Top 10 NCAA Shooters - Larry Bird #1

Larry Bird is ranked as the NCAA basketball's #1 shooter in this piece broadcast in 2007. Commentary by Steve Alford, Austin Carr, Bill Walton, Mike Decourcy, Rollie Massimino, and Glen Rice.
Larry Bird talks about shooting, playing at Indiana Sate University, and being amazed watching Pete Maravich play on TV in 1969 (when Larry was 13).
From Geico special in 2007.

[@regrimes157]

I graduated from ISU while Larry was there. I had season tickets and never missed a game. I have never seen a player like Larry before or after that had the ability to outhink his opponent which allowed him to be two steps ahead of his defender. I have seen him make fakes that left the defender wondering where the ball went. He deliberately bounced the ball off the backboard so he could rebound it to get a better shot. He was a chess master while everyone else was playing checkers

[@tomroach6275]

Larry Bird was my P.E. Assistant at Springs Valley High School. He was a senior, I was in jr. high. We always had to run 10 laps around the gym as a warmup exercise, except for one day that I will never forger. A trampoline was on the gym floor about 35 feet from the goal at the south end of the court and Larry Bird was jumping on the trampoline. The P.E. teacher (who was also the basketball coach) blew his whistle and said, "I'm going to give the basketball to Larry and he is going to take ten shots while jumping on the trampoline (35 ft. out). Every time Larry makes a shot you don't have to run a lap." So as Larry Bird was jumping up and down on a trampoline 35 ft. from the basket he proceeded to made 7 out of 10 shots which meant we only had to run 3 laps. Little did we know that our "P.E. Hero" would become one of the greatest NBA players of all time. Proud of you Larry.

[@adamr6794]

Awesome story. Bird's incredible shooting got the Celtics out of practice one day when KC meant to challenge the guys by saying if someone can hit a half-court shot we won't practice But if you can't then we're going to work. Bird stepped up.....practice cancelled. Larry Legend

[@tomroach6275]

Very cool. :)

[@PedroMartinez-tt7lr]

Very cool story.

[@brianchilman3057]

Incredible story, that's how legends are made.

[@billyshupe702]

Hahaha friggin awesome story bro.. hard to beat that 👌😳

[@longgrayline8055]

I watched a documentary on his childhood and teenage years. Larry had it tough. His dad committed suicide when he was a young teenager and Larry had to work full-time at a grocery store after school. Hats off to Larry Bird for persevering and not looking for excuses that would have kept him from succeeding. Class act.

[@MrNaturalSez]

... and Bob Knight let him walk!

[@irishgrl]

@@MrNaturalSez Tho he’d never admit it, I bet in his secret heart Bobby Knight could kick himself for letting Bird go.

[@davestonehill6177]

The greatest small forward ever. Period.

[@cgraf69]

Correction. Greatest Bball player ever. Period.

[@davestonehill6177]

@@cgraf69 I personally think that Wilt is the greatest Bball player ever (so does Larry, by the way). But one can certainly make the argument that Bird is the greatest.

[@davestonehill6177]

@Rad J But is LeBron really a small forward? He plays numerous positions. It is hard to pinpoint exactly what he is other than one of the absolute greatest.

[@humblebeginnings8328]

Bird in my top 3. He was crazy good.

[@davestonehill6177]

@@humblebeginnings8328 I am not quite sure if I put him in the top three but he is very close. Who is your top three?

[@georgemorley1029]

Something about that understated description that Austin Carr has of Larry Bird, “no nights off with him”, that just sums him up. 100% all the time, everytime, or else why bother? Larry’s mindset. Because he was switched on to the game every second, people didn’t understand how he was doing what he was doing. Only Larry knew.

[@WashedCoachWith3Chips]

Bird averaged about 30ppg his senior year and shot 20 shots or less!! Imagine if he shot as much as Pistol Pete?! Larry Bird handcuffed himself a lot when it came to scoring/shooting just to get his teammates involved, that's why Bird was a 3x champion. Not dogging the great Pistol I have nothing but love for his game and old footage, dude was a straight up G!

[@uberathlete]

The thing with Larry is that while he couldn't jump, he could run like a deer, was wiry strong, and had great stamina. He was athletic in a different sense.

[@fulltiltfulltime1]

He was shooting 3 pointers when they were only worth two. lol

[@4EyedAnimation]

exactly...he woulda averaged 50+ easily

[@ghosttownhunterofficial]

that's why his comfortable range extended so far beyond the 3 point line. there's times you can see him with the shot clock running out, shooting a regular shot from 30 feet away, and making it

[@MrNaturalSez]

Same for Jerry West!

[@glenngibbs1267]

Same as pistol

[@nesnejls]

Never seen a guy drag team further by himself in a season in college. Sorry Carl Nicks...

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

Normally undefeated and championship teams are made up of a group of excellent to very good players, that's how they win. It is truly amazing that ONE player took a team of average or below players to an undefeated season and to the NCAA Championship game. That is just incomprehensible!! Every team that has ever won an NCAA basketball championship were loaded with talent, not Indiana State. Bird didn't do it all by himself, just most of it.

[@longgrayline8055]

seattwa It reminds me of Herschel Walker and the UGA Bulldogs. It was basically the Bad News Bears having Superman show up and just coincidentally join the team. As they say, the rest is history.

[@cgraf69]

Excellent point! It is definitely incomprehensible, because if people did understand it, they would realize Bird is easily the best bballer ever!

[@capitanfuturo594]

@@cgraf69 Larry Bird is the best basketball player in NBA history and America too.

[@lookupsidedown7562]

Bird always made every player on the court better

[@saffle82]

A higher shooting percentage dies not fully show the whole reality in a player's shooting ability. The type of team he's on, the competition he played against, and the type of defense shot against all are factors. I would not argue against Bird being #1. He was as great of a wining player as there ever has been. To me, Maravich's overall skill set makes him one of the greatest players.

[@x00p3]

Larry had better over all skills if you're talking assists, rebounds, steels, blocked shots, etc.

[@Ryled-up]

Larry bird is the goat

[@Shadofx]

Larry was the man...and the best shooter ever..and had the brains to really strike fear in his opponents

[@MrNaturalSez]

The Lakers ALL BELIEVED IT WAS GOOD! You know the shot I'm talking about!

[@billhair9552]

James Worthy said- that ball hung in the air 4ever. .

[@irishgrl]

I remember in an interview, Larry said after that shot he looked right at Pat Riley-glared at him-as if to say “you knew that was going in, you got lucky!” And Pat Riley knew it. Larry saw it in his face.

[@TheMeTAvorg]

My personal favorite player of all time.

[@endora60]

Bill Walton is a fine announcer. His enthusiasm, knowledge, and sportsmanship put him head and shoulders above every other national NBA announcer.

[@arguingwithstupidpeople2047]

Bird's college career predated the advent of the 3-point line or his scoring average would have been much higher.

[@c2itccase9]

Arguing With Stupid People they say Maravich would have averaged 57/game...fifty fucking seven!!!

[@cryptohalloffame]

not to mention his knuckle injury

[@glenngibbs1267]

Pistol would have 57

[@ConfortinDEADHORSE]

Most dominant basketball player ever. And such a trash talker... he really knew how to put on a show for the crowd.

[@garydalegimotea7834]

Nice smile, "Larry Legend" does what needs to be accomplished to win. Fully understand what TEAM stands for...

[@dave929]

We never got to see much of this growing up, but when he hit the Big Time, we were glued to our sets!

[@world964]

he definitely is the #1 professional hero for anyone who feels they don't get no respect. That goes for any profession you are in.

[@Skindoggiedog]

@Boacasean: Well I guess it depends on what you rate a player's greatness on then, doesn't it? The fact that Larry Bird easily did more with less than anyone in the history of the NBA .. IS what makes him the greatest player of all time as far as I'm concerned.

[@alfred666Lippe]

One of the greatest player on earth...thank you larry...

[@robertswift6101]

dude was an assassin....the ability to shoot the ball and score like that and then add in everything else,like defense,passing,rebounding and basketball IQ....no doubt he was going to become a legend and master of the game.

[@TheTidweller]

i love the sound of the net and basketball when u make a swish =)

[@madare1990]

we will never know that. Pistol is magic on the court, Bird is warior on the court.

[@richcountyratrodsjrod2329]

True. Both beyond amazing

[@capitanfuturo594]

*LARRY BIRD WAS THE BEST BASKETBALL PLAYER IN THE HISTORY.* Bird was the best all-around player in NBA history.

[@mrgabest]

Nicely put. It's become cliche to suggest that Bird worked harder than his peers, but I think his talent was more mental than physical, and therefore harder to quantify.

[@KRHEE]

the 86 celtics was not only stacked af.... but also selfless af too... parish and mchale... both HOF forwards knew Bird was the leader.. Bill Walton, arguably 1 on the greatest Centers ever, says it was an honor to play with Bird.... DJ, another HOF PG, was always looking for Bird to pass to... chemistry on this team was unreal... they all knew Bird was their leaders and it was no question.... Everyone wanted to play with Bird... no one ever wanted to leave that team..... dunno if I can say the same for Lebron...... lol

[@mrho4speed]

@MerkinMuffly I agree. Bird had so many variations on his shot. Could change the arc while retaining accuracy. Scoop shots, tip-ins, floaters, bank shots and his left hand was huge. All without the 3 point line and drawing the other teams best defender and averaging 30 pts/game for 3 years and shooting over 53% - amazing! You should see the posts I have going with a magic nut on bird vs magic - championship game.

[@irishgrl]

Keep fighting the good fight 😂

[@76JStucki]

I like that this video highlights how hard Larry worked to be great. These guys aren’t born shooting 3s. They work and work and work. As the old saying goes: amateurs practice until they get it right. Professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong.

[@MerkinMuffly]

@mrho4speed Yeah, Jimmer is just a straight up jump shooter, Bird could shoot with his back to the basket in the post, left hand, fadeaway, 3 long distance shooting wins, never beaten, etc, etc.

[@kantaton]

thanks for sharing this; bird is my favourite of alla times

[@bigbadredsox]

Best vollege shooter that I saw. Rick Mount from Purdue.

[@a2zhandi]

a legend is born...

[@drums2825]

in college, looking back at all the film of the games, maravich would have averaged 13 3 pointers a game. 13. He would have averaged 57.2 points a game in his 4 year college career.

[@seriffaviator]

hahah I love Walton's crazy hyperbole

[@stever1791]

Best shooter i ever saw in college was Rick Mount Purdue - over 35 pts / game at a Big 10 School. And he got his team to the finals in 1969 vs UCLA and Alcindor

[@bassman5123]

mab837: That is a Van Morrison song entitled "Glad Tidings." Nearly all of his songs kick major ass, so make sure you also check out "Caravan", "Days Like This", and, of course, "Brown Eyed Girl"

[@Asatorwraths]

And Into the mystic and Gloria

[@samuelmorales2344]

@jlcon99 Pistol Pete wasn't considered a pure shooter, because he was just as good as scoring other ways. He was a great finisher around the basket. He had all kinds of layup methods. Pistol Pete was the most skilled offensive player until Jordan, but was more crafty, while Jordan was a high leaping athletic guy with large hands.

[@blackeyejim]

@MerkinMuffly in 5 games vs kentucky, pete shot 44.2%, averaged 53.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and made 60 out of 75 free throws, if those stats arent good enough to beat a team one time idk what stats are good enough, and the max they ever lost to kentucky was 26 never by 40

[@timhoward5]

i totally agree Pistol Pete Maravich is my favorite player of all-time, also the story of his life.

[@rintintinification]

Larry Bird led the nation in scoring and rebounding when he was a junior (back when players stayed all 4 years in college). Red Auerbach drafted him as a junior for the Celtics even though Bird was going to play another year at Indiana State. It was the Bird drafting that starting the whole, "declaring for the draft" set of rules.

[@tonywhite7083]

The word..the truth..the best player still

[@sapphonymph8204]

Best all around player!

[@MerkinMuffly]

@geocgeo Yeah, Pete never even made it to an NCAA tourney. Pete probably avg. more shots per game than anyone in ncaa history. When Pat Riley played for UK, he would laugh about Pete taking half court shots as his team was getting their ass handed to them by 40 points. Pistol Pete was a perennial loser in college and the pros, the only year he had a winning record in the pros was when Larry Bird was on his team. Pistol Pete put on a great show, but Bird put on a great show as he was Winning...

[@RiruKrypto_]

Pete was playing for himself while Bird is a team player.

[@jerryscrappielife]

Bird's legacy is that he went to a team of nobodies in college and took them to the final game before losing a game. Then went to the NBA and orchestrated the biggest single season turnaround (at that time). "Franchise" should be his middle name. If basketball IQ could be measured on a measuring stick....Larry would be the stick. #1 is exactly where he needs to be ranked and it wasn't just shooting. Pete and Chris could at the lights out at LSU, but they didn't win like Bird.

[@FATWONTON]

You think Bill Walton thinks highly of Larry? He could talk all day about how great he was. great vid

[@petebacon]

larry bird is the best shooter in the history of the game!!!!!!!!

[@DGolfer60]

Larry was meant to play basketball, no doubt. I remember his days at ISU so well when no one ever heard of ISU or believed there was a place called French Lick!

[@tuklaping]

"Larry Bird.. oohhh! meeenn,... he's a killer.."

[@bassman5123]

The first song is "Glad Tidings," by Van Morrison

[@hoosierlooker]

Bird's only home loss came against Creighton in January of 1978. I was there, scoreboard malfunctioned. A totally screwy night. That was in the middle of a five game losing streak. They later lost to Creighton in the MVC Finals and had to settle for the NIT. Bird's senior year was THE YEAR.

[@oldschoolruler]

Yes. They actually lost to the Bluejays 3 times in 1978. Home, Away and the conference title game.

[@justaphella]

what people don't understand is that Larry Bird Retired in his prime because he was never any less...

[@batman0270]

Great contribution to the argument

[@briandm33]

You know guys one player that I was greatly impressed with for years about even though I'm the biggest Larry Bird Pete Maravich fan a guy that didnt no recognition in college or the NBA was Teddy Dupay. He wasn't well known in either league but he shot 60 percent in HS and over 50 percent in college at the university of Florida. You know to me that's a darn good shooter that didnt get the recognition that he deserves while playing the game.

[@brianarbenz1329]

Ever heard of Steve Collier? He was voted Indiana’s Mr. Basketball, the best boys player in the state in 1974. Oh, Larry Bird finished FOURTH in the voting. Five years later, which one would your rather have?

[@JK-br1mu]

Larry Legend averaged 53% from the field in three years at Indiana State

[@ljoebird]

Nobody is best than Larry Joe Bird.

[@childrenoftheauroras]

"bird" was the eagle among them...

[@AIRTIGHT31]

Anyone that knows anything also knows that without him the teams MJ played on wouldnt be allowed to scrimmage with most of the teams you mentioned without their superstar in the game. Larry Bird and Magic played with around 4 all-star players each. Bird and Magic had players on their teams representing top 10 in every statistical category at somepoint during their careers. Itd be a damn shame if Jordan singlehandeldy made his team better than theirs

[@wiredrocker17]

LB had a higher percentage of shooting than Pete because he shoots mostly set shots, plus the fact he had teammates around him in his teams. He also averaged less than 30 a game meaning he took less shots than pete. When Pete played, he was the majority of his teams offense. He also had the ball in his hands so he has to create most of his shots. Even harder when 2 to 4 guys are defending you. i know this 'cause I actually watch their games, unlike most who just watch highlights n mixes.

[@TheWhoQuad]

Does anyone know that Pistol averaged 44 pts a game WITHOUT the 3.

[@joselagyapjr2226]

The guy shot half the shots of his team...

[@tomjohnson1135]

Maravich #1 Sorry Birdman

[@bassman5123]

lewghost: This series is about the best shooters, and accuracy is the most important aspect to measure this. Besides, Bird's FG percentage is nearly double digits higher than Pete's. Check the stats for yourself! If you shoot more, you might score more points, but that doesn't make you the better shooter, it might just mean that you're a ballhog. Now, I'm not implying that Pete was a ballhog, I'm simply trying to demonstrate that your argument isn't logical in a team game.

[@seminoles111]

Bill Walton at the beginning was right about Bird. He out thought everyone because he was slow and couldn't jump. That is how to play basketball. You don't have to be quick, you have to be smart.

[@fatriani]

no one carried a team like Larry. he alone turned the celtics back into a winning ball club

[@thehumburger]

@zackboum They took him in the 78 draft after his junior year, under what was known as the "junior eligible" rule, though they didn't know if he would go back to school. He went back and played his senior season. The Celtics had until the 79 draft to sign him or he could have entered the draft and been taken by another team. They made him the highest paid rookie to that date and signed him before the 79 draft. The NBA since changed the rule so you can't take a player before theyre ready to sign.

[@TheWhoQuad]

AND... Pistol did all that scoring before a 3 point line. I saw Pistol and Bird. Pistol was magic with a ball - Dribbling Passing Shooting. Bird had Passing and Shooting. Tell me bird could dribble and you're a liar. Pistol did things that I have yet to see done again.

[@jabes2007]

i hope larry bird could still shoot at this time coz i want to see him compete againts peja stojacovich on a 3 point shoot out.

[@Gizzle3588]

A checkout Geno Anderson basketball highlight video. Kid still in high school, great passer & shooter. perithial vision of the court off the chart.

[@butosi25]

hes da best

[@bassman5123]

Syterion: And Larry's college FG pct. is 9 % greater than Pete's. So, I just don't see how anyone can say Pete's the better shooter. However, I'll give Pete the honor of Greatest College Basketball player ever! The guy not only has the All-Time scoring record, he holds records in every other area too!

[@matfdp123]

larry bird is the best player on basketball.

[@lpo1957]

Indiana State wasn't in the Missouri Valley Conference when Bird came to ISU, they joined before his junior season.

[@humblebeginnings8328]

If you didn’t know. Bill Walton loves Larry Bird.

[@bassman5123]

apprecianado63: Your kind reply is well appreciated, but I really wasn't trying to go off on you, I'm just way into this stuff (maybe too much sometimes). Most people don't realize how great Pete was, mainly because his NBA career wasn't stellar. It was good though, especially considering the great tragedy in his life, not to mention alcoholism.

[@nolen12]

phelius the song is "got to give it up" by Marvin Gaye

[@redhead5150]

Paxton saved the Bulls 2 years in a row for their titles. Jordan got all the credit. Bird is the word!!!!

[@tw69hands2]

@fatriani: Forget that. What about the Indiana State Sycamores? They were never a contending team before Larry Bird and haven't been one since Larry Bird. Enough said.

[@friendlyvideoadvice8305]

-Yes, I'm glad I'm not an Indiana State fan. They are NEVER going to be good again. Not unless they can join the Big Ten. How is Indiana State going to out-recruit Indiana, Purdue, Notre Dame, and the rest of the Big Ten for a great high school player in Indiana?

[@davidqheffner]

Amazing how just one player lifted that team so high.

[@carolsmaple4763]

Remember Eddie Bird did a few things at Indiana State, but nothing close to his big brother.

[@davidqheffner]

@Stephen Forfer I think if Pete Maravich would've been 6 feet 8 he'd've been as good as Bird and Magic. Bird was 6 feet 6 entering college and I heard Bird say that he doesn't think that he could've played in the NBA at that height. I was surprised to hear him say that but I'll take his word for it.

[@davidqheffner]

@Stephen Forfer Oh, you're talking about best scorer, that's very different from best player. Bird and Magic could've averaged 15 points and still had multiple championships.

[@dapper892]

Filter - Hey man nice shot

[@justinheartcarson]

BIRD IS THE WORD

[@hoobie06]

nice bangs larry!

[@dannycorsaro546]

He could jump! Watch a few times!

[@brunty11]

Bo Kimble and Danny Ferry? Come on. Larry Bird. Best shooter of our time. Period.

[@brianchilman3057]

Just think what he would have been if he didn't break his hand playing softball. He always said he lost some of his touch.

[@mrho4speed]

No it is not. Pistol shot 44% and Bird shot 53%. Bird's freethrow % is also higher than Pete's. This is about greatest shooter and accuracy is a key factor. If we changed the title to greatest scorer, then Pete would definitely be # 1.

[@gmdinformation]

I think Brian Winters actually had better range than anybody. I remember when he got old and sat the bench on the Lakers, Jerry West would bring him in just to shoot a full court shot with 1-second on the clock, and he'd make it a good deal of the time.

[@Oda_Nobunaga_91]

seriffaviator - thank you very much, man :)) regards.

[@vincentthomas9817]

The best in college and pros

[@LilSham86]

bird is the best

[@ncconv]

yes

[@ronaldfbelderolsr8381]

Being a Laker fan I hated Larry Bird because he was the best shooter I have ever seen.

[@TheUniSpammer]

what is the song that plays at 1:35?

[@MrNaturalSez]

The two songs are "Glad Tidings" by Van Morrison and "Got to Give It Up" by Marvin Gaye.

[@donthompson3484]

One of the BEST SHOOTERS in NCAA History was Marvin Delph from the University of Arkansas ! Should not have been left off this list ! Maravich was a SCORER that could shoot.

[@Bocasean]

Larry Bird is nowhere near the greatest player of all time..... ...however, he easily did more with less than anyone in the history of the NBA. He didn't have a scrap of the athletic ability that his peers had, yet he could beat them. Truly an all-time great.

[@glenngibbs1267]

Maravich the greatest

[@lloydkline1518]

Basketball magician 🎩: Pete marivich

[@RoofDoctorsJoanne]

Bird was tall as hell....closer to 6'10" Bird could get his shot off from anywhere Long Range, Mid Range and under the hoop. All around scoring machine.

[@MrAitraining]

Larry had a "chip" on his shoulder, but he was all about the W. If he knew game was in hand, well then He'd go off just 2 please himself... :)

[@bassman5123]

RumFighter: Nice Reply, but apparently you missed the stats I posted a while back! Larry has a way higher shooting % in college than Pistol Pete does. Look it up, Larry's about 9 pct. points higher in college play. He also dunked a little less than Pistol, but Pistol never padded his pct. with dunks like Jordan did.