STORIES THAT PROVE LARRY BIRD IS BETTER THAN MICHAEL JORDAN | FIRST TIME WATCHING 

If you ask Michael, hell tell you Larry is the Best of all time. He said it already.

Bird absolutely !

One of Larry’s weapons was his stamina. He never got tired. I heard he ran a 5 mile race before a game once. Yet people say he was un athletic. He would take you out to deep water and drown you.

Bird had the brains...always two plays ahead of all of the athletes out there!

Funny thing is, Bird won the mvp in 84, 85, , and 86 but in my opionion, 87 was his best year.

When I was a kid, we were told basketball was a non-contact sport. Tell that to the 80's NBA😂.

They are both great, both in the Hall of Fame. Why bother comparing.

Nobody will ever top Larry Legend for all around greatness. He had the killer instinct, he was (for my money) the clutchest player EVER, had an unparalleled bball IQ, and the most well-rounded skill set of any player EVER. He also had leadership qualities & lifted any team he was on to NEXT LEVEL greatness, and could control the game whether he had the ball or not. In short, Larry ticks ALL the boxes not just a few of them. LARRY LEGEND IS A UNICORN AND THE TRUE GOAT!!! 🐐 ☘️

The 80’s and early 90’s were the best basketball to watch. No one was watching before that, and many haven’t watched the games like they did earlier. Our whole families watched.

I don’t believe in the goat debate because it is a team sport and I believe that Larry Bird is the greatest team player and small forward of all time Jordan is the greatest shooting guard of all time

This was the one quote from Wilt Chamberlain that makes me really think about this argument on why Jordan couldn't be the NBA GOAT. “The difference between you and me is that they had to change the rules in the league for me, so I couldn't dominate. They changed the rules so that you could.”

Larry was one of a kind. Any hand or distance, eyes in the back of his head, one tough mf, incapable of giving up, a better rebounder than Ewing and the clutchest player ever in any sport. The whole building knew who was gonna get the ball and still. The game winner with Jordan AND Scottie in his face. When Larry lost he didn't look for excuses like they do today - he would go on a court and practice.

There will never ever be another Larry Bird or Michael Jordan.

The most complete all-around player is Larry Bird… By far

Loved your reaction to this video. Picking 1 guy as the "goat" is an impossible task because of all the variables = different teammates, opposition, positions etc. I have my #1 as Jordan and my #2 as Kareem and after that there are so many players that need to be discussed. FYI Bird as a rookie went to a 29 win team and with 1 player change to the roster in ML Carr and a new coach in Bill Fitch, Bird was the main reason for Boston to win 61 games = a 32 game turnaround. Bird won ROY by a large margin over Magic and was 4th in MVP. For the next 8 seasons before the dual heel surgeries and back issues, Bird in the MVP was 2,2,2,1,1,1,3 and 2nd again. Bird was all NBA first team his first 9 years. Bird led the league in defensive win shares 4 times and was 7 times in the top 5 in DWS. Bird in 1983 finished tied for 3rd place in the DPOY award, Bird was on 3 all defensive teams ( 2nd team). Bird created the 50-40-90 club did it 2 years back to back (87 and 88) and was so close in 85 and 86 that if you total Birds stats Bird averaged 50-40-90 shooting over 4 consecutive seasons!! Bird was a player ( like Magic) that could raise the level of play of the other 4 players on his team and Bird did this with every team he played on. Bird has the 2nd highest win% in the NBA = only slightly behind Magic and Bird played in the stronger Eastern conference and Bird never had a player as good as Kareem. Look at what Bird did at Indiana State!!! Keep digging into Bird and you will be amazed. When both players retired, Bird was seen as the better and more complete player than Magic. Today many people only look at the ring count, but we need to look at over all skills. Bird was a beast!!!

Jordan, Bird and Magic are the three greatest and most important ballers to ever walk onto the court. You can rank them in whatever order you like. To me theyre all the no1, the holy trinity of basketball.

That pic for the Olympics....talk about the Holy Trinity of BB ! The 2 greats that saved the NBA & the one great that took it global!

Jordan could never bully Bird. Toss up to me.

In his last few years of playing, Larry's back was so bad, that he would wear a full torso back brace, and he said that with each game, he wondered if he was going to end up in a wheelchair. And he didn't use painkillers. Not sure why, other than maybe he had horrible side effects with them. I know some people who do, and they don't take painkillers either. Yet his numbers were still impressive. I can't imagine what he could have done if he had a full career without so much pain...he was in pain the last 7 years of his career.

New family. Larry got me into basketball so he’s my personal favorite

Larry Bird was an assassin

I'm a fan of both Bird and MJ. I was an 80s child watching Basketball. The Olympic Dream Team is a *MUST* watch.

FAVORITE PLAYERS .. Bird , Magic , DR j GREATEST PLAYERS .. Bird , Magic , Jordan GREATEST ERA … 1980 ‘s by far

Your Boy took it in the shorts. Bird was the man.

Watched it on TV and you could feel the energy

Personally, I think PRIME Bird is the closest player in NBA history to challenge Jordan as the GOAT because Bird was dangerous everywhere on the court (shooting, passing, steals, rebounds, toughness, court vision/IQ, clutch, stamina, etc.). Dude could do it all and could score as many points as he wanted to, but chose to always involve his teammates because he knew that it takes a team to win a championship.... The problem is that Bird's prime was very short and his back injury especially made a HUGE difference in his playing and even somewhat impacted his legacy to the younger fans of the era who never saw him play without injury - whereas Jordan's prime seemed to last forever.... But for those few years when Bird was in his prime, if you could blast him into the future to Jordan's prime era you'd find he was A LOT closer than a lot of fans think because of his overall ability.... There really is an argument for both sides if we are talking prime..... Nevertheless, I can't imagine how both of them would do in today's era with all the weak rules.... They would average however many points they felt like averaging that game.... Whether that be 30, 40, 50, or 60.

The is NO QUESTION about the physical skills of Jordan, but he didn't even come close to Larry as a complete player.

80's and 90's are both great to me!

I don't know who is better. My top 3, in order are Wilt, MJ, and Bird. But Bird might've been the most complete, all around player I've ever seen. And I saw them all play...

My facts are on point. Watched all of these games in real time

Great stuff. I love Cooper talking about how active Bird was when away from the ball. When my dad used to take me to the Garden to see the Celtics, he'd spend the whole two-hour drive telling me that if I really wanted to understand basketball, I needed to watch Bird instead of the ball. Watching Larry off the ball taught me how to be a half-decent player despite being slow, having no shooting range, and boasting a 10-inch vertical. I think it is deceiving to call Bird "un-athletic", but he did give hope to those of us who looked at super-human athletes like Jordan, Dominique, and Drexler as if they were from another planet.

My favorite players, in order, are Bird, Bryant, and Stockton. The NBA has changed a lot since Bird and Jordan played. I think that today's players would get beat down by the physical play of the '80s-'90s. By that same dynamic, if you brought the old-school players to today's NBA, they would all foul out during the first period. Hell, Bird would get ejected just for his mouth. lol

Huge Bird fan starting from his last year in college. The goat conversation is more nuanced than you think. Maybe 8 to 10 players are in that discussion. My top 5 is Bird, Jordan, Magic , Tim Duncan, Bill Russell. Jordan was the greatest 1v1 player ever Bird wad the greatest all around team player ever. He is just a couple digits from a 50 40 90 career

I'm 60. The 80s was the best era, imo, followed by the 90s and 70s. All those eras had players with personality and a multitude of different playing styles. I hardly watch today's game. It's all running around the 3-pt line and chucking threes. You have a good style and good commentary. Keep it going. P.S. Dominique was robbed in the 88 Slam Dunk contest.

Larry and Magic are no haters! They have a lot of respect for the younger guys. Larry once said about the younger guys, just leave the game in a better place than how you found it; it'll live on forever. And agreed, no one should apologize for their GOAT pick, these guys are all capital "G" GOATs to me.

In the years he didn't win MVP he was running up he was top 3 in MVP in voting and runner up four of those years his rookie year he was 4 the in MVP voting

I also like how Bird gives other greats thier props

Ima Knicks fan I’ve hated them BOTH.. but got em BOTH as my GOATS

‘80s hoops. They beat each other up to secure the win. Literally.

Larry Legend is the GOAT

Larry Legend The Goat Of Basketball.

Mike the best individual player ever.. bird the best team player ever. I probably give it to bird tho.

Larry Joe Bird is my favorite!!!!!! Larry Bird did so much for the NBA. Bob Coz, Wilt Chamblin, Bill Russell, Pistol Pete, and Robert Parish.

Nobody's sleeping on Michael Everybody sleeping on Bird. Even if you think Michael is the GOAT Larry Is the best all around basketball player ever

Bird gives that respect, earned respect

You should react to the two videos about the 4 and 5 times Bird was injured or hurt but didn't quit. I think you'll put him down as the most physically and mentally toughest player the has ever and will ever see.

Larry legend dropped the game winning bucket in Jordan & Pippins grills. In Both of their faces.

They are all great, just in a different way. Did you know that Larry played with crooked fingers on his right hand due to injuries. Also, It was said that the dream team played without calling any time outs for themselves, to prove they could do it.

My brotha welcome to Larry legend Bird from Boston

I’m not a fan of current basketball at all but watching old highlights of Bird and that era is so entertaining

80's, real basketball.

Larry is the best all around player ever. In a picking a dream team he would always be my first pick.

Bird...G.O.A.T

The 80s were the golden age of basketball.

If I were to be asked to pick an all-time greatest basketball team, the very first player I am calling is Larry Bird. Then I tell Bird to pick who HE wanted as teammates.

I'm 67. For me, it's Jordan, Lebron, and Bird one two three

A great athlete scores points! A great player wins games! Think about it! 🤔😂

Been having fun watching your videos on Bird.

In my 51 years, the top 3 players that I have seen are: 1) Larry Bird 2) Michael Jordan 3)Akeem/Hakeem Olajuwon. Much love and respect 🤙! I agree with your take on Jordan needing Pippen. When Bird was a rookie, he led the Celtics to 32 more wins than the year before with basically the same team. And he didn't have McHale, Parrish, DJ, Ainge or Walton!! He also led a not overly talented Indiana State team to 33 straight wins and to the national championship game. He made everyone better!!!

New... Larry Joe for the win baby..

Jordan said it himself, “there wouldn’t be a Michael Jordan without Scottie Pippen”

Great starter with the NBA fam. Nice. I loved both Larry and Michael. But Larry is my favorite. His teams are so fun to watch. Who’s better? Dunno.

Kelly Trapuka....Pistons......................Marc Ivoroni Sixers

You have to give it to Larry. He won 3 straigh MVPs with jordan in the league as well as a host of other legends. Plus sweeping him in the playoffs in back to back years. From 1979 to 1998 is my favorite time of basketball. Bascically for me when bird and magic came in to jordans first retirement. I havent really watched since. I did pay a little attention to the mavericks/heat finals that one year, but thats it since 1998 and jordans last chip.

Lots of goats, only one legend!

I respect your culture reference. 👏 love both. Bird and MJ, 4 different reasons

Bird is my favorite because his hometown is less the. 2 hours from me, seen him at a (undisclosed location) and he was the most humble person. He was not stuck up at all and we probably talked for 5 minutes about just basketball and the league. Like I said very humble person off the court.

Just came upon your channel today on my lunch break. BTM with Mr. David has been my favorite NBA RU-vid channel for years and I’m glad to find another true B-ball channel worth watching. Great content!

I could tell you what the bar was like watching that game! WILD! Those were the glory days in the NBA!

He had to have Pippin

6'10" sharp shooter 🎉 rare.

Bird was a full time team player. Larry was all round natural player. Jordan, on the other hand, had talent and only used it to enhance his game and salary. Larry Bird would be my first pick over all the rest for my team. Everybody needed Bird, Bird could do it all. He was a real team player. Jordan needed help.

Jordan didn't start winning til bird retired.

80’s NBA was the best era due to so many competitive super teams. 76’rs, Celtics, Bad Boys then Bulls in the East. Lakers & Houston were the big dogs of the West. So conference finals were as great as Finals. Also defense was as important as offense. MJ needed Pip but Pippen wouldn’t be what he was without MJ pushing him.

I say it on most Larry Bird reaction channels. “You don’t have to pick sides on the GOAT debate. Just say “Jordan was the greatest athletic basketball player of all time with the most championships, but Larry Bird and the Celtics had his number. If Larry isn’t your GOAT you can admit he was the most complete player and if you value all the skills beyond athleticism that is required to be a great basketball player… toughness, hustle, Wins, trash talking, passing, IQ etc… then maybe he can be your GOAT on that criteria. But it is always going to be subjective. Just enjoy them both as a fan of the game. If they can have respect for each other… so can you.”

Your Reactions are Great, like Larry :), Greetings from Austria

In the interest of making Larry's case, I'll say this: Both players joined bad teams as rookies - no playoffs, fewer than 30 wins the season prior to the start of their professional careers. Both players improved their teams. Larry's first season, the Celtics won 33 more games than they had the previous year. The Celtics went to the Eastern Conference finals. MJ's first season, the Bulls improved their win total by 9, and were still under .500. They were swept in the first round of the playoffs - by the Celtics. MJ won his first ring in his sixth season. By Larry's sixth season, he had won three rings, two Finals MVPs, and three season MVPs. Not only did MJ never beat Bird in a playoff series, he never won a single game. Including the regular season, he had an overall losing record against Bird's Celtics. I'm a fan of both players. And in the barstool debate of "who's the best ever", I say it's Mike - easily. *BUT* , if you define "best" as the most impactful, most valuable, and best at elevating those around him, I say it's Larry. For real - are Dennis Johnson, Robert Parrish, and Kevin McHale in the Hall of Fame without Larry? Maybe, yes. But, I'm inclined to think perhaps not. That's the difference between them.

He played both positions

Wilt, Bird & MJ.

Great reaction. I just subscribed.

The one true Goat! Larry Joe!

Bird founded the 50-40-90 club and achieved it twice. Won the first three 3-point contests and never saw a 3-point line until 1979 when he entered the NBA. He had great achievements individually but was a great team player. Frankly, MJ made me nuts with his dancing and fancy moves to the basket, tongue wagging. The first real NBA showboat with a lot to learn about playing on and with a team. Scoring in just one aspect of of great b-ball. Ask Magic and Larry.

I am an old school 71 year old Marine and I list my top three as Bill Russel Wilt ,and Larry,

I agree, Jordan needed Pippen.

Just imagine how history would have turned out if Larry had played with Len Bias. RIP Len.

The pistons had the worm then. MJ in the 90s was amazing with his amazing team

Different positions, different skill sets, different roles. I have both in my starting five, along with Magic, Kareem, and Moses Malone.

GAME!!!

Isaiah is a MJ hater, but he was also correct on this one.

Jordan needed help to win it all because basketball is a team game. Larry on the other hand helps his teammates to become better players to win games. That's the difference. The same consistent attribute of Larry can be traced back to his college days. He led an unheralded absolutely unknown team composed of less talented players to a surprising 33 - O season before falling in the championship to a team composed of highly skilled players headed by Magic Johnson. When he turned pro, he won the ROTY award and led one of the biggest team turnaround in NBA history. He is called Larry Legend for a reason.

Rich I'm a Larry legend fan, Larry and MJ really liked and respected each other, my list is Larry Legend and Magic saved the NBA, MJ, Kobe

1980s was my favorite era So many STARS✨⭐️✨✨ -Magic -Bird -Dr J -Kareem -Isaiah -Moses -MJ -Olajuwon -McHale -Dominique -B. King -Worthy -A. Toney -Iceman -Moncrief -Drexler -Bobby Jones -Barkley -Laimbeer -K.Malone -Stockton -Aguire -Dantley -Walton -Sampson -DJ -Gilmore -Eaton -Sikma -D.Dawkins -Chief -D.Thompson

Nick Van Exel was by far my favorite college player being from Cincinnati. I saw him play live at the Shoe a lot.

Respect

Here ya go 😂Bird STILL phucked them up !

ALL of them were made better by each other.

I really like your videos, especially the Larry Bird ones. Appreciate the fact that you are seeing what a great player he was.

And remember that Larry's insane late-80s stats occurred when he was playing with a largely shattered back. Imagine holding a franchise on your shoulders, while still providing the most amazing performances while knowing full well that this was sadly the beginning of the end. The psychic damage to Larry must have been off the charts.

I an a 67 year old white dude, I saw Jordan play.... to me it's not even close.... Jordan is the MAN.

larry bird was stone cold, before stone cold steve austin. that man was an assasin