Bird said in 2012 that LeBron is by far the best player in the league, and it wasn’t even close.

Ever since he entered the league in 2003, LeBron James’ basketball career has been placed under a microscope. Not only have expectations been set so high, but he’s also the most scrutinized player in NBA history.

Back in 2012, podcaster Bill Simmons asked Larry Bird what he thinks about the attention that LeBron is getting. Bird said that the talk emanates from the mistakes he’s made, particularly his decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat in 2010.

“I think you should sit back and enjoy him because I think he’s one of the greatest to ever play the game,” said Bird. “You know, we all make mistakes. I did a lot of things I sort of regret. Whether he regrets it or not, I do not know. But he made some, you know, a couple of decisions. The Decision was a bad decision.”

Best player in the league

Although Larry didn’t say why he said it was a mistake, many thought that The Decision was a weak move by LeBron. Because he could not win the championship in Cleveland, he left the city that drafted him in ’03 to pursue his championship ambitions elsewhere. Not only that, he formed a super team with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in order to win his first NBA ring.

“But as far as playing basketball,” added Bird, “you’ve got to enjoy this guy if you’re a basketball fan, you’ve got to sit back a while how you do that. I always say, ‘Boy, I wish I had his speed.’ But some of the stuff that kid does out there, he’s by far, and you know Kobe was always my favorite since I got out; I don’t like that, by the way, but LeBron James is by far our best player in the league, and I thought I don’t think there’s really anyone next to him. I think he’s there, and then you go down the list.”

The King was at the peak of his powers in 2012, his Heat had just been humbled by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals, and he was looking for revenge. That season, he averaged 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game and won his third MVP award.