For playing for the Boston Celtics, it should be a habit that Larry Bird dislikes the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the now Indiana Pacers' president of basketball operations says that if he had to play with one player today, it would be Kobe Bryant.
Bird was on Bill Simmons' podcast today and had a few things to say on the topics of LeBron James and Kobe. Bird says that James is one of the greatest players to ever play the game and we should just enjoy watching him. He also said that James is the best player in the league right now, but he would not be the player to go in battle with for him.
That person would be the Black Mamba.
"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 told Simmons. "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."
There's no question Bird, a three-time champion, would pick Kobe. He's arguably the greatest Laker to ever play with his five rings, and recently passing Shaq for fifth all-time on the NBA's scoring list. I mean, I would too. Bryant has more of that winning mentality in him.
Who would you pick? Kobe or LBJ?
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