I couldn't think of any better way to spend an off day than by watching some old Larry Bird highlights...in this case, almost 20 minutes of Bird passing the basketball.
Some of these dishes are just sick. Behind the back, over the head, from the floor, full court one-handers from out of bounds, no-look passes, touch passes, wrap-around passes, passes that seem to defy the laws of that govern human life. These videos are like a spaghetti sauce that cures cancer: there's a little bit of everything in them and they will change your life.
Enjoy.
Some of these dishes are just sick. Behind the back, over the head, from the floor, full court one-handers from out of bounds, no-look passes, touch passes, wrap-around passes, passes that seem to defy the laws of that govern human life. These videos are like a spaghetti sauce that cures cancer: there's a little bit of everything in them and they will change your life.
Enjoy.
Labels: highlight reels, Larry Bird, passing
63 Comments:
Word of the Day
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Worst of the Playoff Night: May 12, 2010Bawful After Dark: May 11, 2010
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Bawful After Dark: Weekend Watch
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Great line, Bawful. I'm a little jealous 'cause that sounds like something I would say.
Oh...uhh...
I just choked on my drink while reading that.
Word verification: Headounk
It's probably no coincidence that we remember Magic as one of the most phenomenal passers as well. Just in general, i think the success of Jordan created the "iso-period" where teams began running sets for ball stoppers (see iso-joe, iso-roy, every postseason CLE play). It really is a shame because these were 14 of the most enjoyable minutes of NBA basketball i've seen in a while. The off ball movement and cuts to the basket were constant. And even when i play pick up ball and run the point, the only thing i tell my teammates is "keep moving and cutting to the cup". what usually happens is that i get one or two passes that emits an "oooh" or an "awww" but its not that im an exceptional passer, its just that people forgot how to play off the ball.
overall, i think teammate movement naturally makes for better passes and this is a major reason why I'd rather watch D-will play instead of CP3. even if CP3 is probably better, the sloan system just makes deron's passes that much more fun to watch.
okay my old man rant is over.
What's weird is that these guys all want to make Sportcenter highlight reels, yet completely ignore passing, which usually gets just as many highlights as dunks. I don't buy the "defenses are better" argument. Defenses are better, but guys like Nash, Paul, Rondo, and Lebron are really good passers today, too.
The thing that struck me, aside from the "wow" factor of Bird's passes, is that all of his teammates knew how to pass, and also how to find/create space to catch a pass.
I'm always watching teams like the Nuggets and Blazers and thinking "they could have an easy bucket if that guy would take 2 steps that way" or "they could score if somebody on the weakside cut through the lane", but too often, the game turns into iso for Melo or Roy with 4 guys standing still on the other side.
There's nothing wrong with an iso on the wing or the post, as long as the other guys stay active and exploit whatever the defense is doing. But when one guy is iso'd and the other 4 guys are reading basketbawful on their blackberries... ugh
I noticed the same thing. The guy was a hustler. He reminds me of Lionel Messi with Barcelona. He jumps higher, dives for loose balls, gives his maximun effort.
Two more things I noticed.
He was a willing passer, he was not looking for his own points, he was always looking for the most EFFICIENT way to score. Even if he was wide open he would pass the ball to a teammate even more open and nearer the basket. That's what Kobe Bryant won't EVER get. He is too selfish to acknowledge his teammates can be in a better position to score.
He was such a great deciever. He was such a great shooter that he attracted all the attention to the defense and then out of the blue he passed for an easy layup.
He did what also great football (soccer for USA people) players do.
He knew what he was going to do with the ball BEFORE receiving it.
I can actually remember quite a few passes that Kobe has made to Gasol or Bynum right under the basket when their defender completely missed their assignment even though he had a pretty easy shot himself.
So the statement about him being too selfish to acknowledge his teammates can be in a better position to score isn't accurate.
YES there are times he goes back to the old Kobe who was like that much more often than not, jacking up shot after shot, but those instances are few and far between now.
I'm not a huge stats guy but I'm sure there are numbers in support of this.
Your soccer analogy really is true. You can tell Bird (and other players of his time) had multiple passes mapped out in their heads and chose the most efficient one. They passed to maximize scoring, not when they couldn't score themselves.
Actually, who in the NBA under 26 years old has it or shows signs of having it? Durant. Westbrook. Jennings maybe (although he could be Marbury 2.0). Curry. Evans. Udrih. Marc Gasol.
I ask because I worry for the future. Other than Wade, I worry that we may get a long drought of great finishers/assassin-like players after Kobe, Duncan, and Pierce hang it up.
It's true. Of course, Bird has sinced acknowledged that his reckless manner of play shortened his career...and made his last three or four seasons pretty miserable.
On a semi-kinda related note, I have an article somewhere about how Bird started lifting weights for the first time in his life right before the 1987-88 season, and that was shown as proof of his extreme dedication to self-improvement. Like...pro ballers still weren't lifting weights as a matter of course at that time. It boggles the mind.
I registered Basebawful, but I'm too lazy to blog every day. Also english is not my native language.
I blog sometimes in spanish about football (mostly about Barcelona).
I don't blog about baseball or basket, because here in Colombia almost nobody cares about these sports. Even sports anchors in news don't know anything beyond football (soccer).
People just know about the famous Chicago Bulls, Shaq, Kobe and Magic (because of the VIH thing).
If you ask 10000 people who Larry Bird was, I'm sure just 5 to 10 would know.
It'd be like asking non latino and non european people in the US or Canada who were Michel Platini, Zico, Franz Beckenbauher, Roberto Baggio, Ronaldinho or Maradona.
A healthy Brandon Roy.
MJ is like "You know I can hit this shot but... gonna pass it! Haha."
Bird's is more like "Bam! See that? Who's guarding me? You can't close my passing lane. Who's guarding me?"
Jordan is passing the ball to keep you on your toes. Bird uses it as an extension of his own offensive repertoire.
I think you give us Americans too little credit. For instance everybody here knows that Ronaldinho is the spanish version of the McDonalds clown. I'm also pretty sure that Maradona was a pop singer that was popular during the eighties and nineties. As far as Franz Beckenbaur, rumor has it he may have tried to kill John McClane.
The problem with Kobe is that he doesn't share the ball consistently, because he doesn't WANT to do it consistently. He doesn’t think in efficiency. When the Lakers win, he wants people to notice him, admire him and show him the love; when the Lakers lose he blames his teammates and demands trades. He would be pissed if everybody ignored him after a win. He wants the Sportscenter highlights of him dunking, he wants to be in the top 10, he wants the front page, he wants the MVP chants. He is an attention whore.
And to have all that attention, it’s not only necessary to play great, but also to LOOK great. That’s his other mistake. “Taking over” 4th quarters no matter what, shooting always last second shots (even if numbers tell he is not that good at those moments, because people tend to remember the good and discard the bad). More style than substance.
He pounds inside when he wants to show the crowd and the media he isn't selfish, or when in a few lapses he realizes that it is the better option. But his ego doesn't let him play consistently that way. He can't be a second banana in a team; he is got to be one of the 10 best ever.
And that fear of being second to no one is the reason (to me) he is the best second banana in history. He can't be a leader because he trusts no one but himself in the court, he thinks if he passes and plays fundamental basketball he will be off the spotlight and Gasol or Odom will take it from him. That mistrust didn't let him rise to the truly elite level. That mistrust and hero complex made him shoot horrible shots and be a ball hogger.
Last year the Lakers started playing at a truly elite level when Bryant deferred to Gasol and Odom in games 4,5 and 6 vs Denver and in the Finals. That title was as much Gasol and Odom as Bryant. Though don't tell that to J.A Adande.
Keep in mind that Larry Bird was miles ahead of Kobe in all kinds of shooting (3pt FG%, FG% and FT%) and was more willing to pass.
That’s other thing I liked about Bird. He didn't seem to care about style. His basketball was fundamental. Not trying to LOOK good or trying to look pretty. No show off, no shining, pure substance. He reminded me of John Stockton.
To be ready to clean up after shedding a nostalgic tear, or for masturbation?
Varejao is Cleveland's second most important player. Has this been true for as long as he's been there? It might have been. I think he'd make a better emotional leader then Elbron.
God, I hate them both. I can't believe I want a team with Anthony Parker on it to lose this badly.
These videos still need more Scott Wedman for the perfect oncological marinara.
What my ass taste like, Cleveland? Does it taste like failure and disappointment? Because you should know, sports lepers.
God, I can't wait to see another front office fail to build a winning team around LeLbow's inflated ego.
The problems you bring up with Kobe (aside from taking over the 4th quarter) was how many years ago? Show me examples in the last three years when Kobe has thrown himself (and only himself) into the spotlight or thrown his teammates under the bus. You say he wants Sportcenter highlights of him dunking? He... doesn't really dunk much anymore, and dunks get the most play on top 10's, so that argument is kinda... no. And of course he doesn't want to be the second banana. Why? Cause he's NOT. Would Lebron, Wade, Carmello want to be second banana?
Kobe is an attention whore? Show me video of Kobe dancing on the sidelines during a game. Show me where Kobe says "July 1, 2010 is going to be the biggest event in basketball history". Show me where Kobe is consistently dropping hints and playing little games as to where he'll be going next year. Go ahead. I'll wait. Nothing? I'll agree with you that Kobe has an ego. That's not a debate. But to say he wants all the attention and does everything he can to get it is just utterly wrong.
Yes, as I said before, Kobe USED to be a very selfish player. He used to be pretty damn immature. He used to respond to all the criticism and the stupid baby baiting antics of former teammates. Show me in the last 2-3 years where he's done this. Again, I'll wait. Nothing? Yeah.
Your argument about not wanting Gasol or Odom to take attention away from him so he doesn't pass or play fundamental basketball is just... Watch when the Lakers are playing their best ball. What do they do? Kobe takes it up, draws defenders, dishes it in to Gasol or Bynum, easy dunk/and-1. That's the Lakers's bread and butter. If Kobe didn't accept he had to do that, why are we often so dominating in the paint?
Your arguments, they fail.
"Taking over 4th quarters no matter what"
I also seem to remember Gasol and Fisher stepping up pretty big in some recent 4th quarters. Why, do you suppose, would Kobe "allow" this if he can't POSSIBLY stand other players having any kind of success?
I also love Paul "Wheelchair" Pierce telling the media straight up "We're not really proud of this...our goal this year was to win a championship, not just one series" when being asked "how do you feel about this accomplishment of actually winning a series as an underdog?"
A few minutes ago, as the press conference camera panned on an empty chair with a Gatorade bottle...
"It's like waiting for Godot. No wait, it's like a Gatorade commercial."
Um, I think Godot not showing up still didn't do as much philosophical damage as LeBron not showing up in Game 5...
And yes, an actual Gatorade commercial played right after that. Sigh.
Claims that he wasn't thinking about free agency tonight.
"Guess you have to go through a lot of nightnames before you experience your dream."
Media seems to be unusually eager to ask somewhat tougher questions than normal to their favorite crustacean.
We have to bring it up now, because the biggest free agent story just shit his pants in the second round. Let me call it for you: Lebron in New York. He'll go there and Stoudemire won't be far behind. Wade will stay in Miami and Bosh will go to Chicago. Isn't it funny that the supposed "three best players" and Joe Johnson will be watching the playoffs from here on out? Meanwhile Pumaman is heading towards his second Eastern Finals and possibly second Finals. MVP recount?
I can' remember a year where both Magic and Bird both missed the conference finals.
BTW. Lebron in Chicago is crazy talk. He would only go there if they traded Rose (too many ball handlers, if Rose stays), and Chicago would get nothing in return (Rose still in his rookie contract). Plus, he hates Noah. Hates him. Not hate-respects him, but hates him.
That would be like someone saying that in 1990 Jordan would go to Detroit because they had Laimbeer and Thomas. Just stupid. The Clippers have a better shot at Lebron than Chicago.
Here's hoping Boston-Orlando goes seven while the Lakers rest up after dismantling Phoenix. I'd love to see a Lakers-Celtics rematch, with the good guys having HCA this time :)
Actually, the good guys won't have home cou...OH. I see what you just did.
I'm stunned about this Cleveland thing. At some point in the fourth quarter, that team just quit. They didn't foul with over a minute left. They didn't...just unbelievable.
Maybe it was too much. The combination of expectations and the notion that LeBron still hasn't decided where he's going to be.
Also, of course the Lakers are the good guys. I mean, who doesn't like Kobe Bryant? Aren't we all rooting for him to win a championship?
I live in the DC area and even though Jamison was half decent on the wizards I had the feeling that on a better team he would wilt. Good to know my Shitty Player In Disguise Detector (patent pending) is still working.
But yeah the Cavs just decided "Fuck it man, we are who you thought we were" at the end of the fourth. Didn't they watch the Reggie Miller documentary? Miracles can happen!! Well maybe its because from the sport cursed land of Cleveland.
Speaking of documentaries I finally caught that Bird - Magic documentary on HBO. Awesome movie, highly recommended.
LeGone.
Gone from the playoffs. Gone from Cleveland.
Bawful, I see your Bird highlights and raise you Tom Chambers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfWWyLWbKtM
That was horrible, though. It was like having two friends who used to be married, but have been divorced for a few years, and watching them argue over who "has to be saddled with" their 7-year-old this weekend... in front of their 7-year-old.
It would have been less painful to watch if they'd gone up to the scorer's table with 1:30 left and forfeited. Seriously, down 9 with 90 seconds to go? Steep climb, sure, but it's POSSIBLE. This wasn't like watching a team down 20 with 1:30 left playing full-court press. Cleveland still had a chance, albeit a small one, at the point when they gave up.
I'm still shaking my head. I can't fathom what I just saw. Hey, free-agency-world, it's LeBron! Guaranteed to actually quit on your team when the going gets tough. Whatever, someone's still going to give him sick cash, but I think the respective 4th quarters of the last two games have done more to cement LeBron's legacy in my mind than any of his "dominating" performances. You don't get the measure of a man by his actions when times are good. It's when the sh*t hits the fan when you find out what a man's made of.
PG - Chris Paul.
Another year, another injury for the leader of "team future" (yeah, I know he didn't MAKE the playoffs, but humor me).
SG - Joe Johnson
Max money for mr. playoff clutch, here I go
SF - Lebron
Another landmark for the Icon
PF - Carlos Boozer
Complete dominance!!!
C - Jermaine O'Neal
I better hope you have some guaranted money...
Clifton picked the right word: Those last few minutes were AWKWARD. For Cleveland.
LeBron-a-thon continues in 4 days, ughh, I promise his name will be mentioned more than any actual draft pick.
http://content.onsmash.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/cavsfish.jpg
Both, at the same time.
A merkin is a pubic hairpiece.
How did people watch NBA back then?