Larry Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history, dedicating his entire 13-year career to the Boston Celtics. Recently, a video posted by ThrowbackHoops showcased highlights from a 1985 game where Bird scored an impressive 60 points against the Atlanta Hawks. This video drew attention from Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, whose reaction post garnered over 14,000 likes and 1.5 million impressions in less than 13 hours.
Bird is celebrated as one of the top 25 players ever and has an impressive list of accolades, including three MVP Awards. Throughout his career, he achieved averages of 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, with a shooting percentage of 49.6% from the field and 37.6% from three-point range over 897 regular-season games. Additionally, Bird played in 164 NBA playoff games before retiring after the 1992 season.
LeBron James, on the other hand, is coming off his 21st season in the NBA, marking his sixth season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite being 39 years old, James remains one of the league’s top 15 players. In his recent season, he averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, shooting 54.0% from the field and 41.0% from three-point range in 71 games.
Bird’s legacy as a three-time NBA Champion and his impressive career statistics continue to influence and inspire current players like James, who still competes at a high level in his 21st season. Bird’s impact on the game remains significant, highlighted by moments such as his 60-point performance and the continued admiration from players across generations.
