Larry Bird - Hall of Fame video

This video shows exactly why Larry Bird is in the Hall of Fame. Teamates, opponents and friends talk about Bird's unique character and game.

[@Jetz316]

Larry Bird is the greatest player of all time!

[@frederik2334]

Larry Bird, the best fundamental and pure basketball player ever!

[@zadeh79]

His passing game alone, made him one of the greatest players ever.

[@yambo59]

There are times I watch Larry Bird at work and it literally brings tears to my eyes when I see the amazing last minute buzzer beaters and insanely creative and skillful plays, no question about it one of the absolute greatest players in NBA history.

[@VIKING33NY]

What a Basketball natural!!! Larry Bird when he was playing was one with the ball...wow!! He made passes and shots that were unreal!!!!

[@beanie2826]

My fav Bird moment was when he stole it & was a half a millimeter from the baseline and passed it to his teammate under the basket.

[@TonyinMBSC8669]

Great video, Larry Legend! Two plays that define his career are highlighted. One on offense, 81 NBA Finals. After he shoots, he immediately knows he is off right, follows his shot, catches the ball BEHIND the backboard, changes the ball to his left hand & shoots it underhanded for 2. On defense, 87 ECF, vs Detroit. In a split second Bird makes Isiah think he is going AWAY from Laimbeer. Larry is NOT slow & makes the best steal of his career. Per Magic "Larry had basketball IQ off the charts."

[@Romamb]

you just know, that every player would loved to have been on his team.

[@UnionKid15]

Absolutely THE greatest basketball player ever to play the game. Thanks for the post..!!!

[@lescomolina]

one of the greatest of all time. bird has it all..he can shoot, rebound, pass. simply one of the best.

[@vinthora]

2:41 Magic Johnson, Bird's greatest rival, and then close friend, summed up Larry Legend perfectly. Bird was a born winner, and possibly the greatest clutch player the game ever saw...

[@therealeben]

The best basketball player to ever play the game. Noone has ever had the court awareness, vision passing skills etc. "He wasn't fast. He couldn't jump." Exactly. And still he did the things you just saw against guys who could. But you could fill up hours with that kind of play because he did it throuout every game, often when he could barely walk from his bad back. I know. I was there and I felt blessed to witness it. Magic second. Dr. J., M.J.

[@TonyinMBSC8669]

IMO Larry Bird was one of the Best & most fundamentally sounds NBA players ever. He did have God given height, but these rest of his skills came from LOTS & LOTS of practice. He had a tireless work ethic & would do anything and everything to win. His best skills were his court vision, knowing how to get his teammates easy shots. He was the absolute best at using either hand & getting position to rebound or shoot. He was BY FAR the best passing forward EVER! And a great deadly clutch shooter!

[@BladeRunner-td8be]

I lived through the Bird years and watched my share of basketball during that time. I can still remember being astounded by how often Bird would make a game winning shot with very little time on the clock. No other player was like him in many regards, but his ability to make game winning shots was other worldly. The percentage of time he was able to make a shot at the very end of a game to win the game in my opinion will never be matched.

[@billmelton5528]

john noe, I'm with you.

[@nancypine9952]

It wasn't accidental. In at least one case he shot the winning basket with two seconds left on the clock, and the guy trying to guard him heard him curse. "What?" "I didn't mean to leave any time on the clock!" He cut it short so the other team didn't have a chance to score.

[@TonyinMBSC8669]

Larry had a amazing career. IMO the two plays that defined his career show both sides of his game. On offense it was the game in the 81 Finals where he follows a miss, ends up behind the basket, switches the ball to his left hand and flips it in. On defense it was Game 5 in the 87 ECF against Detroit. In just a fleeting second he had to make Isiah Thomas think he is passing AWAY from Laimbeer. Yet he dashes towards him, steals the ball/game. He was a MASTER at using fakes, especially on offense!

[@mikorara]

Better athlete than people give him credit for. Great first step to the basket , Super quick with the ball whether shooting, grabbing a loose ball, stealing or passing to a teammate. Great hands n vision which more than made up for lack of great leaping ability n footspeed. Best ambidexterity Ive ever seen. He had intangibles you can't teach.

[@fredericintx]

Those passes!!

[@staceyhorton228]

Blessed to see him play!!! He would've won Best Passer if there was a category for it!! Larry Clutch Legend!!!! 💙💙💙💙💙💙

[@BornToBeRollingStone]

All I am saying is that LBJ won those 4 MVPs against low competition, unlike Bird who won 3 against Magic, Kareem, Dr. J, Jordan, Moses, Isiah Thomas and you can't deny that.

[@sludge4125]

That’s only your opinion. That’s all I’m saying. Nostalgia is one of the greatest enemies of the truth.

[@sixsentsoldiers]

No, its not your opinion. Bird played in the greatest era of talent in NBA history. When guys like James Worthy is kind of a star? Nothing touches this era. If it ever does again, people from all walks of life will be interested again.

[@joshswicegood3253]

Sludge what the heck are you talking about you freaking millennial. Those are facts about bird. Who cares about what was said about LJ. Seems like the truth to you is something that you have a hard time accepting. Bird was a bad man and worked way harder than LJ. Heck he’s probably the most hard working player of all time. I suggest you learn something son.

[@sludge4125]

There is *nothing* as boring as an old man “misremembering” the past. In fact, it’s the number one reason we should should stop fighting the Boomer Remover.

[@derrickbird9676]

Sludge, you mean to tell me you got on a Larry Bird KZbin video to sing the praises of LeBron. Does he pay you guys for defending his honor on here?! Which part of Bird's game doesn't have you convinced? His incredible shooting, unreal passing or the bizarre ability to be at the right place at the right time, every time?

[@hardcore9427]

My God what an amazing basketball player.

[@TeabagTore]

For me, Larry Bird comes first, followed by Magic Johnson and then Michael Jordan. Larry Bird is the greatest shooter and small forward of all time. The game today is nothing like when Larry and Magic dominated! NOTHING! Larry fucking Legend!

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

I hate it when these great players get old and have to retire! Larry Bird is one of those that I wish could have played forever! Those Celtics teams from the early-mid 80s were such a pure joy to watch! And with Lenny Bias they may have won it all every year!

[@ruminator3570]

If there is some magic place in reality where you can watch all the great players play at their healthiest. Damn this dude would be the prime attraction.

[@billmelton5528]

ruminator3570, So Very True.

[@fynetuneyrgf]

bird was a real player, he wasn't self centered, passed alot, and still scored alot. If they only made em like him now a days, the NBA would have way more interesting games.

[@Oldschoolrap91]

bird was amazing...one of the best of all time...and I'm so sad I wasn't even born when he was playing....

[@usssanjacinto1]

Larry Bird played in an era were there were more future Hall of Famers in his era than now. The talent back then was much thicker then todays. Lbj would have had a tougher time getting MVPs back then.

[@oneyedthing]

+usssanjacinto1 You mean the league after the 90s were watered down. Talent back then was stacked. Every team was hard to beat

[@wanderingwade8877]

I was in a hotel room just out side of Boston watching the Celtics vs. Pistons game on T.V. when he stole the Isiah Thomas in bounds pass. I still think it was the greatest play I've ever seen. Most everyone thought the Celts were dead. Not Larry!

[@Shinodaw]

Holy shit, I've never seen such a smooth perfomance

[@hitthesurf23]

Bird is the man!!

[@tcs4duke]

larry bird might be the most disrespected, unappreciated and underrated player of all time because of my uneducated and ignorant generation.

[@Jondsmusic]

tcs4duke that might be the brightest thing ever said by a millennial, ever!

[@derrickbird9676]

The NBA orchestrated it that way.. they want players like LeBron because they create revenue. Larry Bird is the real GOAT. His stats would be stupid if he was a ball hogging A-hole. If Bias doesn't OD, we're talking about Larry as the GOAT.. MJ was great but he didn't win any rings until Bird's back went to shit. That's quite the coincidence.

[@daveshaw1721]

Best comment ever.Little late on my part,this just came up on my feed.

[@tarikdebarge]

Facts!

[@mtin7683]

Larry was amazing. Absolute too much.

[@billmelton5528]

mtin 76, I AGREE.

[@angelabarazzone7899]

Lebron even listed him as one of his starting 5 if he was making up a team.

[@BruceCultureAllen]

What an incredible player. Not fast, or a high jumper but he was brilliant and had so much heart. His quick mind and poise is what made him one of the greatest.

[@KennethWilliams-rr9dw]

The hick from French lick. LARRY BIRD AKA LARRY LEGEND.

[@dedebones1967]

Larry Bird God Man You Are The GOAT !!!

[@MoSafar23]

Larry Legend was Amazing

[@islamcoherencepertinence.7226]

He was a really professionnal, he was playing not for himself but for his team, not individual player like many great players ! He is really a complete player, if he was dunking like others great players he has been the best player of the last 30 years !

[@classicsurvivor]

You know you got something when Bill Walton says you're the smartest guy in basketball.

[@skippyjunior2744]

Why....what the F did he do on the NBA....besides 1 year with the Celtics i did more cheering than he did on the bench....pot smoking dramtic looser

[@craiggaspard5263]

Ya. The "pot smoker" won two titles in Portland, or did ya forget. He and Russell likely the best defensive centers in NBA history. That might be it.

[@skippyjunior2744]

@@craiggaspard5263 the druggie was born a big ugly red headed white boy...ill give you that. But still considered a disappointment. Injury prone pot head.

[@shubhamlele5395]

@@craiggaspard5263 one title in Portland. One MVP one fmvp

[@levesd3722]

Kareem said that too.

[@Jbf-76]

Larry Bird at his peak was absolutely unstoppable. From 81-83 he finished 2nd in MVP voting. Then from 84-86 He won 3 straight. In 87 he had his best year and finished 3rd in voting. In 88 he finished 2nd. I dont know if people realize how ridiculous that is..

[@lukeconverse6632]

Greatest all around player of all time. Hands down

[@enemyofthestate357]

been a Celtic & Larry Bird supporter since 1990 for real & forever

[@h0gwartz]

I can't believe it has been so long since he retired. What a gift it was to be a basketball fan during his playing days.

[@gels1227]

no player in nba history to play like larry bird did..a man with a very rare talent..bird thank u

[@Gregory-sm9pf]

Such a complete basketball player, such a LEGEND!

[@bhingolacson510]

The Bestest individual and Team Basketball Player of all time.

[@Colstonewall]

The great thing about Bird (and Magic) is there teammates LOVED them because they were totally unselfish. Even when they were scoring a lot it's wasn't because they were being selfish, they did it within the framework of the team. . .This is why (in my opinion) both Bird and Magic were BETTER players than Jordan. I know a few guys who played with Jordan and they hated playing with him. If he wasn't scoring a ton of points, he wasn't really doing anything. Bird and Magic MADE their teammates better, Jordan didn't.

[@jjs777fzr]

Totally agree and well said. I've often wrestled with not liking MJ as much as he probably deserved. After all he became such an icon. But the interplay Bird and Magic had with their teammates is nearly unsurpassed. Jordan could have 10 rings. I still rate Magic and Bird as the best in the game.

[@Colstonewall]

jjs777fzr Not to mention Jordan didn't win jack shit until Bird, Isiah, and Magic were near the end of their careers. . .Bird could barely walk at this point, much less play ball (although he somehow still played and dominated) at a high level. All the Jordan jockers love to say Jordan was the GOAT, yet if he was, why couldn't he win at the beginning of his career (as Magic & Bird)? Then they come up with the excuses, "he didn't have the same talent around him as Bird/Magic", "it took him time to develop all his skills" blah, blah, blah. What they really mean is, he wasn't good enough to win. What they mean is, he couldn't win with Bird, Magic, and Isiah in their prime.

[@jjs777fzr]

Chris Kavanagh Yeah they point to MJ's six rings and why he's the GOAT. If rings were the only requirement then Bill Russel is the GOAT with 11 rings. The GOAT represents the best of the best. I know Bird conceded the best as Magic Johnson when asked on Letterman because he said Magic had more rings than he did. But Bird's awareness and fundamentals of the game is nothing short of phenomenal and I believe exceeds even Magic.

[@Colstonewall]

jjs777fzr Well said.

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

Absolutly.

[@irishgrl]

What a joy it must’ve been to coach him...

[@MrDede2011]

My fave bird moment was when he was one steal away from a qaudrouple double he sat out the entire 4th quater he denied n said i done enough damage lol

[@dynodonfb7]

Larry is the best ever. He captures small town basketball in every game. No 360 dunk, nor could he jump from the free throw line, but man could he play. I agree with the Pistol comparison. I remember watching this guy play when I was in grade school and junior high and trying to immitate him during my games. I wasn't that good, I ended up wrestling in high school. None the less, there will never be another. Bird hitting the winning shot in Jordans face...beautiful..and I grew up in Illinois!

[@immortal4379]

"Should have had more than one guy on me. *shrugs*"

[@billmelton5528]

immortal43, Love it.

[@Jondsmusic]

Even that wouldn’t have made the difference! They could face had three guys on him and he’d still make it!

[@viceroybear6298]

after Johnson's laying on that amazing steel you can see the look on Johnson's faces, thank you Larry you just put me into an NBA highlight reel of all time.

[@mmerx]

Larry Bird is one of very FEW inspiring athletes for me. His etiquette, his skill, his ethic... you never saw him covered with gangsta tattoos, bringin' guns to the locker room, or rubbin' elbows with Snoop. He played basketball, and he played it well.

[@El_Bueno]

I like how this video is exactly 3:33 long... good tribute to #33

[@metronorthwtrain1452]

Wish the video was longer. Larry Bird was a phenom.

[@mr.d.4175]

Hustle, pure and simple.

[@limpanProS2]

legend!

[@sixsentsoldiers]

No other comes close. He is the greatest to ever play the game. No doubt.

[@JohnnyHads]

Man o man. We dont realize how lucky, I mean, truly lucky... we ALL are to have witnessed a man who perfected something that is so celebrated like a professional sport; for all of us to see. Larry Legend, the one and only.

[@nanook8721]

Larry Bird was part machine…he had to be. He was programmed to win and he became that machine every time he stepped on the court. He was not intimidated by any opponent…in fact, I think the more difficult the challenge the better he performed. He willed himself to win. But he was not someone who sought attention; he didn’t need to be the star…he played TEAM basketball; something that seems to be missing in today’s NBA. Everyone acknowledges that there was something special about him. I truly feel blessed that I was able to watch him in real time back in the 80s. He is a once in a lifetime gift given to us from the basketball Gods. He will always be my goat. 🍀🐐. Comparing Bird/Jordan is a legitimate conversation. IMO comparing Bird/James is not.

[@annecornine8469]

That was fun to watch!! 😊

[@Colstonewall]

Well tell him I said Hi, and he was the greatest of all time!

[@MaddZzee350]

One of the greatest...

[@choward874]

I so agree bird was awesome!

[@davidcallaham60]

The greatest player ever

[@Partyboywithkeg]

bird is the best ever period

[@Jondsmusic]

The best damn fucking player there ever was! My hero! Don’t you ever forget it!

[@SuperBruins12]

The best

[@sbh123yt]

1:44 after he was blocked, got the ball back and make a great assist. This is how a great winner should play the game. No time for crying, take a responsibilty and make all effort needed to help your team to win the game.

[@bugsy101073]

the best TEAM PLAYER in the history of the sport or better yet....the best TEAM MATE a great player can ever have

[@peterbak6486]

Love Larry

[@Crimsonfirebob73]

Beautiful.

[@Colstonewall]

The pass at 3:33 to McHale still blows my mind. How he could even conceive of that pass in the middle of a game is staggering. All the other great passes in this video are,well, great, but that one just doesn't make sense to a rational mind.

[@oneyedthing]

there is also a flying pigeon at 3:33 crossing a double rainbow

[@johnnyeboy33]

Chris Kavanagh No mere mortal could think of making this pass, only a genius !!! amazing

[@sugarnads]

And mchale TAKING IT nice n clean even though no WAY he could have been expecting it. The other one, where bphe grabs the pistons inbound n fires it to DJ, noone comments on how DJ was heading back to defence and saw The Legend up to no good and IMMEDIATELY headed for the low post for the pass. He KNEW the Legend would try something and knew where to be. Thats how good Bird made his teammates.

[@militaryhistorian67]

3:14- Bill Walton Cheering and laughing...Classic

[@EL-dm5lt]

Larry Bird made it look easy, because he practices hard. 1st one in, last one out.Topping that with his basketball IQ, GOAT.

[@UnionKid15]

The best.. ever.

[@gotch7126]

As a kid in Pittsburgh the Celtics were my team.. I would try all his his shots and passes while playing for my catholic school team… this was basketball the way it was meant to be played

[@squinteastwood4637]

Better passer than Magic, that's hard to believe, but it's true.

[@bugsy101073]

he is the best basketball player of all time

[@bobsharp7663]

Best Ever...

[@Grigstinator]

just amazing

[@isavin1730]

Wow, what a player

[@lhart99]

Goddamn Larry fuckin' Bird was putting on a clinic year after year, and game after game.

[@imonutube81]

larry bird is my hero i love himm

[@jimmmy465]

imagine how fun it would be playing alongside Larry

[@billmelton5528]

james lebron, Yeah, you would have to keep your eyes on the ball, with Larry you never know where it's coming from.

[@UnionKid15]

Agreed, completely.

[@Dudefish21]

nba seemed so much more fun back then :D

[@billmelton5528]

Thumbs down ? This guy does it ALL. What MORE do you want ?

[@wellverzed]

Awesome!

[@sicnic666]

GSFOAT = Greatest Small Forward of All Time

[@richardmcdonald4648]

Simply the best!!

[@giandistefano4415]

Goat

[@paulmiskinis3988]

Bird ,Parrish,MacCale were 3 of the best in the NBA.Bird was just an incredible player. 😊

[@iphone3gs78]

Magic and Bird made passing look cool.

[@slapmyfunkybass]

The GOAT

[@da1675]

I think one of his finest games was game 2 of the 84-85 final.... you guys shoud watch that one...it's larry legend in his absolute prime..

[@mssolomito]

I don't understand why people can't just appreciate both Bird and Lebron? Or Jordan AND Kobe? They're all incredible. They do different things, with different styles, and both are great. I'd personally take Bird, because his game was more appealing to me, but I can see the argument for Lebron as well. Believe me, with players like that, or like Magic or Russ or Kareem, you really can't go wrong no matter what.

[@beefer454]

i agree enjoy all the greats.

[@vinthora]

You know if the game is close, and they got the ball, and you don't have no cushion in terms of the lead...Larry Bird gon' win the game. - Earwin 'Magic' Johnson Pretty much sums up Larry Bird: does what is needed to win the game. One of the greatest to ever play the game.

[@bionicbigfoot]

a winner

[@marklouiscornea134]

The clutheist player in nba history...

[@klubkid46]

desire.