NBA Legends on the day Larry Bird got his REVENGE! Larry Bird's Greatest Performance!

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Video footage and credits:
• Bill Walton Discusses ... Bill Walton Discusses Larry Bird's Greatest Game, Red Auerbach, the Celtics Crowd, + More - Boston Celtics
• BIRD EVENT BIRD EVENT - Sycamore Athletic Fund
• RARE Ralph Sampson Int... RARE Ralph Sampson Interview | #NBA hall of fame - Cedric Maxwell #Podcast - NBA History & Storytellers on CLNS
• In the Zone' with Chri... In the Zone' with Chris Broussard Podcast: Ralph Sampson - Episode 34 | FS1- FOX Sports
• Ralph Sampson in The D... Ralph Sampson in The Dan Patrick Show (Full Interview) 04/04/2016 - Dan Patrick Show
• Making the Case - 1986... Making the Case - 1986 Celtics- Clayton Crowley
• The B.S. Report - Larr... The B.S. Report - Larry Bird - Bill Simmons
• Open Court: Kevin McHa... Open Court: Kevin McHale On The Joy Of Winning In 1986 & Pain Of Losing In 1987
• B.S Report - Bob Ryan ... B.S Report - Bob Ryan (2014-11-06)
• Boston Celtics 1985/86... Boston Celtics 1985/86 Documentary | Sweet Sixteen 🍀 | Championship Season Movie - SQUAD DAWKINS
• Boston Celtics vs Hous... Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets - 1986 NBA Finals Game 6- Louie's Basement Tapes
• Boston Celtics - Sweet... Boston Celtics - Sweet Sixteen 1986 - NBA Champions - Santiago73
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[@mike8903]

Man you do an amazing job finding all this footage and the way you edit the video is awesome too. A+

[@NickSmithNBA]

Much appreciated!

[@Yucob]

@@NickSmithNBA You have a compilation on Grant Hill?

[@tylerrosenberg8829]

as fellow editer, i completely agree it was a great video and i can only imagine how difficult it must've been to compile the clips!

[@rickvaldez-oj4vn]

​@Yucob a

[@terrancemitchell3420]

In my humble opinion, Bird was, is and will always be the greatest of all time. I will say I was a Laker fan so recognizing Bird is something.

[@DamienBittner]

I HATED Larry Bird growing up forty miles east of Los Angeles as a Laker fan but now I feel nothing but ❤, respect, admiration and gratitude for having been witness to his greatness. Thank you Larry Legend.

[@Markinfilm]

Flip the other side of the coin and I felt the same way about Magic. Now only love, respect and admiration what these two men meant for the game.

[@DamienBittner]

Most entertaining sports rivalry of my lifetime. If Bird doesn't mess up his back and Len Bias doesn't die maybe Celtics come out on top. In terms of percentage of championships won, Celtics and Lakers are on par with the Yankees. Hope we get to battle for another trophy soon. Respect to Celtic Nation.@@Markinfilm

[@johndyer9232]

@@DamienBittner Yeah, the Bias tragedy hurt bad as a Celtics fan. Bias had better numbers than Jordan in college.

[@bobbylenz3594]

We were lucky to have witnessed such greatness. Magic, Bird, Dr J., MJ, and on and on. I can't even watch the sport today.

[@johndyer9232]

@@bobbylenz3594 Same here.

[@mikeratza479]

The Hick from French Lick broke so many hearts of the fans of opposing teams. There will never be another Larry, a trash talker who backed up his talk. Simply an amazing "basketball player"

[@warrenoleary2168]

Amen !

[@artofsoul]

I hated, I mean hated Bird during this game. Me and my fellow Houstonians were continuously cursing at the TV shouting and asking "Who's holding Bird?". As an avid basketball fan, I look back at this game and my opinion has shifted 180 degrees. I love Bird now and the competitiveness he brought to the game. The saying, "He left it all on the floor" exemplifies the game this man played that day.

[@dhruvadude808]

I was the same. I rooted so hard against him that I didn't appreciate his brilliance.

[@artofsoul]

@@dhruvadude808 - Amen to that. One of the most balanced players of all time. I believe one of his secrets was stamina / endurance. Younger fans probably didn't know Bird would jog around the arena before games then warm up and then shoot around (in his prime). Bird had lungs.

[@Primus54]

@@artofsoulThat is so true about Larry’s stamina and endurance during a game. Larry would get lots of foul shot opportunities, particularly after having just run a fast break. The camera would be focused on him and you’d be hard-pressed to find a clip of him bent over, puffing for air, even during June when the Garden would be like an oven.

[@texasturner2313]

Same. 😂. Today I have nothing but admiration for Bird and that Celtic team. They were the best of all time imo.

[@kevincoady5248]

I was a teenager in Boston in 80's, so I was a Bird fan and there was no ? He was the best player on the planet in mid 80's. Weird how time alters people's perception. Always makes me laugh when I see all BS on ESPN No one wanted it as much as Kobe or no one was more competitive than MJ, Larry was both, as were both Kobe and MJ. Just makes me laugh like MJ had a monopoly on being competitive. Peeps need to watch the tape, MJ/Kobe on same level, but u can't convince me anyone wanted it More than Legend.

[@ashleycampbell6825]

Hello from Brisbane, Australia. I am NOT a basketball fan. I was only aware of Michael Jordan and the Harlem Globetrotters. At 68 y.o. I am now only learning about Larry Bird. What impresses me the most is how much of a team player he was, not at all selfish. Teammate gets the pass and scores but you can see that Larry has outplayed the opposition players to make it happen.

[@richardpare3538]

Bird was a monster when it came to being able to control a game, even by never taking a shot. No other player, ever, could come even close to that. People can talk all they want about how great Jordan was, but even he could not perform the completeness that Bird did all the time. Playoff games were almost beyond belief. The best entertainment you could ever see.

[@mama_4u671]

Brisbane here too 🔥

[@jeffmurray1681]

I met Ralph Samson late one night in a convenience store several years ago. Him, me, and another patron stood around and chatted for about 20 minutes. He was a nice guy.

[@brianhillis3701]

First time I saw him he was still in high-school. He walked into Micky Ds and he had to duck advertisements hanging from the ceiling. Nobody else even came near them. Great player who could disappear or dominate you never knew which. He wanted to do things Larry did. He loved dribbling down court like a point guard. I most remember him and Len Bias. Sampson was a monster the first half and Len didn't show up. The second half was all Len. My friend turned to me and said Len took coke during half time. We all know why Len didn't get to play with Larry for one year. That would have been awesome.😢

[@jamolina72]

How fortunate we are for having witnessed a player like Bird. He just epitomizes the way basketball should be played.

[@ronk2577]

Only us old guys got to see it

[@steverenom.299]

So very, very true.

[@Noname-ni1dy]

Best team ever, no one can convince me otherwise.

[@jonnieh6954]

96 bulls!!.. would have been fun to watch those teams in their prime play. Only imagine that game

[@hughkingsley8631]

@@jonnieh6954 That would be awesome to watch, but Bird had Jordan's number, even with Scottie Pippen on the team, but I would still love to see that match up. That one could go both ways, but the edge would have to go to Bird, with his IQ, being clutch from anywhere on the court and the shear will to win.

[@johnnysnowbird826]

What made the NBA so awesome in the 80s for me was the crowd energy and the intensity of the players.

[@jmad627]

Great memories, I wonder if any succeeding generations will ever experience things like this, like we did?

[@zeppelinmexicano]

The crowd energy levels at the Forum and Garden were unbeatable. Every time they played it was like life and death, never a moment of rest, just balls to the wall and the crowds were right there with them.

[@Spanner249]

And the racism. The racism was awesome in Boston. Bunch of charmers up there.

[@AbigailMcGarvey]

It has been said before, but Larry Bird had a few things that will never show up on a stat sheet. His sheer will was astounding. Was anyone in the history of the league a more cerebral player than Bird? And, most importantly, his affect on his teammates was just outstanding. He may have been riddled with injuries late in his career, but Larry Bird's peak was as good as anyone in the history of the league.

[@robertswift6101]

one if not the best ever,,,,he was bigtime box office

[@joegriffee9305]

😊

[@darrinlygrisse5287]

People also forget he left college as a 5th year senior. Now guys hit the league at 18 or 19. Imagine his career stats if he had 3 or 4 more years in the league.

[@AbigailMcGarvey]

@@darrinlygrisse5287 Bird also broke the index finger of his shooting hand in college. Apparently (and we have to go by anecdotal evidence from back then), he was a much better shooter before that and was never really the same afterwards. Not sure how true that last part is, but it is something to smile about. He was actually a better shooter before he turned pro.

[@irishgrl]

I’d say it was better.

[@irishgrl]

LARRY LEGEND IS A UNICORN AND THE TRUE GOAT!!! 🐐 ☘️

[@DanMarshburn-il2sd]

Bird’s basketball IQ was off the charts!

[@manko717]

This is when the Game wasn’t Soft. LeBron fans need to understand, Bird did it all, all the time.

[@timothythomas8082]

I was 13 when this game was played. I agree that this was Larry's best game because of how important it was that we didn't want a game 7. He rose to that level of greatness that is almost perfect except for a few missed shots and maybe a turnover. But the level and zone Bird could put himself in is on a higher level than anybody I've ever seen. For me personally, I feel that in the very next year of the Eastern Conference Finals 1987, Game 5 against Detroit in Boston, series tied, and Larry steals the inbounds pass from Thomas to Laimbeer, is the single greatest play, and moment, n the history of the league. I still get goosebumps thinking about it.

[@sonjanewstrom6228]

Brought joy to millions! Never another player like him.

[@joelgiovanazzi5307]

Larry was the total package in a player.. he was never selfish. He was a true general of the court and he made this teammates play better and harder .. nothing but respect for Larry

[@maverick1973131313]

If Len Bias had not passed away, I wonder if the Celtics are known as the dynasty of the 1980s? His athleticism and skill added to that 86 team perhaps keeps them at the top of the East for another 5 years.

[@EricGordon-j2s]

Good gracious I'm 53 years old now and I'm so glad I got to grow up in this era

[@ezsmith3765]

I’m 51 ... me too. Was 10 in 1982 when I first saw Bird play. Instant ☘️ fan

[@GrislyAtoms12]

Me too. Well done! Well done to your parents, that is, for having you when they did :)

[@adrianharrison5208]

I have been getting into basketball over the last few years and Larry Bird is by far my favorite player.

[@jamesbarker619]

As a big Larry Bird and Celtics fan I believe that 1986 team is definitely one of the greatest teams in basketball to this day.

[@MrAlbino26]

Larry Bird is the most intelligent basketball player ever that’s why he is the GOAT ever to me, period.

[@OakleytheRottie]

Larry Legend for a reason

[@RobertSchuster68]

Sitting on my couch, crying as a baby! Great Video. Thank you so much!! Memories

[@NickSmithNBA]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@andrewtownsend9128]

The greatest performing like the greatest.

[@dutchtea8354]

Nothing better than another Nick Smith video about Larry Bird!

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

These are absolutely amazing! Thank you! Loving Larry Bird & the Celtics!

[@markydkiehl]

80s NBA. Golden Era. I miss it .

[@ChadAdkins-hx5zz]

He did all the things you need to due in a game to win...scoring is just part of truly being a complete...committed player....doing what it took....TO WIN!!!!

[@torinbrown8196]

Dad, RIP, held Bird in high esteem, his favorite player bar none.

[@marylou8449]

I agree Bird was the greatest all around basketball player of all-time I still watch old game's of the Boston celcits The 🐐

[@darrinlygrisse5287]

Bird and Jordan are the 2 greatest competitors I have ever seen. Complete focus and confidence under the biggest pressure. I guess I would throw in Tiger in golf as well.

[@ericc2083]

You obviously never watched Nicklaus. As Tom Weiskopf put it: "Jack knew he was gonna win; we knew Jack was gonna win; but the worst part was Jack knew that we knew he was gonna win!". He was the greatest competitor I ever saw.

[@majorkade]

Yes, all three even better in clutch moments.

[@darrinlygrisse5287]

Yes. Agreed. Jack as well. Probably Hogan too, but he was before my time.

[@cden409]

Wow, you have made an excellent video. I’ve never seen anyone’s channel do a better job. I felt like we were right there at the game. Had to subscribe to see more like this. Larry is so great to watch. Go Bird

[@keithmoore6334]

I remember this series. Larry Legend was legit.

[@countrybumkiniii9003]

Haven’t watched much NBA since Bird retired honestly, loved Bird and the Celtics! Pistons and Lakers are series I never missed, best basketball n the history of league.

[@jonsoares6557]

I lived in Houston that year! Pretty rough for a Celtics fan to say the least. I went to Intercontinental Airport after game 5 to hopefully get autographs before they headed home for game 6. Everyone signed, even Red and you could tell they were just ready to get home and start Game 6. Needless to say it was a highlight to stand with the Celtics in the airport terminal that day!

[@tomy5868]

"this one time, Bird told me he was going over there to shot the ball and he did...guess what he made it"

[@waltdavis29]

I wish today’s NBA was like those days. Still love the league but miss that style and competitive chemistry of ALL those guys. And of course, especially Bird. Thanks to all of them 👍

[@leggbert4209]

Hands down greatest all around player of all time! i had the privilege of watching Larry Bird at a very young age to say the least he is one of my childhood heroes

[@AntonioWhite-ef4ue]

It's just amazing to watch this and hear about it...I wasn't born in this era, but the fact of just hearing about these great games and watching it on KZbin the players of past and what they did at that time makes you say "Wow" what an amazing era for basketball (The 80s)...This was a great Boston Celtics team of the 1980s

[@Scotpatriot]

Bird at his best was the best. Perfect. Period

[@emeterioarredondo1775]

This is why I have Bird in my top 3 of all time greats with Kobe and Jordan

[@robertthomas4545]

Larry could run the floor and shoot any were on the floor like nothing.and he was a great teammate and a assist player

[@mychannel-su1bx]

Bird first thing was bigger than people thought he was. Then his shooting form was near perfect by establishing a solid base with his eyes on the target and releasing the ball with a beautiful rotation.

[@5tillmidnight]

I remember the 86 Finals. We were camping, in the middle of nowhere...yet we found away to rig an antenna and pipe that game into a little color tv that we brought... 😂 When I saw Sampson's pre-game I knew Bird and Boston Garden had already ate him alive. I'll never forget it... greatest game I ever witnessed!

[@mjathisbestandteachingskil6980]

Larry bird was a beast on the court❤💪🏽💪🏽👍💯

[@sitarnut]

Bang up job, Nick.. I watched it two times in a row - you're a Bad Mamma Jamma.... your efforts much appreciated.

[@indridcole7071]

He scores a Triple double in a finals match and they said his stats didn’t look good.😂😂😂😂 They just LeBron’d Bird! 😅🤣

[@Neyshtradamus]

Love the details on this game! Low key triple double in a championship clinching victory leading the entire game. This ‘86 team was something special! Before my time but I love looking back on it - let’s get banner 18 !!!

[@michaelnicholas7746]

If it’s before your time then it’s hearsay.

[@TL2354]

Low key?

[@jcd3869]

Wow that was truly inspirational thanks and WELL DONE!!

[@3313-c2j]

I still have that big fight on VHS between the Celtics Rockets,that season

[@zekelucente9702]

I realize that I am biased, but it’s a fact that 80’s NBA basketball was the best.

[@JavierDunk]

🏀 The Legendary Larry Bird

[@eduardoquintero8363]

Such a legendary performance..

[@gregvanmatre5068]

Thank Nick for a great vid of the best player ever played the game.

[@georgethomas2004]

A true master of the game.

[@danielwhitehall7950]

I grew up with Bird & Magic. Even back then it was a thrill. They electrified basketball. Larry was the most in ty intense competitor I've ever witnessed. Closely matched by Jordam & Kobe. However, Bird was 'unmatched' in his ability to deliver in critical, late game moments. He is the Bar.

[@Gstar5150]

Damg i played that jumpball in slomo and Larry actually does get up there with Olajuon and people always say he was "slow and unathletic". He sure could move when he wanted to i think he just preferred to save his stamina, smart.

[@jamesoncross7494]

How do you watch that and say that Larry Bird isn't athletic?!?!?!?!?!?!? HOLY IGNORANCE!!!!! That is the definition of athletic.

[@vernonhurley1300]

Spot on. That's my comment as well on these videos. At 11:07 his back it to the basket and he is double teamed. He jumped onto the air spun completely around and put up a perfect spot. There is not one "unathletic" person in the world who could do that. Athleticism is eye hand and body control correct? He perfectly performed all in one shot.

[@paulc7486]

A “crafty intelligent” player, not a “high motor, natural” athlete. 😂

[@phill8005]

Larry was an athlete. The narrative always has to be that Larry was unathletic, but he wasnt.

[@mikemontgomery7337]

He was the ultimate player. Maybe not the most athletic but the most desire to win at all costs. And devotion to Boston !! I was lucky enough to be able to see his entire career. Only 2 years younger than him.

[@RobertMewborn-tw9yc]

For those that put this together. Thanks thanks thanks.great job.

[@patriciadavis1393]

Okay I'm not a basketball fan but I am definitely a Larry Bird fan and I watch almost every clip I can of him❤❤❤❤ he just is a legend on and off the court😊😊😊😊😊

[@rafehr1378]

Yo, Banger here,Thank You, Nick

[@robertzm]

Larry Legend getting it done in his prime! Thanks for the video, it was excellent!

[@califsherry]

Seems to me that all these marvelous Bird revenge stories are actually about dominance.

[@abelhansen]

Bill loves larry. RIP bill. You are a true champion. A super star of the game. I will miss you bill😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@davidmcdonald9374]

Thank you Larry Bird For being one of the GOATS 🐐 Of All times And thank you for beating the Houston rockets that year To win the NBA finals Because the Rockies Beat my team the LA Lakers To advance to the final What a sweet revenge it was When Boston beat the rockets

[@Nbafan129]

This mf should have at least 1 million subscribers he is so underrated

[@NickSmithNBA]

Thank you!

[@danalawton2986]

I was 14 years old it was 1974, my friends father brought him me and 2 others to a skating rink in Warwick, RI. After we messed around skating at the rink we went to a close by Burger King, my order came up last and my friends had walked on ahead of me to be picked up at the skating rink parking lot. As I left Burger King a group of about 10 young kids my age surrounded me... they beat me up... not badly but enough to make me well remember the incident. Even at the time of the light beating, I was no weakling but it sat heavily on me. I thought I'd never get any sort of justice. Then when I was around 20, a friend said we could play a sand lot style of football game against a bunch of guys from the very same area I was humilliated at. I knew there was a chance that some of the guys I would be playing against, that they might be on the opposing team. I was totally all in and 100% focused on beating every single one of them... I saw their plays and was a step ahead of them. We had 13 guys for an 11 man team, they had more than 20. But we beat them... and I swear, if a scout was looking at me that day he'd have recommended me to play in the NFL. I was fierce, fearless and farsighted... OK.. so all that said, it took little me so much just to get that riled up... Larry Bird, he had that so often it is crazy.

[@Midragor]

Great video Nick, amazing story

[@NickSmithNBA]

Thanks a ton!

[@bentaylor8198]

Well researched.Thank you

[@jotiedeman9460]

❤Larry Legend ❤

[@Dottor_J]

You're great at editing all these various clips in a cohesive manner (that Clayton video is so good. His Making The Case series in general really)

[@johnusher2331]

I’m not an expert on basketball but in my mind Larry is the goat

[@mikeweesner9698]

30 years after retirement, there still ISN'T a white player as good or better than Larry Legand. My God that dude could BALL!!!

[@dsrutherford9197]

Which makes Bird the best all around ever at his peak. He owned the non white players day in, day out.

[@dohnbroadwell1858]

Bird was my favorite., but I'm not sure I fully realized his defensive talent in his prime. Great video.

[@zeppelinmexicano]

Somebody splain to me how he got the jump ball against Olajuwon. Splain the physics.

[@WiseguyThreeOne]

He wanted it more.

[@majorkade]

Lebron would be envisioning how he'd do the powder toss. Bird (and Jordan, of course) just showed up to compete and win.

[@matthewirwin6134]

Love the old TV footage

[@b.dwaynearmstrong577]

Ralph was like that in High School. His school and my school were in the same division.

[@1shinytop686]

GOAT

[@cynthiashearer5710]

I remember. Bird will always be GOAT Boston Garden is Holy Ground

[@caddylover10]

When people talk about greatness and having that "it" factor its performances like this they are talking about. Winners win...its that simple.

[@marksstudio]

That was a great video. Good job man.

[@theJohnpHarris]

Such an amazing player and person! ❤

[@jwb2814]

He would tell an opposing player what he was going to do and they still couldn’t stop him. Also Which one of you is coming in second. 😂

[@larrydellinger6679]

He's my 2nd favorite NBA player of all time! Could do it all and tell you how he was going to do it! And there was nothing you could do about it!

[@johngagliano7578]

Bird 🐦 used his brain over his athletic ability, it worked excellent.

[@ricrinehart975]

Totally awesome and from Indiana we're all of us play basketball all the time in our driveways

[@jtyler780]

An amazing athlete. One of my favorites.

[@garyspaid3444]

Any time you put up a triple double nothing else needs to be said!!

[@caesarfiorini1728]

3rd straight MVP for the Legend

[@mickeywhite7878]

And 8 straight years of finishing 1st or 2nd, only player to ever do that

[@Eddie-jz6ss]

One of the greatest!!! Larry Bird

[@AndyVillegas-fk3kg]

RIP No.5,you were a New England fan favorite

[@almatsas351]

LJB was the greatest, most versatile, most tenacious, most dangerous NBA player of his time...1979 to 1993!

[@davidherdman9798]

Great compilation.

[@NickSmithNBA]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@framjansen5443]

Omg Dood!!! So Triumphant!! Don't change a thing..unless you think you need to..but damn!!! Yeah!! Keep it up!!

[@ACEOO80]

ITS SO NICE TO SEE YOU BACK AGAIN Ô¿Ô

[@justinrobicheau4788]

Great video!

[@NickSmithNBA]

Thanks!

[@soarabove337]

Lol funny how many times the vid wanted to point out “didn’t score 30 pts…”. But did score 29 pts & had the xxxple-whatever all the same 😮😂.

[@grizbear9519]

My top 3 players of all time: 1.Jordan 2.Bird 3.Kobe They had the CLUTCH gene which many "good" basketball players lack specifically Lebron

[@warrenbaldwin6366]

Great video. Thanks