The Best Larry Bird vs Michael Jordan Story Ever Told

[@PrimeLarryBird]

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[@ragingoracle6239]

I really dont like how your talking as if Bird didnt literally have 4-5 Allstars on his team at the same time.. Celtics and Lakers were super teams in the late 80's.. Larry is prob top 3 SF in history, but you tripping..

[@Peace-zh2bt]

This Games which Europe Football or Basketball or any other you don't have Ranking FU stupids Watch cricket they have Ranking and there's no debate who is best and whose not stupid bullshit you guys talk

[@ragingoracle6239]

@@Peace-zh2bt LOL.. "watch cricket" 🤣🤣🤣.. Idk if you can just scream that out like you did.. Its like yelling "Watch Water Polo" to people that live in the desert.

[@Peace-zh2bt]

@@ragingoracle6239 it's a concept bro people r just fighting and constant fight like Who is the goat and all

[@freespeech515]

you guys miss key issue here. That is nothing to do with MJ or Pippen. The reason bulls lost because they had bad coach in doug collins. His job is let mj do what ever. This is only reason Bulls did not beat Pistons or Boston celtics, No one understand this. You need many pieces for championship team or even winning against good team. Doug collins was bland

[@chrisjensen9051]

In 1987 I met him by accident. My friends and I went to a game in the garden. We showed up 3 hours early out of excitement for the Celtics. There was a shoot around warmup. Someone from the garden staff said"Hey guys go down and have fun." Well halfway through our 6th game of horse my friends looked at me like I had wasp near my head. What's going on? I turned around it was Larry Bird. "Hey kid good arc release but you aim with your two big fingers like a slingshot." Then from half court he hits a no rim shot. He played with us for an hour and a half. Signed 6 basketballs and pointed to us when he was near us during the game. I still have that basketball to this day. I met my hero and he was everything I thought he was.I had to give it. He was everything your hero meets. Thank you Larry Bird.

[@pistolp01]

My Dad was stationed at Ft Devens, in Ayer, my little brother was born in Shirley. That was when Shirley was not much more than a large size family. LOL The only thing I was good at and put much effort into was Basketball. I made white people look ethnic because I was so light-skinned. My family was Scottish-Irish and we were pretty hard-headed, this wasn't helped by the fact that every 8 months or a year, we moved to a new State, a new school, new friends.... etc, etc, etc. God, that got so old, so quickly. All me and my older brother knew was that we had to fight a new group of kids, that seemed to hate us. It was tough! I played sports and I played them with no thought of anything else. Didn't care...I had nothing else. Then we moved to Tucson, my Dad was doing military security for Ft Huachuca, Az, which was Air Force not Army. That's when I realized I didn't know my Dad as well as I thought I did. My freshman and sophomore years was when I finally realized, I'm playing basketball and others were playing a different game. I had a 42 inch vertical and would tip in every rebound or loose ball. My JV basketball Coach found me playing volleyball and said, would I like to play basketball. I had no idea that I really never understood the game of basketball...until Coach Curtis. Tucson, was the first time I found myself and I had 3 incredible friends and for the first time I understood that no matter how good or even great your talent is, you are not going to make it without, friends. The greatest lesson I've ever learned. Boy, I miss my Dad. I can't ACE your Larry Bird cos he's my favorite athlete of 3, but I went to Pete Maravich's Atlanta Hawks training camp when I was a teenager and I'm not sure that it gets any better. Enjoyed your comment and what a great memory, that will only become more important as time goes by. Take care.

[@markallen4158]

That is such a great story!! That must have been an amazing experience.

[@jeremystrickland4740]

That is fucking eipicly Awesome! 👌 Don't know if epicly is even a word but it fit! Lol

[@BlackJeepConvertible]

Wow!

[@tomroach6275]

@@pistolp01 Thank you for sharing your very heartfelt message. You're a good man and I know your Dad was (and is) proud of you. That had to have been cool to hang with the Pistol. He was amazing. God Bless you and take care.

[@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, 35 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.

[@JurassicGecko]

Man, I love this story so much. Thank you for sharing!

[@tomroach6275]

@@JurassicGecko Thank you!

[@caseyguidry5012]

Solid story man, must of been a story you told many times in your life.

[@tomroach6275]

@@caseyguidry5012 Thank you. Yes, a few times! I was interviewed earlier this year by a Dr/Professor/Author who is writing a book about Larry Bird's 4 years of high school basketball at Springs Valley. I think Bird fans are going to really enjoy this book. It's not just about Larry but what made Larry become so unique. Interviews with teammates, coaches, even former players that played against Larry, who had some unique encounters with Larry. The author is Randy Mills and the title as of now is "As If By Magic". My first impression to the title was Magic Johnson, but it comes from Larrys high school days and the moment Larry went from being a decent player and then, "As If By Magic" it was like a magic wand was waved over Larry. He grew 6 inches between his Jr. and Sr. year, his scoring average doubled, his passing, rebounding, passing, Everything dramatically changed. I can not tell you how many times I watched Larry grab a defensive rebound while guard "Beezer" Carnes would already be on his way to the offensive goal, Larry would throw the ball as if it were a baseball, it would hit "Beezer" in the numbers and many times he wouldn't have to take a single dribble, he would catch and lay it in. Amazing. The book is scheduled for release sometime in 2024.

[@gesarts3625]

​@@caseyguidry5012I know I would.

[@robertswift6101]

Larry Bird faced the toughest era of basketball against arguably the best talent in the nba against legendary teams and dominated....no doubt Larry Bird is one if not the greatest players ever....mad respect

[@lucascady4992]

Way more Physical, if went to the paint, you paid for it!!

[@markboyd1080]

Jordan is the best of all time!

[@robertswift6101]

@@markboyd1080 maybe once pippen and rodman got there,,,before that he was swept twice by boston in the first round,and if you go by titles then i will say bill russell then,but no dout jordan is up there for sure but he didnt make a huge impact on the league like magic and bid did in his first year in the nba

[@megsjacobsen]

@@robertswift6101 are you forgetting bird had 4 hall of farmers on his team

[@robertswift6101]

@@megsjacobsen he had none of those his first year in the league and 1st title,not to mention his college career

[@felixcat9455]

Almost makes me sad to watch because we will likely never watch such a magical era of NBA basketball ever again.

[@carlholland3819]

i stopped watching when jordan retired. both times

[@fleurishadvisors232]

Yes, this was before Steinbrenner ruined all professional sports by buying teams instead of building them. Now, as with everything nobody has a reason to care enough to play let alone teams of them.

[@WAR4Prez]

I think the League is still Magical, but the level of competition is soooo much better!!! They’re are too many killers in the league & they play much better defense now because they can’t hand check anymore. I’ve never seen a league with soooooo many elite players. Even football is the same way now. Stacked with incredibly evolved players!

[@fluff1353]

@@WAR4Prez But, you see, that's the problem. There's an old saying: Too many cooks spoil the broth. In the era of choices, we have too many good ones. The resulting product has nothing special about it. Imagine competing stores that all have the same products. Being special is the result of disparity...NOT equality. The same thing happened to basketball that happened to television: those special, better programs we loved when there were three broadcast stations got watered down by an opened faucet of programming and eventual online streaming. Sports as entertainment has become a beach full of golden sand. Sounds pretty good...until you live there long enough.

[@barnettjenkins543]

You are absolutely right.🤷

[@richardmack7700]

I love that "Jordan made you look slow" "Bird made you look stupid" 🤣🤣

[@johngross8300]

That was a fantastic comment, and True.

[@bigguygoogle457]

Alot of the footage shows.. As a teammate, you had to be ready at all times because at a drop of a hat he could make behind his head pass. Lol

[@normancounts2924]

Because Bird would tell you exactly what shot he would take and the exact spot he would take it from and there was nothing you could do to stop it.

[@browneye1968]

That is so bad ass

[@dariussuite1605]

He was not better than Jordan, quit it, they always seem to find clips of black players giving Bird compliments but never show the hundreds of black players who said that Jordan was the greatest player of all time and Bird couldn't touch him. Bird is ranked 36thin scoring 45th in scoring and a embarrassing 62th in rebounding so quit it!

[@artofsoul]

As a young man I HATED Boston, specifically Bird and McHale. I could not figure out how 2 slow dudes always beat my team. Now that I am much older, I see how they did it, teamwork and fundamentally sound basketball. Now Bird (clutch shooting) and McHale (inside play) are 2 of my all time favorites.

[@andybilakshow260]

It's about time!🤣& welcome to the club

[@Marta_Lledo_Video_Channel]

I hear ya...I was a long time Laker fan and was so excited when the "showtime" Lakers arrived. But the Celtics held them in check much of the time and I have to say it was because of Bird...how he was able to affect the whole game and even all his teammates. When you compare the showtime Lakers vs Birds Celtics one on one, I mean Parrish and Mchale vs Worthy and Jabbar it looks like the Lakers should have run away with the decade, but they didn't. And Boston could have never done it, matched them up, with anyone else but Larry.

[@cristiancarmona3890]

Mc Hale was unstoppable but Larry ist the best am a sixers fan

[@artofsoul]

@@Marta_Lledo_Video_Channel - Amen. If memory serves me right I think Birds arrival marked one of the greatest team turnarounds (Lottery vs. Champion). I love what Riley said, to paraphrase - I'd would have Jordan take the game winning shot. I would have Bird take the shot that saves my life.

[@Marta_Lledo_Video_Channel]

@@artofsoul I am 70 years old and loved basketball very early on. I remember watching Wilt in Philly vs Bill. I remember Jerry West joining Elgin as a rookie in LA. & Kareem (Lew Alcindor then) joining Oscar...so I have seen a whole lot of it. Wilt was by far the best individual player the NBA has ever seen. The record book looks like his mom wrote it! For individual accomplishments, nobody else comes close. Of the 43 times 63 points has been scored in an NBA game by one person, Elgin and Michael have done it 3 times...Wilt 23 times! But the proverbial G.O.A.T., that has to go to Bird. Nobody ever lifted his players abilities up like Larry. Nobody ever sealed the game with the last shot as often and as predictable as Larry. Not very many at all had that complete game as Bird did, not just scoring but rebounds, assists and some of the best passing basketball has ever seen. As a Laker fan, I remember Jerry West given the title Mr. Clutch, but I believe that title belongs to Larry now. Even Jerry West called Bird the closest player he had ever seen to complete perfection!

[@Fallout777]

I'm a Lakers fan and I'm saying this right now. Bird is one of the top 5 players of all time and is HIGHLY under rated. And while playing during the best NBA Era. Don't you forget that Bird use too tell players WHAT he was going to do. And would still scored on you.

[@doniphan72ify]

I would hope that Pistol Pete Maravich is on that list of 5, considering he was the most TALENTED basketball player we've ever seen. Unfortunately tho, he did not have the benefit of a 3 point line until the last year of his career. But he was sinking the long balls long before that line came into play, and no one then or now, could play with the flash that Pete played with.

[@Poluxthefifth1]

Why did you say it right now?

[@mikeanderson1370]

Bird was far from underrated. Anybody who knows anything about 20th century NBA knows Bird is top 5.

[@edwardbritton8735]

😂😂😂😢 y'all really delusional his ending was the beginning of the best era ... After we got the slow , white boys out the league ... I mean .. nah bro lol you had trash out there tell Showtime came never a whole team but the all-star white boys 😅 let's be real Larry trash .. McHale trash ... dangie .. trash ... None of them starting where I take anyone else but Larry no thanks

[@Zay243]

Bird isn’t top 5🤣

[@derrickoman]

Larry owned a hotel for a time many years ago in Terre Haute Indiana. My great grandparents had made plans to stay there on the way home from a trip, when they arrived there was no vacancy but he so happened to be there for a ISU function. When Larry heard of the problem he gave my grandparents his personal suite for the night to make up for the mistake. Larry Legend is really that guy

[@Jojobuckets-d3f]

Larry is actually a really successful business man and not a lot of people know that. He's very careful with his money and he isn't greedy at all.

[@msalois42]

People truly have no idea how good Larry B was. Such a special talent

[@douglasfrancis2927]

The real goat

[@daleleejr]

I Totally Agree!! As a Hoosier and also as a Rabid Fan of Naismith-Ball!!

[@ktbeatty]

Not people that matter. Kareem and MJ both have said he was the best player they ever faced. Magic's opinion and respect for him is well known. It's not for nothing that Bird was also, after a brutal loss, openly stating that Magic was the best basketball player he's ever seen, and then the first to set the record straight on Jordan. Real ones see the real ones and the rest is noise.

[@broaddusmarines]

Well, no one under the age of 45 knows how great Larry Bird was. Those of us that saw him (in his prime) in real time know.

[@markuss4133]

Lol, people know. What are you on about. How many names get mentioned more often.what a silly comment

[@ecclesrice9789]

I was at Larry's first college game. In the first half he stole the ball and dribbled down the court like a guard. The other team's 7 foot center had stayed back and was ready for Bird as he drove to the basket. He went up like he was going to try to dunk and instead "no look" flipped the ball over his shoulder to Harry Morgan, the other forward. Harry slammed it home, and I turned to my roommate and said the Hick from French Lick is the real deal!! Never missed a home game after that. He was the best player I've ever seen

[@coacht4602]

​@@ryanmoose4948😂

[@Michael-dd6hl]

He's the 2nd greatest ever .

[@ecclesrice9789]

Some people live the life, others just read about it. I truly lived it my man.@@ryanmoose4948

[@ecclesrice9789]

@@Michael-dd6hl that's the beauty of sports.

[@pistolp01]

@@ryanmoose4948 Some people are just born douche-bags and will remain that way for the rest of their meager existence. It shouldn't bother you in the least because you're always walking on familiar ground.

[@CarlosAlvarez-rg2pw]

It was amazing how Bird performed so well against Jordan with all those injuries. A true LEGEND!

[@wisdom392]

sounds crazy

[@JustinCase-ld4ih]

Larry is the GOAT

[@dr.juerdotitsgo5119]

Against JORDAN? I'm not saying Bird is the goat, but the 80s had Kareem, Magic, DJ, Drexler, the Twin Towers, Bad Boys, etc.

[@michaelkeenan3437]

@@dr.juerdotitsgo5119And we all know why you can’t say Larry is the goat?.NO.🏀🏀🏀s

[@Manolo8988]

Bird played mj before injuries too 85 86 87 bird wasnt injured yet

[@CYCLONE4499]

Back when basketball was played with passion and courage. Im lucky I was able to witness that. MJ,Bird,Magic,Kareem. Golden years of basketball 🏀

[@sludge8506]

Uh, oh, an ancient armchair warrior rambling on about the old days while doing 12 ounce curls. 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@sludge8506]

@Vilatkahang 👍👍👍👍🤪

[@chriskuhn5169]

This is when basketball was exciting

[@sludge8506]

@@chriskuhn5169 And you were interesting. Oh, wait, that was never the case. 🤪🤪🤪🤪

[@relentero8547]

@@sludge8506what are you yapping about 😂 you’re the type to love the spoiled trash that is LeFLOP

[@gtilly999]

I love the fact Bird is finally getting the recognition he deserves from everyone. Truly an underrated person in the GOAT conversation

[@joeb2588]

I agree with you. Bird is simply amazing.

[@porterwake3898]

Finally getting the recognition? What are you talking about? Larry Bird is universally considered top 10 by everyone. He is in the Hall of Fame.

[@daveforgot127]

Getting operated for bone spurs is the stupidest thing you can do. Well you should have done was gone for ultrasonic shock therapy on his feet with laser therapy.

[@Osena565]

@@porterwake3898 lol not recently, people rate players like kobe and KD over him when discussing rankings, the disrespect

[@25newrush]

@@porterwake3898 Exactly what Nope said, He is a top 3, if not top 2 player for GOAT in NBA history

[@dougsaglio2095]

Keep in mind Bird played his entire career with disjointed index finger on his shooting hand. He was the smartest, most talented, trash talking stud on the floor. There will never be another. He was magical.

[@jermyskith6471]

Ok but keep in mind that all his assist is because of his teammates being able to knock down the shots he gave them. If Jordan ever passes the ball other then to Pippen then they wouldn’t score so yea Jordan is the most talented not bird

[@randyroberts4239]

​@@jermyskith6471What kind of excuse can you manage to overcome the difference in rebounds? Yeah, there's probably ten thousand guys that could dunk better than Larry. None of them would out hustle or out think him though.

[@randyroberts4239]

He was the bull of the woods. People that know, own it.

[@briandutton939]

@@jermyskith6471 Absolutely BIRD played pretty much his whole career without a real center, chicago would not have even faced the celtics without MJ , bird had a serious supporting cast, Perish , Mchale danny , dennis that was a super team just like Magic who had help would beat the celtics, so it was MJ against Birds celtics

[@marvinhunt8276]

​@@jermyskith6471Bird would trash talk about his own shooting against guys guarding him. He would tell them exactly what he was going to do and he did it. Don't try to take away Bird's talents because you can't.

[@jasonwolfe3252]

Michael Cooper is one of the all time great defensive players and he stated it perfectly. You not only had to worry about Bird scoring from the low, mid and high post when he had the ball but also him setting picks, passing and he was one of the best offensive rebounders.

[@tomroach6275]

One of my all time favorite memories of Michael Cooper is when Larry got the ball to take it out, Cooper was behind Bird trying to get in bounds to Gard him, Larry slightly bent over and "Butt checked" Cooper. When the Camera came back on Cooper, his feet were up in the air as he lay on the floor from being "checked"from Bird causing him to trip over the photographers lined up on the floor. Cooper was an awesome defender.

[@jorcial]

LB is a true legend. MJ recognizes the LB 's greatness, with the Celtics' win on that playoffs, when MJ dropped 63 pts, it's proof enough that even the most talented player can't beat a well assembled team, and don't forget it wasn't that MJ didn't beat LB, it was that MJ didn't beat the Celtics, because MJ was almost alone against an already Champion Team.

[@g-tallfrmda6661]

I totally agree with you if MJ had a complete team it would of been way better than MJ taking on multiple HOF

[@porkNbenz]

"If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game I'd choose Michael Jordan; If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life... I'd take Larry Bird." -Pat Riley this quote is worth subscribing!

[@NixonsHead]

mid 80's- early 90's was truly NBA's golden age.

[@ALT_RIGHT]

That says ALOT

[@chrisrootnick4438]

Personally i feel it's a stupid quote. If Larry is good enough to save my life he's certainly good enough to save a game. So, I'd pick Larry in both cases. In any case, both legendary players in their own right and a discussion who's best is almost always a matter of personal preference (and kinda silly) when athletes are this good.

[@jackieclark8253]

@@chrisrootnick4438 ...Actually it's not, because those are 2 totally different situations. In a game, Jordan was better at isolation, could get to the basket at will and finish over anyone,so saving a game without needing a play run for him, Jordan was way better. In a situation where you're taking a shot to save someone's life...we're talking just shooting the basketball,not necessarily an in-game situation. Bird could out shoot Mike with his eyes closed. That's what Riley meant.

[@showbread9366]

Damn

[@jasononeal3099]

Pat Riley’s quote sums up Larry’s career, at least for me. "If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game, I'd choose Michael Jordan," Pat said. "If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life, I'd take Larry Bird." Watching basketball in the late 70’s and 80’s was must see TV. Love him or hate him, Bird’s game has to applauded and recognized as true Greatness. His Basketball acumen, tenacity, and sound fundamentals made him such a well rounded technician of the game. Bird, Magic and “Air” Jordan were my favorite basketball players! I miss those battles and the rivalries. Thanks for the video!

[@timothy4557]

I'd watch the game but turn the sound off. I would then get the play by play on the radio from Johnny Most.

[@billsikes4007]

@@timothy4557 Love the misplaced nostalgic response but there are, and never will be, no words that could replicate actually watching the game......ever.

[@timothy4557]

@@billsikes4007 Bill, read my comment slower. Lol

[@joeb2588]

That's a great quote

[@SnowboardJedi]

I gotta add Dr J in there for must see 70s and 80s too...and maybe a little Ice Man

[@kevinp7300]

I was a Lakers fan growing up, hated the Celtics. But now that I’m older, I can’t help, but admire and respect how Larry Bird played the game. They don’t make players like him anymore! I miss those days!

[@NillySigger-yd7ho]

Jokic plays the game the same way

[@joarby]

I grew up hating the Celtics and bird as well but now I think like you as well…love and admire Bird’s game. Jokic is similar but he’s not Bird.

[@kevinp7300]

@@NillySigger-yd7ho please don’t compare Jokic to Bird. It’s not even close.

[@NillySigger-yd7ho]

Bird played on one of the most loaded teams in NBA history give jokic three or four other hall-of-famers and see what he would do

[@NillySigger-yd7ho]

@@kevinp7300 he will catch bird in every single statistical category by the time his career is done

[@bryancook3233]

I'm an old school street baller from way back. Love those Celtic teams. Also a huge Jordan fan. Larry's work ethic was beyond approach. As well as his Humor, Ability, and Comradery with his teammates.

[@Baileywandering]

Sounds like this describes Michael as well.

[@bryancook3233]

MJ wasn't liked by anyone. He was admired for sure, liked? Not even by his own teammates.

[@Baileywandering]

@bryancook3233 oh yeah right! 😅 do you know them personally? 😏

[@bryancook3233]

I've never had the pleasure of meeting them. I have had conversations with people that did know Larry. His dedication to the Game was tremendous.

[@bry8636]

⁠@@BaileywanderingJordan was infamous for bullying his teammates as well is rival players. Jordan punched Steve Kerr. You won’t more mild mannered respectful guy than Kerr. Jordan threatened Bull Cartwright, Longley, and Bill Wennington among others with violence. Every Bull that has ever played with Jordan has a story about Jordan’s verbal abuse, hucking balls at their head, his tirades, and/or all the personal ridicule they had to endure. There is a book written about largely this with players’ testaments to Jordan’s physical and verbal abuse littering the entire book. It’s hardly a secret. Even Jordan himself doesn’t deny it. This isn’t a debate bc no one is arguing against this reality, save you. Anyone w a modicum of knowledge of Jordan knows this to be true. This isn’t the hill you want to die on. And this notion that you need to personally know someone to form an opinion of them means we’ll have to throw out quite a lot. History for starters. Because no historian ever knew Napoleon, Caesar, Genghis Kahn, Nero, Alexander the Great or anyone else throughout history. So how do we know their peculiarities and personalities? Because historians read about them. The entire profession of journalism is largely dedicated to writing of people they’ve never met or asked a single question of. So put to rest this idea that valid opinions of someone can’t exist without personal knowledge. Biographies even are very often written by people who’ve never met the figure they’re writing of.

[@jrr3787]

Parish is another underrated player.

[@marykuettner752]

Wilt Chamberlain said Parish was so underated.

[@BoogieBoyMetalMouth]

Exactly! CHEEEEEEEIF!!

[@DWilliam1]

Tremendously underrated.

[@sw45prime]

About a week before it happened, I said to myself, "Why doesn't somebody just hit Laimbeer?" Thanks goes to The Chief!

[@lafawnduh1543]

HOF is all he needs. You make the list and everyone can shut up.

[@James-sc9pb]

Larry Bird's ability to see the entire court was amazing

[@KW-qh1pd]

Yes!! And reflexes were incredible!!

[@mH8675309]

Something many good players lack

[@bigguygoogle457]

@@mH8675309..Many reasons to elevate Bird, but I agree 100% that his ability to see the whole court knowing where everyone was was his biggest asset.. That ability proves in every great player to be the biggest advantage..

[@Marta_Lledo_Video_Channel]

and Jerry West said Bird was the closest thing to a perfect basketball player.

[@h.donnellgrayiii4276]

More court vision and more dangerous without the ball is a pretty accurate description of the Bird

[@danielcrowleyatc9701]

Larry was unreal. I'll never forget that epic game at the end of his career where he made an incredible 3 pointer while being fouled to send it to OT against the Blazers. I think Magic is overlooked today as well. Magic was unreal. He was out of the league for 4 years, then comes back and was still great.

[@ZDiddy7777]

I wouldnt call '96 Magic great.

[@devanman7920]

Ya both Magic and Bird were incredible

[@koko-pu5vn]

So much talent in the NBA today but the Magic/Bird era followed by the bad boy Pistons and the beauty of Michael Jordan are the best times for me.

[@anthonybailey8317]

@@ZDiddy7777 WTF?

[@rafikz77]

It was gainst the Blazers but he wasn't fouled; great shot by Bird

[@edcotter5163]

Was 6 years old when Larry Bird started for the Celtics. Grew up watching him in my formative years. His greatest strength and weapon was 'his mind'. Along with his natural 'ambidexterity' (Batted lefty, threw righty). His teammates loved him because he expected them to put in the time and work he did - his opponents feared and respected him because they knew he was working on his game when they were not. He was assassin with or without a B-Ball in his hand on the court. I watched a game in the old garden back in the mid-80's with my mother (who sadly passed 10 years ago. We watched many Bird games together). They were playing the Cavaliers. For the entire first quarter, almost every offensive set - they got Bird the ball on the right side of the foul line above the 3pt line. Parish was in the post on some poor wannabe center for Cleveland. Bird made almost every interior pass by either 'spinning' the basketball with a bounce pass into the post to Parish and just 2 or 3 passes to the outside of Parish's left hand up high out of reach of the guard and the center. Bird did this to get Parish involved offensively. It was basically practice while the other 8 players just watched! LOL Cleveland couldn't stop it, took them almost into the halfway point of the 2nd quarter to make adjustments. Later in the second half when things were getting tight and the Celts fans got the 'oh sh*t' look on their faces. He took over and they won by over 20 pts. He used the first half 'for practice' for his teammates to get them reps. It was incredible to witness. Bob Ryan (famous sports reporter for the Boston Globe) said he was the 'Leonardo da Vinci' of basketball and he would take 5 Larry Birds in 1986 over any 5 Michael Jordan's in any year you chose. Red Auerbach said if he had to start a team he'd take 'Larry Bird' OVER 'Bill Russell', Russell being the greatest center and greatest winner in the history of basketball. Magic said on 'Larry Bird Night'....'Larry...there will never ever, ever, ever...ever be another Larry Bird. THEY ALL WERE RIGHT (mic drop). Not much more can be said about him on the court. He didn't play just to win, he LIVED to win and thoroughly enjoyed embarrassing his opponents while doing it. He's my GOAT no matter what the numbers or records show to any basketball fan. End of story.

[@bornresaabe]

Prime Larry Bird has a genuine argument for being the GOAT. It's such a shame his Prime got cut short, however the fact he still put in a few seasons with a broken back and still was a massive problem shows how much of a legend the guy is.

[@madra000]

You value consistency over talent when at their best? This vid doesn't make you question the level of play Jordan is not undoubtedly best. Repeat the video and listen to the argument

[@captknuckles7143]

@@madra000 When it came down to pure athletic talent Jordan was better, Larry was smarter than everyone and knew how to use whole team to win.

[@niamsidri]

That first sentence makes no sense dude.... "Prime Larry Bird has a genuine argument for being the GOAT." You stupid? With that logic any player with a high peak for a few years can be included in GOAT discussions...

[@mattcorcoran7082]

84-86 Bird may be the peak GOAT.

[@niamsidri]

@@mattcorcoran7082 what the fuck does `peak GOAT` mean... thats any oxymoron

[@geejr]

I’m a Philly fan that grew up with the Celtics and 76ers rivalry that I miss so dearly but Larry Legend was the smartest player I’ve ever seen. We all know he wasn’t the most athletic guy we’ve seen but mentally, clutchness, play making, and shooting he’s the best ever. Nothing but respect.

[@miraclepie1720]

Bird vs Jordan all-time: 23-11. When Bird retired, Michael Jordan said, "Good riddance Larry, I'm glad to see you go. You've ruined some of my best games."

[@godbluffvdgg]

Yo, ...:) SW philly native.

[@rollwash4432]

@@miraclepie1720 Bird also said michael jordan was god disguise as basketball player. You never heard that from a player with a superior team that had a winning record against an opponent. Same talent on both teams, jordan wins.

[@roryjohnston6567]

@@rollwash4432 well if were doin imaginary situations if larry never injured his back and ankles he beats jordan, not too mention even if the teams were equal jordan needed YEARS to become an actual leader/general on the court and be more than a 1 man wrecking ball, bird walked into the nba with all those intangibles, larry brought the celtics out of ruin with himself being the only new addition to the team his rookie year, remember dj, mchale and parrish did not join the celtics until 82-83 and 83-84 seasons, larry himself made that whole team better well before the big 3 and dj.

[@rollwash4432]

@@roryjohnston6567 Bird called that 86 team the best team ever. How is Jordan suppose to beat that team when he don't have nobody. The Lakers and the pistons also had superior teams. What happen when the USA olympic team spank NBA allstars. He had a team then and he dominated. So don't give me this bull crapt that he wasn't ready.

[@AdrianKidd1985]

Larry was simply awesome and probably one of the greatest legends to ever set foot on a basketaball court. Hats off to you, Mr. Bird.

[@Poluxthefifth1]

You wear no hat.

[@AJ........]

He was the best when he was healthy. It's a shame his body didn't hold up cuz he would've won a couple more titles

[@SaiyanJin85]

Probably?

[@marcusblackburn236]

I saw that game originally aired and Larry Bird put on an incredible performance i was like damn he's a shooting assassin bullseye every single time in clutch situations absolutely incredible basketball by a man well past his prime and played against prime Jordan like he was still in his prime! #LegendaryAllAroundBaller

[@highpsi11]

That was a truly stellar group of extraordinary players - what an era!

[@simpletine]

Agreed the talent in the league was extraordinary between 1985 and 1995.

[@78tag]

.... and then the NBA became a national thug sport. I haven't watched since the period after the Bird/Johnson era.

[@innosanto]

And playing basketball. Not each person separate

[@321snoot]

@@78tag That's about the time I stopped watching, too. The true meaning of "team" disappeared about the time Jordan came on the scene.

[@rydescho]

This video alone tells you that Larry Legend is without a doubt one of the best of all time!

[@brianlane9534]

The GOAT.

[@rkymtnchi503]

@@brianlane9534 let's not get crazy lol

[@SkammLykelee]

One of the best? Absolutely. The G.O.A.T? No.

[@rkymtnchi503]

@@SkammLykelee GWDOAT maybe (greatest white dude of all time)

[@one_uninterested_introvert]

I've never seen anyone take it to Horace Grant like that 4x in a row, same exact spot on the court, same exact shot, same exact result every time! Incredible! Larry Legend is my 🐐

[@cgraf69]

Very good point. Grant was a beast and was overlooked as a key player with the Bulls. I thought he was just as important as Pippen while he was there

[@masterdeus100]

My brother this is by far the best vid on Bird I have seen. I commend you good sir. Bird is still the best I have seen play Basketball. He played the whole game with his whole heart every damn game

[@jasonzielke4590]

A great player on a great team. It's funny how people always say Bird wasn't as physically gifted... he had every tool except insane vertical and blazing speed. He was physically gifted in every other way and had the brains to overcome those two.

[@Primus54]

People always say Larry was slow and couldn’t jump, yet you can find video after video of Larry leading a break or making a move on a defender to drive to the basket. And for a guy who couldn’t jump, he was a rebounding machine.

[@kuroneko7022]

Larry wasn’t as physically gifted as a lot of the other players but he was so fundamentally sound that he made up for it. Lots of players weren’t very athletic or fast but were great shooters - Larry will admit he wasn’t as athletic as Wilkins, Jordon, Irving and others. There’s nothing wrong with admitting he wasn’t as athletic, it didn’t hinder him. Why can’t you just admit it. You don’t know more than the teams he played against and the greatest athletes have flaws. 🙄

[@Primus54]

@@kuroneko7022 Who are you replying to in such a condescending way?

[@Raphmatic5000]

I mean by the time he retired injuries had caught up with him, I was born in '84 and I didn't start watching basketball really until the Dream Team, I never watched Prime Bird live and for years I thought he was overrated, then I got to see more tape of him. His physical skills were overlooked because his basketball IQ was off the charts.

[@venetoaward]

MJ's "a lot of sad memories to me" is probably the biggest acknowledgement a true competitor can give

[@gabrieljohannson6777]

FACTS!

[@Juncboks]

My thoughts exactly. You want to see someone admit a true rival, MJ just showed us what that looks like. When you're forced to say he stopped you from victory; that's the peak of admission to a competitor.

[@bigguygoogle457]

@@Juncboks Exactly. One of greats admitting that Bird had his number..

[@lunarjedi7788]

That's the best props your gonna get from MJ. Bird is truly a legend.

[@earlpipe9713]

Don't forget the "I'll be glad to not see his face anymore" part🤣 Jordan was speaking no lies right there

[@shaynepace571]

“He didn’t need the basketball to affect the game” !!! Perfectly stated👍

[@patrickgrisley]

Really well researched and non biased video man, thanks for posting. I was blessed to grow up in the late 80s early nineties and see both of them in thier prime

[@shelydon78]

I never knew anything about Bird until this video. Honestly, this is one of the best NBA nostalgia videos I've ever seen

[@colebarnes3823]

For real

[@zDuKeMaNz]

I never had him in my top 10 until I did a deep dive into all of the top all time greats over the summer and he was by far the biggest surprise of all of them. I now have him at 2 behind Jordan. The only thing he lacks is athleticism but he always made up for it with discipline, quick hands and quick thinking

[@shelydon78]

@@zDuKeMaNz you right

[@GORILLA_PIMP]

Dam what are you like 12 years old ??? Lmfao

[@christineperez7562]

Really he is a Goat too. The Bulls and the Celtics in the 80s early 90s is the best rivalry in Basketball history. This was the best time in basketball history.

[@terrymcilvain1569]

Work ethic, team work, basketball IQ, heart and desire...Larry Bird was the man.

[@bige8549]

Top-notch video. Early on in Jordan’s career, he was playing a Celtics team that had so much experience playing together already successfully. Jordan eventually beat out all his peers, but it’s really interesting that Jordan never “beat” Bird. Thanks for this content!

[@rollwash4432]

I Agee with this post. What happen when jordan had talent on the USA team playing against NBA allstars. MJ dominated. When you look at Magic, Bird, and Thomas beating michael jordan they had better teams. You give michael the same amount of talent and it's a different story. Case closed.

[@GABEMOORE533]

@@rollwash4432 🎯EXACTLY . THANK YOU ,. MAN . PUT ALL. OF THE NUTS. AND BOLTS TO. WHY MIKE. DIDN ' T BEAT. LARRY IN A SERIES .. LARRY , MAGIC AND ISIAH HAD SUPER TEAMS AND A LOT OF HELP . PEOPLE RARELY TALK ABOUT THAT , WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT WINNING . THIS GUY AND OTHER LARRY BIRD G O.A.T. CHASERS DON ' T MENTION THAT .>🎤 🏀🗑️

[@peterwalkon6075]

Never beat Bird, "yet". But had Bird stayed, he would have eventually fell as did all the other greats.

[@CaesarCassius]

The entire video uses fallacies: The "Celtics" or the "Pistons" beating the "Bulls" does not mean Bird beat Jordan, or Thomas beat Jordan, those are entirely different units of measurement

[@PIP...33]

@Extinguish Idiot's IF JORDAN HAD NO HELP THAT MEANS DREXLER IS BETTER THAN MJ , BECAUSE CLYDE PLAYED ALONE VS PIPPEN AND JORDAN. EITHER WAY JORDAN IS NOBODY.

[@bobbyokeefe4285]

I think this could be summed up like this. Jordan is the GOAT player. Bird is the GOAT team player. Two different schools,two geniuses.

[@Quinn37]

"He could affect the game without the ball in his hands" That's a hell of a compliment.

[@beezewax3701]

Gtfoh, larry bird is not the greatest of all time. Wtf?!?

[@WingCoe]

LOL, Bird can play without the ball because who was his teammates again?

[@Quinn37]

@@WingCoe what's your point; you don't think that's a hell of a compliment?

[@chanmc9214]

@@john9718 I love Bird but let's be fair. I don't know which year you refer to without Bird in the playoffs. In such case, both Mchale and Parish are not young anymore.

[@prophy4736]

how many steals did mike have? so he didnt affect the game w out the ball too? ok d riders. mj is way better than larry 1v1 larry had a better team thats why they won. years later the bulls built a solid team for jordan to use as well and they were unstoppable

[@rickcouture8760]

Such a phenominal breakdown of how great both these dudes were! Its hard to find this kind of dedicated footage and analysis from anything early-90s prior so much appreciated!

[@sherischleben9268]

As I get older, I really do appreciate the few games we could afford to see Larry Bird. The Celtics back than, unreal. Watching today pure joy.

[@hubrisnaut]

I like both of these men. Those were some great days for basketball. I didn't even like basketball, being a football player but I got into it because of these great players.

[@ideiben3190]

I SAW those games LIVE....as a KID. I was still in HIGH school. My father had season tickets for clients....but I always managed to talk him into letting me and my grandmother go see Larry play. Back then, they played in the old Boston Garden....and there were RATS always running underneath everyone's feet in the stands. I will NEVER forget being able to see Larry Bird...! He was a brutal...BRUTAL....competitor..! Some of those games in particular still stand out in my memory, when Larry would make a final shot from no time left on the clock and sink it from down court winning the game...! And NOW I have had Tom Brady for these past 22 years...! I lost interest in basketball after Bird retired, just as sure I will [in all likelihood] loose interest in NFL once Brady is gone. But LARRY was like a human light bulb....he somehow brought the ENTIRE team to life.....just like Brady does.

[@SuperDetroit9]

@Ide Iben:I'ma die-hard Pistons gan and I was actually scared FOR them whenever they faced Bird in the playoffs!! He was just UNconscious from 25 feet out!! I even patterned my own frighteningly =ACCURATE"Rainbow Shot"after his high-arcing jumpers!! Jordans shooting percentage is shamrful,when subtract all the baskets he made while in CONTACT with the rim!! :O

[@ideiben3190]

@@SuperDetroit9 I likely saw a good portion of those Piston match-ups..! Great, great memories...! Back when the world was still sane...! Sportsmen still had class back then, now the greater portion of them are egomaniacal asshats who think they have the mental means to give opinions where they do not belong. I totally lost interest in NBA after Larry retired. I tried to stay interested but the Joy just faded away. Larry had eyes in the back of his Head...! Amazing player..!

[@lucianolopez8639]

Sounds like you're not a very good fan then. Strange coming from Boston since people say they have some of the best fans. You just said you follow the teams when they're great or have great players.

[@lookoutforchris]

@@ideiben3190 sports have become political and the players are pansies. Any of these guys from the 70s-80s-90s would tear through all the modern teams like toilet paper. Basketball isn’t a contact sport anymore 😂

[@davidmorin6667]

The celtics would play at the Hartford civic center I had my son & nephew and got the see Larry Legend,Parrish,McHale,DJ Cornbread great games still haveT shirt 40 years old

[@critcalreader4160]

You are a very good narrator. When there is nothing worth watching on TV, it's nice to find a great story that someone has put together for his viewers. Thank you.

[@JournalPulp]

I totally agree: you're a very good narrator, and this is a great video.

[@Troutslayer]

Watching Bird in the 80's was like watching Brady at New England. Nobody in the arena/stadium thought either was going to physically overmatch the other team, but everyone knew that at some point they would make the right plays at the right time to either win or put their team in a winning situation. And there was really nothing the other team could do about it.

[@Peakfreud]

Great Analogy, never looked at it like that but Spot on.

[@poamclothingcompany2421]

I agree. I've witness both greats. Bird and Brady. When a privilege to have experienced theirs journeys from beginning to end.

[@alecsanderhamilton9224]

The Celtics were the best franchise from 59-86. Russell and Cousy to Havlicek to Cowens to Bird 🐦 they had a dominant franchise and tradition and culture. Bird was also like Favre and Aaron Rodgers. And slowly began giving away the Celtics ☘️ mystique and charm. He was the first Celtic leader to lose to Los Angeles in a Finals. He lost Game 7's to Julius Erving where Russell had the Celtics like some ridiculous level of wins to zero losses in such games. And Havlicek and Cowens and Don Nelson helped keep that lure alive and then Bird started routinely losing to Erving in Game 7's. Bird was there to continue the wave 🌊 of Celtics ☘️ dominance but was also part of the wave that started falling on itself until it died almost completely. Hell they may have been cursed since Larry cuz what happened to his back, Len Bias and Reggie Lewis. You could say Bird was the beginning of the end for the Celtics ☘️ dominance.

[@thecensoredmuscle563]

Watching Bird play was amazing, Bird was able to do crazy stuff that no one before could do. Brady was never like that, Brady doesn't do anything special besides his team winning.

[@alexdelvento1273]

Bird, Brady, Orr, and young Babe Ruth …. let that sink in. All unanimous GOATs

[@PD4838]

Growing up a Laker fan as a kid thinking Magic was the best Bird and his crew make me go to bed crying growing up till dad came in with a pep talk. Good times. Looking back such great memories ( especially when the Lakers beat them). haha Great video.👍

[@Cobra0710]

People say Bird didn't have physical gifts. However, he had an incredible basketball brain -- who could scan the court in microseconds and use his impeccable vision to make quality decisions. His ability to do so was second to none.

[@Sir_Leelord]

Something Westbrook or Harden can't do :D

[@paulsholar9356]

Coach Bob Knight was captured on camera saying that Bird had probably the greatest hand-eye coordination talent in the history of basketball.

[@J.J.J.J.J.J.J]

You can't do what he did without being extremely athletic. You can have all the IQ in the world, but that doesn't mean you have the athletic ability to make the shots, passes, and other types of amazing plays that Larry did.

[@RobChapala]

Being 7 feet tall and be able to run, is physically gifted

[@RobChapala]

Isaiah Thomas is still jelly

[@sladestiffwood9972]

All Jordan ever wanted was Magic and Bird's respect. He just wanted to be mentioned with them.

[@donjuanismo]

Nonsense! Jordan wanted much more. He wanted o win always, and be the best of all time! College Jordan destroys BIRD and nba all-stars! CASE CLOSED, MJ is far better than Larry Bird! kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2XUqmShoamUm5Y

[@daleburnfart6845]

I grew up watching Bird and he was a big deal no doubt about it, but when Jordan stepped on the court it was something special and magical was in the air. All I knew back then as a kid is I was watching history. I was watching the greatest player to ever play the game. Some people Scoff at Mike Tyson as the GOAT, okay but he inspired a video game that was incredibly popular. Jordan got a shoe deal and a movie. Anyone who cant understand when an athlete is special, well too bad for you because look at their love outside of the court.

[@4.0cre8r5]

Outstanding video breaking down in detail how it all happened, emphasizing what Bird was able to do back in the day. Well done. Also remember that last year he faced Magic in the Finals, 4 of the 5 Celtic starters were playing injured. Even playing with 4 injured starters, the Lakers still needed 6 games to put them away! And that was the Magic baby sky-hook over McHale who was playing with a broken bone in his foot. In an interview, Magic said "I saw that I had McHale guarding me, I knew I HAD to take the shot!!"

[@madra000]

I didn't know that. Great 👍

[@danyellcharles]

As a fan of Magic, Bird, and Jordan I can say that all three were amazing individual athletes and all three needed others to be their greatest. Bird was truly incredible and unbelievable. But Bird had better squad all around. A deeper bench and a better coaching staff who built those teams and Bird being more experienced. Bird was a more versatile scorer and playmaker, so was Magic. He was truly great, but MJ was a better individual scorer. Bird was just older and was beaten up more. His body gave out on him. Time beats everybody. I think they were two sides of the same coin. Bird and Magic both agreed that MJ was the best they ever faced. But basketball is a team sport. One on one...who knows. They're all thee in a class unto themselves.

[@Ytomany]

Yeah at the end of the day bird was on Boston which has historically always been stacked when it comes to coaching, players and everything, Jordan was on one of the worst teams in the league full of drug addicts and the reason the 90s bulls are so much better is cause they finally built a team around Jordan one player can only do so much I mean look at Jordan he is dominating Larry every game but I mean he is only one guy. Charles Barkley had this problem his entire career amazing player but never had a team built around him.

[@donaldgoodpasture4906]

Go look at the Boston Celtics the year before Larry Bird arrived then look at that next year when Larry Bird arrived the difference in their record and then they're the same guys the same team explain that. Larry made the whole team great around him that was the difference of him and Magic Johnson where his Jordan was just more of an individual guy

[@donaldgoodpasture4906]

Actually bird and Magic both said that The Other was the best player that they had ever played against bird said Magic magic said bird you're very incorrect there these were old Men Still beating Jordan in his prime. And for the record yes the Lakers already had a stack team but like I said do your research and check the Boston Celtics record and the team the year before burder arrived then watch what happened within about 2 or 3 seasons bird makes a team better around him the team wasn't built around him but he made the team better than being around him

[@LOsProductionC]

I agree with everything you say..but a lot of MJ fan think that Jordan did it all alone.

[@observedot7490]

Magic is the winner, LA is always the winner historically

[@TheAlan11223]

It’s a shame Bird’s body couldn’t keep up in 30s. He wasn’t the most gifted genetically but he was the most skilled all around player of all time.

[@ecobean3440]

I remember that 86 series like it was yesterday. Partly because of me being a diehard Bulls fan long before MJ. I remember those Celtics teams of the 80s. Larry Bird was soooo clutch. His basketball IQ was beyond normal. But The Celtics beat the Bulls mainly due to their extreme size advantage and supreme talent level. Other than MJ the Bulls had no one who could compete with the Celtics at every position. And that's why the C's won the 86 series.

[@prestongriffith208]

Data that’s impressive and also helps win games. Larry converted 649 of his 1,727 shots from 3-point range, he has amassed a 3pt percentage of 37.6%. MJ shot 1,778 3PT attempts during his NBA career giving him 32.7% by converting 581 of those tries.

[@shubhamlele5395]

​@ImBucketNekkidand like all statpadders such as kobe, trae and Russ who are in top 4, michael takes no. 1 spot in highest usage rate of a player in history.

[@darlawrence9295]

THANK YOU! I never realized how amazing Bird was until I saw him live. Larry Legend was affecting play when he didn't have the ball. Jordan was amazing every minute he had the ball but Bird was amazing every minute he was on the court.

[@mrspaulb3889]

I love that last line. So true! Unselfish play is the big difference in these two players. #larrylegend

[@321snoot]

@@mrspaulb3889 Also the big difference between those teams. The Celtics played like a true, unselfish team, like a well-oiled machine. That's why they were so spectacular and practically unbeatable. As great a player as Jordan was, it was the beginning of the end of the "team" mentality. Red Auerbach knew exactly what worked and what didn't, and so did Pat Riley.

[@botsareeverywhere]

People put too much stock in stats without looking at other factors, there are many more ways to affect a game other than the stat sheet.

[@jeffmcloud5212]

Back in the day, when basketball was really basketball, played by those who absolutely loved the game itself, and not necessarily the money associated with it. Thank you for this video.

[@LaStOnE_leFt]

One of the best stories ive seen on social media about an athlete, and my favorite all time player. Very well done my friend!!

[@brianodonnell7076]

I grew up in the 70s and 80s in Chicago, but I was a Celtics fan before Jordan signed with the Bulls. I became a Bulls fan after Bird retired. I had the privilege to watch the greatest era in basketball...it was awesome...amazing.

[@timratcliff6590]

Let me guess your a cowboys and yankees fan also

[@brianodonnell7076]

@@timratcliff6590 I don't watch pro football. I am a Chicago White Sox fan.

[@alltimeraiderfanwinbaby826]

First of all, when Jordan got there look who Jordan had, compared to who bird had, bird had 5 HOF on that team an as far as guarding each other, bird 6/10 Jordan 6/5, an stop asking Thomas he still hasn't gotten over not being on the Olympic team so yea he gonna say bird, but ask him this did he even think about guarding Jordan, bird was great but bird is a taller Seth curry, the goat is Jordan, pippen, grant, Oakley,Paxton, tony kucko rodmen came late, y'all stop hating air is the goat, I guess flo Jo isn't the goat, nobody broke her record in the 100 meters or the 200 meters, they said Marion Jones took steroids it did not help break flo Jo record, air is the goat.

[@davemartino5997]

@@timratcliff6590 your point is ?

[@davemartino5997]

@@alltimeraiderfanwinbaby826 stop Oh you Orlando Woolridge, Ice man gervin and Charles Oakley ( top rebounder in league ) ? Secondly Chicago got to the 85 playoffs WITHOUT MJ . So your HOF argument is weak asf . Most of those players wouldn’t even be HOF if it wasn’t for Larry. Lastly Walton wasn’t a starter and barely played due to 2 bad knees . Get real making more excuses for the so called goat .

[@RyanAustinDean]

My dad was a Lakers fan from Texas who loved Magic Johnson, but as a very young kid, my first formative basketball memories were watching Larry torch everyone. I loved him. I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for Legend.

[@Jlymansackhead]

It’s a huge myth that Bird didn’t have physical gifts. He was very quick. You don’t have to be a fast runner or jump high to be good at basketball, and Bird proved it. You just need to be quick, level headed, competitive, and hard working.

[@wills2140]

That "myth" is something Larry himself helped pass on in the media, often. Larry liked when people ( especially fans ) underestimated him, hated when other coaches tried throwing lesser or bench players at him to slow him down.

[@buchro111]

I once saw Julius Irving get a rebound and go up for a dunk. Larry Bird stuffed him.

[@buchro111]

I once saw Julius Irving Grabout a rebound and go up for the dunk. Larry Bird stuffed him. Can't jump? Another myth, Possibly created because he was white. He averaged 10 rebounds for his career, An outstanding number for a forward, Especially one who wasn't particularly muscular.

[@Ferd-u6j]

The difference is MJ hogged the ball 🏀 too much! Larry was an absolute all round player his leverage and weapon is Assets!!! And his Great Soothing. Larry is a True Champion!

[@lizhasbrouck1376]

Thanks for his video. Huge Bird fan here--lived in Boston during his career there. I have watched a lot of videos of Bird, Jordan, Magic, etc...the greats. Seldom does anyone mention Bird's surgeries and the pain he endured during his career -- one that was cut short because he sacrificed his body repeatedly to pick up loose balls, to keep balls in play, etc. In his final years he couldn't even sit comfortably on the bench, opting to lie on the floor, because his back had been broken. He had surgery on both achilles tendons. It is said he never took pain medication, and his attitude was that he was being paid to play, and that was his job. He was a great player, and a unique man. But what I really appreciated is that he was an unselfish player. His passing is legendary. He elevated everyone on his team.

[@firpomaan5544]

My sentiment exactly, the game has changed first of all it's rigged the refs get told who wins the series and to stretch it out to as many games as you can. That's where the owners make the most per game so each game is worth 10's of million of dollars. Back in Bird's era it was a team sport as you said Bird made everyone around him good, Jordan was a barb. Today it's just feed the star player, look at Labron and I don't think he's even that good. Technically I much prefer Steph Curry much better skill level expert. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! CHEERS!!!!

[@lostone9700]

A so he he had surgeries and wasnt that durable that already makes him inferior let alonehis numbers at his peak which cant touch jordans. He played alongside two hall of fame big men when giants dominated. Great player but extremely overated.

[@mattsharkey8437]

@@lostone9700 lol.....trollretardo

[@kellysmith3628]

Nobody in the history of BB played thru more pain than Larry Bird.When you know about all the different injuries Bird played with it was to me unbelievable.Thats it no shit.

[@IrishNattyby27]

@@lostone9700 😂😂😂🤦🏽‍♂️

[@lowkey_gamer4298]

This video made me feel goosebumps all over.... I maybe born in the early 2000's but I'm a very big fan of the NBA era from 80's to 90's because my Dad had a CD collection of those classic games and documentaries... This really makes you miss those golden days...

[@gmoney2667]

Enjoyed the video very much. I'm a big MJ fan, always have been ever since the first game I saw him play in the early 80's. But.. Bird was special in ways I've never seen any other player. Pointless to argue who was better imo, like saying who was the better artist, Rembrandt or Da Vinci. What an era for basketball that was.

[@m.willems7030]

It's Da Vinci.

[@gmoney2667]

@@m.willems7030 🤣🤣

[@DigitalianFX-GT]

I remember watching those games hurting, as MJ was doing so good but the Bulls couldn't take the W from the Celtics. It was a pain to watch but at the same time, I was at awe with Bird and the Celtics. MJ may be my goat, but Larry Bird.. he's a freaking shepherd. I don't watch NBA anymore, the rules make the game boring, it's just not as exciting as it used to be. I remember when kings bled and took their thrones, now I hear that minions are finding ways on how they could get the throne to their king. NBA - I used to love this game!

[@usa5439]

I used to love it too. Just can't get down with it anymore. The players are all babies now too, this was grown men playing. And I don't mean just age.

[@ExMachina70]

Great Video! I loved every part of it and it really helped me see things from a different perspective. Having Bird and Jordan together in the Dream Team was a great finale for two legends.

[@pauleisenberg8768]

I had the same reaction as you did. Never knew the dominance Bird had over MJ.

[@jace2802]

Showed my dad this video he was a big bird fan. Unfortunately he's about to lose his battle with cancer :( it's crazy how age gets the best of us

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

🙏

[@Nathaniel_Peterson]

🙏

[@shaunphillips3236]

🙏🏾

[@johngross8300]

Praying for your Father, his Family and Friends.

[@tellmestraight]

🙏

[@nateus]

To me Larry bird is my favourite player of all time, I never say who i think is the GOAT, i always just say who my fave player is, and the way Larry bird impacted the game not just from scoring but passing, creating plays and the 1 percenters. It was just magical to watch. The ability to trash talk but back up his trash talk was insane to me.

[@michaelkim2147]

Prime Larry Bird was young MJ's cryptonite.

[@wessidioussmoke5773]

Young

[@DrumPhil-ss7wn]

Many videos about Bird and the Bird era. Most are just throw-togethers or stuff we've seen and knew about anyway, just with a different title. Some are okay. Some are really good. I've gotta say, though... two thumbs up on this video, my friend! Nicely put together, kept it very interesting, and even the narrating. Watched the whole thing to the end and enjoyed every moment! AWESOME video!! 👍

[@matt75hooper]

I saw Bird's entire career. You simply had to be there.

[@Thinkdragon1982]

Damn. That’s quite a comment. I totally get it.

[@juanflorez5322]

Bird or Luka?

[@matt75hooper]

@@juanflorez5322 Bird by a mile. Huge Jokic fan- but Bird was even better. Jokic in the 80s would lose 40 pounds in that physical era. Coaches would wear his ass down

[@winoodlesnoodles1984]

Great video! If anything, I would say it proves if nothing else, Larry showed MJ what it took to get to the next level and the drive you need to be great year after year. Basically, Larry taught MJ, he wasn't the best until he could prove it through years of play. To be fair MJ did. It also taught MJ old school basketball in which the mentality when you were in the game, you show someone respect by showing them none. Force them to prove themselves to you EVERY game or back down. In MJ's case, most just backed down. The NBA could use more of that mentality today.

[@OrllyDelaCruz]

Good point!

[@geraldbacongco3268]

Good point of veiw

[@triandfit1]

It’s exactly what Gretzky learned after getting swept in the finals by the NY Islanders. You needed that understanding of what it really takes to win it all. Gretzky and Messier went by the Isles locker room after game 4 and saw that they were beat to hell, all in bandages and ice bags. That’s when it clicked.

[@nicandrogomezalvarez]

Jordan has always showed respect to the greats before him, younger he wanted to be magic, in his first years larry was his everest, while in the Dreamteam he knew and acceptted they were still the dudes, for the hall of fame dream team inclusion it's was magic and bird. All three amazing, old school and respectful towards each other

[@DaveDick-xd4dr]

Well said!

[@apologeticswithoutapology]

Simply one of the best NBA documentaries on KZbin

[@butchbrown7405]

I loved watching the Celtics and Larry play the Pacers when they had Chuck Persons. A lot of great moments, smack talking, and gestures to one another while one was on the floor and the other was on the bench and the back and forth while they were on the floor at the same time trying to one up each other.

[@aarontaylor9874]

I've been on this Larry is the true GOAT conversation for about 6 years now. This video is very informative but all I needed was being a hawks fan.. his duels with nique were some of the craziest games you could ever see.

[@becausereasons8981]

I always loved Larry, but it was how good he was at taking the shot...had no idea he could pass like that or even had the mind to do what needed to be done to get that W, even if it made him look bad.

[@sixwingsram]

I am so glad to see Larry get the credit and accolades that he deserves. I was a huge Lakers fan and Larry was the guy I loved to hate. He was completely unbeatable as an all around player. For the Laker and Bull fans, Larry was the best villian ever😊The greatest of all time!!!

[@AJourneyOfYourSoul]

No one understood the game, from a team perspective, better than Larry Bird. It didn’t matter how many points MJ scored, Bird knew how to get the W.

[@billsikes4007]

Magic would like a word with you.

[@chairmanmeow3693]

@@Str8Maddeness Yeah and he never would have reached 72 if Bird hadn't already retired

[@redrick8900]

@@billsikes4007 Magic's word on the matter is that Bird is the bet player ever.

[@billsikes4007]

@@redrick8900 F Magic and Bird absolutely label Michael as the undisputed GOAT and......Magic got the better of Bird both on the collegiate level and the pros.

[@redrick8900]

@@billsikes4007 Nope. Magic Said Bird is better. Bird said Magic was better. Keep making crap up.

[@caitcasali3207]

I love Larry bird I actually was fortunate enough to meet him on several occasions after he retired... Bill Walton is a close family friend and I had something horrible and life changing happen to me and through the kindness of Larry I have now been in the care of the Celtics team Drs and have had 4 successful lumbar and cervical surgeries. Larry actually went out of his way To get me in touch with the best doctors that who could ever ask for. Bill did much more for me and Tommy hinson What is instrumental in Getting me the best neurosurgeon I could ever ask for. I am actually going in for my next surgery on Thursday for my cervical spine following that I will have a lumbar spine surgery in June once I am healed (as much as I can hope for) I might be able to return to the life I had). Fingers crossed! But just thought I would share that he is a kind and empathic man off the court! Great job on the videos I thoroughly enjoyed them! I'm sure Larry does as well as he never gets this type of coverage!

[@caitcasali3207]

I'm not sure if Larry is aware of your channel but I'm gonna get word to him because I know he would be so humbled and grateful!😀 Keep up the great work love the videos!!!🤗🤗🤗

[@MichaelMaxwell747]

I am praying for a wonderful recovery for you. You are very gracious and nice.

[@beautiful80sladies22]

Hope all turns out well for you as I am a 55 year old ex jock with my old injuries and surgeries starting to take their toll.....God bless you my friend

[@abrammedrano4392]

Wish you the best. Good luck.

[@Scaley_Reptile]

best of luck with your health Issues. I had assumed that about Bird, he just REFUSED to show weakness I believe...but a genuine person off the court.

[@husseinkassem4664]

Larry Legend NEVER gets enough credit or ever really mentioned

[@jasonhood4711]

Wonder why? 😂🤷

[@alanwaters5957]

As someone that saw Bird play, it was almost like it was unfair. You could see his basketball IQ was off the charts. It would of been truly been great to see Len Bias take some of the pressure off Bird. So tragic as it is one of the greatest what ifs in the game still to this day.

[@earlpipe9713]

14:34 : that Bird offensive rebound to dribble to spin into a effortless seeming reverse hook shot with other bodies clogging the paint around him is beautiful

[@mattveteska8559]

Indeed

[@KNNY61]

Possibly one of Bird's best shots, besides the falling out of bounds game winner and shot over the backboard. Who does that today in such a startling consistent way? No one.

[@PeterParker-xv9mo]

And off the board! Beautiful indeed haha

[@horimotogp1031]

You made an excellent video and a phenomenal argument. I could counterpoint a few parts but I can't deny how much of a force Bird and the Celtics were in the 80s. 🔥

[@dannywest9256]

Man, thank you. Grew up watching Larry, Magic, Mj. I just never could put anybody over Larry. Bird truly is the most clutch player ever!

[@dhardclass]

It's only one player that was at that high level of play George Gervin . His team the San Antonio Spurs was Garbage 🗑

[@earlpipe9713]

I don't know exactly why, but I always get Gervin mixed up with Dawkins in my mind. I'm glad you mentioned him though, as now I'm gonna seek out some Gervin vids & hopefully correct that fault permanently

[@dhardclass]

@earl pipe can't mistaken ice for nobody the smoothest player ever . KD the closest to him to date.

[@c.san.8751]

@@dhardclass Gervin was great but he wasn't Larry Legend.

[@dhardclass]

@@c.san.8751 Gervin didn't have a team around him after he left the ABA

[@SauceySandwich]

Would love to hear some of the trashtalk between those two

[@ToddandRaquiForrest]

6:30 and Bird took a last place team to division leader as a rookie, and made every player around him better immediately. Hard to measure, but in a team sport, this is true greatness. Jordan scored tons, but never won, until the 85 Celtics finally got it through his skull, he can't win alone. Today franchises build super teams to win. Give me Bird and I will already have a super team no matter who is on the team.

[@briandutton939]

i agree for the most part , but bird just had better players, robert perish and mchale was no joke

[@roland7584]

@@briandutton939 Look at the Celtics roster in 1979 (Bird's first year). That roster is very average at best, and as OP stated, Bird showed up and took them from a 29 win team to 61 wins and a conference final as a rookie. He didn't even have Parish and McHale that season and instantly made every player better around him. When the Celtics got Parish from the Warriors after Bird's first season, that was Parish's first season as a starting center in the league and McHale was just a rookie that year. That roster going into 1980 only looks scary because Bird is on that team. He made the other players better and he's what got them the championship that year.

[@brandonml141]

⁠@@roland7584 What are you talking about?? Parish averaged 30 mpg his last 2 seasons with GS. And he had a 17 ppg 12 rpg and 3 bpg season with them 😭

[@roland7584]

@@brandonml141 His 4 seasons with the Warriors the team went in reverse in wins. The more they used him, the more they lost. Bird simply made him and every other teammate better. When someone is as good as Bird doing all the little things in the game, then everyone else has it that much easier. Let's just say if Parish goes to the Knicks that year instead of Boston, I can pretty much guarantee he gets no rings for his career.

[@brandonml141]

@@roland7584 Hes still a 9x All Star regardless. I don't think that's changing anywhere

[@youdontsay2181]

One of the Best , if not the best , cases for Larry Legend as: THE G.O.A.T 👊

[@shaunphillips3236]

🤔😂🤣😂🤣 please elaborate & explain yourself. Then list your top 10 in order

[@youdontsay2181]

@@shaunphillips3236 First Off.....🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣...... (That would be a belly laugh) Now that that's out of the way , I'll have to wipe the tears from my eyes and try and focus: We'll start w/ The Legend, led his college team to a 33-0 record , to the most watched NCAA Finals game ever , because the Sycamore's were never contenders , and Michigan was , half of the MOST EPIC rivalry and story in sports history with Magic , who because of that put the NBA on the map,is the ONLY player in NBA HISTORY (A CLASS ALL HIS OWN) to get Rookie of the year, MVP (3x Consecutively, only Russell and Chamberlain have done that),Finals MVP, All Star MVP, Coach of the year, Executive of the year. (THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER TO ACCOMPLISH THAT!!!!@) That's just a VERY SHORT list of his GOAT status for openers. MJ was fired by the wizards had NO accomplishments in the front office, never beat The Legend, the Legend missed an entire season because of injuries (only 6 games that year),played half his career w/a bad back and other injuries, wasn't considered fast or very athletic during one of the most talent rich era's in NBA history, playing against MANY all time GREATS and HOF'ers , and when the GOAT conversation comes up or the Legend,he's ALWAYS included by those who played against him,but those people who have never played against him know better than the greats who actually played against him..🤣🤣🤣🤣...if the Legend had half of MJ's athleticism and didn't play injured there wouldn't be a conversation MJ would amaze you The Legend would embarass you Announced b4 the game to the media he was going to play at least 3/4 of the game left handed and still put up good #'s , would tell teams and defenders what he was gonna do and then did it I'll leave you w/a few quotes: Barkley:" God made Larry Bird slow and not that athletic to make it even " Pat Riley HOF Coach for LA: "If I had to pick a player for the game winning shot,I'd pick MJ,if I had to pick a player to make a shot to save my life I'd pick Larry Bird " The Legend:"Hurry pass me the ball before they notice nobody's guarding me" when rodman was glued to him Like one NBA player said the blacks gravitate to the black "GOAT", and the whites gravitate to the white "GOAT", and then there's those that are just honest " can't remember his name ,you need to do your homework. I'll leave you w one last quote: The Legend " over here rook"

[@shaunphillips3236]

@@youdontsay2181 None of that matters. I don't care about quotes INCLUDING Larry Legend's about MJ being God in sneakers. Let's talk about stats, chips, accomplishments & accolades because those are #FACTS 1. Larry won 3x MVPS A. MJ won 5x MVPS 2. Larry won 3x chips (3-2) - Never a repeat A. MJ won 6x chips (6-0) - 2 3PEATS 3. Larry has 2x FMVPS A. MJ has 6x FMVPS 4. Larry has 0x DPLOY A. MJ has 1 DPLOY 5. Larry has 0x Scoring titles A. MJ has 10x I could go on. MJ literally has more: 1. All Defensive Teams 2. All NBA Teams 3. Steals Titles While I agree that he's 1 of the best, he just was NOT the best #FACTS

[@youdontsay2181]

@@shaunphillips3236 I figured I'd b wasting my time , The Legend made everybody around him better , wasn't a ball hog , was consistent from beginning to end , so read it and weep MJ was a ball hog , his so called right hand man and "great friend " Pippen came out against him , GOT FIRED BY THE WIZARDS , NOBODY SAYS ANYTHING BAD ABOUT THE LEGEND , ROOKIE OF THE YEAR HOF CAREER GOAT STATUS MJ NEVER BEAT HIM ALL THE WAY TO EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR NO ONE WILL EVER DO THAT MJ CAN'T TOUCH THAT HE FAILED AND LIKE I SAID YOU KNOW MORE THAN THOSE HE PLAYED AGAINST MJ HAD TO HAVE THE BALL THE LEGEND WAS A TEAM PLAYER AND OF COURSE YOU DISCOUNT EVERYTHING THE HOF'ERS SAY ABOUT THE LEGEND

[@shaunphillips3236]

@@youdontsay2181 MJ beats Larry Legend in every conceivable way as u can see. Larry Legend had a HOF team when he was beating MJ. MJ had a up & coming team with no HOF. However BOS had 5 HOF. 1. D.J 2. McHale 3. Chief 4. Walton 5. Larry Legend As a bonus, they also had Danny Ainge too lol. Credit to them, they won BUT they were supposed to win. MJ won more with less btw but I digress #FACTS

[@michaelcoleman8203]

Gave Jordan a taste of his own medicine long live Larry legend

[@SpaceWoof04]

Bird was incredible and he definitely got the best of Jordan along with those Pistons teams, but Jesus Christ look at the scrubs MJ had as teammates. It's incredible he was able to win anything with those Bulls teams.

[@2024magaman]

“If you were any good they wouldn’t be doubling me” 😂😂😂😂 he says this as a rookie to greatest college player EVER , FK’N legend

[@dennisdoucette9373]

Bird took a shot while being double teamed, and Maravich said it risky and unnecessary, However BIRD made the shot!

[@Jdub-tv3ww]

I am on record for years saying MJ is goat but I have the utmost respect for Bird and even the Pistons. They above all other teams showed Jordan what it takes to be a champion, and demonstrates that it’s a TEAM game. Win at all costs as a TEAM. Jordan had to go through those defeats to understand. Jordan would not be Jordan if there was no Pistons or Celtics.

[@steadyturtle7002]

Who didn't know that basketball is a ateam sport, even MJ knew that but the Bulls didn't want play as a team, they are just full of arrogant, egoistic players. Not MJ, dude. MJ played well as a player and a team, look at the 1984 USA olympic team that beat NBA all stars that led by Bird. They beaten the all stars 8 times in closed match and brought back Gold Medal, who was the team leader that time? MICHAEL JORDAN. Why all MJ haters always brought up the MJ never beaten Larry Bird? MJ already beaten Larry Bird 8 times before he played at NBA. And Bird never beat MJ as a personal but a team. Celtics beaten MJ, 5 vs 1.

[@cjoakman7715]

Couldn't agree more.

[@PFFChan]

Bird was the best thinking player all time but Jordan was the most exciting player to ever put on a uniform. But I do choose Bird over Jordan if I had to draft.

[@Penguinzero1]

Jordan had better stats

[@vCLOWNSHOESv]

Jordan and Bird were two of the greatest players of all time but they were not really the same era. Bird had the prime of his career that ended with injury early in Jordan's career. Bird was on one of the top 2 or 3 teams in history when Jordan came into the league on a bad team so there's no way to compare them by which team won. You would have to compare Jordan's best teams vs Bird's best teams which came at different times to be fair. Bird had hall of fame players around him during those early games and that was before Jordan had anyone. Bird is the greatest small forward of all time and Jordan is the greatest shooting guard of all time. Case closed. P.S: Bird and Jordan are my two favorite players of all time. Magic and Kobe are honorable mention.

[@johnnycapote9817]

Aint no way bird better than LeBron. Bird is the 2nd best sf cuz lebron holds that title

[@matilija]

I would take Prime Bird over Prime Lebron every day.

[@waylonvansmack]

@@johnnycapote9817 😆 🤣

[@IrishNattyby27]

@@johnnycapote9817 Bird would make LeFraud quit and go home to his momma and his Daddy, Delonte West. 💯😂😂🤷🏽‍♂️

[@bigboxes]

Bird first came on Celtics team that was coming off a 29 win season. Not sure what you think is a "bad" team, but that was an awful team. Bird, the rookie, helped them move from 29 wins to 61 wins.

[@robp.1995]

The Bulls were young and still building their team when all this happened. The Celtics were stacked and very experienced.

[@OrllyDelaCruz]

This is something that everybody should understand.

[@davidalexander3320]

Larry also played the last 7 years of his career hurt. Summer of 85 he hurt his back shoveling to build a driveway for his mother and the other injuries later just compiled on this.

[@mrjamfy6862]

What about the fact Bird took a 29 win team to 61 in his rookie year ALL BY HIMSELF! MJ didn't do that neither has LBJ! Bird won 61 without any help!

[@salvatoreperez5113]

​@@mrjamfy6862Don't forget the 4 or 5 games the Refs took from Bird

[@Caligula202]

EXACTLY!

[@johnb4467]

This was a really fun video with a 'take' you don't see all that often. That being said...it's quantified and supported very well -- and is very entertaining to watch. Well done! :) And as others are saying: yes...that Pat Riley quote is epic!

[@Bigb1911]

The title should be MJ never beat a hall of fame roster by himself. Bird had more than enough help to beat any team. He played on a stacked roster.