Larry J. Bird's Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech 

This was my one bad white dude. Respected and loved his game, I'm from Chicago a watched Jordan's entire career. As a black kid we model our game after the black flashy athletes but Larry was the first player I've ever tried to be like. There will never be another Larry Legend

It all changed when Larry, Magic and Michael left. Never the same. I miss those players.

Larry Bird only mvp, finals mvp, coach of the year and executive of the year... Whatever he touched turned to gold..

"If the game is on the line, I want Jordan to take the last shot. If my life is on the line, I want Bird." - Pat Riley

In his prime (1984-1988), Larry Bird was the greatest basketball player in the world.

You know, for a kid that took an F in a class because he was too shy to get up in front of the class to give a speech, he became a great public speaker. I love hearing him at these things.

the 231 dislikes must be people who had to guard him! Thank you for the memories Larry Legend!!

The longest standing ovation in Hall of Fame induction history .

larry bird, when :thank you" means "shut up"

Wow this is the most applauded Enshrinement of all, I have seen. I know Larry Is the legend but wow. They love him

As Cornbread said : When you see a white dude picture in a barbershop , you know he is legit !!

That's how you make a HOF speech. You thank all the people who got you there. After the 3 minute standing ovation. Incredible

An absolute legend of the game.... there will NEVER be another Larry Bird ....

As a Lakers fan, there is probably no non-Laker I have more respect for.

Almost THREE MINUTES in, and Larry still can't begin his speech because the cheers still roar. The "Legend". He's among the best of the best!

Probably the longest ovation ever given to a player at their HOF introduction. The fans and others who were there knew that Larry was one of a kind. We won't ever see the like of him again.

Larry is a humble act. Nothing against MJ but if you compare the two HOF speechs, jordan's one was all about him and taking sneeky shots at others. Bird was all about his coaches. Classy dude

The HOF crowd never went that insane over another player. But what Larry Legend got from the crowd was well deserved. And any way you slice it, it had to make him feel like a million bucks to have a crowd go that crazy over him. Larry Legend was not only the best player. But he's also a damn good man. Larry is one of the few who lived up to the moniker Larry Legend. He was one of the few to become a Legend in his own time.

You can't measure heart, but you can sure recognize it when you see it. No one had more heart out on the basketball court than Bird.

The ovation he got is out of this world

I was in Seattle in 1991 to finally watch Larry Bird play and 2 to 3 hours before the game the Celtics bus pulled up and a good 1000 people were there chanting his name. Not in Boston but 3000 miles away. Unbelievable.

Not only a great basketball player but an unbelievable trash talker, the man was a complete warrior on court.

Best all-around basketball player in history! He came with offense, Defense, assist, rebounds! And the cherry on top of the cake being the leader that made everybody else around him better😊. I’ve been a Celtic fan since 1960, born and brought up in New England. I saw the greats of the greats… And it was wonderful seeing Larry, Kevin McHale, Robert parish on that front line and they dominated. That rest of that group was not shabby at all.

The last player to win the NBA MVP award three consecutive years.

Magic, Jordan and Bird. If these 3 were on the same team, there is no chance of them losing. None. At. All.

Larry's like let's get this shit over with so I can go drink a beer

That was the longest applause ever lmao well deserved tho" larry Legend"

I wasn't a Boston fan until Larry came there I live and die with them until his retirement. One of the greatest of all time.

before Michael Jordan came on the scene, Larry bird was arguably the best player EVER. He wasn't too cozy with the media, he resented the fact that so many were fans because he was a white stand out in a predominately black sport. He wanted recognition for his greatness not his skin color

Best white boy to ever step foot on a basketball court...hell, better than a whole heap of brothas too. Bird was the man, no question.

deserves the title Larry Legend

The most longest ovation of an introduction of a player... larry legend the true 🐐

As a Lakers fan in the 80's, Larry Bird was the only player I ever feared.

One of the greatest clutch player ever played the game...

He is the only player I saw well respected and being cheered by his opponents during the game. And look at this crowd. They cannot help but show respect to Larry. 😌🙏

Greatest All-Around Forward in NBA history

Larry Legend.

The greatest small forward who ever breathed..LARRY LEGEND.

Greatest player of all time.

Man Larry got so much love, gave me the chills.. well deserve

That's a crazy crowd. You know how loved he was by his fans.

My FAVORITE basketball player of ALL TIME!!!!

I watched Larry Bird all through the 80's, he inspired me, not just in basketball, but in life. Until recently, I forgot that on top of winning 3 MVPs in a row, he was also runner-up 4 other times from 80-88. His MVP position during those years: 4,2,2,2,1,1,1,3,2. It really was incredible - it's hard for people who weren't around then to understand how special Bird really was in the 80s.

I still say he was the best player I ever saw.

There will never be another Larry Bird...ever☘️☘️☘️💚💚💚

Greatest player ever

Everyone likes to debate who's better than who, but I don't give a damn. Bird was great and loved him play.

just from looking at the comments i dont think yall understand. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson saved basketball. Larry and Magic will get love till there long gone.

The best Small Forward to ever played the game.. its not even close... Larry Legend!

Even his standing O’s are the best of all time

The reaction from the crowd before Larry actually said a word from his speech spoke volumes about the man.

One of the greatest assasins ever to play the game. And he'd tell it to your face as well. Former NBA players would remember how he'd tell them he'd beat them, and then backed it up like a true pro! Thank you for your love of the game Mr. Larry Bird!

Larry Bird wasn't better than Magic Johnson and Magic Johnson wasn't better than Larry Bird. #Legends

I don't see the ovation as annoying or over exaggerated, I see it as there is a lot of people in that building that was clearly effected by Larry's career and they wanted to show the appreciation for it. There's probably a lot of people in that building that wouldn't even have been a fan of basketball if it wasn't for Larry. I think of a lot of basketball fans of today should thank guys like Magic and Bird for saving the NBA, just watch the "Magic & Bird" documentary, they made basketball cool again. This ovation is not only warranted but deserved Larry and Magic changed the game, there will never be any one quite that same as those guys.

Such a standing ovation, what a testament to a great athlete

Odd as it might sound to some, Bird had a HUGE impact on the man I became. His work ethic and heroics set the tone for what i aspired to be in my life. It was such a fun ride to watch him play the game and any where i have ever put on a uniform I always wore the 33.

This man has an army of fans behind him. Legend.

I’ve had three heroes in my life, My father my grandfather and Larry Bird

I lived in Boston 1986 to 1991. Watching Larry play were some of the most exciting and cherished memories! Chicago had Jordon, LA had Magic but Boston had the Legend!

I just think about Larry and I can't help but smile in abject admiration because of how great he was. One of the best basketball players, if not THE best, to ever live.

greatest passer. greatest shooter. greatest all around player of all time in my eyes. hes my basketball God. the ultimate man. simple and down to earth. what a player. once in a lifetime talent. and i was lucky enough to see him in his prime. LEGEND.

What a legend. Larry, you'll always be my favorite.

Now its 2019 watching the humble man Larry Bird NBA Hall of Fame. Old NBA season are fantastic. I don't think this kind of standing ovation will be heard again

Yes, there is humility and gratitude in GREATNESS! Although "Pistol" Pete Maravich was my basketball hero (who I had the great opportunity to meet and perform with in Germany with his Dad) I am glad he and Larry made Red smile while playing on the same Celtic team before he closed his eyes one last time. Larry Bird, You were amazing in ways most players could never have dreamed of. Thanks!

The best fundamental basketball player I've ever seen.

He's humble kind an amazing team player and gave everything to the sport he Love's so deeply. Basketball has brought so many people together from black white brown and this guy showed the world that no matter the color of your skin that we all belonged. There will never be another man like him I have so much respect for him.

I've watched all the HOF acceptance speeches, Larry's is the only 3 minute standing ovation. . .

Larry Bird is once in a generation player. Great shooter,terrific rebounder, tough as nails, and most of all, a heart of a champion.

Magic said it best, There will never EVER be another Larry Bird

If you made the mistake of judging him based on his complexion - you were about to get torched by Larry Legend!

Magic and Larry brought excitement to the whole country. Magic and Larry were born and raised in the Midwest. Then they went to opposite coasts, bringing each of the 3 regions pride.

I have never heard a more enthusiastic crowd, well- earned! True 🐐

THE BEST BASKETBALL PLAYER IN THE NBA HISTORY !

Speech: 10 minutes Raucous standing ovation: forever

wow...20% of the speech was ...listening to standing ovations

This is one of the best speeches about how to become great at something

Bird and Magic on Letterman was simply awesome to see how the two get along. Funny as all heck.

he really came a long way as a public speaker and we're now getting to see that sense of humor that his teammates talked about that he never showed the public. i watched the letterman interview w/him and magic and he was hilarious.

Saw him play. He'd come in....kick ass...go to the bench...lay on the floor face down...come back in and kisk ass. NOBODY ever did that...The BEST

My all time favorite NBA player since I was little!!!!!

Thank you for all the nice comments. I did my best, and I dedicated my life to the Boston Celtics. It was an honor to play against titans like Magic, Jordan, Malone and Stockton.

LARRY JOE BIRD!!!! THANK YOU

Thanks for the memories, Larry Legend!

"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."

I was blessed to be in Boston for the world seafood exposition in 1988. I got tickets and watched him beat the Nicks. He exuded confidence with every move he made.

When I was growing up in the 80's, there were just two greats, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Larrry Bird was the greatest baskeball player I have ever seen, but few know how much he practiced... He practiced and shot hours before games.... There was a reason for his perfection, Larry Bird worked hard and practiced....

Watched this guy since i was 6 yrs old. He was my favorite player. I have so much respect for him.

I grew up watching Larry Byrd play basketball, I'm from Indiana too, we didn't get to watch Larry play much college ball, but we did get to see Indiana State in the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP when they won, and everyone was going crazy when we watched it! Phenomenal year for Indiana State! It was a Great Day for Indiana that's for sure! One of the Greatest players to ever Grace any Professional Basketball Teams Floor, and that's a FACT ! I Love this Guy, and I always will ! God bless Him and His Family! ALWAYS !

Damn and this is why he is one of the best look at that ovation. Crazy

Magic and Bird are the opposite sides of the same coin...Both men have served the cutures of Black and White in America and the world through competition, showed me and many others that we are more similar than different. Most important, both men served the opposite culture he was born into as profoundly as their own, if not more. As a 76 rs fan growing up i wanted Magic to win because the Celtics usually beat my Team to get to the finals and Magic only left me down once going head 2 head with Celtics and hated Bird for that. That was huge for me because i was raised by parents who were victims of their time culture and prejudice. I was fortunate to live long enough to see the impact Magic and Bird had on others like myself, for that Im very grateful. I like it when i read positive comments posted by African American men and women about Larry Bird. Because it can not be easy for many reasons to express that given the history of horrible treatment demonstrated towards melaninated peoples that seems to have gotten worse since President Obama first election. It shows we can break the cycle of ignorance and racism we have seen for way to long. We need change now and we must take this seriously, because hatred of any kind, especially physical differences like color is IGNORANT and we don't have any more road to kick the can down. The Caitlyn Jenner issue can wait but the racism needs to be addressed yesterday. LISTEN TO EACH OTHER. We will do this together or we will suffer the consequences.

One of the best players ever

I VIEW THIS SPEECH AT LEAST 2 - 3 TIMES A YEAR TO HEAR HIS SPEECH AND THE PRICELESS CHEER FROM THE FANS.

I’m 47 and rooted for LAL in the 80’s. I still remember the feeling I got in my stomach when Larry Bird pulled up from 20 ft. It was the same feeling as when the teacher called home. Fear.

There's a lot of love for Larry,that says it all

The greatest passing forward and greatest shooting forward and greatest rebounding forward of all time

He beats Jordan 2x in the playoffs He outplays Julius Erving in the Conference Finals He beats Magic Johnson in the 1984 Finals One of three players to win three straight MVP awards 🏆 1979/80 Rookie of the year 1st round pick by Boston in 1978 out of Indiana State 3x champion 10x All Star 🌟 1982 all star ⭐️ MVP One of the 50 greatest players in NBA history ⛹️ 1992 Dream Team 🇺🇸 gold medal 🥇 Played his entire career with Boston 🍀 from 1979-1992 NCAA basketball player of the year 1998 basketball 🏀 hall of fame Greatest small forward of all time

Wow. Forget basketball, what a great human being.

The greatest basketball mind any of us have ever seen. Outside of maybe Red himself. Go Boston!

Best player I ever saw.him and Magic Included

Very humble man!