bird stats are misleading to just how great he was. watch the full game and you'll see in every game he gave up a half dozen or more shots he could have easily made to his team mates who had a better angle. don't remember which game it was but bird was one steal away from a quadruple double after only 3 quarters when he checked himself out saying he had done enough damage for today. bird didn't care about individual stats, he was the ultimate team player. he made all stars out of his team mates. he took over as the alpha male of the celtics from his first practice his rookie year and took the celtics from a 29 win previous season to a 61 win team (biggest turn around in history) a true goat!
His per game stats are all time great not sure what you mean and that turnaround was more to do with rosters and availability from one year to another. Bird is great but he’s not the 🐐
Couldn't have said it better myself. I was fortunate enough to have a mom who was a diehard sports fan of all Boston, Foxboro teams. I grew up watching every Celtics game of Bird's career. Him being omitted from the GOAT debate is criminal... 3 consecutive MVPs, never lost a playoff game to Jordan. and the often forgotten... he gave his body to the game with hustle.
@@mannyneva1760the only roster change from 29 wins to 61 was Bird. He was the only addition to that team, so yes he is the goat at small forward. That’s just one of many, many reasons.
Bird is one of those rare players who could dominate a game without scoring. He was an amazing passer, excellent rebounder and despite popular opinion was a very good defender, making the all league 2nd team defense 4 times
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK) Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1 Curry: 24.3 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 6.5 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.2 BPG = 37.3 Bird is #3 in the past 50 years. Meanwhile, Curry isn’t even in the Top 30
The reason half the team jumped on that one plat, was because if you didn't honor his fake shot, he'd just shoot it. And, if you do go for it, he'd slip past you, or pass it past you. Good reaction. I'm an old New Englander and I watched these games from my couch, back in the 1980s.
What you saw was a compilation of games vs the Rockets. His game 6 final was 29 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists. Had 3 steals also. Best game he ever played in Bird’s opinion. He said he was the most prepared he’d ever been.
Okay Fellas, I'm your newest sub, since y'all have been showing SO MUCH love to MY GOAT: Larry Bird. Being born March, 1970, I grew up watching this man's entire career from his rookie season right through 'til the end and I'ma tell ya, THIS game which he himself said was the "game he felt most prepared for" than ANY others in his career, scored 29 pts, had 12 assists and 11 boards. If you can find the entire game, go watch it. See Larry didn't need the ball in his hands to affect the game because he did SO much. On THIS night, he was everywhere doing everything and was pretty much unstoppable. During the '86 season, he recorded an insane number of triple- doubles. I may be off by one or two but I wanna say it was up around 12-13. I was 15-16 at the time, had the biggest crush on Bird who wore those old Daisy Dukes better than anyone back then. (Did I have a crush on both Kev and Danny? Yeah, but not like Bird. I was in love with him at the age of 10, when he entered the league. But, I digress. 😍💘💋💋💋) Try to find this while game and watch it and you'll see what I mean. Even though he has plenty of games scoring 40+ or 50+ ... the high scores did not nor did they ever define his career. Unlike today's game which I don't watch anymore unless Luka or Jokic (spelling?) are playing. Why? Because both of them have traits I saw in Larry and I'm convinced that not just these two but Lebron loves Bird too and also watched lots of his film. It pains me when the younger folks don't appreciate the "Greats" from the past with all these plumber remarks. What they don't realize is just how tough the game was back then. HELL, I remember games where the refs would just put their whistles in their pockets say the last three to five minutes of game clock time and let the two teams just play and battle each other however they wanted for the very last part of a game. And let me tell you what THOSE games, well, I have no adequate words to describe how incredible they were; regardless of which two teams were playing. Okay, I began with yr oldest LB videos and moving forward. So, onto the next ... Sincerely, Lady Aszneth 💋💋 (Tallahassee FL) PS: I've watched several of his senior year games with ISU and I have the links saved. Remember, NO three point line in those days, so scoring records, like Pete's are even more special. In one of the last games that year near the end, one game had the first three pt line and I'll try to find that one for you too, and post them for you where I can. I promise. 😀👍 Take care. 😘😘 Asz
Have you guys watched _Larry Bird's Greatest Game - "I Should Have Quit Right There"_ Game 6 1986 Finals ? It's a wonderful video, in my opinion. Please do. 🙏 Thanks for this one 👍
it was 60 points, but over 4 quarters. Still, Larry should be considered for goat. Most complete game and made his teammates better better than any other player in history.
Same. I watched an NBA playoff game this past week and it was the most boring game I have ever watched. Everyone just stood by the three point line waiting for their chance to chuck it.
Gentlemen, that was the second half of the Portland game when Larry told them I'm going to shoot everything left handed. No One EVER talked trash like Larry then backed it up like he did.
For those that think Larry Bird was not as good as he really was. This comment is for those whom never had the chance to see him play. Little know thing about Larry to those that never saw him play , he could effect the outcome of a game and never take a shot, thats how devastating his passing skills were. Here is one thing that most fans (people) either don't know or try to ignore, prior to Larry joining the NBA there was no such thing as a three point line, that came in when Bird was starting his first year of his NBA career. Just think about what would todays game be without the three point line or if the line was one foot farther out like it was when it was first introduced also the three point shot was viewed by most as a gimmick. Bird used it as a strategic weapon to end a game. Food for thought. At that time it was not about the individuals stats it was about the win. But if you need some stats here you go: Here are some of Larry Bird's notable career achievements and statistics: Three-time NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986); Two-time NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986); Three-time NBA MVP (1984-86); 12-time NBA All-Star (1980-88, 1990-92); Nine-time All-NBA First Team (1980-88); All-NBA Second Team (1990); Three-time All-NBA Defensive Second Team (1982-84); NBA Rookie of the Year (1980); NBA All-Rookie Team (1980); Three-time NBA Three-Point Contest champion (1986-88); Career-high in points: 60 (March 12, 1985) -- tied for franchise record with Jayson Tatum; Named NBA Coach of the Year (1998); and Named NBA Executive of the Year (2012). Larry Bird, was the first player to accomplish the 50-40-90 achievement, and one of two players to achieve the feat in multiple seasons. Career averages: 24.3 points per game 10.0 rebounds per game 6.3 assists per game 88.6% free throw percentage 49.6% field goal percentage 37.6% 3-point percentage If you need more proof, just look up the February 14, 1985 game Celtics vs. Jazz where Larry Bird was one steal away in the third quarter from being the second ever quadruple double in league history but he wold have been the first to record one in regulation play. The first one was recorded in Bulls vs. Hawks in O.T. October 18, 1974 that is Nate Thurmond, Now we can't forget that Bird famously played with two injured ankles and a notoriously cranky back that forced him to lay down on the floor during practice breaks. After season-ending foot surgery just six games into the 1988-89 season. The final thing most are unaware of Larry Bird played with threats against his life.
Just to note, Lebron teams could never be this tall in the starting lineup. One of his 2 bigs has to be a shooter because he can't shoot like Bird, and for that his teams always lack that extra size for rebounds and the playmaking becomes kinda predictable because Bron has to drive and kick out with 1 lob threat only. In today's game, Bird would be able to put 2 athletic 7fters next to him and they would most likely be able to shoot 3s too. The flow of passing from all the players is just so much better and more fun to watch from Bird, there is so much more variety in what they can do because 1 Bird is taller than Bron and he can create the largest front courts in NBA history, and still have a tall backcourt too. It would be way too easy for Bird to play today with no hand check and a defensive 3 second violation.
All you need to know about this legend. I have never seen another teams bench losing their minds and cheering for an opposing player like the hawks bench did in bird's 60 point game. He was calling his shots, including the fall away 3 in the trainer's lap. I have never seen that before or since. He would do something every game that would leave you rubbing your eyes or scrambling your brain. He was the best i ever saw.
@@matthewpeters325 The points, rebounds, and assist statistics are all in double digits (10+). Fairly common. A quadruple double is all of those plus 10 steals or blocks. Very rare. Bird almost had one in three quarters of one game (triple double and 9 steals) but chose not to play the fourth quarter because he'd "done enough damage."
Not a whole season. Just highlights from the few games we have recordings of. EVERY game with Larry Bird was a highlight real. He made the spectacular look easy ALL THE TIME.
BIRD is the founding member of 50/40/90 club. He is also the ONLY PLAYER IN NBA HISTORY TO AVG 24+PTS 10 +REB AND 6+ ASST FOR HIS CAREER. tHE ONLY ONE EVER. THE GOAT
After watching this, I'm amazed -- again -- at how Larry moved without the ball, and put himself in the position of being wide open so many times. He also knew what he was going to do with the ball before he got it. As the great Dr. J. said, he was always one step ahead of his defenders. BTW, that left-handed sequence was from a road game played in Seattle when Bird told his team, the Seattle team and the press that he was going to play the game left-handed for the first three quarters. At the end of three, he had 27 points -- left handed. He was a killer!
the thing is LARRY was left handed he played right handed why i do not know watch him sign his name for people it was with his left hand maybe his secret weapon lol
great reaction cheers from scotland. i know highlights seldom show misses, but bird made so many unreal shots it's mind blowing, he just threw the ball in the air and nothing but nylon. Different species.
Fact the Larry Bird led Boston Celtics were 3-0 vs. Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls. If Larry hadn't injured his back there would be even more highlights that would astound and amaze.
If I put together an all time team: Center = Hakeem, "SF" = Larry Bird, TF= Kevin Mchale, PG = John Stockton or Magic, "SG" = Domonique Wilkins (( Yep, that's actually 3 forwards, but 2 are good ball handlers)). Subs: Magic (Stockton was a better shooter and much better defender, but this was my toughest decision), Kareem, Worthy, Barkley, Domonique Wilkins. No Jordan, Lebron, or Curry you say? Nope, no ball hogs who may hurt the team chemistry this team would have. Honestly, Allen Iverson may be the most talented ball handler, but no way in hell I've have a selfish ball hog like that who shoots to the detriment of his team. If I can have another sub let it be Tim Duncan who could play forward or center.
The highlights against the Rockets at the end of the video was a compilation of multiple games of the NBA Finals Series in 1986 - it wasn't just one game. Celtics won 4-2. The Portland game with a bunch of left-handed shots was the one where he said ahead of time he would play the first 3 quarters left handed. Seems like the outside shots were still right handed - but the close in shots were left-handed. I did see one right-handed dunk sneak in there.
Bird is top 3 all time.He is the best all around player I've seen. Do you see superstars today doing what Bird did?Diving getting hit no complaining after every play.Follow up your shot.Nobody does that today. They stand there and pose.This is the ball I grew up with.Back then we played more physical on the black top then the NBA is today.The 80s-90s was the best ball I've ever seen.
This is a guy who could choke you with points, passes or boards. He was 6'10" so he could play low, he was a killer from the arc so you had to go out and guard him which opened up the lane for the other bigs, he could go left hand or right (he was actually LEFT HANDED) and it seemed like he saw the ENTIRE court a half second before everyone else. Plus he had a killer mental drive to WIN. PLUS he played with a permanently injured back after summer 1985. LEGEND.
Robert Parrish(C) at his NBA Hall of Fame induction, he scored something like 23,000 points in his long career. First thing he says in his speech, he wants to thank Larry Bird because 5,000 of those points were assists from Bird. These guys truly played as a team, Bird could have been Jordan and scored 40 every night, but instead he built the best Team.
Bird invented the 50-40-90 club. But he was so much more than a great shooter. He was CLUTCH. Time after time, was a great passer, rebounder, hustler... He has that IT factor
Bird was so infuriating to watch, if you were a fan of the other team. He just killed you and made it look easy doing it. That team had top tier chemistry to boot, but Bird was the glue. He was similar to Jordan in that you had to chose how to guard him, and based on that he chose how he was going to beat you. Lay off to avoid him driving in, or passing he just took the open shot, play up on him, he'd drive and try and create or he would find that unbelievable pass to an open teammate. Man I forgot how bad TV's were back then, no wonder we were okay w/8bit graphics and Double Dribble as our video game.
The game against Portland is famous. It was the last game of a road series. Larry told the team and the media "Tomorrow night I'm gonna play it left-handed." At the end of the 3rd, he had almost 30 pts playing left handed.
I often wanted Bird to shoot more--to get more like 24 FGA/game but he was more of a 19-20 FGA/game guy. I understand why he didn't go after the FGA like Jordan did--Bird was a complete player, had complete game--he is the only 24-10-6 guy in the history of the game and also gave you 1.7 stls and 0.84 blk/game, too, along with a defensive effort that ranks him 61st on the all-time defensive rating. Guys always say that PG don't get rebounds or blocks, and centers don't get steals and assists--but the true GREATS, they can do it all, regardless of position--Wilt, Bird, Hakeem, Magic--these guys could do it all. Bird wanted to win more than score, and he knew getting his teammates involved as much as possible would ensure victory and he knew his rebounding efforts and defense would be needed to win. Bird could set up guys well and put up assist numbers even though they had a great point guard in DJ for much of his career. He put up rebounding numbers even though he had Parish and McHale for much of his career. Imagine a SF averaging 10 rebounds/game on a team with two HOFers at PF and C--I only see Bird in that scenario, or Rodman, but Rodman only gave you defense and rebounding, no disrespect, he was great. This approach and distribution of Bird's talents afforded him a 33-0 record en route to championship game on college on a team void of any real talent except Bird, at a school who had never made the tournament in their history, Indiana State. Bird's approach afforded him taking the 2nd worst team to the league-best record his rookie year. Bird knew exactly how to play the game to maximize his team's potential and ability to win and did whatever was necessary. He had the entire league's respect--when he was on the floor, everyone out there, every night, and early on, knew he was the man and to beat him you were gonna have to play at a very high level. Bird was a winner and a title threat virtually every year he played, and an MVP vote getter, and won 3 straight MVPs, and the '84 and '86 titles of the GOLDEN ERA of basketball--the dream team era. His impact on winning was so great, he got an MVP vote his rookie year (white guys weren't really in the MVP discussion up to this point!) and ROY award despite Magic winning a title as a rookie the same year. Those of you who got to watch Bird--we know. For those who didn't--the history, the all-time ranks, the win%, the footage, the legends and stories, the impact this man had--it all adds up to the GOAT--the best all-around player ever. And if it isn't him, it can only be Wilt. No one else has the numbers for ALL phases of the game, regardless of the intangibles--but Bird has those in spades, too--toughness, clutchness, unselfishness, hustle, sacrifice, trash-talk, work-ethic, off-hand, any shot, any distance, defense (61st in defensive rating all-time), fighting, playing injured--his overall game and team play are what all others are measured against. He gave us basketball at its peak--the 99-4 home record over 2 seasons for both regular season and playoffs Celtics team in the mid-eighties was the best to ever take the floor--96% home winning record over 2 seasons. A team that can do that without a 20 point per game sidekick has a GOAT on it.
You can’t go by stats with bird because he’d have 30 points 15 rebounds and 15 assists so give him thirty more points for his team. That was the series not a game so thirty points and 15 assists makes 60
Larry didn't have 30 points a game this season... because he only played 38 minutes a game. He still averaged 25. Which was his lowest average in a four season span 1984-1988. the other seasons he averaged 28, 28, and 29. Also, you gotta watch a vid on Larry Bird's trash-talking. Greatest shit-talker of all time. It wasn't enough for him to hit a shot falling into the trainer's lap. He'd tell you he was going to do it, then go do it. That game at 14:20: he got so bored he decided to play an entire game shooting only left-handed. By the time his coaches made him stop, at the start of the fourth quarter, he already had 27 points.
I Can’t answer the fuzzy video, but the rim is twice the size of the ball. Two balls will fit through at the same time. Been that way forever. (Unless we’re talking women’s b’ball. The ball is smaller. Rim the same.)
@@KIDIff You guys want to see some funny stuff.....Anatoly Gym Prank.....Small powerlifter goes to gyms and pretends to be a cleaner and bugs all the juiceheads...then stops pretending and embarasses all of them. Lots of vids and they're funny asf.
Can you imagine if the Celtics drafted Magic Johnson the same year as Bird, instead of LA getting Johnson? Sure, Bird would have averaged fewer points and fewer rebounds and assists per game, but Bird wouldn't have cared one bit--so long as his team won. With Bird and Magic on the Celtics, Boston would have won at least 2 or 3 more championships! Yes, Magic was flashy and known as showtime, but many people don't know that Johnson practiced off-season every bit as hard as Larry did, and like Bird, Magic always showed up at camp finely tuned and in shape. Both Bird and Magic played hard every single minute of every single game. From what I've seen, only Jordan, Stockton and Kobe had the same basketball IQ and the same level of toughness that Larry and Magic possessed.
Yall were looking at all six games compilation at the end. Thats why your confused. Those were all different games against Houston but you can see how Great and consistent Larry always was.
Bird's unintentionally putting on display the benefits of passing assists. Yes, his stats took a hit, but he was so good at it that his defender HAD to take his feints seriously, because if Bird had a window, the ball would get there. That practically forces them to react, and that's a big part of his game of gaining separation for a shot. You have to look for them, but it kinda takes this level of compression to see it. When he fakes a pass, people bite the bait - just remember that these are highlights, he wasn't always devastating with it, but it worked often enough. There are two plays after 17:00 that show it well. First is a pass-score, then a fake-score.
Bird was unreal and watching these replays you can see the influence that The Pistol had on the NBA. Bird had an unreal quick trigger when shooting. If the defender hesitated at all it turned into an uncontested shot.
You don’t know the feeling of helplessness til your team is get’n toasted on both sides for 48mins by this dude..smh/lol. And, wasnt too many off nights for Bird. Steph Curry is the only one I’ve seen on the same level of scary, when it comes to shooting
PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK In the past 50 years, here are the highest Total Career Avg Stat Points (PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK) #1) Jordan = 44.7 #2) LeBron = 44.4 #3) Bird = 43.1 Curry is #31 with 37.5 That's just to put things into to perspective
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK) Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1 Curry: 24.3 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 6.5 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.2 BPG = 37.3 Bird is #3 in the past 50 years. Meanwhile, Curry isn’t even in the Top 30
Total Stat Points (Career Avg PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK) Bird: 24.3 PPG / 10.0 RPG / 6.3 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.8 BPG = 43.1 Curry: 24.3 PPG / 4.6 RPG / 6.5 APG / 1.7 SPG / 0.2 BPG = 37.3 Bird is #3 in the past 50 years. Meanwhile, Curry isn’t even in the Top 30
PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK In the past 50 years, here are the highest Total Career Avg Stat Points (PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK) #1) Jordan = 44.7 #2) LeBron = 44.4 #3) Bird = 43.1 Curry is #31 with 37.5 That's just to put things into to perspective
That was Game 6 against Houston. Bird said itwas the best game he ever played. I'd have to agree. Perhaps you can react to game six of that series. Bird was just ridiculous. Great vid!
Thanks! old indiana basketball code = driveway - school yard - middle school - high school you feed me i will feed you - pick and roll get dirty man on man D
I think people forget how there were lots of really good teams (especially in the East) in the 80's. Hawks, 76ers, Rockets, Pistons, and of course, the Celtics and Lakers, and later the Bulls. The rosters on all those teams were scary good! That makes it even more incredible how Bird was clearly the best player on the court so many games.
LB is ambidextrous. Eats & writes lefty. Plays sports-basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, fishing-with his right. He said he had to work to develop his left. Lebron writes with his left, too.
@@dutchtea8354 That’s not all that uncommon for lefties. I’m left handed as well, I throw, bowl, bat, play tennis etc with my right. I can’t even use left handed scissors. The world is catered to right handed people, lefties had to adjust. Most if not all lefties are ambidextrous to a certain degree.
@@user-rp5ou6wf8i Agree, I personally know several people who do the same. Then, of course there is Rafael Nadal, who is right-handed, but plays with his left.
@@billvinson1594 They both missed shots. Bird made all of them. Although, thinking about it, they might not have had the "money ball" yet, so it might been 25 pts instead of 30.
Bird signs his name left-handed. He's clearly ambidextrous. You don't screw up our enjoyment of watching the greatest player of all time like some others do. But you come close. Talking not much and brief and stopping the video is acceptable a couple times but arguing back and forth is not acceptable, too much talk, loud, too much. Watching the Bird led Celtics is a performance of the highest order bringing joy and happiness. Watch the Celtic fans in Boston carefully. I have never seen any sports fans so over the top exhilarated and so joyous as those fans. Don't ruin it for us watching.
