“I would pick Larry Bird over LeBron James in a draft”: Reggie Miller, how Larry Bird’s style of play could help Lakers guard Russell Westbrook in winning a ring

Larry Bird’s finesse with the basketball is famous throughout generations. Many old-timers believe that Bird is better than LeBron James.

He is one of the purest shooters of all time. The “Hick From French Lick” had a shooting form that couldn’t be guarded.

Larry being 6’9, having that huge jumper, was generally no match for most defenders. He could do everything on the basketball court.

Getting a triple-double every night wouldn’t have been a big ask for Larry, but he preferred winning over everything.

Also read: “Luka Doncic is like Larry Bird on steroids to me, Larry 2.2”: 4-time NBA champion has high praise for Mavericks superstar following his 2 straight All-NBA First Teams

Russell Westbrook, Luka Doncic and, the coming generation could learn a lot from Larry Bird

Drafted in 1978, Larry decided to stay 1 more year in College. His team went undefeated that season. He would face his future rival Magic Johnson in the finals. Larry lost that final though.

In his 1st year with the Celtics, he helped them win 32 games more than the previous one, getting Rookie of the Year Award in the process.

Not ever caring about stats, he still ranks 7th all-time in triple-double rankings. He averaged over 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists, also 1.7 steals and 0.8 blocks.

“I hate it when players watch the ball go out of bounds” Larry used to say.

Bird won 3 straight MVPs in the league during which the league had 2 of the best teams of all time in Showtime Lakers, Bad Boys Pistons and also a young Michael Jordan.

The 12-time All-Star led the Celtics to 5 NBA finals winning 3 Championships, during which the league was jammed with all-time greats.

Right on. Larry Bird once told me, “I could probably get a triple-double every night. Doesn’t mean we’d win the game.”

— Bob Ryan (@GlobeBobRyan) January 26, 2021

“Larry Legend” graced the game of basketball and is an inspiration to many legends, Reggie Miller once said

“Magic is my mentor but I patterned my game after Larry Bird, I wanted to be like and play like him”

Also read: “Larry Bird got MVP because he’s white”: When Dennis Rodman had to issue unconditional apology to Celtics star for derogatory comments after Rodman’s agent forced him

If you think you can do it all on the basketball court, do it like Larry.

About the author

Akash Murty

An Electrical and Electronics Engineer by degree, Akash Murty is an NBA Editor at The SportsRush. Previously a Software Engineer, Murty couldn’t keep himself away from sports, and his knack for writing and putting his opinion forward brought him to the TSR. A big Soccer enthusiast, his interest in basketball developed late, as he got access to a hoop for the first time at 17. Following this, he started watching basketball at the 2012 Olympics, which transitioned to NBA, and he became a fan of the game as he watched LeBron James dominate the league. Him being an avid learner of the game and ritually following the league for around a decade, he now writes articles ranging from throwbacks, and live game reports, to gossip. LA Lakers are his favourite basketball team, while Chelsea has his heart in football. He also likes travelling, reading fiction, and sometimes cooking.

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