Luka Fan Can't Believe Larry Bird Dropped 60!!!

[@MarcTheSparcTV]

Larry Bird's Perfect Game: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqS6mYKkhpyMoKs

[@aramhamparian9641]

That's a good one...

[@jayeell1253]

Dude - its about scoring for your team. Not always about dunking, jumping over everyone. Funtamentals count, which is missing from alot of players right now. When people laugh about European players , you missing out. Alot of them play the game a certain way because they serious about it. And not all plays will be a highlight, its about points

[@alanduff1054]

@@jayeell1253 Fundamentals matters MORE....

[@jayeell1253]

@@alanduff1054 yea it's why Luka and players like him is as good as they are - they practice that big time in Europe

[@alanduff1054]

@@jayeell1253 True but Luka and players like him are NOT as fundamentally sound as BIRD... NOBODY is or WERE....

[@michaelforbes4547]

The beauty of the rivalry between Bird and Dominique was that they couldn't guard each other. Nique had all that athleticism, and Bird had all the tricks. So both would have 40 point nights against each other on the regular.

[@MarcTheSparcTV]

Definitely fun to watch

[@aramhamparian9641]

Bird scored 34 points in the final 12 minutes. He was talking trash to the Hawks players, their bench, and even their coaches. Telling them exactly what he was going to do when he got the ball. LOL.

[@MarcTheSparcTV]

Definitely the ultimate trash talker

[@irishgrl]

@@MarcTheSparcTV He was awesome ALL AROUND. 34 points in 12 minutes is nothing to sneeze at. And he’s done that type of thing many times.

[@gullintanni]

I see a lot of Bill Walton (interior passing, outlet passing) and Pistol Pete in Bird's passing. He also played against Magic, Isiah Mark Jackson and Stockton so he had to outdo some flashy passers.

[@timavery99]

AND Larry Legend won 3 point contest 3 years in a row! Cool docs on Larry and Magic and Lakers. Great ballers all seemed more fun back then but that's just nostalgia. These times are fun too. We all love our heros.

[@brianadams429]

That was the first three three point shootouts. Funniest thing i heard was the fourth year a Chicago bull won because Larry was out from having surgery. A interviewer asked the 3 point winner about Larry not being there , so the chicago bull said Larry knows where to find him. They talked to Bird later he said he knew where to find him......at the end of the Bulls bench. Lmfao

[@victorsixtythree]

Scott Wedman had been an all-star with the Kansas City Kings earlier in his career. With the Celtics he was a key bench player and helped them win two championships. I heard a fun stat - in the '84-'85 season with the Celtics he made 11 consecutive three-pointers which I think is still the Celtics record but get this - he did it over the course of something like ten games (not sure exactly how many games it was). Different game back then. His best game with the Celtics was Game 1 of the 1985 Finals against the Lakers where he went 11 for 11 (4 for 4 from three) scoring 26 points.

[@MarcTheSparcTV]

Nice history lesson because I had no idea who that was

[@ThomasJelfJr]

He was the Paxson for Boston.

[@manny4552]

Yes indeed a great shooter

[@mikemcshea5919]

Its crazy so many people disrespect the 80s players. These dudes could ball.

[@pappajudas9267]

That's one of those things that's easily forgotten about that game. Dominique had a hot hand that night too.

[@dallasflynn5200]

How lucky were we to witness the Golden Age of Basketball? So much talent. So much hustle. So much fun. Loved your reaction, man!

[@brendajones9321]

You overlooked the obvious...Larry Bird scored 60 points individually in this game; but, count the points scored because he passed the ball to his teammates. As stated many times, Larry's basketball IQ is simply off the charts...he was thinking plays ahead of everyone else on the court. No one could/can match Larry Bird's intelligence/ability/savvy as both an individual and a team player.

[@ssapsycho]

Larry Bird...you wont convince doubters...you can fight and fight its reverse racism,,, white boy is good at basketball? basketball s a Team sport..a slam dunk gets 2 points,,, you jump 60 yards and slam dunk?...2 points. scream yell whatever...not strategic basketball. hit the basket from ANYWHERE? you are good...PASS...PASS! the ball to someone in a better position..?You are UNIQUE. HIT EVERY 3 POINTER? If you can hit 3 every time... why does slam dunking for a measly 2 impress anyone with a brain? if you can hit for 3...why be dramatic and dunk for 2? to sell shoes?...whatever...

[@andybilakshow260]

@@ssapsycho Not only that, but dunking takes excess energy. Larry played for the 4th qtr kill. Notice the Celt usually waited for that.

[@jaredbracci3529]

Doubters of BIRD don’t like facts, cause they hurt their feelings. I saw BIRD play from my Dad’s court side seats 85 times as a kid, and have seen every great player since in person. Many wonderful talents have played hoops for sure: but BIRD simply was smarter then the opposition and had unparalleled determination. A gift to have witnessed him and MAGIC in their prime. 😊

[@anthonyzarate9807]

The greatest part of this game was how Bird scored his 60!!! The Hawks were arguably the best defensive team in NBA at the time. They had 2 or 3 guys who could guard every position!!! Even Doc (who was a great defender in his day, along with all the other players who tried to guard Larry!). Honestly, I had a board game called "Pro Status Basketball" where based on a players stats, is how his card was made! Magic was a 0 (it went from +5 for worst defenders to -5 for the most elite!) and Dr. J was a -5!!! (This was based on 1986 stats!). Michael Jordan was a -3, but ironically, so was Larry! It was a "dice game" so it was all about chance! The cards I remember to this day was Barkley, Magic, and Bird! What was so crazy about Larry was he was #1 or #2 in just about every category, but his defense was a -3 as well. P.S. I also remember playing Tecmo basketball in the very early 1990's. There was Rex Chapman and a glitch for John Starks where his FT and 3pt % were switched!!!. The ONLY player who could compete with these 2 glitches was MJ and Larry...goes to show just how great both truly were!

[@pbasswil]

Even if you subtract the sheer skill of all these über-talented players, the competitive _intensity_ of this game is _off-the-charts_ entertaining!! Lucky '80s b.b. fans. :^{

[@MarcTheSparcTV]

Definitely a great game

[@innosanto]

80s and 90s look much better games than after

[@beachbunny7256]

We were spoiled!! Bird got me interested in basketball and Magic sealed the deal!

[@pbasswil]

Larry stole the points show (wow), but damn, Dominique's points are _ballet._

[@MarcTheSparcTV]

Yeah Dominique surprised me

[@fidge54]

Don't sleep on Ainge's athleticism. In high school he was 1st team All American in baseball, basketball and football. He was playing 3rd base for the Toronto Blue Jays before the Celts signed him

[@MarcTheSparcTV]

Which is crazy… he looks a little stiff

[@fidge54]

@@MarcTheSparcTV of course. He's a white dude like me, we all look a little stiff. But he was a tough little bastard, if you can call 6' 4" little

[@user-oy5py6wo8q]

I always thought this game was in Boston by the crowd's reaction...Atlanta fans showing great sportsmanship...cheering on LB!!

[@haroldsmyth6685]

Game in new orleans

[@rlevitta]

What a great game. Domimique for sure didn't back down.

[@MarcTheSparcTV]

Definitely a great duel

[@irishgrl]

Dominique was VERY athletic. There was one video where Dominique was considered Jordan’s main competitor. He won the dunk contest one year, and should have one it another year….

[@dondunco2538]

Larry was a Force of Nature on the court. His passing was Impeccable. His shooting, even more so. He could defend as well (just not so much in this game), but what truly set him apart was his ability to LIFT his team's play when he was on the floor. Other, better, more athletic people didn't do that, except Magic Johnson. They still don't. In fact, Michael Jordan had to learn to pass the ball AND have Larry leave the league before he won all those championships. (Having the League pulling for you and the officials ignoring how much he traveled helped, too). Jordan never won a Championship while Bird was playing. The East would always come down to Boston + Chicago, Detroit, the Knicks or Sixers and Boston almost always stepped up and won. The League has changed the Rules, but Bird would continue to destroy it if he was in his prime today. You just saw it with Dominique, look at his games vs Jordan when he scored 40+ against Boston. Almost every one of those games were good for Jordan pointwise, but the team ultimately lost. The other Franchise that scared everybody to play was the Lakers. Magic said that only Larry scared him to play against. Both teams fought for Every Point, Every Rebound, Every Loose Ball and Every Ball Going Out Of Bounds. ALL. YEAR. LONG. Honestly, does any team today play that way? Or is it as boring as watching the All Star Game?

[@meminustherandomgooglenumbers]

"They're not even in Boston" Theyre not in Atlanta either. This game was actually played in New Orleans. In these days the Boston Garden sold out every game as soon as tickets went on sale. Often the only way to get tickets to a Celtics game was to buy from scalpers outside the Garden on game day - which could get very expensive - or travel to one of their road games. And these neutral court games were often the easiest road games to get tickets for, since there's no home team fans buying up tickets en masse.

[@zrx12gs650g]

Hawks played excellent! Seemed like Dominique seemed like he had a hot hand and scored more than 36? Man this was a good game! Larry still my fav! Thanks for the video!

[@manny4552]

Scott wedman was an nba allstar acouple of times while playing for the kings in the 1970s.. then joined the celtics and backed up larry bird nicely. In the eighties.thats great depth

[@grantstevens4633]

this was a great game! dennis johnson was one of the most underrated guards in the NBA! the celtics had great shooters. but, johnson had the knack for being in the right place, right time. shooting or passing he always made key plays.

[@robertblount8055]

Marc, you questioned Dominique's move when he fed the post. He simply took up the slack (got closer to his defender) to make the pass easier. It looked sloppy because he took two shake and bake dribbles to cover the small distance. He could and should have covered the distance in one dribble to open up the passing lane to the post. Dominique"s first drive was not a travel. It was a two-foot jump stop. His second drive was very close to the European two-step drive which I feel is a travel. It is allowed in today's game. Eddie Johnson was a one or two time All Star for the Hawks out of Auburn University. I really liked his game. He was quick without seeming quick. Didn't waste motion when dribbling/driving. Look at his game stat line. Wedman was a good shooting, slow footed small forward with poor defense. He was helpful coming off the bench for the Celtics. The Atlanta bench was fined by the Atlanta coach for falling out on Bird's shots. The coach was pissed. The coach's name was Mike Fratello, I think. He was a short guy. I really appreciated your enthusiasm for Bird's game. I didn't realize that he only hit one three. Must have been the one when he fell into the trainer's lap.

[@lindanoel1853]

While you were wondering out loud "Who did passes like that before Bird? Nash? Cause I know Bird didn't do it first.." The announcer was saying, about that same pass you saw and were asking about, the announcer was saying Bird invented that.

[@timokk3]

Historic game...enjoyed it, and the commentary. Thanks!

[@scorchogrey2385]

@6:19 it’s actually quite funny when you compare what the KZbinr is saying as compared to what the announcer is saying during the game in the background. 😂 I love watching these old games. The highlight moments just take on more meaning than when you just watch highlight reel after highlight reel. Good stuff.

[@dbsti3006]

What a time to be a teenager in the 80s. We didn't have a team then im New Orleans where I grew up, but man was it fun to watch Bird and Magic, then Jordan. It's all we talked about at school after a game. We argued at lunch and recess who was better and why. Those we're the days.

[@kevinstarr516]

I went to this game with my brother. Bird was unbelievably on fire that night. The UNO Lakefront Arena where this game was played was only 10 minutes from my house.

[@jackdupp3181]

Nostalgia 🏀

[@thomasohanlon1060]

When Larrys retirement was done there was no game at the Boston Garden yet it was sold out, let that sink in "no game yet sold out" for one mans retirement. For those that think Larry Bird was not as good as he really was. This comment is for those whom never had the chance to see him play. Little know thing about Larry to those that never saw him play , he could effect the outcome of a game and never take a shot thats how devastating his passing skills were. Here is one thing that most fans (people) either don't know or try to ignore, prior to Larry joining the NBA there was no such thing as a three point line, that came in when Bird was starting his first year off in his NBA career. Just think about what would todays game be without the three point line or if the line was one foot farther out like it was when it was first introduced. Food for thought. At that time it was not about the individuals stats it was about the win. But if you need some stats here you go: Here are some of Larry Bird's notable career achievements and statistics: Three-time NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986); Two-time NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986); Three-time NBA MVP (1984-86); 12-time NBA All-Star (1980-88, 1990-92); Nine-time All-NBA First Team (1980-88); All-NBA Second Team (1990); Three-time All-NBA Defensive Second Team (1982-84); NBA Rookie of the Year (1980); NBA All-Rookie Team (1980); Three-time NBA Three-Point Contest champion (1986-88); Career-high in points: 60 (March 12, 1985) -- tied for franchise record with Jayson Tatum; Named NBA Coach of the Year (1998); and Named NBA Executive of the Year (2012). Larry Bird, was the first player to accomplish the 50-40-90 achievement, and one of two players to achieve the feat in multiple seasons. Career averages: 24.3 points per game 10.0 rebounds per game 6.3 assists per game 88.6% free throw percentage 49.6% field goal percentage 37.6% 3-point percentage Now we can't forget that Bird famously played with two injured ankles and a notoriously cranky back that forced him to lay down on the floor during practice breaks. After season-ending foot surgery just six games into the 1988-89 season

[@x_mau9355]

it's only me or the game was so faster then than today ?

[@MarcTheSparcTV]

It felt like it

[@tennesseesmith3281]

Larry had multiple games where he racked up 50 points in 3 quarters and then SAT out the 4th because they had blowout leads. He had several games where he could have scored 70+ but he wasn't about stats, just wins. There was one game where he was a steal away from a quadruple double at the end of three quarters and didn't play in the 4th.

[@maryday8465]

Dennis Johnson and Larry Bird's number Tang side-by-side when they were retired in the garden Larry said Dennis was his all-time favorite teammate

[@scorchogrey2385]

The reason it looks like Ainge is working so hard is bc, well one, he is….but two, you can see the motion in his hair. You really can’t with most of the other players. It’s that contrast (and his size) that adds to his look of hustling.

[@yambo59]

Keep in mind Larry could definitely dunk, but so many times he was plagued with injuries like two achilles tendon surgeries, bad back and others so he may not have been jumping much at times trying not to make things worse, at least until he was back up to par after injuries and surgeries - I really wish we could have seen bird play with no major injuries etc who knows what kind of career he might have had or what these films would be looking like today

[@MarcTheSparcTV]

That’s gotta be one of the worst tragedies is basketball history

[@irishgrl]

@@MarcTheSparcTV Yes. An uninjured Larry…..we’d have a different GOAT convo for sure.

[@tomnoble4885]

@Marc The Sparc TV To get more insight on Larry Legends character, check our " 5 times larry bird refused to quit"

[@SilentHunter245]

Great video! Can someone please explain to me why Bird is only credited with 60 points and not 62? If he hit 22 field goals worth 2pts each, made 1 three point shot, and hit 15 free throws, 44 points (22x2) + 3points + 15points equals 62 points.

[@MarcTheSparcTV]

Thank you! Great question… 22 TOTAL FGs (21 out of 22 were worth 2 points, and 1 out of 22 was worth 3 points) 21 x 2 = 42 1 x 3 = 3 42 + 3 = 45 + 15 FTs gives you 60 😇

[@DL-tp2nr]

The three pointer wasn’t counted

[@daisysue477]

I love your vids, your analysis, and yes, YOU are the announcer, lol! I think your voice is great and your commentary all throughout makes me giggle. Keep it up! And keep enjoying bball.

[@JeffWiersma]

Scott Wedman was a perimeter assassin off of the bench

[@jayeell1253]

Love all these different decades of #basketball #nba all of great games

[@innosanto]

Most important is why he did it. In a game where Mchale was guarded by Bird’s childhood bully, he gave the ball to Mchale all the time and the bully got frustrated and ousted from the game with 5 fouls. But this led to Mchale having 56 points. So he broke team record which was from Bird. And Bird said after the game “you should have gone for 60” to Mchale. 2 weeks later he played to shoot this game at 60 to get the record back. Bird did not care so much about points overall he would go early to bemch in games where he could score record number points. He cared about winning. but that teamrecord he wanted to take back. He scored that many points intentionally 2 weeks after the break. But again when Mchale broke it he was playing against Bird high school bully and Bird in a way was playing against the bully through Mchale. Of course Mchale was in great form that day as well.

[@hdctx]

McHale actually left his 57 point game early because he was worn out. Bird told him he should have gone for 60. Hence this game, where the team consistently fed the ball to Bird and he scored 60, arguably Asa comeback to McHale

[@timlindquist5224]

I love the good old run and gun fast pace he he pass off era!

[@RaymondBCrisp]

FYI, you talked right through the part where the commentators credited Larry with creating the amazing behind the opponent's back pass, while you were debating with yourself who invented it.

[@mikedowney5371]

Dominique was was so athletic so good, made the game look so easy i was jealous. H.O.F. the N.B.A. at its best.

[@MarcTheSparcTV]

Definitely looks like the NBA at its best… so many HOFers battling for real

[@sasuke65743]

it's alwais nice to see the old games and comparing them to the modern ones. The pace in the old days seems x3. it's not just a difference in physicality

[@innosanto]

Also watch Vasilis Spanoulis last minutes with Cska , Real, Panathinaikos and other games. Great player

[@StormyPeak]

My uncle was a dedicated basketball fan. I use to go to his house to visit him and my grandma, and if there was a basketball game being broadcast, he was watching it. So, I was pretty well aware of who Larry Bird was...but I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to the games. Until I saw the Hawks uniforms...and not knowing who they were. I'm a woman, and was maybe 20 years old at the time and I recall asking my uncle why that team had a Pac Man eating a dot on their trunks. My uncle looked at me puzzled, and then broke out laughing. He told me it was a hawk... I couldn't see it. He then said the dot was the hawk's eye. THEN... I saw it. But to this day, in watching footage of those guys, I still see a Pac Man first and the hawk second.

[@rp584]

The best part about this game is that it was played in a natural arena! No one had homme court advanced.

[@MarcTheSparcTV]

Bird took over the arena after he started heating up

[@rp584]

@@MarcTheSparcTV Its kinda like watching Tom Brady. Both understood the game and nothing can/cound stop them every time! 🐐S CANT BE STOPPED!

[@manny4552]

People forget that Scott wedman made acouple of all-star games with the k c kings in the 1970s

[@yambo59]

Along with Magic as a Laker rivalry Dominique was also on of Larrys frequent head to head rivals, made for great games

[@jayeell1253]

When neek got the pass and was moving, the ball wasn't fully in his hands compare to when he got the pass in his hands

[@adamkelm1043]

What's amazing about this is Bird could have got a LOT more. He got 60 without deviating from his Team-support style of play....which makes the 60 worth a heck of a lot more.

[@kingbg3492]

I didn’t like DJ when he played for Phoenix, but when he came to Boston, he was great. He was great from the perimeter shooting him, and Larry bird were quite a pair.

[@thatmanstumototours2270]

If guards ran around dunking on easy shots, they would get knocked on their ass next time down. Also, you didn't get to sit every time you got sore. The game was hard on players back then, As they weren't facing 2020 Zone Defenses while standing around the arc waiting to launch threes or Defenses that can't be bothered to do more than watch you stroll down the lane and dunk.. Barkley has said straight up that he wished he had not dunked so much when he didn't need to as it took a toll on his body unnecessarily. Remember, you are basically seeing only the scoring plays here. Pick any five complete games off KZbin from this era, (for a special treat, make them PlayOff games.) and watch them through and tell me you don't see more people hit the floor, more collisions, elbows, straight up knockdowns, jersey pulls and just general rough play in those five games than you will in a full season of today's game.

[@herrzimm]

We didn't dunk in the 80's because we only cared about the SCORING... not the SHOWBOATING. In fact, some 80's players saw dunks as being disrespectful to the other team, and would make you PAY for it by rough fouls in the paint, contesting rebounds and "over the back" fouls for no reason other than to just annoy you.

[@trhansen3244]

But, to be clear, Danny and DJ and others could dunk the ball. But rarely did.

[@irishgrl]

Bird was a passing genius. While you were talking the announcer called Larry the Great Inventor.

[@jayeell1253]

That's the thing not everyone needs to dunk, you was making sure the ball got in the hoop. And as long as you got your points - all that mattered

[@kurtjohnson3917]

Subscribed! I like your knowledge of the game, your attention to detail, and your appreciation for the rich history of the Game. I'd love to see you step outside men's hoops for a sec to look at some college women, who I think are going to invigorate interest in the W, and international/Olympic play when they graduate. Like Bueckers, Reese, Brink, Hilmon, Boston, etc, and especially Caitlin Clark, who is just ripping it UP. After that, we've got the next crop coming in who look amazing, with players like Lauren Betts, Olivia Olson and JuJu Watkins.

[@brianjones6465]

Danny Ainge was 1st team all american in football, baseball and basketball in HS. Real talk. And he is the only one from that starting 5 not in the Hall.

[@stevedem76]

Every player on both of these teams can dunk a basketball. They don't need to, they got their 2 points and they're back on D quicker that way.

[@cindyknudson2715]

RE: slam dunking: "It seems impossible to believe, but there was a time when basketball largely forbade the dunk. From 1967 to 1976, high school and college players were outlawed from slamming the ball through the rim." "The ban started in 1967 and was lifted in 1976. And why was it banned? One player: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, then known as Lew Alcindor, simply couldn't be stopped around the basket." Yup, essentially the player's hand wasn't allowed above the basket.

[@jayeell1253]

McHale nickname - the worm. He was pretty much unstoppable

[@fidge54]

You nailed the travel on Nique - it was a makeup call

[@manny4552]

Scott wedman made acouple of allstar teams for the k c kings in the 1970s...a pretty good guy to have coming off your bench

[@patmuldoon9369]

Ainge looks like he's trying so hard. Truest words ever spoken on the internet.

[@kayodephillips5435]

Good old days ❤️❤️

[@Uare_number6]

Stats don't lie, Celtics back then all about team ball, even though Bird dropped 60, 30 assists from the guards.

[@fidge54]

Bird, Ainge, Jerry Sichting and Scott Wedman were all dead eye 3 point shooters. In 1986-87, Ainge "made 148 3-pointers, shattering the previous NBA single-season record of 92 held by Darrell Griffith of the Utah Jazz." No biggie by the current 3 pt crazy NBA standards but this was the 80's

[@mikedowney5371]

Loved the highlights. N.B.A. when I loved to watch it.

[@MarcTheSparcTV]

I can see why

[@choice12ozborne]

I stumbled on your channel and subscribe. Crazy fact - - Danny Ainge is the only three sport All-American high school athlete to ever play pro b-ball. Just some trivia that I found out. Useless trivia? 😅🤔💯

[@fidge54]

DJ was fukkin money! Finally in the HOF where he belonged for a long long time

[@sharonbird2921]

They can jump and dunk as much as they want there not gonna beat Larry Legend 🐐☘️👍

[@dondunco2538]

With the starting five of Bird, McHale, Parish, Ainge and DJ you had to wait for an injury or one of the Bigs to get off the Bench. Wedman was one of the pine riders. Good enough to be on the Celtics, but not good enough to start. And the cool thing, as you've seen, is Bird worked with Everyone. He made sure to get everyone opps to score. Wedman was playing one of his best off the bench games this game.

[@youfallgetup6873]

The Hawks bench was cheering him on

[@ThomasJelfJr]

Dominique was a force, I thought he beat MJ that dunk contest but they gave it to MJ because he had all the pr going for him. Awesome contest though. The highlite reel just doesn't get it done, it's ok and stuff but you don't get the back and forth battle between him and Dominique. I loved Atlanta in those days. They were awesome.

[@beachbunny7256]

Do you know of any other NBA player who received a standing ovation from opposing fans and some of the players ( who were fined lol)?!! Who else has a song, "Indiana has a new state Bird"?! Bird was the last player to win 3 consecutive MVP's!! Only 2 other players have achieved it!! I could keep going!!

[@earldeanpowell]

We were saving our legs in the 80s. We didn't get nights off. I played Cliff Livingston and Antoine Carr their fresh yr at WSU. I was a sophomore. All 3 listed 6'9, 235...my 235 didn't look like their 235. Ended up getting thrown out of game Marc can I suggest something? Shhhhhhhhhhh

[@MarcTheSparcTV]

Makes sense… I’m just comparing them to Jordan, because he dunked everything… just weird watching the 80s

[@kevinstarr516]

"Pistol" Pete Maravich made passes like that before Bird and Magic, if you really want to know.

[@manny4552]

The great John havlicek had 54 for boston then finally McHale and bird broke the Celtics record

[@steveburtonomaha]

13:53. Look at the Hawks bench

[@skrepairstudio166]

i don't know why I'm here...but this was entertaining as hell haha

[@MarcTheSparcTV]

😅that’s what I like to hear

[@KevinKilgorepage]

let me explain the reason you do NOT see as many dunkers in the 80's, the game was played with a lot of guys in the paint, and a favorite trick that dirty players would use is they would slide their foot under you so when you came down you would twist your ankle and be on the bench .... just 1 of the reasons you dont see it as much in the 80's, it was a time when you saw guys do it when they were alone in the paint , but when it was crowded not nearly as often

[@irishgrl]

“He’s too tall & can pass too good!” 😂

[@vernonhurley1300]

The eighties when they played defense! Full court most of the time.

[@singtrue25]

I feel like in the 80s, they didn't dunk on breakaways as much because it wasn't about showboating. They know they could dunk, but I mean, you already have them beat what is the point of dunking? Save your energy and just put points on the board.

[@jaredbracci3529]

BIRD could have dropped 60 several times in his career, but it was never his goal. He always put the team first, and beat teams in multiple ways. If he were playing today, he would be shooting 6 to 10 more 3’s a game (and practicing them). He would light up todays league 😊

[@djremy3394]

Gotta check out Pete Maravich. Dude was a magician, during a time when you'd be called for carrying for dribbling like today's guys.

[@BearArmyCadet27951]

Don't forget that Doc Rivers was in this game as well. Bird only scored 6 on Rivers.

[@innosanto]

Dominique reminds me of Jordan in some moves. Great player

[@jameylebel]

There was plenty of dunkers in the eighties. Not so much the dunk/hang/showboat of today mainly because of no break away rims yet. MJ did elevate the dunk game but it was already here.

[@christophergreen1785]

I dont mind when someone gets dunked on. It means they didnt care and tried to play that d. That whole get out of the way so you dont get postered drives me nuts. The bench was fined by their own organization for celebrating that.

[@MarcTheSparcTV]

yeah all of the great defenders have gotten dunked on... but it's still fun to watch someone get posterized

[@christophergreen1785]

@@MarcTheSparcTV Absolutely... A poster is a poster. But the weak NBA now they bounce out of the way instead of tryin. I wanna see some d. lol

[@richardbennett3368]

Legend!

[@timmorales1569]

Players in bird and Jordan’s era would smoke todays players and anyone who says todays players are better than the 80’s and 90’s never played ball

[@alanela6761]

He didn't dunk... he didn't dunk... why don't they dunk...? Because they were good players, very capable on layups, and they weren't flashy. They weren't out there to make dunks and impress you. They were out there to get two points. My absolute favorite part about today's game is when these flashy, egocentric primadonnas go for a huge dunk with nobody within 15 ft of them and they miss, just so they can look stupid

[@MarcTheSparcTV]

Lol right… I’m just so used to players dunking everything

[@lindanoel1853]

I'm wondering if no one told you to watch the Hawks' bench, hi-fiveing all the shots Bird was making, not missing any...so that they were laughing and even falling off the bench hah hah hah.

[@sodalines]

bird did that, and the whole first quarter he passed the ball. bird was that nigga.

[@MarcTheSparcTV]

“Bird was that nigga” is the quote of the year 😅

[@manny4552]

Google pete maravich scoring 68 with no threes and he hit a ton of very long range shots ..i watched it live on tv on cable tv when i lived in buffalo

[@dwanemarsh4378]

You can't call it a "Luka" pass if Larry did it first! Larry isn't copying Luka, Luka is copying Larry! Luka is a very good player, and one of my favorites. But, you attribute a pass, a shot, a style, to the one who did it first, and the most! That would be Larry.

[@brianadams429]

The trainers lap 3 pt shot they didn't count, that he should have had 63 points

[@ouonouanwilfried-desire7758]

Well. Luka just dropped 60 too 😭🤣😅

[@ricklove8588]

Back in Birds day very few 3s were taken

[@chrispavlich9656]

There’s more to playing basketball than dunking the ball. That doesn’t make you the better player.