Larry Bird's last Big Game: 49 Point Triple Double on 1992 Blazers two months before retirement.

Just two months before his retirement, with a painful back condition, Larry Bird delivers an extraordinary game against the soon-to-be Western Conference Champions, the Portland Trail Blazers. 49 points, grabs 14 rebounds, and dishes out 12 assists.
*Written by Titan Frey
(@ Writerfrey26)
Editing program I use: Premiere Pro CC
Music: Epidemic Sound share.epidemicsound.com/2oay6w (you can use my referral link)
and produced by Oldskoolbball (Tarik Arslan)

[@carolehall1000]

This was the 10th to the last regular season game Larry Bird would play in the NBA, when he scored the 49 point triple double against Portland. He'd spent the previous offseason having a Hail Mary back surgery that ultimately didn't work. According to his teammates, Larry had to wear a hard shell back brace just to be able to play. I got curious and checked. After Larry Bird played this game and retired, no one in the NBA would have this high of a scoring triple double again until Russell Westbrook finally tied it in 2015. That's 23 Years! AND that's after the NBA spent 2 decades, over and over, changing rules and officiating with the STATED PURPOSE of making it easier for shooters to score. And it still took 23 years! That made me look backwards. And it turns out that in the early years of the 90's and across the entirety of the 80's no one scored that high of a triple double either. Twice during that span, 2 guys came close with 47 point triple doubles. One of those guys was Michael Jordan and the other one was...Larry Bird. You have to go all the way back to 1975, in the prior era, before the ABA merger when not all the best players were even playing in the same league against each other, when Kareem scored a 50 point triple double to find one better. Not only was Larry on his last legs, playing in pain when he did this, he had also lost his love for basketball because Magic had been forced to retire before the start of this season because of his HIV diagnosis. But, his team needed him to do it to win this game to try to make it to the playoffs one more time. So, he did it. Old, broken down, ruined back, broken hearted Larry Bird held the highest scoring triple double across a 40 year span of modern NBA. I feel like if this had been any other superstar, this would be a big deal and talked about a lot more. Thank you for the video.

[@Oldskoolbball]

fantastic insight.

[@Jim_L]

Great research! Thanks for sharing this with all of us! 👍

[@drummer8by2]

I think he had a couple of Blocks and Steals too... He was something else... One of the best players ever, bar none ... He didn't last as long because he poured it out every time he could!! I was there Feb 4th, 1993 ... Truly the end of an Era!! 👊🏼👏🏼👏🏼💫

[@RoyPage1970]

It was but too bad he couldn't pull it off in game 7 of the playoffs against Cleveland that year they would have been playing the bulls and got beaten 6 just like Cleveland did​@@Oldskoolbball

[@user-iv9er3nr6z]

Would've ❤️ for tayshaun prince to have larry broken back bird, tayshaun prince would've had a 🐦 sandwich from French lick, Indiana , Kevin darant & kevin garnett & lebron jame each would've score 50s points playing against Larry bird

[@faronanderson2536]

Jordan, Magic, and Bird. My top 3 players of all time.

[@1027srich]

Same and in that exact order... That's 3/4 of my Mt Rushmore

[@fjp3305]

Jordan, Bird, Magic

[@1027srich]

​@donniehenderson1916 I was with you until Jokic lol... Granted, Jokic is definitely the most dominant player in today's league, however, we still have to wait and see how long he can keep it up 😎

[@tombouu]

Jokic Doncic!

[@albertmckeon6839]

I was there! There have been many greats, including Bill Russell, Kareem, Magic, and Jordan, but I’ll always start my dream team with Larry Bird.

[@billm3706]

Thank you for this terrific compliment.

[@user-jm6hi3nc8g]

😢that is the Real NBA.

[@joegevorkyan7308]

Yep

[@RandySmith-iz1ml]

Been a Lakers fan since the 60's but Larry Bird was the man, 3 MVP's in a row, say no more.

[@tpatrick44]

Same here. Elgin Baylor was my Favorite when I was a Boy in Los Angeles. Larry Bird is in my top 5

[@charliekennedy2545]

Remember watching that game. Bird was so injured at this point. Unreal that he could even PLAY much less be great. Goat. Legend.

[@Jim_L]

Absolutely! And for anyone who experiences lower back pains from time to time, you've got to be that much more in awe of what Bird was still able to do out there on the court. It's incredible! 👍

[@rmcfete]

He wasn’t even supposed to play that game

[@jlobiafra]

RIP Reggie Lewis

[@jlobiafra]

I remember watching this on NBC, it was nationally televised.

[@ObjectiveEthics]

Legend has it Larry can still drop 40 if he wants to.

[@user-mp1gg7qj4e]

Larry-true GOAT

[@tombouu]

Jokic Doncic!

[@philippesauvie639]

Rest in peace Clifford Robinson, Kevin Duckworth and Jerome Kersey.

[@Dwitwitty]

Larry Legend is simply underrated. They say KD and LBJ were the best SF, but in their peak I pick LB anytime of the day.

[@AnHebrewChild]

100.0%

[@cgraf69]

Larry was better in any year of his career than anyone ever. Doesn't matter what team he's on, it contends for the championship every single year. Even college at ISU. Basketball fans have no clue how good he was because they don't realize all the things big and small he's doing on the court

[@NameCallingIsWeak]

Bird passes and rebounds MUCH better than KD, and is clutch like LeBron has not been.

[@Hatedvarii]

50/40/90 splits was insane . But his underrated point of his game was his defense for sure …he’s arguably the best all around player off all time

[@user-iv9er3nr6z]

Lebron james would've score 50s points playing against Larry bird especially broken back Larry bird, lebron jame would've ate a 🐦 sandwich from French lick, Indiana

[@RoyPage1970]

I remember watching this game like it was yesterday

[@irishgrl]

LARRY LEGEND IS A UNICORN AND THE *TRUE* GOAT!!! 🐐 ☘️

[@mwright_boomer]

Imagine if he had been able to play 4-5 more years. But the dude just hustled so hard and his body broke down

[@bumblebity2902]

No because back injury was from non basketball activity and Larry hide it because aware of consequences

[@paulazzar8936]

BIRD THE GOAT.

[@Amick44]

2 things to keep in mind. Larry was one of the very few who could do All this in pain and maintain focus. Other point is how great Clyde was to counter him much of the game. There weren't 5 stars at the time who could've hung with what Larry did that game. Clyde one of the precious few.

[@DeTAYL.]

IMO the GOAT SF 🐐 Zero athleticism, but was a beast on the court.

[@GABEMOORE533]

🗣️IF Y👤U SAY LARRY BIRD 🐦 DIDN ' T HAVE ANY ATHLETICISM Y👤U DIDN ' T WATCH LARRY ' S WH🌐LE CAREER . LARRY WAS NEVER SUPER ATHLETIC . BUT , LARRY HAD DECEPTIVE AND UNDERRATED ATHLETICISM . A PLAYER▶️ D🚫ESN ' T MAKE THE PLAYS⏯️ THAT LARRY MADE WITH 🚫UT BEING ATHLETIC .>🎤 🏀🗑️🤾⛹️

[@Amick44]

​@@GABEMOORE533no kidding. Larry (and Luka) are 5x more athletic than joker.

[@user-vx2ov2rs4j]

Anyone who saw Lebron choke against Denver last night knows that Bird is the greatest small forward to ever play the game. Game for game, point for point, Larry is the Legend.

[@SilentMovements305]

That's typical lebron stuff. The question is who has lebron over Bird as the greatest small forward of all time? Cuz honestly that would be a delusional take n ima Lakers fan

[@johnd2330]

@@SilentMovements305 definitely not delusional in any sense. LeBron is one of the greatest as is Bird.

[@SilentMovements305]

@johnd2330 never said he's not "as great" clearly you can read my post. He's not better Larry Bird point blank period.

[@johnd2330]

@@SilentMovements305 you basically intimated it. If anyone has LeBron over Bird as the greatest small forward, they are far from delusional. My point remains.

[@SilentMovements305]

@johnd2330 my point still stands Larry Bird over lebron any given day

[@user-vw1fh3qm1l]

His 3 championships were more like 6 championships.

[@davidschmidt1793]

They were like 3 championships lol.

[@knowthycell]

@@davidschmidt1793meet you half way at 3.5 championships.

[@jeremyhemp8241]

Best clutch and all around player to have ever played the game.

[@Amick44]

If not for Jordan's D, yes. Still a close 2nd.

[@RobertSchuster68]

Larrys Bird is the Michael Jordan of all Larry Birds

[@jordanwilson3120]

I agree

[@marvymarv959]

I think Jokic is the Mike Jordan of Larry birds

[@jordanwilson3120]

@marvymarv959 he gotta get 1 more mvp&2 more rings& HAVE more impact on basketball culture off the court...I understand you though

[@marvymarv959]

@@jordanwilson3120 Larry had impact off the court? In what way?

[@IDontBuyIt50]

@@marvymarv959 nobody mows a lawn in French Lick like Larry does. He does all of that off the court.

[@tylersouthcott3359]

For those who don’t know much about Birds play style. He’s best described as a hybrid between Jokic and Luka, superior defender than either and shoots the ball like KD. He played in the wrong generation. One of the greatest shooters ever but only ever took 2 threes a game max because the 3 point line came the year he entered the league so it was still taboo at first. In today’s NBA with the spacing, pick and roll play, and emphasis in 3 point shooting his game would have thrived even more than he did in the 80s

[@eyesalooking]

Larry would have been bored in today's NBA because it would have been too easy for him. He wouldn't know how to handle it with nobody on his back or pushing him. He would have eaten the competition alive.

[@verholdt]

Thank you for posting this it’s so refreshing to see actual basketball with contact, proper defense, and elite shooting. The Glide was solid in this one too thought Larry Legend went off.

[@boogitybear2283]

This was his best game ever played!!! The fact he did this on an awful back is insane!!!

[@lilJJslayer]

i forgot all about ainge on the trailblazers, him guarding bird is hilarious

[@stefanopozzoli4776]

Best player Nba everytime Larry Bird ❤️

[@tombouu]

Nicolas jokic!

[@seandelevan]

As a kid without cable television it was rare to see Celtics games so I definitely remember watching this on a Sunday afternoon. Lost my god damned mind when hit that buzzer beater!

[@jasonaiken1904]

That 3 pointer to tie the game was ridiculous!

[@TrumpFanNetwork2]

This game was nationally televised on a Saturday. My area had a heavy thunderstorm that day, and it knocked out the cable tv in my house. By the time it was restored, the game was going into overtime. This was long before the internet…

[@jakeg1148]

I remember watching that game when I was 13.

[@justa335]

No one will compare.

[@rtremblay24]

Watched it live and it was awesome! Was too young to enjoy the prime so this was really cool to watch.

[@alexperezacevedo5888]

Now that's how a legend with a bad back plays. Imagine if Bird was in his prime.

[@NBWDOUGHBOY]

Almost forgot Rick Fox played for the Celtics.

[@HeathOverledger]

Absolutely wild that he and B. Shaw played with Bird and Kobe

[@ronaldlincoln2935]

That pass by Bird up under the hoop sidearm and right on the money. Damn!

[@TRJ2241987]

@@HeathOverledger yet Shaw and Fox were not teammates on the Celtics

[@kellyw1648]

Two of my favorite players. Bird could do it all. Nobody could run the court better than Clyde the Glyde.

[@chadsiewert893]

Great breakdown.

[@lukeconverse6632]

Greatest ever, Larry Joe bird

[@jetaimefidelis]

Players back then were tough but professional in defense.

[@johnd2330]

still are.

[@spartamykonos]

If not for injuries that would have ended the careers of most, Bird would be the one in the GOAT debate with Jordan. With that said, his peak was as good as any great in NBA history, including Jordan.

[@bigkw1568]

The Fucking Legend

[@clifflawrence7479]

Great video. I watched this game live. It was one heck of a battle

[@Skibbitypappappa]

If I could create a basketball player I'd take Larry's brain for sure

[@philcrowley1344]

An obviously limited Bird was still incredible. That 3 as time was running out says it all.

[@kimwalker108]

Clyde The Glide!

[@billm3706]

JMO but Clyde The Glide is terribly overrated. All he ever did was dunk from the right side on a fast break.

[@Amick44]

@@billm3706 Nah. If Clyde is overrated, what about Wilkins, Iverson, Dantley? Clyde had a strong all-around game. These other guys all they did was score. Or dribble, in Iverson's case.

[@JohnSmith-4U]

We don’t need the unneccessary commentary over the game. This game is good enough to be shown by itself….

[@TemperTemper...]

Bird with a bad back is better then anyone today.

[@tombouu]

Jokic doncic

[@TemperTemper...]

@@tombouu Jokic would have a hard time when they played defense.

[@tombouu]

Maybe. But today bird loves jokic. Says he is best

[@GABEMOORE533]

🗣️LARRY BIRD 🐦 IS THEE BEST SMALL FORWARD EVER . PE👤PLE ST🛑P , SAYING LARRY BIRD 🕊️ WASN ' T ATHLETIC . LARRY 🕊️ BIRD WAS ATHLETIC . L ARRY 🐦 BIRD JUST WASN ' T SUPER ATHLETIC . BUT , SO . MOST PLAYERS⏯️ AREN ' T SUPER ATHLETIC ANYWAY . BUT , I ' LL TAKE LARRY ' S GAME OVER A STRICTLY ATHLETIC PLAYER▶️ . LARRY CAN PLAY▶️ THIS GAME OF BASKETBALL . .MY TOP 4 OF ALL TIME IS : 1. MICHAEL J🔴RDAN ( THEE G.🐐.A..T. ) 2. HAKEEM 🦖 OLJAW🚀N 3. ✨MAGIC ✨ JOHNSON 4. LARRY 🐦BIRD🕊️ >🎤 🏀🗑️🤾⛹️

[@123Goldhunter11]

Now there is a new operation called ADR/Artificial Disc Replacement. Going in from the front they replace discs with new artificial ones like they do hip replacements. Tiger Woods had it.

[@Dangerman-Original]

We've discovered

[@WVF112469]

I hated Larry Bird because he would stick that dagger 🗡️ deep into the heart when the Celtics would beat my team, the Portland Trail Blazers. I remember this game well and consider Larry Legend the greatest.

[@MarkCerbo]

Portland couldn't touch Boston's Bird.

[@Shinobi33]

God he just had to try putting a new floor for his mom by himself and break his back. We could've had at least 5 more years of Bird's greatness.

[@ryanx2406]

Kobe Bryant could never.

[@SilentMovements305]

🤡

[@billm3706]

And Bird was an all around better player than Magic. Book it.

[@ryanx2406]

@@billm3706 you know I have to agree with that statement it's by the slimiest of margen.

[@taliesen1953]

Ainge against the C's.......that tough to watch

[@RandyDubin]

0:45.

[@kimwalker108]

As usual, Rick Adelman was out coached. Why would you have Danny Ainge , who is a great free throw shooter, on the bench when you are inbounding the b-ball, up 3 with 10 seconds to play? Instead, they leave Kersey and Buck Williams on the court, who are notorious bad free throw shooters. The ball should have been thrown in to either Terry Porter, or Danny Ainge, with Drexler being a 3rd option. Blazers win at least 1 title with good coaching in this era.

[@ElenaGrafova]

Tall brother 48

[@carlosbond5062]

Did Larry Bird eventually have to have surgery for the back?

[@nadersrevenge1780]

Yeah he did in 1992 after he retired I think

[@carlosbond5062]

@@nadersrevenge1780 thank you!!!

[@TheWolferinDenver]

Portland wearing Rebock and Boston Converse. 2 brands gone from the NBA because of the GOAT Jordan and NIke.

[@rmcfete]

You have no idea how good the 86 team was. Only three losses at home all year including the playoffs. Get a life

[@cindyknudson2715]

I believe they had just one loss at home in 1986. 50-1 for the season thru the playoffs.

[@aaronaigner3481]

That was a travel and a 2 point shot at the end of regulation. Bird got the homer call, twice in one play. Regardless, from this PTB fan and season ticket holder at the time, an epic game.

[@ReallyBadProductions]

No it wasn’t and no it wasn’t. No travel and feet clearly behind the line.

[@rmcfete]

His foot was behind the line they didn’t show the reply that shoed it clean. Hell he even looked down to make sure

[@donaldwilson8163]

I tell you, I miss these Old Days! REAL BASKETBALL, REAL STARS! Not like the flopping cry baby LeBron James.

[@paulhoward5898]

I think Bird is underrated because he didn’t look real athletic and wasn’t that pretty

[@yehor_ivanov]

he had that old school masculine handsomeness, I believe)) to be fair and was kinda cute

[@johnd2330]

he's definitely not underrated.

[@timelesscoaching]

All I want to know is why can't we see more good video quality like this of Larry usually looks like crap.

[@FERNANDOGONZALEZ-pb6re]

No offense but with a good looking wife like Larry Bird has, it's no wonder he was suffering from back problems. LOL😅😅😅

[@youtuber3328]

no disrespect but the 08 celtics were nowhere near as elite as the 77 blazers led by star bill walton let alone the 81 84 and 86 celtics led by legend larry bird

[@bumblebity2902]

Sadly he only can blame himself to do something dangerous non basketball related. Back injury is cause when he fell of the roof when he was cleaning snow

[@cindyknudson2715]

No. He was shoveling gravel at his mom's house in French Lick. Nothing inherently dangerous about the project at all. And he did have someone lined up to do it, but they didn't show, so he started himself.

[@cindyknudson2715]

In the summer.

[@bumblebity2902]

@@cindyknudson2715 Still, he violate his contract