Mr Larry Bird, thank you for playing the game. For years you gave me a team to cheer for. Then I was dxd with MS, they went to put me in a wheelchair and I could not do it. Finally a family friends said whose lap would you like to sit in? I remembered your back brace and it's finally end. Larry Bird's lap. Since that day you have been beside me as an adaptive aid. God gave you an awesome gift. Thank you for without you basketball wouldn't have been watched and I would have fought that chair.
@carlnilssonyoung89615 жыл бұрын
No one knows basketball better than bird in this universe .
@happychildhood5915 жыл бұрын
I was never a big basketball fan, that is, until I watched Larry play for the Boston Celtics! I was truly amazed by the sheer genius of this man who played basketball like he was a chess master, always calculating his next move, as well as the moves of his fellow players and opponents. Thank you Larry, you are a true LEGEND...!!!
@wlsmith265 жыл бұрын
Larry Legend is one of the best!
@alexbolongaita75455 жыл бұрын
Watched all his games on tapes always a week or two delayed since i live in the Philippines. My Betamax rental store calls me everytime he has "new" arrival from the US. He was fun to watch. I am an NBA follower and watched all the greats of the game up to now. To me, Larry Bird as a team player and basketball is a team game, is by far the best of them all.
@halwarner33265 жыл бұрын
Kareem says Larry was the best he played against. That's great praise.
@sumego41805 жыл бұрын
Jab bar also wanted to choke the white boy.
@WayOffGrid5 жыл бұрын
There have been many great athletes in the NBA. But not near as many great athletes with great minds. He understood every nuance of the game. What he said about understanding your teammates habits and tendencies is what made him a legend. The number of no-look passes alone tells me that he studied every single person on the court he knew exactly where they were what they were going to do before they knew what they were going to do. I believe he's the greatest basketball player that ever existed, not because he was the greatest athlete to ever walk on the court, he wasn't but rather because he might be the smartest man who ever walked on the court.
@steventesta67825 жыл бұрын
Time goes by so fast. Can't believe its been 40 yrs since Larry and magic played for the championship.
@capitanfuturo5945 жыл бұрын
LARRY THE LEGEND !!! MY FAVORITE PLAYER EVER !!!
@Wave332215 жыл бұрын
The player who have the biggest heart to ever play the game.
@jerrythayer96815 жыл бұрын
His knowledge of basketball is second to none
@kimosabbe505 жыл бұрын
John Stockton was right up there too.
@RichardHSears5 жыл бұрын
Larry always played to win and never gave up. He was always a few steps ahead of his peers and the game he was playing. Even in retrospect he just gets better and better. And, as was previously mentioned, Larry is Larry no matter what. Just a good down to earth humble person!
@rusvaryag61725 жыл бұрын
GOAT!!!!!!
@wobblertv80835 жыл бұрын
Basketball IQ second to none .loved the 80s nba the eastern conference was as hard as nails .personified by this great player .
@davanmani5565 жыл бұрын
Wobbler tv is one thing to have it but to apply it.
@wobblertv80835 жыл бұрын
@@davanmani556 Yeh he aplied it and then some ... And I'm a sixers fan .The duel in 88 with nique Wilkins is my favourite bird moment, both were warriors that day
@russell28905 жыл бұрын
The best Small forward of all time
@terrygoforth20405 жыл бұрын
just the best i have ever watched.
@arctodus68595 жыл бұрын
Im from L.A. I'm glad I don't have to hate him any more. He's a good guy.
@gocatgo741235 жыл бұрын
Forty years now, where'd they go? Forty years, I don't know? I sit and I wonder sometimes where they've gone .......
@newerafrican5 жыл бұрын
I know Larry said that, because he is a big man, he didn't think that he was going to live too long. But another Terre Haute basketball hero, 6' 9" Clyde Lovellette, lived into his 80's - so hang in there, Larry!! You still have so many fans and admirers.
@leoderosia92795 жыл бұрын
Clyde also played on the great Celtics, never knew they were both from Indiana
@gogetter51375 жыл бұрын
DON'T BE ALARMED BIRD FANATICS! I heard through the grapevine that he was sick with the flu when he did this interview. Bird talked at Dirk's final game in Dallas on April 9th and did the NBA Awards later in the summer. He LOOKED AND SOUNDED A LOT BETTER and didn't look deadly pale and thin. RELIEVED! I'm not ready to witness Bird's mortality...I don't think I'll ever be ready.
@UpChuckTheBoogie5 жыл бұрын
Birdie was the best
@franz2895 жыл бұрын
This interview reminds me of Captain Winters of 101st Airborne. The way they evaluate the battlefield and the personel they have to achieve their objectives. Truly a rare talent , Bird transformed the NBA and the players today owe it to him and Magic for saving the league.
@milespitts79825 жыл бұрын
not many people can handle fame,,bird is one that can...
@KRHEE5 жыл бұрын
The most well rounded player of all time imo
@RickDanner5 жыл бұрын
agree
@capitanfuturo5945 жыл бұрын
This guy was a basketball machine.
@CountNoobular5 жыл бұрын
@rl184 Uh so Wilt had a jump shot too now? Wilt was snagging steals too? Wilt was great but you can't list a traditional center as a 'most well rounded player.'
@CountNoobular5 жыл бұрын
@rl184 Thats just not true though. Bird, as a small forward, could score from anywhere on the court, passed the ball in a way that rivaled Magic, got boards, and steals. It's tough to compare stats because so many weren't recorded in Wilts time, but Bird had a career average of 24.3 ppg, 6.3 apg (two more than Wilt), 0.8 bpg (for a small forward), 1.7 spg, 10 rpg (2 orpg and 8 drpg), and an 89% free throw accuracy (vs Wilts 50%). I agree 100% that Wilt was an amazing player, but he was definitely not as well rounded as Bird. Being able to play in the post (something Bird was actually quite decent at for his size), rebound, block shots, and dish doesn't make you the most well rounded player. Having every stat line be generally impressive make you well rounded, which is Larry Legend.
@CountNoobular5 жыл бұрын
@rl184 You're just making things up. You cannot say he shattered rebounding records and blocked shots, as those were not recorded in his time. You are also pointing out that he was a dominant center. Yes, he was extremely dominant at the center, but like a dominant pg, they're positions that really cannot be 'the most well rounded.' By their nature they play a roll on the court that cannot be filled by other players, but definitely cannot fill other parts of the equation themselves. Unlike Wilt, Bird could score from anywhere on the court, Bird could control the ball and pass the ball like a PG, bird could rebound like a big, and even got blocks too, and was able to steal like a guard too. It's this positionless playstyle that makes him the most well rounded, something you see the NBA looking at more now with the likes of Lebron and KD.
@vincecozzi25455 жыл бұрын
My favorite player of all time including all Sports is looking Old man wow has time passed fast...
@pallen495 жыл бұрын
I remember when Bird and Magic was battling for the NCAA title, I was about 14 at the time, so everything is still vivid in my memory.. and of course remember when he and magic came into the league as rookies, the rest is history...I can't believe how time flew by so quick..
@TheMimetolithman5 жыл бұрын
Larry I am Canadian and a Big hockey Fan (GreTsky) BUT You were my Fav' player of Any SporT - ThanK You for just being Larry Joe Bird My Idol.
@markshaggy79145 жыл бұрын
I’m a 41 Australian & grew up obsessed with the NBA & Larry bird.. I still adore that man & believe he’s in the top 10 players to ever play... easily. Perhaps top 5. An incredible competitor & phenomenal basketball IQ.
@capitanfuturo5945 жыл бұрын
Larry Bird put that university on the world map.
@Icecodes5 жыл бұрын
That's a bad man, much respect
@debramiller34285 жыл бұрын
Larry is da bomb!!! Nothing but respect!!
@MsHambone30005 жыл бұрын
The greatest all around player ever......ever! Basketball intellectual.....Bird saved the NBA and I left it when he retired.....the NBA became an entertainment spectacle led by the most hyped player of all time---M. Jordan....the NBA is nothing but streetball at its best to sell a ticket to the suckers since the MJ era
@fede27105 жыл бұрын
MsHambone3000 weird way to say you dont like black people
@MsHambone30005 жыл бұрын
where in da hell do you derive that conclusion...…..think about what I wrote......don't be sensitive.....and/or play a race card...….the NBA was dying in the late 70's......white folks control and run the NBA......it is just a fact!!!!!!! NBA is nothing but entertainment for the majority of its supporters, 85% whities…….yes, the black ballers get their money but the whities get rich......at the expense of its black players...….and folks line up and pay how much for a game? R u fookin' kiddin' me...…… @@fede2710
@501jaylee5 жыл бұрын
MsHambone3000 MJ “Overhyped”? 😂🤦♂️ I don’t think you’re all there.. Michael Jordan had an insane jump vertical, in his prime he could splash from anywhere on the court, and his on court IQ was insane. Larry Bird was a tough guy, but he was no Michael Jordan. Larry Bird is one of the G.O.A.T;s, but Michael Jordan, is THE goat.
@MsHambone30005 жыл бұрын
yes...a great leaper and the best athlete to play the game! IQ of Jordan to Bird? Are you all there ? Bird's IQ outclassed them all and that's where it counts.....the brain! Jordan was a great classical player but Bird was the CONDUCTOR.....it's all about that "muscle" between the ears....Even Jabbar said that Bird was the best player that he ever played against and that says a lot. Jordan was hyped by the NBA to sell tickets....he only obtained championships when Bird and Magic got old, and in the 90s, was the weakest decade of all time due to expansion......took him 7 years to win his first once Bird and Magic were in their rocking chairs.....Bird was simply the best all around player ever....EVER! In ALL ASPECTS of the game......it's not about leaping or splashing......Dominque Wilkins was a better leaper that Mike
@edcor25785 жыл бұрын
@@501jaylee and Bird was the only one Jordan couldn't beat..Lmao..
@williamw4045 жыл бұрын
He's so genuine. I don't think he has a phoney bone in his whole body.
@foxmccloud87495 жыл бұрын
He's a man period no tolerance for bull.crap easily could have been the most popular and we'll known athlete ever didn't want any part of it.
@J34xalpha_KING5 жыл бұрын
Larry LEGEND!!🏀🏀🔥🔥🔥🐐
@livegun55725 жыл бұрын
he never flopped
@duganfry35 жыл бұрын
Gosh Larry Bird is getting old making ME feel old!
@vopoxmuzyque5 жыл бұрын
I so agree. I hope you made the best of it. And enjoy the rest of life.
@gogetter51375 жыл бұрын
@@vopoxmuzyque His physical appearance of his face is one thing...some people age on the outside but they still seem young and healthy on the inside. What is really startling to me here..is that his voice sounds REALLY weak. When an older person's voice starts to sound really weak and strained like his....that's a sign that they are really deteriorating. And he looks REALLY THIN. FUCK! DAMMIT...I hope he was just getting over a serious cold or something. UGH.
@johnflanagan91535 жыл бұрын
Having seen him over the last forty years, It is surreal to see him at 62; He will always be Larry Legend.
@gogetter51375 жыл бұрын
@@johnflanagan9153 He must have been coming off an illness when he recorded this video, His body and face looked 100x better during Dirk's retirement ceremony and at the NBA Awards just months later. His voice sounded really strong too. I am NOT EVEN REMOTELY PREPARED to deal with The Legend's mortality. I don't want to even think about it.
@grantfl805 жыл бұрын
Great video! And congratulations to Coach Hodges who will be inducted into ISU Athletic HOF this year!
@AndrewsOpinion155 жыл бұрын
HAPPY 63TH BIRTHDAY LARRY JOE BIRD !!!!!
@lonestar67095 жыл бұрын
Why is everyone worried about him? He's only 60. Calm down people. Larry will be with us for a long time, I'm sure.
@omara18545 жыл бұрын
Man he's aged last few years. Makes me feel old
@noadmre74935 жыл бұрын
It's gonna kill me inside when Larry isn't around anymore.
@noadmre74935 жыл бұрын
@Trista Fravel that'd be great
@Wave332215 жыл бұрын
Me too man! Me too...
@phodopussungorus5 жыл бұрын
Me too man, I'm from Boston and LB will always define greatness for me.
@davy19725 жыл бұрын
It'll be a sobering day. He is basketball to me, and his passing would be a sad reinforcement that those days of when he played are gone. I suppose we can't cling to those things, but tough nonetheless.
@JD-zd8tm5 жыл бұрын
I loved Bird but geez he looks like he's 80 years old
@messishaanika76985 жыл бұрын
Rt
@wileycousins96985 жыл бұрын
I would have liked to see Bird and Bill Russell play together in their prime. My God! They would never have let the other team have the ball!
@Paul-gn6nc5 жыл бұрын
3:59 He used to watch tape to watch his teammates tendencies in order to make them better. This was back when people realized basketball was a team game and a team would beat a group of individuals. Could you imagine any player in the league today doing this?
@korgond5 жыл бұрын
Larry has also become very successful during his coaching career and executive career as well. He got awards like coach of the year, best executive etc. None of other former stars could achieve that, nor Magic neither Jordan. Only Jerry West was very successful as an executive.
@swampmusic92225 жыл бұрын
jeez...look at Larrys 2018 interview with Kevin McHale and then look at this one..somethings not right with him...nobody ages like that in 12 months...Larry, i hope you're well and there will never be another player like you. please live to 100..
@greyk6105 жыл бұрын
He said a few years back that he didn't think he'd be alive much longer.. Not sure why, or what's going on with him.. But I hope he gets better man, Larry's the shit
@johnflanagan91535 жыл бұрын
You raise is good point, but since about the mid-2000's Bird had put on a lot of weight; Can't remember when he said it, but he did remark that he had to lose quite a bit of weight. Another thing people may not realize is Bird has had a heart condition since his last year as a Celtic; During his first year as coach of the Pacers, he had an "episode" and was evaluated at a hospital for an irregular heartbeat, for which he's been on medication ever since. The punishment this guy put his body through as a player can prematurely age you. Look at how Bird looked in 1987, youthful and still full of life; Go to 1991/2 and he look's like he aged over ten years after his double heel surgery, and then his severe back problems that ended his historic career. It WILL age you.
@greyk6105 жыл бұрын
@@johnflanagan9153 Honestly, Bird looked 45 when he was 27. He's like Rick Flair, the dude just aged quickly.
@leoderosia92795 жыл бұрын
I love all the Boston teams but Larry Bird is my idol...Brady is great too but really not as good in his prime as bird was plus bird is a all time great college player too....I am 54 now.
@rogercobbs42975 жыл бұрын
I m 52 and when i shoot i say Bird and ball goes swish
@donniepate73135 жыл бұрын
Larry tells coach give me the ball and tell everybody to get out of the way nothing but net game over.
@Lundahlium5 жыл бұрын
OMG he's old???
@NattyBumppo485 жыл бұрын
It was my understanding that Larry was injured going into that championship game....
@bogee4u5 жыл бұрын
maybe...but he has said many times...ISU had no answer for Greg Kelser that night.
@mrho4speed5 жыл бұрын
Natty, Bird broke his left thumb on the rim just prior to the NCAA tournament. He played every game in the tournament with his left thumb in a splint. You can see it in some of the photos.
@cindyknudson27153 ай бұрын
@mrho4speed And it could only be a soft wrap.
@WashedCoachWith3Chips5 жыл бұрын
If it weren't for Bill Hodges, Larry Bird would have been just another dude from Indiana a lot of people would've pointed to their sons or daughters and said "See that guy over there? That man could've gone somewhere with his talent." Bill Hodges, THANK YOU!
@davanmani5565 жыл бұрын
terrorofsesameST his ex-wife as well. If not been for her, I don’t think he would have stayed. She was a calming effect.
@cindyknudson27153 ай бұрын
@@davanmani556 He wouldn't have stayed where? Regarding his ex-wife, that isn't the impression I've gotten from articles and interviews. Perhaps you mean his current wife? They met when he was attending ISU.
@maximostiberius23245 жыл бұрын
The one thing that always bothered me about Bird was he care much about other people. For him to say he didnt really know what happened to Hodges after college cause he was consumed by the price game. Dont get me wrong hes in my top 5. He could have cared less...maybe that's what made him the player he was.
@maximostiberius23245 жыл бұрын
That should say Bird didn't care much about other people
@cindyknudson27153 ай бұрын
@maximostiberius2324 i don't quite understand what you are objecting to in Bird. I don't know what a "price" game is. I'm curious, too. Do you really have dinner every night with all the people you have known since kindergarten? I don't. I don't know _anyone_ who knows where *everyone* they have gone to school with or worked with is and what they are doing in their lives. My understanding is that Bird is a pretty private guy. If he had a cookout _every weekend_ with his best buddies I don't think we would ever find out about it. I know yours is an old comment but it made me curious
@georgestewart32425 жыл бұрын
Jordan is the greatest because of his athletic greatness. Bird was the greatest player without athletic greatness. If Bird had the athleticism of Jordan or James, you would have seen something otherworldly.
@donniepate73135 жыл бұрын
George Stewart if this was the case he wouldn’t get credit because he is white sad but true
@cindyknudson27153 ай бұрын
Charles Barkley is quoted as saying, "Larry can't run or jump cause that was God's way of making things fair."
@messishaanika76985 жыл бұрын
He's getting old so fast
@247drycleaners95 жыл бұрын
Larry's voice is weak and he doesn't look good. I hope that he's OK. He's my favorite athlete of all time.
@AlexDrew8925 жыл бұрын
Larry owes his success to Bill Hodges
@chris937035 жыл бұрын
I don't want to take away from what Bird is talking about but he looks and sounds awful in this video. Is there something wrong with him or is this only a case of him recovering from the flu?
@lightningsmokerXx5 жыл бұрын
I'm looking at Larry, and i don't know it's just he's getting older looking, or maybe he has heart trouble....looks a little frail somehow
@EM-ny4dx5 жыл бұрын
Larry bird looks like he is sick. He looks older than he should be. I don't think Larry bird will out live Magic Johnson. Due to his bad back. He isn't the same guy any more. He is limited as far as exercise go. No disrespect intended.. Just saying.. 🏀 PS) You would think Magic Johnson would have died earlier. Due to HIV but he looks more healthy than Larry Bird. This is just my opinion folks. None of these guys have passed away yet. Both are alive and well for the time being. But I just feel like Larry Bird's days are numbered shorter than Magic Johnson. I could be wrong. Because I don't know the future. I'm just saying and giving my personal opinion.. From my perspective.. Again, Not wishing Larry Bird any bad luck and no disrespect to him. Because I am a Larry Bird fan. He is my favorite basketball player when I was younger. #33 👍 🏀 😇
@userjeffe5 жыл бұрын
Larry legend is vastly overrated. He was lucky most of the time; basically the luck of the Irish ☘️. I’m a black man so I should know.
@donniepate73135 жыл бұрын
Jeff E. Bird wasn’t lucky when he was better than 99.8 percent of the black players he played against he schooled them Bird is underrated he at his best nobody was better
@davy19725 жыл бұрын
..lol
@jovannakevorkian96865 жыл бұрын
I hated bird vs. Dr.J but man he just was incredible a pressure player and confident one of the top 3 players ever. I just wish Dr.J could have played him in his prime ABA time when he was hoppin and shooting with such confidence just a superior athlete and unreal. But that didn’t happen so I give the nod to Mr. Money Larry Bird.
@mikebeasley64475 жыл бұрын
JEFF E. DON'T BE A RACIST!!! GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY!!!!!
@cindyknudson27153 ай бұрын
😂 Gotta be careful tho. Sarcasm isn't always easy to "hear" in the written word. 🙂