bwink23 you missed the point. Larry hit the buzzer beater and that would have been the winner, but KC called time out. Bird got angry and instead of listening to the coach, he demanded the ball in the same spot and hit another buzzer beater
In half these clips you’ll see the opposing bench’s reactions to this man’s work on the court .He had his OPPONENTS falling out of their seat watching what he would do. This man is forever top 5 in my book. Larry legend
I think these things are purely instinctive. Truly something extremely difficult to emulate even by studying their playing. Bird and Magic are two absolute geniuses
great tape yes, well, i was there, saw all this from bird and magic in college to retirement, Celtic's fan from CT...Bird in his prime was the best ever, basically unstoppable all around game...he could smash and bang with big centers and pass and handle the ball like Magic- at 6'9" forward...crazy, no one tougher or more clutch...as for MJ bein the GOAT- awesome player, no doubts...but guess what? he didnt win anything tille both Bird and magic retired- 7 years it took...Bird and Magic had immediate effect and won right off...Bird's team went worst to first in his first year- no McHale no Parrish no DJ...
He doesn’t get enough credit for what a skilled passer he was. Literally Wayne Gretzky on the court, could see the play before it happens. Insane bball IQ. Unreal some of those highlights
In the past 50 years, here are the highest Total Career Avg Stat Points (PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK) #1) Jordan = 44.7 #2) LeBron = 44.3 #3) Bird = 43.1 #4) Kareem = 42.9 Just to put things into perspective: Players like Jokic, Hakeem, Giannis, Shaq, etc are at 40
@@FreedomFighter2112 thats insane since big men usually dominate stats like theese, also extra credit to lbj and brid bc assits andrebounds are harder to get than points and they havemore of them, if youd calculate that in to i think bird and lebron are fighting for first place
For real, the basketball was thrown so fast it seemed unreal. I don't recall seeing anyone else throw a basketball harder, and for the assist too. John Stockton would minimize it all by calling it "just throwing a ball" but watching players like Bird, Jordan, Stockton, and Johnson are treasured memories. I enjoyed the ball throwing and have great memories of balls being thrown.
He beat Magic, Kareem, Worthy, Dr J, Moses, Isaiah, Dumars, Rodman, Dantley, Hakeem, Sampson, Bernard King, Dominique, and swept MJ twice. All HOF’ers. All in the postseason. FACTS!
He got it all man. Flashy passes, fancy footwork, ankle breakers (before it was cool), fearless dunks, circus shots, hustle plays, fake plays, clutch jumpers, stepback jumpers, in your face jumpers, off balance jumpers, you name it
All that talent,..and on another note,...Bird grew up dirt poor, and from a broken home. His father committed suicide when Bird was still in school. He came from humble beginnings.
For real, these are two very bad men. Bird is like a more aggressive version of Jokic, and Magic is just a better version of Lebron. And don't me started on how good Hakeem was. Hell, John Stockton doesn't get the credit he deserves. The amount of assists and steals he has is unreal.
They were amazing! But the game has changed. It’s kinda unfortunate that the wild creativity isn’t quite as important as being a sniper and draining 3’s all game long. Dudes today can just drain 3’s more than Bird ever did.
I am absolutley in love with his play style. The fakes, the audacious shots, the no look passes. Nobody will ever compare. I wish i was alive to watch him play
i thank God I was alive to witness him. When my son was about nine, I tried to get him interested in him, but he kept telling me he sucked. Then, he watched a Larry/Magic documentary and he was HOOKED. He started looking for more documentaries on Larry. We were in Marshall's once and he saw a Larry/Magic t-shirt and begged me to buy it for him. My son plays basketball and I'm always telling him that it's not just about the talent and athleticism, it's also about basketball IQ. In my opinion, Larry had the best basketball IQ of any other player, past and present (and I dare say future). My son's now in the 10th grade and it's time to start scouting colleges. I'm glad I watched this today. I'm going to make him and my husband watch this.
One of the last true basketball players before jungle ball took over. I was born in 1984 and he was done by the time I was 8, so unfortunately I don’t remember myself
3:09 is really crazy.... in that short clip, he shot, felt it was off, knew how precise he was off, went straight to where it would be to grab his own rebound, then finish it with an offhanded finger roll..... that is balling for real
The most clutch player in NBA history. Every night he did something "that make you go Hmmmm". Rookie OTY, Coach OTY, Exec OTY, Athlete OTY, 3 rings, 3 consecutive MVPs, 3X all-Defense, All-Star MVP, 2X Finals MVP & King of the 40/50/90 club. He shot like Curry, passed like Magic, rebounded like Kareem & stole like Stockton. The best defenders in history couldn't stop him. LEGEND!!!! 🏀
LARRY was simply flashy. What I mean by simply flashy? His flashy moves came from simple fundamentals. Simple anticipation passes, and simple plays that look amazing, but that is masked with extreme fundamentals. He wasted no motion or dribble.s Just straight to the point
i've been thinking the same thing for years. what we consider flashy, he does it out of intelligence and necessity. i think thats what seperates him from Magic. Magic is flashy to be flashy (effective as it is) but there's a different beauty when bird does because he's not trying to be flashy. its almost like he's simply doing it off instinct.
1999 why should he pretend to be stupid? Do You aggree also that The Blacks Are racist? Grazy world were skin matter Most... Today The Same with Doncic many Blacks Comment racist about him but The whites Are always The Bad i know...
Most people dont realize how injured he was his last 3 years. He had to lay down on the sidelines. His back was completely fried. His pain threshold is #1 in nba history. He played with a hole in his shattered jaw, played with a broken eye socket, both THE SAME GAME HE GOT THE INJURIES.
@@mikesmobile30 Idk about Kobe, but Iverson I would say was just as tough. I don't know how he did it, he played *hard* on the court for a little guy, then would go out and party until morning, then wake up for a noon Saturday game and do same thing, while leading the league in minutes and racking up constant little injuries.
@@localneo-graphic4647 dude Kobe literally shot freethrows then walked off the court with a torn Achilles....played basically a whole season with torn ligaments in his shooting hand literally the only injuries he didn't play thru was injuries it was impossible to play with
He makes me feel that the rim was sooo wide once he makes those shots,the way he holds the ball and his shooting form makes every shot look so effortless
This shit is beyond skin colors and childish egos.. His game bordered metaphysical fields.. Who the hell wins Rings and MVP titles by constantly telling opponents what he's gonna do? The man's mentality reached unseen levels before.
The playoff game against Indiana in 91' was just insane. Most players dont have the mental toughness or heart that he showed there. He was way past his prime at that point. Fresh off spinal surgery that year and having to wear a back brace between practice and games, his surgeon had said publicly he had no idea how Larry could keep playing. He also couldnt sit on the bench - hence why you see him laying down and squatting near the bench - due to severe back pain. Then he goes down in the 2nd quarter, fractures his eye socket and cops a grade 3 concussion (your out for weeks in modern sport if this happens) come back on in the 2nd half and literally plays 'unconscious'. He said later he only remembers the game in parts due to his concussion.
Agreed and I wish we beat the Cavs in the next round so we could've seen Bird vs Jordan one last time. The Celtics would've lost, but the spectacle of that would've been enough to see
Never realized how nasty Larry bird was holy shit. I feel ashamed that I'm 27 years old and this is the first real highlight reel I'm watching from him. Obviously I always hear his name among the greats, buy GOODNESS I didn't know he had it like that!! Much respect.
No shame brotha. This is why old people like me(almost 40) aren't putting LeBron on some pedestal. We've seen the likes of LeBron before, except bird not only would cut your throat, he'd tell you before it happened. Welcome on board the bird Vision. 😅
Larry knew where everybody’ feet, hands, hips, shoulders, heads and eyes were: what they could and couldn’t do with the number of schemes he had in his repertoire, and had to chose the most entertaining show of a move while defenders were frozen. This debate of goat is over. Done.
I used to think how was Bird able to get his shot off with no moves and it not be blocked? Now I think Bird knew when the defender was off balance and unready to jump or at least not fast enough. Bird’s awareness was insane. He played the game like chess, 3 moves ahead, couldn’t have no mental lapses when up against Bird or he’d bury you the man was a straight savage
Joey Hernandez for real man. People think he'd be bad in this era and it's silly! First, there's no way to know that but I don't think the evidence we see here would offer any proof that he'd struggle in today's NBA! This man is a LEGEND!
And that was after the back injury, when he couldn't sit down and had to be in traction all day before the game just to play. So Larry was playing with a deformed index finger on his shooting hand that was permanently bent in a 45 degree angle pointing towards his thumb I believe, a back injury that was so bad that he couldn't even sit down on the bench, he had to lay on the floor, a fractured cheek bone, and a concussion to boot. And he STILL kicked ass! That's why he's the GOAT as far as I'm concerned. He did it better than everyone else (including MJ) while being injured and not as gifted physically (speed and jumping).
And that is why Boston loved him. We're a town of hardnocks and gritty working class people. We may take a few hits but never let it keep us down. Boston Strong has always been a calling card long before the bombings.✊
Everybody on Matt Hawks team said the film session the next day was absolutely horrible until Fratello and the rest of the coaches started laughing along, even though they fined the players for doing so during the game.
@Ken D then magic said , " Larry can do more things than me, his shot etc." - letterman 2011 " The best I've ever faced in my era was Larry Bird." -2019
Here's a new one about Larry Bird that I just found. Larry was a redshirt his first year at Indiana State, after transferring from Indiana. Bird had to sit out his first year because of the transfer. The coach at ISU stopped letting Larry scrimmage with the team because his team always won and the starters were getting discouraged. Larry threatened to quit...the coaches met with Larry and this occurred: Head Coach King explained to Bird that the reason he limited his minutes in practice was to save his starters from humiliation-the other players needed to win sometimes. “To hell with them,” Bird answered. “If they can’t win, then they ought to lose.” “Okay,” said Coach King. “I won’t take you out anymore. You stay.” The coaches weren’t about to let Bird go anywhere. Earlier in that season, Mel Daniels, the Indiana Pacers and ABA great, had visited Terre Haute at the request of Coach King, who had coached Daniels at the University of New Mexico. Daniels brought along Pacers teammate, ABA great, and future Naismith Hall of Famer Roger Brown for an afternoon of pick-up ball with some of the Sycamores, including Bird. After the game, Daniels, himself a future Hall of Famer, offered King and Hodges a scouting report on Bird. “Let me tell you something, Coach,” said Daniels. “That’s the best damn player I’ve ever played against.” Roger Brown, who rarely, if ever, gave compliments or praise, agreed. “Ah, come on, Mel,” said Assistant Coach Bill Hodges. He laughed, noting that Daniels had played among the likes of Connie Hawkins, Julius Erving, and George McGinnis. “I’m telling you,” said Daniels, “the best damn player I’ve ever played against.”
Indeed. We hated the Celtics and especially Bird. But, it was just because he was so great. Every time Bird got the ball playing against my Pistons, I was like "Oh, sh1t!"
I agree. As a black man I couldn't stand LB. People cannot comprehend how great that man was. Absolute terror. I was born in 1962 and there hasn't been a white player half as good as he was back then or now 2023.
@avangard317 No way Jokic compares to LB. Jokic can't win without Murray. LB was feared by the greatest who've ever played the game. Jordan, Magic, Kareem, Dr J., on & on & on Jokic has the stats. In this case, stats mean nothing. When Boston & LB came to town you knew you had to go deeper than your absolute best. The world would stop on Sundays to watch the NBA. The NBA & refs were different back then. You had to earn every basket, sometimes with your life in play. The Playoffs were like hockey. Fights every game. The refs let you settle all issues on the court. LB was a wolf amongst wolves. Among alpha wolves, he ate at the same table.
@avangard317jokić play vs butler. Bird swept jordan , sweot olajuwob, drj , maguc jabbar. Jokić not even near top 50 player. U hyped aftree lucky ring vs no competition. Whos jimmy ?
@avangard317 embiid nevee face jokić u deranged. Dončić has no help and also never play vs him. Bron is 40 old. Jokić never veat gsw or faced them full strength. Jokić won vs jimmy butler. Look ppl this deranged say Luka Dončić alone is superteam like Magic Jabbar Worth that Bird beat 🤣🤣
People too young to have watched Bird play could never have even the slightest clue how great he was at every facet of the game. He was a pleasure to watch.
I was born in 90 so I never saw him play but when I see this I can only imagine how great it was to witness the Bird/Magic rivalry and Jordan incoming. Probably the best era.
I saw the West/Chamberlain Lakers in 72 (I was 11 years old), the 80's Lakers, and the Shaq/Kobe era. Yep, the 80's Showtime/Magic Lakers were my favorites. The Celtics/Bird rivalry was a big reason.
To be honest, a lot of us who watched this stuff at the time, even though we knew we were witnessing something special, didn't fully appreciate it until after these guys retired. Especially that period in the mid-late 80s when the league was crammed *full* of Hall of Fame-caliber players, and it seemed like every team had at least one dude was going end up there eventually. That's how crazy talented and competitive the league was back then.
UA-cam full games. They're even better. He will something in every game where you just shake your head. A very spoiled 80s Mass girl. Watch passes between DJ and Bird I swear they have one mind on the floor or at least esp.
When the Celtics and Lakers went at it in the finals it was soooo intense. Larry and Magic were both such intense competitors. They didn't care about stats, they cared about winning championships at all cost and unfortunately Larry Birds body couldn't hold up. But in his prime Bird was a "LEGEND"!!....I love that quote by Pat Riley..."I would pick Michael Jordan to take the shot to win the game. But I would pick Larry Bird to take the shot to save my life"
People sleeping on Larry bird. Lebron hasn't even passed bird status yet. I still think about the left hand game. He simply got bored and played an entire game LEFT handed and got 47 pts, 14 rebs, 11 assists. Ridiculous.
"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."
i keep hearing that bird is one of the greatest of all time. i never seen highlights or him play. but i guess they were all right about him, he is something.
It's tough when you didn't grow up with him. I can understand, there's only so many highlights that you can see. And I know myself, probably being a good twenty years older than yourself, and having lived through it. So, I can see just as a matter of factly that those were truly special times. Basketball is played with such a high degree that it was literally must-see television every time him, or Magic, or MJ played. Not going to disrespect today's game, but back then it was just something special.
Imo greatest of all time. He injured one of his fingers on his shooting hand early in his career (college or highschool I believe) and he said it never felt right since and still never shot as good as he used to which is bananas cus he still became one of if not the best shooter; not only that, he played through a terrible back the entire time, broken bones including in his face ect..he was forced to retire early because of how hard he played and how much harder the NBA played each other in those days. Lot of dirty stuff back then. If bird played as long as LeBron will, I think it would be bird overall #1. Lotta guys you can name are better than him at one thing or another, but as a whole he was the best, in mine and many others opinions. Played chess while everyone else was playing checkers
Larry Bird is so crazy. Not only does he have insane skill and agility, but he does shit that you might do as a kid playing ball and beats you with it. He throws it between other guys legs, blindly chucks it backward over his head, casually slips it behind he back to another player. But all of it with precision so they ALWAYS get point. He mops the floor every single time
It doesn't make any sense in my brain. You look at him and think, "this lanky dopey looking dude cannot be an elite athlete." Just how? Its amazing to watch
Bird is in many peoples top 10 and he's in mine.. but as easy as it is to put him in top 10 I can easily debate why he wouldn't be top 10.. so its all about personal opinion.
Here's something for you: Larry's retirement ceremony at Boston Garden, which was filled to capacity, wasn't before or after a game...that complete sell out tribute happened on an off-night. Crazy.
This is what real basketball is, physical, one person that stayed loyal to his team, actual heated rivalries, brought back memories ... happy birthday Larry legend
@@sgthjennings his career got cut short by prime Larry bird was a goat. 3 league MVP’s in a row, 5 final appearances in 7 years, 3 championships, clutch as fuck, the original sharp shooter, and the BEST trash talker
@@curtiscj3087 I would say he’s better than Magic. If it wasn’t for Magic’s team having a bit more depth and having arguably the greatest center of all time, bird would probably have just as many championships if not more. Plus his back problems came about in 1985 so you could argue that Larry wasn’t quite the same after his 6th year despite still winning a league MVP, Finals MVP, and 2 more finals appearances after his back problems first occurred.
Magic & Larry, resurrected the game of basketball......My dad loved basketball, but stopped watching, until the competition between Johnson & Bird was highlighted......What my Dad used to say, about Larry's game, is that it reminded him of someone, who was not only playing basketball, but also, volleyball, dodgeball, baseball, football, soccer, & strategic chess, all at the same time, and was what made him so great 😊He certainly was one of the most unique and gifted players, I have ever watched!
C D Same, my grandfather was a huge Bird fan having grown up in Indiana and played basketball for Indiana before Bird did. He got me into basketball around that time but I became a Robert Parish fan lol Looking back Bird was truly legendary.
I agree because I was also a kid when Bird played i can truly appreciate now how good he was he had the best basketball IQ he always played the right way and always made the right play I loved the story during all star weekend when he was in the 3 point contest and walked in the locker room and asked who was playing for second and then backed it up by winning # LARRY LEGEND!!
And with all the bad and hard fall, the bruises, the black eye and bloodied uniform, he maintained his high standard of basketball IQ. And be a leader with mental toughness and pride. Current stars are very spoiled this day and age of modern basketball. And would be wailing too much if they would be harassed physically by their defenders.
@@aaroncmajor212 the physicality is what he's talking bout.. Like no more head to head contact in football. Shit is soft and now it looks like ballerina
Bird was sensational. Easily considered one of the greatest to ever play and probably the most brilliant. He was a basketball genius and most importantly, a great human being. I loved watching him play!
In an interview with Bryant Gumbal, Micheal Jordan was asked, "If you had to choose someone other than yourself to take the last sh.... and before Gumbal could finish the question, Jordan blurted out, "Larry Bird"
Mad respect for Bird bc Jordan would never give up the ball unless he didn't think somebody was better than him and that guy without a doubt was Larry Bird, the greatest shooter before Kobe and Curry.
Back when all the kids wanted Pippen an Jordan on their jersey I rolled up in with a Celtics nr 33 Bird. I took a lot of shit for that back in the days. No regrets, still have it. Bird was and is the man!
I had to come back here after what Dennis Rodman said about this man. "If Larry Bird played in this era, he'd be in Europe" - Dennis Rodman. Bird was one of the most skilled player of all time. In this era where shooting is a necessity, Bird would flourish in today's era. Excuse me, not flourish but dominate in today's era.
Well, there are actually lots. Bird would absolutely destroy the league, but so would Jordan, Wilt, Oscar Robertson, big men like Olajuwon and David Robinson (arguably not "vintage"), Moses Malone, Pippen, Jerry West, Pete Marovich, McHale, Reggie.. the list is pretty long, actually.
Reggie was a 3-point machine, McHale was a hell of a shooter (only 60/80 player) and footwork works in any era, Jerry west was a killer in any era, Pete maybe not as much but he could have easily adapted. @@LinkkUpt
4:10 is the sickest pass I've ever seen on a basketball court at any level of the game..... On a full speed cut, mid air, pass from the hips over the back of shoulders, between 2 defenders... Ridiculous
@@FG011 ua-cam.com/video/wwo4vtaZmsY/v-deo.html @9:55 jumps in the air spinning and airborne launches a perfect down the court pass. but yeah Larry isnt athletic right? lol ,
@@Ed513513 the strength necessary to do that, wow. I'm not sure about calling it even more insane than the one in this video tho, to me both are incredible, Larry truly is one of the best players of all time
As impressive as Bird is, I'm watching his little flick/no look passes and am as equally impressed with his teammates reaction times to getting a pass seemingly out of nowhere
Larry smashes his head on the parquet, walks himself to the locker room, gathers his marbles together, decides he's not going to lose this game, comes back to the court by himself and ultimately gets the win! TOUGH doesn't even begin to describe the tenacity, dedication, and fortitude this guy possessed!
Truly a cerebral player. He's playing chess, mind always thinking 4-5 moves ahead he can see the play before the play has even begun. He viewed the entire court like players view it in an a video game. Mental, tactical, skillful but always thinking ahead. Extraordinary.
You are right. I was wondering how in the hell he was making passes like that. He must have been viewing the court like a chess board, planning several moves ahead.
Bird was amazing and as a black man I was like please don't let this guy ever do or say nothing racist because he was my fav. N.B.A. player and I took a lot of heat by the brothers for liking him but to me he was Clark Kent and Superman...... GRIM.
Larry Bird. The only guy who can hit two game winners in the same game.
Mathew. Jordan hit 2 game winners in the playoffs against Cleveland. He hit one 7 seconds before he hit "The Shot".
MJ did it before the Eloh shot
Kobe did it against Portland but I appreciate Bird’s greatness..
Watch the last 2 minutes of the game where brandon roy hit the 35 footer against houston. He hit at least 2 game winners that game.
bwink23 you missed the point. Larry hit the buzzer beater and that would have been the winner, but KC called time out. Bird got angry and instead of listening to the coach, he demanded the ball in the same spot and hit another buzzer beater
"Larry can't run or jump because that's God's way of making things fair."
-Sir Charles
Handles of Ai
Basketball I.Q of Larry
Shooting of Steph
And Speed of Jeremy Lin
And u got a basketball angel
Edit:Dude I just like Jeremy lin😭
@@pacomoreno190 or in mj's case a god
@@pacomoreno190 height of lbj and he's jesus
@@kumiga3752 more like the strength of lebron. 7 ft is more optimal nba height as bird and magic are both taller than him
@@pacomoreno190 Jeremy Lin? HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I could name 10 players off the top of my head faster than that bust Jeremy Lin
Love the Pat Riley quote: If I needed a shot to win the game: Michael Jordan. If I needed shot to save my life: Larry Bird."
GOATd quote.
Greatest quote in sports history
Best quote ever. And Pat retired MJs number in Miami.
Wow!
Wtf does this mean
In half these clips you’ll see the opposing bench’s reactions to this man’s work on the court .He had his OPPONENTS falling out of their seat watching what he would do. This man is forever top 5 in my book. Larry legend
Not really, i’m most of these clips he’s doing what a lot of nba players do today he’s still be an exceptional player top 75 but not top 10
@@IssacVelascoThat just means he was ahead of his time, even more reason to be one of the best to ever do it.
NBA players of today can't pass worth a damn, what the hell were you watching?
@@IssacVelasco Small brain right?
@@IssacVelasco But.. Who did it before him? Sure, cover bands are good but don’t mean shit if you didn’t write the hits.
Him and Magic are the most creative players I've ever seen with a basketball. I don't even understand some of the stuff Larry is doing here
Pete Maravitch? He was pretty slick also!
Dom2k watch Milos Teodosic this year
I agree, Bird and Magic made this stuff look so effortlessly it was just pure joy and awe to watch them play.
Ayyy! I love your channel!
I think these things are purely instinctive. Truly something extremely difficult to emulate even by studying their playing. Bird and Magic are two absolute geniuses
The one who made this mixtape, you da real mvp
The NBA
Man when NBA PUTS OUT MIXTAPES it's Over..Like Drake said this a MIxtape but it sounded like a Album lol
It's the guy who used to do the original Hoopmixtapes, he got hired by the NBA many years back
great tape yes, well, i was there, saw all this from bird and magic in college to retirement, Celtic's fan from CT...Bird in his prime was the best ever, basically unstoppable all around game...he could smash and bang with big centers and pass and handle the ball like Magic- at 6'9" forward...crazy, no one tougher or more clutch...as for MJ bein the GOAT- awesome player, no doubts...but guess what? he didnt win anything tille both Bird and magic retired- 7 years it took...Bird and Magic had immediate effect and won right off...Bird's team went worst to first in his first year- no McHale no Parrish no DJ...
And Bird and Magic both had drastically shortened careers as well.
Pat Riley: "I'd want Jordan to take the shot with the game on the line. I'd want Bird to take it if my LIFE was on the line."
I'd want Snake Plisken to shoot if my life was on the line.
@@doodlenoi thank you
Damn lol
Patrick Kurniawan if my life was on the line id want shaq to shoot from down town ✊🏼😔
@@Bryanseas damn man
He doesn’t get enough credit for what a skilled passer he was. Literally Wayne Gretzky on the court, could see the play before it happens. Insane bball IQ. Unreal some of those highlights
In the past 50 years, here are the highest Total Career Avg Stat Points (PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK)
#1) Jordan = 44.7
#2) LeBron = 44.3
#3) Bird = 43.1
#4) Kareem = 42.9
Just to put things into perspective:
Players like Jokic, Hakeem, Giannis, Shaq, etc are at 40
@@FreedomFighter2112 thats insane since big men usually dominate stats like theese, also extra credit to lbj and brid bc assits andrebounds are harder to get than points and they havemore of them, if youd calculate that in to i think bird and lebron are fighting for first place
For real, the basketball was thrown so fast it seemed unreal. I don't recall seeing anyone else throw a basketball harder, and for the assist too. John Stockton would minimize it all by calling it "just throwing a ball" but watching players like Bird, Jordan, Stockton, and Johnson are treasured memories. I enjoyed the ball throwing and have great memories of balls being thrown.
shoutout to whoever at NBA edited this masterpiece
For real.
👍👍👍👍
From what i got, its the same editor as Hoopmixtape
UA-cam: are you a good person by Living Waters
-- that was their job. To edit Bird highlights. Uh, are they hiring? lol.
NBA deserves the W for this one. This was well put together.
All that's missing now is a Magic Johnson version, and a DrJ and a Kareem and a..you kind of get the message
Amen Good Man.
yeah man i wasn't expecting it to be that immersive...absolutely slamming
Lol !!! What if they make a MJ mixtape??
Wow I have never seen him before but he's incredibly awesome!
He beat Magic, Kareem, Worthy, Dr J, Moses, Isaiah, Dumars, Rodman, Dantley, Hakeem, Sampson, Bernard King, Dominique, and swept MJ twice. All HOF’ers. All in the postseason. FACTS!
YES he did!!
#church
u forgot scottie
In the nba bird today would destroy anybody in his prime.
@Aaron Robles shut the fuck up
The respect from both teammates and opponents...the glory he received...wow
He got it all man. Flashy passes, fancy footwork, ankle breakers (before it was cool), fearless dunks, circus shots, hustle plays, fake plays, clutch jumpers, stepback jumpers, in your face jumpers, off balance jumpers, you name it
All that talent,..and on another note,...Bird grew up dirt poor, and from a broken home. His father committed suicide when Bird was still in school. He came from humble beginnings.
All kinds of jumpers
U see the tape @ 4:22, same move kb did on ginobli😎
He was definitely ahead of his era
Imagine if he is drafted on todays era he would smoke kd and bron
*"Larry, I hear that you're retiring. Thank goodness. I'm glad. I'm tired of seeing your face."* _-Michael Jordan_
He still sees him in his nightmares🛌😰
6 - 0
@@ajstyles5704 but he beat jordan in his prime so.
@@michaeldwane4192 Bruh, the playoffs, Boston Celtics 6 - 0 Chigaco Bulls.
@@ajstyles5704 To be fair, Larry had a better team than Jordan at the time. Larry even said it.
The fact that he got “bored” so he played the game left handed is insane
Fun fact. Larry bird is left handed outside of basketball. Same with lebron and Westbrook
That was back in the day when whatever team you got draft to you stayed there until you retired
@@kennysa3586 as a person who is also outside of basket left handed i would say it kinda confusing but still kinda aa honour
@RJ PC yeah man back when the only good teams were the lakers and celtics and players had little to no real freedom 😃 good times
@RJ PC i missed the part when you were bitchin about stars taking their careers into their own hands… oh wait no i didn’t
the biggest compliment i can give is that larry and magic would both dominate in today’s NBA as well. they really created what the game is today.
For real, these are two very bad men. Bird is like a more aggressive version of Jokic, and Magic is just a better version of Lebron. And don't me started on how good Hakeem was. Hell, John Stockton doesn't get the credit he deserves. The amount of assists and steals he has is unreal.
They were amazing! But the game has changed. It’s kinda unfortunate that the wild creativity isn’t quite as important as being a sniper and draining 3’s all game long. Dudes today can just drain 3’s more than Bird ever did.
@@MistaShawn how is magic a better version of lebron
@ I must have been high, please excuse my behavior.
Bird broke ankles with head fakes. Let that sink in.
I know right
That defense sucked back then
He literally dribbles with his head down sloppy by todays standard. Still a legend tho.
king Deano And yet he has one of the best passing package in history 🤷🏻♂️
If you say soo, lets not forget the era and all around knowledge of the game #LarryLegend
So far, this is the greatest mixtape the NBA has ever done for a legend. It's just so satisfying that it's Larry Bird's.
Try "Jordan's historic Bulls mixtape" you will not be disappointed
@@clydetheglidetop5sgtop10du7 That was great too... But personally I liked this mixtape better. 😁
Magic was bad ass too but I agree, nothing is better.
Amazing profile picture
Yes sir
Larry coming back to the game and leading a comeback after that injury is one of the most inspiring things I've ever seen and I'm a Lakers fan.
That's why GOAT players like MJ and Magic give Larry so much respect. That was back when real men played Bball.
He fought until the game was over! He is definitely an idol for sure!
well momma didn't raise a bitch and larry didnt hear no bell/buzzer
As a Pacer fan who witnessed that in real time .... What a dagger to the heart.
@Wes Sanders what ??? Leracist lebitch leflop is the biggest baby and racist in the NBA.
Larry Legend. He's my number 1 player of all time. Always has been.
❤❤what more can one say? number One.❤❤
I am absolutley in love with his play style. The fakes, the audacious shots, the no look passes. Nobody will ever compare. I wish i was alive to watch him play
i thank God I was alive to witness him. When my son was about nine, I tried to get him interested in him, but he kept telling me he sucked. Then, he watched a Larry/Magic documentary and he was HOOKED. He started looking for more documentaries on Larry. We were in Marshall's once and he saw a Larry/Magic t-shirt and begged me to buy it for him. My son plays basketball and I'm always telling him that it's not just about the talent and athleticism, it's also about basketball IQ. In my opinion, Larry had the best basketball IQ of any other player, past and present (and I dare say future).
My son's now in the 10th grade and it's time to start scouting colleges. I'm glad I watched this today. I'm going to make him and my husband watch this.
One of the last true basketball players before jungle ball took over. I was born in 1984 and he was done by the time I was 8, so unfortunately I don’t remember myself
It was glorious
Watch pistol Pete
Albrecht Schöbel jungle ball. Gtfoh.
When time travel becomes a thing I’m going back to see the magic and bird era in person
Amen. I still get goosebumps when I see a replay from their battles.
6 feet under
Just as good as seeing Ali & Orr during the 60's or Tom Brady for the last 20 years & the Boss "Live" with Bob Dylan!
Take a nigga with ya!
I'm going to see Jesus first, but Magic and Bird would be right after that. 😊
3:09 is really crazy.... in that short clip, he shot, felt it was off, knew how precise he was off, went straight to where it would be to grab his own rebound, then finish it with an offhanded finger roll..... that is balling for real
Yeah, that is just flat out scary. Only a player who KNOWS his game can be so exact in his movements...Legend for a reason!
Bird by far the most skilled player ever.
And his body was BEHIND the backboard.
300th like
Larry Legend for a reason
The most clutch player in NBA history. Every night he did something "that make you go Hmmmm". Rookie OTY, Coach OTY, Exec OTY, Athlete OTY, 3 rings, 3 consecutive MVPs, 3X all-Defense, All-Star MVP, 2X Finals MVP & King of the 40/50/90 club. He shot like Curry, passed like Magic, rebounded like Kareem & stole like Stockton. The best defenders in history couldn't stop him. LEGEND!!!! 🏀
LARRY was simply flashy. What I mean by simply flashy? His flashy moves came from simple fundamentals. Simple anticipation passes, and simple plays that look amazing, but that is masked with extreme fundamentals. He wasted no motion or dribble.s Just straight to the point
I agree. A master at focusing on the game.
He knew the geometry of basketball. There's few players who know how just to get the right touch for the bounce pass, floater, shooting even lefty.
Statutory Grape I agree good basketball is good math
Simple? Hahah, it may seem simple when you're playing two on two against your buddies in the park man.. But that shit ain't simple.
i've been thinking the same thing for years. what we consider flashy, he does it out of intelligence and necessity. i think thats what seperates him from Magic. Magic is flashy to be flashy (effective as it is) but there's a different beauty when bird does because he's not trying to be flashy. its almost like he's simply doing it off instinct.
Even black homies wore his jersey. That’s how much respect they have for bird
saw 2 at a Warrior/Celtics game in Oracle. One was an old skooler, the other was a kid/early teen.
Danny Dolan Don’t pretend to be stupid
Danny Dolan exactly what the hell does his color matter?
@Charlie Bravo welp, that's how society is.
1999 why should he pretend to be stupid? Do You aggree also that The Blacks Are racist? Grazy world were skin matter Most... Today The Same with Doncic many Blacks Comment racist about him but The whites Are always The Bad i know...
Most people dont realize how injured he was his last 3 years. He had to lay down on the sidelines. His back was completely fried. His pain threshold is #1 in nba history. He played with a hole in his shattered jaw, played with a broken eye socket, both THE SAME GAME HE GOT THE INJURIES.
Him Kobe and Iverson
And they load manage these days😭😭😭
And he first injured his back building a driveway for his momma's house, even though he was already a millionaire.
@@mikesmobile30 Idk about Kobe, but Iverson I would say was just as tough. I don't know how he did it, he played *hard* on the court for a little guy, then would go out and party until morning, then wake up for a noon Saturday game and do same thing, while leading the league in minutes and racking up constant little injuries.
@@localneo-graphic4647 dude Kobe literally shot freethrows then walked off the court with a torn Achilles....played basically a whole season with torn ligaments in his shooting hand literally the only injuries he didn't play thru was injuries it was impossible to play with
He makes me feel that the rim was sooo wide once he makes those shots,the way he holds the ball and his shooting form makes every shot look so effortless
This shit is beyond skin colors and childish egos..
His game bordered metaphysical fields..
Who the hell wins Rings and MVP titles by constantly telling opponents what he's gonna do?
The man's mentality reached unseen levels before.
Jack Daniels83 Tenessee Whiskey cringe
@@littlemac3771 you sound salty
HP Jodi not rly the way he wrote it was just cringe.. how did it sound salty
@@littlemac3771 salty ass nigga
Jack Daniels83 Tenessee Whiskey in terms of on court intellect he is second only to Bill Russell
The playoff game against Indiana in 91' was just insane. Most players dont have the mental toughness or heart that he showed there.
He was way past his prime at that point.
Fresh off spinal surgery that year and having to wear a back brace between practice and games, his surgeon had said publicly he had no idea how Larry could keep playing.
He also couldnt sit on the bench - hence why you see him laying down and squatting near the bench - due to severe back pain.
Then he goes down in the 2nd quarter, fractures his eye socket and cops a grade 3 concussion (your out for weeks in modern sport if this happens) come back on in the 2nd half and literally plays 'unconscious'.
He said later he only remembers the game in parts due to his concussion.
Agreed and I wish we beat the Cavs in the next round so we could've seen Bird vs Jordan one last time. The Celtics would've lost, but the spectacle of that would've been enough to see
Holy shit that’s the best basketball story I’ve ever heard
I watched it live. It was the greatest game of basketball that has ever been played.
Back when basketball legends were warriors and had pride
Do you know exactly how much he scored after he came back in?
this has to be one of the nastiest highlight reel ever
Yep. How about that shot from BEHIND the basket? He was still falling out of bounds. Nothing but net. Incredible !
Mike M what are you talking about
@@mikem1006 bruh there is no black guy that can be like Larry
@@mikem1006 Say that to Kareem or Magic. Kareem said himself that Larry Bird might be the best player he played against. Magic said that aswell.
Mike M don’t you sound dumb rn 😭😭😭
Never realized how nasty Larry bird was holy shit. I feel ashamed that I'm 27 years old and this is the first real highlight reel I'm watching from him. Obviously I always hear his name among the greats, buy GOODNESS I didn't know he had it like that!! Much respect.
But*
No shame brotha. This is why old people like me(almost 40) aren't putting LeBron on some pedestal. We've seen the likes of LeBron before, except bird not only would cut your throat, he'd tell you before it happened. Welcome on board the bird Vision. 😅
It’s never to late!
I'm a Lakers fan but luv Larry Bird
now go learn about the 80s MJ ;)
His awareness is inhuman. Literally has eyes not just in the back of his head, but everywhere.
He had eyes in the back of everyone head
Larry knew where everybody’ feet, hands, hips, shoulders, heads and eyes were: what they could and couldn’t do with the number of schemes he had in his repertoire, and had to chose the most entertaining show of a move while defenders were frozen. This debate of goat is over. Done.
I used to think how was Bird able to get his shot off with no moves and it not be blocked? Now I think Bird knew when the defender was off balance and unready to jump or at least not fast enough. Bird’s awareness was insane. He played the game like chess, 3 moves ahead, couldn’t have no mental lapses when up against Bird or he’d bury you the man was a straight savage
Wait till you find out about pistol Pete, bud
@@Alixxusa oh yeah, he’s ridiculous too
look at the way bird makes the opposing bench react #Legend
Joey Hernandez for real man. People think he'd be bad in this era and it's silly! First, there's no way to know that but I don't think the evidence we see here would offer any proof that he'd struggle in today's NBA! This man is a LEGEND!
that part was so funny
Only people that think Bird would do bad in this era are retarded Millennials. Bird would dominate this soft ass league.
if they'd let him play physical, same with Malone, Barkley, they'd eat these freshmen up!
Kyle Hurd Agree
Watching this makes all of us realize just how skilled this man was.
Larry Bird shall not ever leave the top 10 of all time. He was insane
Top 5 IMO
He played almost his whole career with a career ending back injury and made the ASG every year.
GOAT.
@@Forever_Soul 한국인을 여기서 보니 반갑네요
@@Forever_Soul ㅋㅋ
Curry took his spot
As a Laker fan, Larry is one of the best ever, and he use to drive me nuts in the finals! Larry Bird was an old school tough guy with a shooters eye!
bars
If Larry played today these kids wouldn't know what to do. This man would break more than their ankles, he'd break their spirit.
bet, he walked up to everybody at the 3 point contest and said " ok, who's comin in second?"... and won.
And yet, there are kids arguing how Larry, Magic and other GIANTS of this beautiful game couldn't play in today NBA 😂
@@markomarkovic5729 His trash talking alone would make these young punks cry.
He’d break their tender little hearts but he’d have to be muzzled because his trash talking would cause an international problem.
When he comes back out after being hurt it gives me goosebumps
And that was after the back injury, when he couldn't sit down and had to be in traction all day before the game just to play. So Larry was playing with a deformed index finger on his shooting hand that was permanently bent in a 45 degree angle pointing towards his thumb I believe, a back injury that was so bad that he couldn't even sit down on the bench, he had to lay on the floor, a fractured cheek bone, and a concussion to boot. And he STILL kicked ass! That's why he's the GOAT as far as I'm concerned. He did it better than everyone else (including MJ) while being injured and not as gifted physically (speed and jumping).
I love the way Marv Albert says his name as he comes back “Here comes…. Larry BiRD!!”
Like he’s in utter shock this guy just came back that fast.
@@withalittlehelpfrom3 HE HAD FRACTURE OF EYE BONE AND CHEEK
And that is why Boston loved him. We're a town of hardnocks and gritty working class people. We may take a few hits but never let it keep us down. Boston Strong has always been a calling card long before the bombings.✊
The reaction of the Atlanta Hawks bench is priceless.
Everybody on Matt Hawks team said the film session the next day was absolutely horrible until Fratello and the rest of the coaches started laughing along, even though they fined the players for doing so during the game.
I'm 50 yrs old and I grew up in the Bird era and I hate I took this man for granted!! I should have watched him every time he was on T.V.
I did!
❤❤me also ❤❤
Larry Joe Bird doesn't give a damn if you think he is the GOAT or not. And that is what is so freaking special.
For short HE IS BELIEVING HIMSELF THAT HE CAN DO ANYTHING THAT HE CAN TO WIN
@Ken D then magic said , " Larry can do more things than me, his shot etc." - letterman 2011
" The best I've ever faced in my era was Larry Bird." -2019
I cried at the end.
Larry really is a legend
Birdman was a beast!
Here's a new one about Larry Bird that I just found. Larry was a redshirt his first year at Indiana State, after transferring from Indiana. Bird had to sit out his first year because of the transfer. The coach at ISU stopped letting Larry scrimmage with the team because his team always won and the starters were getting discouraged. Larry threatened to quit...the coaches met with Larry and this occurred: Head Coach King explained to Bird that the reason he limited his minutes in practice was to save his starters from humiliation-the other players needed to win sometimes. “To hell with them,” Bird answered. “If they can’t win, then they ought to lose.”
“Okay,” said Coach King. “I won’t take you out anymore. You stay.” The coaches weren’t about to let Bird go anywhere. Earlier in that season, Mel Daniels, the Indiana Pacers and ABA great, had visited Terre Haute at the request of Coach King, who had coached Daniels at the University of New Mexico. Daniels brought along Pacers teammate, ABA great, and future Naismith Hall of Famer Roger Brown for an afternoon of pick-up ball with some of the Sycamores, including Bird. After the game, Daniels, himself a future Hall of Famer, offered King and Hodges a scouting report on Bird. “Let me tell you something, Coach,” said Daniels. “That’s the best damn player I’ve ever played against.” Roger Brown, who rarely, if ever, gave compliments or praise, agreed. “Ah, come on, Mel,” said Assistant Coach Bill Hodges. He laughed, noting that Daniels had played among the likes of Connie Hawkins, Julius Erving, and George McGinnis. “I’m telling you,” said Daniels, “the best damn player I’ve ever played against.”
ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!!
Great story
The fucking legend. Truly sad to see people disrespecting Larry this day and age.
@@G4MBIT I was not alive back then but I would smack anyone who would disrespect the Bird
My post came from a newspaper article. Great article! Here's the link: www.indianapolismonthly.com/longform/larry-birds-greatest-shot-one-didnt-take/
Just imagine this guy with no injuries and 6 more years on his career
flash 22 wat abd
@flash 22 Len Bias & Reggie Lewis could've been 2 more rings before retirement.
@flash 22 true. Certainly in 87, high chances 88. Or 87 then 89.
Larry had to get injured for MJ to become the 🐐
Bird coulda gone 4-5 years easily...maybe 6. same with magic, maybe 2-3 years longer cuz he was younger.
As a Piston fan, Bird was scariest opponent to play of any player in the 80s. He was definitely a great player.
Indeed. We hated the Celtics and especially Bird. But, it was just because he was so great. Every time Bird got the ball playing against my Pistons, I was like "Oh, sh1t!"
I agree. As a black man I couldn't stand LB. People cannot comprehend how great that man was. Absolute terror. I was born in 1962 and there hasn't been a white player half as good as he was back then or now 2023.
@avangard317 No way Jokic compares to LB. Jokic can't win without Murray. LB was feared by the greatest who've ever played the game. Jordan, Magic, Kareem, Dr J., on & on & on Jokic has the stats. In this case, stats mean nothing. When Boston & LB came to town you knew you had to go deeper than your absolute best. The world would stop on Sundays to watch the NBA. The NBA & refs were different back then. You had to earn every basket, sometimes with your life in play. The Playoffs were like hockey. Fights every game. The refs let you settle all issues on the court. LB was a wolf amongst wolves. Among alpha wolves, he ate at the same table.
@avangard317jokić play vs butler. Bird swept jordan , sweot olajuwob, drj , maguc jabbar. Jokić not even near top 50 player. U hyped aftree lucky ring vs no competition. Whos jimmy ?
@avangard317 embiid nevee face jokić u deranged. Dončić has no help and also never play vs him. Bron is 40 old. Jokić never veat gsw or faced them full strength. Jokić won vs jimmy butler. Look ppl this deranged say Luka Dončić alone is superteam like Magic Jabbar Worth that Bird beat 🤣🤣
People too young to have watched Bird play could never have even the slightest clue how great he was at every facet of the game. He was a pleasure to watch.
This is so beautifully put together. The music, the commentary. Please, put out more of this kind of thing!
What’s the music?
Ive watched this 3 times now on occasion
Andrew Nguyen titanic challenge
Well it was made by the NBA itself so they should be able to do a good job.
@@narekhart9862I watch it like a couple times every year when I’m just chilling. And every time is still get just as hyoed😂😂😂
I was born in 90 so I never saw him play but when I see this I can only imagine how great it was to witness the Bird/Magic rivalry and Jordan incoming. Probably the best era.
I saw the West/Chamberlain Lakers in 72 (I was 11 years old), the 80's Lakers, and the Shaq/Kobe era. Yep, the 80's Showtime/Magic Lakers were my favorites. The Celtics/Bird rivalry was a big reason.
It was, by far.
It was special for sure. The guys were all unique too. That played a huge part in their entertainment factor.
And in the 80's you can put Isiah right there.
To be honest, a lot of us who watched this stuff at the time, even though we knew we were witnessing something special, didn't fully appreciate it until after these guys retired. Especially that period in the mid-late 80s when the league was crammed *full* of Hall of Fame-caliber players, and it seemed like every team had at least one dude was going end up there eventually. That's how crazy talented and competitive the league was back then.
I've always heard Bird was one of the greatest to play the game, but thanks to this video, I now know why
same here! i was a few years too late for him. glad this video is here
UA-cam full games. They're even better. He will something in every game where you just shake your head. A very spoiled 80s Mass girl. Watch passes between DJ and Bird I swear they have one mind on the floor or at least esp.
My personal favorite basketball player of all times. He was an absolute joy to watch.
80's basketball is crazy I can't even imagine what it'd be like to live in that era and witness those Celtics vs Lakers go at it
It was incredible
When the Celtics and Lakers went at it in the finals it was soooo intense. Larry and Magic were both such intense competitors. They didn't care about stats, they cared about winning championships at all cost and unfortunately Larry Birds body couldn't hold up. But in his prime Bird was a "LEGEND"!!....I love that quote by Pat Riley..."I would pick Michael Jordan to take the shot to win the game. But I would pick Larry Bird to take the shot to save my life"
They captured the nation. NBA’s golden era.
It was amazing! I saw the 80s, 90s, 00s the golden era of basketball.
@The Esquire of Sports ® 6min 50sec into Larry's speech. ua-cam.com/video/CdaUy4bv2lI/v-deo.html
This is beautiful.
We'll NEVER see another rivalry quite like Magic/Bird.
Tony19C. The best basketball rivalry that will ever be known.
People sleeping on Larry bird. Lebron hasn't even passed bird status yet. I still think about the left hand game. He simply got bored and played an entire game LEFT handed and got 47 pts, 14 rebs, 11 assists. Ridiculous.
W
Tripleblade 82 I can make a shot with my eyes closed, I can’t make a shot with my left hand
Liam Ryan sad
Larry Bird is naturally left-handed person!
@@Everis3 he's right handed
Larry bird is my goat, he inspires me greatly
"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."
Was that Pat Riley who said that?
If I had to choose a player to take the shot that would save the Fate of the Universe I'd choose Ray Allen.
@@radar0412 I WANT IGUODALA
@@Arifraser373 Ray Allen saved the Universe! Andre Iguodala only save Alameda County. 😁
I’d take Larry Bird only if he was in his younger state.
I always thought people were overhyping Bird until I saw this video
Mr.Buckets There is no hype. It's all real lol
If MJ says someone is one of the best, someone is one of the best.
The video's just the tip of the iceberg. They should've included more hustle plays.
YUP.. no one was on the loose ball like Bird.
Mike Sykes Let's not forget the outlet passes. He's been called the best quarterback in basketball.
i keep hearing that bird is one of the greatest of all time. i never seen highlights or him play. but i guess they were all right about him, he is something.
How the hell have u never seen hl of bird? Lol
It's tough when you didn't grow up with him. I can understand, there's only so many highlights that you can see. And I know myself, probably being a good twenty years older than yourself, and having lived through it. So, I can see just as a matter of factly that those were truly special times. Basketball is played with such a high degree that it was literally must-see television every time him, or Magic, or MJ played. Not going to disrespect today's game, but back then it was just something special.
Dudes young man
274_South Side respect young gun
Imo greatest of all time. He injured one of his fingers on his shooting hand early in his career (college or highschool I believe) and he said it never felt right since and still never shot as good as he used to which is bananas cus he still became one of if not the best shooter; not only that, he played through a terrible back the entire time, broken bones including in his face ect..he was forced to retire early because of how hard he played and how much harder the NBA played each other in those days. Lot of dirty stuff back then. If bird played as long as LeBron will, I think it would be bird overall #1. Lotta guys you can name are better than him at one thing or another, but as a whole he was the best, in mine and many others opinions. Played chess while everyone else was playing checkers
Larry Bird is so crazy. Not only does he have insane skill and agility, but he does shit that you might do as a kid playing ball and beats you with it. He throws it between other guys legs, blindly chucks it backward over his head, casually slips it behind he back to another player. But all of it with precision so they ALWAYS get point. He mops the floor every single time
Bird is an aggressive version of Jokic.
When Larry bird is crossing and dropping defenders but 2k gives him 70 ball control
Didnt wamt to make him overpowered
Ikr.
The dude is literally crossing people up like it’s nothing
His shot in the game is so slow too
It doesn't make any sense in my brain. You look at him and think, "this lanky dopey looking dude cannot be an elite athlete." Just how? Its amazing to watch
If Bird ain't in your top 10 (maybe even top 5) NBA players of all-time...then you trippin. Larry is Legend.
Lebron
Jordan
Magic
Kareem
Bill
Wilt
Kobe
Shaq
Hakeem
Duncan
Those players are tough to be to make the top 10 but I do have bird in my top 10.
@@jrdnLC Larry is ahead of Hakeem and Bill in my opinion
top 5 in no order
Kobe
Bird
Jordan
Lebron
Bill Russel
all around goat is so much harder to choose but Wilt is in that conversation.
1: Kareem
2: Bird
3: Magic
4: Jordan
5: Russel
6: LeBron
7: Shaq
8: Stockton
9: Duncan
10: Kidd
Bird is in many peoples top 10 and he's in mine.. but as easy as it is to put him in top 10 I can easily debate why he wouldn't be top 10.. so its all about personal opinion.
Larry Bird was one tough dude. Mentally and physically.
props for his teammates too, great awareness
84 to 86 seasons were Bird's ultimate prime. Arguably the best 3 year stretch for a personal and team perspective. Legend.
Here's something for you: Larry's retirement ceremony at Boston Garden, which was filled to capacity, wasn't before or after a game...that complete sell out tribute happened on an off-night. Crazy.
This is what real basketball is, physical, one person that stayed loyal to his team, actual heated rivalries, brought back memories ... happy birthday Larry legend
Larry’s greatness often gets overshadowed by other players, but he truly is in the top 3 of all time IMO
Yea he is but people hate to admit it
Top 10 maybe but 3? Nah!!!
@@sgthjennings his career got cut short by prime Larry bird was a goat. 3 league MVP’s in a row, 5 final appearances in 7 years, 3 championships, clutch as fuck, the original sharp shooter, and the BEST trash talker
@@dontedunbar7258 nah he’s not better than mj , magic , lebron
@@curtiscj3087 I would say he’s better than Magic. If it wasn’t for Magic’s team having a bit more depth and having arguably the greatest center of all time, bird would probably have just as many championships if not more.
Plus his back problems came about in 1985 so you could argue that Larry wasn’t quite the same after his 6th year despite still winning a league MVP, Finals MVP, and 2 more finals appearances after his back problems first occurred.
Magic & Larry, resurrected the game of basketball......My dad loved basketball, but stopped watching, until the competition between Johnson & Bird was highlighted......What my Dad used to say, about Larry's game, is that it reminded him of someone, who was not only playing basketball, but also, volleyball, dodgeball, baseball, football, soccer, & strategic chess, all at the same time, and was what made him so great 😊He certainly was one of the most unique and gifted players, I have ever watched!
I forgot how good Larry Bird was in his day. I was only a kid and couldn't appreciate his skill but I do now. One of the greatest to ever do it.
C D Same, my grandfather was a huge Bird fan having grown up in Indiana and played basketball for Indiana before Bird did. He got me into basketball around that time but I became a Robert Parish fan lol
Looking back Bird was truly legendary.
@@Adino1 me too
I agree because I was also a kid when Bird played i can truly appreciate now how good he was he had the best basketball IQ he always played the right way and always made the right play I loved the story during all star weekend when he was in the 3 point contest and walked in the locker room and asked who was playing for second and then backed it up by winning # LARRY LEGEND!!
I don’t know how you have a GOAT conversation without Bird in the mix
skin color..if he had a darker skin color he would be...
@@jimmyjameson8705 he just isn’t in that goat conversation he top 5 but he isn’t better than jordan lebron and kareem
@@jimmyjameson8705 it’s only white folks how be thinking he’s the goat just stop it why would any take a unathletic white boi over air jordan 😂😂🐐🤦🏾
@@klow335 no the greatest MOST SKILLED basketball player to EVER LIVE was pistol Pete MARAVich..NOBODY REMOTELY CLOSE.
@@jimmyjameson8705 bro stop it I can name way more player more skilled than pistol pete your yt so of course you’d say some that outrageous
Notice that when he gets the steal against Detroit he gets right back on defense instead of celebrating like his teammates, fucking LEGEND
he was killer fr
He also had to tip toe to not step out of bounds.
With 0:01 to play!...
I can see Nikola Jokic doing the same in his games. Same mentality.
Larry bird is one of the most creative and tricky scorers. Damn fun to watch.
You can't teach it. It can't be practiced. You can't learn it. It's called a gift. And Bird had it.
He did have a gift, but 95% of what he achieved was through pure fucking work-rate.
It absolutely was not a "gift". He has said over and over how hard he had to work because he didn't have the athletic "gift" other guys did.
And with all the bad and hard fall, the bruises, the black eye and bloodied uniform, he maintained his high standard of basketball IQ. And be a leader with mental toughness and pride.
Current stars are very spoiled this day and age of modern basketball. And would be wailing too much if they would be harassed physically by their defenders.
YES he did!!
It can be practiced and you can learn it... Larry birds work ethic was the biggest thing he had.
"...and I dedicated my life to the Boston Celtics."
Larry Legend!
It was great to witness; we will always love Bird.
Larry Bird last played for the league nearly 30 years ago and this guy would STILL be a problem today.
He would be the mvp
The game now is tailor made for his game.
Just imagine Luka 3 inches taller and far better at shooting and passing
He would be the best player in the league.
He'd be ungardable today
1st time watching Larry bird highlights he is one of the greatest
Me 2
@@kinsak3368facts u see man’s game impeccable and white no hate he’d put in hella work this era
Larry was like a mad scientist on the court. Legend.
Old school basketball used to give me the chills because it was soooo good. There was so much talent on the court. I miss it.
Yes, now it's just shooting 3 points the whole game.
@@aaroncmajor212 the physicality is what he's talking bout.. Like no more head to head contact in football. Shit is soft and now it looks like ballerina
Bird was sensational. Easily considered one of the greatest to ever play and probably the most brilliant. He was a basketball genius and most importantly, a great human being. I loved watching him play!
Idk about a great human being I never knew him but he abandon a daughter basically so shitty dad
One of the most intelligent players of all time. His play was so refined.
In an interview with Bryant Gumbal, Micheal Jordan was asked, "If you had to choose someone other than yourself to take the last sh.... and before Gumbal could finish the question, Jordan blurted out, "Larry Bird"
I think the term "Nothing but Net" sums up Bird's shots.
@@BST-lm4po as his mcdonald’s commercial lines state, yes
Mad respect for Bird bc Jordan would never give up the ball unless he didn't think somebody was better than him and that guy without a doubt was Larry Bird, the greatest shooter before Kobe and Curry.
@@Hak616 what do u mean that guy was Larry bird it wasn't
@@giannisantetokounmposalt1647 So who was it according to you?
I'm a Lakers fan and, yes, Larry is the best player of the 80's Also, on a mental standpoint, he is the toughest player in the history of the NBA.
AND every LAKER PLAYER said the same thing. RESPECT!!!
Back when all the kids wanted Pippen an Jordan on their jersey I rolled up in with a Celtics nr 33 Bird. I took a lot of shit for that back in the days. No regrets, still have it. Bird was and is the man!
🐐
red sanford how is that even relevant
@Ghost of Malcolm hex so whats the problem with that fam?
@Ghost of Malcolm hex I'm almost 1% sure you're black
@Ghost of Malcolm hex if larry bird was black he'd be even bigger
I had to come back here after what Dennis Rodman said about this man. "If Larry Bird played in this era, he'd be in Europe" - Dennis Rodman. Bird was one of the most skilled player of all time. In this era where shooting is a necessity, Bird would flourish in today's era. Excuse me, not flourish but dominate in today's era.
Agreed he would be a MVP and CHAMPION
The only player who's nickname includes the word "Legend" goes to show just how great he was
Jordan, Larry and Magic. What a trio.''
LEBRON LEGEND
@@WyWid hahah 😂 I love it
I think Bird had eyes in the back of his head. Some of those passes were incredible.
This is a very nice tribute. Especially for a Boston boy who grew up watching Larry legend. Thank you for making it.
Larry Bird is one of the few vintage ballers that I believe would still kill it in todays game.
Well, there are actually lots. Bird would absolutely destroy the league, but so would Jordan, Wilt, Oscar Robertson, big men like Olajuwon and David Robinson (arguably not "vintage"), Moses Malone, Pippen, Jerry West, Pete Marovich, McHale, Reggie.. the list is pretty long, actually.
@@Xenon-h9z the last few you named would definitely not thrive as much as they did in their time
Reggie was a 3-point machine, McHale was a hell of a shooter (only 60/80 player) and footwork works in any era, Jerry west was a killer in any era, Pete maybe not as much but he could have easily adapted. @@LinkkUpt
@@Xenon-h9zImagine Hondo effort in today’s game.
Right, because they'd be incapable of adapting /s @@LinkkUpt
4:10 is the sickest pass I've ever seen on a basketball court at any level of the game..... On a full speed cut, mid air, pass from the hips over the back of shoulders, between 2 defenders... Ridiculous
There's one on his best passer re edit that comes to mind that's even more insane. I'll dig it up and hit you up with the time stamp of it.
Agreed. I had to watch that like 8 times and I still don’t know wtf happened
@@Ed513513 waiting hahah
@@FG011 ua-cam.com/video/wwo4vtaZmsY/v-deo.html @9:55 jumps in the air spinning and airborne launches a perfect down the court pass. but yeah Larry isnt athletic right? lol
,
@@Ed513513 the strength necessary to do that, wow. I'm not sure about calling it even more insane than the one in this video tho, to me both are incredible, Larry truly is one of the best players of all time
2:25 I don't think I've ever seen a head fake that got 4 players off the ground at once. May be the best one I've ever seen.
Dude had the style of a street player. LEGEND.
For me it was academic style and culture
Absolutely stone cold. I wish for the day we get a reaction video of Bird watching these highlights. Larry Bird is a different type of animal.
As impressive as Bird is, I'm watching his little flick/no look passes and am as equally impressed with his teammates reaction times to getting a pass seemingly out of nowhere
In practice they would get hit in the face with the ball.
Theyre training, they knew what to expect from him.
They’re world class athletes. It’s not difficult for them
Notice how many are McHale, they were definitrly in each other's heads
His passing gets overlooked
4:18 This move looks so modern man. Almost 40 years ahead of its time. Ive seen Luka do this multiple times the behind the back + step-back.
A bit like the Cruyff turn in football (soccer).
Where do you think Luka got it? ;)
@@Benzy670The Hick from French Lick of course😏
I thought the same, this move is from the future lol.
@Srbo lazic he talk trash
Larry Legend underrated. He was a white dude dominating in an era he had no business dominating in. This guys mouth was Legendary
he is not underrated
Jonh Plasur He is.
Krispy Burnz He’s top 5 but also very underrated.
THAT is a FACT!!!
I would say he's definitely underated. Also the NBA is about entertainment he was very entertaining
Larry smashes his head on the parquet, walks himself to the locker room, gathers his marbles together, decides he's not going to lose this game, comes back to the court by himself and ultimately gets the win! TOUGH doesn't even begin to describe the tenacity, dedication, and fortitude this guy possessed!
Yeah that's true unlike todays basketball era, they are soft hahaha
Truly a cerebral player. He's playing chess, mind always thinking 4-5 moves ahead he can see the play before the play has even begun. He viewed the entire court like players view it in an a video game. Mental, tactical, skillful but always thinking ahead.
Extraordinary.
You are right. I was wondering how in the hell he was making passes like that. He must have been viewing the court like a chess board, planning several moves ahead.
Bird is like Doncic + Jokic fused into one player and then maxed out to 20 levels above that
John Galt but better
Nah, Doncic is like a Harden clone with better IQ and Jokic is Jokic AKA the center of the future.
They are not even close in terms of shooting,Bird was levels above,he was more like a Nowitzki.
wtf? Um no
Except he was a really good defender
In my lifetime, I've seen Bird, Jordan and Bryant. There will never be basketball like that, with those legends, ever again.
you're a lebron hater for sure
Straight wars. Bos v Phi, Portland or Seattle v Lakers - was glorious.
Bird was amazing and as a black man I was like please don't let this guy ever do or say nothing racist because he was my fav. N.B.A. player and I took a lot of heat by the brothers for liking him but to me he was Clark Kent and Superman...... GRIM.
I wanted to give this comment a Like, but it's currently on 33. Lol.
Respect for appreciating greatness regardless of color. It's a shame your friends weren't the same way.
So your friends were the racists...
Larry was so non-racist that he actually got pissed off when they would put a white guy on him to guard him. He said it was disrespectful to his game.
Your friends are racists