He didn't "give it up" after this retirement. He went on to more. Only person to win player of the year, coach of the year, and basketball executive of the year.
@@BigMikeEsqThey give out season awards after the regular season. Magic led the Lakers to the championship in his rookie season…after Kareem went down,Magic played center. Just sayin.
@@tiffanypalmer9918 Magic and Bird were both giants. Doesn't detract from Magic at all that Bird won ROY. That final game by Magic was one of the greatest single-game performances in NBA history.
Just want you to know that game he got injured against the pacers, he broke his orbital bone. He had double vision. The doctors told him he couldn't return. So he chugged a beer and snuck back to the court. Legend!
Yeah and he told later that when he got back on he saw two baskets, picked the left one, when that turned out ok, that's what he went by rest of the game. I also love the story when against the bulls he complained to the coach that they were disrespecting him. To the question why, he responded that they put a white guy on him to guard him, that was just disrespectful.
The really crazy part of the R Cheekbone fracture was the team trainer told him he couldn't play......so he waited for the trainer to be distracted, and he shot back down the hallway to go back in the game. Dude was committed to the game and unstoppable on and off the court. Nuff said.
He later responded when asked why he returned with a fractured cheek bone and concussion, that some of the people attending had paid a month's salary to see the game so he felt he owed to them to try and win the game for them.
Dude, there’s never been a tougher m-f’er in basketball than Larry Bird. He played with a broken back most of his career. He and Magic were great friends, still are today. Magic had a Celtics tshirt on in his warm up at Larry retirement, it was awesome. That night sold out and there wasn’t even a game.
It’s awesome to see young people recognize “the hick from French Lick” was something special. I am 60 years old and was a freshman in high school when he played for Indiana State University. (The same time Magic played for Michigan State) Have been a Bird fan since way back when. Some years after Bird’s retirement my young son was bragging on Reggie Miller. How he was the best b-ball player ever. I chuckled and pulled up You Tube Videos and sat him in front of the computer. He came away humbled but only said, “Yeah, he was pretty good.” Indiana is known for its love of Basketball. Larry was only one of our states contributions to the game. If you are not familiar with the name Coach John Wooden, check him out. He played for Martinsville high School (here in my home town) and then played College ball in Indiana and went on to coach the UCLA Bruins during the Bill Walton, Kareem Abdul Jabar era. We Hoosiers live Basketball
There's a video floating around somewhere with a clip of that game where Larry smashed his face and later returned to the game. At the end of the game, the two teams are walking off the court and you can see LaSalle Thompson reach out and rest his hand on Larry's shoulder for a moment. Later, someone asked him why he did that and he answered, "I wanted to touch greatness."
I loved your reaction. I grew up in the 70s and 80s about 45 miles from the Boston garden and magic was right when he said there will never ever ever be another Larry Bird
I have watched this Larry Bird Mixtape about 20 times on reactions to it. You sir are the best. You catch everything and don't talk at key points. This is the first larry mixtape reaction where someone realized the enormity of coming back on the court with essentially a broken right face. KUDOS to you man!!!! Well Done!!🤯
The most amazing thing about Bird was he was just a cut throat killer. He found more ways to win games than you can imagine. Just the best killer instinct I’ve ever seen in a player.
Bird had the incredible intuition of knowing the location and body position of the players around him. That's how he could pass between opponents' arms, legs, hands, etc and get the ball to a teammate. He's the ONLY basketball player in NBA history I would pay big bucks to watch live.
The list is good, but I have the throw Hakeem in there.. Jabbar, too, but he was a touch before our time.. I’ve always thought the NBA was a little fortunate Hakeem started playing at age 16, and not age 8..
In the game vs the Pacers when he fractured his cheek, when Larry came back into the game he was seeing double. He said the first time he shot the ball he kept one eye closed to see which eye was the accurate one. Turns out his left eye was focused, so he closed his right eye when shooting for the rest of that game.
Team doctor: "Larry, I'm afraid you've broken your face. It will probably require surgery and months of rehab." Bird: "How soon can I get back in the game?" They don't make 'em like that anymore.
Larry and Magic were more than great players- they saved a flagging NBA, and I believe their NCAA final was still the most watched in history. Larry will likely also be the only person ever to be MVP, coach of year, and executive of year (edit: rookie of the year, finals mvp, all-star mvp, too). I highly recommend checking out other videos that focus one trash talking, career numbers, and passing.
The only argument against it is his lack of speed and his dunking. Both of which were at least in part due to his back problems. If not for that there would be no question. Aside from that he was arguably the best all around player. He, with out a doubt, had the highest level of intelligence for the game of anyone that has ever stepped on a court.
Larry Bird was the final boss you had to beat to be the GOAT. The 80s and 90s was filthy with those tough scrappy players who could win any game, Jordan rose to the top, but Thomas, Bird, Barkley, Johnson, Malone, Robinson, Olajuwan...
Also, with his shooting ability, he would dominate in todays game. Back then he barely even used his 3 pt shooting skills because that’s now how the game was played
And the highlight tapes none of the ones I've seen mention is rebounding the man average pain a game for a career I was even better than that in the first three quarters of his career before he got all banged up
@@futurereflections409769 and a half small forward with an elite passer and elite score and an elite rebounder. In today's NBA where they can't lay a hand on him my God.....
There are to me 3 players I consider the most fun to watch, Bird, Magic and Jordan, and you are my favorite go to guy for reaction videos. You never let me down. Thanks for bringing happiness to my 70 yr old heart.😊
In that order too. I’ve always put Bird and Magic at # 1 and Jordan at #2. Jordan is a phenomenal player …no doubt about it. Athletically Jordan is the most athletically gifted player the game has ever seen. Bird and Magic however not only saved the game from the gutter it was in but also did their own part to squash the racism that was so prevalent in basketball at that time. Racism from both colors, racism from the fans etc etc. Their rivalry and eventual CLOSE friendship showed the entire damn world it was ok to be your own color and like others of another color.
I was a Laker fan in the 80s, and I’ll never forget what a true friend Bird was to Magic, when Magic was at his lowest point in life. When he had to retire. Seeing them play together on the Dream Team with MJ was like a farewell tour for Magic. In some of those games the passing with Bird and Magic was just mind blowing. They both learned that from watching Pistol Pete in the 70s, but Larry got to actually play with Pistol. That where he got those flick passes. I get a kick out of hearing what Larry’s former rivals and peers say about him. The respect they have for him is over the top. The dude came from humble beginnings. The thing with his dad’s suicide is so tragic, which happened months before his college Basketball career would take off. The HBO miniseries called Winning Time goes over that. One thing about Larry, is he was genuine. He would talk shit, and dominate the mental part of the game, and would love to see you suffer if he won, but watch the video of Magic moved to tears when talking about this man, who was the first to call when he was at his lowest point in life. Magic said it’s times like those when you find out who your true friends are.
Please, Mr. Referee, don't let Larry Legend talk to me that way!!! He tells me what he's going to do, then he does it!!! That's so not fair!!! I need a comfort dog!!!
It's so cool to see a young fan like you who knows so much about basketball appreciate Larry Bird. You picked up on the parts of Bird's game that made even other greats fear him. They knew that if there were no way to win a game, Bird would invent one. He was a stone-cold killer.
Oh, what a deep rabbit hole! Hope you do more Bird vids. My favorite player. He was actually left handed but played ball right handed most of the time. His court IQ was the best. He won the first 3 three point contests & got 3 MVP’s in a row. Founder of the 50-40-90 club. And, he played the last 7 years of his career with a very bad back.
@@lynnhoffmann247 I've had to explain this to many people. Bird is cross-dominant like myself. I write left handed but play all sports and musical instruments right handed, though I kick with my left foot. My father was the same way so there may be a genetic component. Many people confuse it with ambidexterity and have attributed that to Bird but it's not the same thing. An ambidextrous person (extremely rare) can perform a task _equally_ well with both hands, but a cross-dominant person has a different hand preference for each activity. Like many NBA players, Bird obviously worked on his left hand a lot to improve his ball-handling and scoring skills, but he was definitely a right-handed player.
So many Bird vids to react to, there are multiple trash talking ones, one about his passing. His pain tolerance and toughness were unparalleled. The latter half of os his career he had a bad back. During games he couldnt sit down, he'd lay down because of how bad his back was. He was also hamperered by 2 bad ankles. He had double achilles surgery early 88-89 and came back the next season. That Pacers game he fractured his cheek... he was seeing double when he came back.
You said it at 8:25 or so point in video. Bird knew where everyone was on the court. From teammates to defenders. He was playing chess everyone else was playing checkers as some say.
When the National Anthem was played at the old Boston Garden, Larry would always be seen looking up the rafters of the ancient building. When asked what he was looking at, Larry said he focused on the banner for Boston Bruins legend Bobby Orr's retired #4. Bobby Orr was to the NHL as Larry Bird was to the NBA: GOAT's!
@@bostonwhofan Yes, maybe two of the three greatest athletes in the city's history, along with Bill Russell. Ted Williams comes to mind, too, but he never won a championsnhip.
This is the first reaction video that I've seen of yours. For knowing little about Bird, you did an excellent job picking out not only the obvious that everybody notices, but also many of the nuances that others miss. I don't impress easily, but I'm genuinely impressed with your reaction. I think you are one of the best basketball reviewers, if no the best I've seen. I don't usually subscribe to sports reactions, but you are my first. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your reactions. Having attended Michigan State University while Magic was there and watched the championship game against Bird in the Student Union, I am a huge fan of Ervin Johnson. But I have to say Bird may be the absolute best overall player to have played the game. I'm no a huge fan of trash talkers, but when you can back it up, it adds credibility to the player. Plus it was a part of his psychological game. Just part of the overall package.
Shon, I’m so glad to see you starting the journey of reacting to Larry Bird! I just recently came across your reaction videos, and I think you’re one of the best at it. Watching you react to the greatness of Bird, and his career-long rivalry with Magic, and their send-off on the Dream Team in the ‘92 Olympics, is gonna be fun! The more you watch Bird highlight videos, the higher up your ranking of all-time greats he rises. He was just amazingly good.
Larry and Magic literally saved the NBA. The league was in bad shape from scandals and drug arrests- the year before Larry started, they didn't even carry the finals live, it was tape delayed and shown after a repeat of Gunsmoke! Magic started in Larry's second season, and they put on shows that sent ratings through the roof. How big a difference did they make? 27,000 showed up for Larry's retirement ceremony- more than attended any one game the year before he started. To me, Bird, Magic, and Jordan are the top of the all time list because they made basketball what it is today.
I 100% agree Bird and Magic saved basketball. Something else should get a bit of credit as well. Cable TV. ESPN and sports center. ESPN started in 1979, and it highlighted Bird/Magic so often on the air, that it helped to propel it even higher. Also ESPN started showing games in 1982. It was a perfect storm of branding and talent hitting at the same time.
Larry and Magic *entered* the NBA in the same year (1979)… But Bird was *drafted* in 1978, with the understanding that he was going to finish college to keep his promise to Mama Bird, while Magic was drafted in 79 after the NCAA Finals victory. The rules were changed later in response to that, to make it so that subsequent draftees must be willing to enter the league immediately.
Great reaction. Thanks! Bird was the best small forward ever. I watched him from the beginning all the way until his bad back made him retire. The night before a big game Bird could be found at a local bar drinking everyone under the table and getting into fist fights. Only 3 players in NBA history ever won 3 MVP's in a row - Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell and Larry Bird. Two Pat Riley quotes about Bird: 1) "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." 2) "He's the greatest clutch player I've ever seen. The hell with Jerry West!"
I think that's what makes a lot of us so frustrated about Lebron. He has all the skills in the world - but he simply chooses not to go to the basket more and be a dominant force - and he isn't the clutch player Larry was - and the fact at 6-9 Larry always hustled and played defense just makes me dislike today's NBA so much. (I will say Magic probably could do a lot of the things that Larry could - he just chose not to.)
@@captin3149 Jordan scored over 60+ on Larry and the boys in a single game lol Larry said that Jordan was God and gym shorts. It’s Jordan’s team that was no match for the Celtics, but on an individual level, Michael definitely was and that was young Michael to not even the best version of Michael.
He was a dominant rebounder as well as an elite shooter and an elite passer. One game he almost had a quadruple double having like 34 points, 13 rebounds, 12 or 13 assists and 9 steals.... And because they were so far ahead he didn't play the fourth quarter at all.
I was young, but I remember Larry's last game. I knew even then how much of a legend he was and that the NBA wouldn't see another player like him for a long time, if ever. One of the greatest to ever play the game. Bird and Jordan were my two favorite players when I was growing up, and to this day, they are two of the greatest competitors to ever play, in any sport. They were basketball gods!
that was fun watching with you, my man! we had such a great time back then watching the NBA it was an era like no other. Lakers/Celtics, Bad Boys, MJ's Bulls... devastating ballers!!! thanks!
Your enthusiasm and willingness to check out an era of basketball before your time made this so enjoyable to watch! That was the first 3 point contest, he won it (wearing his warm-up jacket) along with the next two. He is so fun to watch. The game against the Pistons where he fractured his cheek is a segment in his 50 greatest moments and after the game the Pistons players came up to Larry in respect and admiration at how he played that game with essentially a busted face. There are videos of just his trash talking like "Larry Bird said the funniest line NBA legend remember Larry's Iconic trash talk", and one called Why you Never poke Larry Bird a story told by Dominique Wilkins and other NBA legends, plus one of the greatest sports documentaries the HBO sports special Magic And Larry A Courtship of Rivals that others have reacted to.
Larry Bird is the founding member of the 50/40/90 club. He was a MVP three consecutive years in a row. Also, he played his last years with damaged Achille's Heels and broke his back before that. He also was the only player in NBA History to win the Finals MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year. Please do more of Bird videos. I guarantee you will be impressed with his passing, his trash talking, his shooting.....Oh yeah, and he won an Olympic Gold Medal when he was on the Dream Team.
This is the fourth time I have watched this video, all with different presenters. I have to say yours has been the most enjoyable because of your enthusiasm and sense of humour!
Just a guess but I think the rebound and hoop off his own missed shot was the best scoring play I've ever seen. The body control in mid-air was insane.
The 3 point line began in Bird's first year as a pro. It was far behind the college line (which is the other line you see). Colleges didn't have 3 point lines until after Bird was out of college.
Shon, I really appreciate the admiration and respect shown in your reaction!!! It's from a much tougher era than what you see today. That was back when they actually competed in the All-Star games. Check out some of the legends' stories about Bird and some of the other HOFs. BTW, those two 3pt lines....one was the collegiate line, the other was the pro.
I'm 53, I got lucky I got to see Dr J, Larry Bird, Magic, Kareem, Michael, Shaq, Kobe. Bird is in my top 5 all time (he's 3 behind Wilt and Jordan.) Your observation of his body control is spot on thats one of the reasons he was so dam good, that and he was legit 6'10.
appreciate you appreciating him, he was one of a kind in a bygone era. Not the most athletic, but honed a game to fit his skill set. A thinking mans basketball savant.
Oh man Shon...lol Now you did it!! You opened up the Larry Bird monster!! 😁 There's videos of Jordon, LeBron, everybody talking about what a badass Larry Bird was, but you really need to check out the video Larry Bird Gets Hurt 5 Times But Doesn't Quit, or somethi9ng like that. His trash talking is hilarious and DEEP! lol He cuts DEEP. David Letterman did a whole show of Bird and Magic Johnson's friendship. It's fat. It's on TH-cam, but in sections. Please keep looking into Bird. You'll always be impressed. ALWAYS. Thanks. 😏
That old Boston Garden had no air conditioning in it. Some of those classic playoff games in the 80's were played in late June and it was very hot inside that joint. I remember one series vs the Lakers in 1984 where Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was wearing an oxygen mask while sitting on the bench because it was so hot. But Larry was used to the heat and it never bothered him.
As a Canadian I preferred watching hockey but I still enjoyed the Celtics Lakers rivalry in the 80s. Larry Bird was as good as advertised, an incredible shooter and passer, plus the dude could talk smack. Love and respect, brother, hog fam Canada 🇨🇦 ❤
So glad you’re checking out the man, Larry Legend!! I remember watching the Celtics play the Spurs, (my home team) in the early 80s, he was a force to be reckoned with! You should check out videos made about his legendary trash talking, which is an art form in and of itself! Also, A Courtship of Rivals and the HBO show Winning Time give a look into Larry and Magic’s relationship, it’s an amazing story. Thanks for the daily videos, they always make my day!!
For me that 85-86 Celtic team is arguably the greatest team in NBA history - having Bill Walton come off the bench and reminding us how great he was in college and at Portland. I will say those 2000s Spurs teams were also phenom with Duncan, the most unselfish and underrated player in NBA history. Btw, I was a huge fan of Gervin, A. Robertson and Gilmore.
That game you saw with the two three-point lines was probably because they were playing on a court where college teams played as well. I believe the three-point line in college was closer to the basket than the pro 3-point line.
I’ve seen many Bird reaction videos, this is one of best, you “get” him. There is nobody like him, he could do it all, with toughness, clutchness, hoops IQ, and trash talk all off the charts… Celtics & Lakers played in Finals 3x in 4 years, Bird & Magic basically saved the league, highly recommend documentary about the 2 of them Courtship Of Rivals
Larry Legend- an absolute beast of a player, one of the top 5 of all time for sure. He cooked the best of the best in his day, and imagine what he would do TODAY? A true one of a kind, never to be duplicated.
If you watch videos on how tough Larry Bird was, you'll find that playing with a fractured cheek was one of the minor injuries he played through. You should watch his trash talking videos (there are many). The Lakers and Celtics played in the finals multiple times.
I wish there were mics on Larry and Charles Barkley during their matchups - or listen to the trash talking if Bird could have played KG or Gary Payton.
I was never into team sports. That might be because my high school didn’t have a gym or stadium of any kind. If you didn’t see the sign you would think it was an elementary school. Except we didn’t have a cafeteria either. For whatever reason, a reaction about Larry Bird by a huge fan of current or very recent player was in my recommends. I decided to watch it. The guy’s reactions and what others said about playing against Bird are hilarious. I watch reactions to him because they are fun. I tried watching reactions about a couple of others but there was little or no laughter. Serious discussions instead. Whether or not Bird was one of the top five or ten players of all time is obviously debatable. But there doesn’t seem to be any debate about him being the best trash talker of all time. Mainly because he did what he told opponents what he was going to do. They knew but still couldn’t stop him. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I figure his team mates had to be constantly ready to get a pass from him out of nowhere. Even if his back was turned towards them or coming low and between legs. The man did not hog the ball.
Bird could do it all, and as such he could burn you 10 different ways, even he wasn't the guy who took the shot. Bird's real talent was he was a master at court management and could just destroy your defense and offense both with that ability.
Man I watched this because you said this would be your first time watching the bird man. He was incredible and I already knew what your reaction would be.................. You did not disappoint THANKS MAN!
Good to see your appreciation for the toughness. That word doesn't just apply to the fouls, or the general level of play back then, but also many of the players. These guys would take hard shots, get hurt, get back up, and keep on going. MJ played 82 games 9 times in his career. Barely anyone does that anymore, and certainly not your star players. When us old heads talk about our love for these guys, it's because playing through adversity is what creates legend.
Hey man, I’ve seen many people comment this video. This is by FAR the best reaction I have seen . I grew up watching him play in the 80s. He played in pain, he talked trash, he backed it up and in my opinion is the best player I have ever seen based on his physical ability. MJ and JL may be better. Wilt was someone they changed the rules for. I saw many good players but Larry was my favorite followed close by Magic - and I grew up in LA lol. Thanks for a great job appreciating the man’s talents even though you didn’t see him play in the 80s NBA that I felt was far more physical than today’s game.
5:30 Notice it was Bill Walton who was so impressed with Larry’s lefty game. Bill is another player who eats and writes with his left, but plays ball with his right.
That 85-86 Celtic team is still my favorite all-time team (and I'm a lifelong Sixer fan) - with Walton coming off of the bench and showing us how good he was at UCLA and Portland. Btw, my dad was left handed but did some things with his right; no idea how he did that.
@@jamesrawlins735 I agree! I also know three people with mixed dexterity. I googled it, lol. It’s a real thing. One friend eats with his left, but uses scissors with his right. He cannot switch for either activity. Ambidextrous people can use either hand equally well. Those with mixed dexterity cannot, unless, like Larry, they practiced and worked hard at it.
Loved your reaction video man! I was lucky to see the 80s players like Bird, Magic, Isaiah, Kareem, Dr. J etc. It was a great era and a physical game. Teams like the Celtics and the Bad boys from Detroit would knock you around. The Lakers fast break was a thing of beauty. I really miss that era.
6:30 That's the college 3 point line. Back then when college and NBA teams shared the same arena they didn't have separate courts. They used the same court and just painted the college lines and NBA lines in different colors.
Ok, i was saving these for the end of the video,,but I had to pause it to make this comment, and I'll just add on what I originally was gonna post lol... 1st off, respect to u young man, for not only being so hyped to watch this AND to show it in the 1st damn MINUTE of the video lol, but to immediately give the guy his flowers, again, just 1 min in... But here we go.. 3:50 So Larry won the 1st THREE 3pt contests, IN A ROW ---that warmup jacket, finger in the air shot they showed is the iconic image, but I believe that is the 3rd/last one he won, and he had his "worst" showing that one... I can't sit here and pretend I know what he did on each one, but I know one of those 1st 2 that he won, he said "so who's coming in 2nd place?," to the other guys in the locker room, and he went out and pretty much dominated and backed that up... Couple of the proverbial "fun facts" about Larry Legend that not only this mixtape leaves out, but is not mentioned enough when talking about Bird 1st guy to achieve the 50/40/90 club, of which I believe it's either only been done 14 times, or 14 players have done it...either way, Bird was the 1st and he did it 2 years in a row (Steve Nash holds the record, doing it an insane 4 times, and 3 years in a row, but obv different game as he was at the tail end of his career as the 3pt shot started really becoming part of the game, til ur boy Steph changed the game by shooting so great it'll make ur head spin 😂)... The LARRY BIRD NIGHT, when he officially retired and they had that ceremony with Magic there and sht... that was at the Boston Garden on a night that the Celtics didn't have a game, and tickets sold out insanely quick, with people saying it was mayhem outside, with people trying to get any ticket they could from scalpers... Larry's mind for the game is the greatest of all time, or at least until this point. We see many greats try to coach, or be GM, and fail, across all of the "big 4" sports... I can't speak for the other 3 sports,,but as far as NBA goes, Larry is the only player in the history of the league to: Win MVP Win Coach of the Year Win Executive/GM of the year... He did that in the 70s (fine, rookie of the year was 79, but still the 70s decade 😂...), 80s, 90s, and 2010s, so across 5 sets of decades, he was "_____ of the Year," at least once in 4 of those 5 decades.... And just in case someone winds up actually pulling that off, for good measure, he's also able to boast that along with being the only person so far to achieve those 3 accolades, he's able to add on, like I mentioned above, Rookie of the Year and Finals MVP... I HIGHLY DOUBT anyone will ever win mvp coach and GM of rhe year, but I can guaran-damn-tee no one will do that AND be Rookie of the Year (u only get ONE shot at that, remember...), AND be a Finals MVP.... The man was put on Earth to play, and juat be involved with, the game of basketball... And finally, most know about his back issues, but playing with that HORRIBLE back all those year, compensating for the pain, he wound up also severely injuring his feet/ankles/Achilles, which was why his career was cut drastically shorter than what it should've been, because with the cerebral way he played and approached the game, I don't think it's a stretch to say that if he were to be relatively healthy for his career, or at least not do what he did to his back (more on that in a min), he'd be very effective as, at worst, a great 6th man, in his late 30s.... And he injured his back because he refused to hire, or let his grandmother (or maybe mother? One of them 2 😅) hire, a professional to asphalt her driveway... Larry did it himself in an off-season and wound up ruining what woulda been at least 3 more MVP-level seasons,,and probably 5 or 6 more seasons overall in general... Many will say that was pretty stupid (I'm one of them lol),,others will say it's noble and shows how much he cared for his family, but either way, it just also shows why so many loved and revered this man; to play the game at a top 5 all time level as he did, but to also be blue collar and down to earth enough, to grab a 12 pack of cold brews, get to the house at the crack of dawn, and get his hands dirty busting his hump to do something he simply COULD DO, like any other 9 to 5'er out there like the rest of us...
I was a teenage Knicks fan in NYC before Bird came into the league and you know the rivalry between the Knicks and Celtics was intense. But when Bird came to the Celtics as a rookie it drove a dagger through the hearts of every Knicks fan. I feel blessed to have been alive to have seen such greats play. Greats like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and even Wilt Chamberlain when he played for Philadelphia.😊
When I was a small child, I idolized players like Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Willis Reed, Dr. J. I remember painting my grandmother's house so she would buy me a pair of Dr J tennis shoes - they were so expensive back then. I was in my teens to early 20s when Bird played. It was mind blowing watching Larry play. Every game was fun, watching him school all the other players. To include Michael Jordan. Had it not been for his bad back - he would have played a few more years. No one compares in my book. Although Magic came real close.
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, 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! Please continue down the Larry Bird rabbit hole, you won't be disappointed 😊
When bird started playing they barely implemented the 3pt line in the NBA and 1979-80 so just imagine if he grew up shooting 3s and practicing them his whole life like steph curry and all current NBA players have???? Imagine how much better of a shooter bird would have been .
Love your reactions! The second three point lion is the international 3 point line. During college Larry's team was playing mine. We heard they had a future all American so during warm ups we tried to guess which black player he was. Man were we wrong. He also beat us and set our arena record with no 3 point line. Peace from Northern Michigan.
Nice reaction, Shon. Bird is in my top three. Luckily, I had the opportunity to watch the battles between him and Magic. I would love to see more reactions from you on him. I love it when younger guys watch some of the legends for the first time. These guys are the reason I watch basketball still today
I watched that Pacers game where he fractured his cheek on TV all those years ago. Chuck "The Rifleman" Person for the Pacers went off after Bird left the game. The Pacers were dominating the game. The game was over...until Larry came back out of the locker room. It was something to see. Chuck did not backdown, but Larry would not be denied. Man I miss the days when players played defense in basketball and used their big men, and not the H-O-R-S-E shooting contests of modern NBA.
Larry Bird was my favorite player.... Phenomenal player who played hurt and had a bad back!,,,,, Didn't matter he gave his team his all.... Most determined, smartest basketball player I have ever seen..... I'm a fellow Hoosier and I miss him and others that played in his era... Greatest basketball ever.... Great video, loved it! GG
I grew up outside Boston in the 1980s and was an avid Celtics fan. Larry Bird was an idol of mine. I always felt like he was an absolute master of the fundamentals, and by following those rather than being a super show off or being as athletic as other stars, he was just consistent as hell. He was also a team player who, if you check his assists and rebounds, just helped everybody.
The inside 3pt line was the college line. The footage during the Celtics/Lakers section was footage from all 3 times they met in the finals. Lakers won 2 of them in 85 and 87, Celtics won in 84.
@@eatsmylifeYTWNBA wasn't a thing back then. WNBA's fist year was 1997, 5 years after Bird retired. It's from where a college team uses the same court. That's the college 3 point line.
I clicked “subscribe” the second you noticed his body control. Being smart enough to see that right away shows you know a lot about what athleticism is and you know the game
You know I am not a basketball fan unlike you I'm an old lady but I love Larry Bird he just was it❤❤❤ from his dedication on the court to his dedication to his team and how he would play even when he was hurt if his team needed him😮😮😮 I don't see players today doing that because they're too soft😮😮
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He didn't "give it up" after this retirement. He went on to more. Only person to win player of the year, coach of the year, and basketball executive of the year.
The more you learn about Bird, the more you respect him.
Don't forget Rookie of the Year! Yes, over Magic.
@@BigMikeEsqThey give out season awards after the regular season. Magic led the Lakers to the championship in his rookie season…after Kareem went down,Magic played center. Just sayin.
Leg soreness 😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣Yeah the NBA in the 80’s was brutal.
@@tiffanypalmer9918 Magic and Bird were both giants. Doesn't detract from Magic at all that Bird won ROY. That final game by Magic was one of the greatest single-game performances in NBA history.
Just want you to know that game he got injured against the pacers, he broke his orbital bone. He had double vision. The doctors told him he couldn't return. So he chugged a beer and snuck back to the court. Legend!
I had three privilege of growing up watching Bird. I will die on this hill: Jordan, Bird, everyone else.
He tip toe maybe cause his heels hurt he played in n Pain for a long time time
Yeah and he told later that when he got back on he saw two baskets, picked the left one, when that turned out ok, that's what he went by rest of the game.
I also love the story when against the bulls he complained to the coach that they were disrespecting him. To the question why, he responded that they put a white guy on him to guard him, that was just disrespectful.
Todays players just wanna get paid. Bird wants to WIN!
@@djparker80ill come sit next with you on this hill. But I’ll put bird over Jordan. Jordan went 0-6 in the playoffs against bird
Larry Bird was poetry in motion. Bird's basketball IQ was on another level. Best all around player ever. Larry Legend
The really crazy part of the R Cheekbone fracture was the team trainer told him he couldn't play......so he waited for the trainer to be distracted, and he shot back down the hallway to go back in the game. Dude was committed to the game and unstoppable on and off the court. Nuff said.
He later responded when asked why he returned with a fractured cheek bone and concussion, that some of the people attending had paid a month's salary to see the game so he felt he owed to them to try and win the game for them.
Larry and magic saved NBA no exaggeration
Peak NBA
Now that is a fact that a lot of people don't know because they are too young.
Greatest rivalry in NBA History hands down. Great time to have been alive.
Fact Check ✅️ True
you can find a video of Charles barkley saying that Larry and magic were the two most important figures in NBA history.
The guy just never gave up. EVER. If there was time on the clock, there was time for Larry Bird to beat you; you'd better not let your guard down.
Dude, there’s never been a tougher m-f’er in basketball than Larry Bird. He played with a broken back most of his career.
He and Magic were great friends, still are today. Magic had a Celtics tshirt on in his warm up at Larry retirement, it was awesome. That night sold out and there wasn’t even a game.
It’s awesome to see young people recognize “the hick from French Lick” was something special. I am 60 years old and was a freshman in high school when he played for Indiana State University. (The same time Magic played for Michigan State) Have been a Bird fan since way back when.
Some years after Bird’s retirement my young son was bragging on Reggie Miller. How he was the best b-ball player ever. I chuckled and pulled up You Tube Videos and sat him in front of the computer. He came away humbled but only said, “Yeah, he was pretty good.”
Indiana is known for its love of Basketball. Larry was only one of our states contributions to the game. If you are not familiar with the name Coach John Wooden, check him out. He played for Martinsville high School (here in my home town) and then played College ball in Indiana and went on to coach the UCLA Bruins during the Bill Walton, Kareem Abdul Jabar era.
We Hoosiers live Basketball
There's a video floating around somewhere with a clip of that game where Larry smashed his face and later returned to the game. At the end of the game, the two teams are walking off the court and you can see LaSalle Thompson reach out and rest his hand on Larry's shoulder for a moment. Later, someone asked him why he did that and he answered, "I wanted to touch greatness."
I loved your reaction. I grew up in the 70s and 80s about 45 miles from the Boston garden and magic was right when he said there will never ever ever be another Larry Bird
He won that 3 pt contest without even taking his warm up jacket off
I'm convinced he could have won 2 or 3 more if he had chosen to compete.
He won the first three in a row
@@jamesrawlins735who won the first three in a row
I have watched this Larry Bird Mixtape about 20 times on reactions to it. You sir are the best. You catch everything and don't talk at key points. This is the first larry mixtape reaction where someone realized the enormity of coming back on the court with essentially a broken right face. KUDOS to you man!!!! Well Done!!🤯
The most amazing thing about Bird was he was just a cut throat killer. He found more ways to win games than you can imagine. Just the best killer instinct I’ve ever seen in a player.
Bird had the incredible intuition of knowing the location and body position of the players around him. That's how he could pass between opponents' arms, legs, hands, etc and get the ball to a teammate. He's the ONLY basketball player in NBA history I would pay big bucks to watch live.
One of my favorite players of all time. Larry Legend.
I'm 53 years old, and Larry Bird is still one of the three best basketball players I have ever watched play basketball (along with Jordan and Magic).
The list is good, but I have the throw Hakeem in there.. Jabbar, too, but he was a touch before our time..
I’ve always thought the NBA was a little fortunate Hakeem started playing at age 16, and not age 8..
@@jacobjones5269Hakeem olajuwon played college ball in Houston so no he was not 16 when he came to the NBA
@@RIbigDave
Oh my… He started playing basketball at age 16, ok?.. Not playing in the NBA.. lol..
I’m from Houston, I watched him play at UH..
@@jacobjones5269Dr. J belongs on that list. He revolutionized the slam dunk.
@@RIbigDave Hakeem was a soccer player and started hoops at 16. The soccer is why his footwork was so special.
In the game vs the Pacers when he fractured his cheek, when Larry came back into the game he was seeing double. He said the first time he shot the ball he kept one eye closed to see which eye was the accurate one. Turns out his left eye was focused, so he closed his right eye when shooting for the rest of that game.
Isn't that amazing! Bird was a phenomenal player!!!
This is not when he was seeing double. He saw double for four games after Curry elbowed Bird in the face and fractured his orbital.
He did have to be in traction before and after the games at this time in his career and he also had a concussion
Bird won the first three 3 point contest and the two lines on the floor, one is for pros and one for college
Team doctor: "Larry, I'm afraid you've broken your face. It will probably require surgery and months of rehab."
Bird: "How soon can I get back in the game?"
They don't make 'em like that anymore.
I was lucky enough to watch him play regularly back in the day. It was always much watch TV. Bird was the best
Larry and Magic were more than great players- they saved a flagging NBA, and I believe their NCAA final was still the most watched in history. Larry will likely also be the only person ever to be MVP, coach of year, and executive of year (edit: rookie of the year, finals mvp, all-star mvp, too). I highly recommend checking out other videos that focus one trash talking, career numbers, and passing.
Larry may not be the GOAT....but he belongs in that conversation. Highlights can't convey how clutch he truly was.
The only argument against it is his lack of speed and his dunking. Both of which were at least in part due to his back problems. If not for that there would be no question. Aside from that he was arguably the best all around player. He, with out a doubt, had the highest level of intelligence for the game of anyone that has ever stepped on a court.
Larry Bird was the final boss you had to beat to be the GOAT. The 80s and 90s was filthy with those tough scrappy players who could win any game, Jordan rose to the top, but Thomas, Bird, Barkley, Johnson, Malone, Robinson, Olajuwan...
Also, with his shooting ability, he would dominate in todays game. Back then he barely even used his 3 pt shooting skills because that’s now how the game was played
And the highlight tapes none of the ones I've seen mention is rebounding the man average pain a game for a career I was even better than that in the first three quarters of his career before he got all banged up
@@futurereflections409769 and a half small forward with an elite passer and elite score and an elite rebounder. In today's NBA where they can't lay a hand on him my God.....
There are to me 3 players I consider the most fun to watch, Bird, Magic and Jordan, and you are my favorite go to guy for reaction videos. You never let me down. Thanks for bringing happiness to my 70 yr old heart.😊
Yes Sir, Bird, Magic and MJ are the big 3.
In that order too. I’ve always put Bird and Magic at # 1 and Jordan at #2. Jordan is a phenomenal player …no doubt about it. Athletically Jordan is the most athletically gifted player the game has ever seen. Bird and Magic however not only saved the game from the gutter it was in but also did their own part to squash the racism that was so prevalent in basketball at that time. Racism from both colors, racism from the fans etc etc. Their rivalry and eventual CLOSE friendship showed the entire damn world it was ok to be your own color and like others of another color.
@@HOOSIERDADDY24 The "Holy Trinity of Basketball"! lol
I was a Laker fan in the 80s, and I’ll never forget what a true friend Bird was to Magic, when Magic was at his lowest point in life. When he had to retire.
Seeing them play together on the Dream Team with MJ was like a farewell tour for Magic.
In some of those games the passing with Bird and Magic was just mind blowing.
They both learned that from watching Pistol Pete in the 70s, but Larry got to actually play with Pistol. That where he got those flick passes.
I get a kick out of hearing what Larry’s former rivals and peers say about him. The respect they have for him is over the top.
The dude came from humble beginnings. The thing with his dad’s suicide is so tragic, which happened months before his college Basketball career would take off.
The HBO miniseries called Winning Time goes over that.
One thing about Larry, is he was genuine. He would talk shit, and dominate the mental part of the game, and would love to see you suffer if he won, but watch the video of Magic moved to tears when talking about this man, who was the first to call when he was at his lowest point in life.
Magic said it’s times like those when you find out who your true friends are.
Larry Bird would dominate in any era of basketball. He would probably make the guys today cry because they wouldn’t be able to take it
Please, Mr. Referee, don't let Larry Legend talk to me that way!!! He tells me what he's going to do, then he does it!!! That's so not fair!!! I need a comfort dog!!!
Facts
Larry's trash talking alone would send people to the injured list.
he made them cry then. he made them lose sleep the night before knowing they had to play him the next day
The amount of techs Larry would get today just for trash talking 😂
It's so cool to see a young fan like you who knows so much about basketball appreciate Larry Bird. You picked up on the parts of Bird's game that made even other greats fear him. They knew that if there were no way to win a game, Bird would invent one. He was a stone-cold killer.
Oh, what a deep rabbit hole! Hope you do more Bird vids. My favorite player. He was actually left handed but played ball right handed most of the time. His court IQ was the best. He won the first 3 three point contests & got 3 MVP’s in a row. Founder of the 50-40-90 club. And, he played the last 7 years of his career with a very bad back.
I don't know of any other player that made the allstar team every year but one of his career as well
Bird was right handed, not left.
And he injured his back building a driveway by hand for his home even though he was a multi-millionaire......
@@hippiemama52 Watch him signing his contract.
@@lynnhoffmann247 I've had to explain this to many people. Bird is cross-dominant like myself. I write left handed but play all sports and musical instruments right handed, though I kick with my left foot. My father was the same way so there may be a genetic component.
Many people confuse it with ambidexterity and have attributed that to Bird but it's not the same thing. An ambidextrous person (extremely rare) can perform a task _equally_ well with both hands, but a cross-dominant person has a different hand preference for each activity. Like many NBA players, Bird obviously worked on his left hand a lot to improve his ball-handling and scoring skills, but he was definitely a right-handed player.
Larry's mental game was unmatched!! His brain worked differently on the court than no other!!😁
Thank you for this. Larry Legend videos never get old! Lol
He was SO great
The most Entertaining player ever to play. He did something new and amazing every night
Bird was a killer - everyone in the league feared him. One of the best shooters of all-time and highest basketball IQ.
Not to mention an elite rebounder
So many Bird vids to react to, there are multiple trash talking ones, one about his passing. His pain tolerance and toughness were unparalleled. The latter half of os his career he had a bad back. During games he couldnt sit down, he'd lay down because of how bad his back was. He was also hamperered by 2 bad ankles. He had double achilles surgery early 88-89 and came back the next season. That Pacers game he fractured his cheek... he was seeing double when he came back.
Really Larry bird....I love him he's my all time favorite B-Ball player . Glad you've been able to see this
You said it at 8:25 or so point in video. Bird knew where everyone was on the court. From teammates to defenders. He was playing chess everyone else was playing checkers as some say.
Larry Legend
When the National Anthem was played at the old Boston Garden, Larry would always be seen looking up the rafters of the ancient building. When asked what he was looking at, Larry said he focused on the banner for Boston Bruins legend Bobby Orr's retired #4. Bobby Orr was to the NHL as Larry Bird was to the NBA: GOAT's!
@@bostonwhofan Yes, maybe two of the three greatest athletes in the city's history, along with Bill Russell. Ted Williams comes to mind, too, but he never won a championsnhip.
This is the first reaction video that I've seen of yours. For knowing little about Bird, you did an excellent job picking out not only the obvious that everybody notices, but also many of the nuances that others miss. I don't impress easily, but I'm genuinely impressed with your reaction. I think you are one of the best basketball reviewers, if no the best I've seen. I don't usually subscribe to sports reactions, but you are my first. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your reactions.
Having attended Michigan State University while Magic was there and watched the championship game against Bird in the Student Union, I am a huge fan of Ervin Johnson. But I have to say Bird may be the absolute best overall player to have played the game. I'm no a huge fan of trash talkers, but when you can back it up, it adds credibility to the player. Plus it was a part of his psychological game. Just part of the overall package.
Shon, I’m so glad to see you starting the journey of reacting to Larry Bird! I just recently came across your reaction videos, and I think you’re one of the best at it. Watching you react to the greatness of Bird, and his career-long rivalry with Magic, and their send-off on the Dream Team in the ‘92 Olympics, is gonna be fun! The more you watch Bird highlight videos, the higher up your ranking of all-time greats he rises. He was just amazingly good.
In addition to the passing skills, fakes, court awareness, and shooting skills you noted he had unbelievable physical and mental toughness.
Larry and Magic literally saved the NBA. The league was in bad shape from scandals and drug arrests- the year before Larry started, they didn't even carry the finals live, it was tape delayed and shown after a repeat of Gunsmoke! Magic started in Larry's second season, and they put on shows that sent ratings through the roof. How big a difference did they make? 27,000 showed up for Larry's retirement ceremony- more than attended any one game the year before he started. To me, Bird, Magic, and Jordan are the top of the all time list because they made basketball what it is today.
I 100% agree Bird and Magic saved basketball. Something else should get a bit of credit as well. Cable TV. ESPN and sports center. ESPN started in 1979, and it highlighted Bird/Magic so often on the air, that it helped to propel it even higher. Also ESPN started showing games in 1982. It was a perfect storm of branding and talent hitting at the same time.
Larry and Magic *entered* the NBA in the same year (1979)… But Bird was *drafted* in 1978, with the understanding that he was going to finish college to keep his promise to Mama Bird, while Magic was drafted in 79 after the NCAA Finals victory.
The rules were changed later in response to that, to make it so that subsequent draftees must be willing to enter the league immediately.
Larry Legend!
What makes it more impressive is bird had double vision he saw 2 baskets every shot he made thats what makes me have him is such high regard
Fact: Larry Bird won the 3 point contest the 3 years in a row. The 3rd was where he wore his warmup jacket.
Great reaction. Thanks! Bird was the best small forward ever. I watched him from the beginning all the way until his bad back made him retire. The night before a big game Bird could be found at a local bar drinking everyone under the table and getting into fist fights. Only 3 players in NBA history ever won 3 MVP's in a row - Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell and Larry Bird.
Two Pat Riley quotes about Bird:
1) "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."
2) "He's the greatest clutch player I've ever seen. The hell with Jerry West!"
Growing up watching Magic and Bird compete was good times. Peace, Love!!
You just watched the
GREATEST ALL AROUND
PLAYER in NBA history !
…. Hands down
I think that's what makes a lot of us so frustrated about Lebron. He has all the skills in the world - but he simply chooses not to go to the basket more and be a dominant force - and he isn't the clutch player Larry was - and the fact at 6-9 Larry always hustled and played defense just makes me dislike today's NBA so much. (I will say Magic probably could do a lot of the things that Larry could - he just chose not to.)
@@jamesrawlins735 Magic was probably the most direct match for Larry. Even Jordan wasn't a stand up match for him.
@@captin3149 Jordan scored over 60+ on Larry and the boys in a single game lol Larry said that Jordan was God and gym shorts. It’s Jordan’s team that was no match for the Celtics, but on an individual level, Michael definitely was and that was young Michael to not even the best version of Michael.
And then these mixtapes they don't seem to mention his rebounding he averaged 10 a game for a career as a small forward
@@Zoltz_Racingso Jordan scored 60 points the Celtics swept them in the playoffs 2 years in a ro 14:21 w
Larry, bird and magic played each other three times in the finals in the 80s and yes, this is one of them
Bird is one of the greatest. You will be shocked how complete a player he was.
He was a dominant rebounder as well as an elite shooter and an elite passer. One game he almost had a quadruple double having like 34 points, 13 rebounds, 12 or 13 assists and 9 steals.... And because they were so far ahead he didn't play the fourth quarter at all.
I was young, but I remember Larry's last game. I knew even then how much of a legend he was and that the NBA wouldn't see another player like him for a long time, if ever. One of the greatest to ever play the game. Bird and Jordan were my two favorite players when I was growing up, and to this day, they are two of the greatest competitors to ever play, in any sport. They were basketball gods!
that was fun watching with you, my man! we had such a great time back then watching the NBA it was an era like no other. Lakers/Celtics, Bad Boys, MJ's Bulls... devastating ballers!!! thanks!
Your enthusiasm and willingness to check out an era of basketball before your time made this so enjoyable to watch! That was the first 3 point contest, he won it (wearing his warm-up jacket) along with the next two. He is so fun to watch. The game against the Pistons where he fractured his cheek is a segment in his 50 greatest moments and after the game the Pistons players came up to Larry in respect and admiration at how he played that game with essentially a busted face. There are videos of just his trash talking like "Larry Bird said the funniest line NBA legend remember Larry's Iconic trash talk", and one called Why you Never poke Larry Bird a story told by Dominique Wilkins and other NBA legends, plus one of the greatest sports documentaries the HBO sports special Magic And Larry A Courtship of Rivals that others have reacted to.
Larry Bird is the founding member of the 50/40/90 club. He was a MVP three consecutive years in a row. Also, he played his last years with damaged Achille's Heels and broke his back before that. He also was the only player in NBA History to win the Finals MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year. Please do more of Bird videos. I guarantee you will be impressed with his passing, his trash talking, his shooting.....Oh yeah, and he won an Olympic Gold Medal when he was on the Dream Team.
This is the fourth time I have watched this video, all with different presenters. I have to say yours has been the most enjoyable because of your enthusiasm and sense of humour!
Just a guess but I think the rebound and hoop off his own missed shot was the best scoring play I've ever seen. The body control in mid-air was insane.
That was in the NBA F’n Finals
The 3 point line began in Bird's first year as a pro. It was far behind the college line (which is the other line you see). Colleges didn't have 3 point lines until after Bird was out of college.
Enjoyed your commentary.
Shon, I really appreciate the admiration and respect shown in your reaction!!! It's from a much tougher era than what you see today. That was back when they actually competed in the All-Star games. Check out some of the legends' stories about Bird and some of the other HOFs. BTW, those two 3pt lines....one was the collegiate line, the other was the pro.
I'm 53, I got lucky I got to see Dr J, Larry Bird, Magic, Kareem, Michael, Shaq, Kobe. Bird is in my top 5 all time (he's 3 behind Wilt and Jordan.) Your observation of his body control is spot on thats one of the reasons he was so dam good, that and he was legit 6'10.
It was a time of legends, so many iconic players
appreciate you appreciating him, he was one of a kind in a bygone era. Not the most athletic, but honed a game to fit his skill set. A thinking mans basketball savant.
Oh man Shon...lol Now you did it!! You opened up the Larry Bird monster!! 😁 There's videos of Jordon, LeBron, everybody talking about what a badass Larry Bird was, but you really need to check out the video Larry Bird Gets Hurt 5 Times But Doesn't Quit, or somethi9ng like that. His trash talking is hilarious and DEEP! lol He cuts DEEP. David Letterman did a whole show of Bird and Magic Johnson's friendship. It's fat. It's on TH-cam, but in sections. Please keep looking into Bird. You'll always be impressed. ALWAYS. Thanks. 😏
His basketball IQ was absolutely ridiculous ! He was ahead of his time ! Larry Bird could play right now an average, a triple double bank it !!
That old Boston Garden had no air conditioning in it. Some of those classic playoff games in the 80's were played in late June and it was very hot inside that joint. I remember one series vs the Lakers in 1984 where Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was wearing an oxygen mask while sitting on the bench because it was so hot. But Larry was used to the heat and it never bothered him.
what I love about Bird too was he let others shine as well. crazy teamwork
As a Canadian I preferred watching hockey but I still enjoyed the Celtics Lakers rivalry in the 80s. Larry Bird was as good as advertised, an incredible shooter and passer, plus the dude could talk smack. Love and respect, brother, hog fam Canada 🇨🇦 ❤
The dust mop with broken ankles at 2:30 is Dominique Wilkins.
So glad you’re checking out the man, Larry Legend!! I remember watching the Celtics play the Spurs, (my home team) in the early 80s, he was a force to be reckoned with! You should check out videos made about his legendary trash talking, which is an art form in and of itself! Also, A Courtship of Rivals and the HBO show Winning Time give a look into Larry and Magic’s relationship, it’s an amazing story. Thanks for the daily videos, they always make my day!!
For me that 85-86 Celtic team is arguably the greatest team in NBA history - having Bill Walton come off the bench and reminding us how great he was in college and at Portland. I will say those 2000s Spurs teams were also phenom with Duncan, the most unselfish and underrated player in NBA history. Btw, I was a huge fan of Gervin, A. Robertson and Gilmore.
That game you saw with the two three-point lines was probably because they were playing on a court where college teams played as well. I believe the three-point line in college was closer to the basket than the pro 3-point line.
I’ve seen many Bird reaction videos, this is one of best, you “get” him. There is nobody like him, he could do it all, with toughness, clutchness, hoops IQ, and trash talk all off the charts… Celtics & Lakers played in Finals 3x in 4 years, Bird & Magic basically saved the league, highly recommend documentary about the 2 of them Courtship Of Rivals
Larry Legend- an absolute beast of a player, one of the top 5 of all time for sure. He cooked the best of the best in his day, and imagine what he would do TODAY? A true one of a kind, never to be duplicated.
If you watch videos on how tough Larry Bird was, you'll find that playing with a fractured cheek was one of the minor injuries he played through.
You should watch his trash talking videos (there are many).
The Lakers and Celtics played in the finals multiple times.
I wish there were mics on Larry and Charles Barkley during their matchups - or listen to the trash talking if Bird could have played KG or Gary Payton.
I was never into team sports. That might be because my high school didn’t have a gym or stadium of any kind. If you didn’t see the sign you would think it was an elementary school. Except we didn’t have a cafeteria either.
For whatever reason, a reaction about Larry Bird by a huge fan of current or very recent player was in my recommends. I decided to watch it. The guy’s reactions and what others said about playing against Bird are hilarious. I watch reactions to him because they are fun. I tried watching reactions about a couple of others but there was little or no laughter. Serious discussions instead. Whether or not Bird was one of the top five or ten players of all time is obviously debatable. But there doesn’t seem to be any debate about him being the best trash talker of all time. Mainly because he did what he told opponents what he was going to do. They knew but still couldn’t stop him. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I figure his team mates had to be constantly ready to get a pass from him out of nowhere. Even if his back was turned towards them or coming low and between legs. The man did not hog the ball.
Bird could do it all, and as such he could burn you 10 different ways, even he wasn't the guy who took the shot. Bird's real talent was he was a master at court management and could just destroy your defense and offense both with that ability.
I still think Bird had the best court vision of any player I had ever seen in the NBA (although I won't argue if you say Magic too).
Man I watched this because you said this would be your first time watching the bird man. He was incredible and I already knew what your reaction would be.................. You did not disappoint THANKS MAN!
Good to see your appreciation for the toughness. That word doesn't just apply to the fouls, or the general level of play back then, but also many of the players. These guys would take hard shots, get hurt, get back up, and keep on going. MJ played 82 games 9 times in his career. Barely anyone does that anymore, and certainly not your star players. When us old heads talk about our love for these guys, it's because playing through adversity is what creates legend.
Hey man, I’ve seen many people comment this video. This is by FAR the best reaction I have seen . I grew up watching him play in the 80s. He played in pain, he talked trash, he backed it up and in my opinion is the best player I have ever seen based on his physical ability. MJ and JL may be better. Wilt was someone they changed the rules for. I saw many good players but Larry was my favorite followed close by Magic - and I grew up in LA lol. Thanks for a great job appreciating the man’s talents even though you didn’t see him play in the 80s NBA that I felt was far more physical than today’s game.
5:30 Notice it was Bill Walton who was so impressed with Larry’s lefty game. Bill is another player who eats and writes with his left, but plays ball with his right.
That 85-86 Celtic team is still my favorite all-time team (and I'm a lifelong Sixer fan) - with Walton coming off of the bench and showing us how good he was at UCLA and Portland. Btw, my dad was left handed but did some things with his right; no idea how he did that.
@@jamesrawlins735 I agree! I also know three people with mixed dexterity. I googled it, lol. It’s a real thing. One friend eats with his left, but uses scissors with his right. He cannot switch for either activity. Ambidextrous people can use either hand equally well. Those with mixed dexterity cannot, unless, like Larry, they practiced and worked hard at it.
It was truly amazing watching him play in real time games. Unbelievable!
He had so much back pain he had to stop. He then became the award winning coach of Indiana!
Loved your reaction video man! I was lucky to see the 80s players like Bird, Magic, Isaiah, Kareem, Dr. J etc. It was a great era and a physical game. Teams like the Celtics and the Bad boys from Detroit would knock you around. The Lakers fast break was a thing of beauty. I really miss that era.
6:30
That's the college 3 point line. Back then when college and NBA teams shared the same arena they didn't have separate courts. They used the same court and just painted the college lines and NBA lines in different colors.
He walked into the three-point contest locker room, and said Who? is coming in second
My dad still says that the Celtics & Lakers finals series of the mid 80s were the best ever!
Ok, i was saving these for the end of the video,,but I had to pause it to make this comment, and I'll just add on what I originally was gonna post lol...
1st off, respect to u young man, for not only being so hyped to watch this AND to show it in the 1st damn MINUTE of the video lol, but to immediately give the guy his flowers, again, just 1 min in...
But here we go..
3:50
So Larry won the 1st THREE 3pt contests, IN A ROW ---that warmup jacket, finger in the air shot they showed is the iconic image, but I believe that is the 3rd/last one he won, and he had his "worst" showing that one... I can't sit here and pretend I know what he did on each one, but I know one of those 1st 2 that he won, he said "so who's coming in 2nd place?," to the other guys in the locker room, and he went out and pretty much dominated and backed that up...
Couple of the proverbial "fun facts" about Larry Legend that not only this mixtape leaves out, but is not mentioned enough when talking about Bird
1st guy to achieve the 50/40/90 club, of which I believe it's either only been done 14 times, or 14 players have done it...either way, Bird was the 1st and he did it 2 years in a row (Steve Nash holds the record, doing it an insane 4 times, and 3 years in a row, but obv different game as he was at the tail end of his career as the 3pt shot started really becoming part of the game, til ur boy Steph changed the game by shooting so great it'll make ur head spin 😂)...
The LARRY BIRD NIGHT, when he officially retired and they had that ceremony with Magic there and sht... that was at the Boston Garden on a night that the Celtics didn't have a game, and tickets sold out insanely quick, with people saying it was mayhem outside, with people trying to get any ticket they could from scalpers...
Larry's mind for the game is the greatest of all time, or at least until this point. We see many greats try to coach, or be GM, and fail, across all of the "big 4" sports... I can't speak for the other 3 sports,,but as far as NBA goes, Larry is the only player in the history of the league to:
Win MVP
Win Coach of the Year
Win Executive/GM of the year...
He did that in the 70s (fine, rookie of the year was 79, but still the 70s decade 😂...), 80s, 90s, and 2010s, so across 5 sets of decades, he was "_____ of the Year," at least once in 4 of those 5 decades....
And just in case someone winds up actually pulling that off, for good measure, he's also able to boast that along with being the only person so far to achieve those 3 accolades, he's able to add on, like I mentioned above, Rookie of the Year and Finals MVP...
I HIGHLY DOUBT anyone will ever win mvp coach and GM of rhe year, but I can guaran-damn-tee no one will do that AND be Rookie of the Year (u only get ONE shot at that, remember...), AND be a Finals MVP....
The man was put on Earth to play, and juat be involved with, the game of basketball...
And finally, most know about his back issues, but playing with that HORRIBLE back all those year, compensating for the pain, he wound up also severely injuring his feet/ankles/Achilles, which was why his career was cut drastically shorter than what it should've been, because with the cerebral way he played and approached the game, I don't think it's a stretch to say that if he were to be relatively healthy for his career, or at least not do what he did to his back (more on that in a min), he'd be very effective as, at worst, a great 6th man, in his late 30s....
And he injured his back because he refused to hire, or let his grandmother (or maybe mother? One of them 2 😅) hire, a professional to asphalt her driveway... Larry did it himself in an off-season and wound up ruining what woulda been at least 3 more MVP-level seasons,,and probably 5 or 6 more seasons overall in general...
Many will say that was pretty stupid (I'm one of them lol),,others will say it's noble and shows how much he cared for his family, but either way, it just also shows why so many loved and revered this man; to play the game at a top 5 all time level as he did, but to also be blue collar and down to earth enough, to grab a 12 pack of cold brews, get to the house at the crack of dawn, and get his hands dirty busting his hump to do something he simply COULD DO, like any other 9 to 5'er out there like the rest of us...
I was a teenage Knicks fan in NYC before Bird came into the league and you know the rivalry between the Knicks and Celtics was intense. But when Bird came to the Celtics as a rookie it drove a dagger through the hearts of every Knicks fan. I feel blessed to have been alive to have seen such greats play. Greats like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and even Wilt Chamberlain when he played for Philadelphia.😊
When I was a small child, I idolized players like Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Willis Reed, Dr. J. I remember painting my grandmother's house so she would buy me a pair of Dr J tennis shoes - they were so expensive back then. I was in my teens to early 20s when Bird played. It was mind blowing watching Larry play. Every game was fun, watching him school all the other players. To include Michael Jordan. Had it not been for his bad back - he would have played a few more years. No one compares in my book. Although Magic came real close.
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, 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! Please continue down the Larry Bird rabbit hole, you won't be disappointed 😊
Truly one of the most gifted men to play the game...glad i got to watch him play in his prime.
When bird started playing they barely implemented the 3pt line in the NBA and 1979-80 so just imagine if he grew up shooting 3s and practicing them his whole life like steph curry and all current NBA players have???? Imagine how much better of a shooter bird would have been .
As it was he won the first three NBA Three-Point contests
Love your reactions! The second three point lion is the international 3 point line. During college Larry's team was playing mine. We heard they had a future all American so during warm ups we tried to guess which black player he was. Man were we wrong. He also beat us and set our arena record with no 3 point line. Peace from Northern Michigan.
Nice reaction, Shon. Bird is in my top three. Luckily, I had the opportunity to watch the battles between him and Magic.
I would love to see more reactions from you on him. I love it when younger guys watch some of the legends for the first time. These guys are the reason I watch basketball still today
I watched that Pacers game where he fractured his cheek on TV all those years ago. Chuck "The Rifleman" Person for the Pacers went off after Bird left the game. The Pacers were dominating the game. The game was over...until Larry came back out of the locker room. It was something to see. Chuck did not backdown, but Larry would not be denied. Man I miss the days when players played defense in basketball and used their big men, and not the H-O-R-S-E shooting contests of modern NBA.
Jordan/Bird 1a/1b. There is so much more Larry Bird you need to see.
Larry Bird was my favorite player.... Phenomenal player who played hurt and had a bad back!,,,,, Didn't matter he gave his team his all.... Most determined, smartest basketball player I have ever seen..... I'm a fellow Hoosier and I miss him and others that played in his era... Greatest basketball ever.... Great video, loved it! GG
React to more Bird!! Check out all his historic games and vids. This dude was insane. Subbed!!! He is Top three all time...
I grew up outside Boston in the 1980s and was an avid Celtics fan. Larry Bird was an idol of mine. I always felt like he was an absolute master of the fundamentals, and by following those rather than being a super show off or being as athletic as other stars, he was just consistent as hell. He was also a team player who, if you check his assists and rebounds, just helped everybody.
The inside 3pt line was the college line. The footage during the Celtics/Lakers section was footage from all 3 times they met in the finals. Lakers won 2 of them in 85 and 87, Celtics won in 84.
Isn't the inside line for the WNBA?
@@eatsmylifeYTWNBA wasn't a thing back then. WNBA's fist year was 1997, 5 years after Bird retired.
It's from where a college team uses the same court. That's the college 3 point line.
You 4get that PARRISH And MCHAIL had ankle injuries bad 1'sssssssss at that when Boston was defending thetitle'
I clicked “subscribe” the second you noticed his body control.
Being smart enough to see that right away shows you know a lot about what athleticism is and you know the game
They used to have 2 different 3 point lines, 1 for college and 1 for professional. They made it a little harder for pros.
You should check out his passing highlights.
Nice to see younger people watching these old greats. Bird was a special player.
You need to watch Magic Johnson’s highlights too.
You know I am not a basketball fan unlike you I'm an old lady but I love Larry Bird he just was it❤❤❤ from his dedication on the court to his dedication to his team and how he would play even when he was hurt if his team needed him😮😮😮 I don't see players today doing that because they're too soft😮😮
His shooting and assists were so good that’s why his fakes worked so well. He was a complete player, so you had to respect everything.