The Arrival of Larry Bird

[@S.JerseyJim]

I remember Bird telling the story of watching his Dad, who had really hurt his ankle, forcing his work boot on in pain just to go to work. That taught him how important your job was when people depend on you. 🙏

[@twinwankel]

And yet his father killed himself without ever seeing his boy achieve greatness. I'm sure the tragedy had an impact in how Bird approached the NBA. He was on a mission and it didn't end until he retired.

[@steve4158]

Great point!! If you look on KZbin, Larry received some terrible injuries while playing. I forget who it was that gave Bird a vicious elbow to the face, breaking his orbital bones that surround and protect your eye. He kept playing. He said the next couple of games, he had double vision, but he still scored well.

[@newerafrican]

@@steve4158 I know Adrian Dantley cracked Bird hard in the face (maybe in an All-Star game?) but I'm not sure that's the cheap shot you're talking about. Larry could handle himself and was one tough dude.

[@123Goldhunter11]

Let's also remember Dennis Johnson who led our Seattle Sonics to a Championship in 1979 before working with the Bird Man. DJ died at 52. Way to young. A class act. RIP DJ

[@denniskelley8974]

5 seconds left, playoff game. Johnny Most: "Now there's a steal by Bird! Underneath to DJ... lays it in!!"

[@alph8654]

In an interview Bird said that Dennis Johnson was hte smartest player he ever played with !!!

[@larryjohnson8687]

I loved the way DJ played the game, great defender clutch shooter, great passer and very intelligent. Bird always loved what DJ brought to the game. He was a fantastic team player.

[@f.lloydwrong7127]

Loved that dj sonic team, 78 was my senior year .. gus, sikma, dj, jj.. so close that year then beat the bullets in 79.. yes that's right, the washington bullets..

[@fraerot]

He was a great player

[@Hippybone3232]

When I was a young'n my boss was the biggest Bird fan. He went to see the Celtics play in Philly and he got there early so he could watch them warm up. While warming up Larry Bird hit 18 three pointers in a row. I had to hear this story over and over for years. Bird is the GOAT without any doubt.

[@appliancedude63]

Birdman really doesn't get the respect he deserves in history. This dude was a beast.

[@stephenmartin3144]

Bird is the player I most wished played for our local team, the Lakers. Instead he became the most admired opponent. Smartest player ever.

[@rizzo5518]

Was poor from Frenchlick Indiana! Came from nothing! Became a great player in the NBA! A very typical but great story for a basketball player! Declined being drafted into the NBA to finish his 4th year in college and get a degree the old fashioned way! He earned it! His decision! Priceless! And that decision alone sets him apart from many many many other players that have played the game, especially today! College basketball beget NBA basketball and education used to have more value! Money and greed have destroyed both institutions!

[@felixmadison5736]

I was 30 years of age and a lifetime Celtics fan when Larry Bird was drafted by the Celtics. I have to say that I thank God for allowing me to follow Larry's entire career. To say Larry Bird was 'special' is like saying the sun is hot. DUH!! Jordan was great, and so were Chamberlain, Russell, Robertson, and many others, but someone like Bird comes along once in a lifetime.

[@jerryblair4106]

Larry Bird one the great thinkers in the game.

[@leo50519]

I was a Pistons fan, hated Bird...now nothing but awe and respect. What a dude!

[@jasonfairbairn5376]

That's going to be how a lot of people feel about Tom Brady

[@french0103]

Arguably the Greatest All-Around basketball player in NBA history.

[@ssssammyg5910]

Jokic better tbh

[@cindyknudson2715]

No argument. He IS!

[@angusdog22]

Growing up in LA I was a Lakers fanatic . Magic was my childhood hero . Larry was the ultimate villain , I hated the Celtics . All these years later I got nothing but love for Larry and that Celtics team . Those battles between Lakers and Celtics, even just the twice a year regular season games were like watching the finals . Must see TV .

[@cesargalvan4868]

Same goes for me but it was magic and the Lakers I hated back then but now only have admiration !! The regular season games were amazing guts, speed, skill ,atleticism,,cunning ,,swag,,competition!! I find myself watching alot of those games now ,probably because I know I will never see that type of basketball again!!

[@patrickmcglynn5383]

Don't forget all those Boston Philly games. Those were epic too.

[@Quay-kk4es]

That Era was a rare, Magic Bird.

[@Weamz]

Gotta love Red. "We got Larry. One or two little moves and we're ready to go."

[@guitarslinger32269]

What he lacked in speed and athleticism, he made up for in skill, heart, and an off the charts basketball IQ. He's the reason I fell in love with the game.

[@CaptWuppazz]

Michael K. Stevens same here bro. I only wanted to be Larry Bird. I saw how hard he worked and how tough he was along with his IQ. Never be another like him

[@irishgrl]

He didn’t lack speed OR athleticism! His early years prove it!

[@Mrd9960]

@@irishgrl Yeah definitely, I'd say from about 79 - 85 he moved as good as anyone in the league and was very quick, around 86-87 his back problems caught up with him.

[@deancafe4739]

Birds' lack of speed and athleticism, is gods way of making it fair.

[@conceptualclarity]

@@irishgrl I remember in 1979 seeing Bird playing for Indiana St. on TV. My jaw dropped. I had never seen anything like it: a 6-9 center who averages 15 rebounds a game bringing the ball up the court like a point guard and dribbling behind his back like Pete Maravich!

[@Bballandnba12345]

Like Magic said THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER LARRY BIRD EVER!

[@dwightlove3704]

There were plenty of players compared with Bird.Ever heard of Dirk Nowitski?????

[@lgbfjbmaga3930]

Bird is my 🐐

[@tommiller5809]

LARRY BIRD WON THE 3 PT SHOOTOUT 3 STRAIGHT TIMES. FOR BEING 6FT.9 IN THAT IS AN AMAZING FEAT. HE WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST THAT CAN DO IT ALL, JUST HIS BASKETBALL IQ WAS INCREDIBLE !😊😊😊😊😊🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👍👍

[@stephenkatz6733]

Larry Bird was a unique talent......never anything before nor will there be anybody after who compares......simply the greatest...

[@paulobtuble]

One of a kind. I miss those days when they played the game with there heart and soul.

[@donjohnson7194]

By far Larry bird is the best ALL AROUND basketball player ever, surrounded by MC cail ,parish,etc.dynasty ,I watched in amazement as this team played.cant forget RED who put this all together.im a Celtics fan forever win or lose..

[@2345allthebest]

As a die hard Laker fan during Showtime, I can honestly say those years would not have been nearly as good without Larry Bird around... He was the best player I ever hated

[@uncletony6210]

One Worthy to Scott pass away from beating BOS THREE straight finals.

[@ebenclukey7293]

As a Massachusetts guy I remember the rivalry well. We loved to hate Magic. We knew we were witnessing something special.

[@pogipogi6978]

Awesome quote hahaha, " best player i ever hated."

[@GallowsPole805]

He broke my Dad’s heart taking down his beloved Lakers.... but my Dad still cries every time I resend him that play against the Pistons with Johnny Most on the call: “ Noooowwww there’s a steal by Bird...”

[@matthewvalentinas]

Man as a Celtics fan as much as we hated the Lakers then I love those guys now. I remember being in high school when Magic got sick and how sad it was. My cousin used to work for celtics and now Atlanta and one of the best thrills of my life as a 14 year old kid was walking out of the back steps after a game at old garden with just me and Larry. His retirement was a sad day.

[@davidrooks3274]

Laker fan my whole life, Bird was the player you loved to hate, but there wasn't anyone like him, top 5 player all time

[@jamesdunn2214]

He is in competition for the GOAT.

[@irishgrl]

He’s MY #1. Larry Legend is my true goat 🐐

[@abhraneelghosh3646]

the most charismatic player of all time.I always render between MJ,Bird,Magic in top 3 GOATS. I don't want to reach a conclusion.They 3 are GOATS.

[@MikeTheD]

Yeah MJ, I just gotta give him the goat because of his champion’s drive to win, but to watch how slow Bird was and to do what he did...he had the best basketball instinct bar none, he saw the game totally different and always made the big play. Kids don’t understand, it really was more weird than anything. Like surreal. He always delivered in ways no one has seen since. Hurts to put him 2 knowing that. But he’s my solid 2 no question.

[@Mike-ji8ez]

Larry left it all out on the court in every game. A true Boston Celtic!

[@waltonfrederick3118]

Bird was one of the greatest basketball players ever!!

[@salvatoreperez5113]

You mean the Greatest

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

One of the best players ever But C'mon Jordan's the goat 🐐

[@justafanintexas7913]

@@salvatoreperez5113 - Bird called Jordan the greatest, and he'd know, dontcha think?

[@salvatoreperez5113]

@@justafanintexas7913 Bird called Jordan the best, Magic called Bird the best, Jordan called Bird the Best It was like Comparing Pepsi or Coke

[@justafanintexas7913]

@@salvatoreperez5113 - Jordan never hailed anybody lest he offend someone and that's in his bio.

[@denniskelley8974]

That comment at the end is so right on... about Larry WANTING other teams to focus on how they were gonna try to stop him. Because he didn't really care how well HE did, as long as the team did well. So he'd gladly take everything the other team could throw at him, and would let his teammates get the limelight for the night. This was equally as true when he was at ISU. I lived in Terre Haute at the time, we got to know Larry long before the rest of the world had even heard of him. Saw just about every home game for his three years, along with several road games. I can honestly say that from the very first time we saw him in '76, it was obvious he wasn't normal. And after only about half a dozen games that first year, I was already thinking this dude is every bit as good as most of the best NBA players. Of course by the end of his college career, the whole world finally knew about the guy... but I'm still thankful we got to have the experience from the very start. Anyway, back to my point about how unselfish and team-oriented Larry was: During his first two years at ISU, he was of course the dominant force on the team, nearly always the top scorer, rebounder, even assists. And every game he had scored in double figures. But one game in his senior year, one of the teams in the conference decided they were going to prove that Larry COULD be stopped. So they literally TRIPLE-teamed him for most of the game... not double, but triple. They assumed this would frustrate Larry, get him to force shots, turn the ball over, etc. Well, it didn't turn out that way. While they DID hold him to single-digits for the only time in his career... Larry also had the most assists he had ever had. Yep, he knew that if they were gonna focus entirely on him, his teammates would be wide open most of the time. And he really couldn't have cared less that they stopped him from scoring much in that game, he actually seemed to enjoy something different for a change... and we won the game in a blowout.

[@judithwoodworth1801]

He was GREAT !❤

[@sovereignrightbeautiful1960]

I saw Larry in college and was hooked. I patterned my game after his and learned to play with both hands. The 1980s were a blast watching the Celtics

[@conceptualclarity]

"The 1980s were a blast watching the Celtics" You said it so well. The only thing that could have made it better would have been having as much access to televised NBA as we have these days. Most Celtics games I had to content myself with the box score.

[@judithwoodworth1801]

Yup never watched basketball after Larry and Magic left!❤❤

[@professorl.hilton.]

Larry Bird was 3 moves ahead of everyone on the court! Genius

[@ChosenOne-jk6go]

Red Auerbach was a basketball genius and visionary… the teams he put together were second to none.. Larry Bird made average players great.. he could shoot, pass, hit the game winning shot.. he had ice water in his veins.. He could defend and take a great player right out of his game.. those were the days and I remember them well.. you will never see this kind of basket ball ever again!!

[@tomroach6275]

In 1974 Larry Bird was my P.E assistant when I was in the 8th grade and he was a senior at Springs Valley High School. At the beginning of each P.E. class we always ran 10 warmup laps around the gym. One day, a trampoline was set up on the basketball court and there was Larry Bird bouncing on it. As the whistle blew and we reluctantly lined up to run our laps, our teacher (who was also Larry's basketball coach) blew his whistle, and said "Larry is going to take 10 shots while jumping on the trampoline. If Larry makes any shots, each one made will delete a lap that you must run." Coach threw the ball to Larry and right there in front of me and the entire boys Jr. High P.E. class, Larry proceeded to hit 7 out of 10 shots while bouncing up and down on the trampoline, 30 feet away from the goal. Larry set an incredible example for me as a young boy in French Lick, Indiana that helped me through my entire adult career. If you are willing to work very hard and never give up, your dreams can and will come true. Thank you Larry.

[@guittadabe5214]

Thank you for that memory. Larry's brain is amazing!

[@dickiesdocos]

Amazing story, its something you'd never forget.

[@johnsmith-zx5er]

Cool story bro

[@danielsmith6628]

I delivered the Courier Journal to his mom's house, miss French Lick...

[@kennethbrady]

Great story! Thanks!!

[@sonjanewstrom6228]

The NBA today is so much different now with all the outside shooting. Thank goodness we can go back in time and still watch Larry Legend play along with the rest of the team.

[@tommiller5809]

LARRY BIRD WAS AN AWESOME PLAYER TO WATCH PLAY THE GAME IN AN UNCANNY DISPLAY OF UNBELIEVEABLE PLAYS. FOR BEING 6FT. 9 IN. HE COULD SHOOT 3'S FROM ALL OVER THE COURT. HIS EYES WERE IN BACK OF HIS HEAD. SOME OF HIS ASSISTS YOU HAD TO SEE TO BELIEVE. PASSING, DEFENSE, FOUL SHOOTING! HE DID IT ALL AND BACKED HIS TRASH TALKING TO THE HILT. AN AMAZING PLAYER TO SAY HOW DID HE DO THAT?♥️🙏🙏👍👌🙌

[@djquinn11]

Bird was simply the greatest competitor I ever saw.

[@loydkline]

Kobe Bryant: machiel Jordan;; bill Russell

[@monolithgeometry3221]

@@loydkline You gonna get on here and talk trash. You look like a trash talker but you also don't look too bright, and the trash you're talking is backing up that theory

[@jackbatts1074]

I loved Larry,,l watch a interview with larry,,the reporter asked him why he plays when he's not 100 percent,,,he said,well it's my job and l love it,l owe it to my teammates and celtics to play if at all possible,,and most importantly for the fans,,some family saves all year to come and see me play,,l can't disappoint them,,,Larry legend

[@fbdanking7306]

I saw Larry Bird when he came to play against Valparaiso University his senior year, 1979. I didn't follow basketball very much at all but back in 1979 everyone knew already how good he was. VU did not have a very good team back then, so Larry Bird scored something like 35 points and he looked liked he probably didn't even break a sweat. And I could tell back then how he was a team player and he got the whole team involved and he brought out the best in them.

[@LT1HILLINGHOE]

Bird was and still is the best player of all time.

[@brianboyle4589]

Wouldn't go that far, but he was an animal.

[@lloydkline3265]

Might the greatest shooter, passer, poor defender

[@brianboyle4589]

@@lloydkline3265 He couldn't guard Ron kolvic

[@lloydkline3265]

@@brianboyle4589 someone once ask the legendary Red Auerbach why some college basketball star do not make in the nba, he said defense, Larry bird was a master shooter, passer , he had Robert Parrish, Kevin McHale , etc etc could play center for a game like Ervin Johnson in the 1980 championship game 7, no, red Auerbach said about Kevin McHale he a legendary great power forward master low post player, but he not a center

[@cindyknudson2715]

@lloydkline3265 Bird led the league 4 times in Defensive Win Shares. In the Top Ten each of his first 9 seasons. 2nd twice.

[@raymondmccomas3710]

Loved to watch Larry and the Celtics !! Ain't been the same since he retired !!

[@chosenwon5618]

Red Auerbach was a basketball genius!!! Larry Bird was a basketball wizard! When you put a genius and wizard together it makes it unstoppable!!!

[@Killatwos29]

Moving from Odessa Texas to Fresno CA in 85 I was in 5th grade and the Celtics and Lakers were in the finals watched one game and I have been a Celtics fan ever since because of Larry "legend" Bird

[@robertswift6101]

one of the greatest basketball players of all time with desire to win at all costs including sacrificing his body.....words alone cannot do justice,,,,the ultimate competitor

[@dustinfowler7868]

If Larry said he could do something, he could,and would do it. Amazing guy.

[@donjohnson7194]

Bird the best player ever, I enjoyed watching him play 4 Boston back in the 80s. Always found a way to win.celtics best franchise ever..

[@byronjones9299]

No great leaping ability , not the fastest Player in the court , but yet He , with his Magnificent , Dominant , Skill set , would leave you Speechless , because it would all work to His advantage.....

[@GeorgeVreelandHill]

I lived in New England during the Larry Bird years in Boston. He brought the Celtics back, changed basketball and sports culture. It was an amazing time.

[@wanderingwade8877]

He (and Magic) brought the NBA back from the brink.

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

George Vreeland Hill And don't forget the Big 33 at McDonald's. They were delicious and you were proud to eat a burger endorsed by Larry Legend!

[@billmelton5528]

@@wanderingwade8877 YES sir.

[@MyMy-zi7yv]

Skepticism of Red's feel or genius for the game by anyone was without doubt questioned after drafting Bird in the first round but unable to actually get him until the following year. But after Bird's play in his rookie season, I'll bet that elevated his genius ten-fold!

[@cindyknudson2715]

Or seeing him perform his senior year at ISU

[@oxman5803]

Imagine being the guy who drafted Larry bird 🤦🏽‍♂️🙏🏽 Godly

[@Wave33221]

Any other person you put on larry Birds shoes when he came to the NBA would crumble because of the amount of pressure on his shoulder, yet Larry carried it with his big heart and sacrifice his body with those unnecessary dives for loose ball and he touched and ignited the people's passion for basketball.

[@jamesroof6150]

Moved to Boston during Birds rookie year. He made me tune in to Celtics games just to see what he might do that night

[@heleneschenbacher8512]

Wow--ML Carr! My buddy! I lived in Salt Lake City and had tickets to the 1979 NCAA Final Four. Michigan State with Magic and Special K, Greg Kelser, DePaul w Mark Aguire, Penn--Penn? An Ivy League school--their students chanted when they were getting killed: “That’s all right, That’s Ok, You’re all gonna work for us someday!” Good Ole Wharton. And Larry w the Indiana State Sycamores. There were NO score books to be found--probably stolen to sell later. Larry vs Bird in final on Monday night! Next year, Jazz moved to SLC, so we got to watch the Celtics--only one time at home as they were in Eastern Conference. In 1984, I and others were hangin’ with the Celtics---Kevin McHale, ML Carr, Dennis Johnson with his freckles and red hair---had a woman in every city. I saw Larry at the entrance of the bar...I PLEADED with McHale to introduce me! I was Bird’s biggest fan. His teammates said You do NOT want to meet him...seriously! So McHale walked me back to Bird, and while Kevin was introducing me as “Larry this is Helen your biggest fan!” Bird interrupted NEVER acknowledged I was even there and said “Kevin we going for pizza or what?” And walked out. I looked back at the table and they were all laughing. NEVER MEET YOUR HEROES! Humans have lousy vision. Our peripheral vision is weak as well as our central vision. Bird had vison like a horse. Basically 360 degree vision--he could see the entire floor and every player. The best...next to Pistol Pete Maravich!

[@ralphobrien1615]

Larry Bird was the Tom Brady of his time. A great example of someone that didn't look like an elite class athlete but in reality was an exceptional athlete that used what gifts he had to the maximum. Precision and high IQ at their respective sport made them great. While Tom Brady was able to disassemble a defense instantly as the play happened is the same as how Larry Bird was able to instantly interpret the situation on the court. And with the ability to perform under stress.

[@dobermanpac1064]

One of the top ten all time "complete players"...He did it all.

[@jackbenson8228]

the GOAT. passing, boards, assists, scoring, court awareness and game IQ no one today can touch bird

[@MrLion64]

that's right or since he stopped playing for an all around player, he was the best and still is.

[@therealbs2000]

All this is true yet only a fraction of what made bird an all time legend, not just a superstar. Just to name a few things that were not mentioned: - ability to control the flow and pace of the game. this is not just basketball iq...many players can recognize when to slow down and when to speed up. you also have to have the authority and trust from your teammates to do so. - leadership. The celtics had many hall of famers and strong personalities on the team...mchale, walton, tiny, dennis johnson, parish, et al. No one ever questioned who was the captain of the ship. - toughness. Bird was by every account a tough SOB. He had every basketball skill but he reveled when he could break you physically and especially mentally. one massive part of his appeal was he never, ever complained--he just overcame every obstacle he faced (whether skepticism about his abilities, "reverse" racism, injuries, physical limitations)...he had that throwback attitude that is incredibly rare today. he was a legendary trash talker who loved nothing better than beating you before you ever stepped on the court. - timing. he was neo from the matrix before people knew what the matrix was...he operated on a level that made all of his so-called limitations irrelevant. - swagger. bravado, confidence, whatever you call it...all bird's teammates say the same thing: when you were on bird's team you knew bird would do SOMETHING to win the game...shooting just being one of those things. Bird hijacking a lost game from the pistons by stealing the inbounds pass? Wait, i thought bird couldn't play defense. Exactly. Somehow, a guy who can't play d makes the perfect defensive play at the biggest moment when all was lost. So...despite this wall of text, this is only a partial list of what made bird a pantheon player. A lot of players have high bball iq and shooting ability and passing touch and all that...they put up numbers. Bird not only put up numbers, he had a whole host of attributes that numbers still don't capture. In many ways, bird is far better than even his numbers indicate.

[@mikeycapp1]

@@therealbs2000 If anyone ever thinks of writing a biography on themselves, they need you to write it, what incredible writing skills you have. Your synopsis was on point and beautifully communicated.

[@kennethberg3652]

jack benson => Larry Legend GOAT Bird... Imagine Jordan, LeBrat and others that are Super-Athletic beings that never had athletic ability... they would not be in the 50 great basketball list. Bird is a human that worked incredibly physically and has the muscle between his ears (that Kareem stated) that made Bird the greatest man & basketball player, coach, executive => forever 🐐!

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

If anyone's the goat that would Jordan Bird is a close number two Magic is three

[@richbancroft7352]

I was at Bird’s first game at the Garden and remember the bird they released before the game. As a young kid, I spent a lot of time watching we’re that bird flying around was. Lol

[@steveholmes5404]

After the Bird and Magic Era ended I stopped watching basketball and this still exists.

[@Birdman31942]

Red was a genious every player he went after was a stud, nba needs more players like Larry

[@justinthinkify]

Damn, Larry bird had so much heart.

[@jbmyerov]

In 1984, I wasn’t old enough to stay up to see the end of the Game seven final between the Celtics and Lakers. I woke up early the next morning and had to put up my window to ask the newspaper boy when he arrived who had won the game.

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

Larry Bird wasn't really that big of a deal. He was a HUGE deal!

[@greywolf0167]

i love how this was said seattwa

[@mendozajovy]

i disagree. He was a VERY HUGE DEAL!

[@thejohnlocke]

@@mendozajovy Or...YUGE!

[@shingouki6392]

you got us in the first half ngl

[@bigtimeaze-azeramos9645]

@@mendozajovy I disagree, he was a VERY VERY HUGE DEAL!

[@VIKING33NY]

Would love to go back in time and see Bird Play!

[@Cryuff4]

The joy of basketball. Larry F'ing Bird.

[@rogerfitzsimmons6476]

I was a 76ers fan who moved to Boston in November, 1978. Their last home game of the 78-79 (pre-Bird) season was against the 76ers. A friend and I walked up to the ticket window 20 minutes before game time and bought a couple of tickets. $4 each. Try THAT post-Bird. But in fairness, it wasn't just Auerbach's prescience in drafting Bird in 1978, a year early. It was the 1980 draft trade, where he swapped the #1 pick (which became Joe Barry Carrol) for the #3 pick (which he used to draft Kevin McHale) and a journeyman center named Robert Parrish.

[@antigonish63]

He was almost always the best player on the court, and he made all his teammates better. He always said he was a better shooter before he broke a finger (very badly) playing softball early in his career.

[@bangkokgirls]

Larry was a chronic madturbator during his whole career.💥🔥

[@jayohalloran561]

I was at Bird's first game. In fact I was at his first six games until word got out and you couldn't get a ticket. There were doves released but they were not from the upper tiers. One of the Celtics ball boys or game crew had them under his jacket and he released them from floor level near one of the baskets. They then flew up to the heavens just like Bird and Celtic basketball of the 80s.

[@VrgniaMailman]

There is one thing about Bird's skills that I would have liked to have seen more of in this video was Larry's inhuman passing skills. It is amazing that two of the top five passers of all time played at the same time (Magic). Maybe Bob Cousy was in there, too.What Celtic fans adored about Larry was fact that once he had a game vs Portland (?), in which he scored only 14 points or so. He called it one of his best games ever because he had a ton of assists, rebounds, and played tough defense.

[@jayohalloran561]

The doves were not released from the rafters. One of the garden workers under one of the baskets released the doves from inside his Celtics jacket and they flew up to the rafters. Then we got to see the beginning of an incredible decade of basketball. Bird had us on our feet in the first 2 minutes and we didn't sit down until 1992.

[@richbancroft7352]

Your right! I was there.

[@snuffleupagus9949]

When I was a kid in a Boston suburb in the 80's, we just expected the Celtics to win. It was just how the world functioned, the same as "water is wet".

[@stevepuddlejumperpilot6062]

.........."I like it when everybody is involved." And that folks, is just another reason why he's one of the greatest to ever play the game. :)

[@cindyknudson2715]

Exactly

[@catholicman8135]

The 1980's let people see some ltrue great legends in one decade. Wayne Gretzky in hockey. Nolan Ryan in baseball. Barry Sanders in football. Michael Jordan in basketball. Often over looked to this day is the fact that two rookies saved the NBA; Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, without those two there might not be a Jordan, Wade, Kobe or LeBron.

[@homefries55]

The One and Only.. Thank You Larry !

[@SuperBeachbum74]

Bird did what no other player including Michael Jordan couldn’t do ! Take a last place team to first without Parish, McHale , DJ , or Ainge . The same last place team with Cowens, Archibald, Maxwell and Ford who won 29 games, add Larry and first place add 61 victories !

[@mikevansickle2990]

1986 Celtics best team ever! 1987 would've been better but Wedman career ending injury, Bias dead, Walton out injured...still except pretty much everyone else injured going Into the playoffs they still repeat. If Bird hits that last second shot in game 5 they only had to win one in Boston. The bravest team ever... Kevin had a broken bone in his foot and Robert shouldn't have been walking on his foot let alone playing and Larry's elbow was all messed up. They loved each other too much to let one another down. So what should've been the best team ever was the bravest ever. Maybe that's even better!

[@hideyho67]

I grew up a Kentucky boy in the 40’s and the Celtics with Bob Cousy and his ball handlling along with some ex Kentucky players was my fav NBA team !

[@jimstone6071]

Bird bird bird...BIRD IS THE WORD....man I miss real basketball...

[@JckdaripprOswego]

The game was never the same.🍀

[@machocomacho9312]

3:10 on the tape. Probably the most difficult, most underrated "purposeful" shot in NBA history. (Yes, I'm considering Bird's incredible "behind the backboard" shot when saying this. And, yes, there have also been longer full-court shots that were equally incredible - but carried an element of "luck".) But there was nothing lucky about this shot. Here, Bird spun a "dribbling" 360°, on the run, guarded by a couple of opponents. This wasn't some sort of post-up fadeaway. It was much, MUCH more. I have never seen it duplicated in NCAA or NBA play. And Bird did it like riding a bicycle! He was THE BEST!

[@fatova7190]

So many people doing reaction videos to Larry Bird now. And the more I watch the more I am in shock over his Brilliant passing. When Heinson said that Larry Bird was playing chess while the rest of the league was playing checkers... no truer statement was said.

[@Lance-Stroll]

When Larry was a rookie, he told all the guys, he wasn't carrying one bag or getting any water for anybody 😂😂. Larry had/has balls

[@nathanhicks2000]

Without a doubt one of the greatest to ever do it.

[@eamonwright7488]

They had news casters interviewing member of the Lakers and Celtics before game 1 of the finals. Most of the lakers were chilling out laughing and smiling in the shade, they go to interview Larry Bird and he’s wearing short-shorts pushmowing his yard. Not even phased about the upcoming series.

[@billmelton5528]

Shay Wilkerson That's Larry.

[@Mike1614YT]

things got pretty dark. Then Bird arrived!

[@mrho4speed]

Lebron has never had to guard someone his size - like Bird who could shoot or pass with either hand. Malone didn't have Bird's shooting range or passing game. Bird had no problem posting pippen & getting his shot off. Kobe is a guard not a forward. Bird's defense is very underated. Three times early in his career he was on all defensive team. While not a great 1 on 1 defender, Bird had quick hands & great anticipation and very often knew what plays the other team was running. Research Bird's D

[@smoothhoopinal]

One of the top 10 of all time, no doubt.

[@alexlee7399]

HEART !!!!!!! What most players lack after they get PAID !!!

[@pitti-sing1203]

Went to ISU with Larry Bird. He was great, but our last game was a heartbreaker.

[@MrJessDancing]

It has been reported that Larry had a bad flue that game.

[@daviddavidson8050]

Larry Legend cometh. The haydays of the NBA. When it was a game of gladiators and a true contact sport. No blood? No foul. Have a good game champ.

[@rixpix2957]

Bird was as good as we're ever going to see.

[@Imjussaiyanbro]

Even that is an understatement and unfortunately most will never truly understand.

[@rixpix2957]

@MUFC 😀

[@Imjussaiyanbro]

MUFC everyone already knows that, so what?

[@CaneFu]

@MUFC Soccer is a stupid boring game. A bunch of grown men jogging around and kicking a ball; there is absolutely nothing about it that is interesting to watch. A mindless game for the ignorant masses.

[@robertnewman4406]

Amen.

[@steveholmes5404]

I enjoy hearing Cedric Maxwell talking about Larry's first practice with the Celtics. He thought Larry was all hype. He quickly found out Larry was the real deal!

[@rexpinsel]

3:50 amazing character and dedication to the game.

[@imthebeefjoegatto]

Larry played basketball unlike what is played today. Larry would absolutely kill LeBron

[@user-ov2vf9op9u]

Nope, in todays game he would have gotten ejected for all the shit he talks.

[@RedsWin]

Probably.

[@RedsWin]

Again, probably. If not the trash talk then his aggressiveness would get him booted. Imagine if his back wasn't screwed up.

[@JuniusR]

Lebron would have took him apart

[@cnn787-i9e]

Carlos So in another word- today's players are bunch of cry babies that can't take it. Awww that's too bad.

[@g4sg4s6]

The Best Small Forward Ever

[@edwardstevens1438]

he was dominant on the defensive boards and could get the key offensive board as well. Smarts and tactics were the key.

[@duncangarrah968]

UMm 6.10 is not small

[@edwardstevens1438]

@@duncangarrah968 That was thing with him. Bird, could do it all. Pass, shoot and rebound. He played decent team defense to boot.

[@salvatoreperez5113]

Player?

[@jerrybrownell3633]

At 6 feet 7 inches- Rick Barry could do anything Bird could do except maybe rebounding.

[@jonw.3886]

This is when the game was great. The NBA took a nosedive when Larry retired and it has never recovered.

[@ParagliderCollapse]

Wow, the in-your-face audacity of Bird! Even as a rookie, his presence was the catalyst for the greatest single season win/loss turnaround in NBA history. Where are the modern-day Larry Birds?

[@RedsWin]

In a video game.

[@suiken3149]

None because most top rookies today get drafted at the age of 19. Most rookies back then had plenty of time to develop their game because they won't get drafted until they are junior or senior college. One-and-done killed these type of immediate impact players.

[@TV-ob1if]

Playing x box

[@TV-ob1if]

Kevin Huang that’s a joke. Hansborough couldn’t shoot a basketball outside 3.5 feet. You have absolutely 0.0 % basketball knowledge of you think that dude would have been great.

[@monolithgeometry3221]

They're all developing in Europe ...and they're coming

[@dcseward02474]

I remember seeing the Celtics Lakers in preseason after Larry was drafted. I still remember that game to this day.

[@qeddeq1]

i remember when Bird came in. Never seen anything like him. He was the "enfant terrible" of the NBA!

[@BillBracket]

Lifelong sixer fan what a team the Celtics had the three-headed monster just remember going against the Celtics they were so efficient if we missed a couple shots I was afraid they were going to go on a 22-2 run

[@toscodav]

Those 1 or 2 little moves Red was talking about at 2:40 was trading the #1 and #13 picks to golden state for Parish and the #3 over all pick in draft that got them Mchale. Genius

[@Mgear1217]

A true team player and the ONE and ONLY GREATEST player ever played Basketball. It took him two years to get a championship. There are Jordan fans out here.....It took him 7 years for a ring. Bird came in with no help, but he mold the rookies that came by unlike the other guy who has a brand of his own shoe. Ball Hug

[@dougfinlay7528]

Back when Larry Bird had a house in Naples, FL, on Moorings Bay, I often saw him running on Crayton Road and Gulf Shore Blvd when I was out running or cycling. He kept a low profile in Naples and was well thought of.

[@brianwilkes5155]

Another true story about Bird was when his injuries finally took there toll on him the Celtics offer him a new contract worth millions..Bird came in saw the contract, shook his head and said if i can't earn it i not signing it...He didn't

[@markprice7581]

I added 15 To 20 people To Facebook and Garagesalesl sites And videos chats what happened

[@markprice7581]

That's what you call a man .He's so ahead of his time. Knowing he's that good but he knows his teammates help him be the star Together. Later on becoming Team captain..

[@tennsmoothie]

That is true - Dave Gavitt was team president at the time, though Red was still active with all major decisions, and Bird walked into his office to inform him that he was retiring because of the back problems. Gavitt and Bird both knew that if he just waited a week, his renewal would automatically kick in and Gavitt told Larry just to think on it for a week or so. Bird told him (according to Gavitt), "I know what you are trying to do and I ain't gonna stay active and get paid if I can't play, so forget it." Bird was also notorious for saving and taking care of his money.

[@MrPernell27]

tennsmoothie taking care of his money, but not his kids. Ya has a daughter who grew up on welfare living in a mobile home.

[@Glock2201]

@@MrPernell27 I don't usually run parents down for things like that unless I know the whole story. Did he try to help her out and she did not take it or did she take money he gave her and buy booze and drugs? Too many factors that I do not know before I run him down for that.

[@wanderingwade8877]

This is too short! I want more!

[@suiken3149]

search celtic dynasty. that documentary is 48 minutes long, starting from the Bob Cousy era.

[@adamhonestyanddecency5054]

That's what she said.

[@richardroth8338]

I was just saying that ,way too short

[@harveyrice5408]

no she just left, you clown!!!

[@williamgullett5911]

The Celtics only got Bird when Auerbach did the genius thing and drafted Bird his junior season and then just waited one season. Brilliant move by Auerbach

[@whttrails]

probably made bird work even harder having that in his pocket but I won't take anything from the man especially with todays youth and their you owe us mentality