During halftime of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, ABC aired an interview between Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant in which Johnson revealed Larry Bird considers Bryant his favorite player. Turns out Bryant has a one-sided love-hate relationship with Bird.

Johnson: Larry Bird told me that Kobe Bryant is his favorite player. How do you respond to that?

Bryant: You know what? That makes me feel, that makes me feel great. You know, I hated Larry growing up. I did, I hated his guts. But I loved him as a player and his work ethic and his intensity, his tenacity and I wanted to be that way. And the funny thing is, I’ve never actually met Larry Bird.

5 Comments for “Bird’s favorite player is a Laker?”

1. Matt Says:
   June 9th, 2009 at 7:36 pm

   Not much of a suprise at all. Larry was the best shooter of his time, now Kobe is the best shooter of this time so it makes sense. I wonder if Magic’s favorite player is Paul Pierce? lol

2. Kobe Sucks Says:
   June 15th, 2009 at 3:41 am

   Just shows you how Kobe lacks class. An NBA all time great calls you his favorite player and all you can do in return is talk about how much you hated him. One thing we’ve learned from these playoffs is that both Kobe AND LeBron both are completely classless.

3. leo Says:
   June 16th, 2009 at 11:05 pm

   kobe is a ass and a criminal

4. wow Says:
   June 17th, 2009 at 1:29 am

   Bird’s favorite player is the rapist?

5. Punisher Says:
   June 18th, 2009 at 12:56 am

   “Just shows you how Kobe lacks class. An NBA all time great calls you his favorite player and all you can do in return is talk about how much you hated him. One thing we’ve learned from these playoffs is that both Kobe AND LeBron both are completely classless.”

   Kobe did not say he hates Bird now. Chill.

   He said he grew up hating Bird because he was Lakers fan in their rivalry with the Celtics. You left out the part where Bryant even then he said he loved Bird’s game. And Kobe said he was honored by what Bird said.

   It is classless to lie about what someone said just because you dislike that person.

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