Bird compliments Kobe.

Andrew Evenstar · by **Andrew Evenstar** on Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:15 am

From LG.net

Larry Legend was interviewed on Dan Patrick's show this morning and gave Kobe a lot of props. He acknowledged Kobe as the game's best player, but he went beyond that by saying (not a direct quote) "When I think about the fact that he (Kobe) has never won an MVP award, it makes me want to give back one of mine". He also said that he'd want the ball in Kobe's hands at the end of the game.

It's very impressive when one of the legends of the game can set aside his own allegiances to the proud Celtics franchise and share an honest opinion of a hated Laker. Big ups to Larry Bird!!!

http://forums.lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?t=61724

karacha · by **karacha** on Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:17 am

I have always liked...

...uh, wait... let me re-phrase that.

I have always respected Larry Bird, most clutch player in the history of the game. One of the best trash-talkers too.

I've never liked him though. For obvious reasons. :man10:

TIME · by **TIME** on Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:22 am

Bird gets it.

KGB · by **KGB** on Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:25 am

karacha wrote:I have always liked...

...uh, wait... let me re-phrase that.

I have always respected Larry Bird, most clutch player in the history of the game. One of the best trash-talkers too.

I've never liked him though. For obvious reasons.

Well put.

KRC18 · by **KRC18** on Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:32 am

I've always liked Larry Bird.

RJ · by RJ on Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:39 am

Simply put: Game recognizes and respects game.

This isn't really surprising in the least bit. A bit random, considering I haven't heard anything from Bird in a while, but aside from that what is there for Legend to say that hasn't been said by the other greats? They [GOATs] are able to discern which players are for real [Kobe, Duncan, etc.] and which players aren't at that level [McGrady, Amare, etc.].

Besides, there was never any doubt as to KB being a great... There are only fans who hate the man, such as there were Bird haters, Magic haters, Jordan haters, and on and on. When your fan base and your "hater" base rival each other in numbers, you know you're doing something right.

gcclaker · by **gcclaker** on Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:40 am

Bird has always been very honest when it came to his opinions. It must be that down home country boy personality of his. Bird once said that Jordan was God in basketball shoes. I've always respected him even though he was with the hated Celtics. Yes, it is refreshing to hear such praise for Bryant but it is universal opinion among the players to begin with.

TalkieWalkie · by **TalkieWalkie** on Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:41 am

I've loved Bird ever since he turned down Bynum for JO...

Bird will forever be in my heart for turning it down....

Savory Griddles · by **Savory Griddles** on Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:46 am

I have the utmost respect for that green piece of ----. :mhihi:

lakerzkb8 · by **lakerzkb8** on Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:46 am

Wow very kind words by Bird :bow:

pound4pound1 · by **pound4pound1** on Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:13 am

Other highlights from the DP interview this morning:

- claimed that Coop was THE toughest defender he played against
- would trade one of his NBA titles for a national title
- says the Magic brings up that title game every time they talk
- says he wanted Magic to guard him and that Magic probably wanted to be guarded by him as well
- said that he would have scored 100 on Magic (lol)
- is rooting for a Lakers-Celts finals

John3:16 · by **John3:16** on Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:28 am

RJ wrote:Simply put: Game recognizes and respects game.

Radner · by **Radner** on Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:29 am

I wish Bird would have elaborated on this part.

"When I think about the fact that he (Kobe) has never won an MVP award, it makes me want to give back one of mine".

If he's referring to the past two seasons, then it pretty much explains why his team is in the lottery.

gcclaker · by **gcclaker** on Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:33 am

pound4pound1 wrote:Other highlights from the DP interview this morning:

-claimed that Coop was THE toughest defender he played against

Bird used to say that when he was working on his game in the offseason he imagined Cooper guarding him.

-would trade one of his NBA titles for a national title

Michigan State used an effective zone with two people rotating over to guard him in that title game.

-says the Magic brings up that title game every time they talk

I'm surprised Bird doesn't bring up the 1984 NBA title Laker giveaway...

-says he wanted Magic to guard him and that Magic probably wanted to be guarded by him as well

Neither are great defenders so it would have been fun for both...

-said that he would have scored 100 on Magic (lol)

Funny...yet sad but probably true.

-is rooting for a Lakers-Celts finals

So is David Stern and the League office...cha ching!

Punk-101 · by **Punk-101** on Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:36 am

"When I think about the fact that he (Kobe) has never won an MVP award, it makes me want to give back one of mine".

Best player quote complimenting kobe ive heard in a long time. :bow:

hollywood swinger · by **hollywood swinger** on Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:50 am

Lesson of this story: WHEN YOUR GOOD , YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A HATER.

jazzy1 · by **jazzy1** on Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:20 pm

Don't Do It Mitch.

After it was all said and done I Loved watching Larry Bird. He was a great competitor that we beat and god bless him.

Kobe I think in the minds of some people still seems like a young player. But he's grizzled now time for accolades and alltime great respect to come his way and I'm glad Birdman see's that.

As the Nuggets official told stat geek Hollinger that guy Kobe is the best.

Orlando Tragic · by **Orlando Tragic** on Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:37 pm

TIME wrote:Bird gets it.

Sean · by **Sean** on Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:41 pm

download is available:

LINK.

KAMILLION · by **KAMILLION** on Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:51 pm

Will the "Do it Mitch" ever get old?????

Do it Mitch!!!!

Quite possibly the greatest phrase in the lexicon of lakers fan language the world has ever seen.

Bird compliments Kobe.

Bird compliments Kobe.

Bird watching...

More Birds...

Who is online

More NBA Forums