British Guy Reacts To Larry Bird ULTIMATE Mixtape!

British Guy Reacts To Larry Bird ULTIMATE Mixtape!
This is my reaction to Larry Bird ULTIMATE Mixtape!
#larrybird #bostonceltics #nba
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British Guy Reacts To Larry Bird ULTIMATE Mixtape!

[@williamhill6447]

I’m a 57 year old, lifelong Boston sports fan. I was 14 when Larry came in the league. Went to many games. The thing about Larry is that you came to expect than something impossible was possible every minute of every game he played in.

[@robertfanion2815]

How you know Larry was a monster isn't the stories we have as fans, it's the stories the other NBA legends tell of him and how they speak about him. There's a reason we call him Larry Legend.

[@JsscRchlDrsy]

Hear hear!

[@PHXNKVHXLIC]

Because he only won because he had like 5 all stars on one team? How does that make him legendary?

[@JsscRchlDrsy]

@@PHXNKVHXLIC he didn’t have that the first few years. He turned a bad team around by like 32 games his rookie season. He helped make those hall of famers, become hall of famers.

[@donolinger6904]

@@PHXNKVHXLIC Reread what he said and then go watch clips of all of the best that he faced on the court, talk about how Larry destroyed them when they played. Those videos are easy to find but I have no links.

[@psymar]

@@PHXNKVHXLIC *I* could be an all-star if you put me on a team with Larry.

[@irishgrl]

LARRY LEGEND IS A UNICORN AND THE TRUE GOAT 🐐 ☘️

[@aaroncoffman88]

There's so much that can be said about Larry and Magic but without leaving a book behind to read I will put it this way. Magic and Larry had a rivalry and story that seems more like Hollywood fiction than real life. Polar opposites in personality but mirror images on the basketball court. Together they saved professional basketball and that's no exaggeration. When you look at Larry Bird don't forget to look at the whole picture. He played with injuries that would have stopped a normal person and after his playing career went on to be a coach (winning a coach of the year award) and then becoming an executive (winning an executive of the year award). Glad you enjoyed this video

[@kentgrady9226]

9:48 The presenter doesn't mention it, and the video angle doesn't show it... but the most remarkable part of this play is his awareness. In the span of about 1.5 seconds, Larry intercepted the throw-in, found the man, and made the pass... Incredible enough. What makes it insane is that he knew down to the inch exactly where he was on the court. He stood on his toes when he made the pass. If his heels had touched the floor, they would have been on the line, thus out of bounds and nullifying the basket. I still believe Jordan was the best ever. But, in the interest of making Bird's case, I will say this: Larry joined a team which had won only 29 games out of 82 the year previous. His first year in the league, they won 61 - more than doubling the previous year's total. Then went on to make the playoffs semi-final/eastern conference finals. His second year, they won the NBA championship. MJ's first year, the Bulls had an overall losing record. He would not win a championship until his sixth season. (By this time, Bird was all but finished, broken down with age and injury). Furthermore, the Bulls with MJ never won a playoff *game* , much less a series, against Bird's Celtics - and had an overall losing record against them. Bird could score at will. But unlike many star scorers, he saw as much value in making everyone else better. His passing, aggressive effort, rebounding, defense (it's a myth that he couldn't play defense - he was superb in that role), and competitive spirit, were unmatched.

[@Big_Tex]

About Bird and Magic Johnson, you just can’t separate the two. They were the yin and yang of basketball for 15 years. They played in college at same time, were the two best college players in 1979, played each other for the college championship that year (Magic’s team won). The went to the NBA at the same time and spent years battling each other for the NBA title on the two most prominent teams of the 1980s.

[@cdubs9918]

Agree. I have Bird at 1 and Magic at 2. But, I'm a Celtics fan. If I was a Lakers fan I'd have Magic at 1 and Bird at 2. But tbh, they are amazingly equal. Bird isn't better than Magic and Magic isn't better than Bird. They both were perfect for their team and complemented their own team.

[@gk5891]

For me the greatest rivals are undisputed. The fact that they became such great friends and had such mutual respect for each other only makes it that much better. I got to watch Bird and Magic and their rivalry and all the great individual players since. I could care less who was/is the greatest player, all I know is I have been truly privileged to witness it.

[@ronalddelrosario7405]

The crazy thing about Bird and Magic is that neither were unbelievable athletes. They were both tall, but neither were particularly fast or quick or could jump incredibly high. But they both had off-the-charts basketball IQ and somehow knew where their teammates were at all times and thus were great passers. And they were both clutch.

[@randyfergus8781]

@@ronalddelrosario7405 The "knock" on Larry at the time was that he was a chubby, slow, unathletic white guy who couldn't jump to save himself. What he COULD do though was beat your ass all over the court.

[@MikeGalda]

I grew up in the 80s loving Larry. As a fan I always felt confident in the Celtics pulling out a tight game because Larry was on the court. You are absolutely right - an absolute genius on the court. Not sure if there is anyone who has ever understood the game better or had a better awareness of everything happening on the court. Amazing!

[@kevgmor]

As a Bostonian ... I got teary at the end (and I've already seen the video several times, haha)

[@jeremyfarnsworth4610]

Me too and I've also seen it 20 times!

[@adrianharen9909]

We are all good 👍

[@mikeortiz6008]

I'm not even from Boston I became a fan in 77 before Larry came after that forget it my heart belongs to Boston!

[@salsonny]

Bird had what they call is Basketball IQ, he was always 5 steps ahead of everyone else

[@pamforrester844]

I'm always amazed that Larry came out of the horrific background he did and accomplished what he did, his early years are painful to even hear about, an absolute legend who rose above it

[@ShaneH5150]

oh wow, I had no idea about his childhood until now :/

[@jules3048]

What’s the back story? Is there a vid about it?

[@Jazzhands3701]

@@jules3048 they talk about his childhood in the Larry Bird-Magic Johnson documentary called A courtship of rivals

[@jules3048]

@@Jazzhands3701 tnx!

[@Jazzhands3701]

@@jules3048 no problem

[@JC-rb3hj]

That mixtape good as it is only scratches the surface of what Bird accomplished. He is arguably the greatest passer that ever touched a basketball. His skill set was unmatched. A good place to begin is Larry Bird Making the Case to get a grasp of how important he was. Larry Bird Greatest Passer of All Time re-edit is also fantastic.

[@jeremyfarnsworth4610]

I'm a 50 year old New Englander who grow up idolizing this man. No one will ever be like Larry. Basketball genius and tough S.O.B. nice reaction. Subscribed. Love your accent also!

[@brianhartman3186]

You’re right, but Jokic is allowing us a chance to reminisce, even if a little ◡̈

[@LordPorkChop84]

Michael Jordan has stated, on record, that Larry Bird was the only player that scared him ....which is saying something 😛

[@gjpyoung]

Bird, at the peak of his powers during the mid '80's was considered the GOAT, along with his rival, Magic Johnson. Coincidentally, those years were where he won 3 MVP's in a row (only 2 other players have done that to present). He didn't need to have the ball to be dominant, and as you've seen he was a clutch shooter with range, a brilliant passer, a dominant rebounder. You commented on his determination - another of his intangibles was how he made his team mates better. In his rookie year, the Celtics set at the time a record turn around of +32 wins against the previous season. He was the reason behind that. His '86 championship side is considered one of the greatest ever - a team with no weaknesses, and considered the ultimate passing team.

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

Larry won at the College level, he won championships as a Celtic, he won at the Olympics, he won at the all-star game and 3 point contest, he became a winning coach and NBA Coach of the year and won best NBA Best executive award. Larry had an extremely high basketball IQ and a feel for where everyone would be on the court.

[@TheIcemanthomas]

He lost in college actually. Win alot of games tho.

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

@@TheIcemanthomas Yes he lost the Championship but he got a small time college like Indiana State all the way to the last game so I call that a top achievement only losing to Magic and his squad.

[@charlieeckert4321]

​@@TheIcemanthomas he did win the Naismith Award as the best college player in his senior year.

[@anthonyjolly2066]

"The Hick from French Lick" was a nickname around the league at the time.Now French Lick, Indiana is Larry Bird's hometown.He attend Indiana State University.He played against Magic Johnson 's Michigan State University for the 1979 NCAA College Championship.Magic's Michigan State won the game 75 to 64.The Most watched championship game in American college history.Larry was President Of Basketball Operations for the Indiana Pacers in 2003.Now before that he was head coach from 1997 to 2000.He won Coach Of The Year Award in the 1997-1998 season.He led the team too the 2000 NBA Championship known as Finals against Shaq and Kobe Bryant's Lakers.They lost in 6 games 4-2 against Los Angeles.🇺🇲🏀

[@a00141799]

Top five ever!! We hero worship so much these days and anoint young players as great even before they've won anything. Larry Bird broke everyone's heart around the league for his whole career. As a huge Laker fan he was the player who menaced us the most. We had no answer for his skillset. No one did. You couldn't stop him, you had to try and stop his team mates. But he was surrounded but so many other great players. Or at least Larry made them look great. His team mate Kevin McHale was almost as unstoppable as Larry. I'm happy that there is so much video of his play. He was truly one greats to ever play this game. A legend! ♣

[@lao5960]

3 time MVP in a row!

[@jimmyboy131]

Larry and Jordan battled dozens of times. The Bulls' record against the Celtics in that era was 11-23. In post-season playoff games the Bulls were 0-6. According to Jordan, Larry is a top 5 all time player. Another thing to note is Larry broke his back in the offseason in '85, at the end the first season Michael Jordan was in the league. From that point on Larry was noticeably slower, but his skills never dropped off. So that winning record against the Bulls was almost entirely after Larry had an injury that for most players would have been career-ending. As for Magic and Larry, they are one of the greatest sports rivalries ever. Other videos that will blow your mind: Larry Bird, greatest passer ever: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rajSZamqlr-gqbs Some trash talking stories: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3zUZmaJndZkoNU John Stockton's trash talk story: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXOxcmVvpKmjbLc

[@timcampbell5758]

Lakers and Celtics have dominated basketball. They have met 12 times in the NBA finals. In the 1980s, they met in 84, 85, and 87. I was in high school for all those years, as a Lakers fan, it made those years memorable. They’ve met twice since then 2008 and 2010. Larry Bird is easily one of the best players of time and would be dominate in any era.

[@eddiehaskell1957]

The Celtics wanted the Lakers in '86. That Celtics team was the greatest Celtic team ever, and possibly the greastest team ever. The Lakers ruined the story. Losing to Houston. It supposed to be '84 Celtics, '85 Lakers, '86 Celtics, '87 Lakers.

[@craigmanning7873]

I'm not quite old enough to have personal memory of it, but it's often said that Larry Bird and Magic Johnson saved the NBA in the 80's, or at least led to it's incredible growth. Bird's Celtics earned 3 championships while Magic's Lakers won 5. The rivalry actually started though when they went against each other for the collegiate national championship before making it to the NBA. Also, contrary to players of today, it's noteworthy that each of them played their entire careers for a single team, and you can see at the end of this video that connection between Bird and the fans of Boston.

[@randyfergus8781]

The standing of the pre-rivalry NBA was such that their championship games were broadcast on tape delay so it didn't deprive viewers of their regular TV viewing of programs such as Gunsmoke. By the end of Larry and Magic's careers, the NBA was prime time and it hasn't looked back

[@stmbtsodapop2513]

Hey, GOOD Reaction, liked it! It's been said Bird had the highest IQ of any baller, he could do it all. Shooting, 3-pt., rebounding, passing, defense, & of course the "trash talking" that he could back up! A great video is, "Larry Bird Greatest Passer of All Time (Re-edit w/ New Footage)", he pretty much new where everybody was on the floor during the game, unbelievable awareness of what is happening during the play!

[@TheDenigreur]

The rivalry between the Celtics and the Lakers and Bird and Johnson was the thing that saved the NBA at the turn of the 80s

[@thenakedtruthri]

Larry & Magic saved the league, period, no one disputes it. Jordan brought it to the next level both Nationally and in other countries. And I believe the Dream Team brought it Global. Great reaction!!

[@ecclesrice9789]

Larry Bird was the best player I've ever seen. I was at his first college game and got to watch him play for free for 2 years.

[@GrandPapaCap]

You're blind

[@ecclesrice9789]

@@GrandPapaCap He won 3 straight MVP's, and was runner-up 4 times. When you consider who he played against I rest my case

[@woolwell_farm]

Great commentary. Such fun to watch and listen to. Love the enthusiasm.

[@JunoReactor77]

Great Reaction! You should react to "Making the Case - Larry Bird" by Clayton Crowley. It will fill you in on the state of basketball when Bird came into the league. It will also show more of Bird's stats and more of his rivalry with Magic!

[@davidw5629]

Being in my late 70s and from Boston I've seen all the great ones in the different local professional sports. Ted Williams, Bill Russell, Bobby Orr, Tom Brady, Marvin Hagler, John Hannah, etc., etc., but Larry Bird is my favorite. Bird was so determined that he would go from the Mass General Hospital, to a game, and back into the hospital after the game. You think you know what tough is until you know about some of the things Larry Bird did.

[@msw8966]

You broke Larry down very well. Excellent analysis for a first time watcher. Your a smart dude. New subscriber from Detroit,MI

[@jmaietta]

Watching Larry Bird in-person at the old Boston Garden during the 1980's was an unbelievable experience. Larry and the Celtics owned Boston during the 1980's.

[@AxelFoleyDetroitLions]

Larry Is an Indiana Legend! Played At Indiana State University, Boston Celtics Pro, Then Head Coach Of Indiana And Then The GM of Indiana Pacers (no other player has held every Role in Basketball)

[@johnduval6377]

The best all around player of all time!

[@cindyknudson2715]

Absolutely! ☘️ Larry Legend

[@wegotlumpsofitroundtheback5065]

so, let me put Larry's impact on the game and the Celtics into perspective: Between 1957-1969 the Celtics won 11 championships, including 8 in a row (1959-1966)! Bill Russell, long considered the greatest Celtic of them all, was the key player in all those championships and remains today the greatest winner the game has ever seen with 11 titles. Red Auerbach, who drafted and coached Russell during that dynasty, later became the General Manager of the team and drafted Bird in 1979. After Bird retired Red was asked if he the first pick in a draft of the greatest players of all time, who would he take? Without hesitating he said: "That's easy: Russell." Then he paused, grinned, and added, "And then I'd trade him for Bird."

[@tomhazelton3070]

This has been one of my favorite Larry Bird reaction videos. Thanks for making it. I'm from Boston, and I can tell you that Larry Bird was the city's pride and joy for his entire career. He came into the league as a fully-formed dominant badass on the court. He won three championships for Boston, and the 1986 championship team, one of the greatest teams in NBA history, had a 50-1 record at home for the season, which is a record for home-court dominance. He and Magic Johnson were the two best players of the 1980's -- Larry was the best -- and constitute the greatest individual rivalry in NBA history -- a rivalry which began while they were both in college. Those two players are credited with saving the entire league, which had hit a low point by the end of the 1970's. In 1987 Larry and Magic actually became friends while shooting a TV commercial at Larry's home in French Lick, Indiana, one of the poorest little towns in the state. They remain good friends to this day. Magic won more championships with the Lakers -- 5 in total -- but he was in the weaker conference and had a much easier road to get to the NBA finals. He had a somewhat better supporting cast with three number-one overall draft picks in the starting lineup. Larry's highlight reel is unlike that of any other NBA player. He was freakishly skilled in virtually every facet of the game and as big a badass on the court as there has ever been. Everyone in the NBA was terrified of him, but he feared no one. If you want to see some really freaky stuff, try to find a video of his outlet passing. Larry was the greatest outlet passer in NBA history and routinely threw full-court baseball passes directly into the hands of his teammates sprinting down the floor. It's truly unbelievable how accurate he was.

[@jasonmistretta4295]

Michael Jordan was the human highlight reel. Larry Bird was the Magician!! Larry Bird's vision on the court was almost like he was a Seer. He knew where players were going to be before they did--hahaha.

[@MonoElm]

He means a lot to Boston, but I can tell you he means just as much to the state of Indiana. He’s from here and he was a great coach and GM for the Pacers. Larry Bird is one of a kind.

[@sonyadaniels9685]

Great reaction. Thank you for checking him out. It was priceless watching you be shocked at how awesome he is! There’s never going to be another Larry Bird. Definitely do more of him!

[@waynefinnicumbb7218]

I watched every televised Celtic game during his career. It's great that you can go on youtube and look at his highlights, but watching them unfold live on tv is absolutely mind blowing. Was and is still my all time favorite player. His basketball IQ is unmatched, and he was an absolute magician on the court.

[@deanchamblin2160]

Bird was an offensive beast, played one step ahead of everyone else and was a great passer if not the best ever. He's in my top 5 for sure!

[@FourFish47]

The more videos you watch of Larry Bird, the more you'll be amazed. His first name should've been Confident. He called plays before he played them, and he played that well with health problems. He and Magic Johnson actually saved professional basketball, and they became great friends. They were both driven by competition. The big time players after him learned from him. Many pros say Bird was a great player by his intelligence, not to mention he was the biggest trash talker and that was usually hilarious.

[@dan32321]

"Did Magic Johnson and Larry Bird have some kind of rivalry?" You have no idea. And yes, you should absolutely check out Magic's mixtape next. They were both geniuses.

[@mikerichardson8983]

Larry Bird is the smartest most clutch player I have ever seen. I was lucky enough to see Bird play his whole career, several games in person. He was unbelievable. He was mentally tougher than everybody he play. He was also three steps ahead. Bird was all heart and his will to win was his greatest attribute. Larry Bird is the Goat.

[@teresavicario5848]

I am a huge Larry Bird fan. He was the best, in my opinion. He could do it all at an elite level. You should watch Larry Bird’s 50 greatest passes re- edit. Crazy skill.

[@footballJoe0609]

I recommend you watch the story of the 1992 USA Men’s Basketball Team, The Dream Team. That was the first time the US allowed professional athletes on the Olympic team. That team had Bird, Magic, Jordan, plus an entire lineup of NBA all-stars. It was simply, the greatest team ever.

[@brianhoward9336]

I'm a die hard Celtics fan for 50 yrs. Bird was an absolute joy to watch play. Top 5 player of all time.

[@soramirez5473]

top 2

[@andybilakshow260]

@@soramirez5473 👍without question.

[@soramirez5473]

@@andybilakshow260 and if MJ wasnt flawless in the finals plus being a combination of the best scorer/defenders ever (and not having really any weaknesses) Bird would be the best player for me

[@andybilakshow260]

@@soramirez5473 And if Larry didn't retire after beating Jordan repeatedly, Jordan might have had fighting chance🤣 But I'm sorry Wilt got there first.

[@soramirez5473]

@@andybilakshow260 with 2 rings in an era where he dominated? tough to call Wilt the GOAT in my book for that.. perhaps if he cared about being the GOAT , he WOULD be the GOAT.. I'll call him a GOAT athlete, but not he GOAT of the NBA

[@Irockthere4]

Love all your reactions my friend. We call all of the matches, “games”. Only in billiards and tennis do we say “ matches” Keep up the great work.

[@catherinelynnfraser2001]

Rugby has matches, football (⚽️) has matches

[@mervgandishander]

Great reaction mate. Very perceptive. He's in the conversation as a top 10 or top 5 or top 3 of all time. Head to head against Jordan he owned the match up late in his career and early in Jordan's. He and Magic literally saved the sport in the 70s. Watch more. For a football comparison He's Messi. Jordan is Ronaldo.

[@bobbythompson203]

I'm a Lakers fan because I'm from Southern California. But bird was always my favorite. You have to have a team in each conference to see them in the finals.

[@danielflynn8530]

I got to see Bird play a game in the Hartford Civic Center. It was a rare thing to see the Celtics play outside of Boston as a home team. A rivalry with Johnson and Bird is an understatement. This goes back to College where Johnson’s College team beat his in the Championships. Bird never let that go. Bird and Johnson are now good friends as when Johnson had contacted HIV Larry Bird was the first person to call him and ask how he was doing.

[@PunguinYoga]

You had the same reactions I did. I knew he was good. But THAT good? He was also an infamous trash-talker. Jordan said he learned how to trash-talk from Bird. The rivalry between Bird and Magic was intense and not really friendly at first. But when Magic contracted HIV, Bird called him to see how he was. Magic tears up when he talks about it on the documentary, "Magic and Bird: A Courtship of Rivals."

[@ADub187]

I'm not crying you are 😭 best player to ever wear the jersey along with Bill Russell, 11x champion in 13 year career My personal favorite players out of the "goat" list 🐐 Jordan, Bird, Olajuwon, Kobe&Bill RIP 🙏

[@zappa1952]

Back in the day I was a Lakers fan, so Larry Bird was a constant pain in the arse. However, now I can look back and appreciate his talent more than I could then. I've watched reactions to this video dozens of times and your reaction was one of the most attentive and respectful reactions I've seen. Thank you

[@michaelmartin1835]

I'm 61 years old, so I was just out of high school when Larry started playing in the NBA. Just watching the basketball IQ of that man was such a pleasure. The rivalry between Larry's Celtics and Magic Johnson's Lakers is still so fresh in my mind. Larry didn't like Magic at first, but together they seemed to bring the NBA back into relevance. Ultimately they became friends with great admiration and respect for each other. The heated rivalry was so much fun to watch.

[@bugvswindshield]

10:51 when larry kneels down....who does NOT hear a tigers deep growl before it rips its prey throat. I still get chills. And I was a Sonics ! Fan! I held a kegger for the retirement of Larry Bird. It was pact. Respect He Killed us.

[@michaelchabot2165]

It was ashame his career ended early. He was the smartest player on the court, he was crazy good. As a boston fan it brings me to tears watching his mix tape, i have watched it about 50 times probably. Never gets old. Watch the Atlanta boston game he scored 60 and it was one of his best games ever. Boston All time greatest Nba team.

[@catherinelynnfraser2001]

I love Larry Bird! He was a basketball savant. He had a weird grace and unbelievable hand eye coordination. He had incredible toughness, mental and physical. He had an incredible inventiveness and perceptiveness.

[@jamiewhite6398]

I watched Larry play and the Celtics and the Lakers play. It was absolutely breath taking, and blood thirsty. NO ONE loved the game more than Larry. He played seven years with an unstable spine, in constant pain, but taking no medication , mainly because of his father's suicide, which is also why he never quit. He would have trouble putting on his uniform, but then go out and just destroy his opponents. And here's the thing about the trash talking, fancy passes and general fuckery during a game, he was so good he had to keep himself amused to feed his competitive spirit., and yes the day he retired was heart breaking.

[@kirkbeaudoin8978]

Larry Bird means the world to Boston. I grew up watching him play. To me he's the greatest player I have seen in my lifetime. The way he thought the game was pure tenuous. There will never be another Larry Bird. He and Magic Johnson saved the NBA back in the 80s. Love ya Larry

[@tavliburd9643]

Loved your reaction. I watched him in person and followed his entire career and I'm still in awe watching these clips. He truly was a legend.

[@nanook8721]

Being nearly 70 years old, I had the opportunity to watch not only Larry Bird play live, but many of the other greats. I think the difference between the players back then, and the players today, is that the players back then played for the name on the front of the jersey, and the players of today play for the names on the back of the jersey. In my opinion, Larry Bird is the goat. ☘️🐐

[@revdto]

I have seen this tape and various reactions many times. One of the most astounding things [among many] was the playoff game against the Pacers where he was injured. He came back from basically BREAKING his FACE to lead the Celtics to victory!

[@dianne6155]

and with double vision! inconceivable

[@getacare2735]

I grew up right outside Boston I watched all his games and I haven't found anyone that has been as clutch as him on big moment. He made everybody better around him.

[@majorkade]

You're fortunate

[@jenneast8611]

What amazes me about Bird is just how easy he makes his plays look. Some of those passes are just unreal.

[@alefnull]

i'm a lifelong Massachusetts native, so i'm a bit biased of course, but Bird was the GOAT. so glad i grew up while he was playing and got to watch most of those games as they happened. thankful to him for dedicating his career to Boston.

[@stevedietrich8936]

I'm not a Boston fan, but I loved to watch Bird play. He was the cleverest basketball player that I have ever seen (and I go back to the 60's), and one of the greatest competitors ever. Bird would do anything to win. He also was highly skilled, one of the best passers, a great shooter, an excellent rebounder, and a very good defender. Likely on almost everyone's all-time top 5 list, and 1st on many.

[@cindyknudson2715]

Amen

[@BD-uw1kq]

Larry dominated the NBA for 9 years in every aspect of the game. ROY and 4th in MVP, then 8 straight years of finishing 1st or 2nd. It wasn't just 3 MVPs in a row. Best shooter ever, best passer ever, most clutch performer ever, and all while playing in the toughest era in NBA history. And remember, Bird won his 3rd MVP and then finished 2nd twice AFTER he broke a bone in his back.🐐🦄🐐🦄🐐

[@annemariemcnamara8756]

He is a legend an the best player of all times. This said acknowledged by some of the top players. I saw Bird in action an my heart was in my throat. Celtics were a dream team of heroes Larry rejuvenated an saved basketball as well as Magic both plays had deep respect for each other. Larry had it all. Check out Pistol Pete he was another amazing player

[@AmbassadorScorpio]

I’m from Argentina but I moved to LA in 1987. You know how passionate we are in sports, specially soccer… I was 7 years old and got to see Magic and the Show time Lakers…it was sports heaven.. I cannot explain the utmost sense of fear/thrill/nervousness and apprehension it felt when LB came to town… you could feel the menace and it not yield to the last second…nothing was sure if there was half a second..Larry was the guy who would turn it around and wipe your @ss with the winning shot. Great reaction, subscribed ..wishing you all the Best from Buenos Aires.

[@hkpew]

The thing that set Larry Bird apart from the other greats was his court awareness. There have been better shooters (although he was a great shooter), there have been a lot of better defenders (although I think he was a better defender than he sometimes gets credit for), and there have been equally determined players (though I'm not sure it's possible to be more determined). You talked about a rapid thought process, and that's true, but I think often it's less a rapidity of thought than a thinking ahead, aided by the fact that he somehow always knew where everyone was and where they were going. That enabled him to create open shots, to make unbelievable no look passes, and to get steals by being where the ball was going to be before it got there.

[@babyfry4775]

Larry is one of the best players ever. He was known as “Larry Legend” and had to retire early because of a bad back. He was 6’ 9” but most said he was 6’ 10” so yeah he was tall and gangly but super skilled. As Dr. J said he was the hick (country boy) from French Lick. French Lick, Indiana was his hometown. He and Magic Johnson were rivals but became close friends. He’s known for his shooting, one of the best ever but is also a great passer, along with Magic. An incredible player and well known “trash talker”. I would urge you to look at more videos.

[@aarong678]

You also have to take into effect that for several years he played with essentially a broken back. It was extremely painful and he still accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. He could have played another decade if not for the back problems.

[@donaldpicard7752]

Huge Celtics fan i was living in boston at the time. He is a legend. Saw him go toe to toe with jordan. Bird and Magic single handedly saved the NBA

[@ezgolfer2]

I grew up in Chicago. I watched MJ from his rookie year to the end. So proud of twin three peats. However, the Hick from French Lick is the Goat. As an adult I moved to Indiana where ISU was televised thanks to the presence of Larry Bird. He was drafted by the Boston Celtics as a junior at Indiana State University, but chose to play out his senior year forgoing millions. ISU went 33 - 0 in the regular season and all the way to the finals of the NCAA Tournament where they lost to Magic Johnson and the much larger Michigan University team. After you watch a couple more of his mixed tapes that others send you, watch his passing tape. No one else will ever be that good.

[@theallseeingoracle]

What I always loved about Larry is the fact that he makes what he is doing look so effortless. That in itself is it's own kind of skill.

[@DoggieFosters]

Hope you do more Bird reactions. We were not big basketball fans in my house, but Bird & his Celtics were must watch.

[@andrewreid3136]

Amazing!!! I have been waiting for this!!!! Thank you.

[@cirrustate8674]

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson is one of the greatest rivalries in ALL of sports, period.

[@JPMadden]

The Celtics were blessed for decades with numerous Hall-of-Famers. Even among them, Bird was exceptional. The only other Celtic player who could compare was the late Bill Russell, arguably the greatest defensive player in NBA history. Bird and Magic were the greatest players of the 1980s; there is no indisputable best of all time. The Celtics played a style of basketball developed by their legendary coach Red Auerbach, after whom the NBA Coach of the Year award is named (Auerbach is the old man shown briefly in this video). They played team basketball, not one-on-one while everyone else watches. They could beat you in every facet of the game--half-court, low-post, three-pointers, fast break, passing, defense. I haven't regularly watched basketball for many years--the Celtics of the '80s spoiled me.

[@CaliDBan]

It's wild watching reactors...I could sit across the table from you with a pint and Im from NY...and we'd be both be saying the same things from a totally different world and crazy different accents. Appreciate your reaction from across the pond! 😁

[@Big_Tex]

Ok if nobody else is going to say it, one of the exceptional things about Bird is, in a sport dominated by big, strong, fast, high-jumping black guys, Bird wasn’t just white, he was painfully white, whiter than cottage cheese, and a country boy with a country accent (hence, the Hick from French Lick). He looked like he didn’t belong there. He didn’t look athletic, but he had a different kind of athletic talent. Exceptionally good at passing, outside shooting, trash-talking, and the most steely confident guy around. People praise his “basketball IQ” because it was hard to explain how he did what he did. He made his team better, and famously the Celtics turned around from a losing season to a perennial contender for the championship the day he arrived. I’d say he was establishing himself as the best ever til Michael Jordan entered the league a few years later and came to be seen as the best.

[@thomasohanlon1060]

When Larrys retirement was done there was no game at the Boston Garden yet it was sold out, let that sink in "no game yet sold out" for one mans retirement. For those that think Larry Bird was not as good as he really was. This comment is for those whom never had the chance to see him play. Little know thing about Larry to those that never saw him play , he could effect the outcome of a game and never take a shot thats how devastating his passing skills were. Here is one thing that most fans (people) either don't know or try to ignore, prior to Larry joining the NBA there was no such thing as a three point line, that came in when Bird was starting his first year off in his NBA career. Just think about what would todays game be without the three point line or if the line was one foot farther out like it was when it was first introduced. Food for thought. At that time it was not about the individuals stats it was about the win. But if you need some stats here you go: Here are some of Larry Bird's notable career achievements and statistics: Three-time NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986); Two-time NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986); Three-time NBA MVP (1984-86); 12-time NBA All-Star (1980-88, 1990-92); Nine-time All-NBA First Team (1980-88); All-NBA Second Team (1990); Three-time All-NBA Defensive Second Team (1982-84); NBA Rookie of the Year (1980); NBA All-Rookie Team (1980); Three-time NBA Three-Point Contest champion (1986-88); Career-high in points: 60 (March 12, 1985) -- tied for franchise record with Jayson Tatum; Named NBA Coach of the Year (1998); and Named NBA Executive of the Year (2012). Larry Bird, was the first player to accomplish the 50-40-90 achievement, and one of two players to achieve the feat in multiple seasons. Career averages: 24.3 points per game 10.0 rebounds per game 6.3 assists per game 88.6% free throw percentage 49.6% field goal percentage 37.6% 3-point percentage Now we can't forget that Bird famously played with two injured ankles and a notoriously cranky back that forced him to lay down on the floor during practice breaks. After season-ending foot surgery just six games into the 1988-89 season

[@michaelworkhoven5513]

The 3 pt competition Larry didn’t even take off his warm-up shirt

[@anonygent]

There's a great book called _When the Game Was Ours_ by a female sports journalist who followed the Celtics during Larry's career, highly recommend. There's also a one hour video, which doesn't cover the half of it. Larry and Magic first met when they played together for an exhibition game against the winning college team that year (Kentucky, if memory serves) and they mopped the floor with them. It was just a foretaste of what was to come. I had no idea who Larry or Magic were when I saw my first game on TV, but one team played like team players and one team played like a bunch of hotdoggers, and that was the day I became a Celtics fan and a Lakers hater.

[@keithkoski630]

Larry and Magic saved the NBA in 1980, check out the 79 NCAA college basketball final... Great video

[@markoliver630]

Bird was also NBA coach of the year AND NBA executive of the year. No one else has ever done that.

[@carilin1965]

You should check out his passing and his assists videos. He is the GOAT

[@btyler423]

Magic and Bird is the biggest rivalry between players in NBA history

[@randyfergus8781]

There's more to the story of the Portland game that he played left-handed. That was the year that the Celtics only lost one game at home the whole season. And who was the team that put that one loss on them in the Garden? The Portland Trailblazers

[@GeraldWalls]

"Hick from French Lick"... Larry Bird attended Spring Valley High School in the small community of French Lick, Indiana. The current address of the high school is 326 South Larry Bird Boulevard, French Lick, IN 47432. It currently has 460-470 students in grades 6-12. Indiana State University's basketball stadium (the Hulman Center) does not have a Larry Bird address, but the one block leading up to the stadium from the west (where us students would walk as we approached the stadium) was Larry Bird Ave (or St or something like that). I don't rightly remember as that was about 40 years ago. As an aside, I saw a Charlie Daniels concert at the Hulman Center as a student. I don't remember which album the tour was associated with but I remember they played The Devil Went Down to Georgia.

[@sharonbird2921]

Larry Legend and then Celtics won the championship and back then you could storm the court, he means everything to the people of Boston, he brought so much excitement those were the best Years of my life ☘️🐐🏀💚☘️🐐🏀💚33

[@shannonbrigante5764]

Larry & Magic had been rivals since college..

[@amberburris5674]

Hi from Indiana... welcome to the GOAT! I loved this reaction :)

[@lilJJslayer]

bird vs. magic was the biggest rivalry in sports history at least here in the usa bird=goat and he is probably the biggest star in boston sports history other than probably brady that is he was absolutely huge and still is over 30 years later

[@SkyCloudSilence]

"He looks like an engineer." Omg, this gives me chills. Yes! Respect to all engineers, and the Birdman. Next-level intelligence! ❤

[@-EchoesIntoEternity-]

Larry Legend

[@tom7471]

Larry Legend was absolutely one of a kind. His basketball instincts were savant level. There are some who think he was the best there ever was. I am a Celtic fan, and a realist. I have him rated the third greatest player of all time, which will be too low for many and even makes me question it a little bit. There was never anyone more clutch, though Michael was equal to those tasks as well. I have my list in descending order, Michael Jordon, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell (difficult to put Russell this low as he won 11 titles). Just a matter of opinion. Many would have Magic or LeBron ahead of some of these... great reaction, though. You could see his game had very few weaknesses. He was not a great one on one defender but made up for that by being one of the best team defenders and stealers of the ball in clutch moments. Offensively, he had the most complete game I ever witnessed. His passing was the best by any forward to play the game. And he was a great rebounder as well.

[@Tcheera]

So I'm in my mid 40s -- my dad is 21 years older. Larry Bird has been his favorite player since I can remember. I was a MJ fan. It took until recently for him to start admitting that MJ was "not bad" LOL. We would argue a lot in the late 80s especially and even into the 90s about who was better (and now we'll even acknowledge the lakers, but we live in the Midwest so Eastern Conference teams for us haha). I think for context the NBA was dying even though they had some amazing players -- it just didn't have much fandom. It is fair to say that the amazing rivalry between Larry and Magic got it off of life support and got people interested in basketball as a sport again... and then Michael Jordan arrived on the scene and his popularity launched it into global stratosphere. But who knows, if not for Larry and Magic it might not have been still alive for MJ to have his shot.

[@AbsoluteApril]

Really enjoyed your reaction to Larry Legend, you picked up on a lot! Deff check out Magic's mixtape as well. Magic and Larry's on court rivalry pretty much saved basketball and brought a big audience. Larry's court IQ and eyes on everyone are superb.

[@howdoicancel6760]

You just opened a can of Larry Bird ! You’ll find yourself Immersed in his Videos ! True legend !

[@jaycarnagey9968]

Larry was a 6'10" Pete Maravich who could do anything a human wanted to do while dribbling a basketball and make it look easy. Average athletes by nba standards but their skill levels and ability to process the entire floor at full speed and deliver the ball to any open teammate, many who didn't even know they were open, with passes you had never imagined, was off the charts. They made other professional players look silly, as if they were playing against 12 year old kids on an NBA court. My game has worshipped at their basketball alter since I was a child. They were as much artists as they were athletes.

[@irishgrl]

How anyone can watch all this & still think Jordan is the GOAT is MIND BOGGLING. ITS LARRY. His MIND is a far better weapon than an athletic body.