Yeah, you don't want to be playing against Bird, still can't believe his 3-PT shooting percentage way back then, a real marksmen. But maybe the toughest guy mentally. Bird and MJ both going for the jugular. Something we don't see these days.
I like how you think, and you are right on the money. Bird in his prime is a slam dunk GOAT in my book. I'll do you one better. I'll take an old, broke back Bird every day of the week and twice on Sunday. He may not be a slam dunk GOAT. More like a shot from 45 feet, But I'll take my chances with Larry Legend.
Nox he's better than lebron honestly and imo he's better than Jordan think about it like this he's 6"10 has a deadly midrange and 3 pointer is amazing in the post and has a nice layup is way clutcher than lechoke and is a great great passer can play the 1-4 and can go off for 30 any given night and his defense is highly underrated the dude almost got a quadruple double and probably would've gotten it but decided to sit out for the final 2 minutes of the game
If a last few seconds play would decide the fate of humanity against the demons of hell, Bird would tell his defender what the play would be and where he would be taking the shot and then he would make that shot. "
I will say it till my last day. For a period of about 6-7 years from 82-88 or so, Larry Bird played the best pure basketball in history. Not crazy athleticism or dunks or fancy dribbling - just pure basketball skill and savvy and execution. Great shooter. Great passer. Great rebounder. Great team defender. Great leader. Great winner. Not saying he was better than Jordan or has had the longevity of excellence like Lebron …. But for that window of time nobody has EVER played the game of basketball on a higher level.
Today I saw a video where Wilt Chamberlin picked Larry Bird FIRST for his own personal starting lineup. In same Video, Bill Russel picked Larry Bird 3rd. NEITHER of them said MJ was the GOAT. They BOTH said b-ball is a TEAM sport and superstar players actually HURT the team bcuz they are too focused on THEMSELVES. Larry Bird is the most well-rounded skill wise, better leader, best b-ball IQ, most clutch player I’ve ever seen. Unselfish, 100% dedicated, killer instinct...none better in my book.
I grew up in the 80s I watched Magic I watched Jordan I watched Bird "the legend" I watched all the greats and Bird was the best he was the G.O.A.T he was the most clutch basketball player that ever played. I hate this Jordan Bullshit that he was the greatest clutch player ever, he wasn't in BIRDS class L.B had him by a mile.
My love for basketball began and ended with Larry Bird. I remember going to look at the paper, the sports page, so I could read about him. The heart, he represented the working man, not the glitter of Hollywood. I'm from Dallas and I noticed the difference, during Bird's time, between the Boston fan and the Dallas fan. When Bird played the Boston fan was completely involved, emotionally, whereas in Dallas the fan is simply partaking in entertainment. Bird, what an icon.
the "glitter of Hollywood"..? what does that even mean..? do you know people in Hollywood actually work their asses off, putting in ridiculous hours running on 2 hours of sleep..? being that you're for the "working man" , i'm sure that's something you'd appreciate..
Yes , great commentary . I am from Boston and loved how he played . He was all about dedication , improving himself , making the most of his talents and playing for the team . I have to say I modeled myself in my own profession after Larry Bird's style of basketball play and his approach to the game
Nice to hear another city acknowledge another's city 's love for their team and Bird of course!! It's the same with the Red Sox!! We live and die with our Boston teams!! ❤
The thing that made Bird a legend was he out worked everyone on the court.....never took anything for granted, never gave up, plus he was a great player........fierce!
My Idol ever… The best thing is the reaction after the winning shot… Calm and serenity, no need big expressions like today with Lebron's and other players like this.
Thanks for another great upload fatal. I had seen the game winner before but seeing the whole highlights really makes you appreciate Bird's effort. 48 pts is a monster game and Bird does this almost effortlessly. His dominance is all done in the flow of the game, and he could dominate a game in a variety of ways. Best all around player ever in the NBA
@@donaldjones9830 And the count against George Foreman was fast and he shouldn't have been KO'ed by Ali. That sport, refs are flawed and make mistakes, life goes on.
@@donaldjones9830 this is unfounded. One, the clock isn't supposed to start ticking until the ball is touched by a player. If you stopwatch the time from when Bird grabs the ball and dribbles and shoots, without looking at the ref's clock, it's at most 1.5 seconds. So even there, it's well within 2 seconds. End of story? Nope, because what you said is even MORE unfounded: The clocks back then didn't show sub-seconds, but it doesn't mean the didn't exist. On the previous inbounds, the clock read 3 seconds. A blazer touched it and batted it out of bounds. From the time the ball was touched to the time it was whistled dead was less than half a second - but it was enough for the clock to tick down to 2 seconds. Which means, TADA (math!) that there had to be more than 2.5 seconds on the clock. In other words, Bird had at least 2.5 seconds to hoist up a shot that only took him 1.5 seconds. How do people think they can make statements like this when the video clearly shows all evidence to the contrary? It's like some bizarre form of gaslighting.
@@donaldjones9830 You must be a hater because he got it off within 2 seconds of real time after touching the ball anyway. Also as the person above me commented, he could have had up to 2.9 seconds to get the ball off because the clocks back then didn't show tenths of seconds. But that's irrelevant as he got the shot off in under 2 seconds anyway as I mentioned. Put the video in × 0.25 speed and pause it the moment that the ball touches Bird's hand. The video is at 5:53. Now pause the video as soon as you see Bird release the ball. The video is still at 5:54 if you pause it at the correct time. Try again.
As a kid watching the C's play I learned a lot of being calm cool and collected. What I loved was exactly how Bird reacted at the end of this play. No hooting and hollering or dancing around or in his opponents faces. Parish would seldom slam dunk - just enough for the 2 points was the norm. These guys just got the job done. Must say though was always loved watching Clyde the glide. So smooth.
There have been 50 great players in the history of the NBA. Prop's to all. This guy did shit that was impossible. Michael looked awesome flying through the air, tounge sticking out. Larry didn't have that physical ability. That's what made him so amazing. His court awarness was ridiculous. He scored 30-40 regularly. But he generated as many points with stunning passes every night. Not to dis' anyone, but Larry was RI-Fuckin'-DICULOUS! I still get chills watching this shit. I miss old school NBA.
Magic didn't either, but no one ever gives him credit for that. Magic couldn't jump, he wasn't 'fast' (quick for 6'9") but it's always assumed that he was just so much more athletic than Bird...because he's black. Give MAGIC credit. He beat Bird more in the regular season and in the Finals. And he didn't score 30-40 a night, but 20 and 20 assists is probably more impressive.
Manu Ginobilis Bald Spot Props to Magic, no doubt. But you're forgetting the one thing that nearly everyone forgets when they mention Bird. And that is that he was never 100% healthy at ANY point in his career. Remember, he came into the league with a mangled finger on his shooting hand which he injured before his very first NBA game. That's why they say he was an even BETTER shooter in college than he was in the pros. Then there is the horrible back injury he sustained in 85 and by 88 his own doctor said his back condition would have ENDED other players' careers. The fact is, as incredible as Bird was, we never saw him at 100%. Furthermore, the Celtics overall in the 80s had more injuries as a team than Magic's Lakers. That's why I take Bird over Magic as the best all-around player to ever play. It is utterly SCARY to think what Bird would have done to this league had he been completely healthy his entire career. Magic himself said, when asked by other black players if Larry was really that good, "Man, Larry Bird is so good it's FRIGHTENING." And that was an INJURED Bird. Just utterly ridiculous. But props to Magic, my other favorite player. They both played the game the way it should be played and these players nowadays would get STEAMROLLED by Bird's Celtics and Magic's Lakers. I feel lucky to have grown up during this era and to have seen the two best all-around players to ever play. I'm still taking Bird, though. Peace.
MAGIC JOHNSON HAD 130 TRIPLE DOUBLES WHILE LARRY LEGEND HAD 59,BUT MAGIC WAS POINT GUARD WHICH MEANING TOUCH MORE THE BALL AND WOULD HAVE MORE CHANCES TO DISH THAN LARRY,LAKERS SCORE MORE POINTS THAN CELTICS BECAUSE WAS A HIGH TEMPO TEAM.CELTICS HAD A DENNIS JOHNSON LIKE POINT GUARD,BUT THE BEST PASSER TEAM WAS LARRY.FOR ME MAGIC JOHNSON HAS BEEN THE BEST POINT GUARD PASSING,LARRY THE BEST FORWARD PASSING AND MANU GINOBILI THE BEST SHOOTING GUARD PASSING.
+Forrester Jinkins Bill James the baseball guy, when it came to health considered injuries a part of the package, part of the player...so while it is tempting to say 'woulda beens' with the Bird's, Waltons. Bo Jackson's and Mickey Mantle's, injuries and durability is just part of the player...btw, his finger[right hand] is so crooked everyone who asks him for directions gets lost...it really is hideous for my money, 84-88 was plenty good enough, injuries and all....the guy, like Jordan, was so good he was killing people onthe court when most of his physical abilities were gone. Not just throwing Jordan in there, but if you want to know how fundamentally sound and smart Jordan was, watch him with the Wizards after age and wear got him...now Bird, in 1990 I think was scoring 40 occassionally and schooling people when other guys would be hooked on pain pills watching 'Days of Our Lives'. Bird famously said an older player told him his rookie year to stop diving and being a maniac if he wanted a long career...just part o the player, part of his personality...I mean didn't he injure his back originally doing manual labor while being a millionaire? Just part of who he was/is
Look at the angle of that last shot a few times. He was at an angle almost behind the backboard, falling away and as the one Boston sports writer said: "It had no business going in." Good players are born with an incredible natural ability and great eye/hand coordination. But, the great ones get that way through extra sheer hard work and being able to out think the opposition.
Without question the Best Game winning shot of Bird's career. Via satellite I saw the Celtics play EVERY game for 3 seasons, 84-86, winning 2 Championships. Was also in attendance during Bird's career high 60 point game vs the Hawks.3/12/85 at the Lakefront arena in New Orleans. He was unstoppable that night!
You know when he wasn't unstoppable? Game Six when Magic was running the Lakers past the Celtics. And then two years later, they did it again and rendered the Celtics to the past for 20 years.
Clarence E Baldwin Jr Bird was always unstoppable against the Lakers. NOBODY on LA could stick him. But the Celtics had nobody that could guard Magic. I watched each series and all 3 were close. Both teams were so awesome and Fun to watch. I wish the NBA was still like it was in the 80s.
+Manu Ginobilis Bald Spot So Magic gets all the credit for LA's success? I guess having Cooper to guard Bird and Kareem as MVP of the 85 finals means nothing? Teams win titles and that goes for Bird's Celtics as well.
+mrgrandprix fourspeed He was the MVP of 3 of the 5 Finals they won, so I'll give him 60% of the credit, how's that ;) The point is, Magic was winning FINALS MVP's at 20 and 22, but he was perceived as a second fiddle because he willingly incorporated his teammates in the game. That's what made him so great. He could've been a 25 point scorer as early as 1983 IMHO. But it would've come at the detriment of the team. And all the while, even when he was basically even with Bird athletically, Bird was the one being credited for high basketball IQ, all around game, etc. That narrative existed because Magic was black. Bird had MORE Hall of Fame teammates than Magic did (Cowens, Archibald, McHale, Parish, Walton, Dennis Johnson vs. Kareem, Worthy, McAdoo, and Wilkes), but somehow, Magic's teams were more loaded when they beat Boston. It's b/s. Bird scored more because he was a small forward. Kinda his job. Magic WON. Beat him in college, beat him 2 to 1 in the Finals, five rings to three overall, and won their regular season matchups 11-7 (22 to 15 overall counting the Finals). Bird is always propped up because of the scoring and Magic is punished ironically for doing what the SAME people who love Bird criticized Kobe Bryant for doing with Shaq...trying to assert his game with another superstar. Magic's 42/15/7...Bird NEVER had a game like that in the Finals. Ever. And that was Magic at 20! You don't think he could've scored a bunch more points? GTFOH. And Bird was so unstoppable Edward, that he shot 44.8% in the '85 Finals and 44.5% in the '87 Finals. Meanwhile, the series that Magic got labeled a choker in (1984), he averaged 18pts, 13.6ast, 6.8rebs and 2.0 stls on 56% shooting while Bird shot 48.4%. He was even more efficient than Larry Legend.
+Manu Ginobilis Bald Spot Sounds like u hav some real hatred for Bird? U do know that Kareem won the 80 FMVP after game 6? Its all covered in "Kareem" pgs 140-141. Votes were changed to please CBS. And u hold Magic's greatest game as a measuring stick that he could have achieved any time he wanted? GTFOH! Magic also set NBA record of 30 turnovers in 80 finals. Magic played horrible when it counted most in 84 finals. All players hav bad games + series. To prove a point, Magic in 83 finals shot 40.3% + in 91 finals shot 43.1% both worse than what u r grilling Bird. LA had better teams-they were favored to win - so did Mich state! Cowens + Archibald were at end of careers, Walton had 1 good year. Magic himself says he benefited a great deal by playing w Kareem = wide open shots and rim protector on D. Magic somehow was in Bird's shadow because he was black? No way - the press + public loved Magic. Sounds to me like u hav an agenda against Bird.
The footage of Bird during the 85 season is insane. It was the last season before his first major back injury and he was just steamrolling the league, regularly putting up 40+ points, often in just the first three quarters so he could sit out the fourth. Even though the Celtics didn’t win the title that year, I’d take 85 Bird over just about any player in history.
If Casey Jones walked up to Bird and said “Larry, I need you too take 10 to 12 three point shots a game, the record books would be different. I’m glad that wasn’t the case in the 1980s. It was such a better game than it is today.
@niemij Bird was a complete shooter, jump shots, set shots, shots off one foot, shots of wrong foot, layups, dunks, midrange, long range, whatever the situation called for, he could shoot it.
hen Bird was healthy he was a definitely a phenom and could control a game. Probably the greatest clutch shooter in history. Averaged 10 rebounds a game also and was not a jumper. He had phenomenal hands. He should have been more judicious with his dives though. He would have suffered less injuries and had a longer career. People paid more to see him play than to see the team win. A real chess master of the court. I think his shootout with Dominique Wilkins in the playoffs, I forgot the year, was probably the greatest basketball game ever played and is worth watching from time to time.
Who Else But Bird Could have theopposing team's players Going Funny over their Rival with a Display of ShooTing Unlike AnyOther in ProBasKeTbaLL HisTory Not Magic Not Jordon Not ANY1 will Ever duplicate what Dominic and Bird put ON display that Night .
Bird and Clyde trading go ahead shots at the end, but Clyde's last one left Bird a couple of seconds, all he needed. When Bird does this it never looks lucky.
What today's NBA is missing is everything else. Bird didn't play just an offensive game. He played a total game to win. From rebounding to passing to defense to hustling and diving for a loose ball. He did it all. Today's players just do not do that. The question isn't whether Larry Bird could play today, he obviously could, but if today's players could play in that 1980's NBA. Because that was a different game entirely.
All I can say is....who did the Celtics have to beat to get to Play the Lakers all those Prime years, and who did the Lakers have to beat....check it out man....Nooooo comparison, and the 87 season, every major Celtic was injured, and I mean serious injuries too, even Bird with a bad elbow....check it again....that Bird and the Celts even made it to the Finals is unreal....
+Brian Mellen All I can say is, the Lakers beat the Sixers twice and the Pistons once after those teams beat Boston in the playoffs...so it really didn't matter too much.
You are right man...but, I'm just saying...the Lakers had a heck of a time beating the Sixers, and lost to them, and lost to Detroit too...the Celts always had to beat them both, then had to play the mighty Lakers to win it all...the Lakers didn't have to beat anybody to get to the Finals to then beat the Sixers or Detroit... ...who did the West have to beat...???...maybe I'm wrong?!?... Hey I loved the Lakers and Celts games back then...todays BBall...not so much...
Not only was the whole team hurting, but we lost Lenny Bias 3 days after the draft after winning it all in 86. Can you possibly imagine what that kid could've accomplished if he had lived? Breaks my heart Everytime I think of it.
@@drummer8by2 they had the old San Antonio bois lead by George Gervin, and the Denver Nuggets with David Thompson, I don't know much about the 70s or 80s
Just like when that 3-pointer sunk the Bulls when Bird was the coach, no emotion whatsoever! Just doing his job. His job? Being the greatest clutch shooter in NBA history.
That is one of the greatest pieces of footage in sports history. You literally could not tell by Bird's reaction whether Miller had made the shot or not. It was a shocking game-winner against a dynastic team in the conference finals, Miller is jumping around as much as any shot he ever made, it was in front of a home crowd going crazy, and Bird had NO reaction.
Every other player would be jumping up and down after hitting that shot. Not Bird, acts so cool, like I've been there before. He has, many times before and will be many times later. Yet even more impressive, was when he dove for the loose ball and came up so fast, seemingly all in one motion. He was on the floor more than any other player, going for loose balls. Most times he made a great pass while still on the floor. Ironically his back paid a heavy price for it, shortened his career by many years. But that's why he's Larry Legend.
It's just that he did this so many times, it wasn't a big deal for him. I'm sure he always expected to hit every one of those shots and he pretty much did.
Glad I grew up on bird 🐦, and how they played the game ,we know how great he was,but ever game he did something, we was gonna talk about all week we ❤ and miss ya 🐦
Pause at 6:59 and just look at that for a minute. 😆🙀🤪 HOW ?? Freaking HOW ?? - He’s 7-8 ft behind the goal - 22 ft away - 2 defenders, trapped in corner - 2 seconds left, down 1 Pausing at 6:59 it looks like the ball is going to miss, too far right. But Birds momentum (moving left) corrects the trajectory so that it’s SPOT ON. Nothing but nylon.
Larry is simply the BEST ALL- AROUND player EVER!!! He made his teammates better more than anyone. I will take Larry in his prime over anyone even Michael!!!
trha2222 Bird was great every year. Statistically his two best seasons were 86-87 & 87-88. Via satellite I got to watch him play every game for 3 seasons, 83/84 - 85/86, winning 3 consecutive MVPs & two of his 3 championships. I was lucky enough to be in attendance for his career high 60 point game vs the Atlanta Hawks. It was played at The University of New Orleans' Lake Front Arena on 3/12/85. After almost 30 years that is still the Celtics single game scoring record.
That game at Lakefront must have been just crazy. I remember it well. The teams the Celtics put forth in that time period was something I will never forget.
When I was growing up my dad had one of those ridiculously big satellite dishes in the yard. State of the art back then and it gave me access to NESN, the New England Sports Network. We lived in Alabama but watching the Cs during the 80s and early 90s and listening to the play by play from Gorman and Heinsohn turned this Bama boy into a true Bostonian.
Blows my mind to see footage this old with Mike Gorman calling the play by play. He sounds exactly the same too, dude has been in the game for a while.
Via satellite I watched Bird play EVERY game for 3 seasons, winning championships in 84 & 86. Having been a darn good player myself, I can appreciate great talent. To me the best part about his game was his ability to use either hand to score. Great court vision. Uncanny passing skills!! Was a triple-double threat every night. He was the ultimate teammate, willing to do whatever it took to win. I would put him on my best Starting 5 by position along with Magic, Jordan, Chamberlain & K. Malone
This shot by Larry GOAT was done with Regularity!!!!! This was literally a Common day at the office fa Larry!!!! No one comes close to his overall Clutchness!!! An as Forrester jinkins below my current Comment already explained what I've stressed on many of my posts about Larry!!! It is amazin to think that Larry's full potential was never close to bein reached with his overall injurys literally starting before Eva entering the nba which is something of the equivalence of the Hustler/or kingpin did ya see the Great hustler an Halerious kingpin even tho woody actually lost his hand I'm just makin a point, an the back an bone spurs etc!!! no one else woulda done shit let alone still be amazin at what they did!!!! Larry was a tank with legs no exaggeration!!!! Da PIMP of all PIMPS baby!!!! Later!!!🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🐘🐼🐬🐳🐕🐻🐅🐖🐄
That shot and Christian laetners buzzer beater when Duke beat Kentucky in the college playoffs are the 2 greatest Clutch shots ever. No one did it better than Larry. You could have 1 freaking second on the clock and if bird has the ball IT,S OVER.
I remember watching this live as a 14 year old Blazers fan...Bird could hit from anywhere...he, Jordan, Kareem & Kobe were the most lethal players I ever saw...no game was over with those guys on the floor, until the clock showed all zero's. LeBron wishes he had that kind of killer instinct or a clutch gene.
Larry in my opinion is in the top 5 players all time but when the game is on the line and you need a winner, he is the most dangerous player ever
Bird and Jordan
All round he was the best player ever in his prime (84-87). But Jordan had a longer prime so it’s debatable.
Yeah, you don't want to be playing against Bird, still can't believe his 3-PT shooting percentage way back then, a real marksmen. But maybe the toughest guy mentally. Bird and MJ both going for the jugular. Something we don't see these days.
Drexler's legacy is criminally underrated....
My father talked about this shot my entire youth. RIP, pops. 🙏❤️
I'd take Bird in his prime over any player in history every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Most complete package to ever to play the game.
+trha2222 You got me there.
I like how you think, and you are right on the money. Bird in his prime is a slam dunk GOAT in my book. I'll do you one better. I'll take an old, broke back Bird every day of the week and twice on Sunday. He may not be a slam dunk GOAT. More like a shot from 45 feet, But I'll take my chances with Larry Legend.
Benjamin33 Then you’re srupid and biased lol Bird isn’t better than LeBron or Jordan or Hakeem or Shaq or Magic
Nox he's better than lebron honestly and imo he's better than Jordan think about it like this he's 6"10 has a deadly midrange and 3 pointer is amazing in the post and has a nice layup is way clutcher than lechoke and is a great great passer can play the 1-4 and can go off for 30 any given night and his defense is highly underrated the dude almost got a quadruple double and probably would've gotten it but decided to sit out for the final 2 minutes of the game
If a last few seconds play would decide the fate of humanity against the demons of hell, Bird would tell his defender what the play would be and where he would be taking the shot and then he would make that shot. "
Larry Bird Is The Greatest Smallforward Ever!
Bird, Dr J, Lebron, Durant,Havlicek, Baylor, Pippen, Worthy.
Turns around and shakes hands with a kid in the crowd immediately after shooting.
Pure class.
He was so calm after that shot. Like "I did what I was supposed to do."
That shot was insane. Unreal. No one does it like Bird. As clutch as we will ever see.
B-ball at its greatest. Those guys were tougher and didn't have all the stupid petty fouls that you get these days.
+Renegade8652 The light board in the background said it right as Bird was trying to get back on the court. BANG!
Impossible to defend!
3 seconds left, receiving in the corner, back to the basket, with 2 defenders on you. IT'S JUST NOT POSSIBLE.
He is the greatest player of all time.
Maybe a little bias, but thats the best buzzerbeater I've ever seen. Super ending and Clyde was great too.
two right on him, knowing he would get it
If i had to watch any player ever have a night out it would be 'THE LEGEND THAT IS LARRY BIRD' . . . . .
Magic Johnson was the Basketball Magician.
Larry Bird was the Basketball Wizard.
Vast respect for them both.
Bird was at least as good a passer, and a much better shooter.
I will say it till my last day. For a period of about 6-7 years from 82-88 or so, Larry Bird played the best pure basketball in history. Not crazy athleticism or dunks or fancy dribbling - just pure basketball skill and savvy and execution.
Great shooter. Great passer. Great rebounder. Great team defender. Great leader. Great winner. Not saying he was better than Jordan or has had the longevity of excellence like Lebron …. But for that window of time nobody has EVER played the game of basketball on a higher level.
A great era of basketball.
Larry Bird,is the best all around player in the NBA,past and present. The Best fo the Best.The G.O.A.T.
THE ANGLE ON THAT LAST SHOT WAS INSANE ! DOUBLE TEAMED !
How do you do that?
Bird- " I make shots like that all the time."
Purest basketball player who ever played the game Period!
He was just too good. Unreal. That spin and lefty finger roll near the end is fantastic. He was wetting shots from deep all game.
'thank you mrs. bird'. the GOAT.
THE BEST PLAYER IN THE BASKETBALL HISTORY !
+trha2222 Yes I recall that shot! It was very exciting...
For those people who knows real basketball would agree. The real GOAT.
mc go in his prime undoubtedly.
He scored 48 points on 9 dribbles!! And 5 of those dribbles were because he caught the ball at half court.
I love that stat.
@@jasoncamp483
Me too!
@@irishgrl Nice profile pic!
A real show of what made Bird so damn special.
Best game winner in NBA history I think...That looks like a very good game to have on DVD maybe.
I disagree. The best game winner was one where Bird got a steal and the assist...
The 1980s NBA and its players were far superior to those of today.
Today I saw a video where Wilt Chamberlin picked Larry Bird FIRST for his own personal starting lineup. In same Video, Bill Russel picked Larry Bird 3rd. NEITHER of them said MJ was the GOAT. They BOTH said b-ball is a TEAM sport and superstar players actually HURT the team bcuz they are too focused on THEMSELVES. Larry Bird is the most well-rounded skill wise, better leader, best b-ball IQ, most clutch player I’ve ever seen. Unselfish, 100% dedicated, killer instinct...none better in my book.
Simply the BEST player EVER.
behind MJ.
That pass Larry made at the 2:38 mark was incredible that deep in the paint in that kind of traffic... wow
I grew up in the 80s I watched Magic I watched Jordan I watched Bird "the legend" I watched all the greats and Bird was the best he was the G.O.A.T he was the most clutch basketball player that ever played. I hate this Jordan Bullshit that he was the greatest clutch player ever, he wasn't in BIRDS class L.B had him by a mile.
My love for basketball began and ended with Larry Bird. I remember going to look at the paper, the sports page, so I could read about him. The heart, he represented the working man, not the glitter of Hollywood. I'm from Dallas and I noticed the difference, during Bird's time, between the Boston fan and the Dallas fan. When Bird played the Boston fan was completely involved, emotionally, whereas in Dallas the fan is simply partaking in entertainment. Bird, what an icon.
Mark Middaugh Well said. Bird just got the job done. No frills. I miss that era.
the "glitter of Hollywood"..? what does that even mean..? do you know people in Hollywood actually work their asses off, putting in ridiculous hours running on 2 hours of sleep..? being that you're for the "working man" , i'm sure that's something you'd appreciate..
@@conni70 STFU U whiny turd
Yes , great commentary . I am from Boston and loved how he played . He was all about dedication , improving himself , making the most of his talents and playing for the team . I have to say I modeled myself in my own profession after Larry Bird's style of basketball play and his approach to the game
Nice to hear another city acknowledge another's city 's love for their team and Bird of course!! It's the same with the Red Sox!! We live and die with our Boston teams!! ❤
He is the best！
Everyone remembers the buzzer beater, but some forget about his 45 points prior to that shot.
Actually 46 prior.
bird has the most relax shot ever
Larry Bird The Legend!
The greatest of all-time!
2nd greatest
@@rmleider nope. First
The thing that made Bird a legend was he out worked everyone on the court.....never took anything for granted, never gave up, plus he was a great player........fierce!
My Idol ever… The best thing is the reaction after the winning shot… Calm and serenity, no need big expressions like today with Lebron's and other players like this.
C THAT Kid wonder what he said 2 Bird plus who was tugging at him ?
Agree Bird is the best ever my idol too
White people really think that stupid b/s matters. Bird was an introvert, cool. And?
Larry Bird was the best all-around player in NBA history.
Larry Bird is the GOAT.
Thanks for another great upload fatal. I had seen the game winner before but seeing the whole highlights really makes you appreciate Bird's effort. 48 pts is a monster game and Bird does this almost effortlessly. His dominance is all done in the flow of the game, and he could dominate a game in a variety of ways. Best all around player ever in the NBA
Bird was really something, never to be seen again.....
Sandy Combs The last play took more than two seconds. Refs and timekeeper cheated. Portland won that game. Bird’s basket should not have counted
@@donaldjones9830 And the count against George Foreman was fast and he shouldn't have been KO'ed by Ali. That sport, refs are flawed and make mistakes, life goes on.
@@donaldjones9830 without the last play he was still spectacular.
@@donaldjones9830 this is unfounded. One, the clock isn't supposed to start ticking until the ball is touched by a player. If you stopwatch the time from when Bird grabs the ball and dribbles and shoots, without looking at the ref's clock, it's at most 1.5 seconds. So even there, it's well within 2 seconds. End of story? Nope, because what you said is even MORE unfounded: The clocks back then didn't show sub-seconds, but it doesn't mean the didn't exist. On the previous inbounds, the clock read 3 seconds. A blazer touched it and batted it out of bounds. From the time the ball was touched to the time it was whistled dead was less than half a second - but it was enough for the clock to tick down to 2 seconds. Which means, TADA (math!) that there had to be more than 2.5 seconds on the clock. In other words, Bird had at least 2.5 seconds to hoist up a shot that only took him 1.5 seconds. How do people think they can make statements like this when the video clearly shows all evidence to the contrary? It's like some bizarre form of gaslighting.
@@donaldjones9830
You must be a hater because he got it off within 2 seconds of real time after touching the ball anyway. Also as the person above me commented, he could have had up to 2.9 seconds to get the ball off because the clocks back then didn't show tenths of seconds. But that's irrelevant as he got the shot off in under 2 seconds anyway as I mentioned. Put the video in × 0.25 speed and pause it the moment that the ball touches Bird's hand. The video is at 5:53. Now pause the video as soon as you see Bird release the ball. The video is still at 5:54 if you pause it at the correct time. Try again.
no one was better than BIRD. not then, not now
no one but MJ
@@rmleider
WRONG! BIRD > MJ.
@@irishgrl not even close. nobody is close to MJ czcams.com/video/HrwJPzZC6MM/video.html
As a kid watching the C's play I learned a lot of being calm cool and collected. What I loved was exactly how Bird reacted at the end of this play. No hooting and hollering or dancing around or in his opponents faces. Parish would seldom slam dunk - just enough for the 2 points was the norm. These guys just got the job done. Must say though was always loved watching Clyde the glide. So smooth.
you can't get any better than that! this guy was damn near unstoppable
There have been 50 great players in the history of the NBA. Prop's to all. This guy did shit that was impossible. Michael looked awesome flying through the air, tounge sticking out. Larry didn't have that physical ability. That's what made him so amazing. His court awarness was ridiculous. He scored 30-40 regularly. But he generated as many points with stunning passes every night. Not to dis' anyone, but Larry was RI-Fuckin'-DICULOUS! I still get chills watching this shit. I miss old school NBA.
Magic didn't either, but no one ever gives him credit for that. Magic couldn't jump, he wasn't 'fast' (quick for 6'9") but it's always assumed that he was just so much more athletic than Bird...because he's black. Give MAGIC credit. He beat Bird more in the regular season and in the Finals. And he didn't score 30-40 a night, but 20 and 20 assists is probably more impressive.
trha2222 eh..parish, mchale, bird, danny, and dj were arguably the best starting 5 of all time
...arguably of course haha
Manu Ginobilis Bald Spot
Props to Magic, no doubt. But you're forgetting the one thing that nearly everyone forgets when they mention Bird. And that is that he was never 100% healthy at ANY point in his career. Remember, he came into the league with a mangled finger on his shooting hand which he injured before his very first NBA game. That's why they say he was an even BETTER shooter in college than he was in the pros. Then there is the horrible back injury he sustained in 85 and by 88 his own doctor said his back condition would have ENDED other players' careers. The fact is, as incredible as Bird was, we never saw him at 100%. Furthermore, the Celtics overall in the 80s had more injuries as a team than Magic's Lakers. That's why I take Bird over Magic as the best all-around player to ever play. It is utterly SCARY to think what Bird would have done to this league had he been completely healthy his entire career. Magic himself said, when asked by other black players if Larry was really that good, "Man, Larry Bird is so good it's FRIGHTENING." And that was an INJURED Bird. Just utterly ridiculous.
But props to Magic, my other favorite player. They both played the game the way it should be played and these players nowadays would get STEAMROLLED by Bird's Celtics and Magic's Lakers.
I feel lucky to have grown up during this era and to have seen the two best all-around players to ever play.
I'm still taking Bird, though. Peace.
MAGIC JOHNSON HAD 130 TRIPLE DOUBLES WHILE LARRY LEGEND HAD 59,BUT MAGIC WAS POINT GUARD WHICH MEANING TOUCH MORE THE BALL AND WOULD HAVE MORE CHANCES TO DISH THAN LARRY,LAKERS SCORE MORE POINTS THAN CELTICS BECAUSE WAS A HIGH TEMPO TEAM.CELTICS HAD A DENNIS JOHNSON LIKE POINT GUARD,BUT THE BEST PASSER TEAM WAS LARRY.FOR ME MAGIC JOHNSON HAS BEEN THE BEST POINT GUARD PASSING,LARRY THE BEST FORWARD PASSING AND MANU GINOBILI THE BEST SHOOTING GUARD PASSING.
+Forrester Jinkins Bill James the baseball guy, when it came to health considered injuries a part of the package, part of the player...so while it is tempting to say 'woulda beens' with the Bird's, Waltons. Bo Jackson's and Mickey Mantle's, injuries and durability is just part of the player...btw, his finger[right hand] is so crooked everyone who asks him for directions gets lost...it really is hideous
for my money, 84-88 was plenty good enough, injuries and all....the guy, like Jordan, was so good he was killing people onthe court when most of his physical abilities were gone. Not just throwing Jordan in there, but if you want to know how fundamentally sound and smart Jordan was, watch him with the Wizards after age and wear got him...now Bird, in 1990 I think was scoring 40 occassionally and schooling people when other guys would be hooked on pain pills watching 'Days of Our Lives'. Bird famously said an older player told him his rookie year to stop diving and being a maniac if he wanted a long career...just part o the player, part of his personality...I mean didn't he injure his back originally doing manual labor while being a millionaire? Just part of who he was/is
This is one of the best ever, Larry was just amazing.
Best basketball player ever!!!
Look at the angle of that last shot a few times. He was at an angle almost behind the backboard, falling away and as the one Boston sports writer said: "It had no business going in." Good players are born with an incredible natural ability and great eye/hand coordination. But, the great ones get that way through extra sheer hard work and being able to out think the opposition.
Without question the Best Game winning shot of Bird's career. Via satellite I saw the Celtics play EVERY game for 3 seasons, 84-86, winning 2 Championships. Was also in attendance during Bird's career high 60 point game vs the Hawks.3/12/85 at the Lakefront arena in New Orleans. He was unstoppable that night!
You know when he wasn't unstoppable? Game Six when Magic was running the Lakers past the Celtics. And then two years later, they did it again and rendered the Celtics to the past for 20 years.
Clarence E Baldwin Jr Bird was always unstoppable against the Lakers. NOBODY on LA could stick him. But the Celtics had nobody that could guard Magic. I watched each series and all 3 were close. Both teams were so awesome and Fun to watch. I wish the NBA was still like it was in the 80s.
+Manu Ginobilis Bald Spot So Magic gets all the credit for LA's success? I guess having Cooper to guard Bird and Kareem as MVP of the 85 finals means nothing? Teams win titles and that goes for Bird's Celtics as well.
+mrgrandprix fourspeed He was the MVP of 3 of the 5 Finals they won, so I'll give him 60% of the credit, how's that ;) The point is, Magic was winning FINALS MVP's at 20 and 22, but he was perceived as a second fiddle because he willingly incorporated his teammates in the game. That's what made him so great. He could've been a 25 point scorer as early as 1983 IMHO. But it would've come at the detriment of the team. And all the while, even when he was basically even with Bird athletically, Bird was the one being credited for high basketball IQ, all around game, etc. That narrative existed because Magic was black. Bird had MORE Hall of Fame teammates than Magic did (Cowens, Archibald, McHale, Parish, Walton, Dennis Johnson vs. Kareem, Worthy, McAdoo, and Wilkes), but somehow, Magic's teams were more loaded when they beat Boston. It's b/s. Bird scored more because he was a small forward. Kinda his job. Magic WON. Beat him in college, beat him 2 to 1 in the Finals, five rings to three overall, and won their regular season matchups 11-7 (22 to 15 overall counting the Finals). Bird is always propped up because of the scoring and Magic is punished ironically for doing what the SAME people who love Bird criticized Kobe Bryant for doing with Shaq...trying to assert his game with another superstar. Magic's 42/15/7...Bird NEVER had a game like that in the Finals. Ever. And that was Magic at 20! You don't think he could've scored a bunch more points? GTFOH. And Bird was so unstoppable Edward, that he shot 44.8% in the '85 Finals and 44.5% in the '87 Finals. Meanwhile, the series that Magic got labeled a choker in (1984), he averaged 18pts, 13.6ast, 6.8rebs and 2.0 stls on 56% shooting while Bird shot 48.4%. He was even more efficient than Larry Legend.
+Manu Ginobilis Bald Spot Sounds like u hav some real hatred for Bird? U do know that Kareem won the 80 FMVP after game 6? Its all covered in "Kareem" pgs 140-141. Votes were changed to please CBS. And u hold Magic's greatest game as a measuring stick that he could have achieved any time he wanted? GTFOH! Magic also set NBA record of 30 turnovers in 80 finals. Magic played horrible when it counted most in 84 finals. All players hav bad games + series. To prove a point, Magic in 83 finals shot 40.3% + in 91 finals shot 43.1% both worse than what u r grilling Bird. LA had better teams-they were favored to win - so did Mich state! Cowens + Archibald were at end of careers, Walton had 1 good year. Magic himself says he benefited a great deal by playing w Kareem = wide open shots and rim protector on D. Magic somehow was in Bird's shadow because he was black? No way - the press + public loved Magic. Sounds to me like u hav an agenda against Bird.
The footage of Bird during the 85 season is insane. It was the last season before his first major back injury and he was just steamrolling the league, regularly putting up 40+ points, often in just the first three quarters so he could sit out the fourth. Even though the Celtics didn’t win the title that year, I’d take 85 Bird over just about any player in history.
If Casey Jones walked up to Bird and said “Larry, I need you too take 10 to 12 three point shots a game, the record books would be different. I’m glad that wasn’t the case in the 1980s. It was such a better game than it is today.
me and my buddy used to try this shot with the crazy pump fake and angle after practice in high school, don't think we ever made it
Everyone knows he's getting the ball. 2 defenders, off balance. Doesn't matter.
Really tough angle too.
@niemij Bird was a complete shooter, jump shots, set shots, shots off one foot, shots of wrong foot, layups, dunks, midrange, long range, whatever the situation called for, he could shoot it.
He's a better shooter than Kevin Durant Bird was the far superior player too
left hand or right hand Before a game he told the opposing coach he would put up 40 points left- handed. And he did.
Over the backboard
And left hand bank shots. Everything was his if he wanted it.
hen Bird was healthy he was a definitely a phenom and could control a game. Probably the greatest clutch shooter in history. Averaged 10 rebounds a game also and was not a jumper. He had phenomenal hands. He should have been more judicious with his dives though. He would have suffered less injuries and had a longer career. People paid more to see him play than to see the team win. A real chess master of the court. I think his shootout with Dominique Wilkins in the playoffs, I forgot the year, was probably the greatest basketball game ever played and is worth watching from time to time.
Who Else But Bird Could have theopposing team's players Going Funny over their Rival with a Display of ShooTing Unlike AnyOther in ProBasKeTbaLL HisTory Not Magic Not Jordon Not ANY1 will Ever duplicate what Dominic and Bird put ON display that Night .
Bird and Clyde trading go ahead shots at the end, but Clyde's last one left Bird a couple of seconds, all he needed. When Bird does this it never looks lucky.
Larry Bird was Legendary.
can you imagine watching a guy score 48 and then hit the game winner...those people got their moneys worth at the garden (for 13 seasons!)
17/28 from the floor, 12/12 from the free throw line.
+Huffnutz17 And Parrish went for 30 pts and 12 boards.
Larry Legend...but damn Drexler was good!
@trha2222 DREXLER WAS GREAT BUT BIRD WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD!
@trha2222 WE ON THE SAME PAGE DAWG!
Drexler is so overrated. I dont think he should even be top 50.
The GOAT 🐐 being the GOAT! Larry Legend
What today's NBA is missing is everything else. Bird didn't play just an offensive game. He played a total game to win. From rebounding to passing to defense to hustling and diving for a loose ball. He did it all. Today's players just do not do that. The question isn't whether Larry Bird could play today, he obviously could, but if today's players could play in that 1980's NBA. Because that was a different game entirely.
Larry was the GOAT
Not was but still is.
All I can say is....who did the Celtics have to beat to get to Play the Lakers all those Prime years, and who did the Lakers have to beat....check it out man....Nooooo comparison, and the 87 season, every major Celtic was injured, and I mean serious injuries too, even Bird with a bad elbow....check it again....that Bird and the Celts even made it to the Finals is unreal....
+Brian Mellen All I can say is, the Lakers beat the Sixers twice and the Pistons once after those teams beat Boston in the playoffs...so it really didn't matter too much.
You are right man...but, I'm just saying...the Lakers had a heck of a time beating the Sixers, and lost to them, and lost to Detroit too...the Celts always had to beat them both, then had to play the mighty Lakers to win it all...the Lakers didn't have to beat anybody to get to the Finals to then beat the Sixers or Detroit... ...who did the West have to beat...???...maybe I'm wrong?!?... Hey I loved the Lakers and Celts games back then...todays BBall...not so much...
Not only was the whole team hurting, but we lost Lenny Bias 3 days after the draft after winning it all in 86. Can you possibly imagine what that kid could've accomplished if he had lived? Breaks my heart Everytime I think of it.
@@drummer8by2 they had the old San Antonio bois lead by George Gervin, and the Denver Nuggets with David Thompson, I don't know much about the 70s or 80s
Just like when that 3-pointer sunk the Bulls when Bird was the coach, no emotion whatsoever!
Just doing his job.
His job? Being the greatest clutch shooter in NBA history.
That is one of the greatest pieces of footage in sports history. You literally could not tell by Bird's reaction whether Miller had made the shot or not. It was a shocking game-winner against a dynastic team in the conference finals, Miller is jumping around as much as any shot he ever made, it was in front of a home crowd going crazy, and Bird had NO reaction.
And he cut his own lawn the next day. A rare Bird he was!
Bird was so good. Just at his best a winner every time. Thank you Mr. Bird.
Every other player would be jumping up and down after hitting that shot. Not Bird, acts so cool, like I've been there before. He has, many times before and will be many times later. Yet even more impressive, was when he dove for the loose ball and came up so fast, seemingly all in one motion. He was on the floor more than any other player, going for loose balls. Most times he made a great pass while still on the floor. Ironically his back paid a heavy price for it, shortened his career by many years. But that's why he's Larry Legend.
Yet another reason why Bird was the greatest.
LARRY BIRD WHAT A CAREER!
And Bird just walks off the court like a BOSS.
It's just that he did this so many times, it wasn't a big deal for him. I'm sure he always expected to hit every one of those shots and he pretty much did.
Larry is simply the best basketball player ever...
Just the coolest...Larry Legend
Glad I grew up on bird 🐦, and how they played the game ,we know how great he was,but ever game he did something, we was gonna talk about all week we ❤ and miss ya 🐦
I can always count on fatal9ish for my Larry Bird fix. Thanks for uploading, man.
And how about that crazy layup by Drexler!
Pause at 6:59 and just look at that for a minute. 😆🙀🤪
HOW ?? Freaking HOW ??
- He’s 7-8 ft behind the goal
- 22 ft away
- 2 defenders, trapped in corner
- 2 seconds left, down 1
Pausing at 6:59 it looks like the ball is going to miss, too far right. But Birds momentum (moving left) corrects the trajectory so that it’s SPOT ON. Nothing but nylon.
Larry is simply the BEST ALL- AROUND player EVER!!! He made his teammates better more than anyone. I will take Larry in his prime over anyone even Michael!!!
7:03 Left buddy in the blue polyester suit hanging. Ice Cold.
He better hope Larry doesn't answer the phone when he calls for help because his car's broken down.
What a great time. They still looked like athletes instead of gangsters and thugs.
To be that kid that’s looking up at Bird after the game winner...
Glad to see no one has disliked this video! Larry freakin' legend!!
I'm a Bird guy, but that move by Drexler at 2:55 is something else...
GOAT
I was there. Never forget it.
Bird was in his absolute prime.
It was too bad. I think they would have taken the whole thing in 85 if not for that
trha2222 Bird was great every year. Statistically his two best seasons were 86-87 & 87-88. Via satellite I got to watch him play every game for 3 seasons, 83/84 - 85/86, winning 3 consecutive MVPs & two of his 3 championships. I was lucky enough to be in attendance for his career high 60 point game vs the Atlanta Hawks. It was played at The University of New Orleans' Lake Front Arena on 3/12/85. After almost 30 years that is still the Celtics single game scoring record.
That game at Lakefront must have been just crazy. I remember it well. The teams the Celtics put forth in that time period was something I will never forget.
Heart of a champion.
When I was growing up my dad had one of those ridiculously big satellite dishes in the yard. State of the art back then and it gave me access to NESN, the New England Sports Network. We lived in Alabama but watching the Cs during the 80s and early 90s and listening to the play by play from Gorman and Heinsohn turned this Bama boy into a true Bostonian.
Blows my mind to see footage this old with Mike Gorman calling the play by play. He sounds exactly the same too, dude has been in the game for a while.
The NBA was great back then with the competition between Boston Philly and LA. Bird. Doctor J. Magic and Kareem
Increíble. Ya casi no se ven éstos partidos con esa calidad y glamour.
Via satellite I watched Bird play EVERY game for 3 seasons, winning championships in 84 & 86. Having been a darn good player myself, I can appreciate great talent. To me the best part about his game was his ability to use either hand to score. Great court vision. Uncanny passing skills!! Was a triple-double threat every night. He was the ultimate teammate, willing to do whatever it took to win. I would put him on my best Starting 5 by position along with Magic, Jordan, Chamberlain & K. Malone
greatest basketball player ever
This shot by Larry GOAT was done with Regularity!!!!! This was literally a Common day at the office fa Larry!!!! No one comes close to his overall Clutchness!!! An as Forrester jinkins below my current Comment already explained what I've stressed on many of my posts about Larry!!! It is amazin to think that Larry's full potential was never close to bein reached with his overall injurys literally starting before Eva entering the nba which is something of the equivalence of the Hustler/or kingpin did ya see the Great hustler an Halerious kingpin even tho woody actually lost his hand I'm just makin a point, an the back an bone spurs etc!!! no one else woulda done shit let alone still be amazin at what they did!!!! Larry was a tank with legs no exaggeration!!!! Da PIMP of all PIMPS baby!!!! Later!!!🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🐘🐼🐬🐳🐕🐻🐅🐖🐄
2:49 Drexler hits one of the best shots you'll ever see.
Pure greatness.... I wish we could see bird vs lebron.
De las mejores canastas de la historia.
This was real basketball- Bird was awesome
Some guy puts out his hand in a "slap me 5" move after the buzzer beater and Larry leaves him hanging!
That shot and Christian laetners buzzer beater when Duke beat Kentucky in the college playoffs are the 2 greatest Clutch shots ever. No one did it better than Larry. You could have 1 freaking second on the clock and if bird has the ball IT,S OVER.
Michael was the best to ever play the Sport. Larry was the best to ever play the Game.
@2:56 what a play by Drexler
He called that last shot a “Hail Mary prayer.” Bird called that automatic.
I remember watching this live as a 14 year old Blazers fan...Bird could hit from anywhere...he, Jordan, Kareem & Kobe were the most lethal players I ever saw...no game was over with those guys on the floor, until the clock showed all zero's. LeBron wishes he had that kind of killer instinct or a clutch gene.
Watching the Celtics in the 80s, it was always Kareem that hurt them the most in the Finals more than any other Laker.