National Basketball Association

Larry Bird: 'I couldn't imagine' going to the Lakers, playing with Magic

Published Jul. 8, 2016 8:39 p.m. ET

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As we all know, Kevin Durant jumped ship from Oklahoma City to sign with Western Conference rival the Golden State Warriors.

But for Celtics legend and Hall of Famer Larry Bird, the thought of leaving one's own team to join the sworn enemy — in his case, the Los Angeles Lakers — would be inconceivable.

"I couldn't imagine going to the Lakers and playing with Magic Johnson. I'd rather try to beat him," Bird told Sirius XM NBA Radio on Friday.

"But these guys are different, and I understand a lot of it, and it's within the rules, so they can do whatever they do."

Of course, Bird, now president of the Indiana Pacers, recognizes a lot has changed from what it was back in his day: "I can remember years ago we were fighting for free agency — pure free agency — so there would be more movement," Bird continued.

"But I could never imagine myself going and joining another team with great players, because I had great players and I was in a great situation."

(Fun fact: "Bird rights" — which allows a team to exceed the salary cap to re-sign one of its players, creating incentive for the player to stay with his current team — was named after the career Celtic.)

Bird recognizes there's a different mindset in the league now.

"When these players get together and go play, it just makes them a lot stronger. But that's why we have free agency. If they stay within the rules, I have no problem with it and I'm happy for them," Bird said.

"But you like to be on a team where you can be competitive."