Larry Bird – Larry Legend (Original Career Documentary)

Larry “Legend” Bird, an 80s icon who changed the course of basketball history. The original greatest shooter to ever play, Bird could hit from anywhere on the court. In a time when the 3 was just introduced, Bird was a lethal weapon. A scrappy warrior that would fight for every loose ball, pull double digit rebounds, make circus passes with pinpoint accuracy, and drain any shot anywhere…while talking trash. This original documentary covers the entirety of Larry Bird’s career. His rise from humble beginnings, his college superstardom, his rivalry with Ervin Magic Johnson which saved the NBA from fading viewership. Relive all the moments that made the legend of Larry Bird. Reigning 3’s in the clutch, winning 3 MVPs in a row, dominating the 3 point contest, becoming a trash talking icon, playing games left handed just to mess with guys, and all while hanging 3 banners in the rafters…take a walk down memory lane in a way only brought to you by Joseph Vincent.

Voice over narration by:
Andrew Scott

there is some who have only heard the legend of Larry Bird here’s M Off the Mark Lakers have several chances here his career lasted 13 Seasons I guarantee you I’ll give 100% every time I come out and if I get a torn toenail or something I won’t sit out I’ll play hard as I can every night and I hope I can bring excitement to the fans and I’ll never give up shooting passing rebounding defending Larry Bird would put fear in me and everyone else feared by his peers respected by his Rivals everyone remembers Larry Bird the iconic score and I remember one of the first practices um he told me and Reggie Lewis he said I want to play you guys one on two this is probably the best defensive unit out there for bird with a pass to the lakes of [Music] Sigma then when we started playing he was cooking everybody but talking and telling them about it pun that in the can only two other players won the regular season MVP award three consecutive times as bird did Bill Russell and Will Chamberlain the interpretation steal by Bird Larry earned three consecutive MVP awards the Sal Carina rad I never put on a uniform to go play a game with 3 seconds I put on a uniform to win bird will try another jumper and hit it at the buzzer bird has 60 points Larry Bird scored 60 points look at the Boston players mob him Larry Bird scored 60 he was one of the greatest players that ever laced him up the Celtics never had a losing month during the regular season when Larry Bird was in their lineup he was that kind of player that kind of influence played in the most physical era of basketball your era it was so much more physical and stuff was just settled on the court and it was fine when toughness was required the ‘ 80s when I played they was a lot of cheap shots and a lot of it happened after a whistle you’re going in and you get foul and the guy goes ahead and tries to that’s a free foul he gave everything he had all while hanging three banners in the rafters there’s something about those banners in the rafters diving for loose balls sacrificing his body and Longevity for immortality I can’t change my style of play I got to play like that every night renowned for a shot remembered for his iconic moments not just the ability to pile up numbers but the ability to come through in the clutch and Under Pressure H Larry Legend and the fans started chanting Larry Larry [Applause] Larry Bird comes from French Lick Indiana a small rural town with a population of just over 2,000 he could play but he didn’t have NBA stamped on him he was 61 135 lb super slow but he could play growing up with an alcoholic father and in one of the poorest areas in the nation Bird’s future looked Bleak but like with many of our greatest athletes the pressure of poverty and despair forged a diamond in the rough my confidence came from me shooting basketball by myself for hours upon on hours I didn’t pick up the ball on a Saturday and size going to score 40 a game you could always count on a cool house we had U 27 2,800 people in town of French Lick and our jym held 2300 so uh Birds sprouted to a height of [Music] 6’7 it was here in a Clos Nick community that bird acquired the work ethic and value that would build a Hall of Fame career he averaged 30 points and 20 rebounds a game well it’s always a a very good rebounder in high school and college as always able to rebound always had the ability to to seek out the ball and go get it this is bird country oh this is bird watching country but this is a rare bird when Larry graduated from Springs Valley he did what any good hooer basketball player wants to do play for bob Knight at Indiana at first Larry attended Indiana University but at age 17 Larry Bird had never been more than 50 mil away from home for longer than a weekend at a time his stay in Bloomington lasted just 24 days saying he felt lost and out of place the Local Hero was headed back home he returned home a disappointment to his family let my mother down she didn’t talk to me for two months but it didn’t matter what other people say to this day I don’t care after dropping out of school at Indiana bird worked as a garbage man he was working for the city streets department when he got the news that his father had taken his own life I was matter after the funeral because I thought he sort of cut out on us during a a tough time but you know he went he went through a lot in his life an assistant coach from the Indiana State sycamores refused to let Larry quit pursuing bird until at last he committed to return to the court Bird headed to terot in ISU a school that never so much had been to the NCAA tournament great pass oh and bird quickly made up for lost time the first thing to say well they don’t play nobody down there once I started playing it’s the same old thing you know he’s at small school and he a playing against anybody which is fine still dominated I started making these wild passes and back to bird great pass oh what a play Larry was a phenomenon a big man who could shoot and pass like a g this is bird country oh this is bird watching country but this is a rare bird 33 the a 6 and a half Senor fromis Indiana Larry bir what is CED by bir the way that U I came in there in stood out my year and nobody really heard about me then all of a sudden was coming there he was looking for it what a pass what a [Applause] pass the press and and the media come from all over to ter hope to watch watch our team play I think that that caught everybody but some point you’re are looking in on a very frantic W bash Valley area this is the first time that Indiana State sycamor have ever been on national television and are they ready they think they’re number one good for the the colleages it was good for the community it was good for the players everybody involved it was just something that happens once in a life comes up with it put it up on it in in 1978 bird was drafted by the Boston Celtics bird was a junior at the time and had committed to returning to college for his senior year most teams weren’t willing to draft a player who wouldn’t play for another year they could draft you a year early he went back to school the Celtics took took Larry with a six pick if I’m not mistaken in 78 the year before right and he went back to school that’s right basketball secret weapon was no longer a secret to the rest of America the Mor who were unranked in the preseason polls Larry Senior season breathed through the regular season unblemished in his senior year Larry Bird showed the Boston fans why he was worth the wait it the bird bird he led the unknown Indiana State sycamores to an unbeaten season 33 and0 he Player of the Year Sports Illustrated all the magazines got he on the cover right Bird Mania gri the college BAS world I think he was a mystery to the extent that that that he wanted to be a mystery he didn’t enjoy doing interviews he didn’t go out of his way to do them he wasn’t particularly good at them I start to read materials that were very quiet and you don’t enjoy talking to newspaper people well you know there’s different kind of newspaper paper people there’s U people that try to push you you know there’s people try to get things out of you things don’t even pertain to basketball and then the type of people I like to stay away from bird had become a national sensation as he led the unknown Sycamore to an unbeaten season and transform them into college basketball’s Miracle team Larry Bird and the Indiana state teamore bird Leading The Way with 23 points the first thing we wanted to happen was Larry to touch the ball and that was our goal was get it in his hand 75% of the time that we had it and you know it worked Larry carried his team to the national championship game and the dawning of a historic rivalry was set to take place prior prior to that NCA tournament still with the most watched NCA Finals game in n in NCA history it was the most celebrated confrontation in college basketball history 6’9 in senior from French flake Indiana Larry Bird in my case people really didn’t see me play on national TV I was from a mid major uh school we were undefeated and we’re playing against a a Big 10 champion and uh I think it just caught everybody’s attention number 33 of 6’8 in sophomore from laning Michigan uran Magic Johnson Michigan state was a perennial Powerhouse their Superstar Magic Johnson was poised to be the number one pick in the draft you know that game that we [Applause] had still the highest rated Final in NCAA history to go back inside is not a God he can play God and play bird inside beauti basketball play of the Year Larry Bird basketball’s Miracle team and they had been ranked since that’s right and they W ranked before and we we put two guys on him we double team right anytime Larry Bird touches it there’s about three people in this area I’m surprised they didn’t play a box on one you know four guys on Larry and one on the other four because that’s they didn’t have a lot of talent bird kicks it in Larry Bird using that left hand remember he has a broken left thumb on that left hand he rebound dnal the secondary players are not hitting that perimeter shot oh great play by and he saves it that was an alley up pass almost trying to get it into though he came up short of winning it all bird had established himself among the fans it’s all over Mig State University national champions 1979 iMagic not only were your leader on offense I thought you did a great job on Larry Bird In the Zone tonight in the how fitting he goes to the Celtics you go to the Lakers and we know this rivaly in the 60s that that that was the basketball a statue was erected in honor of Bird’s historic College run bird had been drafted by Boston in 1978 as a junior you’re eligible his impact on the Celtics was immediate and palpable when I first came to Boston uh they had a couple bad years there and there was sort of rebuilding time uh they came in with a new coach and uh I didn’t know what to expect all I want to do is go out and play every game and play hard and see what happened National Basketball Association in its 33rd season is troubled by diminishing crowds and declining television ratings signs that fan interest maybe wanting the NBA was struggling as viewership plummeted year after year one of the rule changes that the fans are so interested in of course it’s the three-point play this year it’s going to add another dimension going to be exciting for the devil actually bird made the jump to the pros joining the Celtics who had drafted him last year excitement for Larry’s Pro debut was intensified but once I got to the Celtics the one thing I really remember about the first game is smileit a dove out or a pigeon a white bird and I knew right then that U it was something special when Larry bird made his NBA debut a fan released a dove which majestically flew across the garden and the fan started chanting Larry [Applause] Larry Larry Bird comes into a standing ovation here at the Boston Garden he was a Sant on the court like just a savant like two plays ahead on everything down the lane Between the Lakes the Ry Bry foul oh we got to see that one again anointed as the team’s savior Larry would indeed Salvage and restore the pride of the Boston Celtics bird along the Baseline underneath to Maxwell the Celtics were a last place team fresh off their worst season in 30 years there he is [Music] Crash they look to bird as a savior of sorts diving for loose balls laying it all out who knew this 21-year-old kid from Indiana would be the Cornerstone for a franchise and help Elevate the NBA to new heights and Away with 12 Celtics have got 3 seconds too it’s [Applause] good yes indeed it did take long for Larry’s Allin attitude to endear him to fans number 33 Larry seven fo shot is still working and there’s the bird could be a rookie of the year and maybe Most Valuable Player he’s also the leading score on the celex now 21.5 points a game what G with Larry Bird uh I think is the best he’s just the very best oh what a bird involving all of his teammates the Celtics saw saw a dramatic turnaround from the year prior leading the Celtics to the largest single season turnaround in NBA history the 80s looked bright for Boston thanks to the star power of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson the NBA was sorry to new heights I think the adjustments come pretty quick and uh I’m very happy with uh the way things turn out in Boston because it’s been very easy all I do is short play basketball and things have been going well in the court and so everything else takes care of himself Cel have lost only 18 games all year long the C won 61 games in Bird’s rookie season the year before Bird’s arrival the Celtics had gone 29 and 53 but with bird is a rookie the team improved to 61 and 21 capturing the League’s best record bird averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds a game that season and was voted Rookie of the Year he had turned the franchise around his clutch play would become the stuff of which well Legends are made bird was named Rookie of the Year beating out Magic Johnson for the honor it’s always great to play with great players it makes the game a lot easier uh the one thing that we did my second year we picked up Robert Parish and Kevin mccale in 1980 when the Boston Celtics traded for Robert Parish and a draft pick which became Kevin mccale no one could have imagined the glory and camaraderie to follow tiny NE bird behind the back back to Parish to support bird the Celtics acquired Robert Parish and drafted Kevin mccale R box could be the greatest GM ever was quickly ahead to bird behind the back move dumps at the parish yes Kevin Mills don’t come around very often and Robert Parish and with bird setting the tone the Celtics played with furious intense oh Larry bir what a play by W and they scor the goal he was the king that made team run the best player on this team without question was Larry Bird Bird’s game elevated even further in his second season as he got his NBA legs beneath him suffice it to say there may never be another front line to compare in greatness with the big three a bird Parish and M oh there’s Max on the offensive board on the cut to birs reverse lay up is SC how did he make that one I want to tell you I didn’t think he was going to shoot it we had a team there when we won an 81 I thought we was going to win five or six in a row we had that much talent Boston seemed destined for a title his first championship how does he get there all right let’s see where Quinn goes with it Larry post up to the hoop yes in the playoffs bird quieted any concerns about the Celtics Youth and inexperience 1981 Larry Bird 24 points 10 assists and he just makes it look easy sweeping the Bulls in the first round Larry Bird Bird in there again with another rebound he has 17 of 198 averages 24 13 and 7 the Celtics were primed to make a run at history see that Larry Bird unbelievable pass but Dr J’s Sixers seemed to have the Celtics number bird Celtics found themselves down three games to one it was time to put up or shut up but that title and their hopes for new something Dynasty are in Jeopardy tonight down 3-1 to Philadelphia any adjustments made from game four to game five from game five on the Celtics seemed like a new team game five Larry Bird had facing elimination 32 11 5 3 and two what a pass by Bird Larry Bird just hit a lightning quick pass at the right moment to time for bird impacting the game on both ends was Paramount [Applause] pulls up bird with the rebound and fighting for rebounds it’s over the Boston Celtics who were down by six points with 128 to go and Bill fix is a winner tonight every time somebody puts out a top five that doesn’t have Larry in it I kind of go what are we doing you know I think we sleep on and because he wasn’t the Highlight dunker he was amazing and we were uh down 3-1 and and we won game five in Boston to go 3-2 an incredible atmosphere electricity capacity crowd game six he had 25 16 4 2 and two down by 12 they need a rally com off there were five games decided by I want to say seven points in that Series so we knew it was going to be nip and Tuck all the way to the end bir goes up the B get P to a foul Larry [Music] Bird Man I really miss ‘s basketball another TI the Celtics tried to keep it alive tempers were hot now Dawkins Dawkins said don’t mess with me and mad has to break him up not only just does the shooting part but he does the the workman’s part that’s that’s why of me is so special he he he plays this game with such total dedication bird rebound basket good and a foulin and Caldwell Jones and that’ll do it the game is over Boston has won only three teams have come back from a 3-1 deficit to fource a seventh and winner seventh game storming back to tie the series Larry had forced a game seven back in Boston and with this Victory Larry Bird who paced Boston with 25 points and 16 rebounds could feel a definite shift in momentum we felt it really shocked him it really uh tore him apart because now it’s 3 to three and we’re coming back to the garden and that was just a game whoever had the most guts and the most determination was going to win that game go back to Boston and there’s people like there’s the the like I didn’t realize that I’m new to Boston that’s my first year of being out there FR 18 minutes before the game we went out to warm up there wasn’t an empty seat and there wasn’t one person standing and they stood the whole game it all came down to one game the Boston Garden is a curious mix void of modern conveniences but equipped with a Brash personality the Boston Garden tucked between the central artery and the old Madison Hotel they’re down 3-1 in this series and game seven 2311 five five and two and you mention Larry Bird when it comes down to the crunch he’s always there so far he’s been the outstanding play of the series you can’t play much better than Larry B’s the 76ers got out to an early lead once again but bird willed his team back he had the ability to lift his game to an even higher level just when his team needed it the most bird another offensive rebound Le nothing could stop bird at this point s they go to bird isolated with Jay spins around yes sir Boston relentless on the offensive board he was on and when bird was on the Celtics one Bobby hitting outside and no good bird the rebound Boston will try to tie it under 3 minutes to play Larry Bird going to the basket foul he’s fouled as he goes in with 251 bird carried the Celtics across the Finish Line making clutch play after clutch play Birds foul shots not the score at 89 Dawkins goes in misses Here Comes bird out of the pack 105 to go Larry Bird Celtic domination was attributed to Larry Bird and the Celtic lead it’s the outside shot you have to hit the outside shot under this conditions who virtually will the game in Boston State the win sent the Boston fans into a friend here it is it’s over the Boston Celtics have won it and they go far crazy at Boston [Applause] C they won’t clear alone they came from they come back and win g five6 s a scene unlike any you could ever see today tremendous motion a great series with great players You couldn’t possibly ask more from basketball now Houston’s waiting for Boston that also be a great Ser that probably the best games I ever played in my life it was seven game series and every one of them was just full of excitement I Told You So with your own 19881 coming back from the brink of defeat bird and the Celtics had overcome a 3 to one hole and we headed to the NBA finals from Indiana State 6’9 to the 33 very bir [Music] in the finals the Celtics would face off with the Houston rockins Austin would like to cut this to a one-point game Larry Bird has been outthinking opponents all season long the variety of categories in which he leads his team is evidence of his remarkable all-around skill Larry Birds his own shot oh what a point Larry Bird and the Boston SEL Take the Lead 9291 that was the spark as bird took control of the game in a dazzling display of all-around skills the this crowd atic in just his second year bird had taken the last place Celtics all the way to the top Larry Bird and then game six of the finals against Moses and Houston with the title on the line had 273 and five 147 you see the time archal Henderson on in tiny will come back out and reset 12 seconds on the shot clock Larry Bird WS a three-pointer a three-point shot by Larry bir he’s hit three of them down on the stretch I don’t know if you can have any more ice Wier in your veins than he’s shown in this game 27 points for [Applause] bird you see two seconds one and the world champions the Boston Celtics the Boston Celtics have won the World Championship in 1981 and they have become the 14 flag winners for the Boston guard is a big thr a tough series Moses was on a tear all year and you win that first championship that’s that’s very special for bird is felt like just the beginning for the 14th time the Celtics have brought the NBA World Championship home to Boston and thousands of fans mobed Logan Airport this afternoon to greet the young Sports Heroes with champagne beer and cheers they celebrated the title In Style thousands flooded the streets to cheer the Celtics whoever said winning isn’t everything it’s the only thing apparently had today’s Citywide celebration in mind where estimates of 40 to 50,000 screaming fans showed their appreciation when we won our first championship I I told our team I said we got to win at least four or five these things that we didn’t do our job cuz I always thought that we left him on the table well I spent about 2 minutes up in the May White’s office and all them people up there dudes running around asking for autographs now I know why they’re on bankrupt after we won the championship in ‘ 81 I feel like we had a good enough team where we could start a a Destiny and and win a lot of championships unfortunately there there for 3 years we didn’t do much but from 84 on we played pretty well he was the biggest star in the sport you know every time you pick up a magazine there’s an article on Larry Bird I the one sports illustrate comes to mind say living legend the next season the Celtics were the best team in the regular season from the Spectrum the Celtics shooting for their 15th win in a row 28 seconds bird slap pass to AAL probably with a little off balance bird with the steel behind the back to n Archer ball back to all right fantastic because I feel that if it comes down to the last shot of the game I should be the one de over take count it down with me bird had become known as the best closer in the game Maxwell Max puts it on the floor we’re down to six bird in the corner double fake good it Larry Bird hits it with two seconds left a killer who thrived in the clutch he had a quality that went beyond his skills he was a winner he was a champion Larry with the break in the middle bird a runner yes bird was better than ever in the postseason finds bird won’t go bird the rebound over his head to M probably making a pass that I can say is a group of people standing there and thinking about it in your mind and all of a sudden doing it the two he count he had the ability to lift his game to an even higher level just when his team needed it the most and that’s what defines greatness in any athlete not just the ability to pile up numbers but the ability to come through in the clutch and Under [Applause] [Music] Pressure hits out the bugger a three point of the L bird oh my the Celtics ran into their rival the 76ers yet again the play for the Boston Celtics was the highlight of my my whole life made Jay and okay gets it started but there’s the first basket of the game Larry he holds down a lot of his talent to uh benefit the team a lot too and move to the hoop by Larry Bird of the Celtics on the despite another great series from bir it’s three on one Irving the Celtics would come up short against Dr J 76ers the Sixers are now within nine will put it in play for the Celtics 220 left third quarter 8160 Boston bird is the man fall away oh wow in a moment that highlighted the Boston fans disdain for La they cheered the 76ers in the garden and then something unique happens from the Boston crowd comes a ceaseless pounding [Applause] champ you hear the crowd is chanting to the Sixers B P La that’s great let’s listen Jim Harrington executive producer Michael Burks our producer 82 I still feel like uh that was one of the Lost titles from that area we always had good teams and it always seems like injuries got in our way which it does for a lot of teams it’s over the 76ers didn’t beat La Magic Johnson Bird’s rival had captured a second title I grew up as we all did being a lakor fan yeah but I pattered my whole game how I wanted to play and approach after this man bird was hitting his prime he keeps getting better and better Larry Bird and when uh that little picture machine starts going off he’s in a world of his arm a wild and Maxwell converts it counts and a foul and that was a heads up spect play by Larry and there isn’t anybody in the world that’s going to stop him and uh when he gets it going like that uh it’s awesome it was so much fun to play with this guy first of all you get yourself involved in a game and this you would get caught looking at him as he performed and it was strictly a performance it’s a two red hot teams Larry Bird on a steel double team and bird knocks it away orchestrating the offense and attacking on defense bird was quickly becoming the most dominant player in the league bird fou I want the ball because I’m supposed to produce them situations uh sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t but I want the ball in a crucial situation Baseline on the sideline that a guy just gets it and lets it fly but all right Max is going to inbound the Celtics whoever catches that ball is going to have to put it right out Max looking [Applause] [Music] looking it’s good it’s good and the celic Win It bird hits in the Celtics with it 103 to 101 a three pointer by Larry Bird at the that thing which we sometimes think of as a cliche that the great player is not just a tremendous performer himself but that he makes those around him better applies here I think it’s the epitome of that statement when you talk about Larry Bird he absolutely makes everybody around him much better get loed into bir Dallas ahead to Buckner the left handed layup Larry Bird he’s really he’s been on a roll hasn’t he 33 points what you got 16 rebounds Ray 15 rebounds okay get the interpretation another steal by bur there he [Applause] goes the Celtics are on a roll Harry B puts the Celtics ahead for the first time in the game they have scored 11 un answer 545 left bird the steel lead pass to Maxwell say good night so the Celtics increased their record to 18 and four now after 22 games the Celtics look like contenders again welcome to the NBA playoffs on a USA cable network but Milwaukee with a three nothing lead and many of the fans in Milwaukee walking around with brooms tonight 1983 he was swept by Sydney montre in Milwaukee around the Celtics watched most of the playoffs on TV last year because the Milwaukee Bucks beat them badly the Celtics were swept by the Bucks and the dream of a Celtics dynasty was quickly ending in his first four years Larry had brought the Celtics back to the top of the NBA but by the 1984 season it had been three long years since he’d won a title the future was now uncertain as the Celtics seemed to be wasting their Championship potential but for Larry the season would be one of his greatest becoming the best player in the league and leading the MVP charge along with the long hours of practice bird demands of himself there are many more demands put on number 33 from the media to living up to what people expect off the court as well as on your era it was so much more physical and stuff was just settled on the court and it was fine the ‘ 80s when I played they was a lot of cheap shots and a lot of it happened after the whistle like you’re going in and you get foul and the guy goes ahead and tries to that’s a free foul angry and here’s mosa wait a minute that’s Barkley oh there is yeah and look at J hitting bird as he’s being held from behind how good was bird people I don’t think people people look at him and think oh he’s a white guy slow guy chubby white guy he wore us out round two against the Nicks and Bernard King another guy on our list averages 30 11 and seven including the playoff game of his life up to that point game set against the Knicks in round two bir is steel in the playoffs the Knicks were extremely physical third is double team the series would go back to Boston for a game sber takes the first shot of the game with his back against the wall bird had a playoff career high 39 points bird 17 for Larry [Applause] Bird Larry Bird at 39 points 12 rebounds 10 assists is the matchup between Bernard King and Larry Bird the two Vine for MVP honors look at that fighting it on defense as best he [Music] can the crowd is chanting MVP for Guess Who well it gets my vote to tell you the truth because he does so many things on a basketball the Celtics were headed back to the finals and bird had cemented his MVP case the NBA Most Valuable Player is to sum it up in one word Simply the Best and when people look for udice to describe this year’s winner many insist that he may be the best player ever in the finals the match everyone was hoping for came to fruition you know we were the favorites and we made our way they won the East we won the West so it’s like uh everybody just get ready sit back and uh let’s enjoy it at least we got the game in our court and uh our fans will be hyped up and it’ll be fun of course you had the bird magic you know take over the 80s the bird magic Celtic Laker finals were like the Ali Fraser and each of the last four NBA world championship series either magic or bird has competed but this is the first time that the two have gone head-to-head for the tit well I was excited being in the finals but playing against magic yeah that that was uh something that always dream about since he be us in college and welcome to Los Angeles the city of stars and expensive cars the 1984 NBA world championship series was a media circus and then in the finals against magic and freem in the Lakers game four with the Lakers leading the Celtics two Victor historic struggles between the Lakers and Celtics had defined the NBA down two one in game four to even the series bird gets the layup boy how he kns his way in the ratings were off the charts and the NBA was bigger than ever and here’s Larry Bird with another rebound he has 11 in the ball game the tip control by the Celtics here’s bird going for three and he has it now magic and bird were writing a new chapter in the Rivalry he has done successfully here’s a steal by Larry Bird and we always felt that if we play the Lakers we could always do something here take the heck out of here’s Ken out toy Ram Kur Ramis was Clos line by Kevin mcale I think Larry bir can beat you even if he doesn’t score a point on the basketball court he get get them thinking about if they’re going to get hit or or somebody’s saying something it takes them off their game because they’d like to get it that run and just keep pushing push get get in their flow you got to take them out of that flow bird fights Kareem slings the elbow and now he Gilling at Larry Bird the Lakers cool was blown instead of of setting the tone they found themselves retaliating and their well-honed concentration was disrupted bird had one of the great playoff games ever played you know great players Like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson love to be in this situation bird went to the line with a chance to tie it up he makes one and the Celtics tie it up the game went to overtime and bird would be called upon once again in the clutch they’ll have to get more scoring from Wilson Ken before it’s over I don’t believe it and there Celtic fans high-fiving all over the joint now points and the rebounds the Celtics 33 rebounds to the lak 12 Larry Bird he has been Sensational the kid from French Lick Indiana he’s got 31 18 on the shot clock you think the Celtics will use most of the block here nearly a steal by Worthy Dennis Johnson with Cooper all over him he can’t do a thing bir turn around hit with 16 seconds to go the shot proved to be the game winner listen you couldn’t give him an inch or he would just shoot it right in your face he was dominant at both ends of the Court the Lakers arrived in Boston Stern comes in in 1983 and he capitalizes on two people one name was Larry Bird other name was Magic Johnson playing in extraordinary heat both teams would have to dig deep Boston Garden was a sauna the place had no air conditioning and inside as the temperatures reached into the hundreds the Lakers tried to relax and stay fresh are entering the hottest place in this city literally there is no air conditioning in this ancient building and the loud and Rapid Boston fans cheered them as on a crusade how hot was it in here game five and game seven at 84 against the [Applause] Lakers uh they said it was 105 all I remember is Kim ald Jabar with the oxygen tank to his face the Lakers will have a bottle of oxygen alongside their bench Larry B gets an offensive rebound was an exceptional rebound averaging 10 rebounds a game for his score is tied at 26 the game started over 97° here at Boston Garden inside and I’m sure that’s been raised a few degrees bird dominated the rebounds once again giving his team The Edge turning Second Chances into points this is game number five and it’s steal by bird just TI two games a piece and Larry Bird Bird scored 34 points had 17 rebounds by Larry Bird GES finds an open bird takes ramit and the Boston Celtics have in resounding fashion with a big second half have crouched the Los Angeles Lakers 121 to 103 a 34.7 rebound game to go up 32 bird had an extraordinary game scoring 34 points on 15 of 20 from the field and grabbing 17 rebounds back in La The Forum was packed so on a Sunday Southern California afternoon The Forum is our set and the Los Angeles Lakers must win here or this season is history usually restrained Forum crowd was in a frenzy they had seen Boston Garden erupt and went all out for the Lakers from the start the game wasn’t close the showtime Lakers steamroll burden the Celtics [Applause] [Music] [Applause] the Lakers win would send the series to Boston for a game seven Los Angeles Lakers have even this NBA world championship series at three victories a piece and they did it in dramatic fashion and Abdul Jabar scored 30 points to lead all scores Larry Bird had 28 a dramatic Victory by the Lakers I thought we played like a bunch of assist we just didn’t do the things that that took for us to win a championship everything is back there to be had history the Boston Garden uh retired numbers World Championship banners uh we have a chance to do something that no other team has ever done go back to Boston Garden and win a world championship on that parket floor the series returned East the Lakers had lost the homec court advantage which rested now with Boston back in the garden the heat was on track of the temperature here in Boston Garden and it says 91 degrees that’s inside outside is pretty delightful Tom the moment schoolyard players dream about on Sleepless summer nights and tonight the seventh game of the World Championship where the loss of seling and the Los Angeles Lakers get ready for the world championship of basketball 1983 84 is game number seven the fans erupted into thunderous Applause well you said no question that Larry Bird the man the Celtics will live or die with tonight and electric [Applause] atmosphere bird going in Jack Nicholson does not have as good a seat here in Boston as he does in La Tom here’s magic Off the Mark Lakers has several chances and here’s Larry [Laughter] this game is Larry P I mean he’s doing everything this wheel by Larry bir came right behind Kareem to make the steal trying to cut it to one and he loses it again to Dennis Johnson is going in against Cooper again and this time he’s five [Applause] and Dennis Johnson hits the free throw Johnson’s free throws gave the Celtics a five-point lead and now a foul no basket a foul was called he win the title in seven he’s finals MVP they have two overtime wins in that [Applause] series the Celtics had done it world champion final second Cooper going for three it’s over the fans storm the [Applause] court the Boston Celtics are the NBA world [Laughter] champions 15 World titles another Banner will be hung from the rafters at Boston Garden bird had defeated his rival mat and helped Boston secure its 15th NBA championship Larry Bird was chosen the playoff [Applause] MVP it’s my pleasure to present the Larry O’Brien trophy to the NBA world champion 1984 Boston Celtics congratulations to Red hour number 15 what a way to go he was now the Undisputed biggest star in basketball all you fans around the country and the whole city it just just something that’s unbelievable feeling because it seems like your team the team that you’re on brought this many people together in a short period of time and it’s just it’s just amazing what a championship to do for me but it was the extraordinary measure of the man that despite the unusually high standards we judged him by he so regularly exceeded those expectations Larry Bird would have another MVP season actually after winning the World Championship after being the MVP of the playoffs MVP of the League what an honor that is MVP of the league it sure is you know after going through a tough season like you do then at the end you start bringing in Awards it’s really a great feeling cuz you know you accomplish something tonight from the silver dome in Pontiac Michigan the Pistons host the Boston Celtics the season is not even a quarter old but the world champion Boston Celtics are making a mockery of the so-called title jinx since 1967-68 no team has won back-to-back titles but the Celtics seem determined to Buck that Trend as they stand alone AAU the NBA with a 15-1 record Bradley outside on DJ around to pick bird yes and a foul bird the steal ticks it the head to male for two for Robinson the board the bullets can take the lead burn the steel he reped his 10,000th career point and had pundits proclaiming him better than ever out and that is point number 10,000 as Larry Bird has gone over the mark the Celtic players knew it that was awful quick too it didn’t take him long sure didn’t just a little over four minutes the ninth player some people around the league say that the Celtics actually are playing better basketball than they did a year ago winning Championship Banner number 15 and some are also saying that Larry Bird perhaps is playing even better than a year ago is that possible it’s possible because he’s looking to score more I always like to take a moment to show young Jordan highlights the other guard is from North Carolina 6’6 number 23 Michael Jordan Dennis Johnson and male had a wide open layup here’s Jordan the first true great deep shooter of any ear the first star player that it was truly a weapon Bird for free oh it’s blowout time the Celtics were a well-oiled machine he fored the shot and he made it you just celebrated your 28th birthday last month and coincidentally you were the player of the month in the NBA in December averaging 27 points a game 52% field goals the best ever 90% of your free throws getting 10 boards a game six assists or maybe seven and also just leading the league in three-point shots percentage wise male no rebound to McKenna Stripped Away by bir gets it to Paris what a play last year they had a down year we had an up year and we’re playing great and they’re playing great so I look for us to be uh in the finals to see who plays the LA of Lakers the way it’s going right now you’re going to be MVP twice in a row maybe the world champions twice in a row Larry Bird ladies and gentlemen one of the greats of all time DJ again to make the inbounds pass to double team and Bird Larry fake Fall [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Away hits it in the another all right I believe because I consider myself one of the better Shooters in the world and if it comes down the last second shot I would rather be taking that shot because over a period of a whole year getting the playoffs i’ probably taken you know two or 300,000 more shots than one of my teammates now would you want to go to him or would you want to go to the guy who’s taken that many shots over over that course of the year so I always feel that I’m the guy they should go to because I feel I’m the guy that’s going to hit the shot all right here’s Dennis gets it in the bird Larry a runner got it ball game’s over Boston [Applause] wins you guys probably Larry Bird play how many you ever seen Larry Bird play hey everybody’s seen Larry Bird play that’s that’s not a high enough percentage we got we got some work to do yeah that’s crazy they don’t know crazy D for bird with position he fakes it and shoots it good against the Hawks bird put on an alltime performance great touch Johnson misses a shot rebound bird bird on the Baseline great pass moving the ball like magician oh what a pass Larry Bird to mcale bird on the drive the runner is good again you’re seeing a greater performance as you’ll ever see from Larry Bird Bird they open the right side bird the fall away he drills it again that’s the best shooting I’ve ever seen in the game yes indeed bird with 52 right corner Bird bomb burying one impossible shot sh after another miss it again bird as 54 Bird set a new franchise record there’s bird bird 14 seconds he got fouled he hit the shot he even had the opposing team giving him cheers with 3 seconds bird will try another jumper 60 points and hit it at the buzzer bird has 60 points Larry Bird scored 60 points look at the Boston players mob him Larry Bird scored 60 it is the greatest shooting exhibition I’ve ever seen in my life bird won his second straight League MVP award championship series the NBA’s most valuable player for their second consecutive year on the Boston Celtics Larry Bird the MVP didn’t really after you win one to me it really don’t mean that much to win another one the thing that that you try to go for as the Championships cuz once you you win an MVP award it’s yourself you’re by yourself once you win an NBA championship the whole City’s involved Ron Anderson in the game for the Cs of the back court replacing world the playoffs felt like a formality gets around him puts it up and in and a foul to go with it that is vintage Larry Bird guine the defending champ comes into the playoffs League MVP again averages 35 and 11 with six assists in round one cl so this guy the Celtics were on a collision course with the Lakers holding wow and they scored the goal bird into the [Applause] lane that to 32 is a phenomenal shot they dismantled the Sixers in the Eastern conf finals but that Lakers team in 85 nobody was beating them they won the East we won the West so it’s like uh everybody just get ready sit back and uh let’s enjoy it and a very pleasant good afternoon to you ladies and gentlemen from the Boston Garden where the Los Angeles Lakers hope to achieve something they have never done the Los Angeles Lakers by winning two of three at home in the new format of the NBA have achieved a 3 to2 Advantage they want to stifle the Celtics here today and be crowned the 1985 World champion 10797 and it’s as if no one is at Boston Garden right now that’s how quiet it is that’s got to be the up ultimate thrill for the Lakers Kareem pits again with a Skyhook the Lakers could win their third title Tommy in six years the loss to the Lakers was a sad end to an otherwise historic season for Larry Bird must be magic now that’s who this shoe was made for the converse Star Tech with a unique Unis saddle design 1986 what many people not me but many people consider the best team ever it’s his third straight League MVP he’s going to finish it with another finals MVP with bird the Celtics moved the ball as well as anyone While most of us were born with five senses it would seem that Larry Bird has a sixth and that has transformed the way the Celtics play basketball has a team ever passed better Larry Bird the hick from French Lick had already secured his place in Celtics lore but don’t worry when the Celtics return to the road their exploits away from Boston Garden have been almost as noteworthy as their near Flawless home record he guided his team to two titles and at won two League MVPs with the record of 60 wins and 13 losses these Celtics have every reason to be confident today they’ll be shooting for their 27th straight win at home they were playing basketball at such a high level the Celtics dissected opponents with deadly efficiency and the shots are so easy when they come off the pass nearly 70% of the Celtics field goals have come that way in the playoffs he could affect the game in so many ways that he became a force multiplier uh 84 and 86 I thought in 84 we got lucky and came back and beat you guys but 86 was a team that I thought was our best team in Boston very little from the inside to DJ out to Bird Larry the runner I played on some really good teams but nothing uh quite like that one Bill Walton made a lot of differ Walton trying to keep it alive it’s going to be this Celtics team is widely regarded as one of the greatest teams ever but Bill Walton was the key bill came in and uh you know coming off a lot of injuries for a lot of years felt relative healthy and we felt if he we could keep him on the court uh 10 or 15 minutes game we’re probably going to win a championship skip it through the bird underneath L passes it to Walton back to Larry under the Robert [Applause] two we stay pretty healthy I think Bill played in 80 games that year and uh uh we just felt that nobody could beat us uh not in a seven game series apprach the sideline and Larry in the middle off to par I’ve always felt that and still feel that that’s the best team I’ve ever seen in this league I’m sure Magic’s got a team he like throw up against it but to me personally I thought that’s the best team ever assembled since I’ve been in the league Down and Out Parish again and it goes the fou Larry took part in the inaugural three-point competition looks like he’s found the markv bill Larry Bird on his way to Victory here in the longdistance shootout to no one’s surprise Larry one magic is the one that made us want to play point guard we have to watch it and bird is the one the first big man we saw super Leu [Applause] okay our winner here in the Three-Point longdistance Shootout CHS had my name on for a week now and I knew I was going to win this thing I’ve been practicing my teammate said I wasn’t going to win it but I came back and uh lucked out really the league was brimming with young Talent gunning for the league MVP two minutes there penalty anyway 10 seconds five and burd has the basketball Larry Bird just phenomenal the way that he will contribute in the clutch Time Time After Time After Time After Time Larry Bird continues to play the way he’s been playing he’ll be on his way to a third consecutive MVP award and there are only two people who have done that their names are Russell and Chamberlain bird the walk first time I came to be a Boston Celtics uh I’m going to go out and play and Larry walks in and walks right up to me as if he’d been thinking about me all day said hey I get all the shots on this [Music] team just cuz Kevin or chief are not playing that makes no other opportunities for you now get your butt to the weak side and get some rebounds so I can shoot more cutting Larry bir and then when showed up just seemed like you get every game was like you’re trying to do some weird thing you’ve never tried at a basketball kept it alive to W for [Applause] two bird played the Blazers left-handed telling them he was saving his right for the Lakers Portland Trailblazers coming up on the schedule Larry Bird turns to his teammates and says you know what fellas I’m going to play tomorrow left-handed another Leander by Larry Bird goes out there and scores 47 points not all of them left-handed but a lot another two points with the left hand Larry Bird if you’re counting he’s got 31 from the Denis Johnson 10 seconds the clock you watch it count down razer’s up by a point he dropped 47 on him including the game-winning [Applause] shot Larry Bird with 3 seconds left time out for Portland 47 points for Larry Bird Bird would secure his third straight League MVP now joined Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in the 40-year history of the NBA to win the League’s MVP award three years in a row Larry Bird joins an elite club which only includes Bill Russell and Will Chamberlain it was a coronation for the Celtics and bird a dominant season a dominant postseason the playoffs would be a mere formality as the Celtics dropped only one game on their way to the finals they they they sweep the Bulls in round one they beat Dominique and Atlanta in round two they sweep Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference Finals so they’re 11- one in route to the finals yeah that that run was one of one of the greatest runs we ever had in Boston and welcome to the Aging Boston Garden an arena that was built back in 1928 for $10 million you probably know this place now as the center of the basketball Universe here at the Boston Garden where the Austin Celtics and the Houston Rockets get ready for basketball battle in game number one of the World Series of basketball the NBA Finals so welcome to the 1986 NBA Finals it’s the Houston Rockets and the Boston Celtics the finals were a beat down as the Celtics were simply the best and no one would deny them their third title in those finals they’re playing Houston he averages in the finals 24 points 10 rebounds 9 assist is two total assist shot I think it was two of averaging a triple double for the finals he has 29 and 12 in game six to win the title 238 remaining in a tie score 12 ties and 16 lead changes tonight Walton who’s been there before bird for three hits and the Celtics lead by three and who else but Larry you already lost two games here then it’s uh very talented team but we were the superior team they were young and I didn’t think they could ever win two games Danny and the w w back out the bird SW a three point B now it was up to us to go out as a veteran team that’s been there before and play like we’ve been there before closing out the rockets in six the Celtics were once again world champions the Boston faithful were at their best storming the court as was the tradition they win the title in 1984 they lose in the finals in 1985 they win the title in 1986 bird is League MVP all three years finals MVP twice the city of Boston after all has put on more post NBA championship celebrations than any other City it should come as no surprise that they know how to do it and do it big for a Celtics championship party I had no doubt that i’ I’d be here this year no doubt at all there’s no doubt in my mind that the cells would take it all the way the most successful team in the history of pro basketball locked up title number 16 on Sunday the theme for the day was sweet 16 well if I was working I should be working for Edison but Edison’s on strike and even if I was working I’d be at this party celebrate Celtic World Champs are you ready to receive our world champion been here so Boston celebrates once again and these fans will tell you no matter how many Banners are hung in the garden it never stops feeling good a tremendous season a tremendous celebration Larry Bird carried the trophy High just as he has carried this team to the Pinnacle of the game the bird hysteria reached New Heights 87 I went out convers wanted to do a commercial with both of us okay I flew out to FRC lck Indiana where he from I heard convers made a pair of bird shoes and then we started talking right like two little boys right and you know we we’re we’re similar we grew up poor we’re both from the Midwest we love the game we love to win you know on on on and that’s when our friendship evolved and grew and we’ve been friends ever since more commercials including several iconic ones one it’s me get in there off the expressway over the river off the billboard through the window Off the Wall nothing but net the Celtics raised their third Championship Banner of the bird era [Music] but you got to love the Goden where else can you wait in line 36 hours to sit behind a pole this is probably the best defensive unit out there for bird with the pass to the legs of Sigma Larry Legend has solidified his place in [Applause] history punch that in the can Don Nelson wants a time out 834 and they’re on their feet in the garden Celtics by four Nissan major motion play of the game does involve that passing skill of Larry Bird he gets both the award but the next year injuries began to attack the Celtics the next season would see Boston decimated by injury even short-handed bird carried the Celtics into the playoffs lario take Micky Johnson backed off and bird accommodated on an Easter Sunday Larry has got 40 Larry Bird just did a total tune on whoever guarded him I mean they try to physical him today bounce him around they try to finesse them nothing worked you left the bad bu on the court for the most part but not with lamb beer you never really ever like lamb beer in any social situation no and uh it’s because he was a dirty player right Bill tried to hurt you then in 1987 seemingly exhausted he has a sweeped Jordan in round one you know he was one of them guys you shoot a jumper he try to slide his foot underneath your ankle so you twist your ankle and that’s why Parish always do if you watch any of our old games parish was always twisting his ankle against the Pistons against the Pistons bird had one of his most iconic moments against Detroit they are tied with the Pistons 22 oh averages 3610 and 7even bir got including in game seven 379 and N I want to see how they’re going to play the inbound are they going to give them an idea of a clear Target I think I wrote once that uh out of the 25 greatest moments of my life I think you’re involved in like seven of them I I think that bird steals the ball might be in the top five we need to get a better life 17 seconds to go bird set to inbound Boston down one it comes to Dennis Johnson D Mar the pivotal game in the series and Detroit is up by a point left side bird eyeball to eyeball with Mahorn goes Baseline dman the they got the ball out of bounds it’s in the hands of Isaiah Thomas out of bounds who’s got it Detroit ball with 5 Seconds to go all they’ve got to do is get it in and execute and the game is over I went back to a player and I seen lamb beer going to the Baseline get the ball and I thought a timeout was coming because I knew they had a timeout left they could Advance the ball but Isaiah gets it and throws a lot Thomas wants to get it in quickly [Music] bird steals the ball the Celtics win the game stolen by bir and the cut to DJ yes yes and [Applause] the unbelievable unbelievable well this balcony is rocking and swaying right now it’s supposed to be made a steel what a play by Larry so that is four straight trips to the finals in a period where he was winning all the League MVPs if you look at our teams four years in a row we went to the finals at the 87 that was when uh Parish had Sprint ankle I think Danny had a sprk was the healthiest one on the team you the only Health one in 87 we had I was the healthiest one on the on the roster that’s not saying much heading into the finals for the four four straight year the Celtics were the walking [Applause] [Music] [Music] wounded bird was excellent but the Lakers were simply too much Boston was defeated but bird still had some magic left in his career so I diagram the play he says heck with the play case give me the ball until all the rest of the guys get out of the way I said shut up Larry I’m the coach here okay all right Denny you take the ball out and give it to Kevin then you throw it to Larry and everybody get the hell out of the way he goes down uh before the ball is thrown in and he’s standing right in front of the bench and he looks at all the guys only been says I’m getting the ball I’m going to put it in the hoop yeah that was that was it I mean how much did he talk right where do we go it’s going to go to bird get it and it’s got it a three5 fail goal and that’s that it’s all over can you believe that can you believe it he hit a three-pointer with no time on the clock and they win the ball game now that’s what what you call arrogance he was a trash talking ion Larry was kind of standing I was right behind him like denying him the ball and uh they call the timeout and he turned around and looked at me and said I’m a score right here on you 10 seconds five and bird has the basketball I just looked back and the ball just went in hit all nit and uh he said uh I told you so but the magic of Larry Bird it uh was not on the basketball court was not in the locker room it was in his ability to create an atmosphere to create an atmosphere of excitement wherever he went aiming to win his third straight Three-Point Contest bird famously walked into the locker room and asked a competition which one of you is coming in second I see it uh just to break the ice the truth that I meant it I mean I knew I was probably going to win the contest Larry won again on the final shot Larry Bird at the buzzer with the two-point ball 17- 15 defend the long distance shootout crowd at Chicago Stadium his third title in a row back to back to back [Music] after a that seven game war with Dominique including the the that’s the Dominique’s most famous game the game seven lost to Larry where Larry scored 20 in the fourth quarter and they move on bird kills you throughout his career Larry had embodied the Boston grit Blue Collar hard work toughness so when injuries began to diminish Bird’s playing time it felt like the end of an era how much longer you think you’re going to play well Quin you know I me and you probably the only ones I really talked about in depth but um it’s really hard for me to say right now Larry had two jobs his last seven years of playing it was playing basketball and then it was him being committed to taking care of his back his 13th season with the Celtics and lately those seasons have been difficult owing to both back and heal injuries he’s missed the Celtics last eight games and he won’t be in uniform for their game later today against the Spurs the the final years of Larry’s career was a story of never-ending injury 13 years of hard work sweat toil and pain produce Fame and Fortune for one Larry Joe bir in 8089 you played like only six games you recover and in 1989 he has bone spurs and back issues and that’s basically the end but what an unbelievable 10year run bird was forced to miss more and more time after 13 Seasons Larry Legend’s body could take no more the show does not go on for Larry Bird the super Celtic has walked off the floor for the final time as a player The Chronic back problems forced his retirement I would like to played a little bit longer maybe a year or two more but uh there’s just no way possible I was going to be able bble to do that so today I’m retiring and U I’m still going to be around but U not in the capacity I once was the words Legend great best they were used often but maybe Pat Riley said it best pro basketball is just thrown away the mold after 13 Seasons at age 35 Larry Bird retired Tuesday in Boston for his career 2410 and seven in the playoffs Bird’s number was hung in the rafters but his basketball Journey wasn’t quite finished for more than half a century the US was so dominant in basketball that its Collegiate players were all that was needed to win the goal and here’s the frosting for the ussi they win it 8276 both of the countries we using Pros playing against 18 19 year old kids that is really unfair Los after loss for us basketball at these the Olympics would now allow professional athletes to compete for the first time opening the door for the formation of a team there was an idea called The Avengers Initiative moments ago the Dream Team boarded the bus outside their hotel along the ramblas I kept thinking that the attention would dissipate they’re going to play the first game they’re going to win by 60 a team unlike any other a 66 guard Michael Jordan the guy on the bench is taking pictures what may well be the best basketball team ever assembled the dream team was assembled and Larry Bird got one last moment in the Sun so suddenly the lead stretches to 15 oh the dream team is credited with bringing NBA basketball to the world defensive hustle number 14 with the score that’s what people have been waiting for hello an entire generation of kids in Europe watch the Dream Team in awe prior to the US beating these teams by 60 points they POS it bit court it’s a watershed moment in the history of sports not just not just the Olympics not just basketball [Music] the Olympics were a sendoff to one of basketball’s alltime rates yes look at look at these numbers uh 31 straight points at one stretch 46 to1 run by the United States it gave birth to International stars who had nothing to do with those games in 92 The Legend Larry [Music] [Applause] bird nobody brings it home like Jo Vincent nobody make it so