NBA Legend Larry Bird Says He Has An Appreciation For Today's Game
NBA Hall of Famer Larry Bird doesn't act like most of the players from the past.
He actually has appreciation for today's game. While speaking during NBA All-Star weekend, Bird showed his respect for players like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and Nikola Jokic.
He chose to praise them instead of criticizing the game like many former players have in the past. They say the game is soft nowadays. They say yesterday's stars could dominate today's game.
"I'm proud of today's players," Bird said. "I like the game they play. It opened up for a lot of players to be able to do some things and show their skills. Unlike back in the `80s on the East Coast, we'd hold and grab and push and fight and whatever it took to win games. But I like our game."
The comments came in the same week Bird was complimentary of James, who is often placed in the conversation with Michael Jordan as the greatest player in league history. Bird said James is every bit deserving of the comparison.
"Quit whining about LeBron," Bird said while speaking with NBA TV. "Enjoy him while he's here. He's unbelievable. He's one of the greatest, if not the greatest ever.”
Bird was also quite the player during his career. He was a three-time MVP while winning three NBA championships in the 1980s before back problems ended his career.
Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Back In The Day NBA. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com
