The TRUTH About What Makes Larry Bird Great (GOAT Series 8/9)
Вставка
- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- A deeper look into the greatness of Larry Bird, and his case for the title of Greatest Of All Time. The GOAT series is intended to "make the argument" for each GOAT candidate.
-GOAT Series: Episode 8/9
Check out Wilt's GOAT Video here! • Why WILT CHAMBERLAIN I...
Check out Bill's GOAT Video here! • Why BILL RUSSELL Is Th...
Check out Kobe's GOAT Video here! • Why KOBE BRYANT Is The...
Check out Kareem's GOAT Video here! • Why KAREEM ABDUL-JABBA...
Check out LeBron's GOAT Video here! • Why LEBRON JAMES Is Th...
Check out Jordan's GOAT Video here! • Why Michael Jordan Is ...
Check out Magic's GOAT Video here! • Why Magic Johnson is T...
-------------------------
Make sure to subscribe for more NBA History!
Follow Me on Instagram!
Instagram: / jonnyarnett
______
The game of Basketball has been my passion since I was 5 years old. I grew up as a kid watching my dad's recorded VHS tapes of playoff games through the 70s and 80s, and collected all the Basketball cards. Something about the game and what it represents just hooked me from a very young age.
My love for the game only continues to grow as time goes on. I love studying and analyzing the game, with an unbiased perspective. Feel free to subscribe, follow me on social media, and celebrate this amazing game and it's rich history with me!
I post videos every week on NBA history, predictions, hypothetical scenarios and current NBA topics.
______
Intro Music: Turn On - RW Smith • Turn On - RW Smith (No...
-----
#LarryBird #NBA #BostonCeltics
Who would you rather start your franchise with, Larry Bird or Magic Johnson??
Make sure to check out my other videos in the GOAT series!
The choice is too hard
I think Bird is a but better but I'd rather build my team around a point guard so Magic
Magic
I don’t care if he’s a point guard or not. I want my guy to get me a game winning bucket when it counts. Larry all day
Jonny Arnett -NBA UA-camr Larry. Magic was star B on the Lakers. Kareem being number 1
Larry Bird is so good it's scary.
--Magic Johnson
"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
Eduardo Quintero "If you put all of us in a room -- Magic, Jordan, myself and Bird -- Bird would probably be the guy who walks out of the room at the end of the day” - Isiah Thomas
"I look under my bed at night,make sure Larry bird isn't there"......chuck Norris
"A Bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." - Confucius
Some birds are not meant to be caged - johnny sins
That tells you all you need to know. Bird all day every day
Good job telling it like it is.
I'm from Boston. I've seen almost every single game Bird played. All I can say, is you had to see it to believe it!
He was so far beyond phenomenal! There is NO DOUBT at all. Larry Bird 🐦 is the best "ALL-AROUND" player the NBA has ever seen!
Back in 1981, I met and hung out with NBA legend Darryl Dawkins. I met him in Asbury Park, NJ. When we talked roundball, he not only said that Larry Bird was the baddest "white cat" to play the game, he told me that Bird was the baddest "all-around" cat he'd ever played against.
Don’t forget that he also played his ENTIRE career with a crushed knuckle. He said he never had the same feel for the ball after that. Think about that! If his hand weren’t damaged, his shot percentage would have been that much greater!!
Larry bird ❤️ excuse ; Larry bird said Kevin McHale had very bad feet late 2980s
Awesome video. Other great things about Larry Bird.
>He has one of the greatest winning percentages of all time.
>He has an undefeated record against Michael Jordan-the GOAT himself-in the playoffs and a winning record against him in the regular season.
>Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin Mchale are the greatest front court of all time.
Swept them twice. Correct me, if I am wrong, but The Bulls never made it to the finals, during Bird's career.
i mean you just downplayed the first 2 facts with the third
@Jason Graves Disagree regarding McHale. Obviously Bird makes everyone better, but Kevin may have had the 2'nd best footwork and post moves I've seen next to Dream. With those long arms and his positioning you feel like you can throw it into the post and he'll get it no matter who is defending him.
@Jason Graves They definitely were not as good as the Lakers teams they did battle with. Save in 86 when they added Walton. Which is why it's not fair to compare Magic and Larry's rings and heads up. In fact if the Lakers don't get upset by Houston in the 86 WCF they're 2-2 against each other, because nobody was beating that 86 Celtics team in a 7 game series.
Savage Cabbage video 8/9 in the series. Guess who video 9/9 is about?
I disagree about You saying Magic’s court vision was better. Bird was equal if not better.
Watch all of the rebound/taps that turn to passes and into easy baskets. Every night this happened, every night .
I think it's easier for people to say Magic had the better court vision because he was a point guard, so naturally he would pass more often and have more assists. We'll never know how Bird would have been if his main position was point guard.
Agreed
Apples to Oranges. Both were amazing players. It was a blessing to have watched both of them battle each other for a decade.
localwear1 I AGREE
Agreed.. I think it’s just unnatural for people who really don’t know about Larry bird to think he’s as good a passer as magic, since that’s really what magic is known for.. and I agree.. as far as flashy fast break showtime passing, yeah magic was fantastic.. but Larry’s passing IQ was flat out better.. and he didn’t have to dominate the ball to showcase it. For every magic Johnson passing highlight reel on UA-cam, there’s a Larry bird one. The man was frightening,
Great upload on Larry Legend! Imagine what else he could have accomplished hadn´t it been for his back problems.
Lewis ' Len Bai' hey were back'
Although still great you can't use his stats, or count his rings or honors to know why Larry was the greatest. He just had something...you had to watch him night after night, the way it felt when you counted on him..the way he managed the game, outworked every one, out thought them, hit clutch shots, knew what to do in the right moments...he almost can't be explained...it was almost supernatural
Bird was a Bad Man. So skilled and so hard nosed and confident. Thanks for another great glimpse into the past. I love reminiscing about watching these greats play.
Bird is the undisputed best small foward of all time period no lebron is not better
He's not better cause he didn't retire yet so he has no ranking 🤭
@@litesout0_o639 ok well if he was to retire now no hes not better lol im comparing their basketball skill and iq wich birds are far better. Highly doubt lebron is gonna take a huge jump in his skills and basketballl iq near the end of his career
Lol, lebron is literally better at everything than him
@@jakubbp kid did u watch the video
@@jasonvogel4353 Tell me in what is bird better than lebron
With a shattered knuckle on his shooting hand since college, and back problems through over half of his NBA career, he is still the best player of all time.
Definitely one of the greatest players I've ever seen. His touch passes were unbelievable.
Being french canadian we had a similar one in hockey... Mario Lemieux
You are the second person I've heard say that.
@@ruminator3570 Really? u welcome then
I was thinking the same thing
Bird and Lemieux were kind of similar players. Both had an amazing I.Q, both were two of the greatest players to play their sport, both had serious back problems, both played through those serious back pains, they were both amazing passers and scorers as well.
@@coolybop66 thanls was absolutely my point :)
Not 1 thumps DOWN = THAT is theReSpecT Larry Legends Deserves. BesT All - Rounded -PLAYER to Ever Live.
Wow! Great analysis Jonny! I was a Sixers fan back in the day and i hated Bird and the Celtics because Bird was so damn good. He exploited the Sixers weaknesses and that's why they were consistently better. Bird was the greatest.
Larry Bird's 1985 MVP season is arguably the greatest season by a small forward in NBA history, a season so good you can stack it against LeBron's greatest seasons. In that season, Bird won his 2nd of 3 consecutive MVPs while averaging 28.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. He also shot 52 percent from the field, 43 percent from 3, and 88 percent from the free throw line, a near 50-40-90 season. He led the Celtics to 63 wins, an NBA Finals appearance, and if it weren't for an MVP performance from a 38-year old Kareem, could've led the Celtics to a championship since he completely outplayed both Magic Johnson (his rival), and James Worthy (the Lakers' small forward and best defender). Oh, and it was also his last healthy season, which means that this version of Larry Bird was really the peak Larry Bird.
That’s great video!! Got to know about this legend!! Thanks for sharing!!
Every time I watch the Hawks bench celebrating I laugh.
How amazing does a player have to be to have the opposing team high fiving each other like that?
Grew up in Terre Haute. I was in kindergarten in ‘79. There will never be another Larry. Thanks for recognizing him.
Thanks for the great video, especially the part about Bird's back injury. If there were some way to quantify all of the "intangibles" and get them into recorded stats, Bird would be there, for sure. Bird was the consummate great, individually, but team first, player. He is my all time favorite player to watch play basketball. He was more fun to watch than the Globe Trotters, but serious as a heart attack. He and a healthy Bill Walton, playing together for that one championship season, along with the other great Celtics, Priceless.
Of course, I knew about the back injury but somehow never really thought about at what point of his career it happened. That's damn impressive, and here I thought I couldn't find Bird any cooler or tougher. Love his trash talking as well.
He beats Jordan 2x in the playoffs
He outplays Julius Erving in the Conference Finals
He beats Magic Johnson in the 1984 Finals
One of three players (only Forward) to win three straight MVP awards 🏆 (84,85,86)
1979/80 Rookie of the year
1st round pick by Boston in 1978 out of Indiana State
3x champion (81,84,86)
10x All Star 🌟
1982 all star ⭐️ MVP
One of the 50 greatest players in NBA history ⛹️
1992 Dream Team 🇺🇸 gold medal 🥇
Played his entire career with Boston 🍀 from 1979-1992
NCAA basketball player of the year (1979)
1998 basketball 🏀 hall of fame
Greatest small forward of all time
I love Bird, and I always believed GOAT is a toss up really between Bird and MJ.
But please, dont talk like basketball is a 1on1 sport.
@Rap Lawyer oh yeah?
He beat jordan...
He beat magic...
He beat blah blah blah...
So he didnt say ?
Celtics did, while Bird played like a goat. Thats what happened. Sucka.
U dam rite tell these lbj fan boys top 3 of all time shit #2
To me, Bird is the GOAT. Nobody ever has that production with that efficency and won 3 chips. And then, those clutch shots.. trash Talk ... Legendary
Great video. Didn't know the extent of that back injury early on. I hated Bird as a child because he was a Celtic. But I grew to appreciate him and his game.
You are a prophet doing Gods work. Loved this sermon! Keep preaching the gospel! LB the GOAT! There is no comparison.
I like that you talked about the back pain. I kind of understood it when I was younger but now that I'm older and had a couple back surgeries I know how debilitating it is. He was only really healthy and at his peak for 6 seasons. During that time he won 3 MVP's and 3 championships in a very tough league. Not bad!
Top 4 in history
This is why i will never put lebron over bird and this vid just made a great case. He had a Career high of 29.9 in 88..His numbers from 85-89 were awesoe. I just read in the comment that he had a busted knuckle.. And the other guy they want to put over Larry is a guy that got swept and wore a cast... ( yes still threw two handed alleyop dunks )Flops.. says he conserves energy on defense... because he's tired... Lebron being the number 2 player is the greatest media lie ever. Bird is better by miles
Lebron may be the greatest in his time, but there are a few greats I would consider better. Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Kareem, Magic, Bird, and MJ are all better imo. Lebron is 7th~10th all time.
LeBron ain't got shit on Larry.
If you take the rules into account, LeBron would be eaten alive in a league where *assult* were basically considered 'fair play"
@@F1rstWorldNomaD he wouldn’t even get there because he will be called for travelling most of the time.
I was there when Bird made the game winning shot @5:21at The Hartford Civic Center. Nothing extraordinary for Bird except the very previous game before that he did the exact same thing at Boston Garden. Two back to back game winning shots.
I knew a little bit about the hand and back but did not understand the extent of how they effected Larry. To play through such pain for his career puts him even higher in my estimate of him. I also believe that Magic and Bird saved the NBA. I remember wanting to see each of them play any chance that I got and was also a Seattle Sonics fan.
You forgot to mention Larry’s finger issue, which happened before his first season. He was playing softball, with family and friends, back home in Indiana, when he hurt his hand. Turns out, he really only has feeling in nine, as his 10 fingertips, during his entire career. Imagine. He says that he wasn’t able to shoot the ball, after the injury, as good as he could before the injury. Just imagine how dominant he could have been, with all 10 fingers.
First player in NBA history to shoot 50%. From the field 40% from the three point line & 90% from the free throw line
1987 & 1988
When defense was still played hard in the league.
Larry Bird
Well said
You already know it
Larry Bird did it in back to back seasons
Actually, he averaged 50-40-90 for 1984-1988...a 4 year period, while averaging 28-11-8. Go beat that!
Don't mess with Larry Legend!!
The reason I love these “greatest player of all time” videos is because he makes the case for each of the arguably greatest players ever which is what we really should be doing for fun rather than having this ridiculous MJ vs Lebron Debate which has reached epically stupid proportions. You can’t ever “prove” GOAT status. All you can do is make the case for it and move on. If you are mentioned in any of these videos then that is truly all that matters is that you are in the argument.
Amazing video thanks Johnny!!!
4:33 is one of the greatest shots I've ever seen.
Again to reiterate. The guy came into the league with not just a shattered knuckle but a mangled finger still shot crazy stats. Despite being short on speed and athleticism he out hustled many opponents. Was able to shoot and pass with his left hand as well. Suffered the 4 crazy stories and that's just as an appetizer. Its on youtube. All that and still up to about the 1990 season played at an elite level. Jordan maybe the face of basketball and the GOAT but Larry Bird is the heart of the game and arguably unrivaled in his toughness.
Brilliant reiteration!! And the list of unique accomplishments and skills is even much longer, even Red Auerbach said that by no means he expected Bird to become THAT good, that fast...
You also left out the fact that at the START of his career, he broke a finger on his shooting hand and the knuckle was permanently ruined. He had to learn to shoot with what was left of that hand, so he started out with problems. His mental prowess FAR exceeded his physical ability and he still did all that damage. There is a reason when Magic said it was frightening to play against him.
Awesome video
Bruh my goat list for the greatest nba youtuber of all time consists of only 1 player, and that is you jonny, another great video, another day to be happy in the basketball drought, dont get me wrong but i dont want to see lebrons italy trip on my feed lol eventho i like him, this video tho, it was amazing thank you
He had the "other teams" bench wilding with each shot !!! Now that's Game $
Larry bird is a man! In every sense of the word. Worked hard, took no shit, didn't complain. Guys like Larry don't pay a guy to dig up their mothers driveway. He said in an interview once that his father broke his foot, and every day he would help him squeeze his swollen foot into his work boot. and his dad told him "If a man pays you to do a job you do it." That's why he never complained playing hurt for Boston.
Good point at 5:05
Let's also not forget that he suffered a major hand/finger injury prior his rookie year and said he never had the same feel for the ball. If he didn't have this injury or the back injury he might be up there with Jordan
And there were a few seasons LB was mere percentage points from additional 50/40/90 seasons. If he gave even the slightest crap about #’s he maybe have done it 4 or 5 times
Funny thing is he entered the league with a career-ending injury-- mangled fingers in his shooting hand from just months earlier.
Feb 14, 1986... =) True Bird fans know this date.. Anyway, He had a hurt back that he played on and didn't operate on till 92.. still put up 20.2ppg 6.8 assists 8.6 reb, .926 ft% Efg 50%.. and .406 from 3 ...in 1990 ( Back was hurt but still played ) 24.3ppg, 7.5 assists 9.5 reb, .333 3p%, .930 ft%... i would pick Larry over Bron prime wise as well
Larry Bird is by far the GREATEST SF of All-time !!!
Larry played agaisnt prime Magic, a veteran Kareem, who arguably was top 10 player in the 80's and an all time great, a young MJ, who swept two time in the playoffs. I already knew the back injury for shoving, but i didnt know how bad and extremely was that injury, 7 years???!!! Man, Larry was insane, that's really a mental thoughness.
Magic was NOT a better passer then Larry Legend lets get that Straight'
Nah, I don't buy this argument of one hindering each other, but I would rather think that if MJ had at least a little better rival, maybe he could have ascended even higher as a player. MJ was a competitor psycho, if he had someone to fuel him even morel he would have become better, always.
“Larry has a way of making everybody he comes into contact with a better person. A pure American of the highest character as reported in Sports Illustrated: "Bob Woolf, Larry Bird's attorney, brings out a hotel bill dated April 6, 1979. .... Now, the most illuminating thing in this whole saga is that hotel bill from 1979. You see, except for the basic room charge and the tax, there was nothing else on it. No room service, no restaurant charge, no long-distance phone calls, no nothing. Having dealt with many other athletes, Woolf naturally assumed that the kid would charge at will. But that wasn't how Larry Joe Bird was raised back in French Lick, Indiana. ‘Larry has a way of making everybody he comes into contact with a better person,’ Woolf says. ‘If you think the Larry Bird on the court has character and is unselfish-well, off the court he's even more so.’ Among those who know Bird well, the same catalog of qualities is cited again and again: honest, loyal, steadfast, dependable-his existence shaped by the contradictory, almost mystical ability to be the cynosure, yet always to contribute to those around him. Mel Daniels, who was an assistant coach at Indiana State when Bird played there, said it best: ‘It's like a piece of Larry goes to each player by the things he does.’ Tony Clark, a Terre Haute radio executive who grew up with Bird, says, ‘Larry epitomizes the word friend. Do you understand that?’ Yes. ‘Then you really don't have to know anything else about him.’” (Sports Illustrated 1988, Frank Deford, “A Player For The Ages,” Sports Illustrated, Time, Inc., New York, New York, March 21, 1988)
-----------------------
"Larry, you only told me one lie.
You said there will be another Larry Bird.
Larry, there will never, ever be another Larry Bird."
- Magic Johnson, 1992 speech made in Boston in honor of Larry Bird, ua-cam.com/video/_i4ZXQ9j3yU/v-deo.html
-----------------------
Larry Bird - 50 Amazing Selfless Assists, NBA, Dec 8, 2018, ua-cam.com/video/baBdnA7cui0/v-deo.html
-----------------------
"The guy was a basketball genius who had a mask of "a hick from French Lick" out as his calling card. But if you believed that for one second, you were going to get beaten." - Dr. Julius Erving, Televised interview published September 12, 2011, ua-cam.com/video/uxbDdnm3F1A/v-deo.html
-----------------------
Larry Bird Greatest Moments. ua-cam.com/video/Uz-Dy89W4HM/v-deo.html
-----------------------
Magic Johnson at Larry Bird’s retirement. ua-cam.com/video/FTBXilcGdY4/v-deo.html
-----------------------
I watched his form for a very long time, then mirrored his shot to be able to do it left handed on a goal nailed to a tree. 👽😎
LeBron should surpass Bird first, which he probably wont
Ok boomer
@@MrE_ I am not a Boomer kid, I was born in 1994
@Metropcs Metropcs so you too arent allowed to say shit about Bird, but what you re empty brain fails to grasp is that footage exists, and i sued to watch old footage on tv especially at night, and we have the stats too, so stfu before you claim bullshit
@Metropcs Metropcs go back to where ?
@Metropcs Metropcs i don't live in the US, i am in Germany right now.
back pains are no joke, even basic back pains are some of the most painful shits ever
RESPECT
There is no Goat debate because Larry would just ask who’s coming in second! 😎
I mean... I was already a fan...
But *daym.. *
Larry is a god damn beast...
I get why people were scared of him.
That's not someone I'd wanna go up against.
my favorite is player is Jordan...but my favorite team is the Celtics because of Larry Brid
Agree 100%
I'm a bit surprised at your suggestion, Bird vs Magic...
I wouldn't say that Magic had passing and court vision, rather they both were on par w/one another. Hard to put either above the other in this department
Top NBA career combined stats per game (pts, reb, ast, stl, blk) additional career fg%,tp%,ft%
1. Jordan 44.7 -50-33-84
2. Lebron 44.4 -51-35-73
3. Bird 43.1 -50-38-89
4. Kareem 42.9 -56-06-72
5. Durant 40.8 -50-38-88
A bunch of guys in the 40’s…
Cool stat, but I am afraid It is irrelevant, you should look at total points produced. An assist can turn into 2 or 3 points
Nice to see though, that proves Bird is the GOAT
Well done!!!!!
If I had to pick someone to shoot a winning shot to win the game, I'd pick Jordan. If I had to pick someone to shoot the shot to save my life, I'd pick Larry Bird. I do not remember who stated this, but it's true. While I would not pick Larry as the GOAT, he would be my starting Power Forward.
He was also a legendary cash money trash talker!
Larry Bird
04:25 Who says Bird couldn't jump?
I noticed players don't do the two-handed behind-the-back pass as much today... why?
Top 2 all time. Clear!
Bro was basically nerfed and still a hof I def underestimated him
Great job my friend
Also he hurt his right hand right after college. He said his shooting touch was never the same.
THE GREATEST SMALL FORWARD OF ALL TIME.
As a Bostonian, I obviously luv the Celtics and Larry Legend. And you have some great highlight clips in the video. The facts are off though. Bird had a reputation for not being athletic when actually in his first few years he was average as far as athleticism. Bird was very strong though. That along with his hustle and fundamentals made him a very good rebounder. Many think of the Big 3 with Kevin McHale as the power forward but that’s not entirely true. McHale was a bench player for several years, including 2 of 3 of his championship years. McHale was good enough to start, but would foul out with aggressive shot-blocking, rim protecting defense if he started every game. Cedric Maxwell was the starting forward in 1981 and 1984. He was smaller than Larry, but usually took the tougher defensive assignment (Bernard King, Julius Erving, Marques Johnson... That was just in the division!). Maxwell also won NBA Finals MVP in 1984. He was no joke. A great teammate. Bird was more of a 4 than a 3 in those years on defense and a passing and shooting forward on offense.
As far as Bird’s back injury, it was devastating no contributed to the non-athletic reputation, but I think you overstate things a bit. In the 1970’s Nate Archibald tore his Achilles. This was a guy who led the league in scoring and assist the same year. It was surgically repaired without the modern surgical tech we have today. He was a key as the starting point guard of the 1981 Celtics Championship Team. And he was a consistent below the rim player. I’d argue his injury was on par with Larry’s. And I didn’t have to leave the Celtics to get that example.
A few other things. Bird suffered from other non-basketball injuries, including at least one(at least) from a bar fight that effected his shooting. And I think the back injury actually occurred in Indiana, not Boston.
As far as the G.O.A.T. conversation goes, please stop. Larry was a Bad Mother F*** in a league with a lot of bad mother f***s. But Magic dominated him. As much as I can’t stand the Lakers, I have to give Magic his props. He dominated Larry in the college championship and won 5 Championships to Larry’s 3. And head to head... You mentioned that briefly, but failed to mention that 2 of 3 of Larry’s Championships came against the Houston Rockets.
Bird was a Bad Man. I watched his entire career. There were greater players before him, during his era and after. And he’d tell you that himself.
Peace.
Mark, Magic dominated Bird? I disagree, here's why. In the 3 Finals played Bird was FMVP in 84, Kareem was FMVP in 85 and Magic was FMVP in 87. Each player had their great series and Bird never played as bad as Magic did in the crucial moments of the 84 series. In the 79 NCAA title game Magic had 3 other players on his squad that saw an NBA roster in Greg Kelser, Jay Vincent and Ron Charles. Bird and ISU???. Dave Hereen in "Basketball Abstract" compared the East vs West ( all teams) and the East dominated the West head to head winning %, every year for all 10 years of the 80's. LA had a much easier path to the Finals, and in the 9 Finals actually have a losing record = 24 wins and 27 losses. Bird dominated Magic until the heel surgery in 89. How? look at the MVP voting. Bird as ROY was also 4th in 1980. Bird was 2nd in 81,82,83 and 88. Bird was MVP in 84,85, 86 and 3rd in 87 (behind Magic this 1 season). Magic in 1980 was not on the 9 player list. Magic was 11th in 81, 8th in 82, 3rd in 83, 3rd in 84, 2nd in 85, 3rd in 86, Won MVP in 87, was 3rd in 88, won MVP in 89 and won MVP in 90 ( even tho Barkley had the better season) and Magic was 2nd in 91 and Bird was 9th. Before the heel surgery Bird played better than Magic in 8 out of 9 seasons, and Magic was better than Bird for 4 seasons ( 87,89,90 + 91). Bird was on 3 all def teams and Magic had zero. Bird was 9 times all NBA 1st team ( first 9 seasons) Magic was 2nd team all NBA until his 3rd season and 1st team all NBA until his 4th season. Bird led NBA in win shares for the decade of the 80's and was ranked 25th in def win shares vs Magic ranked at 221. Magic needed special coaching on def as a rookie, see "My Life" pgs 100-101. Magic never had a 50-40-90 season, Bird created the club and did it 2 seasons in a row. Bird was the go to guy from day 1 year 1, Magic was great but Bird was better.
mrgrandprix fourspeed
We’ll disagree then. I appreciate the references. I love the old school game so maybe I’ll read some of that stuff.
I think my perspective is a lot different. I was lucky enough to be in the building watching a lot of what happened, as a frequent attendee and former season ticket holder. And a former shareholder when the team was public. It’s not a contest though. My point is that a lot of my perspective is more first hand. I also read Bob Ryan and other local writers regularly. Not exactly unbiased, but good reading.
I disagree strongly about your assessment of Magic. Most rookies get lots of coaching, particularly 20 year old rookies. And Magic won NBA Finals MVP as a rookie. Lots of folks say Magic never won without Kareem. It’s true, but he did pretty well in the deciding game on the road without Kareem.
You mention quite a few facts and references but I wonder what your explanation would be for this: Why couldn’t the Celtics beat the 1980 76ers, the 1982 76ers or the 1983 Bucks? Did Bird’s defensive shortcomings have anything to do with that? Bird was great, but not perfect.
It sounds to me like you maybe watched Bird and Magic play less than I did. It doesn’t devalue your opinion, but I think it changes your perspective.
@@markdc31 We can disagree and I respect your opinion. Rookies do get a lot of coaching but Magic admits the zone he played at MSU did not prepare him for the NBA. That was not his fault but, he was getting torched every game by the opposing PG's for 35 and 40 points and Norm Nixon was given the assignment to guard them. Bird is not the "goat" - I hesitate to put that on any player = too many variables, and Bird was not a good defender, but he was a better defender than Magic. The FMVP in 1980 was won and headed for Kareem after Magic's great game 6, but CBS freaked out because KAJ was not present and asked the 7 voters to change their votes so Magic would get the award. CBS did not want to present to an empty chair and 1 of the 7 voters confessed what had happened out of respect to Kareem during his "farewell" tour season. This is in the book "Kareem" pgs 140-141. Magic was great in game 6 ( as was Wilkes with 37 points) But KAJ is why LA won the other 3 games. Magic set an NBA finals record that series for turnovers in 6 games with 30. I think the Sixers were just better in 80 and in 82 were hungry and wanted revenge for losing to Boston after being up 3-1 in the 81 series! In 83 the Celtics were sick of Bill Fitch and in the series against the Bucks, Bird missed 1 game with the flu and was not 100%. These all sound like excuses, but that is my opinion. I think Magic benefited greatly by having Kareem - he was the MVP in 1980 and by playing in a weaker conference, a conference known for teams with more of a wide open offense. Defensively, teams threw double teams at Kareem and at Bird not really at Magic and Magic got lots of open shots and easier opportunities than Bird.
@@markdc31 Those early 80's Sixers teams were incredible. If you were alive and watching then as you claim it's obvious why a young Celtics team had problems with them. The 83 team in particular may have been the best team of the 80's. They swept the Lakers in the finals.
Bird made 3 all NBA defensive (2nd) teams, and led the league in defensive win shares 4 times. His defense was not a liability.
Let'sAllLove Lain
I watched Bird’s entire pro career and some college. And you’re just wrong. Bird would never match up against Bernard King, Marques Johnson or Julius Erving with maybe 2 or 3 exceptions. I suppose you could argue that it was tough to cover Caldwell Jones, Marc Iavaroni, Kenny Bannister, Clark Kellog and the like, but I’d strongly disagree.
Bird would always cover the weaker offensive forward so he could put more energy into his offense. On defense he was a good help defender and a good rebounder. Bird would get steals, but not so much on ball. More in a zone press type of scheme. Parish, McHale and Maxwell had many more impressive defensive performances in the regular season and in big playoff games.
I started watching the Celtics in the 1970’s before Bird was on the team. The C’s had 2 Championships in the 70’s before Bird. I guess you’re questioning these facts to make an argument, but that’s silly. If I were going to make something up, I’d be more creative than that.
My Top 10 Goat Players:
1.Michael Jordan
2. Larry Bird
3. Magic Johnson
4. Hikeem Olijawon
5. Shaq O'Neal
6. Kobe Bryant
7. Kareem Jul Abarr
8. Isaiah Thomas
9. Dennis Rodman
10. Scottie Pippen
.
Tony Sanders I think you should place Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain over Rodman an Pippen
Not a LeBron hater but think about this, the league and bron is making a big deal about a high ankle sprain and this man was winning Mvps and championships with magic, Mj, Barkley and other half of famers in the league.
Bird and Magic. The best, bar none!
Larry is the GOAT
umm.....you forgot to say..PERIOD!.at the end
Greatest small forward
Compare the competition between the 1980s East and 1980s West? It changes that..
The Lakers should have gone to the finals as often as they did. There was no one in the west that compares to the Pistons, Sixers, Milwaukee.
Plus while bird's teammates wee great, how often ,do 2 of the top 10 players ever play on the same team in Kareem and magic?
He might not be the GOAT, but he is definitely the TMOAT
I'd pick Larry over any player past or present other than magic....and I'm a laker fan since the 80s. Larry legend is one bad SOB! Isaiah Thomas is quoted as saying if you locked larry magic Jordan and him in a room larry would be the last one standing....
Bird did more.
Magic is all time best point.
However.
Both had GREAT teammates.
All star squads.
Made it easier
No argument
Larry in his prime was as good as anyone in NBA history
Damn straight brother!
I like Bird because he can be like Jordan (Dunks), Lebron (Defense) and Curry (3pt)
Before he even played a game in the NBA, he shattered his knuckle in a baseball accident and said that he didn't have the same feel for the basketball ever again. Imagine if he didn't have the back and knuckle injuries.
Softball game. Robbing his own brother of a cheap single
that's what a lot of people forget or don't know about him messing his hand up, watch his games in college and you can plainly see his shot is different if he hadn't done that he would have averaged close to 28 to 30 a game 0n the same shots attempts the man in my opinion is the greatest all around player ever he done it all with greatness
@@majorcoleman7356 Bird said the reason he changed his shot was because he knew in the NBA there would be taller, longer and bigger guys. He wanted to release the ball over/behind his shoulder....At the very least he wanted a much higher release point.
The knuckle injury left him thinking he never had quite the same feel for the ball. But given the timing of everything it think its acceptable to theorize the injury played a role along with other factors. Agreed Bird is awesome,
had real ankle and achilles issues as well
Its like the boxer Joe Frazier, Joe was trampled by a pig when he was little and damaged permanently his left shoulder so he couldn´t jab which its the most fundamental move in boxing but he still won a gold medal in the olympics, after that he injured permanently one of his eyes leaving him half blind.
A 5 ft 11.5 inches tall man with a weight of 229,281 pounds with a crooked arm and a eye that doesn´t work not only hebecame the heavyweight champion of the world but he defeated the greatest Ali in their first match, losing the second match and his trainer didn´t left him end the third match.
That man was amazing
Never knew the back pain was that bad. It really makes you appreciate the dedication he had for the game
Lena Bias would've extended his career.
Back pain 24/7 that u cant sleep N stand.
Yep. He hurt his back working on his driveway. Never fully recovered. He also hurt his shooting hand before turning pro. He said his shot never felt " right " after that baseball injury. Can you imagine the records he would have set if he was 100% for another 10 years? Still he , in my opinion, is the 2nd greatest basketball player of all time. Oscar Robertson is my all time greatest. Both from Indiana. The 2 smartest and most skilled players ever! ( Bill Russel is no. 3 ) M. Jordan is on my 3rd team behind Jerry West and Roger Brown. LOL . M Jordan is not even close.
@@edwinjones1000 ....Hurt his shooting hand is putting it lightly. He shattered the knuckle on his right index finger. He offered to play on a friends softball team and lo and behold one of Larry's brothers is on the other team and hits a lazy fly ball. larry goes all out to catch it and makes a great play but destroys his finger. They go to the hospital and get it taped up. Later when the x-ray is read the next day they realize there is a serious issue and they go to find Bird and bring him back to the hospital for surgery all while he is under contract with the Celtics prior to his rookie season. Bird shows up and tells Red....."Um My finger"
Red takes him to the court and gives him a ball and watches Bird drain some jumpers and says "you're fine" ....Imagine that today.
When Bird wins the 3rd straight 3 point contest...the one where he raises his finger #1 when the ball is still in the air, his finger looks like it was destroyed.
@@adamr6794 wow. After watching his dad go to work with a broken foot, there was no way he was going to miss the shoot around.
Bird had no shovel that was fit for a 6'10" guy. I'm 6'2" and I've hurt my back doing yard work because shovels are too short for even a 6'2" guy.
He was stupid for doing it himself
I've never thought about this but this is actually fucking true, i'm in canada so shovel snow multiple times yearly. I'm the same height as you and i notice i've always gotta take a couple of seconds and stand with my back straight for relief, i also make sure to lift with my legs but yeah.. tall people need shovels too!
I'm 6'4" and I can personally vouch for this. And it goes further than shovels. The world, period, isn't designed for people over 6' tall.
Ah, that explains how a fit professional athlete got hurt doing something I've done many times at 5'7". Thanks for the insight.
@@raiyvenhawk792 no, shovelling a bit of gravel is no big deal for a fit young man, which he certainly was. And helping out for his mom was who he was too. A good son. Shovelling the gravel was just the "straw that broke the camel's back" so to speak. It can come out of the blue and for the seemingly simplest of movements.
This video is basically why I still rank Larry Legend over LeBron if I'm starting a team today give Bird all day.
Of course
lebron is the 2nd greatest nba player of all time. greatest sf too
@@wikkigamer 1. Kobe is the second best player of all time 2. Larry Bird would have more rings if it wasn't for Magic 3. LeBron isn't a better all around player than Larry Bird he is more athletic and had a longer career but that's about it. Larry better scorer better free-throw shooter a better passer and better defender.
@@AkriteChea you have no basketball knowledge if you have kobe as the second best
@@AkriteChea mj is 1 Kareem or bron is 2nd
Bird was a killer. Magic just had more help. Gimme Bird!
"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. He couldn't have said it better
fortnite jake: I disagree. Larry and Magic were the best in their era, but 2 different players. Like apples and oranges but still fruit. It's nearly impossible to separate them or accurately determine who was better.
But both of them had stellar teams. To say the Lakers were better is really doing a disservice to Parrish, McHale, DJ, Ainge, just to name a few.
And full disclosure, I grew up during that era and was an ardent Lakers fan. I hated the Celtics, because I knew every time they played, the Celtics were the one team that could beat the Lakers.
Bird had alot of help. Magic was the help. The assister. Shut up.
With out Kareem magic anit
@Ben DC4L ... he played 1 game as center & not the whole game but magic on the bulls team in rge 80s magic going no where .. so stop it
To quote the late great Red Auerbach,
"If I had to start a team, the one guy in all history I would take would be LARRY BIRD. This is the greatest ballplayer who ever played the game."
And then there was the fact that he'd tell a defender exactly what he was gonna do, then do it.
"Which one of you guys is coming in second?" - Larry Joe Bird
Stephen Forfer
NBA was pretty weak at that time.
@Stephen Forfer right. exactly when? The 50s?
Interesting fact to keep in mind about Larry Bird.
When he retired, he was Top 50 all-time in *3* major stats. NOBODY ELSE HAS EVER MANAGED THAT OR IS EVEN CLOSE.
Even CURRENTLY he's #17 in Points per Game, #58 in Rebounds per Game, and #46 on Assists per Game. Total of 123, which STILL blows everyone else out of the water for their careers.
For perspective:
WIlt is #2, #1, and #165. Total of 168. I expected better balance from someone that led the league in Assists one year.
Elgin Baylor #3, #11, #178. Total of 192 - and he's not even MENTIONED as a GOAT candidate.
Oscar Robinson #9, #198, #4. Total of 212 (pretty good, but I thought the original Mr. Triple Double would be better balanced.
Lebron #4, #211, #24. Total of 239.
Russ Westbrook #27, #239, #11. Total of 267 (not too bad, but the second Mr. Triple Double is also unbalanced. Sometimes the original IS better!).
Magic #77, #223, #1. Total of 291.
Julius Erving #20, #129, #192. Total of #341 (I was curious, thought he might be better balanced.)
Bill Russell #245, #2, #183. Total of 430. (Bill's PPG is from the straight NBA only chart, every other ranking here is from the combined ABA/NBA charts.
I'd guess PPG for Bill on the combined chart would be around #270 if the chart went that far).
Kareem #16, #29, not on the list for APG (which goes out to 250). Total exceeds 295 By An Unknown Amount.
Michael Jordan is #1 PPG, not on the LIST for RPG, and #100 on APG. Total exceeds 351 BAUA.
Kobe Bryant #12, not on the list, #147. Total exceeds 409 BAUA.
Feel free to browse Basketball Reference for your own favorite players, I'd LIKE to hear if anyone finds someone else that might argue the point.
Are we starting to see the pattern here? Bird was EASILY the most rounded candidate for GOAT of all time. Wilt in "going for the assist record" mode for the 1967-68 season was his ONLY close competition (almost 2 APG higher, about 1 PPG lower, and his crazy-high "assisted by the era" rebounding but probably would have beat Larry there by quite a bit even with the slower pace of Larry's era), but Wilt hadn't made the translation to "decent team player" yet at that point - and it's TEAMS that win championships. Also, that was a ONE YEAR ONLY HAPPENING, Wilt was never even CLOSE on assists pretty much every other year he played - and the higher pace also probably inflated his APG not just his rebounding.
All factors considered though, I have to go with Bill Russell (unless I can get a GUARENTEE of Bill Walton being HEALTHY for at least 10 years) then with Bird for an all-time greatest team as my first 2 picks. I can even get by without Magic, Stockton, or my favorite PG of all time Don Buse (note - favorite, NOT best except for 3-4 years right around the merger) with Bird's ability to be the floor general.
Magic probably WOULD be my 3'd pick though, if he's still on the board. Then MJ and Tim Duncan (sorry Tim, back to PF for you instead of your career majority at C, but you seemed to enjoy the Twin Towers era so I don't think you'd mind too much).
I realize that it's impossible to include every single thing in a single 8.5 min video, but I just wanted to add the perspective regarding his extraordinary passing that he's pretty much the only candidate for the greatest passers and greatest court vision of all time who was not incredibly ball dominant. Think about how much of the time Magic or Lebron have the ball in their hands. Larry could come out of nowhere from a rebound or a steal and a second later pull off one of these unbelievable passes. He wasn't setting up the entire offense where he could see an opening or mistake by the other team and get some easy quick passes. Most of his passes were from hustle and craftiness.
24/10/6 career stats without ball-hogging.. awesome!
You forgot his ability to backup his trash talk.
The fact that he damaged his fingers while playing softball just before signing up for the Celtics.
And above all, he didn't wait for the great players of the generation before him to retire, before leading the Celtics to the championship...
Bird’s court vision was just fine. I’m assuming the poster was too young to see him play. The real difference between Magic and Bird’s passing was their role on the team. One was a point guard, the other was a forward. In that respect, Bird’s passing was even more amazing.
halfpricesushi I agree, Magic’s pssses were so beautiful to watch, incredible talent and court vision most were during fast breaks, Bird could pass from Anywhere, any angle, instant releases, Tom Brady full court passes , I am convinced that He is the Best passer ever !
5:26 whitest high five ever
Lol. Honestly it made me laugh during editing
@@jonnyarnett these 🐐 videos are outstanding.
Eltalstro what does this mean?
What is a white high five?
Isaiah Thomas made the blackest inbound pass ever...makes about as much sense.
I think you're just racist tbh.
@@johnshogskins4443 the ridiculing and lampooning of the "white high five" is a phenomenon dating back at least to the 80s and most probably earlier. In the 80s there was even a a local Seattle TV sketch called "The White High Five Guys". There is an element of stereotyping to it, but, being white myself, I feel comfortable with it. Honestly though, this calling "racist" on anything that makes light of the humourous peculiarities of certain ethnic groups, such as awkward, white high fives, has got to stop. It doesn't mean I practice prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism against someone of a different race based on the belief that my own race is superior (the definition of racism). It just means Larry's full bend at the waist, give it everything you've got high five is kinda funny. And pretty white.
Eltalstro nah you're just a fanook.
Is there a high five for all colors of the Rainbow?
Who invented the high five?
If it was invented by a white guy wouldn't that mean the whitest high five is a standard one?
You're basically a self hating jew.
Most white people are not goofy nerds like yourself and the narrator.
Can we please mention how tough and humble Larry Bird was. Talk about old school guy was world famous and super rich but he shoveled his mom's driveway himself.