The Best Larry Bird vs LeBron James Story Ever Told

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michaelwduffy
#larrybird #larrybirdhighlights #lebron #reaction #lebronjames #firsttimehearing #nba
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[@richardbartley2584]

Just joined, thank you for this, I'm 70 years old and was in the service when Larry was playing.

[@1982jeepcj8]

Larry Bird was double teamed by Micheal Jordan AND Scottie Pippin and it didn't matter, Larry could get his shot off against 5, and it didn't matter

[@wesleyviers1550]

Point - Magic Shooting - MJ S Forward - Bird P Forward - Malone Center - Kareem

[@trekkiexb5]

I accept that team! I would make one or two changes, at the end of the day, if Iwas giving this team to play this fall in the NBA...All I can see is lots and lots of rings.

[@anthonywissell7002]

That would be the most insane team ever.

[@420since1974]

Great starting 5! Karl Malone is certainly in the Top 3 of all time Power Forwards, but I'd be tempted to go with Kevin McHale because of his chemistry with Bird.

[@russellbowen3238]

The only thing labron is better at is longevity.

[@anthonywissell7002]

And even then, if he had gotten all of the injuries that Bird did (even before his time in the NBA) history would have played out very differently I'm sure.

[@Saulgud23]

Is longevity not supposed to be a factor in this debate now just because LeBron is head and shoulders above anyone else going into his 21st season? LeBron has been better for longer than Larry Bird, and IMAGINE if a team like the Celtics deafted LeBron like they did Larry.

[@deihorus7927]

He is way better... as a flopper!

[@jeralddavis4626]

It was Bird . Bird rookie year he took Celtics to a 61 wins . the year before Boston had 32 wins .won with out the players that he won 3 championships with

[@ronaldschoolcraft8654]

Larry Bird is the GOAT!

[@ryanharrison476]

Larry Bird, magic, MJ, Russell, Chamberlain

[@robertslade3088]

It's not even close Larry Bird is the GOAT

[@kellypickle]

I lived in New York during this. And you did not want to see Larry Joe Bird. But in the late 80s, I moved to Boston. So I did have the privilege. Nobody moved like Larry Bird was. How was somebody so awkward that graceful. He never doubted. Never. I’ve never seen confidence like that. One of the best passers of all time The creativity was off the charts. The basketball IQ was off the charts. He knew where everybody was all the time he was always ahead. And Nobody worked harder than Larry Bird. Back to the passing, he would do anything. He stole from every sport that involves a ball and some of the Don’t! I can pass it like a volleyball? I can throw like a baseball overhand? I can put English on it like a friggin cueball? From one side of the court to the other to spin in the opposite direction to another player? Think I can pass it between my legs and yours like a Harlem globetrotter? Think I can pass it behind me with a no-look like a hockey player? It felt like he could never miss those passes. He made it impossible for his teammates to miss. I don’t know how he did it, but he did it.

[@jamesbush5675]

One time the janitor walked in the Garden and saw Larry dribbling from one end of the court to the other He asked Larry what are you doing. Larry said he was finding the dead spots on the court where the ball wouldn't bounce correctly. He said if I could force the guy with the ball there, I would have a better chance for a steal.

[@richardbartley2584]

Most of the time Lebron is looking to dish the hall rather than shoot

[@richardbartley2584]

If anyone says that Lebron was better than Bird...at anything is in denial or just plain stupid

[@juliewaterfield1804]

hi michael, hope you're good. i know absolutely nothing about basketball, so i just popped in to say hi.

[@michaelwduffy]

Haha always a pleasure to hear from ya julie! 😁

[@nathanlarson3632]

Bird is way better than Lefony(Lebron) it’s not even close

[@5667hall]

The GOAT conversation will always be a debate. Every fan will have an opinion and no matter what you won’t change their mind. For me Bird was the best player of the 80’s. 3 straight MVPs and for 8 straight years never finished worse than second in mvp voting. He finished fourth in mvp voting in his rookie year and won rookie of the year. Who in the 80’s can top that.

[@5667hall]

Almost forgot. Jordan never beat Bird in the playoffs. Not even one game.

[@marlinbig401]

Le Bron is A A top 25 player. Ok , Lebron is A 24 th player , as appossoed toLarry in the TOP 4 !

[@phillylifer]

Its the same subject / argument every segment every day on that channel

[@doldi5400]

Starting 5. Hakeem, Tim, Larry, Earvin and Micheal.

[@markhicks8377]

bird !!!! bad back and all

[@LSFA-KrissyL16]

the Boston home fans certainly add a little to a 50-1 home record, sure. but Boston fans have ALWAYS been insane. yet 1978 season, just before Bird got there, the Celtics only won 29 games. all season. so.....I dont think you can give the fans a whole lot of credit this time lol.

[@christopherkimball2264]

Only thing Lebron is better at is flopping.

[@MrMakemyday3]

james could not carry birds jock

[@ricklove8588]

It was Larry Bird

[@kellypickle]

Haha you’ve never been to Boston!

[@dustindussault2864]

Bird SF Jordan SG Magic PG (obviously) Russel C (I don't need a lot of points with those three and Larry and Magic are the best passers ever I NEEDS D REBOUNDS) Garnett PF(brings more length an atheltism on both ends of the floor. Before people go why Bill Russel and why Kevin Garnett? WELL BILL WAS A WINNER probably the greatest Celtic that lived bringing 11 chips with him Bird is the BEST Celtic (yes there is a difference... and it isn't because he is white. he is the most skilled player in history and probably the smartest. definate;y the best trash talker) and I put Kevin because I highly value Defense but I still want a guy who is giving me 28 points under the basket. Barkely, Olijuan, Peirce, Kobe, Steph Curry, Shaq , Havlicek off the bench (why John Havlicek because he is only going to give me about 24-27 a game coming off the bench. which he did in Boston playing with BIll Russel... It wasn't until Bill became the coach and Tommy Heinson retired that he started starting and started playing SF instead of SG and . so he was the first sixth man and first "do it all SF" and the guy would literally run a marathon during the game. yeah I have room at the end of my bench for a guy like that..) and that would be my Dream playoff roster. I think My starting Five would be scary on Defense and the fast break. while still being an absolute nightmare to defend on offense.

[@psadoug]

bird would be lucky to score 20 ppg in 2023 and i like bird.

[@gordonduke8812]

Bird didn't do the things he did because it was the 80's, or because the opposing talent was lacking. He did them because he was a great basketball player. And greatness cannot be contained within a calendar or era. Greatness will always be greatness, regardless of when. I hate hearing the argument about great players in different eras. Then to now, now to then, doesn't matter. Great players will find a way to score, that's what makes them great. Bird would be top tier now just like Lebron would be top tier then.

[@LSFA-KrissyL16]

lucky? I HIGHLY doubt that. half the level of defense would make it easier.

[@johngulley5396]

Michael Jordan was asked, if the game is on the line, who would you choose to take the last shot....before the guy could finish the question, Jordan answered: Larry Bird! Who's the best is like asking which car is better, Ford or Chevy? Jordan fans will always pick him & Bird backers will pick Larry Joe.

[@clifflawrence7479]

And people that know the game and the history will take Bird for that last shot because as great as Jordan was Bird was just a little better in the clutch

[@katlebo]

If I had to choose, I'd Tae Bird. Maybe because I'm from Indians. Or maybe because I remember him playing at ISU before being drafted by the Celtics. But mostly, it makes me sad that anyone must be the G.O.A.T. Why can't we celebrate all of the players, past and present, for each one's skills. My favorite quote I've heard regarding Bird was something like this -- Larry was playing chess. The rest of us were playing checkers.

[@joanbarker1872]

Honestly there is no question about it Larry takes the cake. I think MJ & Lebron might be great in their own rite but BB is a team sport. Yeah their stats might be higher because they played longer but how did they affect their team? Larry made his teammates better all around & played with such an intensity like no other. LeBron might be good but against the physical play in the 80's he would have been done a long time ago. He wouldn't have been able to deal with it like Larry, Michael & Magic did. No question Larry is best small forward by far.

[@lisahesslink2267]

Bird was also a lot tougher. He played through pain for years. And he played in a league when you could get away with a lot more.

[@JC-rb3hj]

Yes ESPN has an agenda. Partly political and woke, partly to make whatever sport they are covering relevant. To do this they often relegate the players of the past to the dust bin. A lot of their coverage is empty calorie favoritism. P.S. Larry Bird is THE giant slayer.

[@ronaldschoolcraft8654]

Bird is the greatest PLAYER ever.

[@pttp5509]

1 minute ago You asked about home court advantage at the garden The Garden was built with boxing in mind so the seats were closer to the players than in other arenas and was distracting to visiting teams - the Celtics were used to the acoustics The parquet floor was not original to the garden and supposedly favored the home team My favorite - there was no air conditioning so when it got hot, fog would form and they’d have to pause the game. At one game they had oxygen tanks available to the Lakers when it hit 97 degrees I seem to remember Stanley Cup finals plagued by power outages As a Boston fan who went to the garden many times - I can only say Those Were The Days!😂

[@nickdamas2164]

Bird is a WAAAAAY better shooter than LBJ FROM EVERYWHERE. As far as shooting goes, its not evem.close. Bird was the better rebounder,hands down. Bird was a better passer, i dont care how many assists LBJ has. Bird was way better off ball. He also had better insticts. When it comes to being clutch, theres NO COMPARISON. Bird was a killer. So if Bird is better in all those facets of the game, how can LBJ possibly be a better at playing the game of basketball??!!! And those facts ^^^ arent debatable. It is what it is.. Now, if LBJ does things better than Bird, its not ebough to compensate for all that Bird was better at, period.

[@Finnssssss]

It's actually 4 straight seasons from 84/85 to 87/88. 28.1 points, 10.5 rebounds, 7 assists per game 50/40/90 shooter 2 league MVPs, 2 Championships, 1 Finals MVP In other words, one of the most dominant consecutive 4 year stretches in NBA history period.

[@dustindussault2864]

it's 3 league MVP's back to back to back... only other people to do that is Bill Russel and Wilt Chamberlin. and I think he went 50/40/90 back to back and the year before he was close to it... knowing the type of guy he was that was probably a target of his... just so he could be the first to do it...

[@deancafe4739]

My alltime starting five. 1. Magic 2. Mj 3. Larry 4. Chuck 5. Hakeem It's crazy how my alltime players basically played in the same era.

[@420since1974]

Bird for sure at Small Forward. You definitely can't go wrong with Magic and MJ as the Guards. I'd replace Chuck with Kevin McHale at Power Forward, Barkley couldn't handle McHale's footwork at all. I'd also be tempted to go with Kareem over Hakeem at Centre.

[@marykuettner752]

Child, you lose when you think Durant is better than Bird. As Durant himself said " You live to get compared to Bird, it is an honor".

[@clifflawrence7479]

Starting 5, Magic, Jordan, Bird, Russell and Kareem. You have Magic with the winningest % of all time and the greatest point guard of all time. You have Jordan arguably the best of all time. You have Bird the smartest of all time and always made teams better and second winning % all time. You have Russell who also knew how to make teams great and knew how to win and you have Kareem who knew how to play his part to get the win and also in my opinion the greatest center of all time and 1 of 3 that I call the goat. Say what you want this team is hard to beat

[@mjackson780]

You would probably enjoy watching the video about Larry Bird's 50 best passes. Also there is a video about Larry playing injured. If his body hadn't given out he would probably had several more years to play.

[@LiLiJo]

One thing that made Larry great was his idea of team play.

[@bertpainter8385]

I've seen all the best players from the mid 60's until today. It's almost impossible to pick the so called GOAT. I'll say this though, if you asked which player I'd want to be on my team to win the title year after year, it would have to be Michael Jordan. He's proven that when he left basketball to play baseball after his father was murdered. When he left the bulls didn't win the tittle when he comes back they 3 peat again. Who do you think made the difference? OK, there's other players in there prime who I'd want in the playoffs over Lebron also in the last 55 years. Michael Jordan - Bulls Willis Reed - Knicks Kareem Adul Jabar - Lakers Larry Bird - Celtics All of them were clutch and didn't let up no matter what. Even when injured. Lebron on the other hand??? Especially early on in his career with Cleveland. IF your talking who's the player I'd pay to go watch. There's too many to mention before Lebron. Some of the more exciting players over the years were...(not in any order) Dr J. (Julius Irving) Pistol Pete (Pete Maravich) Earl The Pearl (Earl Monroe) Magic Johnson Larry Bird Michael Jordan Tiny Archbald (Nate Archibald) Wilt Chamberlin 1960's version. Too many others to mention. All of these guys were magicians with the ball in some way. I know there's plenty of others who were entertaining to watch also. I just can't think of them at the moment.

[@wishingb5859]

This: I've seen all the best players from the mid 60's until today. It's almost impossible to pick the so called GOAT. And we are about to have a few players come out the other side and suddenly there are going to be a few names added in. The thing about LeBron, he was durable but it took a whole long time for him to enter the conversation with Jordan or Bird and there are already players who will be called better than LeBron.

[@trekkiexb5]

@@wishingb5859 This is true! I never understood the reasoning behind, "he's played for so many years! He's the GOAT!" He has time on his side. He would eventually get better (we hope) with practice. The OP has said, Larry Bird came into his team and CHANGED IT IMMEDIATLY!! Very few players can say that. He produced, regardless who was on the team. His college team, except maybe Carl Hicks, were lackluster. He made them better. Another talent that Larry has better than LaBron. Finally, when we discuss the GOAT, not everyone has the same answer. I believe Larry is, but if someone says MJ or Magic or Kobe or Wilt or Kareem, or even Tim Duncan don't get mad. I don't think they are wrong. I think, "we have a conversation and a debate" Why? I think these players are close to perfection and that someone else thinks they are better than Bird, I am ok with that. Don't agree but okay. Because ALL those players are in my top 10. LaBron isn't. I feel time will not be on his side in the future, when he isn't in our face constantly. It will be seen as all he had was some rings and longevity. Larry his 3 rings in a span of 5 years. MJ his 6 in a span of 8 years. How long was it for LaBron? He's not a bad player, he is a superstar, but is missing the drive that those others had to be a GOAT contender.

[@BowlerJ1]

Pat Riley was once asked who he wanted taking the last shot, Jordan or Bird. He said "if the game depended on it, I'll take Jordan, but if my life depended on it, I'll take Bird"! Enough said.

[@davidotto3731]

Why do so many people have to try and convince an entire country that Lebron is the GOAT? That is why Lebron is not the best

[@kirkfifer5226]

My top five starters as a unit are Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Magic, Tim Duncan, Wilt. There are other combinations who are as good but none better.

[@LSFA-KrissyL16]

high 5, those are mine too lol

[@TheHashSlingingSlasher548]

If Lebron was in the 80's I highly doubt he would have the same longevity since you were expected to be playing a lot more minutes and in a lot more games that were far more physical and demanding. Load management has really done a number on the game and has made it soft and pathetic. Most modern players are here for money and status, not for the game and that is evident with LeBron when he has to be ASKED to play the final quarter when his team is losing. LeBron doesn't have the grit and commitment that Bird or many of the 80's players had and that's why LeBron will NEVER be the goat, let alone the best small forward. LeBron really only has longevity and total career stats over Bird which are over rated and miss a lot of context.

[@psadoug]

pls google clutch shots. lebron has him crushed on those.

[@daveh9335]

He was great at basketball 🏀

[@markhicks8377]

i would love to see bird in a three point shoot out at the all star break bird would smoke his ass !!!!

[@MisterCrookedNose]

Larry > Lebron

[@chrispavlich9656]

Every home team has “their” crowd. The Celtics when Bird played didn’t lose a lot wether it was home or on the road. They were just a well oiled machine.

[@finnmcool2]

Here is a question. If you gathered everyone that ever played at the absolute highest level. The level of Jordan, Magic etc. Could you put together a 5 on 5 game? I doubt it.

[@LSFA-KrissyL16]

now there's a good debate, and one I cant say I've ever heard mentioned before.

[@psadoug]

i will take steph curry.

[@NC-Mama-Bear]

This is comparing small forwards, overall play, and the clutch factor. Steph lost five 3- point competitions in a row. Larry won three in a row before stepping back from those in an era when the 3s were relatively new to the NBA. Steph has been great since his years at Davidson. But better than Larry Legend? Not even close. And I watched them both.

[@kellypickle]

You have never seen fans like Boston garden fans. Specifically the garden. There is something about it. And it transfers to the new Garden. And Boston fans LOVE their teams. LOVE.

[@lisapate306]

Larry would destroy Kevin Durant!!!Now Lebron longevity yes,better player Larry Bird!!

[@LSFA-KrissyL16]

the only reason LeWhatsit is more "durable" (god I hate that term) is because he doesnt play all 82 games, he doesnt play as many minutes per game and he has no hustle. I tried to watch a Laker game the other day, and when he was actually on the floor, he stood either well away from the next guy, or far over on the perimeter, or near half court while everyone else was in the paint. just watching. doing nothing. ball goes bouncing by, he just watched it go. rebound could have been had, he was looking up at the basket then at whoever grabbed the ball, and practically walked down court while everyone else was running. the squads moved into the paint, he stood at the perimeter waiting for a kickout to lumber over for an easy uncontested under the rim shot or an opening to show off a dunk. wtf. if Larry wasn't such a competitive maniac throwing his body all over hell and didnt have to play against violent defense when you weren't allowed zone and didnt have to play in technologically inferior Converse and spent $1M a year on body conditioning, or any ONE of those things, he would have lasted much longer and we wouldn't be having this conversation. and while I'm at it, what on earth is LeB spending $1M ON?? if he's such a freak of nature genetic machine, why isnt he playing 39+ minutes in all 82 games?? you'd think physical cyborgs would be able to do that. what's he afraid of? I never saw Bird get carried off the court because of a cramp or stumble around faking a foul acting like he'd just been hit by an anvil. he busted his cheekbone and blacked out, stood up and walked to the locker room by himself, then came back to play with said smashed face, concussed, with double vision, and put up another 18 pts to win a playoff game. already had a jacked-up spine before that anyway. if you're being paid $40M a year (or whatever they pay these kids, I dont fking know or care), I consider that hazard pay and they should be willing to risk a little hazard. they're supposed to be playing a SPORT. not pretending to play a sport while posturing for fans so the teams and industry sell billions of dollars of gear to brainwashed kids who have no idea what basketball is actually supposed to be. every year that ridiculous fraud they call the game now gets closer to looking like WWF wrestling than an actual contest of skill. not that I'm bitter lol. but hey, I've been watching the Celtics since 1978, and silly me, I still expect the league to actually play basketball.

[@LSFA-KrissyL16]

what I'm most curious about are all of the back yard, play behind the building right after clocking out at the job, Rucker Park dudes over the decades who were probably supernaturally talented, but for whatever reasons we've never heard of or never had a shot at joining the league. or maybe just didnt even have the desire to play professionally anyway. who were the guys who played after their shifts at the hotel who Bird learned from? what happened to any them? what was their play style like? there's so much unseen talent in every skill, everywhere, always. we can only comment on those we know about, but even though Bird and the Celtics have been and will always be my favorites ever, I still cant really in good conscience think about bestowing the goat title on anyone. there have always been, there are a few now, and there will always be great players, some we know, many more that we dont. I've vehemently lobbied for Bird as much as the next fan, and I will always think that he has a wide-reaching skill set that is markedly more special than many others, but when it comes down to it, I choose to focus on the game of basketball itself. that's really why we're all here. we're not discussing the goat of making cheeseburgers or drywalling, are we.

[@lisapate306]

SAS picked Lebron 2 years after this!!

[@samantharay6098]

button up your shirt michael

[@robluv4592]

Bird pipped wade rodman magic

[@timothy4664]

Its both. Fans and role players

[@ricklove8588]

LaBron is and never will be Larry Bird

[@richardbartley2584]

I got to watch Larry live...

[@richardbartley2584]

The crowd helped greatly

[@robluv4592]

Bird

[@ek2156]

I really hate when folks try to crown the GOAT at any sport. I was lucky enough to grow up watching Bird's career. I was 23 when Bird retired for reference. I saw the Celtics take MJ and the Bulls down multiple times in the playoffs. I saw probably some of the best basketball ever played between the Celtics vs Lakers. But, I can't crown anybody the GOAT because I never got to see Wilt play. I think Wilt is damn sure is very much in any GOAT argument.

[@michaelhrivnak9463]

LeBron said he patterned his game on Larry!

[@nathanlarson3632]

Starting 5: MJ Magic Bird Kobey Hakeem/Shaq

[@psadoug]

i seen them both and lebron way better