Basketball Hall of Famer Larry Bird urged fans to hold LeBron James in high regard while the Los Angeles Lakers star is still on the court and playing at a high level.
Bird made this comment before the NBA All-Star Game and before James talked about the concept of retirement. The former Boston Celtics sharpshooter implored critics to silence their criticism.
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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks during a press conference before the NBA Basketball All-Star Game in Indianapolis, Sunday, February 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Daron Cummings)
“I just want to tell people to stop whining about LeBron,” Bird said in an interview with NBA TV. “Enjoy him while he’s here. He’s an incredible guy.
“He’s one of the greatest, if not the greatest, of all time.”
The James vs. Michael Jordan vs. Kobe Bryant debate will rage until the end of this superstar’s career. This is one of the enduring debates this generation of basketball fans have, even though Stephen Curry is even talked about as the greatest player of all time.
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Former NBA player Larry Bird poses with his Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 NBA Awards Show at Barker Hangar in Los Angeles on June 24, 2019. (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)
James is in the midst of his 21st career season and his sixth with the Lakers. He was asked how much longer he plans to stay in the game before leading the West All-Stars in Sunday night’s NBA All-Star Game.
He has long said he would like to play alongside his son, Bronny, at some point in his career. Bronny James will be draft eligible after his first season at USC.
“I haven’t mapped out how many seasons I have left yet,” James said. “I know it’s not that much.”
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, number 23, drives Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo during the first half of the NBA All-Star Basketball game in Indianapolis, Sunday, February 18, 2024. overtake. (AP Photo/Daron Cummings)
James is a 20-time All-Star, a four-time NBA Champion, and holds the NBA scoring record with 39,868 regular season points.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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