@@innosanto Yes sir, you got that right. Kind of Bird's own fault though for doing things like chopping wood and building driveways when he had the money to pay others for doing so. But even in Bird's final season when his back was all but gone, he was almost always the greatest all around player on the court. I'd take Larry Legend 100 times out of 100 over Lebron James and all of his social justice warrior bullshit.
@@GOPMAN71 Maybe you'd understand it if you understood his past. Every Bird kid worked to give his money to keep afloat. How many times have you heard his tremendous work ethic. That wasn't just on the court. But yes you're right. But it was his work ethic. Larry just *refused* to take any pain medicine. His mom worked two waitressing jobs to pay the bills for six kids. His dad pretty much stopped child support. He was an alcoholic but the family still loved him and all. He committed suicide when Bird was 19. But it was his dad who gave him strength against doing the job through pain. Like crushing his foot at his foot and having the kids force it on and then tie the laces really tight. The Birds were so poor and got bullied through school. By the second week each month all the money was left to buy Wonder bread and left over condiments on it. Maybe bologna as a treat. LOL But yeah it was just pride. He wasn't going to pay someone else for a job he can himself I guess.
lol....those Hawks players actually got fined by the coach the next day!! The coach also put the film up of those guys celebrating to show the other guys on the team how NOT to cheer for the other team!!
"If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game I'd choose Michael Jordan; If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life...I'd take Larry Bird." - Pat Riley
@Jon Cole I mean, lots of sports can be described as "a bunch of dumbasses chasing a ball around". Soccer, football, basketball and rugby all have that in common. But dumbasses chasing a ball around can be very entertaining.
I grew up watching these guys, including Jordan, and I still think Magic and Larry were the best ever--most complete players that could do everything. Kids these days just don't know
Look im old school guy too but what rules they using? New age rules,then Bird is going to feast on free throws. If new age rules yeah he literally would have these players crying and would call out first time they flipped
@james83925 he might look like a crybaby sometimes, but never remembered a moment in his career where he had a breakdown bcs of someone talking down to him, 2011 finals was diffrent he was lost and clearly not himself, not bcs of opponents trashtalk, that time KG tried to trashtalk him it backfired heavily. Real crybabies are guys like harden, curry, draymond and guys who whine when nothing goes their way, the guys who fold under heavy pressure
Larry said Magic is the best baskets player he's ever seen. He went home and told his brothers. And they asked, even better than you? Larry said yes. His brothers went to watch one of Magic's games and they all agreed Magic was better. Magic pushed Larry to his limits. Larry even copied some of Magic's moves; like no look passes. When people complain and say things like, so and so stole someone's move, II don't see that as a negative, I've always seen that as a plus. You have to be one heck of a ball player to copy another player's moves. That's why when people say Kobe is only great because he stole most of MJ's moves, I would always tell them, do you know how hard to copy someone's style of playing and to be just as good as the person you are copying. Kobe is the goat. The stats doesn't tell the full story.
The part of Larry Bird's history that is rarely known is how many 1000's of hours Larry practiced on his farm, where the gravel ricocheted the ball in all directions and Larry could figure out the angle on the instant impact which direction the ball was going off the gravel. He was so in-touch with hand and ball mentality that contributed to his success throughout his career.
My favorite was when he asked Frank Layden - the opponent's coach - "don't you have anyone who can guard me?" and the coach looked down his bench and turned back to Larry and said, "No."
Reggie Miller told a story as a coach. As a coach Bird would talk trash to rookies to test their mental fortitude. He challenged Al Harrington and another rookie to a 3 pt contest. Bird in his early 40's beat them and Reggie MIller went to the 2 rookies and said you know he is NOT left handed, Bird shot the 3's lefty. Harrington thought Miller lieing to him.
As a rookie in 1984 with Portland, Larry asked me in the Boston Garden where I think he will take the last shot in a last second game. I didn't answer so he said, tell coach Ramsey(RIP) I will be shooting from the far corner. Told the coach and the coach said, "he is trying to get in your head Steve". Needless to say, that's where he made the game winner as the clock ran out. Then had the nerve to ask as we are going down the tunnel, "Hey Steve did you tell him? Heck of a player!
Larry was EVERYTHING when I was growing up. First, Bird was a Celtic. The Celtics were my favorite team. I had 5 brothers and 3 of them were Sixers fans. Next, I'm black and back then you'd get teased right back into the house if you said you liked white players. I didn't give a damn. I loved me some Larry Bird, and Larry never let me down. Bird is in mu Top 5 All Time regardless of position. Here they are, in no particular order. M.J. Larry Moses Malone Dr. J Magic
Saddest day for me sport wise, was the moment Tim Duncan raised his hand at the end of OKC series in '16 . Even though he still had a year as a fan from the get go i knew in my heart that was it. Mamba dying also never has a celebrity death affected me that profoundly as his. Arch nemesis to my Spurs, hated Lakers and him but that hate was not hate but actually admiration and respect, how good he can be time and time again. One thing is for sure basketball is a way of life no doubt. Peace from Serbia. + Larry Bird top 10 all time.
I love when he said he'd take and make a shot from the corner, right at the other team's bench, and when he made the fkn shot over two fkn dudes, the other team were like kids at a playground wondering what the fk just happened. Then he turns around and calmly says: "I told Ya" How is that not Legendary. I'm telling you, I'm going Old School Hoops because It was All about sacrifice to Win, it was all about the Game. Now it's about $65 million and a shitty, cry baby attitude. Only M.J. was what I call "In The Air Poster Worthy" (Kobe, Basketball Gods, please Rest His Soul) had that same impact on the game, only her was clearly the better outside shooter, going in, he mimicked Michael, and why the hell not, right? lol, I did as a kid and I'm just a skinny little white boy, but they could not catch me, they could not out jump me. I wasn't Spud Webb, but @ 5'-6 1/2" *Stereotypes that white dudes are supposed to jump, I was able to slam a tennis call and @ 9'8" a dodgeball, and @ 9'0", a basketball. But, I had what I call; "The Stuff", Do you have "The Stuff" in anything you compete in? Job, Drag racing, gaming, hitting children (Kidding!, Oh...) It's just that little extra something that I call "The Stuff". *Not to bring up Mister LeBron James, but when he said he was the Greatest, I thought it wasn't that he said it, but how he said it. I don't remember who he was sitting with, but at the time Kobe was still playing. I'm sorry, but It's like this (for the era's I grew up with. Here would be my 5 starters: 1. Point Guard: Isiah Thomas [Savage, 16 points/90 seconds/ twisted ankle. I call that greatness. 2. Shooting Guard: *This will get some Booooz, But I would go with Kobe over M.J. by a few notches. It's because Kobe could shoot outside. It diminished his shooting % but of course, that would. *That is a difficult choice 3. Center: Either a 1968 Wilt (Quite literally the most gifted athlete in his time, and being 145 feet tall didn't hurt at all. It's no wonder he had 100 fkn points. But for my era, Prime David Robinson. 4. Small Forward: Healthy Grant Hill. The man easily was great. I would never go with Pippen (I can't believe people think he's so good. His career was snuffed and suffocated by Michael. **Imagine Pippen as a Laker in the '90s** 5. Big Forward: I would put Bird there, without hesitation. When his back wasn't an issue, he could post/shoot everywhere/ and Pass blindfolded. Need a 3? Ask Bird. Need another clutch shot? Kobe. Need a fighter who never backed down, Isiah. David was always very powerful and in a lot of ways a 'force of nature' that could shoot free throws. Grant Hill was getting better at shooting mid-range as the years went on, and who else would keep coming back after those foot issues. Jesus Christ! I was a bit zoned out there. FK.
His Billy Jack moment with X MAN is Legendary. They're going to pass the ball to me. I'm going to take the shot from right over there. And there's nothing you can do about it. I'm a Sonics fan. Btw Larry was a STRAIGHT G.
a story when Anthony Mason was ready to check in fro the Nets, his rookie year. Bird looked at Mchale and said: look at the muscles on that guy" . Then said to Mason "Those muscles won't help you. And every time Bird shot the ball he yelled "muscles"
I loved watching Larry Bird play. When he retired I was so disappointed. Then Michael Jordan came along. I feel fortunate to be old enough to have watched some of the greatest players in history. In every sport.
He wasn’t slow. He had more hustle than anybody on the court for much of his career. Chasing loose balls, making plays on defense and of course he was an offensive weapon on par with anyone! Larry Legend!
I'm right there with you. I was a long time Lakers fan back in the day of Wilt, Big O, Kareem, Magic, etc. I HATED Larry Bird when he came into the league. Actually, I saw the '79 NCAA Finals and I was a Magic fan then, so I was happy MSU beat ISU. I hated Bird, but I honestly respected him immensely, knowing he was a damn good all around player. I became a big Bird fan only after he retired and took over the Pacers.
He made up for his speed deficit by being mentally 5 passes ahead of where the ball was at the moment. It's like he was a Jedi or something. You don't have to be fast, you just have to know what's coming, then you're ready for it. Makes you look fast.
I have seen and heard these stories many times before but you counting them down and giving your take as a fan made them all like new again. Good job on this video, I really enjoyed watching. One I think you could have included but didn't was that entire Atlanta game - just watching the reactions of the players on the Hawks' bench as Larry surgically dissected them continues to entertain the HELL out of me. You showed one, but if you watch the entire game, it builds to the point where they are coming off the bench in disbelief and laughter. He was entertaining the crowd and playing basketball at the highest level. That's how easy it was for him. He could have been a Globetrotter. I think Pat Riley once said that if I had to choose a person to make a shot to win the game I would pick Michael Jordan but if I had to choose a person to make a shot to save my life, it would be Larry Bird.
Bird used to get on McHale all the time because he didn't think Kevin worked hard enough. One time, he told a bunch of reporters, "Kevin's idea of getting into shape for the season is switching to lite beer. "
I heard Reggie Miller tell a story about how when Bird was coaching the Pacers and the team was having a shootaround and some of the dudes decided they were gonna challenge the coach to a shootaround. Larry was like, "Yeah, we can do that." These young bucks were feeling pretty confident, and Reg just sat there and shook his head... then he watched as Larry showed he still had it. Dude was a BAAAAD man!
Just think, quite literally you could have been Larry Bird, and Larry Bird could have been talking about how You still had it. That sounds odd, but it is 100%. I did a lot of that until about winter, 2012 @ 34. I wasn't quite as fast, but I know how to maximize the opportunity to shoot. FK dribbling around like Allen Iverson. All the shit is fun to do, but "Get to the FKN Hoop, Already!!". You notice Michael Jordan really didn't do a lot of 'amazing' dribbling. If you are going to shoot, shoot. Stand there looking at the man guarding you...Nah!! If the outside shot is there, duh. But Mid-Range is where you either get to be GOAT or just a poser. The 7-footers are inside, you have a guard like speed @ 6'7'...ish, or you are 6'0" Isiah Thomas/Allen Iverson who would fight Pitbulls to either get you the ball or to absolutely make you look like a 7th grader on the playground, watching your favorite high school player do his thing. I remember those days, I was short/fast, and although better equipped for the playgrounds, all I wanted to do was show the older guys I could shoot. So, in the 9th grade, I made 26 3-pointers in 18 games and averaged about 10 points a game. SO either I blew past you for the easy layup, or I smoke you from 3 point land. If my math is correct, 26X3= 78 of 180 points were 3 pointers, for I'm thinking about 44%. I don't know for a fact, but I would be willing to bet that no other 9th grader since was this efficient of a scorer, even @ 10 P.P.G. *It is Not absolutely about the Points, it's about HOW to take your shots, and how you manage your areas. So, when I was draining 3's, and the Varsity Coach (Mister Tom Steffan) said to me after another 4 three-pointer night, "Nice shooting". Many of the varsity players complimented me for shooting and lightning speed. I had a lot of traveling calls because I would rush the fake left, go right, but eventually, ya either figure it out or you go cry to your mommy. So, in 10th grade, my interest painfully diminished because the Coach (My 4th-grade Teacher) had his own Son as Center, so there was a lot of pointing figures at me because I got pissed he couldn't understand that I was getting to him. *Maybe I was too fast because he fumbled around a lot. So, I stuck to the Concrete where I learned and kicked their asses down at the park. Sorry about my life story. I have been doing a lot of reflecting lately and shooting more hoops than usual so I guess it's no wonder. Thanks for reading, if you did!! Take care
@Charles McCarron I haven't watched basketball in a very long time. I have wAtched the stats on how Stephen Curry has games of 13 makes, and I wonder how it could be they do not guard the guy. He's insane as a shooter, but after 5, you'd be focusing on the greatest threat. Defense must be a thing of the past. 2004 Listens allowed barely 89 points per game. That's unheard of anymore. That's why Jordan perfected his mid-range game. It's hard to guard mid range with a player that can blow by you with an oven more dominant drive to the hoop, creating all around. 3's used to mean something. Dunks used to mean something. I watched dunks of 2018 and they jump and go over 7footers to dunk. Now where does the integrity of the game go?
@Charles McCarron Swish!!! Chris wins the game on an impossible free-throw shot!!! **Who gots game? I do. All-day long. Well, I used to anyway. lol, Hey I apologize for assuming you called me stupid. You posted "Stupid is as Stupid Does" and I assumed you were aiming toward me. I became irritated very quickly. I ask for forgiveness, and let's talk basketball, huh? Sound good?
Amongst all of the all-time greats, whenever the conversation is about who is the greatest, or who is on people's top 10, Larry Bird is one of the most underrated players amongst the fans of the game. However, you talk to the players or coaches or people in the league, and they'll tell you Larry Bird is right up there. Magic Johnson said he was the only player he ever feared on a basketball court. Enjoyed the vid :)
I love hearing about him coming out of the timeout and telling Xavier M. "I'm getting the ball and I'm gonna get it right here and shoot it over you right in your face". And then of course he does it. Hilarious!
@@innosantomaster at creating space for any shot. He'd do what was needed at the time. Score 50, game winning shots, getting his team involved, having fun. Fundamentally the best player ever.
Man, I grew up in an era where the all-star game mattered put Bird in today's NBA he would drop 35 a night at least... Most underrated passer of all time
Tim think about it, It was Showtime in those allstar games, eventful in the first halves, but then as the third quarter started, they all said, it's time to play! The level was Turned Up!!! You competed, Turned It Up and GOT BUSY!!! The difference was that back then you had athleticism from fundamentally sound Atheletes, most who spent considerable time in college and who all had a skill set to showcase! That's why those were some amazing games to watch 👏👌. Quality type physically played basketball at it's finest with the objective being to win. You know the East and West always wanted bragging rights going into the next year as to who had the better players and that was "A Players Thing Amoung Them" It was personal to them. Certainly not the stuff they do now. All these dunks and oops with no defense, careless passing with wide open 3's that aren't even contested. Man, it's a joke watching the all-star games now! Don't let me get started on the slam dunk Competition and what a JOKE THAT'S BECOME...
It’s not arrogance if you can back it up, it’s called “confidence”. Bird would average 50 today!! No defense. 3pt contest every night. And he’d score 20 from the line alone.
I think the team defense these days is vastly superior to the defense played 10 and 20 years ago, but maybe not to the level it was when Bird's Celtics faced Detroit and the Lakers.
Kevin S Listen to other NBA hall of famers talk about Larry, I am not making it up. James Worthy said, “I would rather guard Michael Jordan than Larry Bird.” Pat Reilly said, “If I could pick one player to make a shot to save a game, I’d choose Michael Jordan. if I could pick one player to make a shot to save my life, I’d choose Larry Bird.”
ash delionce I would bet my life savings, all 6 U.S. American dollars, that you were born at a time where you never saw Larry play. Guys today are soft as puddy. Larry smacked his head off the floor so hard you could hear the thud, and was back from the locker room within 5 minutes.
Larry Legend could back up his trash talk! The other thing about it was the fans didn’t know he was doing it, he didn’t make a spectacle out of himself.
Paul Howell my favorite play was “the steal” against Isaiah Thomas. He hit a cutting Dennis Johnson in the lane for the winning layup with 1 second left. MONSTER play. With the life on the line, he delivered
Larry Bird was the Nolan Ryan of basketball; just a badass!
4 года назад
i didn't realize it was the first 3 point shooting contest ever - when he made the comments to the others " just looking to see who will come in second" that changes things for me. NOW, Larry is truly one of the greatest of all time. One of the biggest marketing and brilliant ideas in sports to come up with this contest, in its inaugural event, the great Larry Bird was not going to let the moment elude him, he knew he could shoot the lights out - and he delivered. What an incredible competitor.
I don't know about the entire history of the NBA, but I he's the best I've seen. Been going back and forth with folks who are stuck on MJ's "clutchness".
These stories NEVER get old. Again (I sound like a broken record), Bird, Magic, and Jordan were the top three in the history of the game. I LOVE stories about these three!
I'm surprised you had the opportunity to play with Bird, and that Kareem was familiar enough with your career to speak to that. Kudos to you Mr. Vickers
People forget Larry went to the NBA after 5 years of college. Then retired early because of a bad back. His career was short by today’s standards so the career stats aren’t as impressive as modern players. But when he played he was truly legendary.
Night Hammerhero Larry is mt favorite athlete ever. Just wishing he had a longer career. His bad back basically made him a Ceremonial player on the dream team. He hardly got any court time.
D Train his first “year” was at Indiana and left the team early after disputes with Kent Benson and the loss of his father (suicide) returned to French Lick and drove the town garbage truck! (He only went to ISU Three years!!!!!)Then Bill Hodges saw him in summer league and got him to come to ISU. Played with Harry Morgan known as the Larry and Harry Show in Terre Haute. I was there in athletic training grad program taping ankles “Louisiana Wrap”and watching countless hrs of practice to get my hrs. Many other stories...The Hick From French Lick”. GOAT contender.
Bird vs LeBron Bird beat Jordan, Magic, Jabbar, Barkley, Dr. J, Ewing, Olajuwon, Wilkins, Drexler, Malone, Detroit Bad Boys, you name it. Who did LeBron beat? Yeah right!!! LeBron needs to surround himself with superstars to win. Bird, on the other hand, made everyone around him superstars!!!
The Bad Boys era was when they toppled Boston to get to dethrone the Lakers. It was an idea to bring life into Detroit basketball, and it worked. I'm old school at heart and other than Bird. Jordan had the stuff, Isiah was Allen Iverson before he was. Kobe had it. That mental stomp to crush the foe. I'm not into the LeBron, but he is pretty close. "Its that split second when you flinch. That's when I Destroy you"--Mike Tyson.
Yeah because when Bird played those scrubs like Wilkins and Jordan were unathletic****Jesus man, are you for real? Larry Bird is a true legend...he would figure out a way in any era...
Dude in his declining years he'd frustrate the majority of today's players, because of his years in college he was able to develop a high basketball IQ, today's players play four years in high school and one year in college, so they literally have more high school experience than college and pro, by the time they learn how to play the game mentally, their on the down side of their careers, Bird and Magic have forgotten more about basketball than the majority of today's players will ever learn.
From 80-88? Bird would have COMPLETELY OBLITERATED today's league. From 89-92? Bird would have only KILLED today's league. With his injuries...he wouldn't have been able to embarrass today's players quite as much.
Bird = the highest B-ball iQ of all time. The best clutch shooter ever. The best team leader ever. Best trash talker ever. Best passing forward ever. Top 5 or Top 10 in everything else. PS ... Larry was the founder of the 50-40-90 club.
Yea, but people still think he's not even in the GOAT discussion. I think his highlights and accomplishments speak for themselves. If not for those damn (loaded AF) Lakers and injuries, he would have 5 championships. However, those aren't valid excuses. When the Lakers beat them those 2 times they were 4-2 series, so the Lakers were just a better team.
My favorite is probably when time was short and Larry had the ball ready to throw it in and the opposing player had stood up behind Larry (in the seats) and Larry in the same motion of throwing the ball in ... knocks the opposing team player back on his ass. Classic Larry. Wish I could see that again and I bet its on youtube somewhere.
Because i was a Laker and a Magic fan back then, I didn't realize the greatness of Larry. Maybe I did realize it but didn't want to admit it Lol. One of the all time greats. Thanks for the clips.
That's not being arrogant..that's being confident that comes from competitive nature.. arrogant is proclaiming yourself as the greatest of all time yet you can't shoot free throws and you choke in clutch situations!!
This is the first vid of yours I've watched and I love the presentation style. You explain the upcoming clip, then let it play and don't interject with silly notes or commentary. Great job!
Excellent compilation! THIS kind of confidence and the ability to back it up is why I believe Larry Bird was the best to ever play the game!!! Nobody exhibited that kind of confidence, and nobody was able to back up their confidence as thoroughly as Larry Bird. Truly a legend when it comes to basketball. Just wish he would give glory to God for his skills, the work ethic, and the intense desire to succeed that was instilled in him. He made the most of those gifts. Just wish he would praise the Giver of those gifts.
@@ckobo84 You never played with me! I hate losing because I represent the Lord Jesus Christ, and He is perfect. But you're right if the religion one believes in makes them pacifistic. Otherwise, that is a pretty idiotic, stereotypical thing to say.
Short white boy here. But I loved 80s and 90s BB. Won't watch now for various reasons, mostly just too busy now. But Larry Bird was the man and I appreciate your LB videos, been watching all night! Also loved Sr Charles!
Trista Fravel....people weren’t so thin skinned and sensitive back then. Stephen A Smith once said that Bird could walk into any Af-Am neighborhood back in the day and he’d be welcomed as one of theirs. Black NBA players have said Bird had no prejudice toward anyone. He just loved basketball
LeFraud is the best of his era. But if you put LeFraud back in the 80s and that style of play. He'd be another Xavier McDaniel. Good to great at times. But he'd be lucky to win 2 championships. He'd be grinded down over and over. Physical toll would be way more. Than the b.s. they call nowadays. Bird woukd be a scoring machine. It would be unreal.
If you think about Larry bird and Michael Jordan are the only two superstars that never really had a meltdown in a big game or series you knew they were always gonna show up in big moments and games
They're the same breed. Unlike the superstars today, crying about not getting enough help. On the other hand, they just played the game and they were absolute competitors. Not enough help? Then score 60
James Sohn Haha dude Larry shoot over dude‘s that were all in his face. Today‘s little to no physical defense. Imagine what Bird could do with all the spacing and three pointers in today‘s league. He would average 40. I‘m totally realistic on this one. Look what James Harden did this season. He shot so many threepointers and only averaged 36 a game.
@@shygoneprodriguez182 every time I see people compare a player to MJ. It is a deep thought on let's look at how many years it took MJ to have a winning season. It took a few years for the Bulls to get some role player to join MJ to get them to even have a winning record. When Bird and Magic joined there teams the teams went straight to the top . Not saying MJ isn't a top 5 player but #1 I'm not buying that BULL
The State of Indiana is so rich in HS basketball tradition in both urban and rural areas and it produced The Hick from French Lick Indiana..There have been a number of big men 6'9" or taller that could shoot the ball and score from anywhere on the court- Dirk Nowitzki comes to mind.. But The greatest shooting big man 6'9" or taller ever to play the game of basketball And one of the games toughest all around competitors with his court awareness, passing the ball, rebounding, steals and defense has got to be Larry Legend Bird..
The 80s Celtics were the most fun, exciting team ever. And having great rivals with them like Jordan and Magic just made basketball incredible in those days. I feel lucky that I was able to be there to see it!
