The Best Larry Bird vs Michael Jordan Story Ever Told REACTION 

Yeah. I'm glad folks are starting to realize this. MJ never beat Larry Joe Legend at his worst condition.

Put this in video game terms. Jordan had his strength level at 100% but Bird had all his stats at 80% which means he had everything needed to win. He had the endurance to take injuries and still win. He had the stamina to play the long haul. He had the IQ at genius level. He even had a shot accuracy that made him a crazy threat even with across the court passes. He had every stat near max which allows him to play like an end game player. When an end game player faces a boss at close to the boss's level, it becomes a far easier fight. That is what helped him to beat a boss level player like jordan. He may not be as strong as jordan but with all the stats darn near perfect it makes it very hard to beat someone like bird. Think about that the next time you play a rpg and face the boss. When you got all those stats near perfect its a far easier fight. If you do not have that stats good enough then the boss will easily win.

I watched Larry Bird up close 3 hours before a game in Dallas. The year was 1986. He was the only one on the court. He shot a couple hundred shots or more, making most of them, then went to the Locker room. He came back out and dropped 50 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and one steal on the Mavs. The most impressive thing to me, was how he was working while everyone else was resting up for the game.

As others have very clearly and eloquently stated; Jordan's best team was the '96 Bulls (a very fine team) against Bird's greatest Team; the '86 Celtics in a 7-game series. My money is on Bird and the Celtics. They were the top rated Defensive team for that year, and their passing game for offence has yet to be bettered by any NBA team IMO. It most likely would have gone to the full 7 games, because the '96 Bulls were no slouches by any yardstick, but the Celtics had answers for everything they would have brought, with the least being Bird's clutch factor.

1986 Celtics vs Jordans best Bulls my money is on the Celtics. That team was stacked with monsters.

LB IN COLLEGE TOOK THE SYCAMORES TO NCAA FINALS 33-0, THEIR 1ST AND ONLY APPEARANCE EVER, LOSING TO MAGIC AND THE SPARTANS, THE START OF THE RIVALRY. THE 2 YRS BEFORE BIRD's ROOKIE YR WITH THE CELTICS THEIR RECORD WAS 32-50 in 1977-78 and 29-53 in 1978-79. LB's ROOKIE YR THE CELTICS RECORD 61-21 WITHOUT MCHALE, PARISH, DJ, AINGE OR WALTON.

Have you ever watched Larry's college game or looked at his stats? What he did at ISU was amazing. While the Sycamores were decent , outside Carl Nicks none were NCAA finals level. Larry CARRIED that team for a whole season on his back, with Nicks assisting a little and they went UNDEFEATED. THe point isn't the fact that MJ was a bad player. Most Bird fans usually have him at 2 or 3 spot on their list, but the fact Bird made bad players look good. He elevated his team. So getting back to the '86 Celtics...awesome team from the end of the bench to Larry, he made them better. both Parish and McHale have said without Larry, they would not have the career and the HoF they did have. Bill Walton would not have been a HoF without Larry saying yes to trade request. So what Bird Gang say that makes him better than MJ is the fact of that intangible...the elevation of his team. MJ had a meh team, they were pretty bad outside of a few players, but he really did not come into a leadership role, or his leadership style was ineffective. All he did was shoot and guard. As you have said, basketball is a team sport. Part of the judgment of you GOAT status should be about the team and many rather forget the fact that Jordan wasn't a team player until the late 80's. Meanwhile, Larry effected the Celtics (Cowens was near retirement, Tiny was good , Maxwell was good) from day one. from 29 wins the previous year to 61 wins Larry's rookie year. He took over the team. He led the team. Might have gotten help from Cowens but it was reported Cowens took a back seat those last years. For many of us, the team leadership role is more important than the individual stats of scoring, rebounding, etc. And the fact Larry may not be the top of any stat in the NBA...he's near the top of all stats in the NBA, except dunking.

the celtics passed the ball and ran the court and shot well from deep and played tough physical defense.. I think the 1986 Celts run all over the 1996 bulls. That celtics team was a hive mind, their chemistry was OUT OF THIS WORLD.

Bird said Cooper was the toughest defender he had to go up against. Cooper said I hate Larry Bird but I totally respect that man and the way he played!

I don't have a problem if anyone takes Bird over Jordan. I have Bird as the third greatest all time. But both of these guys had virtually no holes in their game. I would take the 1986 Celtics over any Michael Jordan Team. Perhaps you can react to the 1986 Celtics. There's a video on them.

Jordan was an incredible athlete but he needed the ball to affect the game. He gave the ball to Pippen and that was about it. He took a long time to win titles because he was not a team player. Bird could score whenever he wanted but he had four teammates that all could get twenty a night too and he was a very team oriented player.

Bird would be the first person I'd choose for my dream team because he is a great team player. Jordan is more of an individualist.

When Larry came to the Celtics their record was 21 -61 and his impact was unbeliveable.

There are SO many players who say the same thing about Larry: he didn’t need the ball to impact the game!

Bird spoke very highly of Jordan and vice-versa.

Watch some more videos.Larry bird went 7 games as a coach with the pacers and almost beat him there to. My favorite is Larry bird but Jordan magic and Dominick Wilkins are my favorites from the old days

One doesn't even have to get in the muddy GOAT debate. One can be diplomatic and simply say "Michael Jordan was the greatest physical basketball player we ever saw. Larry Bird was a basketball savant who understood the game like no other which is why he knew how to beat the greatest physical player ever." Across all sports, some people just have other people's numbers. Frazier could knock out Ali, Foreman could destroy Frazier, Ali could knock out Foreman and figure out how to beat Frazier eventually. Some great baseball pitchers had their own hitters who just owned them too.

Bird also had a lopsided record against Jordan in their regular season games.

Towards the end of Bird's career you could tell he was wearing a back brace. Sometimes after games he'd have to go to the hospital and spend the night in traction. Nobody else was made like Bird. Basketball was his oxygen. His sophomore year in high school and i don't remember if it was first game or first practice he broke his ankle in two places and tore all the ligaments. He never missed a practice and towards the end of healing from it he started using his left hand a foot more.

I think it doesn’t matter. We all decide who’s the greatest in our minds for so many different reasons. Michael was beautiful. His body was liquid gold. Larry just WORKED. It matters to a lot of us. He didn’t brag or thump his chest. He just played.

THE ALL TIME TEAM since Bball is a team game!!!!!!!!!!! Wilt Chamberlin Larry Bird Micheal Jordan Allen Iverson and Dr. J

Good job K. Michael never beat Larry. I KNOW!!!! I'm a Bulls fan. I hated Larry Bird, we could never ever beat him no matter what we tried. However, my respect for Larry Legend has no bounds. In the G.O.A.T. conversation I still have MJ #1, Larry #1A.

Bird is #1 in Basketball IQ, Still To This Day No One Can Hold a Light Up To Bird's IQ/Skills. Bird Walked Into The NBA And Made None Big Players Play The Best They Ever Played, Because Of Bird's IQ/Skills. Jordan Just Didn't Have That. It's Not Jordan's Fault Very Few Ever Had Anything Like Bird's IQ/Skills. Check Out This Video: (Making The Case For The 1986 Celtics) This Will Give You Some Idea Why. Enjoyed Your Reaction Too.

I’m going with Boston to the question of which prime team would win. As good as Chicago was athletically, Boston was good enough athletically to maintain but they had the IQ difference

9:10 you’re speaking too soon, my friend😂🥴🤪😁😂❤ 11:29 the wound you see on birds neck was him diving into the fans and the chairs cut him like that

Jordan has more respect talking about Bird than any other player. Says Bron isn't close to Bird as a small forward.

Bird got 60 points in a game against the Hawks & won the game. Now... They didn't win the game just because Larry got 60 points ....they won the game because Larry was still being all around player & the entire team was involved in the win!

Bird dominated the game from his very first day. It took Jordan years to rise to any sort of prominence. Also, remember that birds first year he had none of his future HOF playmates on the roster.

In a team game if you're the best all round player, you're the best player.

You asked about Jordan's best team vs Bird's best team. Jordan's best team is the '96 Bulls. Bird's best team is the '86 Celtics. While many people call the '96 Bulls the greatest of all time, I believe the '86 Celtics are actually better. One reason is because Jordan's team was playing in a lower quality league against weaker competition. Even getting through the season to the Championship was easier for them because of this reason. Then, to win their Championship, the Bulls won a finals series against a Sonics team whose best players were Gary Peyton and Shawn Kemp. The Celtics had to win a finals series against a Rockets team whose best players were Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson. For the Rockets, both Olajuwon and Sampson are Hall of Famers while for the Sonics, only Peyton is a Hall of Famer. I actually love both Kemp and Peyton but in no realm of reality does even Peyton approach Hakeem Olajuwon in greatness. I personally have Hakeem at the 10 spot in my all time list, but he is generally going to be top 15 all time in any list. Peyton is probably top 50 but not even top 40. And no one would ever rank Kemp as high as Sampson.

well statistically speaking, Jordan ONLY scored more and had more steals.. Bird had better shooting percentages, better rebounding and assists numbers and the same about of blocks and not that far behind in steals (jordan 2.3, bird 1.7).. Jordan is the ultimate two player Bird is the ultimate team player I got them 1 and 1a..

Bird and Jordan faced each other in 28 regular season games. Bird won 17 of those. During all of that, Bird had two 50-40-90 seasons and is the inaugural member of the 50/40/90 club. In my mind, any talk of best player has to be broken up by decades. Bird was the best in the 1980s. Jordan was the best in the 1990s.

Larry was playing in a full body brace at that point.

Also Yes Larry Bird Is Still The Last Player To Have Won 3-MVP's In A Row,,,1984, 1985 & 1986. Also Larry Tried Out In 3-Years In The Shooting Contest & Yes Won All 3-Years Straight In That Too; I Think It was In, 1986, 1987 & 1988.

Bird turned bums into role players.. role players into allstars.. nice react. JOrdan 1, Bird 1a

I think Michael Cooper said it all. Larry Bird is the best complete player.

#1 bird over #2 jordan. birds '86 Celtics were the best team ever assembled, 67 - 15 regular season record with a 50 - 1 at home record. also that loaded team argument doesn't hold up when bird is in the conversation. birds rookie year he took a Celtics team that was 2nd worst in the league with a 20+ win season to the playoffs with a 60 + win season and the following year he took them all the way to the championship and won his first ring, it was all Larry Bird. you're exactly right jordan didn't start dominating the league until after bird and magic retired

The best all around player IS the best! How can you say any different?

jordan COULD pass and was great at it, he beat the Knicks with passes to Paxson/Kerr for a trey or Wennington/Longley for a lay.. but he also went 1 on 4 a bit too many times...

I have the 86 Celtics in a series with the passing making the difference.

Bird would kick his ass.

Great content if karry was heslthy hed be a beast

2 different positions bird is who I would want to take my last shot

The only goat that MJ could not BEAT

Just started watching the video but am responding to your assist question. Yes, you're definitely trippin'. Jordan averaged 5.3 assists per game and Bird averaged 6.3. For context, Bird, a forward, averaged about the same assists as Steph Curry does. And, Steph Curry is a point guard. Playing making is actually part of his job at his position,

Bird would say he had more rings and at the end of the day that’s what they were playing for

It is subjective who is the goat. But I can tell you the most complete player in history is Bird. Why? Shooter, D, assists, clutch, Rebounds, sacrifice, IQ, mental thoughts, dedication, anger, killer instinct, court vision, selfless, will and trash talk, he had it almost all, the only thing that he didn’t have and the other GOAT candidates have is winning the DNA lottery. other than that he is the most complete player ever existed. I am tired of people saying the Celts had a lot of HOFrs but nobody said that Bird made them HOFers. They actually said that not me. And Bird could have gotten more rings but devastating injuries prevented that and another event that is not spoken frequently. After wining 86, they needed new blood, players like Walton were in last legs others left. Red Aurebach pulled 2nd overall pick in the draft. A kid by the name of Len Bias a great forward 6’8” player. He was going to help to bring the 87 ring to the celts, but like a week after the draft he died. That season with tons of injuries the celts lost the championship vs the Lakers. Bird missed a Buzzer beater in a pivotal game. Pat Riley said “we got lucky…” Again speculating a bit more, with Bias and Bird not injured, they could have taken the lakers ring in 87 and maybe one of the pistons rings, bringing Bird’s rings to a 5 and maybe 6 rings. This could have cemented Bird like a for sure 1 or 2 best player of all time. But injuries slowed him down and circumstances made the Bird topic a debate among people that never saw him and people who saw him on the regular basis.

Old school basketball

I'll take Bird & the Celtics every time!!! Birds got more heart & determination than Jordan ever had...Imo

Making the Case '86 Celtics the video you need to see to answer what team will win

As a one vs one comparison, Jordan is the beat player ever. No contest. But if I was building a team from scratch and I had first pick Id take Bird and let someone else have Jordan. Optimally, Jordan would still be around from my second pick but that wouldnt happen in a million years 🤣 So, essentially what Im saying is, Id pick Bird over Jordan. Jordan may be individually better. But Bird made everyone else on his team 2 levels better. Lets say Jordan is lvl 10, Bird is lvl 9. But picking Bird also raised ALL my other players from lvl 6:s to 8:s... I couldnt pick Jordan over Bird.

Celtics and Larry fade away Bird. All day EVERYDAY!.

BIRD IS OVER Jordan

86 Celtics were damn near unstoppable force they had a 67 and 15 season record and a 40 and 1 home record so it's a good chance that the 96 bulls would lose

By the way I hope you realize that in both times Larry’s Celtic team won he was playing with a bad back

80's Jordan or 90's Jordan? We will never know hypothetical...we only know what was....in the 80's....

the look I can't believe michael jordan lost

Also wanted to commend you on your the way you broke the video down

Bird knew how to win . Even without the ball. Bird didn’t even have any of the team mates when in his second season. No Mchale, perish, Danny A . He did it with bums. Jordan couldn’t do it

Actually Jordan got beat 9-1 against Bird

A prime Jordan never beat a Bird with back problems. Not just bad back....broken back which required traction...double Achilles surgeries What would Bird do to Jordan healthy?

You don’t need to see bird versus Jordan in both of their primes. Bird beat Jordan during Jordans prime while bird, had recovered from 2 foot surgeries, and a broken back. If bird was in his prime, at that time, he would’ve beaten Jordan ferociously.

The '86 Celtics would win. That's my belief.

Bird and the Celtics are winning over Jordan and his Bulls.

Celtics! 5 against 3stars

I think it's very close but I think because of the all around play and things you can't empirically measure I would put Bird slightly above MJ. I think Bird is the best all around player in NBA history. It's not a popular opinion but I watched both play and I just think Bird was better. I would respectfully disagree with that statement. I think the best all around player IS the best player. That's just my opinion though.

Best celts vs best bulls? iMHO the Celtics win that series of 7. They don’t mention that at home 86 Celts in two season where like 98-2. The pippen grant Rodman additions is pointless because as a rookie Bird took a 29-53 Celtics (from previous season) to a conference finals (with a 61-21 record, with him as the only addition) and a championship as a sophomore. No MJ no LeBron could do that. Magic did, but already had a winning record and a GOAT in the lakers. So Bird achievements are greater from my POV

I cant put larry over jordan. But i can put larry miles ahead of lebron. F*ck i put grant hill ahead of lebron.

Is MJ 9-1 Bird wins . 3-0 , 3-0, in series. 4 other single games 3-1 bird won .

hey my channel MJ is the best ok ? but larry is number 2 for sure, and more larry have soul too much is a diferent spot , u welcome , tnks from brazil bird domain

You are wrong. Boston will when

Larry Joe Bird played against Michael Jordan in 39 games and Larry Bird won 26 times against Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan in his PRIME and Larry Bird who can't jump and is TOO slow dominated Michael Jordan especially in the Playoffs 6-0 Larry Bird against Michael Jordan 0-6. Michael Jordan is more athletic than Larry Bird but Larry Bird DOMINATED Michael Jordan!!!!! LARRY BIRD IS THE G.O.A.T. and that's why so many Hall of FAMERS say That Larry Bird is in their top 3 even Michael Jordan puts Larry Bird higher than Labron James. Overrated Labron James and Michael Jordan just because they have more championships than Larry Bird. But they played harder and tougher back when Larry played than now, SOFT like watching a soccer ⚽ game instead of a Basketball 🏀 Ball game. With all the FLOPPING AROUND AND STANDING AROUND THE 3 POINT LINE 🤣 JOKE

Buddy I can't even finish the video because your way too loud over the video when people are trying to hear what is being said you come in Blaring out my speakers, adjust the sound differences that way people can enjoy your video. I'd like to see what happens but I can't listen to this

Nope Larry Bird was better