Also keep in mind, the defense played today is no where near as physical as it was when Bird played! 3 pointers were also somewhat of an afterthought back then, with teams shooting maybe 10 a game as opposed to the 50 plus they Jack up today, and as great of a three point shooter as Bird was, he only averaged about 3 a game over his career! Just imagine if he put up 10 or 15 like some players today! Its always hard to compare players from different eras, but having seen Bird play in person, I’d have to give the nod to Larry Legend , and I don’t even think it’s that close!
@@desitterspace2127 I believe Larry, had he grown up shooting and practicing threes at an early age like Steph and Lebron, Jokovic, Luka, all these guys, and had he not had to develop the three from his first Pro year, he’d be ahead of all of them, including Steph
Larry Bird also didn't handle the ball the whole 24 seconds except when they need a basket and he demands the ball. Most of the time, the point guard has it and larry's assists and points came in organically in the flow. in contrast, Luka always have the ball dribbling looking for an offensive oppurtunity or waiting for someone to assist.
Mid-40's lifelong Mavs fan here, and I love having Luka on our squad. The difference between Luka and Bird is basically one thing: HUSTLE. Bird would never be caught dead snowbirding and crying to the referees, while that has become a notorious everyday part of Luka's game to the point of league-wide parody. Luka's much more a product of his generation, with the soft defense and load management.
I haven't watched basketball for years. Larry Legend and Magic Johnson saved the NBA. All of these players that you think so highly of now, they owe the chance to play to these two.
_'All of these players that [he] thinks so highly of now..'_ can't touch a basketball without double-dribbling, traveling/walking, carrying and/or palming the damned thing ...the game today is a farcical mess.
@martyboy5602 agreed. His motor was never in neutral. Watched him play several times and even then I could see I was witnessing something different. But I never knew how special his Garden performances were until after he wasn't there any more
This is a great source video, but it truthfully only scratches the surface of what makes Larry the Legend. Bird is the most complete all-around basketball player. Period.
@@Chaddington98 That's what he's called - Larry Legend. He's also called "Basketball Jesus". If you wanna know why, watch "Making the Case: Larry Bird".
@@cindyknudson2715 I am a huge Bird fan who was lucky to have lived through and witness his peak years, but the most complete player ever was Michael Jordan. MJ’s elite defense set him apart from Larry and other all-time greats.
Luka is a very good player in a league that doesn’t stress defense. His name should never be mentioned in the same sentence as Larry Bird. It's difficult to compare players from different generations. Bird's rookie stats: 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 84 percent foul shooting and 41 percent three-point field goal accuracy. But that isn't the story of his greatness. He was a TEAM player. He only took 17.8 shots per game. His team play lifted Boston from a mere 29 wins to a league-best 61 in just one season. And the NBA championship in year two….
I'm sorry but there is NO ONE like Larry Bird. He is still the smartest most clutch player to ever play! Everybody likes to compare Luka to Bird, but to me there is no comparison. Bird was 6' 10, he could shot from anywhere. He rebounded like a center, he is the best passing big man to ever play. He is the most complete player to ever play in the nba. He did it all he never quit and his will to help his team win, was greater than anyone I have ever seen. Magic is right. There will NEVER be another Larry Bird! He is the GOAT, and always will be!
Bird was devastating for all those reasons… Just a stone cold killer.. But he got 10-11 rebounds every night, and gave 100% defensively.. He could score, sure, but his playmaking ability was always on hand, if needed, and he made everyone better.. Pure basketball..
Coop on the Lakers said as dangerous as Larry was with the ball he actually was more dangerous without it as he was constantly moving to setup the chessboard. He never stood by waiting.
Larry is the GOAT for a very simple reason... you may see modern players that "look" like Larry, but Larry did it at a time when defense was physical. A five game series against the Bad Boy Pistons would have today's stars in tears.
Today's players could never handle the more physical defense. Plus, they refuse to play hurt. I get taking time off for real injuries, but today's players take 3 weeks if they break a nail.
@@IFdude Had some, a handful, of players grown up at the same time, they would no doubt be great. I think the same could be said of any era's athletes. The rest are average. Kenny Smith talked about this at length on Mark Jackson's show.
When he returned to the game, he said he closed one eye when taking his first shot to determine which part of the double image was the right one. And then he just carried on with that for the rest of the game. 😂
Bird also averaged 10.0 rebounds per game over his career. And he was 3x second team all-defense. After his playing days he was Coach of the Year and later Executive of the Year.
For eight consecutive years, Bird finished first or second in the MVP voting, with three awards. The year before Bird joined the Celtics, the team was 29-53. His first season, with no other major editions? 60-22. He was perhaps the greatest player to ever walk on the court. Only a major, debilitating back injury and an Achilles tear kept him from playing longer and accumulating stats. That, and the fact he simply didn't care about stats. Here's another insight into how great of a basketball mind he had -- only person to ever win MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.
Jerry West, a former Laker, said of Larry Bird, "He is as nearly perfect as you can get in almost every phase of basketball." West also said that Bird was "always two thoughts ahead of everyone else" after witnessing Bird lead the Celtics to victory over the Lakers.
The more you watch Larry the more you will admire him. He was so exciting to watch. He played through some horrible injuries and still dominated the best in the league.
5:49 "It all just looks so easy for him, too." I don't know where the quote originated but I've heard it said, "Magic did easy things and made them look hard. Larry did hard things and made them look easy."
Larry is in the Lengendary All Time League with 11 other basketball ball gods and he’s a starter on that team. Luka is in the Hall of Fame with 435 other players, Bird is in everyone’s top 10
As others have mentioned, "Making the Case'' will give you more insight into what his peers thought of Bird as well as how he compares to the other NBA greats.
Bird was listed as 6'9" but was actually about 6'10" or 6'11". His rookie year he finished 4th in the NBA MVP voting. His next 3 years he finished 2nd in the MVP voting. His next 3 years he won the MVP award back-to-back-to-back, which was only ever matched by Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell. During the first 3 years of the NBA 3-point shooting contest, Larry won all three. His Celtics were in 5 straight NBA tournament final series, and the Celtics won the championship in 1981, 1984 and 1986. Whenever the Celtics needed a last second shot to win, Bird usually made it.
The last second steal vs the Pistons was in a critical game 5 of the 87 Eastern Conference Finals and in my mind is the most clutch play I've ever seen... especially in the NBA. Boston went on to win the series.
The other two are Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. That's not bad company to be in. He was also the founder of the 40-50-90 club and actually did it a second year too. Somebody needs to make a video just listing all of his awards and recognitions. He was Player of the Year with Boston, then Coach of the Year taking the Pacers to their only Finals appearance in the history of the franchise. Then just to finish off the trifecta, he was recognized as Executive of the Year as Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Pacers.
Not just three consecutives MVPs..! Larry Legend was 4th MVP in 1980, 2nd in 1981, 1982 & 1983, 1st on 1984, 1985 & 1986, 2nd in 1987 & 1988... This man dominated the entire decade! ❤
@claudiaperico1863 Pat Riley was quoted as saying, if I was picking someone to win the game, MJ. If I was picking someone to save my life, LB. That's on one of those videos.
Imagine a much better rebounding Luka but bigger, significantly more athletic, somehow even more competitive, and straight up meaner... with a better jumper. _That's_ Larry Bird. He was the best basketball player alive in the early 80s.
You may be able to tell, we love Larry Bird. This was just the tip of the ice berg. His passing video, the re-edit one, the videos about his injuries and his trash talking videos are just some of the ones out there. But here are his stats: Played 13 years for Boston Celtics (although missed most of one because of double Achilles surgeries) 3× NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986) 2× NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986) 3× NBA Most Valuable Player (1984-1986) 12× NBA All-Star (1980-1988, 1990-1992) NBA All-Star Game MVP (1982) 9× All-NBA First Team (1980-1988) All-NBA Second Team (1990) 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1982-1984) NBA Rookie of the Year (1980) NBA All-Rookie Team (1980) 3× NBA Three-Point Contest champion (1986-1988) 2× 50-40-90 club (1987, 1988) AP Athlete of the Year (1986) NBA anniversary team (50th, 75th) National College Player of the Year (1979) 2× Consensus first-team All-American (1978, 1979) Third-team All-American - NABC, UPI (1977) 2× MVC Player of the Year (1978, 1979) NBA All-Star Game head coach (1998) NBA Executive of the Year (2012) NBA Coach of the Year (1998) Basketball Hall of Fame as player College Basketball Hall of Fame Inducted in 2006 Gold Medal- United States Olympic Games 1992 Barcelona FIBA Americas Championship 1992 Portland World University Games 1977 Sofia Career NBA playing statistics Points 21,791 (24.3 ppg) Rebounds 8,974 (10.0 rpg) Assists 5,695 (6.3 apg)
Larry Bird's first 9 years Rookie of the Year 2nd in MVP 2nd in MVP 2nd in MVP MVP MVP MVP 2nd in MVP 2nd in MVP 3 Championships 2 x Finals MVP After his playing career he won Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year with the Pacers
One of the differences between Bird and Luka is Bird was doing his thing 40 years ago. Player coming after had the advantage of seeing what Bird could do.
@@Mike-jl1rl Good point. It’s reminds me of Dirk Nowitzki. People always say that Kevin Durant is better, but they forget that without Dirk there might not be a KD!
Larry Bird is what luka can become with enough time and experience. He has the basics down but he is not quite on larry's level. With time he could match larry bird but he still has a fair ways to go but hopefully he can reach that level some day.
Nope, MJ is the GOAT, and it's not even close. Most people think that Lebron is number 2, but Bird was better than him. That said, I'm not sure that I would rank Larry Legend in the top 5, but maybe he does belong there. I watched his entire career, and I saw what his rivalry with Magic and the Lakers did for the NBA. The league seems to be in a tailspin at the moment. I hope that it can recapture the magic.
I have them ranked 1a and 1b as well. I grew up not far from Mike, a diehard Tar Heel to this day, in the shadow of Chapel Hill. Larry outplayed Mike too many times. I'm lucky to have seen so many years of my favorite game.@@Allareone2
That three point contest was his first of three in a row that he won. James Worthy once said that he would much rather guard Michael Jordan than Bird because "Jordan just made you look slow. Larry made you look stupid". Pat Riley said that, if the game depended on it, he would get the ball to Jordan but, if his life was on the line, he wanted the ball in Larry Bird's hands.
He played like someone who went to the future and watched the game then came back to the present and played it. Always knew where to be and what to do at all times.
Bird and Magic were rivals in college. I was in high school when the Celtics won their 16th Championship. MJ was just coming into the league. Amazing time for basketball.
Bird and Magic saved the NBA. (And then Jordan made it international) That’s why they included magic so much in this. They played against each other starting in college. Their story is amazing. You should watch the video about that. I think it may be called “How Bird and Magic saved the NBA” or something like that.
As a young man in high school, I was a Lakers fan and didn't like Bird because he was so good, and those two teams had a rivalry. As I have gotten older, I respect the hell out of him and just how diverse and good he really was at the game. I still love my Lakers of yesterday, but the man could really play. Kudos on a great reaction. P.S. I have never heard of Luka, but it is the other way around. People don't compare Bird to Luka, Luka is compared to Bird the OG.
@@lotuslife3239I live in Indianapolis and am a life long Pacer fan and when he was coach or president players would always talk about him being bigger in person. They would say he’s at minimum 6’10, if not taller.
Larry won the first 3 three pt contests...Watch -> Larry Bird Greatest Passer of All Time (Re-edit w/ New Footage) Bird has more full court dimes than most people have regular assists...Your jaw will be on the ground and youll see why he's Larry Legend...passed like Magic, jumper like MJ, 3ptr like Curry, rebound like Euwing (avg 10rpg career)...
The night before that game against the Pacers when he fractured his cheek on the floor he spent in the hospital in traction because of his deteriorating back he injured in 85. It got so bad he had to lay down on planes and in front of the teams bench. He was so amazing.
While attending college Larry's team was playing mine and we heard they had a future all American on their team. So during warm ups we tried to guess which black player he was. Well we were wrong and he beat our league champion team and set our arena scoring record! Loved your reaction! Peace from Northern Michigan and Happy New Year!
For some of the most beautiful basketball you’ve ever seen check out the 1992 Dream Team documentary. 11 future Hall of Famers. Larry & Magic were co-captains. Whenever they played everyone was glued to their TVs. It was a surreal time. One of my favorite plays was before they went to the Olympics. Magic to Jordan to Larry.😊. The documentary is excellent and even though it’s just over an hour, it moves along quickly. Many who have chosen to break it up into parts, parts are missing. I still get chills watching them as I did in ‘92.
One of only 3 players to win the MVP 3 times in a row... along with Wilt and Bill. He was either 1st or second in the voting for 8 straight seasons, 3 championship rings, and THAT is dominance of a decade.
As a kid starting out playing basketball in Oakland, CA., the Lakers were my team. I hated the Celtics, but even more, I hated Bird. When he touched the ball, I lost it. Anyone can have the ball but him. This video doesn't do him justice at all, IMO. You had to be there... I have nothing but respect for this man's game now. He was unbelievable!!!
He also averaged 10 rebounds a game, 2 steals and had 2 50-40-90 seasons, one of which was a 30 points per game average. Took a 23-59 team to 61-21 with no other additions his rookie year and won the championship in his second. I really like Luka, but he's not Bird.
Watch Larry’s passing video re-edited edition, Larry Bird Injuries, Larry Bird: Making the Case, or Larry Bird and Magic Johnson: A Courtship of Rivals. Larry Bird Trash Talking, is funny too.
Please continue down the Larry Bird Rabbit hole. Here are some suggestions Larry Bird greatest passer of all time (re-edit with new footage), Making The Case Larry Bird, Larry Bird Greatest Peaks, 5 times Larry Bird was injured and refused to quit. There are a lot af trash talking videos that are amazing. These 2 documentaries Magic and Bird a courtship of rivals, and The 92 Dream Team are both great.
So much more Bird to watch, starting with his trash talking. Best passer. MJ never beat him.And many more. Anything related to the 1986 Celtics - they were a team of great players, no egos, out to win an ha ve fun doing it. Five future Halll of Fame players: Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parrish, Dennis Johnson, and Bill Walton.
Larry Had The Highest BB IQ & Still Today No One Has Shown. Here's A Question For Ya, Who Was The Last Player To Have Won 3-MVP'S Three Years In A Row? ,.,.,.,.,., Ok I'll Give You The Answer. Larry Bird Is Still To This Day The Last One To Have Won 3-MVP'S Three Years In A Row. 1984, 1985 & 1986. I Mean It's Only Going On 39-Years Now? Also, When They Very First Started The 3-Point Contest In 1986. Well Larry Won It In 1986, 1987 & 1988. He Didn't Sign Up Anymore After That. There's So Much To Learn About Him & When You Do, It Will Spin Your Head Around. He Really Wasn't Into Dunking, Well Because He Didn't Need Too. I Hope You Get To Do The Other Greats Talking Highly About Him. Also He was The Most Clutch Player And I Would Say His Passing Was Better Then Magic's And That's Saying Something. Also, Jordan Never Won 1-Game Against Bird In The Playoffs, Even With That High 63-Game (and that took Jordan to get that in 2-over times), He Still Did Not Win That Game. Larry Made His Teammates Really Good Too. He Walked In As A Leader And Left As A Leader. Like I Said So Much To Learn About The Legend That Was Just A Taste That I Given You Here To Know About Him. There's "Making The Case For Larry Bird" & "Making The Case For The 1986 Celics". I Hope You Check Them Out.
Great reaction. I think there are a few things about Bird people really don't think about or realize just from a player point of view. He often is inaccurately called a subpar or not a very good defender which simply isn't true. He averaged 1.8 steals per game for his career which is 4th all time in small forwards for steals per game average and he was on 3 all nba defense teams. He averaged 10 rebounds per game as a small forward which is 2nd all time per game for a Small Forward and the only player in the top 8 after the NBA merger to do so. He played against Kareem, Moses Malone, Patrick Ewing, Bill Laimbeer, Dennis Rodman, Hakeem Olijuwon and Mark Eaton. To average 10 rebounds against competition like that is incredible. Final thing that is pretty much unheard of today Bird played with broken bones, injuries and infections. He seriously injured his back in 1985 which took at least 3-4 years off his career building a driveway at his mothers house, The next year in 1986 he still won the MVP. In 88-89 he missed almost all the season and needed surgery on his back and on both his Achilles. An Achilles injury back in those days could end your career. But he came back in 1990 and averaged 39 mins a game and played 75 games and he put up 24.3pts, 9.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists a game.
The only person in NBA history to be Rookie of the year, MVP (3x), Finals MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year. The programs had him listed as 6'9', but people who played against him say he was a little taller.
The more digging you do, the more youll realize that Larry was the GOAT... You need to watch his other video's Greatest passer of all time Bird Is The Word Best trash talker 5 times Larry overcame injury 4 crazy stories that prove Larry Bird was the toughest to ever play You watch these for starters and youll understand.... The injury videos will Certainly give you a greater impression of just who he was..
@@Chaddington98 I endorse all those videos and also the Making the Case video for Larry Bird. I really hope you go deeper down the Bird rabbit hole, he is a true legend.
In the words of Magic Johnson, "There will never ever be another Larry Bird." You can't compare him to anyone else, he's the greatest small forward that ever played.
MJ is my fav, but Bird was the greatest. Nobody played and worked as hard as Larry. 90s Bulls were awesome, but 80s Celtics were fun to watch. Bird made guys look like jr high school kids at times. Kinda like Gretzky in his prime. Guys would get mesmerized, or incorrectly guess what's coming. Lakers v Celtics. Amazing rivalry.
I wish Larry never hurt his back so we could of got his best for longer. That back injury he had was absolutely brutal to play with from what i have heard.
In addition to being an all-time top 5 / 10 player, Bird was also a great coach and exec - hence, "Larry Legend"...Rare for someone as great as he was as a player...The rivalry between he and Magic go back to their college days to the 1979 NCAA Championship (and before on a select college team, not the olympics). Together, when they entered the NBA, they basically saved the league and a few years later Jordan entered and emerged to take it to even loftier heights.
He’s much more similar to Nikola Jokic. Doncic plays a heavy ball dominant style. Jokic and Larry both play within the flow, and their passing is more touch passing and ball movement heavy rather than a pound pound, drive, and kick/lob like Luka, Lebron, and somewhat Magic
Larry and Magic met in the NCAA Finals then 3 times in the NBA Finals. Magic won the majority 3-1 including winning the collegiate title. Their rivalry changed the NBA into the sport it is today.
Larry was six foot nine inches tall. Played small forward mostly and is part of why the nba was saved and became huge. Him and magic Johnson. Than Jordan. Another thing half way through birds career he messed his back up. Working on his driveway. Half his career he had a horrible back and still won mvps and rings.
as a Laker fan growing up in the 80's, I have no-one to compare him to, definitely in Goat convo. He was a killer. He was listed at 6.9", cold be a legit 6.10"
Bird and Magic had some epic battles. Two superstars who not only respected each other but genuinely enjoyed competing against the other. Ratings gold. There was also a bit of the 'old school white boy style' versus Magic's 'Showtime' style match up intrigue going on but it wasn't a racial thing. Bird and Magic transcended all that noise.
The clips don't show how hard the game was played back then. They literally went to war in the playoff games. They fought, pulled jerseys, pushed and shoved and threw punches too.
I want too see Luka play with the physcality bird played under... I can't see players in todays basketball surviving that. That is why the legends are legends, they did everything they did when you could get physical.
Pat Ryley. One of the greatest coaches to do it once said "If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game I'd choose Michael Jordan," Riley said. "If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life... I'd take Larry Bird."
Larry was the most well rounded player ever and played with the highest IQ. People hated playing against him. Isiah Thomas said out Mr bird Jordan and magic in a room Larry is the one getting out.
Luka and Bird are operating out of the same playbook. The difference is Luka read the book and Bird wrote it.
Also keep in mind, the defense played today is no where near as physical as it was when Bird played! 3 pointers were also somewhat of an afterthought back then, with teams shooting maybe 10 a game as opposed to the 50 plus they Jack up today, and as great of a three point shooter as Bird was, he only averaged about 3 a game over his career! Just imagine if he put up 10 or 15 like some players today! Its always hard to compare players from different eras, but having seen Bird play in person, I’d have to give the nod to Larry Legend , and I don’t even think it’s that close!
@desitterspace2127 Agreed. Today's game is not nearly as physical. He would feast in today's game.
@@desitterspace2127 I believe Larry, had he grown up shooting and practicing threes at an early age like Steph and Lebron, Jokovic, Luka, all these guys, and had he not had to develop the three from his first Pro year, he’d be ahead of all of them, including Steph
Larry Bird also didn't handle the ball the whole 24 seconds except when they need a basket and he demands the ball. Most of the time, the point guard has it and larry's assists and points came in organically in the flow.
in contrast, Luka always have the ball dribbling looking for an offensive oppurtunity or waiting for someone to assist.
Mid-40's lifelong Mavs fan here, and I love having Luka on our squad. The difference between Luka and Bird is basically one thing: HUSTLE. Bird would never be caught dead snowbirding and crying to the referees, while that has become a notorious everyday part of Luka's game to the point of league-wide parody. Luka's much more a product of his generation, with the soft defense and load management.
I haven't watched basketball for years. Larry Legend and Magic Johnson saved the NBA. All of these players that you think so highly of now, they owe the chance to play to these two.
_'All of these players that [he] thinks so highly of now..'_ can't touch a basketball without double-dribbling, traveling/walking, carrying and/or palming the damned thing ...the game today is a farcical mess.
The one big difference is that Bird was a defensive force as well. Luka is half the defensive player
@@kenkonwick6660 Bird was also always in shape, worked harder at conditioning than anyone.
@martyboy5602 agreed. His motor was never in neutral. Watched him play several times and even then I could see I was witnessing something different. But I never knew how special his Garden performances were until after he wasn't there any more
This is a great source video, but it truthfully only scratches the surface of what makes Larry the Legend.
Bird is the most complete all-around basketball player. Period.
“Larry Legend” now THAT’S a cool nickname!
@@Chaddington98
@@Chaddington98 That's what he's called - Larry Legend. He's also called "Basketball Jesus". If you wanna know why, watch "Making the Case: Larry Bird".
@@cindyknudson2715 I am a huge Bird fan who was lucky to have lived through and witness his peak years, but the most complete player ever was Michael Jordan. MJ’s elite defense set him apart from Larry and other all-time greats.
@@Allareone2 Larry Bird led the League 4 times in Defensive Win Shares.
Luka is a very good player in a league that doesn’t stress defense. His name should never be mentioned in the same sentence as Larry Bird.
It's difficult to compare players from different generations. Bird's rookie stats: 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 84 percent foul shooting and 41 percent three-point field goal accuracy.
But that isn't the story of his greatness. He was a TEAM player. He only took 17.8 shots per game.
His team play lifted Boston from a mere 29 wins to a league-best 61 in just one season.
And the NBA championship in year two….
10000% correct
Luca does remind me of Bird however... But Larry is Legendary
I'm sorry but there is NO ONE like Larry Bird. He is still the smartest most clutch player to ever play! Everybody likes to compare Luka to Bird, but to me there is no comparison. Bird was 6' 10, he could shot from anywhere. He rebounded like a center, he is the best passing big man to ever play. He is the most complete player to ever play in the nba. He did it all he never quit and his will to help his team win, was greater than anyone I have ever seen. Magic is right. There will NEVER be another Larry Bird! He is the GOAT, and always will be!
some players say Bird was a legit 6'11"
Bird was devastating for all those reasons… Just a stone cold killer.. But he got 10-11 rebounds every night, and gave 100% defensively.. He could score, sure, but his playmaking ability was always on hand, if needed, and he made everyone better..
Pure basketball..
Coop on the Lakers said as dangerous as Larry was with the ball he actually was more dangerous without it as he was constantly moving to setup the chessboard. He never stood by waiting.
@@fochdion1152
Coop was my favorite laker; he is somewhat acclaimed, but mostly underrated. Coop was inducted to the HOF in 2024 on my birthday.
Larry is the GOAT for a very simple reason... you may see modern players that "look" like Larry, but Larry did it at a time when defense was physical. A five game series against the Bad Boy Pistons would have today's stars in tears.
they would have quit after 1
Today's players could never handle the more physical defense. Plus, they refuse to play hurt. I get taking time off for real injuries, but today's players take 3 weeks if they break a nail.
@@IFdude Had some, a handful, of players grown up at the same time, they would no doubt be great. I think the same could be said of any era's athletes. The rest are average. Kenny Smith talked about this at length on Mark Jackson's show.
If they played in today's NBA, the 90's Knicks would foul out in the pregame warmups. The 80s Pistons would have felony charges.
Imagine ANY current player going back out on the court to finish (winning) a game with a fractured cheek.
And concussion. I heard he wasn't cleared to play.
I have seen this video a million times, and nobody mentions that HE HAD A BROKEN FACE.🤙
@@jstmez He had double vision from the concussion is what I heard.
@@jstmez He wasn't. He slipped out of the locker room.
When he returned to the game, he said he closed one eye when taking his first shot to determine which part of the double image was the right one. And then he just carried on with that for the rest of the game.
😂
Get it correct, Luka is somewhat similar to Larry Bird!!! Larry is the Best for a reason, no other players is like him,… not even joker or Luka
@@JamesGranderson99 Alright! 😂
I agree, Bird was superior to Luka, and his style of play was far more enjoyable to watch.
For Sure. There is no real comparison
Amen!! White Jesus
I knew I wouldn't even have to say it before someone did!
Bird also averaged 10.0 rebounds per game over his career. And he was 3x second team all-defense. After his playing days he was Coach of the Year and later Executive of the Year.
You forgot 3 consecutive MVP awards
For eight consecutive years, Bird finished first or second in the MVP voting, with three awards. The year before Bird joined the Celtics, the team was 29-53. His first season, with no other major editions? 60-22.
He was perhaps the greatest player to ever walk on the court. Only a major, debilitating back injury and an Achilles tear kept him from playing longer and accumulating stats. That, and the fact he simply didn't care about stats.
Here's another insight into how great of a basketball mind he had -- only person to ever win MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.
Jerry West, a former Laker, said of Larry Bird, "He is as nearly perfect as you can get in almost every phase of basketball." West also said that Bird was "always two thoughts ahead of everyone else" after witnessing Bird lead the Celtics to victory over the Lakers.
Who's going to argue with THE Logo?!?🤙
He was better than today players. he didn't miss games cause of a hangnail.
Yeah, “load management“ was clearly not in his vocabulary!
You would never catch Bird flopping, ever.
The more you watch Larry the more you will admire him. He was so exciting to watch. He played through some horrible injuries and still dominated the best in the league.
I am just a casual fan. But the more i learn about him, the more I admire him.
5:49 "It all just looks so easy for him, too." I don't know where the quote originated but I've heard it said, "Magic did easy things and made them look hard. Larry did hard things and made them look easy."
@@bentighe4811 I always love watching players who have that finesse. That’s why basketball is my favorite sport!
Larry is in the Lengendary All Time League with 11 other basketball ball gods and he’s a starter on that team. Luka is in the Hall of Fame with 435 other players, Bird is in everyone’s top 10
The fact your recognized how he didn't take off his warm up there's a literal video of MJ expressing the same thing
Luka is no Bird
@@Ed513513 Yeah, MJ and I are very similar, especially our basketball skills! lol
@@Chaddington98 lmao I'm basically Dominique Wilkins with better hair
@@Chaddington98😂😂
As others have mentioned, "Making the Case'' will give you more insight into what his peers thought of Bird as well as how he compares to the other NBA greats.
by Clayton Crowley
@@johndessoye: Huffing the green glue 😂
The re-edited passing video on Bird is nuts!!! It leaves no questions.
Bird was listed as 6'9" but was actually about 6'10" or 6'11". His rookie year he finished 4th in the NBA MVP voting. His next 3 years he finished 2nd in the MVP voting. His next 3 years he won the MVP award back-to-back-to-back, which was only ever matched by Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell. During the first 3 years of the NBA 3-point shooting contest, Larry won all three. His Celtics were in 5 straight NBA tournament final series, and the Celtics won the championship in 1981, 1984 and 1986. Whenever the Celtics needed a last second shot to win, Bird usually made it.
The last second steal vs the Pistons was in a critical game 5 of the 87 Eastern Conference Finals and in my mind is the most clutch play I've ever seen... especially in the NBA. Boston went on to win the series.
The most understated statement in the video! Was Larry played hurt!
He won the 3 point contest 3 consecutive years. He topped that, he's 1 of 3 players that have 3 consecutive NBA MVPs.
@@danielmcgraw7908 that’s amazing!!
The other two are Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. That's not bad company to be in. He was also the founder of the 40-50-90 club and actually did it a second year too. Somebody needs to make a video just listing all of his awards and recognitions. He was Player of the Year with Boston, then Coach of the Year taking the Pacers to their only Finals appearance in the history of the franchise. Then just to finish off the trifecta, he was recognized as Executive of the Year as Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Pacers.
Not just three consecutives MVPs..! Larry Legend was 4th MVP in 1980, 2nd in 1981, 1982 & 1983, 1st on 1984, 1985 & 1986, 2nd in 1987 & 1988... This man dominated the entire decade! ❤
@claudiaperico1863 Pat Riley was quoted as saying, if I was picking someone to win the game, MJ. If I was picking someone to save my life, LB. That's on one of those videos.
And he did it all in Converse high tops 😮
Can you even imagine?
Our players were GLADIATORS ‼️
The GOAT in my humble opinion! Thanks for the reaction :)
Thanks for watching!
Imagine a much better rebounding Luka but bigger, significantly more athletic, somehow even more competitive, and straight up meaner... with a better jumper. _That's_ Larry Bird. He was the best basketball player alive in the early 80s.
You may be able to tell, we love Larry Bird. This was just the tip of the ice berg. His passing video, the re-edit one, the videos about his injuries and his trash talking videos are just some of the ones out there. But here are his stats:
Played 13 years for Boston Celtics (although missed most of one because of double Achilles surgeries)
3× NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986)
2× NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986)
3× NBA Most Valuable Player (1984-1986)
12× NBA All-Star (1980-1988, 1990-1992)
NBA All-Star Game MVP (1982)
9× All-NBA First Team (1980-1988)
All-NBA Second Team (1990)
3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1982-1984)
NBA Rookie of the Year (1980)
NBA All-Rookie Team (1980)
3× NBA Three-Point Contest champion (1986-1988)
2× 50-40-90 club (1987, 1988)
AP Athlete of the Year (1986)
NBA anniversary team (50th, 75th)
National College Player of the Year (1979)
2× Consensus first-team All-American (1978, 1979)
Third-team All-American - NABC, UPI (1977)
2× MVC Player of the Year (1978, 1979)
NBA All-Star Game head coach (1998)
NBA Executive of the Year (2012)
NBA Coach of the Year (1998)
Basketball Hall of Fame as player
College Basketball Hall of Fame Inducted in 2006
Gold Medal- United States Olympic Games 1992 Barcelona
FIBA Americas Championship 1992 Portland
World University Games 1977 Sofia
Career NBA playing statistics
Points 21,791 (24.3 ppg)
Rebounds 8,974 (10.0 rpg)
Assists 5,695 (6.3 apg)
Larry Bird's first 9 years
Rookie of the Year
2nd in MVP
2nd in MVP
2nd in MVP
MVP
MVP
MVP
2nd in MVP
2nd in MVP
3 Championships
2 x Finals MVP
After his playing career he won Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year with the Pacers
One of the differences between Bird and Luka is Bird was doing his thing 40 years ago. Player coming after had the advantage of seeing what Bird could do.
@@Mike-jl1rl Good point. It’s reminds me of Dirk Nowitzki. People always say that Kevin Durant is better, but they forget that without Dirk there might not be a KD!
MY MAN YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEE A LEGEND!!!!
He blew my mind! I didn’t know Larry had that dog in him haha
The night Larry retired it was the only thing happening in the Boston Garden to a sold out crowd.
Larry Bird is what luka can become with enough time and experience. He has the basics down but he is not quite on larry's level. With time he could match larry bird but he still has a fair ways to go but hopefully he can reach that level some day.
I agree. But he’ll never be able to dunk like that! 😂
The 1/2 court behind the back bounce pass he did was an homage to Magic Johnson as it was Bird's first game back after Magic had to quit due to HIV.
Bird and Jordan. 1A and 1B best players ever.
@@PixelPro-4000 I might have to agree with that!
Nope, MJ is the GOAT, and it's not even close. Most people think that Lebron is number 2, but Bird was better than him. That said, I'm not sure that I would rank Larry Legend in the top 5, but maybe he does belong there. I watched his entire career, and I saw what his rivalry with Magic and the Lakers did for the NBA. The league seems to be in a tailspin at the moment. I hope that it can recapture the magic.
@@Allareone2 I agree MJ is the GOAT
I have them ranked 1a and 1b as well. I grew up not far from Mike, a diehard Tar Heel to this day, in the shadow of Chapel Hill. Larry outplayed Mike too many times. I'm lucky to have seen so many years of my favorite game.@@Allareone2
I'm agreeing
MJ and Bird, both the GOATS
Phenomenal content as always. Larry is unstoppable.
That three point contest was his first of three in a row that he won. James Worthy once said that he would much rather guard Michael Jordan than Bird because "Jordan just made you look slow. Larry made you look stupid". Pat Riley said that, if the game depended on it, he would get the ball to Jordan but, if his life was on the line, he wanted the ball in Larry Bird's hands.
Haha that quote is amazing 😂 Winning the three point contest is such a flex, especially when you win three times in a row!
Keep in mind Worthy was a college teammate of Jordan
First visit and liked the view. Going to subscribe to see where you go. Larry is a good place to go.
Thanks for the sub!
Dude never took pain meds or got injections. He always just sucked it up and did his job. No offense to Luka, but Larry is top 3 all time
@@mikewatts867 Luka could definitely use some additional toughness haha
His situational awareness was second to none.
He played like someone who went to the future and watched the game then came back to the present and played it. Always knew where to be and what to do at all times.
1:45 That's Dominique Wilkins hitting the deck there, not a scrub.
Bird and Magic were rivals in college. I was in high school when the Celtics won their 16th Championship. MJ was just coming into the league. Amazing time for basketball.
Those high rainbows are impossible to block
Bird and Magic saved the NBA. (And then Jordan made it international) That’s why they included magic so much in this. They played against each other starting in college. Their story is amazing. You should watch the video about that. I think it may be called “How Bird and Magic saved the NBA” or something like that.
As a young man in high school, I was a Lakers fan and didn't like Bird because he was so good, and those two teams had a rivalry. As I have gotten older, I respect the hell out of him and just how diverse and good he really was at the game. I still love my Lakers of yesterday, but the man could really play. Kudos on a great reaction. P.S. I have never heard of Luka, but it is the other way around. People don't compare Bird to Luka, Luka is compared to Bird the OG.
More comparable to Jokić's game today than Luka's really.
Watching Larry and Magic play against each other in the 80's was amazing. There's nothing like it.
Larry Bird is 6'10
4 inches taller than Jordan.
😉
@@lotuslife3239 And your point is…?
@Allareone2 the dude who made the video wondered how tall he is cause he was dunking effortlessly.
@@lotuslife3239I live in Indianapolis and am a life long Pacer fan and when he was coach or president players would always talk about him being bigger in person. They would say he’s at minimum 6’10, if not taller.
Larry won the first 3 three pt contests...Watch -> Larry Bird Greatest Passer of All Time (Re-edit w/ New Footage)
Bird has more full court dimes than most people have regular assists...Your jaw will be on the ground and youll see why he's Larry Legend...passed like Magic, jumper like MJ, 3ptr like Curry, rebound like Euwing (avg 10rpg career)...
The night before that game against the Pacers when he fractured his cheek on the floor he spent in the hospital in traction because of his deteriorating back he injured in 85. It got so bad he had to lay down on planes and in front of the teams bench. He was so amazing.
He totally dominated the league in a time when the leagues was stacked with superstars. He was so much fun to watch
While attending college Larry's team was playing mine and we heard they had a future all American on their team. So during warm ups we tried to guess which black player he was. Well we were wrong and he beat our league champion team and set our arena scoring record! Loved your reaction! Peace from Northern Michigan and Happy New Year!
What one of the 1992 dream team games. You will see 11 Hall of Famers. The best of the 80’s that saved the NBA.
Larry was 6'10 and was drafted in '79.
For some of the most beautiful basketball you’ve ever seen check out the 1992 Dream Team documentary. 11 future Hall of Famers. Larry & Magic were co-captains. Whenever they played everyone was glued to their TVs. It was a surreal time. One of my favorite plays was before they went to the Olympics. Magic to Jordan to Larry.😊. The documentary is excellent and even though it’s just over an hour, it moves along quickly. Many who have chosen to break it up into parts, parts are missing. I still get chills watching them as I did in ‘92.
That’s awesome, thanks for sharing!
One of only 3 players to win the MVP 3 times in a row... along with Wilt and Bill. He was either 1st or second in the voting for 8 straight seasons, 3 championship rings, and THAT is dominance of a decade.
Zero Fucks Given... Larry "Basketball Jesus" Bird. The Legend.
As a kid starting out playing basketball in Oakland, CA., the Lakers were my team. I hated the Celtics, but even more, I hated Bird. When he touched the ball, I lost it. Anyone can have the ball but him. This video doesn't do him justice at all, IMO. You had to be there...
I have nothing but respect for this man's game now. He was unbelievable!!!
Dude is 6'10". Of course he could dunk.
He also averaged 10 rebounds a game, 2 steals and had 2 50-40-90 seasons, one of which was a 30 points per game average. Took a 23-59 team to 61-21 with no other additions his rookie year and won the championship in his second. I really like Luka, but he's not Bird.
@@georgemccormick4786 🤯 crazy stats! I hope Luka gets his first ring soon tho!
@@georgemccormick4786 he had 4 seasons of 50/40/90
@@JamesGranderson99 Almost 5 if I remember correctly......
@@JamesGranderson99He averaged 50-40-90 over 4 seasons, but only two were 50-40-90.
@ collectively over those 4 seasons was 50/40/90 making him the founder of the 50/40/90 club!!!
Watch Larry’s passing video re-edited edition, Larry Bird Injuries, Larry Bird: Making the Case, or Larry Bird and Magic Johnson: A Courtship of Rivals. Larry Bird Trash Talking, is funny too.
Please continue down the Larry Bird Rabbit hole. Here are some suggestions Larry Bird greatest passer of all time (re-edit with new footage), Making The Case Larry Bird, Larry Bird Greatest Peaks, 5 times Larry Bird was injured and refused to quit. There are a lot af trash talking videos that are amazing. These 2 documentaries Magic and Bird a courtship of rivals, and The 92 Dream Team are both great.
@@LadyShar Thanks!!
The Bird is the greatest all-around basketball player of all time. Nobody has had such a complete package of skills.
So much more Bird to watch, starting with his trash talking. Best passer. MJ never beat him.And many more. Anything related to the 1986 Celtics - they were a team of great players, no egos, out to win an ha ve fun doing it. Five future Halll of Fame players: Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parrish, Dennis Johnson, and Bill Walton.
LARRY LEGEND IS A UNICORN AND THE TRUE GOAT!!! 🐐 ☘️
Field General Bird!
Bird/Magic days were the best days of the NBA. All business and badass Basketball.
"If ya want it, got ta bleed for it."
Larry Had The Highest BB IQ & Still Today No One Has Shown. Here's A Question For Ya, Who Was The Last Player To Have Won 3-MVP'S Three Years In A Row? ,.,.,.,.,., Ok I'll Give You The Answer. Larry Bird Is Still To This Day The Last One To Have Won 3-MVP'S Three Years In A Row. 1984, 1985 & 1986. I Mean It's Only Going On 39-Years Now? Also, When They Very First Started The 3-Point Contest In 1986. Well Larry Won It In 1986, 1987 & 1988. He Didn't Sign Up Anymore After That. There's So Much To Learn About Him & When You Do, It Will Spin Your Head Around. He Really Wasn't Into Dunking, Well Because He Didn't Need Too. I Hope You Get To Do The Other Greats Talking Highly About Him. Also He was The Most Clutch Player And I Would Say His Passing Was Better Then Magic's And That's Saying Something. Also, Jordan Never Won 1-Game Against Bird In The Playoffs, Even With That High 63-Game (and that took Jordan to get that in 2-over times), He Still Did Not Win That Game. Larry Made His Teammates Really Good Too. He Walked In As A Leader And Left As A Leader. Like I Said So Much To Learn About The Legend That Was Just A Taste That I Given You Here To Know About Him. There's "Making The Case For Larry Bird" & "Making The Case For The 1986 Celics". I Hope You Check Them Out.
Great comment, can’t say I’m a BB fan but I watched a video about Larry. His backstory was amazing, it made me want to find out. 9am
I forgot he was also coach of the year and manger of the year.
I hope you react to making the case for Larry bird. You will be beyond impressed :)
Great reaction. I think there are a few things about Bird people really don't think about or realize just from a player point of view. He often is inaccurately called a subpar or not a very good defender which simply isn't true. He averaged 1.8 steals per game for his career which is 4th all time in small forwards for steals per game average and he was on 3 all nba defense teams. He averaged 10 rebounds per game as a small forward which is 2nd all time per game for a Small Forward and the only player in the top 8 after the NBA merger to do so. He played against Kareem, Moses Malone, Patrick Ewing, Bill Laimbeer, Dennis Rodman, Hakeem Olijuwon and Mark Eaton. To average 10 rebounds against competition like that is incredible. Final thing that is pretty much unheard of today Bird played with broken bones, injuries and infections. He seriously injured his back in 1985 which took at least 3-4 years off his career building a driveway at his mothers house, The next year in 1986 he still won the MVP. In 88-89 he missed almost all the season and needed surgery on his back and on both his Achilles. An Achilles injury back in those days could end your career. But he came back in 1990 and averaged 39 mins a game and played 75 games and he put up 24.3pts, 9.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists a game.
Wow. That back injury to MVP story is crazy!
The only person in NBA history to be Rookie of the year, MVP (3x), Finals MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year. The programs had him listed as 6'9', but people who played against him say he was a little taller.
Must react to "Making the Case: Larry Bird" next. Great info.
That reaction will be posted tomorrow morning! :)
Back to back to back MVPs, three point winner back to back to back, 50/40/90 club for four years. Luka wishes!
Only person to ever win MVP, Executive of the Year, and Coach of the Year.
People may compare Luka to Larry, not the other way around as you said. Larry did it first and better and without the loose rules of today's NBA.
The more digging you do, the more youll realize that Larry was the GOAT...
You need to watch his other video's
Greatest passer of all time
Bird Is The Word
Best trash talker
5 times Larry overcame injury
4 crazy stories that prove Larry Bird was the toughest to ever play
You watch these for starters and youll understand....
The injury videos will Certainly give you a greater impression of just who he was..
@@heavin6586 Woo! Thanks for the suggestions!
@@Chaddington98 I endorse all those videos and also the Making the Case video for Larry Bird. I really hope you go deeper down the Bird rabbit hole, he is a true legend.
....while wearing a jacket and with a broken finger. no one notices the broken finger. Look when he holds it up. It's bent.
In the words of Magic Johnson, "There will never ever be another Larry Bird." You can't compare him to anyone else, he's the greatest small forward that ever played.
MJ is my fav, but Bird was the greatest. Nobody played and worked as hard as Larry. 90s Bulls were awesome, but 80s Celtics were fun to watch. Bird made guys look like jr high school kids at times. Kinda like Gretzky in his prime. Guys would get mesmerized, or incorrectly guess what's coming. Lakers v Celtics. Amazing rivalry.
Bird was the first 50-40-90 player and one of only 3 players to hit it multiple times. He is also one of only 3 players to get MVP 3 years in a row.
Larry was special. He was phenomenal in all aspects of the game.
I wish Larry never hurt his back so we could of got his best for longer. That back injury he had was absolutely brutal to play with from what i have heard.
In addition to being an all-time top 5 / 10 player, Bird was also a great coach and exec - hence, "Larry Legend"...Rare for someone as great as he was as a player...The rivalry between he and Magic go back to their college days to the 1979 NCAA Championship (and before on a select college team, not the olympics). Together, when they entered the NBA, they basically saved the league and a few years later Jordan entered and emerged to take it to even loftier heights.
He’s much more similar to Nikola Jokic. Doncic plays a heavy ball dominant style. Jokic and Larry both play within the flow, and their passing is more touch passing and ball movement heavy rather than a pound pound, drive, and kick/lob like Luka, Lebron, and somewhat Magic
@@gray_gogy That’s a good point! But Larry definitely seems more athletic than Jokic lol
I agree. I hope you get to see him live, close up. There's nothing in this era like watching that man from a few rows behind the home bench.
6:03 "oh c'mon" that was pretty cool
Haha! It was nothing but net too!
One of the greatest CLUTCH shooters of all time.
Larry and Magic met in the NCAA Finals then 3 times in the NBA Finals. Magic won the majority 3-1 including winning the collegiate title. Their rivalry changed the NBA into the sport it is today.
Larry was six foot nine inches tall. Played small forward mostly and is part of why the nba was saved and became huge. Him and magic Johnson. Than Jordan. Another thing half way through birds career he messed his back up. Working on his driveway. Half his career he had a horrible back and still won mvps and rings.
You were never surprised when Bird hit a last second game winner. You were surprised when he didn't.
as a Laker fan growing up in the 80's, I have no-one to compare him to, definitely in Goat convo. He was a killer. He was listed at 6.9", cold be a legit 6.10"
Rabbit hole of vids on Larry Legend. So many great players talk plainly about the trash talk. It's awesome.
Yeah Larry was one of the greats. His leadership and court presence and killer instinct is probably what separated him from other talented players.
Bird and Magic had some epic battles. Two superstars who not only respected each other but genuinely enjoyed competing against the other. Ratings gold. There was also a bit of the 'old school white boy style' versus Magic's 'Showtime' style match up intrigue going on but it wasn't a racial thing. Bird and Magic transcended all that noise.
The clips don't show how hard the game was played back then. They literally went to war in the playoff games. They fought, pulled jerseys, pushed and shoved and threw punches too.
Larry can back it up and tell u what he’s going to do before he does it he’s insane nobody can do that and score
Larry was 3 steps ahead at all times… A true savant.. The Magic Man was just that… Magic..
I want too see Luka play with the physcality bird played under... I can't see players in todays basketball surviving that.
That is why the legends are legends, they did everything they did when you could get physical.
Larry the legion is 6 10 he just didn't look like he did till you actually meet him face to face
Pat Ryley. One of the greatest coaches to do it once said "If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game I'd choose Michael Jordan," Riley said. "If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life... I'd take Larry Bird."
Larry is the BEST overall player ever period. If you disagree look at the numbers. By the way with a broken back.
You need to watch his ultimate passing re edit.
Larry was the most well rounded player ever and played with the highest IQ. People hated playing against him. Isiah Thomas said out Mr bird Jordan and magic in a room Larry is the one getting out.