From 1981-1988 Larry Bird was the best basketball player in the world. Larry's PPG, Assists, FT%, Rebounds, Steals, 3PT%, Wins, and Championships have rarely been matched. "Larry Bird is so good it's frightening" -Magic Johnson
I remember Bird's last game in Chicago, the crowd gave him a (roughly) 5 minute standing ovation when he went to the bench for the last time. Now THAT is RESPECT and gratitude.
Don't ask me why, but back in 2007 I worked as a bouncer at my cousin's sports bar/pub in Cambridge, MA (basically in Boston), and one night this blond from Chicago is there with not only full Celtics garb, but she's also wearing a Bird shirt w/ #33 on her back??? What was even stranger and surreal was she had a REAL strong south side Chicago accent. Apparently despite Jordan being the GOAT, there were/are quite a few Bird fans in Chicago.
@@mikes3827 I'm from Chicago and Bird was my favorite player I was a little young to see Bird in his prime, Loved Jordan as well... Bird had mad shooting skills, passing skills etc... Anyone that's a basketball fan from Chicago a true fan respected Bird greatly...
People love hard workers and quality performances. Bird was also an Indiana native, i.e... Right down the road from Chicago. Even Jordan admits he was the greatest, what was it. Small forward?, who ever played. Both were phenoms with nothing but mutual respect.
Bird was great as I am a huge fan. But Wilt said the fella sitting next to him was the greatest as he had more rings than fingers. The fella sitting next to Wilt was his arch enemy on the court. Bill Russel. Say what you want. Bill Russel > MJ. And MJ stands alone as the most athletic and gifted guard. But I’d rather have a Magic on my team because Magic did things with the ball that was mastery of the no look pass and fast break.
@@jjs777fzr 9 championships in 11 yrs speak volumes that Russell>Jordan. I'd rather have Bird over Magic, not only could he pass as well as Magic, but he would do anything to win whether that meant killing you, me, or even himself. Today's players don't have that, and neither did Magic.
Bird had a mullet, and Jordan had hair; when those two played there was Magic in the air.That's when Larry and Michael and Magic ruled the game; Basketball I'm afraid will never be the same.
I grew up in the 80's (solid Gen-X'er) and the players today, by and large, aren't of the same professionalism. There are Greats but it seemed that "flash" took over after the 90's. LeBron is a cry baby and a whiner. I don't care what anyone else says, Michael Jordan is the GOAT along with several others in that Pantheon: Bird, Karl Malone, David Robinson, Charles Barkley and many other players who all had much more professionalism and class than LeBum.
@@Gaderelli I hope you're joking dude. Personally, I can't stand Magic and I think everyone agrees his myopic act has grown very old. But as a Larry Bird and Celtics lover I can say you are absolutely crazy to say Magic wasn't in the "real discussion" and an even dumber comment saying he's not a top 5 PG ever. He's a top 5 PLAYER ever, arguably a top 2 and the undisputed greatest PG of all time and it's not even close.
Coach Pat Riley had the best comment about these 2 basketball greats, "If I had to pick a player to make a shot to win a game, I'd take Jordan. If the shot were to save my life, I would choose Bird." I watched these two men play against each other many times. When they matched up they always elevated their games to another level. As an avid Tarheel fan, I watched MJ's development thru college and the pros. But as a Celtics fan I loved Bird's game! Via satellite I watched both play many games. They are both great players! But I have to give a VERY slight edge to Bird as the better player. But that's like choosing between steak and lobster, so I will just take em both,
Matthew King You can think what you want, but I think Larry Legend's legacy benefited from his bad back since we couldn't see him facing down father time.
You can't be the best if you had a weak defense. The greatest player in the history of basketball was Magic Johnson; his shooting skills were underrated because of his past first mentality.I will give bird the best shooter of his era.
Tonto Epstein Right Magic really wasn’t a good defensive player at all.. he was decent at best but nothing more.. however Larry was outstanding.. with his insane IQ he could perceive things and steal passes that no one else could dream of seeing.. one of his most iconic plays was a defensive play as well.. “aaaaannddd THERE’S A STEAL BY BIRD”
@THE Rattler Jordan WAS a ball hog. You don't think Bird was an amazing passer? Then you were too young or not alive to have seen him play. His passes were so far superior to Jordan's it's not even funny. As for Bird averaging one more assist per game than Jordan, Bird was a FORWARD and Jordan a guard. If you dare doubt how great of a passer he was, let me remind you... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QOyK3HLu5xg.html
@Jack Meoff Yet he continued to lead the league in shot attempts until his career with the Bulls ended, dumb fuck. When you take A LOT more shots than Dominique Wilkins, that makes you an incredible ball hog.
I feel like I am a bit privileged to have grown up watching basketball in the 80s and 90s. There are some superb players in the NBA now, but it's not the same as the style of the 80s watching the greats like Bird, Jordan, and Magic. Also, most young basketball fans have no idea how talented the great centers of that era were. Most of the top centers now would struggle to get a reserve spot as a center on a late-80's/ early 90s All-Star team. Abdul-Jabar, M, Malone, Parish, Olajuwon, Ewing, Robinson,...it's a long list of great centers. And keep in mind Bird, Jordan, and Magic were scoring and playmaking against teams with those incredible centers along with much more physical play. Think about that next time you try to compare youngsters like Kobe or Lebron to them.
AKSBSU u didnt even name shaq who destroyes ever center u just named . . but yes your point is right sir. 80s and 90s best basketball era ever not even close
@@AirMax11031978 Most of today's players would be lost back then because of the physicality that was allowed. Guys like Kobe and Lebron would be crying for foul calls all night while everyone else is running up and down the court. The hand checking alone would ruin most of today's guys.
Loved these years in the NBA! This Celtics lineup was my favorite team of all time. Don’t let this admiration of that team take anything away from M. Jordan! Different style from Larry but both were deadly!👍
In 1974 Larry Bird was my P.E assistant when I was in the 8th grade and he was a senior at Springs Valley High School. At the beginning of each P.E. class we always ran 10 warmup laps around the gym. One day, a trampoline was set up on the basketball court and there was Larry Bird bouncing on it. As the whistle blew and we reluctantly lined up to run our laps, our teacher (who was also Larry's basketball coach) blew his whistle, and said "Larry is going to take 10 shots while jumping on the trampoline. If Larry makes any shots, each one made will delete a lap that you must run." Coach threw the ball to Larry and right there in front of me and the entire boys Jr. High P.E. class, Larry proceeded to hit 7 out of 10 shots while bouncing up and down on the trampoline, 40 feet away from the goal. Larry set an incredible example for me as a young boy in French Lick, Indiana that helped me through my entire adult career. If you are willing to work very hard and never give up, your dreams can and will come true. Thank you Larry.
Cortez Armstrong has rainbow flag panties. Bird kicked MJ's ass in 16 straight games. No GOAT ever loses to anybody in 16 straight games and gets swept in both playoffs. Jordan had to wait till Bird was past his prime and or retired to win anything in the weak watered down, no Kareem, no Bird, no Magic expansion 90's where the refs kissed Jordan's ass.
@@williedaniels3882 Dude the rules in the NBA favored centers from the start, it was a big man's league. Rule changes in Jordan's Era made things even for smaller guys but not advantageous...are you kidding me, "Jordan Rules" put Jordan on his back when he drove to the hoop, and Jordan won his titles with hand checking. Rule changes after Jordan swung the pendulum the other way and put big men at a disadvantage.
@@200mphz06 for the love of God please comprehend the concept of how basketball is a TEAM GAME. So are you seriously arguing that Jordan had a comparable supporting cast as Magic & Bird & Isaiah had? Pippin was slow to develop by the way, he wasn't a freak of nature that dominated right out of the gate like players such as Magic, Michael, Larry, and Kareem. Olajuwon was another example who took awhile to reach his prime
I was a diehard Celtics fan growing up, and I used to feel so torn because Michael Jordan was my favorite player. It’s like, how can anyone, and I mean ANYONE, be your favorite player as a kid growing up other than Larry Bird? Looking back, I am thankful I got to watch the two greatest go head to head.
What a game between two of my favorite players. Imagine Len Bias on this Celtics team, they would have been incredible and probably even better than 85-86.
Actually, right now he's 143rd in all-time 3-point percentage. So you were only off by 142. Which isn't to say he wasn't a great shooter, he was. But that comment was a whiff.
Tonto Epstein by your logic, Stephen Curry is a worse 3-PT shooter than Steve Kerr, Seth Curry, Hubert Davis, Duncan Robinson and Drazen Petrovic? I don’t think so.
@@TontoEpstein back when hardly anyone shot 3 pointers and Larry Bird said he hardly ever practiced them. Can you imagine if that was his primary focus like the players these days?
I was showtime Lakers fan as a child, and as I've grown older and sought out footage of Larry Bird on RU-vid.... Larry Legend has become my favorite all time player to watch. He was just so skilled and intelligent as a player, and backed up his trash talking with his play as well.
6:36-7:11 Classic Bird, Chicago can take the lead. Blocks the shot (on MJ mind you). Misses his own shot and Assists Mchale for a cushion. Bird was playing Chess.
Bird had an uncanny ability to see the whole floor and get the ball to the teammate who had the best chance to score. And those passes to his teammates? Mind-boggling! Great "chess" player, for sure!
that's a hell of a spot. If anyone has the time to find out the origins it is worthwhile! These guys took it to a whole different level. You cannot really say one artist is better than the other in whatever endeavor.
Two great players going at it. They say Bird can’t dunk: what world are they living in? He dunked when necessary the fundamentals meant more to him, teamwork not hot dogging it.
If Larry bird was in his prime right now in todays nba he’s a mvp candidate right off the bat , I don’t no of any sf who can shoot/pass and clutch as Larry is , not to mention Boston had the greatest frontline in nba history , bird/Michael/parish all 3 are 7 foot tall
Head to head, Bird was 22-11 against Jordan, 6-0 in the playoffs. At the end of the game the announcer says Jordan has 48 but as usual Boston gets the win. And that was the difference. This season Jordan averaged 37,l top scorer, and Bird 28, fourth highest scorer. The key was getting the other players involved, which Jordan learned how to do later in his career. Jordan was very happy when Bird retired.
Larry Bird was the greatest basketball player ever!! His shot was so natural and fluid! His game was second to none. Jordan was lucky that Bird and the celtics were at the tail end of their dynasty by the time the Bulls and Jordan came in otherwise the Bulls would have never won that many titles. Jordan only flourished after Bird basically retired.
You bugging.. Bird will tell you MJ was the greatest. Don't get me wrong Bird and Magic were great. MJ was just at another level compared to anyone.. He was a basketball assassin..
@@theconservativechristian lol by that time bird and magic were out of their prime and playing their last year while Jordan was young and fresh. No way Jordan would have schooled Bird in his prime, Larry Bird was a beast!
Lifelong CELTICS fan here .... I COULD WATCH ALL DAY PLAYOFF RERUNS OF THE BILL RUSSELL, DAVE COWENS/JOJO WHITE, LARRY BIRD, MAGIC JOHNSON, MICHAEL JORDAN ERAS. I wouldn't watch the NBA today for even 5 minutes. This is not an era that'll be remembered like the decades I previously mentioned.
I'm noticing how many of Jordan's shots were mid-range jumpers. It seems like that is a lost art. There were other players in the 80's who used the mid-range to be prolific scorers. Alex English comes to mind.
Well its simple math. 40% of three pointers is greater than even 59% of mid range jumpers. I agree with you though. Wish there were more mid range guys. Bird, Jordan, Malone(late in his career), Kobe...all great mid range shooters.
The 80s were a brilliant era of basketball, but the 90s were almost on par. IMO, It actually comes down to the mid 80s to mid 90s as the peak of the NBA. Dont think it will ever get better then that. There was just so much personality in the league. So many individuals making an impact throughout. From the Bird/Parish/McHale Celtics... Dr.J/Moses Malone/Mo Cheeks 76ers and Magic/Jabbar/Worthy Lakers all the way to the teams like Dominique/Rivers/Webb Hawks... Price/Nance/Daugherty Cavs... the Drexler/Kersey/Porter Blazers... the back2back champion BadBoys Pistons with Isaiah/Dumars/Rodman/Laimbeer... Robinson/Elliot Spurs... The Shaq and Penny Orlando Magic... Pat Ewing with Starks/Mason Knicks... Reggie Miller's Pacers with Antonio and Dale Davis... Mourning/L.Johnson/Bogues Hornets... Olajuwon Rockets with Kenny Smith, Horry, Maxwell... Tim Hardaway/Chris Mullin Warriors... The Charles Barkley Suns with K.J. and Majerle... The Sonics with Payton and Shawn Kemp... Utah Jazz Stockton/Malone with Hornacek, Dikembe Mutombo in Denver with his shot-blocking records... and greatest of all Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls with Pippen and Grant. But the list goes on and on. So much character following the level of competition at that time.
Andrew, these spoiled and entitled NBA Players today have absolutely no clue and respect for the pioneers who paved the trail and sacrificed their careers in making it possible for the professional game to grow today worldwide. Oscar Robertson and Spencer Haywood made it possible for free agents and undergraduates to earn enormous money today. I believe that it should be mandatory for all NBA Players to give 10% of their earnings, tax free to both NBA Legends without question. These spoiled commodities truly believe and don't appreciate that this professional game is a blessing only because of the Master of the Universe. They refuse to pay homage to the all time greats.
I remember these days. I used to go to NJ Nets games when boston, chicago or atlanta came to town just to watch Bird, MJ & 'Nique. So spectacular and so clutch. No one in today's game can hold a candle to these 2. As talented as Lebron is, his clutch factor doesn't even approach what these guys did (although he impressed me in this year's finals). NBA was so much better back then.
Bird is my favorite, but begrudgingly admit Jordan is the GOAT. However if you polled coaches from the 80's & 90's who they would prefer on their team, I think most would pick Bird. What LB did w/ those Indiana State teams in college & the 79-80 Celtics team (pre McHale, Parish, and Dennis Johnson) was amazing. Even on teams light on talent, Larry had a tremendous ability to raise everyone's game, and make the team a winner. Also Larry didn't get coaches fired 😀.
He (Jordan) knew that. He did what was expected of him at that point of his career. He certainly did NOT dominate the ball at UNC. He wasn't needed to or supposed to. But as a young star with the Bulls, he was the best option and coaches force fed him and took advantage of his talent. Things evened out , at least somewhat, when Scottie arrived and took some pressure off him .
Wow! Thanks for uploading this rare game. I cant believe that half court double cluch shot didnt make it onto any of MJ's highlight videos. I've never seen that one before. Man Bird had a lot of hair!
I can't believe how far down I had to scroll in the comments section to finally locate a comment on the incredible double pump half-court buzzer beater jump shot Jordan hit to close out the first quarter. Wild.
Magic Johnson (the person who made me a basketball fan) said basically that Jordan was the best player ever in the air, but Bird was the best player ever on the ground. Can't argue with those assessments nor can I with Magic's quote about Chris Mullin: "When God made a basketball player, He just carved Chris Mullin out and said, 'This is a player.'"
When judging the best players during team duels, I often eliminate the career stats. I watched Kareem and Bird get into each other's faces during that classic skirmish in the 1984 Finals, and neither man gave an inch to each other. At the time, Bird was the younger great. And Kareem was the living legend. And to a degree, Bird and Jordan had their confrontations. Trust this information, Bird used to haze MJ hard during the 1980's. And MJ did not back down. Great players are great players! As for their one on one battles, it's definitely true, Bird led teams were better than Jordan led teams. Stats wise, Jordan was better than Bird. But overall, I try to ignore the stats because it will not determine true impact of a great player's presence on the floor.
The speed of the game back then then was not as fast as it is today.Plain and simple. WATCHING THIS VIDEO MAKES ME WANT TO GO TO SLEEP.LOTS OF RESPECT TO THIS ERA.I grew up in these times.But time has changed.Now lightning strikes faster than then.Much respect.They just PAVED the way. We playing a whole new ball game. 😎😎😎😎😎
Classic !! For real - how many NBA MVP's spend parts of their summer redoing a driveway for their mother :) Different time of course but it does add to his Legend hearing stories like that !!
It was a privilege watching these guys play. They always gave 100%. Magic too. Stockton and Malone too. The current crop of player don’t play hard 100% of the time. Pampered by the money. It’s all about run and shoot. And not team play.
48 points against that Celtic defense is impressive for anyone. Especially Jordan on a Bulls team before Pippen Grant and Cartwright. All the attention was on him
Bird's offensive game looked simple, compared to Jordan's, no tongue hanging out, no lowering the head or trying to do fancy moves, yes somehow Bird's game is a beauty to watch
I would've LOVED to see Jordan bite his tongue completely off during one of his hot dog dunks. Having said that, I'd take him over that piece of shit Lerfraud James every day of the week and twice on Sundays. And I'd take a healthy Larry Bird over both of their ghetto asses combined.
@@wolfgangvanbach9739 What the hell is your dumb ass even talking about? I'm a Boston Celtics fan and the 80's Celtics absolutely mopped the floor with Jordan and the Bulls. It wasn't until Bird retired and Lewis died that the Bulls and pretty much the entire league destroyed my Celtics. But it sure wasn't the Bulls when Bird was still there. The only team that sort of owned us was the Lakers.
Glad you liked the comment. Everyone has his own Dream Team. Mine evolves over time. I don't pick players from eras before my time, though, because I didn't get to watch them play. I became a big fan in the mid-70's so I can't speak to the talent and play of the men from before that time. There is also too little film available on the old-school players for me to make a judgment. I miss '80s basketball: the physicality, top-to-bottom talent, and team play. Too many prima donnas today.
I'm not discrediting Bird or Magic, they are two of my fav players and two of the greatest players to ever play, I just think in all the years i've watched basketball, no-one has done it better than MJ.
It's crazy to think MJ continued to get better than this and Bird. No disrespect. I personally feel the greatness of Jordan's era is what elevated him.
@@dwightlove3704 Stupid you. It was during my college years that Celtics ruled the NBA with Bird. Maybe you are just watching basketball games in the backyard
LOVE!! LOVE!! JORDAN,MJ23, with hair.....Those jumpers.....& DUNKZ....RUNNIN' POINT!!! LARRY BIRD!!..SWEET!!....I was in the 5th grade!!! ...Getting ready to be like "Being Like Mike!"....
If the C's needed Bird to outscore Jordan Bird was more than able to do so. Bird is so much the better all around player. Considering MJ is unbelievable - that just says how great Bird was.
Im from Boston but only 34... I never really saw Bird in his prime the way I did Jordan. but as an overall player I still think Jordan might be better due to his defense, speed and intangibles. but on the other hand, bird had a better shot, much better passer, taller and grittier. lets say you could give Magic, Bird, Lebron, Kobe and Jordan the same body (lets say Lebron's because hes freakishly tall, fast, strong but hasn't lost his touch, shot or speed due to his size). if all 5 had that body id rank them in the following order: 1. Bird 2. Jordan 3. Magic 4. Kobe 5. Lebron what Lebron did with his super teams and how he quits when things aren't going his way make him last on my list. hes also soft and is at his worst when he faces some adversity. which is funny because the other 4 thrive off the competition. I would say its hard to really see what Kobe and Jordan were truly made of because by the time those great Chicago teams were put together, Parish, McHale & Bird along with Magic, Jabar and those Piston teams were far past their prime... especially due to Bird's back injury and Magic's HIV diagnosis. I would have loved to see Jordan in his prime play the Shaq and Kobe Lakers or seen Lebron, Bosh and Wade play the Shaq and Kobe Lakers.
@@pat442389 Lebron is an absolute punk. As for Bird vs. Jordan, Bird shot threes better, shot twos better, was better in the paint, shot free throws better, passed MUCH better, rebounded better and made his team mates better than MJ did and did it all in the 80's when the East was absolutely loaded. Jordan played better defense, dunked better and sold more shoes. Had Bird been half the ball hog Jordan was, he would've averaged 40 ppg. But he was all about the team game.
@@fjccommish I disagree. From 84-88, Bird was as absolutely dominant as any player in history. He got totally screwed in 1987 when the media decided pretty much in the pre-season that Magic was going to win his first MVP, no matter what and pimped him all season long even though Larry probably was more deserving of MVP that year than his previous 3 MVP awards because he single handily willed the Celtics to within 2 wins of another NBA Title when they were as injured as any team I've ever seen in my life against the greatest Laker team of all time. And if not for some obvious bullshit officiating in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, 4th quarter in 1987, the Celtics would've gone back to LA up 3 games to 2 and I believe would've found a way to win one of those last two games. Shitty, biased officiating cost the Boston Celtics 2 championships against the inferior Lakers, once in 1987 (maybe, maybe not) and FOR SURE in 2010, Game 7 in Staples when Boston was up 13 in the 4th quarter and the refs decided "fuck this shit, enough is enough, we're not sending these snob Hollywood elitists home sad again like in 1969" when Lakers owner Jack Cunt Cooke all but guaranteed a Lakers win in Game 7... until Bill Russel found out and declared "those balloons are never coming down" and the Gods of the NBA went on to BEAT LA once again. And back to the subject at hand, Bird dominated the East in the 80's when it was as loaded as loaded could get. Jordan dominated the East in the 90's when his chief competition was the thug Knicks who often struggled to get 85 points in a game. Larry Legend and the 80's Celtics would've mopped the parquet floor against ANY 90's Bulls team.
Fun fact: Celtics assistant coach Jim Rodgers won 3 titles with Boston and 3 with Bulls Jim Rodgers was college head coach of Phil Jackson at University of North Dakota He became assistant coach of Phil at the Bulls on the 2nd 3-Peat
For all those who think Jordan was so much better than Bird.... Larry was a better shooter, rebounder, and had more assists than Jordan. As you read these career stats, just keep in mind....especially on total career points and the number of two point shots....that Jordan played 2 more seasons than Bird did (175 games), and also played in what was considered a weaker conference. Not only that, Bird played his last 4 years with debilitating injuries, and missed all but 6 games of the 88-89 season. Field goal percentage: Jordan: 49.7 Bird: 49.6 3 pointers made/attempted: Jordan: 581/1778....32.7% Bird: 649/1727....37.6% 2 pointers made/attempted: Jordan: 11,611/22,759....51% Bird: 7,942/15,607....50.9% Effective field goal percentage: Jordan: 50.9% Bird: 51.4% Free throw percentage: Jordan: 83.5% Bird: 88.6% Offensive rebounds: Jordan: 1668 Bird: 1757 Defensive rebounds: Jordan: 5004 Bird: 7217 Minutes per game: Jordan: 38.3 Bird: 38.4 Assists per game: Jordan: 5.3 Bird: 6.3 Rebounds per game: Jordan: 6.2 Bird: 10 Points per 36 minutes: Jordan: 28.3 Bird: 22.8 Rebounds per 36 minutes: Jordan:5.9 Bird: 9.4 Assists per 36 minutes: Jordan: 4.9 Bird: 6.0 Points per game: Jordan: 30.1 Bird; 24.3 Personal fouls: Jordan: 2783 Bird: 2279 Turnovers: Jordan: 2924 Bird: 2816 Blocks: Jordan: 893 Bird: 755 Steals: Jordan: 2514 Bird: 1556 Career points: Jordan: 32,292 Bird: 21,791 Again....Jordan played 15 basically healthy seasons, compared to 13 seasons for Bird, with 4 of those seasons played with a seriously bad back. And those 4 injury riddled seasons, included the 88-89 season, in which he only played 6 games. He had back surgery, plus surgery on both Achilles tendons. Between 1981-1988, Larry won the League MVP 3 times in a row, and never finished below 3rd in the voting....2,2,1,1,1,3,2. And again, he was in the stronger league, in the most talent rich era in NBA history. The only player beside Wilt and Bill Russell, to win 3 in a row....and the only player in history, to win a championship, MVP, coach of the year, and executive of the year. All things equal, and if Bird would have been healthy those other 4 years, he would have a legitimate claim as the best player ever. If I was building a team and had to pick between either player in their prime, I would pick Bird.
Considering the fact they didn't start keeping track of blocks until 1973-74, it always bugs me when somebody lists "all-time" blocks. It's not all-time.
@@TontoEpstein I am with you Kimosabe Chamberlain, Russell, Kareem, Walt Bellamy, Nate Thurmond and all the rest of those 1960's big men. I seem to remember a story about Wilt getting overc20 blocks in a game, which is pretty ridiculous
Uh "daveberg69", Jordan certainly did NOT "decimate the 86 Celtics", LOL. What the hell are you talking about, because the Celtics SWEPT the Bulls in the playoffs. Yes, Jordan scored quite a few points, but the object of the game is to win it. The Celts were content to have Jordan take 50 shots a game like the ball hog he was.
***** "Statnerd"? I've played with some of these guys we're talking about you moron. I was never in the league, I never played College ball, but I have played with plenty of NBA players. So you can take the "statnerd" and shove it up your ass. What are 12 yrs old? The 86 Celts whooped the shit out of the Jordan led Bulls and I watched every damn game. As a matter of fact, I have it on VHS tape. I've watched and played more ball than you dreamed of jackass.
***** All you had to say was "you replied to the wrong comment", LMAO! You didn't have to make up a bunch of lies to try and out do what I said for Christ's sake's. Calm, down, take a DEEP breath, go take your meds, and quit pretending you're something you're NOT. LOL
Larry Bird... My idol in basketball... Jordan defeated Isiah in the playoff... Jordan defeated Magic in the finals but Jordan never ever defeated Bird... Jordan even admitted he's glad Bird retired because he is really an obstacle for him to go to the finals if they meet. I'm very happy to have a Larry Bird Jersey.
DJ had no chance against Jordan and neither did Cureton against Bird. The difference was McHale and Parish having their way against Oakley and Corzine...enjoyed listening to the Skip Caray & Bill Russell banter too.
Thanks to you tube internet. It's very clear here and it's shows who is the best NBA team in the 1980s. CELTICS and LAKERS no comment. For the Chicago bulls 1990s is yours😀👏
If he had been the team player Bird was, he would have won, at least 3 more championships. Bird won with players who became better because of him, and they all admit it, and love him for it. Jordon was only concerned with Jordan, in his early years. I remember watching him when I was in my teens, and even I could see, he was too self centered. It really showed in the turnaround, or lack thereof, that each player enjoyed in their rookie season. The Celtics had the best turnaround in league history, and the Bulls didn't even get 50% the first two years Jordan played. Birds first year, he did not have Mchale, Chief, DJ, or Ainge. Watch some of Birds rookie season games, and watch the imprint he had, it's amazing to see. Jordan was a great player, but he was not as mature as Bird was when he came into the league. If he had been, there would be no argument over who was the goat, and who wasn't.
If I was picking 5 players to start a team, Bird would be my first pick to build a team around. There has never been a better leader that can make a team better. This was evident at Indiana state and his first year with the celtics.
@mobis, Ha! Where was Jordan, when the Bulls got swept twice in the playoffs by the Celtics? I said that Jordan was a great player, but he would have won more championships if he had been more mature, and not so ball greedy. Case in point, he scored 63 against the Celtics, in one playoff game, but still lost. That is very telling.
6:48 How many people have stopped Jordan 1 on 1 on a fast break in the fourth quarter. Larry (That white boy can't play defense) Legend just did. Most underrated player of all time!!!! Loved watching him play. He did all the little things that made the difference in the end.
+Ron Davis The Celtics in 78-79 the year before Bird came won 29 games the worst in the league. Bird's 1st season 79-80 Celtics win 61 games and have the best record in the league. Bird's 2nd year in 80-81 the Celtics win 62 games the best record in the league and win the championship..... The Bulls in 83-84 the year before Jordan win 27 games. Jordan's 1st season 84-85 the bulls win 38 games. Jordan's 2nd year in 85- 86 the Bulls win 30 games. LOL they actually got worse no comparison. And if you say Jordan was hurt his second year how about his 3rd year in 86-87 they won 40 games still below 500. LOL No CONTEST. Bird the superior player.
This is the undeniable truth. Jordan was always an individual with a detrimental ego. His first 5-6 seasons he was more concerned with his own PPG and winning the annual dunk contest than he was helping his teammates become better and more involved. MJ was simply the most self centered player I think I've ever seen. it's really a shame that he managed 6 titles in spite of NOT being a team player. This unfortunately showed countless young kids a backwards message that being a self absorbed, egotistical, ball hog equals the limelight and 6 championships. Because of this the league has suffered. Everything that Bird & Magic spent the decade of the 80's displaying that teamwork, unselfish play and superior ball movement leads to championships... well Jordan ruined that. FINALLY in recent years the league is seeing some amount of true team ball with the Spurs, Warriors
The only thing I can agree with you on is that MJ was an offensive threat. He was able to have an out of this world scoring average, but to say that he was the most self centered player is ridiculous. Even early in his career in the 80s, he was averaging 30+ points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals a game. That's a pretty good line of stats. In 89, he averaged 32 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Like every team, a championship is not won by one player.
LMAO, MJ acts like he just won an NBA final against Boston at 2:17, and they are down 32-25, what a joke. I guess for MJ getting it under 10 against larry is time to celebrate hahaha, 110-98, close for a celtics bulls game. Gotta love Skips Carey's comment at 9:18, it sums up Bird's career against MJ: "MJ scores 48 but Boston, as they usually do, won the game." Let the Ball Hog jack up shots, Larry will take the win :)
Oh boy. Great game. Head to Head match up. It's the Legends blast from the past Tour folks. Check out the pass by Bird at the 7 min mark. Old school. Come on man! Best MJ quote he borrowed from Vince Lombardi: "I never lost a game...I just ran out of time."
One of the few matchups in the 1986 and 1987 season where Bird didn't completely embarrass Jordan. BTW, Bird had 10 assists, Jordan? Only 1 (took more shots than the rest of the starting lineup COMBINED).
Ten years later and your comment is still as silly as it was then. Not sure how one would have embarrassed the other, they didn't guard each other. And why would Jordan have had a bunch of assists? He wasn't the point guard and he was the only player in a Bulls uniform that could score. The team was putrid.
It was awesome growing up in 80's on 🐦 bird ❤, i cried when he announced his retirement, even though we knew he hurt,it was hard to let go of him #LB33 ❤🐦,but the bball gods gave us mj, I still missed my rare 🐦 thou❤
And fyi, if youre talking individual stats, Bird only outscored MJ 3 times in the 34 games they played against each other. So Ima go ahead and say MJ was better. Bird had a hall of fame loaded squad back then
mychal92116 you’re the only one who’s insane here! Bird beat him for a 6-0 record in the playoffs gets your facts straight son! You just want to argue, I don’t have time for this nonsense get lost!
