Reacting to Making the Case - Larry Bird

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[@BMart123]

RIP to Tommy Heinsohn, Celtics legend that was a part of the team for all 17 championships in some way.

[@maslinthesupremeleader2668]

He’s my favorite commentator ever because I’m a Celtics fan and I like having somebody else that hates the refs

[@brownbenplumm9027]

WHAT?! I hadn’t heard😞Damn, he’s an all time legend to us Celtics fans. RIP

[@ΒΞΔΝ]

😭 When did Tommy die? How did I not hear about this.....

[@philipaguila9037]

Yes rest in peace

[@maryvallas772]

Thank you for this reaction!!! Girl from Boston here, who grew up watching Larry, and Magic, and Wilt, and all of those greats. Watching those games was so exciting that it honestly ruined basketball for me after Larry retired. It was like the life of the game was just gone. Nobody else was as dynamic as he was with those insane blind passes, fierce defense and offense, and 3 pointers from, well.. everywhere and anywhere! His rivalry and friendship with Magic Johnson is truly the stuff of legend, and Magic was right... there will NEVER be another Larry Bird! ❤

[@Hello-zx3xi]

Man I can only imagine what that was like watching that rivalry as a kid

[@maryvallas772]

@@Hello-zx3xi it was literally so good, that watching basketball now is unbearable. Like going from Courtside seats to the top row of the nosebleed section! 😂

[@kevincosta9228]

Yep, it was fun to follow, on and off the court. Even though the games could be brutal there were a lot of humorous off-court stories that were reported in the press ( newspapers, remember them?)

[@patriciaotoole5930]

Not from Boston my dad was I was brought up in Brooklyn we loved the celtics

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

I do! lol.

[@sportschool3537]

The best and funniest quote about Larry came from Chuck (Charles Barkley)... "Larry was slow and unathletic because that was god's way of keeping things fair..." 🤣🤣🤣 Man... first time I heard it I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes... Chuck is pure gold on his quotes...

[@esbengulliksen5039]

gotta love chuck he’s a great personality and legend for the sport of basketball

[@JakeStine]

The telling thing for me was watching, in full, the Boston Celtics 1987 playoffs. This was Bird in his prime, coming off his best year statistically (for which he somehow didn't win an MVP), on an injury depleted Celtics team. And don't watch Bird, watch how the other teams are _trying_ to play defense against him. This is what matters. Watch each trip up the court, and watch teams throw two and three players at Bird on almost every possession. Watch defenses play the Bird Zone -- and get called for illegal D 2-3 times a game -- and continue to play the Bird Zone anyway. Because getting called for illegal D was less scary than having ONLY 2 guys nearby to help on Bird. Time and again Bird made amazing passes out of double and triple teams, only to have his supporting cast pass up wide open shots, brick wide-open shots, or plain lose the ball for no obvious reason (Parish!). And in spite of that, Bird still put up gaudy numbers almost every game of that playoffs. He carried his team into the finals basically playing 1-on-3. No, he couldn't work a miracle, at least not the miracle of winning a championship. But from my eye, he worked a miracle every time Boston won a game that playoffs. No where else in the modern NBA have I seen such bias toward one player in their defensive schemes. Not vs Jordan, not vs LeBron, not vs Curry, Westbrook, Harden, or anyone else (I have seen it vs Wilt in 1960's archive footage!). Teams rarely dare to leave not one, but TWO players on the opposing team wide open for long stretches. That tells you how scary a player Bird was, and also how beat up his team was.

[@ΒΞΔΝ]

One thing not many will argue about Larry Legend....He was the toughest S.O.B. that ever played. So many Larry Bird stories that will make you say "wait, what?" I personally have Bill Russell as the GOAT. You should look into Bill, not only his unmatched feats on the court, but for everything he did, went thru for humanity to move forward in the U.S.

[@leonbrumett6155]

Why do you have Russell as your goat? I want to keep it civil and have a little conversation because I haven’t heard anyone who has bill russell as their goat.

[@ΒΞΔΝ]

@@leonbrumett6155 He is one of only 7 players to be high school, college, NBA, and Olympic champion. He led two high school titles back to back. Led two college titles back to back while having a 55 game win streak at one point. Led the Celtics who could do nothing before he came to 11 titles in 13 years with 8 titles in a row. He was the first black head coach, and first player coach in any American sport history (Doing this while winning titles) He was the ultimate teammate and defender. Off the court he is a civil rights activist who marched with King, was the right hand man for advice when Ali was going through Vietnam issues as well as hundreds of other stories that would take too long to tell here. I have some good counter points to the common "only 15 teams" argument that is usually used to dismiss him. Check this vid out if you're interested. He is hands down the GOAT taking everything into account. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoabf6qeh6Z5nZo

[@ΒΞΔΝ]

@@leonbrumett6155 There is also a "Making the case" video this creator made of Bill. Pretty good.

[@leonbrumett6155]

@@ΒΞΔΝ I see the argument, Bill Russell is one of the most influential black leaders in the history of the world, but separating that from the basketball stuff, there is the 15 team argument which I believe is flawed but still holds some weight. There is also the fact that he wasn’t the most talented player in the world, averaging 19 points in his highest scoring season and his rebounding numbers are incredibly skewed. Per 100 possessions, if I did my math correctly, bill Russell in the season we just mentioned averaged just under 12.5 ppg and 15.5 rebounds. I just can’t imagine my goat in his best statistical season not averaging even 15 per game.

[@ΒΞΔΝ]

@@leonbrumett6155 As for the 15 teams. I would argue that much like playoff basketball which everyone agrees is more difficult, the entire NBA season was playoff level with how each team knew each other, could prepare for each other more. As for the rest, he was the ultimate teammate. I believe he could have scored much more, as do all his teammates that say the same. He just utilized his team and made sure everyone played to their strengths. Another argument I would bring up for Russell that not many seem to take into account. Russell essentially won 13 titles in 15 years if you count college years that led into the NBA. He did this playing in Chucks, without modern medicine, technology, luxuries, travel like 90's+ NBA players have. As for civil rights stuff, that comes into account on the court as well. In his era he was getting death threats all the time, actions in his own home of horrendous nature including feces in his bed. Imagine the stress of that and focusing on your job, never mind being the best of an era at it going on to win 11 titles and 5 mvps while dealing with everything. People hated Russell back then because he did not play the game, and he embraced it. He did not smile much, he dressed "menacing", he was very direct and honest. One thing that cannot be argued. Wherever Bill played, he won on an unmatched level, all his teammates and rivals of the era praise him. Numbers never tell the full story of a career, just a small portion.

[@JMACishere]

I’m actually really disappointed that he left out his injury history. Larry played through so much pain in the final years of his career and his back was so bad that he had to lay down when he came out of games. Really showed how hard he worked and how much it meant to him

[@rafetizer]

All NBA players love the game. They all work extremely diligently to train and improve. The best players hone their talents in an effort to make a more significant impact in their section of the game. Bird, on the other hand, found a way to grasp and control the entire game itself.

[@Billy.gen-X]

Imagine Luka Doncic with Steph Currys shooting touch and was a great defender. That's Larry Bird.

[@natskivna]

Add to that, the single most confident, clutch shooter in big moments EVER and the greatest killer instinct ever ONLY matched by Michael Jordan (but not surpassed).

[@astriddececco3005]

Most don't know that Bird broke his shoot hand before he was drafted and never had it reset and had to relearn how to shot again.

[@gabsanchez]

@I Got That PMA That's not true because they barely guarded the 3 back then because they saw it as gimmicky.

[@rashadwalker8218]

I would say bird was more of a opportunistic and help defender...getting timely steals or blocks/charges than a great defender

[@JeyDub08]

I love Bird and he's a better all-around player than Steph but nobody has Steph Curry's 3 pt shooting ability when considering difficulty and volume

[@iKvetch558]

ROFLMAO... 7:50 "He didn't just leave his fingerprints on the game he left so much of his dna in the sport that it needed a cigarette afterwards!" How the eff did Luka not lose his shit laughing at that line. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

Agreed! 😂😂😂

[@chrisb3738]

I grew up watching Bird. Every damn game he'd do something unbelievable.

[@michaelsmith-iu1be]

I don't doubt Larry could win the 3 point contest even now, at his current age. I don't know who the greatest is but if I could choose my starting 5, Larry would be my 1st pick.

[@mr.marino1120]

He has the record for 3 point contest IN HIS WARM UP JACKET or did for many years

[@Colstonewall]

Since his back was Fused I doubt he could win much of anything now.

[@leviticuscornwall9631]

As much as I love Larry you’d be a fool to pick anyone else other than Curry as the best 3 point shooter

[@michaelsmith-iu1be]

@@leviticuscornwall9631 Curry Is fantastic, but Bird was the best all around player.

[@leviticuscornwall9631]

@@michaelsmith-iu1be overall bird is better, but when it comes to 3s, Curry is better

[@rahulangamuthu4122]

Magic was regarded as the more flashy, exciting player, while Larry bird was the most fundamentally sound, arguably more talented in a variety of ways, player. Outside of LA and Boston, which of those two styles you preferred ultimately determined your preference of player (the whole 80s racism issue aside). I’m more of a magic guy but it’s honestly so neck and neck and both were arguably top 5-10 all time basketball players

[@J34xalpha_KING]

Im a Bird guy. The dude had skills and then some. Transcendent player for the ages.

[@kylehanscom4233]

Its funny that I come across this video today as I was driving through French Lick,Indiana just this morning. Larry's the smartest player ever!

[@J34xalpha_KING]

Larry Legend. The Greatest Small Forward I ever seen and one of the Greatest if not the Greatest players to ever lace em up.

[@a00141799]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 Larry Bird brought fear the hearts of us Laker fans back in the 80's. So true, so true!! Bird was blessed by the basketball with all of the talent one man could possess. Not to mention an iron will and the toughness of 2 week old steak. And Clayton doesn't give enough credit to how great Kevin McHale and Robert Parrish were either. I still have nightmares about McHale's unstoppable games grabbing rebound while surrounded by 3 Lakers and scoring seemingly at will. We had our Bird stopper in Michael Cooper, but absolutely NO answer for Kevin McHale. He would torch the Lakers every time they played. Seems like he saved his best efforts for LA. Great series. I like Tim Duncan and Magic Johnson, but I would take a prime Larry Bird over anybody except MJ. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@J34xalpha_KING]

One of the Greatest Shooters of all time that would Translate even today

[@msdarby515]

Magic and Larry had become friends by the time Larry retired. The NBA hyped their rivalry in order to sell basketball and it worked. So they had been put up against each other as rivals and they played the game against each other hard. But they both signed a deal with Converse shoes and the commercial was shot at Larry's place in French Lick. During that shoot the rivalry came down and, as Larry put it, "I met Irvin that day." They got to know each other. It didn't change playing against each other at all, the game was still on, but they have a nice friendship.

[@selmonb921]

Coach Bob Knight said of Larry Bird; He probably had the best eye hand coordination, of any player he had ever seen!

[@willsmath]

Bro I've seen this video before and I still expected that shot to go in lmao

[@ldybozz]

At 13:08 the narrator explains how Larry would be in today's game. Remember Larry played with a mangled finger. He got BEFORE playing basketball. Then mid 1985 is when he injured his back. That caused him problems the rest of his career. He never used pain meds. He'd be in back braces, he had to get adjustments before the games, he'd be laying on the ground. Instead of sitting on the bench. He lost the stability in his back. His Dr said it was like someone repeatedly smashing your finger in a car door. And keeping door smashed against it. Then in 88-89 he had Achilles injuries & surgeries on both feet. Added to his chronic back pain. So the majority of these highlights. Larry was playing in excruciating pain. He's an absolute warrior. I seriously doubt any of these new cats could do half of the things Larry did. I think it was 88/89 when Larry was injured. Two weeks into his time off. He got so bored. He started eating. A lot. He said he ate 10 gallons of ice cream and seven wedding cakes. He chose wedding cakes because he knew they would good. He said "who would f up a wedding cake?" 😁 Classic Larry Legend

[@Ozai75]

Literally can't mention Magic without Larry and can't mention Larry without Magic. I've never seen two players so fundamentally linked at the hip.

[@MrDuncanquasar]

Larry Bird- Legend from Indiana bro I grew up in Indiana when Bird was at Indiana St. He is from a small town called French Lick Indiana and became Larry Legend. You need to read his autobiography Drive.

[@justinsublett5880]

This is the era in which I first started watching and understanding basketball. The NBA of the 80s and 90s was absolutely amazing. And Bird was the first player I remember idolizing.

[@daltonmoore8971]

Magic says he is the greatest basketball player ever. Who am I to argue with that.

[@scorpiothegreat1]

Larry will alway be in my top 5.

[@juliantorres3239]

Damn i just realized u have 48k subs love to see how much you've grown keep it up

[@chickennuggies7159]

Same

[@sarahwhite4906]

Here in Chicago, IL we have restrictions once again; as a person with anxiety, depression, I get your response. Thanks for the video! Bird was an odd one, but a legend nonetheless.

[@MjGoat23LeBumSucks]

Larry had the iq, defense , passing , shooting but he’s great cuz he talk his shit and back it up

[@RyanTravis23]

I love the reaction to Larry's miss shot in 87.

[@kristalmacleod3215]

I was SHOCKED and MORE then 1 time'

[@John_Thundergun]

You need to react to "bird vs magic - a courtship of rivals"

[@maceomaceo11]

Bird made 3's in an era where physical defense was the norm. In today's game, where breathing on someone gets a foul called, Larry left all alone to assainate at will would be the King. Like he's always been.

[@eamonhogan2635]

Bird is easily a top 10 shooter of all time probably top 5

[@aaronrobertson8334]

Hey keep your head up, we will be outta lockdown before you know it! Love the videos man!

[@fridaylong2812]

He had a serious back injury, and had surgeries on both feet. He played until he couldn't play anymore. He IS THE GOAT.

[@anniebalsbaugh735]

I once stood next to him,....in cardboard. He's really tall! I'm 5' 4".

[@deihorus7927]

Most complete player ever. He's a Top 5 for anyone who knows basketball.

[@dsfddsgh]

Larry in his prime is top 3 all time no question. His body just didn't hold up but the guy was a killer and would have had someone like LeBron talking to himself and begging his coach to take him out of the game.

[@alecvip7562]

I don't think it's that his body didn't hold up... he injured his back not on the court, but from doing his mothers driveway.

[@cindyknudson2715]

@@alecvip7562 I heard he had surgery on both his feet for bone spurs as well.

[@charlesmilleriii9873]

what alot of younger people dont know is the three point shot wasnt in the league when larry started it was added during his time so alot of his 2 point shots would be 3 points so the stats are truly accurate.

[@cirrustate8674]

The 3 point line came into being for his rookie season.

[@drewmays7094]

You should do either the Bill Russell or Wilt Chamberlain video. They don't get enough love as they should.

[@brianmurphy811]

Not only could you not snooze if you were on the opposing team, but if you were on the Celtics and out there on the court with Larry, I imagine you had to be 100% alert at all times for a Larry pass. He probably could not tolerate fools on his own team either.

[@mathewzimmerman6881]

Bird would be the third best shooter in the league today behind Steph & Klay.

[@J34xalpha_KING]

lol Third? SMH. More like the Best and Most Clutch

[@kingpizzle7]

Hard comparison, Clay and Curry grew up with 3 pt practice Bird's rookie year is the first year of the 3pt shot... Think about that for a minute, at best in the first few seasons most players in that time maybe took 3 3pters in a game as opposed 34 now days. Bird still had 40% 3pt shooting compared to the 34% today pretty crazy in that context.

[@joewolter7478]

I’m outrageously biased. I come from IN and I’ve been a Bird Fan since I can remember.

[@ShootYourRadio]

Larry broke his hand playing Softball and said that the basketball near felt the same in his hand after that. So imagine that. He could have possibly been even better.

[@TirpitzLuminare]

It's downright comical to me when people put LeBron James above Bird.

[@J34xalpha_KING]

tell me about it. Its not even close on my book. Larry was the Real Deal. Lebron is a Fake hype job and a Boring player. Bird is one of a kind.

[@TirpitzLuminare]

@Cfc7ninja 12 ha ha yes

[@TirpitzLuminare]

@Cfc7ninja 12 Fair enough.

[@fighterck6241]

Magic vs Bird was the Messi vs Ronaldo of the 80s for us basketball fans in the US. It had the two most decorated teams in the Celtics vs the Lakers much like Barca and Real. It had two stars whose careers essentially overlapped each other's nearly completely. And it made every game they played against one another a major event. Bird had a bit of both Messi and Ronaldo in him. The natural gifts and genius of Messi coupled with Ronaldo's work ethic and determination. Magic was likewise another genius of the game and a freakish gift to the sport who could essentially play any position on the court whenever he chose to. These men were crazy and they played in an era where defenders could legally assault you on the court. Seeing them play one another was like a work of art man. Like their games were planned out in advance between them.

[@Anthony-sz4ms]

Whats with the dislikes?

[@robertfanion2815]

its the internet if you have enough people viewing your bound to have dislikes. Most likely non-celtics fans or something else silly.

[@Subiwu]

Its only 8

[@hulkhogan4203]

Laker's fans

[@Anthony-sz4ms]

@@Subiwu When I first clicked on the video it was at like 12 likes and 7 dislikes so I was confused

[@Griebss]

You need to do the Bill Russell one, it’s amazing.

[@bernardqblack]

Bird would DESTROY today's league. No question.

[@RyanRediger66]

I would love to see Larry in his prime and Steph go at it in a 3 point contest.

[@G-spookyk4zs]

Can you please react to the pistol Pete maravich influence. He was a great player maybe one of the best handlers ever. He was a very interesting character especially close to his death when he finally started to find peace off the court. He was the highest scoring college player of all time he has a crazy story but he has been forgetting by time.

[@jacksonchaffin2518]

Can’t wait for the Kareem one, Kareem is my guy

[@gailshepard-cook6350]

One to remember is that; That didn't have the 3-Point Line in Until Larry's First Year in The NBA.

[@agordon7369]

Bird would still be the GOAT in todays basketball, if you look at his accomplishments and his style of play. The founding father of the 50/40/90 club, 3 consecutive mvps being only the three rd person in history to do it, 3 straight 3 point championships, 2nd in win percentage only behind Magic by half a percent roughly 10 games and Magic played another 3 years, coach and executive of the year, 3 championships out of 5 possible and the list goes on and on plus he did all of this from day one with some type of injury and his injuries were for the remainder of his life not just career.

[@tsch38301]

Magics own coach said it best... "If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game I'd choose Michael Jordan; If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life... I'd take Larry Bird." - Pat Riley.

[@davidcecil7565]

There are different generations and the talent of the players seems to change about every 10 years right now all curry has to do is shoot 3 pointers. That's his only job. He don't have to set picks he don't have to pick and roll he don't have to dive after a loose ball up into the stands.. Larry Bird did it all. That's why his career was not long as because he dove after every loose ball. He wore the same pair of shoes for 5 years he mowed his own grass and finally he was cutting his own firewood in Indiana and heard his back and that was pretty much the end of his basketball playing career. Just a normal dude who was a basketball genis basketball genius with the highest IQ and basketball dis basketball the most great basketball players would agree with

[@bigdadddyd123]

Been here since before 1K! Always here to support you bruv

[@andrewneese6484]

Lakers coach Pat Riley summed it up by saying if he could choose one player to take a shot to win a game he'd take Michael Jordan, if he had to choose one player to take a shot to save his life he'd pick Larry Bird

[@natskivna]

I watched that game vs. the Pistons where Larry stole the ball live with my father. It's one of the great memories of my life. You can't even believe what you saw with your own eyes. As to your question, where would he rank if he was playing today. Without even a bit of doubt, I think he would be the top player in the league. I think that not just because he has the correct basketball skills at an ultra elite level, but he would automatically be the best player in the league with regards to basketball IQ, AND by far and away the biggest "killer instinct". NOBODY ever had more confidence than Bird.

[@maxbrazil3712]

Larry Bird wasn't the greatest basketball athlete. That title belongs to Michael Jordan. Larry Bird was the greatest ALL AROUND basketball player. He could do everything by himself but he was also a completely unselfish team player. When it came to the clutch NOBODY comes close. Odin has a chair in Valhalla reserved for Larry Bird, the Viking Berserker God of Clutch Basketball.

[@sellison2192]

He sold out the Boston Garden for his retirement party. That's how much of an impact he had.

[@cirrustate8674]

Not only that, but it wasn't on a game night. It was JUST his retirement.

[@waynebuckland7879]

Besides his 3 MVP awards he also came second 4 times, 3rd once and 4th in his first year and against such opposition. He only dropped off in the last three years 10th, 9th and 14th but by then his injuries and pain were quite overwhelming. Still even 14th out of a whole league is still bloody good!

[@ubermalice9589]

yea... to stand out among that many studs. giants! is amazing in and of itself.

[@Mr.St.Nicholas]

Larry legend 🐐

[@richardsalzer8247]

Good choice to do a video on Larry Legend.

[@jameylebel]

Let’s not forget...the three point line was moved closer in the decade after bird. Three point shooting percentages dropped and the league wanted to juice up the scoring so it was moved in by a foot.

[@cindyknudson2715]

I did not know that. Thanks for the info, it adds context to the comparison debates.

[@mikeyrebs8259]

My Father and I had seasons tickets 8 rows behind the visitors bench the first four yrs Bird came to Boston he was insane to watch things the cammers didn't catch ...

[@ceciladams4882]

20:39 that reaction is the best 😂

[@Wintuscotty]

When Magic was diagnosed HIV positive. Bird was the one of the few who stood by his side.

[@kristalmacleod3215]

I can relate to that miss' Just now I caught a Buzz and thought 100 percent it was in AND I went into a semi shock No kidding Larry Legend just did it differently My GoaT .

[@davidbouchard3275]

Larry Bird played 12 unbelievable years of Basketball 🏀 he was the goat for 12 years embarrassing the best players in the NBA or anyone he faced. His 13th year he was injured but when he played he still schooled everyone who defended him. If Bird played today's NBA he would completely dominate everyone. Remember when he played you could actually defend the opponent. And he dominated then, today c'mon now. He would embarrass Lebron no anyone that's considered a goat today.. he would make a fool of.

[@JPMadden]

I was a Celtics fan in the 80s, and saying that Bird was greater than Johnson because his teammates were not as good as Johnson's is not a credible argument. For almost his entire career Bird had 3 teammates--Kevin McHale, Robert Parrish, and Dennis Johnson--who are in the Hall of Fame. A fourth Hall-of-Famer--Bill Walton--was a reserve (bench) player on the 1986 Celtics, arguably the greatest team in league history.

[@nicoletrudell2065]

Are we pretending Magic's teammates aren't also in the Hall of Fame?

[@JPMadden]

@@nicoletrudell2065 Both teams had multiple hall-of-famers. You're imagining I said otherwise.

[@nicoletrudell2065]

@@JPMadden I was imagining you were saying Bird's teammates were as good because they were also in the Hall of Fame. The Celtics were my team but I don't agree with that.

[@SwaggerNauts365]

Keep in mine, he was a sharpshooter when they didn’t even work on their three point shot...

[@patriciaotoole5930]

Healthy he would be unstoppable mr bird was great

[@TheClassicWorld]

The insane thing about many of the great sportsmen of history is how they played with health problems and were still on top, whereas, the guy in second place was in perfect health with long-life training, and still couldn't do it. And if it's not health problems stopping them, then it's a problem with their equipment or a limitation of their era, or some other major factor that cut them down. It's always the same story, be it Larry Bird, Tiger Woods, Aryton Senna, Bobby Jones, Muhammad Ali, or Paul Morphy. If they were going at 100% in the 21st century, it would have been inhuman. I guess one reason you see the very best have major problems is because one reason they got to where they are is that they pushed themselves beyond their limits, or were so good they were literally ahead of their time; thus, were held back by the competition and technology of the time. People just don't understand what it means to be this great -- even beyond the typical greats -- and just how unthinkably rare it is. First of all, Larry Bird was in good health before his injuries, was almost 7 feet tall -- slightly taller than Michael Jordan -- and had a high IQ, which is itself rare. That alone is very rare as most white people are not 7 feet tall, and most that are live in Sweden or such, and do not have good enough health nor a high enough IQ to be Larry Bird. Not to mention his true mental ability. I don't even want to know the stats on that, but my guess is that we are talking 0.1% of tall people at best, and only around 0.5% of white men are as tall as Larry, so my guess is you have a 0.01% to 0.001% chance of being born like Larry Bird, and that's before you even pick up a ball. To be as tough, trained, and naturally great as him, I would guess 0.001% to 0.0001% out of around 500 million white men in the West. That means there could be 500 to 5,000 white men like Larry Bird, in theory, and statically, around 300 to 3,000 in America. That makes Larry Bird about as rare as a Chess grandmaster, which is one of the rarest and most difficult things to achieve in the world (1,500 Chess grandmasters out of 600-800 million Chess players worldwide, also making it the most popular sport in the world). You couldn't build Larry Bird even if you tried.

[@bigussmokesus8866]

You should react to the latest this week in sportsball

[@pjc3519]

Never be another Larry bird. Luka is typing...

[@jrr___7902]

Bird is FAR better than anyone in the league today. If there was a draft, I'd take Bird and give you any two other players.

[@brasco96wired67]

Bird would dominate in today's game. He would be better than Lebron.

[@Alderak1]

There are lots of great “shooters” in the NBA today, Duncan Robinson, for example, shoots 44.6% from 3, higher than Bird ever did, on a higher volume than bird ever shot at. Its hard to compare 3-point shooting ability from player to player (based on volume, %, team setting/role, quality of defense at their position or in their conference, sample size, consistency, clutchness, fit on the team/coaching, playoffs vs reg season, quality of team, etc) let alone across eras. Shooting doesn’t even mean the same thing now than it did in 1985. Now it usually refers to 3-point shooting. Then it was more about 2-point shooting. At the time, Birds was basically the best both. If you compare Bird to other “star” type players, players who score and/or playmaker along with shoot efficiently, you get a more satisfactory answer perhaps? Curry and KD are probably the only shooting scorer/playmakers that are above Birds level. Both are arguably top 5 shooters, along with Bird.

[@noraa1991]

You have to look up John Stockton, he doesn't get as much fan recognition but among basketball legends they say some pretty great things about him

[@leonbrumett6155]

5:55 well... Magic retired in 1991 at age 31 due to HIV and the same year was birds last year as a superstar due to crippling back problems 😐

[@jackpeters7453]

Magic is not in Larry's league. Larry could tell his defender when and where he was going to shoot from and do what he said and Magic or no one else has done that who said so.

[@sidmclean]

Larry would be avg. Over 30 points a game in todays nba. And he would probably be a top 10 3 point shooter as well.

[@frankdamico5533]

Did you know Larry Bird finished 1st or 2nd in the regular season MVP 8 years in a row. 2nd 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 1st 2nd 2nd. He should of won it 8 yeas in a row

[@elbruces]

If you get a chance, check out "Stockton to Malone." I'm not sure which of the many videos of this to watch, but it's one of the NBA's best passers and one of the NBA's best scorers making their careers together.

[@fridaylong2812]

#1 He'd walk all over the fluffies they have out there now. Magic and Larry are still very good friends.

[@Hammernms]

Bird was the word ❤️

[@LM-dv8pv]

I hate to say it but Larry is like if draymond and Steph were combined into one player

[@Colstonewall]

I'll tell you why he was the GOAT. In '85 when he permanently damaged his back while working on his mother's driveway, it cost him his athleticism. You could clearly see his speed and jumping ability declined ever year. He had been a decent athlete up to that point, but by his last year in the league, he could barely run. He had to wear a Full Body Cast 24/7 except during practice and games. And he still dominated. You think Jordan would've done the same with that injury?

[@x-man9473]

Yes. I do think Jordan would've done it. Doesn't seem out of the norm for him.

[@Colstonewall]

@@x-man9473 Jordan's game was built on his athleticism, Bird's was not. . You put Jordan in Bird's body, and no one would've ever heard of Mike Jordan, lol

[@x-man9473]

@@Colstonewall You're a typical ignorant Bird fanboy. Jordan was known for his freakish athleticism, his competitive nature, and his fundamentals. Only someone ignorant on the game would relegate his career to athleticism-case in point Bird fans.

[@Colstonewall]

@@x-man9473 LMAO! I know exactly what Jordan was known for, since I was watching him long before you were probably born. And I've heard of Jordan Fan Boys, but never "Bird Fan Boys." There's no such thing. You proved my point for me when you wrote "he was known for his freakish Athleticism." EXACTLY MY FUCKING POINT! Without that, he's not Michael Jordan. He's not considered the GOAT by many without that. And since you want to play this stupid childish game, we'll play. . . How long did it take Bird to win Championships? Took Bird his 2nd Year to win. . .His Rookie year, was the biggest team turnaround in NBA History. How long did it take Jordan to win one!? Seven (7) fucking years!! It wasn't until Bird was old and injured that Jordan was able to get past the Celts (and Detroit). Then Jordan only won cause it was a WATERED DOWN LEAGUE. Expansion teams, and the old age of Bird and Magic. PS: What happened to Jordan in his 2nd year at UNC? Hmm? Once Worthy was gone, Jordan couldn't do shit without him. Bird took a shitty Indiana St team all the way to the Finals, by himself. It's YOU, who's the typical Jordan dicksucker, fangirl.

[@x-man9473]

​@@Colstonewall Ok. Here we go with that typical uneducated basketball rhetoric. >"without that, he's not Michael Jordan". Again. Jordan lost his athleticism during the 2nd3 peat and was still the best player in the league. Jordan would be Jordan regardless of freakish athleticism. Athleticism is icing on top of the cake. Again, you're being an ignorant Bird fanboy and tying to give him extra brownie points for not being athletic. >And since you want to play this childish game, we'll play" The only way choosing to play a childish game is you. Being a Bird fanboy and failing to make an accurate reason for his GOAT case. Saying "he wasn't athletic and got injured but played great" is not a reason for him to be the GOAT. >Weird that you wanna bring up college. Didn't Bird get his ass whooped in 2 straight finals in college? 0-2 is it? Yet you're trying to argue against Jordan who has 1 and 2 gold medals during his college days. >It's interesting you wanna mention NBA playoffs and finals. Because last time I checked. -Dr. J and Bird had a Conference Finals feud from 1980-1982 and Dr.J came out on top 2-1 -Bird tried to have a rematch against Dr.J, but he got swept in the 2nd round by a weaker less talented Bucks team. -And what about that championship that "Bird won". I could've sworn Cedric Maxwell won it for him. You know, considering Bird was choking and bricking throughout the entire series. Had to have role player Cedric Maxwell bail him out in the series. -And didn't he bring his feud up again against Magic in the finals (84, 85, and 87)? Yup. And what was the result? Magic won 2-1. -What about the Bad Boy Pistons that you're using against Jordan? Why didn't Bird and the stacked Celtics stop them? Oh yeah. He barely won the first series by a clutch play in 7 games. Then he lost the second one in 6 games. >Talking about an expansion watered down league. Boy, Bird's league was top heavy. Bird, Magic, Dr.J, and Isiah had all of the talent on their team. Meanwhile Jordan, Dominique, Alex English, Bernard King, Karl Malone, Patrick Ewing, etc. had garbage teams and that they had to build from the ground up. You think having a stacked team and playing against garbage competition, up until the conference finals, is the gold standard? But having incredible teams all throughout the playoffs is "watered down"? Shows where your mind and knowledge on the game is. >Don't sit here and repeat this myth about the Pistons. -Despite the obvious talent gap, the Bulls were the only ones giving the Pistons trouble. -In 1988 & 1989, Jordan locked Thomas down in the series. He shot a 40% fg in 88 and 39% in 89. But Thomas's team was able to bail him out. -In 1990, The Pistons and Bulls got taken to 7 games. And in the 7th game, Pippen claimed he had a "migraine" and was a no-show during the game. -The following year, after the Pistons just won the title, they met again in the conference finals and got completely swept in a non-competitive game. You don't win 2 titles straight, make it to the conference finals and suddenly become "old" during the series. They got their ass whooped because Jordan's team was actually performing well-unlike all of the other series.

[@thebunnyfoofoo]

If you were to rank him in current day, they aren't even allowed to touch you in today's game. He would have even more 3 pointers.

[@robertmartin5646]

Larry swept MJ both times they met in the finals ...swept him, not one win for MJ

[@deanrobbins7823]

You have such an odd perception m8, and that is why I am a fan for life.

[@adriangonzalez3yearsago927]

You should react to the football war from oversimplified. Great video

[@noname772fp2]

Glad your back Luka!

[@64MartinDiV]

you should look up the "dream team". there is a documentary about the ONE- U.S. olympic basketball team. It came out because all olympic contenders are not "professionals" in that they are not paid, whereas in other countries, like *cough* the former soviet union*cough* they were trechnically "professional" in that all the contenders were paid, instead of funded by voluntary donations ( thats why so many olympic ice skaters go into ice-capades- its a job!). After arguing back and forth, the U.S said- Fine, we'll submit one "professional" team per YOUR rules, in.... baskeball. And that team was called "the dream team": Larry bird, Magic Johnson, Patrick Ewing to name a few. After a few first games where they took it seriously- because its the Olympics, right?-you could tell when they "knew"...even the announcers could not keep up with the assists, it was hilarious. You cans see the other teams trying to keep up- forget about the score- trying to keep up with the moves!.

[@matthewburkart7718]

Look into the Bad Boys! Late 80s early 90s Pistons

[@teamviagraham]

Larry did not see the 3 point line until his 1st year in the nba There was no 3 pointer at that point

[@showtimejaii]

My guy we need sportsball

[@demarcusdaddyd]

High school basketball: Aquill Carr Marcus Lovett Austin rivers Brandon Jennings John wall Where are the last 10 number one ranked recruits now Girls:(Yes, watch their highlights it will surprise you!) Paige Beuckers Crystal Dangerfeild Sue bird(no relation) Breanna Stewart Jewel Lloyd Arike Ogunbawale Diana Taurasi (Trust me you will not be disappointed) NBA Gilbert Arenas Penny Hardaway Brandon Roy Chauncey Billups Paul Peirce because he says crazy stuff now that he’s retired lol he was really good so his highlights are fun but don’t let him convince you he’s the goat that’s just crazy. Channels: InTheLab-trash talking trainer never shuts up Bballbreakdown Dom2k Maximilian701* (long videos but he has a crazy amount of highlights and he takes individuals seasons and mixes those players best plays just that year it’s crazy good) Courtsidehoops Ball is life Hoop mixtape Evin Gualburto Fillay (official fillaaay compilation)

[@monicapegues4008]

Loved Larry Bird. Please react to the 85 Chicago Bears & the 95-96 Chicago Bulls