Larry Bird is a LEGEND!! This team played so much better when Bird was out there directing the offense and getting those defensive rebounds. The man had a severely injured back and was still schooling opposing teams!
@JL-rv9lm So? The 3 pt shot didn't exist until his rookie season and it took years before it was used as anything but a come from behind gimmick when the shots taken were less than ideal And the players ahead on that list, how many had a per game scoring average, That's what counts.
Growing up a Celtics fan, we were surprised when Larry didn't do something amazing. He's the only player I can think of where that became the expectation.
Also 9 times out of 10 his passes were so incredible you lose the sight of the game because it totally faked out the camera men so bad they had to pull back to reset to so they can find the ball again. 😂
Hey Millennials and younger LARRY BIRD played when 90 percent of anyone with his injury would be in bed on pain pills. Larry Bird is the Greatest Player in NBA History THIS IS PROOF
It's essential to recognize that the NBA has evolved significantly since the 1980s. The league and its players have prioritized player safety and reduced the risk of injury on the court. Many former NBA players, including Grant Hill, Dwyane Wade, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Durant, have spoken out in support of player safety measures and stricter rules to protect players and reduce the risk of injury. Especially those injuries that persist forever. The comment ignores the realities of the modern NBA by dismissing these changes and criticizing players for prioritizing their health and well-being. It perpetuates outdated and harmful attitudes toward athlete toughness and masculinity. It's essential to recognize that pain tolerance and physical toughness are not the same as being able to withstand the physical demands of playing basketball at a high level and that prioritizing player safety is crucial to ensuring that players can have long and successful careers. One of the few demographics that genuinely benefit from looser regulations is those who expect professional athletes to entertain them.
Bird, more than any other player, made the team around him better just by being on the floor. He understood the game better than any other player, saw it better and reacted to it better. He passed, could shoot inside and outside, as well as rebound. He always thought about TEAM FIRST and did what he needed to do to make the team win, regardless of his own stats! The only other players who did that, who were close to Bird’s level, were Bill Russell and Magic Johnson.
A complete player indeed. His passing was sublime...he could burn you with so many looks and techniques. He had an uncanny feel and mental processing for where everyone on the court was and where they were going to be.
Poetry in motion. Behind his back, between an opponent’s legs and then a 3 pointer. We talked about him all the way home. One time, I was in the first row! I’ll never forget the magic.
The big thing I see with Boston, is the other team is so confused where the ball went. Larry and his team mates can hold or pass the ball three time faster than other teams. That is called ball control!
Yes. And did you notice anything? Not one three point shot in these highlights! Just running and passing and good percentage shots. Real basketball. It's time to do away with the three point shot.
Considering all aspects of the game, I still believe that Bird was the most complete player ever. Awesome how he would just take over a game. He made everyone around him better.
I got to watch him play on this team at the old Boston garden !!! Way cool to see him and all play live!! Mid court seats for free from a salesman at work!! The best sporting event I ever attended. 😎
Nobody had ALL THE SKILLS that Larry possessed . The shooting inside in traffic, the outside shot , left hand layup , passing inside , cross court , over his shoulder , behind his back , between the defensive players legs , playing point forward , rebounding , assists , last set d shots or game winning shots . Some had so e of those skills . Nobody had all of those shills . When you take PPG , and assists per game and rebounds per game that turned I to points he was worth 50+ points per game by himself. 25 -30 points , 6-8 assists and if half his rebounds turned into points You can do the math and see where I'm coming from . P.S. The shot he took from behind the backboard and the ball went in is my favorite memory . He wasn't just Larry , he was LARRY the Boston Globe headline read one morning after another great game .
I'm 76 years-old and a Celtics fan since around 1960. I've seen many great players over that time, and John 'Hondo' Havlicek was my favorite player. The best ALL AROUND player I've ever seen is Larry Bird. As I said, I've seen many great players including Michael Jordan Oscar Robertson, and Wilt Chamberlain. I've never seen a player who could do EVERYTHING on the court as well as Bird could.
Larry had injured his back while working at his home. He didn't get injured in this game. The Cavaliers knew he was injured & they disrespected him As you can see - "They Paid" !!!
Wow, just the greatest clutch player in NBA history. The King of the 40/50/90 club. The only one to win MVP, Coach of the Year & Executive of the Year. He played in the era of the Superstars and he's the ONLY one who beat em' all, including Michael. I have MJ #1 G.O.A.T. Larry 1A. LEGEND!!!!🏀
Larry Bird would have been a great quarterback the way he would pass to a spot and lead his teammate towards the basket with such touch and anticipation
Larry was a great inclusive player. He knew his team so well, he knew when to pass.....and assist. Never the show boater who monopolized the ball, like present 'glory-grabbers'.
Back when 'ball was fun to watch. Passing, scoring (and following his shots), defending, lifting a team to its heights- never, ever be another. I dare any player in today's NBA to give that kind of effort..whilst being in pain from a bad back!
I've been a Celtics fan since the 50's (late 50s) love seeing Bird still, but seeing Reggie Lewis still makes me sad. I don't even remember Gamble, but from this game I would think he was pretty good.
This is how you play basketball as a team, with picks, screens, give-and-go, back door and passing, not the 3-point shooting contests of today - which Bird would have won, of course.
@ you’re right by the way. I’m 52 but not in a nursing home 😂 people naturally tend to favor their own generation of players whenever they were young fans, in my case it was 70s through early 90s. Everybody thinks their generation was the best. When you get older like me, younger people will be saying the same thing about you. Take care 🙏
You guys have been watching far too many old NBA games on your VHS tapes. Time to burn them and start watching the best NBA we've ever had - the current one! The Athleticism is through the roof now compared to those smaller less skilled boys from 30 to 40 long years ago!
“He” was John Williams who was a terrific NBA player. And he completely respected Bird the entire game. There was one minor incident and there was no disrespect. An unfortunate and unnecessary choice of a title. Otherwise, terrific clip.
When Magic and Larry played for the NCAA championship, Larry covered his head with a towel on the bench after MSU won. He was fantastic, but the Legend did not have enough support. That is the only time that I saw him that emotional.
When kiddos learn the NBA Finals was shown on tape delay... Dr.J needed help to save the NBA. Magic and Larry saved the NBA in the early days of cable tv.
Bird didn't jump all that well, wasn't particularly fast, looked awkward dribbling, yet could cut the opposing team apart with surgical precision. Amazing.
Liveing in Mass. My whole life how lucky to have been a Celts fan im 66 i rember all of it lyeing in bed listening to Johnny Most mid sixty's Russell all those great teams AWSOME!!!!!
I really cant stand Basketball ( never did care fir it but games like this can turn people like me around Teamwork Sportsmanship and performance when combined are exactly what draws fans in!
When even his fiercest competitors, (MJ, Rodman, Thomas, Chamberlin, Magic, Jabbar, etc) call him the "goat", all kidding aside, he's the goat, regardless of what fans and learned so-called experts say. Pat Riley said it best. "If you need a basket to win a game? pick Michael Jordan. If you need a basket to save your life? pick Larry Bird."
Even and aged and worn down Bird went out there and held court; pure pleasure to watch that kind of greatness.
Love to watch the most racist city in America
Hey, geezer, how many points, assists, and rebounds did he get in the previous game??
@@sludge8506Are you a Larry Bird hater?
@@mikewhitman578 Take your racism and shoveitup yourleftyass.
@@lc6785 Are you a Girley Bird lover?
I asked a simple question, champ.
Larry Bird was the complete basketball player. He is my favorite player from the greatest era of the NBA.
Mine too!
Bird was my pops favorite player back then, just had to watch it for my dad.
Rest in peace DAD,,❤️☮️
Prime example of Bird helping his teammates - while remaining a deadly shooter himself.
Bird, i believe is the greatest all around player ever!
His mind was just superior.
Larry was the very best. He outsmarted all
Amen
Smaller version of Nikola Jokic!,
@@georgewilson2185 🤣🤣 Jokic is trying to be like Bird. Still needs to try harder though
HAD TO BE LOUD & LOSING THEIR MINDS IN THE BOSTON GARDEN ! Larry Legend and the boys - LOVE IT.
Bird, McHale, Parish, Ainge, DJ, ML on that beautiful parquet floor. Pure basketball.
Walton was the cherry on top.
Never to be repeated. Or am I wrong?
Simply the BEST ALL-AROUND PLAYER EVER!!!
Amazing to see this again, I almost forgot how great LB was!
This era of the NBA was prime. The Celtics had teams that knew each other's moves, and watching them was absolute poetry,
It really was yes
nonsense!!
Larry Bird is a LEGEND!! This team played so much better when Bird was out there directing the offense and getting those defensive rebounds. The man had a severely injured back and was still schooling opposing teams!
Imagine if Larry had played his career healthy!
Bird on rebounding, passing, shooting, FT percentage, Left hand, and basketball IQ. Incredible to watch
Plus he was not a cry baby on his knees like players now say @2010 to 2013
He is the 168th best 3 point shooter of all time so let’s stay in reality. He is an all around great player, 7th-10th all time.
@JL-rv9lm So? The 3 pt shot didn't exist until his rookie season and it took years before it was used as anything but a come from behind gimmick when the shots taken were less than ideal And the players ahead on that list, how many had a per game scoring average, That's what counts.
Lots of goats, only one legend!
Growing up a Celtics fan, we were surprised when Larry didn't do something amazing. He's the only player I can think of where that became the expectation.
You were a lucky SOB because you also had The Great Bobby Orr.
@@randyhuke3773 We sure did, it was a great time to be a Bostonian.
Also 9 times out of 10 his passes were so incredible you lose the sight of the game because it totally faked out the camera men so bad they had to pull back to reset to so they can find the ball again. 😂
Hey Millennials and younger LARRY BIRD played when 90 percent of anyone with his injury would be in bed on pain pills. Larry Bird is the Greatest Player in NBA History THIS IS PROOF
It's essential to recognize that the NBA has evolved significantly since the 1980s. The league and its players have prioritized player safety and reduced the risk of injury on the court. Many former NBA players, including Grant Hill, Dwyane Wade, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Durant, have spoken out in support of player safety measures and stricter rules to protect players and reduce the risk of injury. Especially those injuries that persist forever.
The comment ignores the realities of the modern NBA by dismissing these changes and criticizing players for prioritizing their health and well-being. It perpetuates outdated and harmful attitudes toward athlete toughness and masculinity. It's essential to recognize that pain tolerance and physical toughness are not the same as being able to withstand the physical demands of playing basketball at a high level and that prioritizing player safety is crucial to ensuring that players can have long and successful careers. One of the few demographics that genuinely benefit from looser regulations is those who expect professional athletes to entertain them.
@@mattmays9063 wow you talk a lot and you are WRONG on everything the NBA has devolved BIRD IS THE GOAT.
@@jeffelkins1905 ok
@@mattmays9063 I'm glad you came around and admitted you were wrong .
@@jeffelkins1905 No, I just have no interest in engaging with vacuous statements. It's boring.
What A Lot Of People Don't Notice Is That Bird Has Some Kind Of Back Brace On Too.
Bird, more than any other player, made the team around him better just by being on the floor. He understood the game better than any other player, saw it better and reacted to it better. He passed, could shoot inside and outside, as well as rebound. He always thought about TEAM FIRST and did what he needed to do to make the team win, regardless of his own stats! The only other players who did that, who were close to Bird’s level, were Bill Russell and Magic Johnson.
A complete player indeed. His passing was sublime...he could burn you with so many looks and techniques. He had an uncanny feel and mental processing for where everyone on the court was and where they were going to be.
My favourite sportsman of all time! Would loved to have watched a game at the Garden!
Poetry in motion. Behind his back, between an opponent’s legs and then a 3 pointer. We talked about him all the way home. One time, I was in the first row! I’ll never forget the magic.
RIP Reggie Lewis
Back when I liked the NBA!
Agreed there was a time I actually watched it enjoyed it too.. not anymore
The big thing I see with Boston, is the other team is so confused where the ball went. Larry and his team mates can hold or pass the ball three time faster than other teams. That is called ball control!
Better than todays playoffs!
Yes. And did you notice anything? Not one three point shot in these highlights! Just running and passing and good percentage shots. Real basketball. It's time to do away with the three point shot.
Yup
Considering all aspects of the game, I still believe that Bird was the most complete player ever. Awesome how he would just take over a game. He made everyone around him better.
When men played in the NBA. Man did I love hoop back then. Lakers/Celtic playoff games. The greatest.
I got to watch him play on this team at the old Boston garden !!!
Way cool to see him and all play live!!
Mid court seats for free from a salesman at work!! The best sporting event I ever attended.
😎
Even when Bird was old and injured he was dangerous.
Bird was the greatest.
You gotta remember that the most dangerous animal is an injured animal.
Oh I'm sure LeBron would be shaking in his boots. I think he would send Bird to a wheelchair!
@@Klostrum-j7y LeBron is an all-time great. So is Bird.
Agreed both are great but Bird is definitely not the GOAT as some wrongly claim.
The NBA is far different today. It's tougher and better!
*LARRY BIRD WAS THE BEST ALL-AROUND PLAYER IN THE NBA HISTORY.*
Those are huge words, but I totally agree with you.
Nobody had ALL THE SKILLS that Larry possessed . The shooting inside in traffic, the outside shot , left hand layup , passing inside , cross court , over his shoulder , behind his back , between the defensive players legs , playing point forward , rebounding , assists , last set d shots or game winning shots . Some had so e of those skills . Nobody had all of those shills . When you take PPG , and assists per game and rebounds per game that turned I to points he was worth 50+ points per game by himself. 25 -30 points , 6-8 assists and if half his rebounds turned into points You can do the math and see where I'm coming from . P.S. The shot he took from behind the backboard and the ball went in is my favorite memory . He wasn't just Larry , he was LARRY the Boston Globe headline read one morning after another great game .
Total BS buddy!
klostrum ...Doesn't tell us much . Is that all you got .
Parish knows exactly where to go and bird knows exactly where he will be. Almost unfair. Well oiled machine.
*NICE*
He is certainly in the top 10 for sure if not top 5
I'm 76 years-old and a Celtics fan since around 1960. I've seen many great players over that time, and John 'Hondo' Havlicek was my favorite player. The best ALL AROUND player I've ever seen is Larry Bird. As I said, I've seen many great players including Michael Jordan Oscar Robertson, and Wilt Chamberlain. I've never seen a player who could do EVERYTHING on the court as well as Bird could.
great hockey players do the same thing - Larry Bird could throw the basketball where his teammates would always be open.
Bird number one.
Greatest white man to ever play the game of basketball 👊🏻 🏀
@Donscottgaming one of the greatest players regardless of race. Definitely top 3.
That was tough watching Reggie Lewis. He was going to be an all time great. RIP Reggie.
THE best basketball on the planet, that era!
Larry had injured his back while working at his home. He didn't get injured in this game. The Cavaliers knew he was injured & they disrespected him As you can see - "They Paid" !!!
Thanks for that, I'm no longer gonna watch these videos that make a claim and don't explain.
Cavs won the series, but it’s cute that you have an alternate reality.
Thats why they went home :p
Birds awareness on the court was spectacular
Wow, just the greatest clutch player in NBA history. The King of the 40/50/90 club. The only one to win MVP, Coach of the Year & Executive of the Year. He played in the era of the Superstars and he's the ONLY one who beat em' all, including Michael. I have MJ #1 G.O.A.T. Larry 1A. LEGEND!!!!🏀
Legend is putting on a clinic!
Bball at a level i dont expect to ever see again.
I sure miss these games.....
Most would have retired. He ran the show !!!
Bird was running the Celtic offense like Joker runs the Nugget’s offense today.
Bird is a GOAT
Chamberlain is the GOAT of athletics, MJ is the GOAT of marketing, and Bird is the GOAT of intelligence.
Very Good!
Beautiful basketball
He was the best in his era!😎
Briliant game by Bird - the passing is what separates the great ones....
An excellent player, at least at the offensive end of the floor and especially in the half-court game. He was fun to watch.
Do they play basketball this well today? I threw away my TV 15 years ago.
Larry Bird and Robert Parish were the dynamic duo of the Celtics! loved watching them play back in the day.
Larry Bird would have been a great quarterback the way he would pass to a spot and lead his teammate towards the basket with such touch and anticipation
Bird and Parrish,...the dynamic duo.😊
Larry was a great inclusive player. He knew his team so well, he knew when to pass.....and assist. Never the show boater who monopolized the ball, like present 'glory-grabbers'.
Casy Jones played his starting five to death.
K.C. Jones wasn't coaching them then. Chris Ford was.
Behind the back and he didn't travel!
Back when 'ball was fun to watch. Passing, scoring (and following his shots), defending, lifting a team to its heights- never, ever be another. I dare any player in today's NBA to give that kind of effort..whilst being in pain from a bad back!
Bird got the playmakers the ball early! It was about winning!
Yes he was along with magic Johnson and eventually Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Caitlin Clark reminds me of Larry Bird!
Always loved watching the Celtics during this time. Great team
When your back is sore and off your game a bit you just start dishin the ball. Wish oassing was still oart of NBA basketball.
I've been a Celtics fan since the 50's (late 50s) love seeing Bird still, but seeing Reggie Lewis still makes me sad. I don't even remember Gamble, but from this game I would think he was pretty good.
Bird’s best days were behind him at this point and he still made his opponents looks silly.
This is how you play basketball as a team, with picks, screens, give-and-go, back door and passing, not the 3-point shooting contests of today - which Bird would have won, of course.
Very, very few players could dominate a game the way Bird can, and not even take a shot.
He’s a starting forward on my top all time team.
Bird, Duncan, Chamberlain, Magic, Jordan.
You must be an old timer in a Nursing Home lol!
@ who’s your 5
@ you’re right by the way. I’m 52 but not in a nursing home 😂 people naturally tend to favor their own generation of players whenever they were young fans, in my case it was 70s through early 90s. Everybody thinks their generation was the best.
When you get older like me, younger people will be saying the same thing about you.
Take care
🙏
I’d say: Bernard King, Hakeem, Stockton, Joker, and Russell, might give your boys a little trouble.
You guys have been watching far too many old NBA games on your VHS tapes. Time to burn them and start watching the best NBA we've ever had - the current one!
The Athleticism is through the roof now compared to those smaller less skilled boys from 30 to 40 long years ago!
“He” was John Williams who was a terrific NBA player. And he completely respected Bird the entire game. There was one minor incident and there was no disrespect. An unfortunate and unnecessary choice of a title. Otherwise, terrific clip.
When Magic and Larry played for the NCAA championship, Larry covered his head with a towel on the bench after MSU won. He was fantastic, but the Legend did not have enough support.
That is the only time that I saw him that emotional.
7 for 21 will do that to you.
Hats off to Caitlin but bird was on another level. He seemed to know where people were going to be before they knew themselves.
All the Celtics players had to be at the top of thier game to receive the kind of passes Bird made.
This is why I went whenever he played in Phoenix !
Larry Joe was definitely the smartest player on the court at all times. 🏀🗑
CC, you watchin this? Mitchell? Boston? Hull? Listen, learn, watch on.
Watching Bird, then Watching Caitlyn. Amazing talent. Try it. Some already have
The Bird Man... Kevin McHale... the Chief... amazing!
In Celtics back in the day
Kevin McHale look like he was hungover strung out every time he was out there. Not so though he was a beast😂
Bird is all around better player than than just about everyone in my opinion especially today's players.
The best and most efficient way to lose during this time period was to trash talk and disrespect Larry Bird.
It appears the MVP was Lenny Wilkins for calling "time out's."
Nothing against Bird but Parish and Bird were definitely on the same wavelength.
That passing…remarkable!
Larry Bird little better than all
When kiddos learn the NBA Finals was shown on tape delay...
Dr.J needed help to save the NBA.
Magic and Larry saved the NBA in the early days of cable tv.
Imagine. A white guy the GOAT. He was amazing. Koby was great. Larry took everything to the hoop.
Bird didn't jump all that well, wasn't particularly fast, looked awkward dribbling, yet could cut the opposing team apart with surgical precision. Amazing.
Liveing in Mass. My whole life how lucky to have been a Celts fan im 66 i rember all of it lyeing in bed listening to Johnny Most mid sixty's Russell all those great teams AWSOME!!!!!
"Hes on fire" " got to be the shoes" NBA jams
The Fucking Legend
I really cant stand Basketball ( never did care fir it but games like this can turn people like me around Teamwork Sportsmanship and performance when combined are exactly what draws fans in!
When the Boston garden was the Boston Gahden. Truly a great era.
His passing was incredible.
When even his fiercest competitors, (MJ, Rodman, Thomas, Chamberlin, Magic, Jabbar, etc) call him the "goat", all kidding aside, he's the goat, regardless of what fans and learned so-called experts say. Pat Riley said it best. "If you need a basket to win a game? pick Michael Jordan. If you need a basket to save your life? pick Larry Bird."
The greatest all around player to ever be on the hardwood!
16/6/14 with a back injury that made it impossible for him to sit on the bench.
The reason why he is the goat is because even with an injured back in pain.He outplayed everybody else
At 4:29 Larry Legend will make that shit 99.99999% of the time!! G. O. A. T.
How Many Shots in His Back do you Think Larry Got?
He was the best example of a team player. For him the team win was priority. Flash and glimmer was not .
Larry Bird is the greatest basketball player ever. He doesn't get the credit because he's a white man.
White man? The Best 3 Players today are white
Not sure if anyone mentioned it but the Cavs went on to win game 7 at home and took the series 4-3.
Yes, BIRD was the man.