Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:  
Summary: Recycling is no way to treat a legend
Comment: If you have been a Bird fan long enough to remember the VHS version of this released many years ago, then you may like to have it on DVD with some full games thrown in, and then again you may think it's no way to treat one of the NBA's best of all time.
See, the thing is, I already seen the 50 minute story that this is from, the VHS version.... what I don't get is why Michael Jordan can get brand new videos to watch included on his recycled VHS to DVD releases, and Larry Bird's is just the old one?
The video was released in like 1990, give or take a few years, it never showed Bird playing for the Dream Team and being partners with his long time arch rival Magic Johnson, as well as Jordan and every other legend who was on that team.
Doesn't show Bird's retirement, or his legendary number 33 being retired at Boston Garden.... nor him taking over as coach with no experience for the Indiana Pacers and coaching them to the 2000 finals not to mention coach of the year in 1998.... and how could they not include the rivalry against Chuck Person?
Shouldn't a 25th anniversary deserve a little more then the original VHS release be put on a DVD without bonus features and a few games included on 3 other discs? Not to mention, the 3 games chosen for this disc where good games, but Larry had played far better games that should have been included here.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Could be Better But Well Worth Price
Comment: At this price it's a no-brainer for Bird/Celtic fans. The documentary is good but dated as others have said. The 60 point game is a really nice selection because it shows how unselfish a guy can be and put up sixty points, pretty amazing. The '92 game is also good as the aging Larry knocks down a lot of big shots to get the Celts past an excellent Portland team. It's funny how the announcers are so dismissive of Bird in the '92 game as he scores 40 points or whatever. I think maybe there was some feeling at that time that Bird had been built up to an unrealistic level in the eighties and maybe there was guilt that Larry had been lifted up as a great white hope while the game was passing him bye. Maybe that kind of sentiment continues and explains why this package seems sparse for Larry "legend". If you forget the hype and take his performances at face value there is much to be savored here. Makes me wonder how things would have been for him if he had entered the NBA at a younger age rather than 24 (Kobe had 3 titles at 23). He played all out and didn't seem to live the kind of lifestyle to extend his career like so many did later. He probably peaked around '84 and had diminishing physical skills (which were not so much to begin with) each season thereafter. Kudos to Larry Bird for maximizing his potential and setting such a good example for any kids to learn from yesterday and today.
Customer Rating:
Summary: If you're really a Larry Bird fan, this DVD is VERY disappointing!
Comment: When you're chronicling the life and 13 season career of one of the greatest of all time, I expected a lot more.
First of all - there is the poor video quality. Now granted, I was watching this on a PC DVD player as opposed to a `dedicated' player but the video quality isn't sharp and clear, but rather murky.
Second, the games chosen (as someone else mentioned) while wonderfully entertaining are not complete as advertised. The '88 game 7 against the Atlanta Hawks starts with the score at 4-2 and a free-throw is omitted near the end. I also would not consider that game to be one of Larry Bird's greatest games - a head-to-head dogfight against Dominique Wilkins; sure, a great 4th quarter; maybe, but Bird had a lousy first half in this game. He had so many other great games (that I think this ` Edition' should've included), but this was not one of them. With the complete games, I would've included the option to either watch the game uninterrupted or to cut-away have the players & coaches interject their thoughts at key times in the game; say before a key play or free-throw, or do a soundbyte (similar to a director's or actor's commentary on other DVDs).
Third, beyond the game footage itself, there is so much more that again this 25th Anniversary Edition could've and should've included. I understand that the focus is mostly on his basketball playing career but if you are going to include anything on his personal life, then include at least mention of his wife and kids as well. Maybe even interview them about how they felt about his, as both a basketball legend, and a man. But even within basketball itself; there so much more that should've been included:
* Draft selection footage
* `Signing' press conference footage
* First & last NBA games, with his coming out for the last time
ovation.
* More of his greatest games in their entirety, complete with post-
game interviews(the # and selection of games debatable)
* All-star weekend footage
* `Dream Team' footage
* A lengthy chapter on the Bird/Magic rivalry
* Interviews with other players & coaches on Bird's uniqueness,
greatness, and contribution to the league
* Hall of fame induction footage, including inside the hall space
photos or videos
* Retirement announcement press conference footage
* Complete retirement ceremony
* A flash card with all of Bird's stats
* Something with Bird's signature on it
And oh yes, there is the minor annoyance that the package does not list the extras or bonus features (like most DVD's do), nor do it mention anywhere that the discs are double-sided and that you have to turn them over to see the full games.
This DVD is ok for as far as it goes. But a 25th Anniversary Edition it is not. I believe to say that it is is false advertising, and any true Larry Bird fan (like myself) will be sorely disappointed.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Basketball 'Jesus'
Comment: My father bought the original release of this DVD on video tape. It was one of my first basketball experiences, so I decided to grab the anniversary edition. Its still a great documentary going through Bird's career and it had the added bonus of 3 of Bird's greatest games. Worth every dollar!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Larry Bird, A Basketball Legend
Comment: This is a great set. Not only did I get a great biographical account of Larry Bird's life and career, but I was able to see some of his greatest games as well.
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