Larry Bird's Greatest Game "I should have quit right there"

Larry Joe Bird peaked as a basketball player on June 8, 1986. Edited by Colin-Stanton.com SUBSCRIBE
Thumbnail illustration by Benoit Maindrault
Music: The Cinematic Orchestra - To Build A Home
Audio: Bill Simmons Podcast with Bob Ryan 11/6/14

[@mattc4970]

Only thing he missed all night was the high-five attempt at 4:46. Legend.

[@sensei_junior]

hahaha, it always bothered me

[@muntasermo]

Matt C and that open layup

[@georgemorley1029]

Do you mean the one he was fouled on?

[@michaelloch8758]

LMAO ! BEST COMMENT ON HERE !

[@danielhansen3982]

larry fucking legend :) who else plays with a broken back for 6 years and still dominates?

[@jeremygray6522]

was it really 6 years? I thought it was about 3?

[@danielhansen3982]

Jeremy Gray as far as i remember it happened in 1885 or 1886, i seem to remember having heard that from a documentary :D - but i could be wrong considering im born in 88 :D

[@nikiforosvlachos5906]

I think you mean 1985-86... He could stand for 100+ years... :D

[@danielhansen3982]

Nikiforos Vlachos Hehe Correct :) a little typo just happend :P

[@FazGaming]

yeh it was that long. the 3 years you're thinking of (the last 3 years of his career) his back got so bad he was in a back brace because of the damage to his spine. its give me chills to even think that someone would play through that much pain, but he Larry was raised very tough, and wanted to be there for his team no matter what.

[@irishgrl]

He’s a HERO to me. Always has been.

[@anthonymatter5478]

Life long bostonian....thank you Larry Joe Bird for giving our city some of the greatest bb ever..it brings tears to my eyes when ever I think of it

[@richardpare3538]

Lived in Beantown at the time - absolutely the most incredible entertainment you could ever buy ( if you were damned lucky).

[@briantneary2248]

Born in Cambridge, grew up in Medford. Larry Bird is the GOAT, right there with MJ.

[@lairdriver]

10 rebounds a game in a environment that allowed bush league like physical play often. Larry Bird was a master of fundamental basketball.

[@anonymike8280]

In my day we played like that on the playground. I'm 5'9-1/2 and regularly played against guys up to 6'5". It's the way the game should be played.

[@punchline1298]

@@anonymike8280 haha ok

[@arnecruz]

yes, Bird is very, very sound with his fundamentals.

[@jking5008]

@@anonymike8280 As soon as you said "In my day" I knew what you were going to say. Basketball has NOTHING to do with the wanna-be "tough" guys pushing, shoving, hitting, cheap-shots, ... ... ... . In fact, the more "thug" you are the more you are revealing the fact that you have LITTLE or NO basketball skills.

[@anonymike8280]

@@jking5008 Man you're loading it up. Trash talk. Loaded words like "wanna-be". Pushing. Shoving. Hitting. Cheap shots. ......., whatever that means. All CAPS for emphasis. I've worked as a professional journalist during my lifetime. Well, you've FORCED me to agree, the more THUG you are, the more you reveal your LACK of skill. I am also qualified to teach college freshman English. I'd take care of you real quick or you'd be back driving an ice truck again. By the way, last time I was in a pickup game was November 28th, Thanksgiving day. It was three-on-two and I had to run around guarding three people because my one teammate, who was young and six feet or more just wanted to hang around the three point line. These were not very good players, but they still played and they could make shots. Fortunately, they did not move the ball around very fast. I made the game shot too, on a putback. BTW, I'm 71 years old.

[@PorkFrog]

if you don't like Bird, you don't like basketball

[@JacksonHinton]

or you're not white.

[@PorkFrog]

race is a myth

[@JacksonHinton]

Profound words from philosopher

[@PorkFrog]

without writing an essay, scientists have mapped the human genome which shows that ALL humans are 99.9% identical genetical. 1/10th of a percent is not enough to justify the idea of significant differences necessary for 'races' Why people that look a certain way to us ACT differently and THINK differently is all NURTURE, all cultural--you treat people differently, they start thinking and acting differently an example of the confused mess that is race is Obama slid out of a white vagina, but we call him 'black'...why? Looks. But just because something looks a certain way to some folks doesn't make it a certain way. I hope that wasn;t too long basically, 'race'='witches' they used to hang witches because they thought they were different too in 100 years, historians will laugh at us, the way we laugh at witches

[@JacksonHinton]

regardless if ur not of "white" persuasion or cultural influence you probably don't like Bird

[@jamesgray7064]

The shot at 4:33 was ridiculous..he jumped with his back to the basket, spun, and went glass while guarded by two guys

[@Jack_The_Ladd]

Different class, that’s what he was.

[@joshuasussman8112]

One of my favorite shots ever. Unbelievable.

[@bobthabuilda1525]

Can you imagine Larry in today's league? Combine his post up and passing skills with today's three point shooters, and he'd lead the league in assists every year.

[@200mphz06]

And MVP's.

[@patricksucknipples7187]

and no hand check in todays game. he'd torch everyone even tho he did when he played just fine

[@slipnorris5882]

Bird and Magic made passes in traffic, with the spacing in today's game, it would make it even easier

[@julchu0]

SLIP NORRIS spacing back the made it easier to get assists tho. illegal defense rules meant if you could score 1v1, theyd have to hard double you instead of guarding an area to force you into weaker spots. if they had double it's a free assist for great passers. I'd argue today's spacing is harder to get a lot of assists.

[@julchu0]

Joshua Caleb he wouldn't lead the league in assists. he'd probably get around 7 or 8. still elite numbers but you're underestimating some of the playmakers today.

[@GeorgiZhukov33]

It was such a privilege watching Bird play - mostly on TV but a few times in person. No one in the history of the game played better basketball than Bird in his prime. I pretty much worshiped Larry as a teen (heck, I STILL do) and know I will never enjoy watching any athlete play any sport as much as I enjoyed watching him. There may be a couple of players since Larry ruled the game who have been as great but there has never been, and never will be in my opinion, anyone greater.

[@TheMimetolithman]

+GeorgiZhukov33 Ya My Fav' Even over Gretsky

[@jonbustos5180]

Smart people all of your comments, this guy, for all his supposed weaknesses always got the job done my favorite, and sometimes I wish I could be back with my Dad watching again, peace.

[@TupacolypseNow]

+KristaL Mac LeoD even over gretzky??

[@25newrush]

Tom Brady is the only better player to watch than Larry Bird

[@stevenervo2438]

TupacolypseNow no one dominated team sports like Wayne Gretzky did. not even close. He retired owning 61 NHL records. Unparalleled. Not taking anything from Bird, just saying

[@kennybee63]

Larry Bird was my idol as I’m a lifelong Celtics fan. I got goose bumps watching the Legend play. He was incredible!!

[@jiggycordova9645]

I wasn’t alive to watch this great play, but glad that I live in a time where I have the opportunity to watch old clips of this guy, I’m literally in tears. There’s just a beautiful grace with which he played.

[@billan888]

Larry Bird was the best basketball player ever.

[@reneep9972]

Damn right he was.

[@Harrison2253]

Bird was already mentally tough and Supremely confident the first time he set foot on an NBA court. There was no warm up period for him. He always had it.

[@icecreamforcrowhurst]

Bird at the line with McHale on one side and Walton on the other. That really is a sight to see. '86 Celtics: the greatest team ever to step on a basketball court.

[@danielkelegian5306]

It was unfair to add Walton to that lineup. LOL!! and I have been a die hard Lakers fan since 1978.

[@TheMimetolithman]

@Brian Neary the Chief was GreaT anddddddddddddddddddddd how he played through them ankle's sprain's was just INCREDABLE RoberT WAS A Special Big Man,

[@headlinewizard]

And don't forget DJ in the backcourt. Bird always said he was the best teammate he ever had. Bird's steal of Thomas's inbound pass against the Pistons is one of the great moments in Celtics history, but it wouldn't have mattered if DJ hadn't immediately reacted and darted back toward the basket to grab Bird's pass for the layup.

[@jonsayers7926]

agree icecreamforcrowhurst

[@TexPorneau]

@@headlinewizard 100%

[@jeffmoss118]

Why do I start crying every time I relive these Bird moments?

[@raycooney1142]

Because you are witnessing NBA history / sports history like it may never be seen again. Despite Jordan, Magic, Abdul-Jabarr, maybe even Russell and James - Bird could and did do it all. Simply an athlete for all-time...

[@toscodav]

Because we will never see the likes of Bird again. Once in a lifetime talent.

[@jasoncamp483]

Because those of us who were lucky enough to watch it in the 80s knew we were seeing something we would never see again.

[@wolftmfg]

Jeff Moss because of the soundtracks 👍🏼

[@jadoo868]

Due to the fact that you are a basketball fan. To love Bird is to love basketball.

[@robertchflynn]

when I was a kid I was a big Dr. J fan and feared Larry Bird. Now I just appreciate all those amazing moments because he was the best player of his era...

[@rgvilla55]

As a the biggest Laker fan, I love and respect Larry Bird.

[@oldboehne1153]

Thank you. I feel the same way about Ervin "magic" Johnson. That dude was so awesome , he may have been better than 🐦, different positions though so you know .,.,.

[@sirlawrencet]

Bird and Magic, best era of basketball.

[@sgoody334]

Roy Villa-Agustin Same respect right back at those great Lakers teams!

[@gyatsogurung6215]

LeBron James is better than Larry bird.. period !!! Domt answer me with useless reply

[@AbbaZabbaOlyFrn]

@@gyatsogurung6215 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@jamesfulmer7080]

Prototype of the complete player. Could dominate a game without crazy numbers.

[@rudensdiaz2424]

Best player ever all around and far from any player biggest heart. After so many years later it feels emotional watching him playing. Music helps a little bit.

[@Stgfre]

He is my favorite player and will always will be. One of the greatest professional basketball players.

[@josephbuckhoff6988]

*The Celtics & BIRD were Awesome... I Loved the Team Work Boston had & The Love of the Game, BIRD is & will always be The Legend (GOAT)*

[@TonyinMBSC8669]

Larry did have a great game. But I am glad he didn't quit as he still had a lot left in the tank. Statistically he had his best seasons over the next 2 years. Becoming the initial member of the 50/40/90 Club. In both 86/87 & 87/88 he shot over 50% FG, 40% 3 PTS, & 90% FT, averaging 28 & 30 respectively. IMO he should have won the League MVP in those years too. If Len Bias does not die the Celtics probably win the 87 Finals and then beat Detroit in the 88 ECF. Bird would have made Bias a great player.

[@MrGiantkiller33]

+Edward Anthony Leone Agreed! No question the Celtics would've drove past L.A. in 87 final, with Bias coming up big on scoring, to neutralize Worthy! Len Bias, already showed he could play well against jordan in college. The celts needed 1 more gun to offset the younger pistons.

[@johnnyblingg]

+chris miller he did Coke occasionally he wasn't a junkie. Stop spreading lies.

[@Amick44]

+Alluviale Daempfer It is amazing he would say it was the ONLY game he ever felt totally prepared for. Shows how much he expected of himself.

[@bwade5544]

+Joel Villarreal Heavens no.

[@spitshinetommy3721]

+Edward Anthony Leone He has no case over Magic in 1987, led his team to 65 games, while averaging 24/6/12. It was his best season. Jordan averaged 35 in 1988 and took an extremely average Bulls team to 50 wins. He edges Bird that year. And please stop with the "what-ifs?" on Bias. KC Jones rarely played rookies, Len Bias would have been nothing more than a nice bench player in 1987, if that. That's not going to put the Celtics over the Lakers that year.

[@marcusimbery2478]

A terrific short story. Really well put together and an excellent choice of musical backing. It actually makes me emotional. In Australia at the time basketball was huge.. Especially in Melbourne, where I'm from. I was obsessed with the game and would watch VCR tapes my older cousins had over and over as a 10 year old in 1986. The commentary of dick Stockton and Tommy Heinsohn just brings back magic memories for me. Much like Marv Albert and his trademark, "Jordan.... YESS", call every time the great one would shoot from distance. That era had a magic about it, and watching clips like this makes me happy beyond belief. Larry Bird is the greatest forward I've ever seen. Enough said.

[@kingjason354]

This guy averaged 10 rpg for his career thats crazy

[@mmaj8982]

kingjason354 yes. in a league dominated by big men no less.

[@supergaga1712]

To be fair he was 6'10 +...

[@queenofyeay]

Larry was 6'9" McHale was 6'10" with gargantuan arms and the Chief was 7' I was around during those Celtics championships and watched many many Celtics games in those years. I personally feel like Larry Bird would be a bigger star in today's game than he was then. Back then the paint was routinely packed with players collapsing on the ball carrier and looking for rebounds. I have watched probably 30 or so games this year as well as re-watching some of the Celtics games of the eighties. In today's game you will often see the defense stacked out by the 3 point line, many times a simple faked hand-off allows a clear path to the hoop, or a pick and roll or screen opens up a pass to a cutting player for an uncontested layup. That very rarely happened back then. I don't know of a better passing small forward in NBA history; Larry with open lanes to pass and an eye for when and where he could get a pass off would be a supreme passer in today's game. With less physical abuse and less sticky defenses played in today's game he would score far more and be so happy to shoot buckets of threes. Don't forget the 3 ball was really really rare then. With free reign to shoot the three ball, Larry would have added probably 3 or 4 more points per to his already gaudy career point total. Larry Bird is perhaps the NBA's greatest rebounder for his size and position and that was then, as someone else mentioned, in a league dominated by big men, Bird would surely garner even more in this day and age, he was almost always in the right place to grab rebounds. When you see vids of Bird you rarely see the incredible way he boxed out, he was a genius. This from a pretty slow guy for his size, who couldn't really jump, and wasn't exactly a physical specimen... IMAGINE THIS Larry Bird all buffed out with a modern gym regimen and a body on par with say Lebron James? Yeah, Bird in today's game would clean up... a buffed Larry on the roster for today's Celtics?? The new front-runner for NBA champs!

[@booligan4206]

I agree with a lot of this other than Bird being the best rebounder in NBA history for his size. Dennis Rodman was 6'6 and averaged 13 over his career with a season best of 18.7 and 7 straight years of 15+

[@queenofyeay]

Well, let me first say that Rodman took on rebounding like Bird took on every facet of his game. So, yes pound for pound Rodman was ONE of the greatest rebounders of all time. This is made even more incredible by the fact that he was at any moment in danger of being blown over by a stiff breeze, I chose the term "for his size" because Bird is 6' 9" Rodman is, as you say, 6' 6" making him probably the greatest rebounder for HIS size in NBA history. BUT that does not make him the best rebounder in NBA history Bill Russell with a gaudy 22.5 and 8 games of 40+ rebounds in his career is pound for pound the BEST rebounder of all time, but I will gladly cede Rodman for #2 pound for pound! Having said that, Bird if he had wanted to, made it his mission, would have grabbed far more rebounds than he did, ALSO remember Bird played with a couple of Hall Of Fame rebounders in Parish and McHale so he didn't have to...

[@deihorus7927]

Most complete NBA player in history.

[@matija9540]

Dei Horus I really don’t want to be that guy, but LeBron gives him a run for his money undoubtedly

[@matija9540]

Aboood165 that’s what I was saying, LeBron definitely has a case for the most complete player ever

[@flelite3994]

Dei Horus BS!!!

[@lmbscriptsharcs2044]

For the first half of his career, Lebron didn’t want the ball at crunch time. Bird demanded the ball, told the opponent where he’d get it, then hit the shot. Pull up Reggie Miller w Dan Patrick make the comparison between Bird and Lebron at 30 yrs old. Bird - 30 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast, 2 st and a block. “Larry Joe for the win!”

[@justsayin669]

@@lmbscriptsharcs2044 That's funny because I seem to remember LeBron scoring the Cavs' last 25 points and 29 of their last 30 including the shot to send the game to OT and the shot to win the game in 2OT on the road against a team (Pistons) that had been one of the top 3 defensive teams the previous 4 seasons including that year in game 5 of the 2007 ECF. The single greatest takeover and clutch performance of all time and it happened in his 4th season. Come again?

[@kermitefrog64]

I miss seeing players in the NBA like Bird because he always gave his all. And he was the consummate team player.

[@redduklak9192]

As a young kid back in the 80's I was Lakers all the way. I wouldn't even come close to giving Bird or the Celtics any credit whatsoever. Now all these years later I'm still a Lakers fan but I find it extremely hard to not have Bird as my starter at SF and having the man in my Top 5 of all time greats!! Bird was so special and his commitment to the game is only rivaled by a few!

[@pat442389]

I think he has to be in everyones top ten all time. I understand if hes not in some peoples top 5. But Magic and Bird saved the NBA and turned it into the global league it is today. The Lakers vs Celtics rivalry allowed the NBA to gain traction, respect and TV ratings for once. I like to imagine what Bird would have done had he been born with a body like Lebron, Kobe or Jordan.... I dont think hed have anyone close to him. Guy made himself into an all time great on grit, work ethic and determination alone.

[@redduklak9192]

@pat442389 right!! David Stern is on record saying how the Magic/Bird rivalry saved a dying thug league and then Jordan came in behind them and took the league global.

[@Changesonemack]

Strong, lightning quick hands, and the softest touch of any player ever. EVER. Then there’s the “BBIQ” or that otherworldly anticipation. Shooter and scorer. goat, undoubtedly.

[@GOPMAN71]

I remember this game like it was yesterday. I couldn't even sleep the night before I was so jazzed up. I remember it was a Sunday afternoon game, 12pm here on the west coast. I was a little nervous but when I saw the look in Larry's eyes in the introductions, I knew the game was already in the bag. The eyes of an assassin.

[@adrct]

My favorite basketball player ever.

[@bhadds0574]

Larry legend best of all time I truely miss watching the great basketball of that era

[@SoreThumbSociety]

Bird's basketball IQ is really something to behold.

[@davidmccracken6473]

Larry Bird was truly a player that absolutely loved the game of basketball and always gave his all.He was a winner within himself and gave the whole world a refreshing inspiration.A legend in sports.🏀

[@Fenril76]

Been said many times, there will never be another Larry Bird. 🎉

[@robinsinpost]

I miss those days. RIP basketball.

[@markshaggy7914]

I’m 40 & grew up in Australia playing ball in the ‘jordan’ era... when I first became obsessed with basketball, bird & magic were at the peak of their battles, so I was about 7 or 8 y/o. Even then I appreciated the magic of the bird, & of course still do. My friends could never get it when I stayed loyal to bird in those jordan years. Now they know why...

[@smokegames1179]

I'm 31 sad didn't have a chance to see him play live on TV I did to Jordan though in the 90s

[@marksandilands2083]

Love that McHale was drinking a Lite Beer during the press conference!

[@MrAitraining]

+Mark Sandilands Hey, he doesn't like Champagne. I'm sure Larry had a few also - and they weren't "light" ;)

[@MMAisLife617]

+Mark Sandilands They didn't play any games back then lol

[@m.nightshammertime1518]

Mark Sandilands Well he is Irish

[@adamr6794]

The Celtics Loved their Beer back in the day....especially Larry. He literally had to pump the brakes after his first few years and when he did he won 3 MVPs and 2 Championships

[@sohaminyoh]

Best parts: 2:18 Bird shoulder checking Ralph Sampson 3:42 Bird too focused to get the rebound and ignores getting pushed in the face that's the basketball i like to see

[@TieOnRadish]

+Ernesto Hendrix yeah, players today would flop with that hand to the face at 3:42

[@johnokapal9537]

Ernesto Hendrix Yup! Sampson was like "I taller, but today, You Da man! "

[@goldennuggetofwisdom5068]

Ernesto Hendrix yeah man people who want to win and people who believe in their ability. Everyone cries today cus they know they ain't shit compared to these legends.

[@headlinewizard]

Stealing that jump ball from Olajuwon was genius. Did you see how Bird turned just a split second before the ref tossed the ball up and gave Olajuwon a hip to clear him out of the way?

[@thomasleary2814]

@@TieOnRadishAnd they’re always yelling to the ref whenever someone breaths on them when go in for a dunk or layup. It would be comical if it weren’t so sissy.

[@bertlovemorleo1096]

every one so busy talking about Michael Jordan every one forgot how good Larry Bird was

[@jaycompany4886]

Now adays people talk about lebron, Curry, KD, Kobe and others deservedly so.......but it's good we gave the tech. so young cats can scope the old school.....and Larry Bird personifies old school basketball, legend.

[@Jimmison007]

He personified winning basketball*

[@kevinbradshaw3796]

Robert Moore while in my opinion Michael Jordan is the G.O.A.T, trust and believe I have not forgotten about Larry Bird. Larry Bird was an absolute beast on the court and I easily have him as my top forward of all-time.

[@bus6292]

For team games I like to choose G.O.A.T.s by position and my 1-5 are Magic on point, Jordan at SG, Bird at SF with Elgin Baylor coming off the bench, Sir Charles at PF and Bill Russell at center.

[@diamondspectrum]

MJ was a great player no doubt but sometimes I think the praise is just a bit overdone. Other players could have scored a similar amount of points as Jordan but simply didn't shoot the ball as much. Bird is just one example. Bird's basketball IQ was easily the best of all time. What he lacked in physical talent he made up for with skill, innovation and quick thinking.

[@icecreamforcrowhurst]

No whining. No posturing. No chest thumping or pointing heavenwards. Just basketball the way it was meant to be played.

[@KyleHurd]

Oops Oops right?! Lol Larry bird was the king of chest thumping! That's part of why he's a legend!

[@aang4275]

Broo Larry Bird is one of the biggest trash talkers of all time

[@rudy1999]

Could be because he is not black

[@jeffreybeshears8211]

Thank you. When men played not prima donna pussies. Damn i miss the 80s

[@RickDanner]

better than Queen James

[@MrAitraining]

"at the other forward in his 7th year from Indiana State, uh....number thirty threeeee Larry bird...." Great old Boston Garden intros to the great Larry Bird.

[@Butter-gz4kb]

Body position, ball fakes, anticipation, passing, quick hands, team player, incredible instincts, cared more about winning instead of his next contract, won with any players ( pure winner) , shooting, work ethic Outweighed Lack of athletic ability, traditional basketball player. There won't be another Larry, Magic, or MJ- when basketball was great!

[@MrHellothisisme]

3:57 that pass is so pretty. That's knowing the defensive matchup of the other team, knowing your own playbook, knowing that someone is open 'cause of the double team, knowing where that teammate is, and making that pass so Danny Ainge has to make no extra effort.. All that in less than a second. He doesn't pass it right to Ainge, he makes Ainge run to the ball. Those are the most beautiful passes you can make, just like Jokic does now. He and Larry don't pass to a teammate, they pass to a place on the court where a guy should be to have an easy shot. Amazing

[@DannyFromLA23]

He never gets enough credit because he's not flashy. But what a true competitor he was.

[@Jascolbre]

what made bird so great was he was so versatile. You saw him play everywhere. Both offense and defense. You didn't see him just chuck a bunch of threes like curry. Don't know if we'll ever see a smarter player than bird.

[@renzocastillo4319]

Kawhi he always recovers on defense also very calm like Larry Bird

[@kneegrow8173]

Renzo Castillo you millennials really are stupid lol

[@TWHISPERER]

The Greatest All Around Player that has ever played. His 1986 MVP season, i believe, is still unmatched. Top Ten in five different categories. No one has beaten that before or since..my favorite player of all time in any sport.

[@reneep9972]

You Sir, are 100% right. Larry got royally fucked out of what should have been his 4th straight MVP in 1987 when the PC media started pimping "Magic for MVP" in the pre season in the 86-87 season.

[@gingerlegs9814]

These NBA players today dream of being Larry Bird!

[@demontzdemontz4932]

I'm not a basketball fan, but after watching that, it was absolutely magic to watch,👏👍👌

[@itsjay9169]

he was so good I teared up watching it

[@virelduncan9369]

best all around player I've ever seen

[@usaSAVAGE]

I don't even think money had much to do with it, he just truly loved the game and that's part of what made him an even better player than he already was. nobody like bird.

[@nomedigaasi]

I remember watching that series on tv and it was so enjoyable--I even recorded the last game and still have the tape!

[@Gotiges489]

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Their Rivalry and their Friendship saved the NBA. They are the godfathers of modern day Basketball. Flashy tall point guards and 50-40-90 shooters like bird. 2 way wings, point guards playin fluid. Idk if they started it all, but they made it cool. And then they ventured into biz, larry took over indiana pacers, magic is heading the lakers. Damn. For me, these 2 are the greatest.

[@mrho4speed]

Thanks for the great upload. I remember watching this game and thinking about Bird's career at this point. Many considered him the greatest player to have played. I know that is a very subjective and emotional topic for many fans, and the kind of argument that is impossible to prove. Different era's, teams, positions, teammates etc. etc. BUT when you look at the versatility, skills and basketball IQ of Bird - he has to enter into the conversation. Bird knew what play the other team was running almost as fast as the other team, his desire to win and hit clutch shots and make clutch plays (steals, rebounds, passes and blocks) are unreal. This guy had everything AND he was unselfish. Bird is the #1 player I would want to build a team around. Look at what he did w Boston in yr 1 + in the toughest east. conference.

[@adiracquetball]

Great points all. To me the thing that sets Bird apart from all the rest is what he did immediately when he entered the NBA. The Celtics had become a moribound team. They were coming off a combined total of about 60 wins the previous 2 seasons. In Birds rookie year with basically the exact same team except Larry and backup guard Gerald Henderson added as the new additions they improved by 32 wins and had the #1 seed in the east. They lost to the 76ees in the conference finals. I know Tim Duncan eventually passed Bird as greatest rookie turn around with the Spurs but that Spurs was far from a moribound team. David Robinson got injured after 6 games and missed the year and former all star and starting forward Sean Elliott missed half the season. That team had been a 56-58 win team the previous seasons so Duncan didn't really add anything to what was their actual win total. There is no playrrzin NBA history that comes close to Larry Legend. Not Michael, not Kareem, not even Magic and certainly not Lebron. Larry had an incredible array of skills and his basketball iq was off the charts. His athleticism is also shortchanged because people make the continued misconception because he was white. This is foolish. You don't do what he did to the best players on the planet without being athletic. I have also always thought he was closer to 6'10" than 6'9". Larry was one badass dude on a basketball court.

[@jasonjackson5696]

I grew up in L.A., was always a huge Lakers fan but during the Bird era, I was a total Celtics fan too.

[@jgaka27]

That is ridiculous I'm talking about that microphone but Larry Bird is a legend

[@bradford7944]

one thing i am very happy about was being able to see bird play!...watching youtube vids dont do any justice compared to watching a complete celtics game AT THE TIME.......i wish i could go back in time and watch the 84 and 86 playoffs for the 1st time again1

[@sensei_junior]

dude..... i got jealous....

[@mikes3827]

I know Jordan is considered the GOAT (and I don't necessarily disagree), but as far as ALL-AROUND greatness, Bird was great at everything: great shooter/clutch shooter, FTs, outstanding passer, great rebounder, and he's even ranked 35th all-time in steals (and many ppl don't know that Bird also made the All-Defensive 2nd Team 3X). If you think about it, who else was as great as Bird in all those areas? Jordan wasn't a great rebounder or as great a passer as Bird. Magic wasn't as great a shooter or a rebounder as Bird. Etc., etc.

[@angrymobsters1599]

+Mike S Bill Russell was a great too very underated the G.O.A.T imo

[@bradford7944]

trha2222 why is dunking any reason to think someone is good? when your 7+ feet tall it isnt really hard?

[@practice11111]

Bill Rusell was very very great. But Bill Rusell when he played was NEVER considered as great as Wilt Chamberlain. As far as scoring points Wilt was unsurpassed but when Wilt arrived even Russell thought he was then the 2nd best rebounder behind Wilt. Russell was a true team player and cared only for winning and that is to his great credit. Auerbach had 5 HALL OF FAMERS ON THE FLOOR AT ONE TIME. So Russell would pass out to 4 hall of famers who only shot when then they were open (they just passed and ran around until they were open - Cousy wouldn't give up the ball UNTIL SOMEONE WAS OPEN. It was by watching Russell and learning about RusseLl that Kareem was taught that the way to win a championship was to hit the open man. That is why Kareem is the greatest center. He had an unstoppable shot but also knew to pass out to the open man when he was doubled. Just a great great player. All these guys are super great. Funny thing about basketball. They asked Auerbach how would Russell do against Shaq. He said that Russell (who was the 4th fastest man on earth) would run so fast up and down the courr that Shaq literally would not be able to play. They asked Russell how he would do against Shaq and he was insulted and replied, " the question is How Shaq would do against me". You see Russell could jump very high and could front Shaq and many times Shaq would not have even gotten the ball. You can go on youtube and watch a play with Russel and Jerry West. West had the ball and was all alone on the opposite side of the court and he thought he had an easy layup. But Russell form the OTHER SIDE OF THE COURT, sprinted to West and just as West was going to lay it up, Russell blocked it. THESE GUYS WERE JUST AMAZING.

[@PlntPeace]

Happy Birth Day Legend... You were the Best and I've always said it.

[@mrsrandommademedoit3387]

You know why this video makes me shead a tear? Because Basketball was a beautifull game back then.. It's not just the greats of Larry Bird, Magic, Jordan, Olajuwon, Kareem, Barkley, English, Worthy, Wilkins, Erving, Isiah. Of whom which talent we will never see again. But the game itself was different. Intense, PHYSICAL and emotional. Star players playing the game hurt and bruised like their life depended on it!. Damn i miss the 80s-90s NBA.....

[@johnthomasvinagreraiii3256]

I always watched Larry Bird play when I was a kid and I still enjoy watching him play up to this day. Without a doubt, he is the smartest basketball player ever. One of the best. He and MJ are my all time favorite NBA players!

[@BasketballJones48021]

One of the best games ever played, a tremendous display of basketball, poetry in motion, very few have ever even came close to that level. Bird was just EVERYWHERE on this one, doing everything, unreal impact towards his team winning - the most important thing. He might have had games/years with better stats, or done more "carrying"(like for the 1984 Playoffs), but 1986 Bird was peak Bird, and this might just be his greatest game. Peak Larry was out of this World. Thanks for another great upload.

[@Amick44]

+chris miller Yeah and many say they would not be HOFers if not for Larry being their teammate. Dennis Johnson would have been worthy regardless. McHale, Parish? Hmmm. Don't know.

[@bws1971]

Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached Peak Bird.

[@twirajuda]

If his FTs are taken into account, Parish is unlikely to get to the HOF kingcam0775 . His free throw percentage was simply dreadful. Watching him take them was simply heartstopping

[@El_Bueno]

Bird > Lebron

[@iamalive.1255]

kingcam0775 the trade from Golden State to Boston put Parish in the Hall of Fame.

[@iconadams]

Wonderful video about one fantastic, top-five all-time player for the ages! Great court-vision and imagination, incredible hands and drive, a deft shooting touch, and tough as nails... just watch him battle Houston's Twin Towers for rebounds.

[@CAF91060]

The best that ever was and always will be!

[@ToddieBender]

Bird 🦅 really could do it all. He really had a complete game and excelled at many things.

[@DonkeyKong5479]

Greatest SF ever

[@TheMimetolithman]

+Andrew BlackopGOAL GOAT .........

[@FavreianVengeance]

+Andrew Blackop GOAT, dude.

[@DonkeyKong5479]

+KristaL Mac LeoD +FavreianVengeance Wouldn't go that far, but he's certainly up there.

[@DonkeyKong5479]

***** A top 10 player who's the greatest SF ever is overrated garbage?? I think you need to FOH

[@TheKRL78]

+chris miller That's your ridiculous opinion.

[@larrylegend199]

Greatest basketball player ever! Genius at work

[@feedmemoreh8458]

Greatest Sf of all time

[@maurih1games]

+Ethan Frater i'm a real fan oof larry, he is my all time fav player, but LeBron is a monster different player, but verall better player imo

[@feedmemoreh8458]

Sorry he isn't. Lebron is faster and better defender

[@200mphz06]

+Ethan Frater And a lot dumber.

[@maurih1games]

200mphz06 haha for sure

[@johntobey1558]

There will only be one Larry Bird He saved the franchise in 1979. Boston will never be tge same. The best ever!

[@RealLifeFinance]

Great Editing! Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge, Larry Bird - 3 of the best team players ever.

[@TheKevanmcd]

Wonderful tribute to Bird

[@connorclarke1218]

So inspirational. I'm drunk right now and I love life. This is great to watch!

[@ChrisHanson121]

I'm stoned right now and I agree!

[@SoreThumbSociety]

I’m both and I can’t stop watching this damn video!!

[@DurkMcGerk]

Bird was such a genuine person. When Musburger said "nice job", Bird really seemed to mean it when he said "thank you very much".

[@jhanks2012]

I'm rocking the Larry Bird cut in 2020. Half mullet, half lion's mane.

[@jonchristian9639]

Glad to see this video came back. Bird and Duncan are my favorite examples of how basketball should be played.

[@ultimatepatriot]

Anyone who grew up watching basketball in the 80s-90s know what real legends are and how ridiculous todays game is.

[@adamr6794]

Damn Right

[@joshuasussman8112]

Larry's '86 is I think the greatest single season in history. Artful, beautiful basketball.

[@MallThat]

Bird is without a doubt my All-Time favorite player. And it's crazy to find out that the performance that he considered his greatest game ever was played against my hometown Houston Rockets. It's as beautiful as it is painful to watch.

[@bobhayett2376]

I still say Larry Bird is the most coordinated athlete I've ever seen in any sport. Whether he was the NBA's GOAT is very subjective.

[@TheMimetolithman]

BoB NICE OBSERVATION.

[@therealpicknrolla7604]

Larry had a great carreer and totally deserved everything..because he did everything for his team in both sides of the court.scoring,passing,rebounding,stealing,blocking,such a useful player and such an unbeliavable leading and winning mentality.he made you believe that no matter what in the end his team would win..reminds me of diamantidis :)

[@jetmetal4312]

So many wonderful memories. We knew he was incredible but when you're in the moment you don't realize just how incredible.

[@christophersanzo1833]

This video made me cry. Basketball is beautiful, Larry Bird is a legend. 🏀 💚

[@samt4956]

I don't want to get into the argument of who the best SF of all time is, but I enjoy watching Larry Bird play way more than I do Lebron.

[@andreialexandruparfeni7129]

Boiler Up Depends on which LeBron. If it's the 2015 Finals LeBron, just isolating every possession since he basically had nobody, then I agree, but something like the 2012-13 version was great to watch.

[@arnecruz]

Yes, me too. I like watching smart player more than an athletic player. I also enjoy enjoy watching fundamentally sound player. Lebron always travels and flops. He is fundamentally flawed. I also enjoy watching tough player, not whiners. Hey, I believe James is the most athletic player in the NBA. But he is not so smart compare to MJ,Kobe, Magic and Bird. He dominates by his strength and athleticism. He is not tough mentally. That was why he went to Miami, he averaged dismally in the 4th quarter in the Finals, etc.

[@wormsrock]

Lebron combines that elite athleticism with an amazing IQ too, are you really going to explain that he has a higher assist average than Larry, known by all as a great passer, over a longer period in the league. I love watching Bird's highlights more than Lebron's too, but don't let his athleticism fool you into believing he ain't a smart player too

[@scoobtube5746]

Sorry, but I've never seen any evidence of LeBron having a higher than average basketball IQ. I'll give you the elite speed, strength, athleticism, and defensive skills, but not the high basketball IQ. LeBron is neither mentally strong nor mentally quick. Hence the reason he has failed to deliver so many times in clutch situations. Bird on the other hand was a master craftsman of the mental side of basketball. He excelled at everything from anticipation (three time NBA All-Defensive 2nd Team despite slow foot speed), floor positioning (outstanding rebounder), intimidation/psychological warfare (the greatest, most notorious trash talker in NBA history), leading (would always dive and sacrifice his body for loose balls), and rising to the occasion in clutch moments (still regarded by many as the most clutch player in NBA history). Absolutely no one got inside Bird's head, but Bird got inside everyone else's. There is ZERO comparison between LeBron and Bird when it comes to basketball IQ.

[@deathtoideologues]

Without a doubt. Magic and MJ were funner to watch to but Bird was funnest ever.

[@jamesfernandez3627]

Textbook basketball. The fundamentals, the basketball I.Q., the anticipation, the tenacity (even if he looks like a shy lamb),the hustle plays, the great team player as he is, and how he shines in an era where the defense is very tough, all I can say is that he's better than Lebron.

[@davidallenspeaks9548]

bart simpson loves donald trump Not for a longer period of time however but yea I agree that those years in 84,85,86 he was the best player in the game no question.

[@georgeelmerdenbrough6906]

I have heard no one spoke more shit on the court than Larry Bird

[@billythekid5258]

@@georgeelmerdenbrough6906 HAHA! And that's just one more thing that I LOVE about him! Plus -- he BACKS UP his trash talk!

[@jtl9945]

He's not better than LeBron Larry would tell you himself he's not.. and ppls main argument is "I.Q" as if LeBron isn't as smart as larry. LeBron is smart enough too know not too work on farms when you're a multi- million dollars athlete...

[@feellucky271]

LeBron who? Larry is G.O.A.T.

[@havrisen6620]

The Bird quote at the end gave me chills.

[@JP-jj6kw]

The master of fundamental basketball

[@vaderetro264]

No NBA player has haver had more soul and class than Bird.

[@MrYounis26]

Kobe

[@loufillippo6835]

Yeah right, it's so scary that a woman can simply make an accusation and cause so much damage to a reputation. Remember that hotel employee said she left that hotel as cool as a cucumber? Man you better watch out if you're rich & famous, Eric Williams said he installed cameras in his house just out of fear that a date might make a fake accusation. Now if the evidence said otherwise I'd be the first to say throw Kobe's ass in prison

[@aduarte8057]

MrYounis26 Kobe didn't have class or soul....

[@squinteastwood4637]

Bird was an epic sh!t-talker. I think bill Russell was a pretty classy guy, Magic and Kareem were classy as well. Barkley seem cool too and Shaq. Bird still GOAT fuck the h8rs

[@dadleyblane5]

Yes, he def was a shit talker, alot of guys in sports are, the only difference was he backed it up too... You know as well as I do that it's one thing to shit talk, and another to back it up. lol

[@RichardHSears]

Would put him up against any player. One of the very few that keeps his head in the game the whole game, unbelievable

[@johnreecer6089]

I find myself watching this video at least 2-3 times a month. Perfect editing, voice-overs, and song choice. And of course, Bird doing his thing. “How can you not be romantic about basketball?”

[@marionkerley8065]

Best ever, period!!!

[@weiqi8956]

Excellent video! Not only was Larry peaking as a player but this may have been the greatest basketball team in the history of the game. I mean, this team had Larry, McHale, Parish, DJ, and Bill Walton off the bench. Wow.

[@alluvialedaempfer962]

True, but a case could be made for Wilts 76ers championship team

[@weiqi8956]

Wilt's 76er team was a great team, a team that won the NBA title during the Celtics run.

[@cp3675]

everybody new, it was bird who took them to the finals, and made the Celtics win. McHale never even won a mvp award

[@mssolomito]

+Wei Qi I agree that this is the greatest team of all-time. Parish, McHale and Bird down low, with Walton coming off the bench. DJ and Ainge in the backcourt. Wedman and Sichting coming off the bench. Great team.

[@minfo2000]

+Mike Solomito WAS PISTOL PETE ON THAT TEAM?

[@cards1985]

Birds passing was legendary.

[@wramsey193]

I am glad you made this video about Bird.He was a great defender, nobody played the passing lanes like Bird.He is the Goat.

[@thomasleary2814]

Don’t get me wrong. I love Larry and saw him up close for the first 8 years of his career, but I wouldn’t call him a great defender. I’d call him a good defender within the team concept. I think he’s even on record as saying that he could afford to gamble (free safety if you will) when he had great defensive players like Parish, McHale and Walton to back him up.

[@sowhat3459]

It took this Michigan State fan many years to admit Larry was one of the best ever.

[@billymctaco721]

Skill and an ability to read the play, worth 2 on the court, also back in the day when you couldn't travel or double dribble

[@sparkytdg]

Tears... man youth was fun.

[@ToastedAlmond77]

Larry Legend was a freak of nature, he didn’t even have to shoot the ball and he would still beat you. His court awareness is unprecedented

[@geneticfreak2411]

Heart and soul and the love of the game, that was Larry Bird.

[@Oneofthosefatguys]

Laker fan here but Larry Bird has always been my favorite player. Much respect to top 5 player all time.

[@markwheeler202]

Three guys I would love to see play again: Kareem, Pete Maravich, and Larry Bird.

[@fredwoods2355]

Mark Wheeler not Wilt or Jerry West?

[@FreeSociety1]

Greatest NBA Players for me: Pete Maravich, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Bill Walton. In their prime, these guys were beyond amazing (some of them even underrated)

[@dorseykindler9544]

Pistol Pete! Southwest PA's greatest!

[@TheMimetolithman]

Bird Pete and Jason could You IMAGINE'

[@joeseddit]

Game 7 of the playoffs the season the Celtics beat Atlanta. Bird and Dominique Wilkins were trading baskets in the fourth quarter. That's my favorite Larry Bird game. I'm a Celtics fan, but I gotta give Dominique props. There was a list of all time top 50 players compiled in 1996 and Wilkins wasn't on it. Most glaring omission IMO.

[@danielkelegian5306]

Its one of the greatest playoff games ever.

[@user-gy9dx7eu1y]

Larry Legend Bird is Legendary.