Larry Bird Would Like To Have Kobe As His Teammate

**KingLeBronJames** · 02-07-2012, 05:09 PM

Boston Celtics great Larry Bird saw the Los Angeles Lakers as the enemy during his playing days, but there's one current Laker he'd like on his side if he were playing today -- Kobe Bryant.

Appearing on "The B.S. Report" with Grantland.com's Bill Simmons, Bird said that LeBron James is one of the greatest players and we should all sit back and enjoy what he can do on the basketball court. He even calls him the best player in the league, but he's not the player he would go into battle with.

If he could choose any current player that he'd like to play a season with, who would it be, Bird was asked.

"Well, probably Kobe, because of the fact that ... well, of course he wouldn't have been shooting as much as he does now ... but his desire to win, his dedication, to always get better, uh, and he's just, he's just tough," Bird said. "He's just a tough cat.

"But, if you want to have fun, like I did with Bill Walton, play with LeBron. It would have probably been more fun to play with LeBron, but if you want to win and win and win, it's Kobe. Not that LeBron's not a winner, just that [Kobe's] mindset is to go into every practice, every game, to get better."

Bryant has won five championships with the Lakers, one short of the legend he's most often compared to, Michael Jordan. James joined the Miami Heat last season and fell short in the NBA Finals, leaving him searching for his first title.

Bird, who is currently president of basketball operations for the Pacers, won three titles, two of them over the Lakers. He was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1998.

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/s...rs-kobe-bryant

I'm sure Celtics fans are throwing up in their mouths right now and probably hate their hero Larry Bird right now just for saying that.

**Shade8780** · 02-07-2012, 05:13 PM

**brownmamba00** · 02-07-2012, 05:14 PM

Larry really likes Kobe doesn't he?

**Scholar** · 02-07-2012, 05:16 PM

Red Auerbach just turned in his grave again.

The first time was in 2007 when KB24 was getting "MVP" chants at the Boston Garden.

**32Dayz** · 02-07-2012, 05:17 PM

Larry and Kobe sitting in a tree.

lol.

Its pretty easy to win hanging from Prime Shaqs nuts or playing with a Top 3 supporting cast in a watered down era (Late 00's) with the GOAT Coach at your side.

**InspiredLebowski** · 02-07-2012, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by brownmamba00

Larry really likes Kobe doesn't he?

LOVES him. He praises him any time he's asked about him. Not usual "he's great blah blah" stuff, Bird doesn't bullshit. He seriously adores Kobe.

**ralph_i_el** · 02-07-2012, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by 32Dayz

Larry and Kobe sitting in a tree.

lol.

Its pretty easy to win hanging from Prime Shaqs nuts or playing with a Top 3 supporting cast in a watered down era (Late 00's) with the GOAT Coach at your side.

yeah, you probably know better than larry. I mean, who does he think he is?

oh yeah...a 3 time champion and former head coach. I trust his word on kobe more than yours by far.

**Pushxx** · 02-07-2012, 05:23 PM

I don't understand what's so wrong with this.

**TheFrozenOne** · 02-07-2012, 05:26 PM

Legend and Godbe

every other great legend knows Kobe's greatness....

**TheFrozenOne** · 02-07-2012, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by Pushxx

I don't understand what's so wrong with this.

according to online fans Kobe is 62nd

**LakersReign** · 02-07-2012, 05:29 PM

Of course....NOW, since he's complimenting Kobe, Larry Bird's an old nobody, who doesn't know what he's talking about....right?!

Originally Posted by LakersReign

The blatant hypocrisy here is purely pathetic. Bird compliments Lebron and it's "oh....there you go. He's one of the greats, so he knows what he's talking about." But when he compliments Kobe, it's "oh...well....he's old now, a terrible GM, so he's a horrible judge as far as player talent."

More reason why REAL NBA fans don't take bandwagon Lebron fans nor anything they say seriously.

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/sho...41#post6851641

I REST MY CASE!!!!

**32Dayz** · 02-07-2012, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by ralph_i_el

yeah, you probably know better than larry. I mean, who does he think he is?

oh yeah...a 3 time champion and former head coach. I trust his word on kobe more than yours by far.

I respect Larry Bird.

I just disagree with the notion that Kobe has something special about him that allows him to win more then other high level guard/wing players of this generation.

I believe the reason he has won more is directly related to the players/casts/coaches he has had mixed in with alittle luck.

I mean cmon... 3 of his Rings were won with a player "much" better then himself.
How can you act like he led those teams to victory?
He was simply a 2nd banana to a better player those years.

**TheFrozenOne** · 02-07-2012, 05:32 PM

"Larry Birds favorite player......is Kobe Bean Bryant" - Magic Johnson 2010

**G-Funk** · 02-07-2012, 05:32 PM

Larry Bird: Play With Kobe to Win. Play With LeBron To Have Fun.

**StateOfMind12** · 02-07-2012, 05:33 PM

If he could choose any current player that he'd like to play a season with, who would it be, Bird was asked.

"Well, probably Kobe, because of the fact that ... well, of course he wouldn't have been shooting as much as he does now ... but his desire to win, his dedication, to always get better, uh, and he's just, he's just tough," Bird said. "He's just a tough cat.

"But, if you want to have fun, like I did with Bill Walton, play with LeBron. It would have probably been more fun to play with LeBron, but if you want to win and win and win, it's Kobe. Not that LeBron's not a winner, just that [Kobe's] mindset is to go into every practice, every game, to get better."

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