Michael Cooper Breaks Down Defending Larry Bird in his Prime

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/ @nbahistoryclns -~-
In this video segment from Showtime Podcast with Coop, Michael Cooper's defensive strategy against Larry Bird in his prime.
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Michael Cooper was one of the best defenders in the NBA during the 1980s. He was known for his versatility, quickness, and defensive intelligence. When he faced off against Larry Bird, he knew that he had a tough challenge ahead of him.
Cooper's defensive strategy against Bird was to use his length and quickness to disrupt his rhythm and limit his scoring opportunities. He would use his long arms to contest Bird's jump shots and force him to take more difficult shots. Cooper also played physical defense, bumping and jostling with Bird to throw him off his game.
Another key part of Cooper's strategy was to deny Bird the ball as much as possible. He would use his quickness to stay in front of Bird and prevent him from getting open looks. Cooper was also adept at reading Bird's movements and anticipating his next move, which helped him stay ahead of the play.
Cooper's defensive efforts against Bird paid off, as he was able to limit Bird's scoring and frustrate him on the court. In fact, Bird once said that Cooper was the best defender he ever faced in his career.
Overall, Cooper's defensive strategy against Bird was to use his length, quickness, and defensive intelligence to disrupt Bird's rhythm and make it difficult for him to score. His efforts were successful, and he is still remembered as one of the best defenders of his time.
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[@NBAHistoryCLNS]

This segment is from the Michael Cooper Showtime #Lakers Podcast. Watch full episode here: ______ Sub on Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-showtime-podcast-with-lakers-legend-coop/id1509730329 or on Spotify - open.spotify.com/show/0q58PdBd256PEDwENzQAS0?si=GbPaLWYHQfWbHL1Wl1OazQ&dl_branch=1

[@sherwinrasmusenmusicchannel]

Lol you got to use the word "DEFEND" loosely because there was no defense for "The WHITE DEATH."

[@Gregory-sm9pf]

Coop, Larry Bird has the utmost respect for you, he said at his announcement of his retirement that you were his toughest defender, much respect from Bird to you, and oh yeah, when did you become friends with SGT Slaughter?

[@user-ys2qs7jm3t]

Excellent bro I was raised up in the 80s and I was very fortunate sports wise especially basketball

[@cgyiltis]

As usual Coop is pure class. He doesn’t like Larry, but respect greatness. Coop is an all time elite defender. I always liked Coop.

[@knowledgeispower3368]

Who cares who you like🥱

[@keithgraham9547]

Cooper was THE best defender in the NBA. When Bird practiced in the off-season, he said he was imagining Cooper defending him. In one Finals, I remember Bird scored and everybody starts running down court. Cooper just looked at Riley on the bench, turned his palms up and shrugged, like, "What do you want me to do? Can't nobody stop him."

[@N1120A]

Pretty sure all the Laker legends like and respect Bird.

[@mensrea1251]

Bird’s always said the toughest defender he’d faced was Cooper. Respect is mutual.

[@user-fe8yp1rb9m]

Cooper’s total class. Loved listening to his war stories. I’m glad the Lakers and the Celtics won a lot of championships. They were both phenomenal teams.

[@margaretwalsh852]

Lifelong Celtic fan who every time I hear Cooper talk , my admiration for his greatness grows. His appreciation of what made the game great and great players even greater makes listening to a player of his caliber, sheer gold. Cooper was one of a kind as was his greatest opponent Bird.

[@rg20322]

Man Cooper was awesome!

[@sonjanewstrom6228]

Cooper had great insight of the game. He tells the stories so well.

[@drogers5335]

The respect shown here by Coop was reciprocated by Larry - the definition of professionalism. My hat has always been off to the Lakers and Celts for the mutual respect. Great teams!

[@seancotter9156]

Bird always gave Cooper his props and he probably still scored 28 but Cooper made it harder lol

[@drogers5335]

@@seancotter9156 kzbin.info_WFrRmr7kMQ

[@vincentwinkleblech3614]

I have always been a HUUUUUUUGE fam of Michael Cooper. He never took a second off in any game. A great defender and a decent shooter who could pop 3s in big spots. A classy, humble good guy. The NBA could use 50 like him today.

[@ChosenWon]

Respect to Cooper. He's a genius at BB analysis.

[@BellBivDeveau]

Much respect Mr. Cooper, you explained the “chess match” I didn’t know existed. Makes me respect Larry Bird all that much more. It also helps me truly understand when I heard, “Jordan made you look slow but Bird made you look stupid.” I don’t remember which player said it.

[@BellBivDeveau]

For the record it was Hall of Famer James Worthy

[@MS-ns2pj]

James Worthy said that. ☺

[@red-baitingswine8816]

Coop very objective. Great to be able to see the game through his eyes.

[@ericnvdal1459]

I have to say; Michael Cooper seems like a gentleman.

[@charlesking4780]

Michael Cooper should be in the Hall of Fame. 🏀

[@BasketballJones48021]

No doubt!

[@hollywoodevans792]

Real talk

[@bernardtyler526]

No he shouldn't. N for wat? He was a good player, don't get me wrong but ...explain to me

[@BasketballJones48021]

@@bernardtyler526 5x NBA Champion as an important player (in one of the GOAT dynasties); Defensive Player of the Year award recipient; 8x All-Defensive Team member (5x on the First Team); one of the best defensive players ever; very exciting and athletic player (with the iconic Coop-a-Loop); could play point and pass, giving Magic room to rest; developed into a very good spot-up shooter, being one of the forerunners to the popular 3&D players (and he was much more than just that, ofc); had a solid College career (with individual accolades too); had a nice year run in the Italian league; J Walter Kennedy Citizenship award in 1986………… Objectively, there are players already in the BASKETBALL Hall of Fame… with less of a career than that (than Coop), let’s call it!!

[@harrymills2770]

@@BasketballJones48021 I rooted for the Celtics in those years, and I think Cooper should be in the Hall. I always rooted against the Lakers, but always thought Cooper was a great player.

[@jjs777fzr]

Luv ya coop. I couldn’t say that in the 80’s but we can finally put down the sabres. You, Magic, Bird, Andrew Tony, Dr J helped make the 80’s what it was. I could list dozens of players. Thanks for the memories and what many consider the best and toughest decade of hoop.

[@seancotter9156]

The love and respect for each other that's Awesome!! Larry Bird loves Michael Cooper as much as Cooper loves Larry. Best ERA EVER imo

[@naturalimmunity7007]

This game today is an embarrassment in comparison to the 80's

[@guyh.4121]

I don’t even watch the game today. It’s lazy basketball. Hell they don’t even call travelling anymore.

[@rodneysmith247]

It's all run a shoot no make a play like passing or stealing the ball or rebounding to beat the other team. Now it's a boring free throw attempt from 25ft.

[@ChosenWon]

Amen

[@johnbarnes4751]

Today's game is too soft.

[@14isoldenough]

@@guyh.4121 they might not call travel now but they surely didnt call fouls back then

[@FUBAR1986]

Back then the Knicks were my team, but I also liked the Celtics. I know not supposed to be that way but bird made me a Celtics fan. Now Michael Cooper. Highly underrated player always noticed his great play & my hats off to him.✌🏽☮️🤲🙏

[@TripleE76]

Man I hated all these Lakers as a kid, a lad from Indiana, a die hard Larry Bird fan, a Celtic fan …. These Laker interviews are amazing, Coop is a genuine dude, I LOVE him

[@user-pz3wm7jp1z]

Mine is the opposite. Huge Laker fan in the 80s, but Larry Legend is my all-time favorite player

[@TripleE76]

@@user-pz3wm7jp1z i love you

[@phild8095]

As a celtics fan I've got to say Michael Cooper was respected.

[@genemars5158]

Watch at 1:28 - Bird throws a bounce pass between Michael Cooper's legs. Bird loved to do that - watch his highlight videos and you'll see that he did it quite often. It was one of his favorite moves.

[@cindyknudson2715]

I'd love to see a compilation of his between the legs passes.

[@JohnMurphyabc]

Coop was the only one who could guard Bird.. There was noone better than Coop.. Great interview

[@MS-ns2pj]

Coop could guard Larry to a degree, but nobody could stop Bird.

[@sicfrynut]

@@MS-ns2pj Larry has stated the Michael Cooper was the best defensive player that Larry played against. When playing great players like Bird, Magic, Erving, Jordan, Barkley etc, et al. you _didn't_ stop them, you just tried to make it more difficult for them and maybe throw them off their game a bit. the only thing that could stop Larry was his bad back.

[@MS-ns2pj]

@@sicfrynut I agree. If only Larry had hired someone else to do that driveway. 😔

[@Paula-nt2uc]

My favorite player of ALL time!!! Love me sum Michael Cooper, these kids don't know who Cooper is! 5 Championships with the showtime Lakers! Cooper best dang defensive player period! Met Coach at Los Angeles Southwest College, when he was coaching the LA Sparks, very cool dude! Cooper jumped out the gym , never flashy, did his job! They better ask somebody bout that Coop-O-loop! 😮

[@sicfrynut]

it's surprising with having the internet and youtube that younger people don't go back and watch just the highlights of some of these players. i was lucky enough to see Dr J in his prime. he would own the league if he played now. Coop started a trend in my high school where everyone started wearing the long white only tube socks for gym class.

[@dougbodenhamer9391]

Coop a loop for sure! Long, lean, had serious hops and perhaps the greatest small forward defender we have ever seen. Give me guys like Cooper and Dumars over flash and dash any day.

[@rudolfrojas]

The sheer eloquence of Mr. Cooper is really refreshing, he calls em like he sees em and appears not to have taken the tension of these series too seriously. What entertainment they provided.

[@fletch4813]

Coop would have fit in as a Celtic

[@Jbf-76]

Cooper telling Bird stories are fantastic.. Cooper would know..

[@arnecruz]

High percentage shot. A phrase that is now forgotten in the analytics era of the NBA.

[@drewainge1059]

Well it's an obsolete term now. It's called high percentage shot before because it's shot inside the 3 point line and 3 point shots are like 30% back in those days. Now it's like 40% now. So, a 3 pt shot at 40% is better than a 50% 2 pt shot.

[@arnecruz]

@@drewainge1059 Yes you are right, but analytics make the NBA sucks! People do not like the NBA today like it was then. People want physicality. People want competion. Anyway, but you are right.

[@soloistdeve]

@@drewainge1059 Would it still be 40% if hand-checking was allowed?

[@drewainge1059]

@@soloistdeve yes because no one handchecks a 3 point shooter.

[@soloistdeve]

@@drewainge1059 That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. It was allowed to hand-check anyone, anywhere. You'll just say anything to defend this bs. I bet you never touched a basketball in your life or watched a full game.

[@quietstorm9866]

Cooper is class.

[@timothy4664]

Cooper belongs in the HOF. Oh, and I am a Celtics fan BTW. Greatness should always be respected. Even a laker from the 80s.

[@sugarnads]

Coop worthy magic and kareem. Tough team to go up against. Go celtics

[@davidhilliard1838]

I'm a Laker fan and I always thought DJ was the most clutch player I ever saw

[@hanknorris5642]

I could listen to Cooper all day talk about basketball. He knows it all.

[@richardpare3538]

The game was so much more mentally complex back then - yes - you needed to be supremely talented athletically, but being intelligent on what you did with that skill was even more important. Bird had that mental part of the games better than anyone else out there. Today's game seems to be almost exclusively about athleticism, but ridiculously overshadowed by 3-point shooting. Very boring in comparison.

[@davidhilliard1838]

Back In those days I used to listen to Chick Hearn interviews and many times I would hear the game was 10 percent athleticism and 90 percent mental.

[@sirgalahad3574]

Coop was a great player. I enjoyed him so much.

[@Lizzard85351]

Larry was only about one thing. Winning.

[@polyscroll]

Truth! He didn't give a shit about his stats, he only cared about Magic's stats, and beating him and anyone else that stood in the way of that goal.

[@dlhvac1]

That’s why he’s the Legend

[@lenculpepper9150]

Most people have no idea just how good Coop was. I miss the old game!

[@kenhasibar2624]

I remember LA coming to the Memorial Coliseum... Cooooooop was what we yelled, good or bad play. The NBA was tough and fun back then. Sucks getting old.

[@zikemiller1466]

If today's players? Ever had to face the Detroit Bad Boys. Probably early retirement may be an option. Frankly facing the Lakers/6ers/Celtics. Was no stroll in the park. Every team had a player who could and would rip your head off. If you ventured down the lane. Isaiah retired at 32. A veritable picture of scar tissue.

[@monticella]

Cooper articulated well the dynamics of mental play.

[@MountainMan.]

Cooop, the fans would yell at The Forum. He was the Lakers sharpshooter, the 3-point threat. And the high socks!

[@stevenkloepping2953]

The game has changed to a 3 point shooting contest but it's definatley not better imo. Fundamentally it's crap now.

[@levesd3722]

Word!

[@michaelharding313]

It’s actually Fundamentally better in todays game, but Bad basketball is more fun to watch, which is why the ncaa tournament is so fun to watch.

[@sonofsarek]

The game has devolved into lazy step-back traveling 3s and uncontested dunks. However, the physicality needed to get cleaned up because it eventually slowed the game down to where nobody could score. The NBA might want to: 1) re-establishing the old illegal defense rules (since the best way to beat a zone is with 3s) and 2) moving the 3 point line to 25 feet and widening the court.

[@levesd3722]

I don't think they would ever widen the 3 point lin ethat much. To me it would be better to abolish the 3 second defensive paint rule.

[@gabrieldean9559]

Blessed to have attended Coop camp in ABQ NM for 3 years

[@pablosantander3143]

Hello, Thank you very much for sharing another fascinating sample of your basketball knowledge of when this was a more appealing game. Would it be possible to ask you about the virtues of the great basketball defenders contemporary to you, Mr. Cooper? To name a few: Moncrieff, Alvin Robertson, Mo Cheeks, Dennis Johnson, and Michael Ray Richardson. What great defenders of your time, who were not big men, might have passed us by or are overlooked by those of us who don't have as expert an eye as yours or your first-hand knowledge of the players? Players who did not appear at the top of the statistics or were not award winners. Thank you.

[@65strad]

Wow, mad respect for Bird by the greats. These stories are great to hear

[@jpecci1262]

Watching since Sam Jones and Bill Russell. Just learned something new. Great commentary.

[@johncool1]

i am shocked michael cooper wasnt an nba coach..he understood the minor details that led to the big margins..and a class act.

[@bigkw1568]

The Fucking Legend

[@jaketanner20001]

Micheal talks real basketball, the ins and outs of the game.

[@angelmatos9143]

The 80’s were the Hunger Games of sports. Now? Social media ‘don’t touch me’ divas that don’t know their history. 😂

[@andybilakshow260]

Thanks Coop & NBAH&LonCLNS!

[@NBAHistoryCLNS]

😊

[@psu7276]

When Michael Cooper says you were tough to guard, you were really tough to guard. He was one of, if not the best defender of that era.

[@jodydubick854]

Dr. J. has good punching form. Most basketball players loop their shots. That was a straight line to Bird's face :)

[@johannesswillery7855]

Coop was beast.

[@jamesguest4741]

Cooper was a Great Defender!

[@nemo227]

First time hearing Cooper talk. He has charisma.

[@jefflawver971]

I always felt Michael Cooper was the toughest Laker. Wasn't very big, but he often guarded players much bigger and stronger than him. He often took the other teams best scorer, unless it was the center. Very heady player, who fit in with the Lakers so well.

[@davidhilliard1838]

He pretty much played every game even if he was hurt

[@Denner771]

Coop!!!!!!

[@GarveyMustangMan]

Great point, championships are won in the paint.

[@dougbodenhamer9391]

Cooper was such a tough player, and a class act. Him matched against Bird was one of the all time great matchups. Glad I was around to witness 80s nba! I have no reason to watch it now.

[@jeffrey3498]

Doctor J got a couple good shots on Bird's face 🤣🤙

[@James-ql8bo]

Birds basketball IQ was incredible

[@N1120A]

Cooper would be an even bigger star today, both ways. A lpng 6'7", Lock down defense, and all the iso 3s combined with his athleticism - he might be a better Ray Allen.

[@user-dp1kf8xh7r]

When are they gonna put this guy in the Hall of Fame?

[@user-qr9uh1fd8g]

#33 Boston Celtics the reason I love basketball! Wow

[@precisionhoops3652]

Agreed championships won in the paint 😮

[@alicemarie3506]

It was like a live chess game

[@hanj31]

bird always said coop was the best defender on him

[@craigosterberg5045]

Michael Cooper HOF

[@kenhasibar2624]

Is Coop in the HoF? I hope so.

[@slchambers1]

The Coop a Loop.

[@LuckyBird551]

You know, when he mentioned Riley, it got me thinking. A lot of people discuss "who's the GOAT" when it comes to players. But I've never seen a serious discussion about who is the GOAT of coaches. Is it Pat Riley? Is it Phil Jackson? Is it Greg Popovich? Is it someone else?

[@user-qr9uh1fd8g]

#33 so talented beautiful ❤️

[@kenblack6114]

Designed plays always work until Bird punches you in the mouth

[@samuell543]

That was really good.

[@williamrobinson8867]

They may be more athletic but they can't play very good bench warmers in the 80s

[@davidplummer2619]

They are NOT more athletic now than the 80s. This is just more 'people were physically inferior then because they didn't have i-phones' bias.

[@RaysDad]

Michael Cooper was so skinny he didn't look like he could hang in with the big guys, but he did.

[@kevwmobile3238]

The 80’s was the greatest time for sports. Some of the greatest players to ever play football, basketball, etc., and you were allowed to enjoy them without political lectures. The only reason to watch sports, in my humble opinion, is to get away from political BS for a few hours. After that changed, I figured why waste my time and money on millionaires only to be lectured to. I can do that for free anytime I turn on the TV or log online.

[@jorger5615]

I don't even watch much basketball anymore they carry the ball travel ghost fouls and what really bugs me is they become bull fighters when someone is coming at them to dunk and they step aside so they do t get posterized. the 80s showtime lakers vs Celtics pistons or sixers every game seemed like a playoff game on the edge of your seat chick hearn calling the game magic getting the defensive rebound and running making that no look pass to worthy for the dunk and getting back on defense and the goat Kareem's sky hook was unstoppable magic got the best out of his team ates and got the crowd going every game what great memories

[@mitchelll3879]

I disagree with coop that basketball is some complex game: it isn't.. maybe Bird is just smarter but there is nothing complicated.. you either make the play or shot or pass or you don't.. nothing more..

[@davidhilliard1838]

When you are matched up with a team with 4 hall of fame starters like the Celtics had it could be

[@lawrencelou3545]

This is what today's NBA players sorely lack.. they might be a vast improvement in terms of talent and skills.. but they rarely have RESPECT for the legends and greats of the sport.. which is so pitifully sad and completely ungrateful...

[@kennethmckee2351]

I would not pay to watch a NBA game today

[@irishgrl]

All night long! 😂

[@amreamer362]

Great white hope meme.

[@1stflippy]

JJ wasn’t good enough to be a poor man’s Hornecek or Ainge. Maybe a poor man’s Kyle Korver.

[@warrenkarmun138]

🤔Today's game is nothing but a clown show. Players getting paid big bucks only to act like entitled players when they have not shown their worth and expecting more than they are worth.😤

[@lll9416]

If JJ Reddick's silly percentages, logic is to be believed.. Steph Curry(.428) is not even the best 3 point shooter in his own family! Seth Curry (.435) AND he's not even as good as his own coach!! Steve Kerr(.454) ! Ouch! 👀👀

[@sherwinrasmusenmusicchannel]

Lol you got to use the word "DEFEND" loosely because there was no defense for "The WHITE DEATH." This is coming from a Laker fan. NBA fans who were not Celtics fans should be thankful, the only thing that stopped Larry Bird, was a bad back.

[@peterhamilton557]

Surprised Michael Cooper is not a coach. Maybe he wants nothing to do with it.

[@toddgoza3522]

Parish said bird was trash talking Dr J in a disrespectful way when he saw Moses just holding bird he decided bird got what he deserved and didn’t get in it

[@craiglawrence3237]

My all time starting 5. Kareem Jabbar.Akeem Alajawon ,Michael Jordan, magic Johnson ,LeBron James

[@daveharris1709]

Congratulations

[@Jbf-76]

I love Cooper... All the Ex Lalers say Bird was the best player they ever faced. All pf them.

[@tonya7610]

Old school guys have class I wish todays player’s had some class at all !!!! They don’t

[@ChristopherJohnBautista]

COOOOOOOOOOPPPPPP21

[@Jbf-76]

Mahor misconception. I hear all the time Cooper and Worthy genuinely hate Bird. No they dont. Ive seen clips of them chatting it u0 and laughing with each other at HOF events etc...

[@Bob-qq4is]

Michael ‘8ppg 3 rebounds for my career’ Cooper

[@KobashifanSam]

He was a lockdown defender over a shooter. If i needed someone to defend anyone, i would use cooper. Hes not gonna score much but the guy hea defending most likely will be scoring very low too

[@newerafrican]

@@KobashifanSam Yep, if you hold your guy to 10 fewer points than his average, it's like you scored those 10 points yourself. Except Larry would just look to pass and also concentrate on hitting the boards instead of scoring.

[@Bob-qq4is]

Guys are 100 times more athletic now.

[@robinrobine8100]

Very stupid comment.

[@Bob-qq4is]

@@robinrobine8100 nope, go watch a game from the 80s and then watch a game today. It’s astonishing the difference

[@javigar133]

No

[@soloistdeve]

Do you think human beings evolved in 30 years? Why do you think most of the high-flying players get injured early and lose their games? You see all of you young fans talking the same nonsense everywhere but don't have the slightest idea what's going on, do you? What does it matter if you're jumping out of the gym but don't have any idea about the most basic basketball play?

[@Bob-qq4is]

@@soloistdeve training has evolved and the game has become more global increasing the talent pool ten fold. There’s a reason you don’t see white American boys dominating the league anymore like in the 80s