Bob Ryan: Larry Bird Was a CRIMINALLY Underrated Defender

Bob Ryan & Jeff Goodman NBA Podcast · Jun 14, 2026 · 18m

Bob Ryan goes deep on one of basketball's most underrated topics — Larry Bird's defense. Was he actually good? Bob makes the case that Bird was far better than his reputation suggests, breaking down his three straight All-Defensive Second Team selections, his ability to clamp down situationally late in games, and his most iconic defensive moments including the steal on Isaiah Thomas and a legendary 36-point, 21-rebound clinic against the Lakers. Plus — how Bird accomplished more statistically with the ball in his hands less than almost anyone in NBA history, and why there's still never been…