At 98, Bob Cousy Reveals The 5 Greatest NBA Players He Ever Saw

1. Let us keep the memories of the golden era alive and drop your personal list in the comments below.

2. I respect Bob Cousy for his honesty and sincerity about his past relationship with Bill Russell.

3. Truth. The game went downhill from a strategic, unselfish team game to an isolated game that lacks ball movement, fundamentals, discipline, moving without the ball, and team defense which is all but gone, save for a few players. Players began playing for their touches, points, contracts, and eventually social media likes instead of a championship. It didn't begin with MJ–there had been many players who were about their stats over playing the way a team needs to to win before him, but MJ monetized it unlike any other into that and propelled it more than anyone into the game and league we see today. There's a reason why Jordan's teams could never compete for a title or barely make it out of the first round for five years. He was playing better competition that knew how to play to win, not to be the game's leading scorer. That is why Boston swept him twice, regardless of Jordan's points. It takes a team to win, and more than just a great scorer. Any fan today who watches the Showtime Lakers or Celtics of the 80s and wonders why their game looks smarter, tougher, and more together and team-oriented (the way basketball is played at its peak–getting the highest percentage shot), you can thank guys like MJ, Kobe, Carmelo, and Steph. Put those kind of guys on an all-time team and they would not look or play like a team. They would be more about making sure that they get 'their's'. Give me an all-time team with Bird, Oscar, Wilt, Russell, Magic, Isaiah, Hakeem, Kareem, Dr. J, LeBron–these are the guys willing to play within the framework of a team and will never pout about not enough FGAs or celebrate themselves excessively for taking a 30-foot jumper with 12 seconds on the shot clock left that goes in–that isn't team basketball and that is a selfish, lower percentage shot. Only a player to come along like Bird would be able to break the spell of the circus exhibition we see for the most part today. I saw flashes of proper basketball with the Nuggets, Pacers, Boston, and OKC–the Spurs could be one if they mature, gain discipline, don't freeze in the biggest moments, and can learn to play like a Pop and Duncan-led team. Bird played with a fractured back, and guys today whine about playing a back-to-back–it's a league of sissies today, and most wouldn't even be on a team with Larry Bird playing like they do now. He would walk right into Auerbach's office and say these guys gotta go after they failed to meet the team's standard and refused to get on board, and they would be cut or traded. That is why they were able to beat the Showtime Lakers in '84. The guys today would be run off the court by that team–they don't even know.

4. I respect Bob Cousy for his honesty and sincerity in his comments about his relationship with Bill Russell.

5. The NBA went down the 🚽 when the Dustbowlers were allowed to steal the Seattle Supersonic's and the comiss did absolutely nothing to stop them the NBA sucks now!

6. I knew Baylor was great, but I didn't realize he averaged 13.5 RPG for a career! He is a career 27-13-4 guy, Bird was a 24-10-6 guy. Elgin was not as efficient of a scorer as Bird and didn't have Bird's left hand, he didn't have the vision or passing of Bird, but he was a punisher and definitely an all-around all-time talent like Bird, Oscar, and Wilt. Elgin would likely win the glass over Bird, (which is difficult to fathom for me) based on his numbers and raw leaping ability (and toughness, too), but I saw Bird outrebound Moses, Hakeem, and Sampson many times. Elg does hang in the air and looks BIG for 6'5", 225 lbs. Elgin is a small forward, too. He was a 78% FT shooter and was a great defender, with an estimated 4 blocks per game! My only knock on Elgin is he averaged just under 24 FGAs per game (that's a lot) on only 43% shooting–that is even below Kobe's career FG% (no disrespect)–most elite, volume, non-center shooters tend to shoot 48-50% for a career. Kobe was a great player, but not an all-time, all-around great with the stats in all categories like these guys. I fully understand why Cousy is giving his nod to Bird, though–no apologies necessary–and Bird is my all-time favorite athlete and my GOAT. Elgin, though from an earlier era, may be better for all I know. I just know that with his numbers, he deserves that respect at the very least, even though he is before my time. Just like Wilt may indeed be the greatest center ever avg. 30 pts and 22 rebs per game for a career with an estimated 7 blocks per game (that is a conservative est). Makes me wonder what a matchup between Bird and Elg would look like… Three things guys like Bird, Elg, Oscar, Kareem, Magic, Russell, Cousy played for–the love of the game, to win, and for the brotherhood. I really liked this video. Everything this man said about today's game needs to be said more often. Most players today are 'sitting' on these guys' shoulders, enjoying the view. These old-timers' teams and a few others since played like warriors fighting for survival. What a great rivalry. Nothing tops Boston/LA.

7. I like the picture of Wilt laying 'bent' in a king-size hotel bed. It's like when Andre the Giant would be holding a beer can that looked like dixie cup in his hand.

8. I saw Bob Pettit play at the end of his career. I know he was a great player, but am surprised he is in the top 5.

9. Dr J is 77 years old. His top 5 ever is the same as Bob Cousy's except he has Oscar Robertson instead of Bob Pettit.

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