It could be argued that Celtics team was one of the best starting five to ever play together Mchale and Parish one hell of a big man duo. Dennis Johnson was the perfect point guard and Danny Ainge was a great 2 guard. Combine that with easily one of the best players who will ever play the game in Bird.....Damn
He could have honestly scored 80 if he took every open shot he had. And he would have been pushing 100 if they knew to take threes instead of all those long twos.
@@untexan I noticed that way back then. I started watching the game late 70's. So I remember the game without the 3pt line. Then comes Bird. I wondered why he's not taking 3's when he's making all his shots from just inside the line.
@@andybilakshow260 Bird was hardly the only one launching long twos. Any game from the 80s and you’ll see every perimeter player hitting shots from just inside the arc. It took until, like, the late 2000s for the concept of “effective field goal percentage” to get rid of the long two.
When you see the home crowd cheering for the opponent and the home team laughing and crying at the same time, that's when you're witnessing history being made!
Yes, Wilkins deserves honorable mention for sure. Sadly, Bird always beat the Hawks and advanced to the next round, everytime, Wilkins played great, but Larry always came out on top. I have a ton of respect for Dominique and he is the best dunker in NBA history and arguably one of the most underrated big game players I've ever seen! P.S. I wish Dominique would have stayed on the Spurs until 1999 to get a ring. In 1997, he averaged 18.2ppg and 6.4rpg. He could have been a mediocre role player on the Spurs in 1999.
@@airkuna Yes, and it isn't even close. TBH, that isn't anything I would write home about anyways, how do you think he feels about that today...it means absolutely nothing to him or true basketball fans...but, he is without a doubt the best in-game and dunk contest dunker ever. P.S. I personally think players with most rings or highest carer winning % are what all basketball players & teams strive for.
@@airkuna OK, I will take the bait. In your opinion, who the best "in game" + "dunk conest" dunker in NBA history??? IMHO, there are only 3 players who can be argued. They are Dominique, MJ, and Vince Carter. While Vince could have a feudal argument for the best in dunk contests, he isn't even in the same league as far as in game. Of course Zach Lavine and Aaron Gordon should get honorable mention for "conest' dunkers, but they are not in the same stratosphere "in-game". So now we go to the only 2 players who are even kn the argument...MJ & Nique. I honestly would concede that MJ can be argued over Wilkins for in-game dunks. However, when it comes to "dunk contests", "The Human Highlight Film" dwarfs all others!! MJ entered 3 dunk contests and won 1 (officially 2). In 1988, I watched the dunk contest live, and without a doubt Dominique won and it wasn't even that close. However, it was at the old "Chigago stadium" and even the broadcasters said that the judges would have NEVER made it out of there alive had they judged the competition fairly. Going into the final round, Wilkins needed a 47 to guarantee at least a tie (if MJ got a perfect 50 on his last dunk). Dominique's last dunk was a dunk he had not done before, and even MJ said "I would have given you a 49 at least, but it was a 50!" Wilkins got a 45 (worst dunk score in NBA history!) which gave MJ a chance to get a 48 to tie and 49 to win. Now, the contest was graded by 3 things, ORIGINALITY, FLAIR, and EXECUTION. If you attempt a dunk you already attempted, you are already docked 1pt. If you miss your first attempt, you were supposed to be automatically docked another point. At the most, that would give MJ all 8's or 9's, resulting in a final dunk with a top score of 45. The reason is MJ missed his 1st attempt on the last dunk, and had already did his "FT dunk" earlier in the contest. Not only that, but he actually jumped from inside the FT line. There was no doubt by players and true basketball fans who knew the rules and respected them! However, MJ still got a "50" to win by 2, and "sail off into the sunset" on his home court! Even if we want to pretend it was a "50", Dominique should have received at least a 48 (again, MJ himself said a minimum of 49!) and the contest would have been over! In the end, Dominique enters 5 contests and won 2 (but everyone who knows basketball and the contest( knows he won 4!!! Nique was also robbed in 1986 when Spud Webb won because he was 5'7", but Wilkins was at least 10 levels better! Spud received 2 perfect 50's in the championship round in 86, and Wilkins received a 50 + 48. The truth is that Nique should've got 98 to 100 and Spud should have 95 at best! Finally, Dominique is the only player to make 4 dunk contest finals and should be ONLY player with 4 wins. MJ did win in 1987 (ONLY because Wilkins didn't enter it that year!). So if you take Wilkin's 4 to 1 trophies, it isn't close. Now as far as "in-game", I would give a very slight advantage to MJ. He had more "clutch" dunks, while Dominique had more jaw-dropping regular season dunks. In the end, they were both the 2 greatest all-around dunkers in NBA history. Dominique was clearly the better dunker, but not by a whole lot. However, MJ was by far the better player amd winner! If you get a chance, watch all the dunk contests from 1985 to 1991 and from 1992 to today. Dominique and MJ put all the other "dunkers" to shame! No matter what anyone thinks of who is the best, the "best" contests were from 1985 to 1988. Just Google "the top 5 dunk contests of all-time". Dominique is #1 and #4, and #5 (1988, 1986, and 1985). If you look up top 10, the 1990 contest that Nique won is #10! The Vince Carter (vs McGrady) and Zach Levine wins are the only other contests that are even worth putting in the conversation. An honorable mention should go to Aaron Gordon!!! P.S. When it comes to the 3pt contest, Larry Bird is a MAN amongst BOYS!!! Bird entered the first 3 contests ever held. He won all 3, and was literally going off the backboard and shooting a rainbow to make it more interesting in the 1986 contest after making 11 straight on the final, and DESTROYING Craig Hodges who was universally considered by far the best "3pt shooter" in the NBA! Bird and Hodges are the only players to win it 3 consecutive times. Ironically, from 1986 to 1988, Hodges was bested by Larry everytime! There is this media narrative that Steph is the greatest and best shooter in NBA history! Maybe that could be argued when there is no pressure, and only from beyond the 3pt line. When it comes to all-around shooting, specifically "clutch" shooting, Curry is NOT in the top 5! The 5 greatest and best all-around shooters (especially from the midrange and FT line) in NBA history are: #1- Larry Bird #2- Reggie Miller #3- Michael Jordan #4- Jerry West #5- Kawhi Leonard Honorable mention: Dirk Ray Allen Steve Nash Mark Price John Stockton Steph Curry Kevin Durant Klay Thompson RIck Barry I also wanna give Kobe (who I rooted against and couldn't stand, because he was a great clutch shooter from everywhere on the floor, even though he missed way more often then he made!). Also Magic, even though he earned the nickname "Tragic Johnson" after choking FT's, he was still 10× the shooter in the clutch than he was in regular situations (and I couldn't stand him!) A player I want to mention is arguably the WORST and most overrated all-around shooter in the clutch is Lebron James. Not only is his 3pt shooting and midrange Giannis-esque, his FT shooting in the 4th and clutch in his career is abysmal!!!
Was living in New Orleans in 85 & was one of the privileged few who saw this game live. Over 3 seasons, 84-86 I saw EVERY Celtics game via satellite so I knew how good Bird was. But this performance blew away everybody in the stands. Just look at the Hawks bench as Bird made one impossible shot after another. After the game, people stood around for 15 minutes talking about the game. Bird had the game of his career, Now almost 30 years later, it is still the Celtics single game scoring record!
It's amazing to see when the camera sweeps the crowd- half of the fans are shaking their heads. If you watch other videos- (Portland buzzer beater) you see the same reaction.
When a 50-40-90 guy like Bird (of that height as well!) sets for his shot, the defender had better react, and then, half the time pump-fake and bye bye, but he never knows when exactly ;)
@@charlesstuart7290 I think it was Doc Rivers who said he just kept hitting play > rewind > play > rewind for about 20 minutes showing the Hawks bench ecstatic because of Bird's shooting.
I like the fact that this video was uploaded by a Lakers fan. Paying tribute to your rival's achievements, giving him the respect he deserves, I think that's really classy. Thanks for sharing this.
Rookie of the year, MVP of the league, MVP of the Finals, Coach of the year, Executive of the Year and the only player Michael Jordan has a loosing record against!!!
and MJ is 0-6 against Bird on playoffs. In fact, MJ had beat every great player in his era to win a series or title except for Larry Bird. He couldn't even win 1 game against Larry!
@@KWCline91 Hakeem is one of the most underrated players in NBA history along with Duncan & Bird. I have all 3 in my personal top 5 (along with MJ and Magic). The reason I have Magic in there is because he was the worst shooter and defender of the 5, but somehow was arguably the best winner & leader. The only 3 player I've seen who could completely dominate a game on both ends without scoring a single point are Bird, Magic, and Duncan. The only other player is Bill Russell, but I never saw him play live. My grandpa, dad, and other elders told me just how dominant he was on both ends (especially on defense and rebounding). P.S. Most people mistakenly think that scoring is what defines offense. In fact, offensive rebounds, setting picks & screens, PASSING, moving without the ball, and running an offensive system are all very important parts of offense that the average fan don't understand or care about.
This was either the third or fourth game NBA game I ever saw. My dad had one of those crazy Scientific Atlanta satellites that picked up stations (would later be used to decode cable signals...you know, the infamous black boxes of the 90s) all over the country. When Bird threw that 3 in that didn't count...my dad just stared, looked at me and said, "son, that's a cold ass white boy right there". That's about as high a praise as you could get from my pops. A die hard Lakers fan...and he was in reverence of the performance Larry put on. I hated Bird...but in time, my respect grew to admiration. ESPECIALLY in the way he responded to Magic's HIV announcement. He was a true friend. A real one. And one of the 3-4 best players to ever live, dead or alive.
I had one of those big 6 foot satellite dishes and was able to see Bird and Magic play a lot but I was mostly on Chicago Sports Channel seeing the entire career of Michael Jordan. We were lucky weren't we?
Real nice complement from Pops. Bird, put on this show for the fans of N.O. and out of respect and competition to Pistol Pete Maravich. Much before your time but worthy of a look at, Bird carried respect.
Bird didnt win with great speed and dunks, but some of the toughest, most clutch play I've ever seen. Bird said, anyone can score in the first 3 quarters. Champions score in the 4th with the game on the line. And that's what separated Bird from the rest.
He wasn't underrated everyone knew he was a good passer it wasn't a secret heck hes doing it in front of everyone and won championships with some good passes
The very best passer was a little white guy named John Stockton. STILL holds the record for all-time assists. And now, Harden is gatting like 20 assists per game. Fear The Beard. 👻
Doesn't get enough love the 80's were Larry Magic and the rest of the guys lol. Then MJ stole all Nique Unique athletism during popularity contest aka Dunk Contest
@Mike Duncan Dominique was indeed great ! Some of my fondest memories are the battles 'Nique and Bird had. "Nique got the points, and Bird got the wins.
the crazy part is that before he hurt his thumb in college he had an EVEN BETTER touch believe it or not. In 1985, 86, and 87 he was literally unstoppable. One of the most gifted pure shooters ever.
I was in attendance for this game. IMO, the 80s was the pinnacle of NBA basketball. There were so many very good teams. This era revitalized NBA basketball from the pits, putting it on an uphill climb to where it is today. The decade of Larry Bird & Magic Johnson, the Celtics & Lakers. The end of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's brilliant career & the beginning of Michael Jordan's. IMO these 2 would be on my All-Time starting 5 by position with Bird, Magic & Karl Malone. But there are SO many great players
I’d say overall the best era of the game was 1983-1998. The 80s had it’s own unique style though; the rivalry between the Celtics vs Lakers, Bird (w/ McHale, Johnson, Parish) vs Magic (w, Kareem Abdul-Jabber!, Worthy, Cooper), that ‘83 76ers team, The Human Highlight Reel Dominique, The Bad Boy Pistons, A young athletic peak Jordan! 80s Ball was pure action
attention all you ham and eggers out there in lala land. 60 points back in 1985 is a lot different than 60 points today. see, back in 1985 there were guys who played defense, not only that they played it well !! bird is more of a bad ass than anybody playing today !!!
bird played with broken thumb, and with back spasms, Lebron gets a hang nail and misses 4 games, I quit watching 4 years ago after attending a pacer game where they had a 27 point lead with about 4 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter and ending up losing, 4th quarter lasted 57 minutes due to all of the fouling and free throw shooting.@slip satch
I was in a restaurant a while back and an NBA game was on the TV. Pacers and Bucks if I remember correctly. It was awful basketball. Invariably each team would come down the floor, make a couple of passes and jack up a 25 footer. Contrast that with the Red Holzman NY Knicks teams of the early 70s. The Knicks (Frazier, Monroe, Barnett, DeBusschere, Lucas, Bradley & Reed) would set up in the front court. Every one would touch the ball. A couple of defenders would be run into screens. Result: an uncontested 15 foot jump shot or a layup. And every body was a good shooter.
All NBA stars with inflated salaries need to understand that Bird/Magic and later MJ saved basketball and helped market a dying league. I miss the 80s and basketball when it was played the right way with Defense, passing, passion, teamwork, etc. Bird could shoot, runs the floor, passed as well as Magic, boxed out, great help defense, etc. Bird understands the game and made everyone better. He turned Parrish into a star.
@@Butter-gz4kb Spurs 4-5 years ago put on a clinic when the beat the Heat. Sacramento? WTF did they ever win NOTHING and you wanna mention them with the 86 Celtics. Teams can pass the ball all over the court doesn't mean shit if you don't win.
Larry( broken back) bird:: kobe Bryant vs Larry bird: ; 81 Points for kobe Bryant Vs Larry bird; LeBron james vs Larry bird;; LeBron James broke Kareem Abdul jabber career scoring record:: Nikola jokic 7 foot tall vs Larry ( broken back) bird ;
Dirk nowitzki would've scored 50s points against Larry bird; Nikola jokic would've scored 50s points against Larry bird, LeBron Jame would've scored 50s points against Larry bird
@@loydkline Hardly. Larry had team skills. That's why his team won so many championships. Larry is a better player and could score on any defense at will.
+Roger James Yep. The reaction by the Hawks bench is awesome. And to think that Bird was also a notorious trash-talker and would often tell opposing defenders what he was gonna do the next play--and usually still make the shot--was some crazy shit. Aside from Jordan (and maybe Kobe?), I don't think there has ever been another player who has hit so many clutch shots as Bird.
@@ddave7026 Doc Rivers said Coach Fratello was upset because "it's one thing to be in awe of a(n opposing) player... it's another to be high-fiving his performance."
DJ was half of Birds success - the two of them knew each other so well that DJ knew exactly what Bird was going to do, and could feed him the ball exactly where Larry wanted it. It was a marvel to watch in person.
@@macsaints10 DJ was the perfect partner to Larry - a championship player in his own right,, and one hell of a passer once he figured out what Larry and the others needed to make their games nearly perfect. I always marveled at his fast hands - his steals were simply beautiful.
@@juniorjohnson9509 Dennis was on the Supersonics NBA championship team. Can you name the other 4 starters and the 1st man off the bench, and the coach? The embarrassed the Lakers, with Magic and Kareem. No fair Googling it. 🤔
I think those guys in that era were amazing. Bird is if not the best ever in the conversation for it. He is on the short list of greatest ever to play. Wow.
LARRY BIRD, His Name means, HE IS LARRY "BIRD" What a genius, He really made the Stadium tremor, The crowd is enjoying it, and me too, I remember those days.He was also a humble man,Long live LARRY BIRD.🇺🇸🏀👈👍
I was in attendance at this game. 3/12/85 at the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans. Bird was being guarded very well by Wilkins but still torched him with one impossible shot after another..Just watch the reaction of the Hawks bench. That pretty much says it all.
I was also there. One of the most memorable nights of my life. I still hang a photo of that night in my house of Larry shooting a 3. It was the greatest display of shooting the basketball ever.
Bird was the man, he is the greatest shooter of all time. He was also a great passer. Dominique Wilkins also had a great game. He was such a great player as well. His leaping ability and hang time was amazing.
That one three point shot where he was contested and bumped chests with the defender is one of the best shots I've ever seen. Unbelievable concentration.
+Yogen Grg And even crazier is Bird was renowned for not only being one of the biggest trash-talkers ever, but he'd often tell opposing teams/players what he was going to do/where he would shoot it, and more times than not he STILL made the shot. And usually the defenders who guarded Bird were usually one of the opposing teams best defenders (e.g. Dennis Rodman, Michael Cooper, etc.). Pat Riley was once asked if his life depended on a player making a shot, who would he want to take that shot? He said Larry Bird.
This is my favorite NBA clip sequence of all time. It actually becomes cinematic at a certain point--particularly when you look at the Atlanta bench in the background, gradually progressing from being amazed by Bird's shooting to actually cheering him on. I don't know of any other instance in any professional sporting contest I've ever seen where players on a bench begin to cheer for an opponent.
Best part of this whole thing is the guys reactions on the Atlanta bench. They knew they were watching greatness. Imagine if Bird had the Athletic ability of a MJ or LBJ what he coulda / woulda did. Smartest player to ever play the game. He was playing chess everyone else was playing checkers.
@@lelov1392 yep. It didn't matter if it was practice a pick up game or Game 7 of the NBA Finals he played ALL OUT no matter. It was the only way he knew how, probably cut a few years off his career but he left it all on the court. Played till he couldn't play no more. Never took a night off for "load management" like the Prima Donna's nowadays.
@@lelov1392 I grew up just south of Boston in the 80s he definitely is Larry Lagend to me. Got him in my starting 5. PG Magic SG Jordan SF Bird PF Duncan C Russell I flip flop between Russell & Kareem but Russell was the better defender and I have plenty of Offense. LeBron would be my 6th man because of his versatility.
@@joespitler3929 Nice line up there. Mine would be: PG: Stockton relieved by Magic SG: Jordan. relieved by Lebron SF: Bird. relieved by Pippen PF: Duncan relieved by Malone C: Chamberlain relieved by Russel/ Hakeem You know what, the hardest thing about doing this line up is who’s gonna be worthy of relieving Bird, still indecisive, the guy is just freaking irreplaceable! Okay Uncle Larry get ready to play the full 48 minutes! 😂😂😂
In this non physical era, with a healthy back, all the trainers, modern tech in shoes, and the way the three point shot it utilized Bird could average 40. The Celtics used to come to Hartford 10 x a year in the 80s and we’d get there early to watch him warm up, I swear he hit about 35 threes in a row in pre-game.
Wilkins was one of the greatest small forwards the game has ever seen. I put him ahead of Barkley, Worthy, and Pippen. Personally, I put him ahead of LeBron because LeBron is a pussy.
It was a great time to be a basketball fan that's for sure. The 86 Celtics (and i'm a Bulls / Jordan fan).is the Greatest team ever IMO. The 72 win Bulls team being the 2nd best.
Joe Spitler lol I'm a celtics fan and a Jordan fan but that Lakers team with Magic, Kareem, Byron Scott, Mcadoo, Worthy and Cooper I'd put up against anybody. When you have the greatest pg,the greatest center and one of the greatest defenders of all time on your good things are going to happen
I was in these times a big fan of Sixers and Doctor J and hated Larry Bird. But now I have to admit he was the greatest of his period, and I think he would be even today one the greatest player in the NBA, because he had all qualities (3 point shot, fade away shot, in the paint, ball handliing, passing, defense, rebound, left hand like right and, everything)
Larry Bird FOREVER...I was 7 at this moment and wanted desperately basket shoes like his. But we were a poor thing in what was back then a communist Yugoslavia, couldn't find that kind of shoes for a seven years kid. Bird is great, great memories, he made me love basketball. One of the greatest in NBA history, if not the greatest. To me its a real MYTH.
I grew up in SoCal. The first time I went to see the Lakers at The Forum was during the 86-87 season. I can’t emphasize enough how that era was the absolute greatest time in pro basketball history! I was so fortunate to have had my favorite team as the Lakers during those winning times! Not to mention being around for the epic rivalries, especially with Boston! Watching the Hawks players react to Bird… That just tells you right there; the greatest professional players in the world are enjoying the game that much!!!… AND reacting to the opposite team/opponent speaks volumes!!!
That was sick! :) My favourite sportsman of all time. Never got to watch him play :( What an absolute HUMBLE champion! Was always about the team and never himself!
Curry maybe. BUT... Larry broke his shooting hand when he was a kid and his shot never fully recovered. If that had not happened.... Well. It's impossible to say. In basketball heaven they can settle it once and for all.
@@Caesarz2010 Curry is the greatest long range shooter ever, no question but Bird was a better all around shooter plus and more important Larry was a great clutch shooter, maybe the best. Curry is a great player and champion however, but Larry Joe Bird was a better assassin.
Ben Jammin Jordan was top 7 player of the 80s.. and the greatest player of all time... Larry bird is my favorite player ever and I think Larry legend was the best player in the nba throughout the 80s... bird, magic, and Kareem are probably my top 3 of the 80s... bird and magic were the best 2players from that era by far.. but what Jordan did in the 90s along with his great play from his early career in the 80s makes him the goat.. I'm not a Jordan fan and I hate to say it, but Micheal Jordan was the best basketball player the nba/world has ever seen... Larry bird is top 3 of all time imo..
GOOD LORD the quality on this is incredible! Love to see the whole game again in this quality! Oh yeah, and Bird? Just a disgusting performance. He was so in the zone, and he knew it. I wouldn't be surprised if he was just trying screwball shots half the time, just to see what would happen.
I was a student at Indiana State University the entire time Legend played there. He did things back then I still don't believe and I'm grateful that he had a long NBA career so the world could see and be amazed by the basketball genius he truly was.
That's why he's called "The Legend"! Bird could score at will like that on any team, anytime, regular season, playoffs, Finals, it didn't matter! He was a Legend! Something else that's unique is that, he wasn't gunning, looking for his own shot the whole game. He was in the flow with his teammates, passing, moving the ball, throwing outlets, interior passing, in complete flow with his teammates until about the 8 minute mark of the fourth quarter when he really started looking for his shot and his teammates started looking for him! That's what make players like him way above everyone else! B-ball I.Q. off the charts! Both he and Magic were something to behold. Never ever thought I'd be saying this about Boston because I couldn't stand them growing up, but you've got to give it to them! They were a well oiled machine with one of the best players the NBA has ever had... Nique didn't do to bad either, by the way😎!
Bird puts on such a game face that, even when he sets the record, he looks like he's totally unaware. After retirement, in a much later interview with McHale, Bird said that he didn't even think about specific moments during a game, he just got into the flow and went with it.
I don't think that's true. Supposedly Bird would ask the ballboy to find out the record for the arena and then he would try to break it. Guys who say they don't care about stats are full of BS.
He was aware. When Mchale set the record 2 weeks before and took himself out of the game early, Bird told him, you better stay in this game because if I get hot, i am not taking myself out early and i'll break your record.
Absolutely crazy shooting performance. Bird was a master at freeing up just enough space to get his shot off, even against superior defenders. And he had the confidence to take it and know it was going in.
I like how you’re showing Wilkins too, he had a great game but it was Larry’s night and I was born and live in New Orleans and wish I could’ve went to this game. Born in ‘86
Thing to remember about bird and magic is that they really changed the game. It's not just that they played well; they played it in a way that people hadn't played before. There's something to that goes beyond just being a good player. They made the game itself a better game.
Their similar play styles of great vision, passing, and team ball provided a fluent almost poetic flow. You watch old highlights of The Lakers and Celtics and it is damn art the way they passed and played the transition game. Alot of older fans like to bash todays NBA players. The players are just as good, the way The NBA game is played has changed for the worse in my opinion. They bring the ball up the court, dribble dribble, dribble. Shot clock gets to ten and they spread the court and team superstar drives and either shoots, gets fouled, or kicks out for three.. It is so damn systemic, compared to the fluent game of the 80's, its dull. I wish The NBA would back up the three line and do away with the shot clock. The shot clock has actually slowed the game down in recent years.
Lakefront Arena in New Orleans 3/12/85. Was living there & was lucky enough to be 8 rows off the floor. Was right behind the Hawks bench when Bird made that bomb at the end. It should have counted. Was the greatest exhibition of shooting I had ever seen. Via Satellie I saw Bird play every game for 3 seasons. The guy was unreal. Had it not been for Magic's Lakers being equally as good, the Celtics also win in 85 & 87. If they had not lost Len Bias they probably win in 87 easily. Terrible loss!
Back in the 80's , THE BIRD WAS THE WORD ! ...... To be honest , I'm not a big b balll fan but, Larry came outta no whare during that game . I still rember it to this,day . What a masterful performance ! FLY BIRD FLY! Former Seattle Supersonics player Dennis Jonson's game was wickied that night as well. BRING BACK THE SUPERSONICS!
I remember watching a Celtics game around Bird's injury years, I think it was 90, when I was in high school and just getting into bball. And he got around 50. It was a massive score in an otherwise bad season. It was at the Garden, pretty sure against either Atlanta or Philadelphia. I've never seen a highlight reel from that game on youtube.
Responding to a comment from six years ago....lol....but I remember that game...it was against Atlanta....you're right. It was the 89-90 season when he came back after missing the previous year all about for six games because of surgery on both of his heels.....I remember watching it on TBS I believe. He was still great that year despite being a shell of his former self...24ppg, 9.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists, led the league in free throw shooting, etc. and played 75 games. It was the next couple years that his back, which was already horrible, really decimated him.
If you want to see a great game watch the game against the blazers. March 15th 1992. I was home cruising through the channels as a kid and saw the game about to start. This is the best game I ever saw. Double OT and Bird had 49 points and 54 minutes played and a triple double. Keep in mind Bird had a terrible back at this point in his career and you would often see him lying on the ground on the sideline trying to keep his back stretched out. This was against a great blazers team, clyde the glide, jerome kersey, and terry porter. Danny Ainge was also on the blazers then and scored 19. The Celtics won 152-148.
When people talked about the best shooter of all time in the NBA, they don't mention Bird's name. I've been a NBA fan for 40 years and I am a Suns fan. Larry Bird is the best shooter I've ever seen. You have to know he played in the 80s and the rules were different.
McHale's Celtic record of 56 pts. in one game, lasted 2 weeks. So, your power forward and your small forward are each capable of putting up 56 or more points in a game and everybody goes home happy. Really they were The Greatest Team EVER!!!!
Ben M Yeah, I was pleasantly surprised here. Most people know him as a member of the '90s Jazz squads. Couldn't believe they called him a "baby bird". He looked like the best I've ever seen of him.
People always thought Bird was slow but he was quick, just look at the footage. He's not explosive but he's quick. How many 6'9 PF can move as quick as that?
I like to relate BIrd's technique to the fundamentals of the golf swing, in that every motion should be deliberate, with little-to-no wasted or unnecessary movements. It's why he looks lazy. He was trying to master something greater than basketball. Effortless power and precision in the flow state.
I have watched this many times, being a bird fan from my youth. What I noticed this time was the amazing defense by the Hawks and the personal effort of Dominique. Despite the marvelous play of DJ, et al, if this had not been a Bird supergame, the Hawks would have blown it out IMHO.
Maybe it's just the way people were hanging on him ,with those impossible shots going in-I know other players have scored more-but this still strikes me as the most impressive shooting display ever...the shots hardly ever touched the rim...r
Brisco what irritates me is normally when this game comes up in conversation, Kobe's 81 point game comes up also. The difference is, Kobe was gunning from start to finish! Bird wasn't! In the second half of the game that Kobe scored all those points, just about every shot he took, he was wide open, they were all freebees! Bird certainly had more shots contested...
To me Larry Bird was the greatest player to ever play basketball 🏀. I loved watching him play the game.
I honestly think along with Magic, cuz he motivated Bird.
It could be argued that Celtics team was one of the best starting five to ever play together Mchale and Parish one hell of a big man duo. Dennis Johnson was the perfect point guard and Danny Ainge was a great 2 guard. Combine that with easily one of the best players who will ever play the game in Bird.....Damn
Why no one ever talk about John Stockton, Karl Malone, and Charles Barkley and, even, Kobe?
@@williamtsmith9668 I'll give you Kobe.
He's in the top three for sure . May be the best..
60 points and he was unselfish. No NBA player will ever come close to the amazing basketball skill of Larry Bird.
He passed up at least ten more
And the one where he fell in the bench should have counted he was into his shot when the whistle blew
He could have honestly scored 80 if he took every open shot he had. And he would have been pushing 100 if they knew to take threes instead of all those long twos.
@@untexan I noticed that way back then.
I started watching the game late 70's. So I remember the game without the 3pt line.
Then comes Bird. I wondered why he's not taking 3's when he's making all his shots from just inside the line.
@@andybilakshow260 Bird was hardly the only one launching long twos. Any game from the 80s and you’ll see every perimeter player hitting shots from just inside the arc. It took until, like, the late 2000s for the concept of “effective field goal percentage” to get rid of the long two.
When you see the home crowd cheering for the opponent and the home team laughing and crying at the same time, that's when you're witnessing history being made!
Neutral site.. New Orleans
My brother was at that game. He came home and was speechless. He barely could catch his breath. All he said was Bird was incredible.
Bird was incredible. Wilkins was pretty good too. Damn i miss the NBA.
Me too man
Wilkins was more than pretty good 😂
The 80s and 90s NBA was something special. It was like watching the Greek Pantheon of basketball.
Sure was, Adino!
Bird was absolutely on fire 🔥 But Wilkins was also killin’ it. Amazing era in the NBA
Yes, Wilkins deserves honorable mention for sure. Sadly, Bird always beat the Hawks and advanced to the next round, everytime, Wilkins played great, but Larry always came out on top. I have a ton of respect for Dominique and he is the best dunker in NBA history and arguably one of the most underrated big game players I've ever seen!
P.S. I wish Dominique would have stayed on the Spurs until 1999 to get a ring. In 1997, he averaged 18.2ppg and 6.4rpg. He could have been a mediocre role player on the Spurs in 1999.
@@anthonyzarate9807 no he's not the best dunker of all time
@@airkuna Yes, and it isn't even close. TBH, that isn't anything I would write home about anyways, how do you think he feels about that today...it means absolutely nothing to him or true basketball fans...but, he is without a doubt the best in-game and dunk contest dunker ever.
P.S. I personally think players with most rings or highest carer winning % are what all basketball players & teams strive for.
@@anthonyzarate9807 😄😁😁😆😆this is only your opinion.. but unfortunately not true..
@@airkuna OK, I will take the bait. In your opinion, who the best "in game" + "dunk conest" dunker in NBA history???
IMHO, there are only 3 players who can be argued. They are Dominique, MJ, and Vince Carter. While Vince could have a feudal argument for the best in dunk contests, he isn't even in the same league as far as in game. Of course Zach Lavine and Aaron Gordon should get honorable mention for "conest' dunkers, but they are not in the same stratosphere "in-game".
So now we go to the only 2 players who are even kn the argument...MJ & Nique.
I honestly would concede that MJ can be argued over Wilkins for in-game dunks. However, when it comes to "dunk contests", "The Human Highlight Film" dwarfs all others!! MJ entered 3 dunk contests and won 1 (officially 2). In 1988, I watched the dunk contest live, and without a doubt Dominique won and it wasn't even that close. However, it was at the old "Chigago stadium" and even the broadcasters said that the judges would have NEVER made it out of there alive had they judged the competition fairly. Going into the final round, Wilkins needed a 47 to guarantee at least a tie (if MJ got a perfect 50 on his last dunk). Dominique's last dunk was a dunk he had not done before, and even MJ said "I would have given you a 49 at least, but it was a 50!" Wilkins got a 45 (worst dunk score in NBA history!) which gave MJ a chance to get a 48 to tie and 49 to win.
Now, the contest was graded by 3 things, ORIGINALITY, FLAIR, and EXECUTION. If you attempt a dunk you already attempted, you are already docked 1pt. If you miss your first attempt, you were supposed to be automatically docked another point. At the most, that would give MJ all 8's or 9's, resulting in a final dunk with a top score of 45. The reason is MJ missed his 1st attempt on the last dunk, and had already did his "FT dunk" earlier in the contest. Not only that, but he actually jumped from inside the FT line.
There was no doubt by players and true basketball fans who knew the rules and respected them! However, MJ still got a "50" to win by 2, and "sail off into the sunset" on his home court! Even if we want to pretend it was a "50", Dominique should have received at least a 48 (again, MJ himself said a minimum of 49!) and the contest would have been over!
In the end, Dominique enters 5 contests and won 2 (but everyone who knows basketball and the contest( knows he won 4!!! Nique was also robbed in 1986 when Spud Webb won because he was 5'7", but Wilkins was at least 10 levels better! Spud received 2 perfect 50's in the championship round in 86, and Wilkins received a 50 + 48. The truth is that Nique should've got 98 to 100 and Spud should have 95 at best!
Finally, Dominique is the only player to make 4 dunk contest finals and should be ONLY player with 4 wins. MJ did win in 1987 (ONLY because Wilkins didn't enter it that year!). So if you take Wilkin's 4 to 1 trophies, it isn't close.
Now as far as "in-game", I would give a very slight advantage to MJ. He had more "clutch" dunks, while Dominique had more jaw-dropping regular season dunks. In the end, they were both the 2 greatest all-around dunkers in NBA history. Dominique was clearly the better dunker, but not by a whole lot. However, MJ was by far the better player amd winner!
If you get a chance, watch all the dunk contests from 1985 to 1991 and from 1992 to today. Dominique and MJ put all the other "dunkers" to shame! No matter what anyone thinks of who is the best, the "best" contests were from 1985 to 1988. Just Google "the top 5 dunk contests of all-time". Dominique is #1 and #4, and #5 (1988, 1986, and 1985). If you look up top 10, the 1990 contest that Nique won is #10! The Vince Carter (vs McGrady) and Zach Levine wins are the only other contests that are even worth putting in the conversation. An honorable mention should go to Aaron Gordon!!!
P.S. When it comes to the 3pt contest, Larry Bird is a MAN amongst BOYS!!! Bird entered the first 3 contests ever held. He won all 3, and was literally going off the backboard and shooting a rainbow to make it more interesting in the 1986 contest after making 11 straight on the final, and DESTROYING Craig Hodges who was universally considered by far the best "3pt shooter" in the NBA! Bird and Hodges are the only players to win it 3 consecutive times. Ironically, from 1986 to 1988, Hodges was bested by Larry everytime!
There is this media narrative that Steph is the greatest and best shooter in NBA history! Maybe that could be argued when there is no pressure, and only from beyond the 3pt line. When it comes to all-around shooting, specifically "clutch" shooting, Curry is NOT in the top 5! The 5 greatest and best all-around shooters (especially from the midrange and FT line) in NBA history are:
#1- Larry Bird
#2- Reggie Miller
#3- Michael Jordan
#4- Jerry West
#5- Kawhi Leonard
Honorable mention:
Dirk
Ray Allen
Steve Nash
Mark Price
John Stockton
Steph Curry
Kevin Durant
Klay Thompson
RIck Barry
I also wanna give Kobe (who I rooted against and couldn't stand, because he was a great clutch shooter from everywhere on the floor, even though he missed way more often then he made!). Also Magic, even though he earned the nickname "Tragic Johnson" after choking FT's, he was still 10× the shooter in the clutch than he was in regular situations (and I couldn't stand him!)
A player I want to mention is arguably the WORST and most overrated all-around shooter in the clutch is Lebron James. Not only is his 3pt shooting and midrange Giannis-esque, his FT shooting in the 4th and clutch in his career is abysmal!!!
Was living in New Orleans in 85 & was one of the privileged few who saw this game live. Over 3 seasons, 84-86 I saw EVERY Celtics game via satellite so I knew how good Bird was. But this performance blew away everybody in the stands. Just look at the Hawks bench as Bird made one impossible shot after another. After the game, people stood around for 15 minutes talking about the game. Bird had the game of his career, Now almost 30 years later, it is still the Celtics single game scoring record!
It's amazing to see when the camera sweeps the crowd- half of the fans are shaking their heads. If you watch other videos- (Portland buzzer beater) you see the same reaction.
You know your a beast when the opposing team is reacting to your shots
When a 50-40-90 guy like Bird (of that height as well!) sets for his shot, the defender had better react, and then, half the time pump-fake and bye bye, but he never knows when exactly ;)
Fratello had a little seminar about that after the game.
They were fined for celebrating Larry Bird's shots lol. I saw an interview of Dominic Wilkens where he talked about that. Pretty funny.
You’re
@@charlesstuart7290 I think it was Doc Rivers who said he just kept hitting play > rewind > play > rewind for about 20 minutes showing the Hawks bench ecstatic because of Bird's shooting.
I like the fact that this video was uploaded by a Lakers fan. Paying tribute to your rival's achievements, giving him the respect he deserves, I think that's really classy. Thanks for sharing this.
Lol this video came out a day before I was born.
Oh, LA was the best in the West. The only one better than Magic at making his team better was Bird…IMHO. Like Larry, I can back that talk up.
@NotKeanuX holy god i feel old
I'm speechless. Bird showcased his mastery. But on the whole, the NBA was a different league back then. It was art.
So many great players in that era. What a gracious move by Dennis Johnson at the very end. RIP
Rookie of the year, MVP of the league, MVP of the Finals, Coach of the year, Executive of the Year and the only player Michael Jordan has a loosing record against!!!
and MJ is 0-6 against Bird on playoffs. In fact, MJ had beat every great player in his era to win a series or title except for Larry Bird. He couldn't even win 1 game against Larry!
@@anthonyzarate9807 cool story, take a look at MJ's supporting cast in those games and Bird's and tell me what you see....
MJ also has a losing record against Hakeem at 10-13. But yeah, bird had MJ’s #
@@KWCline91 Hakeem is one of the most underrated players in NBA history along with Duncan & Bird. I have all 3 in my personal top 5 (along with MJ and Magic). The reason I have Magic in there is because he was the worst shooter and defender of the 5, but somehow was arguably the best winner & leader. The only 3 player I've seen who could completely dominate a game on both ends without scoring a single point are Bird, Magic, and Duncan. The only other player is Bill Russell, but I never saw him play live. My grandpa, dad, and other elders told me just how dominant he was on both ends (especially on defense and rebounding).
P.S. Most people mistakenly think that scoring is what defines offense. In fact, offensive rebounds, setting picks & screens, PASSING, moving without the ball, and running an offensive system are all very important parts of offense that the average fan don't understand or care about.
@@anthonyzarate9807 True. Magic was a good leader. So was Kobe. Too, you must not have watched Wilt the Stilt.
This was either the third or fourth game NBA game I ever saw. My dad had one of those crazy Scientific Atlanta satellites that picked up stations (would later be used to decode cable signals...you know, the infamous black boxes of the 90s) all over the country. When Bird threw that 3 in that didn't count...my dad just stared, looked at me and said, "son, that's a cold ass white boy right there". That's about as high a praise as you could get from my pops. A die hard Lakers fan...and he was in reverence of the performance Larry put on. I hated Bird...but in time, my respect grew to admiration. ESPECIALLY in the way he responded to Magic's HIV announcement. He was a true friend. A real one. And one of the 3-4 best players to ever live, dead or alive.
I had one of those big 6 foot satellite dishes and was able to see Bird and Magic play a lot but I was mostly on Chicago Sports Channel seeing the entire career of Michael Jordan. We were lucky weren't we?
Real nice complement from Pops. Bird, put on this show for the fans of N.O. and out of respect and competition to Pistol Pete Maravich. Much before your time but worthy of a look at, Bird carried respect.
Bird didnt win with great speed and dunks, but some of the toughest, most clutch play I've ever seen. Bird said, anyone can score in the first 3 quarters. Champions score in the 4th with the game on the line. And that's what separated Bird from the rest.
Guys like bird.. Jordan.. havlicek and west always took the games last shots
Man Larry we all know you were a greater scorer/shooter but my lord he was a great passer as well, really underrated in that aspect
He wasn't underrated everyone knew he was a good passer it wasn't a secret heck hes doing it in front of everyone and won championships with some good passes
And Magic
The very best passer was a little white guy named John Stockton. STILL holds the record for all-time assists. And now, Harden is gatting like 20 assists per game. Fear The Beard. 👻
Larry Bird is arguably the best player in NBA history.
Nique was awesome too.
He really was. It was a great time to be a basketball fan.
Doesn't get enough love the 80's were Larry Magic and the rest of the guys lol. Then MJ stole all Nique Unique athletism during popularity contest aka Dunk Contest
Best in traffic dunker in NBA history.
Did not need much space to explode on you . Loved watching him in the 80s.
@Mike Duncan Dominique was indeed great ! Some of my fondest memories are the battles 'Nique and Bird had. "Nique got the points, and Bird got the wins.
You mean Wislon. Nique... pft
the crazy part is that before he hurt his thumb in college he had an EVEN BETTER touch believe it or not. In 1985, 86, and 87 he was literally unstoppable. One of the most gifted pure shooters ever.
I was in attendance for this game. IMO, the 80s was the pinnacle of NBA basketball. There were so many very good teams. This era revitalized NBA basketball from the pits, putting it on an uphill climb to where it is today. The decade of Larry Bird & Magic Johnson, the Celtics & Lakers. The end of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's brilliant career & the beginning of Michael Jordan's. IMO these 2 would be on my All-Time starting 5 by position with Bird, Magic & Karl Malone. But there are SO many great players
I’d say overall the best era of the game was 1983-1998. The 80s had it’s own unique style though; the rivalry between the Celtics vs Lakers, Bird (w/ McHale, Johnson, Parish) vs Magic (w, Kareem Abdul-Jabber!, Worthy, Cooper), that ‘83 76ers team, The Human Highlight Reel Dominique, The Bad Boy Pistons, A young athletic peak Jordan! 80s Ball was pure action
@@GoGetYourShinebox I'd say that you are spot on, 100% Correct!!
attention all you ham and eggers out there in lala land. 60 points back in 1985 is a lot different than 60 points today. see, back in 1985 there were guys who played defense, not only that they played it well !! bird is more of a bad ass than anybody playing today !!!
Just hand checking alone would make most of today's players cry.
bird played with broken thumb, and with back spasms, Lebron gets a hang nail and misses 4 games, I quit watching 4 years ago after attending a pacer game where they had a 27 point lead with about 4 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter and ending up losing, 4th quarter lasted 57 minutes due to all of the fouling and free throw shooting.@slip satch
I was in a restaurant a while back and an NBA game was on the TV. Pacers and Bucks if I remember correctly. It was awful basketball. Invariably each team would come down the floor, make a couple of passes and jack up a 25 footer.
Contrast that with the Red Holzman NY Knicks teams of the early 70s. The Knicks (Frazier, Monroe, Barnett, DeBusschere, Lucas, Bradley & Reed) would set up in the front court. Every one would touch the ball. A couple of defenders would be run into screens. Result: an uncontested 15 foot jump shot or a layup. And every body was a good shooter.
Way more physical of a game back then too
I like your "Rocky" quote! 😁🎸
All NBA stars with inflated salaries need to understand that Bird/Magic and later MJ saved basketball and helped market a dying league. I miss the 80s and basketball when it was played the right way with Defense, passing, passion, teamwork, etc. Bird could shoot, runs the floor, passed as well as Magic, boxed out, great help defense, etc. Bird understands the game and made everyone better. He turned Parrish into a star.
Butter 2926 now b.ball is a dunkin game
True basketball is an art form!
Watching that 86 Celtics team was mind blowing. Best team ever IMO.
Joe Spitler 2000 Sacramento Kings is the closest; everyone could pass and we’re willing passers.
@@Butter-gz4kb Spurs 4-5 years ago put on a clinic when the beat the Heat. Sacramento? WTF did they ever win NOTHING and you wanna mention them with the 86 Celtics. Teams can pass the ball all over the court doesn't mean shit if you don't win.
All I'm going 2 say is it was an honor watching Larry Bird play his whole career
Larry( broken back) bird:: kobe Bryant vs Larry bird: ; 81 Points for kobe Bryant
Vs Larry bird; LeBron james vs Larry bird;; LeBron James broke Kareem Abdul jabber career scoring record:: Nikola jokic 7 foot tall vs Larry ( broken back) bird ;
@@loydkline lmao
@@loydkline ?????????????? LOL
Dirk nowitzki would've scored 50s points against Larry bird; Nikola jokic would've scored 50s points against Larry bird, LeBron Jame would've scored 50s points against Larry bird
@@loydkline Hardly. Larry had team skills. That's why his team won so many championships. Larry is a better player and could score on any defense at will.
This is just sick!!! I love the reaction by the Hawk bench and the fans. This is a performance
+Roger James Yep. The reaction by the Hawks bench is awesome. And to think that Bird was also a notorious trash-talker and would often tell opposing defenders what he was gonna do the next play--and usually still make the shot--was some crazy shit.
Aside from Jordan (and maybe Kobe?), I don't think there has ever been another player who has hit so many clutch shots as Bird.
That Wilkins sideways jam and Carr's skip Deon sanders dunk were pretty awesome.
The game they all got fined by the coach for the banter and laughing.😂😂
@@ddave7026 Doc Rivers said Coach Fratello was upset because "it's one thing to be in awe of a(n opposing) player... it's another to be high-fiving his performance."
That's the best part LOL. Players are fans of the game and know when they're watching something / someone special. I remember watching this game live.
Never seen a player garnered and command so much respect both from his teammates and the opposing team. Such an amazing baller!
DJ was half of Birds success - the two of them knew each other so well that DJ knew exactly what Bird was going to do, and could feed him the ball exactly where Larry wanted it. It was a marvel to watch in person.
D.J. was big addition to Celtics no doubt and a great defender!
@@macsaints10 DJ was the perfect partner to Larry - a championship player in his own right,, and one hell of a passer once he figured out what Larry and the others needed to make their games nearly perfect. I always marveled at his fast hands - his steals were simply beautiful.
@@juniorjohnson9509 Dennis was on the Supersonics NBA championship team. Can you name the other 4 starters and the 1st man off the bench, and the coach? The embarrassed the Lakers, with Magic and Kareem. No fair Googling it. 🤔
I think those guys in that era were amazing. Bird is if not the best ever in the conversation for it. He is on the short list of greatest ever to play. Wow.
Ya too bad his back went out.
@@robertoakridge7878 pretty sure he 1st hurt his back in 85-86ish and still had 5-6 great years afterwards.
Both him and Nique absolutely killed it.
Story about Bird calling a majority of shots before he shot the ball and making it, legendary status!
LARRY BIRD, His Name means, HE IS LARRY "BIRD" What a genius, He really made the Stadium tremor, The crowd is enjoying it, and me too, I remember those days.He was also a humble man,Long live LARRY BIRD.🇺🇸🏀👈👍
Love the Atlanta bench reactions.
They got reprimanded for that
Best part LOL
@@EssexAggiegrad2011 hahahahaha
Coach Fratello after the game: You’re fired everyone’s F’n fired!
@@EssexAggiegrad2011 They got fined.
Larry was so good, I gave him a high five while watching him play on TV!
Buzzed?
just watch the Hawks bench. Absolutely priceless!
I was in attendance at this game. 3/12/85 at the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans. Bird was being guarded very well by Wilkins but still torched him with one impossible shot after another..Just watch the reaction of the Hawks bench. That pretty much says it all.
Edward Anthony Leone That's awesome man. Wish I could have been there too. You got to witness one of the best b-ball performances of all time
I was also there. One of the most memorable nights of my life. I still hang a photo of that night in my house of Larry shooting a 3. It was the greatest display of shooting the basketball ever.
lucky! 😃
Why were they in New Orleans?
Why was it in New Orleans?
"He said, Rainbow -Trainer's Lap". ~Doc Rivers
Used to be celtics's head coach
Bird was the man, he is the greatest shooter of all time. He was also a great passer. Dominique Wilkins also had a great game. He was such a great player as well. His leaping ability and hang time was amazing.
These 2 would absolutely dominate today
Notice how almost all Larry's shot are hitting the net without touching the ring not to forget the crazy tough contested shots that he made as well.
That one three point shot where he was contested and bumped chests with the defender is one of the best shots I've ever seen. Unbelievable concentration.
+Yogen Grg And even crazier is Bird was renowned for not only being one of the biggest trash-talkers ever, but he'd often tell opposing teams/players what he was going to do/where he would shoot it, and more times than not he STILL made the shot. And usually the defenders who guarded Bird were usually one of the opposing teams best defenders (e.g. Dennis Rodman, Michael Cooper, etc.).
Pat Riley was once asked if his life depended on a player making a shot, who would he want to take that shot? He said Larry Bird.
Yogen Grg he mastered the 'net shot' by using a bucket attached to something similar to a 2x4.
Yup I noticed that right away.
That's wat happens when you shoot the ball ALL DAY AS A KID HIS WORDS CELTIC PRIDE BEST FRONTCOURT IN HISTORY ASK BARKLEY
This is my favorite NBA clip sequence of all time. It actually becomes cinematic at a certain point--particularly when you look at the Atlanta bench in the background, gradually progressing from being amazed by Bird's shooting to actually cheering him on. I don't know of any other instance in any professional sporting contest I've ever seen where players on a bench begin to cheer for an opponent.
All of the players on the bench were fined $3K each by the team for being demonstrative when Bird was making all those shots.
They knew they were seeing the GOAT at his best. Drink it in boys , there will never be another like him.
Larry Legend in his glory prime! Thing of beauty.
Best part of this whole thing is the guys reactions on the Atlanta bench. They knew they were watching greatness. Imagine if Bird had the Athletic ability of a MJ or LBJ what he coulda / woulda did. Smartest player to ever play the game. He was playing chess everyone else was playing checkers.
He also had the toughest mindset I’ve seen.
@@lelov1392 yep. It didn't matter if it was practice a pick up game or Game 7 of the NBA Finals he played ALL OUT no matter. It was the only way he knew how, probably cut a few years off his career but he left it all on the court. Played till he couldn't play no more. Never took a night off for "load management" like the Prima Donna's nowadays.
@@joespitler3929 agree. That’s why I’m my books Bird is the greatest player to play the game. He’s the ultimate player’s player!
@@lelov1392 I grew up just south of Boston in the 80s he definitely is Larry Lagend to me. Got him in my starting 5.
PG Magic
SG Jordan
SF Bird
PF Duncan
C Russell
I flip flop between Russell & Kareem but Russell was the better defender and I have plenty of Offense. LeBron would be my 6th man because of his versatility.
@@joespitler3929 Nice line up there. Mine would be:
PG: Stockton relieved by Magic
SG: Jordan. relieved by Lebron
SF: Bird. relieved by Pippen
PF: Duncan relieved by Malone
C: Chamberlain relieved by Russel/ Hakeem
You know what, the hardest thing about doing this line up is who’s gonna be worthy of relieving Bird, still indecisive, the guy is just freaking irreplaceable! Okay Uncle Larry get ready to play the full 48 minutes! 😂😂😂
Bird had a unbelievable game but damn look at Wilkins. So fast and athletic. Plus he was finishing with contacting.
Bird was the better player.
@@alfredodistefanolaulhe2212 Obviously, but it takes 2 to tango & nique showed his worth this game
In this non physical era, with a healthy back, all the trainers, modern tech in shoes, and the way the three point shot it utilized Bird could average 40.
The Celtics used to come to Hartford 10 x a year in the 80s and we’d get there early to watch him warm up, I swear he hit about 35 threes in a row in pre-game.
Wilkins is scary athletic, what a monster
and bird owned wilkins, just another example of how bad ass bird was !!!
I would rank him all-time tied with Larry Bird both number ones
Seriously. I didn't know he was that good. Eat your veggies if you want to be like Wilkins.
a monster for sure. played on some poor teams.
Wilkins was one of the greatest small forwards the game has ever seen. I put him ahead of Barkley, Worthy, and Pippen. Personally, I put him ahead of LeBron because LeBron is a pussy.
Larry legend ! I miss the golden age of nba
Amazing talent. Thanks for the memories.
Two legends in Wilkins and Bird. Wish I could experience the era of legends.
Ryan it was a lot of fun watching basketball during Bird's era.
It was a great time to be a basketball fan that's for sure. The 86 Celtics (and i'm a Bulls / Jordan fan).is the Greatest team ever IMO. The 72 win Bulls team being the 2nd best.
@Dpp 1235 Smartest player of all time definitely. He was always 3-4 steps ahead of everyone else.
Joe Spitler lol I'm a celtics fan and a Jordan fan but that Lakers team with Magic, Kareem, Byron Scott, Mcadoo, Worthy and Cooper I'd put up against anybody. When you have the greatest pg,the greatest center and one of the greatest defenders of all time on your good things are going to happen
Add in McHale and Parish - best front line ever. Parish and #3 pick (McHale) for the #1 pick (Joe Barry Carroll? Who?).
I was in these times a big fan of Sixers and Doctor J and hated Larry Bird. But now I have to admit he was the greatest of his period, and I think he would be even today one the greatest player in the NBA, because he had all qualities (3 point shot, fade away shot, in the paint, ball handliing, passing, defense, rebound, left hand like right and, everything)
quickest mind from a player I've seen on a b-ball court.
Bill Walton said the same.
ProtectedSouls4 bird had eyes like a 🕷- 360°. Amazing how Celtics threaded the basketball like they had e.s.p.
Playing chess while everyone else was playing checkers
Larry Bird FOREVER...I was 7 at this moment and wanted desperately basket shoes like his. But we were a poor thing in what was back then a communist Yugoslavia, couldn't find that kind of shoes for a seven years kid. Bird is great, great memories, he made me love basketball. One of the greatest in NBA history, if not the greatest. To me its a real MYTH.
Valon Kurtishi that era mainly wore converse - now it is crazy that ppl buy expensive shoes bc 'a name' is on them.
Bird hit 61% from the field and 94% from the line, grabbed 7 rebounds and dished out a couple of assists, too. Fairly impressive.
I grew up in SoCal. The first time I went to see the Lakers at The Forum was during the 86-87 season. I can’t emphasize enough how that era was the absolute greatest time in pro basketball history! I was so fortunate to have had my favorite team as the Lakers during those winning times! Not to mention being around for the epic rivalries, especially with Boston! Watching the Hawks players react to Bird… That just tells you right there; the greatest professional players in the world are enjoying the game that much!!!… AND reacting to the opposite team/opponent speaks volumes!!!
That was sick! :) My favourite sportsman of all time. Never got to watch him play :( What an absolute HUMBLE champion! Was always about the team and never himself!
Larry Bird is maybe the best shooter ever.
Steph Curry is
Curry maybe. BUT... Larry broke his shooting hand when he was a kid and his shot never fully recovered. If that had not happened.... Well. It's impossible to say. In basketball heaven they can settle it once and for all.
BEST CLUTCH shooter ever HANDS DOWN.
@@Caesarz2010 Curry is the greatest long range shooter ever, no question but Bird was a better all around shooter plus and more important Larry was a great clutch shooter, maybe the best. Curry is a great player and champion however, but Larry Joe Bird was a better assassin.
@@kakashi76767 I'm just glad I've been around long enough to watch them both.😊
Love that the crowd didn't even want to leave after the game. They wanted more from Larry Legend!
Jordon was 2nd BesT Ever' Bird is theGreaTesT
Ben Jammin Not even top 10? Whats your top ten 80s players then? Damm. Jordan was in top 10 since his first season. For me he is top 5 in the 80s.
Ben Jammin Jordan was top 7 player of the 80s.. and the greatest player of all time... Larry bird is my favorite player ever and I think Larry legend was the best player in the nba throughout the 80s... bird, magic, and Kareem are probably my top 3 of the 80s... bird and magic were the best 2players from that era by far.. but what Jordan did in the 90s along with his great play from his early career in the 80s makes him the goat.. I'm not a Jordan fan and I hate to say it, but Micheal Jordan was the best basketball player the nba/world has ever seen... Larry bird is top 3 of all time imo..
GOOD LORD the quality on this is incredible! Love to see the whole game again in this quality!
Oh yeah, and Bird? Just a disgusting performance. He was so in the zone, and he knew it. I wouldn't be surprised if he was just trying screwball shots half the time, just to see what would happen.
I know. The amazing array of tough, improbable shots made is at least as impressive as his point total.
trha2222 Larry Legend is now on you tube
He was probably talking some mean shit too LOL
These announcers are great!! Love their enthusiasm!
Enjoyed watching that game it was a great time to be an NBA fan.
Love the reaction of the player sitting on the chair. Having so much fun watching Bird. Seems like the same thing that the players do in our times.
Bird Magic! Even the Hawks' bench was in awe.
I was a student at Indiana State University the entire time Legend played there. He did things back then I still don't believe and I'm grateful that he had a long NBA career so the world could see and be amazed by the basketball genius he truly was.
That's why he's called "The Legend"!
Bird could score at will like that on any team, anytime, regular season, playoffs, Finals, it didn't matter!
He was a Legend!
Something else that's unique is that, he wasn't gunning, looking for his own shot the whole game.
He was in the flow with his teammates, passing, moving the ball, throwing outlets, interior passing, in complete flow with his teammates until about the 8 minute mark of the fourth quarter when he really started looking for his shot and his teammates started looking for him!
That's what make players like him way above everyone else!
B-ball I.Q. off the charts!
Both he and Magic were something to behold.
Never ever thought I'd be saying this about Boston because I couldn't stand them growing up, but you've got to give it to them!
They were a well oiled machine with one of the best players the NBA has ever had...
Nique didn't do to bad either, by the way😎!
Bird puts on such a game face that, even when he sets the record, he looks like he's totally unaware. After retirement, in a much later interview with McHale, Bird said that he didn't even think about specific moments during a game, he just got into the flow and went with it.
I don't think that's true. Supposedly Bird would ask the ballboy to find out the record for the arena and then he would try to break it. Guys who say they don't care about stats are full of BS.
He was aware. When Mchale set the record 2 weeks before and took himself out of the game early, Bird told him, you better stay in this game because if I get hot, i am not taking myself out early and i'll break your record.
Absolutely crazy shooting performance. Bird was a master at freeing up just enough space to get his shot off, even against superior defenders.
And he had the confidence to take it and know it was going in.
The striped socks and short shorts. Man, these old NBA videos take me back.
J Wunder bring back the shinny shorts-shorts!
The old nut hugger shorts LOL
Love the respect he got from the Atlanta Hawks players.
In Awe!
I like how you’re showing Wilkins too, he had a great game but it was Larry’s night and I was born and live in New Orleans and wish I could’ve went to this game. Born in ‘86
He could shoot and pass from any crazy angle better than anyone ever ! Love Dominique also , He was one of the most exciting players to ever watch !
I am so blessed to see two Masters at their peak The Bird Man and Magic.The rest as they say is history
Thing to remember about bird and magic is that they really changed the game. It's not just that they played well; they played it in a way that people hadn't played before. There's something to that goes beyond just being a good player. They made the game itself a better game.
Their similar play styles of great vision, passing, and team ball provided a fluent almost poetic flow. You watch old highlights of The Lakers and Celtics and it is damn art the way they passed and played the transition game. Alot of older fans like to bash todays NBA players. The players are just as good, the way The NBA game is played has changed for the worse in my opinion. They bring the ball up the court, dribble dribble, dribble. Shot clock gets to ten and they spread the court and team superstar drives and either shoots, gets fouled, or kicks out for three.. It is so damn systemic, compared to the fluent game of the 80's, its dull. I wish The NBA would back up the three line and do away with the shot clock. The shot clock has actually slowed the game down in recent years.
Lakefront Arena in New Orleans 3/12/85. Was living there & was lucky enough to be 8 rows off the floor. Was right behind the Hawks bench when Bird made that bomb at the end. It should have counted. Was the greatest exhibition of shooting I had ever seen. Via Satellie I saw Bird play every game for 3 seasons. The guy was unreal. Had it not been for Magic's Lakers being equally as good, the Celtics also win in 85 & 87. If they had not lost Len Bias they probably win in 87 easily. Terrible loss!
I really like the commentators too, they have nice comments and chemistry... unlike most casters of today in alot of sports
The crowd and player reaction is everything.
What a fun team to watch back then. Loved these Celtics.
The Bird Man... Top 3 Best of All Time... 💥💥💥💥💥
Back in the 80's , THE BIRD WAS THE WORD ! ...... To be honest , I'm not a big b balll fan but, Larry came outta no whare during that game . I still rember it to this,day . What a masterful performance ! FLY BIRD FLY! Former Seattle Supersonics player Dennis Jonson's game was wickied that night as well. BRING BACK THE SUPERSONICS!
I remember watching a Celtics game around Bird's injury years, I think it was 90, when I was in high school and just getting into bball. And he got around 50. It was a massive score in an otherwise bad season. It was at the Garden, pretty sure against either Atlanta or Philadelphia. I've never seen a highlight reel from that game on youtube.
Responding to a comment from six years ago....lol....but I remember that game...it was against Atlanta....you're right. It was the 89-90 season when he came back after missing the previous year all about for six games because of surgery on both of his heels.....I remember watching it on TBS I believe. He was still great that year despite being a shell of his former self...24ppg, 9.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists, led the league in free throw shooting, etc. and played 75 games. It was the next couple years that his back, which was already horrible, really decimated him.
If you want to see a great game watch the game against the blazers. March 15th 1992. I was home cruising through the channels as a kid and saw the game about to start. This is the best game I ever saw. Double OT and Bird had 49 points and 54 minutes played and a triple double. Keep in mind Bird had a terrible back at this point in his career and you would often see him lying on the ground on the sideline trying to keep his back stretched out. This was against a great blazers team, clyde the glide, jerome kersey, and terry porter. Danny Ainge was also on the blazers then and scored 19. The Celtics won 152-148.
Larry Bird could score 100 points if he's a ballhog but apparently, he's not. He doesn't forced shot.
redsoil5 Bird was a great leader...he made his team mates play their full potential.
My (2) favorite people of all time. ELVIS AARON PRESLEY
& LARRY JOE BIRD!!
THE KING & THE LEGEND.
With Respect,
Dr. David Berko
Elvis Presley in his prime doesn't stand a chance against Larry Legend, doc.
When people talked about the best shooter of all time in the NBA, they don't mention Bird's name. I've been a NBA fan for 40 years and I am a Suns fan. Larry Bird is the best shooter I've ever seen. You have to know he played in the 80s and the rules were different.
Dominique 24.8/6.7/2.5 - 1x scoring champ 2x dunk champ 9x all star
Larry 24.3/10.0/6.3 - 3x champ 2x finals MVP 3x MVP 12x all star
@Gregory F. Murray you are 100% correct.
Imagine the seismic ... activity? ... if this game was in the Garden. Holy shite!
You can just tell by the other team's bench. How amazed they were by this performance
Dominique the human highlight film!😘
Never be another Bird! But Dominique was awesome as well!
Not many threes either. This is just a clinic. For a person to develop such a jump shot is amazing.
I think only one 3.
SeanP7195 especially fall back shots-no time to analyze the shot. I think Bird could've made some step back shots blind folded.
Everything with so much purpose and efficiency in the face of pretty hard defence. It's amazing.
I can’t believe John Sterling was the announcer of this game!! He was really a great announcer even before he became a Yankee radio announcer.
Awesome game and insane skill by Bird 👌
Watching this brings back so many great memories, sure Bird a beast but Nique was The Human Highlight Reel in this game as well.
Thank you very much for this upload. Felt like I was at the game. Good quality for a old game, too.
Superb talent, athleticism, and teamwork on display by both teams.
McHale's Celtic record of 56 pts. in one game, lasted 2 weeks. So, your power forward and your small forward are each capable of putting up 56 or more points in a game and everybody goes home happy. Really they were The Greatest Team EVER!!!!
young Antoine Carr at 2:10.... wow
big balls to dunk on Larry
Ben M A mobile A.C, very impressed with the his ball handling.
Ben M Yeah, I was pleasantly surprised here. Most people know him as a member of the '90s Jazz squads. Couldn't believe they called him a "baby bird". He looked like the best I've ever seen of him.
Skip to my Lou dribble then dunk
People always thought Bird was slow but he was quick, just look at the footage. He's not explosive but he's quick. How many 6'9 PF can move as quick as that?
Good description.
yea everyone always overlooks his height, the fact he did what he did at 6'9" is just total bad ass !!!
bird was one of the first do-everything forwards
fastest hands I've seen in the NBA...
I like to relate BIrd's technique to the fundamentals of the golf swing, in that every motion should be deliberate, with little-to-no wasted or unnecessary movements. It's why he looks lazy. He was trying to master something greater than basketball. Effortless power and precision in the flow state.
Three straight Mvp's playing in an era with Jordan, Magic, DrJ, Jabbar, Olajuwon, Barkley, Ewing, Wilkins... OG style.
I have watched this many times, being a bird fan from my youth. What I noticed this time was the amazing defense by the Hawks and the personal effort of Dominique. Despite the marvelous play of DJ, et al, if this had not been a Bird supergame, the Hawks would have blown it out IMHO.
Maybe it's just the way people were hanging on him ,with those impossible shots going in-I know other players have scored more-but this still strikes me as the most impressive shooting display ever...the shots hardly ever touched the rim...r
mrbriscoe2001 I saw a man say that Larry used a bucket nailed to a post. Larry was a highly self motivater.
Brisco what irritates me is normally when this game comes up in conversation, Kobe's 81 point game comes up also.
The difference is, Kobe was gunning from start to finish!
Bird wasn't!
In the second half of the game that Kobe scored all those points, just about every shot he took, he was wide open, they were all freebees!
Bird certainly had more shots contested...
8:49, that shot was the craziest shot I've ever seen anyone make.
Bird best all around player in history.
Bird one of the best to play the game. Unfortunately back injuries shortened his career.