“I Am The Guy Who Is Going To Hit The Shot” - An Uncut Interview From Larry Bird's Final NBA Season

[@NBA]

Drop your favorite quote below ⬇️ Let us know if you want more of these interviews!

[@jimv.laskowski8718]

Dr J.

[@dutchtea8354]

Can’t get enough of Larry Bird!

[@dnahar]

Yes. Only a small bit of this was used in Larry Bird: A Basketball Legend which I had the VHS of. I would love to see Magic’s interview from Always Showtime, Jordan from Come Fly With Me, Barkley from Sir Charles, etc. Great to see these finally posted.

[@llcurrythompsonxdiamondfac25]

Nice 🔥

[@robinmahan8814]

More please!

[@CLNS_Nick]

Very very very rare. I’ve seen about everything on Larry bird but never seen this interview in its entirety. Thank you for releasing, NBA!

[@thenbagreatteller1855]

You’d lose your mind if you knew just how much stuff they’ve been hiding

[@mus31]

Gelso!

[@Angelkingonzalez]

Very very very very.

[@steveanders3086]

Prepare to play 48 minutes not the new nba

[@jamesbell5739]

There was clips from this interview on a Larry bird documentary from 1991

[@KevinRogers-c4r]

I grew up in the small town of Rosedale, Indiana (population 750). Rosedale is located 13 miles north of Terre Haute, IN where Indiana State University is located. In 1978 I was 7 years old. One hot summer day, I asked my Grandpa for some change so I could go to the store and get me a soda pop from the pop machine located in front of the Hickman’s IGA grocery store. To my surprise my grandpa reached in his pocket and gave me a quarter. I grabbed the quarter, put it in my pocket and jumped on my bike and headed the two blocks to the store. I got to the store, parked my bike and put the kickstand down. I reached in my pocket and grabbed the quarter. Just as I was about to insert quarter into the machine I dropped it and it rolled behind the machine into a parking lot drain pipe. As I was behind the machine trying to fish the quarter out I heard a car with a loud muffler pull up to the machine. I was getting mad because I couldn’t reach the quarter and I knew grandpa wasn’t going to give me another one. I was about to cry and cussing under my breath. I heard a voice say “What’s going on boy”. As I looked up I saw this tall man with blond bushy hair with a baseball cap on. His head was peaking over the top corner of the machine. I had never seen such a giant. I stood up thinking I was going to get in trouble for cussing. I walked around the machine and I finally figured out who this giant was. It was Larry Bird. He asked me what I was doing back there so I told him. He reached in his pocket and asked me what kind of pop I wanted. I said Coke please sir. He bought two Cokes and handed me one. I said thanks and he just looked at me and said you’re welcome but you better not be cussing anymore. He got into his car and drove off. Nobody else saw this happen. When I got back to grandpa’s house I told him what happened. I don’t think he really believed me because as a young boy I could tell some stories. I sat on the porch with my grandpa and drank my Coke. I still have the can to this day.

[@paulprigge1209]

That’s one of the sweetest things. Thank you

[@Gregory-sm9pf]

That's a great story and brings back memories for me, a quarter for a Coca Cola from the soda machine, not joking when I say this dude, but you should call Coca Cola's corporate office and tell them this story, it would make for a great retro commercial, because I wouldn't be surprised that if either you could or Coca Cola could contact Bird and tell him your story I bet he would remember it, he's got a really sharp mind, go for it, you've got nothing to lose

[@chocolatetownforever7537]

If true, and I have no reason to be hater, that was one of the coolest stories ive ever seen in 12 years on KZbin. Have you ever wanted to meet Larry one more time and ask if he remembered that day? I know celebs live crazy lives and meet insane amounts of people so they probably forget some events, but I honestly think id remember this story no matter who I was, especially when I was just an average dude. Thanks for sharing this story btw, it was a great one.

[@alanharper4478]

Great story.x

[@janyshendrickson3833]

Love that story. Good on you for keeping the Coke bottle, exactly like what I would have done👍

[@bwdelisle]

Fantastic! “There will never ever ever be another Larry Bird” - Magic Johnson

[@Jbf-76]

Bird is seriously legendary.. I was a witness. Every story is true. One of the best 5 players I’ve ever seen. You can put Birds peak up against any player who ever played and it holds up. He was that great.

[@sas6561]

AMEN Jbf!!!

[@polyscroll]

Yes, he was GREAT!

[@staz8999]

I’d like to preface this by saying that I played basketball in NYC in an all black high school and got my nick name from the brothers playing at The Cage and at Rucker Park. We were all trying to emulate what Larry bird was doing on the playground and it was impossible for us. However, I remember hearing what Pat Riley said, “If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game, I’d choose Michael Jordan, but if I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life, I’d take Larry Bird."

[@chocolatetownforever7537]

As a child and Sixers fan in the 80s, I hated the Celtics and Larry Bird. Decades later, after learning what the game of basketball was really about and how the game is played, Larry Bird is my favorite player of all time, and its not even close.

[@Amick44]

Larry makes it sound so simple, but breaks it down so well.

[@ballbreathtaker9773]

The biggest figure in NBA history. Character, mind, determination, talent, vision, discipline, bravery, loyalty, integrity , unpretentiousness, honesty, humility, toughness and generosity. God bless him!

[@maxcorder2211]

Wilt, too. A great player. Larger than life, of course. Both of them.

[@bornresaabe]

Larry Legend - The most under-appreciated goat of basketball.

[@stephenfletcher1579]

I don't think he was underappreciated at all. He was a legend then, and he will always be known as Larry Legend. You may win against his team, but you won't stop Bird from scoring, passing, rebounding, and getting assist and steals. Like him or not, to be honest, anyone would druther have him playing for them,than against them.

[@daneromancrane]

I’m a huge Laker fan but how do you not love Larry Bird? Legend.

[@DeborahBuffington]

I'm a huge Larry fan but how do you not love Magic

[@iamtheteapot7405]

Bro is in my top 5

[@iamtheteapot7405]

​@user-uw7yb3vc5v Who said they don't love Magic? Bird was better though 🤷‍♂️

[@shandaman7243]

As a Celtics fan how can you not love Magic? 2 absolute legends

[@DeborahBuffington]

@@iamtheteapot7405 those two go hand in hand.Larry had everything Magic had and the outside shot.just an all around player. If he could have just stayed healthy. In my previous comment just giving Magic props. I love watching Magic play too. Larry will always be my favorite player all time.

[@MrAitraining]

of course Larry remembers portland beating them at boston garden in 1986. The only home game they lost that year. 40-1 at home for an NBA team is just mind blowing.

[@mattwatts33]

50-1 including the playoffs

[@wloonie]

@@jonstangerjazz9188 OK, a couple of inaccuracies... The first playoff game in 1986 was a 49-points game by MJ, the second was the 63-points one. After the second one they started doubling him and kept him to only 19 in the game three. Also, the first time NBA used 2-3-2 was really 1949, then 1953-55. It was chosen as a de-facto finals format in 1985. There were some less standard formats in the past, such as 1-1-1-1-1-1-1 in 1956 and 1971; also 1-2-2-1-1 in 1975 and 1978.

[@AdamPaul2222]

THE TRUE GOAT

[@Brian-pu8we]

Such a wonderful time to be a Celtics fan for Larry's entire career. They dominated the city. We lived to be there in person and I was fortunate to know Don Quinn, manager of the box office. Thank you Don for the memories.

[@fr.larryyoung4222]

With what he did for Indiana State and the Celtics turning them into winning teams, he is an ideal player to build a team around. HIs infectious hard work and team play wins games. I rate Larry Legend as the greatest basketball player of all time.

[@Amick44]

Maybe the most down ro earth superstar in ANY sport. And I say this after hearing his comment about where he grew up.

[@whiteraven3753]

What a joy to have such a conversation with Larry - He is definitely the adult in any room he enters, and is always freshly focused... Thanks for a great introduction to a great player and a great man...

[@jeffrey3498]

Larry is the genius of common sense.

[@KevinRogers-c4r]

I see what you did there 🤙🏼

[@BangkokStationFood]

Thank you for releasing this. I miss those times when NBA stars speak plainly about the game in proper sentences. Larry recognizes the talent of everyone in the league, past and present. Best part is him paying tribute to his teammates and talking about playing through injury/pain because he and the team wanted to win every time. “We lost because we played like a bunch of sissies….In the NBA, we’re there to win.”

[@infiniteuniverse9528]

Bird was absolutely ruthless as any of his opponents would attest. But he also had unbelievable ball skills and the highest basketball IQ I've ever seen. Bird could read the floor and anticipate the action, which more than made up for his so-called lack of athletic ability.

[@chocolatetownforever7537]

Smartest basketball player of all time, bar NONE.

[@mikemontgomery7337]

My favorite player of all time. Im fortunate enough to be his age and got to watch his entire career !!

[@patkauwoh6794]

Amazing! His MVPs meant nothing to him. But! His team! Involving everyone! Championships! The City of Boston fans! He's Humble yet confident! Larry Bird! (Swoosh) And it counts!!

[@VinylSpotlight77]

Hes the best basketball player

[@Benvillle]

Larry Legend!

[@kawaiiafangirl]

I always love hearing a guy like Larry Bird talk bc he's a straight-shooter (pardon the pun) and relatively humble to the point that it's almost as if he's unaware of how good he is.

[@Kingepticon]

He’s just a straight shooter with upper management written all over him.

[@jasonmorgan4685]

Great guy.

[@TruthHurts58]

This is the greatest interview I’ve seen with a superstar. No BS with Larry. He tells it like it is. He even deflects praise and credits others, complete opposite of Jordan and Magic in interviews.

[@daveytandtheplacetobe7561]

fantastic questions...I am really impressed with this interview!

[@gswguy4554]

One thing Larry got wrong in this interview is when he said “ 10 years down the road there is going to be someone better, faster and bigger than me.” Regarding his imprint on the game….. 33 years after this interview….Im not thinking it ever happened…. Nobody is like Larry…. IMO it’s either him or Michael as the 🐐…. When God made Larry Bird … he threw away the mold. 🤔

[@jbkmjl]

Luka is the closest maybe LeBron but he's a Choker and an a hole

[@bAkra60]

Bird was being modest.

[@b_renden7]

@@jbkmjlhow is he a choker? Lol

[@jbkmjl]

@brendencerillo9751 4-6 in finals and should be 2-8 but Ray Allen & Kyrie saved him

[@b_renden7]

@@jbkmjl you know nothing about basketball if that’s how you look at it lol you could make the same argument for almost all the greats.

[@smoothALOE]

I’m guessing he gave this interview during about the time he was recovering from the injuries in his heels. I know he didn’t like talking to the media much, so if he wasn’t able to play, I could see him making an exception under those circumstances.

[@johnmcnally6851]

Best basketball interview ever ! Larry gives other players their due and respect, he is among the all time greats no matter what metric you use but is modest enough to defer any talk of a "GOAT" as not worth even discussing. Every era produces candidates.

[@llcurrythompsonxdiamondfac25]

Much Respect 🫡 #33

[@martinhanley9524]

Great player and coach and team executive -

[@ChosenWon]

Great interview

[@NagelLisa]

I grew up in Kokomo, Indiana. I wasn't into NBA basketball until I saw his mix tape in December of 2023. I remembered him as a little kid but got lost in life to follow him until now. I'm totally mesmerized and addicted to him. I'm grateful for this interview.

[@robinmahan8814]

Players can learn from this interview.

[@landman6333]

Wow, soft spoken guy but very inspirational. Team player that respected his team and teammates.

[@DeborahBuffington]

Yes more interviews please especially Larry bird. This was great! It's always awesome to to see what other people really think. Thanks

[@SC-lb2hl]

Straight killer. Just like mj and Kobe.

[@dgen77]

This is what a LEGEND sounds like

[@joecocozzella7018]

Wow. Amazing upload. Thanks for this. And I thought I had seen EVERY Bird clip! Wrong!

[@mjhowar33]

Amazing! Exactly what a middle aged basketball fan from Europe (who never got access to NBA material during the 80s and early 90s) dreams of.... grown up, archive footage that nourishes the soul as well as the brain.

[@relentlesszard8166]

Who was sitting on this and said, yknow the people don't want to watch this...... LARRY LEGEND!!!

[@mellowrock555]

LB is a great passer because he is unselfish but still put up the numbers

[@jknephew]

Gotta hand it to Larry for being so patient with this guy. He had to be frustrated trying to follow this guy but came across as a true gentleman. Larry legend.

[@tylersouthcott3359]

Larry is so lowkey funny 😂 his matter of fact style it’s such a dry humor

[@chocolatetownforever7537]

Its the icing on the cake for an all time great player, isnt it? Had Larry been a city boy, or some rich kid growing up, he still would have been great, but the country boy, small town persona that WAS Larry Bird? It took his legend to a whole other level.

[@Amick44]

Great to see his appreciation for Walton. Almost unfair to have him as 6th man. Imagine a young Walton as the starting center!

[@chocolatetownforever7537]

Still admire the Chief recalling the story of Bill Walton coming up to him after he came to Boston to reassure Robert that he was the team's center, and was only there to help get wins and come off the bench. Yes, Bill had major injuries previous to that which caused him to lose a lil bit, but still, its Bill Walton, who was a better player than Parish for YEARS. He didnt have to be gracious there and say ANYTHING to Chief, yet he did because it was the right thing to do. You could see Robert REALLY appreciated it to by how he recalled the story. Love Bill for that as well.

[@ElizabethAldrich-bb1ot]

Wow! I watched Bird’s games on TV despite living in Boston. Couldn’t afford a ticket. And I still remember how exciting it was, every second of every game. Always waiting for something special and never disappointed! Thank you, Larry, and the 80’s Celtics!

[@bigglilwayne7050]

DJ is the most underrated player in NBA history....

[@billct657]

Utterly Clutch…

[@VinylSpotlight77]

We were in 7th grade at a golf course and we had super big gulps in our hands and bird says “ u guys thirsty or what ?”

[@libertypastor1307]

Seen snippets from this interview in the past. Almost left this in the first three minutes to search for the complete interview only to finally notice that it was almost an hour long interview! Listened to the whole thing!! Thanks for the upload!

[@Topg0333]

He’s so straightforward you can’t help but respect it

[@The_English_Pels_Fan]

For those who know, I remember watching these clips on NBA videos! 🏀🇬🇧

[@yehor_ivanov]

a large-scale intellectual and one of the best ever to have stepped on the court, no cap

[@keithandrew2705]

He's the greatest ever. He never changes from his dominant old school ways.😊

[@abhinandannandan3863]

Thank you for this

[@sonjanewstrom6228]

Even though he left the NBA long ago,it is still great to see him playing or in any interview. His legacy lives on!

[@ChicagoTRS]

Love the question regarding "reputation that you are a guy who talks a lot on the court"...you could see the gleam in his eye when he denies being a talker lol 25:08

[@dutchtea8354]

You can see that same gleam later in the interview when he said he loved telling his opponents what he was going to do, and then doing it.

[@robinmahan8814]

😅

[@JamesHughes-i8e]

Larry Legend

[@curtisgrindahl446]

Teams drafted TWO point guards BEFORE Steph Curry was drafted at 7. Sometimes players surprise us. Larry is a GREAT player. They both are driven to be the best. Love them both. And don't forget, Steph is the ONLY unanimous MVP and he has four rings...

[@phill8005]

Great interviewer, great questions. Of course, Larry was great.

[@АндрейКондратьев-д4л]

TRUE GOAT

[@backbayfred5409]

I like how he has a photographic memory of the games that he had played in and remembered the strategy that they used to win the game.

[@thelonious-dx9vi]

Yup, Larry, that's exactly what they mean when they call you a throwback. Exactly. Legend.

[@maxcorder2211]

Jack Nicklaus says he remembers every shot he took in the Major tournaments. Bird might remember every shot he made or missed in all the Championship series.

[@stangoff184]

Me too! But I am biased. Him and Magic brought the game back to life.

[@KristalMacleod]

mY favoriTE -Larry Legend .

[@sunriseeternity300]

As great of a bball mind as we will ever see.

[@MrOctober44]

Thanks for posting this!

[@MyDyerMaker]

It was so much fun to watch basketball in that era. I don't even know if basketball is on tv anymore.

[@stephenreiner1523]

I wanted to just take one afternoon and talk with Larry. Not just about basketball but about life in general.

[@unboxedcharacter]

I’d pick Larry Legend over LeBron any day

[@haychiekang4539]

No one asked dipshit

[@H0VA]

@@haychiekang4539 Bird craps all over Lebron he is right. Deal with it lebronsexual.

[@NewNormalWorldOrder]

Every smart basketball fan would!

[@lgw3721]

All day, every day. No question.

[@padraiglocke8844]

Greatest player ever , The only player I’d bet the house on to win the game under pressure!!!

[@acceptti1]

This is good stuff guys!

[@Topg0333]

Best job I seen interviewing him

[@Topg0333]

usually mfs interviewing him act mad nervous w this fake laugh when interviewing him but this mf was on point. Good job

[@MonkRX]

NBA, please - nobody thought twice that this was uploaded at the wrong aspect ratio?

[@sneddsnedd]

The skit from Nick kroll about larry bird is the best lol

[@PeopleLoveShorts]

I bet Magic, MJ and alll NBA greats are watching this right now...

[@mattwatts33]

Can’t believe nba has had this in the vault for 35 years. Don’t hold this content from us! 😆

[@thepunditspundit1776]

You going to be there, you might as well win the game. Good lord, that’s the ultimate rarity now

[@Dwitwitty]

Larry Bird! Probably LBJ will be the GOAT in SF coz of consistency and longevity but Prime to Prime both at 28-30 y.o. I'd pick Larry anyday.

[@Gregory-sm9pf]

Larry is quite the character, about five minutes into the interview the anchor asked Bird if he did a lot of talking out there, trying to get into the players head and his answer was no, I never do that, thats the opposing players saying that then about at the 40 minute mark Bird says how he gets a thrill when he tells whos covering him that he's getting the ball and going to hit the game winner, wait a minute Larry, you said at the beginning of this interview you never talked trash, LOL! GOTTA LOVE LARRY LEGEND!

[@angeljamais8541]

...if you can back it up, it ain't trash talk but truth talk, LOL!!!!!

[@Gregory-sm9pf]

@@angeljamais8541 That is so true, so in other words Bird always spoke the truth

[@lwdfn7479]

Interesting to hear Larry Bird’s comments about “practice” in light of Alan Iverson’s famous comments about “practice.” I suspect they were both on the same page. Sometimes, for whatever reason, you might need a day off. Too bad Iverson got off on a tangent about it. Larry knew how to keep it low key.

[@Primenumber19]

Bird, Magic, Duncan and Jordan are the Mount Rushmore of NBA mindsets and leadership.

[@jordandwiggins1026]

I feel like Bill Russell has to be on there, though it’s hard to say who should be removed

[@trhansen3244]

Duncan? Really? No. Kareem before Duncan. Wilt. Russell. West. Baylor. Dr J. I mean come on, man!

[@Primenumber19]

@@trhansen3244 you mean the guy with five rings for a team that never won one before him, 15 all defense, 15 all nba, 15 all stars? The guy people literally study and write books about because of his leadership?

[@trhansen3244]

@@Primenumber19 That's right. A very talented player. But in no way should he be on the Mt Rushmore of the NBA. I would pick Robinson and the Iceman ahead of him.

[@Primenumber19]

@@trhansen3244 that is objectively insane.

[@MichaelCobbs]

The all time Celtics are the greatest. All around team.

[@libertypastor1307]

My favorite quote is his last statement: "But these people who work in factories, I think, deserve a lot more credit than me, it's just, uh, uh, unfortunate for them they just don't get paid the salaries we do."

[@Archie583]

Great interview.

[@newerafrican]

When Larry does an interview, you're gonna get it straight. No sugar.

[@glenmacgregor379]

Whoever did this interview did a first rate job.

[@KarlaElaine100]

Points make money, passes don’t. Wow! How true that is! The game was so much better when there was more passing!

[@galotorres8393]

Larry Bird The Real GOAT

[@PeggyBaker-e6i]

Yea Indiana State and Larry Bird.

[@bryankburrs]

Larry Bird, top 5 NBA players of all time … !!!

[@hgriff14]

My favorite thing about bird is how he always says he knew in his first exhibition games that he was going to cook the entire league 😂

[@MrGhanaboy16]

🐐

[@Jason-sp8xz]

LARRY LEGEND 🐐

[@SC-lb2hl]

At 42:00 I thinks he's talking specifically about Jordan

[@Rocker21344]

who tf is Hordan and what team did he play for in the 80s?

[@OsamaZynLaden23]

❤

[@jknephew]

The guy interviewing needs to pick up his confidence a bit. He keeps struggling his words like he’s not really sure of what he’s asking. Makes it harder to follow his thought process. Good show though.

[@wilsonpereira6581]

Seriously! 23:50 Why do you practice shooting the ball?