@@norpriest521 not even close. hes a great player but everyone who has studied basketball knows when it came to the last shot in the world they would take bird.
Growing up as a teenager right outside of Boston, I was lucky enough to see Larry play at the Garden many times! There was nothing like Celtics basketball!!!
That reminds of the play in his 60-point game when he called glass on a leaner from the sideline and fell right into the seats and the Hawks players could be seen openly celebrating from the bench. They all turned into basketball fans that night.
You wanna see how unbelievably aware Bird is take that Pistons highlight where he steals the ball and he still has the presence of mind to stay on his tip toes so the heels of his shoes don’t step out of bounds. Unbelievable awareness!
Knowing him, he probably had a bet with one of the guys in the contest to do that. He would never do something like that on accident. I’m almost surprised he didn’t have one with his offhand, as well, haha!
I saw a video where players from the Pacers said that Larry, at 60, came into their practice while they were stretching and shot at least 10 3-pointers in a row and then sat down. I feel like the NBA really should have him versus the young guys for charity. Have a contest between Larry and the young guys. The fact that he could hit 10 in a row when he isn't preparing to play games anymore, I think he would blow them out of the water if they gave him a few months to prepare.
Larry's step back shot was unstoppable! He had to learn to take his deficiencies and turn them into positives. Yes, he wasn't fast, couldn't jump high, but he made the most of his game and turned himself into a special player in the NBA.
You hit it right on the head. The sign of the GOAT no? MJ #1 said it plain as day. There will never "ever" be another Larry Bird And that's my story too & end of story.
His name was Bird, but he IS the GOAT! No player in NBA history ever drew more praise and respect from his peers than Bird. Most of them say the one player they were most afraid of at the end of a close game was Larry Bird.
That game-winner from behind the backboard versus Portland will always be my favorite of Bird’s. I had an elderly man tell me about that play when I was young before I had ever seen it and I couldn’t believe what he was telling me until I finally saw it for myself. Simply amazing!
@@joelpartridge2509 I think he's referring to Bird following his shot and getting his own rebound, then, as his body is moving behind the backboard, Bird shifts the ball to his left hand which is still in front of the backboard and makes the bucket.
Larry Bird, the man, the legend. The hitman.... I only saw videos after he retired, but what I've seen amazed me, how great and confident this guy was. The balls of steel he has.... I've seen MJ and he was great, but Larry was as good as him if not better...WOW
@@meg-k-waldren yeah Jordan gets the edge there but Bird was no slouch and his defense is underrated. His effort, anticipation, and ability to read lanes and think 2 steps ahead were unrivaled. He was making assists off of steals in one fluid motion.
Bird was incredible and displayed great leadership in clutch situations. Has anyone EVER shot a bank shot on purpose during an all star 3 point shootout? You can hear the amusement in Rick Barry's voice = LOL at Larry having fun and winning the first of the 3 shootouts he participated in. Bird was not only a great clutch shooter but a phenomenal passer and he was great on the boards averaging 10 rebounds a game for his career!
I want Larry Bird in his 60s to participate in another 3 Point contest. I saw a video where players from the Pacers said that Larry, at 60, came into their practice while they were stretching and shot at least 10 3-pointers in a row and then sat down. I feel like the NBA really should do it. Have a contest between Larry and the young guys. The fact that he could hit 10 in a row when he isn't preparing to play games anymore, I think he would blow them out of the water if they gave him a few months to prepare.
@@cindyknudson2715 I bet they dreaded to play boston. Unless they liked the challenge. But Larry was too much for anybody til he started the long slide downhill.
I’ve said this for years. I played ball at Boston U in the early 80’s. I’m from NY my favorite player ever was Doc. So I hated the Celtics. I was able to watch all the Celtics games on the local station in Boston. From around 83-88 , 5/6 year period, Larry Bird played the best all around basketball in history. Not talking about athleticism or high flying dunks. Pure basketball skill - shooting, passing, rebounding, winning ,clutch team play and leadership. He was THE best. And he was a much better athlete than he was given credit for. Strong, great hands and balance.
I grew up in Virginia as a C's fan. I was at the game at the Capital Centre that Chris Ford introduces at the 5:50 mark. My mom, my brother, and I danced in the aisle after Bird hit the game winner
One of the two best ever. Michael Jordan changed the game with his incredible athleticism, Bird reminded us all that superlative skill comes instinctively to one player in maybe two generations.
People need to understand the difference between being the best and greatest. LBJ is the best small forward all time, but Larry Bird is the greatest small forward all time. Greatness is measured by dominance, legend, and accomplishments. Larry Bird’s accomplishments easily outweigh the great accomplishments of LBJ who has played more years in the league and won championships through teaming up with his competition.
At the end during the Three point context the announce says Larry made nine in a row, go back and count …He made Eleven in a row. Killer. No one better.
I always loved the way dj calls bird over for some love after the steal and layup no words needed just a hug from 2 of the best making the impossible happen
This man was on another level when it came to playing basketball and he always out smarted the other team all the time. And on a side note I have a you tube channel type in Russell Mills May 22, 2017
@markorevan Robert Horry? 🤣😂🤣😂 Don't make me laugh. Getting a wide open shot at the end of a game cause teams double team Duncan, Olajuwon and Kobe don't make you clutch.
Larry Bird was very, very hard on Jordan--gave Michael a really tough time and a lot of losses. I know, everyone says and only remembers Jordan scoring 63 against the Celtics, not Bird, in the playoffs, in double overtime, in a loss. Bird was 6-0 against Jordan in the playoffs (consecutive sweeps 3-0, 3-0) culminating with Jordan in tears on the bench near the end of the final playoff beating. People should remember that when they consider the greatest of all-time.
Nice thing about Larry. When he wins a game he doesn’t run and jump like he just saved the world. I liked that about Barry sanders too. They acted like they have been there before.
On three occasions in this video, Bird is being just short of tackled by a defender, somehow no call on two of them (refs swallowed the whistles at the end of the game), and throws some junk up and it goes through the hoop anyway. Unequivocal.
I think I have this quote right, Pat Riley was asked about taking the last shot " If the game is on the line I would want Michael Jordan to take the last shot...If my life is on the line, I would want Larry Bird to take the last shot".
How many players in the league singlehandedly took the game in to their own hands and delivered results, especially on last second shots , every player knew who it came down to and he wasn't bashful about it,he saved a ton of games for this team clutch ones that is why ,in my opinion the goat no matter what JJ Red Dick says
with the 80's and 90's i did do and will rank the best individual stats in this EXACT order #1 the scoring from kareem abdul-jabbar #2 scoring from michael jordan #3 passing from magic johnson #4 scoring from larry bird and #5 shotblocking from hakeem olajuwon
Anyone who does not include Bird in the GOAT discussion is a younger fan that does not understand basketball. Jordan was an impressive individual player and eventually helped his team to championships when he got the right coach and supporting cast. Jordan could not win without the right players around him. Wilt was the same way. Bird could win with anyone. Bird made his teammates better in college and in the NBA. That does not describe Jordan or Wilt. The only player to be close to that level was Magic. What makes Bird is even more impressive was what he did in the seasons AFTER he suffered his severe injuries. Jordan, Kobe, and LeBron did not have that mental toughness to play through a back injury that would make most people immediately retire. That is not taking anything away from Jordan or Kobe. Bird was just another level of toughness. LeBron is not even close to that.
Unfortunately, there’s still limited highlights out there for Larry. The biggest reason believe it or not is because it sabotages the current NBA to some degree. The videos of Kobe , Jabbar, the Doctor, Magic , of course Jordan , and lastly Larry don’t lie. ( I left out a lot players) These guys competed hard, and wanted to win. The videos don’t lie . The rivalries, the physicality, the passion. I can go on forever. Anyone that viewed NBA Baskeball from the eighties to the end of the Kobe era,...::well, we were very privileged, and we may never see the likes of it again:/.
Larry came into the sport at a time where there were walls .. that told certain people they weren’t welcome. Larry didn’t chose to be born into the race he was. Larry tore the walls of institutional racism down and destroyed them. Now the game is open to anyone no matter what color.
Like Riley said with the game on the line I'd take Jordan With MY LIFE ON THE LINE I D TAKE LARRY So True He was so UNBELIEVABLY CONFIDENT wish I could be that sure of.myself in Anything The moment was NEVER to Big U ever get Nervous just watching a Game Too have the Extreme confidence to play and play at that Level that Seperates the GREATS Some have it and some Don't Wish I did Just Incredible
to be TOTALLY honest i did do and will SOMEWHAT like larry bird and i did do and will really LOVE hakeem olajuwon ALMOST as much as kareem abdul-jabbar wilt chamberlain and bill russell
