Why Michael Jordan RATES Larry Bird OVER LeBron James..

Why Michael Jordan RATES Larry Bird OVER LeBron James..
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[@julianrojas4792]

I'd take bird everyday all day. Bird is the perfect team player, leader, and a guy who can do it all

[@norwoodhammond650]

This is what these guys don't get..." If I had to win a championship series ?" You want Jordan or LeBron? I'll take Jordan. You want Bird or LeBron? Honestly if a championship depended on it, man I would have to take Bird. Obviously LeBron is more athletic, but bird is a better shooter. Makes better decisions. Better free throw shooter, just as good of a passer. I'm being honest.

[@finsfan90]

@@norwoodhammond650 And Bird is more ruthless.. like MJ. Everyone knows LeBron is soft like Charmin. I'd take Bird over LeBron every time.

[@donaldcatlett5850]

True🏀

[@donaldcatlett5850]

@@norwoodhammond650 your comment was so true & on point.🏀 that's what I was trying to say!😊👍🏀

[@virtualbown]

@@norwoodhammond650 Yeah. Bird made everyone around him better....and so did Magic.

[@hjean6ugranger590]

Michael Cooper, a great defender, put it this way “ Jordan made me look slow, Bird made me look stupid.”

[@mackgreen]

Jordan made Cooper look slow and stupid.

[@redtesta]

my favorite defender of all time, Michael Cooper. The " coop a loop" .

[@Amick44]

@@redtesta coop could shoot too and catch gimmes on the break.

[@redtesta]

@@Amick44 so true. There were times he went off and , love magic, kept feeding him. Smooth player.

[@fasteddie0306]

It’s guys like coop, moncrief , Anthony mason, starks, Alvin Robertson, Gerald Wilkins, Vernon maxwell, Bowen, Shane Battier, Dennis Johnson, artest that r missing from todays game. The ability to get the upper hand in a matchup for a game in 1 on 1 defense is extremely rare today. Get and stay in that def Stance and slide them feet to beat the off player to a desired spot. Force poor shots, and out smart em or force em to help or be the help side. And box out. U barely see that till end of season or playoffs. And even more rare or basically extinct is the offensive star that is still capable of defensive excellence. Jordan and Dumars and Kobe & Bird. Bird was maybe the smartest player ever. He knew angles, he boxed out, understood weaknesses and how to exploit them. A small forward and a below average vertical and a non muscular physique he averaged 10 rebounds per game. Heart and smarts. Miss that from our game today

[@TheRimasyele]

Bird is a top 3 talent all time. People just don't understand what he did in a short time. Bird better passer, better IQ, better shooter, more moves, better footwork, close enough in defense, better leader, makes players better, did more quality things with less, more clutch, better free throw, far better rebounder, better post player, and more iconic moments.

[@tilemahosmichos8351]

you forgot he is faster than lebron.xaxaxaxaxazazaxaxaxa

[@brandondrew4914]

@@tilemahosmichos8351 he wasn't even faster or more athletic. He didn't have to be. With his i.q. it legit like like playing against people that are mentally handicapped.

[@brandondrew4914]

His footwork is really something people don't appreciate. They only see that he wasn't super athletic but his foot placement is what allowed him to get away with all he did and the other thing was his awareness of where he was safe to put the ball amd he was notorious for putting the ball behind a guys head to make it look like he passed but he didn't and then drops a 3

[@brandondrew4914]

Or between the legs, or around their side to their back with the fake. If Larry projected a pass it was at least half the time a fake and he barely touched the ball when he would get a pass and pass it off to another player. He swatted it like volleyball and was deadly accurate. Magic made a lot of poster passes but I actually think Larry was the more effective passer.

[@brandondrew4914]

Amd like you say he was a good post 0layer and rebounder not because he could jump but because of his i.q. amd knowing where to be to get the rebound. He knew who used the backboard and who didn't. Stockton never looked at a backboard for example.

[@BellBivDeveau]

Larry Bird won MVP 3 times in a row with the entire dream team in the frigging league. Marinate on that

[@innosanto]

Let me say different. Bird was top2 in MvP race all his career, all of it, except for roomie season when was top4, up to the big surgery that made him lose a while season ans that he disnt properly get over from. Up to the bug surgery which dropped while season and had issue after, top2 all career aftwrr roomie year(top4). With the dream team plus isaiah thomas in thw league (isaiah was definitely dream team level)

[@donjuanismo]

Lebron James would dunk on Bird and break his arms! ( i was HIGH when I wrote that comment. I was being sarcastic. Posing as a typical Lebron fan.)

[@johngalt60]

@@donjuanismo Bird would beat LeBum's azz

[@dscott_]

Wilt dominated and his numbers were huge. But shaq was way more dominant. Imagine if Giannis played back then. Imagine if you replaced bird with Luka on those Celtic teams. He would break their ankles and attack the rim with ease. He’d overpower smaller guards. He would draw double teams and players like mchale would feast on his dishes he’d serve up

[@johngalt60]

@@dscott_ how do you figure Shaq was 'way more dominant?' Wilt averaged 50 pts/game for a whole season.

[@kimmer551]

Larry stayed on one team, PERIOD! HE DIDN'T CRY, LEBRON!!

[@OldBenKenobe]

kimmer551 - I guess you don't know ANY NBA Basketball history at all. FACT: Larry Bird had a STARTING 5 OF NBA ALL-STARS EVERY GAME EVERY SEASON and his team still only won 3 championships

[@thisguy8373]

​@Obiwann Laone if this says enough, Jordan's greatest season..bird still beat Jordan..bird also beat Jordan/pippen...and today's basketball soft, compared to when bird and the greats played..

[@brandondrew4914]

@Obiwann Laone fantastic point!!!!!! LeBron had his choice of 22 all stars and 12 hof players. By your math and to even come close to bird he should have around 20 rings and bird did it in less than 10 seasons. You Bron fans don't realize the more you talk the worse you make his validity. Stop cherry picking and get real. He's not even top 5 today let alone alltime.

[@brandondrew4914]

@Obiwann Laone besides that of you watch the vids of the 80s Celtics you know Bird had alot to do with those people even becoming Allstars. Bird led his team and coached after where LeBron whines to the owners to get the players he wants and still can't do crao with it.

[@donolinger6904]

@@brandondrew4914 But LeBron is an expert flopper. Doesn't that count for something? 🙃

[@foreverrockinout]

Bird is so underrated it’s crazy. The things he could do, even the legends say how amazing he was

[@billybadass3056]

he's only underrated to the children who've never seen him ply live his career..... this isn't even a conversation, AGAIN, unless you're a child

[@Jovon-_-]

🧢

[@DynoGreen313]

he's not under rated at all except among people who didnt see him play i.e. gen z for the most part

[@foreverrockinout]

Y’all saying he’s only underrated by the people who are kids. Y’all know the kids up to 21 account for about 30-35 percent of the population in America 🤣 Ages 0-18 is 22%

[@DynoGreen313]

@@foreverrockinout okay and?

[@JB-ps8rc]

Bird is the only guy in the conversation with Jordan for the GOAT. Pat Riley said " if I had to choose someone to take the shot to win the game I'd pick Jordan, but If I had to choose someone to take the shot to save my life I'd pick Bird".

[@johnreape2833]

Jordan was a better scorer, Bird was the better shooter.

[@JB-ps8rc]

@johnreape2833 I honestly think Jordan and Larry where the 2 best ever. I'm comfortable giving Jordan the #1 spot but still think Bird is the only guy in the argument with Jordan for #1

[@johnreape4353]

@@JB-ps8rc Kareem, would be hard to place below Bird, in my opinion. Jordan was an unstoppable scorer, and a great defensive player in his prime. I think he was better than Bird. Wilt, had super human talent, but wasn't a great team player, or winner. He wasn't at his best under pressure. Bird at #3, feels right to me.

[@JB-ps8rc]

@johnreape4353 I mean it's all opinion but I tend to leave centers out. They don't have enough range. I mean Shaquille O'Neal is probably the most dominant big man ever but when it's use your size, back down the Defender and stuff it. I can't say he is the best basketball player ever. Just like Kareem, big man, can't defend his size so he knocks down 6 footers all night. Centers belong in a different category. And I'm ok with Jordan at 1 over Larry. Little better scorer, better Defender. Thar said Larry was a better rebounder, better passer, better shooter, and Larry had the better Bball IQ. Michael Cooper a great Defender of his era said Jordan made him look slow, Larry made him look stupid. Bottom line if Jordan or Larry played in today's NBA, I think they would both average 50. And I mean that. Would bet on at least 45 for both

[@HugoSanchez-eb2pz]

@@JB-ps8rc mj is clutcher statistically and did in the finals, Larry done missed major finals shots

[@EaterOfWorlds78]

Given that defense was allowed to be A LOT rougher back then. Larry made guys that would shut Lebron down look like children.

[@brittneyjackson1476]

True, MJ would too, which way did he go, which way did he go!👀

[@RayzeCruxis]

​@SLACKING GAMER yeah no. It's only harder due to how easy it is to get fouled. Ppl got legit hurt that started fights in the 80s/90s. They were not afraid to throw elbows or drag others down after a jump.

[@YinFuBG]

I am *sure* that Lebron and many others playing today would be stars back in the thugball days of the 80's but not many from those days could star today. There are more better players today because of the feeder system and training. Today's game is much faster and more skilled overall. And, yeah, I grew up watching Wilt and Russell.

[@skillzreal5912]

​@SLACKING GAMER Larry said it himself. He doesnt like the guys from the 80' or 90' saying they were better and disrespecting the great players that have come after them.

[@johnreape2833]

@@ArnieNumeroUno The defense was much better in Bird and Jordan's time. The coaching was clearly better, and the players were much smarter overall. There was "team defense", where players would communicate and switch quickly. Moving picks, were called, so getting free for a perimeter shot required more skill. In the 80's and into the 90's, most star players played 3 years in college before going to the NBA. They knew how to play, when entering the league, unlike many "one and done" star players that come into the NBA, not really fully understanding the game. This has destroyed the level of college basketball along the way.

[@dlmullins9054]

Larry Bird was so far ahead of James. Larry made his whole team look good. He was the heart of the Celtics. He played every second with brains and guts. He never gave up. He was always out there fighting and he usually won. Great Video!

[@cornellhoward3757]

If he was sooooo good, why did it take soooo much cheating to make him a winner, the best players have the most NBA championships won without cheating; Celtics Bill Russell had nine championship seven of them the result from cheating.

[@FinnSwede906]

​@@cornellhoward3757put down that crack pipe kid

[@eugenebrown6477]

Lebron main talent lacking his team looks good

[@kennethsonia5350]

You clearly lack intelligence. Russell won 11, not 9. Always cheating??? Now that's laughable. You seriously should stop saying BS. You're embarrassing yourself.​@@cornellhoward3757

[@RIbigDave]

​​@@cornellhoward3757how did Larry Bird cheat what the f*** are you talking about 8:45 t

[@iluvmoviestoomuch1437]

Prime Bird is unstoppable against anybody. If he wasn’t hot on any given night, he would use his team to beat you. Bird would dominate this era and the old school players know it and speak his greatness. That was a tougher basketball generation.

[@majorcastleberry2624]

One of the greatest players. Did NOT have to score to DOMINATE a game Unbelievable talent Bird was man. The nicest white boy yo lace em up by farrrrrrrr

[@ronm3945]

Yeh i seem bird when he wasnt scoring still able get key steals and average triple doubles.. the man has the greatest basketbakk mind ever

[@johnreape2833]

They were tougher, and way smarter. Most of the players coming into the NBA as rookies, knew how to play in the 80's. The same can't be said for the past 20 years or so. Playing one year in college, doesn't prepare most players for the NBA game.

[@spooge33]

LeBron can't be One. He's not even the greatest Laker.

[@brandondrew4914]

Right, it's not even clear he's the best of his own time or have the most chips in his own era let alone alltime. LeBron is lucky to be top 10 and more like top 20. I'm even taking guys like Stockton or Barkley over LeBron simply because of winning drive. LeBron isn't a finisher. You can't be 4/10 or have a .200 finals fga and be top 10. Its not in the equation of a winner.

[@Accidental26]

Keep hating lol MJ knows he is going to be overtaken

[@jasonmiller9403]

I would take Pippen over LeBron.

[@treymann23]

Been saying that, I can't put LeBron over Kobe

[@TLJthethird]

LeBron hasn't been there long enough, to establish that anyway. Beside, everybody knows that the best Laker is Magic Johnson.

[@michaelmachado2572]

Larry legends ridiculous passes used to blow my mind. How the heck he could see 2 seconds ahead of everyone else is truly staggering..

[@shadowopsairman1583]

He practiced like MJ, it's why both are GOAT

[@afmartin2734]

All the greats are like that. They see things 2-3 steps ahead of everyone else.

[@sitarnut]

Bro.. there is another guy who fills that bill named Wayne Gretzky... the game of Hockey is no joke. Try to skate on ice alone... and then imagine working that stick and making shots while someone tries to knock you senseless with a body slam. Wayne, like the Birdman, knew where everybody was on the ice.

[@christopherkettler8727]

Yes but magic truly saw things before they happened better than anyone

[@lqdxoni1]

bird stayed with one team and achieved keeping them relavent even as they aged , lbj jumped teams chasing rings.

[@brettrobinson2901]

In a relatively short career.... Larry became a Legend...

[@negativezero3107]

Dirk 21 yrs one team kept the Mavs 2nd only to Spurs in wins and making playoffs literally by himself, then won the title by walking through the hardest teams of all time haha, beat a good Blazers team, swept the Lakers who had won 2 or 3 out of 4 titles, beat the Thunder with KD Harden and Russ, then the Heat with LBJ Wade and Bosh, not sure any title run has even been that epic, and as for Larry I watched his whole career, if he hasn't had the back troubles and played 20 yrs he would be top 3 all time scoring and right there with MJ.

[@thecensoredmuscle563]

@negativezero those heats were not the hardest team of all time. They had little chemistry, and the 2 championships they won together was because of the refs carrying them. Lakers were aging and were falling off at that point, and Oklahoma city, harden was a nobody. Still a great run though.

[@reneep9972]

@@negativezero3107 If Larry Bird shot as many times as Lebron, Kobe, Jordan, or Kareem, he would've averaged 40 PPG, and would be the undisputed greatest player ever.

[@ervinmari9051]

Wizard left the chat

[@davidmorin6667]

Larry told his teammates he would shoot with his left hand the whole game. And he DID🙀

[@weseethetruth158]

Dude dropped 40pnts in one game lefty... that's insane.

[@little_old_grannydoc]

It was only 3 quarters

[@krakenwoodfloorservicemcma5975]

@@little_old_grannydocyou are correct, It was 3 quarters and they almost lost that game.

[@LouisBilodeau-eh7rx]

47 actually

[@Rams8148]

No he didn't. He shot like his first 10 shots lefty then switched to right cuz the game was tight

[@davidharlow7320]

Bird has the most flawless looking jump shot I've ever seen

[@abc456f]

And most of his shots were...swish...nuthin but net.

[@JC-rb3hj]

The more you know about Bird, the more he moves up the tier. In his prime he was aggravating and untouchable. There are enough video interviews of the greatest players of that era to prove that - and none have changed their story.

[@philb.1502]

Bird played 40 years ago! He was great in his era. If he played in today's NBA he would be a MAJOR defensive liability. Teams would put him in pick and roll situations and force him to have to guard on the perimeter and three point line and he's a very slow guy. He was slow back then and he'd be REALLY slow now. He's not on Lebron's level.

[@richardrabe7940]

@@philb.1502 u are very wrong.many lenders that say he seem slow but he would burn u and crazy good at defending.

[@philb.1502]

@@davidleblanc1811 Absolute nonsense!! How would Bird adapt to the league today having to play pick and roll defense and guarding guys on the three point line which he never had to do in his life?? He was SLOW 40 years ago! He'd be REALLY slow in today's NBA!! Teams would exploit him defensively! The Celtics used to HIDE him on defense.

[@philb.1502]

@@richardrabe7940 Bird couldn't guard anybody back then. He was a weak defender.

[@richardrabe7940]

@@philb.1502 u know nothing about bird

[@ZONEPRESSLLC]

Comparing LeChoke with Bird is the most insane comparison ever.

[@Yucki3]

Larry bird already said lebron was better than him. Like 10 years ago. When heat and pacers was seeing each other in playoffs 😭😭😭🤡

[@ZONEPRESSLLC]

@@Yucki3 Of course, he doesn't have an inflated ego like the flopper. Name one attribute that Lafraud had over Bird. Lol, good luck.

[@gnielsen07]

@@ZONEPRESSLLCdefense, fast break finishing, passing game is just as good . Lebron is a better scorer than bird in the playoffs he averages 29 9 and 7 for his playoff career. It’s hard to choose who is better over the other, Larry would probably be better if he hadn’t broke his back

[@vernpascal1531]

What are you smoking? LBJ is the Greatest scorer/passer ever and for longevity neither Bird,MJ or Bird can touch him. He's 38 and averaging 30 fucking points a game and 50% shooting. You know anyone else that's ever done that? Put that in your hate pipe and smoke it!

[@djfacts9770]

Geez man I said this 5 years ago. Bird could fly into a building & call a bucket before it goes in. lebron openly admitted he's a driver not a shooter. Being that size & being able to shoot like that is better...shit you got more of an argument putting kd against bird

[@beastLVX]

Bird is truly in a class by himself. The IQ, the moves, the quick decisions, the shooting ability(he could shoot with the opposite hand just as great btw). And to do it with little and in a short time makes it even more impressive.

[@dougnewman3935]

Couple of Larry points. He took a 29 win Celtics team his rookie year to 61 wins. Larry was THE BEST at elevating his team's game...besides being an MVP himself 3 times with runner up 4 more times. And he did all this without having a significant amount of touches unlike a LeBron - the offense didn't get stifled through him. And lastly, if Len Bias hadn't tragically died, the late eighties into 90's would have been all Celtics...not just because of Bias' almost MJ level talents, but the core Bird, McHale, DJ, Parish and even Walton a bit could have reduced just enough PT to last and dominate. C's may have closed out the '80's in titles. As the video said, Lebron over 20 years is just staggering what he consistently produced. But for my fantasy all time draft, I'm going Larry Bird #1 and I know my team will elevate over any other.

[@camerontse6615]

Unfortunately if Bias did come Larry was thinking of retiring so he might be less accomplished then he was in that scenario.

[@bt4dapeople]

Lol. Len Bias.... No guarantee of success in NBA until proven. Period

[@emmanuelenyinwa1443]

Replace Bird with Magic, then I agree with you.

[@SilentMovements305]

@Emmanuel Enyinwa ima Lakers fan n magic after Kobe is my favorite Laker but we gotta give bird his props tho

[@joeldriver3971]

Apparently you need to go back and watch the 86 playoff game where Jordan destroyed the entire Celtics team scoring 63 points. I've got it on a VHS tape if you want to borrow it. That was the game where Bird described Jordan as "God disguised as Michael Jordan". MJ was so much better than anybody on that court it was almost laughable. Yeah he didn't have any talent around him yet but you could already see what was coming. MJ was the best player in the NBA by far the second he started playing.

[@johnnyv.5142]

Imagine the contracts MJ and Bird (in their primes) would command today!

[@markhunt7682]

The same as any max super star is making today. That’s how max salaries work

[@robpr315]

MJ, Bird and all the players from that era helped elevate the sport. Today's athletes have great big contracts because the players in the 80s and 90s increased the value of the league. I'd say that today's players have not maintained the standard that the players in the 80s and 90s set, which is bad for the league.

[@markhunt7682]

@@robpr315 I understand what you are saying but what I don’t understand is what expectation or standard are they not living up to? Michael Jordan was making over 30 million a year his last two seasons with the bulls. I don’t see what standard todays player is not living up to or what expectations they are not meeting. What can’t todays players do that previous generations could? I look at Curry, Durant, LeBron, Giannis, Kobe, Paul, Leonard, Jovic etc and they look every bit as talented as any other generation. At my age I am between generations just about evenly. Grew up with Jordan, Bird, Magic etc but fail to see what one generation could do that the next generation couldn’t. It boggles my mind why LeBron is as disrespected as he is, I don’t get it, I just don’t see it. The man has been in 10 finals series winning 4 titles yet some call him a choke artist, doesn’t elevate his mates, one dimensional etc etc.

[@robpr315]

@@markhunt7682 With all due respect, the quality of basketball in the 80s and 90s and the rivalries were some of the best in the history of the NBA. It would be nice if the current crop of players could build on that. Part of it is also the NBA refs with their horrible calls. I feel as though today's NBA refs are watching the game, which is different than officiating the game. I absolutely loathe how they anticipate contact and call fouls based on that anticipation.

[@Pissgremlin5964]

MJ was making 33 million a year in 1997!! That's ridiculous! That's almost double Scotties 7 year deal he signed with the bulls! He'd probably be making 65-75 million a year if he was playing now!

[@Robzrx]

I’d take prime Bird any day. People nowadays forget about something called heart. Maybe because it doesn’t exist anymore so people don’t recognize it. Bird is definitely in the top 5 all time in heart maybe #1. Jordan and Kobe are on that list too.

[@CarnivoreAF]

It’s not even a question, Bird is the man!

[@edwardjensen6595]

Bird anytime over LaChoke 🤣🤣

[@JoeBudd-D]

@darickbarnett1361 yes Lebron has longevity. But bird was a better competitor and teammate and better at rebounding

[@elbuchito2907]

​​@Darick Barnett Yeah but that doesn't matter because Magic, Jordan, Kareem, Dr. J, Barkley, Kobe, Reggie Miller, and many more all say that Larry Joe Bird was and is greater than LeBron. How can you compare what these greatest of all-times have to say to fans like me and you. Anything else?

[@kaycoffman5798]

@Darick Barnett the best ever say Larry Bird was the best. Lebron couldn't handle the physical defense the greats handled back in the day. Basketball was brutal during their time, now it is a joke. And why in the hell would you even bring race into this? Come on man.

[@Tbone51]

The 1978-79 Celtics (the year before Bird): 29W - 53L, 10th place in the Eastern Conference, no playoffs. The 1979-80 Celtics (Bird's rookie season): 61W - 21L, 1st place in the Eastern Conference, made it to the conference finals (Bird was ROY). The next year (Bird's second season, 62W - 20L) the Celtics won the NBA title. BTW: the other rookies at Boston w Bird were Rick Roby and Gerald Henderson.

[@kevintownsend3840]

His name isn't Larry legendary Bird for nothing. Basketball IQ counts for something and Larry's IQ is off the charts

[@danclarklimarez3744]

Larry put fear in his opponent. Even though he lacked athleticism. He looked slow. But someone that slow who can trash talk his opponents and humble them. Thats undeniable greatness. Note that he will tell them What he intend to do.

[@davidmorin6667]

I like when would tell the guy guarding him where he was going to shoot the ball from. His passing was the best there is. The LEGEND

[@dannymartinez9371]

Larry Bird was super athletic.

[@danclarklimarez3744]

@@dannymartinez9371 have you seen Larry Bird play? No way he was athletic. He was quick to react and 2-3 steps advance in reading the play. But to say he is athletic is just a long shot.

[@imdbtruth]

It's funny, because you could write the exact same thing today about Luka Doncic. I'm not saying Doncic is on Bird's level yet, nor are they really the same. But Luka's really the first player since Bird where all of those things you said would be true about them as well. Like Bird, in a league full of great players, I don't think any player today can match Luka's self confidence.

[@philb.1502]

Bird was great in his era! In today's NBA he'd be a MAJOR defensive liability because teams would put him in pick and roll situations where he would have to guard guys on the perimeter and three point line. He's too slow to do that and would get toasted.

[@donaldpriola1807]

Back when Bird played, people said "He isn't athletic enough". People use that argument against him now, when comparing him to LeBron. Trust me, that didn't matter. Bird was a different kind of competitor, as crazy as MJ, with the skills to back it up. Bird would feast on today's weaker minded, less competitive players.

[@9983sp]

You're right, they said he was slow and he couldn't jump, but then say how he made them look dumb.

[@youngpiff1921]

I love how yall really believe that s player from 30-40 years ago can play today. I love these delusionals statements

[@kenniandad2081]

You have no idea what you’re talking about. Bird would absolutely be a force to reckon with today. Larry Legend had ice in his veins, was always three steps ahead, and made everyone on his team look like an all-star.

[@donaldpriola1807]

@@youngpiff1921 The hilarious thing is that you're saying exactly the same things people he played against said. They ate their words.

[@jimshillingford2027]

@@youngpiff1921 The Players today are SOFT compared to the Players in the 80's mentally. Bird would own these guys today.

[@Hollowayshouse1026]

The best of the best always praised Bird ! If you wasn’t watching it , you don’t understand

[@bigmike8564]

Larry is a legend

[@CSLucasEpic]

The thing people don't get about Bird is his incredible works ethics and winning mentality. Bird was, probably, the only other player in the NBA that was as competitve as Jordan, and that worked as hard as Jordan did as well. And Michael Jordan respects that.

[@kennethsonia5350]

Jordan was competitive like Bird. Jordan's work ethics was Just like Birds.

[@FortessofShred]

Larry Bird NEVER missed a lay-up 😂😂😂😂

[@44mickd]

Or many others😂😂😂

[@seanschisler4287]

Bird first off never quit on his team. LeBron has. Bird was a killer if the game was close and time was running out. Sorry LeBron you may have the title but back when Bird first got in the League they did not keep those stats at that time. Bird made everyone around him better LeBron pretty much a one-man show.

[@rafikz77]

Bird had a stacked team, why would he leave it? You haters are allergic to logic 😂

[@stebbiej]

@rafikz77 and how many all-stars lebron played with. 2nd bird actually made his players better. Bird wasn't afraid to call his team out to win. Bird played with the same players his whole career. Lebron on the other hand traded whole teams so cut tht bulshit out

[@dwill1170]

You talking shit! So prove it! You say Lebron quit his team WHEN? He honored every contract to the end. Last I checked lots of players sign contracts with new teams every year. It's called free agency transactions. So get right! The league has stats from back in the sixties. So that's more false information. If you gonna make accusations then prove it

[@michaelwhite9288]

True! Seen Lebron quit too many times, complain, and not get back on defense.

[@rafikz77]

@@stebbiej Lebeon also made his teammates better , he dragged that patheric Cavs team to the Finals at age 22. Bird, Lebron, Magic, and Pippen to a lesser degree are players who make their teammates better. Jordan and Kobe were amazing talents no doubt, but in order to win you need to recruit specific players around them, they dudn't make their teammates better

[@peterobinson1895]

Michael, Larry, and Magic are Beasts. They can't be compared.

[@jacobkubacki2719]

The game was harder back then. The defenses hands weren’t tied. There’s no comparison in that matter between modern players. I wasn’t a pro but I played the game & what seems like a small change really opened up the score board, it’s easy to side with Lebrun when you didn’t live through & see those stars of the past. The game was violent. Nobody that I saw took a WWE bump like I’ve seen certain players do from barely being touched either. Not saying they’re not good but the hoop is handed to them.(to an extent)

[@DW-nb2zc]

Same with the NFL and the goat conversation with Brady

[@jacobkubacki2719]

@@DW-nb2zc Agreed! That’s it.

[@oldmanballer5088]

I’ve said this for years. Lebron can’t be the goat if he’s not even the best SF ever

[@Toretto16]

I agree to every single word that you wrote. People don't realise how tought and difficult was back in the days to score points in NBA. Today I watch the games where the refferee calls a foul on a plays where wasn't even a physical contact. Vlade Divac, a former NBA player one time said, that if Jordan had played NBA in today era of basketball, he could have easilly finish off his carrier scoring average between 50 and 60 points without exaggereting.

[@jacobkubacki2719]

@@Toretto16 Exactly! If we had a time machine, we could send modern players back & see who’s who but we can’t? Id like to see Labron’s reaction to that first Bill Laimbeer elbow with no foul being called. The game was brutal & way more fun in my opinion. That goes for football too! All these pussy rules to pad the scoreboard. Yeah, injuries occur but that’s why they get paid the big bucks ya know? I & a lot of others throughout history went to war for a fraction of what they get paid so I don’t want to hear it.

[@Lonewolfmike]

Those who played with and against Larry know exactly how good he was. They know what he could do and how devastating he was on the court.

[@lorgin2003]

As odd as it may sound, hockey provides a perfect example for comparison. Back in the 80's, hockey had an open, run-and-gun, style offense. Defense and goaltenders were powerless to stop guys like Gretzky and Lemieux, and both of them put up 200+ point seasons. Even Luc Robitaille said that a fire hydrant could score 40 goals on a line with Lemieux (and that fire hydrant was named Robbie Brown.) Then compare that to the clutch and grab era combined with the emergence of the butterfly style goaltending, of the 90's, where it was a challenge to even break 100 points. Whereas basketball is the exact opposite. Back in the 80's, if you left your feet in the paint you were catching a forearm to the chest and there was no call. Just ask anyone who played against the Pistons. Now, it's a lot less physical and the offense is much less restricted. While players in both sports are in better shape and condition today, that's more if a distraction from the argument than anything else. The bottom line is, when the offense is allowed to run roughshod over the defense, even mid rank talent is going to look good, but when the defense is able to tighten up and be more physical, even the best in the game are going to going to have their numbers drop significantly but they're still going to be the top of the field. But when you're doing stuff like Magic, Bird and Jordan were doing during those tough defenses, if you give those guys all the free reign that the guys today have they'd just demolish everyone, and it wouldn't even be close.

[@dougfryer1231]

Hundred percent agree. The game is much different and defense doesn’t matter as much in today’s league.

[@ericcallicoat1487]

it truly is a wonderful world we live in, with the likes of Micheal Jordan and Larry Bird, who very truly to their great character would both say the other is the best. that is respect from two men who gave their lives to intertaining as many people as they could.

[@bigfundonttrip6297]

Those OGs played in a league that played defense, they don’t play defense anymore it’s 🤡ball

[@actionjksn]

One thing that is not mentioned in the video about the Olympic dream team. Charles Barkley was actually the most impressive player on that team in the Olympics. He ended up being the one that really got it done.

[@nozoto]

Yeah, Sir Charles knew he was outclassed in the NBA, but set on a mission to not be seen as a second fiddle by his teammates during the Olympics. The generosity in and off the court is what makes Charles so great. He might have not win a title, he was still a S-tier rival 👍

[@kingsleyjackson8287]

Bird swept Jordan twice

[@briandutton939]

the celtics swept the bulls, not jordan, celtics had 5 all stars, bird was still one of my favorites, jordan having 60 points against this allstar team, thats why bird called him a god playing basketball

[@bassman5123]

When you think he's going to shoot, he won't. And when you don't think he's going to shoot, he will. MJ on Bird

[@thegenxgamerr]

I was blessed, I got to see Bird in his prime several times live. Bird scored in spurts, which is a key metric you rarely hear about. He put in 8-12 points when the team needed it. Along with all the hustle plays. Im not going to debate whos better etc. Kobe, Jordan, Bird, Lebron, Russel, Wilt, Dr J. They are all great. Its like playing a video game and one is rated "96" the other is "97".

[@Manufan-og1xg]

Kobe doesn't even belong in that list, tbh. Duncan, Hakeem and Shaq were all better players.

[@Jackd-lz2hn]

That dream team was awesome. I've KZbin it a dozen times. My favorite was Jordan catching a ball almost out of bounds and behind the backs it to Bird for a 3

[@Pissgremlin5964]

I always get a kick when guys say that Jordan didn't have any real competition when he played. But then turn around and say the dream team is the greatest team ever assembled. Full of guys that Jordan played against. 🤣. And you're right. That dream team was incredible.

[@CodellMusic]

2 best players I have ever seen in my life are easily MJ and Bird

[@philb.1502]

Lebron is BETTER than both of them!

[@philb.1502]

@Heini Grudziadz Lebron is about to be the NBA's all time leading scorer and I'm on crack for saying he's BETTER than two guys that played 40 years ago???

[@philb.1502]

@Heini Grudziadz Lebron's stats are better than Kobe's

[@donbladsoe]

I’ve been telling people for many years JORDAN #1, Bird #2; the kids say Lebron, Kobe; I tell them watch Bird on KZbin it’s close to JORDAN.

[@craigbromiley7837]

Larry played with back pain that would have crippled any other player. But Larry played with his mind. He willed his body to do things that were impossible for anyone else. He was the greatest player in history because he has the greatest mind for pure basketball. That's really what other great players admired most. His mind and will.

[@donaldleider7382]

If Larry shopped around for teammates like LeBron did how many titles would he have won?

[@Putzman]

Absolutely

[@fxranger326]

That same logic can be applied to Magic Johnson, Clyde Drexler, Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, etc. Pretty much the best players in the Bird Magic era.

[@JBGoode-zx7pp]

Over/Under set at 9.

[@willieedwards3799]

Dude LeBron had to carry bums, has-beens, washed up superstars and injuries players most of his career, especially that bum team Cavs for 7 years,no one knew of that team for years and LeBron put that team on his back and put them in the spotlight at age 18 and played against some of the same players that Jordan played against.I mean players that been playing for years and at age 22 he took them bums to the final so stop the BS.

[@willieedwards3799]

Dude Larry Bird had one of the best team during his playing days and all Stars as well as Hall Of Famers.Dennis Johnson who were already a champion before he joined Boston, Danny Ainge, George Gervin,Kevin McHale,David Thomas and more.He just won 3 championships and only average 23.0 his whole career.If he were that good,why he wasn't named the NBA LOGO 🤔, instead of Jerry West who is 1-9.Well I guess there's has to one Caucasian hero in the NBA.Only the best team win championship or championships, not just the best player who wins MVP or MVPS.I don't know one great player won without a good team cause their been great players that couldn't win anything with a bad team.Wilt,Jordan , Kobe , Shaq, Durant,Paul Pierce or Jordan so stop the BS cause basketball is a team sport, not a one man game.

[@bluzzjazz]

Larry is simply an all time great and had a complete game, no weaknesses other than his vertical jumping and that didn’t stop him from rebounding.

[@brandonzurvalec2520]

Here's what these things always come down to to me: it's game 7, 4th quarter, 1 minute to go, your team is down 5...who do you want? Nothing against LeBron but in that situation, I'm going with Bird. Just my personal opinion.

[@thebops4180]

Beautifully said :)

[@warrenbfeagins]

He ain't lyin. I got him starting at SF all time.

[@Roberto-Antonio]

They need a Dominator award named after Wilt Chamberlain!

[@wojciechpiegat1011]

To be honest -Wilt for me is one of the most underrated players of all time.we can't find his videos but it seems like he was dominating the league to impossible level.becouse of that what he did under and over...the basket on both sides I'm really not sure wasn't he the only player who was dominating game more than MJ...

[@Roberto-Antonio]

@@wojciechpiegat1011 Wilt Chamberlain dominated the game more than MJ LJ KB and anyone else in the history of the game. He is the GOAT!

[@indyspotes3310]

It cracks me up when kids say that Larry couldn't compete in today's game. Nikola Jokic isn't as good as Bird and is even less athletic, but he's been absolutely dominating the league the last few years. But the best thing about Bird wasn't that he flat out wanted to eat your soul in a game. It's that he also wanted to tell you how it tasted.

[@brianmorgan4485]

When Jordan and bird played, the refs used to call a foul called traveling. They let guys run from half court without dribbling in the LeBron era

[@markhunt7682]

Have to question your credibility when you think traveling is a foul. You really sticking with your opinion on traveling calls? The Jordan era is pretty well known as the era when traveling stopped being called and the star player bias with refs came into the league. 😊

[@johnreape2833]

And throw in palming the ball.

[@frankingram3477]

When LeBron's not flopping he's four stepping.

[@deanfender3076]

Listen there's no way LeBron was running down that Middle Lane back in the 90s in the 80s untouched with Barkley , mason , Williams !

[@germainerucker2145]

They would literally just foul out🤣

[@deanfender3076]

@@germainerucker2145 with Mason Oakley and Williams in the middle you would get more than a foul

[@bri-manhunter2654]

@@jayk6194. Facts.

[@LogicallyKnot]

@@germainerucker2145 Not if they played with the same rules. LeBum would get his head separated from his shoulders and then we could really see him flop around like a fish.

[@germainerucker2145]

@E. Clark I'm sorry I hate when OGs say they woulda just knocked his head off you remember the year the pistons did that to pippen and he just went a shot his free throws and Continued to keep playin. LeBron would literally just keep attacking the ring. Until the entire front court was fouled out

[@johnsononey]

Jordan knows , he never got one game on Bird . Came so close with that 3 pointer called off . Never got one . Alot of respect between these two legends .

[@mikem2114]

LeBron is the most egotistsical player of all time... not the goat, not the best small forward. If he played in the era that Bird and Jordan played in, LeBron would take the fetal position from all the contact.

[@twinwankel]

You just have ask Patrick Ewing, Magic, Wilt, Russell, and everyone who has seen Bird play. He's the GOAT.

[@dasa5023]

Definitely not the goat but definitely extremely underrated.

[@RobwLPOC]

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar also said that Larry Bird was probably the greatest player he ever played against.

[@Paul-ue7fo]

MJ is the GOAT

[@freddyjefferson5164]

Bird and Jordan are really good….but….in my opinion, to be the best, you have to be #1 in some important catagory…..all time points??…..no…..all time rebounds??….no…..all time assists??…..no…..all time champions???…no…..most mvps??…..no…both are super talented, but neither is the goat

[@dasa5023]

@@freddyjefferson5164 lol Jordan has many records in many important categories.

[@edwardrichard2561]

No one hustled more than Bird. He played the game hard as nails. Back when the game had heart. Now it’s just dollars.

[@smokymcpot5917]

I got bird above lebron too.

[@kingpete3160]

Me too lol 😂

[@johnnystewart83]

Yeah, that's why Larry Bird is getting ready to break Kareem's scoring record, huh!

[@kingpete3160]

@@johnnystewart83 a scoring record don’t makes you the best so what is u talking about lmao 🤣

[@kingpete3160]

@@johnnystewart83 just because lebron about to break a scoring record no one gonna lose no sleep 😴 it still don’t makes him better than anyone else if another player comes along high school to nba and play 20 seasons and breaks lebron record that don’t makes him better than lebron it’s your all around resume and not stat padding either lol 😂

[@kingpete3160]

@Ken D that’s facts of what u just said about lebron and Larry bird let’s keep this thing rolling for lebum fans lol 😂

[@erichowell3386]

The only thing Lebron has over Bird is longevity

[@stichclark3980]

No comparing Bird to ANYONE! We are lucky to have gotten to see him as a player like him maybe comes around once in a lifetime. There was a quality in him that so many good, even great players lack...a heart like Secretariat.

[@michaeldavis6607]

Nobody has a highlight video like Birds. He does Everything!

[@billybob5337]

You can ask Michael or Magic........and they won't hesitate for a second as to who their SF is gonna be. You can make the argument that MJ and Magic are being biased in favor of Larry. Hes THEIR Small Forward. Their era. But when you watch Larry, or played against/with him, do you really even NEED to be biased????

[@dudester415SR]

Calling Bird a small forward is kind of laughable as well. He was 6’9 and averaged 10 rebounds per game over his career. He set up on the perimeter because 1) his passing skills were point guard material 2) McHale/Maxwell’s games required them to play low and 3) Larry could shoot outside or drive to the hoop but he could play underneath as well as anyone too.

[@majorcastleberry2624]

I didn't even watch Larry play growing up I'm 35 and from his fucking highlights I can see there is NO. QUESTION. Larry Bird is light years ahead of LeBron James All you got to do to stop LeBron James is stay. In. Front of him. That's it. Bird was so dynamic he didn't even have to score to beat you

[@bowtieguy377]

I can never talk about Larry and Magic without mentioning the other. One was the King of the West, the other, the King of the East and together, the NBA struck pure gold. They really are responsible for the modern NBA. I just thought they also made each other reach their ultimate potential as players. I rank them as 1A and 1B.

[@keiththompson713]

"What's Bird doing on the floor playing with kids' toys?" There's a photo from the Dream Team time showing Bird playing with some of his teammates' kids. Hardly a big mystery.

[@jimmyboy131]

It's likely a game room where the players are staying, and the players brought their families with them, which included small children at that time. So you're right, there's no mystery here.

[@dt2745]

LeBron can only wish that he could have the all around game as Larry especially when it came to shooting the ball and rebounding the ball forget about it Bird was the best ever

[@rw0050]

*LeBron couldn't carry Bird's Jock Strap on his best day.*

[@timothyquinn4919]

Larry had bad back pain at the time and coudn't sit so he had to lay down instead.

[@Anidawehi]

Lebron plays in an era that has too many rules. Like hands. He wouldnt last in Jordan's era.

[@MarcoJulio-k5n]

Wilt, Jabbar, Magic, Bird, Jordan. Thats the real all time top 5.

[@lawnguy41]

Pat Reilly said he'd take Bird to save his life

[@irishgrl]

LARRY LEGEND IS A UNICORN & THE TRUE GOAT 🐐 ☘️

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

1:31 He started at Power Forward, then shifted to "small forward" after 3 years or so to make space for McHale in the starting lineup. So he played BOTH.

[@cgyiltis]

Bird > LeChoke

[@shanedenny5234]

LeBandwagon

[@cgyiltis]

@@shanedenny5234 😂

[@shanedenny5234]

@@cgyiltis 😆

[@brandondrew4914]

Anybody with a real knowledge of basketball or winning drive takes Bird over lesheep.

[@cgyiltis]

@@brandondrew4914 😂😂😂 LeGoToSuperteamsToWin. LeUnloyal

[@Johnkoth]

MJ saying he is not the best is a newer video clip. He used to say he was the best and got in a argument with Wilt about it at 50th Anniversary night ceremony before it begun. In 1996. Wilt told MJ he never played him, Oscar, West and on and on. It shut MJ down and ended the argument. After that MJ changed to saying he is not the greatest ever.

[@LT1HILLINGHOE]

Alcindor played Wilt and dominated him.

[@Manufan-og1xg]

@@LT1HILLINGHOE Kareem played old Wilt. Prime Wilt would have destroyed him and stole his girl.

[@LT1HILLINGHOE]

@@Manufan-og1xg Cool story, bro.

[@jessicasevin1870]

Love that there is a magic and larry award that's great. It was awesome to be a kid learning basketball as a team game and then watching these guys play the game as a team.

[@likeatree-ei8it]

To have Wilt on tier 3 is blasphemy.

[@majorcastleberry2624]

Wilt is the most dominant player and incredible athlete to ever lace them up We just pretend he didn't do what he did, he's the real goat Played over forty eight a game for an entire season at center fucking unheard of ❤❤

[@polowizz]

Someone a lot more knowledgeable than I once put it supremely succinctly - I'd take MJ to win me a championship game, but Bird to play for my life (end paraphrase). No room for floppers and runners away from the FT line here.

[@Faust_YT]

Lebron could really learn a thing or two from MJ about humility.

[@emptyhand777]

That pyramid with Bird on tier 3 is a joke.

[@ironangel667]

Hakeem, Russell, Bird, Jordan, Payton

[@davidwilliamson2341]

I don't know where Gary Payton came from but the rest of it is a pretty good list must be a Seattle fan!

[@ironangel667]

@@davidwilliamson2341 actually I'm a houston fan. I picked Gary because he's the best 2 way pg.

[@davidwilliamson2341]

I was to I lived in Houston during Clyde an Hakeem Phi slamma Jamma 28 years of Hakeem beast mode! I just think Magics got to be the point guard on any team and Id have Hakeem at the power forward with Kareem at Center and Kobe and Wilt would be my men Off the Bench ! Fun to talk about it I just don't like the people that argue about it! Kids game that grown man get big bucks to play! Anyway good post buddy!

[@ironangel667]

@@davidwilliamson2341 could not agree more. And i don't think Payton was better than magic or stockton or a few others i could name. I just feel he works in the lineup well. After all the glove was no slouch. Peace my Rocket Nation Brudda

[@darringordon6950]

The Kobe shade is real

[@waynelalonde4778]

MJ is a pretty humble man. He has the best attitude for being such a famous, and talented guy. Lots of respect for guys like that

[@therealcyberius]

I would take Bird everyday and twice on Sundays

[@workout4035]

I love MJ. I think he is the goat and always will be. I loved watching him play but I grew up a Celtic fan. And what I think is important is that Larry won championships with guys already on the team and a team that had bad records before he got there. LeBron had to stack his teams for rings and Jordan didn't start winning until Pippin got there. And yes Bird had Parish and DJ and McHale but at that time in history you never heard of them until Bird got there which says a lot.

[@majorcastleberry2624]

Uh they drafted them all after bird 🤡

[@Thulgore]

Birds ability to know where almost everyone at all times was crazy.........it seemed to go beyond even that. Larry seemed to know where others would most likely be.

[@connorduke4619]

How about the "Wilt Chamberlain participation award" for most minutes played in a season? :D

[@louisperez4945]

Top two ever . Jordan , Bird . No one better

[@kennethward4985]

Jordan best scorer, Bird best all around player, he did it all.

[@holdip23]

Larry Bird is not only over Lebron James but he's also over Michael Jordan as well.

[@user-sp3gq1up9n]

There's no debate. Larry hands down. Lebron has no heart to win.

[@markhunt7682]

That’s why LeBron has been in twice as many nba finals and has won more titles than Bird did. LeBron has no heart? If you don’t like LeBron that’s ok, just say it and move on. there is no reason to

[@genobourn7423]

Too many living in the moment! Bird is on my first 5 ...MJ, Magic, Kareem and Duncan

[@toddrichardson8595]

LeFraud James shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence with TRUE Legends like Jordan and Bird...

[@tigeralderman283]

Most of my friends who have played basketball rate about 7 players over Lebron,, it was very easy to do,,,

[@747hitman]

Larry bird and Russel should on that tier 2 point blank

[@barmouthbridge8772]

Larry Bird versus Magic was huge in elevating the game across to us in the UK. We saw Dan Marino in our early exposure to American football. Some sports get a bump with a personality. Ali for boxing. Usain Bolt for athletics. Lance Armstrong for cheating. Connor McGregor had an effect on the UFC . Michael Jordan did it again for basketball then Shaq and Le Bron ; Kobe and others obviously. I'm only describing our first exposure to American professional basketball and for me Larry was incredible. NFL I love that Brady Gronk thing.

[@vaderkod]

Because Bird would toast James.

[@frankingram3477]

Bird would tell LeBron where he was going to get the ball and the spot where he would shoot it then do exactly that.

[@PInk77W1]

Lebron is all about Lebron Larry was all about the team

[@GManxxoo54]

Larry bird don't gotta pay people like nick Wright to kiss his butt. Larry did his talking on the court!

[@bobmackenzie199]

I'd put Bird as my small forward, Wilt at center, Magic or Oscar at point, Jordan at 2 and either Russell, Olajuwaon or Karl Malone at 4.

[@Ilicet]

I wouldn't take Wilt, great player yes, but I'd have Magic, Jordan, Bird, Duncan and Shaq as my starting five, with Stockton, The Big O, Kobe, Garnett and Bill Russell coming off the bench.

[@majorcastleberry2624]

Nice list. I wouldn't have Malone there olajuwon and Russell such better defenders and rim protectors Olajuwon better offensively but man Russell was such a a dominant defender and rebounder u gotta take Bill man And how u gonna disrespect wilt the only knock on him was he didn't have that rare talent of making everyone around him better or great, but pure basketball talent and athleticism Wilt is the goat undisputed. The younger generations just kind of pretend he didn't do what he did

[@icecreaman2010]

1. Jordan 2. Kareem 3. Magic 4. Russell 5. Kobe 6. Bird 7. Wilt 8. Duncan 9. Shaquille 10. Hakeem

[@samuelmahmud1909]

No comparison comparing Larry Bird to LeBron James different time different era

[@benjaminbennett4101]

LeBron would cry himself to sleep after every game if he had to play in MJ’s prime. The physical toughness of yesterday’s players separates them more than anything.

[@Ilicet]

I'd argue their mental toughness is what separates them. Physically, I think modern players have an edge since they hire people to tell them what to do and to keep them healthy.