Why Michael Jordan RATES Larry Bird OVER LeBron James...

[@sidku7006]

Larry and MJ never flopped. LeBron is skilled at flopping to get fouls.

[@Rome6601]

LeBron is not goat, smfh!!... not even close

[@paddyofurniture4681]

Of course they never flopped; in their age they were knocked to the ground lol. Jordan rules remember? Of course Larry was always diving for loose balls so he was on the ground a lot.

[@larrygonzales2771]

I never saw MJ or LARRY BIRD walk off the court when their team was losing. That right there doesn't make him the GOAT. You show respect to your team even when you are losing. So GOAT Never.

[@davideaston8314]

LeFlop INVENTING flopping! lol

[@openmindz7689]

Exactly... lbj will never be a mj or bird. All lbj has is longevity. That's it.. also in todays game is way easier to score.. bird/mj played in a physical era.. now all you have to do is breathe or talk and its a foul. Bird today would average 40. Since u can't touch the shooter. Also lbj always joined super teams while mj and bird stayed in a franchise and they made their team better. Lbj just wants to play with the best. Mj and bird wanted to play against the best. Lbj is 100% a flopper.

[@Proudathiest1]

I’d take bird over James any day of any week. Watching him play was magical. Hell I’d take bird over just about anybody

[@bryanfox6726]

Only one I'd think Twice About is Elgin Baylor.

[@frankcastle1216]

Hell I'd take Charles Barkley over LeFlop!

[@ShadowWizard224]

Bird was as skilled as it gets. Great shooter, great passer, great rebounder, great leader, clutch gene, tough, and most of all…… a winner! The reason why he didn’t last that long was because of how hard he played. He didn’t care about longevity and stat padding. He cared about winning and winning NOW rather than LATER.

[@andrejamison2723]

I agree. He averaged 10 rebounds playing next to McHale and Parrish.

[@faervas1234]

What people done get Larry had those skill when he came into the NBA. People talk about Le Bron's all around game he learned those skill later. Le Bron early career was him playing hero ball. he get the ball and try an take the shot. He learned later to pass and setup his team mates.

[@dhena8112]

Bird messed his back up paving his own driveway or something right?

[@p.j.4738]

I don't know about that, but it's on film that Larry slammed into to a lot of unforgiving obstacles to get that damn ball! But I think the biggest culprit is - Bird "played hurt", which meant he had very little convalesce time to let himself heal properly, this culmination of constant injuries, most likely took its toll on the longevity of his career. Larry Bird's dedication to his team and the sport itself is unparalleled!

[@andrejamison2723]

@@dhena8112 yes. His mother house

[@grog3514]

Larry never flopped. The king of turnovers does so on a weekly basis.

[@christinedonnelly8330]

Larry Bird every day, all day.

[@justinchan6043]

Larry Bird in his prime was unguardable, especially on the perimeter. Bird versus Lebron would go like this: Bird would tell Lebron exactly where he would dribble to, and call out, "I'm gonna do a turnaround fadeaway jumper behind the 3 point line." And then Bird would do it. Lebron wouldn't be able to do a damn thing about it. And Bird would do psychological crap like that to Lebron all game long, thus crushing his spirit. The game in the 1980s was more a mental chess match than it is today. It was about getting into your opponent's head, finding out what makes them tick and using that against him. I would also say that in Bird's era, the game was much more physical. So, if they were to play each other, using 1980s rules, it would be a different story. Guys playing basketball today would not be able to handle the physicality of the 80s. Back then, when you grabbed a rebound, you also deliver an elbow into the stomach of your opponent. That just came with playing the game.

[@ronniejohnson196]

Bird Is Definitely One of Greatest Pro Basketball Players Ever! Yet; like All the others He had his faults as well; Including pushing off His defensive opponent guarding Him to create space to shoot. Admittedly; Many other players did/do so as well, yet it seems that Bird got away with it more than most. Peace...

[@Digitalsapien]

You mean like "Off the building, over the river, through the window, off the rafter, nothing but net."???

[@justinchan6043]

Exactly. While eating a Big Mac.@@Digitalsapien

[@brianbenoit6883]

Only problem is, LeBron would never guard Bird. He would have picked Ainge or Johnson and left Bird, Parrish and McHale to the rest of the team in order to blame them.

[@bryanfox6726]

@@ronniejohnson196 It was a physical era ... but Bird didn't have to push ... only Lightly Touch ... It was As If it was Psychological ...

[@kevintownsend3840]

Birds basketball IQ is off the charts

[@MrSports]

Yessir

[@charlesaaronte9105]

Lebron's flopping IQ is What makes him the Greatest Of All Time.

[@Drycleanerguy]

Which is why he also won coach of the year and manager of the year.

[@StevenBoudreau]

@@charlesaaronte9105 rumor has it he asked Messi for advice on perfecting his technique

[@mrwakacorp]

The thing is, smart people don't usually pursue professional sports careers because, well, they're smart. However, every now and then, a few players with higher intellect emerge, and it truly shows as they leave their mark on the game.

[@edwardballiet2167]

Bird keeps his trash talk on the court when James flaps his gums recklessly off the court. Decorum is a real thing

[@lanceparker4796]

Only advantage Lebron has over Larry is athleticism and longevity. Larry is a superior leader, mentally tougher, better shooter, better rebounder, and better passer. On top of that he lived for making a key play when the game is on the line.

[@bevrosity]

spot on

[@kameronmyles2013]

But could lebron play through multiple injuries? Larrys gone down and broken his cheekbone before and had a concussion. He came out and played the 4th quarter of THAT GAME

[@costumeninja1914]

Lebron also has modern diet and training and recovery methods, including PEDS , like growth hormone

[@great7418]

And it took lbj 20 years to pass the “ most minutes played “

[@d.lawrence8059]

@@kameronmyles2013 Yup, the Indiana Pacers game I believe that was when he came back out to make sure they won..

[@riffbw]

Lifelong Laker fan here. Bird is top 5 all time. The man really could do it all. Scored at will, set up his teammates for incredible successful, rebounded, played defense, among the best court vision ever, clutch as they come. It's rare to get all that in one player. Because it always comes up, top 5 include Jordan, Kobe, Bird, Kareem, and Russell. Some of the most dominant guys of their era. Magic and Wilt fill in the top 7 so you can flip a few in and out as desired. LeBron doesn't make the cut. He's been great, but he's been great in one of the worst eras of the NBA. The walks, carriers, and flops are bad, but the mercenary attitude and building super teams is worse. If the NBA is still going in 100 years, the 2010s and early 2020s will be considered one of the worst times for the league. PS. I think Bird gets the same treatment as Stockton. They weren't super flashy all the time so they get underrated it all the top player lists. Old school passing oriented players don't have the appeal of the high flying, high scoring megastars.

[@Grimfest14]

That's my Top 5 as well, but I have Bird as #1 Goat. I come to this conclusion based on who I would pick first given the chance. I would pick Bird over Jordan for the reason being If Jordan has an off night, they lose, because he is the team. When it comes to Bird he elevates his team, if he has an off night, he switches to support mode and will still our rebound, out defend, out assist everyone on the court and motivate his teammates to a victory. He is a Leader of Leaders, The Man of Men, King of Kings, and Legend of all Legends, The Greatest of all Time. Bird even played a role in me moving from California to Indiana. Indiana is amazing compared to the stain on our country called California.

[@bryanfox6726]

@@Grimfest14 Versatility, Baby! Jordan got to have the ball in his hands or he's nothin' ... Bird is Even More Dangerous when He Gives it Up!

[@Grimfest14]

@bryanfox6726 100%

[@CatDad72]

Magic > Kobe ….. c’mon now, you all know this

[@riffbw]

@@CatDad72 Magic was great and I'm not taking anything away from him as a player. But he won all his titles with a great team. Kobe got 3 with Shaq, had some dark years with a dysfunctional front office and willed his team to two more. I say Kobe did more with less. You can't forget Magic had Kareem, Worthy, Wilkes, Cooper, and MacAdoo who all made the HoF. Kobe had Shaq and Pau in the HoF as regulars and got two years with Nash. No disrespect to Magic, but Kobe was that Franchise for two titles and everyone knows it.

[@michael-hf7tn]

Larry was the more complete player, if he would not have broken a bone in his back in season 6, we would not even be talking about this.

[@DeTAYL.]

💯💯💯

[@kenneths.perlman1112]

More complete than LEFlop. Definitely. In just a few years he accomplished so much.

[@MultiEviscerator]

Also, he was an even better shooter (if such a thing is possible) before he broke his finger playing softball, prior to him starting his NBA career on his shooting hand. It permanently damaged and left one of his fingers in a bent boomerang shape.

[@Xenon-cb5re]

He didn't break a bone in his back, it was a different injury, and a degenerative one.

[@mcbcon]

II would pick Larry on free throw percentage alone.

[@James-ql8bo]

People don't realize how good Bird was and he only played 13 seasons and had the stats he did.

[@xar3244]

Every game Larry Bird played he was playing against better athletes. Yet he was always the best basketball player on the court. He was a phenomenal player who could play in any era.

[@charliebukowski6652]

Well said.

[@billmorrison9068]

Jokic dominates. You think Bird wouldn't?

[@kierantimpany9612]

@@billmorrison9068​​⁠Bird would dominate the league right now. His skills would be ridiculous in this era as it was in the 80’s. “Who is coming in second” ? The confidence n shit talk to back it up will never be seen again.

[@blairsweeney]

Love watching Jokic actually "destroy" todays NBA... Bird in terms of athleticism is like Allen Iverson compared to Jokic lol @@billmorrison9068

[@themajicman745]

Are you outta your mind? There's not 1 universe where Bird was better than MJ!

[@literallyshaking8019]

Nobody had better vision than Bird. His ability to know where everyone on the court was in any given second, (despite the chaos) was unmatched. It was like he was telepathic with his passing and ball awareness.

[@johnnyfelipe8260]

Physically Lebron have the edge, but when it comes to clutch time, playoffs, playing hard, smarts, tense situations I'll pick Larry over Lebron. The King as what he calls himself is a softie and he started the cupcake era by joining up with rivals instead of competing against them

[@billmorrison9068]

And he just plain quit more than a few times in situations when Bird was clutch.

[@StuartMcNair-kk9nb]

Also LeBron takes a lot of games off during the season something neither Bird or Jordan never did.

[@johnnyfelipe8260]

@@StuartMcNair-kk9nb Agree as big a Star is Jordan in the World he almost never misses a game! A trait most superstars dont have today.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

Why the LeBron disrespect? I think Larry was almost as good as LeBron overall but Larry yes had the better court vision and ability to make big shots. However, LeBron has better court vision that most players. It's just Larry's was on some different level than most ever. LeBron has competed and won and to say he hasn't is just disrespect.

[@StuartMcNair-kk9nb]

@benjaminsmith2287 If anything LeBron disrespects the game by joining superteams and taking many games off 2 things guys like Jordan, Bird, Magic, Kareem, Dr. J never did.

[@jessevaughan292]

Bird was an assassin - a beast - pure shooter - great passer and leader - I take him over any small player in NBA history.

[@doc46vale]

Larry legend woud have eaten Lecrybaby alive

[@billmorrison9068]

Even more than Jokic.

[@yazeedyairbey]

Super duper easy.

[@GregZentTrumpetMan]

Bird scored like a maniac against defenders as crazy as Dennis Rodman. WTF has Lebum scored against that is even in same conversation as Rodman and the like?

[@JamesAllen-xk8bc]

Bird was better than LeBron.

[@tobingallawa3322]

8:57 NO, Michael Jordan says Bird is better because he knows way more about basketball than the people talking about James.

[@themajicman745]

Jordan doesn't like James and hates that James broke a lot of his records.

[@Brauzeuge1516]

@@themajicman745 which record?

[@myjourney5753]

So why couldn't he put a team together in Charlotte, since he knows so much?

[@bryanfox6726]

@@themajicman745 Say huh?

[@jillhensley4919]

Truth!

[@TimBitts649]

Coach Pat Riley: "If I had to pick one player to take a shot to save a game, I'd pick Michael Jordan. If I had to pick one player to save my life, I'd pick Larry Bird."

[@chrischivious2]

Larry and Mike had something LJ never did, killer instinct

[@daviru02]

Kobe had it, too.

[@SuperDean1957]

Jordan and Bird were roll model citizens and team players. Can't say that about James.

[@SuperDean1957]

​@@daviru02 Kobe was a rapist.

[@vielryleb3690]

Them bad boy pistons sure had killer instinks 🍆

[@10mmfan]

True. Kobe, RIP, often took it out on his own teammates as did Bird and MJ but to a greater extent and less mature. I think of Kobe as working harder than anyone to be remembered but made questionable life and basketball teammate decisions. Larry and MJ were much more mature and Kobe constantly called on MJ for advice.

[@arthurwilliams7307]

Lebron is not mentally tough enough to deal with Larry Legend

[@bryanfox6726]

Who was or is?

[@christiefisher6642]

Larry bird will be the ultimate goat of all time. Not only did he play hard. He trash talk you all the way to the hoop. And tell them exactly what he was gonna do Before he shot the ball. What person would do that? You wouldn't want them to know your next play. There's not one player that would do that. . And do exactly what he said he was gonna do everytime, therefore he will be the all time ultimate GOAT! ❤

[@kurtsherrick2066]

Bird had something only MJ and Larry had. Pure Will. Bird led the greatest comebacks in Playoff History and yes against Jordan and Pippin. Bird had a bad back and feet still was remarkable Player.

[@lanceparker4796]

Magic is in there too.

[@Cpc157968]

Don’t forget Kobe as well

[@markhammond933]

kobe? kobe was a ball hog who had a bad fg percentage can't put him in my or birds class

[@markhammond933]

mj not my

[@dhruvadude808]

There are a lot of players who had "pure will" but LBJ isn't one of them.

[@gaels8654]

Larry won Rookie of the Year. Larry Bird finished top 2 in MVP votes every year from 1981 to 1988 He finished 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 1st, 1st, 1st, 2nd, and 2nd. This streak began during only his second season in the league! Absolutely insane stretch from Larry Legend. The ONLY players besides Larry to win MVP three years in a row were Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell.

[@Gio-G]

I loved how the narrator was completely objective! No feelings involved, just objectivity!👏👏👏

[@mjmeadows1016]

LeBum is soft in a very soft league. You look at highlights of Bird and then watch highlights of LeBum and no comparison at all! Larry Legend!

[@philipatoz]

When you evaluate and rank the top players' greatness, the first thing you have to consider is how much that player involved and elevated the play of his teammates. And, to me, both Magic and Bird encompass that variable. Yep, scoring, inside and out, is a key variable. Defense certainly is. Rebounding, yep. And where Bird leaves most behind - is his astonishing skills as a playmaker, and his constant awareness of the floor, and especially as one of the greatest passers to ever lace them up! And Larry did all of this with surprisingly modest athleticism - he wasn't fast or a great leaper. But what he did with ball smarts and always trying to play selfless and get the ball to the best opportunity in the moment - Larry was the best at that. And people forget, Bird's prime was cut way short due to feet and back injuries. He played the last of his career on guts and pain. I've always thought the classic lineup of Bird, Parish, Ainge, McHale, and DJ was the best passing, smartest, most-selfless team the NBA ever had. No one ever took there skills further than Bird did. There are a lot of terrific, unbelievably quick basketball players with amazing moves that were never in Bird's league. So, is there a best? I say it's between about three people.

[@mannyjoseph4520]

Bird wouldnt be passive Agressive and befriend a teammate while knowing they will be traded because of him.

[@obbor4]

Larry took two very good players (McHale and Parrish) and made them into hall-of-famers. Lebron has surrounded himself with future hall-of-famers and has seen fair to sometimes great results. Bird made everyone around him better and never threw any his teammates "under the bus." .

[@OdinForce4]

Lets not forget that when Jordan was 40 he still put on quite the show considering the team he was on. The Wizards was far from Chicago. I often wonder if Pippen and Rodman had joined Jordan at the Wizards if they would’ve made the playoffs if not the finals. It would’ve been something to see. Perhaps even if Shaq had went to the Wizards. I mean isn’t that what LeBron does to win? Join teams with good players?

[@talkforfreedom5501]

JAMES ? touch fouls ... no defence this era ... no comparison .... JAMES is not even close ... all media to push sales ...

[@danielray5109]

Nobody plays defense in todays NBA. It’s truly a different game for offensive players because hand checking isn’t allowed today! Thats why teams score 130 a game vs 90 a game back in the 1990’s.

[@rashb3994]

Ive been saying this for years that Bird is still the best SF ever over LBJ and #2 GOAT wise to Jordan. For me its about mental makeup that gives Bird the edge, but if you want to go with weakness in their game argument LBJ still has never overcome free throws. Sure he's not like Shaq or anything but its a hole in his game he has never fixed. I also question LBJ's integrity and I'm not just talking flops, I'm talking as a Laker fan watching him stat chase at times, watching poor leadership when he had the young Lakers, lack of effort on D so many times. Just way too many holes to put him past Bird who gave his as much as he could on the court.

[@xxxYYZxxx]

LeBron's not a closer with seconds to go and the game on the line, whereas Jordan and Bird absolutely were.

[@charliebukowski6652]

I remember LBJ pouting at the end of games. LeBaby.

[@bigkw1568]

I will take a broke back Larry Legend over ANYBODY in today's Cupcake NBA

[@jmac4719]

Absolutely!!!

[@jasonhall7335]

Sorry I’m taking the Joker

[@bigkw1568]

You must be a youngster who don't know better

[@jasonhall7335]

@@bigkw1568 no there has never been anyone like him. I’m 46 and know basketball. He would be great in any era. You must be what they call an old head

[@bigkw1568]

LoL ... Old head who saw it and witnessed it ... The lack of Defense and hustle in this modern day cupcake NBA... No comparison

[@peterc8021]

The public can never get enough of Bird and Magic even after all these years

[@bryanfox6726]

Still the highest Rated Basketball of All Times ...

[@btspyglass4077]

The one question with only one answer Who do you want to have the ball in his hands with game on the line? One answer, Larry Legend

[@miketurpin4959]

You dont see passes like what Bird was doing back then either.

[@littlebillyjoejimbob]

There was this guy named Earvin from Lansing, Michigan. If I recall correctly, he was a pretty solid and flashy passer too, and he played at the same time as Larry

[@bryanfox6726]

@@littlebillyjoejimbob I Absolutely Love Magic but Bird was an even better Passer than Magic and That is Sayin' Sumtin' ...

[@mightymikeamps9317]

My dream team would be Hakeem, Duncan, Bird, MJ, and Magic

[@ShadowWizard224]

Literally the perfect team. I think you can make an argument to have Kareem at center but you can’t go wrong with either one.

[@billmorrison9068]

Magic, MJ, Kareem and Bird. Hakeem would be my PF, but Steph would be my #5 GOAT.

[@moodiegreen5410]

Change Hakeem for Jokic and you have my dream team

[@ericd1084]

Wilt, Olajuwon, MJ, Lebron, Bird. 82-0 with that squad.

[@moodiegreen5410]

@@ericd1084 I believe there's too much ego in that team, who's going to score the points?

[@krazy8chris670]

Pat Riley said if I were to pick a player to take the shot with a game hanging in the balance it would be Michael Jordan, however if I had to pick a player to take the shot with my life hanging in the balance it would be Larry Bird

[@jayseha5458]

Bird 110%. Even if u change the times. Bird was very wise in all aspect. Pure athleticism would never be enough. You bring James back to the 80s. Never would had lasted as long

[@billmorrison9068]

Jokic is dominating the NBA. You think Bird wouldn't?

[@christipton7588]

No such thing as anything over 100%.

[@indychoate8350]

Just outstanding point!

[@GisTisMe]

Bird was the ultimate competitor, & the most clutch shooter many times over in the end of game scenario.

[@MrSports]

Yup so true

[@Carnivore-nn1dw]

I am always amazed when Bird is described as slow and unathletic. Parish wasn't exactly Bill Russell who could really run. Bird had exceptional grace and dexterity with those impossibly accurate passes over his head, behind the back, while falling to the floor diving for the ball, and the one handed touchdown pass. He could score with either hand and maneuver through the tightest spots down low with ease. And in his rookie season where he resurrected Boston's success, he beat some pretty fast players on the fast break. Loved watching him and Magic and theor endless creativity and desire to win and compete.

[@lechonkthepokemon-cu1qq]

Well during larry entire career, mj never won a single playoff against larry. He didnt win his first championship until bird was at the peak of his injury prone body and surgeries. When you are dubbed the goat, you know damn well who else is dangerous on the court.

[@ryanburchett8455]

Bird is definitely a contender for the GOAT debate.

[@themajicman745]

Are you high?

[@bryanfox6726]

@@themajicman745 No one Ranks Higher than Larry Bird.

[@Tbone51]

The big difference to me is that for LeBron and many others today, the goal is greatness. For Larry, MJ, Magic, et al, the goal was always winning. Just check out the Celtics pre-Bird and the Celtics with Bird, even when he was a rookie.

[@memorydrain7806]

Bron can't do trick shots like Larry in the McD commercial

[@181cameron]

Off the satellite, through the window, 3 bounces... Nothing but net.

[@cheeseburger12]

Neither could Barkley. Poor, poor Barkley.

[@datatrolls]

Not a basketball nut, so take it for a grain of salt. But this debate seems to never die, the whole "Larry Legend?' thing. The problem I think is that people these days have the attention spans of squirrels on crack. With LeBron, Magic, and MJ, you are given something beautiful right out of the box. Fantastic athleticism and an impressive verticle leap. With Larry, you had to wait. Had to watch it. And had to see him nail it on the buzzer over, and over, and over to realize that he won because while he wasn't the fastest, the strongest, or the most impressive looking, he knew what was going on around him and was able to put that knowledge to use in a millisecond. When they talk about 'basketball IQ' as it applies to Larry, that's what they are talking about. And it is incredibly impressive to see. Never have seen anybody to equal him in that respect.

[@benvasilinda9729]

MJ played against Bird so he knows what Bird could do on the court. Bird made Magic and MJ work harder to beat him.

[@nunyabusiness7927]

MJ was 34-22 against the Celtics in his career, which includes when Bird was retired. When the Celtics were at their peak, the Bulls were average at best. When the Bulls were at their peak, the Celtics were no longer good. Too bad peak Jordan/Bulls and peak Bird/Celtics never played each other.

[@cheeseburger12]

Yeah, it took awhile to get Jordan decent teammates. But even the early 90s Bulls vs peak Celtics would have been interesting. The Bulls would have had the guard mismatch. The Celtics would have the mismatch at center. Young Horace and Scottie were good, but they would have had tough assignments. That would be a great matchup. The 72 win Bulls have a little more talent, with Rodman, Kukoc, Kerr, Harper. Luc would still be mismatched against Parish. And Bird is overall better then Pippen. Or Kukoc. But then the Bulls also have Jack Haley buried on the bench!

[@ronniejohnson196]

Got That Right!

[@jeffreyjacobs390]

M.J. was a CLASS GUY, GREAT PLAYER and undeniable champion and due to his ability - high flying as it was .... but, Michael Jordan knows how tough it was against Larry Bird .... Bird is simply the COMPLETE PLAYER, Driven, prepared, poised and positioned ... always in position ... to STEAL, REBOUND, HUSTLE OUT SHOOT & CLUTCH POP IN THE FINISH .... his passing is beyond comparison .... just craftsmanship as a G.O.A.T. ! Athletic ability is all he was about .... to say Bird was not athletic in doing all he did IS RIDICULOUS ..... slower than some better than all ! That's who was tearing their asses up all of the 80s ! jj

[@CatDad72]

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast….that’s Bird all day

[@robertdiehl1281]

Imo…with and or without the ball the most effective game influencing player ever is Larry Bird. And, his lack of athleticism imo makes his accomplishments even greater.

[@atrain-wr9je]

Everyone acts like Larry isn't physically gifted. He is MUCH more physically gifted than the average player. And on top of that he has everything else.

[@kostastube2010]

In a fantasy 1 v 1 Larry vs Lebronze: Bird would have looked slow. Lebronze would have looked like an idiot.

[@NoOneYouWouldKnowOf]

Kareem said it the best IMO, "the chubby white guy. He wasn't athletic, he was slow, but it was the muscle between his ears that made him so good"

[@stevenstraubhaar5600]

Well yeah !! Bird played hurt time and time again. James….no way !

[@CBrady-jw8ps]

Bird all day every day and twice on sunday

[@winoodlesnoodles1984]

Talk to the people that played Bird, and you always hear about him backing up his trash talking and just how knowledgable about the game Bird is. It is that knowledge that allowed Larry to put his teammate in better positions and he could raise the level of his team's play without scoring. That is why all of the legends that played Larry give him so much respect. There is another thing people have to remember. The 1980s was a much more physical basketball. It is fair to say that the overwhelming majority of today's player would not have lasted more than a year or two in that league. LeBron is one of the few with the physicality that could have. The point is that because the league is so much different, in the two eras, fair comparisons are hard to make. For me it will always be Jordan above James. However, James has proven himself enough that I have zero issues with the James fans putting him above Jordan. Having said that, in my opinion, Larry was in the most epic play the NBA has ever or will ever see. That play was against the Pistons and I think it was Bird who missed the shot that would have put the Celtics up by 1 with only a few seconds on the clock. Detroit knew they just had to inbound and throw the ball up with out getting a foul to win. The play is so epic because of what happens next. Celtics are getting on defense ready for an immediate foul. Isiah Thomas is inbounding the ball. Larry was in position to defend one Piston but noticed a Piston undefended between himself and Isiah. Larry admits he made a dash just to get a foul, but as he got closer to the player realized he was ahead of the pass and went for the steal. Upon getting the steal and next to no time on the clock, Larry was in no position with the to set up for a legitimate shot. However, he caught a flash of a Boston player heading for the basket and just passed the ball that way. While all this was going on, Dennis Johnson was also trying to get back on defense. What happends next shows the how in sync he and Larry were. Dennis sees Larry switching players to defend and begins to swap defense to the Piston player Larry left open. As he is adjusting, Dennis understands that Larry might get the steal and instead makes a dash for the basket. You have to watch Dennis is slow motion because the reaction time is insane. The two changes of direction I just described took place in half of a second. For the rest of us average people, that is just how much more athletic professional athletes are than us. It was Dennis's second direction change to charge the basket Larry glimpsed. Dennis caught the pass and put in a lay up for the win. The play is so epic because it demostrated not only the pure athletisism of both players, but also just how well they knew and trusted each other on the court.

[@dt2745]

Been watching basketball since the early '70s larry Bird was the best player I've ever seen

[@billmorrison9068]

I'd go with Magic.

[@bryanfox6726]

@@billmorrison9068 Bird was a Better Shooter from Anywhere on the Court, Better Rebounder, Better Defender, more Clutch (the Most) ... Passing I think Bird's Better but Let's call that a Wash ...

[@CBrady-jw8ps]

Amen Brother

[@hufinnpuff3068]

Lebron at best against all the greats is a second team 6th man.

[@colejones212]

Pat Riley- if I’m picking a player to take the last shot to win a game it’s Michael Jordan, if I’m picking a player to make a shot to save my life it’s Larry Bird. P. Riley this quote will go down in infamy.

[@Boxman-GG]

Imagine if Larry Legend didn’t get hurt and had the enhancement drugs Lebron used to smoke the first half only to crash with no gas the second half or Kareem for that matter

[@kamaeq]

Larry played as a power forward at his peak. At the end of his career, plagued by multiple injuries, Bird played more as a small forward.

[@Rr-j4x]

bird was the first point forward we could argue its magic but magic remained on pg spot so it is bird. bird could beat lebron 1on1 using only his left hand. i dont care what people say how good lebron is on blocking. he blocked them as 2nd defender not as 1st line of defense. lebrons defense on 1v1 is weak. he couldnt stop bryant how would he stop mj? im pretty sure he couldnt stop bird aswell. bird was a scoring machine and a killer inside the court

[@SchulzEricT]

Pippen. If you're just talking exceptional passer as SF, Rick Barry

[@Viper83]

LBJ is an all-time great, but he was out of the conversation the moment he left Cleveland and started to "join forces" in order to win championships... if LBJ would've stayed in Cleveland, won a few championships while playing with the same hunger and passion as he did to beat Detroit in the 2007 playoffs, he'd have a much better argument to that goat debate

[@paulh.9937]

Just because lebron left Cleveland for Miami, doesn't mean that his skill as a basketball player declined. He didn't become a lesser player. His defense was at an all time high, he shot better from long range and mid range, his passing improved, and his athleticism was still at an all time freakish level. Stop talking basketball bro

[@Viper83]

@paulh.9937 No, he would've been a better player. He would've been forced to develop his skill and killer instinct. Instead, he turned into a passive player who choked when the pressure is on and took credit for big shots his superstar teammates made and call himself a goat

[@nathanmckenzie904]

​@@paulh.9937lebron couldn't and still can't shoot. Outside of 3ft ots a crapshoot if he makes it

[@paulh.9937]

@@nathanmckenzie904 lebron shot 40% from 3 and 38% from the mid range during his Miami days. He could shoot very well. And some seasons after that, like in 2015 and 2016, he was shooting very well. Not elite from long range, but well enough. Definitely above league average. But that was also because of the sheer volume at which he's always shot the ball, as well. Quit capping bro

[@nathanmckenzie904]

@@paulh.9937 38% from mid range is good?

[@DFWGuitarPlayer]

LBJ had the fortunate hand of playing in the east, and basically ZERO competition for his first 15 or so years. He would maybe have 3 finals APPEARANCES if he played in the west.

[@CatDad72]

It took him twenty years to surpass Kareem in scoring. In the softest era of basketball ever. Kareem became the top scorer in ‘84, took him 15 years through some of the toughest, most physical team D’s ever. Someone please tell me again why LeFlop is better….

[@jmreynaud]

Something no one has accomplished is the 30 game turnaround Bird was accredited with because he was the only change on that team.

[@tobingallawa3322]

There were a lot of quick players that could not stop Bird, who was slow as the sun coming up. Can't jump, but a great rebounder. Compare them both at 30 years old. Compared to James, Bird was better at, everything. Wilt is the GOAT anyway

[@charlespino1018]

I myself am going with Bird I watched him play. Unbelievable player I compare them and Bird could do it all.

[@talkforfreedom5501]

STATS = JAMES touch fouls = how many free points a game ... JORDEN and BIRD all needed to EARN fouls in tough defensive games ... James is a baby

[@johntatum1951]

Bird was such a complete player. He played great defense, was an exceptional passing teammate, and elite at scoring. I agree with Michael Jordan. Lebron has no real perspective on life.

[@richmarlow5680]

If I had one last shot to win a game, I would want Larry taking that shot over anyone ever. He is 6'10' and could always get a shot off with the confidence to hit it.

[@ericlind6581]

When you look at all those Lebron drives into the lane, you gotta wonder, where’s the D? Players were decked coming into the lane like that in Bird’s era.

[@jimmulcahey9312]

None of the Lebron drives into the lane would have gone uncontested against the bad boy Pistons and I don’t know if he would even get into the lane when they allowed forearm checks back when Wilt played. Now if you look cross eyed at a player they call a foul.

[@CatDad72]

In that era, your life insurance better have been paid up if you headed into the paint.

[@Noname-ni1dy]

Larry should have been MVP in his rookie year, he was the lone addition to the starting lineup of a team that won 29 games the year before he arrived. He led them to 61 wins, how was he not the MVP.

[@captjim007]

In his prime my money would be on Wilt Chamberlain over anyone past, present or future.

[@1mparcher]

My number one draft choice would be Oscar Robertson, and I would build a supporting cast around him. When Oscar was drafted into the NBA, it was a regional draft and he was stuck in Cincinnati, the dungeon. Once he escaped he won a championship while he was past his prime.

[@girlinvt]

I've been lucky. To see Bird, Magic, Bryant, Jordan, and LeBron, just to name a few. To be blunt LeBron may be his generation's number 1, but he is not mine. I have seen the greatest players from the mid 70s to now and he's my number 4. The game changes, as do the players, and the new fans who were never lucky enough to watch a Bird, Magic, Clyde the glide, Magic or a Jordan in his prime have missed out on some great basketball.

[@billmorrison9068]

Magic, MJ, Kareem and Bird. Lebron is not on that tier. I'd have Steph at #5.

[@Jimmison007]

If Larry and LeBron played together Larry would of had a hell of time getting in his head, the one part of Lebrons game thats an achilles heel.

[@youboob6297]

Larry has something LeBron never had : *clutch gene* Larry Bird is more clutch than Micheal Jordan and Jordan shot over 50% on all his clutch shots career "if it was a last shot to win a game, i would want Micheal Jordan to shoot the last shot , if it was a last shot for _my life_ i would want Bird to take the shot" ~Pat Riley LeBron clutch? not in the least *_LeBron is 19 out of 107 on ALL his clutch shots career. thats 17% field goal on every LeBron clutch attempt_* CLUTCH SHOT PERCENTAGE CAREER Micheal Jordan : *50% field goal* Larry Bird : *49.4% field goal* LeBron James : *17% field goal*

[@garretttoepp4399]

Underrated comment 🔥

[@markgables6026]

Damn

[@liuuchiha6214]

Where can I find these stats ? And what is Kobe’s percentage

[@youboob6297]

@@liuuchiha6214 Kobe only shot 25% clutch shooting career which is exactly the same as Steph Curry (25%) from clutch just google "17 out of 109" and youll get LeBrons career clutch shot percentage

[@nathanc30]

Kobes is lower than bird mj and LeBron

[@brianbaker5140]

1. Michael Jordan 2. Larry Bird 3. Magic Johnson

[@bitteroldman2069]

One thing no one mentions: Larry was a TEAM player. LeBron is a whiny ME player. Plus, the 80's was a for more physically tough era.

[@aaronandelise]

Top NBA career combined stats per game (pts, reb, ast, stl, blk) career fg%,tp%,ft% 1. Jordan 44.7 -50-33-84 2. Lebron 44.4 -51-35-73 3. Bird 43.1 -50-38-89 4. Kareem 42.9 -56-06-72 5. Durant 40.8 -50-38-88 A bunch of guys in the 40’s.

[@ron3537]

Ouch! But I agree. If I was picking a best all time team, I'd pick Bird over LeBron. But of course, Lebron is still a great player.

[@ztoxtube]

Larry stuck with the same core team unit for years, and their play revolved around his style of basketball. They were good players that were made great by playing with Larry every day. No other team had this type of advantage. Jordan, above everyone, cared about being the best and winning. These types of intangibles put them a cut above LeBron, as insanely good as he is.

[@CatDad72]

LeBron is gifted, no question, but he doesn’t make teams better by being on them. Magic, Bird, and Jordan all elevated their teams. LeBron is playing in a soft era (you all know this is true) and he has reputation of being a flopper. The other three played in what is widely regarded as the hardest era and had reputations as straight up killers. That seems to make the debates pretty clear cut.

[@TheRednose3269]

the 1v1 argument comes down to one thing; rule set. If they play the more professional rule set of 3 dribble, one shot, and winner gets ball which favors skill. Larry would have a HUGE edge. If they played unlimited dribble alternating possession which favors size and athleticism Lebron would have a HUGE edge.

[@alandoherty1332]

Prime Jordan or Bird would kick assume in today's NbA.. no contest....Mag8c too.

[@tysonbasye5171]

Couple of things from this video. 1) It’s *incredible* how large of a human Kareem still is at his age… Sure, he’s always been tall, but LeBron is 6’8” and barely cleared Kareem’s shoulder in that one slide. 2) If you took LeBron vs Larry Bird in a pick-up game, first one to 5 points on fresh legs, I might just take LeBron (and I can’t stand LeBron). He could go full-bore and just jump in Larry’s jock strap and maul him, and then bully his way to the rim. But you put LeBron on Larry (and vice-versa) for 48 minutes on a full court, Larry is going to run *circles* around LeBron and be raining shots from everywhere. The guy was better without* the ball than he was with* the ball, and he was damn-near unstoppable with* the ball. When a bunch of 40-year-olds on the Spurs and Mavs ran LeBron and the Heat into the ground in LeBron’s *PRIME,* the debate was over forever for me. LeBron has always had the *most* physical gifts of anyone in the NBA, and every reason and tool to be absolutely unstoppable… like NEVER lose… and* he’s played with more All-Star caliber players than just about anyone in NBA history, and more often than not, he gets beat by old dudes who are smaller, weaker and slower. There’s no excuse for him getting absolutely *blown out* like he has. People say Larry Bird “owned” Jordan early in his career, but Larry had 4 other Hall of Famers *on the floor* with him, and Michael STILL gave them everything they could handle… by himself. As much as people want to say LeBron “never had any help,” even early in his career, Mo Williams and Zydrunas Ilgauskas gave LeBron more statistical support than Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman gave MJ. And that’s not even getting into Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh or Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. LeBron is a great player, but he’s not even the best Small Forward to ever play, much less the best overall* player. That title belongs to Michael Jordan, and Larry Bird is the best Small Forward. There’s a reason Kareem was never really touted as being the “greatest” player ever even though he was the all-time scoring leader. There were holes and weaknesses in his game… handling the ball, shooting from outside, etc. There are glaring holes in LeBron’s game as well… shooting contested shots from outside 3 feet, particularly late in games. Free throw shooting. Flopping. Cramps when nobody else is cramping. Quitting on his team when he gets down by 10 or 12 or 15. These are not things MJ or Bird struggled with. They were always* in the fight, they didn’t shirk their duty or point fingers or blame anybody else. They just hunted you down and ended you, and then moved on to their next victim. LeBron’s always been too busy telling* everyone how great he is, and then getting beaten by dudes who should have no business beating him.

[@brandonpono7431]

You promoted this as a video about who Michael Jordan thinks is the better player. Not one single time in the entire video do we actually hear any of the words out of Michael Jordan's mouth. This is why I hate KZbin

[@SAOProductions1955]

Athletically and longevity, Sir James obviously gets the nod and yet for all his prowess, he makes those around him less important and actually diminishes their contributions. Not so with Larry Bird. He made those around him better and combine that with his basketball IQ, that's the difference between the two.

[@markpirmann2567]

He's absolutely right. LaFlop would not stand a CHANCE against Bird. LaFlop knows his ONLY way to stay in the conversation is longevity. So sits out games to protect his being able to keep playing.

[@nathanrobinson3653]

What they don't know is Bird is 20th in ppg, 54th in rpg, 47th in apg, 38th in spg, and 217th in bpg, 61st in defensive rating, 30th in defensive win shares, 7th in Box+/-, and 2nd in winning percentage, ALL-TIME. That adds up to 476. The next closest guy (you want a LOW number) is 608 that I can find--and Jordan gets an 802. To measure a player's ALL-AROUND game, these are the stats that just make sense--all the measurables, no HYPE factor. See where your guy ranks. Michael, go ahead and acknowledge that not only is Bird the GOAT, it really isn't even close.

[@chrisxavier1848]

Bird would reduce LeSwept to tears. Dominance? Come on ...

[@shyuchien6099]

NBA legend will choose Bird all day long. Never shy away from big moment challenge and situation. MJ BRID Magic greatest big 3 of all time

[@rodericksmith7232]

Bird. LeBron and Jordan! I would pick anyone of these players ! Let's just say there Top players to have ever played ! Each leaving there eternal impact on the NBA! Thank you guys for all the memories! NBA is FANTASTIC!

[@lilzae4848]

That why I never understood how folks just pass LeBron over Bird or Pippen

[@matthewjansen3297]

Bird #1 or #2 : Magic #1 or #2. Conversation ends there … Magic Jordan Bird James Chamberlain - best ever

[@strydershadow391]

LeBron just bounced around the league to pad his stats. No respect for him.

[@R58-n8n]

No contest. Bird’s basketball IQ is off the chart. He made his teammates better players.

[@jeffkeim5865]

The 80's gave us the best athletes of all time,/Mario Lemioux, Nolan Ryan, Barry Sanders, Michael Jordan. These guys will never be matched in raw talent to argue that is for fool's.