“This guy played the game to the outer limits - sideline to baseline” - Michael Cooper on what he respected the most about Larry Bird
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In their 39 matchups on the court, Michael Cooper and Larry Bird battled fiercely, each striving to outplay the other. However, the five-time NBA Champ’s respect for the Indiana native truly solidified when he encountered a poster of an outstretched pose. That singular quote beneath the image forced the LA Lakers guard to realize that Bird’s greatness transcended his abilities as a scorer or rebounder.
Cooper on what he respected the most about Bird
Despite Larry averaging a series-best 27.4 points and 14.0 rebounds per game in the 1984 Finals, it wasn’t his on-court dominance that garnered Mike’s utmost respect. Instead, it was Bird’s relentless determination and unwavering effort, which extended beyond scoring and rebounding, that left a lasting impression on Cooper.
In an interview, the former DPOY recalled how, despite the Lakers heading into Boston in the 1985 Finals with vengeance, he couldn’t help but admire the kind of leader Bird was.
“We were playing them in the ’84-85 series, and we had just got into Boston, and there was a bus going by. And on the bus, they had this huge, long picture of Larry diving out of bounds and the ball was just right at his fingertips. And the quote was, ‘I hate it when players watch the ball go out of bounds.’ That there tells you who that guy was, man,” Cooper said.
“This guy played the game, the entire game, to the outer limits, sideline to baseline, and that’s what I respected the most about him.”
Cooper felt Bird was even superior to MJ
While serving as central figures for their respective teams, Cooper harbored immense respect for Larry, despite their roles in the NBA’s most storied rivalry.
He even argued that Bird posed a greater challenge to defend as compared to Michael Jordan, Julius Erving, and George Gervin due to his versatile skill set and his ability to impact games in various ways; besides merely scoring.
“I played against George Gervin, Andrew Toney, Dr. J., a young Michael Jordan, some of the best players that have ever played this game,” Cooper said. “But Larry would have to be the best.”
Even though the two had countless battles, mutual respect will always be something that transcends the game of basketball.