Yeah Bird was that dude. Over all the best player the league has ever had. Those passes most won't even attempt. The timing it takes to make those passes. They say he was slow but the game was even slower for him.
Not fast afoot, but he was regularly breaking defender’s ankles with his fakes and quick trigger. The 1980s Celtic fast break was on par with Magic’s Showtime Lakers! Think about that! Larry would deal out pinpoint touchdown passes like he was Tom Brady. A well passed ball moves much faster than the most athletic player can move.
One story I have rarely heard discussed is the time he went off in a game -WITH A BROKEN ORBITAL BONE AND DOUBLE VISION! It happened at the Boston Garden; Larry took a blow to the face in the first half and had to come out for x-rays. In the 2nd half, he insisted he was feeling well enough to play. A person who trained me was working at the best Boston-area hospital for orthopedics, and called up the team to say Larry had a broken eye socket, and did he have any symptoms that went along with that? Larry said “Yeah, I have double-vision, but when I got on the court I shot at the left basket and it went in-so I just kept shooting at the left basket”. He dropped 40 in the 2nd half with a broken face and double vision. THAT’S who Larry Bird was.
Career numbers for Larry…24ppg, 10rpg and 6apg not to mention the founding member of the 50/40/90 club which he achieved back to back seasons. Only 7 other players in NBA history have had a 50/40/90 season. This man COULD do everything on a basketball court, especially early in his career and during his prime. That’s why they call him Larry Legend.
I'm a life long Lakers fan and I remember being a kid watching the NBA finals against Boston and there were games were I was so frustrated that no one could stop Larry Bird from scoring. This dude was a PROBLEM. Im older and no longer hate him, but I have the utmost respect for him 😂
I have the EXACT same feeling for Kobe. When I started to watch the NBA, I became a fan of the Celtics in 2007 and didn't know any of the history. Luckily, we won that chip in 08 but eeverytime we played the Lakers, I had the feeling you described, for Kobe. Everytime he took a shot, I was afraid, it was going in. It isn't hatred towards him, but more of a rivarly based dislike. But with the utmost respect for that greatness he brought.
Same here. I grew up watching that rivalry. We all hated Bird back then, because he would kill the Lakers. I learned to respect the guy later. He's a top 5 player of all time, in my book.
Larry has a lot more accolades, records, and awards than people realize. I think he gets overlooked because the things he was best at... IQ, court awareness, clutch plays even beyond shooting, psychology , etc... are things that can't easily be measured. But for measurable stats he's the only guy with a career average over 20/10/5, only guy to lead his team in every stat every season, only guy to average within 1% of 50/40/90 in five+ seasons, only guy to win every 3pt contest he did, and only one to get three back to back. He's number two behind Magic in win %, by less than 1/2 of 1%. Nobody else is close to them. And remember, not only did he have a higher rebounding average than Patrick Ewing, it was while playing against Hakeem, Kareem,, Lambeer, Moses Malone, Ralph Samson, Charles, Barkley, Dennis Rodman, etc.... almost all of the best rebounders of all time. The guys he broke ankles on weren't nobody, non-athletes. He put Clyde on the deck. Joe Dumars, Dominique, Pippin, Jordan. Everybody. That crazy alley-oop 3pt shot , guaranteed highlight reel shot,, the kind only a handful of players have hit even once? Larry hit a couple of those every season for a while. I've seen him get fouled so hard he flipped upside, shot mid flip, and still hit the shot! More than once. And for passing, everybody knows how good Magic, Stockton, Kidd, etc... are. Larry may not have as many assists because it wasn't his role, he may not be as pretty, but he's every bit as skilled a passed as those top guys. He's the most complete, best all around player ever.
The reason today's young guys don't give bird enough credit for being as good as he was? They just haven't watched the highlights that you've begun to dig into. They don't realize that he's the only 20/10/5 career player in nba history. They don't know that he was all nba first team and 4th in MVP in his ROY season. They don't know that in his next 8 seasons he was 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 3, 2 for MVP. 10 all nba (9 first team) and 12 all star selections in the 12 seasons that he played. Never won less than 51 games in a season during those 12 seasons... much more, but this is getting long enough... today's young guys just don't know that Larry is better than anyone in today's game. Watch 5 times larry was injured and refused to quit. Find out exactly how much of these things he did with injuries that would end many careers... He had a horrific back injury that he played through for his last 6 seasons, and a mangled index finger on his shooting hand that happened just as he was finishing college
I'm from Indiana. Bird is a legend we all grew up watching. There were public service commercials on in the morning that pumped kids up to try hard and be their best, and Bird was always an example. One was about a young Larry in grade school, and how he used to shoot 1000 free throws before school every morning. He woke up at 4:30 in the morning to practice before school. Dedication my friends.
Yeah. Larry Bird averaged double digit rebounds for his entire career. He was one of the very best shooters of all time. He was absolutely the most clutch player, followed closely by Jordan, and then a bunch of space, and then everybody else. He is arguably the best passer, or at least in the top echelon of passers of all time.
I watched a 48pt game from him vs the Blazers. The way he dives on the floor for a loose ball at his size and then gets up so fast to play defense is another world of person. Only a couple GOATed players have that level of competitiveness
Larry "there will be other Larry Birds" Magic "there will never be, another Larry Bird" IMO, the reason Bird overlooked a lot, was he wasn't flashy, never really drew attention to himself outside the Basketball court, he was, to use an over used term, "blue collar", he came in, did his work, didn't bitch, complain, etc.. just did his job, and did it very well
I never realized how good bird was till i started watching highlights and stories. It changed my opinion. I believe Bird is the best all around player of all time! Also I love the Bird Magic story. Maybe the best friendship story in any sport!
Bird beat every real nba nigga hardcore players in the history of nba.. Bird beat them all, and dont forget, bird have 6:0 against mj in playofs, mj the goat but bird beat him. SHOW SOME RESPECT ALL FOR THE LIVING LEGEND BIRD
Larry was asked why he plays a regular season game when he was hurt,,,he said,,l owe it to the celtics and my teammates to play,,it's my job and l love it,,but just as important are the fans,,,some family save up all year to come see me play,,l can't disappoint them,,,Larry legend
Larry don't get attention because he really has a dislike for social situations, tv spotlights etc. His lack of presence on media make a lot of people forget about him, that's all
Did he? I remember hearing that Stockton was somewhat shy and a regular guy when not on the field who let team partner and best bud Carl Malone do much of the talking, but not about Bird.
It’s cause he’s white. Until LeBron came around he was the unanimous goat. Jordan didn’t come into the goat picture until ‘99 when skip was planted to push that narrative.
@@ENikolaev I was following the nba during the 90s in a different country and while Bird was seen as A great, he wasn't called the greatest. If anything, people seemed to be giving Magic and Kareem the nod.
I watched Bird as a kid, and to this day I don't think a better passer has ever stepped on the court. I swear he could have been blindfolded and still would know where everyone on the court was.
When you go back and watch Larry play, after a while you start to realize he was always at the right place at the right time on that court. He knew where everyone around him was at all times. Dont know if there is such a thing as a basketball genius, but Bird has to be it....
I was fortunate enough that when he came to Boston I was around 16 and the basketball in the 80's with LA/Philly/Detroit/Houston/Chicago (towards the end of the 80's) --- it was such a great time and re-built NBA basketball. NBA ratings prior to Larry Bird and Magic Johnson didn't even rate - they NBA playoffs and also the championship in the late 70's was either not on TV or recorded and played later!
Glad to see younger people giving Bird the respect he deserves. Bird is only guy who never lost a playoff game against Jordan. Bird's back stays healthy... Bird destroys records.
While Bird wasn't shy about scoring, and would focus on it if needed, he was always a ball mover first (and then defensive rebounder and off-ball player). Which makes sense, since he's at a disadvantage speed-wise and the ball can move faster than the fastest opponent. His passing, among his other talents, had been the main draw for Red Auerbach when he drafted Bird.
Anyone who watched Bird in High School and college knew he could do it all. I grew up 60 miles from French Lick where Bird was from. He was known as a high school player 60 miles away and more. Word spreads fast around here lol.
I'm not even a basketball fan really but I like giving credit where it's due and I'm glad to see y'all giving Larry Bird his flowers. I'm old enough to remember how huge he was back in the day. Everrrrybody recognized how cold he was back then. You didn't even have to really follow the sport to know. He was the shit.
Bill Russell doesn't get enough respect even in things like this. He wasn't just 1950's. His final championships were 1968-69 and he beat Wilt often. He would have likely had 12 championships if he hadn't been sidelined with an injury. He deserves meag-respect. So does Wilt. And Larry. I was alive when all of them played.
Larry was the ultimate team player. If he’s not scoring he’s helping someone else score. There’s a great passing video out there. Larry like a quarterback with some of his passing.❤️🇦🇺
Magic and Larry's friendship is the best part of that whole era. They went from hated rivals to best friends who respected and loved one another. Magic said if there was one thing about Larry that he would like to have in his life is that Larry is a straight shooter and he will straight up tell you if he doesn't like you, and Magic wished he could do that himself in his own life. When Larry was asked what is it about Magic that he would like to have, and Larry said he'd love to have Magic's ability to walk into a room and see everyone in the room smile and be happy because he just got there and started flashing his million dollar smile. So they're like complete opposites (yeah, you can even throw in the black/white aspect too), but they compliment each other so well. They really bring the best out of one another, and that's something we should all be so lucky to have ourselves with our own friends. When Magic announced that he contracted HIV, it was still the early 90's and back then people actually thought that only gay men and IV drug users could get HIV. So because of that a lot of Magic's so-called "friends" stopped talking to him because they assumed that he was on the down low. Larry however was the first person to call him and stand by his side. This was once a hated rival and then at that time he was more loyal to Magic than A LOT of his childhood "friends". Magic never forgot that, and he said he learned thar day who his real friends were. I hope one day we get a Magic and Larry movie or something. Especially with everything going on in the world right now and with everyone being so mad at one another over stupid shit like skin color, I think a Magic and Larry movie could help teach us that you don't always have to agree 100% with one-another, grow up in similar circumstances, and/or have the same skin color as one-another to become friends and have respect for each other. Larry and Magic are more than friends, they actually became brothers! And if they could do it, 2 guys who had every reason in the world to dispise each other, well then maybe some of us can do it too! Here is hoping!!
Check your history bro! I put Bird in my top 3 all-time. He was a master of the game and could control a game better than anyone. The only one close to his style of game was Kobe.
Remember that in the NCAAs, Johnson played on Mich. St. with other players that would go to the NBA and a school that had been there before and would again. Bird played for Ind. St., a school that had never had even been to the NCAAs before with a team who sent no one but Bird to the NBA.
Best bird story I have seen was in a game where he broke his cheek and suffered a concussion. He came back to save the game for the Celtics dropping shots despite having double vision from the concussion. I heard Bird say something like after the first shot that he missed he knew which one of the two hoops he was seeing was the real one and it wasn't too hard after that.
I just told this story above-I don’t know how you knew it!?! I only know because I am medical… scroll up to see my post. He said he shot at the left hoop on his double vision and it went in, so…
@@kineahora8736 I used to work at IBM years ago in Toronto, a few of the Raptor players were customers, one of who was previously a Celtic. He played with Bird the last two seasons of his career including game 5 against the pacers when it all happened. the Urban legend part of the game about 40 points after his return is off though, Bird only had 32 pts for the game. However The player who told me the story said it was the most impressive moment of bravery and skill he has ever seen.
@@StevenBoudreau yeah I didn’t check the game stats. So I dunno how many he had in the 2nd half. But I do know the doc who read the X-ray and the hospital she worked at!! She showed us the films🤣🤣
@@kineahora8736 the real number is irrelevant it was the the fact he could even hit a bucket with double vision that was impressive. I have had a severe concussion that affected my vision. I could barely walk let alone hit a basket.
@@StevenBoudreau dude I totally know! Bird was ridiculous. He also made a number of key steals and tips-he just knew how to beat you. Weird inbound plays-steals of inbounds passes with an easy layup…
I know Larry is one of the best of all time because I watched the era with Bird and Jordan, for those of us who did, it was a special time in the world.
You gotta love the story about how he went up to all the contenders for the three-point competition in the locker room and looked at them and said; “I’m just seeing who’s gonna come in second!“ I mean, these are the top three point shooters IN THE WORLD at the time that he’s saying this to… And he’s talking to them like they’re a bunch of scrubs… Unreal!… and of course he wins the whole thing
Larry Bird had the ability to pass without actually grabbing the ball. He often simply redirected it. Quite often he passed without looking and it went exactly where he wanted. His teammates had to constantly be ready for that pass out of nowhere. As for shooting, he had a ridiculous ability to make shots that most players wouldn't even attempt. Hen it came to rebounds, he knew where a ball was going before anyone else and was ready for it. Basically, when everyone else was reacting, Bird was executing a plan.
Let's be real. Larry Bird is always underrated, because he's a "slow white guy". But every person who's ever played against him says he's the one they feared most. He'd tell the other team exactly what he was going to do, and exactly where he was going to shoot from, and they still couldn't stop him. He'd make guys look downright stupid. He's an easy all-time top 5.
Top NBA career combined stats per game (pts, reb, ast, stl, blk) additional career fg%,tp%,ft% 1. Jordan 44.7 -50-33-84 2. Lebron 44.4 -51-35-73 3. Bird 43.1 -50-38-89 4. Kareem 42.9 -56-06-72 5. Durant 40.8 -50-38-88 A bunch of guys in the 40’s
Larry had all of New England watching him in the 80s - 90s ! We worshiped our teams and the front page with Larry’s picture on the Boston Globe was the best… Every night was showtime !
Growing up in Boston watching him. We took it for granted. No doubt. But everyone needs to listen to the other greats when they ALL say they feared or hated him. Cannot argue with that kind of resume. Plus the actual numbers? Top 3 all day errday
Respect for the open mind. You touched on why Larry doesnt get the respect from the new school. Really all they have to go by is stats, and while Larrys are great, they dont begin to tell his greatness. His body only lasted 13 seasons, only 6 games one of those. His first 7-8 seasons, when he was relatively healthy, stacks up with anyone. (67% of all MVP votes from 81-89) Because he lacked longevity, his career stats dont reflect his impact. Style of play too, he shot less than 2 3's per game, and the % wasnt awesome, but with todays style and emphasis on them, well, hes right there with Steph as a natural shooter. Great react.
Bird is Def Top 5 all time, he was one of those once in a generation type players. One of those players where you just had to hope he had an off night, cause nobody was going to stop him. Larry Legend was an absolute beast. You know you a bad man when you make opposing players forget what team they on and just sit there and celebrate what you doing on the court.
If you want to see how much impact, he had for the Celtics, look at Boston's record the year before he got there and his first year. In 1978-79 season Boston record was 29-53 in the 1979-80 season, Birds first season Boston's record was 61-21.
Let me add one more thing: As an aged Basketball fan having grown up watching this 80's and early 90's ball I can say I used to intensely dislike him because he would SHRED the teams I liked. I had to change though, cause this dude was just the best. I am so glad he is finally getting the props he deserves.
Those opposing players knew what they were seeing... An exhibition on how the game of basketball is supposed to be played. Seeing anyone play like that, brings out that little kid in us that went out to a court and imagined being the best player on the planet. That my friend is 100%.
Bird was the first NBD player I ever saw. If his back hadn't gotten hurt Boston would have been unstoppable for several more years. Sorry for the generation who never got to see him. *NBD-No Bad Days
I was a fortunate young man to have lived and watch this greatest of rivalries come back better than ever. the sixers were great as were a lot of Western teams that made the lakers play 7 games to get in more than a few times. I think the 80s basketball was the best... a true contact sport where the men were in the paint and the great players did both.
I just read that in January of 2023 as a coach Larry Bird still has it. The story goes that Larry dressed in a suit as a coach. One day in January 2023 Larry was on his way out after practice. A ball rolled his way on his way out to his car. He picked up the ball and shot a swisher from 3 point line. Then he continued and shot 9 more for 10 all together from 3 point line. Larry Bird is 60 yo. He just turned after the 10th shot and simply went out to his car and drove home. The young rookies who were watching were speechless.
Larry's true brilliance and ability is not fully understood or recognized by the flashy, highlight reel oriented fans of today! When he wasn't scoring his offball game was intense and very productive!
Dominique Wilkins is all class. I say this about him "All class off the court, all monster on it." I wish he and Charles Barkley had won a championship 🏆.
Remember, LArry was playing point guard from the power forward position. He RAN the offense from the forward position. HE was the best passer, the best shooter, a very good rebounder, and he had the best MIND in the game.
Larry Bird, in his prime, was unstoppable. You could not outwork him, you could not outthink him, and he would let you know about it every chance he could
In one game Larry was 1 steal away from what would've been only the 5th quadruple double in NBA history...the crazy thing about it is he did in just 3 quarters. Boston was up by so much Larry subbed out for the 4th quarter. When coach KC was told about Larry only being 1 steal away, he asked him if he wanted to go back in. Larry said naw, I already did enough damage.
In my mind, Larry is the small forward (3) and in the NBA starting five all time because he makes every player on the floor that much better because his total fundamental skill level all over the court was off the charts and his basketball I.Q. is arguably the best of all time.
There is a great video out there Magic Johnson and Larry Bird: A courtship of rivals. It give a really good history of how these two started out and how each grew into their friendship… a strong friendship. It’s a real good look into their lives. It’s a bit long, but very good.
Larry Bird was a fundamental part of Michael Jordan's ascent to being the Greatest Of All Time. Larry Bird will never get the credit he deserves in being most of MJ's motivation to perfect his game.
It's what is said by other greats that can be trusted to be true. Byrd could not jump for rebounds but relied on his brain and geometry of where the missed ball is going and to be there. He also used his brain to say things that would take the other player off their game.
There's a clip of Magic at some sport show where one of the pundits says something along the lines of "if Lary Bird was black people wouldn't make such a fuss" but Magic wasn't hearing that at all and switched it saying "if Bird was black he would get more plaudits because like it or not the fact is there are people that hold his color against him"
bird career averages (mind you he broke his back in 86 and injuries from 89 on including double Achilles surgeries diminished his play drastically in his "Prime") 24.3 PPG 10 RPG 6.3 APG (as a forward) and came a few misses per season from averaging 50/40/90 for his career (FG, 3p, FT) 49.6 37.6 88.6
This is how much of a savage Bird was, he injuried one of his fingers during softball just before he signed with Boston and have said he was a better shoter before that and his last seasons he played with a bad back due to helping his mother with her house. The man wasn't that athletic, one finger injury just before his NBA career and a bad back the last years and he still have a 10rpg average over his 13 years and is one of few people in the 40-50-90 club.
I recently read someone say:
When you played against Jordan, he made you look slow.
When you played against Bird, he made you look stupid. 😬
Legendary coach Pat Riley once said “If I need a shot to win a game it’s Jordan, if I need a shot to save my life it’s Bird.”
Yeah Bird was that dude. Over all the best player the league has ever had. Those passes most won't even attempt. The timing it takes to make those passes. They say he was slow but the game was even slower for him.
Not fast afoot, but he was regularly breaking defender’s ankles with his fakes and quick trigger.
The 1980s Celtic fast break was on par with Magic’s Showtime Lakers! Think about that!
Larry would deal out pinpoint touchdown passes like he was Tom Brady. A well passed ball moves much faster than the most athletic player can move.
I believe it was James Worthy with the op’s quote. He also said he would rather guard Jordan than Bird.
@@aaronandelise yes. James Worthy. Larry was his worst nightmare.
I miss Bird, Magic, Jordan, Worthy, McCale, Rodman, Isiah, Dr. J. I actually enjoyed watching basketball then. I hardly ever watch the NBA now.
One story I have rarely heard discussed is the time he went off in a game -WITH A BROKEN ORBITAL BONE AND DOUBLE VISION!
It happened at the Boston Garden; Larry took a blow to the face in the first half and had to come out for x-rays. In the 2nd half, he insisted he was feeling well enough to play. A person who trained me was working at the best Boston-area hospital for orthopedics, and called up the team to say Larry had a broken eye socket, and did he have any symptoms that went along with that? Larry said “Yeah, I have double-vision, but when I got on the court I shot at the left basket and it went in-so I just kept shooting at the left basket”.
He dropped 40 in the 2nd half with a broken face and double vision.
THAT’S who Larry Bird was.
I wonder what LeBron would do in that situation lol
@@jeremyjames1659 he’d be out for a month
@@jeremyjames1659 Cry...
He'd retire
Those 40 should have counted as 80 🤔🤷🏼♂️
Not only did he have those amazing stats, he was a team player. He made his teammates look good and got them involved.
Career numbers for Larry…24ppg, 10rpg and 6apg not to mention the founding member of the 50/40/90 club which he achieved back to back seasons. Only 7 other players in NBA history have had a 50/40/90 season. This man COULD do everything on a basketball court, especially early in his career and during his prime. That’s why they call him Larry Legend.
I'm a life long Lakers fan and I remember being a kid watching the NBA finals against Boston and there were games were I was so frustrated that no one could stop Larry Bird from scoring. This dude was a PROBLEM. Im older and no longer hate him, but I have the utmost respect for him 😂
I have the EXACT same feeling for Kobe. When I started to watch the NBA, I became a fan of the Celtics in 2007 and didn't know any of the history.
Luckily, we won that chip in 08 but eeverytime we played the Lakers, I had the feeling you described, for Kobe. Everytime he took a shot, I was afraid, it was going in.
It isn't hatred towards him, but more of a rivarly based dislike. But with the utmost respect for that greatness he brought.
Love him or hate him (for what reason I have no idea).....u have to respect him 💯
@@Brigada91RealBriggy RIP KOBE
Same here. I grew up watching that rivalry. We all hated Bird back then, because he would kill the Lakers. I learned to respect the guy later. He's a top 5 player of all time, in my book.
Gheorghe muresan against Larry bird
Larry has a lot more accolades, records, and awards than people realize. I think he gets overlooked because the things he was best at... IQ, court awareness, clutch plays even beyond shooting, psychology , etc... are things that can't easily be measured. But for measurable stats he's the only guy with a career average over 20/10/5, only guy to lead his team in every stat every season, only guy to average within 1% of 50/40/90 in five+ seasons, only guy to win every 3pt contest he did, and only one to get three back to back. He's number two behind Magic in win %, by less than 1/2 of 1%. Nobody else is close to them. And remember, not only did he have a higher rebounding average than Patrick Ewing, it was while playing against Hakeem, Kareem,, Lambeer, Moses Malone, Ralph Samson, Charles, Barkley, Dennis Rodman, etc.... almost all of the best rebounders of all time. The guys he broke ankles on weren't nobody, non-athletes. He put Clyde on the deck. Joe Dumars, Dominique, Pippin, Jordan. Everybody. That crazy alley-oop 3pt shot , guaranteed highlight reel shot,, the kind only a handful of players have hit even once? Larry hit a couple of those every season for a while. I've seen him get fouled so hard he flipped upside, shot mid flip, and still hit the shot! More than once. And for passing, everybody knows how good Magic, Stockton, Kidd, etc... are. Larry may not have as many assists because it wasn't his role, he may not be as pretty, but he's every bit as skilled a passed as those top guys. He's the most complete, best all around player ever.
The reason today's young guys don't give bird enough credit for being as good as he was? They just haven't watched the highlights that you've begun to dig into. They don't realize that he's the only 20/10/5 career player in nba history. They don't know that he was all nba first team and 4th in MVP in his ROY season. They don't know that in his next 8 seasons he was 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 3, 2 for MVP. 10 all nba (9 first team) and 12 all star selections in the 12 seasons that he played. Never won less than 51 games in a season during those 12 seasons... much more, but this is getting long enough... today's young guys just don't know that Larry is better than anyone in today's game.
Watch 5 times larry was injured and refused to quit. Find out exactly how much of these things he did with injuries that would end many careers... He had a horrific back injury that he played through for his last 6 seasons, and a mangled index finger on his shooting hand that happened just as he was finishing college
I'm from Indiana. Bird is a legend we all grew up watching. There were public service commercials on in the morning that pumped kids up to try hard and be their best, and Bird was always an example. One was about a young Larry in grade school, and how he used to shoot 1000 free throws before school every morning. He woke up at 4:30 in the morning to practice before school. Dedication my friends.
Yeah. Larry Bird averaged double digit rebounds for his entire career. He was one of the very best shooters of all time. He was absolutely the most clutch player, followed closely by Jordan, and then a bunch of space, and then everybody else. He is arguably the best passer, or at least in the top echelon of passers of all time.
Truth.
I watched a 48pt game from him vs the Blazers. The way he dives on the floor for a loose ball at his size and then gets up so fast to play defense is another world of person. Only a couple GOATed players have that level of competitiveness
Larry IS GOAT, he did more and the highest level than anyone.
For me the best passer is a toss up between Stockton and Larry. They were both awesome to watch
@@jeffreyglenellen1188 ... don't forget magic and pistol Pete
Larry "there will be other Larry Birds"
Magic "there will never be, another Larry Bird"
IMO, the reason Bird overlooked a lot, was he wasn't flashy, never really drew attention to himself outside the Basketball court, he was, to use an over used term, "blue collar", he came in, did his work, didn't bitch, complain, etc.. just did his job, and did it very well
Bird was a swiss knife. Most all around player EVER! and a infamous trash talker! this guy had it all!
Larry's passing was sublime. He barely looked, he KNEW where everyone was on the court.
I never realized how good bird was till i started watching highlights and stories. It changed my opinion. I believe Bird is the best all around player of all time! Also I love the Bird Magic story. Maybe the best friendship story in any sport!
Bird beat every real nba nigga hardcore players in the history of nba.. Bird beat them all, and dont forget, bird have 6:0 against mj in playofs, mj the goat but bird beat him. SHOW SOME RESPECT ALL FOR THE LIVING LEGEND BIRD
Larry was asked why he plays a regular season game when he was hurt,,,he said,,l owe it to the celtics and my teammates to play,,it's my job and l love it,,but just as important are the fans,,,some family save up all year to come see me play,,l can't disappoint them,,,Larry legend
At 6'10", Bird's fadeaway was practically as unstoppable as Kareem's skyhook.
Its not the fact he was 6'10, its the fact that he made the shots. If it was that easy every 7ft player would be automatic all stars.
Gheorghe muresan against Larry bird
Larry Bird - Greatest Passer Of All Time (Re-edit with new footage), 15 minutes of silky passing.
THIS !!!
Endorse. This is the video to watch!
No. Pistol Pete. Bird was very, very good, but the Pistol could do more with a basketball than anyone.
Larry don't get attention because he really has a dislike for social situations, tv spotlights etc. His lack of presence on media make a lot of people forget about him, that's all
Yep. Speak softly and carry a big stick
Did he? I remember hearing that Stockton was somewhat shy and a regular guy when not on the field who let team partner and best bud Carl Malone do much of the talking, but not about Bird.
It’s cause he’s white. Until LeBron came around he was the unanimous goat. Jordan didn’t come into the goat picture until ‘99 when skip was planted to push that narrative.
@@ENikolaev I was following the nba during the 90s in a different country and while Bird was seen as A great, he wasn't called the greatest. If anything, people seemed to be giving Magic and Kareem the nod.
but true legends never die! hear we are my friend lol
I watched Bird as a kid, and to this day I don't think a better passer has ever stepped on the court. I swear he could have been blindfolded and still would know where everyone on the court was.
When you go back and watch Larry play, after a while you start to realize he was always at the right place at the right time on that court. He knew where everyone around him was at all times. Dont know if there is such a thing as a basketball genius, but Bird has to be it....
I have seen Larry Bird play probably in his last 2 or 3 years and he still was a dominant player. He is definitely in my top five players of all time.
I was fortunate enough that when he came to Boston I was around 16 and the basketball in the 80's with LA/Philly/Detroit/Houston/Chicago (towards the end of the 80's) --- it was such a great time and re-built NBA basketball. NBA ratings prior to Larry Bird and Magic Johnson didn't even rate - they NBA playoffs and also the championship in the late 70's was either not on TV or recorded and played later!
🐐🐐🐐 *****A MAN OF FEW WORDS, BECAUSE HIS ACTIONS SPOKE VOLUMES***** 🐐🐐🐐
Glad to see younger people giving Bird the respect he deserves. Bird is only guy who never lost a playoff game against Jordan. Bird's back stays healthy... Bird destroys records.
I love the respect you show for Larry Legend. 🏀
While Bird wasn't shy about scoring, and would focus on it if needed, he was always a ball mover first (and then defensive rebounder and off-ball player). Which makes sense, since he's at a disadvantage speed-wise and the ball can move faster than the fastest opponent. His passing, among his other talents, had been the main draw for Red Auerbach when he drafted Bird.
Anyone who watched Bird in High School and college knew he could do it all. I grew up 60 miles from French Lick where Bird was from. He was known as a high school player 60 miles away and more. Word spreads fast around here lol.
Best All Around. Plain and simple.
I'm not even a basketball fan really but I like giving credit where it's due and I'm glad to see y'all giving Larry Bird his flowers.
I'm old enough to remember how huge he was back in the day. Everrrrybody recognized how cold he was back then. You didn't even have to really follow the sport to know. He was the shit.
Bill Russell doesn't get enough respect even in things like this. He wasn't just 1950's. His final championships were 1968-69 and he beat Wilt often. He would have likely had 12 championships if he hadn't been sidelined with an injury. He deserves meag-respect. So does Wilt. And Larry. I was alive when all of them played.
Larry was the ultimate team player. If he’s not scoring he’s helping someone else score. There’s a great passing video out there. Larry like a quarterback with some of his passing.❤️🇦🇺
Magic and Larry's friendship is the best part of that whole era. They went from hated rivals to best friends who respected and loved one another.
Magic said if there was one thing about Larry that he would like to have in his life is that Larry is a straight shooter and he will straight up tell you if he doesn't like you, and Magic wished he could do that himself in his own life.
When Larry was asked what is it about Magic that he would like to have, and Larry said he'd love to have Magic's ability to walk into a room and see everyone in the room smile and be happy because he just got there and started flashing his million dollar smile.
So they're like complete opposites (yeah, you can even throw in the black/white aspect too), but they compliment each other so well. They really bring the best out of one another, and that's something we should all be so lucky to have ourselves with our own friends.
When Magic announced that he contracted HIV, it was still the early 90's and back then people actually thought that only gay men and IV drug users could get HIV. So because of that a lot of Magic's so-called "friends" stopped talking to him because they assumed that he was on the down low. Larry however was the first person to call him and stand by his side. This was once a hated rival and then at that time he was more loyal to Magic than A LOT of his childhood "friends". Magic never forgot that, and he said he learned thar day who his real friends were.
I hope one day we get a Magic and Larry movie or something. Especially with everything going on in the world right now and with everyone being so mad at one another over stupid shit like skin color, I think a Magic and Larry movie could help teach us that you don't always have to agree 100% with one-another, grow up in similar circumstances, and/or have the same skin color as one-another to become friends and have respect for each other. Larry and Magic are more than friends, they actually became brothers! And if they could do it, 2 guys who had every reason in the world to dispise each other, well then maybe some of us can do it too! Here is hoping!!
That’s beautiful, man. Yeah it’s a great story Larry&Magic
I’m hoping too. Well said, not a wasted word. God bless. I think maybe we’ll get there.
Check your history bro! I put Bird in my top 3 all-time. He was a master of the game and could control a game better than anyone. The only one close to his style of game was Kobe.
If you look close. The guy he breaks his ankles and sets him on the floor, that is Dominique Wilkins.
Remember that in the NCAAs, Johnson played on Mich. St. with other players that would go to the NBA and a school that had been there before and would again. Bird played for Ind. St., a school that had never had even been to the NCAAs before with a team who sent no one but Bird to the NBA.
Dude he grabbed and shot that buzzer beater ZERO footed.
Best bird story I have seen was in a game where he broke his cheek and suffered a concussion. He came back to save the game for the Celtics dropping shots despite having double vision from the concussion. I heard Bird say something like after the first shot that he missed he knew which one of the two hoops he was seeing was the real one and it wasn't too hard after that.
I just told this story above-I don’t know how you knew it!?! I only know because I am medical… scroll up to see my post. He said he shot at the left hoop on his double vision and it went in, so…
@@kineahora8736 I used to work at IBM years ago in Toronto, a few of the Raptor players were customers, one of who was previously a Celtic. He played with Bird the last two seasons of his career including game 5 against the pacers when it all happened. the Urban legend part of the game about 40 points after his return is off though, Bird only had 32 pts for the game. However The player who told me the story said it was the most impressive moment of bravery and skill he has ever seen.
@@StevenBoudreau yeah I didn’t check the game stats. So I dunno how many he had in the 2nd half. But I do know the doc who read the X-ray and the hospital she worked at!! She showed us the films🤣🤣
@@kineahora8736 the real number is irrelevant it was the the fact he could even hit a bucket with double vision that was impressive. I have had a severe concussion that affected my vision. I could barely walk let alone hit a basket.
@@StevenBoudreau dude I totally know! Bird was ridiculous. He also made a number of key steals and tips-he just knew how to beat you. Weird inbound plays-steals of inbounds passes with an easy layup…
Larry is the best passer of all time. He should be remembered for his passing as much as his shooting.
I know Larry is one of the best of all time because I watched the era with Bird and Jordan, for those of us who did, it was a special time in the world.
Bird and Magic rejuvenated the NBA!!!
You gotta love the story about how he went up to all the contenders for the three-point competition in the locker room and looked at them and said; “I’m just seeing who’s gonna come in second!“ I mean, these are the top three point shooters IN THE WORLD at the time that he’s saying this to… And he’s talking to them like they’re a bunch of scrubs… Unreal!… and of course he wins the whole thing
I grew up watching Bird, he was a beast. If Bird played now, man...shiiit!! Top starting 5 ever.
Larry Bird had the ability to pass without actually grabbing the ball. He often simply redirected it. Quite often he passed without looking and it went exactly where he wanted. His teammates had to constantly be ready for that pass out of nowhere.
As for shooting, he had a ridiculous ability to make shots that most players wouldn't even attempt.
Hen it came to rebounds, he knew where a ball was going before anyone else and was ready for it.
Basically, when everyone else was reacting, Bird was executing a plan.
Larry was a shooter, a rebounder and a passer, and all 3 at the highest level. He was 3 great players in ONE!
Let's be real. Larry Bird is always underrated, because he's a "slow white guy". But every person who's ever played against him says he's the one they feared most. He'd tell the other team exactly what he was going to do, and exactly where he was going to shoot from, and they still couldn't stop him. He'd make guys look downright stupid. He's an easy all-time top 5.
The highlights were great but seeing him perform is another story legendary
Top NBA career combined stats per game (pts, reb, ast, stl, blk) additional career fg%,tp%,ft%
1. Jordan 44.7 -50-33-84
2. Lebron 44.4 -51-35-73
3. Bird 43.1 -50-38-89
4. Kareem 42.9 -56-06-72
5. Durant 40.8 -50-38-88
A bunch of guys in the 40’s
Larry had all of New England watching him in the 80s - 90s ! We worshiped our teams and the front page with Larry’s picture on the Boston Globe was the best… Every night was showtime !
Growing up in Boston watching him. We took it for granted. No doubt. But everyone needs to listen to the other greats when they ALL say they feared or hated him. Cannot argue with that kind of resume. Plus the actual numbers? Top 3 all day errday
There is a video out there showing his passing game. He knew where everyone was and he played as part of the team. He used his teammates to win.
Larry Legend is one of the single greatest passers in the history of the game! It's like he had ten eyes and the hands to match!
Respect for the open mind.
You touched on why Larry doesnt get the respect from the new school.
Really all they have to go by is stats, and while Larrys are great, they dont begin to tell his greatness.
His body only lasted 13 seasons, only 6 games one of those.
His first 7-8 seasons, when he was relatively healthy, stacks up with anyone. (67% of all MVP votes from 81-89)
Because he lacked longevity, his career stats dont reflect his impact.
Style of play too, he shot less than 2 3's per game, and the % wasnt awesome, but with todays style and emphasis on them, well, hes right there with Steph as a natural shooter.
Great react.
Bird is Def Top 5 all time, he was one of those once in a generation type players. One of those players where you just had to hope he had an off night, cause nobody was going to stop him. Larry Legend was an absolute beast. You know you a bad man when you make opposing players forget what team they on and just sit there and celebrate what you doing on the court.
Lol I'm 44, and cracking up. It's so funny how younger people JUST DON'T KNOW.
If you want to see how much impact, he had for the Celtics, look at Boston's record the year before he got there and his first year. In 1978-79 season Boston record was 29-53 in the 1979-80 season, Birds first season Boston's record was 61-21.
GOAT
Larry Bird was probably one of the best all around players in the history of the game. Assists, rebounds, scoring and trash talk. He had it all.
Let me add one more thing: As an aged Basketball fan having grown up watching this 80's and early 90's ball I can say I used to intensely dislike him because he would SHRED the teams I liked. I had to change though, cause this dude was just the best. I am so glad he is finally getting the props he deserves.
They say Bird was slow, but the guys guarding him look like Rocky trying to catch a chicken.
He wasn't physically very fast but he had a quick first step, super fast hands and a ridiculously fast mind.
Larry Bird career stats, pts. 24.3, reb.10, ast. 6.3 lifelong Laker fan, Larry Bird drove me crazy but I respect him.
Larry is the GOAT
Larry Bird knew the difference between where the ball should be, and where the ball would be; that's what defines great players across several sports.
Those opposing players knew what they were seeing... An exhibition on how the game of basketball is supposed to be played. Seeing anyone play like that, brings out that little kid in us that went out to a court and imagined being the best player on the planet. That my friend is 100%.
I watched in the 80’s glad you discovering it now.
The flowers that the camera is focused in on are very nice! 🤣
Bird was the first NBD player I ever saw. If his back hadn't gotten hurt Boston would have been unstoppable for several more years. Sorry for the generation who never got to see him. *NBD-No Bad Days
I was a fortunate young man to have lived and watch this greatest of rivalries come back better than ever. the sixers were great as were a lot of Western teams that made the lakers play 7 games to get in more than a few times. I think the 80s basketball was the best... a true contact sport where the men were in the paint and the great players did both.
I just read that in January of 2023 as a coach Larry Bird still has it. The story goes that Larry dressed in a suit as a coach. One day in January 2023 Larry was on his way out after practice. A ball rolled his way on his way out to his car. He picked up the ball and shot a swisher from 3 point line. Then he continued and shot 9 more for 10 all together from 3 point line. Larry Bird is 60 yo. He just turned after the 10th shot and simply went out to his car and drove home. The young rookies who were watching were speechless.
Larry Bird was and STILL is GOAT.
You're gonna put that white boy on me? Savage Bird.
Larry was everything... he did it ALL
Larry's true brilliance and ability is not fully understood or recognized by the flashy, highlight reel oriented fans of today! When he wasn't scoring his offball game was intense and very productive!
Dominique Wilkins is all class. I say this about him "All class off the court, all monster on it." I wish he and Charles Barkley had won a championship 🏆.
One time Larry Bird said to Charles "You disrespected me for having a white guy guard me".
That pass to Dennis Johnson is my all-time favorite bird play
Watch documentary Magic and Bird if you haven’t seen it…it tells how they were rivals and became friends
Good, honest commentary and good video. Thanks.
Glad you're educating yourself about Larry, top 5 of all time, trust me!!!😊
Larry Bird is top 5 and definitely in my top 5, he was a bad man on the basketball court! He could do it all
Bird was one of a great list of GREATS. Give him that.
Remember, LArry was playing point guard from the power forward position. He RAN the offense from the forward position. HE was the best passer, the best shooter, a very good rebounder, and he had the best MIND in the game.
The greatest praise is when the best say they were worried about you specifically
Man......Bird just “ was what he was”..👊🏾👊🏻👊.
Larry bird highlight reel you'll see the craziest passes you ever seen!
Larry Bird, in his prime, was unstoppable. You could not outwork him, you could not outthink him, and he would let you know about it every chance he could
MY TRUE GOAT 🐐
LARRY LEGEND IS A UNICORN
In one game Larry was 1 steal away from what would've been only the 5th quadruple double in NBA history...the crazy thing about it is he did in just 3 quarters. Boston was up by so much Larry subbed out for the 4th quarter. When coach KC was told about Larry only being 1 steal away, he asked him if he wanted to go back in. Larry said naw, I already did enough damage.
Don't forget. Larry is also a trash-talker who backs it up.
Watch a Boston-Chicago game and comment about Bird vs Jordan duel
In my mind, Larry is the small forward (3) and in the NBA starting five all time because he makes every player on the floor that much better because his total fundamental skill level all over the court was off the charts and his basketball I.Q. is arguably the best of all time.
It was a wonderful decade for the game.
Larry Bird was slow but passing and shooting was at the time clutch...underrated
There is a great video out there
Magic Johnson and Larry Bird: A courtship of rivals.
It give a really good history of how these two started out and how each grew into their friendship… a strong friendship. It’s a real good look into their lives. It’s a bit long, but very good.
My favorite Larry Bird trash talk story is when after lighting his defender up for 10 points in a row Larry would ask him "Is your mom watching?"
Larry Bird was a fundamental part of Michael Jordan's ascent to being the Greatest Of All Time. Larry Bird will never get the credit he deserves in being most of MJ's motivation to perfect his game.
I watched those games; they were awesome. Bird brought back the NBA from dismal ratings and is why it is so big today.
It's what is said by other greats that can be trusted to be true. Byrd could not jump for rebounds but relied on his brain and geometry of where the missed ball is going and to be there. He also used his brain to say things that would take the other player off their game.
You got a new subscriber today. Good commentary, great stuff!
Growing up in the 80's you was either Larry Bird or Michael Jordan when you played against your brothers on the court.
There's a clip of Magic at some sport show where one of the pundits says something along the lines of "if Lary Bird was black people wouldn't make such a fuss" but Magic wasn't hearing that at all and switched it saying "if Bird was black he would get more plaudits because like it or not the fact is there are people that hold his color against him"
bird career averages (mind you he broke his back in 86 and injuries from 89 on including double Achilles surgeries diminished his play drastically in his "Prime") 24.3 PPG 10 RPG 6.3 APG (as a forward) and came a few misses per season from averaging 50/40/90 for his career (FG, 3p, FT) 49.6 37.6 88.6
This is how much of a savage Bird was, he injuried one of his fingers during softball just before he signed with Boston and have said he was a better shoter before that and his last seasons he played with a bad back due to helping his mother with her house.
The man wasn't that athletic, one finger injury just before his NBA career and a bad back the last years and he still have a 10rpg average over his 13 years and is one of few people in the 40-50-90 club.