LARRY IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLAYERS ✊🏽

Bird was never underrated. He is however, under appreciated by today's fans.

Your brother talking about how players jump from team to team today is on point . If you are the best player ever, stay on one team and build it up and carry it to a championship.

Larry was an assassin and would dominate even more in today’s NBA!

Honestly, us 80s and 90s kids were spoiled by the amount of amazing talent in the NBA, seriously.

Larry is top 5 all time. His game is timeless and he would dominate this era, or really any era of NBA basketball. Great reactions bro!!

I went to school with Larry Bird at Indiana State in the late 70's. He took the Sycamores all the way to the NCAA finals. No one had heard of us. We were a mid major program in the Missouri Valley Conference. During the '78-'79 season as we kept climbing up the rankings and were undefeated, there were many basketball "experts" who thought we were overrated. They had no idea of just what a phenomenal player Larry was. In reality his ISU teammates were good players, but with Larry on the floor they were outstanding. He was completely unselfish. Larry could pass the ball with incredible accuracy. It was nothing for him to make an accurate pass the entire length of the floor. His teammates quickly learned, that you had to be completely focused and ready, otherwise you might get hit in the face from one of his passes. What people forget is that in those days, college players didn't have to declare themselves eligible for the NBA draft. Boston spent their first round pick in 1978 on Larry Bird. But Larry had said he wasn't going into the NBA, that he wanted to finish his senior year at Indiana State. He wouldn't sign with Boston until after he graduated. Red Auerbach wanted him so badly, that he drafted him a year early and then had to wait a whole season before Larry joined the Celtics. That was unheard of in those days. No one did that. But Red knew Larry was a once in a lifetime player. What I think makes Larry unique and arguably the greatest player of all time is his ability to understand that basketball is a team game consisting of 5 players on the floor. Get your teammates involved in the game, have them contribute, and you're much more likely to win. Just look at this highlight film. There is just as much passing the ball to his teammates, as there is of Larry shooting a basket. MJ, Kobe, LeBron are all outstanding players, but they don't have Larry's mental skill set, or his ability to make players around him better. Case in point, five of Larry's teammates are in the NBA Hall of Fame. I'm not sure any of them would have gotten in if Larry hadn't been their teammate. (Nate "Tiny" Archibald, Bill Walton, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson)

The man won a game with a broken cheekbone. Imagine breaking your cheekbone then having to go and win a basketball game and be clutch. I know I couldn't do it. Sheer willpower and determination and fighting spirit. Truly remarkable.

Larry was actually the one person that called magic after his HIV diagnosis and offered him whatever he needed. Everyone shunned magic. But Larry bird called him and asked him what he needed because he respected magic so much. And he said when magic left the league he didn’t find it fun anymore because he wasn’t competing against the best. And magic was the best

There will never be another Larry legend he was one of a kind🔥

So. If Winning is the name of the game, consider this: Larry has the 2nd highest win percentage ever. 10 games behind Magic. Less than 1/10th of a percent. Larry joining the Celtics made the single greatest turnaround in NBA history, turning a 29 win team into a 62 win team. And this was without Robert Parish or Kevin McHale. He led his college team-a STATE College, on a Cinderella season of 33-0 right up to the NCAA TOURNAMENT, the ONLY time that College ever made the finals. For the ENTIRE DECADE of the 80s, Larry received 67% of the MVP votes. Think about that! In the talent rich 80s!!! 3 consecutive MVP’s. Founder & 2-time member of the 50/40/90 club… Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, & Executive of the Year! NOBODY else did that! Larry is unparalleled imo. MY TRUE GOAT 🐐

Larry was simply a delight to watch playing and thats what I felt listening to you both. Thanks!

Great reaction. Without Larry or magic. The League today would be nothing. There a rivalry saved The NBA. On a sidenote Larry would dominate today’s game

The idea he wasn't athletic is silly. He wasn't a leaper or a sprinter(Every Olympic Team is filled with leapers and sprinters. But NBA skills?, not so much) He was extremely well coordinated, had unbelievable hand to eye coordination with either hand, had very quick feet and great balance and above average strength. And he was nearly 6'10". He was simply a natural at the actual "game" of basketball, which when combined with his tremendous work ethic, instincts and mental and physical toughness made him one of the greatest to ever play the game. Period. He(and his fellow players) were hacked, bumped, slapped and held at some point on virtually every play(obviously, they themselves did plenty of hacking, bumping, slapping and holding). For better or for worst, the comparative ease and comfort with which current NBA(and most recently, even College) players are free to move around the floor seeking and freely taking their shots, driving the hoop without fear of bodily harm(search Magic and Isaiah shaking hands at tip and then Magic delivering a perfectly violent forearm shiv to Isaiah's face(blood was drawn) for having the sheer audacity to come down the lane. Little wonder the modern player is seen as faster and more graceful than their predecessors.. Again, for better or for worse, it isn't the same game and one must believe that a player who could score(rebound, dribble) while getting (relatively and comparatively) mugged would be just fine when not being mugged. They might even look fast and graceful.(This is a much repeated comment by me. Several Folks have suggested I just copy and paste it, so I do.)

What I like about Larry Bird is that he was highly regarded when he was playing. And as time has passed, we all realize that he might even have been underrated, even then!

I have asked this question many times in these Bird videos to people who don't think Bird is in the GOAT conversation. Name another NBA player who consistently told his opponents what the play was and where he was going to shoot from before the play even started, like Bird did. Bird did that all the time and they still could not stop him even when knowing the play and where he was going to shoot from.

Larry Bird was 1 of the first to call MAGIC when he announced that he had Aids! That's class!👏

Boston has mad ❤️❤️❤️ for Larry.

I went to a Celtics game for my 12th birthday at the old Boston Garden in 1987. What an amazing experience. During halftime, we walked down beside the court. The team was warming up and Robert Parrish walked over to the bench and sat down. He looks skinny on TV, but he was tall, big and very muscular. My 12 year old self was in awe. Then when I was a Freshman, ML Carr came to our school to do an anti-drug presentation in he auditorium and I got rebounds for him!

Larry is the GOAT 🐐 n his position… He could do it all..!! No small point is even close..

So many people say he was "unathletic." He didn't have the speed and power of some, but he was very coordinated and smooth. He had stellar body control - even in the air. At a legit 6'9" he was not a typical big stiff white guy.

Larry won three consecutive MVP awards (84-86) at a time in the league when you had to deal with Magic & Kareem's Showtime Lakers, the Bad Boys in Detroit led by Isaiah & Laimbeer, and a guy in Chicago named Michael with Scottie Pippen arriving in the 86-87 season. Yes, Larry was that good.

No Larry lost to Magic in college playoffs. There’s a funny interview with Larry & Magic ❤️ such love. Magic tells how Larry called him when he got his HIV diagnosis. Larry says Magic makes everyone feel warm. And he also says, he wanted to take a few of those flashy teeth home!!!🤣 Magic has a couple of very funny stories of Larry trash talking him: hysterical!! Told with love & respect. Beautiful bromance ✌🏾

I have seen scores of reactions to this video. Yours is my favourite one. The two of you were respectful, insightful, intelligent and entertaining.

Loved your reaction. Luka is like Larry, except Larry is 10x the shooter that Luka is... Larry would DOMINATE in todays NBA.

The game where the Hawks at the end of the bench were cheering was Bird's 60 point Celtics high score game (and his of course) The final game score was 126 to 115. *Bird scored 33 points in a 14 minute time span in the final quarter*

Michael did beat Larry a few times, but never in the playoffs. 0-6.

It's crazy him and magic were like meant to be soul mates. Larry brid mind for the game was so amazing 🔥

I think I’d have to go with Russell, Bird, Magic, MJ & Jerry West as my 5, playing like today’s model of 3 guards and 2 forwards.

Pat Riley quotes about Bird: "If I had to choose a player to take a shot to win a game I'd choose Michael Jordan; If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life...I'd take Larry Bird." "He's the greatest clutch player I've ever seen. The hell with Jerry West!"

Larry Bird hurt his back paving his mother's driveway in 1985, meaning he played the last 7 seasons of his career in pain. He played longer injured than healthy and we can still throw his name in the "GOAT" conversation.

*Back in the day, a kind of player like, Larry Bird, we used to say, had a lot of heart, and Larry had a huge one* ❣❣❣I watched a lot of sports growing up with my Dad, & he loved Larry Bird, and would always say, that Larry's game reminded him of someone, who was not only playing basketball, but also, volleyball, dodgeball, hockey, baseball, poker, & strategic chess, and that's what made him so great 😊

Your brother is so right. His points are right on 👍

Oh, Magic Johnson came from my hometown, Lansing Michigan. He was a very nice young man. Amazing person ❤

Actually magic beat Larry first in what was the last game both of them played in college for the ncaa championship but they both were awesome and had they not been in each other's way both would have atleast 2-3 more rings

The league was a lot rougher when bird played. The three point line was a foot further back and he still won three in a row. Bird won 3 consecutive mvps, ( only Russell and chamberlain did the same ) founder of the 50/40/90 club, 12 time all star, 3 time champion, coach of the yr, executive of the yr….played with a fractured cheekbone, fractured orbital bone and concussion, bad ankles, feet, and a back injury for 8 of the 13 seasons…that back injury so bad that he went through 4-5hrs of therapy to align his back so it would hold together for the game…..he is top 3….he would dominate today’s league…with today’s medical he would play for 20yrs.

I’m sure it’s been said but the Making the Case is a great series, especially Bird’s edition.

I have always said Bird is the best SF ever Lebron is just under him. If you look at their career averages in points, assist and Rebounds they are very close. But then you get to the shooting percentages and Bird dominates those. Plus Bird is the most clutch player of all time. “If you make me pick someone to make a shot to win a game give me MJ, if I have to pick someone to make a shot to save my life give me Larry Bird”….Pat Riley that sums up how clutch he was.

3 straight MVPS.

Larry is a top 5 if we being honest

Larry is my favorite. Just because he pushed himself so hard. He and Magic freely admit they pushed each other to be better but Larry earned everything he had with his time in the gym and study of the game. You don't earn what nature gave you but how you use it is everything.

I loved your take at the end about wanting to beat the best team, not being on the best team. BTW, I believe he averaged 11 rebounds for his career and was usually 1st or 2nd in MVP (plus 3 in a row!). I'd like to see you two do more reactions together.

To truly understand Bird's impact, you have to watch complete games. His highlight reel is impressive, but what it can't convey is how many times he changed the momentum of a game, elevated his teammates, and won it in the final minute. Magic too. Both top 5.

I loved this reaction! It's cool to see someone gain respect for something they didn't see or know about. Kudos to you for recognizing greatness! The left handed game alone puts him in my top 3! Can you think of another player that did anything close to that game?

obviously I'm here for the Larry reaction and it was great, but ya'll for sure need to do the Magic mixtape reaction too.

Appreciate the reactions on Larry. Larry by those that actually have watched/studied Larry was not underrated ; those that have not then yes, they underestimate Larry. Larry and Magic became good friends in the NBA. Peace be with you both.

Bird is a top 5 player of all-time and without question the greatest clutch player ive ever seen... He was everything. Legend.

Bird and Magic are the top two players ever, why? Because the saved the NBA. Before they played the NBA playoffs were recorded and played on air after the fact, in favor of reruns.

It's worth seeing when Bird and Magic became friends - the how; what Magic's documentary

MJ isnt a chihuahua. That's not fair. But Larry is definitely a Doberman. 😄

Thumbs up, dudes! I was born in '65, would sneak into the living room after my parents went to bed to watch the NBA conference championship games and finals on tape-delay at 11:30pm, because that was the state of the league in the late 70's/early 80's - the most important games were on tape delay on weeknights. When people say Magic and Bird saved the league, they are not exaggerating. He was diminished because of pain but still better than 99% of the league after he suffered a spinal injury while chopping wood (they didn't call him "the hick from French Lick" for nothing.) One can only wonder what his career would have been with today's modern orthopedic surgery compared to the relatively primitive state of surgery 35 years ago. My favorite quote I've heard about MJ and Bird (I think from a member of the "Bad Boys" Pistons but I could be wrong) was "Jordan made you look slow, Bird made you look stupid." Second favorite is from Kareem, saying (paraphrasing here) Bird looked unathletic but his fitness level wore other people out by the end of a game, but his most powerful muscle was "the one between his ears". Third favorite is the story from the 1992 Olympics, Bird was throwing up in a trash can before the game because the emotions hit him all at once that this was the final competitive game he'd ever play for the rest of his life and the pain of that knowledge overwhelmed him - nobody every loved the game more than he did. It's a joy to see Bird getting the recognition he deserves from people who never got to see him play, keep up the good work.

Larry Legend The Great 💚☘️🏀🔥

Great video!

Larry Legend cluchest player ever in the NBA.. I absolutely think Bird would dominate today's NBA. 1986 Celtics best team ever assembled. My opinion 🙂

I like your bro. I agree 100%

I totally agree that to be loyal to a team like Bird did means so much.

Larry Bird’s 50 greatest assists Making the Case Larry Bird And 4 crazy stories that prove Larry Bird was the toughest player Are better videos that highlight Bird’s talents and motivation.

I think what people mean by underrated is that when general populace people bring up great players (Outside game historians or players themselves), as the generations pass, Larry is ranked lower than he should be in favor of current gen or flashy players. As you stated, Black players tend to bask in the spotlight a bit more than Larry did so there is more out there about black greats. BTW, Larry and Magic were rivals but not enemies. They had no issues leaving it on the court and being friends. In fact they had a brief falling out because when Magic got HIV, he didn't tell Larry right away and Larry thought they were closer than that.

I think as time has gone on, we have generations who have never seen Larry Bird play, and they don't respect him the way those of us who watched him do. To put together an analog of Larry out of today's players, you basically need Joker's passing and rebounding, Marcus Smart's grit and toughness, and Luka's shooting touch. Now you've got something that stacks up to Bird. Sort of. I don't talk about LeBron because LeBron is just a physical freak of nature. He was born with incredible physical gifts. He didn't have to work for that. The one thing he had to work on to be competitive in the NBA was the one thing Larry had coming into the league - the will to do whatever it takes to win. Larry didn't care about the "right" basketball play. He cared about making winning plays, whether for himself or his teammates, and he had a knack for making his opponents look ridiculous in the process. Lot of people think he couldn't make it in today's game because everyone's bigger, faster, stronger, whatever. Larry was 6'10" at the SF position. You put him on today's nutrition and workout regimens, and not only does he play at the same level in this league, but he plays for a lot longer than 13 years because people get ejected from the game for fouling people as hard as the Pistons did on him back in the day. There was no such thing as flagrant fouls back then. Not to mention, he was the best 3-point shooter of all time until Steph Curry came along. And he was doing it back when there were no analytics to say "this is a better shot than three feet inside the line" - AND, if you got fouled taking a 3 and missed it, you still only got TWO free throws. Oh, did I mention he was a career 90% FT shooter too? Man could shoot from anywhere, anytime. That part of his game translates to any generation, and so does his uncanny passing ability.

In the Piston game, Larry was told not to go back into the game, but he snuck out of the locker room and played. Dedication.

Larry was the best based on consistency,dedication and that whomever was on the court with him elevated their game because of how Larry played. The example made the level of play exceptional across the board. No other player can be talked of in that manner. Well except Magic. LeBron brought discord to teams. Players played with the fear that LeBron could get them benched or traded. Follow the team's he played on. Larry came straight out of college and returned Celtic pride to a losing organization from day 1. Name 1 other player who did that. LARRY!!!

The only thing under rated from Larry was he should have been paid more lol

I grew up watching these games live on TV and your voice would be gone by the end of the game! We couldn't believe some of these guys. From Kareem to Jordan to Bird, it was ALWAYS going to be a hell of a game. I could go on for days about the talent these guys showed us almost every night. Basketball was real magic back then.

Magic hits a ridiculous shot. Game winner. And you guys are bringing up LeBron. Shaking my head

Damn good video and commentary. Often overlooked, Bird was an elite rebounder defender-team defense-he made All Defense 3 times.

James Worthy said *I'm much rather guard Michael Jordan than Larry Bird* *Bird was always thinking his next two plays afterward* .

The guy in the red shirt nailed it, I agree 💯

Awesome reaction to bird guys. Bird is in the top 5 all time best players. Done.

Bird was/is the MOST all around player ever played the game...can shoot , pass , steal , dunk , block , clutch , dribble , rebound , lead , trash talk , punch fight , play injured...and all these in a 2"10 height with the third highest career win rate of 73,6%. He even started the 50/40/90 club. If you can find another player with those traits and stats then i am out... i dont know who the GOAT is but Bird is among the top 3 players ever existed .-

Bird, Magic, Jordan, Clyde...would absolutely dominate todays NBA.

"They wanted to beat the best, not join the best." Best comment!!! Really enjoyed the comments from both of you.

This is some of the best BB commentaries I have ever heard on a reaction channel. Highly informed indeed. Great job gentlemen.

I think Bird was past his prime and Jordan was before his prime when they played each other.

Jokic literally just won the MVP. Love that you stopped at the miss follow left handed make which most reactions gloss over when it's probably the most impressive play in the video.

Bird IS the baddest man to ever step onto the Court...Period! And its doesnt always have to do with stats!

From the iconic Ric Flair - To be the man, you gotta beat the man. Fucking game over.

You're brother is dead on. This league today is soft, jumping teams, to win rings knocks you down a few levels. You may as well put an aster ix by your name in the record books. In the old days, you weren't friends with the other players, you were going to war with them night in night out. If you look at the league from like 1980-1998, the championships were won by teams that eventually had to overcome other better teams. In the 80s, the Lakers/Celtics/76ers were the team to beat. eventually the Detroit Pistons overcame both Boston, and the Lakers. Jordans bulls had to overcome the bad boy Pistons of 89-90 to start his tear of championships from 91-94, with Houston taking the reigns in the 2 years when jordan retired, once jordan came back, bulls went on another tear from 95-98. Year to year now, the teams change so much, it isnt a progression like it was back then. The lakers went from out of playoff contention, to lebron going to LA and now they are constantly in the yearly talk of expected to compete for championships. The draft doesnt mean as much anymore.

Honestly, I witnessed all this LIVE!!! So sorry you couldn't as well. I had the lowest of the lows while Lakers broke my heart and highest of the highs when "absolutely nobody thought we could beat the Lakers that year (1984)." "The fact is we believed in ourselves and its because of the leadership Larry had (quote by bench player M.L. CARR.). Ironically it is the finals where McHale clotheslines Rambis! There will NEVER be an NBA rivalry that compares. Internally couldn't sleep or eat for a week if the Celtics lost...and I was from Milwaukee, who was also a contender back then!!!!!!!!

Spot on with your assessment of EARNING IT! That’s what separates the ERAS. Whether they were friends or not, they wanted to beat each other not play with each other.

Watching Jokic beg to go home....This video plays!!!

What might be my favorite thing to love about Larry Legend is how he taught the next generation of greats how to COMPETE at the highest level. When Dennis Rodman was a rookie, Bird was all over him, getting in his ear, and backing up his trash talk. He did the same to Jordan, Drexler, Wilkins, Kemp, Magic, Barkley, etc...etc...etc... Larry pushed all these guys to play hard and play smart. My top starting 5 of all time: C Shaq PF Lebron SF Larry SG Kobe PG Mike

9:24 didn't know about this play from Larry, might be what inspired Jordan's infamous play

Best small forward of all time.... Best all-around player of all time 2nd highest win % of all time Larry Legend

The 2 Brothers got good chemistry i like how you'll feed off eachother...Kobe Bryant mixtape

Larry is my favorite player but watching Magic Johnson in action was pure athletic poetry, like a graceful and playful panther playing street ball.

Your comments about doing it with one team is spot on. Bird went to one of the worst teams in the league. In Bird's first year with the hapless Celtics he made them Eastern Conference contenders. Then he'd go on shortly after to win three rings with the same team.

The old school was awesome got to watch it.

You guys are awesome! I’m from Boston and got to witness these games. Great era. Celtics and Lakers 👍🏻

Do we want y'all to watch gameplay? Oh heck yeah! I'm an old NBA fan...I remember being in awe of Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Meadowlark Lemon (the HG's were a beast of a team but their shenanigans took them to a whole new level). I was a USFL fan (now NFL). Today's sports seem like child's play compared to the domineering powerhouses of yesteryear!

Bird and the Celtics beat Jordan and the Bulls by one point in a triple over-time game. Bird was the king of trash talking. All the players from his time have stories of the trash he would talk. He didn't just talk trash, he would back it up. Shooting, rebounding, passing, trash talking, generally out hustling everyone else, I just think Bird was the best. Even Magic said he was the best at Bird's retirement. LOL, one story is that he told a player on the other team that he couldn't believe that they would put a white guy to guard him. LOL

its about time the black man can admit Larry was the best...they would never believe it

100% respect those last comments, I couldn't agree more!

Saying Larry is better than Jordan on an individual level, I dont agree with. In the sense of how much he elevated his team tho, then yea, Id put Larry over MJ. This is why Jordans Bulls never beat Larrys Celtics even tho MJ scored 63 points in one of those play off games. Regardless who you personally put on top, saying MJ vs Bird is like a pitbull vs a chiwawa is silly. All the greats recognize Bird as one of the best players of all time. Jordans response to hearing of Birds retierment was "Thank goodness" and placed Larry in his own top5 best players ever with the side note that whenever he says this people object and he has to tell them they had no idea just how good Larry really was. Those are not things a putbull would say about a chiwawa. Imo Magic, Jordan and Bird are the three greatest and most important players in the NBA history. Put them in any order you like, to me theyre all no1.

No holes in his game

That step back was larrys ,so when ppl do a step back " so n so just did the LB step back and it was all net " a lor of players have a little BIRD in them ,he changed the game ,and hes right he smoked mj ,but we got love for jordan and Jordan respects BIRD #LB33 🐦 💚 glad i seen him in real life, and grew up on him ❤ thxz dad

All things considered, Larry Bird is the G.O.A.T. hands down... 👍Magic and Bird are both 6'-9". They faced off when Michigan State played Indiana State for the national championship in 1979. Magic got MVP of the final 4 and Bird was college player of the year. Michigan State won and Bird and Johnson's rivalry started there and never ended. I feel fortunate to have watched them both throughout their storied careers.👍🏀

Watching them both I want to believe Jordan was better, but if I'm being honest MJ NEVER beat Bird in the Playoffs. Not once did he get passed those Celtics teams.

Birds’s best comp is KD. But Bird was better and tougher.

In 2012 magic @ Larry were interviewed on David Letterman in 2 parts. Definitely worth checking out

“The thought of playing against Larry Bird gave me nightmares the night before the game.” That was Michael Jordan that said that.