This was the 10th to the last regular season game Larry Bird would play in the NBA, when he scored the 49 point triple double against Portland. He'd spent the previous offseason having a Hail Mary back surgery that ultimately didn't work. According to his teammates, Larry had to wear a hard shell back brace just to be able to play. I got curious and checked. After Larry Bird played this game and retired, no one in the NBA would have this high of a scoring triple double again until Russell Westbrook finally tied it in 2015. That's 23 Years! AND that's after the NBA spent 2 decades, over and over, changing rules and officiating with the STATED PURPOSE of making it easier for shooters to score. And it still took 23 years! That made me look backwards. And it turns out that in the early years of the 90's and across the entirety of the 80's no one scored that high of a triple double either. Twice during that span, 2 guys came close with 47 point triple doubles. One of those guys was Michael Jordan and the other one was...Larry Bird. You have to go all the way back to 1975, in the prior era, before the ABA merger when not all the best players were even playing in the same league against each other, when Kareem scored a 50 point triple double to find one better. Not only was Larry on his last legs, playing in pain when he did this, he had also lost his love for basketball because Magic had been forced to retire before the start of this season because of his HIV diagnosis. But, his team needed him to do it to win this game to try to make it to the playoffs one more time. So, he did it. Old, broken down, ruined back, broken hearted Larry Bird held the highest scoring triple double across a 40 year span of modern NBA. I feel like if this had been any other superstar, this would be a big deal and talked about a lot more. Thank you for the video.

@Oldskoolbball

Ай бұрын

fantastic insight.

@Jim_L

Ай бұрын

Great research! Thanks for sharing this with all of us! 👍

@drummer8by2

Ай бұрын

I think he had a couple of Blocks and Steals too... He was something else... One of the best players ever, bar none ... He didn't last as long because he poured it out every time he could!! I was there Feb 4th, 1993 ... Truly the end of an Era!! 👊🏼👏🏼👏🏼💫

@RoyPage1970

Ай бұрын

It was but too bad he couldn't pull it off in game 7 of the playoffs against Cleveland that year they would have been playing the bulls and got beaten 6 just like Cleveland did​@@Oldskoolbball

@user-iv9er3nr6z

Ай бұрын

Would've ❤️ for tayshaun prince to have larry broken back bird, tayshaun prince would've had a 🐦 sandwich from French lick, Indiana , Kevin darant & kevin garnett & lebron jame each would've score 50s points playing against Larry bird

Jordan, Magic, and Bird. My top 3 players of all time.

@1027srich

Ай бұрын

Same and in that exact order... That's 3/4 of my Mt Rushmore

@fjp3305

Ай бұрын

Jordan, Bird, Magic

@1027srich

Ай бұрын

​@donniehenderson1916 I was with you until Jokic lol... Granted, Jokic is definitely the most dominant player in today's league, however, we still have to wait and see how long he can keep it up 😎

@tombouu

Ай бұрын

Jokic Doncic!

@RickDanner

21 күн бұрын

agree

RIP Reggie Lewis

😢that is the Real NBA.

@joegevorkyan7308

Ай бұрын

Yep

Been a Lakers fan since the 60's but Larry Bird was the man, 3 MVP's in a row, say no more.

@tpatrick44

Ай бұрын

Same here. Elgin Baylor was my Favorite when I was a Boy in Los Angeles. Larry Bird is in my top 5

@tpatrick44

25 күн бұрын

Elgin Baylor was my Favorite Player in the 60’s, growing up in Los Angeles. NOT a Celtic Fan! 😆 I can’t deny putting Larry Bird in my Top 5! Definitely not LeBron! Elgin still there for me. Michael, Magic, and Kareem…who could shoot free throws, a great passer, and inventor of a shot that could not be defended…

Remember watching that game. Bird was so injured at this point. Unreal that he could even PLAY much less be great. Goat. Legend.

@Jim_L

Ай бұрын

Absolutely! And for anyone who experiences lower back pains from time to time, you've got to be that much more in awe of what Bird was still able to do out there on the court. It's incredible! 👍

@rmcfete

Ай бұрын

He wasn’t even supposed to play that game

Legend has it Larry can still drop 40 if he wants to.

I was there! There have been many greats, including Bill Russell, Kareem, Magic, and Jordan, but I’ll always start my dream team with Larry Bird.

@billm3706

Ай бұрын

Thank you for this terrific compliment.

@wmden1

12 күн бұрын

Great comment. I was there, also, through TV. I would do the same. Wilt Chamberlain would be one of my choices, which, I was there too. I'm old.

I remember watching this on NBC, it was nationally televised.

@pablonj525

20 күн бұрын

Definitely veteran play by play announcer Marv Albert on the call.

Larry Legend is simply underrated. They say KD and LBJ were the best SF, but in their peak I pick LB anytime of the day.

@AnHebrewChild

Ай бұрын

100.0%

@cgraf69

Ай бұрын

Larry was better in any year of his career than anyone ever. Doesn't matter what team he's on, it contends for the championship every single year. Even college at ISU. Basketball fans have no clue how good he was because they don't realize all the things big and small he's doing on the court

@NameCallingIsWeak

Ай бұрын

Bird passes and rebounds MUCH better than KD, and is clutch like LeBron has not been.

@Hatedvarii

Ай бұрын

50/40/90 splits was insane . But his underrated point of his game was his defense for sure …he’s arguably the best all around player off all time

@user-iv9er3nr6z

Ай бұрын

Lebron james would've score 50s points playing against Larry bird especially broken back Larry bird, lebron jame would've ate a 🐦 sandwich from French lick, Indiana

Rest in peace Clifford Robinson, Kevin Duckworth and Jerome Kersey.

@chevy4x466

23 күн бұрын

Ur telling me those gentlemen have passed? Clifford Robinson was one of my favorite players

2 things to keep in mind. Larry was one of the very few who could do All this in pain and maintain focus. Other point is how great Clyde was to counter him much of the game. There weren't 5 stars at the time who could've hung with what Larry did that game. Clyde one of the precious few.

Larry-true GOAT

@tombouu

Ай бұрын

Jokic Doncic!

I remember watching this game like it was yesterday

IMO the GOAT SF 🐐 Zero athleticism, but was a beast on the court.

@GABEMOORE533

Ай бұрын

🗣️IF Y👤U SAY LARRY BIRD 🐦 DIDN ' T HAVE ANY ATHLETICISM Y👤U DIDN ' T WATCH LARRY ' S WH🌐LE CAREER . LARRY WAS NEVER SUPER ATHLETIC . BUT , LARRY HAD DECEPTIVE AND UNDERRATED ATHLETICISM . A PLAYER▶️ D🚫ESN ' T MAKE THE PLAYS⏯️ THAT LARRY MADE WITH 🚫UT BEING ATHLETIC .>🎤 🏀🗑️🤾⛹️

@Amick44

Ай бұрын

​@@GABEMOORE533no kidding. Larry (and Luka) are 5x more athletic than joker.

Anyone who saw Lebron choke against Denver last night knows that Bird is the greatest small forward to ever play the game. Game for game, point for point, Larry is the Legend.

@SilentMovements305

Ай бұрын

That's typical lebron stuff. The question is who has lebron over Bird as the greatest small forward of all time? Cuz honestly that would be a delusional take n ima Lakers fan

@johnd2330

Ай бұрын

@@SilentMovements305 definitely not delusional in any sense. LeBron is one of the greatest as is Bird.

@SilentMovements305

Ай бұрын

@johnd2330 never said he's not "as great" clearly you can read my post. He's not better Larry Bird point blank period.

@johnd2330

Ай бұрын

@@SilentMovements305 you basically intimated it. If anyone has LeBron over Bird as the greatest small forward, they are far from delusional. My point remains.

@SilentMovements305

Ай бұрын

@johnd2330 my point still stands Larry Bird over lebron any given day

LARRY LEGEND IS A UNICORN AND THE *TRUE* GOAT!!! 🐐 ☘️

Larrys Bird is the Michael Jordan of all Larry Birds

@jordanwilson3120

2 ай бұрын

I agree

@marvymarv959

Ай бұрын

I think Jokic is the Mike Jordan of Larry birds

@jordanwilson3120

Ай бұрын

@marvymarv959 he gotta get 1 more mvp&2 more rings& HAVE more impact on basketball culture off the court...I understand you though

@marvymarv959

Ай бұрын

@@jordanwilson3120 Larry had impact off the court? In what way?

@IDontBuyIt50

Ай бұрын

@@marvymarv959 nobody mows a lawn in French Lick like Larry does. He does all of that off the court.

Coach Riley said it best ; "If I pick someone to take the shot to win a game, I pick Jordan" "If I pick someone to take the shot to save my life, I pick Bird"

If not for injuries that would have ended the careers of most, Bird would be the one in the GOAT debate with Jordan. With that said, his peak was as good as any great in NBA history, including Jordan.

Imagine if he had been able to play 4-5 more years. But the dude just hustled so hard and his body broke down

@bumblebity2902

Ай бұрын

No because back injury was from non basketball activity and Larry hide it because aware of consequences

@sarahlisawall5666

17 күн бұрын

SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD ABOUT CHIROPRACTIC CARE…..IT WOULD HAVE TURNED HIM AROUND…

This game was nationally televised on a Saturday. My area had a heavy thunderstorm that day, and it knocked out the cable tv in my house. By the time it was restored, the game was going into overtime. This was long before the internet…

His 3 championships were more like 6 championships.

@davidschmidt1793

Ай бұрын

They were like 3 championships lol.

@knowthycell

Ай бұрын

@@davidschmidt1793meet you half way at 3.5 championships.

People mistake raw athleticism for skill. Bird is one of the most skilled hoopers to ever do it.

Thank you for posting this it’s so refreshing to see actual basketball with contact, proper defense, and elite shooting. The Glide was solid in this one too thought Larry Legend went off.

For those who don’t know much about Birds play style. He’s best described as a hybrid between Jokic and Luka, superior defender than either and shoots the ball like KD. He played in the wrong generation. One of the greatest shooters ever but only ever took 2 threes a game max because the 3 point line came the year he entered the league so it was still taboo at first. In today’s NBA with the spacing, pick and roll play, and emphasis in 3 point shooting his game would have thrived even more than he did in the 80s

@eyesalooking

Ай бұрын

Larry would have been bored in today's NBA because it would have been too easy for him. He wouldn't know how to handle it with nobody on his back or pushing him. He would have eaten the competition alive.

@VladimirChapman-uh9mx

3 күн бұрын

Sin dudas el número 1 junto a jordan o quizás más arriba

BIRD THE GOAT.

there's a reason his nickname is Larry Legend. slightly upset I missed most of his career, you know, being a child, but I'm glad I got to catch these gems from the early 90's before he retired. truly one of a kind.

If I could create a basketball player I'd take Larry's brain for sure

Players back then were tough but professional in defense.

@johnd2330

Ай бұрын

still are.

Almost forgot Rick Fox played for the Celtics.

@HeathOverledger

Ай бұрын

Absolutely wild that he and B. Shaw played with Bird and Kobe

@ronaldlincoln2935

Ай бұрын

That pass by Bird up under the hoop sidearm and right on the money. Damn!

@TRJ2241987

Ай бұрын

@@HeathOverledger yet Shaw and Fox were not teammates on the Celtics

As a kid without cable television it was rare to see Celtics games so I definitely remember watching this on a Sunday afternoon. Lost my god damned mind when hit that buzzer beater!

Now that's how a legend with a bad back plays. Imagine if Bird was in his prime.

Best clutch and all around player to have ever played the game.

@Amick44

Ай бұрын

If not for Jordan's D, yes. Still a close 2nd.

There are many greats but only one Legend!#33

This was his best game ever played!!! The fact he did this on an awful back is insane!!!

i forgot all about ainge on the trailblazers, him guarding bird is hilarious

Two of my favorite players. Bird could do it all. Nobody could run the court better than Clyde the Glyde.

I'll admit it, Larry Bird was fun to watch 😊. He shot so well at the end of the game. Larry Bird is one of the best to ever play Basketball 🏀. One of my favorite players !😊

Best player Nba everytime Larry Bird ❤️

@tombouu

Ай бұрын

Nicolas jokic!

The GOAT

Bird with a bad back is better then anyone today.

@tombouu

Ай бұрын

Jokic doncic

@TemperTemper...

Ай бұрын

@@tombouu Jokic would have a hard time when they played defense.

@tombouu

Ай бұрын

Maybe. But today bird loves jokic. Says he is best

I remember watching that game when I was 13.

Great breakdown.

Larry is my No 1 in the NBA history.

Bird played 9 years in the NBA, that is a very short career,Bird would have shattered every NBA record if he would have stayed healthy and he would have been the GOAT

@sarahlisawall5666

17 күн бұрын

HE NEEDED CHIROPRACTIC CARE….

I remember watching this, everyone else had given up the game as a loss, being eight points down and whatever seconds it was left to go...Bird showed everyone they were all wrong..

Would have been so interesting to see Len Bias out there w/ A Larry Bird that never paved that driveway

Great video. I watched this game live. It was one heck of a battle

I miss watching him even though he wasn’t very good 😜🤣😂. I thought those times were so wonderful, but we have such incredible players now and the sport will continue to improve to a point that our kids and grandkids will ask us what the big deal was. Well, the old guys and the players of that era, brought on the next generation and the future. Cannot wait to see what the next 30 years will bring. Thanks for posting.

@johnheaslip1039

5 күн бұрын

Forgot to state, His back injury was horrible to watch. I have no idea, but I seriously hope he wasn’t forced to ingest painkillers. Well, it is over and I hope we all protect the next generation of players.

No one will compare.

Bird all around game is a thing of beauty

RIP Cliff Robertson, Jerome Kersey, Kevin Duckworth, Reggie Lewis and Celtic head coach Chris Ford.

There will never be another Larry Bird ever again. Keep them videos rollin', my brotha. I was wondering what song you used in the intro? That beat goes hard!

🗣️LARRY BIRD 🐦 IS THEE BEST SMALL FORWARD EVER . PE👤PLE ST🛑P , SAYING LARRY BIRD 🕊️ WASN ' T ATHLETIC . LARRY 🕊️ BIRD WAS ATHLETIC . L ARRY 🐦 BIRD JUST WASN ' T SUPER ATHLETIC . BUT , SO . MOST PLAYERS⏯️ AREN ' T SUPER ATHLETIC ANYWAY . BUT , I ' LL TAKE LARRY ' S GAME OVER A STRICTLY ATHLETIC PLAYER▶️ . LARRY CAN PLAY▶️ THIS GAME OF BASKETBALL . .MY TOP 4 OF ALL TIME IS : 1. MICHAEL J🔴RDAN ( THEE G.🐐.A..T. ) 2. HAKEEM 🦖 OLJAW🚀N 3. ✨MAGIC ✨ JOHNSON 4. LARRY 🐦BIRD🕊️ >🎤 🏀🗑️🤾⛹️

That 3 pointer to tie the game was ridiculous!

Best game ever.

An obviously limited Bird was still incredible. That 3 as time was running out says it all.

I remember vividly watching this game.. Sunday afternoon NBA on NBC.

Clyde was starting to be considered one of the best in the world in 1992 that’s why Larry wanted this one on this night he gave Clyde the work

Greatest ever, Larry Joe bird

Larry the great 👍

Sadly, in 85, Bird injured his back, thus the last seven seasons he suffered stiffness not allowing him to move well, run fast, or jump high. He could have easily won a ring or two more if healthy Larry Legend.

I don't think I've ever seen a player make more pure swishes than Bird. He would have five or six a game. They were often rainbows, too.

The Fucking Legend

I was across the street in a bar watching the game.

LETSSSSSSSSS FFFFFFFFFFIN GOOOOOOOOO

"Larry could have been even better"!!!! Has anyone figured out what these guys would have done in today's league that doesn't allow defense? Imagine Larry playing healthy for 5-8 more seasons!

Clyde The Glide!

@billm3706

Ай бұрын

JMO but Clyde The Glide is terribly overrated. All he ever did was dunk from the right side on a fast break.

@Amick44

Ай бұрын

@@billm3706 Nah. If Clyde is overrated, what about Wilkins, Iverson, Dantley? Clyde had a strong all-around game. These other guys all they did was score. Or dribble, in Iverson's case.

We don’t need the unneccessary commentary over the game. This game is good enough to be shown by itself….

GOAT BIRD

Portland couldn't touch Boston's Bird.

Ainge was one of the best Trailblazers ever. Did he ever play for another team?

God he just had to try putting a new floor for his mom by himself and break his back. We could've had at least 5 more years of Bird's greatness.

Now there is a new operation called ADR/Artificial Disc Replacement. Going in from the front they replace discs with new artificial ones like they do hip replacements. Tiger Woods had it.

Ainge was one of the best Blazers ever.

I hated Larry Bird because he would stick that dagger 🗡️ deep into the heart when the Celtics would beat my team, the Portland Trail Blazers. I remember this game well and consider Larry Legend the greatest.

Ainge against the C's.......that tough to watch

One word for Clyde "Wolfpack" 1983

As usual, Rick Adelman was out coached. Why would you have Danny Ainge , who is a great free throw shooter, on the bench when you are inbounding the b-ball, up 3 with 10 seconds to play? Instead, they leave Kersey and Buck Williams on the court, who are notorious bad free throw shooters. The ball should have been thrown in to either Terry Porter, or Danny Ainge, with Drexler being a 3rd option. Blazers win at least 1 title with good coaching in this era.

Weird to see Danny Ainge competing against the Celtics.

You have no idea how good the 86 team was. Only three losses at home all year including the playoffs. Get a life

@cindyknudson2715

Ай бұрын

I believe they had just one loss at home in 1986. 50-1 for the season thru the playoffs.

larry was better than luka...at least as now...larry was mentally very hard and elite from day 1.

We've discovered

Celtics won banner 18 last night and although I'm a Celtics fan the entire starting 5 doesn't equal 1 Larry Bird.

0:45.

It looks like Rick Fox should have been called for traveling, was that about 5 steps he took?

Reggie Lewis, Cliff Robinson, Jerome Kersey and Kevin Duckworth have died since that game.

Kobe Bryant could never.

@SilentMovements305

Ай бұрын

🤡

@billm3706

Ай бұрын

And Bird was an all around better player than Magic. Book it.

@ryanx2406

Ай бұрын

@@billm3706 you know I have to agree with that statement it's by the slimiest of margen.

@manuginobilisbaldspot2

23 күн бұрын

@@billm3706 calm down mayo man…yall always try to disparage Magic, cut that crap

Bird from 1984 ~ 1988...was as good as any player ever. I was a huge Sixers fan & hated Bird...even rooted against him against Magic in 1979 Finals. At his peak....Bird was up there ...maybe the greatest?

my GOAT team JORDAN BIRD DUNCAN OLAJUAN MAGIC

Portland wearing Rebock and Boston Converse. 2 brands gone from the NBA because of the GOAT Jordan and NIke.

Tall brother 48

I tell you, I miss these Old Days! REAL BASKETBALL, REAL STARS! Not like the flopping cry baby LeBron James.

Did I hear someone say that they played defense in the 80's.lol

Did Larry Bird eventually have to have surgery for the back?

@nadersrevenge1780

Ай бұрын

Yeah he did in 1992 after he retired I think

@carlosbond5062

Ай бұрын

@@nadersrevenge1780 thank you!!!

poor guy can barely lift his feet at this point

Seeing Ainge in a different uniform is just weird to me ...idk

2 Blazers missed 2 free throws each.

That was a travel and a 2 point shot at the end of regulation. Bird got the homer call, twice in one play. Regardless, from this PTB fan and season ticket holder at the time, an epic game.

@ReallyBadProductions

Ай бұрын

No it wasn’t and no it wasn’t. No travel and feet clearly behind the line.

@rmcfete

Ай бұрын

His foot was behind the line they didn’t show the reply that shoed it clean. Hell he even looked down to make sure