Larry Bird ULTIMATE Mixtape! REACTION!! | OFFICE BLOKES REACT!!

[@nyolsson]

“If I had to choose a player to take a final shot to win a game I'd choose (Michael) Jordan, but if I could pick one to shoot to save my life I would pick Bird.” - Pat Riley

[@metal-adjacent]

That's brilliant

[@apex-sniper4780]

Totally agree

[@JuandeFucaU]

some of the players who played for Pat Riley might deliberately try to airball that lifesaving shot.

[@souldry]

@@punkem733 Michael Jordan is the Wayne Gretzky of basketball

[@punkem733]

@@souldry Wayne Gretzky is the michael jordan of hockey.

[@thousandblood]

When Magic Johnson was first diagnosed positive with HIV. Bird was the first person to called Magic and ask him how's he was and if he needed anything. That just to show you what kind of person Larry was.

[@mrgmusicclass]

And his respect for Magic. Their rivalry made basketball more popular than ever and they knew it.

[@bopep1368]

Larry found out before the formal announcement from Magics agent and insisted on talking to Magic. Larry said he cried when he talked to Magic.

[@jaded9234]

I thought it was Magic who called and told Bird, after he got the test results, with one of the first things that were said when Magic learned that he was positive was "Somebody's got to call Larry".

[@bopep1368]

@@jaded9234 i kinda remember it like that but when this post came up i went back and looked at what was on the internet because my memory is crap and found different versions so who knows how it was spun. My memory (?) was that Magic called Larry and that Larry cried when he was told.

[@thousandblood]

@@jaded9234 you are correct sir.

[@mahante]

Larry Bird was the greatest player of his generation. He was also that guy that made everyone around him better. Dude was just as selfless as he was ruthless. I grew up hating what he did to my home team but also admiring him as a player. One of the guys that must be brought up when discussing the all time greatest players of all time.

[@GibsonHeavy]

When Larry came back from the locker room he had a fractured cheekbone, a concussion and double vision. LEGENDARY

[@jeffrichards1537]

Everyone feared bird. He would tell the whole opposing team what he was gonna do and dare them to try to stop him. The man, the myth, the legend larry

[@GBrimstone]

Bill Laimbeer has entered the chat ...

[@nyolsson]

he and magic literally saved the NBA. from taped delayed Finals to what we have today. then MJ took it to the stratosphere. love the variety of reactions!

[@phillabadboy05j26]

This exactly. The NBA was riddled with poor product on the court and drugs in the 70s. Bird and Magic brought the NBA back in the 80s.

[@TheJstroud24]

People forget that David Stern was the marketing mastermind behind this as well.

[@EMD1028]

@@TheJstroud24 your half right. Bird and Magic came into league at the perfect time when NBA needed them and them going to different coasts and becoming rivals. Stern then took that and ran with it.

[@markbell4982]

Funny thing is that I quit watching the NBA after Bird and Magic. I saw a little bit of Jordan and the Bulls but my watching was sporadic by then.

[@mrgmusicclass]

Mike was right when he said more people would watch if there was more play like this. That is exactly what Bird and Magic, then Jordan, did. They nade people take notice and along with Stern's marketing genius, exploded the popularity of basketball. Dr J deserves props, too.

[@bigblue3216]

It brings me to tears watching these clips. It reminds me of my childhood and how lucky I was to have witnessed Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and so many more great players. And even tho it's not basketball I got to witness Iron Mike Tyson and I won't get started on the NFL greats What a time to be alive

[@ashleybrown4754]

Larry Legend. One of the most ruthless and all around skilled dudes to ever play ball. There is no argument.

[@jimmckay8640]

That retirement clip of Larry was not after a basketball game. That was a singular event that filled the garden with fans of Larry Bird and the Celtics. Magic and Larry played basketball in college against each other and their mirrors careers on their respective teams were amazing. And during their time, they became great friends, while they were rivals. You can see some great clips of interviews that they have done together over the years. The dream team was in '92.

[@paulobrien9572]

Larry Bird was not only supremely talented he was hands down the most clutch player ever. HOF coach Pat Riley of the Lakers said " If I needed a shot to win the game I'd choose Michael Jordan, but if I needed someone to make a shot to save my life I'd choose Larry

[@WASRSASR]

I still would put Jordan as the most clutch

[@derkaiser1306]

@@WASRSASR maybe, but nah...

[@Eliath1984]

@@derkaiser1306 True... MJ is definitely one of the most Clutch humans in the history of Clutch.... but Larry just has ice runnin through his veins in the last 2 minutes

[@bleachedbrother]

The '92 US Olympic Men's Basketball Team was the "Dream Team". Larry, Magic, Michael, etc was arguably the greatest team ever assembled. It was the first time the US sent NBA players to the Olympics. That team created young fans all over Europe and some grew up to play in the NBA!

[@mikerichardson8983]

Nobody had a bigger heart than larry bird. He was the smartest player to ever play. He never quit and he was always a team player. LARRY LARRY LARRY !

[@zacharyhendershott]

You gotta watch a video just on Larry’s trashtalk stories. He’s the most notorious of all time.

[@Lonewolfmike]

And one thing he would do is tell the other team the play before they ran it and they still couldn't stop him.

[@cindyknudson2715]

@@Lonewolfmike the very BEST kind. 👍

[@Bobal27]

Michael Jordan said “People ask me who my top 5 are. I say ‘Larry-‘ and they interrupt me. ‘You’re starting with Larry? What about LeBron?’ I say ‘You guys just don’t get it. Larry Bird is by far the best small forward ever to play the game.’” So to answer where he fits on a tier list, most people undervalue him because they don’t divide total stats by years played. Larry only played 13 years, so his stats are twice as powerful as someone who played for 26. Even with the underestimation, he makes everybody’s top ten, pretty much. If people factor in what the pros think (ESPN polled 20 of the greats, who is better, Larry or LeBron? The result was 14.5 - 2.5, with three abstaining, in favor of Bird), they typically place him top 5. The people I see who consider the stats per year average place him second behind MJ, for the most part. One guy who’s been running around the KZbin comments, though, would put Wilt at first, then MJ, then Bird. Being from Indiana (and my mom knew a guy who went to high school in French Lick with Larry), I still go MJ, Bird, Wilt, Magic, and I don’t really know the newer game (I stopped watching basketball after the Dream Team. I knew it was all downhill from there), so I’m going to reserve slot five for the best of the current age, whoever you guys (comments) think that is. Probably LeBron, from what I’ve seen of how highly rated people think he is, putting him in the “GOAT” talks with MJ, even though MJ doesn’t think LeBron is close to Bird’s status.

[@yambo59]

It should be noted here, when Larry fell and smacked his face on that hardwood floor, he fractured his right cheekbone and when he came back out he had a concussion and double vision - and he was STILL dropping buckets and brought them back to win the game. Larry is a bonafide LEGEND.

[@tinasmallwood9546]

If you delve a bit into Larry's full career.. once he retired from BB he became a head coach of a BB team awarded coach of the year and then became a manager of a team, named executive of the year. That in itself shows how intelligent he was and how he was top for understanding the game. Great reaction!

[@Jaysun1]

Bird and Magic saved the NBA. They were the biggest rivals and ultimately became best of friends!

[@Lonewolfmike]

And the story of how their friendship started is a great one. The part where Larry's mom gave Magic a hug when he came in the house just put him at ease. I mean he saw his own mom in her and there isn't a higher compliment I can think of he could give her.

[@martincapek96]

yeah and then Bird being the first ball player to pick up a phone and check on Magic when he got the news about him getting HIV.. while his own teammates and isaiah for example were bussy questioning his sexuality.. like I am basketball casual but I am big sports enthusiast in general and this is one of the most beuatiful stories and relationships I've ever seen.

[@ericjorgensen3911]

nicknamed Larry Legend. He was a TEAM player and got just as much joy making a killer pass as making a 3. He did "trash talk" but like Ali he backed it up. He got RESPECT from his peers. He was outstanding.

[@JohnnyPappas]

Larry Bird was one of a kind. I had the pleasure of being a fan and seeing him in his prime.

[@grannysgonerabid7425]

Hi guys. Loved your reaction. I grew up in Boston during the 80s. Fun Bird story that sadly I cannot find the footage of anywhere. It was a regular season game at Cleveland. During Half Time while both teams are in their locker rooms, a fan is given a chance to shoot the ball from half court. If they make a basket, they won a chunk of money. The competition was over and the Cleveland ball boys were moving the rack of 6 basketballs off the court as the Celtics were coming back out from their locker room. As the TV commentators were finishing up their half time comments on the game thus far, behind them, on the court the TV cameras picked up Bird as he halted the ball boys at half court. He grabbed a ball, turned and faced the basket down by the Cleveland bench and shot it from half court. Swish! The fans applauded. Bird took the second ball. Shot it. Swish! Ooohs and aahhhs from the fans. A third ball. Swish! At this point the TV commentators even stopped and turned their attention to Bird. The Cleveland fans were standing now, cheering. Sure enough, he drained the ball rack -- all six balls from half court went through the net. He returned to the Celtics bench amid a wild standing ovation while the Cavaliers just stood there. I'll never forget Gil Santos, the Celtics' play-by-play announcer declaring: "If you're the Cleveland Cavaliers, whatever plan you came out of that locker room with just went up in smoke."

[@cindyknudson2715]

😀 What a GREAT story!!!! Thank you so much for sharing it. He ain't called Larry Legend for nothing.

[@alicestephens2233]

In 1974 my brother played against Larry Bird in High School...Springs valley was about an hour from us...My Brother went to South Knox High School in Vincennes, IN...Larry Bird was from French Lick. He said he had never played against any player like that ever and was in complete awe of him and followed his career until he retired....He is Indianas and the worlds greatest player of all time...bar none.

[@donmorton4597]

Watching Bird throughout the 80s it was every bit as good as you can imagine.

[@LankyMofo]

I'm jealous

[@SAVikingSA]

Larry Bird is a guy everyone knows was good, but almost no one remembers how good. When they finally see it, they get it. Dude was arguably the GOAT.

[@OregonDARRYL]

The original Magic. He had a vision of the court like no one ever.

[@christiankarlkarganilla2763]

For real. I don't get people claiming that LeBron is the best SF of all time by a mile. Like have they forgotten Larry Legend?

[@anxiety1018]

@@christiankarlkarganilla2763 not by a mile but Lebron>Larry bird

[@Nix-qq5je]

@@anxiety1018 And this is why gen-z are considered clowns. Thanks for the laugh 😂

[@anxiety1018]

@@Nix-qq5je I have much respect for the older generation and yes larry bird is more mentally strong than Lebron and I would rather have him in the last minute. But for the first 47 minutes give me LeBron

[@brandonhall5615]

If you ever want to know where a player ranks in the ever evolving list of "the greats", all you need do is see who the other greats name-drop. Bird is on all of their lists, near as I can tell.

[@Lonewolfmike]

The greats know who the real greats are and Larry IS on their lists. Larry isn't called Larry Legend for nothing.

[@YvonneCClaes]

Larry Bird has my ultimate respect. I am older, so I watched him through the 80s and 90s as a Pistons' fan. His father, who worked 12-hour shifts through injuries, taught Larry at a young age how to work through injuries. His father, Joe Bird, sadly killed himself when Larry was 19. The Celtics almost didn't sign Larry, who suffered a hand injury playing sports with his brother. Larry proved to the organization that he was worth signing, and after some hesitation, the Celtics drafted him. Imagine the player Bird could have been if not for the knuckle injury. My God, players today whine about the least injury and complain if they have to play injured. Not Larry. He was true to the values he witnessed growing up and always said his work ethic was a tribute to his father.

[@swallman]

The drafted him well before he hurt his hand. He was drafted his junior year and Boston had to wait a year. Red got the biggest steal in history and then again when he got McHale and Parrish for Joe Barry Carrol.

[@cindyknudson2715]

Between being drafted and being signed he shattered the knuckle of his pointer on his right hand. Had to have surgery and pins etc put in it. He adapted. 😊

[@tortillasarenotbiceps7622]

Good to see brothers from other nations enjoying a sport we grew up with. I'm from New England, so the Celtics are our team. In the 80s I very much remember watching Larry, Parrish, Ainge, McHale, DJ, etc dominate the league along with the mighty Lakers. Those were amazing times as are the memories.

[@unity1016]

He had the best basketball IQ of anyone ever. He knew where everyone was on the court, and played ahead of others because of it. I love to watch him play, making a basket or missing. Just fun.

[@Wavy612]

Magic has a better basketball iq but he’s just literally magic not a knock to bird at all he was brilliant

[@chrispavlich9656]

@@Wavy612I beg to differ.

[@sketch3744]

I'm legit in tears re-watching the bird retirement clip. Gives me goosebumps every time.

[@melissaisloud7404]

Larry Bird was amazing. He was a true artist on the court. He truly has no equivalent. He was a beast at a time when the NBA was at its most fierce. I suggest watching the video on the relationship between Bird and Magic. It’s quite the story. Very moving and inspiring.

[@cindyknudson2715]

"There will never, ever, ever be another Larry Bird". Earvin "Magic" Johnson

[@paj8837]

Larry Bird doesn't get talked about as much as he should bird vs magic was best years

[@rg20322]

I grew up in Boston during the 80's and basketball during that time was awesome! Bird was one of my favorites but DJ (Dennis Johnson) and Larry together were unreal!

[@paj8837]

@@rg20322 lucky you I grew up in 80s but I live in Australia my whole life and I'm a big Boston fan and it absolutely was the best years watching magic vs bird but my favourite Celtic on the team was Kevin McHale

[@Hibbs4Prez]

He gets talked about and promoted on KZbin more than any other player. Sit down.

[@ashleybrown4754]

He gets talked about by people who really know bball. I modeled my playing when I was younger after him. Definitely a 🐐.

[@EMD1028]

@@rg20322 I lived in just South of Boston my whole life and you nailed it. He was money not once but 99% of the time. With McHale and Parish, DJ, Ainge and crew they were nasty. If Reggie Lewis didn't tragically pass the dynasty would of been epic.

[@TheWhatman21]

He is regarded amongst the greats as one of the greats if not the best all around player. His court vision and game IQ were freakishly good

[@jaywoolston2851]

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were connected in basketball throughout their careers. They faced each other in college in the NCAA finals, and then they faced each other in the NBA. The Celtics and Lakers had one of the great sports rivalries of all time.

[@JohnnyFenoli]

One of the funniest things about Larry Bird was how pissed they say he got when they put another white guy on him, to defend him. He took it as an insult.

[@Lonewolfmike]

Yes he HATED it when the oppsoing team did that. That just pissed him off and made him do all he could to destroy the defender.

[@josephmelendez8370]

Speaking of his selflessness, his tendency to play hurt is what led to him retiring when he did, after just 13 seasons. At his peak though, he was virtually unguardable, and along with Magic he literally saved the league from going under.

[@NorthtoNorway]

He is the goat. The most complete player I have ever seen. I was a Sixers fan in the 80's. and he would send me into a rage time and time again. The man could not be stopped.

[@ΒΞΔΝ]

Larry Legend will be in most people's top 5 all-time somewhere. Endless stories that if not documented you would think are lies, absolute basketball genius.

[@scottybelle9]

Bird's first pro coach nicknamed him "Kodak" because he seemed to take a mental picture of the court, knowing where everyone was at all times. You saw some of that in those clips. His anticipation was superb.

[@guillaumedemers4711]

That was the only basketball skill I ever had passing ability and I reckon Bird is a master of the pass

[@dalebuck7168]

I'm an old man! I watched Bird through his entire career including College. He refused to lose. Greatest White player to ever play, maybe the best player ever! Because of him the Boston Celtics put together a group of players that dominated Pro Basketball for years and years.

[@Spthomas47]

I remember watching him, among other sports, in my grandparent's TV room with all my uncles. Great times with them and Johnny Most.

[@mbolduc]

The old Celtics were an odd-looking bunch. Kind of a monster party, Bird looked like the Wolfman, McHale was a super tall Dracula, Parrish looked like Frankenstein, and DJ just looked improbable

[@liquidscenery]

Bird definitely in the top 10, arguably in the top 5

[@bamachine]

As a kid in 80's, me and my mom liked to pick rival pro teams and root against each other. She chose the Celtics with Bird and McHale, I chose the Lakers with Magic and Kareem. Was amazing watching those two teams go against each other for dominance in the 80's.

[@folkblues4u]

Great story: Game's tied with seconds left. Everyone (including the Celtics) are expecting a mid-range/close shot to tie it and send the game to overtime. Meanwhile: Bird is talking trash to the opponent bench, saying "yeah, thinking I'm gonna bust a 3 and get out of here"... THEN DID IT. Literally told them he was going for the win and what he was gonna do and they couldn't stop him.

[@dan32321]

This is probably my favorite individual highlight reel, and I say that as a Lakers fan who grew up idolizing Magic Johnson. I kind of feel dirty typing that, but it's the truth. Larry was just a genius. And with that said, if you enjoyed Bird's passing, you need to check out Magic's clip next. Nobody has ever run the fast break like he did. As for where Bird ranks among the great, his specific spot probably comes down to your individual tastes and opinion, but he's absolutely a consensus Top 10 player in history.

[@EMD1028]

Magic was probably greatest passer ever in my opinion and idk if it's even close but also Bird was a more complete all around player. Man I miss them days.

[@jerricocke987]

. I have to put him in the top eight just cuz he's bird and because I watched a lot of the stuff he did when he did it the first time yo for me it's bird it's magic it's MJ it's Wilt Chamberlain man there's a goats

[@dd-1280]

I love the respect lakers/celtics fans have from that era. That's a sign of a time that was really something special

[@dan32321]

@@dd-1280 It helps that we won, 2-1. (Should have been 3-0 but we completely blew it in 84.) But yeah, you get some years of separation, the hate dissipates and you realize just how good they were, and what an amazing achievement it was to beat them. Feel the same way about the Spurs; when you beat Duncan/Ginobili/Parker, you beat the best, so it was incredibly satisfying.

[@RobwLPOC]

I believe it was Charles Barkley that once joked that the reason Larry Bird wasn't good at running or jumping is because god wanted to at least give the other players a chance

[@mattcampbell334]

You all talked about how selfless he was. He knew he could go for 30 ppg if he wanted to but he was raised in a small town in the Midwest where you're taught that you play as a team, you win as a team, and you lose as a team so he liked to get everyone involved when they were on the floor. And he was playing chess, always a few steps ahead of everyone else so he could make things happen

[@EMD1028]

If he played in today's soft NBA he would of avoided injuries and would be top 3 player in his sleep.

[@boojaja1013]

@@EMD1028 no offense but he’d be a bench warmer in today’s nba.

[@EMD1028]

@@boojaja1013 more like today's soft divas would probably not even cut it and make a team. LeBron would be the teams towel boy. Fact. Crying like a bitch every time he gets touched. Back then haha he would be toast 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@boojaja1013]

@@EMD1028 ahh. Your one of those delusional people. I’m not even going to waste my time with ignorance.

[@EMD1028]

@@boojaja1013 my oh my I am not suprised. Talks out the ass then says I got nothing else to say 🤦🏻‍♂️🤣🤣

[@pigs18]

Larry Bird is one of the best players of all time, but arguably the single best playmaker of all time. As you can see from his no-look passes, he knew where every player was on the court at all times. Add to that his own shot accuracy and he made his entire team better.

[@curtissmith2486]

It's FANTASTIC (old 80's NBA commercial) watching you gentlemen react to the LEGEND of Larry Bird!! You can tell that you guys get it, along with your other videos!! Keep up the GREAT, ENTERTAINING, TRUTH TELLING videos 🤙! MUCH LOVE AND RESPECT!!

[@msdarby515]

Bird has the classic poor kid to sports story. A family of 8 in a 2 bedroom home. He slept on the porch where there was no heat. He was attracted to basketball at a young age and later said, "Even as a kid, when I played basketball with my buddies, I passed the ball a lot. Passing brings teams together, since everybody likes to shoot and score. The key was to pass the ball at just the right moment so teammates would have an easier time making shots. Winning together was everything." His parents divorced when he was in high school and a few years later his dad took his own life. He credits his high school basketball coach for fostering his skill and confidence in the game. There's a great documentary called Magic and Bird, a Courtship of Rivals. I have been hoping you would find your way to the Larry Bird rabbit hole.

[@TheBurninator50]

I'm not a Celtics fan, grew up in Kansas City thousands of miles from Boston, and grew up playing basketball my entire life. And I can confidently say Larry Bird is the best overall basketball player I have ever seen.

[@lizetteolsen3218]

You have got to watch the documentary about Magic and Bird--deep. Also when he was playing that Pacers game when he broke his cheek bone--he played the last part of the game with a concussion and seeing DOUBLE. Watch some of the trash talking stories from his opponent. Great fun

[@Lonewolfmike]

The documentary is one of the greatest ever made and did both men right.

[@miltongonzalez5962]

Hearing "steal by bird" still gives me goosebumps.

[@Lonewolfmike]

That give you goosebumps and Piston fans nightmares.

[@miltongonzalez5962]

@@Lonewolfmike very true, i was going to mention that but i didn't want to throw salt on the wound.

[@douglasallaire5451]

@@miltongonzalez5962 I will always remember Johnny Most, "Bird stole the ball"

[@Str8Homah]

Great reaction. Liked. The thing that made Bird's trashtalk legendary is he backed it up. He'd tell the defender what he was going to do before he did it...Then he'd do it. There are a few videos on KZbin about his trashtalk, told by the guys he trashtalked. They are pretty funny & amazing at the same time.

[@JET1970]

Coming from a Lakers fan that grew up watching Showtime and Shaq and Kobe rooting against the celtics and Larry Legend and can fully say without any bias that Larry Legend Bird is best of ALL-TIME

[@fezzik7619]

I watched Legend play live 33 years ago and I’ve yet to see anyone play the game better. To me there is no GOAT debate. It’s a shame about injuries shortening his career, but he’s undeniably the hardest working and smartest player ever.

[@cindyknudson2715]

And all around. Excelled in so many categories. And all the things they don't keep stats on.

[@lordoflaziness7775]

Love this video! Bird and Magic really respected each other. They both would probably be even better with todays nba rules.

[@guillaumedemers4711]

Jordan too of course and both Bird and Jordan would be the loudest mouths hahahaha

[@John_Thundergun]

@@guillaumedemers4711 in a league where you can't touch anyone, plus modern training, equipment, medicine, and nutrition, all 3 would destroy this league.

[@donnawasielewski5087]

Best all-around player ever. You need to watch his passing video and his trash talking video. He made everyone else around him better... You don't see that in today's game. In today's game it's all about the individual, not the team. If Larry was not injured in today's game he would be the best player ever...

[@katestotler9565]

The night he retired it was standing room only! The Boston Gardens and NO Game was playing! That was the fans wanted to see his exit! True loyalty!

[@ForceOfWill100]

He also played the back half of his career with massive structural damage to his spine. One of the toughest players in history, and had he stayed in his prime longer, who knows, he could've expanded his already incredible legacy. Great reaction, love seeing people exposed to sports legends for the first time! Definitely do magic next 👍

[@dansgroi1472]

When people ask me my top 5 players and I say Larry Bird. People stop me and say really? Larry Bird? I say you don't get it. Larry is the best small forward to ever play the game...quote from MJ.

[@Nix-qq5je]

9:37 "It's been more than the statistical line when you talk about Larry Bird here this afternoon." That quote always resonated with me on why Larry Bird is one of the greatest to ever step on the hardwood.

[@Presice]

Bird is on the mount rushmore of all time greats. You add magic and jordan then whoever you want as the 4th

[@shanehebert396]

If you check at 3:25 and 4:47 (and other spots) when he makes that shot you can see the other team's bench towards the top of the video. Look at the reaction of the other team's players.

[@doughaviland1729]

All through his playing years, he would come to practice an hour early and shoot free-throws , then stay after the game and again shoot free-throws after everyone else had left. THAT'S what set him apart from the rest!

[@simoncowell6571]

Larry played his last 4-ish years with a bad back which makes his career stats great, but not untouchable. The 1992 Olympic "Dream Team" was lightyears ahead of every other country and saved a spot for an injured Bird because they just couldn't be without the dude's leadership and playmaking ability. He and Magic were co-captains of that team.

[@Maurice1191]

Bird and Magic played exaactly alike and their story is absolutely amazing..

[@RockDocNeal]

I'm from Boston and I had the pleasure of seeing Larry Bird play in a game at the Boston Garden during the 1982-1983 season, along with Kevin McHale, Robert Parrish, Cedric Maxwell and Danny Ainge. He was definitely one of the greatest players in NBA history because of his incredible technical shooting ability, excellent passing, ability to make plays happen in difficult situations, solid defense and leadership. He played for the Celtics from 1979 to 1992 and although he had multiple injuries of different body parts during his career, it was the worsening chronic back issues that forced him to retire. People have speculated what type of stats he would have achieved if he hadn't missed some games and retired early do to the back issues. He also played his entire career with a bent and stiff right index finger due to an injury he sustained just prior to joining the Celtics (I saw a quote that said his index finger was "shaped much like a boomerang, permanently bent toward his thumb at a 45-degree angle"). The Celtics won 3 NBA championships during Larry's time with them (and were in the finals 2 other times in which they lost), which was the 2'nd most successful period for the team, behind the "golden period" of 1957-1969 in which they 11 championships in 13 years.

[@agordon7369]

Magic Johnson and Larry Bird played against each other since college and at Larry Birds retirement ceremony they didn’t show it but Magic took off his Jersey and was wearing a Larry Bird jersey. Larry is definitely a legend and also known as basketball Jesus, anyone who is old enough to have watched him play such as myself would say he was one of the greatest players of all time.

[@kurthealey6936]

Absolutely brilliant reaction gentleman! For a greater look at Bird (and other contenders for bb goat), find "Making the case" series on line. You will find Bird and a few others.

[@miamidolphinsfan]

Larry Bird was all about the win, and as good as he was as a teammate he was even better. Totally selfless. As Dave says, as good as he was on the court, he was a better team mate. Great video to react to brother

[@SE-gs6gd]

Larry was a next level trash talker. Legend.

[@Nelekets]

About the best of all time chat you guys were having.. I think most reasonable fans that aren't under 20 years old have Larry Bird in the top 5 of all time, or at the very least the top 10. One of the best clutch performers of all time, great shooting touch, invented the 50/40/90 club (meaning 50% from 2 point range, 40% from 3 point range, and 90% free throws in a single season), excellent rebounder, excellent passer, good team defender. He played in an era before shooting 3 pointers become normalized and accepted, his first season was the first year the 3 point line came to the NBA just for reference. If he was playing today he would be EVEN better no doubt because of his shooting ability and rebounding.

[@MTXSHO9732vV8SHO]

6:02 The Man isn't even a fan of the game and neither are his friends and yet he intuitively knows more about what it takes to get this accomplished in 4 minutes of watching.

[@lindapowers8592]

Larry was the man! College, Pro, Championships, Coach and GM for Boston!!!!!!!!!! He and Magic had a rivalry on the court but were friends in real life. We followed their college and pro careers 🏆 Larry born in 1956 Magic 1959 Me and my husband 1958 We were their biggest fans over the years 🏀 but we were born in Detroit and Pistons fans two.

[@pamperez9981]

Larry Bird-a living legend!

[@omerselimucar]

The Goat Larry Legend ☘️

[@Knight_of_NI]

I grew up in New York City watching Larry Bird and Magic Johnson save the NBA, it was a great time to be a basketball fan!!! (Yup, I’m that old)

[@emptyhand777]

Bird injured his back replacing his mother's driveway. He was a multimillionaire and could have easily hired a crew to do the job. He grew up in poverty and never shied away from hard work.

[@tyrannicaltypomichaeltester]

Larry is the best shooter of all time that rainbow is legendary

[@flopofshame2582]

I grew up in Florida and even there you knew how good Bird was.

[@phoenixmichaels]

Bird talked shit to Rodman too, and cooked him good more than a few times. He talked shit to everyone. Players. Coaches. Refs. Check out "Larry Bird Trash talk". He was a character.

[@royboy1984]

Need to react to Larry Bird trash talking stories. His trash talking was legendary.

[@mattmurphy24]

I'm 60. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird brought the NBA back from obscurity. They ended up rivals in the college final . It carried on into the NBA with Lakers vs Celtics . Great players, Great Teams , Great Rivalry. I'm a Golden State fan from the Bay Area 75 we won it. Most people quite paying attention until those two came along.

[@GeraldWalls]

9:10 Coming back into the game with a fractured right check (aka a broken face). I've heard that with the accompanying concussion he was actually seeing a little double at the end of the game. With current concussion protocols after having your head slam to the floor like 8:14 you would probably not even be allowed to return to the game.

[@UncLester]

Magic and Bird has maybe the best rivalry in sports of all time. Their 1979 college championship game against each other had the most broadcast viewership of any basketball game until 2017. It is crazy to think that it took the NBA almost 40 years to have a game that had more people watching than two college teams.

[@rachaelwhite5961]

I’m definitely going to check out more of these mixtapes because it was REALLY well done. There’s so much garbage out there but there are also some really talented producers. I love the mix of videos y’all do! I’ve fallen into some DEEP rabbit holes from your reactions of late..anyone else watch waaay too much Bondi Rescue??🤣

[@noni5961]

The older generation of basketball was amazing. Skill skill skill. And. Lot of fun.

[@lisaray9944]

I was lucky enough to see Bird play it was the most amazing night I had watching BBall . We live in Texas and we love our Mavericks but being Irish my daddy’s team was the Celtics so is mine to this day . … I was the boy my dad didn’t have for years lol …. You guys should watch Larry Bird Making The Case it really show such so much more .

[@OregonDARRYL]

Bird was the original "Magic". Irvin Johnson says Larry was the best ever, and he played him, so he would know.

[@paulgrimm8475]

I'm a Funeral Director in Indianapolis. I have met Bird quite a few times doing funerals of people in Indy. He's always a class act.

[@peterblood50]

"I loved that bassetball, that bassetball was like a bassetball to me." - Basketball Jones

[@citypopFM]

James Worthy, who was one of the all-time greats of the 1980's Lakers with Magic and Kareem, said guarding Jordan would make you look slow but guarding Larry would make you look stupid.

[@fgoogle5576]

Absolutely, undeniably in everyone's top 5 all time

[@robgelfand2414]

Larry Bird is definitely in the conversation for the greatest of all time. Here is the one thing that I have not seen any other player do. Larry Bird would tell the opposing team what the play was and where he was going to shoot from and they still couldn't stop him. Byron Scott tells it the best - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmPMqnlrmcycf9E

[@alfredoramos9782]

Thank you guys for reacting, more reactions on bird ,stay safe and God bless always to you guys

[@kevinb314]

His career was cut short from injury (mostly because he always played so hard and stayed in instead of taking time to heal). Also committed his whole career to Boston. Instead of being like Lebron and a lot of players by bouncing around and just trying to be on the best team they can His trash talking is the best there ever was too. Check out more of that!

[@onedead]

Larry used to stay AFTER practices and shoot 10,000 shots! Magic heard about this and he also did it, just to "keep up with Larry" - his words. On a late night TV show interview Magic admitted that Larry made him a better player. Quite a compliment...

[@pplla7821]

I'm glad when I first start to watch basketball in Jr high school, I had the chance to see Larry bird play his last two years of b-ball!

[@smittyboy13]

They called him Larry Legend for a reason

[@lantzkeefer6]

Loved him and that team so much, really the only time I was a serious fan.👍

[@aundraeblackwell2949]

Larry Bird is one of the best ever.

[@kaiserpinaii6128]

Nice! Made me smile. Best mixtape of Larry bird too

[@cjames4478]

The Blokes have to React to the post career interviews they’ve done. Magic Johnson is a billionaire now and is part owner of the Dodgers. Larry Bird still dables in basketball. Magic vs Bird was the biggest rivalry in the 1980s. Magic ended up with 5 NBA titles and is considered the greatest point guard of all time. Until Lebron James can along Larry Bird was the best Small forward of all time. In an interview for a sneaker commercial in the late 80s shot in Bird’s hometown they apparently really hated one another…. Until Bird’s mom invited Magic into the house and served them lunch during a break. They are literally the same player in different bodies. Both stand 6’9 both weighed the same both had incredible basketball IQ and both were magicians with the rock.The game they played in college for the NCAA championship is still the highest rated basketball telecast in the history of American sports. Which is insane considering the resources and access to cable we have in 2021. Great reaction Blokes keep em rollin in