Larry Bird - Absolute Best Of

He is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Entering the NBA in the 1979-80 season, he played most of his career with a messed up index finger due to an injury, and his last years with severely debilitating back problems but was still able to leave his mark as one of the best shooters to ever play the game. He was a versatile wing man who played the small forward and power forward positions. He could do it all. He had the quickest hands in the game. He could create his own shot and shoot from just about anywhere any way, had an amazing post game and footwork and could drive and finish it with both hands. He could protect, dribble and handle the ball very well, despite not being able to carry it like a guard with all the unbelievable tricky moves and such, he was an excellent playmaker that could create all kinds of passes. He was a great rebounder even without an amazing leaping ability. He was all heart and gut, and hustled like a warrior, fighting for every play. Possessed a really high basketball I.Q., and an uncanny and unparalleled ability to anticipate and react to the strategies of his opponents. With an off the charts defensive awareness, he was a good team and post defender, while he was neither that fast or really quick-footed, and could not always shut down an individual player one-on-one, he consistently displayed a knack for anticipating the moves of his opponent, allowing him to intercept passes and create turnovers. Unspectacular but effective defensive moves, such as jumping into a passing lane to make a steal or allowing his man to step past and drive to the hoop, then blocking the opponent's shot from behind, were staples of his defensive game. His multidimensional game made him a consistent triple-double threat. Adding to all of this, he is one of the best all time clutch performers, the sharpshooting legend made his name by always delivering in critical situations, and is credited with a long list of dominating games, buzzer beaters and clutch defensive plays. With his true competitive nature he was also known for his trash-talking. In his career he scored 24.3 points per game on a high .496 field goal average, a stellar .886 free throw average and a 37.6 percentage on 3-point shots. He remarkably averaged 6.3 assists per game despite the fact that he was a forward and played with great guards and passers such as Tiny Archibald, Dennis Johnson or Danny Ainge. Had 10.0 rebounds per game while playing with other amazing rebounders like Robert Parish, Kevin McHale or Cedric Maxwell. He also averaged 1.7 steals and 0.8 blocks, per game. All of this while playing his last years with a career ending injury on his back. He scored 40 or more points 47 times in the regular season and had career game highs of 60 points, 21 rebounds, 16 assists, 9 steals and 7 three pointers made. He currently ranks fifth all-time in triple-doubles with 59, not including the 10 he recorded in the playoffs. His lifetime player efficiency rating (PER) is 23.5, 18th all-time, a further testament to his all-around game. Additionally, he is the only 20, 10, 5 player in NBA history (points, rebounds, assists per game) with a lifetime PRA rating (points + rebounds + assists per game) of 40.6, which is 8th all-time. He was the first player in NBA history to shoot 50% or better on field goals, 40% on 3-pointers, and 90% on free-throws in a single NBA season while achieving the league minimum for makes in each category. He accomplished this feat twice and is second only to Steve Nash for seasons in the 50-40-90 Club.
3× NBA Champion (1981, 1984, 1986)
3× NBA Most Valuable Player (1984--1986)
12× NBA All-Star (1980--1988, 1990--1992)
2× NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986)
9× All-NBA First Team (1980--1988)
All-NBA Second Team (1990)
3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1982--1984)
NBA Rookie of the Year (1980)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (1980)
NBA All-Star Game MVP (1982)
3× Three-point Shootout champion (1986--1988)
NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
#33 retired by Boston Celtics
His humble roots were the source of his most frequently used moniker, "The Hick From French Lick". He has also acquired the nickname "Legend".
He is Larry Bird.

This video displays some of his highlights showing his great all-around game with excerpts of Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Bird himself.

P.S.: I just wanted to thank all of the youtubers with amazing videos of highlights from Bird that I used for my own video.
And as Magic said: "There will never be another Larry Bird."

no copyright infringement intended

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[Defender80s]

Dude whats the name of the song that starts at 8:48?

Great Stuff from Larry Legend!

[BasketballJones48021]

@Defender80s Jim Capaldi - Something So Strong

[FavreianVengeance]

@usnate1

GREATEST. The only answers I'll accept as competitors to Bird's greatness are Bill Russell and Oscar Robertson. Bird always handed Jordan his ass. He's the corporate anointed greatest ever. Here's a lesson kids; you aren't the greatest if you get your ass handed to you 14x times in a row including 2 playoffs sweeps. That's not how it works. Don't eat the pudding ESPN is selling you. It'll just make you mentally fat.

[cmebfresh1]

larry bird also didn't take no shit from nobody

[geocgeo]

@uyu8732 The Lakers will always be sucking Celtics cock..

The Celtics and Lakers have met 12 times in the Finals. Boston has won nine and the Lakers only three. Largest point winning margin clinching the NBA championship 2008 Game 6 Boston Celtics 131 Los Angeles Lakers 92...

[VagMan123]

@FavreianVengeance

and magic dont forget him

[trha2222]

I think he is the greatest passer I have ever seen. I didn't start watching the NBA til 82 so I can't say about those players that came before him. And yes, I think he was a better passer than Magic. Not much better but still better.

[melbournestud]

I remember a lot of these plays when they showed the play-off finals here in Australia winter time Sunday mornings.

Unforgettable. I spent countless hours practising to be Magic Johnson one minute, Larry the next, followed by Dr. J , down at the school summer-time holidays. Great days. In later years it was Barkley when I was nineteen. Even better sometimes.

[uyu8732]

L.E.G.E.N.D 33 Celtics still suck Lakers Baby!!!

[Scumion]

Thank you

[MBogdos96]

And they compare this man to Dirk Nowitzki. -__-

[DH12C]

ooooooo yeeeeaaaaah

great team(on court) awareness(maybe the best)

it has to be a great video(welcome to the jungle)hahahha

larry and j-will would be indescribable good duo

[FRSFreeState]

I believe a lot of young people don't understand how truly great a basketball player Larry Bird was