"If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game, I’d choose Michael Jordan," Pat said. "If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life, I’d take Larry Bird." Pat Riley
@@skunkdoctor I think that was a diplomatic way of praising Bird without dissing Jordan. I might be inclined to agree with you, but then we wouldn't have this iconic quotation.
Remember this: Magic came into a good team. Bird came to the League and CREATED a great team. Bird could do EVERYTHING Magic could do, but Magic could NOT do everything Bird could do. If you're gonna start an ALL-TIME team, your FIRST pick, is the Hick from French Lick.
No way he is picked over Duncan. Sorry bud, if you are starting a franchise Duncan is 100% the #1 pick and it really isnt even close. NOT EVEN close, and I ama diehard bird fan.
No, it was 3 quarters against Portland in 1986. When asked why he shot so much with his left hand he answered, "I'm saving my right hand for the Lakers." The Celtics won both games, btw. THAT'S why he's Larry Legend.
@15:21 "It's hard to get a bucket in today's game." ..... Worst statement ever!!! Dude, today's era is the easiest time to get a bucket. There's no emphasis on defense in today's era...everyone knows that. Guys like Jordan, Wilt, Bird, etc would average between 35 and 40 points a game
@@stylescasino1006 spoken like a guy that never saw him play. Hell he humble jordan . Yes the goat that would put KD,Lebron and Kobe in tears and tell them Larry was better.
Bird is the BEST complete package as a Basketball player, hands down. If you gave me a choice to build a team around ONE GUY, I’d choose Prime Larry Bird over anyone ever. ANYONE.
Bird would walk on the court with any team and would become the team captain. Any team. I was a die hard Lakers Magic fan, and we cringed when we faced Bird, anticipating him dismantling our Lakers. Bird isn’t just a franchise player, in any era, he would be the star of the entire NBA.
I might be bias cuz I'm from outside of Boston but I've never seen anybody better than Larry Bird. It wasn't just because of his shooting he was an all-around basketball player that made everybody around him better. And to this day I haven't seen a player that is as clutch is him.
100% right.I used to go to Celtic games when I could afford it. Would drive from Newport Rhode Island to the Garden.I Was at the Sixers game in 1984 when Doctor J and Bird fought. Barkley and Malone had Bird in a headlock while Dr.J was punching him.Love Irving but still hate Charles and Malone. Anyway Larry Bird was Mr.Basketball! Players of today could never hang with Bird. They couldn't take the physical abuse of the 60's 70's and 80's!!
He only played 12 seasons. One of his 13 he was out after six games for surgery on both achilles. He made the All-Star team 12 years out of 12 and All NBA 10 out of 12 (9 first team). Also, he was 4th in MVP voting in his rookie year while winning rookie of the year (63 votes to 3, over Magic) then he was 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 3, 2 in the MVP vote for the next 8 years, while garnering 67% of all MVP votes in that 8 year stretch against better players than they have today
Exactly! Coming back after twin achilles surgery is remarkable, then playing 3 or 4 years with a broken back at an all star level. Larry Bird is not of this planet.
How about when he became the head coach of the Pacers - with no coaching exp - and set a franchise record his first season - took the Pacers to the Conference finals his first two years and to the Finals his third year - and then retired
@@jamesrawlins735 and coach of the year in that first season (1998), and lost the conference final to the bulls 88-83 in game 7 (the most trouble the bulls ever had in a conference final)... And eventually, executive of the year (2012, i think) a short time after rejoining the pacers in the front office
Michael Jordan was once quoted saying that Larry Bird was the best small forward that ever played in the NBA after saying that Larry Bird was in his top five all-time players in the NBA end of story
I was blessed to grow up in this area of the NBA. It was a wonderful experience to grow up watching true greats of the game. True living legends of the game. The game of today has no heart, it's all about the money.
@@heribertosarmiento1265 no blood, no foul. You get paid to pay basketball, and that was the reward. Simple rules everyone can agree to. The technical rules and "me me me" mentally came around with huge contacts. I think Larry, the best college player going to the most prestigious club at the time, had like a single year contract or something. Magic got a huge contract (at the time - multiple years for multiple millions) with LA at the same time, so maybe I'm just jaded. Still, things were great when they were raw and getting paid to play was reasonable without being extortive in either stat boarding, or the opposite as happens with unpaid college players of all sports.
@@ScottLovenberg thats what I meanplay hard ,play clean and give it all for your team. The 80-90’s were 2 decades that if you give up you get blown out and that what made those two decades so great. Now we have the ultimate athletes going to to toe but some just give up because of the contracts . Don’t get me wrong I do agree with you. We disagree but with love sports and that’s what makes it even more fun , having a rival to talk to is fun because we can love our teams ,throw some jabs but still respect the game .
right he saw the court like gretzky saw the rink. Durant is not better than Bird, whose talent was in his viewing the game better than anyone. As Kareem and Wilt both said, his greatest skill was his mind and he was playing chess while others were playing checkers. Only Luka and Le Bron have had similar skills at that size
Bird is *THE* best SF period. He played over half his career with crippling back pains that forced him to lay on his back with a heating pad during timeouts and when he was benched yet the man still put up absurd numbers and was the most clutch scorer of all time, Bron is a close second but he's been too inconsistent in high stakes games in the 4th quarter and never played with a sever injury while having no noticeable drop in production
Lebron doesn't even belong in the same category as Bird. When did Bird ever sit out a game with cramps? Bird played with pain all of the time. Also the rules today allow for a more wide-open game that creates more points scored. Lebron may be more powerful but Bird was more crafty and inventive.
@@chris93703 LeBron is the ALL TIME leading scorer in league history. Just stop it! You sound silly and bitter. Larry's an all time great, but LeBron is in the greatest of all time conversation. He was in the NBA Finals for a freaking decade straight!
@@armonwilliams4735 LeBron is the all time leading scorer in a league that has rules that make it easier to score. He also accumulated a lot of his points of of players who would not even be considered the top players in the league. Bird did it consistently against teams loaded with talent like the Lakers. There have also been many times where Lebron has not put forward full effort to win a game or even seemed uninterested. I have seen the videos and I have seen the evidence. Bird would give 110% every game. Lebron will probably still get in the Hall but he doesn't belong in the same league as Bird. Unlike you I don't base my opinions on feelings but what I have seen. Did Lebron ever win 3 MVP's in a row? Also what kind of GOAT calls himself the GOAT? That seems rather conceited.
"If I needed a shot to win the game, I'd choose Michael Jordan. If I needed a shot to save my life, I'd choose Larry Bird"... Pat Riley. I'm glad I'm an old fart and this was my generation of basketball!! I'm old enough to remember Magic vs Bird in the 1979 NCAA championship
Happy New Year guys! Larry Legend did not play around. He didnt just talk trash, he did it casually and then backed it up which infuriated his opponents. You should also check out Larry Bird - Making the Case when you have a chance.
Growing up in Portland in the 80s & 90s watching Bird was amazing. I was a Blazer fan first and foremost, but loved the Celtics during the late 80s early 90s. Mind you as much as I hated the Lakers watching Lakers vs Celtics was amazing. Bird talked so much trash that he beat players mentally. He's one of the best SF ever-better than Bron because he played INJURED multiple times.
Facts Larry played in the era where 7 foot 300 lbs guys could swing their elbows to make space, get into a legit fist fight and other physical things. The numbers show the 80s to mid 90s were the most physical basketball played, its why scoring was so low compared to today, it wasn't because guys were less skilled but because guys would damn near judo throw you around when you'd attempt a layup
You couldn't stop Bird with two people brawling him, either. I was at a Timberwolves game where they called a flagrant, and you literally couldn't see it in the replays while the refs debated whether it was or not (they decided it was. Apparently I don't understand what "flagrant" means, but I'd say Larry Legend and Dr. J holding each other by the throat would qualify these days). I think the intimidation factor of Bird being known to have no issues with throwing down anywhere against anyone (or multiple people) would give him so much more mental advantage today. I really miss the "no blood, no foul" style play and viscous smack talking; you had to be good and concentrate while navigating the mental and physical obstacles your opponent threw at you. Now you just decide where you feel comfortable shooting from or dunking effectively unopposed it feels like. I definitely feel it in the pacing and lack of energy in today's game. Even the passing game feels weak compared to say, '86 Celtics/Lakers. To be fair, maybe I'm just romanticizing an era of my youth with rose colored glasses, but now that I live in Minneapolis and go to live games, I'm just not feeling it for basketball the way I did watching on TV in the sticks. But hockey and football still do it for me mostly the way they used to (I do miss hockey bench clearing brawls with goalie fights like the Flyers/Caps game that was a melee for 2 full periods until all the players and coaches were ejected and the game ended with almost all eligible players on the ice), so I think it's really a problem with basketball.
Larry Bird made basketball ball look effortlessly. Best small forward ever. Have you guys seen videos of pistol Pete.? He was a great basketball player.
@@ScottLovenbergit started with introducing Flagrant Fouls, and then the Malice at the Palace was the final nail in the coffin for physicality in the NBA
Hey guys, love your channel. I’m old enough to be your grandfather and I watched Larry play. You cannot compare this man with even the likes of bron. He is mincemeat in Larry’s game. Keep up the good work boys. Lots of fun watching you.
Most of todays players are mincemeat in larry's game if lebron played larry in his prime lebron would have tucked is tail between his legs and cried all the way home.
So true. Young people who grew up watching James just cannot understand because you can't understand Bird's game just by watching highlights. James is physically overpowering, but his overall game is literally a fraction of what Bird's was. Same goes for Magic. They just love Steph Curry, and I have to admit that he is the greatest long-range shooter of all time. But his overall game does not compare to Magic's. It's not even close. The glory days are gone for good. The league gets weaker and weaker year after year. Does anyone believe that Donovan Mitchell could score 71 points in 1988? Could anyone possibly be that delusional?
I’m Granny basketball… Been watching since the late 60s. I can’t watch the NBA today - just isn’t that commitments or that drive that we saw in the 80s. It’s the one-man star game… Not a team effort. I was blessed to have seen Bird play in person a few times. While I was a Knicks fan, I always made a point to get to the arena when Larry was in town. The minute he stepped on the court you knew something special was going to happen, and it always did. He had the highest basketball IQ ever. Also, people say he was not a defensive player, but he averaged more rebounds than Patrick Ewing. I hope you will continue on your Larry Bird journey, because most people who do, realize how special he was.
@@nanook8721 Watching and playing since the late fifties. I hear you. I grew up on Tobacco Road and we ate and slept basketball. My tall brother and friends made me learn to shoot over them until I could beat them. I'm 5'. 😂 Bird was the best (sorry, my man Michael - never tell Dean I said that when you see him again someday). He remains the best.
The best one liner I've heard from Bird is asking a dude he's completely smoking, "is your mom watching you play tonight?" That and Larry hitting defenders on the butt with the ball as he faked them out of their pants before taking the shot. Like, "nice try bro. Got you again." The amount of confidence that takes and the fact that it didn't throw off his rhythm at all.
Also there are a bunch of Bird passing videos as well you can react to. He was an amazing passer as well. Bird, Magic, Jordan, Kobe all had one thing in common: they hated losing more than they loved winning. It drove them to only care about winning and they played hurt. There was none of this game management bull crap.
I read somewhere that Bird had Bron's passing, KD's midrange shooting touch, Curry's long range and free throw accuracy, Jokers rebounding skills, Kobe and MJ's killer will, and more clutch than any player in history! It should say they have Birds.
In today's (2020s) pussified version of basketball, Legend would do what he always did: post up, shoot over, out rebound, and out pass his opponents. People ask how many points Larry Legend would score in today's game. The answer is: as many as he'd want.
Completely agree! It was so well done! I cannot recommend it enough. Even for people who aren't into basketball or sports, the human factor is more than compelling. Larry Legend and Magic is one of the most legendary modern stories of competition, rivalry and friendship that I'm aware of.
Fun fact about Danny Ainge: He was 6’5” and was a HS All American in Basketball, Baseball, and Football. He won the Naismith (aka best player in College) his SR year at BYU and he played in the majors for Toronto and hit a home run in the majors before deciding to play in the NBA
Yes, I had a Danny Ainge baseball card when I was a kid. He really didn't do much as a baseball player, but I thought it was cool to have when he joined the Celtics, my favorite team. Still, he had to be pretty good to even be on a MLB roster.
Basketball now is a different game than it was back then. Back then they didn't call fouls like they do now. It was nothing for somebody to eat an elbow shot and keep it pushing
Yall gotta remember. No matter how good the other players were, bird would find a way around them. Including kd, labron or whoever else he would be up against. Could anyone else do that. It was larrys brain and fearlessness that allowed him to bring down the giants. He would simply outsmart and get the jump on any of your top tens. Larry made michael look dumb. Because no matter how fast or strong he was, larry ate him up, with his mental ability.
The Celtics were my Dad's favorite team, so we used to watch them play when I was little & IMHO what made the Byrd a phenom, wasn't his ability to shoot but what I witnessed, which was his almost supernatural ability to KNOW EXACTLY where the ball was & ANTICIPATE EXACTLY where the ball would be every second of the game! I wish there was more footage of him playing, bc it was truly incredible to watch; to this day I don't know if he was clairvoyant, or just had some weird super-ability to read body language, or if the man had eyes in the back of his head!
Problem with comparing players in different eras is the different rules that affected play. It was more physical and they were brutalizing each other back then and offensive guys had to deal with hand-checking - now you can't touch them.
The only thing that limits how effective past players could be today is that once you go back far enough, athleticism becomes an issue. But there's nothing about today's game that would be HARDER. It's just that the scoring can come from outside now, marginalizing the Hakeems and Kareems, and there weren't as many shooting specialists back in the 80s-90s. Those 12-footers are even more available now, but the coach might bench you for taking those shots instead of kicking it out.
Boston and LA were the best teams of all time in the 80's. People just don't realize how good the players were back then. Much rougher game, players were tough as hell back then. I was at almost every big game in Boston Garden from 81 to 87. The LA games were so electric I can't explain it. Bird was a complete player not a scorer. Magic was a complete player, could play every position, not many players could do that. I was on the floor before one of the lakers game watching DJ and Bird practice. Parish came up behind me, stopped and asked how I was doing today. Talked for 45 seconds or so before he went out to practice. Never forget that 45 seconds. Greatest two teams by far of all time, would destroy todays teams. Jordan got his azz kicked for 7 years before he won anything. Nobody in their right mind who saw all of them play, would take Jordan over Magic, Jabbar, Wilt or Bird. Jordan took a massive amount of shots, if those other players took that many they would have scored more. Jordan was probably the most athletic of all time. DJ was probably the best defensive play at prime, or close to it. DJ was so darn good. Big games he came to play.
Show me all the highlights of people telling stories of how KD told them what he was going to do before he did it and then went out and did it. Birds impact on his team was immediate and unbelievable. The year before Bird joined the Celtics were 29-53. In Birds 1st season the Celtics were 61-21, a 32 win improvement.
no hands on larry in todays game .. no reaching in ? shit haha Larry is gonna kill em .. the new rules is for todays game to make it more spectator friendly
U guys are awesome, fr. But I do have to mention the fact that viewers watch the content u react to as well as attempting to hear what each of u say bc y’all are hilarious. That gets difficult if anyone talks over others or when a conversation, instead of a single comment occurs with no pause. Keep going and improving guys bc y’all have potential to be great
Those five guys haven't a clue how great Legend was. Legend perfected every phase of roundball, above and beyond, everyone with the exception of # 6. Bill Russell.
I wouldn't say he perfected "every phase." That's a bit disrespectful to all the other legends, but Larry Bird definitely was the best SF basketball has ever produced. - Jordan's psychotic will to win (6/6 in the Finals with all 6 Finals MVPs) - Magic's leadership, court vision, and versatility (He dominated the Finals starting at C when Kareem was hurt) - Iverson's handles and heart - Rodman's rebounding - Shaq's physical dominance - LeBron's longevity - Vince's dunking - Olajuwon's skills and footwork at C - Curry's shooting - Stockton's passing etc... I could go on and on. Bird is in my Top 5 All-Time legends, but let's not get carried away saying he "perfected every phase of roundball." No one is that good. Respect the other legends of Basketball, bro.
Bird is the greatest SF ever and the third best player ever. Just behind Jordan and Hakeem. I didn’t see the guys before them like prime Kareem, Oscar, Wilt etc.
@@ScottLovenberg At least MJ didn't decide to leave Chicago for Boston to try to get some easy rings, like a certain NOT best SF in history made a habit of doing.
Larry Bird IS THE BEST••• he could have HAD MORE POINTS PER GAME ••• he could have been a ball 🏀 Hog But he was a great passer. But what most people don't know is that Bird passed on shots to help teammates get their average/game. He was aware of who needed a basket and he could have been selfish and padded his points, but he wasn't. 3-4 times a game he did something where everyone was wow, how'd he do that? 1980's-early 90's, best era of basketball ever, best talent throughout league. You'd never see a player take a night off for load management.❤❤❤❤🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
You guys are great, I get a kick out of watching you. And due to your youth, I can see how you like LeBron. Unfortunately, he is no Larry Bird. But keep up the bird videos, it’s good to see you guys watching old school real basketball.
You guys should watch Birds greatest assists or Bird the best passer of all time. Those videos show that he really was the baddest mother on the planet. (And greatest small forward passer of all time)
I happened to meet meet Dennis Rodman a few weeks ago. Over a few days we chatted over drinks at the bar whenever we both happened to be there at the same time. I asked him what has changed in the game since he left and he said it was all about the outside shooting and 3-pointers compared to when he was in the league.
My favorite was "I'm gonna take you down to the baseline and hit a 3 in your face and it's gonna be your Christmas present." Also, I didn't see it but apparently he once kept a running score of him and his opponent. So he's like "10-2"... "12-2"... "14-2". Apparently he was dominating so bad that when he got to like 42-6 the other guy just started throwing hands.
Yup. Dr. J. With his teammates holding Bird. Bird shrugged that off too. They were cool again at the next meeting. Neither of them ever autographs the photo taken of that. It was just a flash-in-the-pan. In an interview some time afterward Bird said he got into fights with his brothers too but that doesn't mean he doesn't love them and respect them. Same with Dr. J.
Young Boys, in the words of the great Pat Reilly, "if I need a shot to win a game, I'll take Jordan. If I need a shot to save my life, I'll take Bird."
Bird was better than KD Bird could play the post like a big forward He could also set up his own shots. Not only was Bird a lights out long shooter he could play equally as well with his back to the basket He was better stealing the ball, better with assists and ABOVE all, Larry along with MJ was the greatest clutch player ever.
Its a Shame Bird was hurt so much. He played hard and had to play hurt. Imagine if he stayed healthy. I would take a healthy Bird over anybody! He could have score so many more points but he passed and distributed the ball to all his teammates. A lot of players that scored high points were ball hogs - not Bird. He made everybody better!! He was the Best in my opinion!
It's almost as entertaining listening to NBA pros talk about Bird as it is watching Bird highlights. Bird and Magic were, in their era, the two players that people wanted to watch, both had complete games.
Bird or Durant? No contest. Durant is a shooter, Bird did everyghing, shooter, rebounder, assists, steals, and most importantly, Bird made his teammates better.
"If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game, I’d choose Michael Jordan," Pat said. "If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life, I’d take Larry Bird." Pat Riley
Yup
I’d take Bird both times, it’s pretty weird he separated the 2.
@@skunkdoctor I think that was a diplomatic way of praising Bird without dissing Jordan. I might be inclined to agree with you, but then we wouldn't have this iconic quotation.
@@skunkdoctor PR response
@@ContrarianCorner Even MJ would agree. He had MAD respect for Legend. he learned a lot from Bird; just ask him. his Love and admiration for Bird
"Michael Jordan made you look slow, but Larry bird made you look stupid". Larry legend is the best small forward to date!!
Jordan never won a championship until Bird retired. Jordan went 7 years before he won a championship.
Id rather look slow...than stupid.
😄
And I think James Worthy would agree.
@@rustydaboyrobot 👊
@@wc7480 bird swept Jordan 2x in the playoffs
Homes is 80’s slang for homeboy, someone who lives nearby you.
Remember this: Magic came into a good team. Bird came to the League and CREATED a great team. Bird could do EVERYTHING Magic could do, but Magic could NOT do everything Bird could do. If you're gonna start an ALL-TIME team, your FIRST pick, is the Hick from French Lick.
He could not have done it without Parish, McHale and DJ.
@@seattlewa8500 Correction. His first year he did it without Parish Mchale or dj.
Might I suggest finding new sources?🤭
No way he is picked over Duncan. Sorry bud, if you are starting a franchise Duncan is 100% the #1 pick and it really isnt even close. NOT EVEN close, and I ama diehard bird fan.
@@Dejusticed Dunc is on my all-time starting 5.
@@Dejusticed Duncan is atop 10? Yes. Over Bird? Never!
Not only is Bird the best SF every, he is the GOAT.
youre either delusional or straight up racist if you genuinely believe this
Damn straight.
Bill Russell.
Come up for a breath bro😂😂
@@bradleyhamilton8237 whatever!🤣🤣🤣
It’s funny how the brothers never wanna give Bird credit….until you ask the brothers who played against him
Truth.
He played a whole game left handed for the challenge and STILL killed it
No, it was 3 quarters against Portland in 1986. When asked why he shot so much with his left hand he answered, "I'm saving my right hand for the Lakers."
The Celtics won both games, btw. THAT'S why he's Larry Legend.
Larry put up 47 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists, a steal, and 2 blocks in that game and didn't miss a single left handed shot!
He played left handed three quarters and wore the other team out!!
@@joshuam4614 In other words, Larry *never* missed a beat.
He had to shoot a few right handed in OT, but it's still quite the feat.
larry wouldn't only survive, he would thrive
@15:21 "It's hard to get a bucket in today's game." ..... Worst statement ever!!! Dude, today's era is the easiest time to get a bucket. There's no emphasis on defense in today's era...everyone knows that. Guys like Jordan, Wilt, Bird, etc would average between 35 and 40 points a game
@@FreedomFighter2112 Ya lol that comment was wild
@@ianc3934 but accurate
@@hookedonreactions7649 BWAHAHAHAHAAAA
@@FreedomFighter2112 these guys are too young and no clue about basketball fundamentals
Bird is a better playmaker and rebounder than KD. Bird avg 10 rebs/game against a mess of dominant centers
Also a far better defender
Had back surgery was as advanced as now he wouldn’t had retired and him and pierce would had blown out every team
Larry can’t even shoot off the dribble. KD would shoot his lights out and Larry can shoot but the eye test is real
@@stylescasino1006 Larry cant shoot off the dribble he says.. lol.
🤣😭🤣😭
@@stylescasino1006 spoken like a guy that never saw him play. Hell he humble jordan . Yes the goat that would put KD,Lebron and Kobe in tears and tell them Larry was better.
Bird is the BEST complete package as a Basketball player, hands down. If you gave me a choice to build a team around ONE GUY, I’d choose Prime
Larry Bird over anyone ever. ANYONE.
Can’t compare NBA in the 80s vs now. Most players now would cry if they had to play against actual defense.
OR just 😭CRY😭, if They had to Play any Defense, at all
🐐Larry🏀Legend🐐 would Foul Out, Today, for HURTing Feelings
😭😭😭🐐🏀🐐😭😭😭
Bird would walk on the court with any team and would become the team captain. Any team.
I was a die hard Lakers Magic fan, and we cringed when we faced Bird, anticipating him dismantling our Lakers.
Bird isn’t just a franchise player, in any era, he would be the star of the entire NBA.
Facts.
Bird was actually "captain" to his team & the opponent. Just as the Atlanta Hawks🤣
Yessir..I'm a Celtic fan...
Fuckin Magic was too good!!!! Lol
If he had played with Russell, Bird never would have been captain.
Bird is a top 5 player of all time .
Even Michael Jordan said Bird was the greatest small forward ever.
I might be bias cuz I'm from outside of Boston but I've never seen anybody better than Larry Bird. It wasn't just because of his shooting he was an all-around basketball player that made everybody around him better. And to this day I haven't seen a player that is as clutch is him.
100% right.I used to go to Celtic games when I could afford it. Would drive
from Newport Rhode Island to the Garden.I Was at the Sixers game in 1984
when Doctor J and Bird fought. Barkley and Malone had Bird in a headlock
while Dr.J was punching him.Love Irving but still hate Charles and Malone.
Anyway Larry Bird was Mr.Basketball! Players of today could never hang
with Bird. They couldn't take the physical abuse of the 60's 70's and 80's!!
Comparing Larry to Dirk is embarrassing
I don't know if it's embarrassing; but it's definitely insulting - to BIRD.
@@kingsbrace3736 obviously to Bird
VERY LAUGHABLE
Totally agree
@@kingsbrace3736 Only if Larry felt it to be insulting. If Larry doesn't care, nobody should. Think Larry would back that up.
He only played 12 seasons. One of his 13 he was out after six games for surgery on both achilles. He made the All-Star team 12 years out of 12 and All NBA 10 out of 12 (9 first team). Also, he was 4th in MVP voting in his rookie year while winning rookie of the year (63 votes to 3, over Magic) then he was 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 3, 2 in the MVP vote for the next 8 years, while garnering 67% of all MVP votes in that 8 year stretch against better players than they have today
Exactly! Coming back after twin achilles surgery is remarkable, then playing 3 or 4 years with a broken back at an all star level. Larry Bird is not of this planet.
How about when he became the head coach of the Pacers - with no coaching exp - and set a franchise record his first season - took the Pacers to the Conference finals his first two years and to the Finals his third year - and then retired
@@jamesrawlins735 and coach of the year in that first season (1998), and lost the conference final to the bulls 88-83 in game 7 (the most trouble the bulls ever had in a conference final)...
And eventually, executive of the year (2012, i think) a short time after rejoining the pacers in the front office
That year he was out was miserable for me as a grade schooler. He was my basketball idol by then (6th grade). When he came back we were so jazzed up!
@@fezzik7619 yep. 88-89 was my junior year in HS
NBA Legends And Players Explain Why Larry Bird Would Destroy Today's NBA
Kareem said Larry Bird was the greatest Player ever, end of Story.
Birdman backed every word up too Beastmode
Michael Jordan was once quoted saying that Larry Bird was the best small forward that ever played in the NBA after saying that Larry Bird was in his top five all-time players in the NBA end of story
I was blessed to grow up in this area of the NBA. It was a wonderful experience to grow up watching true greats of the game. True living legends of the game. The game of today has no heart, it's all about the money.
Back then you play or you get blown out
@@heribertosarmiento1265 100% FACTS.
my era as well
@@heribertosarmiento1265 no blood, no foul. You get paid to pay basketball, and that was the reward. Simple rules everyone can agree to. The technical rules and "me me me" mentally came around with huge contacts. I think Larry, the best college player going to the most prestigious club at the time, had like a single year contract or something. Magic got a huge contract (at the time - multiple years for multiple millions) with LA at the same time, so maybe I'm just jaded. Still, things were great when they were raw and getting paid to play was reasonable without being extortive in either stat boarding, or the opposite as happens with unpaid college players of all sports.
@@ScottLovenberg thats what I meanplay hard ,play clean and give it all for your team. The 80-90’s were 2 decades that if you give up you get blown out and that what made those two decades so great. Now we have the ultimate athletes going to to toe but some just give up because of the contracts . Don’t get me wrong I do agree with you. We disagree but with love sports and that’s what makes it even more fun , having a rival to talk to is fun because we can love our teams ,throw some jabs but still respect the game .
Even Jordan says Bird is the G.O.A.T of small forwards. #TRUTH
LARRY LEGEND IS A UNICORN & THE TRUE GOAT 🐐 ☘️
Larry Bird was crazy skilled.
right he saw the court like gretzky saw the rink. Durant is not better than Bird, whose talent was in his viewing the game better than anyone. As Kareem and Wilt both said, his greatest skill was his mind and he was playing chess while others were playing checkers. Only Luka and Le Bron have had similar skills at that size
Bird is *THE* best SF period. He played over half his career with crippling back pains that forced him to lay on his back with a heating pad during timeouts and when he was benched yet the man still put up absurd numbers and was the most clutch scorer of all time, Bron is a close second but he's been too inconsistent in high stakes games in the 4th quarter and never played with a sever injury while having no noticeable drop in production
Bird played half his career with crippling back pain.... and still excelled (liked your comment, just wanted to add those 3 words)
@@alanela6761 AND crippled finger *shooting hand his entire career
Lebron doesn't even belong in the same category as Bird. When did Bird ever sit out a game with cramps? Bird played with pain all of the time. Also the rules today allow for a more wide-open game that creates more points scored. Lebron may be more powerful but Bird was more crafty and inventive.
@@chris93703 LeBron is the ALL TIME leading scorer in league history. Just stop it! You sound silly and bitter. Larry's an all time great, but LeBron is in the greatest of all time conversation. He was in the NBA Finals for a freaking decade straight!
@@armonwilliams4735
LeBron is the all time leading scorer in a league that has rules that make it easier to score. He also accumulated a lot of his points of of players who would not even be considered the top players in the league. Bird did it consistently against teams loaded with talent like the Lakers. There have also been many times where Lebron has not put forward full effort to win a game or even seemed uninterested. I have seen the videos and I have seen the evidence. Bird would give 110% every game. Lebron will probably still get in the Hall but he doesn't belong in the same league as Bird. Unlike you I don't base my opinions on feelings but what I have seen.
Did Lebron ever win 3 MVP's in a row?
Also what kind of GOAT calls himself the GOAT? That seems rather conceited.
"If I needed a shot to win the game, I'd choose Michael Jordan. If I needed a shot to save my life, I'd choose Larry Bird"... Pat Riley. I'm glad I'm an old fart and this was my generation of basketball!! I'm old enough to remember Magic vs Bird in the 1979 NCAA championship
Dude! Bird is a baaad man!!
Bird is greater than KD
Happy New Year guys! Larry Legend did not play around. He didnt just talk trash, he did it casually and then backed it up which infuriated his opponents. You should also check out Larry Bird - Making the Case when you have a chance.
Growing up in Portland in the 80s & 90s watching Bird was amazing. I was a Blazer fan first and foremost, but loved the Celtics during the late 80s early 90s. Mind you as much as I hated the Lakers watching Lakers vs Celtics was amazing. Bird talked so much trash that he beat players mentally. He's one of the best SF ever-better than Bron because he played INJURED multiple times.
Did you say it’s harder to get a bucket now? 😂 Come on guys. Larry is better than Luka and Nikola
Everything is uncontested now. It's way easier to get points now
Facts Larry played in the era where 7 foot 300 lbs guys could swing their elbows to make space, get into a legit fist fight and other physical things. The numbers show the 80s to mid 90s were the most physical basketball played, its why scoring was so low compared to today, it wasn't because guys were less skilled but because guys would damn near judo throw you around when you'd attempt a layup
@@emanuelmartinez7267 preach.
If Larry could carry the ball like Luka and Jokic he'd have been even better. And then on top of that, if 3s were as common back then, even more so
I don’t know if Larry is better but you are definitely right that it’s easier now so many rules cater to the offensive player.
So, you couldn't stop Bird with 2 people guarding him. Now with today's rules where they can't touch him, how do you stop him?
teams were better back when Bird played
You couldn't stop Bird with two people brawling him, either. I was at a Timberwolves game where they called a flagrant, and you literally couldn't see it in the replays while the refs debated whether it was or not (they decided it was. Apparently I don't understand what "flagrant" means, but I'd say Larry Legend and Dr. J holding each other by the throat would qualify these days).
I think the intimidation factor of Bird being known to have no issues with throwing down anywhere against anyone (or multiple people) would give him so much more mental advantage today. I really miss the "no blood, no foul" style play and viscous smack talking; you had to be good and concentrate while navigating the mental and physical obstacles your opponent threw at you. Now you just decide where you feel comfortable shooting from or dunking effectively unopposed it feels like. I definitely feel it in the pacing and lack of energy in today's game. Even the passing game feels weak compared to say, '86 Celtics/Lakers.
To be fair, maybe I'm just romanticizing an era of my youth with rose colored glasses, but now that I live in Minneapolis and go to live games, I'm just not feeling it for basketball the way I did watching on TV in the sticks. But hockey and football still do it for me mostly the way they used to (I do miss hockey bench clearing brawls with goalie fights like the Flyers/Caps game that was a melee for 2 full periods until all the players and coaches were ejected and the game ended with almost all eligible players on the ice), so I think it's really a problem with basketball.
Larry Bird made basketball ball look effortlessly. Best small forward ever. Have you guys seen videos of pistol Pete.? He was a great basketball player.
by paying off the refs I guess.... that might work half the time
@@ScottLovenbergit started with introducing Flagrant Fouls, and then the Malice at the Palace was the final nail in the coffin for physicality in the NBA
Hey guys, love your channel. I’m old enough to be your grandfather and I watched Larry play. You cannot compare this man with even the likes of bron. He is mincemeat in Larry’s game.
Keep up the good work boys. Lots of fun watching you.
Most of todays players are mincemeat in larry's game if lebron played larry in his prime lebron would have tucked is tail between his legs and cried all the way home.
So true. Young people who grew up watching James just cannot understand because you can't understand Bird's game just by watching highlights. James is physically overpowering, but his overall game is literally a fraction of what Bird's was. Same goes for Magic. They just love Steph Curry, and I have to admit that he is the greatest long-range shooter of all time. But his overall game does not compare to Magic's. It's not even close. The glory days are gone for good. The league gets weaker and weaker year after year. Does anyone believe that Donovan Mitchell could score 71 points in 1988? Could anyone possibly be that delusional?
same here living in Massachusetts a huge fan and Larry was a beast that couldn't be stopped. Only his back stopped him
I’m Granny basketball… Been watching since the late 60s. I can’t watch the NBA today - just isn’t that commitments or that drive that we saw in the 80s. It’s the one-man star game… Not a team effort. I was blessed to have seen Bird play in person a few times. While I was a Knicks fan, I always made a point to get to the arena when Larry was in town. The minute he stepped on the court you knew something special was going to happen, and it always did. He had the highest basketball IQ ever. Also, people say he was not a defensive player, but he averaged more rebounds than Patrick Ewing. I hope you will continue on your Larry Bird journey, because most people who do, realize how special he was.
@@nanook8721 Watching and playing since the late fifties. I hear you. I grew up on Tobacco Road and we ate and slept basketball. My tall brother and friends made me learn to shoot over them until I could beat them. I'm 5'. 😂 Bird was the best (sorry, my man Michael - never tell Dean I said that when you see him again someday). He remains the best.
Bird was 6' 9 and could perform and pull off all postions . Bad boy BB man.
The best one liner I've heard from Bird is asking a dude he's completely smoking, "is your mom watching you play tonight?" That and Larry hitting defenders on the butt with the ball as he faked them out of their pants before taking the shot. Like, "nice try bro. Got you again." The amount of confidence that takes and the fact that it didn't throw off his rhythm at all.
Is your mother watching you play tonight? That was Craig Ehlo with Cleveland.
Also there are a bunch of Bird passing videos as well you can react to. He was an amazing passer as well. Bird, Magic, Jordan, Kobe all had one thing in common: they hated losing more than they loved winning. It drove them to only care about winning and they played hurt. There was none of this game management bull crap.
The two hand fivers 😂
Bird is the best forward to ever lace em up. Period
Bird's better than LeBron and KD.
Mr Bird didn't play. He scored
One of the greats. Dude was crazy. He'd tell professional players exactly what he was gonna do, then still do it right in their face and STILL score.
@@SRTBOAT as far as IQ and skill goes. He is one of the best for sure 💯
I read somewhere that Bird had Bron's passing, KD's midrange shooting touch, Curry's long range and free throw accuracy, Jokers rebounding skills, Kobe and MJ's killer will, and more clutch than any player in history! It should say they have Birds.
Bird is the best small forward ever!
That's just the facts! 🔥👊
false. he is behind lebron and it aint close lmao
@@DavinderSingh-zr9fn he's absolutely better than lebron
@@alanela6761 lmao he isnt even close to lebron
@@DavinderSingh-zr9fn ok. If you think he's THAT much better, then he's not close to Lebron
Put the top 50 all time on the court, we are choosing up sides, I want to win, I pick Bird first.
...and backin' it ALL THE WAY up...!!!
In today's (2020s) pussified version of basketball, Legend would do what he always did: post up, shoot over, out rebound, and out pass his opponents. People ask how many points Larry Legend would score in today's game. The answer is: as many as he'd want.
Ain't no rivalry like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Celtics/Lakers. Those were the glory days of basketball.
Gotta remember bird broke his back in '86. Before he broke his back he was putting up 28 10 and 7. And the most clutch player ever
You guys should consider reacting to the HBO documentary on Magic and Bird. It's up on UA-cam and well worth the watch for any basketball fan
Completely agree! It was so well done! I cannot recommend it enough.
Even for people who aren't into basketball or sports, the human factor is more than compelling. Larry Legend and Magic is one of the most legendary modern stories of competition, rivalry and friendship that I'm aware of.
Bird, all day
Man, y'all talked right over a couple of the best parts.
True! I had the feeling like what was the point of even playing the video if they weren't even going to bother watching and listening to it?
Fun fact about Danny Ainge: He was 6’5” and was a HS All American in Basketball, Baseball, and Football. He won the Naismith (aka best player in College) his SR year at BYU and he played in the majors for Toronto and hit a home run in the majors before deciding to play in the NBA
these young kids just dont know
Yes, I had a Danny Ainge baseball card when I was a kid. He really didn't do much as a baseball player, but I thought it was cool to have when he joined the Celtics, my favorite team. Still, he had to be pretty good to even be on a MLB roster.
You need to do a reaction of Bird's passing. It will blow you away.
Still keeping Bird on my 5
Basketball now is a different game than it was back then. Back then they didn't call fouls like they do now. It was nothing for somebody to eat an elbow shot and keep it pushing
Yall gotta remember. No matter how good the other players were, bird would find a way around them. Including kd, labron or whoever else he would be up against. Could anyone else do that. It was larrys brain and fearlessness that allowed him to bring down the giants. He would simply outsmart and get the jump on any of your top tens. Larry made michael look dumb. Because no matter how fast or strong he was, larry ate him up, with his mental ability.
The Celtics were my Dad's favorite team, so we used to watch them play when I was little & IMHO what made the Byrd a phenom, wasn't his ability to shoot but what I witnessed, which was his almost supernatural ability to KNOW EXACTLY where the ball was & ANTICIPATE EXACTLY where the ball would be every second of the game! I wish there was more footage of him playing, bc it was truly incredible to watch; to this day I don't know if he was clairvoyant, or just had some weird super-ability to read body language, or if the man had eyes in the back of his head!
Excellent comment. 🙂
He is a joy to watch.
I wish there was more full game footage available too.
*Boston Celtic fan here and I know you right!*
Jordan said Bird was by far the best sf to ever play and of discussion.
Bird is the best all-around- Ball player of all time
Problem with comparing players in different eras is the different rules that affected play. It was more physical and they were brutalizing each other back then and offensive guys had to deal with hand-checking - now you can't touch them.
The only thing that limits how effective past players could be today is that once you go back far enough, athleticism becomes an issue.
But there's nothing about today's game that would be HARDER. It's just that the scoring can come from outside now, marginalizing the Hakeems and Kareems, and there weren't as many shooting specialists back in the 80s-90s. Those 12-footers are even more available now, but the coach might bench you for taking those shots instead of kicking it out.
The rules was different back in birds day. KD might struggle in that era
There is a very good reason Larry Bird's name is mentioned when talking of the greats. He was something magic to watch...cause I did back then.
Larry’s my cousin, my dad grew up with him… he’s a funny dude
Great reviews but remind me never to go to the movie theater with you guys! 😄
No shit. If they'd stop talking over everything, imagine what they'd know.
Yep. They missed half the video.
@@smellygoatacres it’s a reaction video not a sit and watch in the quiet
@@zionyourtherapist3345 that’s why there’s a pause button
Guys you really need to react to this, new clips about Larry's stories! NBA LEGENDS EXPLAIN HOW LARRY BIRD MADE EVERYONE LOOK BAD
They don't need stories they need to watch so they can understand. These guys have seen a few videos and they want to already put KD over Larry? Wtf?
Boston and LA were the best teams of all time in the 80's. People just don't realize how good the players were back then. Much rougher game, players were tough as hell back then. I was at almost every big game in Boston Garden from 81 to 87. The LA games were so electric I can't explain it. Bird was a complete player not a scorer. Magic was a complete player, could play every position, not many players could do that. I was on the floor before one of the lakers game watching DJ and Bird practice. Parish came up behind me, stopped and asked how I was doing today. Talked for 45 seconds or so before he went out to practice. Never forget that 45 seconds. Greatest two teams by far of all time, would destroy todays teams. Jordan got his azz kicked for 7 years before he won anything. Nobody in their right mind who saw all of them play, would take Jordan over Magic, Jabbar, Wilt or Bird. Jordan took a massive amount of shots, if those other players took that many they would have scored more. Jordan was probably the most athletic of all time. DJ was probably the best defensive play at prime, or close to it. DJ was so darn good. Big games he came to play.
Damn I respect you men! Give’s me hope for all our children’s future.
Gotta go with the numbers....Bird!!
Show me all the highlights of people telling stories of how KD told them what he was going to do before he did it and then went out and did it.
Birds impact on his team was immediate and unbelievable.
The year before Bird joined the Celtics were 29-53.
In Birds 1st season the Celtics were 61-21, a 32 win improvement.
Magic and Bird were the great BB players ever
Larry Legend ❤
Thumbs up for all the banter in the end, I miss that ..
no hands on larry in todays game .. no reaching in ? shit haha Larry is gonna kill em .. the new rules is for todays game to make it more spectator friendly
Larry Legend Bird one of the two Savior's of the nba and the one true GOAT and the only player with 0 holes in his game
Brought back a lot of memories - Bird is a legend - one of the smartest bball players ever. Those were great years around Boston!
U guys are awesome, fr. But I do have to mention the fact that viewers watch the content u react to as well as attempting to hear what each of u say bc y’all are hilarious. That gets difficult if anyone talks over others or when a conversation, instead of a single comment occurs with no pause. Keep going and improving guys bc y’all have potential to be great
Agree they ruin reactions sometimes
Those five guys haven't a clue how great Legend was. Legend perfected every phase of roundball, above and beyond, everyone with the exception of # 6. Bill Russell.
I wouldn't say he perfected "every phase." That's a bit disrespectful to all the other legends, but Larry Bird definitely was the best SF basketball has ever produced.
- Jordan's psychotic will to win (6/6 in the Finals with all 6 Finals MVPs)
- Magic's leadership, court vision, and versatility (He dominated the Finals starting at C when Kareem was hurt)
- Iverson's handles and heart
- Rodman's rebounding
- Shaq's physical dominance
- LeBron's longevity
- Vince's dunking
- Olajuwon's skills and footwork at C
- Curry's shooting
- Stockton's passing
etc...
I could go on and on. Bird is in my Top 5 All-Time legends, but let's not get carried away saying he "perfected every phase of roundball." No one is that good. Respect the other legends of Basketball, bro.
Bird is the greatest SF ever and the third best player ever. Just behind Jordan and Hakeem. I didn’t see the guys before them like prime Kareem, Oscar, Wilt etc.
It is worth noting that Jordan is 0-6 against Larry Legend in the playoffs. ;)
bird is second sf behind lebron lol
@@ScottLovenberg At least MJ didn't decide to leave Chicago for Boston to try to get some easy rings, like a certain NOT best SF in history made a habit of doing.
Larry Bird IS THE BEST••• he could have HAD MORE POINTS PER GAME ••• he could have been a ball 🏀 Hog But he was a great passer. But what most people don't know is that Bird passed on shots to help teammates get their average/game. He was aware of who needed a basket and he could have been selfish and padded his points, but he wasn't. 3-4 times a game he did something where everyone was wow, how'd he do that? 1980's-early 90's, best era of basketball ever, best talent throughout league. You'd never see a player take a night off for load management.❤❤❤❤🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀
Larry legend 🐐
You guys are great, I get a kick out of watching you.
And due to your youth, I can see how you like LeBron.
Unfortunately, he is no Larry Bird. But keep up the bird videos, it’s good to see you guys watching old school real basketball.
You guys should watch Birds greatest assists or Bird the best passer of all time. Those videos show that he really was the baddest mother on the planet. (And greatest small forward passer of all time)
Bird played 50% of his career with a blown out back!
I happened to meet meet Dennis Rodman a few weeks ago. Over a few days we chatted over drinks at the bar whenever we both happened to be there at the same time. I asked him what has changed in the game since he left and he said it was all about the outside shooting and 3-pointers compared to when he was in the league.
My favorite was "I'm gonna take you down to the baseline and hit a 3 in your face and it's gonna be your Christmas present."
Also, I didn't see it but apparently he once kept a running score of him and his opponent. So he's like "10-2"... "12-2"... "14-2". Apparently he was dominating so bad that when he got to like 42-6 the other guy just started throwing hands.
Yup. Dr. J. With his teammates holding Bird. Bird shrugged that off too. They were cool again at the next meeting. Neither of them ever autographs the photo taken of that. It was just a flash-in-the-pan.
In an interview some time afterward Bird said he got into fights with his brothers too but that doesn't mean he doesn't love them and respect them. Same with Dr. J.
Y’all should check out the all star games where magic, Jordan, Bird played together. Frigging awesome
Young Boys, in the words of the great Pat Reilly, "if I need a shot to win a game, I'll take Jordan. If I need a shot to save my life, I'll take Bird."
The G.O.A.T Himself
That's why they call him larry legend
Bird was better than KD
Bird could play the post like a big forward
He could also set up his own shots. Not only was Bird a lights out long shooter he could play equally as well with his back to the basket
He was better stealing the ball, better with assists and ABOVE all, Larry along with MJ was the greatest clutch player ever.
Best SF is Bird, every player aspires to be Bird
👍
These kids playing today could never play against players in the 70's
80's Forget About It!!
When the greats talk about how great you were, nothing else matters. Larry was a diabolical gentleman.
Its a Shame Bird was hurt so much. He played hard and had to play hurt. Imagine if he stayed healthy. I would take a healthy Bird over anybody! He could have score so many more points but he passed and distributed the ball to all his teammates. A lot of players that scored high points were ball hogs - not Bird. He made everybody better!! He was the Best in my opinion!
Forgot to mention Bernard King. Even with bad knees, he was called “unstoppable “
It's almost as entertaining listening to NBA pros talk about Bird as it is watching Bird highlights. Bird and Magic were, in their era, the two players that people wanted to watch, both had complete games.
Bird or Durant? No contest. Durant is a shooter, Bird did everyghing, shooter, rebounder, assists, steals, and most importantly, Bird made his teammates better.
Folks going to have to start putting some respect on Larry Legends name...
I canNOT believe that big dude on the left said LeBronda is BETTER than Larry Legend. smh
My favorite story about Bird is when I think it was the dream team vs some college players and they had Magic and Michael feeding the ball to Bird.
Bird could do anything with either hand. You know he played a game left handed, even the shots...because he could.