Larry Bird 49 pts vs. Suns (1988)

Larry Bird 49 pts, 12 rbs, 7 asts and hits clutch shots.

[@Marvhagler]

I grew up in the 80s and Bird by far was the best basketball player from the first year he came in until he had to leave because of injuries, Larry Bird is and was the G.O.A.T.

[@msmith5121]

absolutely agree!

[@mrho4speed]

Another display of why Bird was the best to ever play in the NBA. This game shows his ability to dominate the game in a variety of ways and will his team to victory. Dave Heeren's book "basketball abstract" is a statistical analysis of all the players in the NBA and selects Bird as the player of the decade (80"s) and the MVP for 4 years rather than 3. Based on numbers not emotion or fan base.

[@mcgo2836]

This is what a GOAT is all about. The whole package. I super enjoy watching his game, pure skill, nothing fancy, very effective. He made opponents looked neophytes.. seriously.

[@acornsucks2111]

At this stage of his career his ailing back left him with below average athleticism. He just used exceptional basketball skill and IQ.

[@georgestamatakis697]

He lacked one on one defense

[@goodfella2400]

Honestly, Jordan’s MVP in 1987-88 could have easily went to Larry Bird. And this is coming from a lifelong Chicagoan.

[@bryanburnap4537]

I appreciate that kind of respect coming from a rival. Especially from Chicago where Mr Jordan takes a back seat to nobody !! Growing up I despised the Lakers and the Sixers and the Bulls Pistons etc... But I never talked shit about what guys like Magic and Dr J or MJ cause as a basketball fan you knew how great they were and that if they wore Celtic green I would love them. Your call on Larry's 1988 season was definitely on point. Averaged almost 30 a game and hitting buzzer beaters against the Bullets and the Mavericks and just doing Larry Bird stuff all year :)

[@brianjones6465]

Respect.

[@davemartino5997]

Should’ve went to Larry legend

[@surfdocer103]

As great as Jordan was, I would still take Larry Bird as my first choice. Building a team around him would be a pleasure.

[@hlf_coder6272]

I’m from New England and I say no way. MJ averaged 35 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks a game that year. Scoring champ, defensive player of the year, slam dunk champ and all star MVP. He actually led the entire league in steals, and led all guards in blocks. It’s one of the best seasons in NBA history in terms of individual accomplishments Larry is a legend, but 88 was all MJ. He earned that MVP

[@hammer18776]

This whole era argument needs to be put the rest! If he played today he would be doing all of the advanced workouts that they do today! Thus making his game even scarier!

[@twolak1972]

The thing about Bird is he KNEW he is the best ever, It just took his opponents a while to realize it. Always loved his attitude, after sinking a impossible shot he never pumped his chest or raised his arms going SEE, hed just walked back to the other side to start a new possession. Old school basketball at it's best. PUMP FAKES, UNREAL PASSING AND ALWAYS GOING TO THE OPEN MAN FOR THE SURE SHOT. LARRY WAS TEAM 1ST , LAST AND ALWAYS. LEGENDARY GOAT.

[@johnnyscarecrow3363]

WOW!!! His game is so beautiful it almost makes me emotional.

[@protectedsouls415]

Lol and Bird did this so nonchalantly to boot. one of most phenomenal talents basketball has ever seen!

[@RickDanner]

agree - . IN his prime to me he was the greatest ever , Jordan was the greatest for a longer time though

[@brianreed1859]

@@RickDanner - Jordan was the greatest in a watered down era. The 90's had some great players but they lacked certain disciplines that players had in the 80's. And part of that was teamwork. Too many individual players, not enough team players and remember basketball is a team sport and this is why you had fewer great teams in the 90's. Plus Bird had back issues due to his ridiculous hustle and diving after the ball. Skill vs skill Bird is better than Jordan. Jordan just became the go-to guy for the NBA, was severely hyped and became the most popular player ever. That doesn't equal GOAT but some people seem to think it does. Ridiculous

[@JakeStine]

The way games were ref'd were also changed to allow Jordan to flourish. It's really obvious in retrospect (watching youtube) that Jordan was allowed to travel and to charge through defenders because of his amazing athleticism. Refs clearly didn't know how to call it when the contact was being initiated in the ways Jordan initiated it. He would use defenders as proverbial launch and landing pads for his leaping. If a defender has good position but his outstretched arms come in contact with your KNEES, is it a foul on the defender, or on the shooter? The refs largely decided to favor the shooter in these cases. But to me, they look like blatant offensive charging fouls. It's little wonder flopping became a habit in the 90's. You had a better chance getting a ref to be on your side if you just fell out of the way, rather than trying to stand your ground and both get a foul and be the human mattress for Jordan to land on. You could call it the "Jordan defense." This was very different from other athletic players like Wilkins and Dr J, who would use their athletic leaping to swim through and avoid defenders rather than to mow over/through them. He was also getting away with 3 step drives to the hoop several times a game, and I haven't seen that happening for anyone else in any of the other games I've watched from 1981->1987. I also never see anyone scooping the ball while dribbling or crossing over prior to Jordan. Combined with the watering down of the league, which gave Jordan and extra +6-8 games a year against flimsy expansion teams in their 10 yrs (re)building processes -- yeah. Jordan had a lot working in his favor. And to be fair to Jordan, he always played his heart out and was also easily one of the league's top defenders too. But Wilt Chamberlain was not wrong at all when he said the league changed the rules to make it harder for him to score, and then changed the rules again to make it easier for Jordan to score.

[@davemartino5997]

@@brianreed1859 pat Riley said if I needed z last shot to win the game I’d choose Jordan if I need a lady shot to save my life I would choose Larry bird .

[@nonplayerzealot4]

Bird is like watching Magic. Some of their decisions in a split second are literally amusing they're so good. Anyone thinking you couldn't stick Bird in today's NBA is an idiot, pure and simple. It wasn't about his athleticism. That's all the kids see. It was his impeccable timing on everything, including the release of his shots. Bird and Magic both were smooth offensive players, they could get almost anything they wanted because of fundamental skill. That shit doesn't simply go away when you put them up against more athletic players.

[@djLagwayEnjoyer]

nonplayerzealot4 they just don’t understand. Larry Bird could drop 50 on you while taking 10 dribbles the whole game. He dribbled out of necessity, and when he did he went somewhere with it. His passes we’re incredible, and his shit was just so pure. I love watching his shooting highlights because when he gets in a one of those modes it’s literally hitting nothing but net. Watching him play is like watching poetry in motion.

[@conni70]

but Bird did have an attribute that made up for his lack of athleticism, and that was his height and size...he was 6'10 , and he could hit the outside shot...

[@Denis-cr4bs]

Nowadays a player has only to look at an opposing player the wrong way and he's called for a foul. It's not the rough and tumble game that it used to be. With no touching today, Bird would absolutely flourish no question.

[@vestmentofflesh]

He was very athletic in a unique way, he had some awkward movements too though. Possibly what led to some of his injuries later on.

[@majorkade]

@@vestmentofflesh up until 86 or 87, bird had lots of athletic moves. slower afterwards due to effects of playing hard.

[@ToddandRaquiForrest]

Can you imagine how many years Bird could have played with today's rules? Without being smashed, beaten and thrown to the ground multiple times each game, he'd still be playing today.

[@dhart8451]

Would not have mattered. Bird hurt his back after this season putting in a driveway for his mother. Stupid thing to do but that was Bird, blue collar all the way. No rule changes or anything else would have mattered, Once he hurt his back it was the beginning of the end. If he hadn't he certainly could have played more years at a very high level.

[@majorkade]

@@dhart8451 did it really happen like that?? last year my brother visited the Bird family home he built for his parents in French lick. probably walked on that driveway.

[@dhart8451]

@@majorkade Unfortunately yes. Not sure if it's the same house since this happened over 30 years ago and unless his mother remarried the house was built just for her His father took his own life when Bird was a kid.

[@MrAitraining]

Larry loved lighting it up on the road against west coast teams. He was probably like, well I'm only here once a year....

[@jordanlover23]

Look at the sequence from 1:57-2:02. Insane instinctive handles (from a 6'10" guy in the 80's, remember) and vision. Bird had some of the best hand-eye coordination ever.

[@jordanlover23]

Bird was defended by Nique, Worthy, Rodman, Grant, and Pippen (among others), all of whom were just as, if not more, athletic than basically anyone who'd be defending him today. He torched them all. Bird would dominate in any era.

[@MoveTowardsTheLight]

jordanlover23 Indeed!

[@MichaelSmith-or8kt]

Also Michael Cooper! Magic speculated that Coop was the greatest athlete in ANY sport.

[@davemartino5997]

Swept Jordan twice and a 23-11 record overall against him .

[@twolak1972]

MR CLUTCH ,EVERY GAME. GOAT NO QUESTION

[@guillaumea5527]

Basically, Bird was so dominant that he did what he wanted to do in this kind of game. 1st quarter : scoring; 2nd quarter : assisting teamates; hitting clutch shots, ... He just wanted to make some fun in those boring regular season games.

[@brianjones6465]

The GOAT of clutch. The GOAT period. Maybe the best shooter of all time from ANYWHERE, scored at will even against physical double teams(ask scottie and michael), score again insane athletes(put 60 on Dominique), fierce rebounder,, top 3 passer of of time, one of the best free throw shooters of all time (and he would live at the line in this era), maybe the toughest player in NBA history. He made everyone around him so much better. Modern training and diets, this dude would decimate today's NBA.

[@chadstoner5542]

i was at this game. it was awesome, met danny ainge and mchale.

[@newerafrican]

Wow, can’t a guy relate a cool experience without some jealousy popping up?

[@franksinatra1203]

Chad Stoner greatest ever periods

[@nebojsa1976]

I was at the same game when you met them. I saw you greeting them.

[@bryanburnap4537]

That is so cool ! Im a Celtics fan and from Boston. I can just imagine what it was like for cities like Phoenix, Portland, Seattle and every other NBA city in the 80's when Larry Bird and the rest of the Celtics came into town

[@kwabpad99]

Len Bias would've allowed the Celtics to sustain their success since it would've given them some much needed youth and athleticism while allowing Larry to play less minutes and extend his career.

[@majorkade]

instead, chose crack

[@josephakendrick529]

You're right. The death of Bias and Lewis shortened Bird's career.

[@chrispaschal7955]

Success? We're talking dynasty!

[@aaacomp1]

That's why they got reggie lewis towards the end, he was very helpful and bird made a ton of assists to him right under the basket.

[@davemartino5997]

@@majorkade bias never did crack

[@dkcocopun]

Best all around player in the NBA from 1982-1988 - Larry Bird. the only thing that stopped the streak - injuries. I was lucky enough to see him play, as I was in my 20's. I saw him in person, twice & he made it look easy, which of course, it isn't.

[@gogetter5137]

I'd say 81-88. Bird deserved that 81 Finals MVP Award. He almost averaged a triple double playing against the Rockets. But Maxwell averaged more points so he got it.

[@majorkade]

for eight or nine seasons, yes. remarkable.

[@davemartino5997]

@@gogetter5137 he did deserve the 81 finals MVP

[@MrJordannnn23]

god how i miss those days , low lighted courts , ball smell everywhere , sweaty - physical game , skilled players . Golden era for sure , now its only commercial and hops , money and trades , no loyalty at all just professionalism without feelings for ateam everybody plays . Those were the heroes players like Larry , Magic , Michael , Hakeem , Kareem , Pat , David and Timmy , Doctor and Moses , The run TMC , Stock and Karl etc... Thank u guys for learning what real basketball and heart is.

[@untexan]

In a little over a week Bird won the 3-point contest in Chicago, had a 39-17-10 game in San Antonio, beat Dallas with that classic pull-up 3, and finished off the run with this. He was on fire.

[@gogetter5137]

Awesome stat there! In his autobiography "Drive", Bird talked about how much he loved playing the post All-Star game "west coast" trips. His stats on those west coast runs year after year are pretty staggering! I think he loved playing away games more than playing in the Garden during the regular season because (like Ainge was quoted as saying) he needed those kind of challenges!

[@bryanburnap4537]

Love it !!

[@michaelevans386]

Bird could be hanging upside down in a tornado and still shoot nothing but nylon. The crowd always surprised when he missed.

[@chyoli6220]

Bird was very good at shooting when knocked off-balance. He didn't make all of those off-balance shots, but he made more than most players.

[@Joseluispm71]

A dominant player. Sometimes it looks like he is playing against kids.

[@airjones45]

especially since bird played out of the post a lot , he would be perfect in the smaller league today

[@ashland1977]

Longtime broadcaster Gil Santos and former Celtics star Bob Cousy calling the game for Boston. What a game this was.

[@davidholcomb9393]

Bird was one of those all time killers.

[@CoreyT127]

He scored 49 pts like 10 times in his career! And I've watched atleast 20 game highlights were he had 47, 48, or 49. Players today are aware and make sure they get to 50 now! As were in his highlights he doesn't force anything and makes no extra effort to get 1 more basket because he refuses to break the flow of the offense! All his stats came organically in the flow of the offense unlike LeBron were the offense has to go through him because he can't play off the ball as we saw in the 2011 final! Yes completely stuck if the offense isn't running 100% through him!

[@davemartino5997]

Bird didn’t care about personal stats he was all about the team and winning , something Jordan the ball hog and newer players only care about themselves when it comes down to it .

[@MerkinMuffly]

He also had to hit the FT to win the game, insane clutch.

[@aaacomp1]

Dude was a career 89% FT shooter. No sweat.

[@SDSOverfiend]

Bird was just as much as a MVP as Jordan was this year. Incredible how easy he makes basketball look.

[@Vergecurtis]

larry bird would have averaged 40 points in this era at his peak!

[@MerkinMuffly]

Wow, thank you for these games!

[@juju100000]

Larry Legend

[@ahmenpistachio]

Artis Gilmore, Robert Parish, Danny Ainge, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Dennis Johnson, what a lineup!

[@majorkade]

great, but aging and beat up

[@SS-th9wz]

Celtics - Phoenix connection in this game: DJ played for Suns in early 80s / Ainge would go on to play for Suns in 90s / Brad Lohaus went to Greenway HS in Phoenix, AZ.

[@davidcallaham60]

Best player to have ever played including before his era and today after his era ... the Number 1 of all time

[@BroomeBlocker4]

@mattc941 Your right guys are not as athletic today and defence is almost non existant, In today's league Larry Bird would be hitting hundred point games

[@MerkinMuffly]

@jordanlover23 The argument that Bird would be dominated by better athletes today is ridiculous. Phil Jackson(11 rings), said Rodman was the most athletic player he ever coached. Notice he didn't say Kobe, Gasol or LMAO, Artest with his 1 inch vertical. Darryl Griffin had a vertical leap of 48 inches, higher than any player currently in the NBA. Wilt could bench over 500 lbs in his late 40s, Dwight Howard's max bench press is 365 and he's in his 20s, don't give me this better athlete BS.

[@winangels2375]

lolol! Where in the world did you hear Wilt could bench over 500 pounds ever in his life, let alone in his late 40's? No 7 footer has ever benched over 500 pounds, period.

[@mehkibrown8637]

@@winangels2375 ikr

[@brianjones6465]

Darryl Griffin - Go Cards!!!!!

[@davemartino5997]

@@winangels2375 wilt claimed it dufus

[@toscodav]

Al McCoy probably came up with his catch phrase, "Zing goes the strings" after seeing Bird in this game.

[@IsaDRayM]

Larry Bird: The only player to average 30 points shoot 50%FG shoot 40%3pt shoot 90%FT in one season. He's as effective as it gets.

[@andyjohnson4496]

are you serious? Tim Duncan wouldn't even start on this team. Tim Duncan is the most overrated player aside from maybe Kobe of all time

[@chyoli6220]

IsaDRayM, at the time of your comment 6 years ago you were correct (almost, since Bird had a PPG of 29.93). Since then Stephen Curry, during the 2015-16 season, had a 50-40-90 season with a PPG average of more than 30. From Wikipedia: "Curry is the only player to average at least 30 points-per-game during a 50-40-90 season, with Bird narrowly missing the mark at 29.93 ppg during his second 50-40-90 season."

[@majorkade]

@trha2222 Duncan never shot threes, and I doubt ever scored 30 a game for a season. he was super in other ways, however.

[@JakeStine]

@trha2222 Dude, Duncan was about 40 shy of the "90" part of a 50-40-90.

[@davemartino5997]

Twice

[@bryanburnap4537]

I loved when Cousy would yell "yes" or "beautiful" And loved when Santos would say " that's a huney or Larry is smoking tonight :)

[@iTzeXile13]

Wow he's skinny and in very god shape. That year was actually his best year statistically(30ppg 10rpg 7apg) even though he was 32 yrs old.

[@majorkade]

32 back then is like 38 today. players today age better due to the care they get. they also don't do wild dives for balls. same in NFL. softer today, but smarter.

[@davemartino5997]

@@majorkade not so sure about all that

[@gavinothegreat5765]

bird best ever by far, jordan foul outa any game in 1st if reachings caleld and that is not including the travels

[@JakeStine]

^ truth. also offensive charging.

[@barrymorgan5104]

Notice how Bird had some of his most dominant statistical seasons AFTER he was hurt.

[@spitshinetommy3721]

"Pedestrian Bird? What the fuck is this LARRY BURD guy talking about? Bird averaged 30/9/6 in 87-88, it was one of his very best seasons, he finished 2nd to Jordan in the MVP race. This clown makes it sound like he had an off-year.

[@budjie58]

if Parish was in this game, Larry would have a triple double..Gilmore was just not as good as Parish on converting those assists by Bird.

[@scottcarroll9201]

Gilmore had hands of stone. It was so frustrating being a Celtic fan in 87-88. Bird was having his best year but Parish and McHale were getting older and Gilmore dropped so many Bird no-look passes that year it was sickening.

[@bryanburnap4537]

@@scottcarroll9201 throw in Marc Acres to the mix in 88 :) Yeah this wasnt the same Artis Gilmore from the old ABA

[@jasoncamp483]

0:06 Bob Cousy pretty much called it.

[@Bearcov]

@jordanlover23 exactly. guys today aren't allowed to play as physical defensively as guys in the late 80s early 90s so Bird would absolutely feast today.

[@victorquintana4018]

Imagine if he's a shoot-first guy..may average around 35 pts and 10 rebs!!!

[@9and7]

It would save us a lot of time arguing.

[@ohreally5610]

9and7 haha

[@libertypastor1307]

Wow! Has anyone ever scored three points in the last seconds of three out of four quarters in a game, including a two point shot with a foul to win the game? Has anyone else ever done that in NBA history, or even the whole history of basketball? Bird hits a three pointer at the end of the first quarter with one second on the clock. He hits another three pointer with one second on the clock at the end of the second quarter to close out the first half. Then, on a drive to the basket, while down two points, with a few seconds left in the game, he takes a hard foul and makes the basket before ending up on the floor. He makes the free throw to put the Celtics up by one point with just three seconds to go! Amazing game!

[@samuelmorales2344]

@mattc941 even Jordan couldn't defend Bird. Bird wasn't even fast in his era, and Pippen is the best defensive small forward of all time. Your argument doesn't hold up at all.

[@yaiqab]

Conditioning techniques are better today, but the players are not. That is rather indisputable as well, and to be honest, the overall skill level of the players in the NBA today is noticeably lower. When teh best player in the NBA, LeBron James, does not have a low post game until his 9th year, that speaks volumes.

[@mr.sinjin-smyth]

3:05 (Paused) - *Quite possibly the shortest 3-pointer ever*

[@sixfootbear]

He was airborne when he released the ball. His last steps were outside the three point line. Bird flew.

[@cindyknudson2715]

​@@sixfootbear Exactly

[@MrSantee2000]

Bird went off this game..the celtics lost to the lakers the day before..so he took it off on phoenix lol

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

Walking bucket. Bird was so cold.

[@charliekennedy2545]

Most complete playerof all time. No one is in second place.

[@j43w0n]

larry cold! like kyrie with the handles and smooth J

[@heyheyhe0011]

birdie

[@BlantonDelbert]

I did not know Artis Gilmore played for the Celtics. He must have been 50 years old.

[@peytonlucy5947]

Artis was looong past his prime and contributed very little.

[@Ariamaluum]

Name me a guy who could shoot that far and keep the dribble alive that well at 6'9 with guys hacking him with his back turned for post moves. Rick Barry couldn't do that without bitching to the refs.

[@hectorlopez1069]

The early 90s. Some teams used to play in coliseums.

[@mikejoyner7546]

Nothing like Bird!

[@123slasher.16]

You know what is amazing, 1988 Bird and the Celtics? Boston had the 2nd best record in the NBA and the best record in the East . This was also the best season statistically of Bird's career . Bird, McHale, Parish and Ainge were all All Stars . They added former All Stars Jim Paxson from Portland and Artis Gilmore from San Antonio. In the semifinals against Atlanta, Bird had that legendary 4th quarter shootout with Dominique Wilkins in Game 7. All FACTS! But in the next round, Detroit shutdown Bird, outran them and dominated them on the boards and TODAY fools say Detroit only beat them because they got old and were injured. Complete BS! My take, if they were so old, how did they get the 2nd best record in the league and homecourt advantage over Detroit to begin with?

[@perryickes8991]

The real goat

[@acornsucks2111]

Bird's skill set was off the charts at this point in his career, but he was frail and injury prone.

[@rafikz77]

🐐

[@leebrandt33]

Where are all the missing points in the highlights that Bird made?

[@FavreianVengeance]

I can't think of any other game in which Bird just casually dribbled to his spot and jacked up a swish. He should of done this more. He was too unselfish at times IMO.

[@brianpuckett941]

Lol you can hear the Phoneix crowd cheering when Bird hits a shot

[@toscodav]

Gilmore has seen better days. Jeeez

[@davidallenspeaks9548]

toscodav Lol yea Gilmores prime was long gone.

[@davidallenspeaks9548]

trha2222 Comes out sets a pick for Bird but forgets to roll so Larry lays it up himself . lol

[@bignizzle6973]

18 years for Gilmore. He didn't miss a game in his first 8 seasons.

[@73Trident]

Artis is one of the great centers of all time. He was not used to getting passes that were that great.

[@Rendclaw]

Wasn't this his last year in the league? I saw a play where Magic just took his lunch from him on a rebound, ran the break and made a dazzling pass for the slam dunk... I think that was 83 or 84... I said after seeing that play was that Artis needed to hang it up then, considering what he was as a player.

[@357twilson]

Who's that ringer out there wearing number 33?

[@eboooo]

The ringer loves 33!

[@FavreianVengeance]

5:33 - F'ing Dick Bavetta - Company man just making up rules at the game.

[@BourbonAndCocaCola]

The ol' Madhouse on McDowell....those were the days.

[@5stardetailingllc471]

I don’t know who the dude is that was “guarding” LB in the first minutes, but you could tell right away he thought he need not….lol

[@seagullpoet]

Out = Standing !

[@Ariamaluum]

@cbaldwinjr. I would put Bobby Jones up there as second to Michael Cooper. But you had to rotate your defense to stop him.

[@lotuslife3239]

Bird easy 3 more rings in the 80s with Len Bias around. Shits a team game and MJ had a great team for all 6. So good that he left and they still contented all the way to ECF. Bird never had that much help, he had great players that fitted well with him but couldnt win games without him. He is by far and away the most important 1 guy to a 15 man roster ever. Those Celtics teams obviously dominate in the paint as a huge front court and decent size backcourt, but everything is absolutely clogged to the max with no hope of floor spacing whatsoever unless Bird is hitting his shots.

[@GotAnEyedea]

@jordanlover23 Agreed, but nique didn't play D

[@mikecmw8492]

I never compare lebron to Jordan. I compare him to Bird...and Bird wins!

[@Kkimball33]

God

[@johnjenkins5854]

You do not want Bird at the ff line. Eva. $$$ in the bank.

[@ACORNSUCKS]

Not to mention Michael Cooper. Nice post.

[@michaeln.2383]

The video left out the final score and Ainge winning it with 2 free throws on a questionable foul call.

[@JakeBayCity]

Watch the Bird-E.

[@andreasgr1740]

excuse me but are u telling me that bird could n't even compete in today's nba?are u serious kid?1st of all i disagree that back then were worst atletes,if u look who nba players have the higher vertical leap mj(48),drj(42),pippen(46)nique(42),drexler(43),webb(46),griffith(48),woordidge(42)kemp(42)chambers(42)....the other are lebron(43),t-mac(42),carter(43),nate robinson(44)!there are many "great"athletes like kobe,wade,howrad.igouadala,gay,derozan,westbrook,griffin(35) who are all 35-39!

[@mattc941]

@jakemcclain30 It sure would be fun to watch...

[@snhtown9]

@CostCordero Especially when they're shooting "fwee thwows". :-)

[@mattc941]

I love bird but what if you put some of the all world defenders on him from today. The athleticism is not the same. I would love to see it.

[@bryanburnap4537]

The 88 Celtics !! I needed less Mark Acres Brad Lohous Artis Gilmore Dirk Minnifield Fred Roberts and Conor Henry and more Reggie Lewis !! If KC had giving him more minutes they might not have run out of steam vs the Pistons in 88 :(

[@andreasgr1740]

so eventhough today's better training technics,players are n't much more athletic!don't overrate today's athletes and underrate those great players and athletes!also athletsism is n't everything,many top players of this era like duncan(in my opinion the best players in 00's),dirk,j. kidd,nash,pierce,allen,...aren't great athletes but dominate!do u think durant is more thaletic or strogrer than nique?nique was 6.8 235lb,man!bird was 6.9 230lb an his vertical was 28(marginal athlete back then to)

[@gavinothegreat5765]

223 mchael madness

[@CoreyT127]

Bird shitting on everybody and they're mama!

[@John19182004]

MUCH better.

[@mattc941]

@BroomeBlocker4 lol.. ok dude, fair enough

[@SS-th9wz]

To be fair here - Eddie Johnson of Phoenix was primarily guarding Bird on most of his points and EJ was arguably the weakest defender in the NBA in 1988.

[@mattc941]

@SamuelMoralesJr Alright Sam, not trying to sound like debbie downer, but that was my opinion. Peace.

[@justinbustin677]

Most of his shots are all net

[@123fourfive5]

Are you sure this is 88? This video looks worse than 84

[@GrowthruGod]

Haircut is tell

[@usnate1]

@cbaldwinjr You couldn't have seen Bird play then....Larry Nance(look at him in the dunk contest..see how high he can get) Nance was defended bird and he got up WAY higher than pippen and was as good of a defender as any. Drexler...does he suck too...Dr. J hes sucks too, huh? Weak argument...come at me if you want to talk basketball really.....

[@waveblast2]

for real

[@Kahwuwiqhfhkgehi29260]

@jordanlover23 Bingo

[@zyxwut321]

Nique, Worthy, Grant and even Pippen from his younger days would all have to gain a solid 20 pounds of muscle to compete in today's NBA the way they did in that time. In fact Pippen did just that as his career wore on in order to keep up. Rodman was ahead of his time in terms of fitness and conditioning and it enabled him to overcome his other glaring basketball deficiencies. It's indisputable that the strength and power of NBA and NFL athletes especially is far greater than any other time.