Facing a possible 3-1 hole, Bird takes over the final period of game 4. He would lead Boston to a close win by scoring 12 of his 26 points in the 4th quarter, making clutch defensive plays and even assisting on DJ's game winning shot.
Not by me. Without DJ none of this Bird being great even happens. DJ was great. Bird, incredibly talented and head strong, moves in and makes an incredible career with DJ as the anchor. McHale and Parish and Ainge... team game folks and DJ was player number one
I was involved with basketball for 69 years playing coaching referring. There was never a better player than LARRY BIRD . AND EVEN NOW HE IS THE GREATEST player EVER PLAYED the GAME
Hakeem and both ends of the floor was dominant. Jordan at both ends of the floor was dominant. Kareem at both ends of the floor was dominant. To say Bird was clearly better at both ends of the floor more than those 3, don't see it. But Bird is in the best of the best class for sure.
Bird took a couple dribbles towards the basket before he passed out of the double to dj to get him a little more room for the shot. Little things like that Bird would do all game long that makes your whole team better.
Just rewatched it a few times. It was one dribble, and then a little move like he was going to put up a baby hook, and then a pass out of that. But your point is spot on, Larry worked hard to sell it and give DJ a better shot.
What a Clutch shot by DJ ... as for Bird ? What can ya say - the Man was everywhere Bird from deep , Bird with the midrange, Bird on the put-back , Bird with the RB , Bird wit the Offensive RB , Bird wit the steal , Bird draws the double kicks to DJ... GAME
Without question! The nba is an absolute joke! It’s a recreation league up n down shoot 50 3 pointers a game play zero defense and zero presence of low post basketball!! It’s an embarrassment
Golden age my ass look how slow paced it is throw a damian lillard in this era dude would the best. No disrespect to legends of that era either just the truth
@@kobedagoat6395the league in the 80s was not slow paced at all they scored over 120 all the time. Which makes me wonder how they scored if that era’s defense was so good 🤔
If bird was at his peak, how come his teams only won 3 titles? Magic’s teams won 5 titles in the same decade as birds dominate Celtics. Please explain that!
@@Mike1122. Because the east was a more competive conference. The West was extremely weak so the Lakers benefited from the teams in the East having to fight to the death just to get to the finals. In 87 the best the Lakers played in the Western playoffs only had 42 wins. It just also be noted Magic's last two championships came against a completely decimate Boston team in 87 and a Detroit team with an injured Isiah Thomas in game 7. FYI in 88 Larry Bird came in second for the MVP not Magic. Bird averaged almost 30 that season as opposed to 19 for Magic. Bird was a little off in 87 because the Celtics lost Scott Wedman who was a key reserve that let Bird rest.
zt1053 but if that’s the case, then the Celtics should have been even more battle tested for the LA Lakers? The Celtics barely won in 1984 because Worthy threw an errant pass in which Henderson stole and laid it in I believe that was game 2? Don’t get me wrong Bird was a great player but he had a lot of luck to beat the Lakers at all.
As a diehard Lakers' fan of the 1980's, I was heartbroken to hear of Dennis' death way too soon in his life. DJ was a class act. He was a hero in Seattle during the Sonics' championship run of 1978-79.
Yup. Dick Stockton said "It's good" on the last second winner. But it wasn't just "good". It was nothin' but net!!! NOTHING BUT NET! That's not just "good". It... Is.... Clutch!
There's just so much talent on both sides, these two teams from 1984-1987 are the greatest ever. Three of the top five all time players on the court plus the depth of both benches. We were spoiled in the 80's
I remember these games like yesterday. The whole country was talking about this series. Everyone was talking about "Bird vs Magic, Magic vs Bird, Celtics vs LA". . .Hell, I think even my grand-mother was talking about. .You simply can't imagine how big these games were, how great the NBA was at this moment.
@@paullemay2409I'm sure I was saying my prayers for the Celts too! Back then, I HATED LA. . .I grew to respect Magic and the Lakers, and even root for them a little (after it was clear Bird's career was coming to a close). But, there's no doubt Bird was a superior player compared to Magic.
I thought I was the only one. Have not watched a full NBA game in 10 years. Just dribs and drabs. Boring. Players walking and traveling all over the place. Never called. Few times I tuned in watching LeBron and the black greek player could not believe the amount of walking.
@don wilson it like the old days they had the jump ball after halftime again, three point contest is great, complain about maybe new uniforms teams wear, new nba building, the palace of Auburn hills shut down because Detroit red wing build a new building so they join new Little Cesar area , players making too much money, the owners should get more money expense with owning a company , new uniforms are too commercial like in other foreign countries sports teams
@Greg Pettis Have not looked at it from a race angle. Maybe it is the three point game. Dunno. Just find the game boring. Maybe there needs to be more rivalrys or maybe they are getting paid so much today won or lose does it matter? Too many commentators. Too many sports shows. The saturation has diminished the meaning. Does the ego get bruised that bad at losing when you are pulling down 10 million or more a year?
The days when a pull-up jumper was needed because you couldn't just scoop palm the ball for a "crossover" and then pick up your dribble and take three full long strides through the paint, directly into a well-positioned defender, and then have the defender whistled for a foul for not getting out of your way fast enough. (or worse, you do pull up for a jumper, but the defender flops like a baby and then draws an inconceivable charging call -- it's no wonder modern NBA players don't want to settle for the mid-range pull up anymore). Yeah the 80's ball was so much better. 95% less complaining about fouls after every shot too.
Basketball feels like a glorified 3 point shooting contest today. I don't know what the exact answer is, but I'd love there to be some kind of rule changes to encourage fewer 3-point shots.
Extend the 3pt line out further. Get rid of corner-3s entirely (since we can't make the court wider). That's the only answer I've been able to come up with after watching the insane deep-3 barrages of modern NBA, which involve a litany of basically unguardable screen & fade & misdirections. (unguardable because you can't hope to defend those and also be in any position to defend the easy-2 in the post or a drive for an and-1). The only thing that amazes me about today's NBA is how it isn't even more of a 3pt contest than it is already. The math is pretty clear: player should be driving for layups or taking deep 3's. You get more points per possession that way as long as your shooters can hit better than 35% from deep.
@@davidmoran5431 And you say this because? The rules/or lack thereof of today's NBA favor Bird's many talents a HELL of a lot more than the 80's era did. An era THAT HE DOMINATED. Bird would be even MORE unstoppable now that he was then. MVPS, 30+ pt triple doubles...easily. He'd also LAUGH at the thought of "load management" and play 110% in every single game. His trash talking alone would make his opponents in today's game cry like little mentally weak babies. I'm sure you have the ignorant opinion that Bird being slow and not being able to jump are the two reasons he would't be able to dominate today's league. Ever heard of Nikola Jokic? Much slower and less athletic than Bird ever was. 1st team ALL NBA last year. Should have been the MVP. Jokic DOMINATES in today's league. Unmatched fundamentals, skill, BB IQ, selflessness and mental toughness? These rare attributes transcend eras. They will always trump speed and athleticism. ALWAYS.
@@gogetter5137 Ignorant. You don''t know the first thing about my high opinions (as a Midwestern bball player older than LB, no less) about LB and his skillset. Typical of kneejerk fanboys. Someone else posted that he would "dominate even more today," and would be a perennial MVP. You chime in with "MORE unstoppable." And further bunk, even sillier, triple-doubles, weeping opponents. Please, back to your shrine and candles. None of those is even remotely likely. AS WORDED. That's all. Period, the end. This automatic sentiment stuff is silly. Bird was great, and would be great today, and would do just fine, and often more than fine. Dominate, and win MVP repeatedly, and not be stopped? Good grief. This just shows fanboyness, not savvy observation of the game then or now. Come on. Go buy a TV and put it in your shrine.
What a game. It's like Larry and DJ were back on the playground, drawing up a simple play and it worked to perfection. Grateful to have been alive back then watching real basketball...
I remember watching these series back in the good old days and I couldn't take my eyes off the TV screen. Pack of nerves the whole game rooting for my Celtics. That was basketball at its very best. Sad to say that I don't watch the NBA anymore. Dull, three point shooting all game, every game.
@@tomwolak3362 I'm a huge Larry Bird fan, and Ainge could shoot lights out at times, but DJ was my favorite Celtic. Rarely ever did something stupid on the court. VERY heady player, and he and Bird had incredible chemistryl together. DJ's career FG would say he was just an average shooter, but when it came to needing a big shot, DJ would knock em down again and again.
@@ackmino One thing that was especially fine about Ainge was that he was by some measure the most athletic on the team, which is not saying a lot, but just speed and ups and break sense, all real fine and fun to watch. Sesame Street even did a skit about it, guessing who was the Celtic with the most this or that. I talked w Sichting about how much fun it was to dominate and break and clock the other team again and again and again when the 'subs' were in, esp Walton.
Bird was literally everywhere in that game, he setup DJ and Ainge and got some key Off boards and steals, and of course scored when he needed too, man Boston should of won that series
Lol!! Dennis Johnson is my favorite player of all time! I followed his career from Seattle ,Phoenix to Boston this is my all time favorite moment of his career RIP D.J.
Thank God for my boy Larry Legend! I hate LA and especially the Lakers but I love the friendship between him and magic. I’ll never forget our hometown chant: Beat LA Beat LA Beat LA, I loved it!
MY team was HURT playing the lakers (ankle's) the pain on both their face's was YIKES' Robert and McHALE cost me Big bucks back then little over a G-NOTE' BAD MEMORY'
@@targetservicer2221 I disagree. He has 11 rings because there wasn’t the increased competition like what Larry’s era had to deal with. Even Red Auerbach takes LARRY over Bill Russell.
Man, I loved watching those games. The fast high flying Lakers were so talented. Yet Boston found ways to beat them. Got to tip your hat to both squads.
I grew up in this era and YES he was comical to watch , he left you laughing at times when he played . There was no such thing as a DVR so you literally couldn’t leave the room when he was in the game or you might miss something…. MAN I miss those days, even though Celts lost this series I can always go back to this game and love every minute of it especially the end!
On the last winning shot by DJ..... great shot of course but Larry got the ball and dribbled it towards the basket pulling the double team with him and opening up just enough room for DJ to get the shot off clean. Smart.
Of course it was smart it's Larry Da GOAT baby!!!!!....these were the great days in sports in times in general bein a lifelong C!!! Havin been ta the Real!!!! Boston Gaaaden numerous times bein from Brooklyn born n Raised when their was one!!!! It was a beautiful thing bein there!!! Everything was such a different world, I remember gettin seats obstructed viewing haha didn't bother me at all it was an amazin feelin to walk into that building!!!! But let me stop cause then I'll get started on my other teams where I feel the same!!! Original Yankee stadium, Oakland Coliseum, be good!!!🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🐘🐼🐬🐕🐳🐻🐅🐖🐄
when Michael Jordan had the ball, Michael Jordan was a threat to score. When Bird had the ball, five players were a threat to score. (I think I heard someone say that about Stockton lol which is true but it applies just as much to Bird) He was a selfless and smart player
Reminds me of Lebron and Ray Allen. Lebron forced a shot up...Chris Bosh gets the rebound and Lebron wants the ball. Bosh makes the right call and passes to Allen for the game winner. I wonder how mad Lebron was that he couldn't be the hero. Larry Bird just wanted to win.
Recall watching the numerous finals between the Lakers & Celtics of the 80's... still my favorite Finals series match ups. Bird wasn't flashy and he couldn't jump to the sky but his shot was money from almost anywhere.
Yup.That celtic team had such chemistry any one of those guys could beat you at any time.Having the best ever on your side just made it all that much sweeter.CELTICS BEST TEAM EVER.
I love the Celtics..bur how great were both these teams? They would demolish this crap N.B.A. now. You can feel the intensity in these games 30 yrs later. Kareem and Larry...two greatest ever.
My guess is, that Bird would have taken the shot if he wasn't double teamed. If the double happened then Bird would kick it to DJ for the shot. Just my 2 cents
Man, oh man, oh man! I'd forgotten how intensely that 80's rivalry burned, and how much I loved it! Thanks for posting, and I hope you and yours are safe.
Like so many others have already said... This is when the NBA was awesome! No better rivalry than the 80s Celtics-Lakers. So many great players. And Bird was the best!
The difference between the Celtics and the Lakers in the 80's was who was the healthiest in the series. The Lakers went through the easy West. The Celtics had to battle through the tough East. Health decided the victor, and some really bad calls against Boston. Although LA fans would not see those calls as I seen them. It's in the past now, but what a great time in NBA history. I miss those times.
Yep and you could say the exactly same thing each time the Boston lucky Boston Celtics got handed important games and championships. Speaking of injuries remember the year the Lakers were undefeated in the playoffs going into the finals for the 3peat and lost their starting backcourt Magic and Byron Scott to popped hamstrings???
Competition at it's highest and purest level. Bird was two plays ahead of everyone else. Celtics team basketball at it's finest. Ainge at this point had the talent and confidence a to take and hit big shots. What can you say about the late DJ? He was definitely underrated, but not by Bird. Bird said he was the best he ever played with, high and well deserved praise indeed. 80's NBA was pro ball at it's apex, today's NBA no where as good or interesting. This excellent slice of film is a fitting look, a microcosm and verification of why Bird is called '' Larry Legend.''
Guys on Boston bench thinking, seen this show before. Bird is the Word. Best fundamentals and court awareness ever. To me he is the best to ever lace them up. And TOUGHER THAN WOODPECKER LIPS! 😂
Bird, Magic, McHale, DJ, Byron Scott, The Chief, Kareem, Pat and KC! And all the rest of the guys, COOL. I'll take either of them against any team today. And "LET THEM PLAY!" Put your big boy shorts on and get with it. Almost forgot, THE GREAT WESTERN FORUM and BOSTON GARDEN, COOL.
i watched these games and grew up in that era,,truly remarkable what larry bird could do against arguably one the best hall of fame teams of all time with the lakers and bird could do it all,,,truly amazing to watch what larry could do on the basketball floor
One of the best games Legend ever played...in the 4th quarter under the highest pressure he about played perfect ball...shame we couldn't pull this series out
This video clearly showcases Bird's defensive prowess -- he played this way every game, not just this game. Bottom line:Bird was a defensive force! Especially a team defender. He completely understood the team defensive concept and dynamics and executed flawlessly. For some reason he's grossly underrated. If you want a lockdown team defender you can't go wrong with Bird.
Bird may or may not be the GOAT, but, he was the most well rounded player ever - he did EVERYTHING as good or better than everyone else.; Rebound/shoot/score/defend/pass/clutch/free throws.
This was the first year of the 2-3-2 Finals format and it really helped the Lakers in this series because they had Game 5 at home instead of having to fly across the country and go back to Boston after a demoralizing loss like this. That happened the year before (demoralizing G4 loss at home) and the Lakers had to go to Boston and got killed in G5.
The only team in this age I have seen move the ball as well or close to as good as the Lakers and Celtics of the 80's, was the Spurs against the Magic in the 2014 Finals. The NBA is watered down now, and soft. The Lakers and Celtics had such quality cutting,passing,positioning,defense, shooting, and clutch shots from these teams. This was basketball played at it's zenith.
I'm sad that I only got to watch Larry Bird in 88 his last healthy season. But tell me. How good was the man that he got treated like a WWE jobber and still affected the opposition by being on the court? In mean c'mon, you know c'mon. He was slow couldn't jump was injured coming into the league and still scored game winners over everyone. Yes even Pippen and Jordan. Need I say more? This Bird can not be stopped or killed by conventional means. Argument over. GOAT.
How many times have Bird and company drove the nails in the coffin with seconds left. Great to see THE LEGEND have the confidence in DJ to give him the final shot. BRILLIANT.
Golden era of basketball. What a classic series. Last gasp for the Celts, Lakers regrouped and won the title at Boston. Epic matchup, high drama each contest. Both teams fought to the end.
Some of my greatest memories with my Dad were during this era of the Celtics. I was in my 20s and would go over to Mom and Dads to watch the Celtics and Bird. Just great times. I detested the Lakers at the time but I had a ton of respect for them and appreciated how good they really were. Used to puzzle me when I would hear someone say "Bird aint that good"....Funny I never hear anyone say "Bird wasnt that good" nowadays
This match up had so many layers that can never be repeated, even the casual fan watched in earnest back then: Larry vs Magic....College NCAA Championship game, the highest rated, most watched basketball event..... ever black vs white East coast Vs West Coast Glam showtime vs Blue collar basketball Laker vs Celtics.....already a long history, even back then 4 year wait to the 1984 match up. The hype about this was national, and through the roof, everyone was talking about this True animosity back then, hard fouls, they did not hangout outside of the game. They did not demand trades & join forces to create contrived super teams.
Nobodys gonna talk about Ainge nailing those tough 3 pointers in the clutch?! Ainge fit that team like a glove. He n DJ were the perfect compliment to the best frontcourt of all time, the big 3!
All-time great sports rivalry. This segment demonstrated how much Bird impacted the game. He did everything out there. But L.A. had a great team. They won the next two games to win the title with Kareem scoring 36 and 29 and Magic dishing out 31 assists in the two games. These were great finals in the 80's.
Not having a key third guard is what really did it in for the Celtics in 85. Now in 87 the entire team being decimated by injuries is a whole different story
Bird called DJ the greatest teammate he ever played with. Dennis Johnson was so tough, physically and mentally, and so clutch it was off the charts. What a player. May he RIP
Just a little thing (but it’s all those little things that made Bird so great), but notice on the offensive rebound of Parrish’s errant shot that Bird put back up for a score, he used his left hand to make the shot.
