The Greatest ALL-AROUND Player... Larry Bird?

A breakdown of the skills and all-around abilities of Larry Bird, which makes a strong case for him being the most complete player in NBA History.
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The game of Basketball has been my passion since I was 5 years old. I grew up as a kid watching my dad's recorded VHS tapes of playoff games through the 70s and 80s, and collected all the Basketball cards. Something about the game and what it represents just hooked me from a very young age.
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[@jonnyarnett]

HEAR ME OUT, I think his case is stronger than most people recognize… Who is your choice as the most COMPLETE player in Basketball history??

[@quackmemes5410]

LeBron pretty easily, Larry is for sure top 5 though

[@hristijandimitrovski8664]

Nikola Jokic

[@ivblizzard3616]

LeBron easily... LeBron's shooting is very underrated ... His defense has become very underrated since 2015 too.. people overcritisize his defense and making up narratives

[@celtics17banners84]

Everybody saying LeBron just wants to conveniently ignore that he’s a garbage free throw shooter. He has a compilation video of his air balled free throws…. Let that sink in

[@chrisvthe122]

1. Bron 2. Kobe 3. MJ 4. Bird

[@iamdanyc93]

Larry Birds only weakness is being cheap. He should have paid a professional to pave his mother’s driveway.

[@benberry792]

For real! That farm boy stuff lost us 2-3 prime Bird years definitely 😅

[@jrr3787]

If he'd had that attitude, we wouldn't even be talking about him today. His attitude is what made him the player he was.

[@dsanchez9703]

😂

[@MrE_]

Lol that's a good way to put it. Longevity and durability is probably his weaknesses along with athleticism, but athletic ability is not the most important thing in basketball. Maybe his dribbling is also not super elite compared to other greats, but he holds his own

[@awesomereviews1561]

@@MrE_his dribbling was affected by what was allowed to do at the time he played.

[@charliesinacole7821]

They don't call him Larry Legend for no reason. This guy was the model for what today's players should strive to be. He worked tirelessly on his talents. His success on the court came down to one thing, hard work.

[@gregshirley-jeffersonboule6258]

He had natural talent too.

[@dennisc2154]

Plus he was a deadly in the clutch.. who can forget his steal in 1987 playoffs against the pistons

[@jonnylawrence3818]

Also clutch, made teammates better, and significantly increased win percentage.

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

Which part?

[@vincentmast2981]

He took Indiana STATE 2 the Championship Game in college basketball and almost won it all with a 30-1 record...Indiana State over Indiana,,,think about that, they've NEVER been back to the tourney since or before that year... He improved the Celtics with basically the same team before he got there that didn't win 30 games in a season to a 61 win team WITHOUT Parish and Mchale! He was the BEST ALL-AROUND player EVER. MJ was the most athletic...never won the 3 pt contest at the all-star game Magic couldn't shoot outside consistently his first 5 years in the league until he practised it. LE-Choke has never been cluthch and just has numbers based on time The 60's players weren't playing the same game. Bird was the BEST All-around (complete) player package that made his TEAM better. Jordan had to learn that from Bird and even admitted it! It's a TEAM game -NCAA Player of The Year, VS Magic Senior Year college (lots of other awards but this is the biggy!) -NBA Rookie Of The Year VS Magic -3 PT line started in his rookie year of the NBA...(NO HS or COLLEGE 3PT line Yet!) -First Coach HATED 3 PTs (Bill Fitch) -Won 3 PT All-Star Contest first 3 Years in a row -All Defensive 2nd Team- 3 times -Best defensive Win-Shares for 4 seasons - Averaged more rebounds than anyone after the 60's over inflated rebound era by 2-per game! -Won FT% league wide 3 times -Won 3 PT% league wide 2 times -50-40-90 club, 1st time in NBA history 2 do it and averaged over 4 seasons (FG%-3PT%-FT%) -8 times finished 1st or second in League MVP -Won MVP 3 consecutive seasons...1st time in modern era that was not a center -Won Coach of the Year -Won Executive of the Year Scoring, Rebounds, Assists, Defense, Court Vision, CLUTCH, Size, Skill...LB, Greatest All-around player

[@joemagarac405]

All extremely important attributes of a great player - MJ and Kobe had these characteristics, too, which is why I would rank them higher than LeBron, who only demonstrated these attributes with his title win at Cleveland, where he willed his underdog team to beat the Warriors.

[@odoaiden3525]

@@joemagarac405 I’d argue that lebrons Cleveland teams showed a lot more than Kobe who had to wait for his prime to win without shaq

[@amadeodeo123]

He's good at coaching and managing a team.. he's so all around..

[@T.H.E.O.R.Y.]

Yep. IMO, he and Jerry West were the only 2 elite all time greats that thrived on the court and in the front office. The man truly knows basketball.

[@greggibson33]

Completely irrelevant to the theme of Greatest All Around PLAYER. Reading comprehension is a good thing.

[@jwc7215]

Bird biggest weakness was his back. Kinda crazy to realize how quickly both Magic and Bird dropped out of the league when they both probably should have had at least 5 more good years if not for health problems.

[@impasse0124]

It’s crazy to think that their careers even paralleled each other with regard to injury/illness. It would’ve been great to see a few more peak seasons for both of them.

[@dfdfdgggjhjjh5081]

It’s because Jordan is the chosen one. All of Jordan’s rivals fell off around 1990 due to health problems causing early retirements. Like a curse. Isiah Thomas, Bird, Magic. Clearing the path for him to just own the league.

[@robertweir5313]

@@dfdfdgggjhjjh5081 so if Jordan had not played baseball and basically be lackluster as shyt he would have beaten the only other super star in the 90s in Olajuwon and beaten his Rockets back to back in 1994 and 1995. Who knows?

[@MS-zv4bf]

@@dfdfdgggjhjjh5081 The chosen one? Seriously? I'm a die hard Tar Heel fan and grew up near Chapel Hill and Michael's hometown, so it's not like he's not my #1 player. But come on...SMH

[@dfdfdgggjhjjh5081]

@@robertweir5313 He is the one loved most by god. Everything always falls in his favor. He was the worst owner in NBA history and ended up making like a 2 billion profit anyways just for the sheer luck of being the chosen one.

[@osvaldomolina6602]

If he didn't get his index right hand finger injured before getting to the NBA nor he hurt his back doing his mom's gravel driveway, he would have certainly had a longer, healthier career with better numbers. He would have ended as the GOAT 🐐. He accomplished so much with what he got.

[@Mikeaj-un6mf]

Larry Bird is so underrated, I even have him above Magic on my all time list. He would be unstoppable today, especially without injuries.

[@johnnyboyspero5470]

Bird brought bunch of nobodies in Sycamores to Finals and went through tuff East where Magic breezed through West

[@koke6886]

@@johnnyboyspero5470 Actually insane comment considering how stacked those celtics were

[@Mikeaj-un6mf]

@@koke6886 the Celtics were good, but not as good as the Lakers, switch Magic and Bird, and Bird probably has 7 rings.

[@kevinhouse4376]

@@koke6886 He's talking about Bird taking his Indiana State Sycamores team to the college finals, not about taking the (obviously very talented) Celtics to the NBA finals.

[@onlyfacts3178]

@@koke6886 stacked with ancient players...kids keep thinking those celtics were great...they struggled to make the play-offs without him in 89

[@mrho4speed]

I totally agree. We need to remember that assists today are given out much easier than when Bird played. If the player receiving the pass took 1 dribble = there was no assist. Now compare that to players today taking 1 or 2 dribbles and the passer gets an assist??. Bird vs all other forwards during his era = PF and SF led the league in assists per game in 8 seasons! Bird was 2nd in assists per game for 3 seasons and was once 4th in assists vs all other forwards. Bird only played 12 seasons!! Bird led the league in defensive win shares 4 times and was 7 times in the top 5 in DWS. Bird was once 2nd in DRTG and was 6 times in the top 10 in DRTG. I believe Bird was the best all around player we have seen and his rookie season with Boston winning 32 more games shows his versatility and ability to make players around him better. Bird has the 2nd highest win % of all NBA players ( a hair behind Magic) and Bird played in the stronger Eastern conference and never played with a player as good as Kareem. Thanks!!

[@timmyg831]

The thing about Bird in his rookie year helping Celtics improve to a 61-21 record, he didn’t have McHale and Parish on his team. Even MJ and LeBron couldn’t do that. Magic landed on a good team already and he made it greater. Kareem said in an interview that the toughest, best opponent he ever faced was Bird in his 20+ years. I’m just saying, if Bird played 20 healthy years instead of less than 12 years, I’d put him as #1. But right now he’s a legit 2.

[@jasonvargas4798]

Sunce an underrated point. All stats now are like this though, they are much much easier to come by.

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

Agreed!

[@josemanuelcaballero1162]

On point. Plus the 3s paint rule is giving way more space inside to make passes. I think assist stats should be scaled by a x1.5 factor when comparing 80s or 90s with nowadays stats.

[@josemanuelcaballero1162]

@@jasonvargas4798 I agree for points and assists. Not so sure for steals , blocks and rebounds and maybe steal. Rebounds I think are higher now for perimeter and SF players and lower for centers due to the 3s rule, which forces centers and PFs to spend less time in the paint, lowering their chances of getting boards. Blocks I think could be lower now because of way less physicality makes that actions that were considered block now can be viewed as folus now. That , and folks like Mutombo would get less blocks because they cant camp in the paint.

[@tdude3164]

Hey! My comment made your video! Larry bird is in my top 3 players ever, man was a straight savage

[@papa_maku]

Larry had no weaknesses in his game. You can argue his greatest weakness was longevity.

[@tones.melodies]

Was gonna say longevity. With Lebron making it look easy, Kobe 19+ Duncan 19+, you can actually hold that against bird.

[@MrShiggitty]

In his first 7 seasons, he missed 13 games. That is a stat line no one mentions. In 7 seasons, he missed 13 games. Yeah. That's better than Wilt. A stat line better than Wilt, yeah.

[@greggibson33]

That's not a weakness in his game. That's an lucky/unlucky health issue.

[@user-iv9er3nr6z]

Luka doncic & Nikola jokic complete basketball game against Larry bird luka doncic & Nikola jokic the edge over Larry bird

[@heybro6105]

Bird > Magic

[@Va11idus]

100%. Never understood how people always have Magic over him.

[@cypher787]

Because he won more and beat him twice in the finals

[@briandutton939]

@@Va11idus Magic was still better

[@billmorrison9068]

@@Va11idus Because he won more championships.

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

Bird is definitely the better player!

[@kenallen4175]

Bird all day for me. If I’m starting a team today he’s my first pick no questions asked.

[@billmorrison9068]

I go with Magic.

[@kenallen4175]

@@billmorrison9068 great choice to!

[@kalohr]

above all he was a killer, easily the most clutch player of all time, dominant as hell, a tremendous trash talker who backed it up and would intimidate everyone... a true monster MJ then Larry then we talk about everybody else

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

I'm with you. Jordan -#1 Bird -#2 Magic -#2.B Kareem -#3 Dr. J - #4 Wilt -#5 Russell-#6 These are just off the top of my head and are not concrete answers. Except the first two.

[@CrushWildman]

BIRD the most clutch player ever???😭😭im 100000% sure you don’t know his playoff history you just remember the wins cause ain’t no way that’s what you believe to be true

[@d3va383]

@@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812 i'm sorry but that's the worst list I've ever seen.

[@bananalegend194]

@@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812 is this a clutch list or general list?

[@bigbill4368]

@@CrushWildmanwhat do you mean? He has 8-9 healthy years and was in the finals 5 times and lost 2-3 eastern conference finals. That is basically hi whole career except one season they lost to the bucks because they were tired of bill fitch

[@andrewcook1246]

I got no problems with Larry getting this nod. Honorable mention to Wilt though since he's likely the only player to have lead the league in min per game, points, rebs, assists, blks, stls and fg% while also leading it in unofficial triple doubles and quad doubles. Short of a 3pt shot and free throws he could do it all.

[@billmorrison9068]

Take a look at his playoff per 36 MPG stats for a more balanced perspective.

[@andrewcook1246]

@@billmorrison9068 I put Larry over the top cause of shooting splits. Hard to argue with a dude who could score from anywhere and even scored 30pts left handed in a game. But yeah in 36mpg Wilt looks human. And since he stopped scoring and we can't show blocks and stls aside from rebounding its oretty ugly numbers.

[@psalmerperena4120]

Crazy Wilt fan here. Wilt is actually a good 3 point shooter if he wants to. There's a video of him on KZbin hitting 4 or 5 consecutive hook shots in what would've been 3 point distance. There's a story of Wilt hitting 20 out of 25 free throws at or near the logo which probably led into a theory that Wilt was a poor free throw shooter because he had difficulty controlling his strength in free throw range. Wilt didn't focus on 3-point shots because there was no 3-point rule in that era. It was only 2 points everywhere outside of free throws. As a center, Wilt was relied upon more in the painted area. Among the best "all-around" players, I won't put Wilt very high in that list even though he's my favorite basketball player due to his poor free throws. I would put someone like Prime Arvydas Sabonis and Elgin Baylor high in the list just to name a few. Baylor and Prime Sabonis can do anything and have no weaknesses in their play style.

[@andrewcook1246]

@@psalmerperena4120 Yeah but without official splits its tough to credit. Same strength that hurts close range helps long range. For what its worth I think he'a the bestvathlete himanity has produced

[@Hatedvarii]

Larry was TOO DAMN GOOD🔥

[@17thNO]

I have always respected Larry Bird. But I have to confess, as a player but as a Magic and Dr. J fan as a kid I didn't like him at first. But towards the last 2 years of his career watching him power through even when his body failed him still performing well I became a fan. Then the Dream Team happened made me more of a fan. Then I got to hear more about him and seen how he has been nothing but an asset, an ambassador of the game all around I came to love him. Then I heard all the stories about him from the other greats of the game. The fact he was a great 2 way player and always gave everything he had everytime he was on the floor which are the qualities that I value most and all his accomplishments against some of the greatest ever, made me understand that Larry Legend in a Top 5 to 10 player of all-time undeniably. Truly a basketball legend.

[@evettewloch1202]

Thanks Johnny these videos are my favorite, and I am always looking forward to more. There are so many great players that don't get talked about like bob pettit,dave cowens,robert parish,walt bellamy, nate tiny archibald, neil johnston, and artis gilmore and I can't wait for videos on how good are they really.

[@jingqi9106]

I agree that Bird is the greatest all-around player of all-time and if not for his multiple injuries late in his career, his career numbers might be even higher. Larry Legend is the only player to average at least 10 boards, 24 points, and at least 6 assists for his career. Throw in that he made 3 all-NBA defensive teams, is one of the greatest shooters of all-time in an era that frowned on excessive 3 point shots, and that Bird is one of the most clutch players ever. Larry Bird was one bad dude.

[@Sunny-jz3dy]

If Bird had wanted his stats to be higher... they would have been!!! They weren't important to him! Winning games was important to him ...winning championships was important to him ...stats no!

[@jingqi9106]

@@Sunny-jz3dy I agree with that.

[@bridgethockney2303]

I love your content. Love Larry Bird (now) and can't get enough

[@matetorbo8296]

I really appriciate that as a Lakers fan you made a very good video about Larry Legend.

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

Exactly! He's a Lakers fan. So this must have been tough for him.

[@andreasl_fr2666]

Another that was elite at everything but is now forgotten is Havlicheck.

[@kevinhouse4376]

Havlicek is my all-time favorite player and is certainly underrated these days.

[@andreasl_fr2666]

@@kevinhouse4376 that entire era is underrated , guys like Doctor J and Moses should be further up all time lists

[@tarikdebarge]

50/40/90 five years in a row is RIDICULOUS!

[@caseyrobinson5884]

This is probably the most Respected Larry Legend Video Ever there was nothing the Legend Couldn't Do Basketball Wise he has the Greatest Defensive Play Ever Younsters

[@jamiekelley4076]

I think you put together a great argument for Larry Bird. The man absolutely was amazing. I'll say I still think peak Jordan was the best all around basketball player I ever saw play the game. He could lock you down on defense. He could score at will on offense. He could facilitate with the best of them. You couldn't send him to the free throw line. You couldn't let him post up. You couldn't let him get space in transition. You always had to have eyes in the back of your head with the ball if he was in the same area as you. I also think the notion that Jordan was a weak 3pt shooter gets overblown. He was a reliable 3pt shooter when he wanted to be but he just didn't need it for the majority of his years playing the sport. He didn't play with the 3pt line until the NBA and often times the only time he shot it was towards the ends of halves and games when they needed one to tie or win, especially during his first 5 seasons. I know his best seasons shooting the 3 were when the nba line was shortened but there are two other seasons where he shot around 3 3pa a game and the line wasn't shortened. In those two seasons he averaged 35 and 37 percent from beyond the arc.

[@patanouketgersiflet9486]

Larry Legend was indeed top10 in many categories, he might just be number 1 or top5 when it comes to hustling, plus he was a real leader, leading by example, and as mentioned, he was a very clutch, always getting better come playoff time. Bird all the way.

[@rylen_moore18]

Johny been carrying NBA KZbin on his back 🗣️

[@carlosrubio2023]

it's between Larry Legend, Hakeem Olajuwon and MJ, those 3 does not have any major weaknesses that can be exploited

[@peter2oo151]

Lebron has a major weakness?

[@averyce2]

@@peter2oo151 "Killer Instinct" is his only major weakness.

[@peter2oo151]

@@averyce2 lmao because thats legit what they think

[@sideshowbobsaget8876]

​@peter2oo151 37.8% outside the restricted area. Fts could be better

[@odoaiden3525]

Hakeem and mj have no 3

[@sachinprasad5741]

also notable that he won coach of the year AND executive of the year

[@gibgiuseppe]

Bird wasn't a great defensive stopper 1on1 due to his limited quickness, but he was an excellent team defender - sense of position, anticipation, quick hands. Watch the '86 finals, when he was allowed to roam, he dominated on that end too!

[@jimmyboy131]

Jordan has Bird in his top 5, and said that Larry has no weaknesses in his game. And he played against Larry dozens of times over their careers, so he's a good one to know.

[@khalfanjunim2982]

I agree with this take. I actually have Bird second all time. He impacted winning from the jump and didn't need as much as Lebron or Magic. I'm not taking anything away from Mchale, Parish and others.

[@user-uw7yb3vc5v]

This is a great video. It is nice seeing someone making a factual case while being respectful to other nba players. Always love videos on Larry legend. Watching his career in real time was so exciting.

[@bhill005]

The way he hits them with those pass fakes, though. My God🔥🔥🔥

[@leodrosia4369]

One of absolute best 5 on 5 ever along with russell, magic....bos fan .

[@joelman1989]

Always said. MJ is my goat. But if I had to build a team around 1 player without knowing the coach, system, or other players on the team, it would be Larry Bird then Lebron James, MJ, Hakeem, Magic, Duncan, Kobe, and then KG, KD, Curry, Shaq. Bill, Wilt, Oscar, and Kareem I don’t know how to rank in the modern NBA. Don’t doubt they’d be up there but I just don’t know enough about their game in their prime.

[@sbrasel]

Great video, and correct assertion. The Hick from French Lick was the best all-around NBA player, and one of the greatest NBA entertainers with his creativity in passing and shooting.

[@sonoftheredfox]

My childhood years of watching basketball enveloped Bird's career. Every point you make is completely reasonable. Based though solely on the reason that I had his Converse high-tops - I'll say that he is the best all-around.

[@thelogicalcowboy]

This was phenomenal!! Thanks for your hard work bro! My choice is Jordan with lb a close follow-up. But your case on bird made my decision a little more difficult.

[@ianwakers]

Bird was a better passer than Magic for me, though it's very close. I don't understand at all how you could find 10 people better than him. Sit and watch Bird and Magic passing videos side by side. Bird makes ridiculously hard passes look easy. Magic makes easy passes look difficult (and super cool). Add to that Bird having the arm of a quarterback and I think he just has the edge over Magic.

[@peteinthedesert7082]

Good video. His apparent "weakness" was he couldn't jump, nor was he quick or fast. But most (if not all) NBA vets say "WHO CARES? He was still a legend!" Some other insights about Larry: - ALWAYS demanded the ball at the end of the game. Even when Bird missed a last second shot (like game#4, 1987 finals), his peers were surprised that he missed! LeFanboy fans always dismiss this fact. The only other player that was as clutch as Bird... was MJ (Kobe is right there too). - Pound for pound, maybe the toughest player ever (right there with Rodman). Larry never walked away from a confrontation, and threw a punch several times (he even challenged Kareem!). He always played while injured. He played his entire NBA career with a grotesquely bent right index finger on his shooting hand (had to change his shot from college, which is NOT easy to do). He NEVER used that as an excuse,... but I always wonder if he didn't have that busted finger, how much of a better shooter he would have been in the NBA. - First 9 seasons, Larry missed a TOTAL of 27 games, and had 3 seasons with all 82 games played (can't say that about ANY of today's NBA "stars").

[@bikemanj1]

Before he was injured in 89, Larry Bird was next level, chess to checkers, obviously the best player all time

[@skipodap1]

Proud Hoosier Here... Bird is definitely a GOAT candidate. He is so fun to watch and such a great player

[@killadiator1014]

the only thing which Bird kept out of the GOAT conversation is his back

[@benberry792]

Your x5 Bird team video sums it up pretty good also *hi-five!

[@krimezone]

Finally you put some respect on his name. What people missed about Larry as you pointed out is he isn't selfish and he didn't care about stats. He did what was needed for the win. If he needs to rebound he will do it. If he needs to score he will do it. Basically his playstyle was to cover what the team lacked most in a particular game He is cemented in my top 5 all time. It's hard to make the distinction of best overall players and best 2 way players. Example Hakeem imo is the greatest 2 way player. My list Jordan Hakeem Bird Wilt KAJ Magic Bill Kobe Tim Shaq Steph

[@martingomez3221]

Larry's my personal GOAT, so thanks for this video.

[@nixbriones4963]

Couldnt agree more! Larry Legend🐐🐐

[@mildol7271]

In my opinion. Great presentation ❗️You make a excellent case for Larry. A lot of information I didn’t know.

[@soramirez5473]

he is ABSOLUTELY the most ALL AROUND PLAYER EVER.. 24/10/6.3 pts/rebounds/assists near 50/40/90 shooting splits 1.7/.8 steals/blocks statistically speaking he IS the most all around player EVER.

[@sportswikipedia5739]

Awesome video!

[@Turtle_D_Money]

Bird was such a beast Mr arnett you be dropping fire keep putting pressure on them with the facts

[@the_sports_nerd]

I have Leborn but Larry and Leborn are similar as I like to create prototype form different positions, and I got the all round SF prototype, and I have Larry and king James there.

[@danielquest8644]

If I had one player to start my franchise, it would be Larry! He is just so good off the ball! Ball dominant athletic guys are all over the league, versatile wings are hard to find and Larry was the best!

[@bananaman5668]

Larry Bird isn’t arguably. He IS a top 10 Passer of all time. Probably Top 5! He was probably the best Off Ball Passer ever. The reason he didn’t have higher assist numbers was just because he wasn’t a Point Foward like Pippen and Lebron and more of a traditional Small Foward and even Power Foward earlier in his career so he didn’t have the ball in his hands all the time nearly as much.

[@reimixo]

off ball passer???

[@bananaman5668]

@@reimixo Yea if you ever watch his games/highlights you’ll know what I’m talking about. On ball Passer = dribbling and making moves on your own to get your guy open. Off Ball Passer = finding the guy who is already open without dribbling or making up any moves. The difference between On Ball and Off Ball is essentially that Off Ball is within the flow of the offense and On Ball you are the flow of the offense. Seriously just go watch literally any Bird game. You’ll understand.

[@reimixo]

@@bananaman5668 don't try to make up things lol, your "off ball passer" thing is called court vision, finding the Open man.... Ability to find the Open man.... "On ball passer" is a part of playmaking....,

[@bananaman5668]

@@reimixo It’s not made up. Haven’t you ever heard of on and off ball before? Forget watching bird. Maybe you should you should just google some basketball terminology.

[@reimixo]

@@bananaman5668 that's not for passing lol off ball means you don't have the ball lol

[@luisvergara6502]

At the very least Bird is the most complete and greatest SF of all time. No doubt in my mind. And a top 5 player of all time.

[@Farragutsfinest]

Make a video of Jerry West. The man is not only the logo, he was an amazing all around player. An outstanding College Player with multiple awards, NBA Champion, Gold Medal Winner and only Finals MVP for a losing team. After he retired did a good job as a coach. But most importantly as an Executive he helped shape the Showtime Lakers, The Lakers of the 2000s, The Grit and Grind Grizzlies, The Warriors and has shaped the Clippers to relevance. The man is the most important basketball figure of all time.

[@klicknkreate7077]

Bird is the only player to score over 20 points a game (24.3), grab at least 10 rebounds a game (10.0), and dish out at least 6 assists a game for his career. Larry Bird is the greatest all-around player of all-time. 💯

[@makgeoff]

Pat Riley once said: "If the game is on the line I'd have Jordan take the winning shot. If my life is on the line I'd have Bird take the winning shot." That's sums it up!

[@Bad_Sector]

Best basketball channel by far

[@slimfingas904]

He also was top tier in trash-talking

[@74205gb]

Great Videos, Sir. Bird was an absolute beast on both ends. Guy never stopped. Imagine what his numbers could have been if not for his back problems. There is no argument where Larry Legend is not Top 10. GOAT case. #MambaForever

[@husseinalhadi5471]

Statistically Bird's 2 best seasons was 87 & 88 when he was runner up for the MVP. I honestly believe if Len Bias didn't die the Celtics would have won 70 games. They won 67 games in 86, Bird would have been the MVP in 87 & 88. It is not inconceivable that he would have won 5 MVP's in a row.

[@Fixundfertig1]

Think about this concept for a series of videos. You make your top-30 all-time, and then proceed to make 30 teams around every one of them, but with just one more all-star, and 13 more players that never made an all-star or first all NBA that you believe would complement well that all time great. It would be fun and you will bring up light to role players that weren't allstars but still can make some noise.

[@codyhadley5685]

Great video but it's really wild to say KD is in this conversation too

[@mikemiramontes4425]

Bird’s greatest talent was his court sense with magic being a not to far off second! Bird did it all and I mean all!

[@hardwoodgems]

That last pass in the video was amazing! 🤯 #LarryLegend

[@Davivd2]

This is why Larry is my GOAT. I hate to say it as a Lakers fan, but I have to give him his credit. I also think about anyone else who could be considered "better" than Larry Bird. Switch Larry Bird's brain into their body. Larry becomes even better than he already is. Take that same player and put their brain in Larry's body. That player gets significantly worse. No player got more production out of so little with regards to their body.

[@MJIZZEL]

The guy was tough, a smart defender, and a killer too with legendary trash talk. Add thatand his height and clutch gene to what you've said here and you get why some of us have been saying tbis for years.

[@creativeearthian1702]

Great take 👏 Bird from 1985-1988 really might be the best player to ever grace the floor along with MJ

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

Best player to lace up . No weaknesses I coud see. I had the pleasure of being in Boston quite a few noghts watching the man do his thing.

[@alex4833]

Great video and case for Larry Bird, Jonny. I usually think of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and LeBron James for most complete player, but you make a solid case for Larry Bird. I can't really find a weakness either. I definitely would put him on the list of as the most complete NBA players. I'd have to think some more about who I'd put as #1 but you gave me much to think about. :) Happy Sunday 😊

[@T.H.E.O.R.Y.]

There's only 1 reason you don't pick bird over jordan or lebron: his body. He's simply not the otherworldly athlete they were, didn't last as long as well, and his lack of athleticism makes him an inferior defender than they were at their best. But, he was on at least 2 All-D teams iirc. Then again, he was taller than them and the best shooter. That said, he does everything else well. Put em all in a time machine in their prime with no injuries against each other, I just don't see how you pick a wing over him other than Jordan, especially if we're talking SFs, unless you just can't shake his lack of next level athleticism, which I get. Again, that said, Jonny is right: no _other_ holes in his game.

[@sundigest1121]

He certainly does have a pretty strong case

[@antinapay]

Prime Miami Lebron was all-around. Then again, Bird's whole career was all-around, so have to give it to Bird.

[@Paxonite]

Bird lacks athleticism which is a big part of the sport. LeBron's weakness is that he's an average free throw shooter, which isn't a big deal.

[@DAVID-io9nj]

All I know is that Bird is my first pick for any pick up game.

[@billmorrison9068]

I got Magic.

[@DAVID-io9nj]

@@billmorrison9068 That is fair. Admittedly, would be okay with either one as the core of my team.

[@lilpenny1982]

Bird has a case for sure

[@williamgolston5399]

But Bird is better than what people think or give credit for

[@moldyapple1789]

durability is his weakness, but that's mostly because he played harder than any other top tier player of his era

[@malafakka8530]

I'll enjoy watching this later. Have a comment in the meantime.

[@inreellife8258]

Happy to hear The Dream get some respect, agree 1000% re Bird

[@vermontfandialan22]

This is why I put Bird ahead of Magic but they all start attacking me every time I mention it 😂

[@BasketballJones48021]

Larry Bird had AT LEAST a top5 GOAT peak as an overall player, encompassing everything! No weaknesses to his game, and an unreal impact towards winning…

[@habibdaulay2312]

If larry bird has a longer longetivity,he will easily top 3-5 all time

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

No he would be #2 all time without question behind Jordan.

[@seanm2600]

Larry Legend!!

[@deathstarstallion]

I think Timmy is up there as far as “best all around player” I wouldn’t say is THE best but just saying he’s up there His weaknesses I would say is FT and vision. I’m a Spurs fan but Timmy missed quite a bit of clutch FT. Also while he was a capable passer and better than people ever give him credit for, he didn’t necessarily have great vision

[@dougnewman3935]

He’s my #1 pick on my all time fantasy team. He could do anything on the court, but his secret sauce was elevating his teammates. He played the game as a team game. He took the 29 win Celtics to 61 wins his rookie year. As far as Lebron having more assists, Lebron played point forward. Bird did his assists from a whole different position. He was a better passer than Lebron

[@D22_T]

NBA Twitter would have you believing Larry was a scrub 😂

[@2ndand19]

Reminder that all this comes from a hardcore Lakers fan. Respect.

[@vonholland64]

Bird was the starting PF for the Celtics till 85. You’d have to figure his rebounding at that position only. He rebounded more at PF

[@atquinn1975]

If you judge players by their peak, it doesn't get much better than Bird's 3-year run. I definitely think he's gotten a bit underrated nowadays. I'll still take MJ for best player all around because I think that he could have done anything Bird did if it was required for him to win.

[@mickeylee2624]

Absolute facts! Larry Bird is basically represents what best player of the 2020's, Nikola Jokic, seeks, except more efficient shooter for his era, superior on defense, and better in the clutch. Bird is my #2 to MJ or perhaps #3 (Hakeem) because his one weakness comparatively was with longevity and individual domination, which the other two needed because of general lack of star player depth among their teammates.

[@patrickellsworth5427]

Great video. You might be right. In terms of GOATS I have him #2 behind Jordan. Prime Bird was something you had to witness to believe.

[@CHARLESJOHNSON-gv7zy]

LARRY LEGEND#33 DEFINITELY A NBA 🏀 🐐 .. HE'S #6 ALL-TIME FOR ME ..

[@Ivanskywaker]

Please, make a video answering to J. J. Redick´s take that Larry Bird was not a great 3 point shooter, and basically that he (and several other players) are better than him (at 3 point shooting)

[@darrenmarcbautista6410]

Bird won 3 straight MVPs in a league where there was Magic, Jordan, Moses, Dr. J, Kareem, etc. so yeah

[@frodosamuel4102]

At this point, I just eat up what ever you say.. you say bird, i say bird!!😂

[@ARealPerson21]

Larry is my GOAT always was and always will be

[@lilkellz6493]

U mean as favorite player or the actual goat

[@ARealPerson21]

@@lilkellz6493 the actual goat

[@manman0512]

@@ARealPerson21how is he ur goat? explain to me i wanna know

[@ARealPerson21]

@@manman0512 there’s never a shot that came out his hands I couldn’t imagine going in, if there was 5 Larry Birds it would be the most complete team ever, and went toe to toe with the best center and point guard of all time. There are also other things that factor into it but I don’t want to type all day.

[@lilkellz6493]

@@ARealPerson21 come on Larry don’t actually have a case to be the goat

[@stephenlnoe]

NBA all time draft right now I'm taking Bird first overall. It's not only his play but his 'team play' which gives him the edge over every other player. Only Magic could compete as a team player to Bird...