How provoking Larry Bird can really go wrong

[@randywissler9923]

Pat Riley said it best when he said, "if I had to choose a player to save a game, I'd pick Michael Jordan, if I had to choose a player to save my life, I'd pick Larry Bird"!!

[@johnkoziol7425]

I just gave someone a GREAT, BIG, HUMONGOUS, "thumb's up" for a quote he put as a comment pertaining to what Charles Barkley said about Larry Bird since I thought that that quote was one of the greatest all-time sports quotes I ever heard about a player. This one is right up there too. Therefore, the quote you put for a comment gets a GREAT, BIG, HUMONGOUS "thumb's up" too!!!

[@SuperDawgDaddy]

Bird shooting percentage.496 Jordan shooting percentage .497 Pat Riley can choose whoever he wants, but, I’ll take Jordan and his record 10 scoring titles.

[@jeffelkins1905]

@@SuperDawgDaddy I'll take bird ,,and he owned mj when they played each other,and that is a fact, now Jordan fans will say it's team game, but they never say that when Jordan won like my beat Barkley,Clyde,the Knicks,Detroit,but when it came to Bird he got OWNED

[@SuperDawgDaddy]

Arthur the Infidel fuck you too. My opinion.

[@SuperDawgDaddy]

Jeff Elkins I understand you like Bird. But no one owned Jordan.

[@jaydee5447]

“Larry Bird is so good it’s frightening.” - Magic Johnson

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

From Drive (and has been quoted elsewhere as well): "Of all the people I play against, the only one I truly FEAR -- or worry about -- is Larry Bird. Whenever we play Boston, it's always in the back of my mind that no matter what the game situation is Larry Bird can come back and beat us. And it doesn't have to be with points either." (obviously a reference to kzbin.info/www/bejne/jH_Te4t6hdOEiqc )

[@BraceDeville]

I know I'm going to sound old when I say this but basketball was a privilege to watch in the 80's and 90's.

[@panzerlambert1194]

A hell of a lot better than todays shitty product. Same for football

[@davidlipman8093]

I agree! Moving in the 3 point line took away the low post play. Teams just take turns launching 3's now!

[@markiebrummett559]

@@davidlipman8093 i for one would like to have the removal of the line. however, it seems like the nba wants teams launching 4's eventually

[@ScottDusty]

Even the best defensive teams in the league aren’t close to the defenses played in the 80’s and 90’s.

[@ScottDusty]

Soon teams are gonna have 3 30pt scorers on a team some of these scores this year are ridiculous I think they should bring back hand checking

[@nathanc5621]

"Larry Bird can't run or jump because that was God's way of keeping things fair." -Charles Barkley

[@jamesyoder31]

Probably the very best statement . I agree 100%

[@ermannosorricchiodivalfort4905]

probably the wisest words to ever come out of chuck's mouth

[@johnkoziol7425]

One of the all-time great sports quotes about a player, by far, bar none! You get a GREAT, BIG, HUMONGOUS "thumbs up" for putting it as a comment. (Plus, though I am a die-hard Celtics fan I always did like Charles Barkley.)

[@ermannosorricchiodivalfort4905]

@@johnkoziol7425yes plenty of respect for Sir Charles, none of that for the sixers tho ehehehehehe

[@BladeRunner-td8be]

I love Charles Barkley. He's such a clown but not a clown. He says what he thinks, regardless of repercussions, and he's usually correct.

[@sevenrats]

Larry Bird was one of the toughest athletes in any sport ever.

[@kristalmacleod3215]

@M Soccer is NOT exciting like basketball = END of Story'

[@jpgduff]

@M No such thing as 'soccer'. It's football 😉

[@sitarnut]

I hear ya Bro., and I agree, but don't forget Bobby Orr, the Legend as well.

[@eastbostonbeast8884]

Brings tears to my eyes being from Boston and remembering the HEART and FIGHT The Legend showed that night! Larry is the GOAT!

[@davidlipman8093]

Hondo, the great John Havlicek said if he'd known Larry Bird was coming, he would have played longer.

[@seanpeters6568]

He is the goat

[@twolak1972]

And always will be. That night when he came back out I watched the game with my Dad and when the crowd roared when they saw Larry Dad just smiled and said I,d hate to be the Pacers right now, I said what do you mean dad they're up by nine and Dad just said NOT FOR LONG, The shooting exhibition Bird put on that night is the greatest I,ve ever seen by any NBA player. NEITHER JORDAN , MAGIC , KAREEM, HAKEEM OR WILT could have shot any better. The pain level he played with had to be off the charts yet he never gave up till the buzzer. GOAT IF I EVER SAW ONE.

[@CALVINLNIKONT]

@@twolak1972 I watched that game and the roar of the crowd when Larry returned to the game was unbelievable!!! You knew something special was about to happen!

[@cronictraveler4257]

This is an example why Bird is called.... "Larry Legend"

[@nobrega]

Man. I always get goosebumps when i hear/watch the crowd when bird comes back in the court. That was the time when the guys played for the fans and team. For me one of the best moments in sport, all sports. Amazing!

[@CALVINLNIKONT]

Right! That's exactly how I remember it!

[@johnhansen7499]

Might be one of the most heroic things I had ever seen in a basketball game. Everybody in Boston at the time knew Larry's back was bad. I watched him from his rooky year until he retired. He was the man!

[@josephbuono5487]

Before Brady ... There was Larry

[@cobes11]

Rajon Rondo playing with one arm in 2011 during the playoff was the most inspiring thing I have seen on the basketball court.

[@johnhansen7499]

He hit his head so hard on the parquet floor, his head bounced! Then the momentum had shifted, we were going to lose. Then Larry comes out and plays like a man on a mission! The game face he had was intense! I just remember back then that all things come to an end and soon Larry wouldn't play anymore, and that made me injoy the game even more.

[@johnhansen7499]

@@cobes11 ...that was awesome as well, but I'd have to give Larry coming back after hitting his head like that and a bad back above Rondo's game.

[@smswaff1]

The Boston Fans were the envy of the League! You can see it in their faces in these videos. Unreal era!

[@leoderosia9279]

Bird was probably toughest player ever. Super clutch, great team player ....Celtic fan

[@CoreyT127]

Bird could barely walk and had a broken face and still lit his ass up!

[@cynthiaweathers6979]

Indeed he did! That was freaking awesome 😍

[@patrickj.7887]

I still cringe when I see Larry hit his face on the parquet, he came in tough and he went out tough! Like Magic said: "there will never, never, never, be another Larry Bird"!

[@wayneedward7391]

To be great u don't expect average and besides mj he probably the next guy u didn't taught his drive and iq was just above alot of the other great players

[@cosmo1eleven855]

And there will probably be another Luka Doncic either, the guy's only 20 and putting up MVP numbers.

[@mattconnors9419]

I always get goosebumps whenever Marv says "Here comes Larry Bird!!!"

[@allenmoses110]

Larry never gave up. He taught us all that day the meaning of the words "character, perseverance, courage".

[@noneyabizz8337]

As good as he was, dude was playing with an utterly broken body.

[@zoominnboomin]

Too bad he ruined his back shoveling.

[@papa-ql3xb]

And still managed to decide the course of that series! Amazing.

[@KClouisville]

@Lorenzo James That's true....guy was already a multi-millionaire at the time...but is out there paving the driveway at the house he bought for his mom.

[@danielc.8875]

Like Larry always said. He was a hick from French Lick. I think he could have afforded to hire someone to shovel his driveway though, lol.

[@FuttBuckerson]

I just learned that he shattered his knuckle before the draft and the doctor said he would never be the same player and might not play again. Larry Bird himself says his shot was never as good as it was prior to shattering his knuckle. So...the legend we saw was not as good as Bird actually was before the accident. IMAGINE THAT ONE LOL. Bird could have been better...

[@matts446]

I don't care what anyone says. Bird was the greatest ever. If I could pick any player in NBA history I would probably take Bird in 1987.

[@matthewhansen9423]

Bird 84-86

[@AJ........]

I have to agree. It seems like we aren't allowed to pick Bird over Jordan, but I don't care. I saw both of them in their prime and I think Bird was the better player and the league was tougher when Bird was in his prime. Jordan never won anything till Celtics, Lakers, Sixers, Pistons etc were past their prime.

[@jasoncall3731]

Adam Jeffery It's hard to take anything away from Jordan. Somebody said he and Bill Russell are the two great champions. 6-0 in NBA finals series not likely to be seen again. Having said that, in an all-time draft I'm picking Bird #1 overall, and it's an easy decision.

[@jamesmilligan4592]

Not OVER Jordan in 91 or Magic in 80

[@newerafrican]

In '87 Bird's back was already broken. Early Bird (pre-'86) was a MONSTER.

[@johnway1019]

Greatest Small Forward to ever play the game. That fraud in LA wearing #23 would have quit and never come back out.

[@craigcode7103]

Larry Bird had a hockey player's mentality.

[@richardlstern9840]

Sean it's time to trim that beard.

[@chrisatkinson4295]

Have read that during the warm up when he would look into the rafters he was looking at Bobby Orr's retired number 4

[@canondocre8650]

Damn, he broke his eye socket that game and still destroyed everyone.

[@JonSmith-hk1bq]

The eye socket just provided a welcome distraction from the intense pain from his back. I'm only half-joking about that...

[@lainiwakura4678]

@@JonSmith-hk1bq Yep, dude is a necromonger... one pain lessens another

[@zeppelinmexicano]

I just cringe. Broken orbital bone and the man got up, brushed himself off, went out and won the game. Damn. This is why I say that Larry is greater to me than Tom. Tom has done a lot for sure, and this is not to put down Tom and the many many injuries he has had that we hardly heard about, but Larry, damn, something weird about that man, just like Bobby Orr without the skates.

[@bobloblaw2958]

Mary Sloppins The man is Legend

[@intotheabyssoftheunknown4479]

And broken cheek bone...never mind the blown discs in his lower back! His balls made up for all of that!

[@seamurda100]

Larry Bird was a tough SOB.

[@theopiner402]

Bird is the greatest small forward ever, no other had, or has, his wide range of skills and toughness.

[@papa-ql3xb]

Amen! There have been many great small forwards, but Bird, without having speed, was able to decide the course of many games. He was the quintessential clutch player, more so than almost any other! There were others who could do it, but Larry Joe did it ALL THE TIME!!!

[@TheIcemanthomas]

Greatest is arguable. Try as u might, bron is formidable when it come to accomplishment. U cant deny the resume. Skills have nothing to do with by the greatest. Now being the best is about skill. He may be the best (even. better than bron), but the greatest is arguable.

[@livegun5572]

tell that to bronsexuals haha. bird is far better than their King

[@lainiwakura4678]

@@TheIcemanthomas Of course it's debatable. It's close. Anyone pretending otherwise is being facetious. I do have Bird ahead of him, and even in a virtual tie with Magic at #2 overall.

[@umac76]

@@lainiwakura4678 Magic played point guard, not small forward.

[@steveholman5978]

Bird was undoubtedly the greatest player I've ever watched. Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and many others were great players, but I never saw one player who had the skills and the determination of Bird.

[@johnpaulmcdonnell1188]

Did you see Pistol Pete, not old enough to have see him but people say he was most skillful player ever. But also the biggest underachiever.

[@vickihiggins7054]

Well said. I totally agree. Bird lived and breathed basketball. He practiced and practiced until when that basketball left his finger tips it was like the ball had wings and knew right where to go. Nothing but net!

[@mwj9080]

I'm by no means a Celtics fan, but Larry Legend is DEFINITELY one of my favorite players of all time. #salutetogreatness 🔥🔥🔥

[@greense65]

Lakers fan from back in the day, and I'll second that!

[@TheStimie]

Yo I'm from philly and I third that shit definition of grit and heart.

[@greense65]

@@TheStimie You're clearly from Philly from the first word of your comment.

[@kdonovan221]

Knick fan respects Bird

[@swampgator1957]

Basketball is not the same since then days, it's all about show boating!!!

[@EvolvepilatesAu]

Glad you made a video on this game. I still think it is one of the most understated moments of greatness in NBA history. Not only dealing with crippling back pain Bird was knocked out! Like proper and fractured his eye socket / cheek bone!!! 🤯😮😮.. these days you wouldn't even be allowed to step back on the court and probably 💯 of the players these days wouldn't and couldn't. Then he goes on to Win the f'in game! You have to watch the whole game to really appreciate it.

[@waxman68cards19]

I watched that game and thought it was over till Larry came back out! Bird dominated and had so much resilience unmatched by all!

[@tdavenport3387]

Now that is legendary ...

[@matthewyip8695]

There is no other "Bird".. even MJ states Kobe copied all his moves. Bird was beyond stats , the intangibles are not measurable.

[@tdavenport3387]

Good So there's no comparisons...L Bird

[@MasterKeyMagic]

bird > lechoke Bird played threw a broken back. all it took to take lebronze out was a broken AC or JJ Barea.

[@edcor2578]

🤣🤣🤣🤣.. This is so funny

[@papa-ql3xb]

Lebron will never be the total "player" that Larry was. As Kareem says, he was the smartest player, as well as having phenomenal skills and toughness! MY favorite of all time (and I'm a Knicks fan - no, don't pity me.) He and Magic brought sooo much to the game!

[@relaxstaycalm1906]

or jason terry

[@canondocre8650]

He played twice with a broken eye socket too.

[@bronxbully6261]

I always tell people Larry bird is better than lebron

[@MicDread]

I watched that game, Bird is the Word.

[@MicDread]

its hard to watch these player this day ,, I try but not interesting as it was

[@JoeCnNd]

I remember getting in trouble watching that game saying "Oh shit" as a kid, but my dad said "Oh shit's right" when Bird came back.

[@tdavenport3387]

@@MicDread facts ...

[@SuperHeliboy]

I remember seeing that game and everyone was aware that they were watching something that would be talked about forever.

[@AntalopeAUT]

Larry "The royally stubborn Terminator" Bird Still an absolute unit and benchmark .

[@jbkmjl]

32 points for each, 43 minutes for Person, 33 minutes for Bird

[@kmusic160]

Bird's back was hurting at least three years...In the late 80s...Toughest guy in NBA history...Don't even know how he got so far into the seasons.

[@mprattyh3]

That shot, where he makes the three fake passes and buries a three, will be etched into my memory forever🐦🐦

[@phoule76]

In my memory, it was 6-pointer!

[@Vikashar]

That was next level shit

[@kenthunter6850]

You mean that shot he got in the locker room... the greatest shot of the game. Pain killers are a wonderful thing - lol!

[@TheMimetolithman]

@@kenthunter6850 kent and what are you implying he had a broken face u asshole'

[@TheMimetolithman]

@@kenthunter6850 jealous POS.

[@tormentedbones]

Larry Bird has to be the whitest black guy to ever play the game. Damn he was savage! Might be the best all around player ever!

[@jessesoldan7813]

He's like the white the Bryant Gumbel.

[@ivorysteele]

You idiot bird is just bird. White or black. Damn u stupid

[@williamoftexas1489]

He's white. Not black at all. He's just a badass baller.

[@Amick44]

@@ivorysteele All for conversation. That's all I'm sure..

[@karaokeentertaintment8197]

So is John Stockton the most blackest white point guard ever?

[@rustyburchfield6526]

I remember watching this game. I'm pretty sure the crowd was chanting "Larry! "Larry!" before he even came back out. Almost as if they willed him to get better. The cheap shot to his back by Person raged me pretty good. I was ready to fight after that.

[@zoominnboomin]

How much wood could a wood chuck chuck, if a wood chuck could chuck wood? Not as much as Larry Bird.

[@Lymbe06]

👏

[@benjaminlappin2711]

Larry bird out Chucked Chuck Norris. Take your weak wood and send it to Texas.

[@dipaculao1960]

The players of the opposing team would have said "oh shit, we are dead" when Bird returned.

[@cryptozoomauler5505]

I saw Chuck Person give him a bit of a cheap shot to his back there...just motivated Bird even more...

[@my8osprive]

@@cryptozoomauler5505 Considering he knew about Larry's back problem, I'd say it's more than 'a bit' and downright flagrant.

[@mike77514]

Great video. I saw that game live on TV. It was so dramatic. This was an old broken man standing his ground. Just make a Bird channel already;)

[@mprattyh3]

I was watching that game too!! It was so cool seeing Larry showing Chuck that, even with a ruined back, he couldn't carry Larry Legend's jock

[@goodfella2400]

Michael Scruton was this an afternoon or a night game?

[@southsideman4891]

I wish i understood and knew what was going on then, i would have hung on every second. I was a fan of Reggie but didnt know why they kept talking about the "old white" guy. Would have saw it 100% different.

[@mocancer8485]

Goodfella It was an evening game..i remember that game as well at age 9

[@jugghead-1975]

Will never 4get when Larry B came back on the floor ! You could feel it in the air AT HOME EVEN , byrd man was not gonna be denied that night ! Chills thinking about it again ! Thx for the upload my man ... nice !

[@jamesfarnarkler]

That faceplant would've had a fair percentage of today's players out for 3 games.

[@johnshepherd9849]

Really appreciate you for having the discipline to allow the footage to roll and tell the story instead of over talking it. A great skill of which not many YT channel hosts can boast. Really enjoyed the post. Best2U.

[@michaelcalles1124]

Mental and physical toughness beyond anything that anyone could or would want to endure. The Bird Man from French Lick does it again!

[@R-L-I]

*breaks eye socket and then returns to the game? We’ll never see that again, Larry Bird=GOAT!

[@jeffelkins1905]

When people say James is better than bird, I just laugh.

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

I don't - overall it's pretty close. But it's a little like Wilt vs Russell - do you want the TEAM WINNER or the STATS MONSTER (though that's not entirely fair to Lebron).

[@jasoncall3731]

Brad Heilman You're free to comment here, but there might be ramifications for the negative.

[@jeffelkins1905]

@@jasoncall3731 he just saying what Candace Owens says and she is right ,lbj talks about a lot of things that he is totally clueless about because he is a brainwashed fool, and he is to scared to go on Candaces show cause he knows she she has facts, but he will go talk to don lemon, or that racist who use to work at ESPN can't remember her name. Democrats only care about 1 thing and that is your vote . like Lara ingram said shut up and dribble.

[@SuperDawgDaddy]

You find the truth funny?

[@aidenburgess9537]

Bird's my favourite player but James is the best SF ever

[@staceyhorton228]

Remember this game!! Remember Larry coming out of the locker room & being grateful he was ok!!! He wasn't just ok. He was on fire!!! There was a feathered bird loose in Boston Garden also. Was an awesome sign!!! Remember Person being an ass blocking Bird in the back as he back peddled down the court. Always had no love for him since then!!! Cheap shots get you nowhere!!!!!

[@dominickbadial5980]

larry gave his soul to the game

[@armandorodriguez6447]

Man I remember this like yesterday.....thanks for showing for those that didn’t know

[@elbowgang9715]

Larry Bird might've been the most skilled player ever

[@alecsanderhamilton9224]

Lebron

[@cameronnebraska6049]

It was Kobe.. Bird 2nd now Bron i think is 2nd. As far as skill. Bron can hit the 3 now... Still struggles at post game but its pretty close. Kobe was better than both of them offensively and defensively. That's why Kobe is Larry's favorite. U can look that up on here. N I loved Bird. Still my fav 3 of all time. N im only 39.

[@TheIcemanthomas]

@@cameronnebraska6049 bird was more skilled than kobe bud. Footwork and scoring just as versatile, but twice as efficient. Better passer, rebounder, all around shooter, and was a solid defender.

[@l510l]

@@TheIcemanthomas who cares anymore they are both old and retired focus on now

[@portman69001]

Bird was the smartest and had the best anticipation. His basketball IQ was off the charts....he may not have been the most athletic but his smarts and determination were above all and anything today.

[@INKYBG888]

I watched that game. When Bird came out of that tunnel--it was like 'oh shit' and it happened.

[@treborrobert5674]

when the rifle got the silencer treatment LEGEND

[@kingeliii9011]

If I was headed to the NBA Finals, just give me Larry Bird, and I don't give a damn who you pick.

[@deemann123]

I wish someone would ask Bird what load management is

[@thepunditspundit1776]

dee m Bird takes care of his load management about 2-3 times a day...probably more now that he is in his 60s, but he needs laxatives

[@lainiwakura4678]

I believe you'd get punched in the mouth.

[@curtisdavies585]

I remember bird saying in the mid-80s if you weren't ready to play all 48 you weren't ready to play.

[@busterschannel4794]

Not ejaculating to fast.

[@curtisdavies585]

@@busterschannel4794 That's gold!

[@mattwatts33]

Thanks for showing all the Bird love man. Your videos are great!

[@zoominnboomin]

Seven slimy snakes slid slowly southward. And larry bird assassinated each one.

[@artiet5982]

I subscribed bc of this video. I was a little kid when this series was happening, but great to be able to watch this narration here. What a time in hoops history

[@johnnyc4738]

It's not old-school if it's all-time, my man. I was under the impression that everyone had heard... Bird is the word.😆 Great video!

[@J34xalpha_KING]

Larry Bird = PHENOMENAL!!

[@catherinelynnfraser2001]

Bird was a phoenix

[@muttsimpson]

What a great game. I would have loved to be able to have watched him play. I think the drive that Bird had is what’s missing in today’s game.

[@FazGaming]

Totally agree. I think they are overpayed. Not saying they are bad players or being disrespectful, I think it's the system they are in. There's not much real value in winning.

[@nakedhombre]

Hey Sean, this is a very important video and you did it very well thank you for condensing this down into a form that I could digest. Please don’t lose your enthusiasm for video presentation because you do it very well you are an excellent spokesperson and artist.

[@DenisLarochellejr]

Right on all counts... And the dude's got a great voice too. As for Bird, well... All of us old enough to have seen him play know we will never see his like again.

[@gsx7r]

Was this the game he fractured his cheek bone? Pretty sure it was, still came back out and dominated. Gutsiest player in the history of the game

[@alcoholfree6381]

Great Larry Bird story. He was my favorite player of all time, above all others. He was relatively slow but his range of play is incomparable. LIVE LIFE ALCOHOL FREE!!!!

[@nickpeluso7511]

Stars played on Christmas? No load management back then.

[@timthompson8297]

That was the good old days. I miss them.

[@ralphmilleriii9957]

I know guys that played in that era puke at the thought of "load management"

[@jugghead-1975]

Lol ... I know that's right!!

[@seanfelder3286]

Larry Bird was assassion

[@jabassin1719]

Just found this channel about 3 days ago and this is an amazing channel idea you have here.

[@mletrout7942]

I love basketball and it’s personality as much today as I did 40 years ago, which is to say I love it unconditionally, and the one distinction I will argue is that the game’s most entertaining, dramatic, and intriguing decade was about 1984-1993 ...It was, I think, a golden, mythical age of giants.

[@gonaddabarbarian]

Larry Bird once dove for the ball before it went out of bounds, while in mid-air he spun his body around and took the shot from across the court scoring the winning shot in the last .01 sec of the game.

[@ronlawrence342]

I remember this game well. When I saw him slam his head into the floor it looked like they were going to haul him off to the hospital for a concussion . When you realized at this point he was way past his prime, had a bummmed back and just got knocked coo coo it’s really impressive that he rose to that level in that fame . He had more impressive games on points and assists but this was by far the most amazing performance given his injuries . I think for shooting , passes , just shooting anywhere with both hands he was the best I’ve ever seen. Over all doing it all I think I still have to give the greatest player to Jordan. Bird just couldn’t jump and run on that level.

[@KC-eq3rt]

I love, love Larry Bird, the best in the business........EVER!!!

[@mharm1017]

Bird coming back onto the court in the second half has few comparisons in bball. Maybe Willis Reed limping back onto the court in the 1970 finals against the Lakers or perhaps Michael Jordan sweating out the flu in the 1997 finals against the Jazz. Interesting how physical adversity in the playoffs defines the mettle of the great ones and the absolute adoration of the fans.

[@Paul-gn6nc]

I always wonder how great Larry Bird would have been looked at if Len Bias was alive and Bird retires in 88. We wouldn’t have had these legendary stories from the end of his career but he would’ve had three championships in eight years.or possibly even more.

[@macewbee]

Na he admitted to bill Simmons that he still would of retired it would of been chef and Kevin.

[@mprattyh3]

@@macewbee Bird didn't end up retiring in '88. He saying if he did retire that year we wouldn't have these classic Bird moments from the tail end of his legendary career

[@zoominnboomin]

Ugh. LEN. Dont do cocaine folks. Even if u love the smell of it.

[@jackson5781]

Paul Larry would have won more titles. Then walked away on his own accord

[@chesterpritchett4867]

If bias would have played jordan wouldn't have won at all

[@jamescress]

I was in the USMC from 74 to 78 and stationed in southern California. I already knew that when I went home to Indiana I wanted to go to school to become a teacher and had decided that I was going to Indiana State University. About 2 weeks before I was discharged I happened to pick up a sports illustrated magazine and there was a picture of Larry Bird on the front cover with 2 cheerleaders sitting on the floor in front of him. My thoughts then were "who in the hell is this guy?" At that time Larry was just a sophomore. Well I soon found out who was! To make this story even more astounding I later found out that one of those cheerleaders was from my home town and high school. Those years at ISU were some of the best years of my life. Every home game was absolutely packed and the whole town was just crazy. My wife and I still go to at least one ISU game a year and always have a good time when we do. Semper Fi everyone!

[@pbandj37]

I grew up in Indianapolis and my dad had season tickets to the Pacers...I remember my heart dropping as Bird came back out and Chris Ford looked like he had just won the lottery. We knew it was over. .That 1991 series was brutal for us, but I'd watch the Pacers lose this series all over again over the crap we see today.

[@stugg]

At least it was an actual legendary Indiana native son that put your Pacers down.

[@robertswift6101]

a bad back,,a broken or fractured cheek bone,when celtic fans needed larry bird he delivered every time,,,,just an all out baller on the court with a will to win...a true legend of the game.

[@WilliamTwinHyson]

Great Video Brother !!! Never Underestimate Larry The Legend. Definitely in the Top 3 of all time Best NBA players.

[@newerafrican]

That game, and Bird's gutty performance was truly "Legendary". Larry could out-shoot you, out-rebound you, out-hustle you, out-pass you or simply out-tough you. Whatever it took.

[@oldmanballer5088]

You should’ve found the footage where Larry told the trainer to get him something because the trainer told him he couldn’t play and when the trainer turned his back Larry jogged out of the locker room and onto the court. Why would you forget to mention Larry did all that when he came back into the game with a broken bone in his face?

[@twen7yseven]

Every time I think I've heard all the epic sports stories.. I come across another! Thanks for sharing, awesome video

[@andyh4518]

Larry Bird - stone cold assassin with a ridiculous mustache.

[@jimalford6359]

Agree saw that game and I remember it well! Thank for sharing Jim

[@phoule76]

do you think there's a photo somewhere with Bird, Rodman, and Person on a banana boat?

[@papa-ql3xb]

I think they'd kill each other before you could get the picture snapped!

[@crazydumb]

David Hammond it would have to be

[@chippledon1]

Looks like you got a sports shrine going on in the background! I like it.

[@FazGaming]

How mentally and physically tough Larry was. Just unbelievable. I think athletes these days are simply soft like butter in comparison.

[@FazGaming]

@Martha Sviniard haha yeh that and sit out games with cramps.

[@BayouGhost]

And that's why he's in the HOF!

[@zeph317]

Larry FREAKING Legend! Wow!

[@Sy357]

I love your videos!!! So different from most! Very well thought-out and put together.

[@papa-ql3xb]

That is the baddest white boy to EVER play the game! And, not to many of the other guys were badder, either. Tougher mentality does not exist, and he was pretty rugged physically, too.

[@matics28]

Mam stfu about colour lol, that shit has nothing to do with him, the person, the human being.

[@papa-ql3xb]

Matics, I am NOT dissing anybody about color. If you listen to any of the players from that era, they will ALL tell you he was a bad-ass white boy. NO disrespect intended to any person of any color, my friend! It's all about the game!!

[@sirmi9868]

Watching this game live must have been a rollercoaster of emotions.i need this game complete

[@edcor2578]

35 yrs old Bird playing with a 75yrs body refusing to give up and went out to prove who the GOAT really was. I always ask my friends this question, would have MJ done the same with all the injuries Bird played half of his carrer? I ask BTM and anyone here the same question.

[@AnoNymous-ek1wr]

Hmmmm...MJ is the GOAT to me personally. But, your question has some validity. It never happened so, we will never know. I'd say that if MJ had the back issues that Bird had, he likely wouldn't have been as effective as he was bc alot of his game was predicated on athleticism. Or, he would have had to evolve his game completely. Both were ultimate competitors. I think Mike would have adapted his game...how successful he would have been can only be speculated on.

[@edcor2578]

@@AnoNymous-ek1wr Bird's Dr said that very few people could hold pain like Bird. So I think that Bird was kind of special. I personally put him above all for the reasons that they said that he could'nt jump he was slow and was not athletic and he put up all those numbers and winning 3 chips in a sport that was definitely dominated by black athletes. That's my humble opinion of course.

[@AnoNymous-ek1wr]

@@edcor2578 It could easily be argued that he was the most skilled player. Pistol Pete could be in that discussion too. Imagine if he'd had a 3 point line! Bird is definitely one of the greatest to ever do it. No doubt. I'd take prime Larry over prime LeBron any day.

[@DRTYFN]

Unlike MJ, Bird never had to take a year off to play baseball to avoid a lifetime ban for gambling on games. Bird > MJ

[@tybuzz67]

@@AnoNymous-ek1wr MJ couldn't adapt while the legends were still playing, only when the legends were spent, old, broken, retired that is when MJ and Bulls shone. Me wonder why MJ is considered THE goat when competition wasn't as stiff when Bulls finally got rings. All legends were all time greats, no one stood out. My two cents.

[@garymcaleer6112]

Great post, Sean. Athletic heroism at its best. Much like King David who always took on the most fierce opponents to spare his men until they said, "Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel." Merry Christmas, 2021!

[@robertphilip6649]

Larry Joe Bird is the GOAT... Yeah I said this!!!

[@frankr8458]

I only wish you added that not only did he have a broken orbital but he also had a concussion and the team physician told him in the locker room he was done and did the best he could Larry agreed until the physician turned his back and he grabbed his warm-up jacket and the rest is history!

[@capricorn1116]

Rifle man going bird hunting😂😂😂

[@Guide1089]

Bird, still in the trainer's room getting stretched, iced, anything to help ease the pain is told by trainer " Sorry, Larry. You're done for the day" Larry is drinking a beer to help, by the way. He agrees with the trainer, "Yeah, I'm done.". Trainer turns his head, Larry gets up and heads for the court. Your video shows what happened next. Larry Legend, at the tail-end of his career, pulls off another victory in the playoffs! He was special. Watched all these clips before but it's always fun to watch how hard they played back then. Thanks, Sean.

[@Josh-dp4iv]

Larry bird in my opinion was one of the greatest of all time..

[@word67]

I was in the Boston Garden for that game. It was so physical -- you could feel it. The blows Bird took from Person were brutal, but Bird was above everything that day. The Old Boston Garden concentrated the energy too in those days. It wasn't luxurious but it was so intimate that every thing that happened on the court was felt in the stands and everything Celts fans did was felt by the players. Great memory thanks.

[@jondubb35]

Chuck Person was a footnote. Larry Bird wrote the damn book.

[@jondubb35]

grodhagen I agree. My point was, is Person was nowhere near the level of Bird. But yes, Chuck was a very good player for a long time and was fun to watch.

[@DavidHamilton33]

Great video. Love those battles, back in the day. Person was a force... but nothing quite like Larry Legend... thanks for this.

[@localneo-graphic4647]

2:35 "A strong drive encourages the defense to sag towards the basket!" This quote makes me hate modern NBA more than I already do.

[@davidrosensin7985]

out of legitimate curiosity, why?

[@davidrosensin7985]

@@tspawn35 Got you, I haven't watched much basketball since the mid 90's when I was a kid. I guess all the non-hockey sports are moving further and further away from good technical prowess huh?

[@JakeStine]

@@tspawn35 Thank you, yes. The NBA sold its soul to the 1-on-1 triple-thread guard game, by making it nearly impossible to guard against drives and allowing players to scoop-palm the ball every other dribble, and three steps (by rule!) and four (by practical refs!) to drive through the paint like a running back barreling down the line of scrimmage. And if a defender tries to come over to help, they pick up a foul even if they have good position and arms up. In the old days you only drove through the paint if you had the actual space to do so. Now days, to "create space" by launching yourself off defenders like a pinball off the paddles. It's no wonder everyone just clears out and let the dunks rain.

[@robertrodz5115]

I'm from Texas,but raised in a little town called Overton,Nevada (we were Wayne Newton's neighbors and that's the place where Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee filmed their "honeymoon"😬 ... We also farmed in Riverton,Utah and once I had a fresh vegetables stand outside our warehouse, cause we raised and sold radishes, green onions, parsley, acorn squash etc etc we raised in our farm, and back in the early 80s ,I was a kid, q dude stop by kinda late and I was tired so I told him he could grab whatever he wanted for free .... Well that dude turned out to be Mr LARRY H MILLER ,owner of the Utah Jazz , and since then, till around the early 80s when the winter Olympics were in town , I held season tickets and all access pass for free and Mr Miller had all the fresh grown vegetables he could eat, I had no idea who he was, til some of his workers told me who he was and I almost fainted , I just knew he was Mr Larry 😬 I was just an ignorant farm boy back then ....and I had the honor of meeting , I can honestly say, almost every player from that era, and now I'm disabled, relocated to Mexico, and I still have a whole bunch of autographed basketballs, game worn jearseys , headbands, tennis shoes etc etc from all the Jazz team, and just about every top star and hall of famer from that era !!