Larry Bird's Rookie Spectacle Forces Teammates to Quit And Changed The NBA Forever!

#nba #larrybird
Twitter: / wilsonsy93
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Sources: Basketball-Reference.com
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Music: Anthem - The Grand Affair - Hip Hop y Rap - FREE Music KZbin Audio Library
Dreamy Flashback by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
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[@mikeb8674]

Nothing tops Larry Bird so thoroughly dominating Atlanta that the Hawks' bench were just laughing in disbelief as he dropped bombs on them.

[@flyoverkid55]

One of the most memorable moments in NBA history.

[@JD-zd8tm]

The Hawks were rolling out of their seats

[@NuradinAlas]

Prime Larry Bird would easily dominate todays NBA

[@simplyskrypt3914]

Agreed. Name me one guy in 00s, 10s or 20s era whos been top 3 in mvp votes for 8 straight years and won 3 times (even if its not in a row)

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

Larry Bird did win MVP 3 yrs in a row! Lol. It hasn't been duplicated since!

[@eyestoseefe7618]

Prime Larry dominates any era

[@liontone]

Look at Luka, then add 30%… that’s Larry.

[@oldmanballer5088]

The only player in NBA history to avg at least 24 points 10 rebounds and 6 assists! The only one. From 1980-1989 h3 won 67% of the MVP VOTE for the decade. The next closest was Magic with 37%. That’s dominance

[@joeg4707]

Larry Bird is the best all-around player ever. Period.

[@thedailygreatness]

Mmmm no. But he's among the best without a doubt.

[@bassheadchilled1344]

​@@thedailygreatnessstatpadding doesnt make you best all around, gtfo with that bronette narrative, larry is the best forward EVER

[@johngalt9737]

People forget what was like before he hurt his back putting the driveway in at his mom's house

[@ahnguyen1]

@@bassheadchilled1344Larry made the team better. LeChump makes the team worse.

[@joemarshall4226]

Nikola Jokic is amazing. He can do what Larry did, what Kevin Mc Hale did, and what Shaq did. And he can't jump or run fast!

[@hellionus]

Larry is a legend and he knows it from the beginning and proves it by backing up his words.

[@kathieovercash8414]

Bird is my favorite player. Nothing will ever change that. He stands alone.

[@wurds509]

"Nothing will ever change that," kathieovercash8414? Some religions prove themselves to be dangerous when enough people hold such a conviction.

[@thepamela050]

@@wurds509 That's a dumb comparison..

[@wurds509]

"Nothing will ever change that," thepamela050, gives the world thoughtless religions that people are willing to fight for without being able to say why they're fighting. Their loyalty is to believing rather than the content of a belief, a dangerous position that "Nothing will ever change that" paves the way for.

[@thepamela050]

@@wurds509 He's talking about being a fan of someone..I'm sorry but nothing is dangerous about admiring someone for their skills...Admiring or being a fan of someone is not dangerous..Did you forget your meds today?

[@wurds509]

This isn't ABOUT "admiring someone for their skills," but I don't care to pursue it any further.

[@ericmol2614]

Larry is not just a one man team at all. It's obvious who gets the ball. But Larry believed in you or he wouldn't pass to you if he didn't. He passed the ball like he shot the ball, open shots and open passes. He brought up players, gave them courage and gave them hope. They had great work ethics too. That was his play too. That's what you get from Larry in the deal. It wasn't just him shooting in the least bit. Watching him as a kid, there are seconds left in the game and if you didn't know who was getting the ball then you didn't know who the celtics were. You had nothing to do with Larry bird but everyone there who knew Larry knew who was getting the ball. And time and time again when the game was over you knew why Larry got the ball. If you don't know what this means then you also don't know Larry the Legend.

[@terrenceolivido741]

sure, there were a lot of players with more natural talent than Bird. they were dime-a-dozen. Bird was the epitome of the Celtics and their hisroical relation to working-class Boston. he carried them all on his shoulders and Aurebach had his back - as Larry said. without Bird the Celtics were a mediocre team - period.

[@MrNathanperez]

That's why he's called Larry Legend, "if you were any damn good they wouldn't be double teaming me" is one of craziest roasts said from one HOF'er to another.

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

Considering what Larry said was taken out of context and we have no idea what tone of voice was used or anything like that! I don't go by whoever told people he said that!

[@joedavis4096]

If he got up in front of the entire team as a rookie and told them he wasn't getting any of them water...or carry their bags...I have NO doubt he said that to Pistol

[@surfdocer103]

And he said that to flippin' Pete Maravich!!!! As a ROOKIE!

[@surfdocer103]

Bird didn’t leave Indiana because it was big. He had two pairs of jeans and two shirts. He was embarrassed about his poverty.. it’s in his book

[@surfdocer103]

He almost put his number six pack in jeopardy. Before leaving college, he broke a finger playing softball. in spite of his incredible career, he maintained that his shot was never the same after that

[@jaredbracci3529]

I was blessed to see BIRD play 85 times from my Dad’s court side seats as a child. Had the privilege of seeing Magic many times as well. Their is a narrative out their that ‘THEY’ want you to believe: That BIRD wasn’t athletic. Oh yes he was… I witnessed him take a rebound down in traffic, and throw a 75 ft pin point pass into a sprinting Danny Ainge’s hands (LEFTY) for an under the rim lay up. Ainge caught the ball and after scoring had a look of disbelief on his face. Why, because he had never caught a pass like that in his life, because no one could throw a pass like that, or would have the balls to do it left handed. Here is another FACT. Just because your not as athletic as many players, doesn’t mean your not athletic. After all - it’s the NBA! In truth, BIRD was as athletic as Magic and, in fact, could jump just as high and run just as fast. Why isn’t athleticism ever brought up about Magic? He took set shots, because he couldn’t take a jump shot? And I’m ok with that, because of his brilliant skills, but you must admit, it’s a little unusual. I’ve also been blessed to have seen every great player since BIRD and I can guarantee one thing, If a REF is standing at the half court line, and rolls the ball out to center court and BIRD is 20 feet away, and another player is also 20 ft away, BIRD will find away to get the 50/50 ball the vast majority of the time. Because he was fast and he wanted it more. And lastly, I saw BIRD in his first 7 years dunk over countless people, both lefty and righty. Hence, If he wasn’t athletic, he wouldn’t have been smoking the opposition on a nightly basis. Fact is, because BIRD was good at everything, the media had to find a weakness, and in their sadly biased way, had to create the narrative that he wasn’t athletic.

[@kathieovercash8414]

That's so cool.

[@WilsonSy]

Incredible. Amazing insight. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@bartsullivan4866]

In a way he reminds me of John McEnroe someone who just wants it more than the other guy willing to lay his body on the line every time. Would rather die than let an opponent beat him. Relentless drive but also like Borg in tennis someone who would put in the hours and hours of practice to hone his craft. In short a perfect all around player.

[@jaredbracci3529]

@@bartsullivan4866, yes I agree.. their def are some similarities. DESIRE is something advanced STAT’s doesn’t calculate for.

[@danielbrown3461]

Many White Athletes had the stigma in most sports that they were good but not that great....In Birds time a White Track and Field athlete held the World Record for the High Jump and Whites were dominating at Distance Events...Plus 7 out of the top 10 Baseball Players were White. And for International Freestyle Wrestling...Whites Dominated. Today? You got 2 white Players Dominating the League and they are playing on Average 3 quarters every night...Not even close to 4.

[@calebyoung9246]

What was so special about the rivalry between the Celtics and Lakers is that the teams and players respected the hell out of one another on and off the court.

[@TimeNap]

Video got me thinking about a scenario I never really have. Imagine Larry Bird and Magic Johnson switched places. I think the results in the 80s would've been just about the same.

[@mickeywhite7878]

But it’s really not much of a rivalry when you consider the Celtics are 9-3 vs the Lakers in the Finals. Most rivalries are not so one sided

[@TimeNap]

@@mickeywhite7878 Considering Lakers have won 3 of last 4 meetings (after losing first 8) I would call it a pretty good rivalry.

[@joemarshall4226]

@@TimeNap I don't. I think the Lakers would have been even more dominant, assuming Larry and Kareem could work together, without ego clashing.

[@JohnSilva-hi6hx]

Truly the best time to be a fan in the NBA. Larry and Magic extended the rivalry between the two Cities. One that was even more intense than it was ine 60s. Thanks for an excellent tribute.

[@libertypastor1307]

Seen all this before, but for some reason, I had to watch the whole thing again! Success from hard work and sacrifice is contagious!

[@richardhaley3347]

Bird was a gangster assassin. He played defense and would body you. He hit the glass to limit the team be was beating. He could run the fast break. A magical passer and a great ball handler. He could shoot the lights out all over the court and hit hit runners or dunked at will. Lit up teams shooting left-handed when he got bored. He got inside Michael Jordan's head and never lost to him in the playoffs. Larry made the Celtics making everyone on the team better. Jordan and Bird were the best two players to ever play the game....period!

[@beachplumb]

“Larry Bird was a f$#king problem” - Michael Jordan

[@joemarshall4226]

Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell.

[@9983sp]

Larry was a student of the game. He was always thinking ahead, and knew where his teammates were at all times. Most importantly, he believed in passing the ball.

[@robmckrobmck5567]

Student? He was professor emeritus

[@poodymeiner3125]

Personally, I think what sets him apart is he’s the ultimate team player while also being one of the best all time

[@ClayGravil]

@@robmckrobmck5567 retired professor?

[@blackrock1961]

​@@ClayGravilI was going to say something similar, but you got there first.

[@radar0412]

Larry was a Basketball Savant. Can't teach that.

[@jlui21]

Luka, Jokic, Nash, Curry, Magic...all dominate(d). Speed and athleticism are electric but skill and IQ sustains you.

[@rapid13]

Magic? Dominated? Tell me you weren’t there without saying you weren’t there. 5>3, young one.

[@irishgrl]

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

[@NateO123]

Nah, he was incredible, but Mj remains the truth.

[@toastyroastyman8911]

Bird and Magic brought basketball back again from their unbelievable rivalry.

[@mikebailey9566]

I can remember the unathletic, can't jump remarks about John Havlicek too. Until you had to guard him and he literally ran you to death. He never stopped running you through picks and screens all game until you were exhausted.

[@Amick44]

Maybe in his last year or two. Otherwise, Havlicek was a truly fine athlete with plenty of speed and quickness. Far more than Bird ( and several other's) ever had.

[@scottodonnell7121]

@@Amick44 he was actually drafted by the Cleveland Browns and was one of the last players cut by them.

[@mr.eggplant866]

I think bill russell called him the greatest player he's ever seen.

[@Calidastas]

It makes me sick to see noob NBA fans fail to give Bird the respect he deserves. They don’t understand the power of flawless fundamentals.

[@WilsonSy]

Well said

[@9983sp]

Today's players couldn't handle the league Larry played in, it's way too physical and rough for them.

[@mylittlepitbull3143]

They can't even spell the word fundamentals

[@Calidastas]

@@mylittlepitbull3143😂

[@CorePathway]

@@9983sp”Play every minute of every game?!? For only a couple of million?!? Eff dat, I got a brand to build.”

[@kimreeves2702]

"If you were any damn good, they wouldn't be double teaming me". The shear audacity of a rookie to say such a thing to a legend!

[@q-man762]

That's not what brought about pistols retirement though, he had a bad knee and was wearing a brace to play in. Not able to play like he could before.

[@terrenceolivido741]

exactly, i had no idea how alpha-male Bird was in basketball. to say that to Pete Maravich would have " floored " all the players hearing it at that moment. it does lay down a gauntlet and either Larry would have to produce or he would have been exciled. Pete Maravich, there are some great documentaries on him. Pete overcame alcholism and " found the lord. " i criticize religion, but Pete gave " Christians " a good name - unlike most bullshit artists. Pete straightened out his life and helped a lot of people. so we can honestly say, " God bless him. "

[@SmedleyWarIsaRacket]

Bleed Purple and Gold but I gotta tell you I love Larry, he was a bad ass, could score from anywhere at anytime on anyone, rebound lights out and do it against the very best, excellent in transition, Great Defender, as tough as ANY player in the history of the NBA both mentally & physically... To me it seemed if Larry treated every game as a Game 7, Larry just never let up....I mean does anyone ever remember 33 taking a play off, or a breather? One other Larry kick your ass if you want to get salty on the court. With respect to the NBA and Basketball there really is nothing you can say bad about Larry Bird..... Larry Legend makes my all time starting five.

[@surfdocer103]

In 1978 they won 30. Bird was the ONLY roster change was Bird. They played in the ECF. The next year they won the championship. My first pick on a team would be theGOAT . Any team he was on was great since he demanded hard play and zero slacking. When the game was on the line he , like His Airness demanded the last shot. Also he would trash talk you to death.

[@dankcoyote]

I don’t know if I’d say he doesn’t get enough credit. Larry Bird was one of the players we’d emulate as a kid in the 90s. Everyone knew of his greatness.

[@4392amtrak]

Bird arguably had the greatest peak of all time

[@davemartino5997]

3 years : 3 MVPs 2 titles , 3 3pt contests 2 finals MVPs ( should’ve been 3) and 3 all defensive team. Not sure if I missed anything

[@4392amtrak]

@davemartino5997 He achieved all of that in seven years. He was already had a first ballot hof career before he turned 30

[@Djm0319]

Can we keep it simple? Watching Larry play was exciting. I wasn’t the only one shooting baskets after a Celtics game until it got too dark to see. We didn’t talk about who was the goat or stats back in the 1980s. As far as I know, we just wanted to watch him play. So many edge of your seat thrill rides. Watching Larry pull wins out of nowhere was like, oh man how do I explain it so people can understand? Shocking isn’t a strong enough word. I’m going to go with “life saving”. That is what it felt like. It felt like the world was over. We were doomed. There will be no tomorrow. I’ll never recover from this loss to HOLY CRAP I CAN’T BELIEVE HE DID THAT! Why do I think other people felt that way too? Because everyone talked about it until the next time Larry played and performed new miracles.

[@richieboy6825]

Well said. It seemed like a weekly event watching the Celts Sunday afternoon- my hands sweating as I paced the floor - Celts -Philly coming down to the wire & yep heading outside to shoot hoops as soon as the game was over - didn’t care if it was 20 degrees out & the ball wouldn’t bounce - you had to go…

[@user-os8up4pc7s]

Mentality and attitude always win, that's why us old school guys point to Bird,MJ and Kobe. They wanted to put the dagger down not just look good

[@lxlthr4058]

Would have loved to see Bird make it to the 95-97 seasons when NBA moved 3 pt line in. MJ went from 30% to 40% for those years. No telling how much Bird would have crushed that short line.

[@danielbrown3461]

The racist blacks came to say "Yes Sir" to bird....as he blew by their Stat Lines.

[@markkozell4817]

Most people don’t know, but Berg broke his hand before he turned pro that summer he bareheaded a baseball and broke his knuckles. He never could shoot the same. Just imagine if he would’ve never broke his knuckles he would’ve been shooting even better that’s crazy to think of.

[@newerafrican]

@@markkozell4817 In the summer of '85, Larry suffered a severe back injury. Even though he would win another championship and an MVP, it would haunt him for the rest of his career. I'm Larry's age and I can tell you that your back does NOT improve with age. My injury is disc/nerve related but nothing like what Bird experienced, I'm sure. He gave his body and soul for the Celtics, his teammates and basketball. My man!

[@user-ld4qk7xi6n]

I won’t watch anything about the nba today . But back in the 80’s basketball was great . Today anything about that era I will watch if it’s brought up. Especially Larry Joe or Magic, Bird was the best team player and clutch. There wasn’t any better in my opinion.

[@jaredbracci3529]

He would actually be bored with it. Just think what he would do offensively. Their is no hand checking now, so you couldn’t touch him, their is the Euro Step (Adult traveling) their is flopping, their is a general disdain for great defense because the league only promotes scoring. And how about palming the ball? When was the last time you saw it called? Now add in the fact that their is about 10 more offensive possessions a game, because the game has gotten faster (again do to promoting scoring) and add in the the fact that BIRD would be practicing the 3 ball (he never really did) and shooting 6 to 10 more a game. Lastly, let’s add in his trash talking and supreme confidence, and how he would break down todays EMO players. RESULT: MOP the floor with guys 😊

[@philipclock]

Well said! Bring back 80's defense: hand check, rules, carrying, traveling. And refs that let players duke it out.

[@JonSmith-hk1bq]

@@philipclock 80s defense was awful. Watch a game sometime, teams running up and down the floor against defenses that couldn't handle the fast break, defenders not bothering to guard outside of 17 feet. The top 12 years in NBA history for FG% happened between 1979 and 1990. And it sure as heck wasn't because players could shoot better back then.

[@philipclock]

@@JonSmith-hk1bq Thanks for your thoughtful reply! I hadn't focused on defense on the old replays, will look again. Perhaps defense back then didn't need to be as careful on fast brakes when referees would call traveling, and carrying the ball. My guess is that defenders in the early days of the three-point line didn't need to go aggressively on the periphery, much fewer three-point attempts in the early days before the NBA began launching more 3 point shots than Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthi rocket shots at Israel. With regards to field goal percentage, perhaps lower from 1979 to 1990 after NBA three-point gunners took over.

[@jaredbracci3529]

@@JonSmith-hk1bq, Yes, however, it was far more aggressive, & the FACT that BIRD had to be beaten up to be SLOWED is just another FACT. In addition, BIRD WAS guarded outside of 17 ft, because opposing teams knew it was the only chance they had to slow him down, being also one of the top 2 passers in the league which is NOT debatable. So, in a sense, your logic is correct, but when it came to BIRD, he was targeted by the entire apposing team from every angle, every night. And because the league was much more physical, many players got away with things against him that today they would be fined for & missing games. So yes, BIRD would MOP the floor with guys today - just like he did in his era.

[@victorhopper6774]

why i quit watching 40 years ago

[@josephharden5592]

Great upload 🤘🏽😎 Larry LEGEND! 1st post 😊

[@mitchelll3879]

At his peak between 1981-87 Bird was the greatest basketball player who ever played the game

[@acornsucks2111]

His numbers were best 84-88.

[@jr-xs9tf]

He was never off balance but kept his opponents constantly off balance both physically and mentally.

[@Bill_Woo]

Tears in my eyes at Magic's words at the end

[@davestonehill6177]

One of the absolute greatest players ever. The only player I put ahead of him is Wilt. One of the few players that I think would even be better in today's game than in his own day (he was awesome even back then).

[@bigdogbill119]

Agreed, but Wilt didn't have Bird's heart.

[@keithdevereux4046]

props to Maxwell for telling how it really was... that takes courage. well done young man!

[@georgemccormick4786]

Good video. Nice reworking of familiar material.

[@homoerectus744]

Fresh presentation and material,thnx.

[@sitarnut]

Bro.. Many thanks for posting this... a lot of it I had never seen.

[@armandorodriguez6447]

3:14 picture is a CLASSIC on my wall,or will be. Thanks for uploading it👍🏽

[@WilliamTross448]

Beautiful video! I loved it ,thank you.

[@fobbitoperator3620]

Well spoken & edited video man. You spoke 100% truth!

[@marksmith4346]

One of the best stats that will tell you about LB and what he did for those playing around him, the season after he retired, they had the lowest win total than they had since the year before he got there. I'm glad they talked to Cedric Maxwell because I remember him before Bird got there, he was good but he would pull up at times and not hustle. After Larry got there, you never saw him give up. It didn't change CM, just gave him hope to never give up.

[@soulergy1soulrgy1]

i watch legend Larry and the magic man live during their rookie year, I couldn't believe it, these giants moving so fast and making those passes, unbelievable, i though, no one has ever play like that! i was a sonic fan, they kick our ass like nothing. the sonics were the nba champs, the last 2 previous seasons went to the finals against the bullets also at the 2 finals. every other team became history. Celtis vs Lakers made history because those 2 greats of basketball...

[@JD-zd8tm]

Bird and Magic were so effective in the 80's that they didn't want to even lose an All Star game to each other . They actually played defense ...in an All-Star game ...because it was that important to represent the their respective conference

[@ameerhoasainbehboody3901]

Long Live the Green ... Bird's Talents in Order ... Rebounding, Defense, Assists, Steals, Cherry Pick Bombs, Fast Break, Fast Break Defense, Educating Refs, Mid Shots & 3s ... Greatest Rivalries :Moses, Kareem, Akeem, Dominique... All Time Goat on levels you need another couple more decades to figure out

[@stevebenton9193]

Having Bird and Magic as basketball rival in the 1980s was like having Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio as baseball rivals in the 1940s. Sometimes the heavens align just right to give you memories you'll never forget.

[@microclues327]

absolutely fabulous video Cpngrats I grew up in Boston.. He is a legend

[@robertoherrera5957]

Only 4 players could completely take over a game and win it on both sides of the court. MJ, Kobe, Magic (see him playing Center vs Sixers) and Bird. Jokic is getting to that level.

[@MaddDogg316]

Tim Duncan did it in the finals. Had a quad double taken from him by the scorers. I put him up there in that tier of player. Probably include Wilt in that as well.

[@tmcl1837]

I'm a Sixers fan (😢) but I have such high admiration for Larry Bird.

[@wmden1]

Great video. Though not my choice for the greatest, going by stats, he was my favorite player, by far, to watch play the game. He would pull jaw dropping plays during every game. He could do it all, extremely well and was good at team defense, but not exceptional at one on one. Though some say he was not athletic, he was a fine athlete. He just wasn't as fast as some and couldn't jump out of the gym like some, but was fast enough, with quick feet and hands, was strong, like a big farm boy, and had great stamina.

[@rap3208]

The most amazing thing is he doesn't have to have the ball to make things happen, he does what he does organically. Others have to hold and possess the ball waiting, dribbling and watching things to happen.

[@derbagger22]

I held the opinion he was the greatest of all time until Jordan went on his amazing run. Bird may not be the greatest, but he was the greatest competitor and did far more with the athleticism he had...

[@billygoatbaa3350]

Nice job on the video, probably the 2nd best bird video out there, combining facts and footage. Its always fun to hear about larry, he was so much fun to watch 😊 always managed to keep his, aww shucks country boy attitude, thats why yiu sisnt always realize he was trash talking, sometimes it took a minute to sink in😂😂 imagine a player that could shhot that good from anywhere on the court in the league today!! He would be unstoppable, you cant touch him or its a foul today. Now im all hyped up, gonna watch another bird video, maybe, making the case for larry bird , its a great video!! In gonna go huff some green paint 😂😂

[@VenomousStare]

AN all time classic video!

[@justinecooper9575]

One thing that stood out to me in the clips of Bird playing is how many times he passed the ball to another player.

[@wideglide2153]

All time great who had not inly the skill but the mind for the game. All time great!

[@jerrykibbe6363]

One of the smartest players. He & Magic were just that MAGIC

[@lawrencemarocco8197]

The "Hick from French Lick" was a once in a lifetime talent. His play with such skill and intensity was a wonder to behold.

[@bobdavis3357]

A young Parry Legend was an absolute animal, who could play with the BEST of them then, and today. When he turned Neast mode on, he could score at will, pass and rebound.

[@chrismorfas7515]

Doesn’t get talked about?!?! C’mon, I’m from Indiana and love Bird, but if you’re looking for forgotten greats, seek out George Gervin, Bob McAdoo, Moses Malone, others. Bird was amazing, but it’s not as if he’s been forgotten.

[@GrowthruGod]

gervin was amazing!

[@CorePathway]

Clyde Drexler. And Kevin McHale has forgotten more low-post moves than any current player has ever tried.

[@salamanca1954]

One of the top defenders who battled with Bird, and Jordan, was that he didn't like defending Bird, because he had to think the entire time.

[@jabbarinnewyork7778]

EXCELLENT VID💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@solutionrecruiter7130]

Kareem said Larry's greatest weapon was his mind... Also that Larry was his greatest foe... That doesnt register with people when it comes to assessing Larry's place in All Time Greats... Larry/Kobe/MJ are who I build a team around and you will get a ring in any era

[@baseball9635]

My all-time starting team: Center: Jabbar, power forward: Tim Duncan, small forward: Bird, Guard: Oscar Roberson, Guard: MJ

[@tjdent7166]

Wonder how many points Jordan and bird would score in nba today. First thing to mind is ignoring what used to be called travel or steps etc.

[@jameswinburn6843]

There are players who make the basketball experience of fans magical. I remember Wilt, Russell, Tiny Archibald, Dr. J, Magic, Bird, and the best of them all, Michael Jordan. I know there are players today who could have played in that era but this is not that era. It's a softer, crybaby era. I'm OG, I admit it. My thoughts on basketball are colored by the toughest, baddest, most determined players who ever stepped into the paint. I still enjoy basketball but it's a pale substituted for the glory days that may be gone forever. I was priveledged to witness the greatest era. My all time starting five can be picked from the names in the second sentence of this post. Bird, of all of them, is the most deserving of more respect. He is a legitimate candidate for GOAT.

[@the_lost_navigator]

Fighter Pilot Richard Bong scored 40 kills during WW2. Erich Hartmann was credited with 352... Some men soar to a higher level than 'the Best', and Players like Jordan and Byrd are athletic examples. Respect

[@chrisculley3756]

I actually forgot that Larry played with pistol for a year or two. It would have been awesome to see the two of them play together with pistol at his prime. That guy what's something else and this was the four the three-pointer I think there's some statistic that they looked up find pistol shooting where he shot the ball from it would have counted as threes and he would have had like a million points it was something crazy like that. RLTW 3/75

[@rap3208]

When they played together for just two months, Pete was still great but already past his peak, aside from that he had this knee injury that keeps him from really playing. I read about a teammate who said that while sitting at the bench with Pete, he tapped Pete's knees to say something to him and saw Pete's face turn white with an excruciating expression. All the time some teammates were thinking Pete was just exaggerating his knee problem. When the year finished, Pete retired.

[@Cougar139tweak]

14:04 hidden treat JJ Reddick duct taped 😂😂

[@bookaufman9643]

You didn't even mention that he took Indiana State all the way to the NCAA championship where they lost to Michigan State and Magic Johnson. That's a huge part of the story.

[@danielbrown3461]

Magic Johnson had a better cast of players around him....Bird did better with less.

[@rap3208]

@@danielbrown3461 Indiana State was never even thought of before him.

[@richarddelgado2723]

I’ll have to look it up but I think I.S. was undefeated before losing that final? 🤔….

[@bookaufman9643]

@@richarddelgado2723 they were.

[@richerichism]

When supreme fundamentals, athleticism and bball IQ meet, you get Larry. Add godly athleticism and the ability to grip the ball with ease and you get MJ.

[@agulanwo856]

No hate. Dirk was awesome. Donic is marvelous. Jokic is fantastic. Bird was gaming in a time where the game was still the game and not some spectacle with the need for more viewers because sponsors required eyeballs. Back them, there were teams that hated each other, pre-season games mattered between rival teams. Today's game, nearly every superstar on each team are buddy - buddy. Can we bring back that genuine competition again? Friends of the court.....fine. No problem. On the court, no picnics.

[@markfrost2707]

remember that shot where he was falling out of bounds behind the glass and he shot a HIGHHHH arching shot over all the wires and second timer, backboard assembly and hit nothing but net (barely that!)

[@CorePathway]

Not as exciting as Kawhi’s shot for the Raptors tho 😂

[@randyrci]

Give me one guy, in league history, to start a franchise with, im taking Larry Legend.

[@LordFingers1]

then you would always come in second behind jordan.

[@randyrci]

​@LordFingers1 Uh, that's odd. Bird vs Jordan was 23 to 11. Jordan never beat Bird in the playoffs, 0 for 6 and got swept. The only time Jordan started to beat Bird was when Larry was on his way out of the league with debilitating back issues and the NBA needed a golden boy to maintain the momentum that Bird and Magic had built, so their paid employees with whistles made sure of it.

[@Bill_Woo]

2 seconds on the game clock, down by 1, time out, who do you toss in to? In all of history. Alternate question: if you are a rookie, in any time in history, who would you most fear having to guard? You know, like looking across the ring at Tyson. Or at Nolan gritting his teeth on the mound. Or Gretszky winding up to shoot on you. Who's the guy you tremble at having to guard?

[@dimitriosdaukopulos3941]

Red is the Bostonian man!!!! That's why there's statues of him in the historic heart 💓💓💓💓💓💓 of the greatest city of the world 🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍!!!!!😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@ericfleming347]

LB 33 Was no joke man guy could play could do everything and was a winner. If he didnt end up the back and heel injuries probably has a few more rings

[@lenshandcraftedwoodsigns6033]

I started watching the C's a few years before Bird joined the team. I have Bled GREEN since he did.

[@neurodiversityininsurance]

Larry Bird in today’s game might be better than in the 80s as a small ball big in the current league. He can guard Embid (see 1986 finals). He can switch onto 1-5. He passes as well as Lebron. He shoots the 3 as well as Curry. He might be top 10 defensive rebounder in the history of the league. This era rewards his skills more than his own.

[@ricklove8588]

I watched his entire career from his last year of college. Grew up a dirt poor boy myself in a very small coal community in McDowell County WV. As a kid that played sports in school I really looked up to Bird

[@MsTdougherty]

Larry Bird is truly a legend. Larry and Magic saved Pro basketball.

[@theupson]

gotta be a top five rivalry in all of sports. if you wanted to say bird-magic and celtics-lakers were two separate entries on the top ten list i wouldn't call you a liar.

[@derbagger22]

The 80s were truly the best the NBA has ever seen...

[@charlesdavis7461]

Large metropolis of Bloomington lol. Many excellent players left Indiana when Knight was Coach.

[@mrho4speed]

FYI, Kareem was voted the 1980 FMVP AFTER Magic's great game 6 but because Kareem was not present, the voters were asked to change their votes so magic would get the award. This is covered in the book titled "Kareem" pages 140-141.

[@riffsthatkill2180]

After 3 days of camp "This league is nothing. I can play in this league and I will dominate in this league". That might have been his first bit of trash talk, lol, and true to form he backed it up.

[@brianj3150]

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson saved the NBA, It took those 2 their whole career to make the NBA one of must watch, greatest sport on TV and it took LeBron James his whole Career to make people hate the game more than ever.

[@BostonbredNE]

Couldn’t have said it better myself grew up five minutes from the garden started going to every game in 1974 until Larry retired

[@brucetowell3432]

spent about 13 years in Boston between 1974 and 1987......favorite sports memories were the 1975 Red Sox and Bird and the Celtics starting in 1979, I was really fortunate for sure!!...oh, was is really sweltering in the Garden as was always reported? thanks in advance

[@markkozell4817]

Think about this, Larry took that 29 win team to 60 wins in one year with the basically the same people compare that to the new absolute beast Victor from San Antonio where he barely registered Hardly any more wins if Larry went to San Antonio now instead of Victor and San Antonio won 60 games I wonder what people would say

[@nancyevans5176]

Larry Bird himself has said he left for no other reason but not being able to afford going to college.

[@Cool-Lake]

I still miss Bird.

[@markpaulin884]

Larry Bird saved the NBA.

[@CorePathway]

Saved it from what?

[@johnj.fitzpatrick7148]

As a Canadian White guy , I thought I was a racist way back in the day for being a Celtics fan because of Larry. I am so happy to be proud of my recognizing his talent early.

[@neilberman4116]

The late seventies Bullets were a great team and just because basketball was run badly, both in college & the pros, merits mentioning the problems basketball was having. They were marketed badly and also had some bad luck while football, being perfect for TV, became the USA sport. There were three great centers in the NBA, Bill Russell, Bill Walton, Wes Undeld, each could rebound and immediatly pass to the point guard. The problem was not the teams, it was the NBA organization and to a certain extent the NCAA.

[@ratbrain7743]

One of his best lines was when he said to Magic about young Michael Jordan. "There's a new sheriff in town". Bird is still my favorite player. Michael J is a close second. Some of Jokic's passing reminds me of Bird.

[@shannonpincombe8485]

The best ever!

[@jimmiller5600]

Listening to people having their narrow minds shattered and being able to laugh about it gives humanity a future.

[@chriscollins3489]

Bird and Michael would easily average 50 points a game in today’s nba with the rules they have now and how teams ignore playing defense.

[@danielbrown3461]

Allmost all of todays players only give about 60-75% and the fans are o.k. with this.

[@fan2hd277]

What amazes me today is that when I watch Luka play, I see a cold scorer like larry was and sometimes the same great dimes Magic or Bird used to throw. Bird is in my top 5 ever. Nobody has ever been better than him at the SF position.

[@fpvillegas9084]

Luka Doncic acquired some of Bird's moves....notably that "fake pass" 😉👍

[@kamilebrahimoff3589]

It worked out for Larry Bird to play at Indiana State and not Indiana University because hothead Bob Knight would have ruined Bird's career.

[@bch5513]

Finally some honest people in some interviews.

[@ronniecoleman2342]

Larry's edge over his opponents was his mental edge and work ethic. He'd trash talk today's NBA and outwork them silly. He loved getting in players heads.

[@abouttime2569]

I will get you water anytime and carry your bags all the time. Just give me an NBA contract.

[@c.e.anderson558]

Pete Maravich is the only white player ever asked to join the Harlem Globetrotters.