How an Unathletic White Guy Dominated the NBA

Dive into the legendary career of Larry Bird, the iconic Boston Celtics forward who redefined basketball in the 1980s! This comprehensive documentary explores Bird's journey from Indiana to the NBA, showcasing his unmatched skills, rivalry with Magic Johnson, three NBA championships, and his impact on the game.
Featuring exclusive interviews with basketball legends, rare footage of Bird's greatest moments on the court, and insights into his leadership style and work ethic, this documentary is a must-watch for any basketball enthusiast.
Witness Bird's incredible shooting ability, clutch performances, and intense competitiveness that made him a true sports icon. From his college days at Indiana State to becoming a Celtics legend, Bird's story is one of perseverance, passion, and basketball brilliance.
Don't miss out on this in-depth look at Larry Bird's legacy and why he remains one of the greatest players in NBA history. Subscribe now for more documentaries on basketball legends and unforgettable moments in sports history!

[@okgood8529]

He had amazing hand-eye coordination for a big man. That's athletic talent.

[@tomdemay6147]

height is too which allowed him to bang down low and was very good rebounder.

[@lukekiefer5964]

He had incredible hand-eye coordination for anyone.

[@dennisdezarn5895]

Incredible depth perception and spatial awareness. Predernatural spatial awareness. Probably had extra sensory perception, as well. And mean as a snake. 🐍

[@Keviekev115]

Hard work. That simple. He was highly skilled and had the confidence needed to execute those skills. Lukas doing the same now

[@gedezarx]

lol what?

[@Keviekev115]

@@gedezarx luka is deff 2.0.

[@courtney-rw8ch]

you have small brain. Larry had big brain lol

[@calmlittlebuddy3721]

Except Bird was in better shape than everyone else on the court. He would consistently run guys up and down the court until they were gassed and he was just getting started. Luka is great but dude was huffing with 4 min to go all finals.

[@tomdemay6147]

@@calmlittlebuddy3721 well Bird better than Luke for multiple reasons. Also much better on defense. But the OP comparison is good offensively. You don't have to be super athletic to succeed on offense if you have great shooting skills and fundamentals and the confidence to do it.

[@17thNO]

That 1986 Celtics squad was ridiculous. Larry Bird such a beast and great player. One of my favorite players ever, mainly because he always came to play.

[@linusromey561]

Incorrect. Larry never came to play, he ALWAYS came to WIN.

[@rduse4125]

NBA MVP voting in the 1980s 1980 - Kareem, Dr. J, Gervin, Bird (rookie oty) 1981 - Dr. J, Bird 1982 - Moses, Bird 1983 - Moses, Bird 1984 - Bird 1985 - Bird 1986 - Bird 1987 - Magic, Jordan, Bird 1988 - Jordan, Bird 1989 - out due to injury

[@cyrillyons1531]

That is the phrase. "The NBA's Ultimate Competitor"! With my limited exposure to players from b4 the 80's, I can only comment from my opinion. Kobe & MJ were definitely 🔥 on the same page. As far as work ethic, training, etc., I struggle to come up with any other names aside from those 3 men. There are so many categories. For example, in my opinion, Bill Russell was best player to play with the most honor & integrity while winning so much of the time. I don't care that his competition was underrated except for The Stilt. Most exciting with dunking, V. Carter, Blake & a hand full more. But as far as surpassing what the media thought & exceeding your genetics, Mr. Bird 🐦 is close to the top, if not The Top, to exceed his potential! Thank you very much for the content!

[@davidcallaham60]

Bird greatest ever!!!🏆🏆🏀🏀🏆🏆🏀

[@mishcav]

These two legendary players spurred the beginning of the explosion of worldwide popularity for the NBA. The interesting thing is that we are seeing a similar parallel now in the female counterpart league WNBA...All it takes is a couple of dynamic ultra skilled winning players to spark the explosion 💥

[@stirka13]

Were you out of breath on that 10:42 "rebuild"?😆

[@handconstructed]

19:10 that is a crazy image

[@pallmall3930]

While still an active player, ESPN was calling him "Larry Legend" the last couple years of his career when showing Celtics highlights........still none to this day have acquired such a moniker. Legend indeed!!!!!!!

[@Bruhdaughhh]

History repeats itself with Luka Doncic at the new unathletic white guy taking over the league.

[@Dretinho]

It means Athletic mean shit if doesn't have IQ clutch winner mentally, sacrifice for the team and so on ....

[@Amick44]

And Jokic isn't half as athletic or Larry or Luka.

[@gabrielwalley5183]

I think we over value the athletic abilities of basketball players, at the end of the day the goal of the game is to put the ball in the basket

[@jeanniewalla5647]

What do you mean kinda weird , he was the Master , the best of all time

[@phil8165]

Bird and Mcale were the two baddest white brothers in the world. They dominated everyone they went up against.

[@henrysteel4049]

There is no GOAT. ONLY the Holy Trinity of basketball.

[@MikeHunt-fo3ow]

being a super freak athlete isnt necessary in a sport that requires skills.....sprinter need to be.......mj was both skilled and a freak as was lebron and the underated clyde drexler

[@conceptualclarity]

Not true that Larry Bird had no athletic ability. Larry Bird was a 6-10 1/2 double-digit rebounder who played center in college and power forward his first 6 years in the league but dribbled behind his back and moved on the court like a shooting guard. His vertical leap was higher than that of Dennis Rodman.

[@jbizz80]

He wasn't unathletic.

[@rduse4125]

1978/79 season record (without Bird) 29/53 1979/80 season record (Bird Rookie) 61/21 - (Same basic roster - no McHale or Parish) Compared to Magic and the Lakers: 1978/79 season record (w/o Magic) 47/35 1979/80 season record (with Magic) 60/22 - (Playing with MVP Kareem)

[@julianthesmooshyhusky8976]

Larry spent 24 days at Indiana university, not Indiana State

[@gritilazz_3478]

stop putting so much emphasis on unathleticism, compared to the average joe larry bird is superhuman, and im being serious.

[@ahnguyen1]

there is a difference btw athleticism and skills. some average joe who is 5'7' have 40" vertical leap, but they are not skilled at shooting, and passing

[@gritilazz_3478]

@@ahnguyen1 yes i agree, bird is one of the most skilled athletes in all of basketball, but hes still an elite athlete overall. People tend to undermine his athleticism by saying how skilled he was. No one in the history of the National Basketball Association was ever "unathletic" like just think about how silly that sounds. That was more or less my main point.

[@swishcountyproductions]

Subscribe while you're here:)

[@gregoryyarbrough7765]

The fact that y'all got Michael Jordan picture up there saying that Larry Bird dominated Michael Jordan when Larry Bird said that Michael Jordan was God in the boys uniform. Oh my God. I probably just hurt your feelings with that one, but in the interview that's what Larry Bird said out of his own mouth. So to say that he dominated Jordan. The man literally said I ain't never seen nobody play like him before. Yeah, I think he's the greatest in the world. Yeah, I think he's the greatest to ever play"

[@gregoryyarbrough7765]

And then out of Larry's own mall. The man literally said he used to play basketball with the black guys at the church. Wow! They were cleaning the church. After service he'd go out back and play basketball. This is all the Larry Bird's own mouth, but I guess

[@fouraztecas6342]

N now its luka n jokic

[@henrysteel4049]

Larry Birds father..... Maybe did the most unselfish thing a human being can do....??

[@kb5509]

How do you work that out?

[@henrysteel4049]

He knew he was holding his son back. If he was gone He may excel...? I know... Little backwards. But what do we know.

[@brianbelden2449]

Larry's lack of athleticism and inability to jump are criminally over stated. He was no LeBron James, Kobe or Jordan but he was Gomer Pile with just a genius basketball IQ either.

[@fouraztecas6342]

Jordan never beat bird in the playoffs...

[@magic3383]

Is this comment section on crack? All of this Luka praise when the actual best player in the world is easily Jokic.

[@kb5509]

Lukas being praised because he's the closest comparison to Larry.

[@magic3383]

@@kb5509 is Luka that much closer to Larry than Joker is though?

[@kb5509]

@@magic3383 yes. Absolutely.

[@jasongibbs3713]

​@magic3383 neither one is really that close honestly

[@kb5509]

@@jasongibbs3713 of course he is. How is he not?

[@poindextertunes]

I like the Larry Bird/Luka Doncic comparison. Definitely Bird had the better defense but I also feel Luka is underrated on defense and probably has better handles than Larry

[@MikeHunt-fo3ow]

dont get butthurt about the word unathletic.compared to nba players not us civillians........magic was wouldnt win many jumping contests or running races....unless he had a ball

[@wilbursmith7627]

Max... still talking his race sπit after all these years... pitiful!!!

[@monsantonesbitt8886]

Magic won 5 titles magic beat him twice

[@kb5509]

Magic had better teammates and wasn't majorly injured for half his career.

[@jeanniewalla5647]

What do you mean kinda weird , he was the Master , the best of all time