FIRST TIME WATCHING Larry Bird - Making the Case 

Larry Bird Passing REACTION ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lC-keCDUJw4.htmlsi=ccvapk1MdQaGr1gX

A real clutch quote by coach Pat Riley,' if i have to choose a player to take the last shot to save the game,i choose Michael jordan,if i have to choose a player to take the last shot to save my life,i choose Larry Bird'

Most people say MJ is the GOAT. Totally fair. Two three-peats, dozens of individual honors. College, pro, and two time Olympic gold medalist.... Iconic. *HOWEVER* - It took MJ six years to win his first ring. - By the end of Larry's sixth year, he had three rings, three MVP trophies, and two Finals MVPs. - In MJ's rookie year, he improved a horrible Bulls team by nine wins and took them to the playoffs. - In Larry's first year, he improved a horrible Celtics team by 32 wins, and took them to Eastern Conference Finals. By the way, he swept MJ in the playoffs - twice. - Excluding the playoffs, MJ had an overall losing career record against Larry's Celtics. - In the 1988 season (his first with Scottie), MJ won the MVP, scoring title, All Star MVP, and NBA All-defensive team. - That same year, Larry had bone spurs in both ankles and was playing with a compression fracture in his spine. He played four regular season games against MJ's Bulls, won three of them, and matched MJ's statistical output. - With MJ at his best, and running with Scottie Pippen, he lost 4-1 in the EC Finals to the Pistons. MJ is MJ. I completely get it. But, in Isaiah Thomas's words, "He was a great player. But when he played the big boys, he was a non-factor". Again, not my words. Those are the thoughts and words of a Hall of Famer, who put a beating on MJ. This post is not opinion. This post is verifiable fact. Arrive at your own conclusions. Have a nice day, y'all.

"He looks like a hard-working dad." He'd take that as a compliment. His own dad was extremely hard-working, and worked through injuries. Larry always tried to emulate that dedication and toughness.

The eastern conference during that era is the hardest conference than the western conference

Larry Bird played like someone who went to the future and watched the game, learned what everyone was going to do, then came back and played the game. He didn't have to be faster than them or jump higher, he knew where to be and what to do before anyone around him did. I can't imagine having to play against someone like that... 😳

The whole Eastern Conference was brutal back then.

You're so on point with that passing comment. Any other player would have no idea where to throw it they would just Chuck it back as they're flying out of bounds. Somehow Larry knew exactly where DJ was and put it right to him and got it right back. He's truly incredible.

One thing about the GOAT conversation and Larry, fans are forced to come up with reasons why he's not the GOAT as opposed to trying to come up with why he is. That is how close he is in the debate. GOAT or not, it can't be denied that he is amongst the names of the greatest to have ever played the game, and that is good enough for me.

His Indiana State team went 33 -0 and only lost to Michigan State in the NCAA championship. The most watched basketball game EVER.

Larry Legend!!!! My favorite basketball player of all time

LeBron is more concerned about his stats than winning. Bird didn’t care who made the points as long as the team won. Much better leader, made teammates better and was clutch.

Bird is not spoken about enough when it comes to the greatest ever because everything he does just looks so easy while being difficult. He basically does whatever he wants and nobody can stop him...which looks like they just "let him". Even if people run into him, it doesn't affect his game. He made it seem like anyone could do that kind of stuff when even the greats had to put much effort and speed and force into doing similar things. If players would have a slogan that fits their game, larrys would be "Just do it".

I've watched a couple of your reactions and had to sub. I appreciate that you give your honest thoughts and don't play up to your audience. Clayton Crowley does a great job on all his making the case videos. Looking forward to the ones you react to.

I dont think anyone can say anyone is the goat. You can have your favorite, but there are too many nuances to be able to pick 'the one.' Larry is my favorite, and I think the best, but i have no problem with someone having their 'best.' Larry was so much fun to watch. You never knew what he was going to do. He didn't have to have the ball to control the game.

Great reaction! When you’re done watching all the rest on your list…look for their passing highlights mixes. Lol Magic has one, maybe LeBron, but I’m pretty sure there is no such thing as a “Jordan’s 50 greatest assists” compilation video to be found. 😂😂😂 After that you’ll know for sure in your heart that Larry Joe Bird was the greatest most complete basketball player to ever lace up a pair of sneakers. 24/10/6 🐐 ✌️🕊

24 pts, 10 rebounds, 6.3 assists per game for his entire career on offense 1.7 steals and .08 blocks per game on defense near 50/40/90 shooter NOBODY in history has those all around stats.. NOBODY.. Fact. he IS the most all around player ever. THAT ALONE give him GOAT consideration.. he also won 3 rings in a very tough era.

Larry Legend Bird the one true GOAT that no one could stop and Bird schooled everyone and he had 0 holes in his game

Great reaction my friend. Some people want to try to deny Larry his place but I love the fact that you gave him top three for sure because he was incredible and very rare. He's my GOAT 🐐🐐🐐 Great reaction keep the good work going.

GOAT 1A LARRY THE LEGEND BIRD GOAT1B MICHAEL JORDAN that's just my opinion

The greatness of Larry Bird was that he was 3 steps ahead of everyone on the court. Bird was white, he was transparent! He did what ever he had to do to win the game. He is the smartest most clutch player to ever play! He willed his teams to win. He was the complete player. He is my GOAT, And it's not even close! Thanks LARRY LEGEND.

He's in the conversation. My top 5: 1. Wilt 2. Jordan 3. Bird 4. Kareem 5. Magic

Great reaction.. "Hard working Dad." I love that one..

The intro to this vid is primo, my dude. You violated the sixth commandment, friend cause you are killin' it.

When Bird came into the NBA, the Eastern Conference had Boston and Philly, who was absolutely loaded. Philly had in Bird's rookie year in 79-80 had Dr. J, Dawkins, Bobby Johns, Caldwell Jones, Mo Cheeks, Henry Bibby, Doug Collins. Boston won 61 games that year but Philly won 59, they split the season series 3-3 but the veteran 76ers beat Boston 4-1 in the ECF, a very physical series, but 4--1. Philly then had to turn around and play the Lakers and lost 4-2. Next year Boston and Philly each went 62-20, the teams again split the regular season 3-3 and then Boston won the 81 ECF 4-3 in what Basketball Historians still to this day say is the greatest playoff series in the history of the NBA (you should review some of those games). Boston then beat Moses Malone's Houston Rockets in the 81 NBA finals. In 1982, Boston went 63-19 and Philly won 58. Boston won the regular season 4-2 and was set up to repeat but Tiny Archibald, Boston's all-star point guard got hurt in game 1 of the ECF which impacted Boston, Philly went on to win the 82 ECF 4-3 and then lose to the Lakers in the 82 Finals. Next year, Philly picked up Moses Malone and they won 65 games to Boston 56 but still Boston and Philly split the regular season 3-3, Boston players revolted against Bill Fitch that year and they played like crap in the 2nd round of the playoffs and thus for the first time, Boston and Philly did not play in the ECF. Philly went on to sweep the Lakers in the 83 Finals. In the 1984 season, the Eastern Conference had 6 teams that won 45 or more games (The West had only 3) with Boston winning 62 and Philly 2nd best with 52 (they did not meet in the ECF in 84). Boston still had to go through the tougher Eastern Conference again and then face the Lakers where they won 4-3. In 85, Boston won 63 games with the Bucks and Philly winning 59 and 58. The Lakers won 62. Boston met Philly again in the ECF, beat them 4-1 and then went on to play the Lakers losing 4-2. By 86, Boston's last NBA title with Bird, you now have Jordan playing at a high level with The Bulls and Isiah Thomas's Pistons starting to make their presence known. So the presenter of the video was 100% correct, in my view, to say the Eastern Conference was more difficult to get through and then you had to face Magic, Kareem, Cooper, Scott, Worthy, etc and the Lakers.

Talking about MVP voting Larry's rookie year he finished 4th, the next 3 years he finished 2nd, the next 3 years he finished number #1, the next 2 rears he finished 3rd and 1988 2nd, in 1989 he was injured and had surgery only played 6 games. in the 1980's Larry got 66.8% of all MVP votes. so he was above average

Larry and Magic were absolutely equal in play as well as mindset.

I'm currently watching the veil being lifted from your eyes.

Larry Legend

Kobe honestly reminds me of bird, he had the heart of a lion, like bird. And I think it was the drive, the want to win that makes exceptional players. For me it’s Bird but I can understand and respect people that don’t place him top spot. But I don’t exactly understand when people place him under the 5. I can respect it but I always think you just don’t know, because you didn’t see him.

as a earopean, we dont get the stat- hype likewise, but i copy pasted this from college: "He was named the Sporting News, AP, UPI, USBWA and Basketball Weekly College Player of the Year in 1979 and received both the Naismith Award and the John Wooden Award. Bird was also a two-time consensus All-American and twice named the Most Valuable Player in the Missouri Valley Conference."

He's basing the degree of difficulty on the fact that, the east was loaded Philly was loaded, and Milwaukee was always a tough out,, and then had to take on the Lakers.

The East had a much tougher conference than the West.

To answer your college question For 2 years (all that counted for him...If you want to know why watch the "Courtship of Rivals") he was: 30 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists per game, roughly. He is still the 10th Field goal shooter in the NCAA for attempts he is 18th and points he is 15th. This is accurate for last year. Please bear in mind, Larry never saw a 3 point line his whole college career. Hope that helps.

when Bird graduated from college he was ranked #5 ALL TIME IN SCORING averaging 30 points per game

GOAT Bird does everything better

For those who didn't know, Bird swept Jordan in the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.

Basically Larry can do everything that Magic can just as well as Magic could but could score consistently right out to the 3 point line and beyond and was much more clutch!! Bird is Magic with bonus features 😎 When I pick my all time team I start with Jordan and Bird as my first 2 picks!!

I just found your channel. Man, I love the sheer honesty you have. I love your open mind. I'm a die hard Lakers fan, so its hard to look at somenoe outside of LA for the conversation of GOAT, but let's be real, there are so many. Magic is my favorite player of all time, but I think the two best, tied for first but for different reasons, are MJ and Kobe. I started watching basketball in 82 or 83, and Bird was always a thorn. But you gotta give him props. There will never be another player like Bird. I digress. Please keep making these videos, I'm really lovin' what you're doing.

The largest collection of allstars/in the goat debate players happened during Birds era. Never before, never after. The physicality was light years harder and every player of Birds day would foul out of a current game in the first 5 mins. So many levels of why that was the toughest eras to win in….and out of the two conferences, the eastern conference was three times as difficult than the weak west other than the lakers

the only thing i disagree with in the video is that Larry Bird saved the NBA is that it was Larry Bird and Magic Jonhson saved the NBA because of the way they both played the game it brought back the spirit of the game with out one of them i dont think it would of been the same game

I know Bird led the nation in points per game and rebounds when he was a senior.

Excellent reaction. You nailed the John Wick comparison in your earlier video.

King, I appreciate your sincere reaction to this video. You & I both agree, Clayton Crowley made a good point. Fans EXPECTED Larry Legend to make/perform whatever it took to win the game for his team. Clutch doesn't just mean making a last-minute shot. It's like Larry scoring 20 points in the 4th quarter to lead the Celtics to victory over the Atlanta Hawks in the 5th & final game to WIN and ADVANCE in the playoffs. Dominique Wilkins said, "Larry made 10 clutch shots... " that final 4th quarter. As for taking off Jerry West from the NBA logo? Before you agree with that King, I suggest you take time to educate yourself about Jerry West's legacy. I was around when Jerry West played. West's nickname was Mr. Clutch, way before Larry Legend arrived in 1979. Personally, IMO, I think taking this HONOR away from West would be a HUGE injustice to this NBA legend. Thank you for your excellent reaction, King.

The most impressive video is Celtics vs 76ers 3:1 have to see how epic clutch bird was by taking over an entire quarter

I remember like it was yesterday seing those Celtics games and in every single one Larry Bird always delivered. When they talk abaut "clutch" Larry Bird was/is the most "Decisive" player i ever seen. When the Celtics were in a dire situation,Bird as always was the one to come foward to "kill" the game,and in Larry Bird Fashion. The "Blonde God" as many fans used to call him. To me He's the Greatest Player and Team Player in NBA History. PS: He make it feel so easy to Shoot and score from anywhere on the floor,and just for that ( and many,many other things) is why Larry "The Legend" exists in Basketball History.

Idk man, that game 4 against the Lakers is the only game winning shot, that he didn't make, that I can remember. If the Celtics were down a point in the last few seconds of the game and Bird had the ball, it was a guaranteed win

Hey so far I like your style I like your reaction and I'm someone who believes fully that Larry Bird is The GOAT. The only thing I would love is if you would make the basketball screen a little bigger and you a little smaller because that's where the action is. Right now you have the basketball to where I'm straining to see it, but your head is huge. No disrespect at all but I think you'll understand if you check it out. Because I have to zoom in and when I zoom in to try to see the basketball your head is huge and I'm trying to keep it on the screen at the same time. But if you adjust the screens which I know you can do then I can get the basketball big and still have you in the screen comfortably. Thanks 👍🔥

I think he's basing it on the toughness of the teams that he had to face to get to the championship

For the logo there are many worthy replacements for Jerry West, and Kobe is one of them. But if they replace him they'll probably wait until he passes. But if you think about, is it even an issue if we don't make it an issue? If you don't know the logo is based on Jerry then it just looks like a generic player. For the longest time I didn't know it was based on anyone, I thought it was just a shape of a person playing basketball.

He’s done multiple Making the Case videos covering the player he believes have a claim. He does really nice videos.

All of the "Making the Case" videos are worth watching.

Are you joking ,if anyone deserves to be on Mount Rushmore , it's Larry Bird

A big no to changing the logo. Jerry West is a 3 time Hall of Fame inductee and was not only a fantastic player, bull an ambassador of the great sport of basketball. No disrespect to the late Kobe. I'd like to see something like the NFL Walter Payton Award in Bryant's name.

In the early 80’s, Philadelphia with Erving and Moses Malone was a powerful team. The Lakers were great and had little competition in the West. Philly and Boston shared trips to the final.

And you are not aware of the times Bird did make the final basket or a pass to a teammate in the final seconds to grab the win? Man, you really need to watch this video!

Larry calling his shots to the defense is bad ass. And what mic are you using? The sound is perfect

Don't get me wrong I love Kobe Bryant and I think about it actually every day how I wish he wouldn't have been so into helicopter travel because he was a wonderful man and a wonderful basketball player. He will always be missed but he's not the logo. 🏀🏆

Now if you want to take a deep dive, watch "Magic Johnson and Larry Bird: A Courtship of Rivals Basketball." I think it's the best sports documentary ever. Longer video that you'll probably want to break into several parts. Definitely worth the time.

Its always good to see the young bucks doing the homework... The 80s Eastern Conference was loaded , just winning the East you were considered the Champs anyway in the fans eyes ..

he was the college player of the year.... took a team of no ones to 33 and 0 and to the championship

Some of these kids would've ran into Bill Lambert and retired right there.

The difficulty came from the high level of competing teams. If you watch enough highlights you'll see a montage of pics of all time greats. The sixers with Dr. J, the pistons, hawks Lakers. It was great basketball.

Back in the 80s the East Coast conference was a much more difficult group of teams than the West Coast conference .

Wilt Chamberlin is the 1 true Goat. He was Shaq but stronger faster and could shoot. They try to write him out of history. Kolby said Wilt 1 me 2 and Michael 3. Bird is really 2 though

6:45 .... He's say'n that cuz of the physicality of 80's Ball. Specially east coast 80's ball.

his battle was reverse racism. all palayers were black

his path in the east ..

The rest of the videos in this series are well worth watching. A lot of people don't have any knowledge or appreciation of people like Bill Russell or Wilt Chamberlain.

By degree of difficulty, means who he had to beat to just get the finals they had to beat the Sixers! You had to literally win “two” Finals!

Watching Bird was fun.

The eastern conference was loaded during that time

Larry will always be my number one. I was fortunate enough to get to see all those games and just the anticipation waiting for the game was electric. Especially when they played the Lakers. I have yet to anticipate a game in the current league near as much as I did the games in the 80's. I don't dispute that Magic was amazing and Jordan was good but Larry played with more heart. And, let's not forget that MJ never beat Larry. My problem with todays players is if they get a hangnail they are out for four or five games. I exaggerate, but it sure seems that way. Thanks for the reaction, I enjoyed it.

he's on the Mount Rushmore

This video left out the fact that he played the 2nd half of his pro career with a debilitating back injury that led to early retirement. He also had AFIB which I have experienced and it's something you have to worry about and pay attention to every day.

He played in the east and all the experts say the east was far tougher teams.

The east was stacked all those years.

Everyone is playing basketball. Larry is playing HORSE at all times.

While Bird was around the Bulls couldn't beat the Celtics. There's a video explaining that.

Bird and magic was that era.

Dude you should check out the “courtship of rivals” documentary about Magic and Bird

Difficulty is facing : 1- Dr J. , Moses Malone and rookie Barkey in 6ers 2- Lakers showtime (Magic, Kareem,, Worthy) 3- young MJ Bulls 4- The Bad Boys ( Thomas, Dumars, Rodman...) 5- Hakeem Olajuwon Houston Rockets 6- A plethora of others that would have been deadly today come to mind (NY Knicks with Pat Ewing, Clyde Dreler Blazers,...)

Leflop can only be part of the conversation, if the conversation is longevity. You take that from him and he’s got nothing

Also, if you really want to see another all time greatest passer that few people appreciate or bring into their all time top 10 debates, and who was on the same level as Bird and Magic (and WAY before his time), check out Elgin Baylor’s passing highlights. I rank Larry 1st and Baylor 8th all time.

i got magic 3rd behind Jordan/Bird. Magic averaged more assists and steals than Bird per game for his career. That's it. but Magic did everything well too.. he was pretty all around himself, top 5 all around player I think, if we check his stats, but Bird got the edge in scoring, rebounding, shooting % and even blocks.

Koby missed more shots than anyone in basketball. Ithink he got better as he progressed but he was still not in bird’s class in the clutch. Not only did bird make the shots he told the opposing team that he was going to do it.

Lebron had to jump from team to team because he is NOT that one guy that can bring a TEAM to be great. He also would have trouble making it through the seasons of old with the physical nature back then. Lets take the medical advancements, the lack of moving from team to team and the fact that he added 4 years to his pro career by not going to college to play. To many factors not looked at and to difficult to say. Just my opinion. But seeing Lebron take breaks or sitting out for minor ailments tells me he would not have made it back then

You should watch (A courtship of Rivals , magic n Larry story).....You'll enjoy it.

Larry had to go through the bad boy pistons the 76ers who had 6 hall of famers a loaded hawks team also Michael Jordan and the bulls and then had to beat the twin towers Sampson and Hakeem and then the loaded lakers team with magic , worthy, and Kareem

The collective degree of difficulty is based upon the fact that the Eastern Conference is where all the league "talent" and stars were, the Western Conference was rather weak in comparison aside from 2-3 teams.

Lebron isn't even good enough to have been Birds water boy.

Please react to the next video “Birds ultimate mix tape” and hit best trash talking video, best passing video, etc… The great Pat Riley said “if you need a shot to win the game you have MJ take it, but if you need to hit a shot to save your life you have Bird take it”. That is a huge statement!!

the difficulty was the eastern conference had 5 teams to beat to get to the finals the western conference only had 2 teams (THE LAKERS AND HUSTON) EVERY ONE TALKS ABOUT THE THE CELTIC AND THE LAKERS RIVALY. But in early 80's the early rivalry was the Celtics and the 76's philly had 5 hall of famers on that team (milwalkee, pistons, knicks and late 80's the Cavs had a pretty good team they were all loaden with hall of famers that is why they are talking about the difficulty to get to the championship.

BTW Larry invited Magic to lunch at his Mom's house one day and after Larry's mom served lunch she made Larry tell Magic that Magic was Larry's Mom's favorite player 😂🤣😂🤣 Of course the back injury that ended Larry's career came from him repaving his Mom's driveway while he was an NBA star

Guys wrong about Larry being slow. It's just one thing that unfortunately gets repeated in every Larry Discussion. He's one of the fastest players to ever play in my opinion.

you can make ANY definition of clutch and Bird DID THAT.. lol

There is no GOAT. Just special players like Larry, Magic, and MJ.

His back was broke and his hand was too

My top 3 in no particular order are Magic, Bird, and Jordan. They made plays every night you might never see again. In my opinion, every other great player is just fighting for 4th.

NO HOLES IN HIS GAME