Larry Bird Gets His Flowers in Sporting News’ All-Time NBA Ranking - And Lakers Fans Won’t Like It
NESN • • sports
Key Points:
- The Sporting News created all-time All-NBA teams based on the greatest single-season performances, with rules including position importance, playoff impact, and no player repetition.
- Larry Bird’s 1983-84 season was named to the all-time First Team alongside Michael Jordan, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, highlighting his MVP, Finals MVP, and dominant Finals win over the Lakers.
- Kobe Bryant’s 2007-08 MVP season and Magic Johnson’s 1986-87 campaign made the Second Team, with Celtics fans noting that both seasons ended with losses to Boston in the NBA Finals.
- Kevin Garnett’s 2003-04 MVP season was also on the Second Team, recognized for the impact he would later have on the Celtics’ championship success.
- Bill Russell was notably excluded from the teams, sparking debate, but the Celtics remain central to the NBA’s all-time greatness conversation through Bird and their historical Finals victories.