Making the Case - Larry Bird
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.พ. 2020
- I think that there are 8 players in NBA history that you can make the argument for as the Greatest of All Time. Larry Bird is one of them. In this video, I make the case.
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As has been mentioned in a couple of comments, Bird was taken with the 6th pick in '78, not the 3rd. Oopsy daisy.
Clayton Crowley how he wasn’t drafted #2 or #1 is just ridiculous
Here's why Bird went 6th, from Wikipedia:
A college underclassman from Indiana State University, Larry Bird, was selected sixth by the Boston Celtics. However, he opted to return to Indiana State for his senior season before entering the league in 1979. He won the Rookie of the Year Award and was also selected to both the All-NBA First Team and the All Star Game in his rookie season. Bird spent his entire 13-year career with the Celtics and won three NBA championships. He also won three consecutive Most Valuable Player Awards and two Finals Most Valuable Player Awards. He was also selected to ten All-NBA Teams and thirteen consecutive All-Star Games.[9] For his achievements, he has been inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame.[10] Bird was also named to the list of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History announced at the league's 50th anniversary in 1996.[11] After retiring as a player, Bird went on to have a coaching career. He coached the Indiana Pacers for three seasons, leading them to an NBA Finals appearance.[9][12] He also won the Coach of the Year Award in 1998.[13]
Before the draft, Larry Bird had just finished his junior year at Indiana State. However, he was eligible to be drafted without applying for "hardship" because his original college class at Indiana University had graduated.[9][14] He initially enrolled at Indiana University in 1974 but dropped out before the season began. After sitting out a year, he enrolled at Indiana State.[15] Despite being eligible for the draft, he stated that he would return to college for his senior season. His hometown team, the Indiana Pacers, initially held the first overall pick. However, when they failed to persuade him to leave college early, they traded the first pick to the Blazers, who also failed to convince him into signing.[16][17] Five teams, including the Pacers who held the third pick, passed on Bird until the Celtics used the sixth pick to draft him. They drafted him even though they knew that they might lose the exclusive rights to him if he didn't sign before the next draft. He could reenter the draft in 1979 and sign with the other team that drafted him, and in negotiations with Red Auerbach Bird's agent Bob Woolf bluntly dismissed Red's lowball salary offers (he said that he would not offer Bird a contract that paid him more than the $400,000 annual salary of the team's highest-paid player at the time, Dave Cowens) and made it clear that Bird would enter the 1979 Draft without any regrets if Boston didn't change its plans. Nevertheless, on April 1979, he signed a five-year, US$3.25-million contract with the Celtics, which made him the highest-paid rookie in the history of team sport at that time.[18]
@@benpugh124 Dude, that was some lecture from probably the most die-hard Bird fan out there. I'm amazed at your intellect on Bird's early life & career. I thought I'm the biggest Bird fan out there, but you trumped me. Be safe.
@@sonofnam4418 it literally says it was from wikipedia
@@JoeMama-fo3os Still...a brain surgeon or a space engineer is smart, but they learn what they know from a book. You be safe too.
In 1974 Larry Bird was my P.E assistant when I was in the 8th grade and he was a senior at Springs Valley High School. At the beginning of each P.E. class we always ran 10 warmup laps around the gym. One day, a trampoline was set up on the basketball court and there was Larry Bird bouncing on it. As the whistle blew and we reluctantly lined up to run our laps, our teacher (who was also Larry's basketball coach) blew his whistle, and said "Larry is going to take 10 shots while jumping on the trampoline. If Larry makes any shots, each one made will delete a lap that you must run." Coach threw the ball to Larry and right there in front of me and the entire boys Jr. High P.E. class, Larry proceeded to hit 7 out of 10 shots while bouncing up and down on the trampoline, 35 feet away from the goal. Larry set an incredible example for me as a young boy in French Lick, Indiana that helped me through my entire adult career. If you are willing to work very hard and never give up, your dreams can and will come true. Thank you Larry.
This is a great story.
@@QuinnClips247 Thank you Nigel.
@@tomroach6275 you’re welcome.
WOW...amazing story!!
Too cool. I bet he looked like a giant to the rest of the kids.
"He left so much of his DNA in the sport, it needed a cigarette afterward." 😂😂😂
ik i was cracking tf up too
Caught me off guard I had to pause the vid because I choked on my water
I love that!
Bars. 🔥
honestly, that was a sweet line
*"Larry, I hear that you're retiring. Thank goodness. I'm glad. I'm tired of seeing your face."* _-Michael Jordan_
I think I've seen that clip of Jordan might have been at Larrys retirement . I believe Jordan also said "You ruined a lot of my best games"
@@johnpaulmcdonnell1188 which means Bird da GOAT
Yea cause he could never get past Larry. GOAT
Magic had on a Celtics jersey under his sweats, in honor of Larry. Respect.
Jordan was racist and said so in an interview
Magics speech at Bird's retirement ceremony always makes me tear up. After all the shit they been through, going through war with nothing but murderous intent against eachother even before their NBA careers... "the greatest basketball player but more importantly: a friend"... shit man whos cutting onions..
And I got to be the 33rd person to like your comment!
@@neilworsfold5768 Apropos...
The love those two had for each other was so beautiful.
Hahaha. They never wished the other ill. Just to get swept in the finals :D
Yup! The saddest day in NBA history!
Bird was so good even brotha's in the Hood wore his jersey!
Cedrick Maxwell said, "when they have a white man's picture hanging in the barbershop, they are a badass." (Or something like that)
@@TrumpFanNetwork2 Ha, ha!
That's awesome!
@@TrumpFanNetwork2 Thought JFK was the only white man bestowed that honor....
@@meanmeesterjoneszzz8161 - Whats your point? He didn't limit it to only one white person.
From 1980-1989 Bird had 67% of mvp votes, that's with kareem magic Jordan and dr J in the league ... DOMINANCE
That's honestly a great statistic pull. Nice.
Floyd Harrison for real. then again from 1989-1998 there’s no question who the real goat was
Wow sick stat! 1st place votes or what? I know Lebron has been top3 a ton a Top5 14 times after this year and after this year will pass MJ for most win shares. What do you mean by 67% of MVP votes?
Zef Blueberry I think you need to stop watching basketball because you clearly know nothing about it
Zef Blueberry they’re both HOF and Barkley says McHale is toughest post guy he’s ever had to guard. Bosh/Love overrated talent wise (they’ve won zero playoff series without Lebron in 17 total seasons and missed playoffs 15/17 years), Kyrie very talented offensively but flakey, bad defender, hurt a lot and has won one playoff series in 6 yrs w/out Lebron. Wade for 3 years was great teammate, AD for one year great teammate but Lebron also for first 7 years played with trash then 2017-18 season trash again besides solid Love and took two horrible teams to Finals (2007 & 2018). Love missed 2015 Finals, a game in 2016 finals they won without him and in that Finals he averaged 8.7 ppg! Bosh had ZERO in 2013 Finals Game 7 and missed and ECF in 2013 also
That ending brings tears every time. “They called him basketball Jesus. He didn’t get that name without doing something extraordinary. He saved basketball. And he did it by playing it better than anyone else.”
Tears? It’s not that serious lmao
@@tgj42495 It’s just the cherry on the top of that whole ending. We might not be watching the NBA today without him.
@Fries Yeah. You’re correct. The 70’s had a lot going against it. The merger was handled in the only way it could’ve but it led to much disorganization. There was also the lack of mainstream talent throughout much of the decade and the fact that the best player in the league (Kareem) was not a flashy player. Much went into that era not being appreciated. Bird and Magic are responsible for regenerating interest in the sport lost after the 60’s.
@Fries Dynasties really were also needed. One could say the league had good parity but there wasn’t a consistent juggernaut. The Celtics won twice in the 70’s but that’s about it.
@Fries You’re right about that. I forgot the Knicks. And Washington hasn’t made the conference finals since then.
he had the perfect style. An off ball player who gets points, rebounds and assist withotu hogging the ball. The only comparable player to him today is joker. But he obviously isn't the marksman that bird was.
Joker isn’t really on off ball player. The offense runs through Jokic
@@scubasteve2634 joker comes off pins and screens for mid ranges. He's not what bird is obviously but it's the closest. If you were to combine Klay Thompson's off-ball movement and shooting, with joker's passing ability, flow of the game, passing off the post and off of Pick n Rose, and rebounding Then you'll have bird. At least it close approximation
@@MindfulAttraction2.0 joker is obviously King James
@@christianhenry4173 lol
@Doug Bevins Shut up
The best thing about Bird wasn't that he flat out wanted to eat your soul in a game.
It's that he also wanted to tell you how it tasted...
Lots of guys talked good trash but I've never heard anyone else say exactly what they are about to do to someone in a game then go do it. Nobody pulled that off but Bird IIRC
@@davidhutchinson7888 jordan did
@@eliasdejene2779 where do u think jordan learned it from ??
bird was and is the best
@@jonsayers7926 that's what I've been trying to tell ppl for 35 yrs. Lol. An its a travesty that hardly anyone puts him in the 🐐 debate. ??? Smh. Imagine if he was fast an could jump like Jordan. I mean the guy was slow as hell an could hardly jump an still put a clinic on every nite !!!!
The goat argument is bloated and tired - this is the best I've seen. A respectful opinion.
True words. The main point was, i don´t want to make a case against anyone else, but i want to make it for Larry Bird. There´ll be no definite answer to that question and why should there ever be one? It is about the love for the game, about admiring what great players do on the court and there was hardly anyone ever more admirable than Larry Bird.
Its a whole series he has up.
Where he makes the case individually for each of the 8 players he thinks is in contention for the GOAT!
Check out his Wilt Chamberlain one yo.
@@burnintrees420 Yeah, this is a good series and a better way to make the arguments.
@@burnintrees420 9 players in total, not 8.
@Aronjo I keep seeing people claim Don Nelson was a Hall of Fame player - he's in the Hall but AS A COACH ONLY.
There are only 4 people that are in the Hall as both Coach AND Player - Tom Heinsolm, John Wooden, Lenny Wilkins, and Bill Sharman.
MVP, Champion, Coach of the Year, Exec of the Year. Best individual guy, Best team guy, Smartest player, Best shooter, etc. It's ridiculous.
In his rookie season, Bird took a Celtics team that had won 20 some games the year before to winning over 60. This was during a time when the refs let the players determine games on the floor (especially during the playoffs). Fist fights were almost as common as in hockey games and in today's league if you fart in front of another player, it's a foul. Look at documentaries about Bird and the greats of that era talking about who they feared the most.
I'd say farts are foul no matter the context, but point taken.
Larry was the baddest MF I’ve had the great pleasure of watching...
Pat Riley” if I had to take one guy to take the shot to win a game I’d take MJ...
If I needed a guy to take the last shot for my Life ... Larry Bird “
Mike Lynch That doesn’t even make sense. If he’d trust his life with Bird why wouldn’t he trust the game with Bird as well??
baw0909 exactly. So the person who can handle the pressure the most should be better at taking both shots??
illogik you know, I’ve seen this quote a million times but for some reason I never thought about that until I saw your comment 😂. I mean ya I guess you are right if Larry was able to handle a shot with someone’s life on the line why wouldn’t he be able to take the pressure of a basketball game
He did not say that. He said that Jerry West was the best clutch shooter ever.
JJ I - he did say it - I heard / watched the Words come out of Riley’s mouth . Look it up
Well, I've been a Larry Bird diehard for 36 yrs ever since I came out screamin and my big brother put a ball in my hand n told me I was and I damn sure grew into it quickly. We grew up 20 min from French Lick so I've been lucky enough to meet him 6 or 8 times and he, rightly so, is still an absolute god around here in the land of baskets on the side of barns. Now I'm not dumb enough to think I've seen everything Bird related on TH-cam but I can tell you I'm probably as close to it as anyone else. I just want to say that is a great, pretty unique take and a lil different way to tell the Larry Legend story. Very, very nicely done sir. Thanks for doing it and I'm sending to my big brother immediately.
Got any good recommendations to watch on the birdman?
Southridge Raider here, grew up in Holland IN, home of NBA Al Stars Gene "Bumper" "Gump" Tormohlien and Don Buse.
Larry was a Spring Valley Blackhawk, about a 30 minute drive North from here. Saw his brother Eddie play at Valley vs Southridge, we rode his ass, when he touched the ball we would chant "spatzi, spatzi, spatzi" mocking his name.
Hoosier Hysteria was still alive then, our gym built it the 50s, a city of 5,000 had a capacity of 6,200. So many sold out sectionals, extra bleachers added bumped capacity to over 7k. Saw many incredible games there, saw MLB All Star, St Louis Cardinal, Jasper Wildcat Scott Rolen have one of the greatest games in the gymnasiums history, with college coaches on hand scouting, the big names were Digger Phelps, Marty Simmons and Bobby Knight. When Bobby Knight entered that sacred place it was like the second coming, the crowd parted like the Red Sea, nobody noticed his friend in tow, Nick Nolte who was studying for the film Blue Chips. He asked Bob Knight "what is Hoosier Hysteria" Knight told him he would show him. What a show it was, Rolen poured in over 50 points. The place was loaded, big German beer drinking communities, the Sectional was all county rivals that before consolidation hosted a 13 team sectional (the golden years, HOOSIERS)
Basketball in Indiana was destroyed when they started class basketball. Our local Holiday Tourney was scrapped, nobody comes to the games, the rivalries died, crowds left. My class with just over 400 students went to Market Square Arena back to back, in 85 with no Seniors and 86. We drew the Marion Giants both years, one of the best HS teams in the USA, Landon Jones and Jay Edwards, co Mr Basketball players 3Peat champs, went to IU. They had 6' 11" Jay Teagle at center. Our little school vs GOLIATH, when I watch HOOSIERS I remember those games in 85 and 86.
I would rather lose up there to the Marion Giants than win the 1A State Title.
Now they give 4 or 5 titles every year, I haven't seen a game since they killed it.
Hoosiers baby
West Washington senator here, we play against Springs Valley (Birds school team) a lot, live in Fredericksburg, about 30 min from French Lick.
I got to see him once while I was in school at Rose-Hulman (his Junior year at ISU).
He was impressive THEN.
It's unfortunate the Pacers didn't draft him - can you imagine Larry and Reggie on the same team AS PLAYERS?
@jay Kenley randomly bump into people at gas stations. Really simple
Honestly, he played in the BEST ERA in NBA history. The NBA has been looking for a NEW Larry Bird since he retired. This is from a Magic Johnson/Lakers fan. A GREAT player.
preach on player....lovin it
I think...Luka Doncic reminds me of Larry Bird.
Best era is a reach
Jokic has taken that mantle for sure, just 4 inches taller and worse defense but better offense
You said it the best: “The NBA has been looking for a new Larry Bird” ever since. 3 years later? They’re still looking. 😂💯👍🏾
I think that Larry's athleticism was underrated. He couldn't jump and he was never the fastest player but his hand to eye coordination was unreal and he was quick enough to embarrass a whole lot of NBA legends.
I agree. Doesn't it take some stuff to throw a basketball across court! And land it in the hands or spot wherever he wanted. By stuff I mean athleticism. Lol
@@charlottewood8964 Larry's biggest asset on the court was his basketball IQ which was off the charts. He was playing chess while everyone else was playing checkers.
@John Milligan I love Jordan and his athleticism and dominance, but Larry Bird made you look like and idiot when he played, and he talked shit while doing it 😂
@@edge1247 totally different approach to the game. Larry was probably the most intelligent player to ever play. While MJ was the ultimate athlete. MJ's basketball IQ is one of the most underrated parts of his game. MJ and Larry saw the court differently than everyone else, they were both playing chess when everyone else was playing checkers. You can also add Magic to that short list.
Larry had a lightning quick first step and was a master at faking out the defender.
13:42
And has the HAWKS bench falling over in amazement and cheering him!
Those players were FINED $3000 each for their actions that night.
@@gringosuave41 By the team, as I recall, per Doc Rivers' version of that story.
As I recall from that story, a large part of the team meeting the next day was the coach running that clip over and over a FEW times.
@@gringosuave41 why were they fined? Was that considered unsportsmanlike?
@@juanvelez7091 it was their own coaching staff that fined them, not the league. If I had to define it, I would guess " actions detrimental to the team"
@@gringosuave41 Thank you! Hopefully I can pass on the knowledge to the next Gen and the details won't disappear :)
That really is a great point you made at the end about expectations being allusions to greatness. Larry was so great, you were dumbstruck when he didn't play perfectly. Well said!
The thing about that shot in Game 4, 1987, was that his foot was on the three point line. His muscle memory automatically shot a perfect 3 pointer but he was just standing too close to the basket. So even when he missed he was perfect.
I think you are right
or he just missed
@@edwinguerra8892 barely even Magic the Lakers and pat riley thought that shot was going in . They got lucky .
@@edwinguerra8892 exactly... It happens. He just missed
He was and is my hero. That his most iconic moment was a hustle play (the inbound steal) is really quite apt. I rank only Jordan above him but also say that from 1984 through 1986 he played at a level that may never be matched, not just in terms of stats but presence. He raised everyone around him ( even his opponents) to another strata.
I got to see him and since I am from NE I thought he was better than Jordan, at least in the beginning of Jordan's career. Jordan had a greater career but if Bird hadn't been injured, I think he would have given him a longer run for his money.
Luka Doncic
@@KarolisNL Oh, not yet...
@@KarolisNL stop it
Bird beat Jordan like 75% of the time.
Not just when he was a rookie, even after he got good team mates. You could make the case he's above Jordan too
This was really well made. Thank you. Almost made me cry
Edit: I just finished it. I cried.
1 2 3 Four Five , same here, I just didn't edit. 😉
It was great and he was truly great.
Amazingly informative, and makes a great case. well done.
"What? There's no crying in basketball! There is no crying in basketball!" ;o) Good old Larry Bird. I liked Magic and Dr. J before him, so Larry gets a great deal of my respect!
Me too.
He had that something Wayne Gretzky had. He saw and understood the angles of the game - the players moving, where they would be, the ball rebounding, where it would be. If he wanted to he could have averaged 35 ppg easy. He did what it would take to win, rebound, score, assist, defense. He made everyone better, which can't be quantified. But look at the jump in wins of the C's his rookie year, and the dump in wins after he was hurt/retired (o if Len Bias had lived). He never was the best scorer (MJ, Kobe, LeBron, others) though he could have been up there if he wanted. But if I'm picking first, I'm starting my team with the Larry of '81-'86 years. No question.
Through 1988 too. 1989 on started to decline. Even then still a step ahead.
Nope 90s Michael Jordan
@@mrlove7097 yes with the pussy rule changes today Bird would have a triple double daily
Prime Jordan was better
Good comparison!
Life time Lakers fan, but mad love and respect for Larry Legend. You presented a great case.
The clip against the Pistons when Larry steals the ball never gets old...he was literally the smartest player in NBA history
It’s funny as a teenager watching I never realized how stinkin good he was. In my humble opinion he is the greatest.
pistons fan here....to say I HATED bird during my youth would be an understatement. It wasn't until he was a shell of himself and set to retire that I started to appreciate him. Looking back now, I feel privileged to have watched him play. Watching his highlights as an adult with my children I can fully appreciate his greatness.
I looked at him and thought how could this guy be that good? I'm really sorry I missed him. Best highlights of any player I've seen.
17 years old so I never got to see Bird. I can easily see him as a top 5 player all time. NO DOUBT. He doesn't receive enough credit of saving basketball and his passing.
lol he isn't even top 5 but ok
Before the year 1990 Larry was called the best bbal ever played but then he got crippled and mj come strong and make everything LB did but better so MJ is the GOAT but in my opinion LB is the 2nd best player ever 3rdplace is TD and the place 4th place is. Magic 5-8 shares Bill, Wilt, Kareem and LBJ
JFC .. I’m in tears, damn I miss Bird, Magic .. all the greats of the 80’s.. thanks for posting !
Does that to me too...everytime
This was an absolutely beautiful presentation. I do not hear Bird's name mentioned enough when it comes to GOAT discussions. Perhaps only because his career was cut short by injuries. Well done.
13 years in my opinion was quite enough. The game of basketball Used to be a Non-Contact sport. LOL. It's probably next to Football in the physical aspect of it goes. Stressful and arduous.
The Magic and Bird rivalry is incredible, but their friendship is what makes it unmatched. Almost brings a tear to my eye every time I see that last clip. I wish Bird never got hurt and didn’t have his career cut short...
7:23.
Given how often James played against both Larry and Michael, saying he preferred to guard MICHAEL is saying a TON.
It'd like guarding Harden vs KD. One has all the moves and to get around you and break you down but the other will straight disrespect you and shoot it in your face while hitting nothing but the bottom of the net
I guess I don't understand this comment b/c James never played against Bird. No matter how you cut it, Bird is the GOAT.
@@jmac2212 There wasn’t a year in Worthy’s entire career where bird wasn’t in the league…
@@waitwhat7354 When I read that I tried to think of somebody named James in that era, but the only player that came to mind was LeBron, but we know it's the wrong era. Like I said, I didn't see the original comments. Anyway Worthy was good, but not good enough to only as James.
@@jmac2212 James WORTHY.
You should have looked at the timestamp I gave as PART OF the comment and a reference I was commenting about.
I will make the case, Jordan never beat Bird in his prime in the playoffs, Bird did beat Jordan. If I had to chose one guy for a game 7, Im taking Bird. You can make an hour long highlight of Bird, each highlight will be different and just as impressive. All these other guys its kinda the same stuff, including Jordan with isolations and highlight dunks, kareem with sky hooks,, magic with the passes (couldn't shoot very well). Birds are game winning shits, game winning steals, battling for boards against bigger guys etc etc. Birds the best, hands down.
ahh yes those famous game winning monster shits following a night of copious amounts of chipotle :)
Bird didn't beat Jordan in his prime either. MJ was pre-prime in '86 and '87. The only ones who can say they beat Mike in his prime are Isiah Thomas and the Bad Boys.
@@boknowsbaseball That's debatable, but Bird beat the Pistons in their prime and had no issues doing it.
Well... I would rather say that the Celtics always beat the Bulls when they met in the playoffs. In game 2 of 1986 Jordan scored 63 vs Bird's 39... Bird had an overall amazing game, but I would say that Jordan beat Bird in that occasion (it was the "God disguised as MJ" game). The Bulls were just too weak as a team compared to the championship winning, all-stars loaded Celtics, which is considered one of the strongest teams of all times.
@@sergiogiacomosammartano7623Bird won his rookie season with older ailing role players. Worst to first and didn't need 63 points to get the job done. I grade Jordan on a curve because when competition in the east was at its best he wasn't able to advance. Look what the Celtics did to the Hawks who had Moses Malone, Domonique and Doc Rivers and several above average role players. Not a mention of them. If you want to say Mcale was that much better than who you consider the Hawks second best player, or the Sixers go for it. But you wont convince me Jordan would have dominated that eastern conference the way the Celtics did.
This may be the best basketball video on TH-cam. Truly outstanding! As celebrated as he was, Larry Bird is still somewhat under-appreciated. He defined basketball greatness.
Pat Riley that great Lakers coach once said and I quote: “If I need someone to make a shot to win a game give me MJ, if I need someone to make a shot to save my life give me Bird!” That says it all when talking about how clutch he was!
I don’t need to watch any other video on any other player. Bird is and always will be the best ever! Just a notch above MJ, Wilt and Lebron! Nothing you say or do will ever convince me other wise!
EXACTLY TRUE!
Honestly anyone who was alive during the 80s and 90s knows that LeBron would be hard-pressed to break the top 10.
I totally agree Bird is the goat . I was lucky enough to be from French Lick myself and went to his camps as a kid super great person too .
you added Lebron to appease the mass I get it, but in doing so you completely tainted the the others listed.
LeBron haters really hard pressed
Larry Bird is the best player I ever saw.
@rl184 Bird is the only player ive ever heard Jordan put in the same class as himself. He said it was a debate as to who is better. That should tell you all you need to know.
MHD 73198 , Michael Jordan said Larry Bird was by far the best small forward who ever played the game- that puts Bird in some elite company.
@rl184 Larry Bird was the best all around player ever. And he was an assassin.
@rl184 Have your mommy go change your diaper kid, let the adults with knowledge talk!
@rl184 this just goes to show how much of a complete idiot you are. I'm 60 years old dipshiet. I lived in Lowell mass, and had family season tickets for the Celtics and Boston Bruins, thanks to my Uncle. The only thing you were doing around in those times was living in your parents basement. We were at the Garden the night Ray Bourque took off his number 4 jersy and gave it to Bobby Orr so his number could be retired and Bourque took number 77. I could go on but with an idiot such as your self it is pointless. Go back to your coloring books and please just stfu. Your an asswipe that is totally delusional... Now, be like the wind and blow!
13:35 when the bench of the OPPOSING TEAM is going crazy you know you're goat material
Excellent excellent video. The closing point about how everyone thought the shot was going in says so much about Larry Burd's greatness. He was one of a kind. Underappreciated talent
My favorite player EVER.
Mine too!!!
@Stephen Forfer larry bird is better then pistol Pete.
@Stephen Forfer bro both of there play styles are not even that similar
@Stephen Forfer the "Wizard" passes your talking about bird and magic perfected larry always put the ball where it needed to go magic and bird are both way better passers and have better basketball iq.
@Stephen Forfer you need to stop hyping him up like a god.
Well done. I can never get enough BIRD he is like a real life fairy tale.
Larry had the highest Basketball IQ of all time. Until injuries wore him down, he was the most dynamic player ever, with an assassins mentality.
That shot Bird missed in Game 4 marked the end of the Celtics reign. They snuck by Detroit when Bird stole the inbound pass in Gm5 of the conference final. McHale was playing on a broken foot. Chief could barely walk. Walton was hurt the whole year. They were done flat out exhausted. The funny thing to me is that is really the first time i remember Bird missing a big shot and that is what I would have called the "End" of their run. This was a fantastic video. Good Stuff CC
I’ve always tried to verbalize what it was like watching Bird play and this video says it perfectly.
Taking that 87 team to 6 games against the Lakers in the Finals, is as impressive as him taking Indiana State to the national championship. That Celtic team had Parish injured, McHale with a broken foot, Walton out, no bench & their #1 draft pick dead! That might have been his best year.
And Larry is ours...a true Hoosier❤️
I'm definitely a "Jordan is the GOAT" guy(Yes, I believe LeBron has a legit argument though), but I must say that you make a great case for everyone you feature. Including Bird. I loved the insane competitiveness in the NBA during the late 80's and 90's. It was a special era. The NBA currently lacks the passion and attitude it had back then.
Hey, it's a great series so far, very informative over a lot of era's. I'm looking forward to more making the case for best all time teams
greatest and most legendary player ever
@rl184 Larry Bird is the GOAT of Celtics if you dont count championship won. No disrespect to Russel
@Bryson Reins actually there is a great Ted talk about the advancement of sports science and equipment that produced better results not just advancements genetically. Jesse Owen's today would have been a half step or so behind Bolt.
Owen's had the the disadvantage of not having a starting block and running on burnt ash which absorbed alot more energy
rl184
Bird never had a scoring title because he simply didn’t want too.
He was all about making the players and team around him better, not himself. He saw the floor better as well. A true magician on the court.
All respect to MJ, but scoring titles don’t make you the GOAT. The intangibles do....that’s something Bird has over every other player.
@rl184 Lakers fanboy alert.
as much as i think LB wldnt care about ALL TIME ranking.......I agree!!
Correct,,he really cared for any ranking..
I’m just not sure how this man beat two top ten players on the same team. In Kareem and magic. Kinda shows how great this man was.
Its simply amazing. You look at Bird and laugh. Not particularly fast nor strong. Athletically unimpressive. Then you look at the scoreboard at the end of the game and his C's won again. You look at the box score and he has 28 points, 14 boards, 12 assists 3 steals, and 2 blocks. He could control a game like so few could. Great video.
YES YES YES!!!
Thank you!! ❤️ Larry Joe Bird!!
No other player comes close to the highlight reels that Larry Bird produced. (Easily 90 min)
Shooting, passing, stealing, assists, rebounds, of pure artistic poetry in motion, delivered with the nastiest tenacity.
Clutch, heart, passion, hustle...leader, IQ, bravado.
No argument here. He called his shot like Ali called the knockout round. As KC Jones said, " who else has said ' I'm gonna stick it in your face ' with 2 ticks on the clock"? Bird was a beast.
Wilt Chamberlain
@rl184 first three maybe .magic better then Larry legend no way.
Like dude said about 8 players can. I remember seeing Magic hit a lot more 'over half-court' shots before the half than probably every other player combined. I remember seeing news filled nights when sports only covered Magic's half court shot. He even hit one from 90 feet. Was he good? He was Magic. As a rookie and the Lakers with no starting center in game 7 against Dr. J, he presents the sky-hook in honor of Kareem and swishes 42 points. A lot of people have moments, but the elite eight have moments time after time!
@rl184 couldn't disagree more Larry better shooter.better rebounder, as good of passer,defense the same,better all around player.magic didn't beat bird Lakers beat the Celtics. In college for Larry's team to be in the championship game was amazing. All they had to do is stop bird and Michigan would won. Magic says that.
This is one of the VERY best basketball videos I have ever seen on YT. Great clips, great editing, great voice over, great analysis and script, and accurate data, on one of the Greatest and the Most amazing basketball player ever existed! "33 GOAT" . . . (Thank you)
Wow, I remember watching his games in person and he looks so young here. It is funny how memory works. I can say that it was easy to be a Celtics fan.
Hey man great video...seven years old my dad was excited because his favorite player had come to the Celtics - Bill Walton. I sat and watched the game with him and from that day forward Larry Bird was my absolute hero. For years I have ad-nauseum argued Larry's case as the GOAT. These days with all the stuff on TH-cam he has become a star again with a lot of younger fans and I still love watching the old games on here, now with my own son. Great video.
Btw - someone once asked me what I think happens when we die...I thought about it for a second and said that I think if we're good when we die we get to replay the '87 Finals with the Celtics fully healthy.
And with lenny
One of the best Larry vids in a long time.
Well done.Great post.
Larry Bird, a legend and the best. Thank you, Larry for all the games and also your courage to play through all the pain. Thank you for taking about your back brace, you have me courage to use a wheelchair and fight back to walk. I call all assistance said Larry for when I get down...I remember you. Fight back, never give and most of smile.
Larry has the best basketball IQ and hustle of anyone in my opinion.
Awesome video Bird is my favorite player of all time. Another thing to mention about Bird's greatness is MVP voting. 1980 4th (rookie year) 1981 (2nd) 1982 (2nd) 1983 (2nd) 1984 1st 1985 1st 1986 1st 1987 3rd 1988 2nd. He lost his MVP's to Jabbar, Moses, Magic and MJ for a decade he was either the best or 2nd best and competing against 3 goats Jabbar, MJ Magic.
Hussein Alhadi The MVP voting proves he was better than Magic
Good point, never knew that!
Not only would Bird beat you he would tell you the play they were going to run BEFORE the play! For me his is the GOAT, best complete player I've ever seen.
That John Wick assassin comparison is too good. Yet another masterpiece from Mr Crowley! Keep it up
I'm a 54yr old black man who has over 45yrs of love for the game of basketball. Honestly I'm tired of the Larry Bird was a great white or he's the stereotypical white player. I saw him play in college and the NBA.. Larry Legend is a baller.. point blank.. period.
Thank you for making this. I really enjoyed this video. You're the first one I've ever heard out birds clutchness into perspective like that. Saying him missing that shot was why he was so clutch. What an amazing perspective.
hey I like the style and humor in your stuff... great flavor of deep dive, like the choices of clips, and your pacing and editing flow really smooth... thanks for 'making the case' for my man Larry Legend... better than soooooooooooo many others...lol
Glad to know where my fav youtube videos are coming from. You’re amazing at what you do!!!!
Love your videos. Every time I watch an episode, you make me change my mind. Bravo!
Great, measured content can't wait for the rest of the case man, keep it up
He averaged 24.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG and 6.3 APG.
People don't realize how great that is.
He was a Forward that rebounded as good as a center and passed as good as point guard.
He played 38 MPG also thats alot of endurance.
He did not that while diving on the floor and running into the stands after the ball. Also being leveled by big men.
If he did not get injuried so much he could have averaged 26 PPG or even 27.
This is your first video I've ever seen and I really think you have a great talent for those. Subscribed! Keep going!
I've watched your video a few times now. What an incredible script and a compelling argument. I love especially how you ended it with Magic Johnson's words, not your own, punctuated with a bit of silence at the end.
"Tough" doesn't do Bird justice. His Orthopedic Dr said his back injury would've ended anyone else's career, Bird played with it for 7 yrs. The last year or 2, he had to wear a full body cast after every practice/game until the next practice/game. . .Not many know about the body cast, why not? Because Bird never complained about it, never spoke about it, never used it as an excuse ala LeBron James.
dont forget about his hand getting wrecked when he was young
yk where i could learn more about the cast?
Chris Kavanagh I was with you all the way until you tried to use it to hate on LeBron. Shame on you bro. Bird’s greatness stands on its own without diminishing anyone else to elevate his stature
@@arkadiuszrogala1359
When a person has to tell the world he's the greatest I lose all respect for them. And that's what lebron did.
And I won't mention the fake hate crime Racism hoax he participated in. Nor him praising china
bird would get paranoid/ pissed if he thought the opponent knew celts' injuries. ps i'm from boston.
Larry, Played like his Father worked! Every day he went to work! No matter what! Now that's a work ethic! Great job! Larry! YOU made this Hoosier Proud to be from Indiana. Thanks, for the memories. Shawn
"Larry, Played like his Father worked!"
Drunk?
@@cryptoforeveryone2689 No not drunk! Larry plays like his Dad worked. He never gave up. He got better and better and better. Larry tells a story about his Dad turning his ankle. It was black and blue. Larry helped his Dad put his work boots on every day. His Father never missed 1 day of work. Its called Work ethic! Its probably some thing you never heard of Asshole! You can't be A Celtic's fan or you would know Larry Bird's Basketball history. That's why he's called Hoosier! Look that one up! Shawn
@@shawnbeck2303 lol. I am a Bird fan. A big one in fact. I rate him higher than almost anyone on the all-time best scale. I was joking (although his dad was an alcoholic). Trying having a laugh some time. Would do you some good!
@@cryptoforeveryone2689 hahaha!
@@shawnbeck2303 Man, are you sour when your drunk!...
...jeeeez
Incredible video. Just came across your channel today and look forward to catching more videos. Thank you sir!
this is an awesome channel and incredibly thoughtful and well put together - thank you for this content
The real edge Magic's Lakers had over Bird's Celtics in the 80s was the bench. The Celtics starting 5 was easily as good as the Lakers, but their bench players were far worse. When they had a good 6th man (Maxwell or Walton in 86), they won championships, but the death of Len Bias left them with a bench that was so poor, the starters had to play a grueling number of minutes, and by the Finals they were injured and exhausted.
Also and I'm not trying to take away from Magic but he never won without Kareem. Not trying to take away from Magic just stating fact. Magic was one of the greatest
No no no - Big three’s win championships - Bird and Magic were even, Mchale and Worthy were even and although Parrish was a great player Jabbar was far superior than Parrish and that is why the Lakers were better than the Celtics. Jabbar was and still is the greatest center of all time and I am a Celtics fan
@@TheDp0101 lol I'm a Celtics Bird fan to but that lakers team was so good and especially with Kareem. As great as Magic was, no championships with out Kareem. Just like there will never be another Bird there will never ever be another Kareem.
@rl184 Bird did not have McHale his rookie year when he took a team from dead last to first improving them by 32 games. My point being that as great as Magic was i don't know if he would have been a champion with out Kareem. Its a team that wins championships so you are right as well but in my opinion that Laker team not only had the best point guard in history but the best center as well. Kareem was just that good! Thats my point. Good question,
Also, as the video mentioned, to even get to the Finals, Bird had to go through Dr. J's Sixers early, the Bad Boy Pistions later, and several other solid teams. The Lakers path to the Finals was far clearer, can anybody even name the second best team in the West in the 80s? (The Rockets made the Finals twice, but were nothing special in the seasons they didn't make it). So when the Celtics met the Lakers in the Finals, the Lakers were far less beaten down, yet the Celtics still made it very competitive. This video made the very excellent point that Bird's three rings came with the highest degree of difficulty of anybody's.
I'm glad you brought up the point about how strong the Eastern Conference was during this period. The Celtics had to go through the 76ers, the Hawks, the Bulls, the Pistons, the Knicks, and the Bucks, all of whom had Hall of Fame-caliber players on them, and Bird still toyed with them. Even at the end of his career when his balky back had turned to jello and he could barely move, he still averaged 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists a game. Just an absolutely ruthless, hardcore assassin that could out-think and out-shoot whomever he played against.
Thank you for publishing such a great video! I just finished watching this one and the video of Kareem! Great job with good arguments. Keep it up! I’ve started subscribing to your channel.
Congrats on 100k brother! Great video.
The two things we always talked about while watching him play were: 1 - with his basketball instincts he made everyone on the court better, and 2) he was the most exciting passer ever to play the game, even better than Magic.
Larry LEGEND!!🏀🏀🔥🔥🔥
@Stephen Forfer rebounding:bird scoring bird shooting bird defense bird clutch bird no disrespect to pistol Pete he was a marvelous player but he aint no bird.
@Stephen Forfer dribbling pete
@Stephen Forfer man bird had TWO 50 40 90 seasons bird is s better shooter.
@Stephen Forfer just because he had more in a game does not make him a better scorer your basically saying pistol is a top 5 player ever which I know he isn't.
@Stephen Forfer also just because bird missed one big shot doesn't mean he isn't more clutch clown bird was a great clutch guy.
Great video man. Every time i watched these types of making the case Goat videos. My Goat HIs Airness gets shaken on my top spot
Great video man, honestly I got goosebumps watching his clutch moments
Dirk Nowitzki played in the same style as Bird. He wasn't as good as the latter in every aspect of the game, yet still outperformed LeBron in the Finals. Not to say that it's always gonna be like that, but it gives an idea of how Bird would've competed against today's elite.
jp3813 nowitzki wasn’t half the passer Bird was nor half the defender, he was also below average at rebounding for his position. Bird was an amazing 3 point shooter, but actually did most of his damage inside the line. I understand why people want to make the comparison, but to be honest the only thing they have in common is that they are tall, white and could shoot.
@@mohammedbabaki1534 Rebounds, assists, defense, etc.... = "in every aspect of the game". Both did most of their damage inside. They played in the same style as opposed to other tall white shooters like Mullin, Kukoc, & Peja.
jp3813 no they didn’t play in the same style, Dirk shot way more 3s and did not facilitate the offense. Bird was a point forward and would actually put the ball on the floor and go around people. You’re also completely ignoring the fact that bird was a great defender and rebounder despite the fact that Dirk was actually a 7 footer. Even if how they scored the ball the was the same (which they didn’t) that’s still less than 10 percent of what happens on a basketball court, so the comparison still wouldn’t be true. The fact that they’re white means literally nothing. Channing Frye or Charlie Villanueva would be more apt of a comparison to nowitzki, but that would do him a disservice. In all honesty Dirk was more like a 7 foot version of Glen Rice
Actually Dirk was Patrick Ewing that took 3s but didn’t block as many shots but was clutch enough to help his team win a championship
@@mohammedbabaki1534 I already covered the fact that Bird was better than Dirk "in every aspect of the game", which includes rebounding and defense. I'm far from the only basketball fan in the world who compared both players as opposed to you choosing Ewing as a comparison.
Wow! The best sports docu ever. You just made a case to what i thought eversince about Larry Bird. 👍👏👏👏
Best video or commentary I’ve ever seen or heard on Larry Bird! Both of u are GOATS!
It's a whole new level of greatness when a player tells you to your face what they're going to do next and then does it and keeps doing it over and over again.
"to the best player ever" Magic knew it !!!!!!!!
Good call!
@rl184 His over all TEAM won with better players and better coach ! Magic is the most over rated player ever !?????
Rodman and Horace Grant had more RINGS !!! So I guess they are the Goats !? Stockton is by FAAAAR the Best PG ever and he has ZERO rings !
@@Gaderelli trust me don't waste your time with this fool he's know nothing and thinks he knows everything. Magic defense suck by the way.Bird better there to.
wait a minute, let me end all this. Magic knew larry was better than himself. He said it himself. letterman show with he and larry. Case Closed.
I’m not going to lie dude I was just watching this on TH-cam on my tv and the ending was so good i had to pull out my phone to comment this; it made me cry. When I thought about magic and birds friendship and my friend with our friendship along with the state of the nation right now... Thank you for making this video, basketball is a huge reason I see no color, skin doesn’t define talent or intelligence or anything, just pigmentations.
I enjoyed watching this very much. Thank you. I'm looking forward to your future videos.
Love these videos dude you deserve much more success
The real GOAT.
MJ end of story. Larry admitted it.
@@alexanderpanayi7212 Only because almost half of his career he wasn't just playing against other teams, he was also playing against the pain caused by his back injury. An injury that left his doctor wondering how he could play at all. In his prime and before his back injury he was better than MJ ever was.
@@jpbm1873 Yes. Though MJ scored 63 points against the Celtics and crossed up Bird in the 1986 playoff eastern conference match, even though the Celtics won being the better team. Bird said "I would never have called him the greatest player I'd ever seen if I didn't mean it. Its just God disguised as Michael Jordan."
@@alexanderpanayi7212 Yes MJ is the best he's ever seen. Bird is the best I've ever seen. Easily one of the top 5 best passers ever. Easily in the top 5 best shooters ever and he did it when playing defense was actually allowed and with a shattered knuckle, an injury he picked up before entering the NBA and according to him, his shooting wasn't the same after it. As you've seen in this video he was also a great rebounder and the most clutch player ever. His basketball IQ is probably the highest ever wich was what allowed him to be reach the levels he did despite being an unathletic player plagued by injuries and he was undoubtedly the toughest player to ever play the game. Not only was he great but he made his teamates great as well. Parish is a HOF in great deal due to Bird and like Jordan he had that killer mentality. The cherry on top: he would tell his opponents what he would, do it 5 seconds later and no one, not even MJ was able to stop him.
MJ is great and I respect those that say that he is the best ever because anyone can easily make an argument for him and I respect the opinion of those that say that Kareem is the best ever as well but to me Larry Joe "Legend" Bird in his prime was the best to ever play the game.
@@jpbm1873 Don't forget Magic Johnson too, especially in college when Michigan State beat Indiana State in the NCAA Finals tournament.
I got to watch Bird play at the Gaahden and I'll tell you this. It was an honor to watch such skill and determination. He is my #1.
Love this video series Clayton. Is the reason you got my sub and every video notification bell 😀
First video I’ve seen by you. Superbly done! Instant like/subscribe!
Keep on putting out these!
Great stuff, Clayton and to me Larry still is underrated due to his looks and his lack of jumping ability. He was a fantastic player and your video did him justice. Thanks!
Absolutely the best video for Larry Bird I've ever seen. I've watched Bird since his early NBA career and have watched scores of videos of him since the internet was fast enough to support videos. Great job and excellent work. Thanks.
Awesome video, amazing. I just found your channel and am looking forward to consuming everything !!
The intro is so perfect! I love it
The fact that Larry's "Making the Case" has more views than any other player featured says it all. GOAT.
Its because this generation don't belive that a White basketball player could have been so Good 40+ years ago.😂
I did witness Wayne Gretsky playing hockey live, Larry has the same level of awareness of the game and scenario, I would have love to see Bird play live myself.
Awesome video. Larry the Legend is legend. Got some few tears in my eyes when Earvin said: a friend forever.
Great video!
I have to admit, I fall into the "Magic > Bird" camp because of "5 Rings > 3 Rings" and their finals record.
but you make a great case as you do with your other videos.
Bird has pretty the best highlight reel of all time and it doesn’t even include dunks