Larry Bird Showed NBA Legends Who is The Boss

you got to love to watch Larry Bird In Action because he makes the game so beautiful Larry Bird was a pain in the neck anytime we had a chance to win Larry Bird changed that seconds bird a runner it's good Larry was the originator of getting in your face and talking trash probably a little off balance thir with the steel behind the back that made Arch ball back to but he knew how to aggravate you agitate you enough to get you out of your game with a few people then I started playing more and more and started develop my skills and and really take my game to another [Music] level Larry Bird was an absolute force on the court a legend in his own right tearing up the Playbook and showing the NBA's finest just how the game should be played won't go H the rebound over his head to Mel his Killer Instinct Tactical Brilliance and ice cold clutch plays not only won him games but the awe of icons like Jordan himself bir in the corner double fake jumper good in this video we'll dive deep into how Larry Bird showed NBA legends who is the boss showcasing his top plays and the respect he commanded from fellow icons stay with us to relive The Glory Days of Bird's unparalleled [Music] career James Worthy a Titan in the Hall of Fame once admitted I'd much rather play against Michael Jordan than Larry Bird Jordan made you look slow but bird made you look stupid this statement hits the mark on the profound difference between these two giants Jordan wowed the crowds with his explosive athleticism but bird he was a mastermind playing a deeper more cunning game with the advantage here bird back to DJ he wasn't just a scorer he was a GameChanger in every sense often orchestrating play without even touching the ball right too tin Larry a little fake down the lane between the legs ryy fou to those who only glance at the score sheets Jordan's numbers might seem to catapult him far beyond bird but Bird's influence was far more nuanced one heated match in Phoenix the Celtics lagging significantly at halftime bird steps onto the court in the third quarter and believe it or not doesn't shoot once instead he dishes out seven assists puppet heing a massive comeback win purely through strategic playmaking really establishing that good that's the bird effect impacting the game profoundly without ever needing to score Michael Jordan was phenomenal no doubt but he needed the ball to leave his Mark bird he was the master without it okay here's the way to play offensive basketball unselfishly think back to the 1986 NBA season a Time stacked with Legends like Magic Johnson Kareem Abdul Jabar Charles Barkley Isaiah Thomas and hakee aluan despite the star studded lineup Larry Bird owned the league grabbing the MVP title three years straight from 1984 to 1986 his all-around dominance and Leadership were unmatched even in an era of basketball Giants bird oneon-one Dominique trying to contain him a little bit and there's Dominique with the right hand well below oh the ball the 1986 playoffs gave us the first epic showdown between Larry Bird and Michael Jordan in game one Jordan lit up the scoreboard with 49 points but bird was the real game changer dropping 30 points dishing out eight assists snagging six rebounds and stealing the ball three times they don't have that TCH for three leading the Celtics the victory by game two Jordan knew he was up against a force saying I think it's going to be more of a fiveman game and we really have to play a complete basketball game I I don't think one man can beat the Boston Celtic Jordan went nuclear in game two scoring an insane 63 points breaking records left and right but bird and the Celtics defense held strong they threw everything at Jordan and despite his heroics bird walked away with the most important stat the win bird put it perfectly that wasn't Michael Jordan that that was God disguised as Michael Jordan the Celtics swept the Bulls that year and went on to win the championship the following year they faced Jordan again in the playoffs and swept the Bulls once more this dominance sparked a fiery question if Michael Jordan is the greatest of all time but never beat Larry Bird what does that make Larry [Music] bird7 great pass Johnson to bird and he's fou during these early battles Jordan didn't have Scotty Pippen by his side when Pippen joined the clashes grew even more intense still bird held his ground in the 1987 88 season Jordan had his best statistical year winning the scoring title Steels title MVP Defensive Player of the Year All-Star game MVP and the dunk contest yet bird outplayed Jordan in three of their four encounters That season including a jaw-dropping 44o performance Larry Rolland through tough shot yeah a foul Isaiah Thomas another NBA legend provided perspective on Jordan's 1980s career he said so Michael Jordan in the 80s he was MVP the best year that he had was he was the MVP of the league and the defensive player of the year I believe that was in 88 yes we beat them 4 to one he never beat Larry Bird he never beat magic and Kine he never won what I remember in the 80s it was Philadelphia with Dr J magic Karem Berke Michael Jordan he he was a nun Factor Thomas wants to get it in quickly does toam beer stolen by bur and the cut to DJ yes yes and a f oh my what a mistake by Detroit they should have called bird comes out of nowhere I mean it was like a streak of lightting 1 second left bird steals it and gets it to Johnson at the buzzer what a play by even when injuries tried to slow him down bird always brought the Heat against Jordan take a regular season game in the late 80s for instance bird fresh off foot surgery and battling a back injury faced the prime Jordan and Pippen with the game tied and 10 seconds left the Celtics had the ball despite being double teamed by Jordan and Pippen bird Nam nailed the game-winning shot showcasing his clutch magic like no one else could third L you can't double yet now you can quickly B jum good Pat Riley an NBA Hall of Fame coach executive and former player once said if I had to choose a player to take a shot to save 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 this quote perfectly captures the unparalleled trust and reliability bird commanded especially when everything was on the line Loops at the bird a runner it's good it's good and the C it by 1989 the Celtics weren't the East Powerhouse anymore and Larry Bird was no longer the NBA's top dog bird had double Achilles tendon surgery sidelining him for nearly a year the Celtics now face Fierce competition from the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls with a more mature and dominant Michael Jordan leading the charge once bird was healthy again he was determined to prove his worth well we really don't know right now but I think I'm making good progress and hopefully I'll be back a little bit earlier than March but I the doctors tell me right around March the 1st but hopefully I can get back a little bit sooner boy that would be great the league needs you your team needs you we all need you in just his second game back he faced off against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center the Celtics still leaning on their aging Stars believed that if bird played his best they could still compete at a high level the matchup between the Bulls and the Celtics was highly anticipated the Bulls had reached the Conference Finals the previous season while the Celtics had been knocked out in the first round Jordan felt confident he could finally defeat Boston even with bird on the court the game featured a unique twist with the Paxton Brothers Jon and Jim going head-to-head the game began with both teams undefeated at 1 and0 bird showcased his exceptional Vision early finding Jim Paxton for an easy basket Bird's playmaker from the low post was remarkable the Celtics aggressive defense paid off when John Begley stole the ball from Jordan and set a bird for a tough floater the Celtics knew they had to play tight to beat the Bulls at United Scotty P ahead to Jord Michael for bird and Jordan's rivalry was palpable throughout the game bird was a force from the low poost giving Scotti pip in a hard time Bird's fade away from mid-range was Unstoppable Bagley assisted bird who took advantage of a good Parish screen and Pippen's lazy defense however Pippen now more seasoned attacked the hoop fearlessly Jordan also started finding his Groove the Bulls took an early lead Kevin mcale hit an impressive fade away but the Bulls fast-paced transition game Saw Pippen dunk on a fast break bird answered with a deep mid-range shot and another Bucket from the low poost despite Bird's 10 first quarter points the Bulls led 31-27 the Celtics also had to worry about other Bulls like Bill cartright and Horus Grant who were playing well bird knew beating Chicago would be tough in the second quarter the Celtics closed the Gap trailing by just one point at halftime 4948 thanks to Bird's difficult shots Bird's textbook hook shots and open mid-range shots kept Boston close with 15 points at halftime Bird's performance was a positive sign for Jimmy Rogers bird started the second half strong hitting a transition mid-range shot but Phil Jackson's halftime talk fire fired up the Bulls Jordan scored and the Bulls took a seven-point lead with a full-court law pass from Jordan to Pippen bird responded immediately with a similar play catching and finishing a full-court outlet pass the Bulls won the third quarter by Four Points extending their lead to five with 12 minutes left the Celtics needed to outscore the Bulls by six to win away from home bird created his own shot from mid-range after a bagly assist using a male screen bird got open on the right wing the Celtics finally took the lead John Paxton tied the game with a clutch mid-range shot giving the United Center Hope for a bulls Victory out Boston with 18.6 left but Larry Birds silenced the crowd now you can quickly birs he hit a spectacular fade away from the low post against two Defenders with Jordan rushing to help it wasn't enough Larry show he was still the same bird J good 3.6 seconds left Larry Bird gives the Boston Celtics a two-point lead the Celtics defense held firm preventing Jordan from taking a game-winning shot the Celtics triumphed over the Bulls Larry Bird outplayed Michael Jordan more than 300 days after his injury bird proved his doubters wrong the Celtics won that game but the playoffs were a reality check as they fell in the first round to Patrick Ying's Knicks bird maintains St averages of 24 points nine rebounds and nine assists per game but his Supporting Cast was no longer the best in the league as Larry Bird's legendary career was winding down and Michael Jordan's dynasty was just taking off 1991 gave us one last epic showdown in an electrifying double overtime battle bird turned back the clock out playing Jordan in the clutch moments and leading the Celtics to a stunning victory [Applause] bir that same year Jordan clinched his first championship signaling the dawn of his era bird recognizing The Changing of the Guard once recalled Larry and I were talking and Michael walks in and says there's a new sheriff in town we both knew he was right Bird hung up his sneakers The Following season but had one final opportunity to share the court with Jordan during the 1992 dream teams historic run playing alongside the best of the best bird and Jordan dazzled fans showcasing their unmatched Talent on what many still consider the greatest team ever assembled reflecting on their rivalry bird said you had a fantastic career even though you ruined many of my great games against the Celtics I'll catch you on the golf course someday Larry Bird wasn't just a scorer he was a leader a playmaker and a clutch performer from his Fierce rivalries to his clutch performances Larry Bird showed why he's one of the greatest to ever play play the game stolen by bird at half court off to M back to Bird Larry stops jumper good his impact on basketball is undeniable and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations and now we want to hear from you what's your favorite Larry Bird moment let us know in the comments below if you enjoyed this video make sure to hit that like And subscribe button for more insights into the greatest moments and players in NBA history

Channel: Basketball Legends Life

Views: 6,577

Keywords: basketball legends, inside the nba, nba playoffs, nba top 10, nba, basketball, larry bird, larry bird reaction, larry legend, larry bird highlights, larry bird trash talking, nba legends explain how crazy good larry bird was, what nba legends think of larry bird, larry bird stories, nba legends, prime larry bird, larry bird celtics, nba legends share who is the goat, larry bird trash talk, nba legends on larry bird, the day larry bird showed michael jordan, michael jordan

Id: NClt6LF5cxY

Length: 14min 0sec (840 seconds)

Published: Sun Jul 07 2024