"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." - Pat Riley
its so true tho I grew up watching and loving the game of basketball mj has always been my hero but bird was a bad sum bitch if he never hurt his back he would have been way higher up on the all time scoring list like way higher up man
Lebron is more clutch than all. Plz ignore the media narrative - the numbers dont lie. Granted bron wasn't first few years, but from 2nd year in miami onwards proper clutch
I forget which NBA player said it, but when asked the difference between playing Michael Jordan and Larry Bird he summed it up perfectly. He said when you play Michael Jordan he makes you feel slow and when you play Larry Bird he makes you feel stupid.
Just like when MJ was told to start passing the ball to John Paxson. You can't be a one man team no matter how good you are. If one of your guys has a better shot you get it to them. That's how you win a championship.
I'm biased but I feel Rajon Rondo used to be one of the best passers in the league. I remember watching him and seeing crazy behind the back/through the legs/no look passes from him. It reminds me of Jokic a lot, who is an incredible passer as well and up there with the greats now. In fairness though being 7' while having handles like that lets you make some INSANE PASSES that a "traditional" 6'2-6'4" PG just never could. Not just behind the back of through the legs or no look, but like lobs to teammates anywhere because he can just stick his arm so far past his defender that he can move it where he wants to. Now I'm going a bit off topic here but it comes full circle I promise. The height of centers, forwards and point guards have both moved closer towards each other, towards about 6'6" average. Most teams used to have decent height differentials between their smallest players (generally guards, specifically PGs) and their tallest (generally centered). Great example would be Nate Robinson and Shaw when they were both on the Celtics: Robinson wasn't even 6' and Shaq is well...Shaq sized. The size differential was huge. Obviously this is skewed in that direction because Nate Robinson is INCREDIBLY SHORT for the NBA, but even a 6'2' PG is about 10+ inches away from Shaq. There used to be HUGE difference from shortest to smallest Nowadays the majority of many teams now have guards and forwards that are basically the same height, maybe sometimes have an outlier for center or PG, but otherwise the heights of players on teams are closing the gaps. This is why we see these "Swiss army knives" like Jayson Tatum who can basically just do anything. He's tall enough that anyone shorter he has a good ad advantage over them, but unless someones a good 7' tall he'll be able to still get a shot off. He can basically get where he needs to and do any kind of shit, and also hustles on defense. Or like a Draymond Green (despite his antics). He's just at a height and skill set that lets him make a move from basically anywhere against an opponent of any size. He also hustles on defense (coincidence ? Probably not since the point of players like them is they do "everything" well). So yeah. I agree. Insane passing from Bird, up there with the greats because of his vision (I think that's what makes the best assist masters and playmakers). Sorry I went off topic but the point was that nowadays we probably won't see many pure PGs because of the Swiss army players and because the heights between guards, forwards, and centers have all been closing from large differentials to much smaller ones (so team height is more consistent around the median/average).
Larry Bird could back all that talk with his play. His mind was his greatest weapon. He lived rent free in the other players heads!! His accomplishments tell the story. These men telling stories about him are NOR bench warmers. They are some of the best ever to walk out on to the court, ever! That tells me all I need to know!!!!!! Bird! Bird! BIRD!!!!!
I got to watch Larry live a few times. He was deceptively quick and knew where everyone was at all times. An amazing opportunity to watch the Legend play. I miss the Gahdin.
I TOTALLY MISS THE BEST SPORTING EVENTS SEATS EVER (Celtics 🏀or Bruins 🏒🥅) , First balcony, Sections 60-61 in the long gone Madhouse called the Boston Gahden 🏢 on Causeway St. MBTA Green Line 🚊, North Station.
One player who was skilled in every aspect of playing winning basketball and being the team leader by demonstrating his skill sets every time he stepped on the court. One of a kind without question!
I'm glad I got to witness Larry Bird firsthand playing basketball in the 80's. He was just amazing. His form of shooting the ball was the best to this day.
I'm a huge Bird hater/lover and this shows how smart Kobe was to ask these questions instead of just dismissing Bird's skill based on his perceived athletic ability.
I really don't know why he was thought to be unathletic. Look at his moves! The quickness of them. His coordination. The hustle! He could dunk at will and his willingness to physically confront anyone when necessary, etc. And he seemingly never got tired...to me these are all hallmarks of outstanding athletic ability.
i suppose that , cut out of granite athletic look wasnt there, but totally agree with you. he was as well conditioned to play at an incredible pace, .....slow and cant jump my ass
@@mightymikeamps9317, His first step was quick and unstoppable, especially on the baseline. I watched Bird play since his final year at Indiana State. Larry Legend is an understatement. He made the Celtics the championship teams they were, he elevated the players and play of that team.
@@calkelpdiverBut who taught who the post moves? McHale or Bird? They mirrored each other in the post. I didn’t watch more than highlights of Larry as a college player.
I don't know why ANYONE says Bird wasn't athletic. He was EXTREMELY athletic. He'd take off there would be a block, he'd switch hands mid air turn and lay up with his left hand. He was very very athletic. Was good vert the highest? No, but he was extremely athletic
Yeah when people say that I dunno what they mean. He's playing a sport and is one of the best in his sport. He is an athlete. Maybe he's not as athletic as some other people but to say he wasn't is silly. He also f-cked his back up half-way through his career. That's the only reason he ended up quitting in 92.
Some conceded the facts about Bird early on but I like the fact that over time, everyone conceded that he was extra special and a next-level player. It says a lot for Larry Bird, but it also says a lot for mankind in general..Decent people will always admit and embrace the truth eventually.
Larry had the highest basketball IQ of anyone I ever saw. Larry was always one step ahead of everyone else , when it came to anticipating and seeing things develop on the court. It's been said Larry was a legit 6'10. Larry had a great stroke. It would be very interesting to see Larry play in today's game with guys jacking up 3's non stop. He'd be a sniper but also dominate in the mid range. The legend was such a competitor that he would have been great in any era.
Larry had the highest basketball IQ on the hardwood every time he stepped on an NBA floor. Larry was a time traveler. He lived in a world two steps ahead of all of us mere mortals.
@@johnspehn4051 Kareem said it best in an interview that I saw. He said, "Larry beat you with this" and tapped on his head, referring to Larry's brain. I'm not knocking Larry Legend's hard work which so much a part of his skill but he didn't see the court like most players do - from ground level. He saw the court with a bird's eye view (no pun intended). He knew where everyone was and where they WOULD be before they got there. That Hick from French Lick was just born to ball. #LarryLegend ☘️
I can’t remember the player that said, “The first time you play against Bird you are thinking, this guy is slow, can’t jump….then when you size up to him you realize how big he is”
@@The_GallowglassI wonder if Larry Bird is a legit 6’10” and only 1 inch shorter than Shaq. To have those skills at that height is pretty amazing. Even if he is only 2” shorter than Shaq. Still
That shot from behind the backboard, despite not counting, is still one of the most talented, amazing, beautiful, and ice cold shots I've ever seen. Dude knew he'd be able to get the ball in the hoop from a spot NO ONE EVER practices from, BEHIND THE BACKBOARD, because you'd never have to do that ever, because when would you EVER need to shoot a ball while out of bounds behind the board? Never of course. Unless, of course, you're Larry Bird, in which case you pull it off. They should have given him those 2 points, inbounds or not just because of its beauty. You just cannot contest truth of that shot and how much it says about Larry Bird
@@knutt81 :says every older guy hanging around a basketball court claiming they could ball 20 years ago when in reality they maybe played varsity in high school at best. "Yeah I could shoot from behind the rim Larry Bird style. I also had better ups than Jordan. I don't have to prove it to you though, but I basically should've been in the NBA." Keep bragging about those balling skills online dude. You definitely had as good of a shot as Larry Bird! Maybe don't claim to be able to do something when all it would take you is a ten second clip posted on UA-cam or tiktok. Don't worry: you don't have to prove anything to ME amigo! I just don't believe you!
@@knutt81 also how would reading a book educate me about a specific behind the back board basketball shot? I read a lot of books and my minor is in mathematics, but I can't think of a single book that discusses taking a behind the backboard shot in basketball. Is that just like a copy/paste response from you? Go read a book? What book would educate me about this specific topic? A better sentence would've been "Go watch some old games," but since you know there isn't another game with footage like this you just said the dumbest response possible. Yeah, you don't have to prove anything to me! But when all's it would take is a 10 second video on UA-cam or Tiktok pussing out doesn't make you seem like a truth teller. I just straight up don't believe you. So either post the proof or maybeeee shut up you clown? Lol. I'm not the one out here claiming I can make a behind the backboard shot or making any claims about my basketball abilities. Maybeeee if you're gonna be that guy either put up or shut up...just a thought. Cause otherwise you look like a straight bull-talking idiot lol.
I think they really mean speed and jumping height. His hand eye coordination, touch and finesse though are different forms of athleticism. And he had that in spades.
Naaa … Bird transcended the goat debate. He is THE legend. The only true legend in basketball history. Dominique came close to being on par with Bird with his ability to play both sides of the ball equally good and at an extremely efficient and high rate for an entire season … but he never had the mind Bird has. Jordan will ALWAYS be the goat … but BIRD will always be THE LEGEND!!! Bird will always be the best of the best. There were/ are players that are more athletic. There has never and probably will never be a player as intelligent about the game, as dedicated to perfection and winning, as great of a shooter from anywhere on the court and from any position (balanced or off-balance) or as willing to sacrifice himself as Bird! Larry Bird was and is the ultimate competitive basketball player!!!
You don't need alot of athleticism if you're able to shoot baskets from just about any position or angle on the court. Whether he's standing on 2 feet or 1 bent over falling down twisting every which way he could make it look easy and awkward at the same time.
I think Larry's legendary status has grown even more since he retired. He seems to be one of the most consistently talked about HOF players on any media platform.
I've never been a huge Basketball fan.. I'm loving watching these old videos of Bird.. but I do remember.. again, not being a basketball fan.. when KOBE and his daughter died .. hit me like a ton of bricks. Why did this happen.. it was horrible. I'm tearing up right now thinking of it.. so tragic. Sometimes we just have to have faith
@stevenbrooks7653. I know some people don't understand but God has a reason for everything that happens or that he allows to happen. As the lady said, it's all about faith. I wish you peace and blessings.
What i love about Larry bird is how some people talk about how he couldn't play in today's NBA ( really dont matter. He was a killer on the court) but when you have every nba legend you can think of saying how great he was absolutely blows my mind how people still think that ❤
Growing up as a Knick fan, I hated him because he killed the Knicks so many times but if I had to pick a fantasy team to play against aliens to save earth, I'm picking Larry first.
wrong Larry Legend SAVED basketball You really believe that the league NEEDED another GreaT BlacK player at that time ? it was BlacK verses White then thats what Saved BASKETBALL .
I remember starting to follow Larry Bird as soon as I heard about him when he played for Indiana state. Terra Haute Indiana. Unbelievable. He was thee top of his game. And then I heard about This guy from Michigan.state, Earvin MAGIC JOHNSON. Wow, I was always ready for their games. Love both of them. I really believe Larry Bird was tested by M.J. And that was his next level game. ❤
The reason Jordan’s so respectful to players before him is because he knows that they know the league literally changed the rules to free him up The reason he didn’t win until’91 is not just because he cried until they broke up the Pistons, it’s the illegal defense rules of the 90’s too. The Celtics got so tough because of the 76ers. The Pistons got so tough because of the Celtics. The Bulls got so tough because you had to beat them and the refs and David Stern
In todays nba Bird would average 40 a game the 80s and early 90s the nba was a mans league iam a pacers fan i grew up in Indiana one thing you learn in Indiana is basketball
@@rogerrabbit8756 I forget which year it was but it was before he injured his back. Larry only missed 19 minutes of play in the whole season. Out of the ENTIRE SEASON!!! That is amazing to me. You know he could have checked himself out a few times but Larry had that blue collar work ethic and always wanted to shoot the last basket of the game. Especially if he could do it right at the buzzer. Too many prima donnas in the game today. Larry Legend was a work horse!
Larry would shoot, swish it, and make it go where he wanted it. From the top of the key, Larry releases the ball. He then runs toward the baseline. The ball would swish then head to the baseline where Larry was.
This video was good but left out a lot of the good lines spoken by these greats. Like when Salle told the story of the first time he guarded Bird. Bird yelled Mouse in the House and then shot a 3 over Salle's head. "That's when I got 3 quick fouls cause I'm smart like that!" Salley had me rolling when he told that story!! 🤣🤣🤣
Someone who knows basketball and is correct The first six years Mike couldn't win a title but Larry and Magic did and both saved the NBA. IM BLACK AND I LOVE LARRY BIRD AND I AM FROM LOS ANGELES HE WAS THAT GOOD AND HE TALKED TRASH AND BACKED IT UP I HAVE SEEN HIM LIVE.
When Larry retired, he was the ONLY PLAYER EVER to be in the Top 50 Alltime Career lists for Points Per Game, Assists Per Game, AND Rebounds Per Game. Today, he's still the only player in the Top 60. The next best players have at least one of those stats down below the 150s - I forget if Wilt or Oscar has the second-highest average position on the combination of all 3 lists.
If you look at him play it's almost like he's just playing himself around the other players. It's like he's by himself running drills just with obstacles/players.
I thought the same as Sally about the Luca comparison, but I'd add Jokic to. Both Luka & Jokic play at their own speed. Their like off speed pitchers or knuckle ballers with no fast ball to speak of. Luca at least looks some what coordinated, but Jokic looks slow & awkward on any play, yet there's no answer for him.
I quit watching basketball over the years because of the character of the players, when I grew up watching the game with these greats is was about the game and sport now popularity and political influence
He’s undoubtedly in the top 10 all time list and quite possibly top 5. He was a mans man’s man. They say he’d arrive 2 hours before anyone else and would hang out with the janitor while practicing free throws.
"Larry Bird cant jump" 6:03 wtf do you call that. People also forget Bird f-cked up his back real bad in 1985 halfway through his career, and he still played till 1992.
His passing was on a planet far far away and the time he shot from behind the back glass swish unreal never saw that again and if it happen it was luck. Larrys wasnt luck
I know that bucket doesn't count for points but you can't tell me that Larry never practiced that shot. Even if only out of curiosity. He practiced so hard that he knew EVERY conceivable way to hit that hoop from anywhere on/off the court. When you 800 buckets a day in the summer...you are taking the game seriously. Plus, he was so self confident that he wasn't above showing off on occasion. Just look up the story about the night Magic was hurt and couldn't play against the Celts 😁 If you haven't heard the story already, you'll love it. Magic tells it we'll 😂
A caveat that most don't realize. When Larry played back in the day, they didn't have A/C at the Garden. The players of today would bitch and moan if they had to play in those conditions. If any player could be considered God-like, it was Larry. I sweated my ballz off during many a home game just to admire his prowess.
Larry was psycho competitive. Go through a block wall to get the ball to win the game. Few players had it.. Jordan had it, Kobi had it, few players had it..
As an 80's Laker fan, I didn't like Larry Bird...but I sure had to respect him. Against the Lakers in all those finals, with two teams full of HOFs, Bird was one of the two alpha dogs. And, he was better than the other one (not by much, but still).
"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." - Pat Riley
Exactly
its so true tho I grew up watching and loving the game of basketball mj has always been my hero but bird was a bad sum bitch if he never hurt his back he would have been way higher up on the all time scoring list like way higher up man
Lebron is more clutch than all. Plz ignore the media narrative - the numbers dont lie. Granted bron wasn't first few years, but from 2nd year in miami onwards proper clutch
@@adammaskell7796LMAO you are confusing longevity and stat padding with ability. Sit down 🤡
6:27 @@torrieaccardi5079
I forget which NBA player said it, but when asked the difference between playing Michael Jordan and Larry Bird he summed it up perfectly. He said when you play Michael Jordan he makes you feel slow and when you play Larry Bird he makes you feel stupid.
Indeed extraordinary innate athltism intellectual intelligence like no other and a white 🤍 to boot if that says it all in a bomb shell 🐚
"Big Game" James Worthy is who said that
I always appreciated the similarities The Glove spoke if Stockton Similar comparison
Love the comparison!
Michael Cooper
Larry Legend Bird was truly one of Basketballs Greatest Players of All Time. Legendary Larry will never be forgotten.
Top 10 player
Easily
Larry Bird never talked trash, he told you your fortune.
Larry bird told you your fortune when that is what was needed to get in someone's head, when trash talking got in someone's head he trash talked
Very disappointed in the late great Kobi Bryant segment 😔
The Chuck Norris of the NBA
it's that or McHale's torture chamber
ROFLMAO!!
Everyone talks about Birds shooting....but his passing was on another level.
Just like when MJ was told to start passing the ball to John Paxson. You can't be a one man team no matter how good you are. If one of your guys has a better shot you get it to them. That's how you win a championship.
Oh yeah his passing was crazy. But his shooting man. Wild.
I totally agree. Bird was the best passer I've ever seen including Magic !!
I'm biased but I feel Rajon Rondo used to be one of the best passers in the league. I remember watching him and seeing crazy behind the back/through the legs/no look passes from him. It reminds me of Jokic a lot, who is an incredible passer as well and up there with the greats now. In fairness though being 7' while having handles like that lets you make some INSANE PASSES that a "traditional" 6'2-6'4" PG just never could. Not just behind the back of through the legs or no look, but like lobs to teammates anywhere because he can just stick his arm so far past his defender that he can move it where he wants to.
Now I'm going a bit off topic here but it comes full circle I promise. The height of centers, forwards and point guards have both moved closer towards each other, towards about 6'6" average. Most teams used to have decent height differentials between their smallest players (generally guards, specifically PGs) and their tallest (generally centered). Great example would be Nate Robinson and Shaw when they were both on the Celtics: Robinson wasn't even 6' and Shaq is well...Shaq sized. The size differential was huge. Obviously this is skewed in that direction because Nate Robinson is INCREDIBLY SHORT for the NBA, but even a 6'2' PG is about 10+ inches away from Shaq. There used to be HUGE difference from shortest to smallest
Nowadays the majority of many teams now have guards and forwards that are basically the same height, maybe sometimes have an outlier for center or PG, but otherwise the heights of players on teams are closing the gaps.
This is why we see these "Swiss army knives" like Jayson Tatum who can basically just do anything. He's tall enough that anyone shorter he has a good ad advantage over them, but unless someones a good 7' tall he'll be able to still get a shot off. He can basically get where he needs to and do any kind of shit, and also hustles on defense.
Or like a Draymond Green (despite his antics). He's just at a height and skill set that lets him make a move from basically anywhere against an opponent of any size. He also hustles on defense (coincidence ? Probably not since the point of players like them is they do "everything" well).
So yeah. I agree. Insane passing from Bird, up there with the greats because of his vision (I think that's what makes the best assist masters and playmakers).
Sorry I went off topic but the point was that nowadays we probably won't see many pure PGs because of the Swiss army players and because the heights between guards, forwards, and centers have all been closing from large differentials to much smaller ones (so team height is more consistent around the median/average).
@@The_Gallowglass TRUE! DON'T BE A BALL HOG LIKE MANY TODAY ARE!
Larry Bird could back all that talk with his play. His mind was his greatest weapon. He lived rent free in the other players heads!! His accomplishments tell the story. These men telling stories about him are NOR bench warmers. They are some of the best ever to walk out on to the court, ever! That tells me all I need to know!!!!!! Bird! Bird! BIRD!!!!!
I got to watch Larry live a few times. He was deceptively quick and knew where everyone was at all times. An amazing opportunity to watch the Legend play. I miss the Gahdin.
Awareness put him and Gretzsky on another level
I TOTALLY MISS THE BEST SPORTING EVENTS SEATS EVER (Celtics 🏀or Bruins 🏒🥅) , First balcony, Sections 60-61 in the long gone Madhouse called the Boston Gahden 🏢 on Causeway St. MBTA Green Line 🚊, North Station.
No, not ONE of the all time greats, THE ALL TIME Greatest!💪
I consider myself fortunate to have watched Bird in the 80's and Jordan in 90's.
chrome dome boy is a vile abomination to GOD, JESUS AND HOLY SPIRIT
One player who was skilled in every aspect of playing winning basketball and being the team leader by demonstrating his skill sets every time he stepped on the court. One of a kind without question!
INDEED!!
I'm glad I got to witness Larry Bird firsthand playing basketball in the 80's. He was just amazing. His form of shooting the ball was the best to this day.
In a Game with so Many Legends Larry always seemed to Fly like an Eagle. So Glad I got to watch him in his Prime.
LARRY LEGEND IS A UNICORN AND THE *TRUE* GOAT!!! 🐐 ☘️
The real legend
So True! he established the legend baseline!
@@kevint2524 And was the first in the 50-40-90 club. Also, 1 of the only 3 players ever to have multiple seasons with these numbers.
I believe he is one of the Goats..... over LeBron
A goaticorn
Larry Bird was an incredible player and was my favorite player growing up.
I'm a huge Bird hater/lover and this shows how smart Kobe was to ask these questions instead of just dismissing Bird's skill based on his perceived athletic ability.
I really don't know why he was thought to be unathletic. Look at his moves! The quickness of them. His coordination. The hustle! He could dunk at will and his willingness to physically confront anyone when necessary, etc. And he seemingly never got tired...to me these are all hallmarks of outstanding athletic ability.
i suppose that , cut out of granite athletic look wasnt there, but totally agree with you. he was as well conditioned to play at an incredible pace, .....slow and cant jump my ass
The color of his skin. That’s why, the same reason black players are called articulate. It’s racism
He had the fastest quick step, sneaky quick posts moves, and Pistol Pete style flip passes. He just wasn’t a sprinter.
@@mightymikeamps9317,
His first step was quick and unstoppable, especially on the baseline. I watched Bird play since his final year at Indiana State. Larry Legend is an understatement. He made the Celtics the championship teams they were, he elevated the players and play of that team.
@@calkelpdiverBut who taught who the post moves? McHale or Bird? They mirrored each other in the post. I didn’t watch more than highlights of Larry as a college player.
LB may've not had the sizzle but he had the steak. You know you're a legend when legends are calling you a legend.
You know you're a Legend when all the greats call you Larry Legend Bird
I don't know why ANYONE says Bird wasn't athletic. He was EXTREMELY athletic. He'd take off there would be a block, he'd switch hands mid air turn and lay up with his left hand. He was very very athletic.
Was good vert the highest? No, but he was extremely athletic
Yeah when people say that I dunno what they mean. He's playing a sport and is one of the best in his sport. He is an athlete. Maybe he's not as athletic as some other people but to say he wasn't is silly. He also f-cked his back up half-way through his career. That's the only reason he ended up quitting in 92.
@@The_Gallowglassman only if he didn't mess up his back...
Some conceded the facts about Bird early on but I like the fact that over time, everyone conceded that he was extra special and a next-level player.
It says a lot for Larry Bird, but it also says a lot for mankind in general..Decent people will always admit and embrace the truth eventually.
Larry had the highest basketball IQ of anyone I ever saw. Larry was always one step ahead of everyone else , when it came to anticipating and seeing things develop on the court. It's been said Larry was a legit 6'10. Larry had a great stroke. It would be very interesting to see Larry play in today's game with guys jacking up 3's non stop. He'd be a sniper but also dominate in the mid range. The legend was such a competitor that he would have been great in any era.
Larry had the highest basketball IQ on the hardwood every time he stepped on an NBA floor. Larry was a time traveler. He lived in a world two steps ahead of all of us mere mortals.
@@johnspehn4051 Kareem said it best in an interview that I saw. He said, "Larry beat you with this" and tapped on his head, referring to Larry's brain.
I'm not knocking Larry Legend's hard work which so much a part of his skill but he didn't see the court like most players do - from ground level. He saw the court with a bird's eye view (no pun intended). He knew where everyone was and where they WOULD be before they got there. That Hick from French Lick was just born to ball.
#LarryLegend ☘️
He's the best there will ever be !!! The Legend...
That shot from behind the backstop was 💰
I can’t remember the player that said, “The first time you play against Bird you are thinking, this guy is slow, can’t jump….then when you size up to him you realize how big he is”
So many lie about their height. Shaq is 6’11”, Barkley is 6’4” , The Rock is 6’
I think Bird is 6'9 or 6'10".
@@The_GallowglassI wonder if Larry Bird is a legit 6’10” and only 1 inch shorter than Shaq. To have those skills at that height is pretty amazing. Even if he is only 2” shorter than Shaq. Still
Players said Bird was every bit 6’10”
@@lotswifemusic9965 He was a huge f-ckin' dude that lived and breathed bball
I love larry bird trash talking stories and how they all say how slow he was and even told them what he was going to do 😂😂. Larry legend for sure
To me, Bird will always be the greatest ever! And there are millions who agree with me.
No you are Wrong but if you say one of the greatest without doubt he was an the players have no problem giving him his much needed respect
@@garyleetillman6772 Everyone has a right to chose their own individual GOAT. But there is only one Larry Legend!
#Birdgang
#LarryLegend ☘️
Larry Legend is one of the players I wish I had seen play.
That shot from behind the backboard, despite not counting, is still one of the most talented, amazing, beautiful, and ice cold shots I've ever seen. Dude knew he'd be able to get the ball in the hoop from a spot NO ONE EVER practices from, BEHIND THE BACKBOARD, because you'd never have to do that ever, because when would you EVER need to shoot a ball while out of bounds behind the board? Never of course.
Unless, of course, you're Larry Bird, in which case you pull it off. They should have given him those 2 points, inbounds or not just because of its beauty. You just cannot contest truth of that shot and how much it says about Larry Bird
MJ did it. LeBron did it. I'VE done it. It's a shot you'd use for a game of Horse, Pig, etc. You've must not have played basketball in your lifetime.
@@knutt81 post a video on your UA-cam channel and prove yourself right.
Because that's why there's tons of NBA footage of this type of shot, right?
@mcnamaraky Other NBA players have done it, also. I don't have to prove anything. Go read a book and educate yourself.
@@knutt81 :says every older guy hanging around a basketball court claiming they could ball 20 years ago when in reality they maybe played varsity in high school at best.
"Yeah I could shoot from behind the rim Larry Bird style. I also had better ups than Jordan. I don't have to prove it to you though, but I basically should've been in the NBA."
Keep bragging about those balling skills online dude. You definitely had as good of a shot as Larry Bird!
Maybe don't claim to be able to do something when all it would take you is a ten second clip posted on UA-cam or tiktok.
Don't worry: you don't have to prove anything to ME amigo! I just don't believe you!
@@knutt81 also how would reading a book educate me about a specific behind the back board basketball shot?
I read a lot of books and my minor is in mathematics, but I can't think of a single book that discusses taking a behind the backboard shot in basketball.
Is that just like a copy/paste response from you? Go read a book? What book would educate me about this specific topic?
A better sentence would've been "Go watch some old games," but since you know there isn't another game with footage like this you just said the dumbest response possible.
Yeah, you don't have to prove anything to me! But when all's it would take is a 10 second video on UA-cam or Tiktok pussing out doesn't make you seem like a truth teller.
I just straight up don't believe you. So either post the proof or maybeeee shut up you clown? Lol.
I'm not the one out here claiming I can make a behind the backboard shot or making any claims about my basketball abilities.
Maybeeee if you're gonna be that guy either put up or shut up...just a thought.
Cause otherwise you look like a straight bull-talking idiot lol.
Love how they are saying that Bird has no athleticism but it is very apparent that he is and runs circles around the competition for years
I think they really mean speed and jumping height. His hand eye coordination, touch and finesse though are different forms of athleticism. And he had that in spades.
the fact that people keep making videos about LB , is telling you something! LB is one of the GOATS in the NBA!
He is the GOAT. Head to head he got the best of MJ.
@LarryFine-xj5sg I love Bird, but he wasn't doing that to a prime Michael Jordan.
@@John-mn9rpbird was at the end of his career doing that to MJ tho too 😂😂
@@Timewave-Zer0 I know it would have been great to see them play in their prime against each other's teams.
Naaa … Bird transcended the goat debate. He is THE legend. The only true legend in basketball history. Dominique came close to being on par with Bird with his ability to play both sides of the ball equally good and at an extremely efficient and high rate for an entire season … but he never had the mind Bird has.
Jordan will ALWAYS be the goat … but BIRD will always be THE LEGEND!!! Bird will always be the best of the best.
There were/ are players that are more athletic. There has never and probably will never be a player as intelligent about the game, as dedicated to perfection and winning, as great of a shooter from anywhere on the court and from any position (balanced or off-balance) or as willing to sacrifice himself as Bird! Larry Bird was and is the ultimate competitive basketball player!!!
You can't Xplain Bird to anyone you just have to watch him play to understand he is on a different level. Mr. X
Facts!!
As a Laker fan…I hated the Celtics but had to give Bird his respect ….He was one bad dude.
@@JCreole Pistons fan here - feel exactly the same way.
You don't need alot of athleticism if you're able to shoot baskets from just about any position or angle on the court. Whether he's standing on 2 feet or 1 bent over falling down twisting every which way he could make it look easy and awkward at the same time.
He made it in from behind the damn backboard LOL
I think Larry's legendary status has grown even more since he retired. He seems to be one of the most consistently talked about HOF players on any media platform.
I've never been a huge Basketball fan.. I'm loving watching these old videos of Bird.. but I do remember.. again, not being a basketball fan.. when KOBE and his daughter died .. hit me like a ton of bricks. Why did this happen.. it was horrible. I'm tearing up right now thinking of it.. so tragic. Sometimes we just have to have faith
Faith in what? The god that let it happen?
@stevenbrooks7653. I know some people don't understand but God has a reason for everything that happens or that he allows to happen. As the lady said, it's all about faith. I wish you peace and blessings.
Maybe the greatest shooter ever
not bad as a passer either
Curry is now. Bird even said he is.
@@Quantumtraveler707I'm a little biased Larry Bird is the best shooter for me. Curry on the list but he's behind Jordan.
@@scottbivins4758
Curry is the best, most accurate shooter in history. The stats don't lie.
@@scottbivins4758 Why do you fly the flag of treason and slave oppression? The south got their a sses handed to them and lost everything.
Larry Bird is in my top 10 best players of all time
What i love about Larry bird is how some people talk about how he couldn't play in today's NBA ( really dont matter. He was a killer on the court) but when you have every nba legend you can think of saying how great he was absolutely blows my mind how people still think that ❤
Growing up as a Knick fan, I hated him because he killed the Knicks so many times but if I had to pick a fantasy team to play against aliens to save earth, I'm picking Larry first.
Me too!!
LB running around while they are practicing is the funniest shit ive ever heard
"why are you running?" 😆😆
G.O.A.T.-according to players, who actually with/against him. So that's the answer.
Bird and Magic saved the NBA!
sepating the two is stupid - and when you put them together - the " goat " is easy ... Magic-Bird.
It should be called "Sports Entertainment".
Thanks Wilbon!
wrong Larry Legend SAVED basketball You really believe that the league NEEDED another GreaT BlacK player at that time ? it was BlacK verses White then thats what Saved BASKETBALL .
For what? It sucks now.
It really says something about larry when he hasnt played in decades and everybody remembers him and still talks about him.
And still uses his game as a way to measure other players.
Larry bird is the greatest white player ever in history he is indeed the great white hope and white God I have not seen anyone else like him.
Dumbest comment in this string. Congratulations Beavis.
Bird and Dr J are the greatest. Period.
I remember starting to follow Larry Bird as soon as I heard about him when he played for Indiana state. Terra Haute Indiana. Unbelievable. He was thee top of his game. And then I heard about This guy from Michigan.state, Earvin MAGIC JOHNSON. Wow, I was always ready for their games. Love both of them. I really believe Larry Bird was tested by M.J. And that was his next level game. ❤
Bird was the blueprint for Jokic. Joker just lacks Bird's killer instinct.
The reason Jordan’s so respectful to players before him is because he knows that they know the league literally changed the rules to free him up The reason he didn’t win until’91 is not just because he cried until they broke up the Pistons, it’s the illegal defense rules of the 90’s too. The Celtics got so tough because of the 76ers. The Pistons got so tough because of the Celtics. The Bulls got so tough because you had to beat them and the refs and David Stern
Love that analysis. But Jordan also learned how to play to a team like the Pistons. Give him credit.
Good highlights on this vid, I grew up during that era but I kind of forgot how crazy some of his moves are
In todays nba Bird would average 40 a game the 80s and early 90s the nba was a mans league iam a pacers fan i grew up in Indiana one thing you learn in Indiana is basketball
He once scored 24 pts in a quarter. He was amazing.
@@rogerrabbit8756 I forget which year it was but it was before he injured his back. Larry only missed 19 minutes of play in the whole season. Out of the ENTIRE SEASON!!! That is amazing to me. You know he could have checked himself out a few times but Larry had that blue collar work ethic and always wanted to shoot the last basket of the game. Especially if he could do it right at the buzzer. Too many prima donnas in the game today. Larry Legend was a work horse!
@@bonnieplasha4684 he would work lebron for sure. Old rules.
Larry was a lot more athletic than people gave him credit for. He was not graceful but you don't play NBA basketball without being athletic.
80's Lakers V Celtics was the best period in NBA history...nothing else even close
@@johngremillion8663 Bad Boyz vs. Celtics ranks.
I think Larry Bird’s biggest problem was all his injuries and he had to play around the paint which made him a better player
Bird is the best player ever. He had heart head balls and guts wired together and he was so tough. The ultimate teammate and winner.
Larry would shoot, swish it, and make it go where he wanted it.
From the top of the key, Larry releases the ball. He then runs toward the baseline. The ball would swish then head to the baseline where Larry was.
He actually got quite a few of his own rebounds.
Bird was all about timing. How fast he ran, timing of the shot, footwork........... Larry time......... and no one could adjust to it.
Well said.
I Love him even more now ,then back then !.. I',m a sixers fan
I grew up in Boston during his years .. I was lucky to get to several games. I was such a fan
The best part is the account by Isiah Thomas--Larry: “you can’t put no white dude on me.” Assassin!!! 😂 🤣 😂 🤣
This video was good but left out a lot of the good lines spoken by these greats. Like when Salle told the story of the first time he guarded Bird. Bird yelled Mouse in the House and then shot a 3 over Salle's head. "That's when I got 3 quick fouls cause I'm smart like that!" Salley had me rolling when he told that story!! 🤣🤣🤣
You kbow what the difference is between goats and legends. Goats die but Legends never do
These top guys are all great
I would love to walk behind all these guys with LB on a golf course and listen to all the bs being spoken.
A few of these highlights showed Bird jumping pretty well. He was actually pretty athletic. He could do whatever he wanted.
Working hard on making these videos into mini docs, hope y'all enjoy
Cheers!
Please don't talk and narrate
Byron took the head shave to a new level... Eyebrows too... LOL
Salley , being one of the greatest defenders ever !
Larry Bird was better than Michael Jordan. Larry Bird is the goat.
Someone who knows basketball and is correct The first six years Mike couldn't win a title but Larry and Magic did and both saved the NBA. IM BLACK AND I LOVE LARRY BIRD AND I AM FROM LOS ANGELES HE WAS THAT GOOD AND HE TALKED TRASH AND BACKED IT UP I HAVE SEEN HIM LIVE.
Love the Bird ❤😮😊
When Larry retired, he was the ONLY PLAYER EVER to be in the Top 50 Alltime Career lists for Points Per Game, Assists Per Game, AND Rebounds Per Game.
Today, he's still the only player in the Top 60.
The next best players have at least one of those stats down below the 150s - I forget if Wilt or Oscar has the second-highest average position on the combination of all 3 lists.
Larry was terrific!
One of those guys that knows exactly what to do and when without any plan just knew he could.
Did easily what most work hard at.
There was a man named Larry Byrd then the legend begins
Its good to see those leyendas.
Just puts another stamp of approval on the whole Magic and Bird era.
Growing up Larry Bird was my favorite player.
Thank you Larry Bird.
The real GOAT
As a kid, I was a Sixers fan and hated Larry Bird, for good reason.
I am sorry Luka is no Larry.
🎯
So true
Not even close !!
No not even close…
Yep, he's too immature.
If you look at him play it's almost like he's just playing himself around the other players. It's like he's by himself running drills just with obstacles/players.
Larry-true GOAT
FIRST TEAM ALL-NBA...WITHOUT A DOUBT
ABSOLUTELY!!
LARRY BIRD! THE GREATEST!
I thought the same as Sally about the Luca comparison, but I'd add Jokic to. Both Luka & Jokic play at their own speed. Their like off speed pitchers or knuckle ballers with no fast ball to speak of. Luca at least looks some what coordinated, but Jokic looks slow & awkward on any play, yet there's no answer for him.
Bird was much faster and quicker than those guys. He only looked less athletic compared to Dominique Wilkins, Dr. J and the like.
What set Larry Bird apart was
1. Skill
2. Shit talk
3. Mental genius
These guys have a lot of respect, I love to see it
I quit watching basketball over the years because of the character of the players, when I grew up watching the game with these greats is was about the game and sport now popularity and political influence
Just watch Larry's shot over the backboard , and you see his GENIUS !! 😛👍
I ❤ larry
He’s undoubtedly in the top 10 all time list and quite possibly top 5. He was a mans man’s man. They say he’d arrive 2 hours before anyone else and would hang out with the janitor while practicing free throws.
Nobody can fly like bird except Larry
"Larry Bird cant jump"
6:03 wtf do you call that.
People also forget Bird f-cked up his back real bad in 1985 halfway through his career, and he still played till 1992.
His passing was on a planet far far away and the time he shot from behind the back glass swish unreal never saw that again and if it happen it was luck. Larrys wasnt luck
I know that bucket doesn't count for points but you can't tell me that Larry never practiced that shot. Even if only out of curiosity. He practiced so hard that he knew EVERY conceivable way to hit that hoop from anywhere on/off the court. When you 800 buckets a day in the summer...you are taking the game seriously. Plus, he was so self confident that he wasn't above showing off on occasion. Just look up the story about the night Magic was hurt and couldn't play against the Celts 😁 If you haven't heard the story already, you'll love it. Magic tells it we'll 😂
A caveat that most don't realize. When Larry played back in the day, they didn't have A/C at the Garden. The players of today would bitch and moan if they had to play in those conditions. If any player could be considered God-like, it was Larry. I sweated my ballz off during many a home game just to admire his prowess.
Larry was psycho competitive.
Go through a block wall to get the ball to win the game.
Few players had it..
Jordan had it, Kobi had it, few players had it..
He had a desire and he played like no tomorrow
As an 80's Laker fan, I didn't like Larry Bird...but I sure had to respect him. Against the Lakers in all those finals, with two teams full of HOFs, Bird was one of the two alpha dogs. And, he was better than the other one (not by much, but still).
Love the props, man.
Larry Bird = Luka!?!? Hell no!!! Larry>Luka no question. Not even close.
LB was the master of the psyche
His trash talking was psychological warfare. Put you off your game and give him an edge. He learned it from the homies that taught him how to ball.
Don't put a white guy on me
- Larry Bird
Respect !
I would pick Bird over Lebron on every day of the week and twice on Sunday. And I have deep respect for Lebron on the court skills.
Larry should run for president
Hell, as far as I’m concerned, he is already my president! 😂