Larry bird Steal as it Happened (2 Viewers)

[Willie Neslon]

Larry Bird steals inbounds pass from Isiah Thomas and Pistons | Full highlights | May 26, 1987

Check out the full play and highlight of Larry Bird's amazing steal of an inbounds pass from the Detroit Pistons' Isiah Thomas that led to a layup by Dennis ...

www.youtube.com

 

[zamboni]

As a Lakers fan back in the day, I couldn't stand Bird and the Celtics, but respected them immensely. The only thing that made this play satisfying is that it was Isiah who inbounded it.

 

[zamboni]

Perhaps an even better Larry play

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

He’s on my starting 5. Period.

 

[Al Czervik]

Heartbreaker.

 

[Jayrod]

In this day and age, Bird has become underrated if anything.

For three seasons ('83-86) and against the likes of Magic, Kareem, Moses and Dr J, Bird dominated the NBA and won 3 straight MVP's, 2 championships and 2 Finals MVPs. Until the injuries started creeping in, he was the best player in the league. He finished top 5 in MVP voting for 9 straight seasons and was 1st team all-NBA in those 9 years. He threw in a few all-Defensive teams and even finished 3rd in DPOY voting while consistently averaging around 10 reb/game and leading the league in 3's and FT%.

Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool

And all that said, his greatest skill may have been his passing.

 

[zamboni]

In this day and age, Bird has become underrated if anything.

For three seasons ('83-86) and against the likes of Magic, Kareem, Moses and Dr J, Bird dominated the NBA and won 3 straight MVP's, 2 championships and 2 Finals MVPs. Until the injuries started creeping in, he was the best player in the league. He finished top 5 in MVP voting for 9 seasons and was 1st team all-NBA in those 9 years. He threw in a few all-Defensive teams and even finished 3rd in DPOY voting while consistently averaging around 10 reb/game and leading the league in 3's and FT%.

Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool

And all that said, his greatest skill may have been his passing.

Many experts have said he was a better passer than even Magic. May not have been as flashy as Magic, but just as, if not more than, effective.

 

[Jayrod]

In this day and age, Bird has become underrated if anything.

For three seasons ('83-86) and against the likes of Magic, Kareem, Moses and Dr J, Bird dominated the NBA and won 3 straight MVP's, 2 championships and 2 Finals MVPs. Until the injuries started creeping in, he was the best player in the league. He finished top 5 in MVP voting for 9 seasons and was 1st team all-NBA in those 9 years. He threw in a few all-Defensive teams and even finished 3rd in DPOY voting while consistently averaging around 10 reb/game and leading the league in 3's and FT%.

Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool

And all that said, his greatest skill may have been his passing.

Many experts have said he was a better passer than even Magic. May not have been as flashy as Magic, but just as, if not more, effective.

One thing I've thought about lately is the similarity between Jokic and Bird (besides the obvious whiteness). Jokic is bigger and works inside-out while Bird was a bit quicker and worked outside-in, but both are the focal point of their offense, and are essentially unguardable because of their passing and shooting abilities, rebound extremely well and are actually good defenders because of their anticipation and know how to utilize their size.

 

[zamboni]

Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool

Just watched the first few minutes of that clip - love the reactions on the Hawks' bench from the 2:00-2:20 mark.

 

[ekbeats]

Was watching the game at a friend of a friends house with about a dozen insane Celtics fans. Dude had created a shrine in his basement, with all sorts of high end audio-video equipment. He was recording the video and the radio broadcast by Johnny Most. What a night that was. Never saw a group of people go so bananas in my life. We listened to that Johnny Most call for about an hour afterwards, over and over. “Oh my this place is going crazy!” https://youtu.be/VNpJXDPnQTE?si=UC5RtJPnQhEVTpPG

 

[zamboni]

Was watching the game at a friend of a friends house with about a dozen insane Celtics fans. Dude had created a shrine in his basement, with all sorts of high end audio-video equipment. He was recording the video and the radio broadcast by Johnny Most. What a night that was. Never saw a group of people go so bananas in my life. We listened to that Johnny Most call for about an hour afterwards. https://youtu.be/VNpJXDPnQTE?si=UC5RtJPnQhEVTpPG

More punchable face: Jerry Sichting or Danny Ainge?

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool

Just watched the first few minutes of that clip - love the reactions on the Hawks' bench from the 2:00-2:20 mark.

I’ve probably watched more Larry Bird reactions to those highlights than anything else on YouTube. I love watching young people discover Larry. They go in thinking it’s going to be a joke and come out the other end wondering if Larry isn’t the actual GOAT

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Was watching the game at a friend of a friends house with about a dozen insane Celtics fans. Dude had created a shrine in his basement, with all sorts of high end audio-video equipment. He was recording the video and the radio broadcast by Johnny Most. What a night that was. Never saw a group of people go so bananas in my life. We listened to that Johnny Most call for about an hour afterwards. https://youtu.be/VNpJXDPnQTE?si=UC5RtJPnQhEVTpPG

More punchable face: Jerry Sichting or Danny Ainge?

Ainge is on my starting five of punchable faces. Period.

 

[ekbeats]

Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool

Just watched the first few minutes of that clip - love the reactions on the Hawks' bench from the 2:00-2:20 mark.

I’ve probably watched more Larry Bird reactions to those highlights than anything else on YouTube. I love watching young people discover Larry. They go in thinking it’s going to be a joke and come out the other end wondering if Larry isn’t the actual GOAT

History has been very kind to Bird. Turns out he was ahead of his time.

 

[zamboni]

Was watching the game at a friend of a friends house with about a dozen insane Celtics fans. Dude had created a shrine in his basement, with all sorts of high end audio-video equipment. He was recording the video and the radio broadcast by Johnny Most. What a night that was. Never saw a group of people go so bananas in my life. We listened to that Johnny Most call for about an hour afterwards. https://youtu.be/VNpJXDPnQTE?si=UC5RtJPnQhEVTpPG

More punchable face: Jerry Sichting or Danny Ainge?

Ainge is on my starting five of punchable faces. Period.

Christian Laettner gets a nod, too. Might be a good thread topic.

 

[Gally]

In this day and age, Bird has become underrated if anything.

For three seasons ('83-86) and against the likes of Magic, Kareem, Moses and Dr J, Bird dominated the NBA and won 3 straight MVP's, 2 championships and 2 Finals MVPs. Until the injuries started creeping in, he was the best player in the league. He finished top 5 in MVP voting for 9 straight seasons and was 1st team all-NBA in those 9 years. He threw in a few all-Defensive teams and even finished 3rd in DPOY voting while consistently averaging around 10 reb/game and leading the league in 3's and FT%.

Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool

And all that said, his greatest skill may have been his passing.

Being in So Cal I was a Lakers and Magic guy and hated the Celtics but there is no denying how good Bird was. When creating an actual all time "team" I would have to have Larry and Magic on it for sure. They may not be up there will the sheer NBA athletic specimens but If I needed to win a game these two would be on my team.

 

[Jayrod]

In this day and age, Bird has become underrated if anything.

For three seasons ('83-86) and against the likes of Magic, Kareem, Moses and Dr J, Bird dominated the NBA and won 3 straight MVP's, 2 championships and 2 Finals MVPs. Until the injuries started creeping in, he was the best player in the league. He finished top 5 in MVP voting for 9 straight seasons and was 1st team all-NBA in those 9 years. He threw in a few all-Defensive teams and even finished 3rd in DPOY voting while consistently averaging around 10 reb/game and leading the league in 3's and FT%.

Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool

And all that said, his greatest skill may have been his passing.

Being in So Cal I was a Lakers and Magic guy and hated the Celtics but there is no denying how good Bird was. When creating an actual all time "team" I would have to have Larry and Magic on it for sure. They may not be up there will the sheer NBA athletic specimens but If I needed to win a game these two would be on my team.

I used to really think that Magic was overrated and Bird underrated.

But the late great wikkid constantly harped on the idea that Magic was the #1 guy to start a team with in NBA history (his "choosies" criteria). Made me rethink the Bird vs Magic debate as he saw the game with a more complete understanding than most.

I think Magic's team oriented nature made him more valuable than the numbers while Bird's all-around greatness was hard to fully capture as well. I still think Bird doesn't get his due when talking about the all-time greats, but Magic is more appropriately revered than I used to believe.

 

[Gally]

In this day and age, Bird has become underrated if anything.

For three seasons ('83-86) and against the likes of Magic, Kareem, Moses and Dr J, Bird dominated the NBA and won 3 straight MVP's, 2 championships and 2 Finals MVPs. Until the injuries started creeping in, he was the best player in the league. He finished top 5 in MVP voting for 9 straight seasons and was 1st team all-NBA in those 9 years. He threw in a few all-Defensive teams and even finished 3rd in DPOY voting while consistently averaging around 10 reb/game and leading the league in 3's and FT%.

Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool

And all that said, his greatest skill may have been his passing.

Being in So Cal I was a Lakers and Magic guy and hated the Celtics but there is no denying how good Bird was. When creating an actual all time "team" I would have to have Larry and Magic on it for sure. They may not be up there will the sheer NBA athletic specimens but If I needed to win a game these two would be on my team.

I used to really think that Magic was overrated and Bird underrated.

But the late great wikkid constantly harped on the idea that Magic was the #1 guy to start a team with in NBA history (his "choosies" criteria). Made me rethink the Bird vs Magic debate as he saw the game with a more complete understanding than most.

I think Magic's team oriented nature made him more valuable than the numbers while Bird's all-around greatness was hard to fully capture as well. I still think Bird doesn't get his due when talking about the all-time greats, but Magic is more appropriately revered than I used to believe.

I also think these two complimented each other so perfectly for a game of "choosies". That is why they would have to be on my team if I had to win a game. Just as you said, they did so much more than wow plays, sheer stats, etc. They willed teams to win and having them on the same court would have been virtually unstoppable. They may not ever be in the conversation of greatest basketball player of all time but they are likely tied at the top for greatest basketball team player of all time.

 

[Doug B]

Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool

Just watched the first few minutes of that clip - love the reactions on the Hawks' bench from the 2:00-2:20 mark.

Ah, that was from the season when the Hawks played 12 (!) home games in New Orleans. That was the University of New Orleans' home court. Would never happen today.

 

[Doug B]

also think these two complimented each other so perfectly for a game of "choosies". That is why they would have to be on my team if I had to win a game. Just as you said, they did so much more than wow plays, sheer stats, etc. They willed teams to win and having them on the same court would have been virtually unstoppable.

Not only that, but the other players on the floor with them could be limited players -- a defensive specialist, a great shooter that can't create, etc. -- and the Magic-Bird combo would steamroll other 1980s squads.

A team could've won a title rolling out a starting five of Bird, Magic, Tree Rollins, Craig Hodges, and, say, a young Dennis Rodman.

 

[zamboni]

Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool

Just watched the first few minutes of that clip - love the reactions on the Hawks' bench from the 2:00-2:20 mark.

Ah, that was from the season when the Hawks played 12 (!) home games in New Orleans. That was the University of New Orleans' home court. Would never happen today.

Was The Omni (assuming that was still their arena) being rebuilt at the time? The reason I ask is that there are some extraordinary circumstances where a pro team has to use a smaller arena. For example, the Arizona Coyotes over the past few years having been playing their home games on Arizona State's campus (using the ASU hockey team's arena). But they'll be moving soon, as the city of Phoenix voted not to build them a new arena.

 

[The Z Machine]

In this day and age, Bird has become underrated if anything.

For three seasons ('83-86) and against the likes of Magic, Kareem, Moses and Dr J, Bird dominated the NBA and won 3 straight MVP's, 2 championships and 2 Finals MVPs. Until the injuries started creeping in, he was the best player in the league. He finished top 5 in MVP voting for 9 seasons and was 1st team all-NBA in those 9 years. He threw in a few all-Defensive teams and even finished 3rd in DPOY voting while consistently averaging around 10 reb/game and leading the league in 3's and FT%.

Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool

And all that said, his greatest skill may have been his passing.

Many experts have said he was a better passer than even Magic. May not have been as flashy as Magic, but just as, if not more than, effective.

They would be wrong.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

IMO Bird's passing skills were just as flashy as Magic's, but I think Magic's passing skills were a little better. I mean, we're splitting hairs among immortals here so I hesitated even posting.

 

[zamboni]

IMO Bird's passing skills were just as flashy as Magic's, but I think Magic's passing skills were a little better. I mean, we're splitting hairs among immortals here so I hesitated even posting.

Yeah, they’re both great and not worth debating. Enjoy a bit of both:

https://x.com/super70ssports/status/1259314858958434310?s=46&t=kXp9uTPT7MTZKlfkEtBQZw

https://x.com/super70ssports/status/1759695432450547956?s=46&t=kXp9uTPT7MTZKlfkEtBQZw

 

[Doug B]

Was The Omni (assuming that was still their arena) being rebuilt at the time? The reason I ask is that there are some extraordinary circumstances where a pro team has to use a smaller arena. For example, the Arizona Coyotes over the past few years having been playing their home games on Arizona State's campus (using the ASU hockey team's arena). But they'll be moving soon, as the city of Phoenix voted not to build them a new arena.

No, there wasn't even an underlying reason like that for the Hawks to play 12 games in New Orleans -- it was for straight cash. At a cool $100,000 a game.

New Orleans lost the Jazz to Salt Lake City in 1979. New Orleans promoter Barry Mendelson made the $1.2 million offer to the Hawks for the 1984-85 season. It may have been a ploy to lure the Hawks to relocate or a test of whether New Orleans would support another NBA team. It was clear that the city would not support a borrowed team, one that did not belong to it entirely.

 

[Major]

Larry Bird steals inbounds pass from Isiah Thomas and Pistons | Full highlights | May 26, 1987

Check out the full play and highlight of Larry Bird's amazing steal of an inbounds pass from the Detroit Pistons' Isiah Thomas that led to a layup by Dennis ...

www.youtube.com

You can do better my friend. The call by Celtics announcer Johnny Most is the cherry on top: https://youtu.be/LYKdI_Xm9es?si=6vxHhBBQLj9qYzAR&t=43

 

[Major]

Was watching the game at a friend of a friends house with about a dozen insane Celtics fans. Dude had created a shrine in his basement, with all sorts of high end audio-video equipment. He was recording the video and the radio broadcast by Johnny Most. What a night that was. Never saw a group of people go so bananas in my life. We listened to that Johnny Most call for about an hour afterwards. https://youtu.be/VNpJXDPnQTE?si=UC5RtJPnQhEVTpPG

More punchable face: Jerry Sichting or Danny Ainge?

Ainge is on my starting five of punchable faces. Period.

Christian Laettner gets a nod, too. Might be a good thread topic.

Grayson Allen gets my vote for current NBA players

 

[B Maverick]

IMO Bird's passing skills were just as flashy as Magic's, but I think Magic's passing skills were a little better. I mean, we're splitting hairs among immortals here so I hesitated even posting.

Magic handled the ball more than Bird so people lean Magic when comparing. Bird was the shooter, but you can never question his passing ability. The no looks, the redirects without catching the ball, he was as good as any passer in the league.

 

[B Maverick]

In this day and age, Bird has become underrated if anything.

For three seasons ('83-86) and against the likes of Magic, Kareem, Moses and Dr J, Bird dominated the NBA and won 3 straight MVP's, 2 championships and 2 Finals MVPs. Until the injuries started creeping in, he was the best player in the league. He finished top 5 in MVP voting for 9 straight seasons and was 1st team all-NBA in those 9 years. He threw in a few all-Defensive teams and even finished 3rd in DPOY voting while consistently averaging around 10 reb/game and leading the league in 3's and FT%.

Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool

And all that said, his greatest skill may have been his passing.

No, his greatest skill was telling the other team what he was going to do, then doing it.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

IMO Bird's passing skills were just as flashy as Magic's, but I think Magic's passing skills were a little better. I mean, we're splitting hairs among immortals here so I hesitated even posting.

Magic handled the ball more than Bird so people lean Magic when comparing. Bird was the shooter, but you can never question his passing ability. The no looks, the redirects without catching the ball, he was as good as any passer in the league.

I never did

 

[B Maverick]

IMO Bird's passing skills were just as flashy as Magic's, but I think Magic's passing skills were a little better. I mean, we're splitting hairs among immortals here so I hesitated even posting.

Magic handled the ball more than Bird so people lean Magic when comparing. Bird was the shooter, but you can never question his passing ability. The no looks, the redirects without catching the ball, he was as good as any passer in the league.

I never did

Didn't mean you personally, meant the general "you". And I was agreeing with you.

 

[B Maverick]

As a Lakers fan back in the day, I couldn't stand Bird and the Celtics, but respected them immensely. The only thing that made this play satisfying is that it was Isiah who inbounded it.

As a Celtics fan back in the day, I couldn't stand Magic and the Lakers, but respected them immensely.

Such a great rivalry. When the NBA was watchable and the finals matchups were epic.

 

[Gally]

Such a great rivalry. When the NBA was watchable and the finals matchups were epic.

I remember those Sunday afternoon Laker/Celtic mid season games as much watch TV. They were huge games that everyone made an event out of. I miss those days. There just isn't anything like that in the NBA now.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

And all that said, his greatest skill may have been his passing.

Nope. It was trash talking.

Left-handed. Really? That just had to be discouraging.

 

[B Maverick]

And all that said, his greatest skill may have been his passing.

Nope. It was trash talking.

Love those stories.

 

[rockaction]

For example, the Arizona Coyotes over the past few years having been playing their home games on Arizona State's campus (using the ASU hockey team's arena). But they'll be moving soon, as the city of Phoenix voted not to build them a new arena.

That’s no longer accurate. The Coyotes are bidding on a parcel of state-owned land in Phoenix that is up for public auction in June. They are considered the front runners for the land, which is valued at around 68 million dollars, but by state law it must be a public auction and there is the possibility of getting outbid. If they don’t win, then it is expected they will move.

 

[the moops]

When the NBA was watchable and the finals matchups were epic.

The current NBA is some of the best basketball we have ever seen. You should give it a watch

 

[B Maverick]

When the NBA was watchable and the finals matchups were epic.

The current NBA is some of the best basketball we have ever seen. You should give it a watch

Has it changed from the isolation, one v one, refs call a foul if someone looks at the superstar game its become?
Has is gone back to the team game it used to be?

 

[dgreen]

When the NBA was watchable and the finals matchups were epic.

The current NBA is some of the best basketball we have ever seen. You should give it a watch

Has it changed from the isolation, one v one, refs call a foul if someone looks at the superstar game its become?
Has is gone back to the team game it used to be?

Assists per game and Assists as a percentage of made field goals are at an all time high.

 

[the moops]

When the NBA was watchable and the finals matchups were epic.

The current NBA is some of the best basketball we have ever seen. You should give it a watch

Has it changed from the isolation, one v one, refs call a foul if someone looks at the superstar game its become?
Has is gone back to the team game it used to be?

Assists per game and Assists as a percentage of made field goals are at an all time high.

This. My dad is in same boat as @B Maverick in that he "thinks" the game stinks. Yet when we watched a game together he was like damn, this is a sick game. Yet he will then continue on his old man rant that it isn't what it used to be

 

[B Maverick]

When the NBA was watchable and the finals matchups were epic.

The current NBA is some of the best basketball we have ever seen. You should give it a watch

Has it changed from the isolation, one v one, refs call a foul if someone looks at the superstar game its become?
Has is gone back to the team game it used to be?

Assists per game and Assists as a percentage of made field goals are at an all time high.

This. My dad is in same boat as @B Maverick in that he "thinks" the game stinks. Yet when we watched a game together he was like damn, this is a sick game. Yet he will then continue on his old man rant that it isn't what it used to be

GET OFF MY LAWN!!!



Would be great if the game got back to being the team game that was lost for a long time. I was mostly soured on how certain fouls are called, esp in regards to superstars. Also do not really have a group of friends that are into the NBA anymore so I don't really watch.