15 NBA Legends Who Were Terrified Of Larry Bird 

Pat Reilly said it best: if you need a basket to win the game, pick Micheal Jordan if you need a basket to save your life, pick Larry Bird.

Anyone that's ever actually seen Larry Bird play.... I do not understand how they can say the man was unathletic! That guy was all over the court... he was 2 or 3 steps ahead of everybody else on every play ...give me a break!

OMG I hated Larry and the Celtics back then BUT anyone that says he couldn't play...never saw him play. Dude was unstoppable. Could do everything!! Defense or Offense, he played HARD!!!

Larry was athletic in a sneaky way. He was quicker than he looked and he had phenomenal hands. Plus he was probably the smartest player ever to play.

I LOVE the Magic Johnson story when he was hurt. Larry said something along the lines of "It's OK. I'm gonna put on a show for you!"

Rodman said Bird couldn't play in today's NBA lol.a prime Bird would dominate in today's NBA

I never get tired of Larry Bird stories. His entire life story is such an inspiration. I think part of why I love it is that I live in Indiana, went to ISU, and live in Terre Haute. Basketball in those years was everything in Indiana from high school on.

He wasn't referred to as "Larry Legend" for nothing.

I would have Bird on my starting 5 any day of the week.

Larry Bird was incredible player 🏀🔥🔥

Kareem said it best. Bird wasn't the fastest or most athletic, but the muscle between his ears was constantly maxed out. Also going back to what Dumars said he was a Savant on the court.

I took my 11-year-old son to Larry Bird's very first basketball camp. When I first saw Larry I shook his hand and watched my hand disappear into his hand as if it were a major-league baseball glove. They say he is 6-9? I always thought he was at least a bit closer to being 6-10. Anyway, we proceed through this [maybe, and very likely] the only basketball camp, LB ever did? And at this time, maybe, 1984, did we have any idea how super-great this man already was in the NBA ? Not a clue but I tell you now,, we both know it now and we feel so blessed to have spent 2 or 3 weeks with LB at his original [gift] basketball ball camp.

I grew up watching 80’s basketball…but honestly youtube has given me a new appreciation for Larry Bird because of all the interviews and clips out there. Great vid.

He was so fun to watch. Especially when the game was real basketball , a lot of great players and way less cry babies

The shot from behind the back board is the best shot in NBA history

David Robinson is a class act. We all know Bird was out of this world. I just love how respectful and positive The Admiral is when he talks about Bird.

Larry Legend..A brain (maybe 2), left hand, rage and passion.... My GOAT NBA for ever ❤🥳

Was at the 1979 NCAA final four, sat center court, 2nd row... watching Bird and Magic.

I can listen to GP talk about Larry and Stockton all day.. you can hear in his voice the respect, even without words, just his tone of amazement.. plus the way he described them is hilarious.. love GP

Larry wasn’t just a great player,he was a great coach and a great GM,one of the best to ever do it

I have to say this is the best, Larry Bird compilation I’ve seen. Respect!

Larry Bird was incredible person. He was successful af also as a coach. He brought the Indiana Pacers to the NBA finals with aged Reggie Miller against the Shaq and Kobe Lakers. They lost but what was incredible is he was the first coach who used the "Hack a shaq " tactic. He didnt let the Lakers take those wins easy. He tortured Shaq on the free throw line. He won Coach of the Year that year easily and too bad he coached only 2 seasons. Real Shame- I think he would have been one of the most decorated coaches out there if he was given a better team. Larry is one of those human beings that understood basketball like very few human beings ever did.

As others have said, Larry's best muscle was the one between his ears. Jordan was flashy and made you look slow, but Larry made you look stupid.

All of the stories were amazing, but the McCale one was hilarious! "Told you so!" .... goes and gets a beer.

Watching Larry Bird since his Senior year in College , I have always Rooted for Magic Johnson & the Lakers but as much as I've not liked the Boston Celtics I've ALWAYS rooted for #33 Larry Bird and his coldest ways as a player Larry Legend is /was second to none period .

Bird playing against rodman in regular season averaged 24.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.9 assists. in playoffs Bird averaged 20.9 points, 9.8 rebounds and 6.2 assists. rodman's stats against Bird regular season 10.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists, post season 6.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.7 assists guess that says it all. No wonder Rodman's jealous

He's my hero. The best that's ever ever been.

I always enjoy Bird stories because of his swagger. My personality is nothing like that so he seems like an alien to me... and it would be crazy but he backed it up.

Larry Bird was the Greatest forward to ever play . I grew up watching him and saw him live at Boston he scored 48 pts . He was the most electrifying player ever . He played with all heart and was smart and could shoot a shot anywhere and hit it .

Really nice combination of legends here. I've heard most of these and more but it never gets old. Massive respect from one's peers is the ultimate tribute to a man's game and character.

Beautifully done. I was an avid Celtics fan my whole life and Larry Bird was the best all around basketball player I ever saw.

I grew up in Massachusetts during the late 70’s and 80’s. Larry dominated the best in the NBA night in and night out. He’s the GOAT.

The "three pointer...from right over here" story is my favorite 😮

Larry's skill was his most overlooked attribute.

Bird was a monster a straight killer on the court only opposing player i ever feared as a kid watching hilm kill me rockets in the 80 and 86 NBA finals 😔😖🙄

He's one of the few players that I wish I could watch play forever. The stories never get old.

Birds passing Skills alone were Amazing by any standard and that was only One aspect of his Multi divisional Arsenal.

Saw Celtics against the Knicks at Madison Square in the early 80's. There was a breakaway. Bird dribbling up the middle and another Celtics guy trailing up the left side. One Knicks defender backing up in the middle, focusing on Bird. Larry got the Knicks guy to commit to him and just then, Bird threw a perfect, behind the back bounce pass to the guy on the left for an easy layup. Knicks guy was flabbergasted. Doesn't sound like much as I write this, but it was kinda a bang bang play and Birds pass was unbelievable. One bounce, crosscourt - hit the guy in stride. Wow.

Hey man thanks for this video! I grew up a Celtics fan watching Bird from grade school. Listening to legends respect Bird made my evening!

Where is this "He wasn't that athletic or fast" coming from? Has anyone seen him play?? They say he was always there, you couldn't make a mistake... that means he was just as athletic and fast as everyone else. And my God, just look at his career!! The man is a legend. He helped save the NBA. He could shoot that ball, and he was a team player. He knew how to be a team player, but he also knew he was a star. He was arrogant. Sure. But he could back it all up. When he's standing telling you what he's gonna do and then proceeds to do it while you just try to keep up... Don't say that's not an athlete. He ran full force every game. Never stopped. He was a power house. He was, in my opinion, the best player that's ever lived. Followed very closely by Jordan and then Magic Johnson. The rest of the list would take serious pondering.

If Bird's not on your Mt. Rushmore you don't know basketball

Love Dumars. Great two-way player. If Dumars says you are a savant, well, I suspect you are one.

Oh my God I still think the funniest story about Larry Bird is when he says that they are being disrespectful by putting a white guy on him😅😅😅😅

Larry Legend is a brother like a 100%. Hey YG once again nailed it!

I have always loved Larry's play, and he will always be my favorite player.

Thanks for sharing this video. Only thing I want to say is that Dr. J is mistaken about Bird's rookie year. Bird went to a 29 win team and with 1 player change to the roster in ML Carr and a new coach in Bill Fitch, Bird was the main reason Boston won 61 games = a 32 game turnaround and the biggest 1 season turn around in NBA history!!

Love the directness and honesty of all those you interviewed! Larry did play using his brain!❤

YounGala! Been awhile since you showed up in my feed! Thx for keeping the flame of Larry love alive! ❤

Dominique he wasn't getting his head ready to play, he was getting your head ready to play!

It's obvious that his teammates practiced being ready for his feeds. And that, in and of itself is quite remarkable.

My cousin ( who was more of a younger brother then a cousin, we were inseparable ) grew up watching ball together. Football, basketball, baseball,… And of all the GREAT teams, it was the Celtics that brought us the most joy. I’ll never forget the game against NiQ Wilkins even they went bucket for bucket for what felt like half an hour. It was magical.

If I were an NBA GM and there was a draft today...Larry would would be be my #1 pick without a doubt.

Everything that Bird did in basketball proved that he was an outstanding athlete. He had more skills than 90% of all other players.

GOAT from many great ballers!

Larry is my number 1 pick to build an all-world team around. James Worthy said of Bird: "I would rather play against Jordan because when you played Bird, you had to play like a chess player." Worthy and Jordan played together in North Carolina, so he would know best.

Yeah I don’t think about any of those guys you listed in the beginning when I think about the most feared players. Maybe Jordan but that’s it . But I do think of Bird. He was a badass. I wish we had someone today that was even half his caliber to watch

It ain’t trash talking if you can back it up. Bird backed it up EVERY TIME.

Goat.

Respect to David Robinson

born in 1989 and missed it all, but love to hear my father in law recount all his celtics memories and watching these old clips... the dude was cold as ice could be. larry LEGEND

I met Larry once when I was 10 years old. He was playing a game in a larger city next to mine. We were in the smaller city bordering the one he was going to play in that evening. We were sitting in a McDonalds eating and he walked in alone by himself and sat at the table just across from us by himself (no one else with him). We couldn’t believe how tall he was and also didn’t know who he was. He saw us kids and looked over and said, “Yes I play basketball” and smiled at us. He told us that he liked our little town, and he chose to come here to eat, because in the big city local people and news crews would not leave him alone. That evening is when I saw my first NBA game and saw him play. It was years later that my stepbrother and I said that we should have got an autograph, but at 10 years old that’s not what kids our age even knew about. He was extremely polite and was a very funny guy, we talked, ate together, and when we were done eating, we went our separate ways. I just told my stepbrother that; at the very least we could tell people that we had dinner with Larry Bird.

Bird is arguably the best player to play the game. He did everything. Could rebound, shoot the three ball, amazing passer, could hit the fade away and mid range shot and was clutch when the big moment came. Amazing player.

I saw him play (we’re about the same age! He was basketball ball wizard! He and Magic saved the NBA. The league was in serious danger of going bankrupt before those two came along. I also have to add David Stearn as well. The best pro sport (any sport) commissioner of all time.

I truly think Dominque should have been in your Top 5! So many great battles with the Hawks back in the day! Larry realized early on that 'Nique was going to be a big part of the Eastern Conference! But, Larry was def The Legend!

Excellent video.

Love David Robinson

Love listening to GP talking about Larry

Shot from behind the backboard. Haven't seen before or since.A magician.

Larry Bird was the most amazing overall basketball I know of. Triple double & even close to quadruple double!!!!! Every night thru the 80’s. He could easily play in today’s NBA. He’d would have worked em like he always did. Look who the players Larry took to school. No big athletic guy with good intelligence could stop Larry Bird. Larry is a genius & in a game like Basketball, a genius will always be 2 or 3 steps ahead of everyone else. 👍

One of the things i am so happy about growing up when i did was having larry bird as an inspiration and hero loved the Celtics back then and I'm from NY so that's saying something

Never get tired of reliving those Larry Legend moments. Legend!!!

Bet they don’t talk about LeBron like this someday.

Love your narration and presentation, YounGala. Roll 'em!

Man this segment of the greatest in Bball is one heck of a way to honor a legend in the game Larry Bird. What an honor! Thanks for the memories!!!!

As a Lakers fan during the 80s, Larry was the only player I hated to see against the Lakers.

My Favorite is Eddie Johnson’s rookie season hilarious

This was awesome.. thank you

'89-'90 larry was coming off a season long injury so far from his peak from '83-'88, admiral got his memories mixed up

The 80s was an amazing time in the NBA with so many great players of that era. Bird and Magic was an ongoing battle that was enjoyed and never will be forgotten by fans of the game. That man from Indians State was always amazing, thank you Larry Legend!

Loved it! What a great bunch of people! Happy Days! Don Hansen

Larry Bird couldn't run or jump very high. That was God's way of keeping things fair. I cannot remember the exact quote but I heard Charles Barkley say something very close to that. I looked for the video but there are just too many Bird and Barkley videos.

That’s the legend

You're being disrespectful to me. Classic line 🤣

Really feel the respect here, great edits too!

Nobody greater than Bird, but at the same time there IS no GOAT. There are probably a dozen or more players that deserve shelter under that umbrella. Just to mention some that come to mind: Russell, Wilt, Oscar, Bird, West, Maravich, Jordan, LeBron, and others. Skill sets are different, and teams are different, and there are players that might well have been on that list that won't be considered because they never had the right team around them. There are dozens of truly all-time great players who will never be in that particular list because they didn't dominate enough or long enough, but nonetheless were as valuable to their teams.

Thanks for that one. Dude was fun to watch.

Great job on this. Such a great time in the NBA

Larry Legend Bird 🐦 was a baaaaad man

I think it was maybe Gilbert Arenas who said that Larry would not even make the NBA today. He also says MJ is the GOAT (agreed). Does he know Larry competed against Mike throughout the 80s??? 😂 Also of course Magic, Kareem, Barkley, Moses, Dr. J, Dominique etc. You know, scrubs like them

💜💜your videos of Larronius Bird. #birdgang 💚🐐🍀

At his prime, he was simply the best.

I like what larry said when they told Magic he couldnt play anymore because he tested positive for HIV. Larry said the danger to others is very small. They dont want Magic playing because hes such a great player and they dont want to deal with him anymore. Magic was always one of Larrys best friends to this day even though they were rivals.

Bird is my GOAT

somone needs to correct Dr J talking about Bird's 1st season-he took his team from 29 wins before he got there to 61in his 1st year( the biggest single season turnaround ever and that was without McHale, D J, Ainge, Walton, and Parrish!)and a championship his 2nd season!

How can anyone say Larry was not athletic or fast when it's the same guy doing all that scoring in every game!!! Common sense tell's me that if the guy is getting 40 points a game then he's obviously a very athletic and fast and dangerous person to play against!!! Larry had a shot that was unmatched in the whole league,,, he would score on every shot he attempted,,, that is a top 5 greatest of all time!!!

Not an athlete.......pffft....Bird out athleted the best athletes!

Just found your channel, great video!! I’m for sure staying up past bedtime to check out more!!

I truly enjoyed this. ❤

Quit watching NBA after Bird and Magic retired. It was fun to watch them play.

When Bird retired I quit watching the NBA