Did Larry Bird ACTUALLY Dominate a Game With JUST His LEFT HAND?

A breakdown of Larry Bird's famous "left handed" game.
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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.
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#nba #basketball #hoops

[@jonnyarnett]

Was this Larry Bird's greatest performance?? Btw, the Celtics went on to win the championship this year, unsurprisingly.

[@Davivd2]

There are 3 that really stand out. The second dream team scrimmage where after being taunted by Rodney Rodgers who told Larry that he hadn't hit a jump shot since 85, Larry went out (bad back and all )and called every shot the next game before shooting it right in their faces then afterwards said to Rodgers: "Hey rook. It's looking a lot like 85 again isn't it?" They say that Larry made every shot. The game against the Hawks where the Hawks bench got fined because they were cheering for Larry. Or even the game that Larry said was his best. He put on a defensive show to win the last game of the finals against Houston. The second dream team scrimmage is going to be hard to do a video on. I saw Jamal Mashburn talk about it on a podcast and Chris Webber has talked about it a few times. To my knowledge, there is no footage of it. That's a real shame. Magic said that those scrimmages and dream team practices were the best basketball games he's ever been involved in.

[@schnooks17]

How about Bird with a bad-back in 1992 posting a triple-double and a crazy 3-pointer against the Blazers who went on to meet MJ and the Bulls in the Finals.

[@floydparr8006]

Game 7 in 1988 vs the Hawks. In the 4th quarter, Kevin Willis told Dominique Wilkens not to let Bird score with Bird standing right there. Bird who had guaranteed a Celtics win proceeded to hit 9 of 10 shots to score 20 points to pull out a 2 point win.

[@merovechthe1st]

Dropping 60 on the Hawks maybe, or the playoff game against the Pacers when he broke his face but came back anyway and lit Chuck Person up. But it's probably the duel against Dominique Wilkins in the playoffs. That game was magical.

[@MisterBasketball]

I'd say the near quadruple double he had on February 18th, 1985

[@august6281]

imagine the BALLS OF STEEL to think, announce, then actually do that insane idea. Cold blooded Legend.

[@thetruthstand]

I am on my lunch break listening to the Wu-Tang clan while looking at news articles, but as soon as I saw this pop-up I stopped everything to watch. I'm sure I'm not the only one to suggest this video, but thanks Johnny you're the man!

[@jonnyarnett]

I appreciate it man!! Enjoy your lunch.

[@fortnitejake850]

Great player but some of that defense was terrible 😂

[@joelman1989]

You seem like a guy I would love to chill with lol

[@JaredGoofball]

Wow

[@owensmith2137]

​@@fortnitejake850Great scoring performances usually happen against bad teams

[@stanleykwan7759]

Bird refusing to use the right hand on Valentine's Day is just poetic.

[@BU_TV]

LMAO

[@damboulton]

One of the most infamous Bird stories, awesome to see you covering this one "I'm saving my right hand for the Lakers" 🤣

[@oldschoolballer8632]

You should do a video on Tim Duncan’s “quadruple double” in the finals. I can see both sides of the argument but I think it’s unfortunate he wasn’t given the two extra blocks because it seems like the performance doesn’t get the respect it deserves and would’ve been considered one of, if not the the best finals performance of all time had he gotten all ten blocks.

[@mrho4speed]

Thank you for sharing this video. Bird putting in 20 points left handed during a close game is still crazy. His stat line ( triple double) is also very impressive, but even more than that is Bird hit a clutch basket to force the OT and then at the end of the OT hit the game winner. This game is a perfect example of why Bird should always be in the discussion when discussing the greatest players that have played this game. Bird's clutch baskets, rebounding, passing, hustle, the blocked shot on Kiki, show his complete game. Was this his greatest game? Probably not - Bird's game 5 of the 1984 Finals ( the infamous heat game of 97 degrees) where Bird shot 15 of 20 and had 34 points and 17 rebounds vs the Lakers was the game that turned that series in Boston's favor and really enabled the Celtics to beat the Lakers. Bird also had a 40 point and 20 rebound game vs the Indiana Pacers early in the 1987 season and Bird still remains the only Celtic to ever post a 40-20 game. How about game 7 from 1984 vs the Knicks? I think Bird had 43 points and 12 rebounds and 10 assists in this elimination game. The 4th quarter shootout in game 7 vs Hawks and Dominique? Or perhaps it was Feb. 18th in 1985 vs the Jazz where Bird tallied 30 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists and 9 steals in 3 quarters and sat out the entire 4th quarter? This guy was incredible. Thanks!

[@TheDarkbluerock]

All time Bird moment.😂

[@michaelsloane9955]

Larry Bird's best offensive performance ever was scoring 20 points in the 4th quarter of game 7 of the 1988 Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Celtics and the Hawks. That's coming through in the clutch with a playoff series on the line. His best overall performance was in game 6 of the 1986 NBA Finals between the Celtics and Rockets when he had a 29-11-12 triple double while being very disruptive defensively at the same time. His greatest moment was "Bird steals it! Johnson! Layup Boston! 1 second left! Bird steals it and gets it to Johnson at the buzzer. Oh MY! One second remaining!" His best forgotten moment was when hit a weird game tying 3 pointer against the Blazers in a regular season game in his final year. "3 point Portland lead. Alright here is Bird, Drexler all over him, he fires. IT'S A 3 PONTER! AND HE'S TIED THE GAME!" FWIW, the Celtics got a game tying basket at the first overtime in the same game from Kevin Gamble. "Now Gamble for Bagley looking to tie it. Here's Gamble. YES! AT THE BUZZER! AND WE GO TO A 2ND OVERTIME!" The Celtics would win 152-148 in a 2OT game.

[@ldybozz]

I've only heard about Larry playing the whole game left handed over the past three or so years. I don't know why? I've always heard MOST OF, MAJORITY OF, 1ST 3 QUARTERS. But never the whole game. Even Larry said most of. His ultimate mix tape has Walton saying majority of the game & 27 of his total points was with the left hand. It's crazy how people want to change history. Great video. #birdgang 💚🐐🍀

[@jimmyboy131]

Unpack the story (apparently told by Reggie Miller) where rookie Reggie was trash talking Bird while Bird was at the free throw line. Larry said, "Rook, you've got to be kidding me. I'm the best f-ing shooter in the league, understand? And you're here trying to tell me something?" He then makes both free throws. True story, or not? If it's true then it's as epic and legendary as it gets.

[@chatzac]

How about you made your next video about Kevin Garnett's story of how he stopped trash talking Tim Duncan?

[@jonnyarnett]

Great suggestion! I’m remember seeing that interview once before. I’ll check it out again 👍

[@markwalton5978]

Good one. Nice move.

[@_will795]

Didn’t Garnett till him “happy Mother’s Day” knowing his mom had passed?

[@Midragor]

Great vid Jonny. I love the accurate telling of this series, even if I also appreciate that some of these stories becaume ''legends'' of sort and legends tend to get swollen the more they get told

[@larsp8665]

I guess the Portland crowd didn't up know or care that booing Larry would evolve him into an Invincible card 😂

[@brianjackson5541]

Love this story and game and it came against my Blazers.

[@kenari5763]

This one is probably too niche for a full episode, but in Monday’s game between Denver and Portland, Denver commentator Scott Hastings tells a Bird story from his (Hastings’) first game as a pro where Bird apparently did a ridiculous pump fake (like Jokic did on Ayton), swished a three and talked trash. Would be cool if you could find it. The story is told around the 4 minute mark in the second quarter.

[@dexinvictus6103]

Loving this series

[@Irfanhill]

One of the most legendary stories told about NBA stars in regular season games.

[@jfish5120]

I cant believe people today still dont think bird could survive in the modern era. Though the pace is definitely faster, he has such a generational feel and clutch gene that could translate to any time

[@micshaz]

The thing about "slower" elite athletes in almost any competitive sport and pace is they tend to be able to manipulate and dictate the pace. Soccer is a fairly good example as volume scoring has become more popular but slowing the game down is still considered a high level strategy; i suppose something like combat sports works too. There's that quote about never arguing with an idiot because they will drag you down and beat you with experience. Good knee slapper quote to laugh at but probably terrifying to be in a 4th quarter realising you've been playing at larry's pace the whole game haha

[@RobertoHernandez-bz2hh]

Larry will be even better in this era with the weak defense of today NBA. He will be a faster version of Jokic. So he will be MVP.

[@jfish5120]

@@RobertoHernandez-bz2hh It’s hard to tell. The way I see it, I dont think defense is necessarily weaker, but I think the officiating definitely favors the offensive side of the ball. I do agree that the game allows the offensive players to show more skill, so Larry and any other generational talent would still shine just as bright today

[@Says_me]

I love it! I love this series… your diligence in the research… and obvious love of the game

[@RealAmericanStar]

20 points with your weak hand is insane 😳

[@asiatic1979]

By far, my favorite series from you!

[@cadecrusader3940]

Thanks Jonny!

[@puerrogrande]

Amazing video!

[@gotwobag7876]

🏀👋🏀👋happy Monday!

[@williamliddell7981]

The left handed shot would use the right side of his brain. Small detail. Good video! 😊

[@bleedingcrystal4722]

Imagine being so good at something that you get so bored at the highest level that you choose to amuse yourself by playing with a handicap.

[@PiGuy007]

To me, Larry Legend is the GREATEST trash talker of all time. Anyone can talk about someone’s mom, wife, dad, etc. But to have the balls to tell your opponent what you’re gonna do and go out and do it…while the other team is helpless to stop you, that’s on another level.

[@futurefox635]

It's an objective fact that he is the greatest trash talker in north american sports history.

[@billhorstkamp98]

@@futurefox635yes sir

[@alejanoelallen1952]

🏀

[@yoitsSmitty2004]

Folks forget how *NASTY* Larry was

[@billhorstkamp98]

It was horrible rooting for the Lakers when you were playing Bird!! It’s sad to hear some people today saying Larry couldn’t be that good. He couldn’t jump and he was slow. Larry legend was one of the best basketball players I’ve ever seen. He was a great rebounder . A great passing big man. One of the best shooters ever, especially during clutch moments. This man play a whole game shooting nothing but left-handed and killed the competition. One of the top five players of all time.

[@nenadlazarevic9492]

In summer of 79. Bird injured his finger on right hand (index finger I think) . Because he was hiding injury from Boston mangment, he practice whole summer shoot with left hand

[@Kreontas]

Legend

[@insanusmaximus2857]

This team won 67 games, and they were bored halfway through the season. If they'd really thought about it, they should have gone for 70 wins, but nobody even cared about that at the time.

[@shaft9000]

@8:14 "No, he did not play the entire game with his left hand." So ..... _he removed it at some point, somehow - and the camera missed it??_

[@RoChede]

You know... Sometimes is very hard for me to say MJ was a better player than Bird. (specially considering Bird gave MJ nightmares, and Air was the first one to admit that). Bird was such a perfect player and he had those "intangibles" that you cannot put in numbers, like he knew something nobody does about the way to win. I understand why Magic said Jordan was the most amazing player he ever saw, but Bird was the only player he FEARED.

[@fatboy5926]

At the start of the video but yeah from memory - I believe if Bird shot a jumper he was using right hand - anything else in the paint around the basket he was using the left? I think

[@MarkLaw13]

Someone that a shot for every time Jonny says "Left Hand"

[@Rodanguirus]

Retired Wilt Chamberlain and UCLA's hoops team shutting out Magic Johnson in a pickup game during/around Magic's rookie year. Who knows how verifiable this is, since it's a 45-year-old pickup game.

[@jeortiz-luis4288]

mchale was already starting this year as they got rid of cornbread in the offseason

[@celtics17banners84]

I don’t care what anyone says. This is the real GOAT to me

[@jaron312]

Top 7 best I can do

[@jrr3787]

Top 2. No one is close to Wilt. @@jaron312

[@d.columbia9603]

He isn't my Goat, but he earned the right to be in the conversation. So if he is yours, then more power to you

[@jubjubhenry5612]

@@jaron312yeah I’d say anyone in the top 10 has a goat claim so looks like we’re good

[@ktapreswreckd921v9]

I valiantly disagree. Michael Jordan was a better player than Larry. Larry is one of the greatest players ever! There's no debate about that. However Michael was a better player. He was a better scorer than Larry. Michael was also a better defender and a better ball handler. Michael, I remember could handle the ball better than Ervin Johnson. Michael was also a better athlete and took better care of himself than Larry did. Michael is also a six time champion, while Larry is a three time champion. The main advantage that Larry had over Michael was that he rebounded like a center. Averaging ten for the entirety of his career.

[@theharknetts]

4:38 it would actually be the right side of the brain, but the point is still well made

[@smoceany9478]

i trust bird, he seems the most trustworthy about the stories he tells

[@camaradiop3731]

2:23 Muhammad Ali! He said he was saving his other hand for Joe Frazier!!!!

[@ATroubledGreensLibrary]

🎉❤

[@redhorsepapi]

That's GOAT sh*t right there

[@merovechthe1st]

Just another reason why he was called "Larry Legend" years before he retired

[@amrwalid04]

A 45 pts triple double with 10 FGs made with ur weak hand is ridiculous ngl

[@thebigone6071]

There was this one time I broke my right hand playing football and tbh there were a few weeks there when I dominated the hard wood with only my left hand

[@TwentyGrand]

Ultimate rockets 🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀 I know it's coming soon I can feel it

[@paquitocauli5229]

man, im waiting for that one too!

[@arthurxavier3515]

Just started the video, I really hope it is true because it's one of my favorite stories hahaha

[@_will795]

4:35 funny enough the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and the right side controls the left side

[@cheap272]

Holy shit guys he can finish with both hands put him top 5

[@ShniitSchneyder]

noice!

[@williamcorliss3664]

Just wanna help the video

[@joemamma137]

There was a 7 game disparity between total games played by each team?

[@bigpharmasports9120]

Here's the thing about bird that i think people dont understand, and why he is deserving of being amongst the top dogs of the GOAT conversation. Bird is one of the very few trash talkers who could actually back up this trash talk even more than his claims. He could still be the GOAT no matter the handicap placed on him. With other stars there is always controversy. "Did Jordan really have the flu? was he faking it? maybe?....as far as handicaps enforced, Jordan and Wilt came close when they voluntarily played point guard and jordan chose to shoot a couple free throws with his eyes closed. But bird? shooting an entire game left handed and scoring over 40 points doing so? You just dont see this with any other player. And theres no controversy there, there is video evidence leaving no doubt. "Which one of yours coming in second during the three point shoot out? BOOM, wins the shootout in his freaking warm up jacket. I mean the man literally played the game as a handicap for half his career when you consider the state of his spine in the ninties. Just unreal. You really have to take the mamba mentality and combine it with jordans fundamental and execution to come close to Birds totality of play.

[@dbrav727]

But what was the ratio of left to right handed shots before he abandoned the left close to the end of regulation?

[@ruddiato]

Talk about kobe bryant and his left hand situation as well, please

[@ericfurst6091]

Larry Bird was probably the most skilled player.

[@ianmason2003]

Jordan playing 36 holes of golf while drinking then playing a basketball game as discussed by Jeremy roenick

[@jeortiz-luis4288]

BEST FORWARD EVER.

[@Shahlo-lk8gm]

Cold tiger 75

[@MrReese]

2:53 Did the Celtics really have 7 less played games at that point?? How does that happen? 4:33 Doesn't the left side of the brain operate the opposite side of the body?

[@codyeble6764]

There is something that you don't know about me, I am not left-handed....

[@jonnyarnett]

Inconceivable!

[@Nazima-dy1id]

Intelligente door 84

[@MJIZZEL]

Do ths bird story where hes like "sorry for this butt whippin but i been eating hogdogs all day".

[@hernanbenitez2828]

He did already go thru his channel

[@user-cn8nu6lq4w]

Okay, but didn't Bird do this because he was saving his right hand for the Lakers? He did this often. He didn't do it for kicks.

[@billhorstkamp98]

You mean the right side of his brain. The right side of our brain controls the left side of our body and vice versa.

[@averyce2]

Can we please end the argument of Larry "Legend" Bird being in the GOAT conversation? Larry Bird is, and always will be, in the GOAT conservation!!

[@Davivd2]

A 45 point triple double in 1987 is like 70, 25, and 20 in 2024.

[@sh1nighami]

not really, pace of play was similar, so i think around 51 12 10

[@shaft9000]

Pace was high then as the Lakers scored 141 in 4 Qs on the same night. Pace was very similar to now on roughly 95 shots/game. It's closer to a 60/20/15 today, but point taken. If it had happened in 2002-2004, then you'd have been spot-on.

[@steveshin820]

In today's league he woulda easily got at least 10 more free throws and Larry was 90% free throw shooter so easily 9 more points minimum@@sh1nighami

[@xlamb7460]

Crazy

[@qizgina7858]

Cute dolphin 48

[@RobertoHernandez-bz2hh]

If you want to know how Larry Bird will domimate todays NBA think of Jokic but faster and with better defense.

[@Ali-bh6be]

❗ "promo sm"

[@user-fm1rb4pf5l]

Alive duck 94

[@sammiejuwon779]

This guy was a better scorer than LeBron. Prime vs Prime I might take Bird. Bron obviously has had the better career

[@alishermadina2237]

Dirty girl 70

[@azizbsapayev]

Cruel elk

[@markjackson6431]

Larry Joe Bird is better than Earvin “Magic” Johnson!

[@Hendrix.Robinson]

I think this video is kinda hatin and now I don’t look at that game the same lmaooo damn

[@nicholasbrown5970]

I love your videos, but i feel like ive heard all these stories before. I might consider keeping up with current basketball, but doing it with your style.

[@evanhayes5891]

It's the right side of the brain that controls the left hand.

[@juicethreetwo]

Bird is the word is the GOAT. 8-0 over Jordan in playoffs....

[@F1nalB0zz]

imagine lebron doing that?? triple single with double digit turnovers

[@diogosantos8645]

*right side of his brain

[@TheProtagonistDies]

if he were black he'd just be a good player...

[@recorz98]

Ok Kendrick Perkins we get it!

[@MarketaDoesCxrn]

Bird is overrated