletic, very flashy players, while being unathletic.. To me, what bird has done is more impressive than what mj has done.
He drops people by doing a jab step, then a step-back for his nearly un-blockable shot. You can see it in their eyes "oh, sh!t, he f4cked me again with that" and they try and reverse direction and go down. That last one was Dominique. If he wants to shoot in your face, he gives you his back and sticks his ass in your belly, walking you back. Then he spins, steps back, falls away, and brings the rock from almost behind his head. You rarely see Larry get stuffed.
What I appreciate about his game is there's almost no wasted or superfluous movements or dribble moves. Just fluid, efficient plays, passes and shots. No tween tween in front of the defender just to do it.
Yessirrr! That’s a legendary rivalry man! The league doesn’t even have rivalries now because everyone is friends with the entire league. Smh. We need that back In today’s game!!! Thank you for watching!!!
@@jdr3acts I don’t know how many NBA players spend their entire career on one team anymore. I’m glad they have more contract agency and all, for sure, but it definitely changed the vibe of, like, player/team loyalties. Anyway, one of the things I like so much about the Magic v Bird thing is how much respect and admiration those two cats clearly had for each other. Almost like that rivalry WAS their form of friendship. And from Larry’s side, I kinda think he saw it like, “Oh, finally, somebody who can step to me. A challenge. Let’s go.”
Bird is routinely mentioned as one of the most clutch players of any era. I agree that he didn’t look athletic, but Legend could make opposing players look like fools with his high bball IQ, wicked passes, and deadly shooting. 3 MVPs, all consecutive, 3 Chips in an era with Magic, a young Jordan, Nique, Moses, Doc, et al.
Nooo! Don’t get me wrong. As a player I’m impressed with Bird and his career! I was more so speaking on the highlights showed in this mixtape compared to some others I’ve watched. For example, if I watch a Kyrie Irving handles mixtape I might be more impressed with the mixtape itself than this one. However we all know for 100% fact that Kyrie is not anywhere close to Larry’s level. I think a player can have more entertaining highlights but not be as good of a player as the next. Also… I need to do my research on Larry Legend because you just taught me something. I didnt know he was MVP 3 times in a row! Thanks for watching!!!
@@jdr3acts not only 3 time MVP in consecutive years but Foundering member of the 50-40-90 Club and won it multiple times.. Only 1 other has done that. also made the All Star team for 12 years and ONLY played 13 years. TOP 3! 😀
@@wesgibson1915 Aye man, y’all are out here teaching me all the facts about Larry. I gotta go do my research clearly! Thank you for your input!! And thanks for watching!!!
When you got guys like Lebron and Kobe who put Bird in their top 5.....well, that says it all. KD and Lebron still watch and study Bird videos. As a season ticket holder in the 1980's for the NY Kicks, I saw Bird play plenty of times against my team. To say the dude was "sick" would be an understatement. I got Larry at #3 All-Time.
You don't compare Bird to players in today's game, you compare them to him! And you can't bc there's no players in today's game better Bird, If you're not impressed with Bird that says all that needs to be said! Bird would own the soft weak NBA today, he averaged 26-10-7 in an era where the defense was FAR tougher/better, He'd average dam near 30-13-9 in today's league.
Ok, I can agree with you on Bird being a dominant player in today’s game for sure. No question. My question is more so who is the closest player to his play style in today’s game. And I definitely agree that the game is wayyyy softer now. That’s a fact! There’s really no comparison. My preference in play style may have something to do with me not being super impressed. Bird has all my respect as a legendary hooper, but some of these plays just didn’t wow me as much as some other mixtapes I’ve watched. Thanks for watching!!!
@@jdr3acts When you talk about today's player's the 2 that come 2 mind are Luka and LeBron, BUT LeBron is not even close to the shooter or being as clutch as Bird was or near as tough, you didn't see Bird taking time off to "rest" or "load management" and you didn't see Bird being carried off the floor bc he had cramps like LeBron did, BIrd came into the league as a stone cold killer wanting to take every last shot, LeBron wasn't like that for a few years and still isn't close to Birds level when taking game winners, i mean for real who would you want taking the last shot with 5 seconds left in the finals? Bird or LeBron? Easy choice, Bird! LeBron was faster and stronger and close in assist, but Bird has him in every other area! Bird was so smart and his basketball IQ was so good that he could do just as well against the athletic fast guys as he did the slower guys like him James Worthy said this "I'd rather guard Michael Jordan then Bird bc you have to play as a thinker when playing Bird" Magic Johnson said "Bird is the only player he EVER feared" including Michael Jordan....Luka is young and we need to see what happens, but he has all the tools and stuffs the stat sheet like Bird did, he needs to get some titles and playoff wins before he's talked about in the "Bird" category tho.
@@thegame2030 Yea, Im a LeBron fan but I’ve always felt like he shy’d away from the biggest moments way too many times. I’d never trust Lebron on the line to give me 2 clutch free throws either. Which I know bird would give me. And I cant stand that damn load management! Collectively, the league is much much softer today. A select handful Of players that actually have heart in my opinion. One question though, do you factor in Lebrons Championships when you compare him and Larry, or do you think Larry is that much greater than LeBron that even though Lebron has more rings, you still have Larry Legend over Bron?
@@jdr3acts I take Bird over LeBron 100% of the time, like i said the only thing he has on Bird is strength and speed and i could care less about that with Birds skill level, Bird has 3 rings and won 3 MVP's and won them back to back to back. Only 3 players have done that, Bird, Russell and Chamberlain and Bird did all this with ONE team, he didn't jump around trying to build teams to win rings which IMO means more to me, but im old school and grew up with Bird so the younger generation doesn't see it that way most times.
Yea man I’ve played my whole life and in college. End of the video kind of threw me off when it started slowing down. But as you can see, throughout the video. Bird was clearly miles ahead of the competition! Comments definitely teaching me I haven’t seen enough Bird highlights at this point though. Gotta go watch more of Larry Legend now! Thanks for watching!!!
Larry brid had so much heart it was insane. His mind for the game it was like he was 1 step ahead of everyone. Larry all day over LeBron. If it wasn't for MJ Larry brid the greatest player of all time.
Damn! Maybe I need to do a little more research on Larry Legend. I think the fact that so many other greats are talked about allll the time, he gets forgotten some times. Y’all are educating me today in these comments so far though RESPECT!!! And yea, one thing I know is Larry had insane heart. I never knew he came back to play with a broken “cheek” I think he said. That’s insane!!! Thanks for watching!!!
ppl feared his jumper so much he shook them out they shoes.. he wasnt fast or athletic but he got in the minds of the opposing players and they was too psyched out lol.. hence the falls and fakes and them looking like children out there..
You’re definitely right! I realized from the comment section and the Making the case - Larry Bird video I just reacted to I missed a good amount. That video taught me a lot about Larry! Thanks for watching!!!
Bird is easily the best SF of all time. (Yes, that includes today's players). He's in my top 3. He fractured his cheek bone...had a concussion and double vision...and won the game. And this is not the first time. 3 quarters with the left...except for jumpers...and he told the Media that. Scored 47 pts. If you find the only plays that matter are dunks, then Larry isnt going to impress you...though he COULD throw down on PFs and Centers as you can see. If clutch plays are your thing, then you'll see Larry as the #1 GOAT of all time. I mean...who tells the other player, team, Coach...THE PLAY TO WIN THE GAME ahead of time...then you do it to win anyways. 😉.
Bird and Magic were different, they could do it all. they're game was always different. Today's game is so predictable that even foreign specialists are getting bored with today's NBA.
Larry is a Top 5 or 6ish all time guy, there is nobody in today's game like Larry Bird. He's the founder of the 50/40/90 club. He averaged 10 rebounds per game for his career, that's more than some centers. He pioneered the dagger 3. He won 3 consecutive regular season MVP's...consecutive. The only players he can even be compared to are Top 5 all time guys. He's on that level.
I definitely got Larry Top 10! I need to do a little more research to see where I actually think he is exactly on the list. I’ve seen some people in the comments put him at 1-5. Some of the facts I’m learning from y’all in these comments are definitely helping me put his greatness into prospective. Thank you for watching!!!
@@jdr3acts Think about this. Larry's 3 consecutive MVP's came when Magic and all the Lakers, Michael and the Bulls, Isaiah and the Pistons were all present, plus others. Even with all this all time great talent in the league, Larry Bird was considered the best for 3 consecutive years. Larry was a stretch 4 before people even knew what a stretch 4 was, shooting the ball from all over the court, left handed or right handed, while also averaging 10 rebounds a game. And his passing is some of the best passing ever seen, that is not an exaggeration.
Bird's skillset would be perfect for today's NBA. He was a great shooter, scorer, rebounder, ballhandler and passer. He would play a small forward position, but be an all-around player. Bird scored and shot well, but people forget he averaged 10 rebounds a game and over 6 assists. He also got steals, but necessarily from his raw athleticism, but from his basketball IQ. He knew where you were likely to go with the ball and would jump the passing lane. Just a smart all-around player. I don't have Bird as my greatest all-time player, but he's certainly one of the all-time greats. Fyi, I have Jordan as #1, also. Some great players who are in the argument for greatest of all-time, but I go with Michael Jordan if I have the #1 pick in that legends fantasy draft.
If we're talking Bird in his prime, I'd put him in the Top 3. As for what kind of player would he be? A dominant one. That's what kind of player he'd be.
Man I gotta go check out more Bird clips. All these comments letting me know, even though I already knew he was legendary. I definitely didn’t know to what extent! I agree he would be dominant in today’s game though. That’s for sure!!! Thank you for watching!!!
@@jdr3acts Hey, any time, man. BTW, the other two in my Top 3 would likely be Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan, with a *crowd* of legends hovering around the #4 spot.
I know young guys are used to the today league where players use athleticism over skill. 80s/90s nba was so much better and so much more interesting. You should react to some trash talk stories and to a video called something like "greatest peaks why larry bird is a goat candidate", you would appreciate better his skills and understand better his game. Cheers man, don't worry if someone gets heated over Larry, dive into his videos. And know one thing, his nickname Legend was given to him DURING his career, this says it all. Cheers from Venice Italy!
Thank you for this feedback! I can honestly say I’m probably a little naive on Larry’s Career. Just haven’t seen or heard as much in depth about him as some other greats. I’m gonna check out the videos you suggested. I’m a hooper myself so I’m always down to learn more about the game and all the greats, and that’s why I love when I get comments like this with these type of suggestions!! Thanks again for the feedback and Thanks for watching!!!
Larry had a fracture of the right cheek from his face impacting the floor, as well as a concussion... came back into the hame and proceeded to clean the opposing team's clock. It doesn't matter what anybody's opinion is now - if you listen to his peers every one of them thought he was a beast and the best there was.
What happened?! Haha. You seemed like you were digging the video, then you suddenly switched it up and said you weren't impressed. It was like a Game of Thrones plot twist. It just came out of nowhere.
🤣🤣You’re so right! When I watched it back I actually thought the same thing. But I realized that it was just the way the video like slowed down and they had so many people talking and because my talkative ass wasn’t listening to what they were saying I didn’t actually hear what they were saying about Larry 😂. So I basically worked against myself at the end there. I’ll take the Game of Thrones plot twist though! It makes it sound exciting 😂💀. Thank you for watching!!!
One of my favorite Bird stories is from Barkley. He said he playing Larry one night and Larry was cussing under his breath. Chuck asked him what was wrong and Larry said “You guys are putting a white guy on me. That’s disrespectful.” 😂 I’m white, and I find that shit hilarious. Good reaction my man
Young Buck doing the homework.. Larry Legend in my humble opinion is Top 3 and the greatest SF ever.. The game he fractured his cheek bone was a elimination game against the Pacers also the steal against the Pistons was in the playoffs ..
Yeaaa. I gotta go do some research on Larry. I knew even less about him as a player than I though I did clearly. Y’all teaching me in comments though that’s for sure!!
Larry Legend is number 1. Bird was the smartest and greatest shooter to ever play. He was the best all around player to ever play. I saw his whole career. There will never be another larry bird. He was different.
Context is everything. There are lots of nice plays on this compilation. But any decent player from any era can compile highlights. Larry was different (and better) because of context. He was incredibly clutch. He could beat you in every possible way a man can be beaten. Without the benefit of freakish athleticism, he out-hustled, out-fought, and out-played everyone during the most talent-rich era in league history. Without great leaping ability, he was a double digit rebounder. Furthermore, he played his entire career in some state of debilitating injury. At the 12:01 mark of the video, Larry re-entered the game with fractured orbital bone and a concussion. With double vision and a f*cking skull fracture, he went and won a critical playoff game practically by himself. You hype Larry for what he did, the circumstances under which he did it, and the quality of players he did it against. You don't hype Larry for how he looked when he did it.
Bird would average 35 a game today. What you see today has zero structure. That's why they couldn't compete with the 80s and 90s players. You can't confuse flashy play with talented play. An ocean of difference.
I grew up a fan of Dr. J, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan, but the player who could beat you the most ways with the most skills was Larry Bird. Bird had the best combination of inside scoring, mid-range scoring, 3-point scoring, passing, rebounding, defense, basketball IQ, trash talking, work ethic, clutch performance, and leadership. Bird had it all from day 1 in the NBA. The others gained some of these things after several years. Bird was the Batman of the NBA. He was always several moves ahead of the competition, best clutch shooter of all-time, #2 all-time with winning percentage (Jordan is #40), he had the passing gift, and he could beat you more ways than just shooting. Jordan was dangerous when he had the ball. Bird was always dangerous - with or without the ball. Bird is top three all-time with Jordan and LeBron, but Bird is the best small forward of all-time. Hands down. "If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game, I’d choose Michael Jordan. If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life, I’d take Larry Bird." - Legendary Lakers Coach Pat Riley “I would much rather guard Michael Jordan than Larry Bird, because you have to play the game as a thinker when you’re playing [Bird]. You have to get inside his mind. Larry wasn’t quick, he couldn’t jump really high, but there were just some sleepless nights.” -James Worthy on Larry Bird, via ESPN SportsCentury " The difference between Jordan and Bird was that Jordan made you look slow, Bird made you look stupid. " - James Worthy “Larry Bird can’t jump, and he’s not that quick… But he makes up for it by using his head, analyzing the opponent. It makes him better than the competition… Consequently, he doesn’t have a weakness.” - Michael Jordan
Respect your opinion and experience, that’s what reactions are all about. MJ was in the league, but the Bulls were still getting swept by the Celtics and Michael didn’t win his first championship until the year after Larry retired. But then MJ hit a double Three-pete and became the GOAT. I think you’d enjoy the video “The Greatest Larry Bird vs Michael Jordan Story Ever Told” or maybe MJ’s name is first. Larry would light this league up going from full contact basketball to today’s don’t-touch-me NBA. He was so competitive he’d be in the lab practicing them half-court Curry shots for hours a day until he could match.
Dude, you're tripping. You're the very first person I've seen reacting to this video that wasn't in awe. He looks like a man playing against children, and the children happen to be some of the best that's ever played the game
10:23 That was a game winner in the Eastern Conference finals. Watch what he did... He made the steal, stayed in bounds, found the cutter, and made the pass in about 1.5 seconds (check clock). You can't tell from this camera angle, but Larry stood on his toes when he made the pass. With his back to the baseline, he knew exactly where he was. He knew, if his heels had touched the ground, he would have been on the line and turned it back over to Detroit. If these youngsters don't understand the skill and intelligence that play required, I can't do nothing for 'em. They need a role model, or a smack in the mouth, or something.
Some people get too caught up in the flash and dash of quick, high-flying players, but all of that doesn't count for anything on the scoreboard. The ball still has to go in. Larry wasn't athletic by NBA standards, but he was able to have a 24-10 6 average over a 13-year career shortened due to major back problems he dealt with for years. As a rookie he took the Celtics from a 29 win team the season before he arrived in Boston to a 61 win team and that was before McHale and Parrish got to Boston. He led the Celtics to three championships and won three consecutive MVPs at a time in the league when there was Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Isaiah, Laimbeer, Michael, Julius, Moses, Barkley, Dominique and Hakeem among others. He had the NBA's first 50-40-90 season in 86-87, shooting .525/.400/.910 and improved it the following season shooting .527/.414/.916. He also won three consecutive three-point contests, the only ones he competed in. He is undeniably one of the most clutch shooters in NBA history and had a nearly unmatched work ethic and often played hurt. Charles Barkley once said that God made Larry not be able to run or jump to make the game fair. Maybe he was right because could you imagine a player with the basketball IQ and mastery of the fundamentals that Larry had in an athletic body like Michael's or Dominique's?
I got Bird top 5, maybe #5, but he would dominate in today's game where it is so easy to score because you can't touch somebody else without a foul. His Fall Away jump shot would be damn near Unstoppable at 6'9 with 60 something percent accuracy.
hey, thanks for the reaction. Totally disagree with your assessment. Keep learning grasshopper and remeber flash doesn't make buckets. Yes, MJ was in the league. Did you not hear all the great players speak highly of him? His stats speak for themself. He was not ball hog and brought the whole team in. Besides look at win/loss stats when MJ was playing against LB. Then what MJ said about Bird. We can disagree. Peace be with you
Thanks for the input. I think what I’m realizing after reading all these comments is Im naive on how great Larry actually was! I haven’t seen as many highlight or even heard his game talked about as much as a lot of other legends. So once I do some more research I bet Id be leaning more towards agreeing with you all! I’m still a student of the game today, so I gotta go study up clearly! Thanks again for the input and Thanks for watching!!!
Bird is top 5. He has to be in anyone's serious list. He played the game with such craft, skill, and heart with no natural athletic ability aside from being tall and loved it. He stayed with the same team his entire career, talked mad shit doing it, and retired as humble as anyone his level could be. Dude loved the game and invented ways people play the game now.
I agree with everything you just said! I can admit I didn’t know he was solidified top 5 like so many have said in these comments. From what I Do know about Bird. He was a straight dog!! Talked all the shit he wanted and came right out and backed it up. I love that mentality and think the game misses that today! And just like you said, not being a natural athlete shows just how much skill he really had being able to dominate the way he did. Thanks for watching!!!
@@jdr3acts Until I saw this mixtape, I didn't even realize how monstrous he was on the court. He was just before my time when I watched the NBA as a kid in the 90's, I always heard how good he was, so you're not alone realizing just how good he was lol. My dad was a hardcore Lakers fan since the 80's, he told me all the time his favorite player was Magic, he hated Bird in a rivalry sense, but also told me Bird was one of the greatest players he's ever seen play the game. Thanks for the reaction!
@@citypopFM It’s actually crazy how little he’s talked about when it comes to the GOAT conversation. As far as the media when they have that discussion. But now that I’ve actually seen the making the case video as well, I have even more context to understand how much he really belongs in that convo. And hearing the way other greats talk about him only adds to it. My pops is the main reason I knew what I did know about him before hand, but I can say I definitely learned a lot more about his greatness since this video dropped. Appreciate the feedback!!
@@jdr3acts It is odd honestly but he's from a different time even though it was a golden age of the NBA, he was an acclaimed coach for the Pacers for a little bit, but Larry is also not in the spotlight and seems to live life really humble. He doesn't license his name out for sneaker deals, nothing like that, or looks for media attention either. It's funny how that same guy who played for one team, seems so humble, and is known but not put in the conversation was in reality a giant trash talker and maniacally competitive on the court.
I put Bird at 3rd all time... although I wouldn't argue with somewhere in the 4th-7th spots if you highly value longevity... as Bird's career was not terribly long in the grand scheme of "all time greats". In my opinion, without a doubt Jordan and Kareem are the top 2... After that, it becomes a bit of a mess... but my top five: Jordan, Kareem, Bird, Bron, Kobe. I only put Bird ahead of Bron because Bird was a cold blooded, clutch shooting assassin in a way that Bron never was or ever will be... But if you value longevity, the Bron is clearly the superior player. I'm not a big fan of centers with freak of nature size advantages. Guys like Wilt and Shaq just overpowered everybody without necessarily needed a ton of skill... and Bill Russell was a defensive GOAT on a stacked team... but I'm not sure if he'd translate to a modern NBA.
JDR I come from Boston I was a teenager when Larry Bird was playing it was one of the best times in my life he is the GOAT 👍☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️ I knew from the get go you wouldn't give him his props I knew it and I loved Magic too👍
Bird broke his right cheek. I’m an X-Ray tech it’s right orbit fracture. He was knocked out and was seeing triple. Obvious concussion Bird said afterward he just shot for middle basket. The steal & assist vs Pistons was game 5 in ECF. His Iq was so great he kept his heels up so not to b out of bounds! Bird is my #2 on Goat list. He & MJ were just level above everyone else. Kareem/Wilt then Timmy are my top 5.
What you don't realize is that 95 percent of the highlights you just saw were from playoff games or the NBA finals games. For instance, when you asked what the score was after the "Bird stole the ball" play against Detroit, that was Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals in 1987 with 2 seconds left in the game. Had the Pistons won that on the Boston Garden floor, there was no way Boston would have gone on to the Finals. But Bird turned an impossible situation into a win. The all star game highlight when he slap passed the ball to Gervin, the behind the backboard shot, the end of the game shot against the Sonics, and the scenes from the 60 point game against the Hawks in New Orleans weren't playoff games. But all of the rest were. Did you notice too that most of those highlights end with red lights and buzzers going off just at the ball passes through the netting? This was not just larking about during the regular season when the team is 20 points up. Now watch it again and try to think of a player that had the confidence to do what he did in the playoffs. Lastly, watch some of the finals games he played against the Lakers and the Rockets. Seeing plays in isolation doesn't give you the whole picture. He always knew where everybody was on the floor, including the players on the other team.
Bird’s IQ was so high, his court vision was so good, that he once played an entire game and didn’t take a single shot and the Celtics still won by 20pts.
Larry average 24 point and 10 rebounds per game for his career. THAT was back when you had hands in your back, bumping, leaning, grinding, holding jerseys, and real giants waiting in the paint. Tough low post play... not running to the 3 point line and throwing it up all night. If he were to play today, and nobody could TOUCH him? His numbers would go up. They used to routinely double team Larry, and had their hands all over him. Untouched, he would eat the world today. Also Larry, a GREAT deep shooter, only averaged 1.7 three point attempts per game. Today how many threes would he be taking? Many more, due to the nature of today's game.
The Celtics won 32 more games than the year before the first year Larry joined the team. He played 13 years and was on the All Star team 12 of those years. The only year he wasn't selected was the year he only played 6 games or so due to surgery on both achilles tendons. He is one of three players ever selected MVP three years in a row and was NEVER voted lower than third except for that year he was out with the surgeries. The other two are Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell. Add two playoff MVPs rings to that total. Three NBA championship rings. He was the founding member of the 50-40-90 club and did it twice and averaged 24 points/ 10 rebounds/ and 4 assists game for his career. The last third of his career was played with what was essentially a broken back that had him regularly in traction after (and sometimes before) a game because his back would lock up at odd angles. They had cheating pad on the bench for him so he could stay loose enough to play while he was out. This was the Larry Bird that Jordan faced and went 0-6 against in the playoffs. James Worthy said he'd much rather guard Jordan than Bird because Jordan only made you look slow whereas Bird make you look stupid. It's been a year since you did this reaction. I certainly hope you've done some research into the game since then
There is no player like Larry in the League today. There's no 50/40/90 shooters averaging double digit rebounds and 7 assists per game and there never has been. Larry Joe Bird is an actual unicorn
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 wasn't only playing basketball, but also, volleyball, dodgeball, football, baseball, soccer, & strategic chess, all at the same time, & what made him so great 😊He certainly was one of the most unique & gifted players, I ever watched! I would love you to react to the video, Larry Bird STORIES that prove he's the BEST TRASH TALKER, told by NBA players: ruclips.net/video/v7Id88T5DPsf/видео.html if you haven’t already seen or reacted to it 😊
Think of how the team around him has to train to be prepared for a Bird flip, tap, shovel, bounce pass to come at them out of nowhere. It's not just the Larry show. The team game was sick, eh?
Back then basketball was kind of a contact sport. Today, you can’t elbow a player without a flagrant foul. REAL men played basketball in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. They were not worried about the paychecks
Larry Bird 3 consecutive MVP awards. Only Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain have the same. First player to have 50 40 90. 12 all star teams in the 13 seasons he played. 3 all star defensive teams. Never finished lower than 4th in nine straight mvp polls(80-89). Magic called him the greatest player ever. LeBron has him in his top 3 . (MJ, DR J, BIRD). Nobody wanted to defend him! He has the best defender he played against was Michael Cooper (Lakers). Probably the best basketball IQ ever. He was so aware. He knew where everyone was at ALL times! My GOAT!!
Very true! I feel like that’s why so many overseas players that aren’t as athletic are still so effective in the League. I think they put more of an emphasis on fundamentals from an early age and in the pros! Like Manu and Luka
Bird was the most clutch of all time. Period. If the game was on the line, I am taking Bird, then MJ and then Kobe. He would thrive in todays soft NBA.
To answer your question, Jordan had been in the league about 7 years by the time of his retirement. Magic knew how good Jordan was, and still said what he said. They called Bird 'Legend' while he was still playing, not to mention 'Basketball Jesus'. You might not be too impressed, but, every last one of his rivals was. The best of the best of the NBA all sang that man's praises.
IMHO watching basketball for six decades - 1. Michael Jordan 2. Magic Johnson 3. Wilt Chamberlain 4. Bill Russell 5. Larry Bird 6. Lebron James 7. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 8. Tim Duncan 9. Shaquille O'Neal 10. Kobe Bryant ----------- In today's NBA, Bird would be among the best. The cream rises to the top and he is an all timer. His skill set matches todays game as one of the best shooters in NBA history, a great passer and rebounder, a team leader and perhaps the best thinker in NBA history.
Don't forget how annoyed he'd get when teams would but a white guy on him. He thought it was disrespectful. As for is he top ten…He's definitely best small forward of all time. He's on everyone's list. And, he'd DESTROY in the league now. A. They beat the shit out of him for years in the 80s. You can't touch a guy now. B. He was a 50/40/90 shooter two years in a row. He won the 3 point contest three years in a row. He would kill people. But…Here's why he would dominate. Larry was an unstoppable competitor. I love LeBron, but he doesn't have the killer instinct that Larry has. Larry refused to lose, always wanted the last shot, talked the most shit…. Larry did all the shit other guys couldn't and wouldn't. It's not about the highlights with larry, it's about the Ws. Three championships in 6 years., three straight MVPs. Larry was the toughest, clutchest and smartest player ever. And yeah, Jordan was better. But, Larry shut him out twice in the finals. Also, 24/10/6 career. 10 rebounds/game for his career. Go and compare those stats with other player. He averaged more rebounds than Shaq and Patrick Ewing. And, as far as athletic highlights go, that's not what you look at Larry for. Larry was passion and IQ, not acrobatics. His numbers are the same as Lebron's. Imagine what he could have done if he were more athletic. Etc ad nauseam.
Larry broke some ankles because defenders had absolutely no idea what he was going to do. He was such a complete player, they had to defend everything and when you try to do that, you bite too hard on the fakes.
Oh wow. I didnt know that, but I could definitely see that being the case. That makes a lot more sense why he had them falling all over the court like that off that move. Had them BOUS dancing out there 🤣. Thanks for watching!!!
Good video. You paid attention and knew what you were talking about….except guaranteed Larry was the most fundamentally skilled player ever. He didn’t have Jordan’s hops or Lebron body. Bird used to school Jordan and Lebron couldn’t stop him either.. definitely too 5
Bird used to go to inner city parks and ask to get in to a pick up game. I'm a short skinny (not any more) white boy from Iowa. Just for fun... I'd love to play with a legend. If Jordan, Wilt, Magic, name them, wanted to get in on a neighborhood pickup game... fk, I'd sit on the curb and watch the fun.
Where would Bird be in today's game? He would smoke these kids like cheap cigars.
😂. Aye that’s funny as hell. He would definitely be out there frying today!
Thank you for watching!!!
Larry Bird would only score 8-10 points against today's NBA. But remember, Larry Bird is now 68 years old.
Yeah somehow he'd still manage 10 boards 6 assists and a couple steals
right, if he pkayed in todays game todays soft rules he would destroy the league...btw he broke guys made them fall cause he could make any pass or any shot at any time- with either hand! how the H do u defend that? LARRY LEGEND the real GOAT
He was an elite passer, which meant people had to respect the fake. He was a complete player.
Larry Bird was a science teacher - he taught the science of basketball.
I still say that Pete Maravich had it down to a science, and the others learned their ball handling and passing skills from him.
I can see why youd say that, maravich was amazing
@@dbsti3006 I am a huge Bird fan. Pete was a magician, that is for sure.Bird definitely channeled him while playing but was more successful in his career.
🤣😂🤣
Not only did Bird have 3 consecutive MVP's, he was runner-up 4 times. People frequently compare Luca to Bird, except the guys who played with Larry seem to think Luca is even slower than Bird was. They say Bird would dominate the game today because it's less physical, and all the medical advancements would have kept him healthier. Remember, he played his ENTIRE NBA career with a messed up right index finger - it was shattered playing softball and never healed properly. Larry said his feel for the ball was never the same after that. Also, he trashed his back shoveling gravel to build a driveway for his mom in '85. His BACK! How the hell do you play ball with a effed up back!? He apparently spent hours in traction before games just to be ok to play. Oh, let's not forget his *double* heel surgery to remove bone spurs in '88.
Bird has the highest basketball iq of all time. And no one was more clutch then larry bird.
In today’s game, he’s a natural outside shooter with an unnatural ability to know where everyone is on the court. He is just as capable in the post and in today’s game where he couldn’t be touched he’d average 30-40 a game. By the way he averaged double digit boards for his career. More than Moses Malone. Founding member of the 50-40-90 club and did it twice. 3 consecutive MVPs. And in playoff games Jordan was 0-6 against bird.
All facts! I’m a big fan of the older era of basketball, so you get no argument from me when it comes to how soft the league is today! I agree that he would be a dominant player In today’s game. He was so well rounded as a player, there really isn’t much you could do to stop him! And with the game being so focused on the 3 now, yea he’d definitely be destroying dudes.
Thanks for watching!!!
Bird would dominate in today's game. He's definitely top 5 all time.
Athleticism or flashiness does not equate to greatness.. Larry is a special breed, because he was dominating all those so called very athletic, very flashy players, while being unathletic.. To me, what bird has done is more impressive than what mj has done.
A healthy Bird in today’s league would still dominate. He was crazy smart and never quit.
He drops people by doing a jab step, then a step-back for his nearly un-blockable shot. You can see it in their eyes "oh, sh!t, he f4cked me again with that" and they try and reverse direction and go down. That last one was Dominique. If he wants to shoot in your face, he gives you his back and sticks his ass in your belly, walking you back. Then he spins, steps back, falls away, and brings the rock from almost behind his head. You rarely see Larry get stuffed.
What I appreciate about his game is there's almost no wasted or superfluous movements or dribble moves. Just fluid, efficient plays, passes and shots. No tween tween in front of the defender just to do it.
Johnson and Bird is my favorite NBA rivalry of all time.
Yessirrr! That’s a legendary rivalry man! The league doesn’t even have rivalries now because everyone is friends with the entire league. Smh. We need that back In today’s game!!!
Thank you for watching!!!
@@jdr3acts I don’t know how many NBA players spend their entire career on one team anymore. I’m glad they have more contract agency and all, for sure, but it definitely changed the vibe of, like, player/team loyalties. Anyway, one of the things I like so much about the Magic v Bird thing is how much respect and admiration those two cats clearly had for each other. Almost like that rivalry WAS their form of friendship. And from Larry’s side, I kinda think he saw it like, “Oh, finally, somebody who can step to me. A challenge. Let’s go.”
Bird is routinely mentioned as one of the most clutch players of any era. I agree that he didn’t look athletic, but Legend could make opposing players look like fools with his high bball IQ, wicked passes, and deadly shooting. 3 MVPs, all consecutive, 3 Chips in an era with Magic, a young Jordan, Nique, Moses, Doc, et al.
You need to watch a tape of Larry Bird's trash talking to find out how cold he was. He torched everybody.
Larry wasn't fast , he was quick.. his first step was amazing
That's what put opponents on the floor. So Yeah "amazing"
3 consecutive MVP'S in the greatest decade of basketball ever and your not impressed DDDAAAAHHH!!!
Nooo! Don’t get me wrong. As a player I’m impressed with Bird and his career! I was more so speaking on the highlights showed in this mixtape compared to some others I’ve watched. For example, if I watch a Kyrie Irving handles mixtape I might be more impressed with the mixtape itself than this one. However we all know for 100% fact that Kyrie is not anywhere close to Larry’s level. I think a player can have more entertaining highlights but not be as good of a player as the next. Also… I need to do my research on Larry Legend because you just taught me something. I didnt know he was MVP 3 times in a row!
Thanks for watching!!!
@@jdr3acts not only 3 time MVP in consecutive years but Foundering member of the 50-40-90 Club and won it multiple times.. Only 1 other has done that. also made the All Star team for 12 years and ONLY played 13 years.
TOP 3! 😀
I thought the greatest decade of basketball was the 1940s.
Making the case for Larry and trash talking are the 2 best
@@wesgibson1915 Aye man, y’all are out here teaching me all the facts about Larry. I gotta go do my research clearly! Thank you for your input!!
And thanks for watching!!!
When you got guys like Lebron and Kobe who put Bird in their top 5.....well, that says it all. KD and Lebron still watch and study Bird videos. As a season ticket holder in the 1980's for the NY Kicks, I saw Bird play plenty of times against my team. To say the dude was "sick" would be an understatement. I got Larry at #3 All-Time.
Larry was no joke. Keep watching videos and youll see more and more amazing stuff
You don't compare Bird to players in today's game, you compare them to him! And you can't bc there's no players in today's game better Bird, If you're not impressed with Bird that says all that needs to be said! Bird would own the soft weak NBA today, he averaged 26-10-7 in an era where the defense was FAR tougher/better, He'd average dam near 30-13-9 in today's league.
Ok, I can agree with you on Bird being a dominant player in today’s game for sure. No question. My question is more so who is the closest player to his play style in today’s game. And I definitely agree that the game is wayyyy softer now. That’s a fact! There’s really no comparison.
My preference in play style may have something to do with me not being super impressed. Bird has all my respect as a legendary hooper, but some of these plays just didn’t wow me as much as some other mixtapes I’ve watched.
Thanks for watching!!!
@@jdr3acts When you talk about today's player's the 2 that come 2 mind are Luka and LeBron, BUT LeBron is not even close to the shooter or being as clutch as Bird was or near as tough, you didn't see Bird taking time off to "rest" or "load management" and you didn't see Bird being carried off the floor bc he had cramps like LeBron did, BIrd came into the league as a stone cold killer wanting to take every last shot, LeBron wasn't like that for a few years and still isn't close to Birds level when taking game winners, i mean for real who would you want taking the last shot with 5 seconds left in the finals? Bird or LeBron? Easy choice, Bird! LeBron was faster and stronger and close in assist, but Bird has him in every other area! Bird was so smart and his basketball IQ was so good that he could do just as well against the athletic fast guys as he did the slower guys like him James Worthy said this "I'd rather guard Michael Jordan then Bird bc you have to play as a thinker when playing Bird" Magic Johnson said "Bird is the only player he EVER feared" including Michael Jordan....Luka is young and we need to see what happens, but he has all the tools and stuffs the stat sheet like Bird did, he needs to get some titles and playoff wins before he's talked about in the "Bird" category tho.
@@thegame2030 Yea, Im a LeBron fan but I’ve always felt like he shy’d away from the biggest moments way too many times. I’d never trust Lebron on the line to give me 2 clutch free throws either. Which I know bird would give me. And I cant stand that damn load management! Collectively, the league is much much softer today. A select handful
Of players that actually have heart in my opinion. One question though, do you factor in Lebrons Championships when you compare him and Larry, or do you think Larry is that much greater than LeBron that even though Lebron has more rings, you still have Larry Legend over Bron?
@@jdr3acts I take Bird over LeBron 100% of the time, like i said the only thing he has on Bird is strength and speed and i could care less about that with Birds skill level, Bird has 3 rings and won 3 MVP's and won them back to back to back. Only 3 players have done that, Bird, Russell and Chamberlain and Bird did all this with ONE team, he didn't jump around trying to build teams to win rings which IMO means more to me, but im old school and grew up with Bird so the younger generation doesn't see it that way most times.
@@jdr3acts Check out the teams that won in the 80s when the Celtics didn't. It's a tough list.
He was the player everyone hated to play. He could rip any team and tear them apart
If you ever played ball or even sports you would understand the amazing shit Bird is doing in this video, it's mind-blowing to me
Yea man I’ve played my whole life and in college. End of the video kind of threw me off when it started slowing down. But as you can see, throughout the video. Bird was clearly miles ahead of the competition! Comments definitely teaching me I haven’t seen enough Bird highlights at this point though. Gotta go watch more of Larry Legend now!
Thanks for watching!!!
Larry brid had so much heart it was insane. His mind for the game it was like he was 1 step ahead of everyone. Larry all day over LeBron. If it wasn't for MJ Larry brid the greatest player of all time.
Damn! Maybe I need to do a little more research on Larry Legend. I think the fact that so many other greats are talked about allll the time, he gets forgotten some times. Y’all are educating me today in these comments so far though RESPECT!!! And yea, one thing I know is Larry had insane heart. I never knew he came back to play with a broken “cheek”
I think he said. That’s insane!!!
Thanks for watching!!!
@@jdr3acts right on man. That jab step man was so good Larry got those guys down on the court.
ppl feared his jumper so much he shook them out they shoes.. he wasnt fast or athletic but he got in the minds of the opposing players and they was too psyched out lol.. hence the falls and fakes and them looking like children out there..
Larry broke his orbital bone. He was seeing double. The doctor said he couldn't return. He downed a beer, snuck back out and won the playoff game.
The amount you missed by talking probably hurt your opinion of him. Literally the ONLY person I've ever heard say they weren't impressed
there's more. but some are just trolls.
You’re definitely right! I realized from the comment section and the Making the case - Larry Bird video I just reacted to I missed a good amount. That video taught me a lot about Larry!
Thanks for watching!!!
Bird is easily the best SF of all time. (Yes, that includes today's players).
He's in my top 3.
He fractured his cheek bone...had a concussion and double vision...and won the game. And this is not the first time.
3 quarters with the left...except for jumpers...and he told the Media that. Scored 47 pts.
If you find the only plays that matter are dunks, then Larry isnt going to impress you...though he COULD throw down on PFs and Centers as you can see. If clutch plays are your thing, then you'll see Larry as the #1 GOAT of all time.
I mean...who tells the other player, team, Coach...THE PLAY TO WIN THE GAME ahead of time...then you do it to win anyways.
😉.
Bird and Magic were different, they could do it all. they're game was always different.
Today's game is so predictable that even foreign specialists are getting bored with today's NBA.
Larry is a Top 5 or 6ish all time guy, there is nobody in today's game like Larry Bird. He's the founder of the 50/40/90 club. He averaged 10 rebounds per game for his career, that's more than some centers. He pioneered the dagger 3. He won 3 consecutive regular season MVP's...consecutive. The only players he can even be compared to are Top 5 all time guys. He's on that level.
I definitely got Larry Top 10! I need to do a little more research to see where I actually think he is exactly on the list. I’ve seen some people in the comments put him at 1-5. Some of the facts I’m learning from y’all in these comments are definitely helping me put his greatness into prospective. Thank you for watching!!!
@@jdr3acts Think about this. Larry's 3 consecutive MVP's came when Magic and all the Lakers, Michael and the Bulls, Isaiah and the Pistons were all present, plus others. Even with all this all time great talent in the league, Larry Bird was considered the best for 3 consecutive years. Larry was a stretch 4 before people even knew what a stretch 4 was, shooting the ball from all over the court, left handed or right handed, while also averaging 10 rebounds a game. And his passing is some of the best passing ever seen, that is not an exaggeration.
Bird's skillset would be perfect for today's NBA. He was a great shooter, scorer, rebounder, ballhandler and passer. He would play a small forward position, but be an all-around player. Bird scored and shot well, but people forget he averaged 10 rebounds a game and over 6 assists. He also got steals, but necessarily from his raw athleticism, but from his basketball IQ. He knew where you were likely to go with the ball and would jump the passing lane. Just a smart all-around player.
I don't have Bird as my greatest all-time player, but he's certainly one of the all-time greats. Fyi, I have Jordan as #1, also. Some great players who are in the argument for greatest of all-time, but I go with Michael Jordan if I have the #1 pick in that legends fantasy draft.
If we're talking Bird in his prime, I'd put him in the Top 3. As for what kind of player would he be? A dominant one. That's what kind of player he'd be.
Man I gotta go check out more Bird clips. All these comments letting me know, even though I already knew he was legendary. I definitely didn’t know to what extent! I agree he would be dominant in today’s game though. That’s for sure!!!
Thank you for watching!!!
@@jdr3acts Hey, any time, man.
BTW, the other two in my Top 3 would likely be Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan, with a *crowd* of legends hovering around the #4 spot.
Larry Bird played against real players, who was Jordan's rival, Lebron's rival? Larry played in a time when the league was full of stars
I know young guys are used to the today league where players use athleticism over skill. 80s/90s nba was so much better and so much more interesting. You should react to some trash talk stories and to a video called something like "greatest peaks why larry bird is a goat candidate", you would appreciate better his skills and understand better his game. Cheers man, don't worry if someone gets heated over Larry, dive into his videos. And know one thing, his nickname Legend was given to him DURING his career, this says it all. Cheers from Venice Italy!
Thank you for this feedback! I can honestly say I’m probably a little naive on Larry’s Career. Just haven’t seen or heard as much in depth about him as some other greats. I’m gonna check out the videos you suggested. I’m a hooper myself so I’m always down to learn more about the game and all the greats, and that’s why I love when I get comments like this with these type of suggestions!!
Thanks again for the feedback and Thanks for watching!!!
He didnt just get hurt...he cracked his eye socket and was seeing double and still was effective 😂
Larry had a fracture of the right cheek from his face impacting the floor, as well as a concussion... came back into the hame and proceeded to clean the opposing team's clock.
It doesn't matter what anybody's opinion is now - if you listen to his peers every one of them thought he was a beast and the best there was.
What happened?! Haha. You seemed like you were digging the video, then you suddenly switched it up and said you weren't impressed. It was like a Game of Thrones plot twist. It just came out of nowhere.
🤣🤣You’re so right! When I watched it back I actually thought the same thing. But I realized that it was just the way the video like slowed down and they had so many people talking and because my talkative ass wasn’t listening to what they were saying I didn’t actually hear what they were saying about Larry 😂. So I basically worked against myself at the end there. I’ll take the Game of Thrones plot twist though! It makes it sound exciting 😂💀.
Thank you for watching!!!
That steal against the Pistons wasn't just a game winner, it was a game 5 eastern conference finals game winner
One of my favorite Bird stories is from Barkley. He said he playing Larry one night and Larry was cussing under his breath. Chuck asked him what was wrong and Larry said “You guys are putting a white guy on me. That’s disrespectful.” 😂 I’m white, and I find that shit hilarious. Good reaction my man
Young Buck doing the homework.. Larry Legend in my humble opinion is Top 3 and the greatest SF ever.. The game he fractured his cheek bone was a elimination game against the Pacers also the steal against the Pistons was in the playoffs ..
yeah… Larry>Lebron imo
@@reecemorton4786 Larry Legend's trash talk alone would be a Flagrant 1 in todays cupcake ass NBA..lol
@@bigkw1568 I agree.... I got Larry at #3. He would demolish the league if he played in todays cupcake league...
@@bigkw1568 Aye yoooo🤣💀. That’s funny as hell. But I totally agree with you!! The league today is soft as baby 💩💩💩!
Thanks for watching!!!
Yeaaa. I gotta go do some research on Larry. I knew even less about him as a player than I though I did clearly. Y’all teaching me in comments though that’s for sure!!
Larry Legend is number 1. Bird was the smartest and greatest shooter to ever play. He was the best all around player to ever play. I saw his whole career. There will never be another larry bird. He was different.
Context is everything. There are lots of nice plays on this compilation. But any decent player from any era can compile highlights.
Larry was different (and better) because of context. He was incredibly clutch. He could beat you in every possible way a man can be beaten. Without the benefit of freakish athleticism, he out-hustled, out-fought, and out-played everyone during the most talent-rich era in league history. Without great leaping ability, he was a double digit rebounder.
Furthermore, he played his entire career in some state of debilitating injury. At the 12:01 mark of the video, Larry re-entered the game with fractured orbital bone and a concussion. With double vision and a f*cking skull fracture, he went and won a critical playoff game practically by himself.
You hype Larry for what he did, the circumstances under which he did it, and the quality of players he did it against. You don't hype Larry for how he looked when he did it.
Bird would average 35 a game today. What you see today has zero structure. That's why they couldn't compete with the 80s and 90s players. You can't confuse flashy play with talented play. An ocean of difference.
I grew up a fan of Dr. J, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan, but the player who could beat you the most ways with the most skills was Larry Bird. Bird had the best combination of inside scoring, mid-range scoring, 3-point scoring, passing, rebounding, defense, basketball IQ, trash talking, work ethic, clutch performance, and leadership. Bird had it all from day 1 in the NBA. The others gained some of these things after several years. Bird was the Batman of the NBA. He was always several moves ahead of the competition, best clutch shooter of all-time, #2 all-time with winning percentage (Jordan is #40), he had the passing gift, and he could beat you more ways than just shooting. Jordan was dangerous when he had the ball. Bird was always dangerous - with or without the ball. Bird is top three all-time with Jordan and LeBron, but Bird is the best small forward of all-time. Hands down.
"If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game, I’d choose Michael Jordan. If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life, I’d take Larry Bird." - Legendary Lakers Coach Pat Riley
“I would much rather guard Michael Jordan than Larry Bird, because you have to play the game as a thinker when you’re playing [Bird]. You have to get inside his mind. Larry wasn’t quick, he couldn’t jump really high, but there were just some sleepless nights.”
-James Worthy on Larry Bird, via ESPN SportsCentury
" The difference between Jordan and Bird was that Jordan made you look slow, Bird made you look stupid. " - James Worthy
“Larry Bird can’t jump, and he’s not that quick… But he makes up for it by using his head, analyzing the opponent. It makes him better than the competition… Consequently, he doesn’t have a weakness.” - Michael Jordan
When it comes to Basketball Larry Bird is a bonafide OG
This was the golden age of basketball! So
Much TALENT!! Fighting it out in the paint!! The game they play today is boring!!!
He soared like an eagle and was on that ball like a beagle.
Respect your opinion and experience, that’s what reactions are all about. MJ was in the league, but the Bulls were still getting swept by the Celtics and Michael didn’t win his first championship until the year after Larry retired. But then MJ hit a double Three-pete and became the GOAT. I think you’d enjoy the video “The Greatest Larry Bird vs Michael Jordan Story Ever Told” or maybe MJ’s name is first. Larry would light this league up going from full contact basketball to today’s don’t-touch-me NBA. He was so competitive he’d be in the lab practicing them half-court Curry shots for hours a day until he could match.
Dude, you're tripping. You're the very first person I've seen reacting to this video that wasn't in awe. He looks like a man playing against children, and the children happen to be some of the best that's ever played the game
10:23
That was a game winner in the Eastern Conference finals.
Watch what he did... He made the steal, stayed in bounds, found the cutter, and made the pass in about 1.5 seconds (check clock).
You can't tell from this camera angle, but Larry stood on his toes when he made the pass. With his back to the baseline, he knew exactly where he was. He knew, if his heels had touched the ground, he would have been on the line and turned it back over to Detroit.
If these youngsters don't understand the skill and intelligence that play required, I can't do nothing for 'em. They need a role model, or a smack in the mouth, or something.
Fracture of the right cheek...he played the rest of the same with a broken face. Larry legend!
Some people get too caught up in the flash and dash of quick, high-flying players, but all of that doesn't count for anything on the scoreboard. The ball still has to go in. Larry wasn't athletic by NBA standards, but he was able to have a 24-10 6 average over a 13-year career shortened due to major back problems he dealt with for years. As a rookie he took the Celtics from a 29 win team the season before he arrived in Boston to a 61 win team and that was before McHale and Parrish got to Boston. He led the Celtics to three championships and won three consecutive MVPs at a time in the league when there was Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Isaiah, Laimbeer, Michael, Julius, Moses, Barkley, Dominique and Hakeem among others. He had the NBA's first 50-40-90 season in 86-87, shooting .525/.400/.910 and improved it the following season shooting .527/.414/.916. He also won three consecutive three-point contests, the only ones he competed in. He is undeniably one of the most clutch shooters in NBA history and had a nearly unmatched work ethic and often played hurt. Charles Barkley once said that God made Larry not be able to run or jump to make the game fair. Maybe he was right because could you imagine a player with the basketball IQ and mastery of the fundamentals that Larry had in an athletic body like Michael's or Dominique's?
Did you not see him smack his face off the floor diving for the ball? He had a fracture cheek and concussion.
I got Bird top 5, maybe #5, but he would dominate in today's game where it is so easy to score because you can't touch somebody else without a foul. His Fall Away jump shot would be damn near Unstoppable at 6'9 with 60 something percent accuracy.
hey,
thanks for the reaction. Totally disagree with your assessment. Keep learning grasshopper and remeber flash doesn't make buckets. Yes, MJ was in the league. Did you not hear all the great players speak highly of him? His stats speak for themself. He was not ball hog and brought the whole team in. Besides look at win/loss stats when MJ was playing against LB. Then what MJ said about Bird.
We can disagree.
Peace be with you
Thanks for the input. I think what I’m realizing after reading all these comments is Im naive on how great Larry actually was! I haven’t seen as many highlight or even heard his game talked about as much as a lot of other legends. So once I do some more research I bet Id be leaning more towards agreeing with you all! I’m still a student of the game today, so I gotta go study up clearly! Thanks again for the input and Thanks for watching!!!
I see some call him slow....but he was quick enough to separate and in some cases make people trip over their own feet 😂😂
Bird is top 5. He has to be in anyone's serious list. He played the game with such craft, skill, and heart with no natural athletic ability aside from being tall and loved it. He stayed with the same team his entire career, talked mad shit doing it, and retired as humble as anyone his level could be. Dude loved the game and invented ways people play the game now.
I agree with everything you just said! I can admit I didn’t know he was solidified top 5 like so many have said in these comments. From what I Do know about Bird. He was a straight dog!! Talked all the shit he wanted and came right out and backed it up. I love that mentality and think the game misses that today! And just like you said, not being a natural athlete shows just how much skill he really had being able to dominate the way he did.
Thanks for watching!!!
@@jdr3acts Until I saw this mixtape, I didn't even realize how monstrous he was on the court. He was just before my time when I watched the NBA as a kid in the 90's, I always heard how good he was, so you're not alone realizing just how good he was lol.
My dad was a hardcore Lakers fan since the 80's, he told me all the time his favorite player was Magic, he hated Bird in a rivalry sense, but also told me Bird was one of the greatest players he's ever seen play the game.
Thanks for the reaction!
@@citypopFM It’s actually crazy how little he’s talked about when it comes to the GOAT conversation. As far as the media when they have that discussion. But now that I’ve actually seen the making the case video as well, I have even more context to understand how much he really belongs in that convo. And hearing the way other greats talk about him only adds to it. My pops is the main reason I knew what I did know about him before hand, but I can say I definitely learned a lot more about his greatness since this video dropped.
Appreciate the feedback!!
@@jdr3acts It is odd honestly but he's from a different time even though it was a golden age of the NBA, he was an acclaimed coach for the Pacers for a little bit, but Larry is also not in the spotlight and seems to live life really humble. He doesn't license his name out for sneaker deals, nothing like that, or looks for media attention either. It's funny how that same guy who played for one team, seems so humble, and is known but not put in the conversation was in reality a giant trash talker and maniacally competitive on the court.
I put Bird at 3rd all time... although I wouldn't argue with somewhere in the 4th-7th spots if you highly value longevity... as Bird's career was not terribly long in the grand scheme of "all time greats". In my opinion, without a doubt Jordan and Kareem are the top 2... After that, it becomes a bit of a mess... but my top five: Jordan, Kareem, Bird, Bron, Kobe. I only put Bird ahead of Bron because Bird was a cold blooded, clutch shooting assassin in a way that Bron never was or ever will be... But if you value longevity, the Bron is clearly the superior player. I'm not a big fan of centers with freak of nature size advantages. Guys like Wilt and Shaq just overpowered everybody without necessarily needed a ton of skill... and Bill Russell was a defensive GOAT on a stacked team... but I'm not sure if he'd translate to a modern NBA.
Bird is in my top 3 all time,he would be a mvp one of the best players in today's game.
Fracture of the right cheek. Fractured face and came back to the game.
Larry Bird is the best small forward of all time. Full stop.
JDR I come from Boston I was a teenager when Larry Bird was playing it was one of the best times in my life he is the GOAT 👍☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️ I knew from the get go you wouldn't give him his props I knew it and I loved Magic too👍
Bird broke his right cheek. I’m an X-Ray tech it’s right orbit fracture. He was knocked out and was seeing triple. Obvious concussion Bird said afterward he just shot for middle basket.
The steal & assist vs Pistons was game 5 in ECF. His Iq was so great he kept his heels up so not to b out of bounds!
Bird is my #2 on Goat list. He & MJ were just level above everyone else. Kareem/Wilt then Timmy are my top 5.
Bird is the greatest SF ever.
What you don't realize is that 95 percent of the highlights you just saw were from playoff games or the NBA finals games. For instance, when you asked what the score was after the "Bird stole the ball" play against Detroit, that was Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals in 1987 with 2 seconds left in the game. Had the Pistons won that on the Boston Garden floor, there was no way Boston would have gone on to the Finals. But Bird turned an impossible situation into a win.
The all star game highlight when he slap passed the ball to Gervin, the behind the backboard shot, the end of the game shot against the Sonics, and the scenes from the 60 point game against the Hawks in New Orleans weren't playoff games. But all of the rest were. Did you notice too that most of those highlights end with red lights and buzzers going off just at the ball passes through the netting? This was not just larking about during the regular season when the team is 20 points up.
Now watch it again and try to think of a player that had the confidence to do what he did in the playoffs.
Lastly, watch some of the finals games he played against the Lakers and the Rockets. Seeing plays in isolation doesn't give you the whole picture. He always knew where everybody was on the floor, including the players on the other team.
Larry Bird is TOP 3 --- YOU NEED TO WATCH "MAKING THE CASE. LARRY BIRD!!! 🌸
Bird’s IQ was so high, his court vision was so good, that he once played an entire game and didn’t take a single shot and the Celtics still won by 20pts.
Larry average 24 point and 10 rebounds per game for his career. THAT was back when you had hands in your back, bumping, leaning, grinding, holding jerseys, and real giants waiting in the paint. Tough low post play... not running to the 3 point line and throwing it up all night. If he were to play today, and nobody could TOUCH him? His numbers would go up. They used to routinely double team Larry, and had their hands all over him. Untouched, he would eat the world today. Also Larry, a GREAT deep shooter, only averaged 1.7 three point attempts per game. Today how many threes would he be taking? Many more, due to the nature of today's game.
Bird was so good, it should have been against the law. Love your reactions dude. GREAT.✌
I won many a lunch from fellows who ascribed to the myth of color making a ball player.
The Celtics won 32 more games than the year before the first year Larry joined the team. He played 13 years and was on the All Star team 12 of those years. The only year he wasn't selected was the year he only played 6 games or so due to surgery on both achilles tendons. He is one of three players ever selected MVP three years in a row and was NEVER voted lower than third except for that year he was out with the surgeries. The other two are Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell. Add two playoff MVPs rings to that total. Three NBA championship rings. He was the founding member of the 50-40-90 club and did it twice and averaged 24 points/ 10 rebounds/ and 4 assists game for his career. The last third of his career was played with what was essentially a broken back that had him regularly in traction after (and sometimes before) a game because his back would lock up at odd angles. They had cheating pad on the bench for him so he could stay loose enough to play while he was out. This was the Larry Bird that Jordan faced and went 0-6 against in the playoffs. James Worthy said he'd much rather guard Jordan than Bird because Jordan only made you look slow whereas Bird make you look stupid. It's been a year since you did this reaction. I certainly hope you've done some research into the game since then
It was a game winner in game 7 of the eastern conference finals!
There is no player like Larry in the League today.
There's no 50/40/90 shooters averaging double digit rebounds and 7 assists per game and there never has been.
Larry Joe Bird is an actual unicorn
He. Invented. The. Step-back. Period. That's why people fell for it.
Founder of the 50-40-90 club toom
Fractured his right cheek, his right eye socket-!!
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 wasn't only playing basketball, but also, volleyball, dodgeball, football, baseball, soccer, & strategic chess, all at the same time, & what made him so great 😊He certainly was one of the most unique & gifted players, I ever watched! I would love you to react to the video, Larry Bird STORIES that prove he's the BEST TRASH TALKER, told by NBA players: ruclips.net/video/v7Id88T5DPsf/видео.html if you haven’t already seen or reacted to it 😊
Bird in todays league would be like combining KD, Jokic and Luka into one entity
I like this reaction video. Not sure how I landed here. Just woke up and got on RUclips. This a good video.
Well thank you for watching and thanks for the feedback!!! Lol. Even if you didn’t mean to end up here! 💯✊🏾
Think of how the team around him has to train to be prepared for a Bird flip, tap, shovel, bounce pass to come at them out of nowhere. It's not just the Larry show. The team game was sick, eh?
Respect for being honest. One thing that might hype you up is that Bird was the first ever 50/40/90 player. Thats crazy no matter how you look at it.
Back then basketball was kind of a contact sport. Today, you can’t elbow a player without a flagrant foul.
REAL men played basketball in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. They were not worried about the paychecks
Larry didn't just bang on black players, he benched them! 😂 Straight up swept Jordan twice in playoff games. He was one of a kind. ⛹🐦🏀🐐
Bird and Jordan had the best mcdonald's commercials it was a series of 3 or 4. They were great
He was teaching other players the science of basketball.
Larry Bird 3 consecutive MVP awards. Only Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain have the same. First player to have 50 40 90. 12 all star teams in the 13 seasons he played. 3 all star defensive teams. Never finished lower than 4th in nine straight mvp polls(80-89). Magic called him the greatest player ever. LeBron has him in his top 3 . (MJ, DR J, BIRD). Nobody wanted to defend him! He has the best defender he played against was Michael Cooper (Lakers). Probably the best basketball IQ ever. He was so aware. He knew where everyone was at ALL times! My GOAT!!
Check out Larry Bird Making the case
The league values explosive athleticism more than fundamentals today.
Very true! I feel like that’s why so many overseas players that aren’t as athletic are still so effective in the League. I think they put more of an emphasis on fundamentals from an early age and in the pros! Like Manu and Luka
Bird was the most clutch of all time. Period. If the game was on the line, I am taking Bird, then MJ and then Kobe. He would thrive in todays soft NBA.
Yes, that was the game winning steal.
Kobe, LeBron, Magic, MJ, Chamberlain, all have Bird in their top 5.
Nah, not a science teacher. Larry looks like just what he was: an Indiana farm boy. 🚜
Larry won the first 3 3 point competitions
great reaction cos u knew he was x3 threat and he still got ya.
To answer your question, Jordan had been in the league about 7 years by the time of his retirement. Magic knew how good Jordan was, and still said what he said. They called Bird 'Legend' while he was still playing, not to mention 'Basketball Jesus'. You might not be too impressed, but, every last one of his rivals was. The best of the best of the NBA all sang that man's praises.
Im his prime before the injuries he was the goat 🐐
IMHO watching basketball for six decades - 1. Michael Jordan 2. Magic Johnson
3. Wilt Chamberlain
4. Bill Russell
5. Larry Bird
6. Lebron James
7. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
8. Tim Duncan
9. Shaquille O'Neal
10. Kobe Bryant
----------- In today's NBA, Bird would be among the best. The cream rises to the top and he is an all timer. His skill set matches todays game as one of the best shooters in NBA history, a great passer and rebounder, a team leader and perhaps the best thinker in NBA history.
Like your top 5 ! It’s the same as mine !
However, you lost me at LEBRON at #6 !
At least 10 players from the 80 ‘s better
than QUEEN JAMES !
Don't forget how annoyed he'd get when teams would but a white guy on him. He thought it was disrespectful.
As for is he top ten…He's definitely best small forward of all time. He's on everyone's list. And, he'd DESTROY in the league now. A. They beat the shit out of him for years in the 80s. You can't touch a guy now. B. He was a 50/40/90 shooter two years in a row. He won the 3 point contest three years in a row. He would kill people.
But…Here's why he would dominate. Larry was an unstoppable competitor. I love LeBron, but he doesn't have the killer instinct that Larry has. Larry refused to lose, always wanted the last shot, talked the most shit….
Larry did all the shit other guys couldn't and wouldn't. It's not about the highlights with larry, it's about the Ws. Three championships in 6 years., three straight MVPs. Larry was the toughest, clutchest and smartest player ever.
And yeah, Jordan was better. But, Larry shut him out twice in the finals.
Also, 24/10/6 career. 10 rebounds/game for his career. Go and compare those stats with other player. He averaged more rebounds than Shaq and Patrick Ewing.
And, as far as athletic highlights go, that's not what you look at Larry for. Larry was passion and IQ, not acrobatics. His numbers are the same as Lebron's. Imagine what he could have done if he were more athletic.
Etc ad nauseam.
Larry broke some ankles because defenders had absolutely no idea what he was going to do. He was such a complete player, they had to defend everything and when you try to do that, you bite too hard on the fakes.
He was the first guy to do the step back. So at the time, everybody was falling down.
Oh wow. I didnt know that, but I could definitely see that being the case. That makes a lot more sense why he had them falling all over the court like that off that move. Had them BOUS dancing out there 🤣.
Thanks for watching!!!
Larry was the legend
One of his names is literally Larry Legend
Watch making the case for Larry. Way more insight of how good he was.
Thank you for that suggestion!! I am adding it to the list. And thank you for watching!!!
Good video. You paid attention and knew what you were talking about….except guaranteed Larry was the most fundamentally skilled player ever. He didn’t have Jordan’s hops or Lebron body. Bird used to school Jordan and Lebron couldn’t stop him either.. definitely too 5
Bird used to go to inner city parks and ask to get in to a pick up game. I'm a short skinny (not any more) white boy from Iowa. Just for fun... I'd love to play with a legend. If Jordan, Wilt, Magic, name them, wanted to get in on a neighborhood pickup game... fk, I'd sit on the curb and watch the fun.