NBA / Dec 6, 2008 / 1:03 pm
Kobe Wants To Meet Larry Bird
“I’ve never met Larry Bird before,” Bryant said. “I’d like to.”
When I read that Kobe Bryant had never met Larry Bird, this left me kind of unsettled. Maybe I’m just naive, but whether it’s All-Star games, charity events or Charles Barkley’s birthday party, I just assumed that somehow the greatest player in the NBA today would have at least bumped into one of the greatest players of all-time.
Sure Kobe was only a rookie when the League rolled out their 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996, but now in his 13th season, what has prevented the Hall of Famer and future Hall of Famer from grabbing a drink?
Source: Los Angeles Times
December 6th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Marcus says:
Easy.
Bird doesn’t want to. He doesn’t kick it with self absorbed douche bags
December 6th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
YOUNGFED..."can't wear baggy jeans cause my notz wont fit." says:
“I just assumed that somehow the greatest player in the NBA today would have at least bumped into one of the greatest players of all-time.”
Correction: K-Hova is the best that ever done did it. Game recognize Game.
December 6th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
webbie352 says:
race.
December 6th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Richard Wellner says:
Finally, a sane black player paying respect to one of the greatest players ever; who happens to be white.
It’s nice that a black player pays respects to a white player that is frickin’ awesome. Unlike that RACIST ISIAH THOMAS.
Give Bird and McHale props. For real.
Also, Bryant originally had #8 because of MIKE D’ANTONI.
December 6th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
banga says:
why the hell would bird want anything to do with a laker?
December 6th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Richard Wellner says:
To ‘banga’:
Because that whole ‘rivalry’ stuff is about ratings. It’s purely aesthetic.
End of the day, these are professionals in their fields and they respect each other. Minus Isiah Thomas, who is a racist loser with a small penis.
December 6th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
JCARR says:
It has nothing to do with race because if you know anything about bball MJ and Bird were buddies throughout their careers and are still competitive friends today.
Kobe should meet larry “pajaro”… but i think what prevents him from meeting larry is all those groupies that are in the way. And what would they talk about… the pacers “thuggish” organazation.
December 6th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Smitty313 says:
Larry Bird said last year that he loves Kobe’s game. It’s a shock to me they have never met. And this has nothing to do with race. I know Kobe’s not a racist. Larry Bird might be a little racist towards white poeple. Yall remember that comment he said about 2 years ago, how he felt disrespected when a white player was gaurding him.
December 6th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Coop says:
No Larry Bird’s not racist he’s just stupid.
December 6th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
mole says:
I think larry just doesnt want to meet him. Why? I dont know.
December 6th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Celts Fan says:
rivalries aren’t just for ratings. That shit is legit, but in the end it’s not pure hatred (usually) it’s just 2 teams going after something only 1 can get. It’s usually nothing personal. Larry and Magic loved each other (Magic actually spoke at the Garden when Larry retired) so the La/Boston thing wouldn’t stop them.
December 6th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Celts Fan says:
and Fed, Kobe’s top 10 all time (will be by the time he’s done at the very least, even his haters won’t argue that,) but he sure as hell aint #1
December 6th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
johnsacrimoni says:
They have to have technically met: Bird coached the Pacers in the ‘00 Finals against the Lakers. They have to have at least shaken hands during that series.
December 6th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
rlf says:
it’s strange, because as some of you might know, larry bird last year during an interview with dan patrick said that if kobe didn’t win the MVP he would through his 3 away, that the award didn’t mean anything if kobe never won an mvp.
also bird is one of the vet players that has always praised kobe, moreso than magic johnson. even during the finals.
if you guys want to check out those interview, go to dan patrick’s site, i’m sure they’re there.
oh and BTW kobe mentioned that because of this
When Kobe Bryant walked into the locker room after the Lakers’ 114-102 win over the 76ers on Wednesday night and saw NBA Hall of Famer and Philadelphia legend Earl Monroe, he stopped and hugged him.
Bryant wanted to pay homage to Monroe, who wanted to do the same for Bryant.
It was a mutual admiration society.
“You done taken the game to another level,” Monroe said.
“I refer to him as the human video game because the numbers that he put up were just astronomical,” Bryant said.
Monroe was a teammate of Lakers Coach Phil Jackson with the New York Knicks. Bryant, who played at Lower Merion High, about 30 minutes outside of Philadelphia, knew all about Monroe growing up.
“This is the only guy I want to take a picture with in life,” Monroe said.
and that is RESPECT
December 6th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Max says:
Greatest player today? That’s Bron.
Kobe and Bird should grab a cup of coffee some time though…weird it hasn’t happened yet.
December 6th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Ian says:
greatests today since u dont lose it till u retire are shaq and duncan
December 6th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
MoneeMane says:
The white girl Kobe raped was probably Larry Bird’s daughter.
December 6th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Richard Wellner says:
The black girl I raped was your daughter, MoneeMane.
December 6th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Larry Bird says:
December 6th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
This Guy says:
I call bullshit. As johnsacrimoni pointed out, Bird was coaching the Pacers against Kobe and the Lakers. How could they not have met. Okay maybe they never went out for a beer, or played a game of pick-up basketball, but they would have had to meet at some time.
December 6th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
mole says:
kobe just comes off as one of those people who isnt cool. Not to disrespect his game, its just his personality. Kobe reminds me as one of those cry baby kids growing up had no friends.
December 6th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Three Stacks says:
Um, is it really that big of an issue that they haven’t gotten together? Kobe and Larry’s playdates are none of my business.
December 6th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Ross says:
Like the others said, Bird coached against him. If he wanted to meet him so badly, why didn’t Kobe introduce himself then?
December 6th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
justice says:
@youngfed
it’s can’t wear tight jeans cause my nots won’t fit
December 6th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
doc says:
They’ll meet one day.
December 6th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Netstar882211 says:
because larry bird thinks the NBA needs more “white superstars”
he said it in an interview
December 6th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Sallo says:
Richard Wellner is a Racist. Every comment he has made on this site negative towards black pple. I guess that makes you sleep a little better each day.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
jl90 says:
why did these comments immediately turn to race? maybe kobe just hasn’t met larry bird because indiana isnt the best place for a guy used to LA sunshine to stay for a while. and thats usually where larry bird is I’m assuming
December 7th, 2008 at 12:46 am
This Guy says:
@ justice – I think it was technically cant wear “skinny jeans”. But thats just splitting hairs.
December 7th, 2008 at 2:05 am
Krayzie says:
Wasnt Larry Bird coaching at any point since Kobe has been in the league?….Im sure they would have met!
December 7th, 2008 at 3:09 am
Ian says:
celts fan in case u dont go back to our parker rondo argument
i know what u mean i can see rondo rounding out the top 5 of parker deron paul and harris (yeah harris) as the best pgs for years
doc
sorry but i gotta say u must be crazy to think parker falls off when duncan retires hell lead all pgs in scoring easy after duncan leaves
now tell me why deron can have good players around so can paul and not parker? DID U KNOW that if u traded parker for deron or paul they wouldnt be the best player on the spurs either. so please stop underrating a very good player
u should go check out the daily dime on espn there is an article on parker being the best pg in the game im not sayin he is because of it its just to show im not the only one who thinks that
December 7th, 2008 at 4:26 am
yoda says:
how come he never met him, iirc, bird was coach of indiana when lakers played them in the finals.
December 7th, 2008 at 4:27 am
Sweet English says:
@ Justice and FED
It’s actually skinny jeans.
December 7th, 2008 at 6:20 am
YOUNGFED says:
@Justice and Sweet E
Thats why I can’t wear baggy jeans cause my notz won’t fit. It’s a play on words guys. You’ll get it eventually
December 7th, 2008 at 10:13 am
bonzo wills says:
What’s with daily smack? Now this is slacking
December 7th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Lee says:
Maybe they could do a Rockstar commercial together !!!
December 7th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
rok says:
who gives 2 squirts of monkey piss!
December 8th, 2008 at 12:27 am
Roy Wade says:
These are some crazy posts. First off, Kobe doesn’t hang out or attend a lot of functions outside of his charitable or endorsement events. I don’t believe that Larry Bird does a lot of mingling with today’s ballers. Bird and Magic have been friends for years, and although they’ve kept in touch, there are not a lot of stories pubbing this fact. Bird works for the Pacers and has mad love for Kobe’s game. Kobe respects the legends, and not a lot of today’s players are speaking out about wanting to meet Larry Legend, to their fault. Props to Kobe for recognizing game. Half of you posting probably think Bird is overrated and don’t have enough B-Ball knowledge to understand…..YOU FOOLS!!!