Larry Bird - Confidence and even some more Trash Talking
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- čas přidán 21. 04. 2013
- Trash Talking part 3
Some more examples of Bird's trash talk:
After Craig Hodges won the NBA All-Star Game Three-Point contest in Bird's absence, Hodges was asked if the victory was tainted because Bird hadn't participated. "He knows where he can find me," was Hodges retort. Told of Hodges' challenge, Bird replied, "Yeah, at the end of the Bulls' bench."
Heat forward Glen Rice said, "When Bird started lighting you up and talking trash, that's hard on you. It's like driving a stake through your heart."
After Bird made four straight baskets with Rodman guarding him, he ran over to Chuck Daly and asked "who's guarding me, Chuck? Is anyone guarding me? You better get someone on me or I'm gonna go for 60." Then he'd continue the banter the next time he got the ball with Rodman inches away.
Shawn Kemp said, "Larry taught me a lesson. People criticized Larry... Larry is getting old, his back is in pain... So I go out, I hit a couple of shots on him, I was like man, said a couple of words to him, next thing you know, he is shooting threes in my face, he's talking to me, he ended up with like 40 points. He taught me a lesson that regardless of who you are, how good you are, you have to bring it every night, you got to get your respect that way."
"I started talking a little trash to him," Horace Grant recalled, when the Celtics were the defending champions. "I'm saying, 'You're not going to score. You're not getting this basket. I remember him then telling me exactly what he was going to do to me. He says he's going to fake me left and then he's going to shoot a right-hand hook over me. And then he goes and does it and scores."
Dennis Rodman on Larry Bird: "I would be all over him, trying to deny him the ball, and all Larry was doing was yelling at his teammates, I'm open! Hurry up before they notice nobody is guarding me!" then he would stick an elbow in my jaw and stick the jumper in my face, then he would start in on my coach "Coach you better get this guy out and send in somebody who's going to D me up, because its too easy when I'm wide open like this"
Knicks' forward Charles Smith remembers when Bird barked "Sorry, Charlie," as he released a long, last-second shot to win a game. "That kind of a thing makes you want to jump on a guy," said Smith.
When the Indiana Pacers put rookie George McCloud on Bird in the closing minutes of a game, Bird yelled over to the Pacers bench, "Hey, I know you guys are desperate, but can't you find someone who at least has prayer?"
The year after Bird greeted fellow three-point shooting contest participants by asking which one of them would finish in second place behind him, Dale Ellis told the press that Bird didn't have much to say this year. "There was no need to talk this time," Bird replied,"we all knew who was going to win."
On a West Coast trip in 1986, Bird told the entire Dallas Mavericks bench that after the time out, Ainge would inbounds the pass to DJ, who would hit Bird in the corner where Bird would step back and take a three. "So you got that?" Bird queried the bench. "I'm gonna stand right here. I'm not going to move. They'll pass me the ball, and the next sound you here will be the ball hitting the bottom of the net." And that's exactly what happened. Bird winked at the Maverick before heading back down to the other end of the court.
Bird even precipitated a fight with Julius Erving by repeating a single phrase over and over. The phrase? 42-5, or the number of points each had scored during an easy Boston victory.
Shawn Kemp was guarding Larry Bird one night. On the last three-pointer, Larry Shot in Kemp's face and he said, "I'm the best damn player from Indiana." - Sport
Larry is the type of guy to hit 2 game winning shots in one game
Oh no!!! 😲😲😲 The "type of guy" comments
@@illiadmcswain3956 How do you edit a one sentence comment?
You're right on the money there.
Pure unadulterated facts.👏👏👏
He actually did.
Why does everyone always talk about Larry Legend like he’s dead😂
Hes alive ? A little shout out if they got on the CBD training routine, bigger gains, no pains, loose all stress, more about it on this video : czcams.com/video/Ok8rjyC3PzI/video.html
Because he was so hurt
@@chefgiovanni Stfu
He technically is. That part of his life is dead and gone.
Because he’s a god
For as great as Larry Bird was, he’s still underrated. I don’t think people realize how good Larry Bird actually was
I was and am a NY Knick fan forever
But....I found myself rooting for Larry Legend to lay a beat down on the Knicks every time they played. He was just spectacular to watch. That being said...what makes Larry Legend the GOAT in MY book is simple....everything I witnessed plus the fact that former NBA Legends talk about Larry Bird more than ANY other opponent...their respect and utter DISBELIEF...Period....anybody who does NOT think Bird would dominate in the current NBA, well they just NEVER SAW him play nor took the time to watch his game videos. He made spectacular plays in EVERY game. Often while being grabbed and mauled by defenders. Ahhh...1980s Streetball...that was the NBA. Lest we forget he almost single handily brought Indiana State the NCAA Championship. If you took both Magic and Bird out of that Championship game...Michigan is favored by 30 points and covers the spread. No disrespect to Magic....they both saved the NBA in the 1980s..
I’m starting to think Larry bird is actually the best player of all time. Am I wrong?? All the greats seem to say the same thing……
@@UXSpecialistFrom 1984 to 1988 or so he was as good as it gets....dude couldn't make it at Indiana University....took 5 years to go the NBA....wasn't really crazy good until 1984....
Probably right
Larry Bird quotes from on the court:
"J, come on, just you and me." -- to Dr. J
"You don't belong in this league, homes." -- to Dominique Wilkins
"I’m going to fake you left and shoot a right hand hook." -- to Horace Grant, which he then did
"Rook, I am the best fucking shooter in the league." -- to Reggie Miller
"I'm gonna light your ass up." -- to Michael Cooper
"I’m open! Hurry up before they notice nobody is guarding me!" -- while being guarded closely by Dennis Rodman
Joseph Scott gotta use the Dennis Rodman one
+Joseph Scott "I'm getting the ball. I'm getting it right here, I'm going to shoot it right in your face" -- to Xavier McDaniel before he hit the game winning shot
"Merry fucking Christmas" -- to Chuck Pearson
Larry Bird was a bad bad man
@Nexsniper hahahahah
Larry Bird scored 27 points one game with his left hand
*he shoots right handed*
What best he told them he was gonna shot with his left... bird was bad
And he let people know before hand..... Thats the biggest i dont give a shit...... He was trying to challenge himself..... They couldn't even stop him that way😭🔥💪😂👏👏👏🔥🔥🔥Damn that Larry Legend😎🔥💪👏
So fucked up... dude was a cheater😂🤣😂
Anybody that says that and does that = cheater.... so not fair😂
@@beastmaster415 HUH?
@@docducttape9270 so good he cheats... meaning it seemed like he made every shot he took...telling folks he's gonna shoot with his left and scoring 27... #coldblooded
Pat Riley: "I'd want Jordan to take the shot with the game on the line. I'd want Bird to take it if my LIFE was on the line."
Haha i dig that!!
Other way around actually lol
@MrBiscuitman9 Chill hotheaded dumbass. It's his opinion.
French Toast No, it’s an actual quote.
@@drangedhermit1 I know it is but no one has to call him a dumbass.
I'm from Chicago and we hated Bird because he seemed to never miss. Nothing but respect for Larry Bird.
that is true tough ，when i ,A 90s born kid watched his tape， he is so freaking accurate，I now see why there were many players bite his pump fake，unbelievable accurate
I'm from Michigan, and we hated Chicago because of Jordan. Much love my man!
Sounds like a good hate... 👍
Barkley had the nerve to say he was better than Bird. Lol. Only in his wildest dreams
Birds the word.
“ i was up 38-6 “ that cheesy ass smile legend
27 points LEFT-HANDED??? Are you kidding me?? FUCKING BEAST.
trha2222
It was actually 20 points with the left hand, 47 in total. Also had a triple-double, sent the game to OT then hit the game winning shot.
Larry Bird 47 pts vs. Portland (Left handed game)
BasketballJones48021
LOL that is true Next Level shit. Score 20 in one hand, score the rest with your better hand. And all while he's having fun.
trha2222
well he said at least through 3 quarters..maybe he switched back to right for the 4th
BasketballJones48021 JESUS CHRIST! I lived on a VHS tape my papa used to watch with me called "Larry Bird; A Basketball Legend" and couldn't remember that part. Unbelievable!
trha2222 True. A Larry Bird Trilogy to compile all his feats.
Most amazing thing to me about Larry is that he had the media frightened. He was so fucking good that he had the media frightened, that's pure talent.
he probably had that same greg popovich aura to the media
lol, it wasn't talent that made bird what he was, it was heart, and effort, and attitude! nobody flucked with bird because bird just wouldn't tolerate being flucked-with. he wasn't "polite" or "nice", he just put in the work, showed up, and destroyed sh!t.
Now LaBaby rules the media and can have fans ejected from the games! Even the refs protect him. Basketball is not even with watching now! I'm old school Cincinnati Royals! But have always followed Larry Bird!
The media was his hype machine of course they never asked tough questions.
I love that story at 5:15 about Bird telling Jordan, " you ain't shit" who the fucks ever told Jordan that? that's balls right there
Chad Stoner lmao 😂😂😂
Bird was smarter then ppl think.That was birds way of passing the baton to the next great after he retires.MJ even admits Bird taught him the fine art of trash talk with lessons on the run then backed it up every time.He made Jordan a killer just like Birdy was.The fine art of dialogue.
@@jimmybooki4281 Yea, I love that Bird was the one to pass the torch to Jordan, such a phenomenal player, god damn injuries!!!
@@chasejordan9295 what could he have been without the Greek back injury afflicting him abt mid career,& still played for yrs & kept producing whilst not operating at optimum capacity.
Oh how I miss this era. The NBA in the 1980s was great. No dilution with expansion. Great rivalries and finals. Teams allowed to play tough defense. Great stuff.
I remember growing up, watching Bird vs Magic, Lakers vs Celtics, and thinking "this is how it's always going to be" as a child often does. Man, I was so wrong. This was the best era for basketball, hands down and I miss it like you do.
players not trying to draw cheap fouls every time down the floor.
But they eventually overdid it with the hard fouls (think Pistons) and the foundation was laid for what we have today.
Nigga it was only the Showtime Lakers vs Bird Celtics vs Bad Boy Pistons. Don't kid yourself parity has never existed in the NBA
Ok boomer
lifelong Laker fan, 33 years old, still cant get enough of Larry. Kobe is one of my favorites ever, and 2 years ago on the Olympic Squad, Kobe, because he runs his mouth too, says "I think the 2012 team could beat the 1992 team. Everyone pitched a bitch, malone, Jordan, barkley etc. Larry, calmly said:
"Yeah, the probably could. I haven't played basketball in 20 years and we're all old now."
Its the "probably" that makes that statement so goddamned funny, because even at 50+ Bird isnt going to give anyone props as having a chance against him
LMAO So true man. Love him or hate him, Larry's a legend.
That (age of dream team) may have been the only reason.
Mick A Is the only reason today's players aren't allowed to hand check anymore which makes it easier for offensive players to put up bigger numbers
It is a factor.
Tim Arthurs He and his all time great teammates (Magic, MJ).
LOL "Larry bird how do you make all those last second shots." Larry Bird. nonchalantly "Umm I do all that the time." Wow.
Marc Bradbury haha Larry was once in a lifetime white boy def top 5 at worse top 10 .. check out his vision and passing man it was amazing .. that whole 86 celtics team is prob the best team of alltime that front line bird-mchale-parish was huge .. people forget what McHale could do inside he was a stronger better post player than pau gasol..
Are you dyslexic
@@joshuahaynes7413 Barkley said McHale was the most difficult player he had to personally play against. That's respect.
Larry recently joked that his friend Magic has been alive "too long" and Magic laughed. Larry is COLD.
It's called practice. Then more practice. Then some extra practice. Then a TON MORE practice.
Larry is widely documented for his work ethic, more of one than ANY OTHER player.
Probably the best story (and it's been told by about HALF of the Dream Team members in print or on video) - they're in Monaco, they finish a practice, most of the team heads to "the beach" for a couple hours.
When they get back, they hear sounds from the gym - and find Larry practicing his shot.
Can you imagine Bird running free in the league today where they can't grab him, push him, hold him or hit him and they can run moving picks for him all night long...
Bird was build for modern basketball. A 6'9" Forward who can create his own shots, shoot 50/40/90, rebound, probably the 2nd best non-PG passer who has ever lived, plays hard defense, and understands the game at lightening speed? Bird CREATED modern basketball. We just didn't know it at the time because there was no one else on the planet even close to his skill set so no one else could replicate it.
@@robertebarberiii That I don't agree with. Defenses are actually a lot better today than they were in the 80s. Take a look at some games back then sometime, you'll be shocked how much of a cushion they gave players. A lot of guys weren't even contested until they were well inside the 3-point line. Not to mention how much faster, better conditioned, and better coached players are today in defensive fundamentals.
Yeah, guys could mug you back then, but that's not necessarily better defense.
@@JonSmith-hk1bq He's arguably the best non-pg passer
@@ced9938 Arguably. But I've got Lebron just a little ahead of him. Bird was better at outlet passes, but Lebron better at running the offense. I value that a little more.
@@JonSmith-hk1bq Lebron is given the reins to run the offense as a point forward. Bird was not. I consider Bird the better pure passer.
In 1974 Larry Bird was my P.E assistant when I was in the 8th grade and he was a senior at Springs Valley High School. At the beginning of each P.E. class we always ran 10 warmup laps around the gym. One day, a trampoline was set up on the basketball court and there was Larry Bird bouncing on it. As the whistle blew and we reluctantly lined up to run our laps, our teacher (who was also Larry's basketball coach) blew his whistle, and said "Larry is going to take 10 shots while jumping on the trampoline. If Larry makes any shots, each one made will delete a lap that you must run." Coach threw the ball to Larry and right there in front of me and the entire boys Jr. High P.E. class, Larry proceeded to hit 7 out of 10 shots while bouncing up and down on the trampoline, 40 feet away from the goal. Larry set an incredible example for me as a young boy in French Lick, Indiana that helped me through my entire adult career. If you are willing to work very hard and never give up, your dreams can and will come true. Thank you Larry.
Your lying 😂😂😂
Telanii Anoai why would he be lying
@@rick5357 I'm just talking shit😂 I really don't give a fuck
@@telaniianoai568 Saw this exact comment on another Larry Bird video by a different guy, niggas lying
@@nigelwilliams4203 bet thanks for the assist my guy 😂😂🤦♂️
"The chief" laughing with Bird at 6:09 is great
I saw that too ... first time I ever saw Chief laugh and he was giddy. Great stuff.
Bird is so great that even his opponents came to tell the tales of his legend 😂
That's why he's called Larry Legend!
"Someone took the gloves off and wanted to go, you had to go. If you didn't, there is no use playing."- Bird.... I wish more people thought that way in the NBA today. I love the emotion - shows he took it seriously.
Like James harden 🤜
How quickly we forget the great ones. Larry was one of the 5 best all-time IMO.
I have Magic, Michael, Larry, Tim D. and Wilt all-time team. The first 3 are locks for me. Tim and Wilt over Karl and Kareem in photo-finishes. How about yours Randy?
Oscar and West at guards. Elgin and Karl at forwards. Russell in the middle. Not a bad squad. Bench would have Havlicek and Stockton. Don't forget about Rick Barry and Walt Frazier.
I got michael, magic, bird, lebron, Hakeem
@@christopherknight6248 Nice squad!
@@dvvalant . Thanks. You too. Its hard to do an all time 5. So many great ones to choose from.
Larry might’ve even the biggest gangsta of all time on the court. I love these stories
"I'd much rather guard Michael Jordan than Larry Bird..." Damn....Larry Legend
Coming from Worthy ... known for his defense ... Not!
+depannist he's still had to guard BOTH MJ and Bird at one point during his career and that's what he said, but I'm sure you probably know more than James Worthy.....Not!!
I don't know more than Worthy, but I watched him play during the 80's. He was one of the best post players of the day. But you didn't send Worthy in there to stop anyone. His defense was mediocre at best.
Daniel Clark That’s kind of funny he said that because nobody could stop Jordan either so that statement is kind of questionable.
@centenario de oro lol is that a joke? Chicago had good teams. Teams that were better than the Celtics.
lol, larry bird would eat today's nba players alive.
he really would. their egos are HUGE nowadays.
But nowadays days he would get a technical foul for hurting feelings
@@Lup3r I dont even watch basketball anymore, disgusts me, from watch jordan and bird magic beat each other up, to these ass clowns who fall on the floor if a player looks at them wrong these youngins would last in a game played in late 80 early 90s
Larry would get into alot of fights with the way he talks. Nba is filled with whiney offended millenials.
You’re talking as if he’s immortal. He would compete, but there’s no way he would destroy today’s players. Stop your delusion.
Larry was truly gifted as a basketball player. Brings a tear to my eye man! Cold blooded
I hear you man ! I am now 54 and remember these CLASSIC days !! ...*..side note..We all " partied " in my hometown of Pittsburg, Ca. The east bay !! ( from 1980-86..." The NBA & NFL with The 80's WBC /WBA...Hagler vs Hearns vs Leonard vs Duran !! + " The bubble gum blow " = CLASSIC TIMES !!
I feel you Bird was a killer
That "Show for Magic" was so funny :D Larry Legend, a savage :D
As a man, it is difficult to watch the love Magic has for Bird without crying. What beautiful friendship these two have for one another. I would be lucky enough to find a friend like this
Won't ever be a player like Larry Bird ever again. He was Mozart with a basketball.
+dsfddsgh Mozart with a basketball? That's a picture.
Mozart was Drazen
More like Beethoven, since he was deaf and still a god, in Larry's case, unathletic but godly.
Like Ali, he talked trash & then backed it up. If I trusted ANYBODY with my life in the last seconds , it would be Larry Bird or Oscar Robertson. Hoosiers BABY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Honestly very fitting as Mozart was a genius with a hearing problem with music
And bird back problem with basketball
OG Showtime Laker Fan here. Larry Bird was a player you loved to hate ,but you respected for how he played , what he was and represented for your historic rival. Props to Bird ,one of the all time greats😎
I was at a preseason game in 88 vs the hawks. some rookie turned his back on bird while dribbling.Bird ran behind him,stuck out his hand on the guys right side,causing the guy to spin the other way.birds other hand was waiting.Bird stole the ball,went the length of the court and layed it up.Dominique Wilkins was pointing at his own teamate and laughing!Priceless!
Larry Bird was as feared a player with the game on the line than anyone in history. Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are also in that category. Larry was a cold-blooded sniper.
Kobe way overrated. Was a legend in his own mind
@@wesmarshall5426 Kobe was not feared in the clutch.
He CHOKED way too often.
@@bricefleckenstein9666 exactly
I was a Lakers fan but couldn’t hate Larry bird. I loved those years. They didn’t whine they played.
With very few exceptions, like Laimbeer a few times.
"You can NEVER back down. Once you do, people look at you different. You have to stand up for EVERYTHING you believe in. Even if its just playing basketball. If somebody takes the gloves off and wants to go, you have to go... If you don't, there's no use playing." This quote this applies to so many areas of life.
Great quote. This was how Larry played the game. He's not everyone's 's top 5, but he will always live in the hearts of people who love the artistry of basketball and the heart of a contender.
Im a younger NBA fan that never really understood if this guy was worth the praise he gets and I've been watching a lot of videos about him and damn this dude is worthy of the hype. I can't believe how good of a passer he was. Some of the dimes he dropped are legendary.
It isn't hype. It is an accurate portrayal of his game. He was amazing. I hated him with a passion for a very good reason.
One thing to put Bird in perspective.
When he retired, he was Top 50 in Points Per Game, Assists Per Game, AND Rebounds Per Game.
He's slipped .... to 52'nd - on Rebounds Per Game.
ALL TIME. ALL THREE STATS.
Nobody else has ever come close, much less beaten Bird, in ALL THREE categories.
There are a dozen or two players PERHAPS that have beat Bird in 2 of the 3 - but not ALL THREE.
Bird was, hands down, the most rounded basketball player to ever play in the NBA.
Yea man, Jordan's "flu game" where he had food poisoning is pretty legendary, but people don't realize bird had gone down on a hard play and literally broke his face on the floor, he went out and at the start of the 3rd he came back out and lit them up and clutched the win...
I love these kinds of NBA videos where past players, all-stars and even legends speak highly of their peers, the respect, the laughs, the stories, the music the highlights good stuff lol
He didn't practice until he got it right. No, he practiced until he couldn't do it wrong!! ❤
Larry bird is the greatest small foward ever.
im so glad i was old enough to watch bird and dont have to see and hear stories... he was so awesome.
robertk2007 I wasnt😕
robertk2007 quite upset that I didn't get to
robertk2007 even for the people who aren't old enough, this generation has the technology like what your own now to witness all the games..and unless you where in the NBA with Bird, you heard a story just like the rest of us 🙂
Bird was the greatest NBA trash-talker ever, but he did most of this during the regular season. As one teammate said, Bird rarely talked trash during the playoffs (Chuck Person was an exception). Guess he used it to motivate himself during the 82 game grind.
***** and he was better than all of them.
Bird brought a bunch of nobody's to the NCAA championship, the next year he lead the worst team in the league to 61 wins and the year following he won an NBA title. As far as NBA Champions go that 81 Celtics team was far from "stacked". McHale was a 10ppg rookie that year. Every champion has good players on the team.
You're saying shit like "He had Pete Maravich faggot!" so clearly you don't have a clue what you're talking about. Pete could barely play 10mpg with the Celts he was so broken down. Do the knowledge before you start talking shit about players from an era you know nothing about!
***** ...Larry had been in about 10 fights during his career. He was one of the toughest guys in the league.
I gotta play Larry. - James Worthy lol
I think that says more about how he felt about Chuck Person lol
The one thing I've noticed about Bird's trash talking was he never threatened any player, never threatened the player's family and friends in any way. His trash talking was simply, "You ain't gonna beat me, and I'm gonna prove it to you." Probably the most notable and best trash talking NBA player in the history of the league.
The players liked him despite Larry killing them because he still intimidated players, coaches, and media. You couldn't ask a stupid question to Larry like you can with Clayton Kershaw after a loss or that noose is around your neck.
RIght Derek. It was all to get a mental edge on opponents. I believe Reggie Miller was similar. Kevin Garnett? He has been known to cross the line, get personal in negative ways.
He intimidated coaches too.
Derek Dunn Bird kept it clean.
Did any of you guard Larry? No. Those that know don't speak, those that don't know never shut up.
The 80's were amazing for basketball: Isiah, magic, Larry, MJ, Dr. J. Those guys would crush the players of today.
MJ retire in the 80's return in the 90's to be dominant
@@rakucranel4481 he never retired in the 80's
@@rakucranel4481 MJ retired in the 90s. NOT the 80s.
'94 and most of '95 was his first retirment.
Other than Larry Bird being an absolute phenom, clips like these make me miss the days of ESPN Classic. ALways had quality programming
Stone cold killer, mad respect for him and this is coming from a die hard Laker fan!!
Watching BIRD play was amazing, He was always so CLUTCH, I never worried when we were down because you could count on BIRD!!! He may not have been a great jumper but man he had eyes in the back of his head.. He to me is in the top 5 of ALL TIME, to me he is # 1
I'm from Massachusetts and lucky enough to have watched Larry wake the Celtics up. He was such an exciting player to watch. I like what Red Auerbach said about Larry " he's playing chess and everyone else is playing checkers"
Yea and im from rhode island right down the street he was good but he was not mike ._hell magic was the best in there era but he was great to watch and a feisty guy
Bird was so good because you just didnt understand ho he was good he was slow lanky but it didnt matter he was like peyton manning
Red also said NBA players come to the game to play hard. Bird comes to win.
Red didn't say it Tommy H. Said it.
@@patriciahenderson2096 No SoFlo said it.
This mtf scored 27 pts left handed v the Blazers after he told the media he was gonna do it.
Absolute madman
Just cold. Frightening if you're the opponent. I mean, he already knows he's going to beat you. He's just deciding how.
"If i need someone to the shot with the game on the line, Ill take jordan. If i need someone to take the shot with my life on the line, Ill take bird." Pat Riley
Thats why Johnson, MJ and Bird are in my best team of all time lol because they are the best of the best in there position.
Have to agree. Russell and Wilt round out the top 5. I would pick Baylor as 6th man, the first great all around player.
Mick A love those guys but what about kareem? nobody could block the skyhook. but with all those other guys you might want elite defense all subjective damn they need to cgi this stuff haha
alloutwar650 Kareem is right there too. No doubt. But ..... Kareem damn near stopped rebounding after 80' or 81'. He was the supreme star of the 70's however.
And the most important point is that they all would play together really well. They were about winning first, second, and third. Ego would not destroy their chemistry like so many other wrong minded people who shall remain unnamed.
You cannot put into words all the things that made Bird great. Great shooter? Sure. Great floor presence? Maybe the best. Clutch? Without a doubt. And still, there was much more to him. If picking a team from the entirety of NBA greats, I am starting with Bird because everyone I pick after that just got better.
I couldn't have said it better.
I would not start with Bird - I'd start with Russell and Bird second.
Bill was probably the ONLY player better at improving his teammates - and even that is a tough call.
Agree 180% percent my first piçk, on my all time team
I always get a laugh at how Thomas includes himself with Bird, Johnson and Jordan.
He's the only guy that beat all 3 of them. Nobody else can say that.
Thomas was incredible
That's right. Zeke beat MJ, Bird and Magic and still got 2 rings out of that Era. 🤔
Thomas was a joke and a cry baby Just like Russell is right now
Juan Jr. Beat all of them and there is nothing that can change that
“ He started shooting and he just wouldn’t miss “🐐🐐
smoothest shot I have ever seen in the history of basketball
There will never be another Larry
Bird was the greatest player of all time bar none. My greatest joy in life was watching bird play, during my 20 years stay in Terre Haute. Youngsters today can't comprehend how great he really was. The greatest passer, the greatest clutch shooter, and the greatest cerebral player who ever lived. Players will come and players will go, some might be or become as good as Larry, but never better, and that includes Jordan, LeBron or anyone else yet to come.
Larry Bird is the best trash talker ever. The reason why is because when he played against the hawks he scored 60 points and the hawks gave each other fives
I could never explain what a privilege it was to see him play at the Garden . My brother in law had this business contact who would give him prime Lodge seats. I
We were in front and to the right of Red Auerbach! I could smell his cigars . I sat next to John Havlicek, who couldn’t sit in the row . His seat was at the end so his legs could stretch into the aisle. All the celebrities were seated in this section too . Back then actors like Don Johnson would be seated in there . ( still catch crap from wife for not asking for an autograph) . But, all that didn’t matter . It’s was Bird who was the real show . I attended all those “ Beat LA “ games. These videos don’t do him justice . What a time it was . Thank you Mr. Bird .
I wish we could see stuff like this today. The current NBA is nothing compared to what it was back in the day when greats like Bird, Magic, MJ, etc played.
He talked the talk & walked the walk!!! My favorite of All time!!! Never backed down Never gave up!! Scoring & records didn't matter Winning did!!! RESPECT & LOVE Larry Legend!!!
Most people think Bird is right handed but he is not. He took his jumper & shot free throws with his right hand but he signs autographs and those big checks with his left. That's why he was so good taking shots left handed. Like most fundamentally sound basketball players you practice using both hands. Especially around the basket.
Edward Anthony Leone I agree that basketball players practice a lot with both hands but that was still an amazing feat. I'm the same as Larry in that I write left handed but play sports right handed. I also played at a pretty high level, including an NCAA finals and a 1st division club championship in Europe. But I never would have _dreamed_ of playing and elite level match using only my left hand. I can assure you it's a lot harder than it may seem. Bird was just on another level entirely. Good comment though. I didn't know Larry and I had that trait in common. ; )
ContrarianCorner
Bird was indeed amazing and my favorite player. Via satellite I watched him play every game for 3 seasons 84-86 and was in attendance for his 60 point outburst on 3/12/85. The guy was unreal.
Larry fucking Bird... I can't even beat off left handed, and this fucken legend scores 27 in an nba game left handed...
+Armando Espinoza ftw
@@TonyinMBSC8669 wasn't C-band satellite great back then?! Picking up raw feeds and hearing announcers during the breaks saying shit? "Don't let these bastards beat ya!" Celts announcer about the Pistons.
Man I miss those days. I would carry around a larry bird fleer trading card until it was all wore out. I thought it was worth a lot in my pocket. He was my hero along with magic johnson.
Man Larry Bird is like the myth of the NBA.
Some can’t understand how he could be so dominant and some undermine his game.
But those who jus study him and his legacy, you jus start be believe in the unbelievable with him.
For every crazy thing he did there’s something else that’s crazy
Absolute assassin.
Kobe is well known for talking about that in one video clip - but the short common version of that clip drops some of his "clarify" comments later on.
But if you listen to HOW he said it even in the short version, it's clear he respected Bird's game and the people that were explaining it.
I was Magic/Lakers fan. But I loved and feared watching Larry play against the Lakers. I knew at some point Bird would make that killer shot to win the game.
Thank u lord
Bird: Y'all wanna win? Give me the ball and get out the way! Lebron: Y'all wanna win? Get open so I can pass it to ya!
LeBron y'all want to win..Get me AD
He earned respect from a lot of players .
People may not know this but Larry Bird was 1 steal away from a quadruple double. There was 1 quarter left to be played if I remember correctly but he said that he had already done enough damage for the night. I swear if Larry had any inkling of the NBA top tier athleticism he would be the unquestionable GOAT.
+bryan booker that's not why Larry was the way he was. He got that from the work ethic of his family and the inspiration of his father suicide-sacrifice for the family. His grit was already formed before he even came on the court. Btw Larry bird had a decent level of athleticism evident in his early Celtics years. He was also a better shooter in college before the NBA but due to a mallet fracture (from the descriptions of what I've read and heard that's the closest to it) he suffered right before the NBA his shooting touch wasn't completely evident in the league until he readjusted everything.
6:09. best part is Robert Parish's reaction.
Also a great passer, and rebounder, the GOAT!
Larry Bird is a badass
Bird was simply unreal man, some people don't even realize, still gets really underrated, go look at everything he did and at his competition, out of this world.
GOAT forward
Top 3/5 player
Top 3 peak
Larry Legend. A real basketball player. If you don't no, know you know. Bird is and was the man. Salute the real Birdman 💯
Larry bird is my all time favorite basketball player.
NO COLOR TO " Greatness !! " ( Bill Russell said that in 1984 !)..@2:20 I love what Dr. J" says about him and then the clip of that pass !! The guy was something else..*..I love to see the MAD RESPECT from ALL the HOF players here giving Bird his due !!
Larry Bird is in a league of his own. A really smart player, a master of his craft.
Larry Bird was assassin on great Boston teams.
They were great Celtic teams because of Larry!!! Without him they would've been good teams
Bird was taught the game by the brothers. Of course he didn't see race. Years later he thanked them for letting him play.
i remember one game, bird was like 5-15, scored like 14 points. after the game, a reporter said to him 5-15 14 points,what do you have to say for yourself? bird says i got 23 rebounds.
? Larry Bird never got 23 rebounds in his career
His career high was 21 rebounds against the lakers (6-6-84).. he also averaged 10 rebounds per game for his entire NBA career (only twice did he grab less than 9 rebounds per game for a season).. so he never did get 23 rebounds, but he sure was an elite rebounder..
Guys, it didn't matter how many rebounds he had. I can hear him saying he had 23 even if he had 21. He was talking trash to the reporter.
After the era of Bird, Thomas, Johnson, Jordan I lost interest in basketball.
ambrosiobertodazo Bird brought excitement to a boring sport. His opponents never knew what 'rabbit he would pull out of his hat' and he 100s of rabbits.
easily the best passing forward of all time
Dude was a damn SNIPER!
"You could never back down. Once you do, people look at you different" 4:01
Orlando Woolridge is hilarious and honest.... love him
Look at 8:20, thats what defense in the NBA use to look like. Bird was beast in an era when defense wasn't neutered like it is today.
Larry was the man and they'll never be another
when Magic and Larry retired I basically stopped
watching the NBA
Fred Modugno Me too until Westbrook Bird is the Greatest
wow you missed AIR JORDAN in his prime? lol
dano so you were a bandwagoner
Felt sorry for u guys
Randy White Yeah it’s called change
I love Larry bird stories.
Oh man, him messing with Kevin saying tell him what you told me...that you’re going to kick you ass. That’s hysterical!
Guy really didn't have to be open when he was on. Best in traffic shooter. period
Kobe is by far the best Contested shooter ever he pulls up from 30 with a guy in his face, no dribble only pivot, 2 seconds on the clock with the game on the line, and a teammate wide open on the 3 point line right next to him.
It happened.
i said 'in traffic'.
+E I've seen Larry and Mike do that too. Reggie Miller as well.
+Mick A MJ wouldn't dare pull up from 30, he doesn't have that range he can barely shoot 3s and the only time he shot good from the 3pt line was when they moved it in, Reggie doesnt shoot contested shots like Kobe, Kobe picks up his dribble, pump fakes a couple times and still hits it in your face. Reggie would shoot straight off the dribble contested shots same with Larry.
+E I've seen him do it. End of quarter buzzer beater.
The "Larry doesn't see race" comment reminds of bill Murray in space jam. "Larry is not white, hes clear". Lol
Hay Frank, You've got anyone on that bench who can guard me - 'cause none of the guys out here can't?
*Looks at the bench*:
No.
RIP Orlando Woolridge
Agreed. Still seems strange to remember HOW much of a physical specimen Woolridge was, and to hear he died at such a young age...wow!
Mike S It is a reason Jordan wanted him (Quentin Dailey, too) off the Bulls. Each had that "habit", each died young. Too bad, they both could've been stars.
Mick A I knew Woolridge died of heart problems, but didn't he have a coke problem for a while? Maybe I'm wrong on that, but I thought he did for a while. I still thought OW was a good dude, just flawed, like we all are. He was a very good player for a while, but I just remember what a physical specimen he was, then one day I read he died at 52. Sad.
Mike S He did. That is what I was referring to. He and Quentin Dailey both. Sad in both cases, gone around 50.
+Mike S i agree woolridge was a 20-10 player for about 5 or 6 seasons. its bullshit how most people says mj didnt have any help before pippen, he had woolrigde avg 20-10 and one of the best post defenders/ rebounders in the league at that point in charles oakley. woolridge was a very good player and freak athlete.
Larry bird is literally michael jordan's clutch gene, lebron/magic's passing, and the blissfully elegant trash talk of a modern day mcgregor, along with a jump shot that everyone that has ever shot a basketball would die for.
I love listening to all these guys tell their stories. The competition and camaraderie among those guys was fantastic.
Bird would eat today's players alive just like he did back in the day. He played old fashioned basic basketball to a degree no one had ever seen before. He made every player around him better.
Robert M as a 87 percent life time free-throw guy.... he would average 35 all the time in today's nba
Robert M Agreed, he'd take his average even higher cause he really didn't take that many 3's...in todays NBA he'd probably hit 60% of his 3's...
LeBron James would be a challenge for bird. LeBron is 6ft 8in 250 of solid muscles with excellent basketball skills also.
@@tunett123 Sorry size vs skill puts skill out front lebron is good but mot bird good.
The player who gave Bird fits was not Michael Jordan it was Andrew Toney and he did get beat.
Bird will flourish in today’s NBA
Such a depressing video because we will never see a player this good and smart and on 🔥 again.
The 80s were the Golden Era of basketball. You had Bird, Magic, an older but still efficient Kareem, Isaiah Thomas, and the youngest and most high flying Jordan making his cameo appearance. Smart basketball played by the smartest players of all time. Watch old games and sit back and enjoy.
Larry Bird was an Artist. Please don't ever compare him to any player today. NOBODY, and I mean nobody comes close
1:38 shoots and before it hits the rim he knows he missed and where it's going to bounce. He's already running for where it's going to be while all the other players are standing under the basket staring straight up.
I've never seen this footage before, but that is absolutely sick. That's Bill Russell level, or maybe beyond.
I've been a laker fan my entire life but I'd root for larry,even wen they were playing us.Gratness is Greatness
Haha love the opening. 'The boy bad, what can you say"
Watch him play his whole career, college and pro. And I was a sixer fan. One of the best for sure.