Larry Bird was not only a great player himself, but he made those around him better as well. He always looked for a better shot, which is why he always had so many assists.

@DustyTail

Күн бұрын

“…not only the GOAT player..”” I fixed it for you.

If I had to pick a team from all of NBA history with everybody in their prime, Larry Bird will be my #1 pick every time.

@brianjones6465

Жыл бұрын

This 1000%, and guess what, so would most NBA legends, INCLUDING MJ. MJ knows.

@shadowoftheson5144

Жыл бұрын

Larry Bird was incredible. People who got to watch him KNOW.

@toddthompson6907

9 ай бұрын

Pick Larry first, then whatever four you pick afterwards you’ve got a competitive team!

@rickbort7875

9 ай бұрын

Same here. A rookie Larry Bird would be my absolute #1 pick, Jordan 2nd. I'd just make sure he didn't shovel any driveway gravel and injure his back....

@Nevilsghost

2 ай бұрын

Great player but not a good guy & I have a story to prove it...he's a toxic dude with anal circuit issues...

Don't worry, Rex...he's in my Top 5, and he's never leaving

Larry Bird was the most complete basketball player I ever saw play the game...PERIOD! Passing, team leader, shooting, NBA coach / GM ANYTHING HE TOUCHED THAT HAD TO DO WITH BASKETBALL - HE TURNED INTO GOLD.

“He’s as big as a doorway.” I’ve heard other players talk about being surprised about Larry’s size. Dude was legit 6’10”

Every opponent has great Larry Bird stories…

Larry Bird played basketball like Wayne Gretzky played hockey. Not the most physically gifted per se but the smartest. "Don't skate to where the puck is, skate to where it's going to be. That's how the legend played hoops. 🙌🏼

@user-hq2qq1si6n

Ай бұрын

I’ve got the Sports Illustrated that has Wayne Gretzky and Larry Bird on the cover. I got both their autographs on it. I got it appraised about 10 years ago and they lowballed me and said it was only worth $1,500. Well it’s worth a lot more to me.

@audieconrad8995

Ай бұрын

@@user-hq2qq1si6n Dood...that is priceless. And...serious bragging rights! Congratulations.

Both magic and bird saved the nba from a bigger disaster. Games were tape delayed before they showed up.

Larry Bird is simply the BEST ALL-AROUND PLAYER EVER!!! I will take LB in his prime(84,85,86,87) over anyone even MJ. Greatest shooting small forward, greatest passing small forward, and greatest rebounding small forward EVER!!! MJ, Magic, Bird, Russell, and Wilt greatest top five all-time!!!

@nickpearce9441

2 жыл бұрын

Greatest loose ball hustler of all time as well.

@paulazzar8936

Жыл бұрын

Larry is GOAT, no one comes close because, as you said, he did more things at the highest level than anyone. Then he was a killer in the the clutch. One of a kind.

@kingtrawal

Жыл бұрын

does defense matter or nah?

@nickpearce9441

Жыл бұрын

@@kingtrawal he made the all defensive 2nd team twice in his career.

@shadowoftheson5144

Жыл бұрын

If I had an all-time NBA starting 5. It would be Bird, Magic, Jordan, Olajuwon, and Chamberlain.

Those were the days. I’m a Piston’s fan and the Celtics games were legendary

@furfamilysue

Жыл бұрын

Intense to a level that had to be seen. It lasted for years, too.

What makes Bird, the GREATEST all-around player of all time, even more remarkable and mind blowing is that he was NEVER fully healthy for any of his NBA career!!

@grog3514

Жыл бұрын

Yeah not many people know he mangled his shooting hand in college.

I agree, Magic too. In Today's game, both would clean house.

If Magic & Bird aren’t in your top 5 don’t know what heck you’re talking about. Maybe as scorer or dunkers or defender but not as players top 5 easy.

@JET1970

Жыл бұрын

Both of them are top easy cause they both knew how to impact the game to get the win without needing to be the big scorer

The wonder of #33 --- one of many -- was how great he was at getting his shot off. 2-3-4 ball fakes, subtle body shifts, he had the whole toolbox. I really cannot recall Bird ever getting his shot blocked. I'm sure he did, but It's a lot like T Gwynn striking out. You just never saw it.

@buckchile614

Жыл бұрын

Larry got blocked by TWO Piston's the play before his famous game 5 steal at the Garden in 87'. I think he made up for it

@KMITB

Жыл бұрын

@@buckchile614 That was a layup attempt. Much different than blocking his jump shot.

@buckchile614

Жыл бұрын

@@KMITB He didn't qualify it like you did. Layup's are shots attempt's too, by the way. And the one I mentioned is probably his most prominent one

@Jondsmusic

Жыл бұрын

@@buckchile614 The point he's making is it was extremely rare.

Many guys talk about wanting the ball at the end of the game and talking about being the man , the difference with Larry is , other players talk about his greatness and what he did while he was playing . It will always be a debate as to who is the greatest but for me it will always be Larry Legend

@paineintheass233

9 ай бұрын

Larry even said, it's nothing to make a last second shot in a tie game. it only means something if you're down 1 or 2. That's kinda what Rex is talking about here. he needed those challenges. and all people who strive to be great in any endeavor challenge themselves similarly. Teddy Roosevelt write eloquently about that "man in the arena". thats why this idea, that emerged about 20 years ago from liberal know-nothings, that we should not encourage competition and reward accomplishment was and is utter insanity. it's been catastrophic, in fact, to those generations raised with it.

No NBA team will ever have the chemistry of the ‘86 Celtics. Larry was in his prime and the passing was just a thing of beauty to behold.

LARRY BIRD WAS THE BEST ALL-AROUND PLAYER IN NBA.

People rarely put Larry in their top 5 all-time and it seems their top 5 is always loaded with big diners. However, Larry Bird proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is more to athleticism than jumping and straight ahead speed. Larry had ridiculous hand eye coordination, extremely quick hands, amazing "Kodak" vision all over the court, a touch so soft he's one of the greatest shooters ever, etc... Add in that Larry had incredible all around skills for a man of his size and how could anybody keep Larry off any all-time team?

Rich Eisen loves Larry Bird trash-talking stories. He lights up like Christmas everytime.

@cindyknudson2715

Жыл бұрын

Doesn't everyone!? 😁

Dominique wilkins once said in nba opencourt show..LB is not 6'9 he is 6'10..

Rex had one of the highest vertical leaps in NBA history!

@klicknkreate7077

Жыл бұрын

When Rex first arrived in the NBA, he was a helluva athlete and could jump outa the gym! He also had a beautiful jump shot 👏🔥

@ChosenWon

4 ай бұрын

No, he didn't.

Of course, Chapman would remember LB - when you've been torched by the best that ever was, it sticks with you.

Larry Legend 🏀

Larry was better than magic

@stevenrogers8939

2 жыл бұрын

No

@MichaelSmith-hk2eu

2 жыл бұрын

Yes he was better.

@stevenrogers8939

2 жыл бұрын

@@MichaelSmith-hk2eu no They we’re both great equally

@jeremysnyder9792

2 жыл бұрын

I think genuinely its a coin flip if you objectively judged their games, but if you value different qualities that would probably make you pick Bird over Johnson.

@brownbenplumm9027

2 жыл бұрын

Very debatable. As a Celtics fan, I want to pick Larry, but I can’t. It’s just too close to call

Excactly my thought, how can a person who knows basketball didn't put Larry Bird in their starting top 5. Still bugging my mind.

@kennethward4985

Жыл бұрын

Its racism if they dont choose Bird.

@mc76

Жыл бұрын

@@kennethward4985 Actually, it's recency bias. Young people don't consider players from earlier eras to be as good. What they don't realize is that if those players were around today, they would also have access to modern sports medicine, analytics, sophisticated training facilities, nutritionists, and state of the art equipment. They also wouldn't fly commercially, and (in the case of the players from the 1950s-1970s) they could train year-round because they wouldn't have to substitute teach or sell life insurance in the offseason to augment their meager salaries. Talent is talent; it's the technology that changes.

I'll take bird & jordan over any players that ever played the game

@JET1970

Жыл бұрын

I'll take LARRY LEGEND and Wilt Chamberlain over everyone else

Rex Chapman is real. Love this guy. He appreciates what is there to be appreciated. No B.S. He loves Lamelo's game unlike other former players who criticize just to imply that they are good.

"mouse in the house" haha

Kareem, Magic, Michael, Tim and Legend. My top 5.

@bradleylovej

Жыл бұрын

Love that you included Tim

@JET1970

Жыл бұрын

Fukk Duncan I'll take Chamberlain and crush Duncan

@UKSportsFan

Жыл бұрын

BINGO! That's my all-time starting five as well 👍

@eh5872

2 ай бұрын

I like it. I have lebron instead of Timmy but your team makes more sense from a team standpoint. Bird can play 3 and 4 and lebron can play anywhere

Magic Michael Larry Wilt Russell….my top 5 and I contest an unbeatable lineup! My team averages almost 60 rebounds with the bigs!

The Hick From French Lick!

Best baller IQ in nba history .

Bird is in my top 3. With MJ and Kobe. Hated Bird when I watched him play when I was a kid but I respect him a whole lot.

He smashed all the brothers in his time. AND THEY HATED IT

@user-cn8nu6lq4w

4 ай бұрын

...pause. Also, it really wasn't about race at all. They didn't care that he was White.

Here is my personal Top 5 greatest basketball players of all time. 1. Jordan 2. B. Russell 3. K.A. Jabbar 4. Bird 5. Magic.

It is always said that Bird and Magic are 6’9 but if you ever see pics of them together Larry, to me, always looks taller. Larry is for sure 6’10.

Take LeChoke out the top 5.... no one with a losing record belongs

Rex didn’t like him cause Bird was white. Guarantee that was the reason.

@igainconsistentgolfassocia4010

2 жыл бұрын

Probably got called Larry bird alot

Growing up Magic was my Man, but given the choice I'd rather watch Larry's highlights.

Some context. LB's back was actually absolutely shredded at this point. Just obliterated. He was a dead man walking going into the 87 season; no clue how he carried the CELTS to the finals with Mchale and Parrish destroyed and a missed last second shot in the Finals game 4 could have very well gone the other way for a repeat.

@MP-tf7cc

2 жыл бұрын

Going into the '86-87 season, LB looked better than ever. Later that season, the injuries started coming.

@garysouza95

2 жыл бұрын

@@MP-tf7cc Not having Len Bias taking minutes off of Bird hurt. Also hurting his back doing his mother's driveway.

@dr.henryjones616

2 жыл бұрын

@@MP-tf7cc Right I was referencing the end of the next season 87-88; when they still made it to the finals and had a chance to repeat.

@markcianfarani8777

2 жыл бұрын

My starting 5.. Jabbar.. Duncan Bird Msgic Jordan..

@ldybozz

Жыл бұрын

@@MP-tf7cc he injured his back in 85. Building a driveway for his mom. He was deemed damaged goods by Celtics drs after he signed. Because he mangled his finger in a college baseball game. Red had him do some drills. Larry made every shot. Red said he was good to play. Larry said he never had the same feel for the ball after that. Could you imagine him being better than he was without that finger injury? How long he would have lasted without the back & both achilles surgeries??

Why is this even a question

I remember seeing Magic and Bird at Apollo watching Rex shoot. Magic was really nice. Never saw Bird.

Larry Legend

Different time!

Larry badly hurt his back in the summer of 1985. He played 6-7 more years with a very serious back injury. Watch videos from the early years and you will see what a dominant player he was.

@eh5872

2 ай бұрын

He was always dominant even when he was a shell

Larry Legend.

Anyone who has Lebron over Larry is softer than tissue paper and doesn’t know basketball.

@SlabMurphy

2 жыл бұрын

Be hell of a game. Legend would take his candy ur right

@rgreen1107

2 жыл бұрын

Bird GOAT ! LeBron OVERRATED !

@markhammond933

2 жыл бұрын

Bird would eat lebron up,lebron couldnt guard him

@richardstephens5570

2 жыл бұрын

I give Larry the edge over Lebron because of mental toughness.

“ Michael Jordan makes you look slow, Larry Bird makes you look stupid.” James Worthy.

Just look at Nikola Jokic for all you modern youngsters. Slow, bumbling, can shoot, best passer. That was Larry.

@cindyknudson2715

Жыл бұрын

Larry-like, perhaps.

I'm prejudice, admittedly. But the Celts should have a least 3 of the top 5 to ever play. COUSY - he changed the game like no one before or since. BILL RUSSELL - more Championship rings than fingers and he played against Wilt about once every two weeks. And, then BIRD. Change my mind. Make it 4 and add HAVLICEK.

I agree with Rex 100%.

Larry bird healthy is the goat in my opinion. Another player who i never hear anyone talking about is pistol pete

Well, since Rex said he deserves it, it must be true. Who the hell is Rex Chapman???

Jordan,Bird,Kobe, Durant, Steph

Larry is a top 5 player in any era...MJ, Bird are on the list, then you you add Oscar, Kobe, Russel, and/or Wilt, Duncan, ..

Larry Legend 🏀indeed.💪🏼

If Legend was very athletic and durable, he would have been the greatest, or at least right up there next to the greatest - His Airness...

I watched Rex when he was at UK; every game. he was SO good and he could JUMP

Rex was a world class athlete

@Jimi1027

Жыл бұрын

Lol

@camicawber

6 ай бұрын

@@Jimi1027 It's not that funny - he did play in the NBA. That's pretty elite stuff.

Funny how people gave him the nickname Larry legend yet Kobe had to give himself a nickname enough said

Rex led the league in stealing I pads in Arizona

Bird sent Tripuka into retirement and obscurity.

Bird played against the top and he was easily top 5

Omg

Rex is the greatest white dunker in NBA history. I say NBA because Jordan Kilganon is the greatest dunker ever, not just white. The GOAT...

Who else could it be Larry Nance?

If Larry didn’t have to play against goats like magic and Kareem and gotten injured . He probably would have had as many titles as mj or maybe even one more

@user-cn8nu6lq4w

4 ай бұрын

If Larry hadn't had to play against Magic, there would be no NBA.

LJB best small forward of all time

Larry Bird is the GOAT

The thing about Larry that makes him so great is that like Michael they could play in any era and be legends. Steph wouldn’t be a legend in an NBA without the 3 point line and Shaq wouldn’t be a legend in today’s NBA with the volume of 3 point shooting.

@d1heat206

2 жыл бұрын

That’s like saying all the great shooters would be trash without the 3 point line

@EMo-rx7pm

2 жыл бұрын

Shaq would dominate way more today. Who is going to guard him?

@d1heat206

2 жыл бұрын

@@EMo-rx7pm who is guarding curry back then

@EMo-rx7pm

2 жыл бұрын

@@d1heat206 it would be easier to guard Curry back then with the hand checking and the overall physicality of the game. He would still average over 20ppg though.

@keithhoss4990

2 жыл бұрын

@@EMo-rx7pm Who is Shaq going to guard?

Jokic reminds sm of larry

This guy was a bitter hateful dude who was largely irrelevant. He hates the legend because he couldn't beat him. It only took him decades to figure out what many of us already knew all along. Larry is and was the best to ever play, period.

Hey Rex can you still jump?

Rex Chapman should think before he tweets

Larry bird...Jerry west, Dan marjle Big ol white guys....

Larry > LBJ

Rex is awful, that's what's important here

@patsfan4life

Жыл бұрын

😂

Jordan isn't a goodguy ..I promise..

Larry looked 6'6'' because he ran like an old white guy - hunched over.

Larry Bird 2-0 vs MGay the fake goat

@user-cn8nu6lq4w

4 ай бұрын

ridiculous. MJ had absolutely no team whatsoever when he played Larry.

@IWannaUnaliveMyself

4 ай бұрын

@@user-cn8nu6lq4w Keep that same energy when Kobe is facing 50 win teams in the first round

@user-cn8nu6lq4w

4 ай бұрын

not really sure what you're even talking about at this point. But Jordan was better overall than Bird. Bird's top 3 though. @@IWannaUnaliveMyself

@IWannaUnaliveMyself

4 ай бұрын

@@user-cn8nu6lq4w MGay is barely top 10

@user-cn8nu6lq4w

4 ай бұрын

@@IWannaUnaliveMyself Calling him "MGay" just makes you sound like you're 12. Jordan pretty much holds all the top spots for advanced stats and per-game stats in general You could make an argument for Wilt over MJ, but there really isn't anyone else to contest his GOAT claim. Guessing you're either a serious casual or just a sad troll. Oh, and Kobe? Not top 10.

Chapman is just a fool.

Rex has a thing, for black guys. That's why he hated Larry.

@user-cn8nu6lq4w

4 ай бұрын

dumbest possible comment.

So overrated

Larry Legend

If Larry stayed healthy and played a full career I’d have him right next to M.J. as best ever!

@cindyknudson2715

Жыл бұрын

How much "career" is necessary to be "full"? I didn't know that x number of years was mandatory.

@PeterMasi_Son_Tile

Жыл бұрын

@@cindyknudson2715 my comment was his ranking,there are a lot of things that goes into someone’s ranking, skills, championships, if they were great, how long were they great etc. Like I said Larry & MJ are the best players ever! Look at it like this if a player is great for 5 years can he be the best ever? Larry only played 13 years.

@azgared3587

Жыл бұрын

@@PeterMasi_Son_Tile he was great for more than 5 years lol.. 1977-1978 32-50 NO BIRD 1978-1979 2ND WORST TEAM IN THE SEASON 29-53 NO BIRD 1979-1980- ROOKIE BIRD TOP 4 MVP -BOSTON BEST TEAM IN THE SEASON 61-21 ROOKIE YEAR 1980-1981- TOP 2 MVP 1981-1982- TOP 2 MVP 1982-1983- TOP 2 MVP 1983-1984- MVP 1984-1985- MVP BACK INJURY STARTS 1985-1986- MVP 1986-1987- TOP 3 MVP 1987-1988- TOP 2 MVP BACK INJURY WORSEN

@PeterMasi_Son_Tile

Жыл бұрын

@@azgared3587 the 5 yrs I was referring to wasn’t about Larry, it was just, what is the baseline, imo Larry was the best player in the NBA almost every year of his career. If he didn’t get hurt and that career extended to a full career I would argue all day long he’s #1. As it stands I think M.J. & Larry are the best players ever, but with the shortened career it’s hard to argue Larry right next to MJ in top spot.