The REAL Reason Larry Bird Was HATED So Much.. 

I met Bird and spent 3 days around him when he played for Indiana State. He was a humble nice guy. He was liked by his teammates and to say he was racist is pure horse crap !

This is one of the dumbest takes I've seen in a while. It screams GenZ fragility and not someone that actually watched Bird play or conduct himself. He was super humble outside of the court. He has always appreciated his time growing up and learning from black players and is grateful they let him play with them. If Larry Bird was black, the black youth of today would know all about him, just like they know Magic. They would know he was one of the greatest clutch players of all time along with the last player to win three MVPs in a row in a league with Jordan, Magic, Dr J, Kareem, Barkley and Moses Malone. Him and Magic brought the NBA back from the dead. If there was no Bird and Magic, then there would have been no Lebron or Curry.

You know how hard it was for Bird going in to a majority black sport and take all of bullying and racism he got for being white? Larry Bird is top 3 players of all time and he would be recognized as that if he was black. Bird is underrated because he is white!

It’s not arrogance if you can back it up. Just because he won accolades doesn’t mean he is racist. Sounds to me you’ve got the problem, Larry doesn’t have racist bone in his body.

"in an era of actual goats" if you don't think that includes larry, i don't know why i'm watching this video

The Isiah Thomas who made that remark about Bird was the Isiah Thomas from the Detroit Pistons, not Isaiah Thomas from Charlotte.

“People often ignored him…” LOL Nobody paying attention to basketball during the 1980s could possibly say such a thing.

A few things need to be highlighted here. For the '81 season, they won the championship, who cares about his TS %. And that was his second season in the league. The previous season they went to the Eastern conference finals. Would they have won that without Larry? You decide but I say no. For his first five seasons he was a power forward. They're not typically as versatile as small forwards, yet he made three all-defense teams during that time, which was before he broke his back. Even so, including his last year as a power forward he began a five year stretch where he averaged at least 50/40/90 shooting, averaging around 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. That alone is legendary because NO ONE else has done anything like that, not before, not since. Maybe Jokic will be the one to do that; he's on his way, but hasn't done it yet. During that stretch they also won 2 championships, and he won finals MVP twice, and they made the finals three times. That's why he won 3 league MVPs in a row, not because of racism. During that time he also won three 3 point shooting contests, consecutively, and the first time he played with a 3 point line was his rookie year in the NBA. So these are reasons why he was called "Legend". As for racism, yeah he was racist. Against other white players, not black players. That's well known.

No Larry Bird = No NBA today! That's how importantly well he played. And man did he play, every second. Yeah he had some off nights...but, NOT when it counted. And he did it until the pain was too much.

The only racism displayed are those who are envious of Birds skill because he was better than them.

Worst video ever. Larry was NEVER in anyone’s shadow. He won the ROY over Magic and 3 MVP awards in a row. A feet only done by Wilt and Russell at that time. And no one ever thought he went too far. Ask anyone who played with him and they laugh about it. Tell me you know NOTHING about Larry Bird, without telling me. I watched his whole career. 🙄

This is what happens when you get participation trophies and don’t keep score during games. Those kids have now grown up to write articles about things about which they have no knowledge. Competition, winning and losing, and arrogance is not a bad thing, and it’s not arrogance if you can back it up.

When you don't choke under pressure. Screw stats.

The difference between Bird and Drexler is that one of them led their team, and won against Dr. J, Moses Malone, Magic, Hakeem, Jordan, and Isiah, and one didn’t.

Hmmm... A fact often ignored Bird received 60% of the MVP votes.... Not in '84, '85, '86.... ... but total votes in the 80's! Think about that!

Some stats are more important than others. But being a leader, making others better, clutch ability and always backing up his trash talking.... those factors are even more important !!!

Can anyone follow the train of thought in this video? This is a case study in schizophrenia.

61-21 : r/nba 1979 Celtics before Larry Bird = 29-53. With rookie Larry Bird = 61-21 ... This was before Kevin McHale entered the league and Robert Parish was ..

You're quoting Rodman and Thomas, both known for backstabbing their own supposed best friends? Isiah dissed and gossiped about his friend Magic when he contracted HIV. Rodman was embarrassed by Bird who cooked him, especially as a rookie. This video is a joke. Bird hated the Great White Hope talk. He had the utmosr respect for black players. The racist is whoever wrote this script.

apparently everyone forgot about pistol pete. get off the internet

Boy you need to go back to school and maybe listen this time!!!! Larry Bird never cared about STATS just wanted to WIN THE GAME!!!

Utter nonsense , Yes Larry had arrogance, thats what gave him the edge.... To say he is racist is an absolute JOKE!!! Larry = GOAT

For about 90% of Bird's career he and his Celtics absolutely dominated Jordan and his Bulls. By the time Jordan was trying just beat the Pistons, Bird only had 2 to 3 years left. Bird's Celtics also were more dominant in the first half of the 80's compared to Magic's Lakers, who absolutely owned the second half of the 80's.

What say Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson about the Bird? Exactly!

I don't even know what this guy's point was. It wasn't argued well, and he was all over the place. It started off by claiming that people didn't like Bird, and treated him as overrated, because he was arrogant. (I've watched videos on his trash talk, and it seems like his "arrogance" -- or ability to back up his talk -- earned him respect among his contemporaries, and the only people who know about his "arrogance" today are people watch the RU-vid videos about his trash-talking. Otherwise, his reputation is a mild-mannered nice guy.) Then, after saying people didn't like Bird because he was arrogant, he went on to say that some black players thought he was overrated because he was white and that he "inspired" -- note: didn't personally use -- racist talk perhaps among the media, etc. Finally, oddly, he asks: "Would he have gotten as much acclaim if he was black?" And brings up obscure, nontraditional stats while ignoring all the stuff that matters. How about we bring these up: "Would a black player had received as much acclaim if he: * Won NCAA player of the year * NBA Rookie of the Year * Took a 29 win team to a 61 win team that played in the conference finals in his first season * Won NBA championship in his sophomore season * 3 consecutive MVP's and nearly 70% of all MVP votes _for a decade_ * Was the undisputed team leader on 3 NBA championship teams * Was the founding member of the 50-40-90 club * Had as many famous clutch performances as made-clutch shots as Bird did * Went on to win NBA manager of the year * Went on to win NBA executive of the year * And let's add that he played with many of the all-time greatest players, such as MJ, Magic, Kareem, Worthy, Dominique, Dr. J, etc. -- and that they they had incredible things to say about how great this guy was, saying that he was unstoppable, incredible, "a problem", the "best basketball player ever", and so on. In fact, let's put it that way, and then imagine that white players said they think this black player who accomplished all of this was "overrated because he's black." I think that would sound pretty ridiculous. A career like this speaks for itself. Anyone who can't see and admit that Bird is great (or MJ, or Lebron, or Kareem, for that matter) is simply biased and not being reasonable.

"When I played, Larry Bird was the only one I feared. A lot of black guys always ask me, 'Did Larry Bird really play that good?' I said Larry Bird is so good it's frightening." says Magic Johnson about Larry Bird on ESPN Classic's SportsCentury series.

One stats aren't everything and 2 you can't compare a guys stats by the rules in the 80s to a guys stats in the current era or early 2000s. Also, I think I'll take the word of Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan who both rank bird in their top 5 NBA players of all time over people who just dislike him or his trash talk and who never played against him. Oh and Larry's stats are not even closely comparable to the players listed who I might add are also hall of famers. For example Larry Bird stats (24.3 ppg, 10 rb per game, 6.3 Assists per game vs KG stats (17.8 ppg, 10.0 rb per game, 3.7 assists per game)

Larry isn't white Larry's clear😆

"Another A.I. voiced video"

I'm just wondering what you were smoking or huffing when you put this video together. It must have been quite strong.

First of all … it was Isaiah Thomas of the Detroit Pistons who said that along with Rodman

This is bs. Larry was 60 points everytime he hit the floor even if he didn't score. He was always 3 plays ahead mentally and no one seen the court like him. Larry could do it all,fantastic passer,shooter,rebounder,ball handler.along being a great defensive player. Bird could have scored 50 points every game but he was a team player and a winner!

We like Bird because of the player he was. It also helps that his 20 10 6 /points/rebounds/assists/ adds Bird’s resume to secure his legacy. By the way, there is a player right now with similar stats, Nikola Jokic, also white, with similar numbers.

What bullshit. Bird was never a racist. Bird was the GOAT!

They didn’t hate him, they feared him. And, at the end of the day, they had an admiration and respect for his game.

Why isn't there a mention about 5 nba finals appearances?

The GOAT (MJ) said this about Bird: “I get so many questions about Larry Bird. The thing is, ‘Was he really that good?’ I say, ‘Yeah! He was really that good. White, black, green or yellow, he was really that good! When you see a player like Luka when you see a player like Dirk, they’re great players, but they’re not Larry Bird [laughs], by no means."

When you say ACTUAL goats like magic and mj…does that imply bird wasn’t in that category? Because if you are, you lost me right there. Racist?? Ask how many black basketball players what they think of white guys athletic ability? I mean you have guys on these videos literally saying black players are racist when it comes to white players…

I grew up watching Bird throughout the 80s. He was amazing to watch, and I don't think many will agree with your conclusions. Bird's abbreviated career mean his stats aren't really ever going to be relevant, unless you look at his back-to-back-to-back MVP titles. I will quote one of the finest coaches ever...Pat Riley. "If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game I'd choose Michael Jordan," Riley said. "If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life... I'd take Larry Bird."

Is there ANY quality control viewing of these bot-AI produced videos!? Isaiah Thomas in 1987…yet they show today’s Charlotte Hornets Isaiah Thomas. And let’s be real for a second… I am in the category of a person that is just now getting to like bird… I grew up a Lakers fan in the 80s… But to question his greatness after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said that Bird was the greatest player that he ever played against …then ALL of this is ridiculous!

Weird, Rodman Thomas and leman all had worse stats than Larry…not really hated, more of jealous. Remember Birds last 2 years drug his stats down due to injury, but he still averaged over 30 a game, 10 rebounds 9 assist, 2 steals and a block… id say that’s goat status for a guy who hurt so bad he had to lay down when not on the court

I'm old enough to remember much of Birds career. There was a ton of controversy in about every way with Larry. I've never heard anyone say he was racist. This is a bad way to try to build a challenge

Those 81 stats are from the Finals. His stats in the more important Sixers series were incredible, and very impressive in the regular season, coming a couple votes short of mvp. He's the only player since the 76 nba/aba merger to win three straight mvps. Bird's as good as anyone who ever played

I have never heard anyone say this before. Nothing but respect from all of his peers. They all said he trash talked more than anyone else.

Pat Riley said it best and I'm paraphrasing: "If I had to pick someone to take the last shot for the win, I'd pick Michael Jordan. If I had to pick someone to take the last shot to save my life, I'd pick Larry Bird."

The whole GOAT thing will never really be solved, Larry Bird was my favorite player and to me he was the GOAT....I think Pat Reilly said it best..." If the game is on the line, I would get the ball to Michael Jordan.....If my life was on the line, I'd get the ball to Larry Bird ".

The major issue here hinges on the fact that people attribute 'race' to things that should be ascribed to 'culture'. - Anyone who was raised in the midwest recognizes how Bird plays because that is how the midwest overwhelmingly plays. The focus on shooting, the team tactics, the whole thing. You will see full-court shots before you see a dunk unless you clear 6'6 + (too much effort for a cheap pop on a 2 pt shot). -Bird was just an 'Alpha' example of the Midwest-style and was the guy to really bring the people's attention to it.That area just so happens to be predominantly white (people who have basically been too poor to move too far from their hometowns for forever). - Bird's race plays its biggest role during the college game against Michigan State. The stark contrast was what set the game apart to a public that had spent so long being 'out of the loop' concerning basketball, in general, and gave that game an extra novelty to get them over that initial hump. That being said, the trajectory had been set after that and Birds race had become a technical non-factor by the time he hit the NBA. Any mentions of it didn't go anywhere beyond 'superficial'/sh!t talking. - He broke to much ground on the achievment end to not 'still' be talked about. If Bird had been black, all achievments the same, the fact that the hypothetical "Black Bird" has basically created the template by which all "Shooters" are judged would, alone, set him apart and make sure he was mentioned throughout the decades. the 50/40/90 club was founded by Bird, he won the first three 3-pt contests, he's a Johnson-level passer, opponents still talk about how he outsmarted them and got into their heads. On top of all that, he used his status as one of the "Big 2" of the 80s and grabbed that megaphone to make sure that no one could ignore MJ any longer. Bird's mark on the NBA is much to large as long as he's given that chance.

You should be Ashamed of Yourself!!!!!!

It's not birdman. There was another player called birdman. Larry Bird is a top 5 player period. Larry in his prime would crush prime LeBron.

And what was Brown’s response? He looked over his bench, turned back to Bird and said, “No.”

Big Time Clutch is all I can say which is what makes you great. If you pile up all your stats in the first half and can't deliver your team a victory later you are just a player, not a legend.

Once you started talking about race I'm done with this video

Bird averaged around 28 pts, 10 rebs, 6 assists per game during his prime while leading the Celtics to 3 NBA titles and winning 3 MVP awards. 50-40-90 (50%+ FG, 40%+ 3 pt, 90%+ FT) was 1st achieved by Larry Bird. I grew up watching the NBA in the 1980s. *Bird was the best player in the NBA in the 1980s with Magic Johnson #2.* Jordan took the crown in the 1990s with Olajuwon #2.

This nonsense has to be AI generated. I've never heard ANYONE getting something so wrong

Wilt Chamberlain named Larry Bird in his top five all-time players alongside Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, and a toss-up between Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson.

We are talking about level of excellence here. The way I see it is, that excellence is to be admired and appreciated no matter where it comes from, just because it is so rare and difficult to obtain. Mr. Bird deserve the accolades.

Larry is a Legend.

Everyone of those Detroit players you just referenced have come out and said how great he was. Bird was an assassin he would tell the defender what the play was going to be. He would say I'm going to that corner and shot a 3 in your face. Then he did it. He would shoot left-handed some times just to get into his opponents head. Dude was great and I have never heard anyone say different.

There's one minute of my life I can't get back....

I've found in my life after over 6 decades, real "racists" are the first to point out how racist others are. They think about that ALL THE TIME. And their point of view delineates to frame and reflect that, instead of truth. Bird was a "team" player, and stats do not always show that. Bird was very intelligent as in court savvy; he could see what others couldn't and played that way. Thus overcoming what others viewed as a lack of athleticism.

Normally I ignore clickbaot so I hate myself for biting. This is the biggest load of bs since qanon. Save your time, Zeke was part of the same conversation as rodman, he was still a piston so that is just a liar bending history to make a point. Listen to the damn audio, they are all laughing, it was a joke. Larry and Zeke sat in a press conference and said it at the time. Even though I've given this idiot what he wanted, feel better now.

To call Larry Bird a racist is the most ridiculous thing I've EVER heard. Larry didn't care. You could either play and guard him or you couldn't. And Larry could have DESTROYED Thomas's career and he told the press that what he said "dont bother me it shouldn't bother you. It doesn't matter." Pistons couldn't handle losing to the Celtics.

Dr. J on Larry Bird: "Bird and I have an interesting relationship on the court. When I defend him, and when the Celtics draft Kevin McHale and move Larry to the small forward, that becomes a regular matchup for me. If he puts the ball down on the floor, then I think I have him. I can poke the ball away and maybe get a steal. Larry's game doesn't have any weaknesses, but among his relative strengths, he's least skilled as a dribbler. When he's guarding me, he can't stay with me. But I'll be honest, I can't really stop him, either. And at that point in my career, he's a better rebounder than I am.

Did Larry Bird's race get him three championships and almost a fourth? What about the seasons that he achieved 50/40/90, while averaging almost 30 points a game? How are these not All pro Hall of Fame numbers?

Oh and I was a Sixers fan growing up and HATED Bird, but give the man his props.

Stop it bird beat Hakeem sampson. Jordan. Magic Isiah. Drexler. Dr j Kareem Jordan never beat t bird. Wake up.

The 80s was an Intimidation Era. Trash-talking was a tactic, backed up with skill. Today it's called un-sportsmanlike.

a lot of his pears know he was good player and very dangerous on the court..bird did not show boat it was all about winning...and yes bird had major competition from great player of his Era...and he knew it

I watched at the time. You don't have a clue if you think he was racist. He wasn't in anybody's shadow. Swept Jordan twice in the playoffs. Three consecutive MVPs with the entire Dream Team in the league.

Forget stats Bird has 3 championships.

Lary Bird Career Stats: PTS: 24.3 , TRB: 10.00 , AST:6.3....

Pretty weak and horrible viewpoint. This type of narrative is one that is trying to change or alter Bird's legendary status in NBA history and why he is indeed a GOAT. His stats for the time were solid, but it wasn't about stats with Bird. The guy was a flat out baller who won championships, very team focused, never backed down from a challenge, studied the game, fans loved him, earned tons of individual accolades along the way, and he always gave it his all. He earned the respect of everyone who played against and with him. Ask Magic, Dr J, Isaiah Sr, Dominique, etc. Those that weren't there just don't understand how amazing he was. Today's generation love to judge athletes just by the way they look.

Larry Bird didn’t invent trash talking he just backed it up. There’s a 30 minute RU-vid video of several NBA greats that played against Bird and not one of them mentioned racism. A couple of them said he may be the greatest NBA player ever.

Larry Bird is the only player in NBA history to shoot 50-40-90 four straight years while averaging over 28 PPG. And that's not counting the double digit career rebounding and being the best passing forward in NBA history. Celts go from 29 wins before his rookie year to 61 wins his rookie year and there was no Parish, McKale, DJ, or Ainge on that team, just the same guys who won only 29 plus Larry Bird. Greatest one year win improvement by ANY team in NBA history and it came because of the addition of a rookie. It proved that Bird carrying a bunch of no-name players at Indiana State to an undefeated season, slaying one giant after another during March madness until that 1979 NCAA championship game was no fluke. What he did at sad sack Indiana State has never been repeated and what he did his rookie year at (then) sad sack Boston has never been repeated. There is a reason for that, a very precise reason...BECAUSE NO ONE SINCE HAS BEEN AS GOOD AS BIRD AND THEREFORE COULDN'T DO THOSE THINGS AND DIDN'T DO THOSE THINGS. You will never see another Larry Joe Bird.

Who you been watching????? Larry Bird is the GOAT. Your views are nuts!

Larry Bird grew up not far from racists but he wasn't one. He played basketball outside of school with black players from the hotel staff. To suggest he's somehow racist with no proof is slander.

most black players were racist when LL played that was from LL team mate MAXWELL i think his name was not someone i recall

It was Isiah Thomas of the Pistons from back in tne day that said Bird would be just a good black player. Not the 2020 Thomas.

He is a legend because he produced when it mattered. He was clutch and cold as ice under pressure. Larry took a 29 win team the year before he came into the league to 61 wins his rookie year. To suggest otherwise makes you look ignorant.

All i can say bird played against players who are ranked top 10 all time..kareem, magic, mj, and other players who are ranked top 15 all time in hakeem and moses and players like barkley, malone, dr j, isiah, stockton who are easily ranked top 25 all time..and then there are worthy, pippen, wilkins, mcadoo, who are top 75..besides, bird was all nba first team his first 9 seasons and three all defensive second team..until he suffered a serious injury during his 10th year..not magic, mj, lebron, kareem, timmy, kobe, shaq, wilt, or russell ever done that..except for bob pettit..doing it as all nba first team his first ten seasons..

I grew up in colo.Loved watching this man played and iam 77 years old He was the vato the man.

Larry is not a racist .. Kemp was invited to Birds house and so were many others.. In fact he complained of a white guy guarded him bedside he felt mos whote guys weren’t as good of players

I don't think that people means that he got no athleticism because he's white, but because he was slow, didn't dunk that much and he had a short career because of back issues

Larry doesn’t care what color you are…he will just beat you. There is not a racist bone in his body, and he could walk strait through the hoods of Compton and the people would fall all over themselves. ❤🕊

A white guy that broke up an all-black league is something unnatural for the NBA back then and now. Bird and Stockton are still some of the best of all time.

"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.” - Pat Riley

As a Blazer fan I hated Bird, Magic and MJ. But my respect was always immense.

One thing you are not considering and that is the defenses back then were a lot better than they have been since!

Larry was definitely the greatest trash talker. Basketball is a mental game and he was arguably the best .

I've heard a lot of things said about Larry Bird, but racist isn't one of them.

The internet=national enquirer 24/7

Love the motivation behind your reasoning. 💕. But, your premise is flawed: current analytics do not apply to past eras in the Association. Different rules. Different game.

When your argument hinges upon the opinions of Dennis Rodman and Isaiah Thomas...you know youve made a wrong turn somehwhere.

He won the 3 point comoetiyion in his sweats. Thats how you win mentally.

4:53 uhh that's NOT Danny Ferry lol

This is ridiculous

Bird was the Greatest all around player to ever play. Bar none. He was not a racist.

Your conclusions about him being outshined by Magic and Jordan is complete horseshit. When Jordan entered the league Magic and Bird were considered on a higher level. As his career progressed Jordan suppressed them. He was 23-11 overall against Jordan and 6-0 in the playoffs. Magic held an edge 22-15 overall and 11-8 in the playoffs. So definitely an advantage, but nothing crazy.

Total b.s. put up just to get clicks. Whenever you hear, "Don't get more wrong. I'm not trying to hate on..." you know you better duck because the horse manure is going to start flying.

Bird was one of the greatest ever his greatness is in winning and effort all you have to do is watch him in a game