The Best Larry Bird UNDERDOG Story Ever Told

The Greatest 3-1 Comeback of All-Time

[@PrimeLarryBird]

I had to edit the fight scenes out for KZbin. So, if you’ve already seen this video, watch it one more time for the algorithm. I promise you that it’s still a great video the second time around. Thank you.

[@carolehall1000]

I love your videos. Thank you for all the work you do!

[@mpperfidy]

Watching it one more time, because you asked, and because you do good work, sir.

[@JohnWilkesBased]

This channel is superb 🏀☘️🔥

[@11fasteddie]

The "Rise" of Larry Bird, "best thrash talker" in white skin with "class" according to the players' themselves, who got a piece of "Larry's thrash" lmao 😎 By the way that's "Seinfeld" on 10:25 😎

[@HarmanHundal01]

Where did you find footage of this series? I have searched all over the internet and can’t find it. Do upload it if you have the video files with you. Great stuff. Thanks.

[@sidku7006]

In Larry Bird's rookie year, he took a 29 win team to 61 wins. People forget that Robert Parish, Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge were not on that team yet. That 32 game turn around was all due to Larry Bird.

[@wanderingscholar9717]

Indeed. It's an inconvenient fact for certain pundits. Another is the fact LB was drafted after his junior year at ISU with the knowledge he was playing his senior year. Unheard of before and since. Yet another reason he is the best of all.

[@DerekCroxtonWestphalia]

True, but the guy's monologue at the about how Larry Bird won the championship without help is wrong. They already had 3 other hall of famers (McHale, Parish, and Tiny) as well as several other excellent players. You can't compare that team to who Jordan was playing with in the mid-1980's.

[@wanderingscholar9717]

@@DerekCroxtonWestphalia When one looks at all aspects of each players story, I would say MJ has a pretty good case to make. But the 32 game turnaround LBs rookie year had little to do with Archibald and Parrish/McHale were only rooks for the first championship. That Philly team was no joke either. Jordan couldn't even get one playoff win against prime Bird.

[@DrewHop325]

Parish was brought in the same year as was Tiny Archibald. but i agree Bird was better and did a lot more to make a team GREAT...

[@wanderingscholar9717]

@@DrewHop325 Yea. Parrish had played for GS in the late 70s. I forgot about that. I agree no other player parlayed so little into a title. It took Jordan several years to develop skills he simply did not have when drafted. Bird was the man on day 1.

[@Ham_1982]

Larry Bird was the MVP for three consecutive seasons for a reason, he was a game changer

[@stuartdamon3610]

The best compliment I can give Larry Bird is, I hate his guts! 💔

[@11fasteddie]

@@stuartdamon3610 Same here,,, was always a Lakers fan... didn't appreciate Bird then, we were not exposed to Eastern Division games mostly Western, when Lakers lose to Bird, it was like, no no, how can anyone beat Magic's Lakers,,, come to find out Larry Bird and Boston was that good. We knew East are physical, West is more lose. It's NO wonder, Magic feared Boston,,, it's LarryBird. Now "honestly" a huge Bird fan, thru these highlights, his shooting, defense and skills "exposed" even the Legends talks highly of him, "they knew the truth".

[@dannybird4996]

Look at his 9 year stretch he either won or was top 3 9 consecutive years

[@dannybird4996]

@@11fasteddieI didn’t hate the lakers even as a Boston fan

[@terrenceolivido741]

the truth is : when you had the Celtics legacy, the garden - and most importantly Bird - what more was there?@@dannybird4996

[@baseballman4958]

Bird’s guts and desire are unmatched. The strongest will.

[@user-lg8tq4nv9m]

Larry Bird doing Larry Bird’s thing, my one and only basketball hero, my very personal goat 🐐. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@willisswenson3843]

My goat too.

[@jordan9604]

He has the name "Larry Legend" for a reason. He was called that during his NBA career, and kept going for more. No stat padding, GOAT.

[@lll9416]

THAT, Ladies and Gentlemen is what we called "The Beautiful Game" ! DAMN what an Era!!

[@lll9416]

I know it's no consolation to that 76ers team, but this game was only great because of how great the 76ers played every single game! Hats off to every last one of those great Philly players!

[@richardpare3538]

@@lll9416 Philly had a great team, and the Celtics were lucky to get past them, even though they were the better team. It was on hell of a battle!

[@lll9416]

@@richardpare3538 💯💯

[@robertpetty7753]

The way these guys fought was intense. People forget the level of savage talent Larry Bird faced, and overcame.

[@freeyourmindtc]

I remember it like it was yesterday. And I was a Philly fan. I dont even watch the NBA anymore. They couldn't stop Bird. What a series!

[@doctorseuss5349]

NBA is dead to me too. Boring, no defense, just 3 point ball hogs.

[@user-lf6sw2pu6m]

That's a wasted life!

[@discostu004]

@@doctorseuss5349 NBA is pure garbage now.

[@dannybird4996]

@@user-lf6sw2pu6mwatching a few games is a wasted life ? 😂

[@tonypartin733]

I don't watch basketball or nascar anymore!!! No #33 or #3 why would you!!!?

[@kyleemery2798]

Players today would crumble if faced with that physicality. What a series!

[@DrVonChilla]

There is NO TEAM TODAY that could deal with either one of these squads. Today's butter-soft youngsters would get STEAMROLLED by either squad. That's not simply my opinion.....That's Just The Way It Is. 😀

[@davidstone9154]

Basketball is supposed to be a contact sport, not a collision sport like football, hockey, or rugby, but a sport where there is a heavy amount of contact between the opposing players during the game. The great Bobby Knight said: "Sometimes you just have to knock a guy on his ass."

[@JohnnyBGood11]

Comparing today's basketball to then is crazy. these pussies of today could not handle it. That's why I stopped watching basketball after Jordan retired.

[@JohnDoe-pk6fm]

And players back then would collapse trying to keep up with todays players skill set

[@JohnnyBGood11]

@@JohnDoe-pk6fm false now go home

[@flyoverkid55]

I have to acknowledge Julius Irving, the man embodies class. That said, no one has done more for a franchise, and for that matter basketball, than Larry Bird. Larry Legend, G.O.A.T.

[@alancross6965]

Not to insult Bird, but I can't agree with your contention that no one has done more for a franchise. The Celtics have had many championships, and some of them were with Larry on the team. I've been a Celtics fan since the late 60's, but I believe Michael Jordan probably did more single-handedly for the Bulls franchise.

[@DrewHop325]

@@alancross6965 The bulls were good enough for the finals without Mike. The celtics were 4th place without Larry, Big difference.

[@marcelobrozovic9872]

@@DrewHop325 As Celtics fan I can`t agree with you. I remember who the Bulls were without Jordan, the worst team in the league but even Mr. Air had to wait for Larry Bird retirement to win the Championship. By the way Bird and Magic saved basketball, it is a fact

[@DrewHop325]

@@marcelobrozovic9872 I remember the Bulls in the finals playing Houston for the title without M.J. 1994/1995 are you old enough to of watched bball that year? I know Bird and Magic saved bball I was there cheering for Bird the best i ever watched. By the way the Celtics won 19 games the year before Larry Joe Bird got there. The worst in the game...

[@marcelobrozovic9872]

@@DrewHop325 Ok but Celtics won many Championships before Bird while Bulls won it only those with MJ, do you see my point ? I love Bird and to me he is with Russel and Red Auerbach the biggest Celtics legend

[@stevensteviesteve]

Moses Malone has to be the most underrated star in NBA history. The guy came straight from the streets. He didn't take crap from anyone, was one of the best rebounders ever, had a sweet jumper and was a 3x MVP. Moses needs more love on his name 💪🏀

[@michaelcavallacci2945]

He was the best center in the league in the 80’s - that includes Kareem. They called him the “ Octobull”.

[@0007tad]

True, but this isn't a Video about Malone..

[@stevensteviesteve]

@@0007tad - Wow, thanx Captain Obvious! Now go get your shinebox 😄

[@0007tad]

@@stevensteviesteve Ok Male Karen, perhaps we could talk about the Harlem Globetrotters as well...🙃

[@conceptualclarity]

​@@michaelcavallacci2945 yes I remember the 1980s and I would notice that Moses Malone's stats surpassed those of Jabbar, and Moses played in a tougher conference.

[@DrVonChilla]

I was in high school in PA when this was going on, and it remains my favorite rivalry of all-time. My friends & I were of course hard-core Sixers fans, but we were ALL secretly in awe of Larry Bird. Aaahhhhhhh......precious memories....!!!

[@ek2156]

Great video! I love that you have never heard Larry Bird talking about how great he was. He never had to even utter a word and the world knows, even today, and it is all because of the guys he played against.

[@JayLandon64]

He never had to utter a word, but that didn't stop him. He was one of the best trash-talkers in the NBA as well.

[@red5llaw]

Agreed. That is the True measure of a man - How good and who his competition was! He doesn't have to tell you, you will know.

[@terrenceolivido741]

his trash talk was a way to entertain the other players. it was not malicious. point made.

[@andybilakshow260]

You can't forget or remotely describe how intense these games were at the time. Bird sure did love the last second pressure.

[@edwells4769]

The difference then to now was the people on the court loved the game, loved it. Its apparent about half or greater of the people on the court now don't care about the game one bit.

[@terrenceolivido741]

i think you have hit the nail on the head. Larry really did love the intensity. Larry is so much one-of-a-kind ... and so was Magic. the love he showed for Bird was not an act and it was a perfect compliment to both of them.

[@troyingle1645]

Great competitors and great games. Dr. J is such a class act.

[@merovechthe1st]

That's right! Put some respect on his name. Larry Legend

[@konstruct11]

Thanks for showing us again how great Larry was

[@PamelaRoss-qh6jh]

We lived in NH from '79 - '99. Spent many evenings in the old 'Gah' en' ---never sat down once, had no voice in the morning...was ready to do it again the next night. Finest team, greatest sports memories of all time.

[@darenferrell6656]

I would say it was the best series ever played still to this day. Hard fought the entire series. Boston refused to lose no matter what happened.

[@billct657]

That’s the way basketball should be played! Now it’s the National Ballet Association!

[@michaelkeesling9824]

Funny, I used the exact same description of the NBA during a call to LA ESPN radio and they hung up on me.

[@billct657]

@@michaelkeesling9824 Yes that is funny Well it’s true…100% agree with you..BTW I grew up watching 1970s NBA Basketball Sounds like you offended them for some reason…..

[@spencerlucas3065]

That was the greatest playoff series in history!

[@jacobburdette77]

This started the greatest era of the nba. Im to young to have seen this one and the next few. But that game 7 is the difference in today's game and then. Every player in the game was diving on the floor, refusing to lose. Then the game was about pride and heart. Today its about money and notoriety. Todays overall skill level is much higher but the desire to win made that era the best it will ever be

[@arizjones]

Actually the greatest era started with Magic Johnson's rookie year win against the Sixers.

[@BeardedChieftain]

Some of those guys were not on the floor because they dived...they were knocking each other down. No-one in the game today could cope with being touched like that! They'd run crying to mum asking for a safe space.

[@jacobburdette77]

@arizjones no the the west was weak. The east was the conference to win. Lakers were good but they had little competition. East had 3 teams in the 80s that won titles.

[@jacobburdette77]

@BeardedChieftain no doubt. With the level of skill today the game could be incredible. But that's just not how society is

[@arizjones]

@@jacobburdette77 The east won five titles in the 80 and the west won 5 titles in the 80s. How does that make the west weak?

[@INXS7144]

Celtics fan since 79 and still am. But, people who didn't watch the game in the 80's don't realize how physical the Eastern conference was. While they were running and gunning in the West during the playoffs, the eastern teams were physically battling each other with blue collar half court offenses a majority of the time. I always felt the Eastern conference winners were much more worn down going into the Finals.

[@AviatorMike777]

Man, watching this video brought back so many emotions. I was literally choked up watching this. I remember exactly where I was... Watching this series with my Dad. AMAZING. Thank you for sharing!

[@richmanz447]

Many NBA fans have no idea about how great this series is in basketball history. Thanks for this video.

[@geraldcharles1624]

And that's why Bird is the greatest.

[@loydkline]

Nikola jokic & LeBron james& dirk nowitzki each would've scored 50s points &40s points average against Larry bird especially broken back Larry bird ; kobe Bryant would've scored 81 points against Larry bird especially broken back Larry bird

[@BurchMike1]

​@loydkline his nickname is "Legend" for a reason.

[@bookerwright5119]

Larry is the greatest for maybe Boston maybe not MJ is greatest of all team sports the Goat of Goats is MJ Lol

[@gchomuk]

Lifetime Chicagoan here. Grew up watching the bulls in the 60s and beyond. I respected LB and Boston, but I sure hated when the Bulls had to play Boston in the playoffs. Thanks to youtube and all these Bird videos, I now have tons of respect for #33. Hell, that whole Celtics team was good. Larry's trash talking stories are what cemented it for me. I never knew....

[@TheSet6145]

Love to hear young folks talk about playing against Plumbers and Mechanics... Bird was ice cold and was always looking to make the right Play. I hated Bird because when you see it.. the Celtics played a very basic no flare style of game I found it boring but that's the difference. They didn't care about flare they cared about Winning, something players today and Fans have pushed aside. Bird was an amazing player ice cold in the clutch

[@eddiez14000]

Best team player ever.

[@johnpacheco2501]

The Gospel!!

[@loydkline]

Magic 🎩 Johnson; LeBron James; & Nikola jokic would've scored 50s points & 40s points average against Larry bird especially broken back Larry bird

[@staz8999]

I’d like to preface this by saying that I played basketball in NYC in an all black high school and got my nick name from the brothers playing at The Cage and at Rucker Park. We were all trying to emulate what Larry bird was doing on the playground and it was impossible for us. However, I remember hearing what Pat Riley said, “If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game, I’d choose Michael Jordan, but if I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life, I’d take Larry Bird."

[@terrenceolivido741]

kudos to the heart and soul of basketball culture - how many " blacks " would have gone back to Africa and missed American basketball ? no, we are all struggling for our moments here in America. god bless us - America will never die if only as a hushed legend. I was 17 in 1973 when i went to Rucker park - alone - to watch. i was the only white guy i saw, but a number of brothers gave me the high sign. god bless.

[@staz8999]

@@terrenceolivido741 I can definitely relate I went to Rucker at 83. Also when I was 17 and I said who got next? And about two hours later I got picked and things will never the same again. Thanks for sharing.

[@vincentparlante6274]

Thank you for sharing these incredible videos here today. I have sat most of the day glued to these great classics. . I can still hear today the old 1980s Celtics Pride song that the 2 WVBF morning jocks Loren Owens and Wally Brien use to play virtually every week in tribute to the Boston Celtics. Thanks so much for sharing these incredible videos in tribute to the legend Larry Bird. As the Boston sports casters referred to as the Hick from Frenchlyck

[@Paul-zf8ob]

The Lakers, Celtics, 76ers and Detroit. They made the 80’s the greatest decade of basketball ever! I don’t think todays teams could beat anyone of them.

[@highendservicesbarrieont8347]

The fundamentals...and the heart...yes hard to imagine a team today that could be at that level of work and spirit

[@covewhisper7615]

Usually you hear about game winners or clutch shots once or twice a season but Bird did it 3 games in a row. He's my GOAT

[@terrenceolivido741]

yeah, it is quite bizarre that he " steps up " at the end of these games - and wins them. and you look at him and he seems completely cool ...

[@DOMCOM40]

You are the only guy who tells the truth about Larry. Respect.

[@terrenceolivido741]

thanks for - actually - editing out the fights. it is enuf to know they were there. Larry said it was the best series he ever played. it really was his golden moment. I had just left Boston for a while, but Bird meant sooo much to the Boston fans. he epitomized the idea of just stone hard work and never-say-die. so, he was so much more than just a winning player.

[@MrPocketfullOfSteel]

There was Larry and all the rest were fighting for second best. *Love* this channel.

[@irishgrl]

This validates what I always said: the 76ers/Celtics rivalry was more intense than the Lakers/Celtics rivalry

[@p.j.4738]

Yeah! We've forgotten that great NBA Eastern Rivalry, between the Celts and the 6ers! Some of the greatest NBA Stars of all time!

[@sludgeness1]

In 1985....I was 15 yrs old....my buddies and I would sneak into the Garden on game night. Sometimes we were caught...no tix....funny stories....but let me tell ya.....I remember those days of Bird being a LEGEND!! The way the city felt....vendors just throwing stuff into crowds....the happiness and LOVE throughout the city.....even into weeks after......I sure do miss how Boston was like through the 80's and 90's.....I wish my New England brothers would rise up today to bring glory to our fallen Nation. It used to mean something back then.....our ancestors created this experiment......a FREE NATION UNDER GOD.....and competition and striving for something more was a foundation of our beliefs. I hope one day we get back to that. Make each other GREAT. We're all brothers and sisters......we can battle....but the LOVE is there!!

[@eyesalooking]

2nd time I have watched this. Will probably watch again because it is very motivational.

[@wmden1]

Yes, and Dr. J got a standing ovation, at Boston Garden, during his last game at Boston, at his retirement. I thought that was super cool. To me, there is nothing, in basketball, that beats the 1980s, with; Bird, Dr. J, Magic, Kareem, Hakeem, Samson, Jordan, Moncrief, Barkley, Isaiah, Dominique, and many others. I do have to mention some of the 1960s with; Wilt, Russel, Havlicek, West, Baylor, and some others. I do miss those times and players.

[@MBGolfer]

💯 Truth!!!

[@terrenceolivido741]

what you said about Dr. J and the garden - yeah, that showed the class of the fans. Dr. J was quite loved by the time he retired.

[@jamesguest4741]

Sixers had Malone and Erving and Bird got so Manny rebounds..Impressive!

[@kurtsherrick2066]

We will never witness again the rivalries of that Era. It hasn't been the same. Back when they played with blood on their uniforms. If was a true brawl.

[@jamolina72]

This clip is a gem. Superb job!

[@jwise7114]

Not a basketball guy at all. But watched a bunch of Larry Bird and Boston in the 80's. When he was done so was I. 😅

[@microclues327]

I never saw this series. GREAT VIDEO... BIRD BIRD BIRD.... what a force

[@josephobrien991]

I remember I was at a game where these two teams were battling it out in a tight game. Sixers ended up winning at the buzzer on a halfcourt shot by Erving. Fantastic!

[@advicemaster1365]

Ahh the good old days!!

[@broaddusmarines]

This was a great video. I watched this series in real time as a ten year old and I still get chills watching the highlights. But yeah, those Boston vs Philadelphia games from 1980-1987 were Braveheart battles.

[@danacarter4793]

I thought I died each game it was so close, I miss 80 n 90 bball, love my bird 🐦 💚💚

[@stuartdamon3610]

Bodies are a flying! 😂 Refs said, “you guys settle it”!

[@dansgroi1472]

There's a few to speak of. For goat talk. But there's only one Legend. Sums up Larry Bird perfectly.

[@terrenceolivido741]

wow, i think you have sussed it out, forget the goat argument - Larry was just " the legend. "

[@NigelTufnel612]

That was a great period for the NBA - first the Sixers, then the Celtics, then the Lakers, then the Pistons, and then the Bulls...

[@HeedTheLorax]

Excellent delivery and editing slick channel thanks

[@anthonytorres3000]

Bro what’s crazy is that I’m a sixers fan and I still love this story 😂🙏🏽

[@cheriemiller7107]

Larry BIRD is the best player now and for ever !!!!!

[@denoke45]

I became a Celtics fan in 1980 and remain one to this day. I remember this series like yesterday. I was at university in Ohio and had to see the games during the week on tape delay. After the Celtics went down 3-1, I would look at the sports news to see the final score because the tape delay games showed in Ohio from 1130pm and I was not going lose sleep to see my Celtics lose. I remember that shot Bird hit that went hit the rim and went high off the glass and in. It was said it was reminiscent of a shot Don Nelson hit in the playoffs for the Celtics. The play that Bird made from grabbing the rebound and taking the ball himself and hitting the winning shot off glass remains for me one of the greatest plays I have seen in the NBA because of the situation. Only the steal surpasses it for me.

[@cindyknudson2715]

☘️ Legend

[@BoogieBoyMetalMouth]

Great videos my man! Love those old days. Game just isn’t the same today. Peace

[@freeyourmindtc]

I agree, and peace to you my brother.

[@luke5767]

Man, I miss basketball. I just can't get into todays softer, long range launch-a-thons. I guess I'm just one of those old farts that remembers the good ol days.

[@iamionscat9035]

Will do. Edit: Done. Happy to watch again and help you out. I hope you can upload the original to rokfin or somewhere, it was great and really gives you a feel for what games were like in the 80's

[@ldybozz]

DAMN RIGHT! #birdgang 🍀🐐💚

[@BillSmith-ed4jg]

Excellent job by the narrator

[@bb.cute.channel]

Bird is the GOAT!!!! 👍👍👍👍

[@mikehelak8874]

Is it just me or does anyone else think of Herman Munster when they see Kevin McHale?

[@loydkline]

Seen the monster 👻 episode herman tried out for college basketball team

[@denniswhite4446]

First time I ever saw him I remember thinking "this guy would make a great Frankenstein".

[@mikehelak8874]

@@denniswhite4446 👍

[@loydkline]

Only herman monster remind me of Frankenstein

[@ezsmith3765]

7:00 Nahhh Darryl Dawkins pushed Maxwell into the crowd. Maxwell got up... some old 5’7” white man yelled at Maxwell “get back in the game” according to Maxwell himself (ewww some harsh words there😳) so at that moment Maxwell had 2 options... Go face the guy who shoved him into the crowd to begin with which was “Chocolate Thunder” Darryl MFn Dawkins (who was still standing there waiting on, maybe even hoping for a retaliation from Max) OR turn around and act mad at the little 70 year old man. We all saw which Max chose. Let’s be real dude. PS I’m a Celtics fan who watched that game live. He says “I was going back to the court then it registered in his mind what the old guy had said” NO NO NO Max ..... you saw that the guy who shoved you... Dawkins was still standing there and waiting on your ass to do something about it. THAT’s what “registered in your mind” 🤣 Then he goes on to claim that “galvanized the ☘️team” 😂 oh Maxwell..... yea watching you back down from Dawkins and attack an elderly old fan really GALVANIZED the team. No wonder Larry won’t return this guys calls. Way to rewrite history Maxwell. 😆

[@josephcanales-pb3ip]

The Celtics vs. Lakers championship games in the 80's were some of the best basketball games i ever seen.

[@newerafrican]

Great video, and I've watched a lot of Bird vid's. I don't remember much of that first Bird title and the Philadelphia playoffs. Now I'll have to do some research!

[@Mr.St.Nicholas]

Love the channel and video 👍

[@owenparker6651]

Preach, bro, preach!! Thanks for sharing!

[@user-rd8vp6nq8b]

Remember watching the games with my father

[@loilt5091]

I was a 6️⃣ers guy in those days…no wonder I never wanted to give Bird & his boys their due. Doc was my favourite & those teams had such a great array of stars & characters‼️

[@frankie8648]

I’m Boston born and bred and this was oddly painful for me because though I was a diehard Celtics fan I had a special place in my heart for Dr. J 🇺🇸

[@bigkw1568]

The Fucking Legend

[@scottgoff6136]

As a Sixer fan during the “We owe you one era” it would take 2 years to get over this one.

[@tarikdebarge]

Yo videos are Amazing! From one Larry Bird fanatic to another……Thank You so much!

[@Brian_195]

Awesome video and a phenomenal series!

[@jaylenbarnes2.079]

Great Videos

[@jeffwilcox5123]

Waz are great ananology of this video. ! Kudos.

[@kevinfraser573]

I was there. Preseason game was like a playoff game

[@Widdermaker]

Bird is the GOAT! ‘Nuff said!

[@arizjones]

Sorry, but there is a player that got the best of Bird in college, and in the NBA. That player went to the finals 9 times and won 5 NBA championships, and won the NCAA championship against Bird.

[@irishgrl]

@@arizjones Larry is the better individual player. The reason Magics team won is they boxed Bird out. Without Larry there was no team. And the Lakers got lucky in 87.

[@arizjones]

@@irishgrl LOL!! Better individual player? Nope, not really. Magic is a way better passer, and defender (twice NBA steals leader). Magic has higher PER and WS, and higher efficiency shooting (52%). And 7.2 rebounds a game from the point guard position is amazing. What Magic did in the finals against the Sixers his rookie season, is was one of the greatest finals performances in history, let alone as a rookie. NINE finals appearances to just five for Bird. Nothing "lucky" about the Lakers beating the Celtics in 87, 4 games to 2. Magic developing a hook shot and using it to beat the Celtics in the Garden in game 4 isn't luck, it was practice and preparation.

[@arizjones]

@@irishgrl In 1987 after the Finals loss Bird said "Magic is a great, great basketball player," "The best I've ever seen." In the finals Magic shot 54 percent with 26 points per game and 13 assists per game and 2.3 steals. In that finals Bird shot just 44 percent with 24 points per game and just 5 assists and 1.2 steals. Lets be real here.

[@cavscout1976]

@@arizjones Let's be real then. Magic's win percentage over Bird translates into roughly 10 games. Bird Missed all but 1 month of an entire season. You think he might have pulled of 10 plus wins in that time? Also for the sake of being "real" the west was an easier conference throughout the 80's and the fact that the Lakers ever lost a game or 2 in a season after Worthy came is something to scratch your head over. That was the most stacked team in NBA history bar none. To quote Michael Cooper "F@#% percentages it ain't about that. It's about hitting big shots" Bird hit more clutch shots than anybody in the hstory of the game. I'm not a Bird over Magic guy and I don't believe in the GOAT. Nobody gets there alone. I was an MJ fan never an NBA fan, when he was done so was I. Magic had hall of famers to help him. Bird made hall of famers out of others, ie McHale and Parrish. No disrespect to either of them they were great but playing with Bird guaranteed they got in. In the end who was better is hard to say for real and requires alot more evidence than just stats. You'd have to watch all their games and see the impacts they made in ways that there are no stats for. This is running long and I'm not trying to create drama but I will say to your better passer comment. WTF? You need to go get some 80 Celtics games and watch them. Nobody was a better passer than Bird. Magic could very well have been as good (and I'd hate to bet on the difference) but, better? Nope! Something I can with abosolute certainty is that Magic and Bird saved the NBA.

[@michaelellis1566]

I was in 11th grade at the time, and I was at Games 5 and 7 in the Garden. Even then, I knew this was a series for the ages. I even bumped into Dr. J as he was coming off the bus in the tunnel - that dude was a class act. Now when I watch a playoff game and a team is down by three, with one second to go and they don't have possession I'll say, "If Larry Bird were here, he could still win this game."

[@RALPHBROOKS-xc7ci]

😮😢

[@drew1693]

20 years from now, do you think any current players will do an interview about a series they lost? Doubt it. Hats off to Doc and the Sixers.

[@paulazzar8936]

Larry Bird == GOAT, no question.

[@Whichwaydidtheygo]

I was laughing at the “it was like déjà vu all over again” line. I think he was serious too.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

It's a famous quote from Baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra. He was well known for saying stuff like that. "It ain't over til it's over" is another one of his.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Many took Yogi as as a bit of a dim bulb but the older I get the more of a genius I think he was. Cheers

[@cavscout1976]

@@buckodonnghaile4309 I learned about no s@#$ Yogi Berraisms in a college philosophy class. Think about that. The seeming dumb or just obvious things he said are studied by philosophers. "If you see a fork in the road, take it." When asked what time is it he replied "when now?" Things that make you go huh?

[@terrenceolivido741]

" you can observe a lot just by looking " that quote i consider one of the greatest " American-isms. "@@buckodonnghaile4309

[@terrenceolivido741]

" It ain't over 'till the fat lady sings. " you see, the more you go to school, the dumber you get. got it ?

[@malmofanatico]

Great stuff you. Absolutely ❤❤❤❤ it. Lakers fan

[@geecee304]

My favorite players Bird & Magic say whatever you want to about MJ and all the other greats they might be better players, but they didn’t do what Bird & Magic did for the NBA which was save it. 🙏🇺🇸

[@captainbluegill3357]

and they are NOT better players

[@donaldleider7382]

Lots of goats, only one legend!

[@jonathanmiller29]

I lovemy 70'ers but Lary bird was awesome!

[@josephkramer932]

I love your videos.

[@unclesam4565]

Awesome Video. Never seen that series.

[@leslieannashing8911]

Excellent!

[@iamionscat9035]

If you can find the video of Bird throwing a guy into the stands (like first row of seats off the court) I would love it. I haven't found a clip of it since I saw it live.

[@johnnoone4323]

I was in the military in Germany when this 1981 series was played and I bet a soldier when the 76ers were leading 3-1 that Boston would come back and win the series. I won the bet (but as a courtesy did not collect on the bet). The reason for my believing the Celtics would come back is history which will repeat itself. I have watched the NBA since 1963-64. In the 1966-67 playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals 4 games to 1. In the 1967-68 Boston came back from a 3-1 game deficit to win the Eastern Conference Finals 4-3. In 1980, the 76ers beat the Celtics 4-1. In 1981, the 76ers and Celtics played again in the Eastern Conference Finals. It is more difficult for a team to defeat another team in consecutive years in the playoffs than most people think. Game 4 of the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals could have been won by Boston. Philadelphia leading 3-1 was somewhat misleading. I wanted the 76ers to win, but know from NBA history to never count out the Celtics. I was not surprised at the outcome of this series at all.

[@terrenceolivido741]

not only are you sooo old, but you could have made a fortune on that observation ... god bless you.

[@kennethmueller5840]

Nice commentary, well done!

[@jameszimmerman2965]

Great vid!!!

[@briancharters8720]

What a goat! Larry Legend!

[@msfl54]

Thank You!!

[@charlesdavis7461]

Wow, Philly was loaded. Bird must have done well in geometry, he knew if any shot was missed, he knew where the ball was going and rebounded it. I love Larry Bird, but he had some great talent on his team too. He got them believing they could win.