Larry Bird Welcoming Rookies To The NBA Was PURE SAVAGE 🐐😲 

People call Bird a trash talker - it was more like fortune telling.

Larry is playing the Jazz in Utah. He’s going off in the first half. He walks by the Jazz bench and says to coach Frank Laden: “Hey Frank! Nobody out here can guard me. You got anybody on that bench who can stop me?” Frank looks up and down his bench. Turns to Larry and says: “Nope!”

The amazing thing about the Rodney Rogers anecdote- Bird was almost a cripple, he actually prayed to God to get him thru the Olympics, his back was so painful, so bad. Larry Bird was done, he was playing the last few weeks of his career in Barcelona before officially retiring months later. And yet he could STILL, at 36 yo, take a young 20-something powerhouse like Rogers to school, trash talking, scoring at will, and back up his trash talking. Pure Legend.

Bird is the only player I've heard about that would tell opposing teams what the Celtics next play would be coming out of a timeout. That's savagery at its finest.

Bird was the ultimate NBA Gangsta

"Welcome to the parachute club rookie" 😂 Larry was ice cold!

Trash talk aside, which is just mind games really, Bird was the most complete player ever. If you understand the tactics behind the game, every coach's dream is 5 Larry Birds

Bird in response: "I have never talked trash. I was just stating facts."

Imagine a man telling you what he is about to do to you and you can't stop him. Larry Legend!

“It’s the fact that I can do it and stay in the game, you can’t do that.”That’s the greatest quote I’ve ever heard, to keep talking after an air ball while also making perfect sense is GOAT level.

Some people have heard that Larry learned to trash talk long before he got to high school, much less the NBA. I came across an article online recently where Larry himself tells the story. Here is part of it that I thought was most relevant. "If you know anything about Larry Bird, you know that he was one of the great trash-talkers in NBA history. The stories about Bird in this area of the game are legendary. It all goes back to when he was a young kid, playing pickup games against guys a decade-plus his senior. In these games, Bird learned that basketball wasn’t just about the scoreboard. It was also about making the game fun by talking on the court. In a 2019 interview with Marc J. Spears for The Undefeated, Larry talked about the pickup games he played in growing up and Spears told Bird he’d “heard stories about how you used to play pickup basketball with black men who worked at a hotel near your home in French Lick, Indiana, as a kid.” Bird confirmed that was true and that he used to play against these guys when he was “9, 10, 11.” Bird reminisced with Spears, saying, "In between games they’d smoke their Kool cigarettes and drink their beer, but great guys. … They treated me very well. When I showed up, if somebody needed a break, they’d throw me right in there and I’d be in there the rest of the day. But they were pretty good players. They really weren’t great by any means. They always seemed to let me get in there and play with them, and I always enjoyed that because I always looked at that group of guys. They had a great kinship, they got along very well. … Score meant very little, but a lot of talking going on, a lot of fun." In addition to a pre-teen Bird holding his own on the court with guys who were a decade-plus older, you can see what Bird took away from these games. Brid always held on to that notion that the talking piece on the court was part of the fun. Even past his prime, lying on the floor during timeouts Bird still talked trash because, for him, that was the fun. It was all about the kinship and the camaraderie of basketball. And he learned that from those Kool-smoking hotel workers in French Lick back in the 1960s. And these hotel workers didn’t just help Bird develop his iconic no-look passes or deadly set shot. They helped Bird hone the trash-talk that gives him a mythical quality to this day. Not bad for a group of guys just looking to kick back and play some hoops in their off time. In the late ’80s or early ’90s, Bird remembers running into one of those former Indiana hotel workers, who was still working in a hotel at the time. Bird recalls, "What was really great for me and made me happy is 30 years ago I ran into Slim, who was down in Atlanta out there cooking at one of the hotels we stayed in. And he’d come up and say, ‘Remember me?’ And I knew I’d seen that face before, but I didn’t know where. He was a little bit older. But he said he was so proud of how I turned out."

Forever my #1 pick.

As someone once said,”Bird was playing chess while everyone else was playing checkers” He knew what was happening at all times on that court.

I wasn’t a Celtics fan but my buddy was so after watching a Celtics game and seeing Bird play still wasn’t a Celtics Fan BUT was a Bird Fan. Greatest Player ever in my opinion!!!

My favorite player ever. I was born in the late 70's, so I was an infant when bird came into the league, but I got to enjoy the end of his career, and thanks to RU-vid, I get to watch, how great he really was.

I got to Bulls vs Celtics game early at Chicago stadium in 1986.Larry. Bird ,Danny Ainge, and Kevin McHale we're playing Horse before the game Larry had a water bottle in one hand and would switch hands a call his shot ,and didn't miss once .....and beat both McHale, and Ainge 8 STR8 games .I just sat there and shook my head. Then Bird started shooting free throws , and hit 50 free throws STR8 25 with his left 25 with his right as his was still holding his water bottle switching hands ...we were like WTF😂😂WE JUST YELLED WE LOVE YOU.... YOU ARE THE MAN..He looked up at us and gave us a thumbs up... thank you Lord for birthing me Old School Highschool class of 85...

Bird stories are pure genius. Goat!

I can listen to larry stories all day

"I can throw an air ball and stay in the game." "I bet you cain't."

What made Larry's trash talk so good was when he would trash talk, the only one that heard him was the guy guarding him.

Exactly, people don’t understand how fucking big Larry is/was, we see luka dominate and bully people on the post and sometimes I just kind of laugh seeing a guard try to defend him , Larry was bigger and had one of the best offense in the post and iq that we have ever seen imo, along with his ability to shoot the ball (50,40,90 group) and his passing and rebounding (top in his position) etc he is without a doubt one of the crazy talents and personality’s in nba history, it’s crazy the disrespect to the old greats.

Larry Bird was the best basketball player ever, ever!

These are all great stories about Bird and everyone is enjoying telling these stories. Like Dominique said, he got fired up when Bird trashed him, which made him a better player. So Bird actually helped to draw out better play with his needling. It was his way of setting the bar higher to get the other guys to play better. I love how Magic kept feeding Bird the ball to prove to the young guys that Bird still could put them to shame. That's the mutual respect that the guys back then had for each other.

I wish they would create a trash talking award and name it after Larry. Maybe call it "The Bird Effect" 😂😂

I'm not even a basketball fan but I love Larry Bird stories dude really is a legend 🙌

Larry Legend is the best small forward to ever play the game. Period.

That airball bit was mind fuckery of epic proportions..

I always felt the other teams intentionally offered their rookies to Bird to see if the experience would make or break them for the game

I remember being a kid who was a die hard Celts fan in Boston, and watching the game and asking my Dad why he laid on the ground. My father said because of his back, it would tighten up on him if he sat down. It sticks in my head. As a kid, it just added to the lure of Bird. He was just a different player in so many ways. Magic said it, there will never be another Larry Bird.

most impressive statement made was Shawn Kemp said I tried to foul him on his right side(cause he was so hot), so he shot with is left hand..what could I do

Man I never new what I had until it was gone. All those greats I watched as a kid in the 1980's. A great time in the sport. Now it's full of prima donnas.

Never going to be another Larry Bird, one of a kind talent

The literal wars that Larry and Magic went through made them tough mentally. They know basketball is not just skills, you must be able to believe you can do it.

Bird goat

The “feel like 43” has got to be the most creative troll of all time. It’s one that the other team has to be impressed with.

What makes this so funny and entertaining is that these stories were from the top players of the day and they still laugh!

Larry Bird was a huge inspiration for me,……. As a competitive gymnast. His level of commitment his grit?! Inspired me to 5 state championships, 3 regional and 2 national titles in gymnastics. Bird IS the word! 🤘🏻😎❤️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Bird was so good because he was good at everything on the court. He was like a whole team wrapped up in one guy. He could do everything and be good at it

"Y'all those college guys? getting some fucking rest it's going to be a long week" 😆

I always had the impression that bird could score 80 points in a game if he wanted, but he was never that type of player. He was a team player, and he made everyone around him better. He probably added 5 points to everyone on the teams total, with his great rebounding, and no look passing.

I had a friend, she was black, and back in the day she loved her some Larry Bird. She was a faithful fan. She has passed on about 4 years ago..

Hearing all these players you can tell they not only respected Bird they enjoyed his company. What a time to play in that league. I stopped watching basketball 20 years ago. These players are not what I grew up with.

Imagine purposely airballing just to talk sh*t...absolute legend😂

Larry Legend from French Lick Indiana. He was not only as trash he talked but he is one of the best shooters in the game. If his back wasn't messed up. He would have played 4/5 more yrs

My favorite Bird story is when he got all pissed off at the opposing head coach for putting a white guy on him. 😂

Every player is a rookie to start out, except Bird, he knew he was the best his first day in the league, and he was right.

After watching films of Bird, I am convinced he is the GOAT. Even above Michael Jordan, who he dominated in several games.

I saw all that weekly.. grew up a diehard Celtic fan in NY out if all places… man that was fun! I remember one game at MSG where Larry was trash talking Bernard King all game, just mortifying him. Lol!

Imagine you're a rookie, and got your first assignment is to guard Larry Bird

NBA in the 90s was unbelievable. Glad I was able to see it.

I moved my mother and my step father to Terra Haute in 1981. They were 3 miles from French Lick. Mr. Larry owned that whole area. He was God there. Everywhere was a sign with something BIRD ON IT. Everywhere. Im driving back to Ohio leaving Terra Haute and I pass Mr. LARRY driving into Terra Haute. I was shell shocked, fan girled or whatever label. I had to pull off the road at first pay phone call my wife and told her I just saw Larry Bird. She said Who?????? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Made my trip

Larry Legend was a badass! 🏀

On a basketball court, Bird saw all, knew all, controlled all.

I watched Bird with binocs for an entire half at the Memorial Coliseum in PDX, against the great Drexler, Duckworth, (the "duck-hook") Jerome Kersey (died of an embolism recovery from a minor leg surgery) team. In the huddle, out-a-bounds, everywhere, Bird talked the whole time, but it was real hard to see his lips move. What blew my mind was seeing him get rebounds surrounded by 4 guys above the rim, and Larry gets the ball, jumping 6". What a show!!

He was so good, computers want to narrate his clips.

I love these Larry Bird stories. He was absolutely fearless. He didn’t rest on his reputation, he always practicing. I grew up hating the NFL. I had no idea how cool basketball could be. It was scratching an itch I didn’t know I had. NBA forever! 🎉🎉🎉

There aren't any real trash talkers in the NBA right now. There are plenty of guys who will pound their chest, talk smack and celebrate AFTER they do something impressive but they damn sure aren't telling you what they're gonna do to you before they actually do it. It wouldn't be the same, anyway, as there isn't more than a half dozen guys in the league who even try to play defense.

It is not bragging if you can do it!

I remember him saying to malone the mailman doesn't deliver on Sunday lmao

Larry should hold a Master Class in trash talking.

I had court side season tickets in Utah from 1992- 2002. I hated Bird so bad BUT.... I loved watching him eat Karl Malone for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. It was so fkn funny at times. I was more worried about Boston than anyone else and I knew basketball. I played through College and a bit of minor Baseball. I actually got to know a few of them personally. I was pretty tight with Malone, Darrell Griffith, Brian Russell and Ron Boone. I worked with them through my business doing promo stuff. ** It was common knowledge amongst us all, BIRD WAS THE GOAT.

Larry Bird is genius. He purposely gets into the rookies head and knowing he'll be in their heads every time they have to play against him in the years to come.

I love these Larey Legend trash talking stories!!! 😂🏀😂

Larry the legend...no doubt.

That's the mutual respect that the guys back then had for each other.

that first 3:14 is legendary, and some NEW stuff, that was some real shyte, "the fact that i can and stay in the game(after an airball)", that's gangsta!!!!!!!!!!!

Just try to imagine Magic and Larry on same team? I would love to have seen that. Absolute dominance

I'm so happy to have grown up in that era of sports. I can hardly watch anymore.

Reggie Johnson, trash talking extraordinaire.

Watching Larry Bird play the game with Johnny Most announcing the games was the best.

hmmm i feel like 43 today lol stonecold and he backs it up hehe

1:01 Not the only such story by far - starting with Jordan and working it's way down the list of a lot of players Bird faced when they were rookies.

In a philosophical way, I don't like trash talk. In real life, it can be clever, funny, and a winning strategy. It has to be backed up to be any of these, though. Bird could back it up. He was one of the players who made the game fun to watch. After all these years, I still miss him.

Nobody talks trash now because it would end up being a hate crime and someone would want the player cancelled. #SoftEra

Dawkins, well put together video. I enjoyed that, Bird stories never get old. Keep up the great work.

Larry bird was so good so confident there will never be another Larry bird. He is the goat of trash, talking and all around best basketball player that ever step on the floor.

"this is not the first story we will hear about Larry bird welcoming players to the league" - lol yeah I hope so given the name of the video

Bird was a Relentless Beast. Aint nothing worse on the court than someone gonna tell you That You're Going To Get Burnt. And then it happens right in front of your eyes.

Larry was sitting down in the 3rd with 50 points. What would the record be if he played the whole game?

BREH! Shoots an air ball for spite to prove a point about not getting taken out of the game... that FLEX was BRUTAL xD

There are many Greats but how many people do you know that would talk to the other team like that and tell them exactly what they was gonna do and the execute? That's beyond Great, that's Legendary.

I started paying attention to bball at the end of the 60s and I will always say that 80s and 90s NBA is the best era with the best play by the most really good teams I've ever seen. The NBA Eastern division with both the Celtics and the 76ers was a meatgrinder for over a decade. For my money the karma that put magic in LA after Bird was in Boston is the greatest single thing that ever happened to pro basketball ever. Nothing else has ever meant as much to the future of basketball as those two and their rivalry. Remember that Jordan never won anything until those 2 guys were gone.

"Tweet tweet, go have a seat."

Nobody ever turned a team around in his rookie year like Bird did 😊

LEGEND!

OG.

Bird an Executive with Indiana Pacers. During a practice, he comes in wearing suit slacks, tie and dress shoes. Without saying anything, he buries whole series of three pointers. Then, again not saying anything just walks out. Retired long ago, in constant back pain and can still bring it!!

Bird stories are the best. Thanks.

Bird NEVER teamed up with the best, He played AGAINST them 👍 Someone please remind Queen James of that phrase 🤣

Never forget the legend! Take Luka sprinkle in Steph, then some of the Bron knowledge of the game and finally that Jordan knife in the heart, soul taking, Killa! That's that man

Every couple months I come watch these again. So good.

All these great stories were impressive but the one that sticks out the most is The Man Child. I know he got in the league at a young age but to be able to put it on Shawn Kemp at any age is phenomenal.

I dont think anyone talks any trash in the NBA today. But I grew up watching 80s ball. I dont watch this weird stuff anymore lol

Next time, cut the music off so that we can hear what's being said!!! And the background echos...particularly the Shawn Kemp interview!

Bird was a cold hearted clutch shooter

Man I wish they had mic’d Bird up during a game. I’d gladly pay to listen to his trash talk.

I can see how Dan Patrick has had such a long career. That was so impressive how he repeated what John Stockton told him as soon as Stockton finished.

Larry didn't talk trash, instead he'd ask if your MAMA was watching, and in the 4th ask you if YOU could do THIS! Then he'd shoot an AIRBALL. "I can do that and STAY in the game". CAN YOU"! LMAO

They should've tried the Steven Adams approach. I don't remember who it was that tried trash talking him in his rookie season, and he just went "Sorry, no English". 😂

"It ain't braggin' when you can do it...." LB