Larry Bird crushes the Blazers at the buzzer

[dingoleh]

Jerome Kersey is lazy. Bird is trapped on the baseline with 2 seconds to go and he is flat footed with his hand in the air. This is the same Jerome Kersey that made it to the finals of a dunk contest that Jordan won. But, Bird still would have made the shot.

[larrymcg421]

@dingoleh Kersey wasn't going to let himself get caught up in the air and send Bird to the free throw line. They cornered and forced him into a really difficult fall away shot. Can't really blame the D here.

[MrSlik25]

@larrymcg421 It's true...its the Boston Garden...It's Larry..you know if you so much as nick him hes gonna get the call...and then make em both...It was a lose-lose situation for Kersey..he couldnt guard Bird on his best day anyway...I mean this is Larry Bird dog...Jerome Kersey??? Never.

[badpdx]

@dingoleh: If you knew anything about Jerome Kersey, you'd know that he and laziness have never met.

[ry3304]

ive played quite alotta ball.,

WAS REALLI GOOD.

but lols larrys just ridiculous man lols ;.

makes me jealous haha

[trha2222]

Greatest last second shot of them all. Still amazes me.

[PJHunterTJ]

man, back when it was about the game, and the telecast was targeting adults.

[usnate1]

If that was mj in the 90's going up for that lay up he would've gotten the foul. And that is why mike shot 8FT attempts a game compared to larry. theres your 6ppg more in jordan's favor....gotta question that.

[larrymcg421]

By the way, Kersey makes contact before that last shot. People today like Kobe, Wade, LeBron would totally get to the foul line on something like that. Imagine if Bird got the benefit of calls that those guys get today,

[Scumion]

If I remember correctly if Bird missed that shot someone else was going to get to coach the All Star game, and not KC Jones (not sure if they still do but it went by best record at the break back then I guess). That's why it has that feel of something more than just a regular season game against a non-conference foe. It meant a lot to the Cs that KC get to coach the game.

[Jrotten11]

it's funny that noone drop steps the way larry does at :24 or atleast it's rare, which is funny because in that situation the drop step must be a better choice, as after :22 Larry's defender's (can't tell how it is, drexler?) body is completely sealed and he is at best stuck on larry's right hand giving Larry half of the basket to work with. After that it's just a little floater finish.

[Aznkidcher]

Don't know what's more amazing, the Bird shot, or the fact that the tv show theme song would later be used for a porno.

[jp3813]

@Aznkidcher What's the title?

[budlite8]

larry is like ehh another day in the office

[amazing207]

@budlite8

yup cool as they come:)

[heywoodwho]

I'm in this video! I'm one of the spectators. One of my favorite games ever.

[kunkushun1]

that was not supposed to go in but did lol.

[jbeckwith74]

Tom Gorman and ??? are announcing?

[nikos007333]

@jbeckwith74 u mean mike gorman right??

[cbaldwinjr]

Another thing...watching this clip...I feel bad for Portland fans...ESPECIALLY after reading Bill Simmons' brilliant book. They legitimately could've had MJ, Wayne Cooper, Fat Lever, Calvin Natt (who averaged 23 and 8 for the '85 season) and a #1 if they had traded Drexler for Terry Cummings straight up. Sam Bowie was a tragedy waiting to happen...and it did. So they could've had

PG-Fat Lever

SG-MJ

SF-Calvin Natt

PF-Terry Cummings

C-Mychal Thompson

That team challenges the Lakers instantly

[cbaldwinjr]

I remember this on NBA's Awesome Endings...they showed shots of Bird and Magic called "Duel For a Decade"...and Bird throws the shot in...I always remember the commentary. "Double teamin' Bird...fakes...fallaway...HITS IT AT THE BUZZER! ALLLLLLLLLLLRIGHT!"

Meanwhile, the color guy isn't reacting so much as celebrating with his "oooooooohoooohoohoo" chuckle and cheer. Just another chapter in the legend that is Larry Bird.

[phishhead11]

love one point games

[Flipper79able]

Bird always used to do stuff like that. You don't see it anymore.

[TheGodOfPez]

80s clinch finishes seem to topple modern day finishes. Maybe I'm biased...

[trevorh321]

The whole ending, from Birds driving left handed layup to Drexlers huge shot and then Birds amazing game winner. You couldnt script it any better. If there had been time left I think Drexler wouldve hit the next shot.

I miss 80s basketball. It was the best.

[jp3813]

They even doubled off the ball.

[chrisuncleahmad]

Before Bird hit the game-winner at the buzzer, what was the score?

Was Portland leading or was the score tied?

[massa1177]

Boston was down by 1

[nikos007333]

yes they had the lead 124 - 125

[John19182004]

Final score was Boston 128, Portland 127

[80sNBA]

I like the replay of Bird's first shot (0:48).

You can see him looking left, while at the same time moving his right foot into a position which allowed him to spin around Jerome Kersey. Mastering small things like that is what made him great.

[trevorh321]

That is the best last second shot I have ever seen.

[CLewey44]

I agree...It may have not been the Finals or even the playoffs, but that was awesome...The crowd's reaction and announcers reactions were priceless.

[SFFOOL76]

Basketball how it should be played, high scoring, clutch shots on both ends, great players on both teams, great coaches, and Mike Gorman (one of my favorite announcers)

[NafeesLACC]

wow, they had two guys committed to him, and he still makes it.

[DaCaptain924]

Boy, Kersey knocked it away from Bird, and Bird just goes for the same spot on the next play and sicks the game-winner in his face! lol OWNAGE.

[AceroySangre]

Greatest SF Ever and The Glide One of the All-Time Greates also

This Was The Golden Age of the NBA

[CLewey44]

I think he's the best forward ever, but that's just me. He could do it all.

[falkner23]

what a great finnish 2 a game drexler then bird