If you think about it, I mean really think about it, it's completely logical. During his legendary career with the Celtics, Larry Bird redefined the term "Killer Instinct." Bill Russell was probably the first NBA player to display this trait every game for an entire career that captured 11 titles in 13 season. It doesn't matter how few teams were in the league back then, 11 titles in 13 years IS killer instinct. Bird and Magic Johnson pushed each other from coast to coast using it.
In fact, they were probably the fuel that burned Michael Jordan's fire to transform himself from a singular dominating player, into channeling it through his teammates and destroying the NBA for nearly a decade. So here we are in 2010 and Larry Bird's favorite player is none other than Kobe Bryant. In the Sunday Boston Globe, Gary Washburn got the following quote from Bird regarding the LeBron charade. What's interesting to note is how Bird tossed in his two cents about Kobe:
“I watch all the teams and what they did for LeBron, and [the Heat] still have to go through the Lakers with Kobe Bryant out there, who’s been my favorite player for a long time,’’ said Pacers president Larry Bird. “And I don’t think whatever they do in the East is really going to concern him that much.’’
Just when you thought the days of getting a kick to the balls (from Game 7) were over, we get to read this from Bird himself. It's not the first time Bird has made this statement, but it still stings a bit. It makes sense though since Bird himself shared similar basketball traits as Kobe. Mainly, that killer instinct of not only wanting to beat your opponent, but humiliate them in the process. Still, it doesn't make that groin kick any less painful.