NOBODY is prepared for Larry Bird the first time they see how good he was. He regularly torched the best athletes in the NBA when he was at his worst. At his best, there was NOBODY who could stop him.
The reason so many players fell for the fake pass was because as was shown in the video was he was a very unselfish player. If he didn't have a shot or he thought a teammate had a better chance or something he wouldn't hesitate to pass it to them. His skills and his awareness of where everybody was on the court made him a very dangerous passer. So if you were a defender and he looked like he was passing, there was a 50/50 chance if he actually passed it or not. A lot of really good players were fooled by him when he did that.
Mentioning Bird and Johnson, you would absolutely love the documentary about the two. It’s long so other reactors have broken it up into parts. It’s amazing.
Bird's passing was so extraordinary because he had the uncanny ability to know exactly where everyone was on the court at any given moment. Next level stuff. At the risk of sounding arrogant, I stopped watching basketball after the great battles between the Celtics and the Lakes of the 80s because I just knew that I would never see that kind of playing again.
Look back at Birds college games & you’ll see that he didn’t have a perm. I can’t even imagine him sitting still that long😂 And he shot the ball over Jordan’s head not at it. The only time I ever saw him intentionally hit someone with a ball was game 3 of the ECFs with the Detroit Pistons. Bill Laimbeer got his arm around Birds neck & took him to the ground, a fight ensued & was broken up. Bird picked up the ball & threw it at Laimbeer hitting him in the face. Dirty Bill deserved it.
I was fortunate enough to have grown up just outside of Boston, in the 80's. I went to a game at the old Boston Garden for my 12th birthday. You can't imagine how hot the Celtics/Lakers rivalry was. It's like nothing else existed. lol
“Larry Bird: Greatest Passer of All Time (re-edit with new footage” “Five times Larry Bird was Hurt but Refused to Quit” “Four Crazy Stories that Prove Larry Bird was the Toughest Player in NBA History” “The Heartbreaking Larry Bird Story You DIDN’T Know” “Larry Bird - Bird is the Word”
As a (now) old guy, the only bummer about Bird was that he had to retire probably a few years earlier than we all would have liked. His back had just taken so much punishment, he had to hang it up. In the '92 Dream Team in Barcelona, he wasn't able to go as all-out as he used to. Bird had the quality that the true all-time greats in any sport have: not only was he amazingly skilled, but he was almost INSANELY compeitive. Which made him work harder than just about anyone else, on top of it all. It's that DRIVE, man. Guys like Bird, Jordan, Magic, Jerry Rice, Muhammad Ali, etc, they HAD to win, and they HAD to be THE BEST. That's what fed Bird's legendary trash talk. He was like, "this is WHAT I DO, and nobody out here is gonna out-work me, or out-perform me, or out-anything me." Ultimate talent and skill, yes -- but moreover, ultimate compeitiveness.
The fact that he still won a championship as his back worsened is mindblowing. Larry Bird had the best attitude, work ethic, and deserves his GOAT status. He and Magic Johnson will always be my top picks for what they did together to save the then dying NBA.
There is a compilation video of Larry's passing and some of them are even crazier than what is in this video. Routine half/full court passes, laying on the ground, no-look, going out of bounds, all that.
Kevin McHale talked about Larry doing a back-spin pass that hit every time. He did it to him, and McHale said he nearly pulled a hamstring, because he thought it was going to go out of bounds, but it hit him in his hands. Bird told him, “you get open, I’ll hit you. He knew where everyone was going to be, and trusted his team to be there.
The retirement they showed at the beginning and end of the video is Bird's number retirement. No game that night. The Boston Garden was sold out and they got Magic to fly cross-country for a 90 minute ceremony for Bird. That is the high regard he was and is held in Boston
no kiddin. to this day, you don't stroll around Boston casually insulting Bird. it's more than likely you'll get your a$$ handed to you by very large Irish dudes LOL.
@livingsoulfineart-krissyle1998 Magic was in the crowd wearing a suit and he did not have a T-shirt to wear under the lakers warm up when he came out on the stage, so the celtics gave him one...
Larrry won 3 consecutive MVPs. He was also the first player to put up a 50/40/90 season That's FG pct/3pt Pct/FT Pct, and then he did it again the following year. Larry had a really bad back thru all his later years in the game. He got a real blue collar working man attitude from his Dad, and even though he had money by then, when his Mom needed a new driveway Larry did it himself and messed up his back. One year he spent the night before a playoff game in the hospital, in traction just so he could move to play the next day. Much tougher game back then too. They used to have this thing called defense! There are guys who were great passers, or shooters or rebounders etc, but the best overall player I ever saw (in the NBA) was Larry Bird. Pat Riley was asked once who do you want to take the shot with the game on the line? Pat said well game on the line probably Jordan. My life on the line Bird! Good luck with the channel y'all.
That is one time he should have let loose some of that money he made and had someone else do his Mother's driveway. He could have saved some wear and tear on his back and had a better career.
Great reaction. Thanks! Bird was the best small forward ever. I watched him from the beginning all the way until his bad back made him retire. The night before a big game Bird could be found at a local bar drinking everyone under the table and getting into fist fights. Only 3 players in NBA history ever won 3 MVP's in a row - Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell and Larry Bird. Two Pat Riley quotes about Bird: 1) "If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game I'd choose Michael Jordan; If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life...I'd take Larry Bird." 2) "He's the greatest clutch player I've ever seen. The hell with Jerry West!"
When Larry came back from injury, I don’t know if you heard it but Larry returned from a fractured right cheek. He had a concussion, and it was an elimination game. I’m the last 14 min he had 17 pts, 7 rebounds 5 assists, 2 steals and a block and led the Celtics to victory
Bird played 110% the whole time. He played with broken fingers. He had a finger that had no feeling in it because it was set wrong. He broke his back making his mama’s driveway. He had surgery on both Achilles heels. His knees were bad. But he still played. He knew where everyone was at all times. He wasn’t selfish. He wasn’t a ball hog. The reason he gave for playing even when he was hurt was that he got paid to play. He watched his dad come home and his ankles were so swollen he couldn’t hardly get his boots off. The next morning they were still swollen. He put those boots on and went to work. That was Larry’s role model. You put your shoes on and go to work no matter if you’re hurt or not.
Something that tells you a lot about Larry Legend. His retirement ceremony wasn't even on a game night and still sold out the garden and having magic show up as well tells you how special he was.
I love the fact that you guys are doing Larry Bird, my favorite of all time and MJ and Magic. I graduated the first year Magic and Bird played in the finals in 1984. Larry was the best I’ve ever seen in the game. I coach high school basketball and have players watch Larry high lights. Screen and 2nd and 3rd cut. He was unbelievable and in a league with so much talent, he won 3 straight MVP’S. Jordan never beat him in the playoffs. He was the man!
I grew up watching Larry Bird during his entire career playing in the NBA. The next video you should watch about Larry Bird is the called "Making The Case" where the guy narrating the video makes the argument for Larry Bird as The Goat. Every point the guy makes is a very valid argument for Larry Bird as the GOAT. Bird played during the 80's and into the early 90's and he only had a career that lasted just over 12 years ( he only played 6 games of his 13th season due to injuries ). During the off season between his senior year of college and his rookie season as a pro Larry injured his hand during a pick up game of baseball that forever changed his shot and he was still known as one of the best shooters of all time so imagine how good he could have been if that injury never happened. Another injury during the off season in 1985 was when Larry hurt his back doing manual labor installing a new driveway for his mother at her home. Larry's career was over 8 years after that because he played flat out 100% of the time in the golden era of basketball when players got physical with each other and a 20 year career was a very rare thing. Today a 20 year career for a player is expected and all the rule changes to cut back on the physicality of the game has lengthened the average career by at least 5 years. The single most telling point in Bird's favor for consideration as the GOAT is that he played against Jordan in the early part of Jordan's career and of all the players from the same era that were any good at all Larry Bird is the ONLY player Michael Jordan never beat. Jordan was 0 - 6 against Larry Bird in the playoffs. They always talk about Bird's trash talking during his career and he was considered one of the best or possibly THE best because he would literally tell the other team/players what he was going to do before he did it and they failed to stop him every single time. He was great not only because of his trash talking, but because he could back up everything he said
Larry Legend had an extreme sense of "Situation Awareness" - not for just 'one incident' but for the entire game! I can't remember any of his 'punch'/'bump' passes ever not being virtually 100% accurate! YES! He played 110% and that was why many of us loved him! That was thee saddest day in NBA history! Pistol Pete!!!
I saw larry bird play his whole career. He is the smartest most clutch player I have ever seen. Bird didn't make mistakes, he capitalized on other players mistakes. I always tell people, Jordan was unstoppable. But Bird was unbelievable. He did things that no other player has ever done. He was 6 an 0 vs. Jordan in the playoffs, two sweeps. There will never be another larry legend.
Great reaction! It's nice to see youngsters watch, and learn about and from Bird!! Keep learning about him. I GUARANTEE that you won't be disappointed! By the way, I totally agree about the team game ( cutting, running the floor, passing, TEAM OVER INDIVIDUAL) being more enjoyable than the game today(dribbling, dribbling, dribbling, take a bad SELFISH shot, then either be RIDICULOUSLY ARROGANT running back down the court or FLOP/CHEAT to get a foul call)!!!!! Keep up the reactions and keep learning! Much love and respect 🤙
Magic played his entire career with the Lakers. Check out Bird's "Making The Case". I'm sure you're aware of Michael Jordan and his claim as the GOAT, but to give you an idea of how high Bird is held in esteem, consider this quote from Pat Riley, the Lakers coach in the 80's when the league was dominated by Boston and LA: “If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game, I’d choose Michael Jordan. If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life, I’d take Larry Bird.”
Liked your reaction and fun to see new people appreciate Bird, he is one of most exciting players to watch. The best characteristics of Larry is his hustle and never give up attitude to win the game! Jason Williams was a good passer for sure, but Larry had so many more tools in his bag, the most comprehensive passing video is, "Larry Bird Greatest Passer of All Time (Re-edit w/ New Footage)" he had it all! th-cam.com/video/wwo4vtaZmsY/w-d-xo.html
Bird has a good case for being the GOAT. He swept Michael Johnson the two years they faced off in the playoffs, he founded the 50-40-90 club, and in fact he was right on the edge of maintaining those stats even in 1986-1992 after his back injury and his body was breaking down in other ways. The thing is, he wasn't really flashy like MJ and some other players. Instead, he made great plays look easy and one of his deadliest threats was as a team player, getting the ball to others. But frankly, I really don't think you can point to a single player as the GOAT. You'd have to list at least a few who are equally deserving. I hope you keep going down the Bird rabbit hole. A couple other videos to look at are 5 Time Larry Bird Was Injured But Refused To Quit, and the Making The Case for Larry Bird video.
Lance Stevenson tells the story of back in the early 2010's, when Larry was with the Pacers' front office, he once visited practice in a three-piece business suit, asked for a ball and hit fifteen threes in a row before calmly walking out...twenty years after he retired!
She is soo Right... Nobody gives 100% anymore... Question? If you do not give a 100%, is it fake? Obviously you don't really care about winning, if you don't give it, you're all, why watch it? As I recall, I saw Larry Bird talking about others in the industry, making comments that Bird will have a shorter career because he plays so hard, and Larry Bird answer: I have to play my hardest and if I have a shorter career than so be it. (something like that). But that's the reason the fans like him soo much, because they new when they went to the game, he was out to WIN. There was nothing going to be half hearted. The fans got their moneys worth. Which is what we all want... Larry Bird.
Magic never got AIDS. He got HIV but it never moved beyond that. I was a senior in High School. I remember being at my locker and hearing the news that he had contracted it and was retiring. I literally cried.
There is a documentary called The 86 Celtics. They were arguably the best team ever. I believe they had 5 future Hall of Famers. BTW, Bird also made the all defensive team several times.
ikr! I keep hearing haters say he was no defender. um....how did he make the all-defensive team over and over then? jeez, people don't pay attention lol.
Great reaction video. A few comments before me, "Stmbt pop soda" put a link to an excellent passing video. Your sister explains the old versus new players and the game perfectly. There's so much more going on back then. Magic was HIV positive but never got the AIDS virus. Only because of new unproven meds.
This is how Magic and Bird saved the NBA, literally. The NBA was on the way out, they saved it together. Magic & Bird - A Courtship of Rivals HD Basketball Documentary - th-cam.com/video/8j0c1Xb0eFI/w-d-xo.html . Perhaps breaking it into 4-6 parts would be an option, but you do you. Peace.
You guys haven't seen everything yet--been following him from the playing years and I still see stuff, but mainly hear stuff for the first time here on TH-cam--the man was a savant--head and shoulders GOAT--the more you watch, the more you will see. Talk about going hard--he had a fractured vertebrae in that game after 4 years of a bad back when you said that.
Larry Bird won 3 MVP in a row. 2 other players, Chamberlain, Russell & Bird. Larry was the founding member of the 50 40 90 club. His basketball IQ was of the charts. You should definitely watch his passing highlights, making the case for Larry Bird by Clayton Crowly. James Worthy said he would rather play Micheal Jordon than Larry Bird bc you had to play as a thinker & try to get into his mind. Bird was playing chess & everyone else was playing checkers. Definitely watch what other NBA players thought of him. Great reaction, I'm a new sub. ❤
Welcome to 80's BB, you have only scratched the surface on Larry Bird and by the way, you got 1 1/2 steps in the 80's and 3 steps today lol. Great reaction.
Great video you two! But it starred one of my favorite NBA players, so that helped too. 😀 Seriously though, I like your energy and personality. 🙂 Well done. Bird and Johnson was always intense basketball. They didn't like or respect each other in college, and that NCAA finals game between their teams didn't help. But the more time they spent around each other on and off the court in the NBA, the more they realized that they were kindred spirits as well as fierce competitors. But when they were on the same team in the Olympics, man, that was basketball heaven. They respected each other first, then became good friends. Got to love a story like that. If I remember correctly in the Pacers playoff game where Bird bounced his face off of the court he broke a bone in his face and had some double vision too, but he couldn't let his team down, so he came back out and led them to a win in that condition. I can't imagine any modern player doing anything like that. And his back was so bad at the end of his career it had to be taken care of before and after every game. He wrecked himself in the NBA, but, gosh, it was glorious while it lasted... When Bird retired I really started to lose interest in basketball. When Johnson retired I decided I was done watching the games. Jordan was great, but him alone wasn't enough to drive my interest. I mean, all through school in my neighborhood I was the Celtics fan and the other neighbor kids who liked basketball were all Lakers fans, so that fed the interest in the games and the competition between us. Once the key players of our youth were gone, we just weren't as interested because only Jordan seemed close to the glory days we had had, and there really wasn't anyone in the league at the time to compare to him. And once he was gone basketball quit existing for me. I haven't missed it, which is really kinda sad in retrospect I guess, but I just have no interest in anyone playing for the last twenty years. Oh well.
I recall hearing Bird say once that when he heard about Magic having HIV he called him instantly, and that he felt just like he did when his father died. I couldn't be sure, but I vaguely recall Magic saying that Bird was the only one who REALLY cared and supported him through that instead of turning his back on him like many others did. That kind of thing is one of the intangibles that ought to be considered when choosing THE goat, not just A goat. There is a subtle difference but a definite distinction between who PLAYED the game best, and who was the best PLAYER. Unbelievable stats aren't the only thing that makes a GOAT, in my opinion. The leage became soft when players became brands instead of hoopers.
one thing that has to be mentioned - Larry Bird is the only man in history of the NBA to be named player of the year, coach of the year and GM of the year. Noone else has done all these 3.
As far as Birds passing - he made very few bad passes. Bird knew where every player on the court was at all times and his teammates expected he might pass to them, except at the end of a game where a basket was needed, then it was all Bird and everyone knew it but the vast majority of the time Bird could not be stopped. The game against the Pacers where Bird slammed his face into the ground was in the 1991 playoffs. Bird never backed off and always went full throttle, even though by that time his back was so bad he had to lay on the floor instead of sitting when he was out of the game. Bird retired after the 1992 season. The day if Birds retirement ceremony the Celtics did not have a game but the Boston Garden was sold out and then some. Bird might be the smartest, toughest, most hardworking player ever. In 1984 the Celtics won the NBA championship. The next day Bird was out training for the next season - Quinn Buckner, one of his teammates, told that story and Bird admitted he did do that.
In his rookie season they were listing him as 6’10”, there’s a rumour they changed his height to 6’9” due to the rivalry with Magic, he’s about 6’8” at a stretch. Standing side by side Bird looks 2 inches taller. There’s also a few comments from ex players like Dominique Wilkins and Michael Cooper who noticed Bird was a lot bigger than they expected.
I think you're right and Magic I believe was more like 6' 7 1/2" rather than 6'8". If you ever see them standing together Bired is an inch or two taller.
When Larry hit the floor in the Pacer game, he actually fractured his cheek. When the doctor wasn't looking, he left the locker room to return and silence the Pacers. He also had double vision and despite that won the game.
Bird was, is, and will always be the goat.. the only player that would tell the best players ever what he was going to do and none of them could stop him..ps. turn your mic. down about from 8 to 6 maybe 6.5 that should stop the echo.. or turn your speakers so they are not facing straight at you.. otherwise everything else is money....
The LAST thing you will ever see in this world is Larry Bird with a perm LOL. Guy goes home and wears overalls in the off season. That's his natural hair.
Larry Bird 50 greatest assists, Larry Bird greatest passer re-edit, and Making the Case Larry Bird by Clayton Crowley are excellent. If you like football Barry Sanders highlights are insane.
The only other thing I'll say.....and I could personally write several books on Larry Bird's career.....Celtics vs. Lakers is arguably the greatest team rivalry in sports history.....but Bird vs. Magic is UNQUESTIONABLY the greatest personal rivalry in sports history. Name me one other rivalry that was even close. I'll wait.
This was great! I recommend the documentary "Bird and Magic - A Courtship of Rivals". Break it into 4 or 5 parts. It's the best sports documentary you've ever seen.
You need to react to "Larry Bird Alpha Rookie". Even his own team wasn't exempt from his trash talking. Larry is the reason Pistol Pete retired. Oh, and "The Best Larry Bird vs Michael Jordan Story Ever Told" is also a great one.
"Larry bird greatest passer of alltime (re-edit with new footage)"... try to squeeze that one in after you show her white chocolate... No, the nba did not allow 3 steps back then (they also had to dribble without carrying the ball), and no, i haven't seen him travel in any of the videos. She may be thinking of what she saw at 4:41 in your video.... there's one dribble tucked in there that's difficult to see. You are correct. That celtics team was very tough to compete with. Their height was 1985-86 --- 67-15 record, 40-1 at home (50-1 @ home including the playoffs and a championship)
Regards to you’re “they were barely trying” speaking on this years 3 pt contest, you’re right. Players today have zero competitive nature compared to this era right here. Guys like Larry and MJ for example wanted to win EVERYTHING whether it was basketball, cards, Quarters, dominos whatever lol they just outright HATED to lose and even a “fun” competition like a 3 pt comp at all star weekend if you signed up to compete for something once you were going you took it serious. Also why stars don’t compete in the dunk contest now, too afraid to lose and take a blow to their ego so they sit out all together instead of using that ego to turn into competitiveness like Larry and those would have
He never missed a pass. Kevin McHale tried and gave it up. He said he could put so much english on it he was always amazed, it would turn right into your hands.
The greatest ever. More end of time, game winning shots than anyone. Dropped 47 on Portland left handed! When asked by reporters why he used only his left hand, he said, I'm saving my right hand for LA, we play them tomorrow night! Won 3 MVPs during the greatest era of players. 3 3 point contest in a row , one while wearing his warm up stuff! Played the last 6 years with a broken back and blown Achilles tendon! Because of his back, they took a stationary bike to all games. Larry had to ride it, 1-2 hours before each game, to loosen his back, up!! Was the first 50/40/90 guy. When playing the bulls in conference finals, swept them! As a rookie, on third day of camp, came out and told reporters, this league is nothing, I will dominate this league! Worthy said, he would rather guard Jordan than Bird! Made 3 shots on purpose from behind the backboard! Got the whole Atlanta bench in trouble, for his shooting display against them. When the rockets had the Twin Towers, they should have won 2 titles. Bird and the Celtics, stopped them! He's the goat. Maybe the only better player was pistol Pete, but he just burnt out too soon, plus born with a unusually small heart pump side. He once told an opposing player who has a good first half against him, " are ur parents here, cuz ur not gonna want them to see, what I'm about to do to you!" So Bird drops 27 on him in the second half, and also shut him down. He tells the guy after the game, " that was for ur mom!" Ice cold! He played during an era, when there was no hack a Shaq foul, no finger hand elbow or body check fouls. And when centers and power forwards would break ur bones and punish you, if you went inside! I think it was either Chuck dlDaily or Pat Riley who said, " u want a end of game shot, pick Jordan. U want a shot to save ur life, pick Bird!". There's no way, players of today, could play from 1979 to 1995, when u felt in blood, if u went in the paint, and no body hand elbow hand check, or hack a Shaq, fouls! If Bird could have played his last 6 years healthy, and maybe another 3 years, except for Stockton's assist record, he would have all the others. Check out his biggest influence, Pistol Pete! Too bad he just got physically worn out playing on bad teams, and was born with a heart defect!
On the question of how good a guy Larry was: The back injury that ultimately ended his career was from repaving his mother's driveway himself. He could've easily paid someone else to do it, but it was his mother. You don't pay others to care for family, you do it yourself.
For those that think Larry Bird was not as good as he really was. This comment is for those whom never had the chance to see him play. 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 off in his NBA career. Just think about 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
ONLY guy to have Player of the Year (college), Rookie of the Year, MVP, Coach of the Year and Exec of the Year. the ONLY one. only the third to have 3-peat MVPs, along with Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. now that's esteemed company.
The pass behind the back with the travel was a shout out to Magic who had just retired because of his HIV positive status. That’s the only reason he did it and that’s why the refs didn’t call it.
It's over an hour long, but please check out the 1992 Dream Team documentary here on TH-cam!! It's really a good documentary and it's amazing to see so many legends on one olympic team: Larry, Magic, Jordan, Pippen, Barkley, ect!!
Wanna se some good passing??? Check out "Larry Bird's 50 greatest assists". Very possibly the best passing small forward in the history of the NBA. If not the best, he's right up there. I'm enjoying the Bird reactions, please keep them coming as there are tons out there.
Bro, you definitely need to do the Jason Williams passing highlight tape. Nobody was as close to street ball as White Chocolate. In high school, he played with Randy Moss, so he had a teammate with great hands to catch his crazy passes. He has stated that helped build his confidence in his passing game early on.
really enjoy your reactions. honest and not bias. I have watched these videos countless time. But will watch all your reactions and enjoy it yet again. Try one of his documentaries and learn how be got to what you are seeing. Thanks
Hi, loved the reactions of yours so far, and there are a couple of videos about Larry's passing, one of them is a long video and may not have passes behind back exclusively but I know she will enjoy the heck out of it I really hope she becomes a Celtics fan, and I agree with you guys on the fact that NBA nowadays focus on individualism and not on team effort you got my like and subscription.
that play were it looked like bird was "traveling" was an illusion. if you watch it in slow motion and stay focused on the ball instead of his feet you can see he passed the ball to his teammate who immediately passed it back. it happened so fast you miss it unless you slow the video way down
LARRY LEGEND IS A UNICORN AND THE TRUE GOAT 🐐 ☘️
NOBODY is prepared for Larry Bird the first time they see how good he was. He regularly torched the best athletes in the NBA when he was at his worst. At his best, there was NOBODY who could stop him.
GOAT BIRD
FACTS.
Well said .
AMEN
He was hurt is last 7 years and still dominated the best in the most brutal era...his first 6 years he was the best player, he dominated everyone.
The reason so many players fell for the fake pass was because as was shown in the video was he was a very unselfish player. If he didn't have a shot or he thought a teammate had a better chance or something he wouldn't hesitate to pass it to them. His skills and his awareness of where everybody was on the court made him a very dangerous passer. So if you were a defender and he looked like he was passing, there was a 50/50 chance if he actually passed it or not. A lot of really good players were fooled by him when he did that.
Highest basketball IQ of all time- definitely makes for an unselfish player. He was unbelievable. ❤
When they retired his number it was an off night and the sold the garden out
ií 18:18 Z😅
Mentioning Bird and Johnson, you would absolutely love the documentary about the two. It’s long so other reactors have broken it up into parts. It’s amazing.
Coming soon...
Hi from Indiana.... great reaction to the GOAT!!!!!!!
Larry Bird: Making the Case, as the G.O.A.T.
Bird's passing was so extraordinary because he had the uncanny ability to know exactly where everyone was on the court at any given moment. Next level stuff. At the risk of sounding arrogant, I stopped watching basketball after the great battles between the Celtics and the Lakes of the 80s because I just knew that I would never see that kind of playing again.
SAME...but with OLAJUWON for me..
Yeah, pretty much the 90s had the last decent basketball today is a joke. The no defense game of today should be called HORSE
SAME. every year when the new season starts I TRY to watch a game but just can't make it through the first period without being bored af.
@@FUBAR1986 LOLOL 💯🙌
I'm the same way! NBA today has no draw for me whatsoever!
That’s Larry’s real hair gang 👍
Look back at Birds college games & you’ll see that he didn’t have a perm. I can’t even imagine him sitting still that long😂
And he shot the ball over Jordan’s head not at it. The only time I ever saw him intentionally hit someone with a ball was game 3 of the ECFs with the Detroit Pistons. Bill Laimbeer got his arm around Birds neck & took him to the ground, a fight ensued & was broken up. Bird picked up the ball & threw it at Laimbeer hitting him in the face. Dirty Bill deserved it.
When players call you "cold" that's a compliment
I was fortunate enough to have grown up just outside of Boston, in the 80's. I went to a game at the old Boston Garden for my 12th birthday. You can't imagine how hot the Celtics/Lakers rivalry was. It's like nothing else existed. lol
bird and magic and their rivalry pretty much saved basketball. . if they hadnt arrived when they did the league was circling the drain
She is a doll! Wow.
"Larry Bird Greatest Passer of All Time new footage re-edit" is the video you are looking for. It pretty much settles the issue.
Larry Birds greatest passes video is outstanding
when us basketball had passion like its still celebrated still in europe.... i wish the us would be that passionate about sports again!
“Larry Bird: Greatest Passer of All Time (re-edit with new footage”
“Five times Larry Bird was Hurt but Refused to Quit”
“Four Crazy Stories that Prove Larry Bird was the Toughest Player in NBA History”
“The Heartbreaking Larry Bird Story You DIDN’T Know”
“Larry Bird - Bird is the Word”
As a (now) old guy, the only bummer about Bird was that he had to retire probably a few years earlier than we all would have liked. His back had just taken so much punishment, he had to hang it up. In the '92 Dream Team in Barcelona, he wasn't able to go as all-out as he used to. Bird had the quality that the true all-time greats in any sport have: not only was he amazingly skilled, but he was almost INSANELY compeitive. Which made him work harder than just about anyone else, on top of it all. It's that DRIVE, man. Guys like Bird, Jordan, Magic, Jerry Rice, Muhammad Ali, etc, they HAD to win, and they HAD to be THE BEST. That's what fed Bird's legendary trash talk. He was like, "this is WHAT I DO, and nobody out here is gonna out-work me, or out-perform me, or out-anything me." Ultimate talent and skill, yes -- but moreover, ultimate compeitiveness.
competitive mania, definitely lol
The fact that he still won a championship as his back worsened is mindblowing. Larry Bird had the best attitude, work ethic, and deserves his GOAT status. He and Magic Johnson will always be my top picks for what they did together to save the then dying NBA.
That behind the hoop shot didn't count but it was savage
There is a compilation video of Larry's passing and some of them are even crazier than what is in this video. Routine half/full court passes, laying on the ground, no-look, going out of bounds, all that.
Larry Bird and Magic Johnson share the same rookie card from 1980.
Kevin McHale talked about Larry doing a back-spin pass that hit every time. He did it to him, and McHale said he nearly pulled a hamstring, because he thought it was going to go out of bounds, but it hit him in his hands. Bird told him, “you get open, I’ll hit you. He knew where everyone was going to be, and trusted his team to be there.
The NBA retired his number on every team in the league but it's good to know that #6 Bill Russell is "in there, too." lol
I get emotional every time I watch this mixtape and don't know why it's very inspirational I must say
Мужик, я совсем с другой стороны планеты, но знаю одно - игра Ларри и Мэджика изменила мир! Возможно это старость.👊
Da myoozick 😊😎
The retirement they showed at the beginning and end of the video is Bird's number retirement. No game that night. The Boston Garden was sold out and they got Magic to fly cross-country for a 90 minute ceremony for Bird.
That is the high regard he was and is held in Boston
Favorite part was Magic wearing the Celtics Tee shirt.
@Dalton Moore that doesn't usually get shown, but it was great
@@alanela6761 agreed! I wish they didn't cut that out of some of the clips.
no kiddin. to this day, you don't stroll around Boston casually insulting Bird. it's more than likely you'll get your a$$ handed to you by very large Irish dudes LOL.
@livingsoulfineart-krissyle1998 Magic was in the crowd wearing a suit and he did not have a T-shirt to wear under the lakers warm up when he came out on the stage, so the celtics gave him one...
Larrry won 3 consecutive MVPs. He was also the first player to put up a 50/40/90 season That's FG pct/3pt Pct/FT Pct, and then he did it again the following year. Larry had a really bad back thru all his later years in the game. He got a real blue collar working man attitude from his Dad, and even though he had money by then, when his Mom needed a new driveway Larry did it himself and messed up his back. One year he spent the night before a playoff game in the hospital, in traction just so he could move to play the next day. Much tougher game back then too. They used to have this thing called defense! There are guys who were great passers, or shooters or rebounders etc, but the best overall player I ever saw (in the NBA) was Larry Bird. Pat Riley was asked once who do you want to take the shot with the game on the line? Pat said well game on the line probably Jordan. My life on the line Bird! Good luck with the channel y'all.
Pat Riley's comment says it all.
That is one time he should have let loose some of that money he made and had someone else do his Mother's driveway. He could have saved some wear and tear on his back and had a better career.
Great reaction. Thanks! Bird was the best small forward ever. I watched him from the beginning all the way until his bad back made him retire. The night before a big game Bird could be found at a local bar drinking everyone under the table and getting into fist fights. Only 3 players in NBA history ever won 3 MVP's in a row - Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell and Larry Bird.
Two Pat Riley quotes about Bird:
1) "If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game I'd choose Michael Jordan; If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life...I'd take Larry Bird."
2) "He's the greatest clutch player I've ever seen. The hell with Jerry West!"
All those passes hit the mark. He doesn't throw the ball away.
Okay, y’all- You have to watch “Larry Bird Greatest Passer Of All Time (re-edit w/ new footage). Make sure it’s the Re-Edit version!! 👍
Jordan couldnt beat him and actually said " Thank God" in a tv interview when he was told Larry had retired.
When Larry came back from injury, I don’t know if you heard it but Larry returned from a fractured right cheek. He had a concussion, and it was an elimination game. I’m the last 14 min he had 17 pts, 7 rebounds 5 assists, 2 steals and a block and led the Celtics to victory
His retirement ceremony sold out the Garden. No game played. Only time ever ever.
Bird played 110% the whole time. He played with broken fingers. He had a finger that had no feeling in it because it was set wrong. He broke his back making his mama’s driveway. He had surgery on both Achilles heels. His knees were bad. But he still played. He knew where everyone was at all times. He wasn’t selfish. He wasn’t a ball hog. The reason he gave for playing even when he was hurt was that he got paid to play. He watched his dad come home and his ankles were so swollen he couldn’t hardly get his boots off. The next morning they were still swollen. He put those boots on and went to work. That was Larry’s role model. You put your shoes on and go to work no matter if you’re hurt or not.
He is literally insane I might have to get a Larry Bird Jersey now 🔥
@7FootReacts if you watch Celtics videos, it's only right to rock Bird's jersey lol.
Something that tells you a lot about Larry Legend. His retirement ceremony wasn't even on a game night and still sold out the garden and having magic show up as well tells you how special he was.
Lol Reminder: You can’t shoot the ball over the backboard. You see the ref wave it off after it goes in.
The 85-86 celtics team was incredible, my dad is a celtics fan, I grew up watching all these highlights and old games
Best passing team I've ever seen
That 86 celtics team and 96 bulls team are the 2 best teams ever. Absolutely stacked rosters.
I love the fact that you guys are doing Larry Bird, my favorite of all time and MJ and Magic.
I graduated the first year Magic and Bird played in the finals in 1984.
Larry was the best I’ve ever seen in the game.
I coach high school basketball and have players watch Larry high lights.
Screen and 2nd and 3rd cut. He was unbelievable and in a league with so much talent, he won 3 straight MVP’S.
Jordan never beat him in the playoffs.
He was the man!
I grew up watching Larry Bird during his entire career playing in the NBA. The next video you should watch about Larry Bird is the called "Making The Case" where the guy narrating the video makes the argument for Larry Bird as The Goat. Every point the guy makes is a very valid argument for Larry Bird as the GOAT. Bird played during the 80's and into the early 90's and he only had a career that lasted just over 12 years ( he only played 6 games of his 13th season due to injuries ). During the off season between his senior year of college and his rookie season as a pro Larry injured his hand during a pick up game of baseball that forever changed his shot and he was still known as one of the best shooters of all time so imagine how good he could have been if that injury never happened. Another injury during the off season in 1985 was when Larry hurt his back doing manual labor installing a new driveway for his mother at her home.
Larry's career was over 8 years after that because he played flat out 100% of the time in the golden era of basketball when players got physical with each other and a 20 year career was a very rare thing. Today a 20 year career for a player is expected and all the rule changes to cut back on the physicality of the game has lengthened the average career by at least 5 years. The single most telling point in Bird's favor for consideration as the GOAT is that he played against Jordan in the early part of Jordan's career and of all the players from the same era that were any good at all Larry Bird is the ONLY player Michael Jordan never beat. Jordan was 0 - 6 against Larry Bird in the playoffs. They always talk about Bird's trash talking during his career and he was considered one of the best or possibly THE best because he would literally tell the other team/players what he was going to do before he did it and they failed to stop him every single time. He was great not only because of his trash talking, but because he could back up everything he said
Larry Legend had an extreme sense of "Situation Awareness" - not for just 'one incident' but for the entire game! I can't remember any of his 'punch'/'bump' passes ever not being virtually 100% accurate! YES! He played 110% and that was why many of us loved him! That was thee saddest day in NBA history! Pistol Pete!!!
A courtship of rivals is a documentary about Bird and Magic and how they saved the league. That would be a great video to react to.
I saw larry bird play his whole career. He is the smartest most clutch player I have ever seen. Bird didn't make mistakes, he capitalized on other players mistakes. I always tell people, Jordan was unstoppable. But Bird was unbelievable. He did things that no other player has ever done. He was 6 an 0 vs. Jordan in the playoffs, two sweeps. There will never be another larry legend.
Never.
Ive always heard Jordan made you look slow...
Larry made you look...
Stupid. 😄
Great reaction! It's nice to see youngsters watch, and learn about and from Bird!! Keep learning about him. I GUARANTEE that you won't be disappointed! By the way, I totally agree about the team game ( cutting, running the floor, passing, TEAM OVER INDIVIDUAL) being more enjoyable than the game today(dribbling, dribbling, dribbling, take a bad SELFISH shot, then either be RIDICULOUSLY ARROGANT running back down the court or FLOP/CHEAT to get a foul call)!!!!! Keep up the reactions and keep learning! Much love and respect 🤙
Larry bird greatest passer tape will show even more of his passing prowess.
Yes 😁 the re-edit
Magic played his entire career with the Lakers.
Check out Bird's "Making The Case".
I'm sure you're aware of Michael Jordan and his claim as the GOAT, but to give you an idea of how high Bird is held in esteem, consider this quote from Pat Riley, the Lakers coach in the 80's when the league was dominated by Boston and LA:
“If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game, I’d choose Michael Jordan. If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life, I’d take Larry Bird.”
Liked your reaction and fun to see new people appreciate Bird, he is one of most exciting players to watch. The best characteristics of Larry is his hustle and never give up attitude to win the game! Jason Williams was a good passer for sure, but Larry had so many more tools in his bag, the most comprehensive passing video is, "Larry Bird Greatest Passer of All Time (Re-edit w/ New Footage)" he had it all! th-cam.com/video/wwo4vtaZmsY/w-d-xo.html
Bird was such a good shooter and passer,
defenders could never be sure what he was going to do. That's why his fakes were so effective.
He did it all 🔥
You two should react to Larry Bird 's greatest passes re edit
Bird has a good case for being the GOAT. He swept Michael Johnson the two years they faced off in the playoffs, he founded the 50-40-90 club, and in fact he was right on the edge of maintaining those stats even in 1986-1992 after his back injury and his body was breaking down in other ways. The thing is, he wasn't really flashy like MJ and some other players. Instead, he made great plays look easy and one of his deadliest threats was as a team player, getting the ball to others. But frankly, I really don't think you can point to a single player as the GOAT. You'd have to list at least a few who are equally deserving.
I hope you keep going down the Bird rabbit hole. A couple other videos to look at are 5 Time Larry Bird Was Injured But Refused To Quit, and the Making The Case for Larry Bird video.
You need to watch the documentary on Larry and Magic.
The game was more fun to watch back then. That’s me running out on the court at the end of game 7 against the Lakers in ‘84.
JEALOUSSSSSS!! LOL
Lance Stevenson tells the story of back in the early 2010's, when Larry was with the Pacers' front office, he once visited practice in a three-piece business suit, asked for a ball and hit fifteen threes in a row before calmly walking out...twenty years after he retired!
Yes, that Celtic front line was tough. One reason? They went 6'10", 6'11", and 7'0". All mobile, all knew their jobs.
She is soo Right... Nobody gives 100% anymore... Question? If you do not give a 100%, is it fake? Obviously you don't really care about winning, if you don't give it, you're all, why watch it? As I recall, I saw Larry Bird talking about others in the industry, making comments that Bird will have a shorter career because he plays so hard, and Larry Bird answer: I have to play my hardest and if I have a shorter career than so be it. (something like that). But that's the reason the fans like him soo much, because they new when they went to the game, he was out to WIN. There was nothing going to be half hearted. The fans got their moneys worth. Which is what we all want... Larry Bird.
Magic never got AIDS. He got HIV but it never moved beyond that. I was a senior in High School. I remember being at my locker and hearing the news that he had contracted it and was retiring. I literally cried.
There is a documentary called The 86 Celtics. They were arguably the best team ever. I believe they had 5 future Hall of Famers. BTW, Bird also made the all defensive team several times.
ikr! I keep hearing haters say he was no defender. um....how did he make the all-defensive team over and over then? jeez, people don't pay attention lol.
Great reaction video. A few comments before me, "Stmbt pop soda" put a link to an excellent passing video.
Your sister explains the old versus new players and the game perfectly. There's so much more going on back then.
Magic was HIV positive but never got the AIDS virus. Only because of new unproven meds.
The Making the Case series are all really good. I liked the last Bird trash talk video, but there are several out there. Great reaction, guys!
This is how Magic and Bird saved the NBA, literally. The NBA was on the way out, they saved it together. Magic & Bird - A Courtship of Rivals HD Basketball Documentary - th-cam.com/video/8j0c1Xb0eFI/w-d-xo.html . Perhaps breaking it into 4-6 parts would be an option, but you do you. Peace.
You guys haven't seen everything yet--been following him from the playing years and I still see stuff, but mainly hear stuff for the first time here on TH-cam--the man was a savant--head and shoulders GOAT--the more you watch, the more you will see. Talk about going hard--he had a fractured vertebrae in that game after 4 years of a bad back when you said that.
Larry Bird won 3 MVP in a row. 2 other players, Chamberlain, Russell & Bird. Larry was the founding member of the 50 40 90 club. His basketball IQ was of the charts. You should definitely watch his passing highlights, making the case for Larry Bird by Clayton Crowly. James Worthy said he would rather play Micheal Jordon than Larry Bird bc you had to play as a thinker & try to get into his mind. Bird was playing chess & everyone else was playing checkers. Definitely watch what other NBA players thought of him. Great reaction, I'm a new sub. ❤
Need to do his Passing video redo it is EPIC NO PLAYER BEFORE OR AFTER HAS IT. HE WOULD PUT MOST NFL QBs To shame!
Welcome to 80's BB, you have only scratched the surface on Larry Bird and by the way, you got 1 1/2 steps in the 80's and 3 steps today lol. Great reaction.
Great video you two! But it starred one of my favorite NBA players, so that helped too. 😀 Seriously though, I like your energy and personality. 🙂 Well done.
Bird and Johnson was always intense basketball. They didn't like or respect each other in college, and that NCAA finals game between their teams didn't help. But the more time they spent around each other on and off the court in the NBA, the more they realized that they were kindred spirits as well as fierce competitors. But when they were on the same team in the Olympics, man, that was basketball heaven. They respected each other first, then became good friends. Got to love a story like that.
If I remember correctly in the Pacers playoff game where Bird bounced his face off of the court he broke a bone in his face and had some double vision too, but he couldn't let his team down, so he came back out and led them to a win in that condition. I can't imagine any modern player doing anything like that. And his back was so bad at the end of his career it had to be taken care of before and after every game. He wrecked himself in the NBA, but, gosh, it was glorious while it lasted...
When Bird retired I really started to lose interest in basketball. When Johnson retired I decided I was done watching the games. Jordan was great, but him alone wasn't enough to drive my interest. I mean, all through school in my neighborhood I was the Celtics fan and the other neighbor kids who liked basketball were all Lakers fans, so that fed the interest in the games and the competition between us. Once the key players of our youth were gone, we just weren't as interested because only Jordan seemed close to the glory days we had had, and there really wasn't anyone in the league at the time to compare to him. And once he was gone basketball quit existing for me. I haven't missed it, which is really kinda sad in retrospect I guess, but I just have no interest in anyone playing for the last twenty years. Oh well.
I recall hearing Bird say once that when he heard about Magic having HIV he called him instantly, and that he felt just like he did when his father died. I couldn't be sure, but I vaguely recall Magic saying that Bird was the only one who REALLY cared and supported him through that instead of turning his back on him like many others did. That kind of thing is one of the intangibles that ought to be considered when choosing THE goat, not just A goat. There is a subtle difference but a definite distinction between who PLAYED the game best, and who was the best PLAYER. Unbelievable stats aren't the only thing that makes a GOAT, in my opinion. The leage became soft when players became brands instead of hoopers.
one thing that has to be mentioned - Larry Bird is the only man in history of the NBA to be named player of the year, coach of the year and GM of the year. Noone else has done all these 3.
As far as Birds passing - he made very few bad passes. Bird knew where every player on the court was at all times and his teammates expected he might pass to them, except at the end of a game where a basket was needed, then it was all Bird and everyone knew it but the vast majority of the time Bird could not be stopped.
The game against the Pacers where Bird slammed his face into the ground was in the 1991 playoffs. Bird never backed off and always went full throttle, even though by that time his back was so bad he had to lay on the floor instead of sitting when he was out of the game. Bird retired after the 1992 season.
The day if Birds retirement ceremony the Celtics did not have a game but the Boston Garden was sold out and then some.
Bird might be the smartest, toughest, most hardworking player ever.
In 1984 the Celtics won the NBA championship. The next day Bird was out training for the next season - Quinn Buckner, one of his teammates, told that story and Bird admitted he did do that.
Bird was listed as 6'9" but a lot of people think he was really 6'10".
In his rookie season they were listing him as 6’10”, there’s a rumour they changed his height to 6’9” due to the rivalry with Magic, he’s about 6’8” at a stretch.
Standing side by side Bird looks 2 inches taller.
There’s also a few comments from ex players like Dominique Wilkins and Michael Cooper who noticed Bird was a lot bigger than they expected.
Yeah and I ve seen Reggie Miller and a few others say he was really 6’10”
Jamal Mashburn, Paul Pierce, Reggie Miller, Chris Webber, and Jalen Rose all have been quoted as saying Bird was more like 6'10" as well.
I think you're right and Magic I believe was more like 6' 7 1/2" rather than 6'8". If you ever see them standing together Bired is an inch or two taller.
6'10
When Larry hit the floor in the Pacer game, he actually fractured his cheek. When the doctor wasn't looking, he left the locker room to return and silence the Pacers. He also had double vision and despite that won the game.
Bird was, is, and will always be the goat.. the only player that would tell the best players ever what he was going to do and none of them could stop him..ps. turn your mic. down about from 8 to 6 maybe 6.5 that should stop the echo.. or turn your speakers so they are not facing straight at you.. otherwise everything else is money....
Nice job guys. He was a beast!
The LAST thing you will ever see in this world is Larry Bird with a perm LOL. Guy goes home and wears overalls in the off season. That's his natural hair.
Definitely more Larry Bird! New sub!
The left handed game, Larry said he had to go back to playing right because the game got too close in the 4th qtr. Ended up with 44 total.
Actually it was 47 points with 22pts left handed through 3 quarters.
had 22 IN 3 QUARTERS HANDED'
Larry Bird 50 greatest assists, Larry Bird greatest passer re-edit, and Making the Case Larry Bird by Clayton Crowley are excellent. If you like football Barry Sanders highlights are insane.
The only other thing I'll say.....and I could personally write several books on Larry Bird's career.....Celtics vs. Lakers is arguably the greatest team rivalry in sports history.....but Bird vs. Magic is UNQUESTIONABLY the greatest personal rivalry in sports history. Name me one other rivalry that was even close. I'll wait.
AGREED. 100%.
This was great! I recommend the documentary "Bird and Magic - A Courtship of Rivals". Break it into 4 or 5 parts. It's the best sports documentary you've ever seen.
watch the long version of his greatest passes. it will blow your mind
You need to react to "Larry Bird Alpha Rookie". Even his own team wasn't exempt from his trash talking. Larry is the reason Pistol Pete retired. Oh, and "The Best Larry Bird vs Michael Jordan Story Ever Told" is also a great one.
Bird didn't make Maravich retire.
Pete's knees did.
Bird and Maravich had a great deal of respect for each other.
Great reaction! Just wanted to correct you on one thing. Magic didn't have aids. He was HIV positive.
"Larry bird greatest passer of alltime (re-edit with new footage)"... try to squeeze that one in after you show her white chocolate...
No, the nba did not allow 3 steps back then (they also had to dribble without carrying the ball), and no, i haven't seen him travel in any of the videos. She may be thinking of what she saw at 4:41 in your video.... there's one dribble tucked in there that's difficult to see.
You are correct. That celtics team was very tough to compete with. Their height was 1985-86 --- 67-15 record, 40-1 at home (50-1 @ home including the playoffs and a championship)
There's a video for making the case for the '86 Celtics you may find interesting. It was a very tough team indeed.
Regards to you’re “they were barely trying” speaking on this years 3 pt contest, you’re right. Players today have zero competitive nature compared to this era right here. Guys like Larry and MJ for example wanted to win EVERYTHING whether it was basketball, cards, Quarters, dominos whatever lol they just outright HATED to lose and even a “fun” competition like a 3 pt comp at all star weekend if you signed up to compete for something once you were going you took it serious. Also why stars don’t compete in the dunk contest now, too afraid to lose and take a blow to their ego so they sit out all together instead of using that ego to turn into competitiveness like Larry and those would have
I still have my Larry Bird t-shirt from 1986 ✌❤
also jealous that you have that '86 shirt LOL
He never missed a pass. Kevin McHale tried and gave it up. He said he could put so much english on it he was always amazed, it would turn right into your hands.
The greatest ever. More end of time, game winning shots than anyone. Dropped 47 on Portland left handed! When asked by reporters why he used only his left hand, he said, I'm saving my right hand for LA, we play them tomorrow night! Won 3 MVPs during the greatest era of players. 3 3 point contest in a row , one while wearing his warm up stuff! Played the last 6 years with a broken back and blown Achilles tendon! Because of his back, they took a stationary bike to all games. Larry had to ride it, 1-2 hours before each game, to loosen his back, up!! Was the first 50/40/90 guy. When playing the bulls in conference finals, swept them! As a rookie, on third day of camp, came out and told reporters, this league is nothing, I will dominate this league! Worthy said, he would rather guard Jordan than Bird! Made 3 shots on purpose from behind the backboard! Got the whole Atlanta bench in trouble, for his shooting display against them. When the rockets had the Twin Towers, they should have won 2 titles. Bird and the Celtics, stopped them! He's the goat. Maybe the only better player was pistol Pete, but he just burnt out too soon, plus born with a unusually small heart pump side. He once told an opposing player who has a good first half against him, " are ur parents here, cuz ur not gonna want them to see, what I'm about to do to you!" So Bird drops 27 on him in the second half, and also shut him down. He tells the guy after the game, " that was for ur mom!" Ice cold! He played during an era, when there was no hack a Shaq foul, no finger hand elbow or body check fouls. And when centers and power forwards would break ur bones and punish you, if you went inside! I think it was either Chuck dlDaily or Pat Riley who said, " u want a end of game shot, pick Jordan. U want a shot to save ur life, pick Bird!". There's no way, players of today, could play from 1979 to 1995, when u felt in blood, if u went in the paint, and no body hand elbow hand check, or hack a Shaq, fouls! If Bird could have played his last 6 years healthy, and maybe another 3 years, except for Stockton's assist record, he would have all the others. Check out his biggest influence, Pistol Pete! Too bad he just got physically worn out playing on bad teams, and was born with a heart defect!
💯👏👏👏🍀
On the question of how good a guy Larry was: The back injury that ultimately ended his career was from repaving his mother's driveway himself. He could've easily paid someone else to do it, but it was his mother. You don't pay others to care for family, you do it yourself.
Can you imagine the numbers of volunteers who would have shown up to do it with/for him if they only knew? Would have been thousands.
For those that think Larry Bird was not as good as he really was. This comment is for those whom never had the chance to see him play.
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 off in his NBA career. Just think about 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
ONLY guy to have Player of the Year (college), Rookie of the Year, MVP, Coach of the Year and Exec of the Year. the ONLY one. only the third to have 3-peat MVPs, along with Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. now that's esteemed company.
and oh yeah...the only one to have all of that AND a gold medal.
The pass behind the back with the travel was a shout out to Magic who had just retired because of his HIV positive status. That’s the only reason he did it and that’s why the refs didn’t call it.
Stay safe and God bless always guys, there's still a lot of videos from Larry the legend Bird, a new follower from the Phillipines
At the end of 3 he had 27. In the 4th he switched to his right and ended the game with 47
Larry Bird was as tough as it gets. He has a video on his games he played injured as well. It’s ridiculous 👍
It's over an hour long, but please check out the 1992 Dream Team documentary here on TH-cam!! It's really a good documentary and it's amazing to see so many legends on one olympic team: Larry, Magic, Jordan, Pippen, Barkley, ect!!
Wanna se some good passing??? Check out "Larry Bird's 50 greatest assists". Very possibly the best passing small forward in the history of the NBA. If not the best, he's right up there. I'm enjoying the Bird reactions, please keep them coming as there are tons out there.
Bro, you definitely need to do the Jason Williams passing highlight tape. Nobody was as close to street ball as White Chocolate. In high school, he played with Randy Moss, so he had a teammate with great hands to catch his crazy passes. He has stated that helped build his confidence in his passing game early on.
After you’ve seen all of the videos of the wannabe goats, imho, the final convincing video of the GOAT is Larry’s passing video. Nuff said!
I agree he is definitely up there 🔥
Great video. If you can, A courtship of rivals is one of the best bird and magic documentaries out there
Watch Larry's greatest passes video and you will know why The Bird is the GOAT!
really enjoy your reactions. honest and not bias. I have watched these videos countless time. But will watch all your reactions and enjoy it yet again. Try one of his documentaries and learn how be got to what you are seeing. Thanks
He did bounce the ball but it’s kind of hidden, so it wasn’t a travel.
Hi, loved the reactions of yours so far, and there are a couple of videos about Larry's passing, one of them is a long video and may not have passes behind back exclusively but I know she will enjoy the heck out of it I really hope she becomes a Celtics fan, and I agree with you guys on the fact that NBA nowadays focus on individualism and not on team effort you got my like and subscription.
Enjoying your reactions, and he won the 3 point contest with his warm up jacket on. Who else does this???? LOL!
that play were it looked like bird was "traveling" was an illusion. if you watch it in slow motion and stay focused on the ball instead of his feet you can see he passed the ball to his teammate who immediately passed it back. it happened so fast you miss it unless you slow the video way down