Pat Riley once said “if I had to pick one player to take a shot to save a game, I'd pick Michael Jordan. If I had to pick one player to take a shot to save my life… I'd pick Larry Bird.”
Hundreds of Bird videos. The more you watch and learn the more respect he gets. He only actually played 12 seasons. Had a 13 year career but missed one and it took LaBron nearly 20 years to get more triple doubles. Bird was 1 steal away from a quadruple double in 3 qters and sat out the 4th. He was the man
Larry Bird is the first player to accomplish the 50-40-90 club, the only person in NBA history to be named Rookie of the Year, 3 point Champion three straight years, MVP three times straight (When competing against Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Dr. J, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy and many more), Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.
The 80's NBA was incredibly star driven with teams having multiple stars, yet when you watch Magic and Larry they were on another level in terms of passing and play making.
People don't process when they're looking at Bird's stats, that those numbers are often with him TELLING the opposing team what he was going to do. Who else can say that?
In a pick-up game, a retired Wilt Chamberlain who was playing with four UCLA college freshman against Magic, AC Green, Benard King, James Worthy and Bryon Scott. Magic was coming off a Lakers title. It is game point Magic fires off a sky hook and Wilt blocks it. Magic calls game. Wilt says that wasnt goal tending, that was a clean block. Magic takes the ball and calls next. Wilt then turns to Coach Larry Brown and says hey coach was that a goal tending? Brown says No that was a clean block. Magic says what do you think he would say they are his kids. Wilt says we are going to play a game until twelve. Winners stay and there will be no more shots made at this basket. A 43 year old Wilt blocked every shot.
He's been putting up numbers,getting MVPs, rings, Allstars, 50 40 90 seasons & more with his bad back since his 6th year in the league. He injured/broke it in 1985. He retired in 1992. #birdgang 🍀🐐💚
Bird wanted to be the greatest ever, not just great. He was competing against himself and every milestone was a challenge to do better. His body was failing him, he was in great pain, but his spirit refused to yield.
Bird either broke a player down, or forced an opponent to be a better player, & it was the strength of the player, which way they were affected.......that was just a part of who Bird was 😊
I think one of my favourite things he said to an opponent was. Hay I can do something you can’t do. Then proceed to throw up an air ball well outside the 3 point line. His opponent said I can do that and Bird replied And stay in the game.
I've got one that can top all of these! I grew up in Boston and watched their games all the time on WLVI Channel 56. During a regular season game in Cleveland, the Celtics were down by double digits at the half. As Gil Santos was finishing his half time report, in the background the Celtics were coming out to do their warm-ups. Bird grabbed the ball rack from the ball boy and pushed it to half court. There were 6 balls left on the rack. As the Cleveland players came back to their bench Bird began sinking those six balls from HALF COURT into THEIR basket, preventing them from doing their warm ups and forcing them to watch. The reaction of the Cleveland crowd distracted Santos who stopped his halftime report so the cameras could catch Bird as he made 5 of 6. Oh, and the Celtics won the game.
The NBA and NFL were both far more physical bsck in the '70's and '80's than they are today. Today's NBA players would have had a hard time playing in the '80's, but the NBA players from that era eould shine in today's NBA. 🏀✌️
THESE stories, and others, plus his stats is the reason why Larry Bird is one of the GOATs if not THE GOAT. NO ONE ELSE ever did that. Not MJ, not Magic, not LaBron...NO ONE. For me, it is this undefinable that makes his better than anyone else. He IS the GOAT.
Bird had a few things most players don't have or as many qualities. Bird had a unbelievable Court Sense. He was one tough dude. And his Will is something rarely mentioned about Larry. He just willed the win. That is isn't something that can be measured.
Bird swept Mj in the finals two years in a row, then beat him again making shots while being double teamed by MJ and Scottie Pippen, he was unstoppable and un guardable
lol I hear all the time that Bird just couldn’t stop Jordan and that’s why Jordan is the goat. You are right and that’s what I tell what I tell people because Jordan couldn’t stop Bird ether
Seen the dude play twice live , he was special, when healthy unstoppable double team hanging all over him still score. Pass rebound steals, but Boston ran him into the ground.
The two I always think as the craziest are: Rainbow/ Trainers lap to the Hawks, and Im going to hit a three and just go home-Im tired of this to the Suns.
I thought the 'Ultimate bird mixtape' was the perfect introduction to Larry Legend's ability to call his shit & follow through, not to mention talk shit & back it up. This is a good follow up.
I love the post commentary I'm all about it White boy been watching Larry bird since I was 16 Years old From the start I remember that sports illustrated cover I had it But the swimsuit edition was all I really care about
You are finding out that Larry Bird was playing on another level than you realized. In other words, he was greater than the cream players of this time.
I’m not a big basketball fan but I remember my dad and his friends watching Larry Bird. I like these clips, Bird could talk the talk and walk the walk! Dad and his friends also got together every Friday night to watch the fights. Watching Ali fight when he was Cassius Clay. I loved to see his confidence and humor in interviews. Bird was one tough player, even playing hurt 👵🏼💜☮️
18:50 I agree. When Magic and Bird entered the NBA, it was special even if we did not know it at the. Looking back in time you know. Don't know if this will make sense, but teams were more important than players. We rooted for teams.
Thanks for your reactions. You would be quite impressed to see Larry bird greatest passer of all time video re-edit. AMAZING. Not just an amazing shooter and scorer but also a great rebounder. Made 2 all defensive teams. Averaged decimal points away from averaging 50/40/90. 4 straight years and did it twice. But his passing, IQ, and court vision was insane.
the 3 just gravitatted arond him as a number! 33...3 mvps...3 championships....3 3-point contest victories...3 time defensive...24.3 average! just 33 in college! just always seems like him and god were on the same page from day one!
I think your take is a valid one. It's not just necessarily societal changes, it's the mentality of the players to some degree. I also think LeBron is a great player and obviously a much greater "athlete" than Bird, but not necessarily as much of a "competitor" and maybe ultimately not as much of a "winner". And it could be the drive Bird had and maybe because he had to have that based on his limited athleticism, but he still had to make the plays and hit the shots. I think we also need to consider that the way Bird "trash talked" was not the emotional and dramatic "in your face" way that the more recent players have done, and what the league has tried to control to some degree. Bird would make a bold claim and then back it up with his play. He didn't need to also make some celebratory spectacle afterward for everyone to see. If you didn't hear about most of these trash talking instances from the other players who were involved the fans probably wouldn't even know about them.
Great video. Liked your reaction. If you havent seen it look up jamal mashburn talking about a story from the Dream Team when some college kids played against the Dream Team. Its a great story and Jamal is talking about Bird taking Rodney Rogers to school. Apparently Magic would feed Bird the ball everytime down the court and Bird was telling Rogers exactly what he was going to do. Oh, and look up Chris Webber talking about Bird killing Rogers.
I hope you can find that Dr J vs Bird. I've watched it before and it's the craziest game that I have ever seen. I have not been able to find it. I think it was taken down.
Bird was playing chess while the other players was playing checkers, Bird gets in your head, he was an amazing player. My top 3 of all time, James has done so much in the NBA because he's been in the NBA for 21 years lol
Larry Bird played hurt throughout most of his career. He had surgery on both ankles because in each, he had bone spurs in his Achilles tendons. He had compressed nerves in his back, a disc removed, played with a broken cheek (finished and dominated the game he fractured it in) with no facial protection. Larry Bird had crippling back injuries for 7 of those 13 years and due to surgery, one of those years he only played in 6 games. Before every game the last 7 years of his career, chiropractors had to "unlock his spine" just so he could tolerate the pain enough to be on the court. He had bone chips in his right elbow (his dominant hand) and other injuries, never complaining and still put up insane numbers and averaged I think 37 minutes a game. He's a tough Son of a *****! 'LEGEND!".
I'm actually a little bit surprised Larry went in on Dr. J like that. He didn't usually trash talk the really great players, and Dr. J was great. I know he was older and past his prime by then, but still, that's savage. Something that I think gets missed in McHale's 56-point game is that (if I remember right) for a lot of the game, Kevin was matched against Bill Laimbeer, who of course Larry hated. Larry saw that Kevin was beating Laimbeer pretty badly, so Larry was deliberately feeding McHale the ball to further embarrass Bill.
Actually, I think he was trying to get back at Kent Benson who was guarding McHale. Kent was an adversary of Bird's for the brief time he played for Bobby Knights team in Indiana. Bird saw Kent was being ineffective against McHale, so Bird fed Kevin the ball a lot.
Bird denies that he told Dr. J to retire. That he had a great deal of respect for him. He said it might have been ML off the bench but it wasn't him. Bird just said the points after each basket and such prods.
3 things about Lebron, 1 Can't win without another superstar or two on the team. 2) He takes days off, unimaginable. 3) He quit ,gave up during his time in Cleveland. Bonus - zone D ... please.
Larry hurt his back in 85. He couldn't even sit in a chair after that. He would have his back set maybe an hour before the games. In 88 he had surgery on both feet. You can see his braces, look at his shoes after the 89 season. The guy wasn't human. 6 more season after most would have retired.
I'd like to see you look into Reggie Miller, possibly the second greatest trash talker. He and Bird had something in common you never see anymore, not even LeBron: they both played their entire career with the team that drafted them.
I USED to be a massive NBA fan. My team was the Spurs, back when George Gervin (Iceman) played. I had season tickets. Later, I followed Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, and crew, as they dominated for a while. I also had other favorite players, like Magic (but NOT the Lakers as a whole!), Karl Malone/Stockton, nd some others. Then the league started going "soft". "Oh, he's not playing tonite, bc he sprained his finger". "Oh, he's sitting out tonite due to a sore throat". Are you kidding? Then, still more disappointment, as many on this new era are very "political", and think since they are a basketball star, they now are experts on politics and govt'. I haven't watched an NBA game in 3 years now. I keep up with the stats, but it makes me sick to watch their weak "charge" attempts, their softness on D, and their constant complaining. I might try to watch again later, since my team just got #1 pick Wembayama. Let's see how he turns out.
Larry Legend Bird is my favorite basketball player of all time! ☘️🏀 #️⃣3️⃣3️⃣ in the house!! I watched almost every Celtic game with Bird. Amazing court sense & savoy, unbelievably dedicated to his team, and played hurt .. not like these NBA whiners nowadays! Really annoying!!
For those that think Larry Bird was not as good as he really was and never had the chance to see him play this comment is for you. Remember in this comment I am just highlighting Larry's NBA accomplishments. Little know thing about Larry to those that never saw him play , he could effect the outcome of a game and never take a shot thats how devastating his passing skills were. Here is one thing that most fans (people) either don't know or try to ignore, prior to Larry joining the NBA there was no such thing as a three point line, that came in when Bird was starting his first year of his NBA career. Just think about it, what would todays game be without the three point line or if the line was one foot farther out like it was when it was first introduced. Food for thought. At that time it was not about the individuals stats it was about the win. But if you need some stats here you go: Here are some of Larry Bird's notable career achievements and statistics: Three-time NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986); Two-time NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986); Three-time NBA MVP (1984-86); 12-time NBA All-Star (1980-88, 1990-92); Nine-time All-NBA First Team (1980-88); All-NBA Second Team (1990); Three-time All-NBA Defensive Second Team (1982-84); NBA Rookie of the Year (1980); NBA All-Rookie Team (1980); Three-time NBA Three-Point Contest champion (1986-88); Career-high in points: 60 (March 12, 1985) -- tied for franchise record with Jayson Tatum; Named NBA Coach of the Year (1998); and Named NBA Executive of the Year (2012). Larry Bird, was the first player to accomplish the 50-40-90 achievement, and one of two players to achieve the feat in multiple seasons. Career averages: 24.3 points per game 10.0 rebounds per game 6.3 assists per game 88.6% free throw percentage 49.6% field goal percentage 37.6% 3-point percentage Now we can't forget that Bird famously played with two injured ankles and a notoriously cranky back that forced him to lay down on the floor during practice breaks. After season-ending foot surgery just six games into the 1988-89 season
love larry bird , some other greats to check out are Wilt , kareem , Magic , Pistol . i saw some thing a while back that got into the background and friendship turned rivalry between wilt and kareem was good.
Naw...YOU don't understand, lol! That's why we wanted you to watch this stuff...so you could see it, because we knew you'd totally get it...which you do, which is what makes it so much fun watching you see what we saw long ago-- the utter confidence, the utter disrespect, which often affected the opposing players' game, and the ability to say the most outrageous things and then back 'em up, because he was just that good (and worked just that hard to be that good)!
@@cryptozoomauler5505 in Birds day player's played hurt. LaBron stubs a toe he's out for two weeks. Larry played with a broken back, fractured cheek, concussion, and a broken toe. The 80's game was way two physical for today's player's.
I think the most important thing you need to remember is this: Larry Bird and Magic Johnson saved the NBA from oblivion. These two guys were the ultimate TEAM players. For them it was about winning, not their personal stats. Games, if shown on TV, were shown at midnight and they were taped. NBA games reached prime time thanks to Bird and Magic.
Good stuff...A couple nitpicks, about this highlight video... the images being shown aren't always properly depicting the narrators story... and the narrator claims one of these stories happened in 1998, which was 5 years after Bird retired. It's still a good watch.
Pat Riley, HOF coach of the legendary Lakers Dynasty, said . . . If I need someone to make a shot to save a game, I want Michael Jordan. If I need someone to make a shot to save my life, I want Larry Bird.
The play in the post, especially the low post is one of the biggest differences between the play in the 80s and now. In the 80s, it resembled a rugby game: pushing, holding, elbows flying, vicious trash talking and many fights with fists making contact. And a great many injuries. It was, I think, the major reason the NBA changed. It did get too rough and needed to be more controlled. But, it was a great part of the game. The absence of this piece of the game is the reason I stopped watching the NBA several years ago Really liked your reaction
There's more to the 'you should have gone for 60' story. The guy who were supposed to guard Larry had said something to the press the day prior. Not smart. Knowing exactly what was coming, his coach had the great idea to have him guard McHale instead, to save him from the punishment. I didn't work. Bird made McHale score 56 that night and complained because he didn't want to score 60, to make the punishment complete. Larry not only could score 60 himself (as he proved when he wanted the Celtic's record for himself), he could make his teammate score 60 if he wanted to. Watching that game from Larry's pov is insane, almost scaring. The level of control he had on the game was supernatural. One thing is to be able to do want you want and nobody can stop you (like MJ), one thing is to make the other players do what you want, and they can't stop themselves.
Birds challenges(I don't call it trash talking) to the other team of trying to stop him even when they knew what was going to happen because he told are legendary. There is no other player in NBA history who did that that even comes close to Bird. That is why when the GOAT conversation comes I don't understand why Birds name is not mentioned as it should be. Think about it - Bird during a playoff game told the Lakers what the play would be and where he was going to shoot from and he did what he said drilling a 3pt shot. Just remember, 3 of the Laker players on the court at the time were Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy and even knowing what was about to happen could not stop him. Bird needed a challenge or else he did not enjoy playing. The 60 point game to break Kevin McHale's scoring record proves that, however, during a game in 1985 after 3 quarters Bird was 1 steal away from becoming only the 2nd player in NBA history to have a quadruple double but he refused to play in the 4th quarter since the Celtics were way ahead and to quote Bird "I've done enough damage already" Bird was about being challenged and winning.
Dig into Bird's career and you will be amazed. Bird was the main reason Boston went from a 29 win team to a 61 win team in his rookie year and this was without parish, McHale, DJ, Ainge or Walton. Bird as a rookie was all NBA 1st team and an all star and 4th in MVP voting. For the next 8 seasons in the MVP Bird was 2,2,2,1,1,1,3, and 2nd again. Bird created the 50-40-90 club, did it for 2 seasons back to back ( 87 and 88) and was so close in 85 and 86 that if you total Bird's stats for these consecutive seasons actually shot 50-40-90 over 4 years straight. And in those 4 seasons Bird's per game was 28.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and 6.8 assists. No other "goat" candidate can make this claim. Bird has the 2nd highest win % just a hair behind Magic and Bird played in the stronger Eastern conference. Bird had a lot of game winners!!!
All the best shooters of today still haven't equaled Bird's 3 years in a row, win of the shooter contest. Recently in a video, Bird at age 60 sunk 10 three point shoots in front of some players practicing.
As competitive as he was, Magic Johnson was part of the trend towards lack of killer instinct when he and Isiah would kiss before a game. When the money wasn't as big, winning was more important. Bob Cousy said, now after the game they go out to dinner together. He said, I'd rather punch an opponent in the nose than go out to dinner with him, especially if we lost.
I mean, you can't really be mad at the shit talking. He backed up his mouth. Be different if he couldn't back his words up. He got into his opponents head. That's their problem. Its no different than what happens in the UFC. There is no denying how good he was.
Not just in any Game he did it in the Championship Game against the Lakers and James Worthy is still crying 🤣 about it... How many players are doing that in the Playoffs?!?! NOBODY practice harder than Larry Bird because he was told it's because you haven't played against anyone!!! He was just proving that he was the Baddest NBA player ever...
You should also check out Muggsy Bogues. Shortest player in NBA history at 5'3". Never dominant but blink and he'll swipe your dribble. Also once blocked a shot by Patrick Ewing, 7'0". Stayed in the league for 13 seasons. Couldn't dunk, but could reach the rim, he just couldn't get there with both hands and his hands were too small to carry it with just one.
Not sure why you seem to recollect Spud Webb was the one talking about Larry Bird trash talking. Bird was 6'10" & Spud Webb was 5' 6". That wouldn't have happened. I think you must mean Dominique Wilkins who Bird use to torch on a regular basis. #LarryLegend
Dr j was very old and bird was in prime , but the difference with the game is back then u had to really move the ball well to get a good shot, defensive rules allowed punishing defense , today's NBA not only isn't physical but its just a 3 point shooting contest , not very fun to watch after u lived thru the 80s n 90s , super teams now , those guys in 80s n 90s hates each other and would never team up they played to beat each other , Jordan couldn't get thru Celtics or pistons until Jordan realized he had to bulk up to handle the punishing fouls which are technicals today, the post game doesn't even exist, I think some new rules are good , but bring back the hard check and maybe the game can be more balanced,
Pat Riley once said “if I had to pick one player to take a shot to save a game, I'd pick Michael Jordan. If I had to pick one player to take a shot to save my life… I'd pick Larry Bird.”
You know he's good when it's the opposing coach saying that.
Hundreds of Bird videos. The more you watch and learn the more respect he gets. He only actually played 12 seasons. Had a 13 year career but missed one and it took LaBron nearly 20 years to get more triple doubles. Bird was 1 steal away from a quadruple double in 3 qters and sat out the 4th. He was the man
Larry Bird is the first player to accomplish the 50-40-90 club, the only person in NBA history to be named Rookie of the Year, 3 point Champion three straight years, MVP three times straight (When competing against Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Dr. J, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy and many more), Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.
The Bird is the GOAT... No one then nor now could stand against him. I grew up watching Bird.
The Bird dominated EVERYONE! It's why he's the greatest all-around basketball player of all time.
The 80's NBA was incredibly star driven with teams having multiple stars, yet when you watch Magic and Larry they were on another level in terms of passing and play making.
@@MilesjDoyle what the fuck does that have to do with the video you asshat?
Now you know why
Bird videos are so
popular ! He was
a beast and the
True NBA GOAT !
People don't process when they're looking at Bird's stats, that those numbers are often with him TELLING the opposing team what he was going to do. Who else can say that?
Wow
if you are unstoppable it doesnt matter if you tell them
In a pick-up game, a retired Wilt Chamberlain who was playing with four UCLA college freshman against Magic, AC Green, Benard King, James Worthy and Bryon Scott. Magic was coming off a Lakers title. It is game point Magic fires off a sky hook and Wilt blocks it. Magic calls game. Wilt says that wasnt goal tending, that was a clean block. Magic takes the ball and calls next. Wilt then turns to Coach Larry Brown and says hey coach was that a goal tending? Brown says No that was a clean block. Magic says what do you think he would say they are his kids. Wilt says we are going to play a game until twelve. Winners stay and there will be no more shots made at this basket. A 43 year old Wilt blocked every shot.
@@unicron76 Wilt was a genetic freak
People also don't realise that if bird didn't hand off half his shots he would have got alot more points.
Larry Bird was a straight up menace
Jealous?
Larry Bird is probably the only player in NBA history who made two game winning shots in one game.
For real.
Bird treated the other pros like little brothers that needed schooling. He just messed with them without end. He dared them to try to retaliate.
He's been putting up numbers,getting MVPs, rings, Allstars, 50 40 90 seasons & more with his bad back since his 6th year in the league. He injured/broke it in 1985. He retired in 1992.
#birdgang 🍀🐐💚
Bird wanted to be the greatest ever, not just great. He was competing against himself and every milestone was a challenge to do better. His body was failing him, he was in great pain, but his spirit refused to yield.
A courtship of rivals bird and magic
You'll really learn a lot about them and the league back then
BIRD IS THE GOAT!!!
Bird either broke a player down, or forced an opponent to be a better player, & it was the strength of the player, which way they were affected.......that was just a part of who Bird was 😊
I think one of my favourite things he said to an opponent was. Hay I can do something you can’t do. Then proceed to throw up an air ball well outside the 3 point line. His opponent said I can do that and Bird replied And stay in the game.
Thats😂😂😂😂
I've got one that can top all of these! I grew up in Boston and watched their games all the time on WLVI Channel 56. During a regular season game in Cleveland, the Celtics were down by double digits at the half. As Gil Santos was finishing his half time report, in the background the Celtics were coming out to do their warm-ups. Bird grabbed the ball rack from the ball boy and pushed it to half court. There were 6 balls left on the rack. As the Cleveland players came back to their bench Bird began sinking those six balls from HALF COURT into THEIR basket, preventing them from doing their warm ups and forcing them to watch. The reaction of the Cleveland crowd distracted Santos who stopped his halftime report so the cameras could catch Bird as he made 5 of 6. Oh, and the Celtics won the game.
I LOVE this story. You are the second person to have told of being there to witness the event that I have found in comments.
☘️ Larry LEGEND
He dominated everyone. ❤
The NBA and NFL were both far more physical bsck in the '70's and '80's than they are today. Today's NBA players would have had a hard time playing in the '80's, but the NBA players from that era eould shine in today's NBA. 🏀✌️
Dude was amazing. I take him every day of the week. Over anybody.
THESE stories, and others, plus his stats is the reason why Larry Bird is one of the GOATs if not THE GOAT. NO ONE ELSE ever did that. Not MJ, not Magic, not LaBron...NO ONE.
For me, it is this undefinable that makes his better than anyone else. He IS the GOAT.
GOAT. Nuff said. Legend.
Bird had a few things most players don't have or as many qualities. Bird had a unbelievable Court Sense. He was one tough dude. And his Will is something rarely mentioned about Larry. He just willed the win. That is isn't something that can be measured.
Bird swept Mj in the finals two years in a row, then beat him again making shots while being double teamed by MJ and Scottie Pippen, he was unstoppable and un guardable
Actually when bird was double teamed by pipen and jordan, the bulls won the championship that year.
lol I hear all the time that Bird just couldn’t stop Jordan and that’s why Jordan is the goat. You are right and that’s what I tell what I tell people because Jordan couldn’t stop Bird ether
Seen the dude play twice live , he was special, when healthy unstoppable double team hanging all over him still score. Pass rebound steals, but Boston ran him into the ground.
The two I always think as the craziest are: Rainbow/ Trainers lap to the Hawks, and Im going to hit a three and just go home-Im tired of this to the Suns.
The real GOAT
I thought the 'Ultimate bird mixtape' was the perfect introduction to Larry Legend's ability to call his shit & follow through, not to mention talk shit & back it up. This is a good follow up.
I love the post commentary I'm all about it White boy been watching Larry bird since I was 16 Years old From the start I remember that sports illustrated cover I had it But the swimsuit edition was all I really care about
You are finding out that Larry Bird was playing on another level than you realized. In other words, he was greater than the cream players of this time.
I’m not a big basketball fan but I remember my dad and his friends watching Larry Bird. I like these clips, Bird could talk the talk and walk the walk! Dad and his friends also got together every Friday night to watch the fights. Watching Ali fight when he was Cassius Clay. I loved to see his confidence and humor in interviews. Bird was one tough player, even playing hurt 👵🏼💜☮️
cassius clay that was in the 1960s how long did you live with your parents 🤣
Grow up! 🙄
18:50 I agree. When Magic and Bird entered the NBA, it was special even if we did not know it at the. Looking back in time you know. Don't know if this will make sense, but teams were more important than players. We rooted for teams.
Loved it. Great job reacting!!!!
Dude, Bird hit 3 buzzer beaters in 1 frkn game....So glad I grew up in the 70's and 80's and got to watch all this live.
One of the best reaction videos I have watched! Great job
Dominique has a funny line about that game:
"But I stopped him. I held him to 39."
"Only" 39 ? 😂
All time team Bird is my first pick
Thanks for your reactions. You would be quite impressed to see Larry bird greatest passer of all time video re-edit. AMAZING. Not just an amazing shooter and scorer but also a great rebounder. Made 2 all defensive teams. Averaged decimal points away from averaging 50/40/90. 4 straight years and did it twice. But his passing, IQ, and court vision was insane.
Take careful note of how many of those passes were with his left hand...
He's the real G-O-A-T but no one wants to say it.
Birds passing highlights are something else. All around player with his heart and competitive mentality. He's tops in my book.
I hope you do more Bird videos. ❤ I like your analysis.
Crazy that some people think Bird wouldn't thrive in todays league, especially when you see people like Luka killing it. Bird would cook
Bird would be the same thing today as he was back then. A perennial MVP candidate And his team would be a perennial title contender.
Dirk nowitzki & Nikola jokic would've scored 50s &40s average against Larry bird especially broken back Larry bird
The Ali of basketball, trash talker who backed it up.
One of bird's years he only played 6 games before missing the rest of the season due to Achilles tendon surgery on both feet.
the 3 just gravitatted arond him as a number! 33...3 mvps...3 championships....3 3-point contest victories...3 time defensive...24.3 average! just 33 in college! just always seems like him and god were on the same page from day one!
Enjoyed your reaction! It's always fun watching people discovering talent they weren't aware of.
I think your take is a valid one. It's not just necessarily societal changes, it's the mentality of the players to some degree. I also think LeBron is a great player and obviously a much greater "athlete" than Bird, but not necessarily as much of a "competitor" and maybe ultimately not as much of a "winner". And it could be the drive Bird had and maybe because he had to have that based on his limited athleticism, but he still had to make the plays and hit the shots. I think we also need to consider that the way Bird "trash talked" was not the emotional and dramatic "in your face" way that the more recent players have done, and what the league has tried to control to some degree. Bird would make a bold claim and then back it up with his play. He didn't need to also make some celebratory spectacle afterward for everyone to see. If you didn't hear about most of these trash talking instances from the other players who were involved the fans probably wouldn't even know about them.
I hope you get a chance to do a Hakeem Olajuwon reaction. He was incredible!
Great video. Liked your reaction. If you havent seen it look up jamal mashburn talking about a story from the Dream Team when some college kids played against the Dream Team. Its a great story and Jamal is talking about Bird taking Rodney Rogers to school. Apparently Magic would feed Bird the ball everytime down the court and Bird was telling Rogers exactly what he was going to do. Oh, and look up Chris Webber talking about Bird killing Rogers.
I hope you can find that Dr J vs Bird. I've watched it before and it's the craziest game that I have ever seen. I have not been able to find it. I think it was taken down.
Bird was playing chess while the other players was playing checkers, Bird gets in your head, he was an amazing player. My top 3 of all time, James has done so much in the NBA because he's been in the NBA for 21 years lol
7:09
and now you see why rodman trashes bird these days. he never got over being embarrassed like that. lololololololol
#1 top killers of my day were Jordan, Magic and Bird. Pick 3 from all the years since.
Larry Bird played hurt throughout most of his career. He had surgery on both ankles because in each, he had bone spurs in his Achilles tendons. He had compressed nerves in his back, a disc removed, played with a broken cheek (finished and dominated the game he fractured it in) with no facial protection. Larry Bird had crippling back injuries for 7 of those 13 years and due to surgery, one of those years he only played in 6 games. Before every game the last 7 years of his career, chiropractors had to "unlock his spine" just so he could tolerate the pain enough to be on the court. He had bone chips in his right elbow (his dominant hand) and other injuries, never complaining and still put up insane numbers and averaged I think 37 minutes a game. He's a tough Son of a *****! 'LEGEND!".
I'm actually a little bit surprised Larry went in on Dr. J like that. He didn't usually trash talk the really great players, and Dr. J was great. I know he was older and past his prime by then, but still, that's savage. Something that I think gets missed in McHale's 56-point game is that (if I remember right) for a lot of the game, Kevin was matched against Bill Laimbeer, who of course Larry hated. Larry saw that Kevin was beating Laimbeer pretty badly, so Larry was deliberately feeding McHale the ball to further embarrass Bill.
Actually, I think he was trying to get back at Kent Benson who was guarding McHale. Kent was an adversary of Bird's for the brief time he played for Bobby Knights team in Indiana. Bird saw Kent was being ineffective against McHale, so Bird fed Kevin the ball a lot.
You're right, it was Benson.
Bird got back at Laimbeer by firing a ball off his face after a vintage filthy take down by Laimbeer.
Bird denies that he told Dr. J to retire. That he had a great deal of respect for him. He said it might have been ML off the bench but it wasn't him. Bird just said the points after each basket and such prods.
3 things about Lebron, 1 Can't win without another superstar or two on the team. 2) He takes days off, unimaginable. 3) He quit ,gave up during his time in Cleveland.
Bonus - zone D ... please.
Lol if you want a broken heart, you don't need a breakup - you just need Larry hitting a game winner on your sorry behind !
Larry hurt his back in 85. He couldn't even sit in a chair after that. He would have his back set maybe an hour before the games. In 88 he had surgery on both feet. You can see his braces, look at his shoes after the 89 season. The guy wasn't human. 6 more season after most would have retired.
I'd like to see you look into Reggie Miller, possibly the second greatest trash talker. He and Bird had something in common you never see anymore, not even LeBron: they both played their entire career with the team that drafted them.
Bird > jordan > miller imo
Also the only reason i put bird above jordan is because jordan himself says he learned his trashtalk from bird
Larry Legend
I USED to be a massive NBA fan. My team was the Spurs, back when George Gervin (Iceman) played. I had season tickets. Later, I followed Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, and crew, as they dominated for a while. I also had other favorite players, like Magic (but NOT the Lakers as a whole!), Karl Malone/Stockton, nd some others. Then the league started going "soft". "Oh, he's not playing tonite, bc he sprained his finger". "Oh, he's sitting out tonite due to a sore throat". Are you kidding? Then, still more disappointment, as many on this new era are very "political", and think since they are a basketball star, they now are experts on politics and govt'. I haven't watched an NBA game in 3 years now. I keep up with the stats, but it makes me sick to watch their weak "charge" attempts, their softness on D, and their constant complaining. I might try to watch again later, since my team just got #1 pick Wembayama. Let's see how he turns out.
Larry Legend Bird is my favorite basketball player of all time! ☘️🏀 #️⃣3️⃣3️⃣ in the house!! I watched almost every Celtic game with Bird. Amazing court sense & savoy, unbelievably dedicated to his team, and played hurt .. not like these NBA whiners nowadays! Really annoying!!
For those that think Larry Bird was not as good as he really was and never had the chance to see him play this comment is for you. Remember in this comment I am just highlighting Larry's NBA accomplishments.
Little know thing about Larry to those that never saw him play , he could effect the outcome of a game and never take a shot thats how devastating his passing skills were. Here is one thing that most fans (people) either don't know or try to ignore, prior to Larry joining the NBA there was no such thing as a three point line, that came in when Bird was starting his first year of his NBA career. Just think about it, what would todays game be without the three point line or if the line was one foot farther out like it was when it was first introduced. Food for thought.
At that time it was not about the individuals stats it was about the win. But if you need some stats here you go:
Here are some of Larry Bird's notable career achievements and statistics:
Three-time NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986); Two-time NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986); Three-time NBA MVP (1984-86); 12-time NBA All-Star (1980-88, 1990-92); Nine-time All-NBA First Team (1980-88);
All-NBA Second Team (1990); Three-time All-NBA Defensive Second Team (1982-84); NBA Rookie of the Year (1980); NBA All-Rookie Team (1980); Three-time NBA Three-Point Contest champion (1986-88);
Career-high in points: 60 (March 12, 1985) -- tied for franchise record with Jayson Tatum; Named NBA Coach of the Year (1998); and Named NBA Executive of the Year (2012).
Larry Bird, was the first player to accomplish the 50-40-90 achievement, and one of two players to achieve the feat in multiple seasons.
Career averages:
24.3 points per game
10.0 rebounds per game
6.3 assists per game
88.6% free throw percentage
49.6% field goal percentage
37.6% 3-point percentage
Now we can't forget that Bird famously played with two injured ankles and a notoriously cranky back that forced him to lay down on the floor during practice breaks. After season-ending foot surgery just six games into the 1988-89 season
i played pickup games in the 80,s and it was brutal back then!
I agree with you. Great reaction.
love larry bird , some other greats to check out are Wilt , kareem , Magic , Pistol . i saw some thing a while back that got into the background and friendship turned rivalry between wilt and kareem was good.
Naw...YOU don't understand, lol! That's why we wanted you to watch this stuff...so you could see it, because we knew you'd totally get it...which you do, which is what makes it so much fun watching you see what we saw long ago-- the utter confidence, the utter disrespect, which often affected the opposing players' game, and the ability to say the most outrageous things and then back 'em up, because he was just that good (and worked just that hard to be that good)!
Bird stands out. Attitude wise. Determination. Kobe is the only one I know who comes close. much love
Bird, La Bron? Two different worlds. Bird could play today, LaBron couldn't play then.
That's going a bit too far. LeBron would still be great back then. But Bird is Larry Legend for a reason.
@@cryptozoomauler5505 in Birds day player's played hurt. LaBron stubs a toe he's out for two weeks. Larry played with a broken back, fractured cheek, concussion, and a broken toe. The 80's game was way two physical for today's player's.
I think the most important thing you need to remember is this: Larry Bird and Magic Johnson saved the NBA from oblivion. These two guys were the ultimate TEAM players. For them it was about winning, not their personal stats. Games, if shown on TV, were shown at midnight and they were taped. NBA games reached prime time thanks to Bird and Magic.
Good stuff...A couple nitpicks, about this highlight video... the images being shown aren't always properly depicting the narrators story... and the narrator claims one of these stories happened in 1998, which was 5 years after Bird retired. It's still a good watch.
As you said, Larry Bird kicked everyone's ass. And all the old-timers know it.
Pat Riley, HOF coach of the legendary Lakers Dynasty, said . . . If I need someone to make a shot to save a game, I want Michael Jordan. If I need someone to make a shot to save my life, I want Larry Bird.
The play in the post, especially the low post is one of the biggest differences between the play in the 80s and now. In the 80s, it resembled a rugby game: pushing, holding, elbows flying, vicious trash talking and many fights with fists making contact. And a great many injuries. It was, I think, the major reason the NBA changed. It did get too rough and needed to be more controlled. But, it was a great part of the game. The absence of this piece of the game is the reason I stopped watching the NBA several years ago Really liked your reaction
There's more to the 'you should have gone for 60' story. The guy who were supposed to guard Larry had said something to the press the day prior. Not smart. Knowing exactly what was coming, his coach had the great idea to have him guard McHale instead, to save him from the punishment. I didn't work. Bird made McHale score 56 that night and complained because he didn't want to score 60, to make the punishment complete.
Larry not only could score 60 himself (as he proved when he wanted the Celtic's record for himself), he could make his teammate score 60 if he wanted to. Watching that game from Larry's pov is insane, almost scaring. The level of control he had on the game was supernatural.
One thing is to be able to do want you want and nobody can stop you (like MJ), one thing is to make the other players do what you want, and they can't stop themselves.
13 years is still a long time to be playing in the NBA. Most players don't last 10 years.
8:32 I like Julius Irving. In my childhood I remember the Dr. Chapstick commercials-"Dr J., Dr J, no I'm Dr Chapstick."
Bird is the G.O.A.T of trash talkers. 🏀
Show what noone has shown alot yet Bill Russell winning and coaching 11 rings! Show his selflessness and no talking shit but winning winning winnning!
My favorite Bird story: The time Larry Bird complained to Charles Barkley, "This is disrespectful. You got a white guy guarding me!"
GREAT REVIEW….GODSPEED….
What was bad was Charles Barkley grabbing and holding Bird while Doctor J swung away.Back then no such thing as load management
Birds challenges(I don't call it trash talking) to the other team of trying to stop him even when they knew what was going to happen because he told are legendary.
There is no other player in NBA history who did that that even comes close to Bird.
That is why when the GOAT conversation comes I don't understand why Birds name is not mentioned as it should be.
Think about it - Bird during a playoff game told the Lakers what the play would be and where he was going to shoot from and he did what he said drilling a 3pt shot. Just remember, 3 of the Laker players on the court at the time were Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy and even knowing what was about to happen could not stop him.
Bird needed a challenge or else he did not enjoy playing.
The 60 point game to break Kevin McHale's scoring record proves that, however, during a game in 1985 after 3 quarters Bird was 1 steal away from becoming only the 2nd player in NBA history to have a quadruple double but he refused to play in the 4th quarter since the Celtics were way ahead and to quote Bird "I've done enough damage already"
Bird was about being challenged and winning.
Larry Bird is the man! I wish I could see him shred the players these days. He would have had a much longer career these days...
Dig into Bird's career and you will be amazed. Bird was the main reason Boston went from a 29 win team to a 61 win team in his rookie year and this was without parish, McHale, DJ, Ainge or Walton. Bird as a rookie was all NBA 1st team and an all star and 4th in MVP voting. For the next 8 seasons in the MVP Bird was 2,2,2,1,1,1,3, and 2nd again. Bird created the 50-40-90 club, did it for 2 seasons back to back ( 87 and 88) and was so close in 85 and 86 that if you total Bird's stats for these consecutive seasons actually shot 50-40-90 over 4 years straight. And in those 4 seasons Bird's per game was 28.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and 6.8 assists. No other "goat" candidate can make this claim. Bird has the 2nd highest win % just a hair behind Magic and Bird played in the stronger Eastern conference. Bird had a lot of game winners!!!
Steve Nash Point Guard for Phoenix Suns is fun to watch play
All the best shooters of today still haven't equaled Bird's 3 years in a row, win of the shooter contest. Recently in a video, Bird at age 60 sunk 10 three point shoots in front of some players practicing.
As competitive as he was, Magic Johnson was part of the trend towards lack of killer instinct when he and Isiah would kiss before a game. When the money wasn't as big, winning was more important. Bob Cousy said, now after the game they go out to dinner together. He said, I'd rather punch an opponent in the nose than go out to dinner with him, especially if we lost.
I mean, you can't really be mad at the shit talking. He backed up his mouth. Be different if he couldn't back his words up. He got into his opponents head. That's their problem. Its no different than what happens in the UFC. There is no denying how good he was.
I miss those days of basketball. I can’t even hardly watch a NBA game anymore.
Bird also wore a big back brace to continue to play.
3 game winning, tying shots in one game and called the last one to the opposing bench. LEGEND. Bird is the best BB player to ever strap them up.
I used to love frustrating my opponents in pick up games by calling all of my bank shots 😂
You must be a legend!! Hahaha
@@fidge54
Haha maybe. Today bankshots are a lost art.
Larry was the real deal! He would torture people in today’s game, and talking 💩
Not just in any Game he did it in the Championship Game against the Lakers and James Worthy is still crying 🤣 about it... How many players are doing that in the Playoffs?!?! NOBODY practice harder than Larry Bird because he was told it's because you haven't played against anyone!!! He was just proving that he was the Baddest NBA player ever...
Good stuff 😂😂😂
You should also check out Muggsy Bogues. Shortest player in NBA history at 5'3". Never dominant but blink and he'll swipe your dribble. Also once blocked a shot by Patrick Ewing, 7'0". Stayed in the league for 13 seasons. Couldn't dunk, but could reach the rim, he just couldn't get there with both hands and his hands were too small to carry it with just one.
Not sure why you seem to recollect Spud Webb was the one talking about Larry Bird trash talking. Bird was 6'10" & Spud Webb was 5' 6". That wouldn't have happened. I think you must mean Dominique Wilkins who Bird use to torch on a regular basis. #LarryLegend
He told people many times he was hitting the last shot.
Dr j was very old and bird was in prime , but the difference with the game is back then u had to really move the ball well to get a good shot, defensive rules allowed punishing defense , today's NBA not only isn't physical but its just a 3 point shooting contest , not very fun to watch after u lived thru the 80s n 90s , super teams now , those guys in 80s n 90s hates each other and would never team up they played to beat each other , Jordan couldn't get thru Celtics or pistons until Jordan realized he had to bulk up to handle the punishing fouls which are technicals today, the post game doesn't even exist, I think some new rules are good , but bring back the hard check and maybe the game can be more balanced,
Wilt Chamberlain
Bill Russell
Magic Johnson
Michael Jordan
Both are great players that are featured in “Making the Case” videos.
Lebren plays with Children.