The SWEETEST Larry Bird REVENGE Story Ever Told

[@insanusmaximus2857]

No matter how clutch you might think Larry Bird was... he was even better than that.

[@nashbridges120]

Perfectly said.

[@petegreen4455]

Gospel!

[@raypratt-bw9ib]

Yes arguably the most clutch PLAYER of all time and I highlighted player because it wasn't just his shooting,he has one of the most iconic clutch plays in all of NBA playoffs history when he stole the in bounds from Thomas and then had the vision to hit a cutting DJ for the GW FG and the Celts not only stayed alive,but they won the series!!Birds D is finally gaining a bit of respect as it should cuz he was far better then people remember!?!?He wasn't a very good man defender,but was a great team defender,reaching in passing lanes,poking the ball away,this is why he was a three time all NBA 2nd team,so what he lacked in quickness,especially after maybe his 83 season,as that's when it seemed his speed got even slower,he more then made up for with his vision and ball IQ

[@acornsucks2111]

Actually, he wasn't.

[@puttervids472]

@@acornsucks2111you’re entitled to be wrong. 😅

[@dii6266]

NBA was so good then.

[@Amick44]

Cool how Isiah "congratulated" Larry after his game winner!

[@acornsucks2111]

Cool, how he also said he was over-rated because he was white.

[@Gregory-sm9pf]

​@@acornsucks2111He never said that

[@sspotter1978]

IT'S LARRY LEGEND TIME!

[@B-Ball_Prodz]

Larry is HIM☘️🔥🔥

[@joesavary6081]

That was a liver shot Benson gave to Jabbar

[@rogerwilliams5382]

I'm not sure it was all Benson, but Bobby Knight was definitely stupid for letting him get away. It probably cost him a couple more championships.

[@paullentz1972]

In Knight's defense, 1. it was tough back then to realize how great Bird was going to turn out. 2. things were different back then. College coaches (coaches in general) didnt care about a player's 'situation' (like Bird was in) back then. Coaches back then thought that what Benson was giving Bird was 'tough love'. Still, I'm sure that Bobby Knight would have loved to have been able to go back in time and made sure that he had taken care of Bird. If Bird had went to IU...Knight may have the 2nd most championships of all time (only behind John Wooden)....instead of only having 3.

[@acornsucks2111]

It wasn't Benson, this is pure BS.

[@paula-yr7pp]

@@acornsucks2111how you know ?

[@PoliticusRex632]

But everyone acts like Knight was some basketball savant for calling Jordan the greatest in 84.

[@jonathanhorton4607]

Every single pro has said Larry was the best player ever..Larry Legend

[@tarrellsmith3260]

Stop the 🧢

[@vicvaccani7015]

Lebron dreams of being clutch

[@Norm-yi9zh]

Best clutch flopper ever

[@BenEberts]

Video about bird and somehow LeBron getting hated on. LeBron is great haters.

[@kenbrown1440]

That was awesome. Thanks for rekindling the memory.

[@riff2072]

When you think about it, being on a list with Kareem and Larry is not a bad thing.

[@dewainprichard6316]

I don’t believe anyone that listens to with either of those guys, especially bird who was known for getting his revenge!

[@koasizmworld1927]

Larry is my number 2 after Jordan, always have been. love your channel.

[@rickmacdonald5575]

The way you say Larry Bird is legendary in itself lol.

[@PatsyYork-qm1um]

Never liked Bobby Knight. His ego was to big for his head.

[@cidchocobo6691]

This reminds me of how CC from the WBNA shuts down her own bullies. Best revenge is more points on the board.

[@MustangMike012]

Kent Benson was probably a jerk long before he met Larry Bird.

[@marclockett1003]

As a young person, Benson sounds like he made some poor life decisions in bowing to peer pressure and bullying. As an adult I believe he changed all this and won recognition for his citizenship. We all have things we would change from our early years.

[@chuckkirby2708]

In McHale's 56 point game, Bird continually fed McHale the ball to embarrass Benson.

[@nashbridges120]

Great memories. And a great video. Nicely done. A well-spend 12 mins and 13 secs.

[@rickteasley2237]

Isaiah Thomas was unreal.... along with Kevin Johnson were the best two under 6' players of their era

[@debbiehenson1096]

Issia, 6'1-1/2.

[@jamesbickle4912]

Kevin Johnson was also 6'1".

[@daleal7250]

Those were the greatest days of the NBA. Listening to stories from players as if they were playing in pickup games brings a different perspective from how I watched the games over 30 years ago.

[@MotleyDawg034]

LarryBird4Life

[@robertwinslow5097]

WOW.... UNBELIEVABLE

[@acornsucks2111]

You didn't even play the sucker punch by Jabbar. Give an elbow back, but don't punch a man in the face with his hands down. That is what happened a few months later with Kermit, and Kareem was standing right next to the man that got punched. Jabbar also struck Bird with an unprovoked elbow to his face.

[@Incognito2u]

I know everyone has their favorite but I think Larry is the best all around player of all time.

[@brianoneal2547]

Quite possibly the greatest player of his generation.... unfortunate his injury

[@timmyharrison9930]

You see Larry & you click. #2 all time

[@rvp1]

Yes😂

[@Weoutg]

Ehh. Top 10 tho fasho

[@debbiehenson1096]

Larry Legend did that to everybody including Jordan, Dominique, dr j.

[@tarrellsmith3260]

Jordan did Bird worse. Scored 60+ on Bird. Did Bird so bad , Bird called him “Black Jesus”

[@debbiehenson1096]

@@tarrellsmith3260 Bird won that game and swept the bulls out that series. Jordan did not win in the 80's because Larry Legend was kicking his🐎. Jordan did not start winning until all the 80's dynasties were gone. Most overrated human that ever lived.

[@tarrellsmith3260]

@@debbiehenson1096 Bird or the 5 HOFers on Boston? Idk why y’all say “Bird swept Jordan” as if those other 4 HOFers don’t have the same record vs Jordan😂 You so know Bird never won anything without McHale? Pretty sure it was Bird, McHale, Dennis Johnson, Parish and Walton not “bIrD”

[@adamg9173]

Gotta be a trip knowing that you may well have been the heavyweight champ of basketball for anyone.

[@cgraf69]

Well done presentation!

[@wolvmarine313]

Benson and Laimbeer on the same squad. Them Indiana dudes are something else.

[@arisdelis1]

Good OLE Hartford Civic Center....they played 3 games every season there....miss those days...

[@donniemoder1466]

I think leaving Indiana, especially Coach Knight was the right move.

[@kingtyomama6564]

This is perhaps the greatest mistake Knight ever made. Dumb.

[@leahmollytheblindcatnordee3586]

He had a temper and didn't do too well. Remember when he threw a chair across the court and got ejected from the game with Purdue.

[@DF-ni5sy]

First clip of Knight I've seen where he seems human and humble.

[@bigkw1568]

The Fucking Legend

[@steverenom.299]

No, that's Wilt Chamberlain. Larry is the GOAT. Lmao!!!!

[@lazysob2328]

Bird’s basketball IQ was off the charts. Guys that were average players became better just by playing with him and guys that were good players became HOFers.

[@Colbaltshimshim]

Larry Bird was an assassin. Greatness.

[@WVF112469]

I hated Larry Legend because he was so damn good, but never the man. He'd beat your team and stick a dagger in the heart with smoothness and skill like no other. I'd call him the greatest at what he does and definitely in the top 5 greatest ever.

[@BubbaheadsBuisness]

As a Hoosier I love seeing Zeke and Bird chopping it up!!!

[@gregshirley-jeffersonboule6258]

Jabbar broke his hand because he doesn't know how to throw a punch.

[@Davivd2]

He studied Jeet Kun Do under Bruce Lee. He should have known better. I also studied Jeet Kun Do. That wasn't a Jeet Kun Do punch. If he threw a Jeet Kun Do punch, he wouldn't have broken his hand.

[@johnmartin7165]

​@Davivd2 he would have also gotten more then a fine and a suspension. Kareem knew he had to let up on the strike

[@Autonomia_para_Puerto_Rico]

​@@Davivd2 Bruce Lee never fought in his life, he was just a movie actor. Saying you learned Bullshido from Bruce Lee is the same as saying you learned boxing from Silvester Stallone.

[@chrisschaeffer9661]

He's a Black Belt so......

[@chrisschaeffer9661]

​@@Autonomia_para_Puerto_Rico. Did you do Your Research at Trump University?

[@rickmacdonald5575]

I’m all for Kent Benson being in the face by Kareem lol same with Bill Laimbeer being punched in the face by Robert Parish.

[@johnnysnowbird826]

Na. That elbow was week. Sucker punch was not warranted unless you're chicken sht. I agree with Bill Lambeer getting clocked he was a dirty fkr

[@jamesmccaughey7754]

Outstanding

[@MurphyCIOBroadcast]

Amazing video and story! Nice work

[@cindyknudson2715]

😄 Good ending. I think..... Bird going to ISU, just as it happened, was what was meant to be. All part of ☘️ Larry Legend. I wonder if Benson remembered Bird from IU?

[@MultiEviscerator]

It was a total sucker punch, and a cowardly thing to do, even if the guy was a jerk. Jabbar should have been suspended for the rest of the season to show that behavior will not be tolerated in a game.

[@markdaniel8740]

Only weak people become bullies. Being a bully got Benson into the nba, but he ran across people with skills.

[@twinwankel]

Great video. I had no idea that it was Kent Benson who made Bird leave IU. I always heard that he was home sick and that the campus was too big. I also heard that Knight walked right by him without acknowledging he was there. Why the hell didn't Knight control Benson? He turned a blind eye on his bullying. I think maybe Knight condoned his bullying. Good for Bird he didn't gave Knight four more rings to this A-hole.

[@gailshepard-cook6350]

It Wasn't Because Of Benson, Bird Has Said Over & Over It Was Mainly Because He Didn't Have The Funds/Money To Stay There. Bird Doesn't Lie About His Life If It Were REALLY All Benson He Would Have Said So In All Those Interviews. Now I Believe Bird Probably Thought Benson Was Just A Plus With His Reason To Leave. Remember College Players Weren't Getting Helping Out Funds Back Then & Especially Freshmen.

[@Amick44]

I have read all of that too. I don't think it was any single thing, but I believe they all added up.

[@gailshepard-cook3257]

@@Amick44 Like I Said Benson Wasn’t Close To The Main Reason. There’s an interview out here on YT somewhere. Where the main College He ended up going to; That Those Players Weren’t All Nice To Him Either. He Couldn’t Play His First Year There Either. But He Would Still Get To Practice With Them. Well The Starters Were Complaining To The Coach About Him. The Coach Said To Larry; Larry I Need To Take It A Little Easy On Them Because I Need Them To Believe That They Can Win. And When You Come Out Here in Practice Your Making Them Look Bad. Larry Said To His Coach, Why Can’t They Take their Butt Wooping Like A Man. You Would Think That Would Want Themselves To Work Harder Then To Get Better. The Coach Thought, Well Your Right About That. And Larry Said It Was Hard There The First Few Years Because The Were Kinda Jealous Of Him. And Then When The Sports Media Stated Wanting Interviews With Him That Even Made It Worse At Times. He didn’t like doing interviews in the first place. So He would dodge them and get other players to take the interview’s. But then the Media Ass’s would turn it into Asking Them about Larry. So That Made His Teammates Recent Him Again. Just Saying Larry Is Not The Type To Let Someone Like Benson Be The Main Reason To Leave A School.

[@johnnysnowbird826]

​@@gailshepard-cook3257haters gonna hate

[@projoebiochem]

I was an IU fan and a huge fan of those ‘75 & ‘76 IU teams, and I can say unequivocally that Benson definitely got what he deserved from Kareem and from Larry.

[@MultiEviscerator]

Thumbs down for a stupid comment, as no player deserves to be sucker punched in a basketball game. Jabbar was giving as good as he was getting with elbows of big men in the paint. That doesn't give him the right to throw a sucker punch to the face.

[@projoebiochem]

@@MultiEviscerator It wasn’t a sucker punch. If you watch the video, Kareem comes around to at least the front side before hitting Benson. He didn’t hit him from behind. That’s the best video of the shot that I’ve ever seen.

[@MultiEviscerator]

@@projoebiochem This coming from a guy who said "Benson definitely got what he deserved from Kareem". A sucker punch does not have to totally come from behind, rather it means a punch delivered that is unexpected. Many a sucker punch can come from the side or even in the front if the person on the receiving end, who is not expecting it. There is no way any NBA player would expect another player to hall off and hit them in the face in the middle of the game. Heck Benson claimed he had received an elbow from Jabbar earlier, and presumably he was returning the favor with the elbow he gave. That said, and even if Benson was a jerk (which it sounded like he might be via the Bird issue at IU), what Jabbar did was cowardly and unacceptable during a game. If he wanted a piece of Benson, it should be done after the game, with both of them going at it man to man.

[@projoebiochem]

@@MultiEviscerator This was before the Kermit Washington/Rudy Tomjanovich incident which occurred later that same season. It was common for players to take care of disputes on the spot, so Benson should have been ready. When I was a kid going to ABA Pacers games, there was a fight about half the time. I had a coach that told us, “If a fight starts, go ahead and get your punches in. Someone will break it up before anyone can get hurt.” It wasn’t uncommon for a fight to result in no fouls and no technicals. The attitude was very much - let the boys handle it.

[@MultiEviscerator]

@@projoebiochem For starters, I am 6'7" 240 and played basketball in HS & a short time in college, so I know the sport from the inside, as well as a fan. I also pitched baseball in HS and only mention that because I also fully understand the concept of "getting your punches in", and/or expecting retaliation. To cover baseball first, if a hitter shows up the defense, or they are stealing signs, or some other violation of the rules, many a pitcher such as myself was sent out under orders the next inning to plunk the first batter (or sometimes wait for the individual offender). However, just as I was taught as a kid (and how I taught my kids), you can go for the legs, waist or maybe even the ribs, but you do not headhunt. The reason is simple, you could paralyze or kill the hitter if you strike him in the face/head. The same is true of a batter who decides to charge the mound after getting hit, you drop the bat before you head toward the pitcher. In basketball, you get in your forearms to the back, elbows to the gut/ribs, etc., but you do not haul off and punch a player in the face, especially blindsided. Benson got in his retaliatory elbow, then continued to play defense, but he didn't coldcock Jabbar for having elbowed him earlier. Sometimes a punch to the head can kill another person, even if it is because the unconscious persons head hits the ground. So if guys want to square up and fight, as Thin Lizzy says in their biggest hit "if the boys want to fight, you better let them. But that is much different being a coward and throwing a sucker punch when the other guy isn't looking!

[@jerrythor6102]

Good times, LA and Boston was dominating and the Pistons were on the rise to become the Bad Boys. Best time in basketball 🏀🏀🏀

[@NicholasWaldrop-x3g]

i didn't get to see the end of that punch but all the Doritos just crumble in my bag

[@path6641]

The only reason Bird let Mchale have the ball the much was because Benson was guarding him. I know it, you know it, and Benson knows it. 😝

[@POLITICALYCORRECTify]

Different story, this was Benson vs Bird. Bird humiliating Benson nailing every shot. But yeah that game was gold. He was spoonfed by Bird, but Mchale is far too skilled for Benson, simple.

[@timothy4664]

McHale tortured Benson too because he knew Bird hated him and wanted to make sure Bird knew McHale had his back. You can hear him talking about it on a McHale compilation video.

[@SirDistic]

The 80's era Celtics really had each others backs. It was glorious to watch.

[@gailshepard-cook6350]

Yea, And Bird HELPED McHale Break His Own Record That Was 53. Then Like 9-Days Later He Took It Back From McHale's 56 Record & Larry Got 60. Record Took Many Years For A Celtic To Just Tie.

[@terryfont9468]

That’s a great American story. Loved the way Larry carried himself.

[@alexblair337]

Cost IU at least one national championship if not two.

[@frankalbergo8120]

LOL, excellent, thanks Man.

[@joeshmoe3949]

Best channel on KZbin

[@andrewmeyers1853]

Great video. I actually went to that game. Was rooting for Detroit and I didn’t fully appreciate Bird’s greatness.

[@genecrosby3776]

When basketball was basketball and not dunkdaball!

[@fs2576]

Definitely a sucker punch

[@BluegrassJay]

I can't believe Joe B. Hall quit recruiting him.... OMG.

[@jdm839]

Shat after shat lol

[@toddfrank3344]

It wasn't Benson's bullying that prompted Larry to leave IU (it didn't help, but it wasn't the primary reason).

[@projoebiochem]

That is true, but if Benson had been a leader instead of an a$$ he could have kept Larry from leaving.

[@tobygreen4257]

Kersey played great defense on that game winner. He didn’t go for the fake

[@stretchstretch9112]

Love kareems move lol awesome.

[@debbiehenson1096]

Dirty racist punk.

[@johnnysnowbird826]

Chicken sht

[@Noname-ni1dy]

That was a cowards move by Kareem. Challenge him face to face.

[@mikewhite6288]

It was a bs coward cheap shot elbow on Kareem too. Benson got what he deserved.

[@edgillis5699]

Typical Muslim!!

[@stretchstretch9112]

Kareem did what everyone else would do. Awesome

[@r0ckstar666]

No rules in fighting. Protect yourself at all times

[@gregjones5022]

Kareem kept his temper most of the time, but he took a lot of shots. Harder game then.

[@michaeldavis6607]

A Bird Knight team might haven beaten Magic which would have changed the whole dynamic

[@r-trippin5078]

Great video

[@wongjoman1227]

Shoot... Drive... Pass.... Rebound.... 😢

[@nassiglutt6587]

Took a powerful around the world right😭👊

[@fethryduck]

Never fight with a Guy who fought Bruce Lee. Bad Idea.😂😂

[@Truth_Make_You_Free]

Great vid

[@davidmann4802]

Cream is an Arab and he probably has improvised exploding devices in his basement

[@davidf8692]

Benson= Roberto Duran - no mas

[@stanleyallen6359]

Larry and his cronies

[@steverenom.299]

Just got back from a trip to southern Indiana and stopped for a night in French Lick. Saw Larry's boyhood home which has a basketball hoop in the driveway. Sure the kid who lives there now takes all his shots as Larry Bird. Also saw the basketball court where the Larry/Magic commercial was filmed. It was at Larry's larger home that he bought when the paychecks started coming in. It's now a resort. French Lick is a great place. I recommend 33 Brick as the place to eat. The street is "brick", not Larry's shots. Lol.

[@davidlauderdale903]

BIRD AND JORDAN TOP2 OF ALL TIME!!!

[@georgeboduch390]

I was so disappointed when the bucks drafted bensen.what the heck!!!

[@rickkuhn6577]

Bird is goat

[@p38cobra]

Especially You

[@tgfabthunderbird1]

Benson was an overrated lug. Kareem smartened him up quick.

[@steveklingerjr.7200]

Yyyyeeeeeessss

[@jhamgp59]

BENSON WAS NEVER THE SAME PLAYER AFTER KAREEM DECKED HIM

[@pdx816]

Benson was a bust.

[@johnnysnowbird826]

Decked,? Hardly

[@yeldesi9449]

video says otherwise - must have learnt that tactic from chair tossing head coach

[@gailshepard-cook6350]

I Love Your Stuff BUT You Know As Most Us Know K Benson Was The Main Reason Bird Left. He Left Because He Didn't Have Enough Money To Stay At The School. College Players Didn't Get "Money & Other Little Gifts" Like They Do Now & Especially Freshmen Players. If Bird Had The Funds To Be There, Benson Would End Up Having Problems From Bird. Cause We All Know Bird Didn't Let Any Player Make Him Retreat. But Other Then That Great Video.

[@quiqueley6045]

Hmmm jabbar and Kermit Washington

[@billybillerson2555]

Maybe don't try it with the dude who trained with Bruce Lee? 🤷‍♂️

[@chrisb3738]

Kareem was always a cry baby.

[@bobturnley2787]

Benson did have a disappointing career after being the first pick in the 1977 draft. But he had more highlights than just getting punched by Kareem. He had career highs of 28 pts, 22 rebounds and 5 blocks with a 27 pt, 16 rebound game against the Nets in 1979. Career totals of over 6000 pts, almost 4000 rebounds and almost 600 blocks in 11 seasons.

[@Amick44]

He was a decent backup type. but when you're the number one overall pick, people expect more.

[@bobturnley2787]

@@Amick44 He showed a lot of potential in college but you can't blame him for Milwaukee picking him first when they could have had Jack Sikma.

[@Amick44]

​@@bobturnley2787yeah I just checked. I see they did come in the same year. But Sikma went to a relatively small school at IL Wesleyan and didn't get near the national exposure Benson got.

[@terryfont9468]

@@bobturnley2787 If Benson wasn’t 6’11” we wouldn’t be talking about him. Just a tall, slow white boy who fit into Knights system, average stats for a big center (11 years) no all star games.

[@bobturnley2787]

@@terryfont9468 So you're saying guys can play in the NBA because they're tall? And if Kareem wasn't 7'2 he never would have tried shooting hook shots. And if Jokic, Magic, Bird and Jordan were all 3 inches shorter none of them would have won MVP. Lots of 7 footers never play a game in the NBA. Besides size, skill and speed, it also takes effort, intelligence and attitude.

[@PoliticusRex632]

Benson was a spoiled punk.

[@chrisschaeffer9661]

Most of the Greats Hated mutual Players. Bird, Jordan and Magic Hated Laimbeer.

[@paullentz1972]

Kent Benson literally changed basketball history...on so many levels. IU would have had a dynasty from 1975 through at least Isiah Thomas' last year in 1981...IF Benson wasnt such a douchebag. Larry Bird on those late 70's IU teams....imagine. If Bird had played all 4 years at IU...no way does he last to the 6th pick in the 1978 Draft...where Boston drafted him. Bird would have no doubt went #1....changing the history of The NBA when it came to The Celtics-Lakers rivalry. Also, Michigan State-Indiana St 1979 Championship game doesnt happen (Bird would have been a senior in 1978 IF he had stayed at IU.....but because he sat out a year after dropping out of IU...his 4 year college career was delayed by 1 year before he enrolled at Indiana State). Bird was drafted in 1978 (even though he ended up coming back to ISU for his senior year, Bird was draft eligible because it had been 4 years since he graduated high school....allowing Boston to draft Bird as a junior. The rule back then allowed a team to keep the rights to a player in college right up to the following year's draft. The NBA changed that rule the following season)....he'd have been a senior at IU....meaning that his showdown with Magic in 1979 never happens. While things ended up happening magically historically when it came to Bird-Magic....it still doesnt alleviate Benson from being a total DOUCHE.

[@darrelqify]

I don’t buy the “bullied Larry” bs!

[@ricrinehart975]

Bird was the best except for Michael Jordan😊

[@iamlegend3669]

Benson is a nobody

[@daimionhollins528]

I miss the old NBA 😒 These kids in the NBA today are overly paid and just shoot a ball 🏀 with a lack of defense. It's more like 80% offense and 20% defense. To me it's terrible 😭

[@gregbayne6229]

And who punched him! I will leave it at that take it how you want it?

[@mJlReplicanT001]

2:40 I’ve never seen this footage before! LB wanted blood 🩸 this night by the looks ha! 🏀🥰

[@brucedavis3816]

They dont show the whole clip!!! Kareem hit Benson first and then Benson forearmed him in the stomach!!!

[@bradsanders407]

The majority of these shots are nothing but net.

[@Hespeakstruth]

As a Milwaukee Bucks fan we had Benson here. Don't think Bird show up a good player we were relieved when Don Nelson sent him to Detroit for Bob Lanier. It was a big time improvement from Benson's terrible play. No matter where you go whatever sport the whatever level older players give the younger players the business it's just business.

[@johnnysnowbird826]

Bob was a thug.

[@andrewlynch618]

I grew up In Boston watching bird as a kid and loved him. That being said, it sounds like benson was Larry before Larry.

[@MaxSand-i4n]

Benson was an assh......