I've been an NBA fan since the mid 70's and coached youth basketball for years. I never "encourage" 3's. If you're wide open and feel comfortable with a 3 at a given moment, then take it. My thing is working for the highest percentage shot possible. THAT is what wins games, not heaving 3's every other possession. Players who are good 3-point shooters don't impress me nearly as much as players who can wisely and methodically get a higher percentage shot themselves or finding a team mate in a better position to get a higher percentage shot. This is where Larry and Magic Johnson were GOATS. Nobody has ever come close to these two in this aspect of the game. This brilliant, high IQ player will win more games than the most athletic player will. I've seen it happen from youth league to the NBA over the decades to know it's true. This makes their team mates better players as well. This is what wins games AND championships. This type of mindset is nearly nonexistent today, which is sad. Great video. Thanks for posting.
I watch a lot of these reactions to Larry and other players and I must say L.T., you're one of the most intelligent guys I've seen who tries to analyze how these players fashioned their game. You really have a better understanding of the game than most guys I've seen.
One of the best reaction to Larry Bird. You point out exactly how smart he really is. A classic example of “ Knowing your own limitations “. He learned how to maximize his physical abilities.
It's good to see young cats appreciate true greatness and know what this dude was doing on the court. And what Larry means to the game today. Great reaction...
I’m telling you -for this guy to be so young, he has the insight to see things that I thought only older guys saw. I’m impressed. I also hope he keeps spreading the word of this era to the younger generations.
What makes Larry the G.O.A.T. is Larry strived to make his whole team better! He could have scored more points in a game, but he'd pass the ball to a teammate instead. ...from Wyoming USA 🇺🇸 🤠
I agree with you about his philosophy on shooting 3s. I think his approach was, "If you give me a wide open 3, I'll take it. If not, let me get in the lane and mix it up."
You're a good analyst, and brought up interesting insights on how the game then is different to how it is now, and how to focus on what's best for the team (being close to the bucket) instead of going out to attempt a three.
That video didn't include all of the times that he did dunk. One handed, two handed, and reverse one handed dunks. I believe most of that was before his back injury. So he could jump when younger and having a pain free game. Did Larry Bird ultimate mixtape shows that stuff. And some crazy passes as well.
It’s not a highlight video, it’s a breakdown. Sure he could dunk but that wasn’t his forte. That’s like showing a dunk highlight in a video for Chris Paul. He can dunk, and has dunked. But that wouldn’t make sense.
Good job on your analysis on how to play the game and use your skills to their utmost. Bird was my favorite player to watch because he seemed to do things that you had never seen before. Bird was an inspiration to many people that love the game and are not physically gifted. I was impressed with Bird because he seemed to be an over - achiever, he never quit on his team or the game no matter how bleak it may have appeared and he demanded the ball at the end of the game because he was so confident he could hit the game winning shot or make the correct play = something I think you cannot teach. Also Bird was a real example of how a collection of 5 guys that are good basketball players can beat 5 guys that are good athletes = by playing better basketball. And Bird made his teammates better not just by his overall skills but also by demonstrating time after time how to play the game and make good decisions. The Celtic's team of 85 and 86 ( they were also injury free) seemed to embody and pick up Bird's unselfish play by playing with Bird and seeing first hand through games and practices what good ball movement, good timing and 5 guys working together can accomplish. Anyone who doubts Bird ability to raise the play of those who are playing with him, can look to what Bird did at Indiana State. I do believe Bird is the best all around player we have ever seen. Thanks!
That debatable. Larry definitely cared about stats when it came to who he played against. He loved to challenge himself to hit certain marks against certain matchups. He didn’t particularly care about ACCUMULATED numbers, but you’d be a fool to think he just didn’t care about his level of production. Whenever bird felt like showing off, he would definitely set a mark and torch guys to try and beat it.
He did care about stats lol. He would always ask about what the scoring record in a building was. I'm sure he cared about winning most but pretending like stats did not matter to him is just fiction.
I have to disagree with you. Larry was all about stats! He said the first thing he would do every morning would be open the newspaper and see what Magic did the night before because he knew he had to do better. Also there are stories about when he was being taped up before a game he would have one of the assistants find out what the records were for games in that particular arena. Larry was all about winning…ALL about winning. And he did it the best. 🍀🐐
Bird at the RIM: This series on the greatest peaks look at pluses and minuses, so they are compared each skill to the ideal. I think he's accurate about Bird finishing at the rim. That's why we see so many circus shots with Bird flipping them up backward. If he had the option, I'm sure he would have gone for the high percentage dunk.......Bird working with what he had was one of the reason he's such a unique player, he had develop such creativity and the ability to work with just a little space to get his shot off.
Larry Bird was an all around player you got that right! The only thing Jordan has over him is his flashy dunks and speed. That doesn't even count when Bird can beat you in a second with his brain and skills. More impressive bec few players do that imo.
That’s definitely not the only thing jordan has over bird. Lol. Jordan was a better defender as well, and let’s not disrespect black players by doing what old white analyst used to do to use back in the day, insulting great black players intelligence by chalking their games to just being athletic. Jordan was just as high Iq as ANYONE. He read the game easy and naturally on both ends of the floor and is reknown for being one of the greatest bball minds of all time. He was NOT just some lucky freak athlete. He was extremely intelligent and arguably the most skilled player of all time. He was a fundamentally sound player by all metric. Never wasted a motion, from his footwork, to his jumper, to his handles, reading defenses, his positioning, his lighting quick reaction time. Etc. and that’s just jordan. There many players who fit that same bill of intelligence on that level. This is no indictment on bird at all. But ur sure asl not gonna do what u just attempted to do.
@SOUTHSIDE L.T. I love your basketball knowledge and how you dissect the reason for the lesser volume and you explain it brilliantly and how you see the game from regular to playoff season just shows your wisdom of paying the game great video
@@AyySolid no thank you for having the open mind to see why we all love Larry Legend but hearing someone young like yourself with so much understanding of the game and past Superstars is so refreshing
With as many scoring and passing highlights as Larry put up, a lot of people forget that he also averaged double digit rebounds for his career, even including the last years when his spine and ankles were wrecked. There's only been about 50 players all time who averaged double digit rebounds for their career, and most of them were centers.
Man you really know the game dude. Love it! The 3-pt analysis you gave was right on. Larry wasn't out to shoot 3s-he wanted the easiest shot for his team, whoever that may be. And yes, he would not be around the rebound on a miss. Nice analysis.
LT Pat Riley the coach for the Lakers said if I had to choose someone to take a shot to win a game I'd pick Michael Jordan if I had to choose someone take shot to save my life I would choose Larry Bird .
I'm watching this for the second time, and even having already seen it, I'm so impressed by, and appreciative of, your player's perspective-- and a smart player at that, which makes it even more fun to hear and understand. Thanks for adding so much value, with your reaction, to an already great video! Also, you should be a coach-- it's not just basketball though, but every endeavor, including life itself, that requires us to take inventory of our strengths and weaknesses in order to make the most of the former and diminish the effects of the latter. And I LOVE that you pointed out that doing that is not a concession to our inferiority or an admission of lack of talent-- it is, as you said, a kind of genius, to be able to see our strengths and non-strengths, and find creative, successful ways to maximize our performance as Bird did. Thanks for a really great, interesting, informative and exciting reaction!
I agree with you solid. Larry was smart enough to stay near the paint when he was up against tougher teams. I believe larry had reasons for his plays changing due to the opponents he he had to play against. Larry was a very smart player.
People these days don’t rank Bird as one of the top5 because today’s “basketball fans” define great as flashy. Those people are incredibly ignorant. Bird wasn’t high flying and flashy like Jordan etc….but what Bird WAS, is the SMARTEST, and the MOST COMPLETE basketball player to ever step on the court. Skill and intelligence = greatness and Larry Bird had both in quantities more than any other player. Ever.
Bird was definitely flashy. He was a flashy passer and loved to wow people and make them look stupid. If he had the athleticism to be flashy that way he would have been. But he was flashy with skill... no doubt about that
If a player is taking only 1 or 2 3's a game, you can't make any assumptions on their accuracy. That is no where near enough. In that era, if there was time on the clock the shot is going up. No running out the clock to save FG%. You have to question how many of these 1 or 2 3's a game were at the buzzer, the clock winding down, or just plain Hail Mary's. Today players shoot in rhythm with the 3-ball being the first option. That is a totally different mindset vs. taking the same 3-point shot in the 80's, or even 90's to an extent, when all plays ran were for a 2-point FG. It pisses me off when new-era brats try making apples to apples comparisons across eras with regards to the 3-ball.
not to mention in the 80s they played real defense. The foul taking Kurt Rambis out on a layup was just a personal foul. In today's no touch league, it would be a Congressional Investigation into the motivation, etc of the foul, suspension for games. Only a few of today's players could survive 1980-1990-especially in the Eastern Division. You are correct, cannot compare eras..but I know Bird would wipe up today with no defense being played.
The drop in 3s...vs a strong perimeter defense...is all about one mindset- for the TEAM to take the best shot available. A contested 3 is rarely the shot you WANT to take...unless absolutely necessary. And Larry always, always played for the best shot. It would be interesting to see if his ASSIST numbers increased as well.
People need to remember Bird had other great players on his team when playing great teams he new he needed his team to succeed thats why lower points against better teams
Here’s the way I look at it. As much as everyone used to say Larry is slow and Larry has no vertical and can’t jump, all this was a known fact by everyone in the league at that time. But the amazing thing about all this is the fact that nobody could guard Larry Bird even though he was slow and he couldn’t jump. Even in his later years when his back was all screwed up and after surgery on both achilles tendons, even then nobody could guard the legend. And the fact that he couldn’t jump and still averaged roughly right at double digits in rebounding for his career is amazing and shows just how tough he was.
Did I actually hear the narrator say that Bird wasn't a very good free-throw shooter? He averaged 88.6 in his career! And his 3-point average was %37.6 begining in the 1979-1980 seaon. His career point average was %49.6 and his career PPG.was 24.3. Bird's first coach, Bill Fitch, hated when players tried 3-point shots, so Larry only averaged 1 3-point shot in his first season. He only averaged about 2 attempts per game. Can you just imaging what his percentage would have been in today's game? Most likely about a 50.0 to 53.0 average.
When Larry got up at least 3 attempts in a season, he was a solid 40%3fg. Today, that would look closer to 44, 45%. This dude stepped into the first ever 3-point contest in the NBA and drained 11 in a row with next to no practice, even banking one in for sh1ts and giggles. Don't tell me he wouldn't be an elite level 3-point shooter today.
6:25 I agree. Analytics be damned. MJ later in his career and Bird used mid range to perfection. They mixed it up because of that too. Offensive boards with points or pass. 3 pt contests now make the games less entertaining too.
Great job Solid. I'm a bit biased being a Bulls fan, I HATED Larry Bird. We could never beat him - even with MJ. I was fortunate enough to have seen the NBA in it's heyday. The era of the Superstars, MJ, Kareem, Magic, Dominique, Clyde, Dr. J, Moses, Charles, Isaiah, Dream, etc. Know what? Larry Legend beat em' all. the only one on this list who can say that. He transformed a fledgling franchise into a Dynasty! In the G.O.A.T. conversation I still have MJ #1, Bird 1A.
The guy's criticism regarding layups and close shots is ticky tack. Unfortunately, I think one of the reasons some people don't think Larry was that great was that his forte wasn't powering over people and dunking on them. But as you correctly pointed out, Bird was so smart that he didn't have to. For too many people the game is all about the ability to reverse dunk from the free throw line. Wrong. The object of the game is to win..and Bird in his prime could beat you in more ways than anyone..including Michael Jordan.
Technically speaking, he didn’t beat guys in more ways than jordan considering jordan won more. Same with magic. But I understand what you’re saying. From and individual stand point he had more options. But I contest that if the ball goes in the basket, it doesn’t really matter how many ways u can do it.
That's what he means when he says he's not great at finishing lmao. Bird wasn't super long and couldn't finish through contact adeptly. However Thinking Basketball notes specifically Bird found ways around this by using angles and fakes.
Larry also shared the game with his teammates. It wasn’t a matter of feeding the ball to Bird and Bird taking every shot like it is for LeBron, like it was for Michael. If he had an opportunity to pass the ball and allow somebody else to get a basket, he was all about that. He was an ultimate TEAM player and it showed. The Celtics in the mid-80s were a team that is considered one of the greatest of all times.
@@nanook8721 That's what I was driving at when I said Bird could beat you in more ways than anyone. That would include making a key pass, rebound, steal, setting a great back pick. Whatever it took to win, Bird did it. And he always knew not only where to be on the floor to be the biggest advantage to his team, but where everyone else was all the time.
You make some great points about why Bird didn't take many three's in playoff games. They didn't have the three point line when Bird was in high-school or college. I think he's top 5 of all time, but I don't think he's number 1. That's Jordan no contest in my mind, but I respect your reasoning.
You putting down some wisdom. I believe you're right about why Bird didnt take as many 3's against good defensive teams. I disagre with the guy talking about Bird wasnt good at the free throw.
I feel Ben Taylor spends as much time criticizing Larry as praising him…his data point analysis is strange to me & I think he’s unduly harsh re: Larry’s layups. Larry made PLENTY of layups. But this vid wants to take one or two examples of missed layups & make that speak for ALL Larry’s layups-which it does NOT! Ben is a Jordan acolyte so his bias seeps into his analysis of any player that isn’t Jordan imo. Regardless, I agree with you that Larry is a better all around player than Jordan, and to ME, a well rounded player has a better GOAT claim than one or two dimensional player.
U are confused. Have u watched the jordan video? He criticized jordan all the same and did the same for EVERY player he makes videos on. If anything, the one player he favored most in this specific top 10 peak series was bill Walton Not MJ. And he’s using stats that showcase Larry’s finishing at the rim and plenty of game film to prove it, not just those two examples. Y’all think it’s supposed to Be a praise only video. It’s not about what to praise and what not. It’s a SCOUTING VIDEO ON HIS GAME. Go read a scouting report. This is what they sound like. There’s a pros list and a cons list. U do realize that this video was apart of a series showcases the 10 greatest peaks of all time right? He didn’t make this video just for kicks. That inclusion is the greatest compliment in itself.
@@TheIcemanthomas I actually DID watch the Jordan vid, and the Magic vid and the Bill Walton vid. I said what I said, and I’m entitled to say it. I don’t read scouting reports, why would I? That’s for sports nerds. I’m not a sports nerd, and I have NO SHAME for NOT BEING A SPORTS NERD. SO KEEP YOUR CONDESCENSION TO YOURSELF!! And FYI, I’m not so naïve to think an analysis only focuses on positives! As for it being an honor for Larry to be included….whatever “honor” is attached to being on this guys list, LARRY FULLY DESERVES. PFFT. 😒
Game on line it’s money, how many of this and that he couldn’t do didn’t matter to him. He was team player, and made everyone on the team good and players
Your NOT wrong, you r 110% right about why Larry and other players (especially in playoffs) took shots closer to basket! Look at MJ, Kobe, and even Lebron (not a fan!), the best shots when the money is on the line are as close to basket as possible. Why do you think Tim Duncan is 5-1 and not 6-0 in finals??? He was taken our of game and the Heat got a long rebound off a LeBron brick!!!!
Nearly as perfect a player as u can get. If he was just 1 small notch more athletic and durable, he’d be the goat no question. Imagine Larry birds game but just a lil more explosive. That’s would be unfair. Pretty much all of the small flaws he had would be nullified.
Value of High percentage shots used to matter that’s the difference. Teams are willing to live and die by the three now. When it works it’s great when it doesn’t it looks dumb as hell. Winning is winning don’t matter how you get there
Have you seen Bird's interview with Bill Simmons in its entirety? I did very recently. I would love to see your take on that conversation. Edit: this might be a long partial but it's what I saw and I still would love to see your reaction to it 👍 th-cam.com/video/USd3YagNFXY/w-d-xo.html
I still take Jordan over bird and magic. But bird and magic have to be in the top 5. The league didn’t shoot threes back then like now. Jordan shot a very low amount of threes then today’s game. So we just gotta realize that we can’t compare style of games.
Scoring average lower in playoffs than regular season. OVERRATED!! JUST LOOK AT THE EFFING STATS BEFORE HAVING A PISSING FIT. HIS SCORING ALWAYS DROPPED AGAINST TOP TIER DEFENSIVE TEAMS. REBOUNDING, ASSISTS, STEALS, AND BLOCKS INCREASED. THAT'S WHAT GOATS DO. THEY FIND A MILLION WAYS TO HURT YOUR TEAM It's not about JUST/ ONLY ABOUT SCORING!
You are a good analyst
Thankx it means a lot I’m still learning
I've been an NBA fan since the mid 70's and coached youth basketball for years. I never "encourage" 3's. If you're wide open and feel comfortable with a 3 at a given moment, then take it. My thing is working for the highest percentage shot possible. THAT is what wins games, not heaving 3's every other possession. Players who are good 3-point shooters don't impress me nearly as much as players who can wisely and methodically get a higher percentage shot themselves or finding a team mate in a better position to get a higher percentage shot. This is where Larry and Magic Johnson were GOATS. Nobody has ever come close to these two in this aspect of the game. This brilliant, high IQ player will win more games than the most athletic player will. I've seen it happen from youth league to the NBA over the decades to know it's true. This makes their team mates better players as well. This is what wins games AND championships. This type of mindset is nearly nonexistent today, which is sad. Great video. Thanks for posting.
Bird was unbelievable.
Greatest small forward ever 🍀
I watch a lot of these reactions to Larry and other players and I must say L.T., you're one of the most intelligent guys I've seen who tries to analyze how these players fashioned their game. You really have a better understanding of the game than most guys I've seen.
Thank you so much
One of the best reaction to Larry Bird. You point out exactly how smart he really is. A classic example of “ Knowing your own limitations “. He learned how to maximize his physical abilities.
It's good to see young cats appreciate true greatness and know what this dude was doing on the court. And what Larry means to the game today. Great reaction...
I’m telling you -for this guy to be so young, he has the insight to see things that I thought only older guys saw. I’m impressed. I also hope he keeps spreading the word of this era to the younger generations.
I will
Larry had such a motor. As a small forward he hit the boards so hard. I remember games early in his career when he had more rebounds than points.
What makes Larry the G.O.A.T. is Larry strived to make his whole team better! He could have scored more points in a game, but he'd pass the ball to a teammate instead. ...from Wyoming USA 🇺🇸 🤠
I agree with you about his philosophy on shooting 3s. I think his approach was, "If you give me a wide open 3, I'll take it. If not, let me get in the lane and mix it up."
You're a good analyst, and brought up interesting insights on how the game then is different to how it is now, and how to focus on what's best for the team (being close to the bucket) instead of going out to attempt a three.
That video didn't include all of the times that he did dunk. One handed, two handed, and reverse one handed dunks. I believe most of that was before his back injury. So he could jump when younger and having a pain free game. Did Larry Bird ultimate mixtape shows that stuff. And some crazy passes as well.
It’s not a highlight video, it’s a breakdown. Sure he could dunk but that wasn’t his forte. That’s like showing a dunk highlight in a video for Chris Paul. He can dunk, and has dunked. But that wouldn’t make sense.
I loved your commentary on the films. Good job
Thank you I appreciate it
Good job on your analysis on how to play the game and use your skills to their utmost. Bird was my favorite player to watch because he seemed to do things that you had never seen before. Bird was an inspiration to many people that love the game and are not physically gifted. I was impressed with Bird because he seemed to be an over - achiever, he never quit on his team or the game no matter how bleak it may have appeared and he demanded the ball at the end of the game because he was so confident he could hit the game winning shot or make the correct play = something I think you cannot teach. Also Bird was a real example of how a collection of 5 guys that are good basketball players can beat 5 guys that are good athletes = by playing better basketball. And Bird made his teammates better not just by his overall skills but also by demonstrating time after time how to play the game and make good decisions. The Celtic's team of 85 and 86 ( they were also injury free) seemed to embody and pick up Bird's unselfish play by playing with Bird and seeing first hand through games and practices what good ball movement, good timing and 5 guys working together can accomplish. Anyone who doubts Bird ability to raise the play of those who are playing with him, can look to what Bird did at Indiana State. I do believe Bird is the best all around player we have ever seen. Thanks!
The one quote I've always agreed with for Larry Bird is concerned it's getting in trouble give Larry the ball and get out of his way says it all
Yes..Larry was hopping..before the 3 pointer...he made lots of them...when it still only two...
Great reactions !!!!
Great analysis man,stay safe and God bless always, Bird is the smartest player
Larry did not care about stats. He just wanted to win. He passed a lot better and more strategic than anyone
That debatable. Larry definitely cared about stats when it came to who he played against. He loved to challenge himself to hit certain marks against certain matchups. He didn’t particularly care about ACCUMULATED numbers, but you’d be a fool to think he just didn’t care about his level of production. Whenever bird felt like showing off, he would definitely set a mark and torch guys to try and beat it.
He did care about stats lol. He would always ask about what the scoring record in a building was. I'm sure he cared about winning most but pretending like stats did not matter to him is just fiction.
I have to disagree with you. Larry was all about stats! He said the first thing he would do every morning would be open the newspaper and see what Magic did the night before because he knew he had to do better. Also there are stories about when he was being taped up before a game he would have one of the assistants find out what the records were for games in that particular arena. Larry was all about winning…ALL about winning. And he did it the best. 🍀🐐
Bird at the RIM: This series on the greatest peaks look at pluses and minuses, so they are compared each skill to the ideal. I think he's accurate about Bird finishing at the rim. That's why we see so many circus shots with Bird flipping them up backward. If he had the option, I'm sure he would have gone for the high percentage dunk.......Bird working with what he had was one of the reason he's such a unique player, he had develop such creativity and the ability to work with just a little space to get his shot off.
I've thought long n hard. No order necessary. Bird,MJ,DOMINIQUE,KOBE AND RUSSELL
Larry Bird was an all around player you got that right! The only thing Jordan has over him is his flashy dunks and speed. That doesn't even count when Bird can beat you in a second with his brain and skills. More impressive bec few players do that imo.
That’s definitely not the only thing jordan has over bird. Lol. Jordan was a better defender as well, and let’s not disrespect black players by doing what old white analyst used to do to use back in the day, insulting great black players intelligence by chalking their games to just being athletic. Jordan was just as high Iq as ANYONE. He read the game easy and naturally on both ends of the floor and is reknown for being one of the greatest bball minds of all time. He was NOT just some lucky freak athlete. He was extremely intelligent and arguably the most skilled player of all time. He was a fundamentally sound player by all metric. Never wasted a motion, from his footwork, to his jumper, to his handles, reading defenses, his positioning, his lighting quick reaction time. Etc. and that’s just jordan. There many players who fit that same bill of intelligence on that level. This is no indictment on bird at all. But ur sure asl not gonna do what u just attempted to do.
@@TheIcemanthomas Bird NBA defensive rating: 63rd
Jordan NBA defensive rating: 112th
Jordan said it himself. If Boston didn't want to get beat, you couldn't beat them no matter what team you were.
🙄
Bird averaged double digit rebounds, so yes, that was a concern, especially in big games. Spot on.
@SOUTHSIDE L.T. I love your basketball knowledge and how you dissect the reason for the lesser volume and you explain it brilliantly and how you see the game from regular to playoff season just shows your wisdom of paying the game great video
Thank you that means a lot just a student of the game
@@AyySolid no thank you for having the open mind to see why we all love Larry Legend but hearing someone young like yourself with so much understanding of the game and past Superstars is so refreshing
Totally agree with you. MJ greatest athlete, Bird greatest all around.
Your comment earlier in the video about Bird taking less 3 point shots in the playoffs is spot on 👍
Ur right LT that's y Larry Bird is a basketball genius
I love your comments about mr. Bird the way you put respect on his name! Try his compilation tapes
I wonder if Larry and Magic , like Bob cousy had extra good peripheral vision? That would partly explain their court vision
With as many scoring and passing highlights as Larry put up, a lot of people forget that he also averaged double digit rebounds for his career, even including the last years when his spine and ankles were wrecked. There's only been about 50 players all time who averaged double digit rebounds for their career, and most of them were centers.
Man you really know the game dude. Love it! The 3-pt analysis you gave was right on. Larry wasn't out to shoot 3s-he wanted the easiest shot for his team, whoever that may be. And yes, he would not be around the rebound on a miss. Nice analysis.
LT Pat Riley the coach for the Lakers said if I had to choose someone to take a shot to win a game I'd pick Michael Jordan if I had to choose someone take shot to save my life I would choose Larry Bird .
I agree a thousand percent
Great reaction man!! Keep it on! You're talented. Great job.
I totally agree with you LARRY LEGEND WAS THE BEST OVERALL BASKETBALL PLAYER EVER
I'm watching this for the second time, and even having already seen it, I'm so impressed by, and appreciative of, your player's perspective-- and a smart player at that, which makes it even more fun to hear and understand. Thanks for adding so much value, with your reaction, to an already great video!
Also, you should be a coach-- it's not just basketball though, but every endeavor, including life itself, that requires us to take inventory of our strengths and weaknesses in order to make the most of the former and diminish the effects of the latter. And I LOVE that you pointed out that doing that is not a concession to our inferiority or an admission of lack of talent-- it is, as you said, a kind of genius, to be able to see our strengths and non-strengths, and find creative, successful ways to maximize our performance as Bird did.
Thanks for a really great, interesting, informative and exciting reaction!
GREAT REACTION.
Loved your opinions on his game.....you are absolutely 💯 % correct. ❤️
Bird told the coach and team to give him the ball and get out of the way to win the game.
I agree with you solid. Larry was smart enough to stay near the paint when he was up against tougher teams. I believe larry had reasons for his plays changing due to the opponents he he had to play against. Larry was a very smart player.
Bird IS THE GOAT. Good video and commentary.
People these days don’t rank Bird as one of the top5 because today’s “basketball fans” define great as flashy. Those people are incredibly ignorant. Bird wasn’t high flying and flashy like Jordan etc….but what Bird WAS, is the SMARTEST, and the MOST COMPLETE basketball player to ever step on the court. Skill and intelligence = greatness and Larry Bird had both in quantities more than any other player. Ever.
I’d say Tim Duncan nearly matches him in skill and intelligence but bird is a more skilled player of course.
Bird was definitely flashy. He was a flashy passer and loved to wow people and make them look stupid. If he had the athleticism to be flashy that way he would have been. But he was flashy with skill... no doubt about that
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
If a player is taking only 1 or 2 3's a game, you can't make any assumptions on their accuracy. That is no where near enough. In that era, if there was time on the clock the shot is going up. No running out the clock to save FG%. You have to question how many of these 1 or 2 3's a game were at the buzzer, the clock winding down, or just plain Hail Mary's. Today players shoot in rhythm with the 3-ball being the first option. That is a totally different mindset vs. taking the same 3-point shot in the 80's, or even 90's to an extent, when all plays ran were for a 2-point FG. It pisses me off when new-era brats try making apples to apples comparisons across eras with regards to the 3-ball.
not to mention in the 80s they played real defense. The foul taking Kurt Rambis out on a layup was just a personal foul. In today's no touch league, it would be a Congressional Investigation into the motivation, etc of the foul, suspension for games. Only a few of today's players could survive 1980-1990-especially in the Eastern Division. You are correct, cannot compare eras..but I know Bird would wipe up today with no defense being played.
The drop in 3s...vs a strong perimeter defense...is all about one mindset- for the TEAM to take the best shot available. A contested 3 is rarely the shot you WANT to take...unless absolutely necessary. And Larry always, always played for the best shot. It would be interesting to see if his ASSIST numbers increased as well.
Your breakdown is maybe best ive ever heard. Real talk
Really like your videos !
You know your basketball !
Thank you I notice I have a gift for the game
Nearly as perfect as u can get as a player. If he was any more explosive, and durable that man would’ve absolutely been the goat.
Larry,no question the greatest Al around player to play the game. He would be one of the starting five of all time .
I hope you do one for Magic, too.
6:07 I agree. sticking with mid-range max and not firing constant 3s is just smart risk management.
Not a basketball fan, and love the Larry videos, and you know your shit. Thanks for the insight and teachings.
Your right, his double digit rebounds verifies that, the 3 comes into play with game on the line.
Again great analysis love your reactions
Great react! Love your insight of the game!
Nice job young man.. Respect
Yes he is Great I'm 70 seen him alone but have you seen Pete Maravich in the late 60s way ahead of his time. Have a good Day
Awesome commentary, L.T. I learned a lot about other aspect of the game I never thought about. Thanks!
GOOD job SSLT'
Thank you
People need to remember Bird had other great players on his team when playing great teams he new he needed his team to succeed thats why lower points against better teams
Hey, thank you now I know why larry didn't take so many 3s
You have a great iq as well
Here’s the way I look at it. As much as everyone used to say Larry is slow and Larry has no vertical and can’t jump, all this was a known fact by everyone in the league at that time. But the amazing thing about all this is the fact that nobody could guard Larry Bird even though he was slow and he couldn’t jump. Even in his later years when his back was all screwed up and after surgery on both achilles tendons, even then nobody could guard the legend. And the fact that he couldn’t jump and still averaged roughly right at double digits in rebounding for his career is amazing and shows just how tough he was.
Your right about the 3 point in high school and college he was told not to take them back I just watched a documentary about him👍🐐☘️
I think the 3 point line was added his rookie pro year (ie after HS and college)
It's what he did without the ball in his hands that made him the GOAT
Did I actually hear the narrator say that Bird wasn't a very good free-throw shooter? He averaged 88.6 in his career! And his 3-point average was %37.6 begining in the 1979-1980 seaon. His career point average was %49.6 and his career PPG.was 24.3. Bird's first coach, Bill Fitch, hated when players tried 3-point shots, so Larry only averaged 1 3-point shot in his first season. He only averaged about 2 attempts per game. Can you just imaging what his percentage would have been in today's game? Most likely about a
50.0 to 53.0 average.
When Larry got up at least 3 attempts in a season, he was a solid 40%3fg. Today, that would look closer to 44, 45%. This dude stepped into the first ever 3-point contest in the NBA and drained 11 in a row with next to no practice, even banking one in for sh1ts and giggles. Don't tell me he wouldn't be an elite level 3-point shooter today.
He didn’t say that at all
The game was played in the paint. He used the 3 as a dagger and game winner's
good commentary
6:25 I agree. Analytics be damned. MJ later in his career and Bird used mid range to perfection. They mixed it up because of that too. Offensive boards with points or pass. 3 pt contests now make the games less entertaining too.
He did all that with his bad back.
Great job Solid. I'm a bit biased being a Bulls fan, I HATED Larry Bird. We could never beat him - even with MJ. I was fortunate enough to have seen the NBA in it's heyday. The era of the Superstars, MJ, Kareem, Magic, Dominique, Clyde, Dr. J, Moses, Charles, Isaiah, Dream, etc. Know what? Larry Legend beat em' all. the only one on this list who can say that. He transformed a fledgling franchise into a Dynasty! In the G.O.A.T. conversation I still have MJ #1, Bird 1A.
@SOUTHSIDE L.T., I really enjoy your analysis. Have you ever coached kids? You should really consider it if you haven't.
I been thinking about it
They asked Antoine Walker why he took so many 3's. He said "cuz there ain't no 4's"
Jordan learned how to out think the because of Bird period
3 pt line was his NBA rookie season
The guy's criticism regarding layups and close shots is ticky tack. Unfortunately, I think one of the reasons some people don't think Larry was that great was that his forte wasn't powering over people and dunking on them. But as you correctly pointed out, Bird was so smart that he didn't have to. For too many people the game is all about the ability to reverse dunk from the free throw line. Wrong. The object of the game is to win..and Bird in his prime could beat you in more ways than anyone..including Michael Jordan.
Technically speaking, he didn’t beat guys in more ways than jordan considering jordan won more. Same with magic. But I understand what you’re saying. From and individual stand point he had more options. But I contest that if the ball goes in the basket, it doesn’t really matter how many ways u can do it.
That's what he means when he says he's not great at finishing lmao. Bird wasn't super long and couldn't finish through contact adeptly. However Thinking Basketball notes specifically Bird found ways around this by using angles and fakes.
Larry also shared the game with his teammates. It wasn’t a matter of feeding the ball to Bird and Bird taking every shot like it is for LeBron, like it was for Michael. If he had an opportunity to pass the ball and allow somebody else to get a basket, he was all about that. He was an ultimate TEAM player and it showed. The Celtics in the mid-80s were a team that is considered one of the greatest of all times.
@@nanook8721 That's what I was driving at when I said Bird could beat you in more ways than anyone. That would include making a key pass, rebound, steal, setting a great back pick. Whatever it took to win, Bird did it. And he always knew not only where to be on the floor to be the biggest advantage to his team, but where everyone else was all the time.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
“How big is Larry’s WING span.”
What a wonderful unsuspecting pun.😬 Bird= WING span…
He got his rings before his injuries he injured his back real bad if he didn’t he would have just as many rings as magic
You make some great points about why Bird didn't take many three's in playoff games. They didn't have the three point line when Bird was in high-school or college. I think he's top 5 of all time, but I don't think he's number 1. That's Jordan no contest in my mind, but I respect your reasoning.
Bird once said games are won in the paint. In that era, he was right.
Jordan will amaze you....
Legend will embarass you....
You putting down some wisdom. I believe you're right about why Bird didnt take as many 3's against good defensive teams. I disagre with the guy talking about Bird wasnt good at the free throw.
They added the 3 point line the same season he started his NBA career. So he didn't have one to practice from in high school or college.
You make some very good points, but with all due respect if you thought about it I’m sure Larry thought about it also!
I feel Ben Taylor spends as much time criticizing Larry as praising him…his data point analysis is strange to me & I think he’s unduly harsh re: Larry’s layups. Larry made PLENTY of layups. But this vid wants to take one or two examples of missed layups & make that speak for ALL Larry’s layups-which it does NOT! Ben is a Jordan acolyte so his bias seeps into his analysis of any player that isn’t Jordan imo.
Regardless, I agree with you that Larry is a better all around player than Jordan, and to ME, a well rounded player has a better GOAT claim than one or two dimensional player.
U are confused. Have u watched the jordan video? He criticized jordan all the same and did the same for EVERY player he makes videos on. If anything, the one player he favored most in this specific top 10 peak series was bill Walton Not MJ. And he’s using stats that showcase Larry’s finishing at the rim and plenty of game film to prove it, not just those two examples. Y’all think it’s supposed to
Be a praise only video. It’s not about what to praise and what not. It’s a SCOUTING VIDEO ON HIS GAME. Go read a scouting report. This is what they sound like. There’s a pros list and a cons list. U do realize that this video was apart of a series showcases the 10 greatest peaks of all time right? He didn’t make this video just for kicks. That inclusion is the greatest compliment in itself.
@@TheIcemanthomas
I actually DID watch the Jordan vid, and the Magic vid and the Bill Walton vid. I said what I said, and I’m entitled to say it.
I don’t read scouting reports, why would I? That’s for sports nerds. I’m not a sports nerd, and I have NO SHAME for NOT BEING A SPORTS NERD. SO KEEP YOUR CONDESCENSION TO YOURSELF!!
And FYI, I’m not so naïve to think an analysis only focuses on positives!
As for it being an honor for Larry to be included….whatever “honor” is attached to being on this guys list, LARRY FULLY DESERVES.
PFFT. 😒
@@irishgrl you said it all Irish…💯!
not a thumps down thats ODD but NOT 4 lARRY LEGEND'
Like Dr. J once said, Bird is a basketball genius. Larry was not a rocket scientist except in the game of basketball.
Game on line it’s money, how many of this and that he couldn’t do didn’t matter to him. He was team player, and made everyone on the team good and players
Your NOT wrong, you r 110% right about why Larry and other players (especially in playoffs) took shots closer to basket! Look at MJ, Kobe, and even Lebron (not a fan!), the best shots when the money is on the line are as close to basket as possible. Why do you think Tim Duncan is 5-1 and not 6-0 in finals??? He was taken our of game and the Heat got a long rebound off a LeBron brick!!!!
You not getting the bird man I love your vids ....we not traditing him for no one hahaha lol
Nearly as perfect a player as u can get. If he was just 1 small notch more athletic and durable, he’d be the goat no question. Imagine Larry birds game but just a lil more explosive. That’s would be unfair. Pretty much all of the small flaws he had would be nullified.
LJB wanted to make his teammates great also.
Value of High percentage shots used to matter that’s the difference. Teams are willing to live and die by the three now. When it works it’s great when it doesn’t it looks dumb as hell. Winning is winning don’t matter how you get there
Where you going lolhaha 😂
The Celtics were the best half court team in the league during that era, they pounded you into submission inside. Threes just weren't in the mindset.
Magic was not a great jumper or quick as well. Look what he did. Larry and magic used their minds
Magic definitely was pretty quick.
Have you seen Bird's interview with Bill Simmons in its entirety? I did very recently. I would love to see your take on that conversation.
Edit: this might be a long partial but it's what I saw and I still would love to see your reaction to it 👍
th-cam.com/video/USd3YagNFXY/w-d-xo.html
No
@@AyySolid No, you haven't seen it? Or no, you won't react to it? Or both?😕
In any case, I really enjoyed your reaction to this video.
The reason Larry can't jump is because God wanted to make it fair
I love that
Bird had a 28 inch vertical, which is the same as Moses Malone, and exactly the league average,
I heard larry refined his rebounding from learning from Moses in the intense Philadelphia - Boston games
I still take Jordan over bird and magic. But bird and magic have to be in the top 5. The league didn’t shoot threes back then like now. Jordan shot a very low amount of threes then today’s game. So we just gotta realize that we can’t compare style of games.
This narrator is a Bird hater and doesn't know basketball. Must love LeBron
His freethrow rate was never great!!!???? Who is this guy??? He averaged 90% or better from the freethrow.
Scoring average lower in playoffs than regular season.
OVERRATED!!
JUST LOOK AT THE EFFING STATS BEFORE HAVING A PISSING FIT.
HIS SCORING ALWAYS DROPPED AGAINST TOP TIER DEFENSIVE TEAMS.
REBOUNDING, ASSISTS, STEALS, AND BLOCKS INCREASED.
THAT'S WHAT GOATS DO.
THEY FIND A MILLION WAYS TO HURT YOUR TEAM
It's not about JUST/ ONLY ABOUT SCORING!
Larry,no question the greatest Al around player to play the game. He would be one of the starting five of all time .