Larry Bird Stories: Super-competitive and 'I took it personal' Moments

Larry Bird and the art of trash talk? Probably he's the best to use the art. Larry Legend's best stories are trash-talking stories. He always wins and ends up with the best lines. Is he the best small forward of all time? Let me say this, in the modern NBA, nobody won three league MVPs in a row. Only Larry Joe Bird.
00:00 - 18:00 - Larry Bird Stories
18:12 - 24:45 - Larry Bird's Injuries
24:48 - 28:00 - How Larry Bird made NBA a global sport in the 80s
Special thanks and shout out to Lex Nihil Novi and his blog: lexnihilnovi.blogspot.com
Written and produced by Oldskoolbball (Tarik Arslan)
Editing program I use: Premiere Pro CC
Music: Epidemic Sound
share.epidemicsound.com/2oay6w (you can use my referral link)

[@happyfreeliferc]

Larry right now could easily play in today's game just walking down the court and shooting 3's at 64/65 yrs old . How ya like that

[@MelissaPalmer-zy5nh]

If Larry had stayed healthy and not broken his back, he would have been THE UNDISPUTED GOAT!

[@koko-pu5vn]

I love me some Larry Legend but your statement is a little dubious, although.....

[@sugarnads]

​@@koko-pu5vnthey cant touch him. They cant do shit. All he got to do is be open and boom

[@CodenameOliver101]

There’s always that one guy that has to take it too far🤦🏽‍♂️

[@PETERODZZ]

Facts

[@lukebrennan5780]

Larry was an amazing player. Let's not overlook how damned good his colleagues were! An incredible TEAM in an incredible era.

[@professorl.hilton.]

Like magic said there will never ever ever be another Larry legend, the true goat

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

Bird helped them be better players....they all said that. He was a great leader he led by example And his teammates knowing the injuries that Bird was playing through ....Figured if Bird was gonna stand there and take a charge... then so can I . no excuses!

[@sarge420]

Bird was the GOAT. His #s were phenomenal. Triple/Double and selflessness.

[@Xenon-cb5re]

Jordan's the GOAT, but yeah Bird was unreal. Jokic will never touch either, good as he is.

[@gregoryfrech2310]

sounds like Larry had spinal stenosis. I got that 2 years ago but I am now 76. He was young to get that.

[@nathanrobinson3653]

That '81 Eastern Conference Finals against Philly was possibly the greatest playoff series of all-time--amazing down 3-1 Celtic comeback with games that went down to the last second and last shot game after game, and Bird would take over in the final quarter and put on a show. The clutchness, shot after shot, game after game in that comeback in those 4th quarters put a stamp on his greatness, and he was only in his second year. That Sixer team was loaded and well-seasoned, with Dr. J and other HOFers--a legendary team. Bird and 4 other top 100 guys would tune-up anyone's best 5 without Bird--he can play with anyone and is the foundation and the glue and the bailout at both ends of the floor for any team. He is the 63rd ranked All-Time overall defensive rated player and it boggles my mind listening to TV men say Bird was a defensive liability--FAR from it. Commentators don't even know how ridiculous they sound talking about Bird when they talk about his defense. He made multiple all-defensive 2nd teams and led the NBA in defensive win-shares 4 years. He is also 31st All-Time in defensive win-shares. This guy is the GOAT, and one of the best team defenders to ever play--just ask Jordan--he is 110th all-time overall defensive rating for career--stats can hurt when you aren't up on things and talk trash that can't be backed up.

[@irishgrl]

This deserves to be PINNED. 👍 ✅ 👌

[@timcbaldwin]

Agreed, and i remember watching it. I also recall Dr J throwing fists at Bird's face while Barkly and Moses Malone held Bird from behind. 3 straight right hands from Dr J to be exact. And Bird had the last word against Doc. Dr J not listing Bird in his top 10 players is a joke. He knows better, he just won't say it

[@staz8999]

I’d like to preface this by saying that I played basketball in NYC in an all black high school and got my nick name from the brothers playing at The Cage and at Rucker Park. We were all trying to emulate what Larry bird was doing on the playground and it was impossible for us. However, I remember hearing what Pat Riley said, “If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game, I’d choose Michael Jordan, but if I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life, I’d take Larry Bird."

[@YoSmoked]

I hope this channel never ends and keeps spreading happiness.❤😊 Whoever is reading this comment, I wish you success, health, love and happiness

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

1:25 I forget Worthy's exact working, but "Is it trash talk when you back it up?"

[@irishgrl]

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

[@davidherdman9798]

One of the most overlooked reason that Bird and agic were so successful is that they put their TEAM first, and their personal fortunes and statistics second. That was NOT what the players at that time were doing, nor is it what today's players are doing, primarily. The current NBA looks like street ball where it is mostly one-on-one, with a dunk or block at the end. If you actually ran statistics on the number of passes each team makes, I think you will find that the winniest teams pass the most. I'm not sure those stats are available, but I would bet money on the outcome.

[@guidosegalla82]

Larry was amazing, the 80s era in basketball was the best I've ever seen, the Golden Age in my opinion. I try to watch the NBA I just can't after watching the 80s, it's just a Three-Point shooting Contest.

[@MisterCrookedNose]

Amen

[@Notimportant959]

Fair..2015-2016 highest team shooting about 30 then 2016-2017 shooting 40 per game in the 80s less then 10 per game that's kinda insane

[@jojomackaral]

Been saying same thing for years.... A 2 hour 3 point contest... Every team plays the same style.... It's boring.... I don't understand how the sport is growing

[@I1K5]

The 80’s were a glorified wrestling match. Idk why y’all romanticize that era

[@wmden1]

Yes, or a game of H-O-R-S-E, with a dunking contest thrown in, once in a while.

[@scottd2605]

Larry Bird wasn't a trash talker. He was it exact truth talker. He said what he would do, there's nothing you can do about then did it. In your face. He could have had a quad doubles he had triple doubles he had nine steals and went to the bench and said he didn't need to do it. The 80s that's when NBA was fantastic today it ain't shit. He was loyal he retired from Boston. Other basketball players sale out to other teams. That line up with Robert Parish ,Kevin McHale, Larry Bird, Danny Ange, Dennis Johnson,Exciting for a spectator.

[@ldybozz]

"What a legend" 😂love that!

[@Oldskoolbball]

:d

[@jeffreyjacobs390]

He was a magician and thinker and sinker of long and short ball ..... awe and lethal.

[@happyfreeliferc]

Larry called the shots

[@jordan9604]

​@@happyfreelifercI see what you did there.

[@jjdogg0]

He was a great. This narrator sounds like Dr Chris Raynor btw

[@maximumeffort7836]

Excellent video well done 👍 Larry Legend was Simply The Best 👌

[@CYCLONE4499]

Larry...fuckin.....legend.

[@vonvanhoolandt4483]

I was amazed at the Garden MJ and the Bulls came in hopping Double OT loss to the Birdman and I will forever remember that great game…..Give me Wilt the stilt Russell the man Magic the great MJ and the supersonic Bird…..Come to play and slither back to bench…..I was in front of the Greatest clutch baller……Sit on the bench LBJ the rest of the league couldn’t stop these amazing kings of the league….Be grateful you didn’t play against the real ballers…..How many rings those LBJ have…..Russell would tell keep’em in your pocket….Son we are the real ballers not a real team with todays dreamers…..Break records that’s what the petty do….Go back to your locker…..On the bench with your rings in your pocket….

[@davidcallaham60]

Bird is the best player ever IQ plus two plays ahead of everyone.. and his passing was bar none .. today he would destroy the field.. 3 pt specialist

[@williambohon3093]

Larry was the greatest and had the greatest teammates.

[@futurefox635]

In Larry's first season he carried a previously 29 win team to 61. At the time, this was the largest single season turnaround ever. There was no McHale, there was no DJ, there was no Parish, no Walton. He literally carried a scrub team to the 2nd round of the playoffs his rookie season. His next season, Red essentially drafted Mchale and traded for Parish. They were both great players but McHale was a rookie. Cedric Maxwell was a good player but also very young. Bird won a championship his 2nd year in the league and was voted 2nd in the MVP race.

[@TheDevilFrom5th]

Jordan, Magic, Bird, Barkley, Shaq and Kobe as my 6th men in my all time basketball team. Men's only, no cry baby like LBJ allow.

[@bobzani]

What a great video! Makes me wish these guys were playing now. I can't get into today's NBA.

[@MannyMensah94]

Larry Legend🏀🏀🏀

[@MasterRoshi8974]

One of My favorite NBA Masters of all time

[@timparker7062]

Likewise, and I'm always thinking any goat conversations have already awarded him the Best Clutch Shooter, 3 pointers included, of ALL TIME!

[@5acarig]

Larry Bird is one of the best ever to play the game of basketball. After MJ, I’ll take Larry anytime !

[@andybilakshow260]

@Sacarig You look kinda lonely sitting there with your thumb out. Trying to hitch a ride?🤭

[@BrianAFroce]

You can have MJ gay. I'll take Larry Bird any day. In fact, bird never lost 2 MJ

[@bucketheadmagic]

This video! Well done

[@Glenn-F-Rice]

The Heat forward Glenn Rice has a good name.

[@Gregory-sm9pf]

Bird had the highest tolerance for pain, how he did it was amazing, it just goes to show his drive towards winning despite all the pain he endured, fucking LEGEND!

[@mc76]

"Bob, this is practice." And that why Bird has three rings and AI has zero.

[@RD22]

Well, he didn't have Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson, Robert Parish and Bill Walton off the bench either. But I get your point.

[@PIP...33]

I LOVE BIRD HE IS ON MY GOAT LIST THIRD BEHIND ONLY WILT AND OLAJUWON BUT DONT EVER TALK BAD ON IVERSON. HE DIDNT HAD PIPPEN RODMAN KUKOC LIKE JORDAN SUPERTEAM BULLS

[@leoh1191]

When basketball was basketball

[@Jbf-76]

I witnessed Birds entire career,,, THe Alpha of the 80's.. The best clutch player ever according to every legend. Lebron, MJ, Kareem, Magic, Olajuwon, Dr.J, Dominique, I.Thomas, Russell, Wilt all have Bird in tneir top 5 All-Time.. How's that list?? Bird is a legend for a reason..He'll always be a Legend..

[@nathanrobinson3653]

I literally cannot recall when someone fought, trash-talked, injured (with Bird returning after getting treatment or 'checked out') or cheap-shotted Bird and went on to win the game. In every occurrence, Bird and the Celtics would always get the victory. I can remember many games when someone got in Bird's face and they ALWAYS lost. If anyone can remember a game where Bird lost in any of those heated games, let me know, because I don't think there are any, and that is just one of many aspects of the unique dominance and legend of Larry Bird. No one played through more injuries in any sport that I can think of--and his career was saturated with injuries and pain from nearly start to finish.

[@andywampler9273]

Great compilation and storytelling. Definitely one of the best I’ve seen very complete and keeps all the details in perspective.

[@Angelito_Noreaga]

Where did the original version of this go? It had really good background music in the first part of the video!

[@user-yw8hj9uc3r]

Bird, what a encreible talent I remember seeing black guys wearing his jersey . That tells you what kind of baller he was greatest is color blind.

[@ldybozz]

Love your storytelling.

[@leoh1191]

Better than steph

[@jeffreyjacobs390]

LARRY HAD TO ENDURE IN 94 ! You all just can't hang no matter the temperature ! LEGEND !!!!

[@BTI508]

Can we debate if the back injury to Larry Bird changed basketball history?

[@ruminator3570]

According to Jackie macmullan Larry Bird had A congenital back problem before he entered the league. Let's not forget the fact that two fingers on his shooting hand were mangled before he started playing professionally. He said he never had the same feel for the ball after that. #Goat_debater_recount.

[@Lalambz]

this would’ve made Mj’s bulls run far more interesting!

[@karenbuzzelli4301]

Thats cuz we had a different view on life and work view in the 80's ! These kids these days don't have the same work ethics! So sad!

[@dimitriskorillis]

The best ever!

[@JESSES_CURIOUSLY_CURIOUS]

Was tough. Corn fed😂

[@user-lq5zj9fq2j]

I am from French lick knew he had many injuries but didn't know he had that many yes he was amazing

[@charlesdavis7461]

Larry was really funny, the one time as he was sitting on the bench and McHale went in. Bird yelled to McHale, come on McHale, tell Elvin Hayes what you said about kicking his as..

[@JESSES_CURIOUSLY_CURIOUS]

Dudes so great. I can't say anything more than quadruple dbl. Nah. Did enough damage 😅

[@JESSES_CURIOUSLY_CURIOUS]

The real GOAT

[@seanfelder3977]

Larry bird in my top 5 all time great nba players

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

5:34 Not exactly an unbiased interview - for those that don't recognize the late Bill Russell doing the interviewing!

[@Dretinho]

my starting 5 are Bird and other 4

[@hoppy23]

I have always thought the celtics are the greatest team all time although the kd steph klay dray warriors are really hard to beat I don't belive any team has played as together as one unit as the peak of those celtic teams bird gave excellent effort was 6"10 and could play defense in today's league and be an excellent interior rebounder he was a.fighter I think if bird was in league tofay he'd be the best still although jokic may have something yo say about that

[@teddyj5187]

Larry put up 50 every night in todays basketball

[@sheilahendrix5935]

May💚 God❤️ Be 💙With💜 Everyone❤️ Always 💙Much💜 Love💛 Blessings ❤️Always ☺️ 🎇 🌈 🌐 💜✌️💯💙❤️💚💛💛💚💚💚💚❤️

[@JESSES_CURIOUSLY_CURIOUS]

Love the 🐦

[@raymondstrong1254]

The baddest som bitch to ever play the game. I'm a big Michael Jordan fan and think he's the GOAT, but there's one person he never beat and that was The Legend Larry Bird. Mad respect to 2nd/3rd best player of all time, and no neither 2nd or 3rd are LaBron.

[@Mark-ud5mq]

🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@raymondstrong1254]

Hell Robert Parish couldn't get on the court without smoking a joint, and Larry had th have beer at halftime.

[@KeithTC2Martin]

It is always easy because he flicks both hands shooting the ball. 💩

[@MoxieMike66]

He played in conditions most would refuse to play in today. Lebron's a joke, period. Old school players would destroy most out there today. PERIOD.

[@sheilahendrix5935]

Peace 💙and 💛Blessings 💚Too ❤️My💙 Brothers💛 May💚 God ❤️Bless💙 Everyone 💛Always ❤️May❤️ God 💛Bless 💚Everyone ❤️Richly 💙with 💛everything❤️ they❤️ need 💛Always 💚Much❤️ Love💚 Blessings💛 Always ☺️ 🎇 🌈 🌐 ✌️💯❤️💚💛💙💙💙💙💛💛💚💛💛💛💛

[@robertharden4092]

I would bet a thousand dollars that Larry could out shoot anyone here in the NBA right now

[@caspernoble9468]

The greatest of all time.... I fought for this man.. Chicago.. Virginia.. n Jerzey.. is where i made most of my money

[@jerrylee2698]

Larry was goat

[@YusefAnderson-ds2lg]

✌️#2 Bird kareem #1 🏀👍✌️

[@Mathin3D]

GOAT, bitches!

[@deihorus7927]

Put Bird on today's soft league and we would be a 30/15/7 easy!

[@glennschmitz3060]

When i need a boost, I watch a video of Larry Bird?