Phil Jackson says Larry Bird was better than Magic Johnson

[1987_Lakers]

Forget about what he thinks about Kobe vs Jordan, anyone with sense knows Jordan was better. Larry vs Magic is actually a good debate...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nClAiN9MXyc
1:06 mark

[navy]

So?

These are one on one matchups as well.

[LAZERUSS]

Forget about what he thinks about Kobe vs Jordan, anyone with sense knows Jordan was better. Larry vs Magic is actually a good debate...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nClAiN9MXyc
1:06 mark

A 10 second comment in which he says he would "probably" go with Larry.

[chocolatethunder]

Who cares? To me they are on the same level. I dunno who id pick but I'd be happy with either of them.

[1987_Lakers]

So?

Think it's interesting hearing who a legendary coach would choose between 2 other legendary players.

[gts]

gee the guy who never wanted/needed a true point guard in the triangle and only once in all his years had a PG lead the team in assists would avoid one again...

that's not exactly a shocker if you've watched Jackson over the years. Bird would fit perfectly in Jackson's system

[kennethgriffin]

jordan had the better career. kobe had more talent for the game of basketball.

more footwork
more off hand
more long range
more longevity
more ability with less physical advantages
more work ethic
more passion
more alpha


kobe with bigger hands in a weaker era would be all that and more. who cares about hogdan

as far as bird... hes in the same board as the kobe/mj battle... magic had a better career. bird was a better player

[navy]

Think it's interesting hearing who a legendary coach would choose between 2 other legendary players.

Im not sure many would take Magic over Bird in a one on one.

[navy]

jordan had the better career. kobe had more talent for the game of basketball.

more footwork
more off hand
more long range
more longevity
more ability with less physical advantages
more work ethic
more passion
more alpha


kobe with bigger hands in a weaker era would be all that and more. who cares about hogdan

as far as bird... hes in the same board as the kobe/mj battle... magic had a better career. bird was a better player

[T_L_P]

jordan had the better career. kobe had more talent for the game of basketball.

more footwork
more off hand
more long range
more longevity
more ability with less physical advantages
more work ethic
more passion
more alpha


kobe with bigger hands in a weaker era would be all that and more. who cares about hogdan

as far as bird... hes in the same board as the kobe/mj battle... magic had a better career. bird was a better player

kennith too scared to come right out and say Kobe was a more effective basketball player than Jordan...which is the only thing that matters (not skill or talent or ability, results).

[1987_Lakers]

jordan had the better career. kobe had more talent for the game of basketball.

more footwork
more off hand
more long range
more longevity
more ability with less physical advantages
more work ethic
more passion
more alpha


kobe with bigger hands in a weaker era would be all that and more. who cares about hogdan

as far as bird... hes in the same board as the kobe/mj battle... magic had a better career. bird was a better player

[Smoke117]

jordan had the better career. kobe had more talent for the game of basketball.

more footwork
more off hand
more long range
more longevity
more ability with less physical advantages
more work ethic
more passion
more alpha


kobe with bigger hands in a weaker era would be all that and more. who cares about hogdan

[HOoopCityJones]

jordan had the better career. kobe had more talent for the game of basketball.

more footwork
more off hand
more long range
more longevity
more ability with less physical advantages
more work ethic
more passion
more alpha


kobe with bigger hands in a weaker era would be all that and more. who cares about hogdan

as far as bird... hes in the same board as the kobe/mj battle... magic had a better career. bird was a better player

[Harison]

So? Everyone back then had Bird over Magic (except Magic fans), its nothing new.

[PejaTheSerbSnip]

more footwork

Jordan's footwork is criminally underrated. There was a minimalist grace to how Jordan played. No wasted motion. That's why he so rarely dribbled away possessions and could get off a good shot whenever he wanted.

more off hand

Sure, I don't vehemently dispute that.

more long range

Hardly, and not when it counted (the finals). MJ never made the 3pt shot a huge part of his game. This is well-documented.

Yet when he wanted to he could destroy you with the 3ball. See: '91-'93 finals. Combined, what, 42% from three?

Also, why is range just the long ball?

Jordan was better from the mid-range and a better long-2 shooter. Hell, I believe Jordan at 39 and 40 shot a higher percentage from 10-16 and 16-23 ft than Kobe at 24 and 25. That's CRAZY. This is despite LIVING from there at that point in his career.

more longevity

Malone had more longevity than MJ too.

more ability with less physical advantages

Jordan had a better bball I.Q, infinitely better and smarter shot selection, was a better and less erratic passer, and could score within the flow of the offense better. AT WORST he's Kobe's equal as a shooter.

He was a better slasher, more deft finisher, had better body control. Rebounded better. Smarter defensive player too.

I fail to see how Kobe has more ability, OR is more skilled. And, hell, WHY is raw athleticism not taken into account? You don't think Jordan's athleticism sort of bolsters his greatness? Why disregard it to make Kobe look better?


And Kobe's game is heavily modeled after MJ, which makes his case for being greater than MJ even more dubious.

more work ethic

Could go either way, but I won't deny this.

more passion

This is getting arbitrary now, lol.

more alpha

Made-up criterion.

6 finals MVPs = as "alpha" as it gets. 33.4 PPG in the playoffs = alpha. Was never the second best player on his team = alpha. Was the best player on a team of hall of famers (dream team) = alpha. Was never taken to a game 7 in the finals = alpha. Often the best player on the floor on BOTH sides of the ball + alpha.

Mad respect for Kobe, top 10 all time, but his case over MJ doesn't pass the smell test, never has and never will.


The "ticks" you usually hear in Kobe's favour simply don't matter that much. Slightly better 3 point shooter? Slightly better handle (if even) ?

Any person not blinded by irrationality would pick Jordan over Kobe to start their team and wouldn't spend a millisecond thinking about it.