@themanningsjdsjjj Jordan played against the same players as bird. Bird had a tremendous team. Jordan also dominated against the best in 80s 90s and at over 40 dropped +20 a game in the 2000s. He played against the bad boys, showtime, Barkley and the suns, a loaded Portland team, miller and Indiana, tough Knicks teams with Ewing. Went on to play Shaq, Kobe, iverson, ect.... I love bird but he didn't revolutionize the game like mike did. We drink Gatorade, coke, and no one wears air birds. Jord
Unselfish, great play. Look at all that movement away from the basketball and the creativity. Split-second decisions, especially when he's diving to the ground and still dishing assists.
Majic was a great playmaker. I would say he also was the ultimate playmaker. I just love the way Bird goes after loose balls and then actually is able to get the ball to a team mate. No disrespect to Magic. In my opinion at the top of their careers they were as good as anyone who has ever played including Jordan.
....Are you all kidding me? PISTOL PETE MARAVICH... nothing against bird or stockon or .. others... But Nobody but nobody handles the ball like Petey.... No one...
I never saw Pistol play, but I did what a video where Bird talked about watching him and being amazed at what he could do. I have seen Isai Thomas make some nice passes.
@MegaJusWright Bird actually patterned a lot of his flamboyant passes after Pistol Pete, but unlike Pete, Bird did it in the context of winning the game. Pistol Petes only year on a winning team was in 79-80 with the Celtics, Bird's rookie year.
There maybe players with more assist than Bird, but the only other player that I've personally seen play that could even make some of these passes would be Magic and I'm not even sure he could make all of them. As good as Stockton was at making the right pass, he never pulled off anything like what I see on this video.
No matter what the stats are Magic say's himself "the only player I feared was Bird". Check it out on "Larry Bird the Best ever" video on Youtube. I think it was said ealier in the comments, but Larry Birds court awareness has never been matched. EVER. You can't compare super shooters or dunkers with him, its apples and oranges. Kobe vs MJ? Sure. (MJ). Larry Bird is one of, if not the best all round players ever to play Basketball, and he was a very reliable clinch shooter end game.
Back when bball was a real game, not just a bunch of clowns flexing their muscles and throwing half time half court shots to entertain excitement starved fans.
I don't understand why Kobe is in the discussion but i think Kobe is better defender than Bird. Bird was fine defender for sure but Kobe is really great defender, especially 1on1. But I think Bird is greater player overall than Kobe, no question.
goldissue your trying to proove that Bird was a better defender than Kobe, well you cant go by stats. That doesnt prove anything. Its about could you lock guys down individually and how good of a team defender you were. Kobe guarded the best perimeter players on the court in the late 4th quarters for a reason because hes a lock down defender. Bird couldnt guard anybody 1 on 1 and keep them in front of him
@jaywilson18 lol. you are all over the place. your first post says Kobe had more blocks then Bird (these are called stats) then when you see the stats favor Bird you say stats don't prove anything. LMAO. Then you talk about Kobe guarding the perimeter players. Of course he was a guard and guess what Bird would guard big men that would have posted up and scored on Kobe all day. So your trying to say Kobe was a better perimeter defender, I agree but Bird was a better low post defender.
after watching this video you cant say that anybody is a better passer than Bird!!! We must remember that Larry wa a small forward. His feel for the game us unreal
Not a better passer than the Pistol, Magic, Oscar, Nash, J-Will, Tiny, Stockton & others. Good passer but not the best. Fanatics just get carried away by their statements sometimes.
i say Larry is the 3rd Greatest player of all time behind Kobe and MJ. He wasnt better than them because he couldnt do as many things on the court as well as them. They were better finishers at the basket obviouslly, they were way better individual defenders, they blocked more shots. If larry had more athleticism he mite have been the best ever
@jaywilson18 Please check the facts before posting. Bird had 755 blocks (only 13 seasons) Kobe has only 576 (in 15 seasons) Bird average .8 blocks per game Kobe only .5 per game. Also Bird averaged 1.7 steals a game and Kobes per game average is 1.5. And as long as we are talking defense, Bird averaged 8 defensive rebounds per game while Kobe only averages 4.1. Just because people like to say Bird was slow and not athletic dont think he wasnt a good defender.
how the hell would kobe be second greatest all time when there are player's like LARRY BIRD waiting on the sideline and the list goes on! LOL damn the media and damn the fans by believing...
Prime Bird > Prime Lebron. He'd get dunked on a few times but ultimately he'd make lebron look like a dumbass with his "unathletic" moves - not to mention he'd completely dismantle Lebron's weak psyche when the game is on the line. No one talked more trash (with the ability to back it up) than Bird.
pistol pete is definantly the best passer fo all time but i gotta give bird his props he has a very high basketball iq and was a very good passer but i still gotta give it to the pistol
Consider that Bird had the ball in his hands much less than Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, John Stockton, Pete Maravich, and probably even Scottie Pippen. Consider that he had Tiny Archibald, Dennis Johnson, Gerald Henderson and Danny Ainge to handle the ball for him. Consider that that he shared touches with McHale and Parish. Then think about his assists averages. It's pretty incredible. Then look at the actual passes on this video. He may indeed be the greatest passer ever.
Idk if i agree with the title of this video... and I'm a Celtics fan lol. Stockton and Pistol Pete Maravich were pretty legit in dishing the rock. Its a tough call between the three but I gotta give it to Pete.
@Bostonsx93179 Magic was better than all of them. Consider that magic had the highest assists average of all time, had the highest number of assists in a playoff game and the highest number of assists in an NBA finals game. Magic also has the most number of assists in playoff history. Consider also that the only reason Stockton has more total assists than Magic is because Magic retired early. If Magic didn't get AIDS, Stockton WOULD NOT be all time assists leader.
@KillPeopleForFun83 Magic's most assists in a season is 989. Stockton topped that number 7 times. When Stockton broke Magic's career assists record, he did it in a lot fewer games. Stockton's per-game assist average is lower than Magic's because Stockton played so long passed his prime, he brought his numbers down.
Magic's better than Stockton, but Stockton was the king of the assist stat.
@Bostonsx93179 By the way, I think Larry Bird was the greatest Basketball player of all time. But no doubt Magic was the best passer of all time. Magic's teammates said they were bewildered and shook their heads in disbelief at his passes, and sometimes they thought Magic must have passed the ball through someone.
Damn, I enjoy having basketball related conversations but I'd love to stop talking about LeBron on a Larry Bird video. I guess it's just as much my fault as it is anyone elses.
people are really mentioning LeBron's name with Bird??!! Huh?!! For all the LeBron ass kissers out there answer me this: Did you ever see Bird, Magic or Jordan totally disappear in the 4th quarter of EVERY Finals game the way LeBron did this year? I thought not. LeBron the King HAHAHAHAH
jordan would have killed the mavericks with the bulls team he had!
that's the real point. he didnt need 2 other greats. and please with the he had pippen crap! if anybody was born before 1975 knows that it's very clear jordan made pippen a great player. he was just an average player when they drafted him.
@bigaandjenae: I was born prior to 1975. Michael Jordan was the greatest player I've ever seen, but Scottie Pippen was no slouch. Don't sell him short just to prop Mike up. He doesn't need any help.
Besides, Bird was a better passer than Lebron, Mike or Pippen. That's what this video is about.
@bigaandjenae The press love to sing long songs about MJ made Pippen. However, their songs are missing a few verses. For example. Why did Pippen have his finest seasons without MJ? In 1994, Pippen averaged 22 ppg, 8.7 rpg, and 5.6 apg. In 1995, Pippen became only the second player in history (Dave Cowens was the first) to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals. How could he do this without MJ to make him better? MJ didn’t make Pippen. Pippen made Pippen. CONTINUED....
@MerkinMuffly CONTINUED...The typical MJ fan will respond with "how many rings did Pippen win without MJ?" The answer is 0. Likewise, how many rings did MJ win without Pippen? 0. Comparing these 2 players apart from each is very unfavorable for MJ. Pippen had a better career record and a better post-season record than MJ. Pippen's only losing season was his final year in the NBA, when he missed much of the season due to injury and was in a leadership role for a re-building Bulls. CONTINUED...
@MerkinMuffly CONTINUED.. Think about it: MJ never had a winning record apart from Pippen. Without Pippen, MJ could not even get any of his teams to a .500 record, much less a championship. 85, 86, 87, 2002, 2003 were all losing season records for MJ without Pippen. Pip played on many playoff teams in Portland and Houston without MJ . MJ never made anyone better but MJ. It makes you wonder who made who a better ball player, or at least who was the most valuable player to the win-loss column.
@bigaandjenae You're an idiot. Parrish likely wouldn't have been a HOFer w/o Bird. So spare us the great crap. McHale was great but he only avg'd 4.7 ppg his first championship. And Pippen is a Top 50 player for a reason. Jordan didn't make him great. Before Pippen came to town, Jordan never had a winning season. Stop spouting your garbage. And here's the 'real point' Bird beat MJ 14x times in a row inc. 2 p/o sweeps. Bird beat the greats. Jordan lost to the greats.
If Larry had taken all of the wide open shots he had instead of passing to others who were wide open, he would have averaged 10 more points per game for his career. If you watch, half of these great passes, Bird had an easy shot and passed it up for the assists. Great player. Maybe the greatest.
I love the play at 1:20 cause nowadays u dont see people hustle like him and rarely ever get down to the floor for the ball but he didnt just hustle his ass off but from his ass he makes a perfect pass to his teamate cuuting to the basket
Joe Barry Carrol aka Joe Barely Cares go kill yourself. Its like hes never played organized hoops in his life. We traded him for Parish and McHale. Well played Red. Thanx GS!
When I saw this videos title me being only 15 I thought "Really? Best passer?" but after watching this I realized that Bird was a true innovator and one of the best all around players ever. I just wish I could have seen him when he was still playing
@thayd03 That's why Larry himself said that "LeBron is as good as anyone who's ever played the game"
...or that "He's one guy in the league that I think he'll probably be better than all of us when it's all said and done."
You're welcome to look those quotes up to verify their validity if you don't believe me. Just because you hate the guy doesn't mean you have any basis to question his abilities. He's an amazing basketball player and is individually elite at the level of Bird and Magic.
@thestradiosmiles I personally don't like Lebron because he's too cocky and celebrates before the game or series is over, like this years finals. But Lebron is a better team player than Jordan. Jordan left the bulls in 94 and was replaced by a CBA player and the bulls only lost 2 more games during the regular season than with him. LBJ leaves the Cavs and they drop 42 games worse, an insane number. I'm glad LBJ choked in the finals, but Bird is right, he is as fine as any player that's played.
@MerkinMuffly LeBrons importance to the Cavs partially lied in his leadership qualities, but for the most part LeBrons major contribution was statistical efficiency (building around the most efficient offensive player in the league = title shot). Jordan did far more as far as inspiring his team, especially in big moments, which is why he continues to get the edge. The same can be said about Bird, though that argument is not as clear cut when it comes to the media and the general perception.
@MerkinMuffly I don't care for LeBrons attitude. That said, I really could care less what the guy is like (immature, snobby, etc.) The reason the media clung onto him in the first place was because he had a squeaky clean public image and was a hometown hero. Image shifted when he set himself up for endless parody and now people have forgotten that this guy is still just a damn athlete; one of the most amazing and talented ones that we will see in our lives under the microscope.
@ry3304 LeBron is far more efficient statistically than Bird for his career and really it's not even close . At Bird's prime he was amazingly efficient posting a PER of 26.4 in his transcendent '86 season then 27.8 the following year (shooting 50-40-90 in both seasons). However, LeBron has crested 30.0 PER twice already and is #2 all time in PER (Bird is #19). It's no contest. LOLS??
@thestradiosmiles WTF are you talking about LOLS. First off, PER does not mean your the most complete player. Were talking stats here, so if you take the 5 main basketball stats and compare Bird and Lebrick, Bird destroys him. PPG LBJ = 3 All Time, Bird = 16 AT. APG LBj=26 AT, Bird = 42 AT, RPG LBJ = 143 AT, Bird = 42 AT. LBJ & Bird are all equal in BPG and SPG so we don't add that. If you take those 3 stats and divide by 3, Bird is 33.3 and LBJ is 57.3 So Bird wins the stats argument...
@MerkinMuffly continued... - Bird = 16+42+42/3 = 33.3 LBJ=3+26+143/3 = 57.3. So now you can see that statistically Bird dominates LBJ mainly because Lebrick is a horrible rebounder compared to Bird. They both tie in blocks per game and steals per game, so that's a wash. And you don't even want me to compare Bird's shooting % to Lebricks, Bird leads him in FG%, FT% and 3Pt%. Bird is also a better defender, Bird leads Lebron in Defensive Win Shares and Defensive rating so you see... LOLS??
@thestradiosmiles You see, the main problem with PER(Player Efficiency Rating) is that PER rewards inefficient shooting, and Lebron is certainly that. "Hollinger argues that each 2 point field goal made is worth about 1.65 points. A 3 point field goal made is worth 2.65 points. A missed field goal, though, costs a team 0.72 points. Given these values, with a bit of math we can show that a player will break even on his 2 point field goal attempts if he hits on 30.4% of these shots...CONTINUED..
@MerkinMuffly CONTINUED... On three pointers the break-even point is 21.4%. If a player exceeds these thresholds, and virtually every NBA player does so with respect to two-point shots, the more he shoots the higher his value in PERs. So a player can be an inefficient scorer and simply inflate his value by taking a large number of shots." That's why LBJ is so high in PER, it rewards his inefficient shooting and players that take more shots are given a higher PER. PER is not the end-all in stats
@MerkinMuffly Very well said!! Too many people can get carried away with stats and not pay close attention to how these stats are derived. One thing about Bird that isn't said enough--you could not judge the guy by stats alone--all the intangible things he did on the court were amazing. The most complete and well rounded player ever!!
@thestradiosmiles Just saw this Bird video and read your comments;these athlete comparison arguments can get prettyrepetitive and silly but 1) contrary to what a sily broadcaster said;Lebron isn't a Bird level passer;as amazing as these passes are ,his most amazing passes were in the halfcourt where EVERYONE knew he was about to feed Parish or McHale--and no defender could stop it-secondly--Lebron hasn't and may NEVER show bird's leadership ability-especially in the playoffs---Time will tell.
@mrbriscoe2001 I completely agree about LeBron's leadership qualities. In the end, that could be the one major thing that separates guys like LeBron from guys like Bird; their ability to take a team on their shoulders mentally, and not statistically.
@mrbriscoe2001 Indeed. That's why it "could" be the one major thing, but hopefully isn't. I'm the kind of sports fan that wants to see those who are unquestionably great play to their full potential, even if they have maturity/personal/off the court issues that the media tries to focus on.
@thestradiosmiles Larry says that bullshit all the time. Lebron isn't close to Larry as a passer, a shooter, or a champion! Larry is so much smarter than James it's ridiculous. Don't ever bring up Lebron again bitch.
Game recognizes game, it's happened since the beginning and will happen til the end. The greats can always pick out the ones who see the game the same way they did, and that's exactly why guys like Pippen, Bird, Oscar Robertson, Magic, Barkley, Shaq, you know some of the greatest to lace up, say he has what it takes to be one of the very best ever and "is in a class by himself". The talent and the work ethic are there, the talent especially since he might more natural talent than anyone EVER.
@thestradiosmiles Lebron has alot to prove baby! He has no titles for one. He's a great talent but so were many others who fell short! Does he have what it takes? We'll see. If Michael Jordan was teamed with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, they would have killed the Dallas Mavericks!
@thewolfmanchu Yeah he does have a lot to prove, I never said he didn't. That's why I don't put him on the level of the all-time greats yet. And anyway, a team with three of the best five players in history on it would kill anyone, even if the rest of the guys on the team were rookies/vet minimum contracts. That's really not the same as 2 top 50 all-time guys paired with an all-star guy like Chris Bosh who is great and has tons of potential and talent but isn't even close to anyone mentioned.
@thestradiosmiles Personally I think Bosh is soft and shrinks from the bigtime and his defense and boarding is not what I'd want from a frontline leader. But given his 2011 Finals performance he at least deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as other so called stars.
@thewolfmanchu The 2011 Finals showed me that Wade and Lebron take shortcuts - particularly Lebron. Just watching the last 3 games and how they could not make an outside shot to save their lives. It was so pathetic. The Mavs exposed them. Lebron and Wade didn't put the work in and they were hoping to get free throws and dunks to save them. That's not how you win a championship - well not if Stern isn't cheating. And Stern was not going to rob the Mavs a 2nd time.
@FavreianVengeance Exactly, Lebrick got lucky in the series with Boston and Chicago and was pulling 3s out of his ass, not even good 3 point attempts, contested 3s. When he relied on this luck against the Mavs, it was gone. Taking the ball to the basket wins rings, not jacking up contested 3s. Lebrick has no basketball IQ.
@thewolfmanchu I wouldn't compare Magic, Jordan or Bird to Bosh, Wade and LBJ. Lebron is the only one who might be mentioned in that group by the end of his career. But he really exposed his lack of shooting ability in the 2011 Finals. Then again, Magic wasn't a great shooter til the end of his career. But that's why I have Bird and Jordan ahead of Magic. If Lebron had a Kareem, Worthy and Cooper to rely on he might have won rings already too.
@FavreianVengeance I Lebrick had Kareem he would most likely have won 2 or 3, if not more by now. Kareem is very underrated, I consider him a top 5 or 6 player ever.
@MerkinMuffly Kareem's offense is under-rated. All's Magic did for a long time when he could not get on the fast break was come down floor, throw it to Kareem in the post, do a cut and then let him either shoot or pass it out on a double team. Magic was the oil, but I think Kareem and Worthy were the real piston engines to that offense. Back to the point, Kareem was a defensive liability in certain match-ups. But yea a Kareem, LBJ combo would get rings.
@thestradiosmiles LBJ's talent may be there, but the work ethic? Nah. He takes short cuts b/c he thinks he can. That's why he made big promises to Cleveland, failed and then jetted town. That's why he promised 8 rings to Miami and then in the Finals and then he wouldn't take an outside jumper to save his life in the 11 Finals. People don't hate Lebron because their jealous (aside from the trolls that always hate). People sniffed out Lebron's bull shit. That's all there is to it.
@FavreianVengeance As for all this stuff, it's just rehashed nonsense. He didn't fail Cleveland, Cleveland failed him. The dude did everything he possibly could for that team, back to back MVPs and 60 win seasons with a Finals appearance thrown in to boot, and they still couldn't surround him with quality players. Would you stay on a team that continued to fail at putting pieces together around you when you're the best player in the league in your prime?
@thestradiosmiles LBJ promised titles in Cleveland. He said he wasn't ever leaving til the job was done. His words not mine. And in 08, Pierce did own LBJ Game 7 en route to a championship. The Spurs swept him in 07. In10, LBJ quit out there on the court. And its a shoddy carpenter that blames his tools. And MVP awards don't mean as much as you think. They are essentially just best regular season stats awards. In the playoffs, James weaknesses get exposed.
@FavreianVengeance Dude, so what if LeBron sets high goals for his teams? You're acting like people don't promise to bring titles to cities and fail in every different sport all around the world.
Yeah Pierce "owned" LeBron in that game... James - 45-5-6-2 Pierce 41-4-5-2 No. Both players gave it their all and they had a great battle. No one got "owned".
Yep, got swept in 07 by arguably the 2nd best team of the decade after putting on one of the greatest performances in playoff history.
@FavreianVengeance As for the regular season MVPs, I'd like you to go and look at the players who have won regular season MVP over the course of history and tell me it doesn't mean much. That's really just ignorant. Anyhow, LeBron's numbers actually increase in the playoffs compared to the regular season (27.7ppg-7.1rpg-7apg to 28ppg-8.4rpg-7apg). And that's his weaknesses getting exposed? Stop buying into what the media feeds you.
@thestradiosmiles I almost forgot the original point. You're a fool if you're claiming Lebron is on Bird's level. Explain to me how that is so? And if you come with some sort of teammates argument I'm going to laugh in your face.
@FavreianVengeance Once again, and for the final time, I never said he was on Birds level. I have now repeatedly said that he isn't. Hello? Anyone home?
@thestradiosmiles I believe you did and I went back to find the comment and see one was removed. But hey, if you're saying Lebron ain't on Bird's level now then all is well all the same.
@thestradiosmiles Bird may have said those quotes, but your conclusion that Lebron is on Larry Bird's level is so off, I don't even think I should bother explaining it to you.
@FavreianVengeance You should go back and reread... I never concluded that LeBron is on Larry's level. I specifically stated that there is a mental divide, namely a confidence issue in big games, and intangible will to win that separates LeBron from being included among the greats.
So glad I was in high school when Bird was at his peak (I learned a lot watching "Larry Legend" on Sunday afternoons!). What an incredible player and competitor! Pistol made some good passes in his day, Magic had some memorable assists, but Larry stands alone in the "did he really just do that?!?" category. Fans will always argue over the 'greatest' of all time - this guy gets my vote every time. 20+ yrs later and it still amazes me. Thank you for posting the video!
@usnate1 depends what you are comparing... overall stats and rings yes. Everything else is subjective. MJ is not the passer Bird and Magic are. MJ is a better scorer. But let me tell you, I have not seen a behind the back bounce pass in 10 years in the NBA and Bird is special in that way.
@codyplayground Oh absolutely...Bird pre back injury in '85 was pretty athletic...and a non athletic Bird was dominate...makes you think...if Bird had a touch more athleticism b/c of his b-ball and personal I.Q., with his work ethic and hustle( I haven't seen another superstar that dove and sacrificed his body the way bird did), and the fact that his stroke was every bit if not sweeter than MJ's....I think Bird would be unquestionably the GOAT. Hes already top 5. Agree?
@mrsoftbody Exactly! It's passes like that that completely render all this "lebron is better then Bird" nonsense self evidently wrong. Bird was the fastest decision maker ever. A basketball Bobby fisher.
dirk is truly unguardable and hes an amazing bball player, but larry was so much more than that. if they both were in the same game situation dirk can find a way to get a bucket but larry could also find a way to get an assist as well.
I don't think you know much. the year before the Celtics had Bird they finished 23-59. Bird's rookie season they finished 61-21 without Parrish and McHale. Russell was not only great as a Celtic USF went undefeated his last 2 years and won the NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956, including 55 consecutive victories. UCLA coach John Wooden called Russell "the greatest defensive man I've ever seen". During his college career, Russell averaged 20.7 points per game and 20.3 rebounds per game.
I wanna throw my shoes at people who say Bird n Dirk are just alike and once they bring my shoes back I'll fuckin slap em for being that blind n stupid.
I take Bird over anyone, ANYONE! (yes that includes Jordan). I remember watching the bulls play the celts in the late 80's. MJ would put up 50 or more and the bulls would still lose! No player in the game elevated the level of his teammates like Bird. There will never ever be another player with his genius!
@thayd03...LOL...He was not even the best player of his era. That distinction would belong to Magic who has scoreboard over him in college and in the NBA. As far as the MJ comment. You are talking about a young MJ who was still learning how to win. Once he got over the hump neither Bird nor the Celtics had an answer for him. Bird is not even the greatest Celtic of all time. That would be Bill Russell who along with Red Auerbach helped to elevate that franchise.
@daytradernupe Magic Johnson said that Bird was the best when they were playing..The only man he ever feared too. Bird and Oscar are the only 2 in NBA history to lead their teams in ppg,rpg,apg,FT%,spg for at least 97% of their careers. Put that into perspective. Bird, Oscar, West, Jabbar,Havlicek are the ONLY 5 players in history to have at least 20,000pts, 10,000rebounds, and 5,000 assists..Some have just above or way above these numbers. Bird has the shortest career on that list by 4 years..
@usnate1 So what Bird also said that Magic was the best player to play. There is even a youtube clip with Bird talking about how great Magic is after they had just beaten the Celtics in game 6 of the finals. You are using statistics to measure greatest. I am using winning and leadership. Those statistics are just numbers.
@daytradernupe Right so even though Bird put up BETTER numbers than Magic across the board than Magic...(magic having the luxury of the top center,and the number 2 or 3 SF in the league) Bird led the celtics loaded w/ HOfers in ppg,rpg,apg,FT%, spg (that speaks in favor of Bird having all of those HOFers)for the first 11 of 12 healthy seasons...its more impressive than magic only leading in assists at the PG no less and scoring 2nd or 3rd place for 11yrs.
@themanningsjdsjjj Jordan played against the same players as bird. Bird had a tremendous team. Jordan also dominated against the best in 80s 90s and at over 40 dropped +20 a game in the 2000s. He played against the bad boys, showtime, Barkley and the suns, a loaded Portland team, miller and Indiana, tough Knicks teams with Ewing. Went on to play Shaq, Kobe, iverson, ect.... I love bird but he didn't revolutionize the game like mike did. We drink Gatorade, coke, and no one wears air birds. Jord
thinkmikefly 1 day ago
Larry Bird was the most complete player of all time.
themanningsjdsjjj 1 day ago
he was like some kind of wizard.
TheReviewSpace 3 days ago
Unselfish, great play. Look at all that movement away from the basketball and the creativity. Split-second decisions, especially when he's diving to the ground and still dishing assists.
Always a move or two ahead of everybody.
rangerkav 1 week ago
he coulda avg 10 ast a game if he wanted to
tcs4duke 1 week ago
Jordan , Bird, magic!!!! In that order. Greatest of all time... Any era.
thinkmikefly 1 week ago
@thinkmikefly
Jordan did not play against anywhere near the competition Bird did.
Jordan owed a league without stars.
themanningsjdsjjj 1 day ago
That level of hustle at 6'9" wow, Bird was as scrappy as they come. Always looking for an opportunity. This era of NBA basketball was awesome!
buckystate 1 week ago
Majic was a great playmaker. I would say he also was the ultimate playmaker. I just love the way Bird goes after loose balls and then actually is able to get the ball to a team mate. No disrespect to Magic. In my opinion at the top of their careers they were as good as anyone who has ever played including Jordan.
MegaJusWright 2 weeks ago
This has been flagged as spam show
....Are you all kidding me? PISTOL PETE MARAVICH... nothing against bird or stockon or .. others... But Nobody but nobody handles the ball like Petey.... No one...
Iconhulk 2 weeks ago
Comment removed
Iconhulk 2 weeks ago
isnt magic johnson the best playmaker?
skeetskeetbangbang99 2 weeks ago
@skeetskeetbangbang99
In the open floor, yes.
But for the whole floor,, no.
themanningsjdsjjj 1 day ago
I take back what I said. Stockton was a better pure passer. Bird was just the ultimate playmaker.
MegaJusWright 2 weeks ago
I never saw Pistol play, but I did what a video where Bird talked about watching him and being amazed at what he could do. I have seen Isai Thomas make some nice passes.
MegaJusWright 2 weeks ago
@MegaJusWright Bird actually patterned a lot of his flamboyant passes after Pistol Pete, but unlike Pete, Bird did it in the context of winning the game. Pistol Petes only year on a winning team was in 79-80 with the Celtics, Bird's rookie year.
MerkinMuffly 1 week ago
There maybe players with more assist than Bird, but the only other player that I've personally seen play that could even make some of these passes would be Magic and I'm not even sure he could make all of them. As good as Stockton was at making the right pass, he never pulled off anything like what I see on this video.
MegaJusWright 2 weeks ago
No matter what the stats are Magic say's himself "the only player I feared was Bird". Check it out on "Larry Bird the Best ever" video on Youtube. I think it was said ealier in the comments, but Larry Birds court awareness has never been matched. EVER. You can't compare super shooters or dunkers with him, its apples and oranges. Kobe vs MJ? Sure. (MJ). Larry Bird is one of, if not the best all round players ever to play Basketball, and he was a very reliable clinch shooter end game.
ChappyWow 3 weeks ago
better than magic....wow
MegaTobins98 3 weeks ago
Back when bball was a real game, not just a bunch of clowns flexing their muscles and throwing half time half court shots to entertain excitement starved fans.
venuecam 1 month ago
Ewing loved getting dunked on.
venuecam 1 month ago
Larry Bird was THE BASKET !! fantastic player, the best white basketball player of everytime!
turbocamps 1 month ago 2
1:04 - Here you go big fellah.. heres a steal for your resume.
EphinEcko 1 month ago
I love this video.
Ginobili89 1 month ago
the Bird/Magic rivalry is legendary.
holaka18 1 month ago
I had a pass once like the first one
TheBlackhawksown 1 month ago
the quote "he was playing chess, while the rest of them were playing checkers." Comes to mind after watching this.
lethalferret1 1 month ago
bird had the best court awareness of any player to ever play
jadevers11 1 month ago
I love that bounce pass at 1:40. Timing and placement are just perfect.
robarin 2 months ago
He's good yeah, greatest uhhh NO!
Now all of you look Pistol Pete then you can see the greatest passer
!
Asa23447 2 months ago
Bi bi bi bi bird bird bird, Bird is the word.
azn25centt 2 months ago
i love this era of basketball
gigle2015 2 months ago
Larry Bird must be the most underrated passer of all time.
smpl90s 2 months ago
What a feeling watching this montage. Honestly, watching Larry Bird's videos is unlike any other player.
DarkMage573 3 months ago
If And1 players passed the ball, they would want to look like this.
AlexMoensChannel 3 months ago
Like if you came cuz of melanie Iglesias
Juano007100 3 months ago
This was team work! Not like the Miami Heats. smh
edwinlopez30 3 months ago
melanie iglesias send me here.
TheBlooMonster 3 months ago
melanie iglesias.
RepulseV2 3 months ago 27
@RepulseV2 lol..she brought me here too
bitswebull 3 months ago
I don't understand why Kobe is in the discussion but i think Kobe is better defender than Bird. Bird was fine defender for sure but Kobe is really great defender, especially 1on1. But I think Bird is greater player overall than Kobe, no question.
wsiloveoov 3 months ago
goldissue your trying to proove that Bird was a better defender than Kobe, well you cant go by stats. That doesnt prove anything. Its about could you lock guys down individually and how good of a team defender you were. Kobe guarded the best perimeter players on the court in the late 4th quarters for a reason because hes a lock down defender. Bird couldnt guard anybody 1 on 1 and keep them in front of him
jaywilson18 3 months ago
@jaywilson18 lol. you are all over the place. your first post says Kobe had more blocks then Bird (these are called stats) then when you see the stats favor Bird you say stats don't prove anything. LMAO. Then you talk about Kobe guarding the perimeter players. Of course he was a guard and guess what Bird would guard big men that would have posted up and scored on Kobe all day. So your trying to say Kobe was a better perimeter defender, I agree but Bird was a better low post defender.
goldissue 3 months ago
@goldissue i know right haha i was like wtf? haha
TheTen666 3 months ago
after watching this video you cant say that anybody is a better passer than Bird!!! We must remember that Larry wa a small forward. His feel for the game us unreal
jaywilson18 3 months ago
Not a better passer than the Pistol, Magic, Oscar, Nash, J-Will, Tiny, Stockton & others. Good passer but not the best. Fanatics just get carried away by their statements sometimes.
c2g1980 3 months ago
The hustle is just incredible...
xWelcome 3 months ago
i say Larry is the 3rd Greatest player of all time behind Kobe and MJ. He wasnt better than them because he couldnt do as many things on the court as well as them. They were better finishers at the basket obviouslly, they were way better individual defenders, they blocked more shots. If larry had more athleticism he mite have been the best ever
jaywilson18 3 months ago
@jaywilson18 Please check the facts before posting. Bird had 755 blocks (only 13 seasons) Kobe has only 576 (in 15 seasons) Bird average .8 blocks per game Kobe only .5 per game. Also Bird averaged 1.7 steals a game and Kobes per game average is 1.5. And as long as we are talking defense, Bird averaged 8 defensive rebounds per game while Kobe only averages 4.1. Just because people like to say Bird was slow and not athletic dont think he wasnt a good defender.
goldissue 3 months ago 2
how the hell would kobe be second greatest all time when there are player's like LARRY BIRD waiting on the sideline and the list goes on! LOL damn the media and damn the fans by believing...
wornoutshoes11 3 months ago
Steal at the 3:11 mark. He sure made those guys look silly.
herk650 3 months ago
BIRD is the word!
Nadz2Nostrilz 3 months ago
Prime Bird > Prime Lebron. He'd get dunked on a few times but ultimately he'd make lebron look like a dumbass with his "unathletic" moves - not to mention he'd completely dismantle Lebron's weak psyche when the game is on the line. No one talked more trash (with the ability to back it up) than Bird.
dantheman9758 4 months ago
2:33 Larry Bird quarter back!!
elkhornstudio 4 months ago
bird...90% brain,10% athlet. 100% best player.
gigettu 4 months ago
magic
melo19ful 4 months ago
pistol pete is definantly the best passer fo all time but i gotta give bird his props he has a very high basketball iq and was a very good passer but i still gotta give it to the pistol
TheJoemartin45 4 months ago
Consider that Bird had the ball in his hands much less than Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, John Stockton, Pete Maravich, and probably even Scottie Pippen. Consider that he had Tiny Archibald, Dennis Johnson, Gerald Henderson and Danny Ainge to handle the ball for him. Consider that that he shared touches with McHale and Parish. Then think about his assists averages. It's pretty incredible. Then look at the actual passes on this video. He may indeed be the greatest passer ever.
badpdx 4 months ago 3
Idk if i agree with the title of this video... and I'm a Celtics fan lol. Stockton and Pistol Pete Maravich were pretty legit in dishing the rock. Its a tough call between the three but I gotta give it to Pete.
Bostonsx93179 4 months ago
@Bostonsx93179 Magic was better than all of them. Consider that magic had the highest assists average of all time, had the highest number of assists in a playoff game and the highest number of assists in an NBA finals game. Magic also has the most number of assists in playoff history. Consider also that the only reason Stockton has more total assists than Magic is because Magic retired early. If Magic didn't get AIDS, Stockton WOULD NOT be all time assists leader.
KillPeopleForFun83 1 month ago
@KillPeopleForFun83 Magic's most assists in a season is 989. Stockton topped that number 7 times. When Stockton broke Magic's career assists record, he did it in a lot fewer games. Stockton's per-game assist average is lower than Magic's because Stockton played so long passed his prime, he brought his numbers down.
Magic's better than Stockton, but Stockton was the king of the assist stat.
mrmacross 3 weeks ago
@Bostonsx93179 By the way, I think Larry Bird was the greatest Basketball player of all time. But no doubt Magic was the best passer of all time. Magic's teammates said they were bewildered and shook their heads in disbelief at his passes, and sometimes they thought Magic must have passed the ball through someone.
KillPeopleForFun83 1 month ago
Damn, I enjoy having basketball related conversations but I'd love to stop talking about LeBron on a Larry Bird video. I guess it's just as much my fault as it is anyone elses.
thestradiosmiles 4 months ago
people are really mentioning LeBron's name with Bird??!! Huh?!! For all the LeBron ass kissers out there answer me this: Did you ever see Bird, Magic or Jordan totally disappear in the 4th quarter of EVERY Finals game the way LeBron did this year? I thought not. LeBron the King HAHAHAHAH
Martino57 4 months ago
Playoff Record against each other
Bird : 10
Jordan : 0
Martino57 4 months ago
@Martino57 Actually it's 6-0 Bird
MerkinMuffly 4 months ago 14
@MerkinMuffly But it would've been 10 if they played 10 LOL.
FavreianVengeance 4 months ago
@MerkinMuffly Bird was one badass. But Magic is the best passer ever.
mrsoftnessful 3 months ago
@MerkinMuffly ...and if the first round of the playoffs was Best-of-7 back then, it would've been 8-0 Bird.
drumass666 2 months ago
jordan would have killed the mavericks with the bulls team he had!
that's the real point. he didnt need 2 other greats. and please with the he had pippen crap! if anybody was born before 1975 knows that it's very clear jordan made pippen a great player. he was just an average player when they drafted him.
bigaandjenae 5 months ago
@bigaandjenae: I was born prior to 1975. Michael Jordan was the greatest player I've ever seen, but Scottie Pippen was no slouch. Don't sell him short just to prop Mike up. He doesn't need any help.
Besides, Bird was a better passer than Lebron, Mike or Pippen. That's what this video is about.
badpdx 5 months ago
@bigaandjenae The press love to sing long songs about MJ made Pippen. However, their songs are missing a few verses. For example. Why did Pippen have his finest seasons without MJ? In 1994, Pippen averaged 22 ppg, 8.7 rpg, and 5.6 apg. In 1995, Pippen became only the second player in history (Dave Cowens was the first) to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals. How could he do this without MJ to make him better? MJ didn’t make Pippen. Pippen made Pippen. CONTINUED....
MerkinMuffly 5 months ago
@MerkinMuffly CONTINUED...The typical MJ fan will respond with "how many rings did Pippen win without MJ?" The answer is 0. Likewise, how many rings did MJ win without Pippen? 0. Comparing these 2 players apart from each is very unfavorable for MJ. Pippen had a better career record and a better post-season record than MJ. Pippen's only losing season was his final year in the NBA, when he missed much of the season due to injury and was in a leadership role for a re-building Bulls. CONTINUED...
MerkinMuffly 5 months ago
@MerkinMuffly CONTINUED.. Think about it: MJ never had a winning record apart from Pippen. Without Pippen, MJ could not even get any of his teams to a .500 record, much less a championship. 85, 86, 87, 2002, 2003 were all losing season records for MJ without Pippen. Pip played on many playoff teams in Portland and Houston without MJ . MJ never made anyone better but MJ. It makes you wonder who made who a better ball player, or at least who was the most valuable player to the win-loss column.
MerkinMuffly 5 months ago
@bigaandjenae You're an idiot. Parrish likely wouldn't have been a HOFer w/o Bird. So spare us the great crap. McHale was great but he only avg'd 4.7 ppg his first championship. And Pippen is a Top 50 player for a reason. Jordan didn't make him great. Before Pippen came to town, Jordan never had a winning season. Stop spouting your garbage. And here's the 'real point' Bird beat MJ 14x times in a row inc. 2 p/o sweeps. Bird beat the greats. Jordan lost to the greats.
FavreianVengeance 4 months ago
If Larry had taken all of the wide open shots he had instead of passing to others who were wide open, he would have averaged 10 more points per game for his career. If you watch, half of these great passes, Bird had an easy shot and passed it up for the assists. Great player. Maybe the greatest.
WadeHolland 5 months ago
Nice i'm not!
thestradiosmiles 5 months ago
I wonder if I'm still blocked from commenting on this video for no reason?
thestradiosmiles 5 months ago
I could watch that stuff all day long. Now that's basketball...
TheRiceowlex 5 months ago
I love the play at 1:20 cause nowadays u dont see people hustle like him and rarely ever get down to the floor for the ball but he didnt just hustle his ass off but from his ass he makes a perfect pass to his teamate cuuting to the basket
jmendey 5 months ago
uhhh you mean shooter? lol
poedgon123 5 months ago
He's not the best passer ever (Magic and Stockton were clearly better, and possibly some others).
He's probably the best passing big ever though.
PowerCoefficient 5 months ago
it must suck to face bird in a basketball game
huytiopful 5 months ago
I CANT HELP BUT WATCH THIS over and over.
zacharykelway 5 months ago
stop talking about lebron and jordan in a bird passing video
luvstospooge0 5 months ago
lol some of those plays were absolute ownage. larry bird was a great passer.
netcap001 5 months ago
Legend. That is awesome.
S2thefuckingS 6 months ago
im pretty sure magic johnson is the greatest passes of all time, get the fuc outta here buddy!
yungchieffer 6 months ago
Joe Barry Carrol aka Joe Barely Cares go kill yourself. Its like hes never played organized hoops in his life. We traded him for Parish and McHale. Well played Red. Thanx GS!
BCH19821091 6 months ago
Every player is playing checkers and Bird plays chess. Its almost A man amoung boys.
zacharykelway 6 months ago 3
This is a super video..One of the best I've seen on You tube. Thanks so much. I love watching Larry Bird. They'll never be another like him
fr6313 6 months ago 2
When I saw this videos title me being only 15 I thought "Really? Best passer?" but after watching this I realized that Bird was a true innovator and one of the best all around players ever. I just wish I could have seen him when he was still playing
vissen291 6 months ago 3
Larry Bird > Lebron James
dxdude2004 6 months ago
lebron is a great physical specimen who happens to play basketball.. bird was an innovator of the game and a true baller
ThePhilosopherKing00 6 months ago 2
Cool headed......hustle.....vision......and one of the best shots in the game.
U3X6785 6 months ago 2
woww
thegreatyuri 6 months ago
His hands move like grease lightin'
chemdah 6 months ago
that being said, Larry clearly had a better knack for playmaking than LeBron does.
thestradiosmiles 6 months ago
@thayd03 That's why Larry himself said that "LeBron is as good as anyone who's ever played the game"
...or that "He's one guy in the league that I think he'll probably be better than all of us when it's all said and done."
You're welcome to look those quotes up to verify their validity if you don't believe me. Just because you hate the guy doesn't mean you have any basis to question his abilities. He's an amazing basketball player and is individually elite at the level of Bird and Magic.
thestradiosmiles 6 months ago
@thestradiosmiles I personally don't like Lebron because he's too cocky and celebrates before the game or series is over, like this years finals. But Lebron is a better team player than Jordan. Jordan left the bulls in 94 and was replaced by a CBA player and the bulls only lost 2 more games during the regular season than with him. LBJ leaves the Cavs and they drop 42 games worse, an insane number. I'm glad LBJ choked in the finals, but Bird is right, he is as fine as any player that's played.
MerkinMuffly 6 months ago
@MerkinMuffly please give me another example o LeBron being cocky or celebration prematurely besides this years finals
RonnieTheBear142 6 months ago
@MerkinMuffly LeBrons importance to the Cavs partially lied in his leadership qualities, but for the most part LeBrons major contribution was statistical efficiency (building around the most efficient offensive player in the league = title shot). Jordan did far more as far as inspiring his team, especially in big moments, which is why he continues to get the edge. The same can be said about Bird, though that argument is not as clear cut when it comes to the media and the general perception.
thestradiosmiles 6 months ago
@MerkinMuffly I don't care for LeBrons attitude. That said, I really could care less what the guy is like (immature, snobby, etc.) The reason the media clung onto him in the first place was because he had a squeaky clean public image and was a hometown hero. Image shifted when he set himself up for endless parody and now people have forgotten that this guy is still just a damn athlete; one of the most amazing and talented ones that we will see in our lives under the microscope.
thestradiosmiles 6 months ago
@MerkinMuffly Jordan left a GOOD Bulls team but Lebron left a rubbish Cavs team so u cant compare like that
TheTonyMontanah 6 months ago
@thestradiosmiles
bhwhaha lols
thts b/c unlike mj hes respectful of talent lols
brons been in the league 7 fuckin years
by that time bird had - 3 chips, 3 mvp's
ITS NOT EVEN CLOSE LOLS
plus their stats will end up looking VERY close....minus bird's superior efficiency.... DUH LOLS ;.
ry3304 6 months ago
@ry3304 LeBron is far more efficient statistically than Bird for his career and really it's not even close . At Bird's prime he was amazingly efficient posting a PER of 26.4 in his transcendent '86 season then 27.8 the following year (shooting 50-40-90 in both seasons). However, LeBron has crested 30.0 PER twice already and is #2 all time in PER (Bird is #19). It's no contest. LOLS??
thestradiosmiles 6 months ago
@thestradiosmiles WTF are you talking about LOLS. First off, PER does not mean your the most complete player. Were talking stats here, so if you take the 5 main basketball stats and compare Bird and Lebrick, Bird destroys him. PPG LBJ = 3 All Time, Bird = 16 AT. APG LBj=26 AT, Bird = 42 AT, RPG LBJ = 143 AT, Bird = 42 AT. LBJ & Bird are all equal in BPG and SPG so we don't add that. If you take those 3 stats and divide by 3, Bird is 33.3 and LBJ is 57.3 So Bird wins the stats argument...
MerkinMuffly 6 months ago
@MerkinMuffly continued... - Bird = 16+42+42/3 = 33.3 LBJ=3+26+143/3 = 57.3. So now you can see that statistically Bird dominates LBJ mainly because Lebrick is a horrible rebounder compared to Bird. They both tie in blocks per game and steals per game, so that's a wash. And you don't even want me to compare Bird's shooting % to Lebricks, Bird leads him in FG%, FT% and 3Pt%. Bird is also a better defender, Bird leads Lebron in Defensive Win Shares and Defensive rating so you see... LOLS??
MerkinMuffly 6 months ago
@thestradiosmiles You see, the main problem with PER(Player Efficiency Rating) is that PER rewards inefficient shooting, and Lebron is certainly that. "Hollinger argues that each 2 point field goal made is worth about 1.65 points. A 3 point field goal made is worth 2.65 points. A missed field goal, though, costs a team 0.72 points. Given these values, with a bit of math we can show that a player will break even on his 2 point field goal attempts if he hits on 30.4% of these shots...CONTINUED..
MerkinMuffly 6 months ago
@MerkinMuffly CONTINUED... On three pointers the break-even point is 21.4%. If a player exceeds these thresholds, and virtually every NBA player does so with respect to two-point shots, the more he shoots the higher his value in PERs. So a player can be an inefficient scorer and simply inflate his value by taking a large number of shots." That's why LBJ is so high in PER, it rewards his inefficient shooting and players that take more shots are given a higher PER. PER is not the end-all in stats
MerkinMuffly 6 months ago
@MerkinMuffly Very well said!! Too many people can get carried away with stats and not pay close attention to how these stats are derived. One thing about Bird that isn't said enough--you could not judge the guy by stats alone--all the intangible things he did on the court were amazing. The most complete and well rounded player ever!!
mrho4speed 5 months ago
@thestradiosmiles Just saw this Bird video and read your comments;these athlete comparison arguments can get prettyrepetitive and silly but 1) contrary to what a sily broadcaster said;Lebron isn't a Bird level passer;as amazing as these passes are ,his most amazing passes were in the halfcourt where EVERYONE knew he was about to feed Parish or McHale--and no defender could stop it-secondly--Lebron hasn't and may NEVER show bird's leadership ability-especially in the playoffs---Time will tell.
mrbriscoe2001 5 months ago
@mrbriscoe2001 I completely agree about LeBron's leadership qualities. In the end, that could be the one major thing that separates guys like LeBron from guys like Bird; their ability to take a team on their shoulders mentally, and not statistically.
thestradiosmiles 5 months ago
@thestradiosmiles He's young.All the Heat are;Time is on his side-and his team's...
mrbriscoe2001 5 months ago
@mrbriscoe2001 Indeed. That's why it "could" be the one major thing, but hopefully isn't. I'm the kind of sports fan that wants to see those who are unquestionably great play to their full potential, even if they have maturity/personal/off the court issues that the media tries to focus on.
thestradiosmiles 5 months ago
@thestradiosmiles Larry says that bullshit all the time. Lebron isn't close to Larry as a passer, a shooter, or a champion! Larry is so much smarter than James it's ridiculous. Don't ever bring up Lebron again bitch.
thewolfmanchu 5 months ago
Comment removed
thestradiosmiles 5 months ago
Game recognizes game, it's happened since the beginning and will happen til the end. The greats can always pick out the ones who see the game the same way they did, and that's exactly why guys like Pippen, Bird, Oscar Robertson, Magic, Barkley, Shaq, you know some of the greatest to lace up, say he has what it takes to be one of the very best ever and "is in a class by himself". The talent and the work ethic are there, the talent especially since he might more natural talent than anyone EVER.
thestradiosmiles 5 months ago
@thestradiosmiles Lebron has alot to prove baby! He has no titles for one. He's a great talent but so were many others who fell short! Does he have what it takes? We'll see. If Michael Jordan was teamed with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, they would have killed the Dallas Mavericks!
thewolfmanchu 5 months ago
@thewolfmanchu Yeah he does have a lot to prove, I never said he didn't. That's why I don't put him on the level of the all-time greats yet. And anyway, a team with three of the best five players in history on it would kill anyone, even if the rest of the guys on the team were rookies/vet minimum contracts. That's really not the same as 2 top 50 all-time guys paired with an all-star guy like Chris Bosh who is great and has tons of potential and talent but isn't even close to anyone mentioned.
thestradiosmiles 5 months ago
@thestradiosmiles Well, we'll see.
thewolfmanchu 5 months ago
@thestradiosmiles Personally I think Bosh is soft and shrinks from the bigtime and his defense and boarding is not what I'd want from a frontline leader. But given his 2011 Finals performance he at least deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as other so called stars.
FavreianVengeance 4 months ago
@thewolfmanchu The 2011 Finals showed me that Wade and Lebron take shortcuts - particularly Lebron. Just watching the last 3 games and how they could not make an outside shot to save their lives. It was so pathetic. The Mavs exposed them. Lebron and Wade didn't put the work in and they were hoping to get free throws and dunks to save them. That's not how you win a championship - well not if Stern isn't cheating. And Stern was not going to rob the Mavs a 2nd time.
FavreianVengeance 4 months ago
@FavreianVengeance Exactly, Lebrick got lucky in the series with Boston and Chicago and was pulling 3s out of his ass, not even good 3 point attempts, contested 3s. When he relied on this luck against the Mavs, it was gone. Taking the ball to the basket wins rings, not jacking up contested 3s. Lebrick has no basketball IQ.
MerkinMuffly 4 months ago
@thewolfmanchu I wouldn't compare Magic, Jordan or Bird to Bosh, Wade and LBJ. Lebron is the only one who might be mentioned in that group by the end of his career. But he really exposed his lack of shooting ability in the 2011 Finals. Then again, Magic wasn't a great shooter til the end of his career. But that's why I have Bird and Jordan ahead of Magic. If Lebron had a Kareem, Worthy and Cooper to rely on he might have won rings already too.
FavreianVengeance 4 months ago
@FavreianVengeance I Lebrick had Kareem he would most likely have won 2 or 3, if not more by now. Kareem is very underrated, I consider him a top 5 or 6 player ever.
MerkinMuffly 4 months ago
@MerkinMuffly Kareem's offense is under-rated. All's Magic did for a long time when he could not get on the fast break was come down floor, throw it to Kareem in the post, do a cut and then let him either shoot or pass it out on a double team. Magic was the oil, but I think Kareem and Worthy were the real piston engines to that offense. Back to the point, Kareem was a defensive liability in certain match-ups. But yea a Kareem, LBJ combo would get rings.
FavreianVengeance 4 months ago
@thestradiosmiles LBJ's talent may be there, but the work ethic? Nah. He takes short cuts b/c he thinks he can. That's why he made big promises to Cleveland, failed and then jetted town. That's why he promised 8 rings to Miami and then in the Finals and then he wouldn't take an outside jumper to save his life in the 11 Finals. People don't hate Lebron because their jealous (aside from the trolls that always hate). People sniffed out Lebron's bull shit. That's all there is to it.
FavreianVengeance 4 months ago
@FavreianVengeance As for all this stuff, it's just rehashed nonsense. He didn't fail Cleveland, Cleveland failed him. The dude did everything he possibly could for that team, back to back MVPs and 60 win seasons with a Finals appearance thrown in to boot, and they still couldn't surround him with quality players. Would you stay on a team that continued to fail at putting pieces together around you when you're the best player in the league in your prime?
thestradiosmiles 4 months ago
@thestradiosmiles LBJ promised titles in Cleveland. He said he wasn't ever leaving til the job was done. His words not mine. And in 08, Pierce did own LBJ Game 7 en route to a championship. The Spurs swept him in 07. In10, LBJ quit out there on the court. And its a shoddy carpenter that blames his tools. And MVP awards don't mean as much as you think. They are essentially just best regular season stats awards. In the playoffs, James weaknesses get exposed.
FavreianVengeance 4 months ago
@FavreianVengeance Dude, so what if LeBron sets high goals for his teams? You're acting like people don't promise to bring titles to cities and fail in every different sport all around the world.
Yeah Pierce "owned" LeBron in that game... James - 45-5-6-2 Pierce 41-4-5-2 No. Both players gave it their all and they had a great battle. No one got "owned".
Yep, got swept in 07 by arguably the 2nd best team of the decade after putting on one of the greatest performances in playoff history.
thestradiosmiles 4 months ago
@FavreianVengeance As for the regular season MVPs, I'd like you to go and look at the players who have won regular season MVP over the course of history and tell me it doesn't mean much. That's really just ignorant. Anyhow, LeBron's numbers actually increase in the playoffs compared to the regular season (27.7ppg-7.1rpg-7apg to 28ppg-8.4rpg-7apg). And that's his weaknesses getting exposed? Stop buying into what the media feeds you.
thestradiosmiles 4 months ago
@thestradiosmiles I almost forgot the original point. You're a fool if you're claiming Lebron is on Bird's level. Explain to me how that is so? And if you come with some sort of teammates argument I'm going to laugh in your face.
FavreianVengeance 4 months ago
@FavreianVengeance Once again, and for the final time, I never said he was on Birds level. I have now repeatedly said that he isn't. Hello? Anyone home?
thestradiosmiles 4 months ago
@thestradiosmiles I believe you did and I went back to find the comment and see one was removed. But hey, if you're saying Lebron ain't on Bird's level now then all is well all the same.
FavreianVengeance 4 months ago
@FavreianVengeance I really didn't. That removed comment was a double post...
thestradiosmiles 4 months ago
Comment removed
FavreianVengeance 4 months ago
@thestradiosmiles Bird may have said those quotes, but your conclusion that Lebron is on Larry Bird's level is so off, I don't even think I should bother explaining it to you.
FavreianVengeance 4 months ago
@FavreianVengeance You should go back and reread... I never concluded that LeBron is on Larry's level. I specifically stated that there is a mental divide, namely a confidence issue in big games, and intangible will to win that separates LeBron from being included among the greats.
thestradiosmiles 4 months ago
So glad I was in high school when Bird was at his peak (I learned a lot watching "Larry Legend" on Sunday afternoons!). What an incredible player and competitor! Pistol made some good passes in his day, Magic had some memorable assists, but Larry stands alone in the "did he really just do that?!?" category. Fans will always argue over the 'greatest' of all time - this guy gets my vote every time. 20+ yrs later and it still amazes me. Thank you for posting the video!
garybgardner 6 months ago
Larry better passer than Magic??? OK, HOLD ON NOW!!!
sera7ares 7 months ago
You're watching what greatness is all about.
cazzimma 7 months ago
man i wanna work on my passing now!
Zebeldarebel 7 months ago
there is a reason why there has not been another player close to his game in 20 years. his more unique more than jordon
alexaadap 7 months ago
Can anyone please tell me the name of the song that plays in the background of the Bird video? It fits perfectly; I'd love to download it somewhere.
BorisRiabov 7 months ago
@BorisRiabov Mammagamma - Alan Parsons Project, same album as the Bulls intro song Serious.
LittleTokyoOff 7 months ago
@LittleTokyoOff Eye in the Sky album by Alan Parson's Project
MerkinMuffly 7 months ago
Great passing, but how about the hands on Parish and McHale? Stockton might still be better.
meursault31 7 months ago
MJ>Bird>Magic
In that order without question.
usnate1 7 months ago
@usnate1 depends what you are comparing... overall stats and rings yes. Everything else is subjective. MJ is not the passer Bird and Magic are. MJ is a better scorer. But let me tell you, I have not seen a behind the back bounce pass in 10 years in the NBA and Bird is special in that way.
codyplayground 7 months ago
@codyplayground Oh absolutely...Bird pre back injury in '85 was pretty athletic...and a non athletic Bird was dominate...makes you think...if Bird had a touch more athleticism b/c of his b-ball and personal I.Q., with his work ethic and hustle( I haven't seen another superstar that dove and sacrificed his body the way bird did), and the fact that his stroke was every bit if not sweeter than MJ's....I think Bird would be unquestionably the GOAT. Hes already top 5. Agree?
usnate1 7 months ago
incredilbe basketball IQ, 360 degree court vision
jjallen117 7 months ago
@mrsoftbody Exactly! It's passes like that that completely render all this "lebron is better then Bird" nonsense self evidently wrong. Bird was the fastest decision maker ever. A basketball Bobby fisher.
TheNameOfMyAccount 7 months ago
@mrsoftbody The whole video: WHAT A PASS! :P
MBogdos96 7 months ago
dirk is truly unguardable and hes an amazing bball player, but larry was so much more than that. if they both were in the same game situation dirk can find a way to get a bucket but larry could also find a way to get an assist as well.
peplajso 7 months ago
Good passer but not as good as Pistol Pete
10melville 7 months ago
HOLY SHIT ALL PASS WAS SICK!!!!!DAMN YOU LARRY!!!! YOURE FUCKING GREAT MEN!!!!
PRETTYBOYDHON 7 months ago
also bird did it all without getting away with travelling every other play.
oldfrend 7 months ago
its like he knows the exact location of every man on the court without even looking.
JuGGernaut81295 7 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
thayd03 I suggest you watch on YouTube
When The Game Was Ours
you have no idea of the pain Larry Bird played with.
Magic and Bird were both great and respected each other..
watch
Larry Bird's retirement with Magic Johnson (Part 1) and
Larry Bird's retirement with Magic Johnson (Part 2)
on YouTube.
.........................................................................................
Jordan's record speaks for itself 6 finals 6 rings.
geocgeo 7 months ago
I don't think you know much. the year before the Celtics had Bird they finished 23-59. Bird's rookie season they finished 61-21 without Parrish and McHale. Russell was not only great as a Celtic USF went undefeated his last 2 years and won the NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956, including 55 consecutive victories. UCLA coach John Wooden called Russell "the greatest defensive man I've ever seen". During his college career, Russell averaged 20.7 points per game and 20.3 rebounds per game.
geocgeo 7 months ago
I wanna throw my shoes at people who say Bird n Dirk are just alike and once they bring my shoes back I'll fuckin slap em for being that blind n stupid.
terrorofsesameST 7 months ago 15
I take Bird over anyone, ANYONE! (yes that includes Jordan). I remember watching the bulls play the celts in the late 80's. MJ would put up 50 or more and the bulls would still lose! No player in the game elevated the level of his teammates like Bird. There will never ever be another player with his genius!
thayd03 7 months ago
@thayd03...LOL...He was not even the best player of his era. That distinction would belong to Magic who has scoreboard over him in college and in the NBA. As far as the MJ comment. You are talking about a young MJ who was still learning how to win. Once he got over the hump neither Bird nor the Celtics had an answer for him. Bird is not even the greatest Celtic of all time. That would be Bill Russell who along with Red Auerbach helped to elevate that franchise.
daytradernupe 7 months ago
@daytradernupe Magic Johnson said that Bird was the best when they were playing..The only man he ever feared too. Bird and Oscar are the only 2 in NBA history to lead their teams in ppg,rpg,apg,FT%,spg for at least 97% of their careers. Put that into perspective. Bird, Oscar, West, Jabbar,Havlicek are the ONLY 5 players in history to have at least 20,000pts, 10,000rebounds, and 5,000 assists..Some have just above or way above these numbers. Bird has the shortest career on that list by 4 years..
usnate1 7 months ago
@usnate1 So what Bird also said that Magic was the best player to play. There is even a youtube clip with Bird talking about how great Magic is after they had just beaten the Celtics in game 6 of the finals. You are using statistics to measure greatest. I am using winning and leadership. Those statistics are just numbers.
daytradernupe 7 months ago
@daytradernupe Right so even though Bird put up BETTER numbers than Magic across the board than Magic...(magic having the luxury of the top center,and the number 2 or 3 SF in the league) Bird led the celtics loaded w/ HOfers in ppg,rpg,apg,FT%, spg (that speaks in favor of Bird having all of those HOFers)for the first 11 of 12 healthy seasons...its more impressive than magic only leading in assists at the PG no less and scoring 2nd or 3rd place for 11yrs.
usnate1 7 months ago