Larry Bird takes Dennis Rodman to SCHOOL (4/1/1988)

[@bballvault]

Guy threatens to shoot up the park after heated street ball game kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXfVk6CAa8-Nic0

[@allenuconn]

Rodman was a very good defensive player so when you see Bird lighting him up it just shows how skilled he was against players with superior physical ability. Larry was the real deal. Rodman had nothing to be ashamed of. He played hard and did what he could to slow down one of the greatest players in NBA history.

[@YiannisAndreou]

I agree. Rodman did well against the GOAT. The only and real GOAT in NBA History that made every single player on his Team better because of his Superior passing skills and a Team first mentality!!!

[@darykinnaman2319]

Rodman was one of the hardest workers out there. Bird worked harder.

[@sundromos9456]

@@YiannisAndreou He may have even made his opponent Rodman, a better defender!!

[@sundromos9456]

@@darykinnaman2319 Rodman had a ton to prove. Bird was a genius, sort of the hoops version of Messi. Alien understanding of things.

[@jmadratz]

Bird: not bad for a white boy from French Lick who couldn’t jump and was slow…but all he did was WIN!!!

[@lakermark2006]

As a Laker fan, I'm starting to finally appreciate Larry Bird's greatness. I know, i know... but better late than never.

[@Smedleydog1]

Some of the best games I've ever watched was Lakers v Celtics when Magic was still playing. Not to take anything away from the whole Lakers team, but when Magic and Bird were on the court at the same time, you knew you were going to see a game full of highlights.

[@Jbf-76]

This is eeeery… I have a bunch of Laker fan friends who have said almost word for word what you just admitted. Probably 5 or so in the last few months.

[@ericglenn9984]

Does the Lakers organization pay you to be so loyal? Matter of fact you pay them to be a fan of their team.

[@hildeemcflugle3387]

Between Magic and Bird there have never been better passers.

[@klicknkreate7077]

If Magic can appreciate Bird's greatness, so can you! 💪

[@kevsamuelsdiedwafathookeri2254]

What's crazy is that technically this is was when Bird was just recovering from bad back spasms and a bunch of other orthopedic injuries he had since the '86-'87 season, and being almost crippling by the '87-'88 series with L.A. So he was efforting here much more out of will and chronic fighting pain, than being the athlete he was from '79-'86. Bird had amazing above the waist quickness and modified his game to be as best as it could be with that gift, even if his legs and back were failing him by this time. I know this because as a Laker fan back then, I diligently followed the injury reports on Boston after '86. People just don't realize how much pain Bird played with nearly every night and still competed for scoring titles/3pt % after '87-'88. Dude was near superhuman.

[@c7lee]

Had he not been playing in those canvas shoes who knows. Maybe he could’ve played longer.

[@Durwood71]

@@c7lee The canvas shoes weren't the problem. Bird injured himself doing chores for his mom back home (I can't remember if it was chopping wood or shoveling snow).

[@kevinconroy6606]

He got that dawg in him

[@Truth_Make_You_Free]

​@@Durwood71 Gravel.

[@jbl7946]

@@Durwood71 He does have a point just 🤔 think if Larry played all them yrs with Good shoes like nowadays id bet he'd a played alot longer EVEN THO HE INJURED His back shoveling rocks to make his mom a new Driveway that one summer if he'd had Good shoes on from the age of 10 on I Think Possibly Larry avoids 90% them Back problems your Feet are extremely important but who knows...meaning who knows maybe he doesn't injur his back that day shoveling perhaps his back wouldn't of been on the edge of destruction like it was..

[@gato7908]

This is great for young people that have only heard about bird and didn't get to watch him play every day. He was definitely the real deal. Rodman even at that young age was one of the league's top defenders.

[@richardthiele8363]

What a privilege to have watched Larry Bird play!

[@EddieC3336]

I have Celtics season tix since 75, still do, watched Larry Legend 's career in person, I feel blessed, also many more Cowens ect.

[@alanbrown3172]

@@EddieC3336 did the price of the tickets increase as the seasons went on , etc ? or have they always been the same price every year since you have first purchased them ? I was always curious on how season tickets worked. I can only imagine the 08' finals . I know that was crazy intense in the Garden to be able to witness that firsthand.

[@EddieC3336]

@alanbrown3172 Went up every few years and you had 1st shot at any concert tix.

[@josh-rz3uq]

I'm from southern Indiana. Bird is STILL pretty much royalty here.

[@jonathanlee5314]

@@EddieC3336 Wow, you must have had season tickets for basically the entire time Mike Gorman was working. I miss him and Tommy Heinsohn calling the games, but Scal is doing a great job.

[@capitanfuturo594]

Larry Bird and Dennis Rodman ...I miss the old NBA.

[@RogerPeet]

You ain't never lying.

[@hanaf1231]

Athletically and skill wise modern players on another level. Certainly the game isn’t as physical as it used to be, as the rules have changed, so I get it that some people miss that.

[@capitanfuturo594]

@@hanaf1231 The NBA today is a League of effeminate.

[@hanaf1231]

@@capitanfuturo594 maybe men not acting macho or tough over a game is a good thing. Fighting a fire, raising a kid, developing a vaccine, those things are truly tough.

[@shawn47240]

@Capitan Futuro You’re sus…”not that there’s anything wrong with that”

[@archiemack6045]

This was actually great for Rodman, who never had a father to take him to school as a young boy.

[@dariustate7830]

😂😂

[@MegaLBreezy]

Every black man story...

[@sseannkenny525]

Savage

[@MinecraftSkater125]

jesus christ 😂

[@joshuagaffney458]

That is a fucked up joke 🤣🤣🤣 ☠️

[@Doug-sb9gz]

When he was healthy and in his prime, he was the best in his time. So competitive. So gifted. so cerebral. When he got into a player's head, he owned him.

[@happychildhood591]

So true Doug! Well said...!

[@onlythewise1]

true

[@rebeccamasse1557]

Magic was the best

[@michaelmichaelagnew8503]

Michael Jorden learned about the mental aspect of the game through Bird the moment they first met. Byrd was savage even to Jordan didn't care how young they were.

[@onlythewise1]

@@michaelmichaelagnew8503 90% of everything blacks know came from whites

[@TrueBagPipeRock]

Unguardable. Bird is better than I recall. Watching this, he could back you down, bump you, pump fake, and all he needed was one step of space to drain the shot. Just ONE. Also, every time I see him go to the free throw line, he collects free pts cuz he never missed from there either.

[@MogulMonk1]

50-40-90 2 times

[@tom80]

Bird was unstoppable. He was 6’ 9” and could shoot any shot and it didn’t matter if guys were on him. He would shoot it in their face anyways. That’s when you know you are in trouble as a defensive player.

[@jacekr2655]

You’re right, Tom. Right hand or left hand - it didn’t matter for Bird. He was fun to watch.

[@sgardner4313]

He would often even tell the opposing team where he would be when he took the shot.

[@FuShengAlex]

He got stopped badly by Detroit in the playoffs the year of this video. If he had the athletic bility to beat athletic guys consistently 1 on 1 off the dribble then he'd have been truly unstoppable. He had everything else.

[@moheganson]

He was the white KD

[@peterquinn5045]

I don't know about anybody else, but I really miss both them!!! One of the greatest offensive players vs the greatest on the ball defender.

[@tdb4763]

yeah Dennis held his own

[@robertgoldsmith4198]

@@tdb4763 not actually

[@tdb4763]

@@robertgoldsmith4198 yeah actually. Are you high? Or stupid? Or both?

[@vintagemxer9165]

Great era. The Detroit Bad Boys vs the Celtics. Awesome!

[@x00p3]

@@robertgoldsmith4198 Have you ever seen Rodman guard Shaq?

[@juniorjohnson9509]

Rodman was a hellaciously fast and talented defender, but Larry knew how to get his defenders out of their comfort zone and make them pay for even the smallest mistakes.

[@eddiehaskell1957]

Perfectly said!

[@blitzthis10]

Seems like luka took a page from LB

[@NotEvenOverThere]

Timing always beats speed

[@juviggy7547]

No

[@mxfilms9738]

Once Larry got to his spots it didn’t matter who was guarding him. KD is really the modern day 2.0 version of Bird the way he scores.

[@tomitstube]

loved these piston teams, bird and the celtics, jordan and the bulls coming up, magic and the lakers, hakeem and the rockets. these guys rocketed the nba into primetime.

[@PerfectlyFreedom]

So many icons in the same time!

[@romulogallardo9548]

That was the nba and how it should have always been. Nowadays is like a videogame set in arcade mode with maxed out players to hit 3s. So boring.

[@johncox770]

Two great players. No one could stop Bird. All Dennis could hope to do is make Larry work hard for it. Bird may not be the GOAT but he is my all-time favorite player.

[@JesusChristISTHEONETRUEGOD]

Bird is the GOAT.

[@TwoFourFixate]

I, too, think that Larry Bird was-and is-the greatest player in NBA history.

[@oldtimer794]

No MJ is.@@JesusChristISTHEONETRUEGOD

[@x00p3]

@@oldtimer794 I'm a bulls fan and I love MJ but the more I see of Bird...

[@N8sGames]

1. Wilt 2. Bird. 3. MJ

[@billymullins1357]

Bird was always taking over in big moments of the game, he really rose to the occasion.

[@robertferguson3648]

He wasn’t called Larry Legend for nothing

[@narnold87]

Had to look this up after Rodman said Larry wouldn’t make an NBA team and would be in Europe in today’s game 😂

[@DennepeerRelaxation]

Same 😂

[@juventusfc0520]

Same

[@ohger1]

He might be right. Of course, that means Rodman wouldn't make it in the NBA either... But the way I see it, if Bird didn't have to dribble and could travel like Lebron, he would have been even greater.

[@cooloutac]

I think most of these teams would dominate in todays nba. I mean the amount of air balls and missed layups is unreal in todays game. Running and Gunning to the 3 point line to chuck up long bricks is wild. The only major difference I see in todays game, besides guys looking bigger with the weight lifting and steroids, is that Centers now can be 3 point shooters which was unheard of in birds day. THe Centers of today are in a different world than even 15 years ago. Also the refs literally call a foul anytime someone hits the floor now which was also unheard of. But that is something Larry could of easily adapted to. The difference with Isaiah and the pistons, or Magic and the lakers or Larry and the Celtics, is that they only cared about the W. Not stats to get money as a free agent or in a trade. Its why Jordan and Pippen could never beat any of those teams in the playoffs, ever, no matter how many points Jordan scored lol. Larry would literally make todays teams look dumb as hell.

[@gregshirley-jeffersonboule6258]

Uh, no. Jesus ...@@ohger1

[@podunkcitizen2562]

The announcer is so wrong, @1:40 the crowd wasn't booing their own team (especially Larry) for not getting a rebound. They were booing because they wanted a foul for Rodman shoving Larry in the back to get that rebound. Larry may have acted a little for full effect.

[@tomhearns143]

Larry was an actress.

[@thekongstocks]

IF SO @@tomhearns143 then LeCon James & The Beard Guy are easily Oscar & Golden Globe winners for being the best actresses to have ever acted on hardwood floors, eh?

[@joelwillems4081]

@@thekongstocks The Beard Guy is the worst basketball player to ever be considered a superstar and given an MVP. Really poor percentage shooter and one of the worst defenders ever. If refs weren't so dumb to give him free throws for non-fouls and not calling his traveling and carries, he wouldn't even start a high school game.

[@chrisb8655]

@@joelwillems4081 A lot of what you said could apply to LeBron as well.

[@TK0808]

Larry is 32 years old here and plagued by injuries. Dennis is 27 and in his prime. Dennis is also one of the absolute top athletes in NBA history. Just look at the way he runs. Imagine him running the 200m or 400m.

[@riddlescom]

He also could do a vertical jump standing still and hit his head on an 8 foot ceiling. I went to the oc fair with him in 2004. It was funny to see the reactions of people. They loved him or hated him . I'm glad I dont have to sign autographs everywhere I go it gets old real fast.

[@t-bo2734]

Bird's feet were giving out on him at this point.

[@w8stral]

And only 1 of the 3 fouls was a foul...

[@kenneth7826]

SuperSwede...good point..dennis was a very intelligent player..he knew the basic fundamentals to the game..peace

[@jakemarshall2100]

Rodman is one hell of an athlete, and went on to get inside a few opponents heads, during his long career. Bird is in a league of his own when it comes to mind games, on every player on the opposing team, and probably the coaches too.

[@irmasil3]

Bird was shouting all the time: " I m wide open, no one is guarding me, I have a free shot..."lol...true story

[@_Some_Guy_]

Bird couldn't be stopped from getting buckets, even by one of the GOAT defenders. He was too good and too smart.

[@mikefuchs-sb8pv]

right the only thing that stopped Larry Legend was injuries

[@johnpersechini4951]

Birds ability to shoot with both hands just made him even tougher to guard.

[@tcme11]

IR, Larry is ambidextrous. Like most athletes, he had to choose his dominant hand/shot. Regardless, that left hand is dangerous.

[@mskidi]

The second he gets his hands on the ball he goes to bussiness immediately regardless of his position of the offensive end, he doesnt spare a single moment to check the defense, catch a breather, call for a play, wait for a screen, or anything of that sort. You dont see modern star players, with this type of relentless aggressiveness on execution and Bird would go full throttle for the whole game. Both from a purely basketball point of view and from an athletic one (a guy that big with such level of activity), its an extremely impressive sight.

[@aussiesurfer805]

mmmm ok .... i'm reasonably certain Bird read the defence before, during and after he received the ball .... crikey ... ...but I do get what you're trying to say i think, and yes he did always play aggressive and take it to the defence.... but what many people make the mistake of thinking is that the greatest didn't bother about the fundamentals of the game - they all did, in fact they cared for the fundamentals more, and by executing them quicker and better than the next guy they became great ...

[@sundromos9456]

Beautifully illustrated. It's how a team like Indiana State made it all the way to the title game. I should add...you've also basically described Steph Curry and his pressure and how on top of things every second of play that the defensive team has to be when facing him. Even when he's not the shooter, he creates havoc.

[@rftulie]

@@aussiesurfer805 You got the point, he knew where the D was already. Larry's ability to be aware of where every other player was on the court at any time was the beauty of his game.

[@ericb5273]

Agreed. I am not saying that modern day NBA players couldn't play in the era of Bird, Magic, and the like. What I will say is they couldn't do it playing like they do now. They would have to step it up.

[@markcavandish1295]

Half the guys on the court here wouldn’t make the G-League of today’s NBA

[@javiercolunge5274]

Larry Legend would school in any era.

[@osas5211]

Too fragile, t Mac avg better numbers with a fucked up back

[@derrickbird9676]

3 championships, 3 mvps, 12x all-star, 10x all-nba, took a bunch of no names to 33-0 and the NCAA championship game v. McGrady.. You're just trolling

[@tylerasweet]

@@osas5211 too fragile?? The game was so much more physical back then. He would not have had those injuries in today’s soft ass NBA

[@osas5211]

@@derrickbird9676 33-0? not accurate the team was 3rd in their conference going through injury bug and rebuilding

[@osas5211]

@@tylerasweet Not really, Durant tore his acl in this soft league. Bird will still get injured and not be the same, not every player is John Stockton with great genes for healing and quick recovery. Fun fact shoveling snow at his mom's house fucked up his back lmaooo basketball was the cherry on top

[@BusyBadger]

Watching clips from this NBA era makes me not only wonder how many points Larry Legend would put up on a present day team, but also think how injury free he would have be and how much longer his career would last.

[@actionjksn]

Larry Bird's back injury was not from basketball it was from shoveling a bunch of gravel. He redid his mom's driveway.

[@SureFeelsGood]

well he's better than luka, so...i have him maybe 3rd greatest all time behind MJ and curry

[@boated23]

@@SureFeelsGoodlmfao I wish to never be this stupid

[@Jst4vdeos]

​@@SureFeelsGoodcurry isn't top 10

[@davidevensen5230]

This is a Larry Bird tribute video but look at the spring in Rodman. That guy was a prime physical specimen. Mental, too. He was a rebounding genius.

[@abcmaya]

I think Shaq said Rodman is pound 4 pound the strongest player if ever went up against.

[@MCGguitar698]

I agree, he definitely is mental.

[@dmcintosh851]

As a Laker fan, I was glad that these two had to play each other. And that we didn't''t have to beat both. But this is the eastern conference at it's finest. The transfer of power from Philly to Boston to Detroit to Chicago was brutal.

[@fly1327]

Not the quickest, not the tallest, certainly not the highest jumper. But damn could he dominate players and win games. Miss the NBA from his era.

[@lazarduke6596]

You described Nikola Jokic. Obviously you do not miss NBA, ...you are not watching

[@VenancioPineda]

@@lazarduke6596 You are comparing Larry Bird with...who?

[@MakaveliDior]

@@VenancioPineda 2x MVP you bum

[@VenancioPineda]

@@MakaveliDior Larry Bird: As player: Olympic Gold medallist Barcelona (1992) 3× NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986) 2× NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986) 3× NBA Most Valuable Player (1984-1986) 12× NBA All-Star (1980-1988, 1990-1992) NBA All-Star Game MVP (1982) 9× All-NBA First Team (1980-1988) All-NBA Second Team (1990) 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1982-1984) NBA Rookie of the Year (1980) NBA All-Rookie Team (1980) 3× NBA Three-Point Contest champion (1986-1988) 2× 50-40-90 club (1987, 1988) AP Athlete of the Year (1986) NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (2019) NBA anniversary team (50th, 75th) No. 33 retired by Boston Celtics National college player of the year (1979) 2× Consensus first-team All-American (1978, 1979) Third-team All-American - NABC, UPI (1977) 2× MVC Player of the Year (1978, 1979) No. 33 retired by Indiana State Sycamores As coach: NBA Coach of the Year (1998) NBA All-Star Game head coach (1998) As executive: NBA Executive of the Year (2012)

[@aqmarmazhar6736]

@@VenancioPineda facts but we have to wait for Jokic's career to be over first. He is good and also got his first championship and first finals MVP.

[@BM_Holdings]

I miss this basketball so much. Thanks for uploading.

[@johnschuh8616]

Doesn’t get better than this.

[@french0103]

Larry Bird The best all around basketball player 🏆🏆🏆 Bird made all his teammates great!

[@stevegant7286]

As an old Lakers fan, I can't tell you how frustrating it was watching Larry Bird destroy your team! One of the greatest of all time!

[@CornellBillingsWorth]

Larry was so 80s lmao whenever I think of 80s sports Bird is the first that comes to mind

[@dannysullivan8929]

Bird, Gretzky and Montana. In that order.

[@zerimar26]

Bird not only one of the greatest players ever but he was mentally tough. I noticed Rodman couldn't play mind games with Bird because Larry would play mind games himself.

[@nknasi]

Rodman was quite young in this game, it's possible he learned some of his mind games from Bird himself.

[@asmith3846]

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar praised Bird for having a tough mind, and being able to get into others' minds... exactly like Rodman.

[@m.williams4971]

Note: This was a very young Rodman. Nowhere near the guy he’d be in the mid 90s. People are assessing this ‘89 season as if Rodman was an established defensive stopper.

[@MS-ns2pj]

@@m.williams4971 Bird would still beat him.

[@DrMjenno]

@@m.williams4971 he was an established defensive stopper at this point. He became the elite rebounder later on. You need to go back to NBA history school.

[@putin2918]

Rodman is literally the greatest defensive player of all time, and a freak of nature. But Larry is from a different planet.

[@Charon58]

Wilt Chamberlain is the best defender of all time and would crush Rodman at both ends of the floor

[@putin2918]

@@Charon58 true. But i prefer rodman

[@jessbyes6722]

Rodman played defense ONLY....pretty easy to save your energy for 1 side of the ball. Not close to top defender. NO WAY Putin

[@scooter2163]

@@putin2918 Man, you waved the white flag pretty quick on that one!

[@putin2918]

@@scooter2163 can't tell man to like what i like, coz i like a fat booty they like flat, fat or flat, booty is a booty.

[@mike7696]

Thank you for the footage, also for the clarity on the sound of fans, ball thru the net/hitting rim, floor, everything.

[@bballvault]

No problem

[@jameskerry41]

today's and future generations will never know what it was like to see Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Dominique Wilkins play back in the 80s...nothing but pure, unadulterated perfection.

[@desboukis]

And Isiah Thomas.

[@BatShrooms]

Saw MJ in the mid 90s, I'm so jealous

[@polarvortex3294]

Yeah, but, sometimes back then Rodman would, out of the blue, and at times in very important games, hoist up his version of a 3-point attempt. Ouch! Magical perfection it was not.

[@chrisoakley5830]

Yes the 80s was the NBA's best decade and for those who want to bring up Jordan in the 90s, Jordan was also in the 80s and was a big part of what made the 80s so great.

[@Durwood71]

@@chrisoakley5830 Michael Jordan became the face of basketball.

[@Colstonewall]

Keep in mind a lot of Bird's athleticism was diminished at this point in his career. The back injury had happened about 3 yrs prior and getting worse each season. The bone spurs in his heels were now a major problem. You can clearly see he doesn't move well compared to say 1985. I would've loved to see the 1984 Bird vs Rodman before Bird's injuries. Bird would've really smoked Rodman. And that's not a diss on Rodman, he was clearly a special player.

[@chrisbera7952]

He was a shell of his younger self, yet still dominated! With today's medicine and training he would have dominated for another ten years!

[@impassable]

Bird, Maravich, and Walton, all great in their prime, all slowed by injuries later. You wonder if Durant is going down that path also

[@davidpatton2296]

This was a young Rodman. If Rodman was in his prime he would shut down Bird AND get 26 rebounds.

[@dannysullivan8929]

@@davidpatton2296 And you call MY opinion embarrassing!!!

[@davidpatton2296]

@@dannysullivan8929 Yup, very embarrassing.

[@christopherjohnson1803]

Rodman did as good a job as can be done against Bird.

[@garagegeekguy]

Agree, that was great defense, he was working his tail off and playing perfectly. Bird was just too good on this day

[@memyselfandiuntildeath1911]

conditioning always wins. if there was one thing I learned in junior high and high school, our basketball coach made us run before, during and after practice. he said just like "free throws win basketball games", conditioning beats the other team physically and mentally. cardio/conditioning is paramount.

[@garytorresani8846]

My dad was a coach. He would have us practicing free throws until we were ready to drop. When we bitched about it, all he would say is “games are won or lost on the free throw line, you guy better know how to make them.” When I see NBA players failing to make them, I scream my dads words at the TV. There is no excuse for a million dollar pro not making them. If they need to learn, watch Seth Curry’s drills.

[@polarvortex3294]

@@garytorresani8846 Many players would be able to improve their free throw shooting if they seriously practiced and studied how to make them. And it's strange that so many are willing to tolerate a weakness in this area, when making them can mean scholarships, rings, and more. But I think that some players simply cannot learn how to make more of them, pretty much no matter what. Rodman, Wilt, Shaq... There's something inherent in their makeup or approach to the game that limits them to around 60% max. Fortunately, they have other valuable gifts that make up for this often frustrating deficiency, and that's why they reach the pros.

[@johnschuh8616]

At a high school where I taught, no player on the team was over six feet,and no one was a real gunner, but they won because they could run the other team into the ground and because they didn’t miss free throws.

[@AutomaticPoker]

Rodman was one of the greatest defenders in the league history and the greatest rebounder of his generation.. don't feel bad for him in this game, though.. Bird did this to 100% of the opponent's he played against. I watched over 250 of his games or more and he is the only player I've never seen get shut down

[@wycliffehill9596]

They said Bird is slow but his first 2 moves he makes is quick enough to catch the defender off guard.

[@nobodysreview6137]

Larry doing step backs abd everything against one of the greatest defenders ever.

[@chriswalls5831]

Kobe got bird in top greatness

[@MakaveliDior]

@@chriswalls5831 Who cares?

[@chriswalls5831]

@@MakaveliDior some of us do Kobe gottem in top 5 gotta be legend

[@MakaveliDior]

@@chriswalls5831 Bird better than him it's clear that nobody gives a fuck what Kobe thinks

[@BLACK_MikeHammer]

@@chriswalls5831 I loved the Mamba cos of his ruthless and take over mentality, but Bird was a much more efficient scorer than he ever was.. Kobe needed to take a ton of shots to get his, not Larry Legend, he never needed to shoot the ball 30x's in a game to get his...

[@Ryenobal]

The addition of Rodman to the '96 Bulls made them unstoppable. His antics, energy, rebounding, and defense caused so much disruption for opposing teams. Without him, I don't think the Bulls would have won '72 games that season.

[@nightruler666]

nor a second three peat

[@gregrowe1168]

Honestly I think Horace Grant overall was a better player than Rodman. He could actually score and could hit an open 15-17 footer and was a decent ft shooter. Was maybe slightly below Rodman in defense and rebounding but only slightly. Both by this time were a bit past their prime though.

[@eddielee41]

@@gregrowe1168 Shaq was OWNING that Bulls team in the playoffs...until they put Rodman on him. There was NO WAY the Bulls would have won without Rodman. He was the only player in the world who could "guard" Shaq.

[@Fister_of_Muppets]

One of the greatest defenders playing against one of the best shooters ever. Problem is, Larry was mentally seasoned here, he had years on Rodman, but Larry's back was hurting, Rodman was still learning. However, prime Larry Bird against prime Rodman... result probably would have been the same, but would have been one hell of a show.

[@johnschuh8616]

Bird with the ball had the initiative, and Rodman had to react. Like trying to dance with a partner for the first time.

[@everObvious]

@@johnschuh8616That’s true of all defensive play. The comparison to be made is how Rodman defends OVERALL. OVERALL, he is debatably the best defensive specialist ever to play. I’ve seen Rodman face less trouble against Michael Jordan than paired up against Bird.

[@chestermicek]

Larry Bird was a basketball savant. If Dennis Rodman could not stop him, nobody in the league could. An average game for Larry Bird, in the NBA, was 24 points, on 50% shooting from the field with 10 rebounds. That was an average game over a 13-year career. In an average game, Larry Bird would night after night get the Boston Celtics 24 points, on 50% shooting with 10 rebounds. Amazing.

[@gumdeo]

Legend.

[@aarondigby5054]

If Bird wanted to he could've scored 50 maybe 60pts many nights but would only score enough to win because he involved himself in every aspect of the game; rebounding, assists, diving for lose balls, starting and finishing breaks etc,.. probably the best all around players ever, definitely top 5.

[@hartsickdisciple]

Bird could drop 45 or 50 on anyone in NBA history. His game had no weakness. He knew how to create space as well as any player ever.

[@kad9947]

The only weakness is not even on his game, it's his god damn back!

[@jackkitchen737]

The color commentator in this game is one of my favorite of all times. Steve Jones. When he worked with Marv Albert and Bill Walton, the NBA never sounded better. And here, with the great Skip Karay, he formed an excellent team.

[@covers_girl]

Thanks, recognized the voice but forgot the name

[@AlfioS]

Steve 'Snapper' Jones, classic 1990s NBA voice. Thanks!

[@handlebucket6285]

And yet people tell me Kawhi would completely shut down Bird. Kawhi is probably a better perimeter defender than Rodman but that's not really Birds game. He plays more off ball and in the post. Something Rodman was better at defending. Yet Bird is torching him. Also Rodman is stronger than Kawhi.

[@osas5211]

This is a rookie Rodman that’s jus learning the game

[@handlebucket6285]

@@osas5211 Actually, it's Rodman in his 2nd year. Also, even peak Rodman in 1991 couldn't do anything against a 34 year old Larry Bird.

[@Bitshitter]

I don't know that I could find anyone in today's game that could effectively defend Bird in his day. They just don't play defense like that anymore.....

[@irishgrl]

@@osas5211 WhatEVER

[@osas5211]

@@handlebucket6285 bruh he didn’t play much in his first year silly, Adrian Dantley ( man who avg 30pts on 56% fg for 5 years in Utah was starting ). Chuck started trusting Rodman more the second year after Adrian had a season ending injury and in 1991 Celtics lost despite Larry having Mchale, Parish and Reggie Lewis a pretty stacked team but your daddy Larry avg 17pts shot 6/15 40% from the field and 14% from 3 lmaoo Larry had not avg 17 pts since his first playoff in 81

[@justasplash380]

Awesome, awesome 🏀 video. Rodman was still that pebble that found its way in your shoes when playing against Bird. I love it!! 😉

[@Colstonewall]

Rodman was a special, special player. A great athlete, and a guy who didn't care about scoring. Maybe the only guy who didn't care about points in the NBA. All he cared about is defense and rebounding. He was great at both.

[@martinhall932]

1:44 The crowd wasn't booing their own team... they were booing Rodman's push off Bird to get the rebound and score.

[@scott1564]

You're right about what they were booing, but it wasn't much of a push. Bird wanted a freebee on that! Anyway, I'm not sure the Pistons cared much about this one game given that they beat the Celtics in 6 to get to the finals that year.

[@donngarrison6274]

I was saying, Boo-urns.

[@Lvatopesado]

@@scott1564 - What is a push for you then?

[@scott1564]

@@Lvatopesado I didn't say it wasn't a push, I said it wasn't "much" of one. Bird was almost directly underneath the basket, especially when he was hunched over waiting for the ball to come down. That isn't a great place relative to others in rebounding position. He was a smart player -- probably the smartest in the league at the time if not all time and wasn't going to get short changed on calls, especially at home. Bird knew he was out of position and at the slightest hint of the contact, played it out. The official saw and, like me, thought, "no, not enough there." You can disagree but don't misrepresent what I said.

[@WendyQallab]

Two greats Iam so happy to watch these clips. Amazing players.

[@cindyknudson2715]

I liked Rodman not letting Parrish fall. Credit where credit is due.

[@neiladams5176]

two of my favorite players Bird and Rodman ,,,man i miss the old NBA

[@cliffleath7983]

Going back to College BB Larry from Lizard Lick was fantastic and never changed. He taught lessons to many good defenders!! One of the greatest to play BB

[@NytronX]

2:57 - "I'm over here rook" 🤣

[@eggsmann594]

You nailed it !!! 👍👍👍👍👍🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jimbartkowiak5491]

Funny how Rodman has said that Bird would be playing in Europe if he was still playing today. Based on this video, where would Rodman be playing, semi-pro? 😅

[@chrisweidner4768]

My favorite defensive player. Ever. Schooled by the master. Learned. Grew. No harder worker in the league.

[@flexcity9624]

Lebron James...

[@mojebi3804]

@@flexcity9624 🤢

[@jjs777fzr]

Agreed. Took me a while to accept Rodman the player and Rodman the person. Thx for the memories.

[@youdontsay2181]

Bird: "Throw me the ball no one's guarding me" Legend

[@mike81399]

No one does that......🤪

[@Fettclone1]

"Someone better 'D' me up quick"

[@JayZoop]

"Look at all those muscles! They are not going to help you today."

[@chrismurphy4021]

Man! One of the few people who could school the worm! Rodman was a rebounding and defensive King but Larry was unstoppable

[@ralphfurley123]

I’m a Showtime Lakers fan so I have tremendous respect for Larry Bird! I didn’t like him when the Lakers and Celtics were battling each other for Championships! But several decades later, I have a fondness for Larry Legend! Larry Bird makes my All-time Starting 5: Point Guard - Magic Johnson Shooting Guard - Michael Jordan Small Forward - Larry Bird Power Forward - Tim Duncan Center - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ☮️🖖🏽

[@Bangbangbigelow]

Damn we were close, I got Magic, Jordan, Bird, Duncan and Shaq as my starting five on nba 2k22 lol Kidd, Kobe, Pippen, K Malone and Chamberlain are the second string! I have them all playing for the Knicks lol

[@ralphfurley123]

@@Bangbangbigelow Prime Shaq was so dominant! I can understand why you chose him! I don’t have Shaq on my team is for the same reason why I don’t have Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell on the team! Free throw percentage!!! All three shot just above 50% for their career! That’s unacceptable for this all time roster! It seems somewhat sacrilegious to leave all three out, but that’s what I have! All Time Basketball Team Starting 5: C: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 7'2" PF: Tim Duncan 6'11" SF: Larry Bird 6'9" SG: Michael Jordan 6'6" PG: Magic Johnson 6'9" Bench: C/PF: Hakeem Olajuwan 7'0" PF: Kevin Garnett 6'11" SF: Lebron James 6'8" SG: Kobe Bryant 6'6" SG/PG: Jerry West 6'2" SF: James Worthy 6'9" PG: Stephen Curry 6'3" ☮️🖖🏽

[@Bangbangbigelow]

@@ralphfurley123 Good point on the free throw % and good rotation! 🔥

[@Bangbangbigelow]

@@ralphfurley123 Except you can keep Lebron though 😂 I’ll take the Greek freak instead, definitely a future hof

[@emmettpepito]

Anyone here after Rodman saying bird wouldn’t make it in the nba today

[@JoeSmith-mg5vu]

Yup, what a clown

[@bballvault]

Rodman’s my fav player but that’s nonsense for sure. Look at slower white players dominating the nba like luka and jokic. Bird would be destroying in the nba right now

[@drdubberruckie2346]

Great players in a great era, Bird was a freak. Basketball without politics👍🏀

[@matthewroberts6833]

You weren't paying close attention if you didn't see the politics.

[@drdubberruckie2346]

@@matthewroberts6833 - What does attention mean Maffhew?

[@matthewroberts6833]

@@drdubberruckie2346 Basketball in the eighties was ridiculously political and marketed off of race politics, market conglomeration and pricing out poorer fans by glamorizing the sport. I was a kid back then so I didn't see it either but looking back at it and seeing how the Celtics-Lakers/Pistons rivalry was presented and how pricing jumped up to such a huge degree it is a hell of a model for creating wealth disparity and glamorizing athletes over folks who get paid far less for doing far more valuable work.

[@LBluesummers]

Lol Artis Gilmore with the “Don’t F*** with me, Son” push on Laimbeer at 3:25

[@middleschoolteachers7866]

Bird easily makes my all-time starting lineup.

[@briandempsey3157]

Larry is my favorite basketball player OF ALL TIME! & I've been watching the game since '65. & I grew up in Los Angeles. Please do a segment on Raymond Lewis out of Verbum Dei in LA. Fascinating story that a film was just made on him.

[@eandevideos5598]

Now these were the days. Miss watching all these greats play so much

[@QuinnPrice]

I loved watching Bird play. Rodman was an interesting character. Great rebounder, generally strong defender. Except against Bird.

[@James-qq2vq]

I know Larry got a lot of credit for being a great player but in my book he was still underrated....

[@jb47vintage]

Unfortunately the NBA has only a Hall of Fame. It cannot deify anyone.

[@randyrci]

There will only ever be one LEGEND!

[@thestanleys4157]

Larry could literally do whatever he wanted. No matter who was gaurding him. Im so glad I got to grow up watching this legend.

[@stevequincy388]

I was so lucky to watch Bird play all through the 80s/early 90s as a boy. He will always be the GOAT to me.

[@Davidtibi4353]

“You can’t guard me”,…Larry Legend indeed!!

[@mylittlepitbull3143]

I have to give props to Dennis rodman because I saw him at Venice Beach one day and he took time out of his day to say hello to me and ask me how I'm doing.

[@johnschuh8616]

Bet it lights up your day just to think about that moment.

[@mylittlepitbull3143]

@@johnschuh8616 I like to tell the story because a lot of people talk a lot of bad things about him.

[@jorgemontefusco650]

Bird in the league 8 years. 3 championships, 3 consecutive MVP’s and a debilitating back injury but was still making a chump out of Rodman and the other players.

[@kinglyone7172]

It's funny seeing these clips with the perspective that Bird was pretty talking shyt the entire time.

[@guinb9779]

This is back when basketball was a sport...not a stage for the players to speak their opinions like today's game. Larry simply told you where he was gonna score from...and he did jus that! Those were men back then...not the little boys that play the game these days. Thank you, Larry...you are a legend.

[@joshb.1118]

Nostalgia 🫧

[@t-bo-lesotho]

Larry Bird's passes were like butter dripping off a hot roll.

[@thomwest1724]

🧐🏀No question about it;Larry Bird is one of the best to ever play the game.It’s as simple as that👍👏🏻

[@kenneth7826]

I agree with you

[@TrashPanda5150]

This was a beautiful time to be alive!

[@SteveSutton-kh4vj]

In my opinion, Larry Bird was without a doubt the most complete basketball player I ever saw. He was a pure shooter and a great passer of the ball. His instincts were golden and he was able to visualize plays on a basketball court before everyone else could. He made everybody on his team better when he was on the floor. Dr. J called him “a basketball genius.” Magic said Larry “was a bad dude” and he feared no one more than Bird. All I know is, the man just flat got it done. He was the personification of greatness!

[@syrupofwahoo3059]

Oh man, for a few minutes watching this clip I was transported back to my youth remembering how good i thought i was and watching the greatest players of the day….👏😂

[@calebmcurby8580]

Dennis Rodman now: "If Larry Bird played today he'd be in Europe." Yeah, buddy. Sure.

[@oldtimer794]

At least he'd still be playing.

[@tcme11]

​​@@damosuzuki4125You're confusing speed with talent and accuracy. When Larry turns his back on you and decides to "slow ball" the play, things gonna get ugly real soon.

[@bradgaines]

And Bird doing this against one of the greatest defenders of all time.

[@jp3813]

To be fair, this was when Rodman had yet to even become an All-Defensive Team selectee. Though it's not like he never got lit up by other scorers afterwards.

[@IveBeenWithBruma]

No Rodman was extremely difficult to score on in his prime. Jordan had force his team to draft him just so the Bulls could win championships. Jordan hated playing against him with a passion.

[@jp3813]

@@IveBeenWithBruma Fanfic.

[@slammajamma5435]

How quickly we forget how great the great’s were. He was masterful. How many players throughout history could do that to Rodman? A handful at most, he was a helluva defender.

[@Silv3rXs]

Larry vs one of the best defenders ever. This proves that he would adapt to today's game without any problems.

[@ScotchIrishTarheel]

One of the originators of the step-back three.

[@artboston4787]

Wow Kevin McHale was great! Kevin McHale had 29 points on 10/16 shooting, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks in this game.

[@gregrowe1168]

McHale was so slinky, it seemed like he always managed to find a way to get around a defender when it didn’t look like there was room. Giannis now seems a lot like him though a lot more explosive and athletic. McHale could make his fts though.

[@joshb.1118]

Plus 5 of those 11 boards were on the offensive glass, and they are so much more valuable.

[@tcme11]

No one better in the paint. Kevin was an excellent player. Crazy footwork. The Black Hole once he received the ball.

[@kenneely1752]

Larry: You can’t guard me!! Rodman: you’re right!!

[@randrrr2193]

Bird, Ainge, Parish, DJ and McHale! Always enjoyable to watch the teamwork!

[@geraldcollins7103]

Bird man in any weather! Probably the greatest person who understood the game. Yo Larry Thank you

[@abebagota1916]

A prime Bird would be the best all-around offensive player in the NBA today, and probably 2nd best overall behind Giannis. And a prime Rodman would be the best man-on defender in the league, not to mention by far the best rebounder.

[@rogeliochavez40]

A prime Bird would be the best player in the league rightnow, love Giannis, he’s having an all time great prime, however, Bird at his best is potentially a top 5 player ever

[@abebagota1916]

@@rogeliochavez40 It would be close. Bird would be the better offensive player (he would thrive in this generation of space and pace), but Giannis is much more impactful on defense (though Bird was a very good man-on defender in his prime with a great knack for reading passing lanes). I am a guy who believes heavily in the value of foundational defensive players, so I lean slightly towards Giannis, but I would take either of them over in their primes over anyone in the league right now.

[@keysersoze5032]

Dennis cant be talking after getting cooked like this

[@MitchMarley1]

He’s a nut

[@getnanoed]

Prime Bird is top NBA first team 5 EVER!

[@JonnyJungle77]

It's amazing how much the game has changed. They were still tough and could be gritty during that era.

[@randychapman2309]

Exactly! Now we just have a bunch of flop actors trying to win an Academy Award.

[@MN-ug9me]

I grew up as a kid in this era of basketball, back when players played. Loved it, I can’t watch it anymore.

[@vanhattfield8292]

You can see that Rodman was really feeling the frustration but in his defense, he doesn't give up and keeps trying harder and harder. He was as focused as Bird. This was a great matchup to see.

[@GOLVEL]

No, you can't. That's your assumption.

[@vanhattfield8292]

@@GOLVEL Just because you can't do or see something, doesn't mean others can't...

[@GOLVEL]

@@vanhattfield8292 Just because you assume you can see what others are FEELING, doesn't mean you're right.

[@vanhattfield8292]

@@GOLVEL And just because YOU assume I am wrong, doesn't make me wrong. Your weaknesses do not translate to being weaknesses of others.

[@GOLVEL]

@@vanhattfield8292 deep-sounding phrases that add little to your argument don't make it better. I don't assume, it is a fact that you can't know whatever someone is feeling or thinking just by looking at them... especially on a video, that's called guessing or assuming at best.

[@kevinblock2307]

Bird was the ultimate baller

[@aliasbillsmith7200]

I just realized watching Bird that MJ used very similar moves when he extended his game with his shooting. The turnarounds, pump fakes, drive and pull up, etc. I’d like to see someone do a side by side comparison.

[@stuartwald2395]

Check out the classic McDonald's commercial! Remember, "No Dunking."

[@johnatspray]

Two legends! Both favourite players.