Larry Bird isn’t here for your GOAT arguments and he’s got the résumé to say so.
In a rare sit-down with fellow Indiana legends Reggie Miller and Isiah Thomas, Bird kept it real on Basketball Stories: Indiana Glory, a special NBA on TNT segment from February 2024. The three Hall of Famers reflected on greatness, legacy, and why some conversations in sports just need to chill.
“Different Eras, Different Rules”
The GOAT debate came up early. But Bird wasn’t interested.
“People always like to talk about who’s the greatest, who’s the GOAT. And I don’t like those discussions,” he said. “Different eras, different players, different rules.”
Instead of naming names or stoking online wars, Bird reminded fans how the game has evolved, and why comparing across generations is often pointless.
“Quit Whining About LeBron”
Still, when LeBron James came up, Bird had nothing but praise.
“I tell people, quit whining about LeBron,” he said. “Enjoy him while he’s here. He’s unbelievable. He’s one of the greatest, if not the greatest ever.”
Coming from a player who faced Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in their primes, that statement carries weight. But Bird wasn’t finished.
“Everybody in their era thinks their era’s the best. I don’t buy any of that. Things change.”
On Confidence, Shooters, and Not Caring What You Think
When Reggie asked Bird for his Mount Rushmore of shooters, the Celtics legend swerved the question.
“You named them all and there’s more… Dale Ellis was a great shooter. There’s a lot of great shooters. You’re always gonna leave somebody out and people get their feelings hurt. But I could care less.”
Then came a moment of pure Bird swagger:
“One thing I do know: I always knew how good I was. I didn’t care what you thought of my game. I knew in the majority of games I played with the team I have: We’re gonna win most of them. So I had that kind of confidence.”
Indiana Legends, Timeless Lessons
This wasn’t just a nostalgic stroll through basketball history. It was a masterclass in humility, perspective, and appreciation for greatness in all its forms.
Bird, Miller, and Thomas may have lit up Indiana hardwoods in different decades, but the message was clear:
Stop ranking. Start appreciating.
Because whether it’s Magic, MJ, or LeBron, you’re watching history.