Byron Scott shares Larry Bird story (5/20/16)

[@RichieDb2]

My favorite Larry Bird story - After the 3rd quarter, Larry Bird had 30 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists and 9 steals for the Celtics to come within one steal of recording a quadruple-double in a blowout win for the Celtics against the Jazz. When Bird was informed of his opportunity of a quadruple double (only 4 players have done it up to now) , Bird chose not to go back into the game after being taken out in the third. Bird's reason - "I already did enough damage" That's Larry Legend. Not about stats. Just wins.

[@LIBryda]

That's sick, what year did it happen?

[@RichieDb2]

February 18, 1985

[@jackson5781]

Richie A larry was larry and when people think lebron is better i refuse big time

[@RichieDb2]

Jackson Anderson Me too, man

[@jackson5781]

tinytanks dude u have no clue about Larry. larry would take over the game and make sure it was over unlike lebronda

[@teleamor]

Bird trashed talk BEFORE doing something amazing. Everyone else trash talked AFTER doing something. Big difference.

[@anthony81860]

Wrong! 99% of the players who trash talk, do it during the game.

[@phomjachana]

it was still in game, but he'd still tell you before he did it.

[@anthony81860]

They give you a couple of examples of him saying he would do something before he did it and then you took this to mean he did it that way every time. smh. LOL!

[@phomjachana]

never said he does it all the time. but scott's not the only person to say stuff like this. Doc rivers and Xavier mcdaniels to name a couple have stories as well.

[@RobertJBarnes]

Bird is the only one you here about telling the opponent what he was going to do before he did it.

[@edwinjones1000]

Bird was the Ali of basketball. He could back up EVERYTHING he said......amazing

[@philjones7517]

Agree

[@patsnation8427]

Ali? Hmm idk

[@edwinjones1000]

@@patsnation8427 he called the shot and the location just like Ali call the rounds said he was going to knock his opponent out

[@patsnation8427]

@@edwinjones1000 Ali was bigger than boxing. Bird is a great NBA player. Ali was a different being.

[@edwinjones1000]

@@patsnation8427 On that point, I totally agree !!!!!@@

[@PilotDaveLI]

The amount of former players that have stories of Bird telling them the play is absolutely awesome lol

[@grannysgonerabid7425]

Pat Riley: "I'd want Jordan to take the shot with the game on the line. I'd want Bird to take it if my LIFE was on the line."

[@avikraman9841]

ALISTAIR COOKIE that may be the greatest compliment in the history of sports.

[@grannysgonerabid7425]

Here's the exact quote from the article: "Then, as cooler heads prevailed and he was able to step away from the bad-blood, Riley bestowed the ultimate compliment on Bird: “If I had to choose a player to take a final shot to win a game I’d choose (Michael) Jordan, but if I could pick one to shoot to save my life I would pick Bird.” Then there were these quotes: "Red Auerbach was once asked if he had to pick a player to start a team, would he choose Bill Russell or Larry Bird? Auerbach, who prided himself on being one step ahead of everyone else when it came to wheeling and dealing draft picks and players, thought it over and said he'd take Russell. Then, he quickly added, "Then I'd trade him for Bird." James Worthy: "I would rather guard Jordan than Bird." Isiah Thomas: "if you locked me, Michael, Magic and Larry in a room----I think Larry is the one who makes it out".

[@grannysgonerabid7425]

And as for who did Bird admire? Whom did he look at for inspiration? Not Magic. Not Russell. At the Boston Garden when the national anthem is played, Bird gazes to the heavens. Everyone assumed that he was looking at all the Celtics Championship banners to gather inspiration; but ironically, he began to fix his eyes on only one banner -- the retired No. 4 belonging to Boston Bruins’ great Bobby Orr. Bird admitted he had never seen him play, but he had heard how great he was as a player and had learned how much Boston admired Orr as a person. Bird had been too bashful ever to tell Orr this until years later when Bird delivered a speech at the New England Sports Museum dinner for the unveiling of Bird's statue. “I don’t know what it is but whenever I look up at his number it just gets me fired up. You’re standing there looking up at his number - and I never could explain it, but it just got me fired up.” Orr, who was in attendance at that dinner, gaped, the breath going out of him in an audible gasp. ''My god,'' Orr whispered in the dark, tears in his eyes. ''My god.''

[@Slo_Moses]

How are you allowed computer privileges at the home when you are obviously off your meds?

[@machinakos]

Not a fuckin clue, you have boy.

[@dealit3370]

The Celtics/Lakers wars in the 1980's were a magical time for the NBA.

[@Fakename70]

One of my favourite passages from Magic’s autobiography is the bit he told about a Celtics regular season visit to the Forum in which Magic wasn’t playing, and Larry told him to just sit back and enjoy the Larry Bird Show

[@oldgoat142]

There's actually a video clip somewhere of Magic telling that story.

[@alexamerling9363]

Laker fan here and I hate the Celtics with all my heart but damn do I have the utmost respect for Larry Bird.

[@InfiniteTril]

I'm a Celtics fan who has a genuine hatred for the Lakers. But can say the same for Kobe bryant

[@sketch3744]

Except the entirety of the lakers in 84.

[@dusandragojlovic9656]

Ouch

[@littlebeartoe]

There was an interview in the 80s with Magic and Kareem where the interviewer asked Magic if he ever thought about retirement, and Magic said something like "I'm gonna keep playing as long as this man (Kareem) stays in the game". Magic is a very smart man. And it's impossible not to like him, even for this Celtics fan.

[@Colstonewall]

It's funny, I was always a Celtic and hated Magic and LA. But the older I got and saw the respect Bird and Magic had for each other, I started actually rooting for L.A. when they played Chicago in the Finals. I ended up becoming a Magic Johnson fan too.

[@spooge33]

Did Bird get respect? Magic showed up at his retirement in the Garden wearing Birds jersey.

[@charlesmcduffie2435]

Bird & magic greatest nba rivalry ever.

[@drdread9896]

@@charlesmcduffie2435 facts!!!!!

[@depaola63]

Classic !! I am 55 in May and remember ALL these times !! GREAT DAYS 4 SURE !! Larry knew how GREAT GOD made him !!

[@dusk6159]

Classic greatness!

[@arguingwithstupidpeople2047]

Bird's famous "left handed" game against Portland: he shot every shot left-handed, 42 points, won the game. Bird always needed challenges to perform at his peak.

[@carlossoares3061]

Well, almost accurate. He used the left hand only in the paint and had 47 points, 14 rebounds and 11 dimes. Larry maked the game winner shot in OT with his right hand though.

[@eddiehaskell1957]

Carlos Soares ...your right....he only shot right-handed for jump shots and free -throws.

[@jerryapgar9787]

did you even watch the game? i remember it live...he had 20 points left handed...never shot free throws with his left hand

[@mcgo2836]

Only player who'd dare to do those things bcos he was so great and confident.. GOAT!

[@Tanfo77]

Larry is left handed BTW. He writes w/ his left hand. Like Lebron James.

[@michaelmcarthur8364]

Most of you may not comprehend this, but what Byron's explanation is about is pure artistry. Creating the picture before its execution in the mind of another, and then having it realized. It is prophetic in its impact.

[@Marc-io8qm]

Relax

[@csibiz]

Well said…..I completely agree….great story & great observation by you

[@richardsiciliano7117]

Larry Legend stories NEVER get old.

[@garyschneider8700]

I love the fact that he says "The late great DJ" I hated the Celtics but deep inside you admired them, all of them during Bird's time.

[@tortillasarenotbiceps7622]

Being from Boston we felt the same about the Lakers. We hated them, but only because what they posed for the Celtics. That hatred is simply respect for someone equal to the task.

[@etothej]

I was coming here to say the same thing. Love the respect.

[@roypellerin5146]

DJ was awesome

[@davidberger2069]

A small part of Bird's trash talking was his facial demeanour-deadpan-which makes it all the funnier and more effective (at demoralizing the opponent).

[@madjester6088]

Most Clutch player Ever!!!

[@stevenconroy5586]

I really enjoyed watching these basketball rivals go at it year after year. Not only was it nice to see Bird shoot, his passing skills awed the crowd as much as a running left handed shot from 25 ft out. I have much respect for the Lakers of the 80s two great teams.

[@happyman0702]

That's the one and only Larry Bird, the Legend...

[@tiburon601]

i liked the fact that not only did he play harder than everyone else, he never made excuses. he just got mad and played harder.

[@Wyndamn]

LARRY LEGEND!!!!

[@jjs777fzr]

geez these Lakers players we Boston fans hated so much (because they were so good)...respect. Thanks for sharing - great story.

[@davidmkaplan]

As a Laker fan, I used to despise Larry Bird. Now as an adult, I'm completely spellbound by him and his greatness -- and regret that I didn't appreciate him at the time!

[@chrisb3738]

As a Celtic fan I'm the same with guys like Magic. That was some great basketball they were playing back then.

[@charlesn787]

Yup, I miss the Lakers-Celtics rivalry

[@MasterKoala777]

+Sportsblab, I was on the opposite side, loved the Celtics and Bird, hated the Lakers and Magic. Today I have so much respect and admiration for Magic and the other Lakers from that era.

[@epvendetta]

Same here, as a Laker fan. Respect-based hate to this day.

[@classicsurvivor]

The XMan story is correct, but he left out a detail. He said after the play, "I didn't mean to leave two seconds on the clock".

[@davidzylberman1579]

indeed!

[@greenskiis]

Yeah, the whole story is told by McDaniel in "The Secret NBA", which is my favorite of all the old-school NBA VHS tapes. Worth getting for that story alone!

[@clinicaleducator1237]

FACT!!! X said DAYUM!!!

[@kke533]

Παναθηναϊκός

[@marknoble5495]

Also, in the timeout before that play, the Celtics were drawing up a play and afterwards Larry said, “Coach, why don’t you just get me the ball and tell everyone else to get out the way”

[@AnonYmous-fi6xb]

LARRY LEGEND BEST SMALL FORWARD OF ALL TIME NO DOUBT

[@brockman562]

I was a Magic fan as a kid, and this was cool hearing a Larry Bird story from an opponent (scott). Dude backed up what he said.

[@bignizzle6973]

Manny Donaire as a perennial Celtics fan I despised Magic, now I look in awe of him when watching the old games.

[@thyslop1737]

Use to watch the Bird in the pros when he played and it was obvious he was phenomenal, but with the perspective of time when you watch his old clips is when you realize how good he really was. Got drug to a college basketball game once when Bird was a senior in college. One of his last games, I believe. Creighton v Indiana State. Had never heard of him. To this day can't remember who I went with, nor how we got the tickets. I just rememberin that game he could not be stopped and literally everything he threw up went in. I think he had 41 that nite, not certain. Another equal to Bird. Bill Walton. But the injuries slowed his effectiveness. I believe it was his rookie year he won in the NBA finals. He could not be stopped. Always wondered what he would have accomplished if he remained healthy

[@dwightlove3704]

Ppl forget about Walton he was a NBA FINALS MVP AND LEAGUE MVP in '77

[@dwightlove3704]

@Hoops Historian He had a good career before he got started in Boston ask Julius Erving about him.

[@mrho4speed]

Thanks for sharing- nothing like hearing it from the guys that were out on the court, Larry was 1 of a kind!!!

[@newerafrican]

From what I've heard on youtube vids from NBA greats is that Bird constantly challenged himself by challenging others. He wanted to shoot over the best defenders, have the ball at the end of the game or shoot the game winning free throw.

[@clinicaleducator1237]

The guy was DRIVEN!!

[@mikes3827]

Larry was famous for telling MANY opposing players what he was about to do--and they usually couldn't stop him. Keep in mind because Larry was The Man, he had some of the best defenders in the league (e.g. Michael Cooper, Dennis Rodman, etc.) defending him, and it still didn't matter. Larry talks a LOT of shit, but he usually backed it up. "Legend" was his nickname for good reason.

[@Statalyzer]

He didn't face Rodman much until he was past his prime and injured. Too bad he didn't stay 100% longer to see some more epic battles - he really only had like 8 healthy seasons in his career, although even his barely hanging-on seasons after that produced plenty of badass moments. Some of which happened while wearing a freaking back brace during games.

[@jackson5781]

+Statalyzer he did face rodman when rodman was young and schooled dennis up i believe it was the 87 or 88 eastern conference finals against the pistons

[@BroomeBlocker4]

Yeah, that is why Rodman hates Larry Bird. He played a game and with Rodman all over him kept calling for the ball saying, guys I am wide open give me the ball before they realise and get someone to guard me. Then he repeatedly shot the ball in Rodman's face and would say, see I am wide open.

[@mikes3827]

+Statalyzer True about his injury-plagued latter years. Speaking of that back brace, don't know if you knew that when Bird finally retired, he took the back brace back to French Lick, then took a shot gun and blew it to pieces lol. It's sort of a funny visual, but it also gives some insight as to just HOW painful his back really was.

[@morganswan1177]

Mike S 9

[@stanblanton7798]

Byron Scott was a baller too man. High flyer.

[@davidthompson62]

I’ll tell you how good Bird was; he was much watch Tv….and I wasn’t that big a fan till Bird came. He made you watch because you soon learned he was almost always going to do something that made your jaw drop and you didn’t want to miss it. One of my favorites was a game where he got pushed behind the basket; as he was falling backwards he shot the ball that just cleared the back of the basket, then down in the basket….swish. He’s never given enough credit for his defensive play…he was fantastic. The guy could do it all with great creativity. Just like another Boston legend, Bobby Orr.

[@billandrews]

Bird's mind game. James Worthy said "give'n a choice of guarding Larry or Michael (Jordan), I'd rather guard Michael. Larry was always thinking. In order to guard him you had to get into his head and think like he did."

[@vacefron7835]

You had to play the game as a thinker*

[@jasontipton8430]

Larry bird was the best player of all time never been a shooter like bird.

[@kennysmith1925]

Larry Bird straight up G

[@gbenz6494]

LOL, I got to watch Bird play on TV and man, what a great player and I mean GRRRRRRRRREAT.

[@huckleberry12]

I hope the little children that think they're basketball fans of today find this video.

[@douggriggs1499]

LOL Jim B. I basically agree with you. What ticks me off is that most teams don't really play D. And now my beloved Celtics are one of the WORST rebounding teams in the league. Disgraceful. And the refs are weird. They will let a lot of physical stuff go uncalled, even with guys driving the lane, .... then call a phantom foul on a 3-point shot when there was no contact or just the slightest touch that didn't affect the shot.

[@mursuka80]

Yeah and all they care about is stats. I refuse to watch the NBA if Westbrook wins the MVP. You can`t win MVP with barely over 40% shooting and over 5 turnovers per game. I dont care if you average tripledouble. Plus his team is barely over 500.

[@terrencegriffin6812]

Larry was fundamental basketball excellence

[@patrickdennler1598]

Man I literally teared up laughing so f****** hard when Byron was like it's a form of trash talking "You ain't going to tell me that you're going to go over there and shoot it in my face"😂😂😂

[@hammer44head]

I'm a Laker fan to my core and i hated the Celtics, hated em so much i tear my money up cause it was green! But Bird was something else, he really was. Nothing but respect for Larry Legend.

[@maxlisk80]

What Dan forgot to add is that Bird told Xavier after the shot that he didn't mean to leave 2 seconds on the clock

[@nuftis]

I could listen to these stories all day

[@phoenixrising164]

That’s called greatness!

[@bryantharris5914]

As a Celtics fan growing up, as much as we hated the Lakers, man all these years laters you just can't help but smile when you see any of them. Lakers, Celtics. Doesn't matter. There's just so much love and respect for both those teams for each other and that era. I could listen to any of the Lakers or Celtics from that era talk basketball. I've got a photo of a Jump Ball between those two teams circa '85 or '87 I could rattle off the names of all 10 of those players in that photo just like that.

[@ARIZJOE]

Really funny story told by an excellent ball player. Byron played on a team full of hall of famers, and he never got the credit for being one of the top shooting guards of his day. Very athletic, very smart - you can see how he became a coach. Side Notes: Kevin McHale was as big a trash taker as Larry. Bird said the best defender he ever faced was Laker Michael Cooper - one of the least appreciated players ever.

[@dusk6159]

Indeed McHale while being discrete and witty was a huge manace and torturer in many senses. Basketball greatness

[@dwightlove3704]

SCOTTIE PIPPEN &BOBBY JONES add these two to the list that gave Bird problems on defense.

[@ebenclukey7293]

A lot of times he'd stroll over to the opposing coach and say things like "You're gonna have to try somebody else on me. I'm wide open out here."

[@jonmcmaster8964]

Lots of kids in Indiana shooting on the side of barns dreaming of being like Larry legend.....its a different breed in Indiana

[@markmartinez7678]

Larry legend is the goat, period

[@johnathanbutler2545]

Met Byron Scott in the stands at a professional baseball game got his autograph along with other fans, he was amazed at all the Laker memorabilia everyone had of him.

[@skylar7144]

As GREAT as LBJ is, he NEVER, EVER would DARE TELL U what was ABOUT TO HAPPEN to U!

[@Ramzblood]

I remember him telling Dr. J, if you don't gaurd me I'm gonna put up 50 on you.

[@RSTI191]

Larry got in your head and was game over before the game even started.. He was just that good..

[@weiqi8956]

Larry was such a great player and he was so BIG. So if you're a big guy, no way you're going to stop Larry on the perimeter because you're too slow. If you're a smaller player like 6'5" Byron Scott compared to 6'9" Larry, you're not stopping Larry either. Larry's skill set for a player of his size was just off the charts.

[@douggriggs1499]

Great analysis and comment, Wei. I was way too short and had short arms also to be a good basketball player, but I was exceptional in one respect. And I shared that top 1% of population rating (I was tested on it once) with Larry. Hand-eye coordination. He was tested and the people doing the test almost couldn't believe how great he was. I am sure that Magic would have been way, way, up there also.

[@johnsheppard6777]

At 205 resell

[@jasonkeith9317]

I think Byron Scott is like 6'3"-6'4".

[@TINKYSTEELE]

They don't make em like this no more.

[@Bigturns33]

anyone who would dare to say Larry couldn't play in today's game is absolutely mad. Best comparison is think Dirk and times that by 2.

[@direkramseychikboy9102]

He will be probably a more faster Dirk Nowitzki..

[@garysimms6412]

Bird was agile, if you watch him he was like a rubber band. that's what made him so great

[@brettbaxter7882]

I like the respect still given to Dennis "DJ" Johnson.

[@TheBeatenPaths]

Best Bird story on KZbin! 👍

[@agarciaagarcia3598]

Bird, my favorite player all time.

[@25mfermin]

if the word "swag" was invented in that era. i guess that was you describe larry bird.

[@williamdavis9562]

This is an entirely different level of savage. Imagine telling the other team exactly what you're going to do and then doing it 😂😂😂😂

[@alecvip7562]

I wonder what the feeling for larry bird was like when he realized he could be the greatest nba player ever

[@HawkingRegime13]

I hope this confirms to people who didn't know already, that LeBron can never match what Larry Legend was.

[@sakketin]

HawkingRegime That's not being fair to LeBron. He hasn't yet and possibly never will but to say that there's no way he even could is unfair.

[@Don-md6wn]

I am old enough to have seen Larry Bird as a college player and for his entire NBA career. He is one of the all time greats, but he was not as good as LeBron James. James could guard Bird (not that anybody would shut Bird down), but Bird wouldn't have a prayer guarding James. And Bird was finished physically after 10 years in the NBA while James is still going strong after 14 years or however many it has been. Of course it helps that James went straight to the NBA from high school.

[@navaropalm6111]

@Don Lebron could not guard Bird b/c he's a weak one on one defender. Bird could get his shots off with a little fade away some palm fake here and there to confuse the heck outta Lebron.

[@jamalevans1574]

Don look at all the battles bird had,stop comparing,bird wins

[@MrWhit-mp2vn]

If you were to review their stats and accomplishments, you would see that Lebron has matched or surpassed Bird in just about everything. Both are 3-time NBA Champs. Lebron has more MVP awards (3 vs. 2), more NBA Finals MVP awards (4 vs. 3), more all star game apps (14 vs. 12), more all NBA First Team (11 vs. 9), and All NBA Second Team (2 vs. 1). more All Defensive First Team (5 vs. 0). However, Bird does have more All Defensive Second Team appearances (3 vs. 1). So in terms of accomplishments, Lebron is clearly better. So let's look at regular season stats to see how they compare. Lebron has a higher average for points (27.2 vs. 24.3), assists (7.2 vs. 6.3), and FG% (.504 vs. .496). Bird has a higher average for rebounds (10.0 vs. 7.4), FT% (.886 vs. .739), and 3P% (.376 vs. .344). These are pretty close, but I personally give the edge to Lebron because he leads in points and assists. Of course, Bird is clutch and Lebron isn't according to many folks so I'm sure that Bird will be a much better playoff performer than Lebron. Oh wait, that isn't actually the case. In the playoffs, Bird averaged 23.8 Points, 10.3 Rebounds and 6.5 Assists. Lebron averages 28.4 Points, 8.9 Rebounds, and 6.9 Assists. In 1984, Bird averaged 27.5 points, which was his best in the playoffs. Lebron has averaged more than that 7 times in the playoffs. Hell, he has averaged over 30 PPG in the playoffs 5 times in his career. I get it...people love to irrationally claim that everything from the past is better than the present. And of course, some people hate Lebron for a number of idiotic reasons. But that doesn't make Bird better than Lebron.

[@nicolasocampo9953]

the difference between Larry Legend and the other legends? He talked trash before he did something amazing!

[@emperyalz]

If the game was a 3 point game in Bird's era, trust me Bird would be just as good a shooter as Curry. Bird had the best stroke in the history of the game. Steph definitely gets his shot off from deep with his amazing balls skills but Bird could create his own shot and at 6'9 he shot over most defenders anyways. It just was a different type game then - it was played from the basket to just inside the 3 point line in the 80's. Now the game starts at the 3point line and works its way to the paint...

[@jp3813]

Bird achieved a 50-40-90 season twice in his career. Steph, so far, only has one.

[@Ryenobal]

Has anyone else ever achieved that stat? The reason I ask is that so many of the younger fans these days recognize that Bird was a great shooter, but put so many other great shooters ahead of him.

[@jp3813]

G Ryen The 50-40-90 club has only existed since the three-point line was introduced in the NBA (1979-80 season). Bird, Price, Miller, Nash, Nowitzki, Durant, and Curry are the only members so far. Nash is the king of the club, coming just one free throw shy of five straight seasons, but also posted the lowest scoring averages of the group (below 20 ppg, along w/ Price and Miller). Curry is the only one who averaged above 30 ppg, which also led the league in scoring. If there's a 50-45-90 club, Nash and Curry would be the two exclusive members. Taking all this into account, Bird is the only OTHER player who achieved the feat in multiple seasons, and did so while averaging 28.05 (4th highest of the group) & 29.93 (2nd) ppg in consecutive years.

[@Ryenobal]

Thanks for the info. I watched the followed the NBA closely from '86 to about '08 (went overseas to work) . I heard of the 50-90 club which was elite in its own right, but wasn't aware of the 50-40-90. Being a Laker fan, I despised Bird and the Celtics, but always respected him for his basketball IQ, trash talk and shooting. Bird would easily be in my top 5 all-time in shooting and in my top 3 in clutch shooting.

[@depannist]

Larry showed up, regular season, playoffs, finals. Curry ... great shooter, but you've got to be great when it counts the most. In two finals appearances, he hasn't been great.

[@Salvatore1268]

I am a knicks fan and i hated Larry Bird for forever but these stories i have gained a lot of respect for bird

[@GregoryTheGr8ster]

Some people's trash talk is so mean that it's not just trash, it's TOXIC WASTE. Only a rare few people can trash talk with such finesse that it seems like leftovers from a gourmet restaurant.

[@RatnikCarrick]

These stories just prove how the NBA in 80's and 90's was superior to what we see today...

[@OwenRona]

Sasa Z Kobe Bryant said it himself during a live broadcast that Euro basketball is physically tougher than the modern NBA ... and his own words after saying that was, “Think about that..”

[@michaelremolar914]

Agree

[@michaelremolar914]

Agree

[@dobermanpac1064]

Larry played to win...unlike today's UNO's....He'll never be forgotten....Larry Legend!

[@fredtacang3624]

He walks the talk lol

[@jeanchampion671]

I look for your talks: you have a contagious smile

[@TheMimetolithman]

My Fav' it was theStyle and theGRACE and theDesire = theLivingLegend Larry GOAT Bird

[@dmpittman35]

He is a great story teller!

[@havrisen6620]

Lol! I love how Bird would say it calmly as if he was just stating the facts.

[@douggriggs1499]

Birdman was amazing. I once saw 2nd or 3rd game of season (it was around November 1st, either 1986 or 87), Celtics at then Washington Bullets at the Capital Centre. Game went to double OT. Bird had FORTY SIX POINTS!!! Hit a shot at either end of regulation or first OT to extend game. Celts were down 1 at end of 2nd OT, Boston had the ball. Feed to Larry. Stepped BACK, had his foot on 3-point line (didn't matter, cuz Boston only needed a 2), and SWISHED IT AS THE HORN SOUNDED. Incredible.

[@douggriggs1499]

I saw the game in person, but taped it at home with Home Team Sports, a pretty good announcer named Mel Proctor doing the play by play. Bullets had just hit a crucial shot with about 2 seconds left in 2nd OT to "probably" win the game. Mel was super happy, celebrating, a white-haired man with a fancy cane was maneuvering it around over his head to the music ....... UNTIL. "

[@douggriggs1499]

UNTIL Bird got the ball near 3-point line. "Bird gets it, steps back, fires, ...... AND MAKES IT!!!" Incredulously but with a VERY SUBDUED voice, "I cannot believe he hit yet another long shot to win it, just amazing .... (really sadly now, just mumbling the words) Larry Bird. .... Maybe the best ever ...... (sob sob). "

[@jaycompany4886]

Doug Griggs yes indeed incredibly clutch, I think the best in history.........when the 4 quarter came it was Bird time, the other team put their toughest n best defenders on him ...... didn't matter Bird would score or make a great pass........ another win just incredible.....that was Larry Bird

[@havrisen6620]

LEGEND.

[@togelz]

Larry always got in his opponents face but (as far as i know) he never said anything outside the game or outside the court, he never insult his opponent's family or private life, and he back up what he has said, that's the real trash talking imho,....

[@Perfection212]

Don't mess with Larry aLegend!!

[@mikeaustin8547]

What makes a man great is the way they can Bragg about someone else. To me it speaks volumes about the Class Act Of That Man

[@nanka2002]

B Scott is the second best story teller in the NBA. The first is Magic... I have listened to this and MJ story dozen times already.

[@wilsdeb]

BYRON Is The Best HE TELLS THE GREATEST STORIES

[@Nagy50Magyar]

His speech seems to indicate high intelligence.

[@jasonkeith9317]

Magic is the best storyteller imo!!!

[@BigRamifications]

The Birrrrd.... and Gary Ablett Sr. in Australian rules football. The 2 greatest sporting freaks of nature I've ever had the pleasure to watch. When they were on their game they almost seemed to have supernatural powers.

[@BigRamifications]

On reflection, I'd probably chuck Shane Warne in with those 2 as well.

[@SuckaFREE2.0]

....IM A ROCKETS FAN FROM THE JUMP..HAKEEM IS MY FAV....but LARRY is in his own category. 💯

[@navaropalm6111]

The best SF ever. Larry Bird >>> Travelon James.

[@DJVijilante]

Lebron doesn't even come to a close second.

[@MaxMiller614]

Lmao, CMON man. Get real Larry is a close second.

[@25newrush]

The refs didn't baby Larry Bird the way they do Lebron, he would be crying his eyes out if he played in that era of toughness

[@MaxMiller614]

+25newrush that era did not have the kind of explosive athletes that Lebron is. Lebron could go for 40 a night on certain people

[@marquisdaniels9657]

both are better than curry

[@purple_ninja7914]

Livin like Larry

[@wrldchamps04]

I had the privilege of watching him on my team for his entire career.

[@frankdavidson644]

Amazing 👏

[@johnsy4306]

Larry wasn't talking trash. He was being a gentleman. He was telling you so you can be ready. :D

[@michaelg.golden7327]

Bird stories are hilarious. So many of them, too. He did what he warned them about-bucket!

[@kidpeligro7878]

See, thats how the all time greats roll in their prime. They tell straight up what they will do AND THERES NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO STOP THEM.

[@stevenciaburri6375]

Cause Larry more brains on the court than the whole other team combined

[@rambojohnj.6117]

LeBron WHO? LeWHAT James? King James my ass, King’s come and go. Legends never die.

[@Antbeast23]

Lebron a legend too tho

[@rambojohnj.6117]

Antbeast23 Oh. You mean,” *is* “a legend, “also”. LeBron is awesome, but he is overrated. No major superstar in the history of sports has ever gone team-shopping to win championships. They did it with the team they had around them.

[@bordertown]

Greatest trash talker in sports history next to Ali.

[@charliekennedy2545]

The best ever.larry larry

[@skylar7144]

ONLY THE GREATEST of THE GREATS could get away with that!!!

[@enlightenedidiot9552]

Larry Bird would destroy in this day in age of no hand-checking and leaving Shooters alone. Absolutely destroy. 69 3 point shooter. Check his stats. His percentage is are 50 from the field 40 from three points and 90 from free throw that's for his career...legen, wait for it.....dary!

[@enlightenedidiot9552]

@MANCHESTER UNITED F.CYou can Love Soccer all you want. And America we like real Sports. F*** off.

[@philipclock]

@MANCHESTER UNITED F.C Not 'til they liven up the game: bigger goals, unlimited subs, no offsides last 25 yrds, Yellow and red cards are timeout penalties like hockey, 2 pt line for long goals, etc.

[@IM_ROBBY]

Larry Bird is the prototypical white American male, and he DESTROYED a black man's sport. He didn't have a huge body, he wasn't the fastest, he didn't jump the highest, and still, he achieved it all. He killed his era. Top 10 player no argument needed, strong argument for top 5 ever, obvious choice for best SF ever.

[@jeep1077]

Why do you bring skin color into it? Keep your identity politics out of it. Basketball is for everyone.

[@jasonkeith9317]

Because whites aren't supposed to play basketball as well as blacks which is usually true but Larry was the exception his strongest weapon was between his ears ask Kareem how good Larry Legend was !!!

[@dblewis1779]

@jason keith.. exactly why aren't whites supposed to play ball as well as blacks..I missed that memo and honestly Bird himself would dislike that comment

[@anthonyrobinson3649]

Back in the day. Bb was a jewish mans game.

[@anthonybailey8317]

But Larry still had to bow the greatness of the Magic man ( 5 NBA rings to 3 NBA rings, enuff said )

[@anthonybey1324]

Pippen is most definitely top 5.I remember the original Dream Team and they interviewed many of the players and asked 'who was better then you thought..who surprised you?'...the majority said Scotty! He changed the role of the 3 was the first true POINT FORWARD (LeBron blueprint). Best defender I ever saw. I'd say in order LBron, Bird, Doc, Pippen, and Baylor, (hinirabke mentions G.Hill, Worthy and TMac probably most talented)

[@juventusfc0520]

Legend

[@jonkline709]

I love this story because how he says “ the late great D J”

[@rickwigington2771]

I could listen to Bird trash talking stories all day.

[@WayneBriggs]

Byron Scott ain't no joke either when it comes to clutch plays and definitely Mr. Spectacular on the Atleticisim. Another LA Homegrown Cat, Morningside Inglewood and of Course Paul Pierce, Inglewood.High. Byron was before my time in High School (Gahr, Lynwood, Katella High and then Chapman thanks to the Late Great Walt Hazzard), but I had a chance to watch Byron from the stands while my Brother's High School played Morningside.

[@sp4604]

Larry was an OG on the court