Dunson brothers react to...NBA Legends Explain Why Larry Bird Was Better Than Everybody (3 MVP'S) 

Can’t believe he won 3 MVP’S IN A ROW😱

The one thing everyone mentions is Bird's lack of athleticism. He WAS athletic, though - he just wasn't big time, show time flashy athletic. He didn't have lightning speed or 40 inch hops. But here's the thing: The guys who DID couldn't guard him - or get around him. He made fools of them on offense, he made fools of them on defense. He was so smart, he used the athleticism he DID have to outplay and out-hustle the best players in the game. There's a reason the most elite players in history bow down to this guy. Pat Riley was famously asked who he would want to take the final shot of a game. His answer: if the game was on the line, Michael Jordan. If his LIFE was on the line, Larry Bird. Doesn't get much clearer than that.

Look at who he played against. Probably the most stacked decade ever.

The 3 MVPs in the row isn't even the whole story there. Rookie of the Year voting he received all but three votes. He was 4th in voting for MVP his rookie year. (Jabbar won) The next three years he was 2nd in MVP votes, then won it for three years (84, 85, 86, then 3rd, then 2nd. Between 1980-88 he received over 66% of all available votes.

Dr. J, Magic, Jordan, Isaiah, Olajuwan, Malone, Kareem, and the list goes on. He faced arguably the toughest competition in a time when the game was much tougher and more physical.

I was a 13 year old Center and co captain of my schools girls team and I watched all of the 1985 and 1986 games that I could. 1985/86 Celtics are still the best team I've ever seen. I lived about 25 minutes north of Boston and when games came on we would turn on the tv and turn the volume down and then we would put on the radio so we could hear Johnny Most as commentator for the game. Some of my best childhood memories. Been many years since I played basketball but I did love the shit out of it. Broke all of my fingers playing and man, the arthritis I deal with today because of that is awful so I can't imagine the pain Larry was in playing with a back so broken for all those years. Fun to see you guys 'discover' a legend from my childhood. He was my Jordan. PS-the clip at 13:15 where he stole the inbound pass, the guy you hear describing it all was Johnny Most. Man about had a coronary several times calling Celtics games when Bird did some seemingly impossible thing.

3 championships, 3 MVPs back to back, 3 3pt contests back to back, 12 time all star, 10 time all nba, beat magic Kareem and worthy twice, swept Jordan twice, the list goes on. LEGEND

larry tells a story, his rookie camp goes up to a teammate and asks, "when are these guys gonna start playing hard"? the teammate replies, " they are playing hard"! larry then says " i'm not gonna have a problem in this league"!!

Celtics & Sixers had a bunch of brutal battles back in the day. Both the teams and fans all hated each other, but respected the competition. When Sixers beat the Celtics to go play Lakers in the finals one year, the Celtics fans first started chanting "Beat LA, Beat LA", respect.

Bird was one of the most feared monsters on the court in a league of the most talent-rich era across the board. That 80's Celtics team was the mid-90's Jordan Bulls in their day and before that, Jordan, even with Pippen and Phil Jackson, could never beat Bird's Celtics in the playoffs. They always got beat even after Bird's back was debilitated. It's a shame that Bird doesn't come up when we have the GOAT conversation, although I feel more and more people of this generation are discovering how great he was in his era, but he rightfully belongs in there every time. It was Bird and Magic who quite literally saved the entire NBA too.

Julius Erving "he was born to play basketball" That's all you need to know. Dr J and Jordan awesome to watch, Magic so many guys who are great to watch,have style... But Bird even with a dodgy shooting hand and a body that he drove into the ground just made too many nearly impossible things look so easy.. it COULD be...that of anyone was born player it was Bird...man was a freak, and old school attitude. Bad ass. I think considering he played his whole career with the body issues he did was pretty athletic considering, I think it's a testimony to how determined he was.

As a teenager I watch him and not only was he amazing but tough. It was always Larry Bird and the celtics

“Chocolate Thunder” had me wiping tears outta my eyes and cleaning the Doritos I spit out on my damn computer screen! 😂😂😂

Bros, I was there in the Boston Garden, row four for much of the Bird era. Even as kids, we knew we were witnessing something special. These highlights were every game. My brother and I still talk about it. Not just Larry and the other white players. The entire Celtics team looked like they just got done at the factory. Nobody looked athletic. But they played like the Harlem Globetrotters. Every night we'd see bird talking to an opponent, pointing to a spot on the floor. We'd be like "he's tellin' him where he's going. Larry would taunt players, coaches...and back it all up. Just a great player and a great team.

Larry Bird is the only person in the NBA to be awarded MVP, Coach of the year, and executive of the year. He dominated basketball on and off the court.

Bird broke his shooting hand bad playing baseball with his brother, after being signed by the Celtics.But had not play a game yet. He said it never healed correctly. Other players mention it as well. He did all that with a busted hand.

I still have the ticket stubs to Birds 60 points at the UNO arena... everytime he touched the ball fans went wild man.... I remember seeing Atlanta players falling over the bench watching him

I luv watching these young men realize how good Larry was.

I’m lucky enough to have lived in MA during this time. Bird did something absolutely amazing every night. He’s the greatest player I’ve ever seen in my life. He didn’t need to score a point to dominate a game. If your life was on the line who would you want taking the last shot. My answer would be BIRD!

Larry Bird finished either 1st or 2nd in mvp votes from 81 to 88. With of course 3 in a row. That’s how dominant a player he was!!

I saw a unique video about Larry. It was called something like... 5 injuries that Larry bird had. It will make you appreciate how tough Larry really was.

As a Celtics fan growing up in the Philly area it was INSANE! Those 76ers teams were crazy good and athletic. At different times they had Moses Malone, Darrell Dawkins, Dr. J, Charles Barkley and so many more great players. The white guy was Bobby Jones, who was an excellent defender.

I watched Bird against Philly, extremely tough games, and Larry was the absolute best. Bird is THE GOAT!

In 1986, before the 3-point contest, he went into the locker room with all the other participants and asked them who was gonna come in second place. And then he went out and won it.

I grew up in the 70's and 80's, it was so hard because I loved the Lakers but I also loved Bird. Watching those games was must see TV. It really brought the NBA out of the dark ages. Then MJ showed up and it went to even greater heights. Glad to see some younger people giving some props to that time in the NBA. I have to give some love to Dr J, James Worthy, Barkley, and D Wilkins.

I'm a HUGE Lakers' fan, loved the 80s, hated Bird, dude was sick! The games back then were street fights. ❤❤❤ Bird is the only player to win MVP, Coach of the year and Executive of the year. Larry knew basketball.

Larry was second three times in MVP voting in the years surrounding his three MVPs in a row and could have won them all! Thanks for posting!

Bird was a fucking MENACE!

Larry Bird was Awesome and I remember that the games were tape delayed I was in my 30's

I agree~ I love that there are so many videos of Larry playing, 'cause the young'uns gotta see him to appreciate him. I'm from Massachusetts and saw him play many times, but the older I get I appreciate him even more. Please go back to 4:29 and watch him make a basket from BEHIND the glass!! Most people miss it. Also, please watch his passing highlights videos and react~ the man was a MAGICIAN on the court before MAGIC even made the scene. Love Larry Legend 💚🍀

Larry Bird was just a perfect fit in all those great Celtic teams: Robert Parrish, Dennis Johnson, Kevin Mchale and Larry Bird. Such great chemistry.

I loved the NBA in the 70s and 80s. Dr. J was amazing and a legend too. I remember saving up chore money and buying the One on One basketball game for my Apple II+ computer because it was Dr. J vs. Larry Bird. After Dr. J retired it was Larry vs. Magic. Glass backboard shattering fun! I want to play that game again now. 😀

I am so glad you caught that, when the defender 'gave up'. His name was Benson, and they had a long history. Long story short, same collage team. He gave Bird such a hard time, Larry left to go Indiana st. So every time he faced him in the nba, he humiliated him. Here, he was so frustrated, he just as you said, gave up.

I took a bus to Boston from Stl. To see Basketball Jesus when I was a teen. It seemed he saw how the game was going to play and he just carried it out. Flawless.

I'm 67 years old, so I saw Bird with my own eyes. Everybody talks about his shooting, but he was the best passer there ever was... everytime the defense thought they had shut him down, he wasn't shooting for the basket, but passing to a teammate who was perfectly set up. In my mind, he and Reggie Miller were the most underrated stars in the history of the game.

I'm a lifelong Lakers fan who saw Bird's entire career. In the Showtime Era, he was the only player that scared me.

Larry Bird made you want to turn on the tv to watch his greatness. That era had monster players and there was an incredible buzz in the air about the game which I think we've lost a bit over the years.

One of the top 3 GOAT's all time. Great reaction guy.

The legend Larry bird also won Three-Point Contest his 1st 3 years in a row playing NBA the same years he won the MVP'S too it was exciting to watch him do that live too

His passing videos are insane.

I've always said it,, Bird is best. Watching him live was my all time favorite memories. He was awesome to watch.

I just discovered you guys. I like how you do your channel. So much so that I subscribed and clicked onto the bell icon to receive all of your notifications. Plus, I liked how you guys gave a shout out to Sean (Shawn? Shaun?) David and his awesome "Basketball Time Machine."

He would do something, just about every game, that would make you go Wow!

not only did he win thee years in a row if you look at his competition it's even more amazing

I remember those great Celtics-76ers matchups because, yes, I'm old enough to be able to. And let me telly you something, they were phenomenal to watch!

Plenty of players trash talk. Very few if any back/backed it up like Larry did and no one was as specific as Larry was in how he was gonna beat you. So specific and true that you could even say he didn't trash talk cuz what he said wasn't trash- it was simple truth.

Great show Gents! Loving those eighties. Some of the best BB of all time went down in that era.

i grad'd high school in 83 & watched ALL these games.

Since you asked - watching the NBA back then you followed both teams (Celtics/Lakers) closely so you could enjoy the inevitable Lakers/Celtics 7 game series. That was the epitome of basketball. Everyone knows how the playoffs are basketball at another level than the regular season and the finals a level above that. Well, a Lakers/Celtics finals were two more levels above any other finals and what most NBA fans lived/died for. Basketball in it's most glorious form. The way the two teams went at each other was intense. The Lakers showtime vs the Celtics inside game was a match-up made in basketball heaven. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were the headliners in an all-star lineup and the fans were the ultimate victors. Great times. Thanks for the flashback.

I had season tickets the first 4 yrs Bird came to Boston he was insane to watch live off the ball ...

He won it (MVP) 3 years in a row. Was runner up 3 years prior and 3 years after.

So enjoyed you guys laughing and being so funny and of course being knocked out by the "Bird Man"..I was laughing every time you did... laughter is still the best medicine...especially needed nowadays.

Those sixers series were some of the most exciting basketball I’ve watched I was only like young teen at the time but still remember like yesterday.

Celtics - Sixers games from that era are epic. A lot of nail biters and a few historic blowouts, good times. Worth searching out the old footage. Sixers had Dr. J, Moses Malone, Andrew Toney, Maurice Cheeks, Bobby Jones, Caldwell Jones, Darryl Dawkins, Charles Barkley and others during those years. The talent in the Eastern Conference was deep in the 70's and 80's, the Western was basically the Lakers and everyone else.

Facts from a black man...if Bird wasn't white, he would be remembered as THE BEST EVER. Racism is alive in America, on both sides brothers.

The thing I will never forget is when Thomas took the heat for his player who said if Bird was black he would be just another player. Well Thomas repeated it in an interview but at the end of he statement he laughed. It was a sarcastic laugh.

guys not only did bird win 3 mvps in a row 84-86 but 81-83 he came in 2nd in mvp voting the three years before that

I remember before he won 3 MVP's in a row i think he was second 3 times in a row just before he won 3. Amazing player! His 85/86 season was some of the best play Ive ever seen. Top 3 of all time! Great show Nick & Mookie! keep up the great reaction videos 👊🤝

I just wish he hadn't been hurt for many years. He was just so much better than anybody else. He was good in every area - rebounds, steals, assists, and of course clutch shooting. He scared everybody and nobody wanted to guard him. I remember when he came back from one injury - he was out a pretty long time. The first game he had 50! He could have had more points but he was selfless and passed the ball around and got everyone involved. It took Jordan a long time to figure that out.

Mookie, you have the most BEAUTIFUL smile. Brother your smile is very nice also.

First off, I'm short, white and I can't jump. So I played hockey. Well, I'm also from Minnesota so there's that. But....I LOVED watching the NBA back in the Dr. J, Bird, Magic, Isaiah, Kareem. You can spend a long afternoon watching Larry Bird highlights and stories. And I have. Just came across you guys great channel. 👍 👍👍

From the 70's to tge 90's were tge best years for sports games of all leagues frim Basket ball to toboggan racing . 🏁

Bird was the best. I want to be a member of the Dunson House!

Brothers, best basketball ever!!! I’m 60 years young 👍🏼👍🏼

Larry had no problem holding up his end in a fight. Remember, he was 6'10",

Damn I love thar intro, I say it when I'm alone at work like s crazy person

Larry Bird had a Rough life especially when he was younger. 6 Kids living in a One Bedroom house. I was 14 when I watched the Biggest seen College Game in History. And I was Amazed how everyone else said he's too slow and he can't jump. But they are so afraid of his outside shots when they run up on him, he may not be fast but he has a Quick Step and that's all Larry Bird needed. Watch his documentary on Larry Bird and you'll see him in a Bigger light.

I have watched several of these Bird vids and SOME of the reactors are like" How could they bite on that fake? No way that would work now".... What they have not grasped is that Bird was a threat whenever he had the ball, he could shoot or pass and you HAD to be prepared for ANYTHING, because Bird was playing Chess while everyone else was still playing checkers

I remember the Celtics vs 76's series. There was a cartoon in the Boston Globe that showed a wife strapping her husband to his easy chair for game 7 and the caption said 'ok I'm ready, turn the tv on."

He had a 4 year span that was arguably the best ever. Health issues gave him a short career. He turned around a franchise and won with the team that drafted him. LeBron has jumped from dream team to dream team to win and you can't touch players these days. Those old school boys battled. Bird is the greatest small forward ever and to 4 player's all time. Bird and Magic saved the sport

A crazy stat about Bird that no one mentions is that he averaged more rebounds per game in his career than Patrick Ewing. He was such an anomaly.

Top NBA career combined stats per game (pts, reb, ast, stl, blk) additional career fg%,tp%,ft% 1. Jordan 44.7 -50-33-84 2. Lebron 44.4 -51-35-73 3. Bird 43.1 -50-38-89 4. Kareem 42.9 -56-06-72 5. Durant 40.8 -50-38-88 A bunch of guys in the 40’

These are fun videos

Dude, you asked about the 76ers and I remember the NY knicks and they were near brawls every time!! They were knockout drag out fights and Larry was willing to throw his body anywhere and everywhere he needed to to get the win.

I was a Sixers fan back the and believe me. Bird use to kill Dr J...one game Bird had 38 Dr J had just 6...Dr J was so frustrated he swung on Bird and a big fight broke out.

82 sixers. Had one of the best lineups. All where stroking that year.

You missed the point when you said he played no D on Bird. The point was Bird told Isiah that Benson had no shot. Bird knew he couldn't play good D and he knew he was busting him for the game winner. He said that mess to Isiah with Benson standing right there. Basically told Benson he's crap . Cold.

Winning MVP 3 years in a row is cool, but Larry was in top 3 map voting from I think 80 or 81 until 88! That really tells the story!

I remember that game and I believe Bobby Jones was the white guy that bird was referring to Bobby Jones ended up making the Hall of Fame and is considered one of the best small forward defenders in the history of the game so it's kind of funny that he mentioned him.

You wouldn't wanna hit Bird. He would hit you back and he back down from nobody.

Larry was 65 when he did this no warm ups

When Bird played college no one knew him because you didn't have a SportsCenter back then. I saw his scoring average and always thought he was black until I saw him in the tournament that year. Can you imagine not knowing someone with that much talent today? Thank god for the internet.

The game has changed since he played, but if he played today he'd score 50 a game. The guy should be considered a top 5 if not a top 3 player.

The 70’s and 80’s were great years in basketball

Bird is the GOAT

That player Kent Benson who Bird shot over on the game winner versus the Pistons was a guy had a beef with going back to college when Bird was at Indiana University…Bird was here for a short time before he went to Indiana State…Bird recounted in his autobiography that Benson was not nice to him then and BIRD NEVER FORGOT…he actually fed MCHALE the ball over and over when Benson was guarding MCHALE and MCHALE dumped 58 points that night…LESSON..NEVER UPSET BIRD HE CARRIED THOSE GRUDGES!

Larry joined the Celtics in 79, McHale didn't get there til 1980. Bird went up against many great players, Dominique Wilkins, Dr. J, Hakeem Olajuwon, Magic, Kareem, Worthy, Isaiah Thomas, Jordan and Pippen. The Celtics with Larry Bird swept Jordans Bulls twice in the finals.

And McHale was no joke. A HOFer with an unstoppable post game!!

During the 1985 offseason, Bird injured his back shoveling crushed rock to create a driveway at his mother's house. At least partially as a result of this, he experienced back problems for the remainder of his career. By the 1990s, Bird “had lost the structural stability of his spine,” according to his orthopedic therapist, Dan Dyrek. “It would slip into abnormal positions to try and lock itself to get an artificial stability.” The pain for the Celtics star was intense. Dyrek compares his spinal issues to “getting your finger stuck in a door, and somebody’s still pushing on the door Bird bent it trying to field a line drive during a softball game and never straightened the finger again Double Achilles surgery early in 1988-89 season spelled doom; Bird-led Celts had advanced at least to East Finals every year but one from 1980-88, never to return After leading the Celtics to a 29-5 start to the 1990-91 season, Bird missed 22 games due to a compressed nerve root in his back, a condition that eventually led to his retirement. He had off-season surgery to remove a disc from his back, but his back problems continued and he missed 37 games during the 1991-92 season

It was intense and incredible. Back then teams were extremely competitive. Super rivalry

Chocolate Thunder was Daryll Dawkins, if I recall, correctly. Used to go through backboards like they were living room windows.

Dr J,,Wilkins,, Barkley,,Ewing,manic Johnson,, Micheal Jordan, plus more

You guys need to understand that the NBA was so much more physical back then.

Wilt ,Bill Russell and Larry Legend 🐐🐐🐐👍☘️

Wilt, bill Russell and Larry Legend Back to back MVPS 3

I first watched Byrd with Indiana in college, and he was sick.

Darell Dawkins was Chocolate Thunder!! Bird was 6'9" which is God given but the rest was pure WILL and DETERMINATION!!

I saw Bird vs Magic in NCAA tournament finals live on TV.

RU-vid the full games... pretty impressive 👏

Cedric (Cornbread) Maxwell was on the team with McHale and Bird at the same time