If you pay attention to Larry's shots, you will notice that a lot of them don't touch the rim. He had one of the purest shots I have ever seen. It's like watching a great guitar player like Stevie Ray Vaughn. It's not just the music and the result. Watching his hands on the guitar was just as enjoyable, much the same way as watching the way Larry's shots flew through the air and in the hoop.
I grew up in NYC and was very into basketball starting in the late 60s. Of course my favorite team was the New York Knicks, and when they won the championship in 70 and 73, I was thrilled. Once Larry came on the scene, my dad called me on the phone and said you got to watch this guy Bird. So I did, and he amazed me. I was very fortunate to have been able to go to a couple of Knick's games at Madison Square Garden when they were playing the Celtics and got to watch Larry play. As much as I loved the Knicks, I knew there was something very special going to happen the minute he stepped foot on the court. And it always did. He's my GOAT! 🐐
Larry Bird is more popular today than when he played nearly 35-40 years ago. His game and influence on Basketball will continue to thrive over the years. Not many players, in any sport, have this kind of legendary impact. Keep Larry in your mix bro. Respect.
Back in the early 80’s PBS came out with a special about the power of the mind. One section was about Larry Bird’s hang time and how he, for a second, defied gravity. Yeah, He’s the GOAT
I was in Terre Haute in 1979. The fun Larry generated in that little city was immense. I'll always be a fan, but of course, not just for those memories. Listen to the way other players talk about him here on YT. Legend for sure.
I got to watch Larry Bird live - there was something about him that no one else had. I really enjoyed your reaction - respect to you as well. Larry Bird is so amazing - I still am amazed when I see these RU-vid videos - brings me back to a time when you put it all on the court - you let your talent speak for itself.
Always respected Larry, for many reasons. Tough, humble, hard working, and incredibly talented. He never minded praising other players for their greatness, even after beating them!
My dad took me to the 1979 Final Four when I was 9, got three autographs on a napkin, Magic, Bird and Mark Aguire of Depaul. Drove my love for basketball at a very young age. All three were really nice to some random little kid. These videos are great. Keep them coming.
While attending college Larry's team was playing mine and we heard they had a future all American on their team so during warm ups we tried to guess which black player he was. Well we were wrong and he beat our league champion team and set our arena scoring record. Peace from Northern Michigan.
What truly makes Larry the Legend is that he till this day doesn't have to toot his own horn.. he put it out there on the court.. he gives credit to his opponents. he's classy. We know he's one of the GOATS.. he doesn't need that recognition. That's confidence and knowing who you are. On the court. he would trash talk but backed it up. Off the court.. a nice guy
For me, I think the thing that draws me to Bird is that he was authentic. He played to amuse himself, not so much the crowd. He had a great sense of humor and that was the genesis of much of his "trash talking". It was fun! He would tell defenders where he was going to shoot the ball from and how, daring them to stop him, for fun! Hell, I'm 74 years old and had no idea that Larry was talking trash until RU-vid came out and showcased that to the world! That was not something that you could see or hear during a game back in the day.
I’m 69 years old about the age of Larry Bird. I identify with Larry Bird because he came from a rural area with working class parents. My folks came from Appalachia up to Ohio with their folks during the depression. My father was in World War II and Larry’s father was in the Korean conflict. Life was tough for Larry and basketball saved him. I feel his story strongly.
I never got to meet him but stood next to him in Indianapolis when he was coaching the Pacers. Lucked out with tickets while there on business to see them in game 2 of the 2001 playoffs vs the 76ers. The guys that I went with knew the court well and walked us right down to the bench. Felt awesome standing so close to someone I watched playing great ball growing up.
People tried to compare the 2024 Olympic team to the 1992 squad. Please, just stop it. There aren't four players on the '24 team that could have made the '92 roster. As for GOAT.... It's tough to put anyone ahead of MJ. The highlights, the swagger, the rings... I totally get it. Bro got swept twice by Bird - never won a single playoff game, much less a series. He furthermore had a career losing record against the Celtics for all games, including the regular season. Now, if you want to tell me, "MJ didn't have help like Larry did". Fair point. Or is it? Larry's rookie season, he joined a team that had gone 29-52 the previous year. When Larry joined the Celts, they went 61-21, and reached the EC Finals - without DJ, without McHale, without Parrish. Second season, NBA champions. MJ didn't get his first ring until year six. In 1988, Larry was in decline. He was playing with bone spurs in both ankles, as well as a compression fracture of the spine. MJ was at his athletic peak, league MVP and scoring champion, and was running with Scottie Pippen. The Bulls played the Celtics 4 times that season, and lost three of them. That busted up old man matched MJ's statistical output in those games almost exactly. Larry's career wasn't as glitzy as Mike's. He wasn't as beautiful to watch. But, dammit... When both guys were on the court and the ball went up, Larry was beatin' that a$$.
Very respectful how Larry Legend speaks about the greats of the NBA, past, present, and future. But don't overlook while commenting in a somewhat soft-spoken manner and not boasting at all, he exhibited a trait that many of his competitors have stated in his "trash talking" videos. He never beat his chest, said it in an insulting way, or made it loud and insulting while actually giving a warning to his defender. Just as in this video he talked without changing his tone, pace, or volume of his voice, he simply said, "...the one thing I do know, I always knew how good I was." and in that moment, everybody should realize how confident, competitive, and vicious the man was on the court. He was going to do whatever he wanted and there was nothing you could do about it. And to those that disagree with me, all I can say is go do your homework and find all the videos of Hall of Famers telling stories and giving him ultimate respect.
I didn't ever meet Larry Legend. His best attribute is his Brain. He was smarter then everyone else on the court. He knew every players position, every place he could score from. He did not give up on any play. He brought a last place team to a 60 win season the next year, his rookie year. Look at my top 3 goats (i will put them in order). Bill Russell 15.1 points, 22.5 rebounds, 4.3 assist Larry Bird 24.3 points, 10 rebounds, 6.3 assist Michael Jordan 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assist.
im not a Larry Bird fan. Im a John Starks, Anthony Mason and Charles Oakley fan actually, more so Im a Knicks fan.. or was.. and I cant objectively find someone better than Bird.. even Jordan.. ive tried.
I am 2 years older than LB but I went for my MBA so I had two more years college and saw him from his first year Indiana to his last on the dream team--
I love Larry and Earvin (Magic) & enjoy watching these guys so much. Don't know if you are aware of it or not, but both Larry and Magic wore the number 33 in high school and college. Larry still had it in the NBA, but Magic went down a notch and ended up with number 32. I live about 18 miles from where Magic went to both high school and college and can remember the celebration the communities had.
I knew nothing about Kiki Vanderway, but I met him once when I lived in Denver. Still don't know much about him. Today I met a man whose son played for NC as a top college player with some awards, (still don't know much about basketball). He now plays for South Korea for much much more money than he could earn here. He turned down an American team, Cleveland, I think. We only chatted in the checkout line at a store, or I might have learned more, like his name! The Dream Team took international basketball to another level. International teams have become worthy rivals.
Let me preface with grew up in Phx and a lifelong Suns fan, so I know my share of heart breaking losses. But when Bird drained a 3 with no time left on the clock to win by one. That ranks up there in hard ones to take.
I love how much Larry and Magic love and respect the game. And that slam down from Dominique was straight savage. I forgot how he could be explosive after just two steps. You don't see monsters like that any longer. Or anyone willing to put their body between a monster and the net for $100K and a load of 100%, because why would you not play if you could and you were getting paid?
Larry bird played every game like curry played vs france that’s how good white Jesus was Larry is top 3 in history curry wish he could play as good as white Jesus lol
Michael, Larry and Magic are my three must haves for a basketball Mount Rushmore or best of. Michael for what he did as a player with two 3 peats and how popular he became worldwide. Larry and Magic had a great college rivalry but were immediately impacting the game and playing for championships in the NBA. Really brought the NBA forward in its popularity also. There's a lot of other greats but those guys were the elite.
like magic said at his retirement ceremony, there will never ever be another larry bird. because no one before or since plays the game like him. the closest i can think of is joker, due to his playstyle, court vision and stupidly good passing.
I like your review channel. With your distinct voice, you could be a professional announcer or do commercials. I have announced racing events for 30 years and I would love to have as distinct a voice as yours. Very few get rich on a microphone but you get great seats in great moments. My favorite moments are when I get to announce a pro race where a kid I announced at 4 years old wins a Grand National.
Magic, Rodman, Jabbar, Barkley, Jordan, Thomas all say Byrd was the one player that gave them trouble. They also all said he is the best trash talker in BB.
There is story out there about two guys. The story goes two guys went to the bathroom or something and found there way to the Celtics locker room. Larry saw them and invited them in and started to talking them. They got drinks and popcorn and even introduced them to Casey Jones and said hey Casey meet my two friends. I don't know it's true but I can believe it because it was Larry Bird.
Larry legend is one of the best ever. Like he said, hard to rank different eras against each other. Different rules and all. Take a stephen curry, clearly more athletically gifted. would he be as great if players could basically beat the shit outta him once he crossed the 3 line? Or how great would larry be in todays rules? Food for thought. Kinda like todays nfl. Qbs ans wrs stay setting records. Because the system is skewed their way. Equal to nba prevelance to guards once they realized how much cash jordan was worth
They say not enough 3 pointers for Larry... how about all the Intentional 2's seeking the foul and making the shot from the free throw line. I would love to see the career stats on those plays in comparison to other great players
Honestly Bird is UNDERRATED by most. If he is not in your top 3 then you really need to look harder because when it comes to pure playing ability, knowledge, court presence and intuition, making his teamates better, etc... he is second to none and the only thing that makes someone like Jordan better is Bird was so unathletic compared to most other professional basketball players. He is my 1b all time and Jordan is 1a
I grew up a Lakers fan. But I can say Bird is Clutch. Game on the line, Bird is the guy I want taking the shot. Jordan’s still the GOAT in my opinion, and Kobe, Wilt, Bird, Duncan round out my top five. Lebron, is a great player. If he had heart, he could’ve been the GOAT. And he’s a horrible teammate.
@@scottallen5269 Pat Riley, the coach of the Lakers stated: “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.” Bird was better...he is the 🐐.
@@MBGolfer down by 2, 3 seconds left, ball in hand at half court, no picks, one on one…….. Jordan gets his shot off 100% of the time. Bird was amazing, and his all around game, mind, feel for the court, and heart… we will never see again. He could handle the ball too, but it was a weak spot in my opinion. If my life’s on the line, I’d take Jordan. He’s the closest thing to unstoppable, the game has ever seen.
@scottallen5269 Well...we will have to agree to disagree. Bird NEVER missed a clutch shot to win a game. Not one in his whole career. Even with double and triple teams on him.He never missed a shot for the win, tie or under any circumstances. Jordan was awesome and a great showman. He was close, but he is 2nd on my list after Bird.
@@MBGolfer No argument man. I totally get it. I’m definitely not trying to disrespect Bird. And I’m not 100% on my pick. If there were 100 games, I’d probably flip flop the two of them. It’s more like 51% to 49%.
What a dumb question, to go to the next level don’t ask questions like this. Anybody that got eyes knows the answer to this question! Have more debatable topics on your platform not the obvious lol
@@richhousereviewsin your caption you didn’t ask if he was the best which he’s not, you asked if he was a Legend or overrated, Legendary absolutely the best no. 💥 Dickhead 💥
I go back watchin' and following the NBA to 1963 with Guy Rodgers and the Warriors. I've seen alot of players I want to have the ball when the game is on the line. I loved to watch MJ and Doc J, Magic and so many more, but Larry Bird is at the top of that list and I hate the Celtics. BTW - LeMoron James doesn't even sniff that list. In fact I want the ball out of his hands when the game is on the line. If I want a big lead, absolutely I'm taking the LeMoron, but when it counts, I'll pass.
I THINK DENIS JOHNSON COULD BEE THE OTHER HALF OF LARRY BIRD. AND NOOO NOOO DESRESPECT TO THE OTHER GREAT GREAT PLAYERS. I COULD BEE WRONG. I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS FOOTBALL STUFF. BUT LOOKING AT SOME D.J. MIGHT BEE INTERESTING.thank you.
