How Good Was Larry Bird Actually?

A look back at the career of one of the best to ever do it, Larry Bird.

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Larry Bird was one of the best players to ever touch a basketball, and together with Magic Johnson - the biggest NBA star of the 80s.
What made him so successful considering he was quite unathletic, and how would he fare in today’s NBA? Did he win just because his teams were loaded, and where does he stand among the best shooters of all-time?

How Good Was Larry Bird Actually?

[cinemaster]

Larry Bird was one of the greatest passers as well, the only reason he didn’t average 10 assists is because the Celtics as a whole were a great passing team, particularly the 86’ team which is considered the best passing team of all time

[tybrustornt]

He won three straight MVPs in a league with Jordan, magic, Hakeem, and Karl Malone. Enough said

[Top-Kek]

Bird took the Celtics from the 2nd worst record in the league to the best record and to the conference finals, IN HIS ROOKIE SEASON!!! He's in my top 5 all day long

[ayo_ocho]

When your so good the other team cheers for you that a legend

[davidherdman]

One of Bird's greatest strengths was to get his teammates involved in the game. He could have scored on just about every trip down the court, but would make incredible passes to all of his teammates so that the other team had to guard everyone all the time. During one stretch in the 1986 season all 5 starters scored in double figures 29 games in a row. Look at teams today and you may see 2 or 3 players like that, but not all 5. It is safe to say that several of the Celtics starters would not have been considered for the Hall of Fame if they played on other teams.

Bird also did not grow up with a 3 point line. It was instituted in the NBA his second year, and then in the college game. So his ability to consistently make the 3 point shot was a testament to his shooting practice where he would shoot from all points in the floor, not just traditional forward spots like his contemporaries. We see Curry and others consistently making 3 point shots now, but in Bird's day if you tried shots from that far out in high school or college the coach took you out of the game and helped you to understand that this was NOT an acceptable shooting spot.

Bird's 3 MVP awards came at a time when we saw some of the NBA's finest players. Every team had 2 or 3 or more really great players. The witness to that statement is the 1992 Dream Team. 11 of those players were vastly experienced, hall of fame NBA players from the 80's with only 1 collegiate player. Interesting note, during the Dream Team Olympic games the coach never called a time out. Not once.

The recent success of the Warriors is a throwback to the Celtics and Bird. Their consistent winning record is not simply based on Steph Curry, but on all of the players on the floor contributing. Curry virtually always has an open man to pass to when he brings the ball up. Again, this means the other team has to guard all 5 opponents, not just Curry. Curry can pass, he can shoot from any place on the floor, and he can score around the basket. Bird was the same, while playing a different position. It is like watching the '86 Celtics all over again, even though the game is a lot different. Teams win, but teams with 'stars' don't many times.

Thanks for the video.

[shrek_uwu_baddie]

True story: Kevin McHale had just broken the record of most points by a Celtic in a single game, 56 points. After the game, Bird told McHale that he should've gone for 60 points. Next week Larry Bird got 60 points exactly against the hawks.

[TheriotProductions]

How good was Larry Bird? The answer is: LEGENDary

[MindfulAttraction.]

5:14 nasty pass yet so simple. This is a testament to his genius as a basketball player. He was constantly taking mental pictures of the court

[eduardoquintero]

One of the highest basketball IQ's ever.

[rolodwayne]

Larry would completely dominate in this era.

[ayyyayay]

"larry grew up as a shy introverted kid"

your telling me this is the same dude who was also known for his trash talking?

[eternalboss]

Elite scorer, elite passer, elite rebounder, above average defender, elite closer. I'd say he was pretty good.

[MuddyPoppins]

Bird hurt his back installing a driveway at his mother’s house because he thought that the paving companies bid was too high, so he did it himself and blew out his back.
True story.

[lorenfarris]

I liked Pat Rileys quote when asked who do you want when game is on the line.He said, If its for the game, I will take Jordan.If its for my life, I will take Larry

[juanio]

If dirk doncic and Jokic can dominate Larry bird would annihilate in today’s game.

[ousmanediagne]

I love how whenever they were talking about how bird was the greatest shooter, they kept saying: at the time

[paolomagni]

This guy litteraly OWNED the NBA! In his 1st 7 years he was: rookie of the year + 3⃣ times in a row 2nd in MVP + 3 3⃣ times in a row MVP.
Founder and 2 time member of the 50-40-90 club!
Do you get that?! Who else can say that?
3 times in a row All Stars Game 3 point contest winner (the 1st time he entered the locker room and said "I'm going to see who's gonna finish 2nd! And he won. The 3rd time, in warm up suite, he did ☝️ while the last shot was still on air, and won).
Once he was 1 steal from a quadruple double (!!!!) and the coach asked him if he wanted to return on court from the bench to get it: "No, I did already enough damage tonight!".
During the 60 points night vs Atlanta Hawks he was so hot and displaying such a shooting performance that 3 of the Hawks' bench were fined for cheering at his shots.
Most of his no look or behind the back passes are still today inexplicable and unmatched.
Any time guarded by a white player he was just going nuts and this fired him up: "This is disrespectful for my game!" 😂
And we could go on and on and on.
Just THE LEGEEND!

[Ryan-gwob]

I'm 50 and have been watching NBA since 1980 and Larry Legend is the most complete player l have ever seen!! Just an amazing athlete .. He would have been even better if he wasnt so cheap in the mid 80's and did his Mom's driveway on his own and hurt his back for the 1st time!! Miss watching him play!!

[HoopsRegion]

How good was Larry Bird? The Answer is: Really Good.

[Dragracer]

I truly feel that I grew up watching the Golden Era of the NBA. So many legends.