I understand how You may feel about Larry's Team being better BUT, The Year before Larry came in the Celtics were 2nd TO Last only Won 29 games. Then Larry comes in & They went up to 61 Won games, Only Larry was New on That Team. No Chief, Kevin, Dennis & Danny. Larry's 2nd Year Won Them a Ring. I Think Larry Just Had That Leadership Mixed With His Skills/IQ Quality That Made His First Team Celtics & 2nd Team Celtics Winners. Jordan Was A Great Player Just Took Him Years To Learn How To Be a Leader.
That's what I try to tell people. Once you get to the top 5 or maybe 10, it becomes who you want to take. I'm taking Bird over any other NBA player in history not just for the stats, but also for how he made his teammates better.
But here is the thing.. 1 v1 i think Jordan wins.. but if both teams are playing... well that changes things entirely. Bird just knew where everyone was.. Jordan HAD to have the ball to work his magic.. Bird didn't. And like Jordan said himself "One man cant beat the Celtic"@@silentios7336
The GOAT list begins with MJ & Larry Bird. I don't really care who you put number 1 because they are BOTH GOATS. I feel blessed to have the joy of watching them both play basketball and really no player other than Kobe has shown the dedication, preparation, commitment & respect for the game than these two men right here. I could watch MJ & Bird highlights every day for the rest of my life & it would never ever get old.
And the way Bird hurt his back? Shoveling gravel and moving rocks putting in a new driveway at his mom’s house during the off-season. Bird could have bought the gravel company! But he was used to doing things on his own. And had an incredible work ethic! So, unfortunately, we lost one the greatest players EVER in any sport a few years early. C’est la vie!!
No! You cannot separate the individual stats from the team stats. You cannot leave out the effects of the player to the success of the team. He took a 29 wins team to a 61 wins team in his first year in the league. Larry Joe Bird is the GOAT!
But the same goes for the Celltics the year Bird came in. They just meshed, and played together better and better as the years went on. Larry was a great Captain.
that was because Bird made everyone better. jordan was a ball hog and MEbron and all of the "stars" today do not play a team game or make their teammates better. Bird could do everything by HIMSELF but he always deferred to what ever play would secure the win and didnt give a shit about stats. no one is as clutch as bird ever. jordan was flashier but he never once beat Bird in the playoffs in 6 games. jordan got swept....twice. jordan padded stats while Bird wanted the win.
I grew up with Magic, like in the same town and a block away from his parents. So, I by extension thru Michigan State and the Pistons got a TON of Bird. I could never dislike the guy. I looked forward to watching him play against the teams I was rooting for. I genuinely feel that Bird/Magic set the stage for Michael.
Larry Birds Rookie year took the Celtics from 29 wins the year before to 61 wins. With out the help he got later. And won rookie of the year. Watch Larry Bird “Alpha Male Rookie”
Yes MJ could do more than dunk and score. However I think the point being made is you didn’t worry or fear MJ’s passing or rebounding. Defensive next level yeah. Larry was killer on all aspects outside of his D which like MJs passing is severely underrated. Like coop said without the ball MJ faded off to the side and held his shorts. Bird moved well without the ball and did so many other things
I really think Bird just had an uncanny vision and science to his game. He unabashedly used the backboard, he would put a spin on his bounce passes, his turn-around jumper and passes were literally an "eyes in the back of his head" level. It's like the court was his Matrix.
I just found this. Great reaction!!!! It’s all subjective as you said!!! For all games in 91 Larry needed 2 to 3 HOURS of back exercises so he could play a single game!!!! Talk about toughness and dedication!!!!! Sheesh 🙄
Non-factor because the greats are Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain of the 60's and Kareem in the 70's. Note in the 80's Bird dominated all the players. Majority of the other teams aimed to hurt Bird in most games, the injuries Bird got were so brutal in the 80's and when they knew that Bird had been going to a doctor for his back/spine, they did all they can to hurt him more. Celtics team was so good they even tried to have the Cheerleaders of the opposing team had the Celtics players get drunk and left the bar only 6 hours before the game...still Celtics won!
In my eyes, the peak of basketball is occupied by 3 legends, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. The big 3 of NBA history. Larry is number 1 for me due to his overall aptitude for basketball, he truly could do it all, even with a broken back. Honestly, everyone was lucky Larry was as injured as he was, just imagine how great he would have been if his body didn't betray him.
Love Robert Parrish, what character and great player - and given the fact that Jordan was so much more athletic than Bird that meant Larry had to work that much harder to go up against him. Im a huge Bird fan but he had his work cut out going up against such a strong player as Michael Jordan.
Yes please react to that Jordan/Bird game seen at the end. Bird was in the hospital the night before and was wearing a heavy back brace for the game. Great reaction as always bro.
If you watch that game between the celtics and the bulls think about this. Bird had to wear a body cast to support his back that year anytime he wasn't playing. He would spent an hour or more on a bike before each game to loosen it up enough to play. He was one tuff dude.
You can look at greatness as most rings, or highest stats, but what really matters is how you feel when you watch a great player. What we feel always matters more than what we know as facts. So I will continue to watch all the great ones, and appreciate them all. But Bird owns my heart.
Jordans 1988 season puts him in a class by himself. I do have Bird 3. Also Bird turned the second worst team in the league into a 61 win team his rookie year, by himself. That puts him in a class by himself.
It is not a question of Jordan's passing ability, it was the fact that Bird would pass the ball to make sure everyone on the Celtics were a part of the offensive game, be it with assists or out right scoring, Bird made it a conscious effort to bring his team mates into the game..
Exactly. Otherwise, Bird would have had even higher shooting numbers. He used to pass easy shots to other teammates just to keep them involved in the game and their morale high.
@@russellburgess684 I think if Bird was on the 80s Bulls instead of MJ, the Bulls would have won more games. Bird raised up the team around him, Jordan would try team ball for a bit, then give up on the team and just keep the ball to score himself. BTW Scotty Pippen was a rookie in the 87-88 season and was there when Detroit beat them 4-1 in the playoffs. While many people think the Celtics had a team that didn't change there were plenty of guys like Rick Robey, Brian Shaw, Jerry Sichting, ML Carr, Greg Kite, and Brad Lohaus that flowed through while Bird was on the team.
Listen I was around for that decade. I can GUARANTEE you that NOBODY called JORDAN the GOAT in the 80s. NOBODY. Folks that grew up in the 90s and who were inundated with the non-stop Jordan Hype CANT remember a time when Jordan wasn’t the “it” player. So, sorry, but this is proof that the NBA Jordan marketing campaign was the most successful hype in marketing history. If you’d seen Dr J play in the mid 70s you’d have seen the blueprint for Jordan & his high flying dunks! The fact is the 80s were CHOCK FULL of superstars. And Larry DOMINATED THEM ALL.
I play competitive volleyball and have a slipped disc in my back thst acts up and, like you said, it is so painful and difficult to play when it hurts but i still fight thru it..Bird was one of those tough old schoolers who played thru the pain...
I'll take a healthy, prime Bird over anyone. in terms of career, Jordan is better but if you throw every player who played into a draft pool at the age of 25 and fully healthy, I'd take Bird
He hurt his back the 1st time only 6 years into his career. He had a unusable finger on his shooting hand before he came into the league. Achilles surgeries on both Achilles and still had the career he had. I don't like people saying Jordan did not have a team early because Bird took a 20 win team to a 60 win team as a rookie
Everybody wants to compare the best players of each era...but I want to watch MJ, Larry, LeBron, etc... play together. Any team that starts with Mike at the 2, Larry at the 3, and Lebron at the 4....it almost doesn't matter who starts the other positions. lol The best part about Larry Bird is that he competed every game and dared the rest of the league to compete on his level. Larry's legacy is embedded in Mike's game, Isiah's game, 'Nique's game, Barkley, MAGIC, Dr. J, and more...He challenged every top player he played against to give him their best. He made trash talk a legitimate weapon when you could back it up. Ask Kobe, KG, and Mike about trash talk. You gotta check out Larry's 100 Passes video. It's really worth it.
And TECHNICALLY what zeke said was right. If you were those guys, in the scope of the season and who was gunna contend, they had zero fear of MJ and the Bulls. Sixers,pistons, lakers, Celtics we’re who worried about each other
I’ve lived in Northern Indiana, now in Indianapolis, so one might think that I’m a Pacer’s and Colt’s fan. However, I grew up on Chicago’s Southside where I learned to love the Bulls and Bears, still do. So I was in Heaven during the Bull’s run in the Nineties. I followed Bird in the Seventies and Eighties, and Jordan in the Eighties and Nineties. Here’s my assessment of difference; Jordan needed Pippen to win, but Bird immediately took his team to greatness. I believe that the Legend could have taken any team to greatness. Bird is the GOAT!
Speaking to him being a non factor, isn't saying he didn't make an impact. But his impact at the end of the day didn't lead to anything. Now look at what Bird did for the Celtics in his first season prior to getting all the help people try and use in arguments against him.
i agree with you they go overboard to try and prove there point when staying with the basics is good enough to make a point. actually by going over board you make it unbelievable. and by the way the didn't get certain parts of the story correct number 1 Larry did not kick the ball overJordans head he threw it
For those that think Larry Bird was not as good as he really was and never had the chance to see him play this comment is for you. Remember in this comment I am just highlighting Larry's NBA accomplishments. Little know thing about Larry to those that never saw him play , he could effect the outcome of a game and never take a shot thats how devastating his passing skills were. Here is one thing that most fans (people) either don't know or try to ignore, prior to Larry joining the NBA there was no such thing as a three point line, that came in when Bird was starting his first year of his NBA career. Just think about it, what would todays game be without the three point line or if the line was one foot farther out like it was when it was first introduced. Food for thought. At that time it was not about the individuals stats it was about the win. But if you need some stats here you go: Here are some of Larry Bird's notable career achievements and statistics: Three-time NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986); Two-time NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986); Three-time NBA MVP (1984-86); 12-time NBA All-Star (1980-88, 1990-92); Nine-time All-NBA First Team (1980-88); All-NBA Second Team (1990); Three-time All-NBA Defensive Second Team (1982-84); NBA Rookie of the Year (1980); NBA All-Rookie Team (1980); Three-time NBA Three-Point Contest champion (1986-88); Career-high in points: 60 (March 12, 1985) -- tied for franchise record with Jayson Tatum; Named NBA Coach of the Year (1998); and Named NBA Executive of the Year (2012). Larry Bird, was the first player to accomplish the 50-40-90 achievement, and one of two players to achieve the feat in multiple seasons. Career averages: 24.3 points per game 10.0 rebounds per game 6.3 assists per game 88.6% free throw percentage 49.6% field goal percentage 37.6% 3-point percentage Now we can't forget that Bird famously played with two injured ankles and a notoriously cranky back that forced him to lay down on the floor during practice breaks. After season-ending foot surgery just six games into the 1988-89 season James Worthy, who played against both Michael Jordan and Larry Bird, said, I'd much rather play. against Michael Jordan than Larry Bird. Jordan made you look slow, but Bird made you look stupid.
THAT'S WHY THEY CALL HIM, "LARRY LEGEND BIRD." HE'S THE GREATEST BASKETBALL PLAYER EVER!!! WHEN HIS TIME COMES AND I HOPE IT'S MANY YEARS FROM TODAY! I BELIEVE LARRY LEGEND'S HEADSTONE SHOULD READ "DON'T PUT NO WHITE BOY ON ME!" 👏👍🤣 ENOUGH SAID!!! ✌️
For me it's Bird #1 and Jordan #2. Jordan certainly had more athleticism but Bird was the more complete player. Both players competed in a FAR more physical era and had the intangibles and killer instinct and the court awareness. It was only when Bird retired in '92 that the Jordan and Bulls dynasty began. Jordan has the 6 championship rings but was also 0-6 against Bird (who has 3 rings) and the Celtics in the postseason, let that sink in. Both players are in my All-Time starting 5 which is as automatic as breathing. Everyone has their favorite which is subjective and for me it's Bird at the top.
"What happened to his back!?" Here's an interesting tid-bit: Larry Bird is one the very few who WILLINGLY PLAYS HURT!! There's this one game where Bird shattered one side of his skull and rather than go out to get it treated, he went back on the court like it was nothing.
I think all these young fans of the NBA now don't know how good the teams of the 80's really were! The Eastern Conference was just a bunch of bulldogs! In the Westernern Conference, they had the Lakers as dominant but the other teams were not that dominant. 😮
Bird had a raw talent of making people work harder than they had to. He would tell them what he was going to do. They thought he was lying. That faked them out by telling the truth. It's an unusual strategy, but it worked
It was Jordan when he was drafted but let's not forget the Celtics were in the tank when Bird was drafted. It was only him and he took that 20 win team to over 40 wins as a rookie and 60 wins and a championship as a sophomore
That was a comment Dr J made, but it was inaccurate. Larry came to a 29 win team & elevated it to a 61 win team AS A ROOKIE without Parish McHale Ainge or DJ…
@lathedauphinot6820 just pointed out how he sigle handedly turned a franchise around by himself. Because they were making a excuse for Jordan not having help. Bird could elevate his team Jordan did not have that
@@ricklove8588 I think they know that. It is just Dr.J was complimenting Bird and used the wrong numbers. He thought it took Bird 2 years to get to 61 wins, but he did it in his rookie year. In Bird's second year he led the Celtics to a NBA championship win. So this proves your point even more dramatically.
@@ricklove8588 Reading it back, my comment seems a little short, nearly rude. I apologize. I didn’t mean it that way. @irishgrl is right: Dr J was trying to send a compliment, but Bird was actually even better than that. Bird improved the Celtics’ record by himself. People make excuses for Jordan, but to Jordan’s credit, he never makes excuses for himself. Bird helped toughen him up and become the player he became.
I always laugh when someone says "that Jordan did not have any help the first few years". The year before Larry joined the team the Celtics had only won 20 games. The year Larry joined the team they won over 40 games. The next year Larry and the Celtics won the Championship. So your theory is not quite correct.
What most people doesn't know back in this time. Bird had to go stay in traction the night before a game. He also had to wear a hard plastic back brace to just play. He still beat MJ.
when Bird got drafted, the year before the celtics won 20+ games after Bird got drafted that same team won 60+ can't say that for MJ. the next year for Bird they won the championship and that was before Parish and DJ
Prime Bird was so unstoppable it was almost boring to Bird, especially since the last half of his career he was injured worse every year to the point that Bird was barely mobile off the court
You have a good point. But just if you didn’t know, Bird arrive to the Celtics when the Celts were the 2nd worst team of the league, and in the first season of Bird with the Celtics, he took the exactly same people to the eastern conference finals vs Philly and Philly was juggernaut with Dr J, Dawkins, Cheeks and other great players.
The problem with your argument is that Bird could have scored 50 points every game, but he didn’t care about that. He just wanted to win. Bird has told a story where one night he was pissed at McHale and Walton and told them to screw, he didn’t need them and went out and scored 54 points but they lost. He said that game showed him the importance of including the whole team to win. Jordan apparently never learned that lesson.
15:05 - I just love how & where the narrator puts emphasis in such provocative way - it just _oozes_ of cheap, instigating resentment - sums up 80's basketball really... 🤣😂
There's a documentary on Larry and Magic. Goes into their back stories in great detail. It was on HBO Sports. Jordan's in it a little bit, but mainly it explains how these two elevated each other's skills. It's 1-1/2 hours long, but worth it.
The thing that makes Bird better than MJ is that he did what any player has to do to make my list of truly greats -- he made the other 4 guys in the floor with him an EXTENSION OF him. He did this primarily with his passing. Though he didn't have massive assist totals like Magic (another true great in my book), his ability to thread the needle in heavy traffic with either hand with eyes in the back and sides of his head combined with his quick (and extremely accurate) shot release and ability to quickly change directions made him such a threat to very quickly shoot, pass or drive that defenders would try to guard against all three -- which is why you see Bird breaking so many ankles in those highlights. They're trying to go 3 different directions at the same time, which means you go down in a heap. Obviously being the GOAT clutch shooter didn't hurt. But being such a great passer that you make the other 4 guys an extension of you makes you unstoppable. As Worthy said, you had to THINK (and think HARD) when you guard Bird. That adds a lot to a defender's fatigue. Jordan didn't have that ability, nor did Kobe. Lebron does to a lesser degree, you see flashes of it from time to time. But nothing like Bird or Magic. And being able to run fast and jump high does not make up for it, because no-one can outrun or out-jump the ball...
It's hard to say, but if Larry played a full career of approx. 15-17 seasons without back issues. He could have been the GOAT, maybe. He had a bizarre way of shooting, however, whenever he was attempting a shot, it turned to gold. I think he was a better shooter than Steph Curry. I was born in Feb. of '78, so I remember Larry, Magic and MJ, quite well. The top 5 for me, goes like this: #5) Magic #4) Kobe #3) LeBron #2) Larry #1) MJ
The real problem is this is a team sport. Individual play matters ..but it's only good in regard to how the team functions. Keep in mind that ...WITHOUT Parrish, McHale, DJ, Ainge, Bill Walton..... as a ROOKIE, Larry added 32 EXTRA wins ( 29 to 61)...Larry's impact...as a rookie ..with a broke finger and less feel for the ball ..had HUGE impact. Look at MJ's team impact as a rookie compared to the previous year. See a difference? 😉
MMBxMOB good one but say, it's just not about team, some players elevate the play of all around them, that counts for something...Larry Legend in his first year took a 29 win team to 60+ wins- by himself! No one else was with him then, then in his 2nd year he wins the title...so comon man, I was there, Isiah was right about MJ in the 80s and everyone was saying it then too- talented player, great scorer- but not a winner and didn't elevate his team...anyway, of course he is awesome, no doubt- but we know who the real GOAT is, only injuries stopped Larry Legend, ok, keep it up..
It's like asking which car is better; a brand new Corvette (Jordan) or a brand new Chevy Blazer (Bird). Sure, the Vette can run circles around the Blazer on a racetrack. But when it comes to all around durability and usefulness to the owner..... 'think you know the answer.
One thing I think most people overlook is the nba is a team game, not a 1 on 1 sport. So while you can have players who might beat another player 1 on 1, when speaking in terms of the nba and the team aspect I don't think the 1 on 1 argument holds water. So I feel whoever is considered the best has to be graded in that context
Chicago's record the year before Jordan came into the league was 27-55. Jordan's first year they had a record of 38-44. 2nd year 30-52. Boston's record the year before Bird was 29-53. Bird's first year Boston's record was 61-21 a 32 game improvement. There was no McHale, Parrish, DJ or Ainge on that team. The next year it was 62-20 McHale's' rookie year. The next year it even jumped to 63-19. Bird made everyone around him better.
When it comes down to it it is subjective Larry Bird's my goat but if you told me that Michael Jordan is yours I ain't going to argue with you you have just as much right to believe that as I do too believe that Larry Bird is The goat both were definitely fun to watch
These two and Magic are my favorite players. The best era. Second best era (excluding the Wilt etc era) may be now actually. The era of Giannis, Luka, Jokic and Steph.
As a true Bostonian I say Larry was one of the greatest but my top five it goes on magic bird Kobe shaq but this is cause the top 3 in many ways can rotate in who is the Goat but even being from Boston I do see that Jordan is number 1 but magic and bird could easily rotate his stat lower to one another but I will not show bias cause if had to go by records mj is king but magic is longer career makes him better then bird but bird could easily take crown from either of them
Larry was also playing HURT, He damaged his back in 1985 (preseason) if I recall correctly. He wasn't , even with a good back, anywhere as near athletic as Jordan. Plus, Larry ended up with Achilles tendons and also he had another injury to his back that required back surgery around 1991. Larry later in his career, sometimes wore a full torso/back brace while playing. He also said in a later in life interview, that he wondered, when going into each game that he might end up in a wheelchair. THAT was how bad his back was....and yet he still held his own against the guy who everyone touts as the greatest ever??? I'm 61, watched most of Larry's televised games and he was my favorite then and still is, due to his skill, his being unselfish on the court, letting his team mates score when he could have done so himself. And I don't think it's disrespectful to Jordan to say that Larry was a better passer....no one said Jordan wasn't a great passer....so you are reading disrespect there, when there was none. Jordan was a flashy, athletic, great player...no doubt. But no one will ever convince me that he was as great as Larry. Larry was just a better 'All Around' player. He could do more things better than Jordan, even if he wasn't doing a few things as well as Jordan. And he did it while in extreme pain. Larry didn't take pain killers, either.
Most people only focus on the player and their player numbers. Being able to uplift a team that can’t win and make them all shine brighter than diamonds, that’s what is truly impressive about bird. He didn’t have to have the ball to affect the outcome of the game. His basketball IQ was second to no one. I always thought MJ was the greatest but after watching the games and the history of the who was playing, I think Larry legend is probably the greatest of all time. It seems that all the other greats agree with that too, so I’m probably gonna go with the professionals opinion and not me with nostalgia watching MJ as a kid. The more I see about the past the more I’m convinced Larry wast the absolute GOAT in the sport.
Most players that played with Jordan say he is the worst teammate they ever played with. Jordan won after Boston, LA, Detroit, and Philly lost their top players to injury or retirement. Boston no DJ, Ainge and a hurt Bird. LA no Kareem or Michael Cooper. Detroit no Rick Mahorn. Philly no Andrew Toney, Dr J. or Moses Malone.
Teams of that era were nothing but OG greats. MJ was the rookie great who couldn't lead his team to greatness. Larry was the rookie great that turned the Celtics around.
Jordon wasn't a factor in THE 80's. Jordon wouldn't become a factor until the decade of the 90's. After Bird and Magic had saved the League and had passed their prime.
Bird was good right from the beginning and Celtics had a great team. Bird was 1 of the greatest and MJ could have been great back then if he had a team he could rely on..
That's why Jordan is the goat, he played the best and learned(stole) from the best...You'll later in the 90's see traits of Magic and Bird in Jordan...He was phenomenal because he never stopped wanting to be better...Who's Lebrons nemesis?
MJ is the most colorful player. But you have to put it into the proper context of how the rules of the game changed when MJ was playing with Scottie and Rodman.(Bird burnt Dennis Rodman every time he played against him) The physicality of the game was not even on the same level as it was before. And remember also. The 3 point shot wasn't installed in the game until Bird was a rookie.
Jordan was an awesome all round player. He was still coming into his own. Bird is my all time favorite but one on one, I have to give it to Jordan. I don't think anyone beats Jordan. Bird was right there though. A few years later and Bird would have had big trouble, even without the injuries. 90's Jordon couldn't be beat.
I understand how You may feel about Larry's Team being better BUT, The Year before Larry came in the Celtics were 2nd TO Last only Won 29 games. Then Larry comes in & They went up to 61 Won games, Only Larry was New on That Team. No Chief, Kevin, Dennis & Danny. Larry's 2nd Year Won Them a Ring. I Think Larry Just Had That Leadership Mixed With His Skills/IQ Quality That Made His First Team Celtics & 2nd Team Celtics Winners. Jordan Was A Great Player Just Took Him Years To Learn How To Be a Leader.
Agree 100%
@@OoogaBoog Don't forget the season when Larry was out for surgery on both feet (89).
And another thing I love about Larry. He tells it like it is, and gives respect where its due. He doesn't talk bad about anyone except Lambeer.
And Lambeer did plenty to deserve the hate
@@venetoaward you bet he did. Dirty, dirty.
You mean LAMEbeer
That's what I try to tell people. Once you get to the top 5 or maybe 10, it becomes who you want to take. I'm taking Bird over any other NBA player in history not just for the stats, but also for how he made his teammates better.
What you know in your heart is all that matters. Watching how incredible Bird was, my heart says he's the best ever
Same here, would take Bird over Jordan. Jordan still my number 2 pick.
But here is the thing.. 1 v1 i think Jordan wins.. but if both teams are playing... well that changes things entirely. Bird just knew where everyone was.. Jordan HAD to have the ball to work his magic.. Bird didn't. And like Jordan said himself "One man cant beat the Celtic"@@silentios7336
I know I'm a bird fan cause I saw him first but mj was awesome
@ miked5814: bird was the Patton of the NBA
The GOAT list begins with MJ & Larry Bird. I don't really care who you put number 1 because they are BOTH GOATS. I feel blessed to have the joy of watching them both play basketball and really no player other than Kobe has shown the dedication, preparation, commitment & respect for the game than these two men right here. I could watch MJ & Bird highlights every day for the rest of my life & it would never ever get old.
Now you got it.perfect my sentiments exactly
Lary Bird was the best player in NBA history! Clear to see. Just the view of the men that played against Bird says it all.!! THEY SHOULD KNOW BEST!
And the way Bird hurt his back? Shoveling gravel and moving rocks putting in a new driveway at his mom’s house during the off-season. Bird could have bought the gravel company! But he was used to doing things on his own. And had an incredible work ethic! So, unfortunately, we lost one the greatest players EVER in any sport a few years early. C’est la vie!!
@Widdermaker. Imagine how NBA history might have changed had Larry hired a contractor.
its not the passing they are talking about, its the MOVEMENT WITHOUT the ball. Jordan was ball dominant. Bird didnt have to be.
I love the Chief spitting FACTS 😂
No! You cannot separate the individual stats from the team stats. You cannot leave out the effects of the player to the success of the team. He took a 29 wins team to a 61 wins team in his first year in the league. Larry Joe Bird is the GOAT!
But the same goes for the Celltics the year Bird came in. They just meshed, and played together better and better as the years went on. Larry was a great Captain.
Actually incorrect. Bird made the single best impact on a team as a rookie compared to the year before….next yr, won a championship
that was because Bird made everyone better. jordan was a ball hog and MEbron and all of the "stars" today do not play a team game or make their teammates better. Bird could do everything by HIMSELF but he always deferred to what ever play would secure the win and didnt give a shit about stats. no one is as clutch as bird ever. jordan was flashier but he never once beat Bird in the playoffs in 6 games. jordan got swept....twice. jordan padded stats while Bird wanted the win.
@@jbbj9720 Amen!!!!
I grew up with Magic, like in the same town and a block away from his parents. So, I by extension thru Michigan State and the Pistons got a TON of Bird. I could never dislike the guy. I looked forward to watching him play against the teams I was rooting for. I genuinely feel that Bird/Magic set the stage for Michael.
Larry Birds Rookie year took the Celtics from 29 wins the year before to 61 wins. With out the help he got later. And won rookie of the year. Watch Larry Bird “Alpha Male Rookie”
Yes MJ could do more than dunk and score. However I think the point being made is you didn’t worry or fear MJ’s passing or rebounding. Defensive next level yeah. Larry was killer on all aspects outside of his D which like MJs passing is severely underrated. Like coop said without the ball MJ faded off to the side and held his shorts. Bird moved well without the ball and did so many other things
I really think Bird just had an uncanny vision and science to his game. He unabashedly used the backboard, he would put a spin on his bounce passes, his turn-around jumper and passes were literally an "eyes in the back of his head" level. It's like the court was his Matrix.
I just found this. Great reaction!!!! It’s all subjective as you said!!! For all games in 91 Larry needed 2 to 3 HOURS of back exercises so he could play a single game!!!! Talk about toughness and dedication!!!!! Sheesh 🙄
Jordan wasn,t a factor because he doesn,t make his teammates better like Bird did. Bird was a General on the court.
Non-factor because the greats are Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain of the 60's and Kareem in the 70's.
Note in the 80's Bird dominated all the players. Majority of the other teams aimed to hurt Bird in most games, the injuries Bird got were so brutal in the 80's and when they knew that Bird had been going to a doctor for his back/spine, they did all they can to hurt him more.
Celtics team was so good they even tried to have the Cheerleaders of the opposing team had the Celtics players get drunk and left the bar only 6 hours before the game...still Celtics won!
I totally agree and that youngsters only believe what they want to believe but never ever witnessed the games since they weren't born yet
In my eyes, the peak of basketball is occupied by 3 legends, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. The big 3 of NBA history. Larry is number 1 for me due to his overall aptitude for basketball, he truly could do it all, even with a broken back. Honestly, everyone was lucky Larry was as injured as he was, just imagine how great he would have been if his body didn't betray him.
Love Robert Parrish, what character and great player - and given the fact that Jordan was so much more athletic than Bird that meant Larry had to work that much harder to go up against him. Im a huge Bird fan but he had his work cut out going up against such a strong player as Michael Jordan.
There are a few GOATS, but only one LEGEND
You're right! It's MJ the Legend....
@@LastLetterisZed702Well, the only one that has been called the LEGEND is Mr Larry Bird.
Robert Parrish always makes me laugh with that comment😂😂😂
Yes please react to that Jordan/Bird game seen at the end. Bird was in the hospital the night before and was wearing a heavy back brace for the game. Great reaction as always bro.
Bird didn't need to shoot the ball, he passed to whoever had the best chance.
If you watch that game between the celtics and the bulls think about this. Bird had to wear a body cast to support his back that year anytime he wasn't playing. He would spent an hour or more on a bike before each game to loosen it up enough to play. He was one tuff dude.
You can look at greatness as most rings, or highest stats, but what really matters is how you feel when you watch a great player. What we feel always matters more than what we know as facts. So I will continue to watch all the great ones, and appreciate them all. But Bird owns my heart.
Jordans 1988 season puts him in a class by himself. I do have Bird 3. Also Bird turned the second worst team in the league into a 61 win team his rookie year, by himself. That puts him in a class by himself.
It is not a question of Jordan's passing ability, it was the fact that Bird would pass the ball to make sure everyone on the Celtics were a part of the offensive game, be it with assists or out right scoring, Bird made it a conscious effort to bring his team mates into the game..
Exactly. Otherwise, Bird would have had even higher shooting numbers. He used to pass easy shots to other teammates just to keep them involved in the game and their morale high.
@braemtes23. Bird was surrounded by players in which he could have confidence. Jordan was surrounded by a bunch of 9th man types
@@russellburgess684 I think if Bird was on the 80s Bulls instead of MJ, the Bulls would have won more games. Bird raised up the team around him, Jordan would try team ball for a bit, then give up on the team and just keep the ball to score himself. BTW Scotty Pippen was a rookie in the 87-88 season and was there when Detroit beat them 4-1 in the playoffs. While many people think the Celtics had a team that didn't change there were plenty of guys like Rick Robey, Brian Shaw, Jerry Sichting, ML Carr, Greg Kite, and Brad Lohaus that flowed through while Bird was on the team.
Listen I was around for that decade. I can GUARANTEE you that NOBODY called JORDAN the GOAT in the 80s. NOBODY. Folks that grew up in the 90s and who were inundated with the non-stop Jordan Hype CANT remember a time when Jordan wasn’t the “it” player. So, sorry, but this is proof that the NBA Jordan marketing campaign was the most successful hype in marketing history. If you’d seen Dr J play in the mid 70s you’d have seen the blueprint for Jordan & his high flying dunks!
The fact is the 80s were CHOCK FULL of superstars. And Larry DOMINATED THEM ALL.
Thank you.
I play competitive volleyball and have a slipped disc in my back thst acts up and, like you said, it is so painful and difficult to play when it hurts but i still fight thru it..Bird was one of those tough old schoolers who played thru the pain...
I'll take a healthy, prime Bird over anyone.
in terms of career, Jordan is better but if you throw every player who played into a draft pool at the age of 25 and fully healthy, I'd take Bird
Larry-true GOAT
80s basketball happened to Birds back.
He hurt his back the 1st time only 6 years into his career. He had a unusable finger on his shooting hand before he came into the league. Achilles surgeries on both Achilles and still had the career he had. I don't like people saying Jordan did not have a team early because Bird took a 20 win team to a 60 win team as a rookie
Everybody wants to compare the best players of each era...but I want to watch MJ, Larry, LeBron, etc... play together. Any team that starts with Mike at the 2, Larry at the 3, and Lebron at the 4....it almost doesn't matter who starts the other positions. lol
The best part about Larry Bird is that he competed every game and dared the rest of the league to compete on his level. Larry's legacy is embedded in Mike's game, Isiah's game, 'Nique's game, Barkley, MAGIC, Dr. J, and more...He challenged every top player he played against to give him their best. He made trash talk a legitimate weapon when you could back it up. Ask Kobe, KG, and Mike about trash talk.
You gotta check out Larry's 100 Passes video. It's really worth it.
And TECHNICALLY what zeke said was right. If you were those guys, in the scope of the season and who was gunna contend, they had zero fear of MJ and the Bulls. Sixers,pistons, lakers, Celtics we’re who worried about each other
The bottom line is, they both had great careers.
I’ve lived in Northern Indiana, now in Indianapolis, so one might think that I’m a Pacer’s and Colt’s fan. However, I grew up on Chicago’s Southside where I learned to love the Bulls and Bears, still do. So I was in Heaven during the Bull’s run in the Nineties. I followed Bird in the Seventies and Eighties, and Jordan in the Eighties and Nineties. Here’s my assessment of difference; Jordan needed Pippen to win, but Bird immediately took his team to greatness. I believe that the Legend could have taken any team to greatness. Bird is the GOAT!
Speaking to him being a non factor, isn't saying he didn't make an impact. But his impact at the end of the day didn't lead to anything.
Now look at what Bird did for the Celtics in his first season prior to getting all the help people try and use in arguments against him.
i agree with you they go overboard to try and prove there point when staying with the basics is good enough to make a point. actually by going over board you make it unbelievable.
and by the way the didn't get certain parts of the story correct number 1 Larry did not kick the ball overJordans head he threw it
Thank you! I’m so tired of that “Larry kicked the ball” narrative!!
For those that think Larry Bird was not as good as he really was and never had the chance to see him play this comment is for you. Remember in this comment I am just highlighting Larry's NBA accomplishments.
Little know thing about Larry to those that never saw him play , he could effect the outcome of a game and never take a shot thats how devastating his passing skills were. Here is one thing that most fans (people) either don't know or try to ignore, prior to Larry joining the NBA there was no such thing as a three point line, that came in when Bird was starting his first year of his NBA career. Just think about it, what would todays game be without the three point line or if the line was one foot farther out like it was when it was first introduced. Food for thought.
At that time it was not about the individuals stats it was about the win. But if you need some stats here you go:
Here are some of Larry Bird's notable career achievements and statistics:
Three-time NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986); Two-time NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986); Three-time NBA MVP (1984-86); 12-time NBA All-Star (1980-88, 1990-92); Nine-time All-NBA First Team (1980-88);
All-NBA Second Team (1990); Three-time All-NBA Defensive Second Team (1982-84); NBA Rookie of the Year (1980); NBA All-Rookie Team (1980); Three-time NBA Three-Point Contest champion (1986-88);
Career-high in points: 60 (March 12, 1985) -- tied for franchise record with Jayson Tatum; Named NBA Coach of the Year (1998); and Named NBA Executive of the Year (2012).
Larry Bird, was the first player to accomplish the 50-40-90 achievement, and one of two players to achieve the feat in multiple seasons.
Career averages:
24.3 points per game
10.0 rebounds per game
6.3 assists per game
88.6% free throw percentage
49.6% field goal percentage
37.6% 3-point percentage
Now we can't forget that Bird famously played with two injured ankles and a notoriously cranky back that forced him to lay down on the floor during practice breaks. After season-ending foot surgery just six games into the 1988-89 season
James Worthy, who played against both Michael Jordan and Larry Bird, said, I'd much rather play. against Michael Jordan than Larry Bird. Jordan made you look slow, but Bird made you look stupid.
THAT'S WHY THEY CALL HIM, "LARRY LEGEND BIRD." HE'S THE GREATEST BASKETBALL PLAYER EVER!!!
WHEN HIS TIME COMES AND I HOPE IT'S MANY YEARS FROM TODAY!
I BELIEVE LARRY LEGEND'S HEADSTONE SHOULD READ
"DON'T PUT NO WHITE BOY ON ME!" 👏👍🤣
ENOUGH SAID!!! ✌️
For me it's Bird #1 and Jordan #2. Jordan certainly had more athleticism but Bird was the more complete player. Both players competed in a FAR more physical era and had the intangibles and killer instinct and the court awareness. It was only when Bird retired in '92 that the Jordan and Bulls dynasty began. Jordan has the 6 championship rings but was also 0-6 against Bird (who has 3 rings) and the Celtics in the postseason, let that sink in. Both players are in my All-Time starting 5 which is as automatic as breathing. Everyone has their favorite which is subjective and for me it's Bird at the top.
"What happened to his back!?"
Here's an interesting tid-bit: Larry Bird is one the very few who WILLINGLY PLAYS HURT!!
There's this one game where Bird shattered one side of his skull and rather than go out to get it treated, he went back on the court like it was nothing.
I think all these young fans of the NBA now don't know how good the teams of the 80's really were! The Eastern Conference was just a bunch of bulldogs! In the Westernern Conference, they had the Lakers as dominant but the other teams were not that dominant. 😮
Bird had a raw talent of making people work harder than they had to. He would tell them what he was going to do. They thought he was lying. That faked them out by telling the truth. It's an unusual strategy, but it worked
It was Jordan when he was drafted but let's not forget the Celtics were in the tank when Bird was drafted. It was only him and he took that 20 win team to over 40 wins as a rookie and 60 wins and a championship as a sophomore
There was no 40 something win season in between. The Celtics won 29 games the year before Larry and 61 games his rookie season.
That was a comment Dr J made, but it was inaccurate. Larry came to a 29 win team & elevated it to a 61 win team AS A ROOKIE without Parish McHale Ainge or DJ…
@lathedauphinot6820 just pointed out how he sigle handedly turned a franchise around by himself. Because they were making a excuse for Jordan not having help. Bird could elevate his team Jordan did not have that
@@ricklove8588 I think they know that. It is just Dr.J was complimenting Bird and used the wrong numbers. He thought it took Bird 2 years to get to 61 wins, but he did it in his rookie year. In Bird's second year he led the Celtics to a NBA championship win. So this proves your point even more dramatically.
@@ricklove8588 Reading it back, my comment seems a little short, nearly rude. I apologize. I didn’t mean it that way. @irishgrl is right: Dr J was trying to send a compliment, but Bird was actually even better than that. Bird improved the Celtics’ record by himself. People make excuses for Jordan, but to Jordan’s credit, he never makes excuses for himself. Bird helped toughen him up and become the player he became.
I always laugh when someone says "that Jordan did not have any help the first few years". The year before Larry joined the team the Celtics had only won 20 games. The year Larry joined the team they won over 40 games. The next year Larry and the Celtics won the Championship. So your theory is not quite correct.
What most people doesn't know back in this time. Bird had to go stay in traction the night before a game. He also had to wear a hard plastic back brace to just play. He still beat MJ.
when Bird got drafted, the year before the celtics won 20+ games after Bird got drafted that same team won 60+ can't say that for MJ. the next year for Bird they won the championship and that was before Parish and DJ
Prime Bird was so unstoppable it was almost boring to Bird, especially since the last half of his career he was injured worse every year to the point that Bird was barely mobile off the court
You have a good point. But just if you didn’t know, Bird arrive to the Celtics when the Celts were the 2nd worst team of the league, and in the first season of Bird with the Celtics, he took the exactly same people to the eastern conference finals vs Philly and Philly was juggernaut with Dr J, Dawkins, Cheeks and other great players.
The problem with your argument is that Bird could have scored 50 points every game, but he didn’t care about that. He just wanted to win. Bird has told a story where one night he was pissed at McHale and Walton and told them to screw, he didn’t need them and went out and scored 54 points but they lost. He said that game showed him the importance of including the whole team to win. Jordan apparently never learned that lesson.
15:05 - I just love how & where the narrator puts emphasis in such
provocative way - it just _oozes_ of cheap, instigating resentment - sums up 80's basketball really... 🤣😂
There's a documentary on Larry and Magic. Goes into their back stories in great detail. It was on HBO Sports. Jordan's in it a little bit, but mainly it explains how these two elevated each other's skills. It's 1-1/2 hours long, but worth it.
I like Jordan. But he didn't come in at the same level as Bird. You need to watch the Courtship of Rivals documentary. You'll understand those days.
Oh, and there wasn't and will never be another Bird. He came in with that hustle. With that drive to win, and have fun at it.
The thing that makes Bird better than MJ is that he did what any player has to do to make my list of truly greats -- he made the other 4 guys in the floor with him an EXTENSION OF him.
He did this primarily with his passing. Though he didn't have massive assist totals like Magic (another true great in my book), his ability to thread the needle in heavy traffic with either hand with eyes in the back and sides of his head combined with his quick (and extremely accurate) shot release and ability to quickly change directions made him such a threat to very quickly shoot, pass or drive that defenders would try to guard against all three -- which is why you see Bird breaking so many ankles in those highlights. They're trying to go 3 different directions at the same time, which means you go down in a heap.
Obviously being the GOAT clutch shooter didn't hurt. But being such a great passer that you make the other 4 guys an extension of you makes you unstoppable. As Worthy said, you had to THINK (and think HARD) when you guard Bird. That adds a lot to a defender's fatigue.
Jordan didn't have that ability, nor did Kobe. Lebron does to a lesser degree, you see flashes of it from time to time. But nothing like Bird or Magic. And being able to run fast and jump high does not make up for it, because no-one can outrun or out-jump the ball...
Larry and Dr. J will always be the best to me.
It's hard to say, but if Larry played a full career of approx. 15-17 seasons without back issues. He could have been the GOAT, maybe. He had a bizarre way of shooting, however, whenever he was attempting a shot, it turned to gold. I think he was a better shooter than Steph Curry. I was born in Feb. of '78, so I remember Larry, Magic and MJ, quite well. The top 5 for me, goes like this:
#5) Magic
#4) Kobe
#3) LeBron
#2) Larry
#1) MJ
As for Larry's neck scratches you need to understand that today's NBA is Powder Puff compared to the 70s and 80s
The real problem is this is a team sport. Individual play matters ..but it's only good in regard to how the team functions.
Keep in mind that ...WITHOUT Parrish, McHale, DJ, Ainge, Bill Walton.....
as a ROOKIE, Larry added 32 EXTRA wins ( 29 to 61)...Larry's impact...as a rookie ..with a broke finger and less feel for the ball ..had HUGE impact.
Look at MJ's team impact as a rookie compared to the previous year.
See a difference? 😉
MMBxMOB good one but say, it's just not about team, some players elevate the play of all around them, that counts for something...Larry Legend in his first year took a 29 win team to 60+ wins- by himself! No one else was with him then, then in his 2nd year he wins the title...so comon man, I was there, Isiah was right about MJ in the 80s and everyone was saying it then too- talented player, great scorer- but not a winner and didn't elevate his team...anyway, of course he is awesome, no doubt- but we know who the real GOAT is, only injuries stopped Larry Legend, ok, keep it up..
I remember watching that double OT game on tv.
It's like asking which car is better; a brand new Corvette (Jordan) or a brand new Chevy Blazer (Bird). Sure, the Vette can run circles around the Blazer on a racetrack. But when it comes to all around durability and usefulness to the owner..... 'think you know the answer.
One thing I think most people overlook is the nba is a team game, not a 1 on 1 sport. So while you can have players who might beat another player 1 on 1, when speaking in terms of the nba and the team aspect I don't think the 1 on 1 argument holds water. So I feel whoever is considered the best has to be graded in that context
I LOVE Jordan’s moves on bird. And yeah, Jordan became a very good passer
There was a stat I heard, can't remember exactly, but it was something like they faced off 34 times and Bird won 28 of them
@ when Boston drafted Bird ... First year Boston went from 20 wins the previous year to more than double and rookie of the year vs magic's rookie uear
Bird was a cold killer man.
Bird played 7 years with that bad back!
It's all about the wins
Reminds me also of something Dr. J said about Magic: "He's the only guy in the league who can take just 3 shots and still dominate a game."
Chicago's record the year before Jordan came into the league was 27-55. Jordan's first year they had a record of 38-44. 2nd year 30-52. Boston's record the year before Bird was 29-53. Bird's first year Boston's record was 61-21 a 32 game improvement. There was no McHale, Parrish, DJ or Ainge on that team. The next year it was 62-20 McHale's' rookie year. The next year it even jumped to 63-19. Bird made everyone around him better.
Boston had a very talented team with Tiny, Maxwell, Ford Cowens.
They also added ML Carr, Henderson and Maravich
Yea a team that won 29 games the year before Bird and 32 games the year before that.@@torbjornripstrand1103
They were both good in their style of playing. Bird and Micheal were the best
@ the game is played to win. What the yardstick may be is the WILL TO WIN and BIRD WAS HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE ALL!!
MJ and Bird stand at the top both are goats in the own way no disputing either of their achievements or abilities on the court
When it comes down to it it is subjective Larry Bird's my goat but if you told me that Michael Jordan is yours I ain't going to argue with you you have just as much right to believe that as I do too believe that Larry Bird is The goat both were definitely fun to watch
Isiah was speaking Truth and facts,and I am not a fan of his at all ,I watched and at the timeI lived through the 80's and was in my 30's.
Jordan only dominated the league, after all the talent retired or was well past their prime.
Lots of goats, only one legend!
These two and Magic are my favorite players. The best era. Second best era (excluding the Wilt etc era) may be now actually. The era of Giannis, Luka, Jokic and Steph.
As a true Bostonian I say Larry was one of the greatest but my top five it goes on magic bird Kobe shaq but this is cause the top 3 in many ways can rotate in who is the Goat but even being from Boston I do see that Jordan is number 1 but magic and bird could easily rotate his stat lower to one another but I will not show bias cause if had to go by records mj is king but magic is longer career makes him better then bird but bird could easily take crown from either of them
They clawed him up! Lol, it didn't faze him.
Larry grew to admire and respect MJ.
Watched Birds entire career and Jordan's. Jordan was the greatest 1v1 player ever Bird was the greatest all around team player ever
I’d take Larry over Jordan 1v1 too.
@@irishgrlMJ is straight up dog walking Bird 1v1 😂
I can't make up my mind who was better between these two players, but one thing i know for sure is they are both the most complete all around game.
A better. Comparison is rookie Bird and rookie MJ, neither one had a lot of help.
Larry was also playing HURT, He damaged his back in 1985 (preseason) if I recall correctly. He wasn't , even with a good back, anywhere as near athletic as Jordan. Plus, Larry ended up with Achilles tendons and also he had another injury to his back that required back surgery around 1991.
Larry later in his career, sometimes wore a full torso/back brace while playing. He also said in a later in life interview, that he wondered, when going into each game that he might end up in a wheelchair. THAT was how bad his back was....and yet he still held his own against the guy who everyone touts as the greatest ever???
I'm 61, watched most of Larry's televised games and he was my favorite then and still is, due to his skill, his being unselfish on the court, letting his team mates score when he could have done so himself. And I don't think it's disrespectful to Jordan to say that Larry was a better passer....no one said Jordan wasn't a great passer....so you are reading disrespect there, when there was none.
Jordan was a flashy, athletic, great player...no doubt. But no one will ever convince me that he was as great as Larry. Larry was just a better 'All Around' player. He could do more things better than Jordan, even if he wasn't doing a few things as well as Jordan. And he did it while in extreme pain. Larry didn't take pain killers, either.
Most people only focus on the player and their player numbers. Being able to uplift a team that can’t win and make them all shine brighter than diamonds, that’s what is truly impressive about bird. He didn’t have to have the ball to affect the outcome of the game. His basketball IQ was second to no one. I always thought MJ was the greatest but after watching the games and the history of the who was playing, I think Larry legend is probably the greatest of all time. It seems that all the other greats agree with that too, so I’m probably gonna go with the professionals opinion and not me with nostalgia watching MJ as a kid. The more I see about the past the more I’m convinced Larry wast the absolute GOAT in the sport.
That Bulls team made the playoffs twice in the toughness conference. They weren't that bad.
Sometimes the hardest part in life is when you face reality. Just accept the facts.
Jordan was 0-6 in the playoffs when the Bulls were a playoff team. 11-23 lifetime . . . . .
A Michael Jordan passing highlight reel. 😂😂😂
You come on now they just laid it out that showed you that Jordan wasn't everything the media claimed he was, it was marketing
Most players that played with Jordan say he is the worst teammate they ever played with. Jordan won after Boston, LA, Detroit, and Philly lost their top players to injury or retirement. Boston no DJ, Ainge and a hurt Bird. LA no Kareem or Michael Cooper. Detroit no Rick Mahorn. Philly no Andrew Toney, Dr J. or Moses Malone.
Teams of that era were nothing but OG greats. MJ was the rookie great who couldn't lead his team to greatness. Larry was the rookie great that turned the Celtics around.
Jordon wasn't a factor in THE 80's. Jordon wouldn't become a factor until the decade of the 90's.
After Bird and Magic had saved the League and had passed their prime.
I have MJ and Larry as the 2 greatest players of all time
Bird was good right from the beginning and Celtics had a great team. Bird was 1 of the greatest and MJ could have been great back then if he had a team he could rely on..
That's why Jordan is the goat, he played the best and learned(stole) from the best...You'll later in the 90's see traits of Magic and Bird in Jordan...He was phenomenal because he never stopped wanting to be better...Who's Lebrons nemesis?
Bird's back was scratched by one of the Bulls player... If you look at it, you'll see the finger stripes.
MJ is the most colorful player. But you have to put it into the proper context of how the rules of the game changed when MJ was playing with Scottie and Rodman.(Bird burnt Dennis Rodman every time he played against him) The physicality of the game was not even on the same level as it was before. And remember also. The 3 point shot wasn't installed in the game until Bird was a rookie.
Jordan was an awesome all round player. He was still coming into his own. Bird is my all time favorite but one on one, I have to give it to Jordan. I don't think anyone beats Jordan. Bird was right there though. A few years later and Bird would have had big trouble, even without the injuries. 90's Jordon couldn't be beat.