I was a Pistons fan in the 80s and got to see Bird and Magic in their prime. I remember the 1979 NCAA final-I’m from Michigan. That’s when it all started. Great channel. Your videos bring me back to my youth. Love your channel.
Beautiful close, I was truly one of those lucky ones, living and breathing Celtics from the beginning to end of Larry's career during my life in Boston.
Lived in Boston at the time, and had access to a season pass with the seat right behind the Celtics bench. Simply incredible to see the games live, and especially listening to Larry crank guys tail all game long. Best entertainment you could ever get a ticket for!
Very well said man. I did get to watch Larry in the 80’s but I hated his guts because he was so good and only rooted for him on a couple of occasions against the Lakers. Fast forward 40 years and one night I fell down a rabbit hole, a Larry Bird and 80’s basketball rabbit hole and watched games, documentaries, highlights, read books, and came away feeling the same way you do. How was I so blind? Well I was a kid and a Bulls fan. Anyway, no back injury and Len lives and Larry’s probably the goat. It is what it is ❤
Well put! Same here. I couldn’t see past Jordan in the late 80’s and the 90’s. And for good reason. No one like Air Jordan. But knowing the inside scoop from other players paints a different picture. Bird brought the fear of the Lord 😄 He’s been so underrated in mainstream media in the 2,000’s that it kinda proves the whole “fake news” thing 🤔
Healthy Larry, living Len and living Reggie....that early-mid 80's Celtics juggernaut would've transformed and steamrolled the rest of the NBA into the mid-late 90's. No doubt about it the MJ is the goat, but I find it hard to believe that he would've amassed 6 championships if the Celtics scenario unfolded differently as described above. Those of you who dont know Len, dont understand what was about to happen in the NBA when the Celtics drafted their 2nd franchise changing LB in 1986. The 86 Celtics team was a beast. And then they drafted Bias with the #2 pick that year that they basically stole from the Sonics!!?!? But it was such an unfortunate event when Len passed away just days after the draft. Len had the physical abilities on par with MJ. Would he have developed the killer instinct that MJ had??...idk. Probably not when you consider since the 80's, I've only seen 3 people who had that killer mentality and refused to lose ---> MJ, Larry & Kobe (Theres not and other player who's on the level of those 3 players). But even if he didn't have that same unrelenting drive to win, the guy was a beast on the court.
I saw Larry a couple times in college against Wichita State, even as a 10yr old kid it was obvious how special he was. His fundamental abilities changed my approach to the game and really paid off as I grew up.
Hi dear Sean, i am Alex from Milano,born 1972 . I have never seen Larry playing live because i have never been in the US. But i watched him a lot on TV. I don't have the proper adjective for this man because it doesn't exist ,He was too great. Ciao Sean, thank's very much for your videos.
I was born on February the 28th, 1977, and I got to see Larry Bird in his prime! And he was one of my childhood heroes! Huge shoutout to the Legendary Larry Bird!
I saw all of Larry Legend's prime and when I first saw Bird, it was obvious that he was the best all-around player I had ever seen. I first started watching Larry at Indiana St and Bird was doing it all in college - passing, scoring from anywhere on the court, and he was an excellent rebounder, especially for somebody that couldn't jump high. Bird was also the most clutch forward I had ever seen so I instantly became a Larry Bird fan.
I saw Larry Bird's entire career and, in my opinion, he's the best all-around player I've ever seen. There were better scorers, better passers, and better rebounders but Larry Legend could do it all at a high level better than any other player. Plus Bird was clutch.
Thank you for another great vid, and fortunately I did get to see a lot of Larry in his prime, and it was the prime for the nba in my personal opinion.
I was lucky enough to grow up right outside Boston and watch the 80s Celtics on TV on a regular basis. Larry Legends impact on the team was immediate and special, every game would be a “what is he gonna do tonite”
I’m in my 70s and followed both the Celtics and the Lakers back in the 1980s and early 1990s. Im grateful for your work, providing these videos. I respect your understanding of and appreciation for the pre-Jordan NBA. Thanks.
I trash talked Larry Bird once. He looked at me, turned me into a one inch version of myself by pure will and put me in his pocket and proceed to score 45ppg over the season and then took me out of his pocket at the end and said "I just wanted to make sure you had a front row seat". I made sure never to talk trash to Larry Bird ever again.
I grew up on the south shore of Massachusetts and I got to see Bird play all the time. My first Celt game had the lineup of Parrish, Bird, McHale, 'Tiny' and coming off the bench, 'Pistol' Pete Maravich. Years later, during one of their championship parades through Boston, I was visiting a ailing relatives (car accident) at a hospital along the route. I was so deep in thought thinking about my relatives in the hospital that I was unaware that the parade stopped so people could walk to the hospital entrance nearby. I walked in front of the car that Bird was standing in, I looked to my right and he was watching me pass. Bird looked at me and gave me a thumbs up. That meant the world to the 18 year old me at the time. He has and will always be LEGEND to me.
I went to college at OCC in Indiana, my coach was a friend of Larry Bird. He always spent time with Larry each summer. The team got to spend time with Larry and the others before the game with Indiana. It was a great experience for us all. He was a great person. Thanks Larry.
Bird hurt my feelings as a kid in the 80s as a Houston Rockets fan with Hakeem. In the finals it looked like Bird would never miss a shot and killed my team. 😂😂
I watched his whole career, and every game you knew that he was going to be special, and with that knowledge it made it even better. One of the best to play the game, and I was blessed to have seen him live.
I grew up in Detroit and saw Magic play from when he was in tenth grade. Went to MSU after the NCAA championship came away a huge Bird fan / simply amazing
My father was in the mililtary and he was stationed in Germany from 86-93. I do remember how difficult it was to watch the NBA when we lived off base- the games, when shown, were often 2 or 3 weeks old. Still I was just happy to watch basketball. Nowadays, with streaming, we are spoiled. Oh yeah- love Larry Bird.
I was born in 59 And got to see a lot of old great players. Love Bird but growing up in Chicago I was a die hard Cubs fan and then when MJ came to Chicago I watched him every chance I got because you knew something incredible could happen. And a lot of times it did.
It never gets old watching Larry Bird and the others telling their stories. Larry Bird had an instructional video and I practiced every day. I was a 95 percent free throw shooter. I would love to meet him one time. He is the only person I would be star struck. I have a ton of respect for him. And I liked other players.
Sean, I also have your two faves, but my order is reversed! I absolutely love your videos, and the fact that you do so many Larry videos is just the BEST!!
Don't feel bad. When I was like 2 years old, they opened a basketball court at my elementary school or the elementary I would go to. It was Cunnigham elementary school. They had prizes raffles everything. My mom took me and my older there. I don't know how they pulled this off, but they had three NBA players come to this event. The players were Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. I'm 2 years old at this point and I don't know who these players are until years later. My mom ended getting Magic Johnson autograph in her small phone book address book she carried.
I remember the McDonald's commercial with Bird and Jordan from 1993 when I lived in the states with my family as a 12 year old boy. Not knowing much about the NBA, I never quiet understood why Bird was included (Jordan I knew). But having the pleasure now some 30 years later to discover the Hick from French lick, I understand why this man is so greatly loved. Bird (and Magic) - my absolute heroes in the world of sports.
Born in 82, but my grandmother was chair of volunteer services for red cross in Boston and was a huge sports nut, she got to interact with some of the Boston teams players and organizations. I used to spend weeks at her place and would sleep on the floor in her bedroom while she watched the Celtics. I was watching the late 80s Celtics as a 5 year old and it stuck with me, but I never witnessed them winning it all at a young age because I don't have any memory of the 1986 season, but I do remember 1987 and the playoffs against the pistons because my grandmother was yelling at the TV about Laimbeer
You can add watching and witnessing the golden era of basketball to growing up in generation X. Saw my first Knicks game in 1978 at the age of 8. I played both intramural and CYO, so watching the Boston Celtics best teams I watched the best passing team, when you thought the shot was going up then another pass for an easier score.
At least, you see the difference between Bird and those self claim GOAT even if you haven't watched those games in 80s. Many people don't understand how flawless Bird has been as a player, leader, coach & executive. You can only say he doesn't have the leaping ability and quickness but he proved just his smarts and hustle and deadly shot can beat anyone.
I got to see the great Celtics, Lakers, Pistons and Rockets teams of the 80's. I missed a lot of great matchups in the 90's, but I get to catch a few playoff matchups.
I was born in 1970;and I always say I feel sorry for real basketball fans that didn't get to witness 80's and 90"s bball,:: watching bird 🐦 was like your best concert,your favorite movie and your best Christmas morning as a kid #LB33 🏀🐦🔥
Always appreciated your hard Work Shaun. Hopefully that's correct spelling of your name?? I was born in 65 and Larry Bird was my favorite Player and I always played with the Heart of Larry Bird and actually had the Basketball coach come over to me after Gym class and asked me if I'd join the team!!! Man that was special for me and they saw my effort and hustling around making plays but I couldn't shoot the Ball 🏀 like that of Larry Bird but nobody else could shoot the outside Shots better than Larry Bird!!!
I did get to watch Bird.Of course we had no idea what he was saying but he never gave up. Before he hurt his back the Celts always looked like they were having the best time. They were very loose during the regular season games. Larry never was afraid to make a crazy pass or to take an impossible looking shot if he thought he needed to but most of the time it was just great team work.
Larry played with so many fundamentals of the game.. he was just so well rounded.. he couldn't dunk like so many others but he played the game different.. just different. If he had stayed healthy.. can't imagine the accomplishments. His career was truly cut short. I'm not gonna say he was the best ever.. but he's up there in the mix.
Born in 1965 in Ohio and lived in Ohio all my life. But the day I first heard about Larry Bird was his numbers and his Stats were Amazing and then I seen him playing. And he was different from everyone else and played on a different level from everyone else. Taught me using my off hard have a lot of benefits and I used to my advantage. Thanks Larry Bird G.O.A.T. don't care about flashy highlights just someone who wants to WIN EVERY GAME!!! That's Me As Well!!! Larry Bird, AKA Larry Legend!!!
I think the thing that separates Bird from most players playing today was that he knows how to play. Part of the problem with today's players is they depend on athleticism instead of basketball intelligence. And social media hypes that kind of stuff up. But no matter the era, Larry Bird is one of the all time greats.
My dad lived in Boston from 1978 until he passed this year. I used to go visit him often and became a huge Celtics and Bird fan. I got to see probably half the games he ever played. The skill set he possessed was 2nd to none. If he had the athleticism of Lebron the man would have averaged 50/20/10 and be the hands down best player who ever lived. Even so, I take him as the best SF of all time. I also have lived in Chicago my entire life and didn't miss a Bulls game for 7 years. I saw every game Jordan ever played with the exception of maybe 20 total games. I consider myself incredibly lucky.
I was 14 when the famous Bird/Magic NCAA game was played. I have to say, the next ten years of NBA basketball was something special. It seemed as if every Sunday it was, get ready all your chores done in the morning, Celtics/Lakers are on. As time has gone by, with the changes to the rules, I've just lost interest in watching. But man, the 80's and 90's were something special!!!
Larry Bird is underrated, he should be ranked higher than he gets ranked, if your picking teams with players in there prime I am taking him in the top 4 picks!! Also I always have him and Magic right next to each other!!
My goat is MJ My favorite player ever is Bird. Edit: Coming back into that game after breaking his face and still getting 30+ after missing all that time. Respect!
I was lucky enough to see him in his prime several times a year live at the old crazy Boston Gahden. He would absolutely destroy any player alive in today’s no touch NBA.
I grew up on Bird and Magic (hated magic until I actually became a player, then I loved em both!). Saw them beat up on MJ for six years and then it was MJs turn to dominate. I've said it before, I'll say it again... best three players ever are Bird, Magic, and Jordan. Put those in any order and I feel you're correct! 🙂
Shaun, if you don't mind saying, when did you leave Germany? I left in Dec 85 when I left the Air Force. In Northern Germany where I was stationed we only had German TV Stations, so no AFRTS or any way of watching any American sports teams.
I was born in the 1960's. I remember vividly being kind of sick of the Laker/Celtics finals all the time in the 1980's. We'd be partying in a bar and roll our eyes that those two teams were playing again on the TV's. Kind of like being sick of the 49er's in the 1980's. I watched lots of those Celtic/laker games and didn't realize the greatness of Bird or Magic at the time. Now, I watch one of my favorite players today (Luka) with much more appreciation of his greatness. Luka is like Bird. A big white player who is not terribly athletic or quick compared to the vast majority of the NBA players. Yet, with Luka's basketball IQ and his basketball fundamentals, he dominates much more athletic players. He has the same killer mentality as Jordan. Being older now, I'm just soaking up Luka's greatness and appreciating that Luka and all the other all time greats like Jordan, Bird and Magic are not common. How many big name basketball superstars from the 1980's and 90's are even talked about anymore. Only the greatest of the greats are revered and talked about decades after they last played. Luka will be one of them.
I like your attitude. Consistently. And you speak frankly. Funny thing about "favorite". I just can't land on MJ (and forget LJ) as "favorite". I think of how happy and excited I would get by Bird, Magic, J, Pistol, or Wilt - but I don't get that kind of arousal from MJ. I would just get giddy by Calvin Murphy getting the toss then nailing it; but oddly not MJ!
NBA in germany was just not possible. There was Inside NBA on german sports channel with only sumups. Occasionally mid night live games, when you could not watch as a kid. Missed the same years of Bird and Magic, glad to see MJ and Kobe.
Larry The LEGEND!! If I had to choose a player. to take a shot to save a game, I choose Michael Jordan. If I had to choose a player to take a shot. to save my life, I'd take Larry Bird - The Great Pat Riley
You say you want to teach the younger folks, I'm 30, I'm not really that young but I'm definitely too young to be have been able to see Larry Bird play. I have still seen enough and know enough about him to have him as the greatest small forward of all-time over LeBron and I'm dying on the hill with that.
MJ and Larry tie for the GOAT.... If you lived during that era, you know....Mike was Mike...Larry was good beyond words...All the newby's who think Lebone is even in the conversation, should put the thai stik down....
I was lucky enough to have watched Bird in real time, along with Magic. And it is difficult for folks not old enough to have experienced this, similar to those who have no idea how big and how good The Beatles were in the their prime years. Bird was The Man, especially from 1983-1987, he was a big deal not only in basketball, but outside of basketball fandom, people knew who he was. And this was before the internet, social media, cell phones, etc. He wasn't just some white guy who can play, he was the best player in the NBA. (sorry Magic). Yes, Jordan became a bigger star, but for those first several years when their careers intersected, Jordan was playing 2nd fiddle to Bird as far as dominance and play. I stopped watching the NBA several years ago, it became too annoying to watch mediocre play and attitude. And I have been a fan since the 1970s. But Bird's time in the NBA was by far the most rewarding. He was one-of-a-kind and a winner, not too many of these types show up in history.
I was born and raised a Laker fan in LA my dads favorite player was Jerry west the logo I grew up watching Kareem worthy and magic I’m not an internet Laker fan I’m a native Californian that watched magic play bird and Jordan at the forum if watch mike and Larry shit on the clippers just for fun too but I hate the clippers but that’s another story the lakers Celtics rivalry is what made the nba interesting in the the 60s and Larry and magic made basketball a mainstream bankable sport they played the playoffs on what was called time delay so they came on at 10:15 in LA and I had to got to school and I missed the games till magic made it must see tv my childhood was Larry vs magic on CBS and someone was going to start a fight then we had Chicago who I hated then Kobe and Shaq brought greatness back to the nba la paired the best small with the best big and won championships now small ball has dropped ratings and made USA basketball look bad because they don’t use their size birds teams were huge and were. Balance not 3 happy even though they had shooters that’s the mold todays nba should emulate
Larry Bird is GOAT of Thrash Talking, and one of the greatest and smartest basketball players of all time
Larry is a top 5 pure skill player of all time and would average 30+ easy in today’s NBA. 💪💪💪
-- don't tell that to AntMan even though Bird averaged 50-40-90 for four seasons scoring 26-29ppg -- despite riding covered wagons between games.
I was a Pistons fan in the 80s and got to see Bird and Magic in their prime. I remember the 1979 NCAA final-I’m from Michigan. That’s when it all started. Great channel. Your videos bring me back to my youth. Love your channel.
So, you aren’t a Piston’s fan anymore?
Dude got wiser@@MrWoodstar1
@@MrWoodstar1Sorry, there is no NBA anymore. All prima Donna's.
It’s a shame it can’t bring back those days of actual basketball.
Best era of that league!!!
Beautiful close, I was truly one of those lucky ones, living and breathing Celtics from the beginning to end of Larry's career during my life in Boston.
😮 Me too, Celtics fan in Chicagoland back then!
Lived in Boston at the time, and had access to a season pass with the seat right behind the Celtics bench. Simply incredible to see the games live, and especially listening to Larry crank guys tail all game long. Best entertainment you could ever get a ticket for!
Very well said man. I did get to watch Larry in the 80’s but I hated his guts because he was so good and only rooted for him on a couple of occasions against the Lakers.
Fast forward 40 years and one night I fell down a rabbit hole, a Larry Bird and 80’s basketball rabbit hole and watched games, documentaries, highlights, read books, and came away feeling the same way you do. How was I so blind? Well I was a kid and a Bulls fan.
Anyway, no back injury and Len lives and Larry’s probably the goat. It is what it is ❤
Well put! Same here. I couldn’t see past Jordan in the late 80’s and the 90’s. And for good reason. No one like Air Jordan. But knowing the inside scoop from other players paints a different picture. Bird brought the fear of the Lord 😄 He’s been so underrated in mainstream media in the 2,000’s that it kinda proves the whole “fake news” thing 🤔
Healthy Larry, living Len and living Reggie....that early-mid 80's Celtics juggernaut would've transformed and steamrolled the rest of the NBA into the mid-late 90's.
No doubt about it the MJ is the goat, but I find it hard to believe that he would've amassed 6 championships if the Celtics scenario unfolded differently as described above. Those of you who dont know Len, dont understand what was about to happen in the NBA when the Celtics drafted their 2nd franchise changing LB in 1986. The 86 Celtics team was a beast. And then they drafted Bias with the #2 pick that year that they basically stole from the Sonics!!?!?
But it was such an unfortunate event when Len passed away just days after the draft. Len had the physical abilities on par with MJ. Would he have developed the killer instinct that MJ had??...idk. Probably not when you consider since the 80's, I've only seen 3 people who had that killer mentality and refused to lose ---> MJ, Larry & Kobe (Theres not and other player who's on the level of those 3 players).
But even if he didn't have that same unrelenting drive to win, the guy was a beast on the court.
@@neptunevinyl Great post totally agree
I love your Larry videos. Can't get enough of them!
Just a different game for that man. Bird did it all. Grew up Jordan, but Bird is the guy.
yup, if you watched in those days you know, Larry was that good, maybe only eclipsed by Mike...EVER....
Lots of work went into this. Thanks for putting it all together. Great video.
I was born during the ‘79 NCAA championship game and grew up outside Boston. Bird was my idol. I love these videos.
I saw Larry a couple times in college against Wichita State, even as a 10yr old kid it was obvious how special he was. His fundamental abilities changed my approach to the game and really paid off as I grew up.
Hi dear Sean, i am Alex from Milano,born 1972 .
I have never seen Larry playing live because i have never been in the US.
But i watched him a lot on TV.
I don't have the proper adjective for this man because it doesn't exist ,He was too great. Ciao Sean, thank's very much for your videos.
I was born on February the 28th, 1977, and I got to see Larry Bird in his prime! And he was one of my childhood heroes! Huge shoutout to the Legendary Larry Bird!
LARRY LEGEND IS A UNICORN AND THE TRUE GOAT!!! 🐐 ☘️
I never get tired of hearing the NBA players that I grew up with talking about the greatness of the NBA players that I grew up with!
Keep up the good work Sean, huge fan from 🇬🇷
I saw all of Larry Legend's prime and when I first saw Bird, it was obvious that he was the best all-around player I had ever seen. I first started watching Larry at Indiana St and Bird was doing it all in college - passing, scoring from anywhere on the court, and he was an excellent rebounder, especially for somebody that couldn't jump high. Bird was also the most clutch forward I had ever seen so I instantly became a Larry Bird fan.
I saw Larry Bird's entire career and, in my opinion, he's the best all-around player I've ever seen. There were better scorers, better passers, and better rebounders but Larry Legend could do it all at a high level better than any other player. Plus Bird was clutch.
Thank you for another great vid, and fortunately I did get to see a lot of Larry in his prime, and it was the prime for the nba in my personal opinion.
I was born in 1947, so thankfully I got to see it all. Many thanks for keeping those basketball days alive.
Love Larry Legend, thanks to people bringing back these stories and clips - I'm able to see real greatness and grit.
I was lucky enough to grow up right outside Boston and watch the 80s Celtics on TV on a regular basis. Larry Legends impact on the team was immediate and special, every game would be a “what is he gonna do tonite”
Watched his whole career. The things that don't translate from highlights, sometimes, are the heart, the guts, the hustle, and the leadership.
Hey Sean I was born in 52 and I was almost 3o when Larry came into the NBA and he was my favorite player.
I’m in my 70s and followed both the Celtics and the Lakers back in the 1980s and early 1990s. Im grateful for your work, providing these videos. I respect your understanding of and appreciation for the pre-Jordan NBA. Thanks.
Thank you for being HONEST. It's a blessing in our times.
I trash talked Larry Bird once. He looked at me, turned me into a one inch version of myself by pure will and put me in his pocket and proceed to score 45ppg over the season and then took me out of his pocket at the end and said "I just wanted to make sure you had a front row seat". I made sure never to talk trash to Larry Bird ever again.
Great commentary, Sean. Thanks!
I grew up on the south shore of Massachusetts and I got to see Bird play all the time. My first Celt game had the lineup of Parrish, Bird, McHale, 'Tiny' and coming off the bench, 'Pistol' Pete Maravich. Years later, during one of their championship parades through Boston, I was visiting a ailing relatives (car accident) at a hospital along the route. I was so deep in thought thinking about my relatives in the hospital that I was unaware that the parade stopped so people could walk to the hospital entrance nearby. I walked in front of the car that Bird was standing in, I looked to my right and he was watching me pass. Bird looked at me and gave me a thumbs up. That meant the world to the 18 year old me at the time. He has and will always be LEGEND to me.
I love love Larry and thanks for your videos.
I went to college at OCC in Indiana, my coach was a friend of Larry Bird. He always spent time with Larry each summer. The team got to spend time with Larry and the others before the game with Indiana. It was a great experience for us all. He was a great person. Thanks Larry.
One word & don't ever forget it. LEGEND!
Thanks. I like Bird because he is fun to watch. He cared about the fans and about his team.
I love Coach Richardson's story 😂😂
Thank you for the bird videos. I remember when the NBA was taped delayed
Always been a bird being
Bird hurt my feelings as a kid in the 80s as a Houston Rockets fan with Hakeem. In the finals it looked like Bird would never miss a shot and killed my team. 😂😂
I watched his whole career, and every game you knew that he was going to be special, and with that knowledge it made it even better. One of the best to play the game, and I was blessed to have seen him live.
I grew up in Detroit and saw Magic play from when he was in tenth grade. Went to MSU after the NCAA championship came away a huge Bird fan / simply amazing
Back with another banger.
Hold up, grew up in Germany? I thought I detected a Dutch accent similar to mine. Been in Socal since '09 so people don't catch is as much anymore.
Born in 1969 and grew up watching Larry and Magic battle and it was incredible.. How they are best friends now is pretty special
My father was in the mililtary and he was stationed in Germany from 86-93. I do remember how difficult it was to watch the NBA when we lived off base- the games, when shown, were often 2 or 3 weeks old. Still I was just happy to watch basketball. Nowadays, with streaming, we are spoiled. Oh yeah- love Larry Bird.
I was born in 59
And got to see a lot of old great players. Love Bird but growing up in Chicago I was a die hard Cubs fan and then when MJ came to Chicago I watched him every chance I got because you knew something incredible could happen. And a lot of times it did.
Great video.
It never gets old watching Larry Bird and the others telling their stories. Larry Bird had an instructional video and I practiced every day. I was a 95 percent free throw shooter. I would love to meet him one time. He is the only person I would be star struck. I have a ton of respect for him. And I liked other players.
Sean, I also have your two faves, but my order is reversed! I absolutely love your videos, and the fact that you do so many Larry videos is just the BEST!!
Don't feel bad. When I was like 2 years old, they opened a basketball court at my elementary school or the elementary I would go to. It was Cunnigham elementary school. They had prizes raffles everything. My mom took me and my older there. I don't know how they pulled this off, but they had three NBA players come to this event. The players were Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. I'm 2 years old at this point and I don't know who these players are until years later. My mom ended getting Magic Johnson autograph in her small phone book address book she carried.
I remember the McDonald's commercial with Bird and Jordan from 1993 when I lived in the states with my family as a 12 year old boy. Not knowing much about the NBA, I never quiet understood why Bird was included (Jordan I knew).
But having the pleasure now some 30 years later to discover the Hick from French lick, I understand why this man is so greatly loved. Bird (and Magic) - my absolute heroes in the world of sports.
Born in 82, but my grandmother was chair of volunteer services for red cross in Boston and was a huge sports nut, she got to interact with some of the Boston teams players and organizations. I used to spend weeks at her place and would sleep on the floor in her bedroom while she watched the Celtics. I was watching the late 80s Celtics as a 5 year old and it stuck with me, but I never witnessed them winning it all at a young age because I don't have any memory of the 1986 season, but I do remember 1987 and the playoffs against the pistons because my grandmother was yelling at the TV about Laimbeer
I was never a big basketball fan. I started watching the Celtics and Larry Byrd in the early 80s. I never stopped
You can add watching and witnessing the golden era of basketball to growing up in generation X. Saw my first Knicks game in 1978 at the age of 8. I played both intramural and CYO, so watching the Boston Celtics best teams I watched the best passing team, when you thought the shot was going up then another pass for an easier score.
Born in the 70s here. Larry was just phenomenal. He just knew where to be and was deadly all over the floor.
At least, you see the difference between Bird and those self claim GOAT even if you haven't watched those games in 80s. Many people don't understand how flawless Bird has been as a player, leader, coach & executive. You can only say he doesn't have the leaping ability and quickness but he proved just his smarts and hustle and deadly shot can beat anyone.
Bird, Magic and the early 80’s Sixers… great basketball. Jordan was something else… you knew the next level was coming.
I got to see the great Celtics, Lakers, Pistons and Rockets teams of the 80's. I missed a lot of great matchups in the 90's, but I get to catch a few playoff matchups.
I was born in 1970;and I always say I feel sorry for real basketball fans that didn't get to witness 80's and 90"s bball,:: watching bird 🐦 was like your best concert,your favorite movie and your best Christmas morning as a kid #LB33 🏀🐦🔥
Always appreciated your hard Work Shaun. Hopefully that's correct spelling of your name?? I was born in 65 and Larry Bird was my favorite Player and I always played with the Heart of Larry Bird and actually had the Basketball coach come over to me after Gym class and asked me if I'd join the team!!! Man that was special for me and they saw my effort and hustling around making plays but I couldn't shoot the Ball 🏀 like that of Larry Bird but nobody else could shoot the outside Shots better than Larry Bird!!!
I did get to watch Bird.Of course we had no idea what he was saying but he never gave up. Before he hurt his back the Celts always looked like they were having the best time. They were very loose during the regular season games. Larry never was afraid to make a crazy pass or to take an impossible looking shot if he thought he needed to but most of the time it was just great team work.
Larry played with so many fundamentals of the game.. he was just so well rounded.. he couldn't dunk like so many others but he played the game different.. just different. If he had stayed healthy.. can't imagine the accomplishments. His career was truly cut short. I'm not gonna say he was the best ever.. but he's up there in the mix.
Born in 1965 in Ohio and lived in Ohio all my life. But the day I first heard about Larry Bird was his numbers and his Stats were Amazing and then I seen him playing. And he was different from everyone else and played on a different level from everyone else. Taught me using my off hard have a lot of benefits and I used to my advantage. Thanks Larry Bird G.O.A.T. don't care about flashy highlights just someone who wants to WIN EVERY GAME!!! That's Me As Well!!! Larry Bird,
AKA Larry Legend!!!
I think the thing that separates Bird from most players playing today was that he knows how to play.
Part of the problem with today's players is they depend on athleticism instead of basketball intelligence. And social media hypes that kind of stuff up.
But no matter the era, Larry Bird is one of the all time greats.
Geiler Typ,der Creator. Und Larry ist eine Legende
My dad lived in Boston from 1978 until he passed this year. I used to go visit him often and became a huge Celtics and Bird fan. I got to see probably half the games he ever played. The skill set he possessed was 2nd to none. If he had the athleticism of Lebron the man would have averaged 50/20/10 and be the hands down best player who ever lived. Even so, I take him as the best SF of all time. I also have lived in Chicago my entire life and didn't miss a Bulls game for 7 years. I saw every game Jordan ever played with the exception of maybe 20 total games. I consider myself incredibly lucky.
I was 14 when the famous Bird/Magic NCAA game was played. I have to say, the next ten years of NBA basketball was something special. It seemed as if every Sunday it was, get ready all your chores done in the morning, Celtics/Lakers are on. As time has gone by, with the changes to the rules, I've just lost interest in watching. But man, the 80's and 90's were something special!!!
I have about between 48 to about 60 games with Bird and McHale playing through the 80s.
@@stephenreiner1523 Well, you should post them! I’d watch…
I would extend that to "never trash talk anyone" let your actions be your words, now extend that to all parts of your life ... the world will improve.
F*N Nolan Richardson legend. Bird. Bird. Bird. Bird. legendary coach!!!
Larry LEGEND Bird, greatest all around player EVER
The hick from french lick got the moniker " the legend " by some of the greatest players of the game !!!
Larry Bird is underrated, he should be ranked higher than he gets ranked, if your picking teams with players in there prime I am taking him in the top 4 picks!! Also I always have him and Magic right next to each other!!
4:18 is exactly how I‘d imagine the Failman would‘ve acted on court
My goat is MJ
My favorite player ever is Bird.
Edit: Coming back into that game after breaking his face and still getting 30+ after missing all that time. Respect!
I was lucky enough to see him in his prime several times a year live at the old crazy Boston Gahden. He would absolutely destroy any player alive in today’s no touch NBA.
I grew up on Bird and Magic (hated magic until I actually became a player, then I loved em both!). Saw them beat up on MJ for six years and then it was MJs turn to dominate. I've said it before, I'll say it again... best three players ever are Bird, Magic, and Jordan. Put those in any order and I feel you're correct! 🙂
Bird's the word!
Yet more examples of James Worthy's point about Bird, more or less "If he's trash talking and he backed it up, was it really trash talking?".
Shaun, if you don't mind saying, when did you leave Germany? I left in Dec 85 when I left the Air Force. In Northern Germany where I was stationed we only had German TV Stations, so no AFRTS or any way of watching any American sports teams.
Bird is my number 1 of all time!
I was a 76ers supporter the Celtics 7l6ers was a pretty good rivalry in that time that rivalry died out on a short time
I was born in the 1960's. I remember vividly being kind of sick of the Laker/Celtics finals all the time in the 1980's. We'd be partying in a bar and roll our eyes that those two teams were playing again on the TV's. Kind of like being sick of the 49er's in the 1980's. I watched lots of those Celtic/laker games and didn't realize the greatness of Bird or Magic at the time.
Now, I watch one of my favorite players today (Luka) with much more appreciation of his greatness. Luka is like Bird. A big white player who is not terribly athletic or quick compared to the vast majority of the NBA players. Yet, with Luka's basketball IQ and his basketball fundamentals, he dominates much more athletic players. He has the same killer mentality as Jordan. Being older now, I'm just soaking up Luka's greatness and appreciating that Luka and all the other all time greats like Jordan, Bird and Magic are not common. How many big name basketball superstars from the 1980's and 90's are even talked about anymore. Only the greatest of the greats are revered and talked about decades after they last played. Luka will be one of them.
I like your attitude. Consistently. And you speak frankly.
Funny thing about "favorite". I just can't land on MJ (and forget LJ) as "favorite". I think of how happy and excited I would get by Bird, Magic, J, Pistol, or Wilt - but I don't get that kind of arousal from MJ. I would just get giddy by Calvin Murphy getting the toss then nailing it; but oddly not MJ!
NBA in germany was just not possible. There was Inside NBA on german sports channel with only sumups. Occasionally mid night live games, when you could not watch as a kid. Missed the same years of Bird and Magic, glad to see MJ and Kobe.
There is only one GOAT of basketball stories, and that is Larry Bird.
Larry The LEGEND!! If I had to choose a player. to take a shot to save a game, I choose Michael Jordan. If I had to choose a player to take a shot. to save my life, I'd take Larry Bird - The Great Pat Riley
Bird is the most complete basketball player ever.
Closest to the most perfect ball player ever.
You say you want to teach the younger folks, I'm 30, I'm not really that young but I'm definitely too young to be have been able to see Larry Bird play. I have still seen enough and know enough about him to have him as the greatest small forward of all-time over LeBron and I'm dying on the hill with that.
Sal, you better ask for a double team bruh 🤣🤣
@BTM Basketball Time Machine: Sean have you reviewed the video about how his father committed suicide and how it affected Larry and the family?
MJ and Larry tie for the GOAT.... If you lived during that era, you know....Mike was Mike...Larry was good beyond words...All the newby's who think Lebone is even in the conversation, should put the thai stik down....
As a kid I called out Bird from downtown or Dr. J on a bank shot .
Today's young fans have no idea how GREAT Bid was, and how fantastic the game was back them - they are really missing some great entertainment.
WSBK Channel 38. Volume all the way down. Johnny Most on 68 RKO. Radio up all the way. The only way to watch the Celtics in those days.
True sports fans never consider race. It's all about ability.
I was lucky enough to have watched Bird in real time, along with Magic. And it is difficult for folks not old enough to have experienced this, similar to those who have no idea how big and how good The Beatles were in the their prime years. Bird was The Man, especially from 1983-1987, he was a big deal not only in basketball, but outside of basketball fandom, people knew who he was. And this was before the internet, social media, cell phones, etc. He wasn't just some white guy who can play, he was the best player in the NBA. (sorry Magic). Yes, Jordan became a bigger star, but for those first several years when their careers intersected, Jordan was playing 2nd fiddle to Bird as far as dominance and play.
I stopped watching the NBA several years ago, it became too annoying to watch mediocre play and attitude. And I have been a fan since the 1970s. But Bird's time in the NBA was by far the most rewarding. He was one-of-a-kind and a winner, not too many of these types show up in history.
The owner of the biggest balls in basketball history.
Jordan made you look slow. Bird made you look stupid.
- James Worthy
Bird pissed off Dr J a man who rarely fought anyone now that's 5 star trashin
I saw Bird at his best.
Larry Bird then Reggie Miller are my favorite players.
Basketball need to get back to getting focused
Larry was athletic and pretty fast. But he didn't really high
I was born and raised a Laker fan in LA my dads favorite player was Jerry west the logo I grew up watching Kareem worthy and magic I’m not an internet Laker fan I’m a native Californian that watched magic play bird and Jordan at the forum if watch mike and Larry shit on the clippers just for fun too but I hate the clippers but that’s another story the lakers Celtics rivalry is what made the nba interesting in the the 60s and Larry and magic made basketball a mainstream bankable sport they played the playoffs on what was called time delay so they came on at 10:15 in LA and I had to got to school and I missed the games till magic made it must see tv my childhood was Larry vs magic on CBS and someone was going to start a fight then we had Chicago who I hated then Kobe and Shaq brought greatness back to the nba la paired the best small with the best big and won championships now small ball has dropped ratings and made USA basketball look bad because they don’t use their size birds teams were huge and were. Balance not 3 happy even though they had shooters that’s the mold todays nba should emulate