An 80 second clip any basketball fan should enjoy
- Thread starter HallLine69
- Start date
There’s more than a handful of YouTube videos, showing black players of that era doubting whether or not that “white boy” belongs in the league. Every one of the doubters ended up praising Larry Bird after he took them to school. He gained their mutual respect. On top of that, bird was a premier trash talker who always backed it up.
Bird is being forgotten at the top of the mountain too often lately. As good a forward as has ever lived
There will never ever be another Larry Bird.
Such a unique player, he could do it all. As great as all of his skills were, his greatest asset was his competitiveness. Ultimate team player who did anything to win.
Such a unique player, he could do it all. As great as all of his skills were, his greatest asset was his competitiveness. Ultimate team player who did anything to win.
Two years ago at a chalk talk reception before an NCAA Sweet 16 game former NBA player Otis Birdsong was the speaker. He told how he once guarded Larry Bird in a college game and blocked Larry's shot on a play that could have easily been called a foul. He said Bird protested loudly and insisted he was fouled.
About 15 years later Birdsong signed a free agent contract with the Celtics in his final NBA season. At his first practice with Boston he said Bird walked up to him, welcomed him to the team and then said, "You know that play was a foul, right?"
That Indiana State team had a few players besides Bird that were pretty good. Carl Nicks went on to play a fairly long NBA career and ended up on Birds staff in Indiana. And Alex Gilbert was solid up front, played internationally and ironically his signature is also one of many on the landmark NIL legislation.
On that magical run, their 33rd consecutive victory came in the NCAA semifinal vs. DePaul.
On that magical run, their 33rd consecutive victory came in the NCAA semifinal vs. DePaul.
People remember the great baby sky hook by magic to put the lakers ahead of the celts. In the last few seconds, bird not only got the ball but shot a shot that surprised me when it missed. Just getting the ball and taking a good shot are great skills. That is his competiveness and instincts at the highest level. Man, dont think i could say PHEW any louder when he missed. All happened right in front of the laker bench.
Bird did have the advantage of playing for a team designed by the best hoops front office mind. And the lakes had west. And those of us old enough got those 80s championship series...can they ever be matched
I was huge Lakers fan in 80’s. Those lakers vs. Celtics series were awesome. As a Lakers fan I hated Celtics and Bird back then, however, really respected how great a player Bird was. NBA in the 80’s was great.
I hated them all. But i always knew bird was an all timer and mchale and Parrish were awesome too. Unmatchable series, those 80s matchups. And i watched those guys beat my idol jerry west all thru the 60s. But the 60s celts were better no doubt
…makes me think,different sport but same skill level and heart…like Don Mattingly Sadly that back prevented him from the championship and Hall of Fame status he deserved.
Probably some team that has struggled to make the NCAA over the past 50 years
.That is an interesting trivia question Hinson…
Indiana State lost to a James Bailey led RU team in the RAC during the 1978 NITProbably some team that has struggled to make the NCAA over the past 50 years
That is an interesting trivia question Hinson…
What's amazing is he got wide open for that shot without any picks or screens. He used his vastly underrated quickness, footwork and strength to fake out James Worthy. He sprinted towards the inbounder, jammed on the breaks and sprinted back towards the corner. A play he used several times in his career to hit game winners.
This play and Magic's running hook wouldn't have happened but McHale wasn't able to secure the rebound on Kareem's missed Free Throw with L.A. down 1 with 5 seconds left.
