Reports: Stephen Anderson deems LeBron James the greatest forward in American history and criticizes Larry Bird’s 1992 Olympic performance.

Stephen Anderson calls LeBron James the best NBA small forward of all time and attacks Larry Bird.

NBA star Larry Bird has been the target of criticism by sports broadcaster Stephen Anderson, who sparked a recent, intense dispute within the basketball world. Anderson attacked Bird’s career, saying that he never had to contend with the same kind of opposition that LeBron James has. This difference, in Anderson’s opinion, is the reason LeBron James is the best small forward in NBA history.

Anderson’s Divisive Statements

In an on-air sports program, Anderson responded to Bird’s remarks against LeBron James. Although Bird, a three-time NBA champion and two-time MVP of the NBA Finals, has previously lauded LeBron, he also insisted that it is difficult to compare different eras of the game because of their distinctions. Bird’s remarks infuriated Anderson, who countered that Bird’s accomplishments occurred at a less cutthroat period.

“There’s no denying that Larry Bird is a legendary player,” Anderson continued. But let’s not sugarcoat this. The level of competition that LeBron has encountered is far greater than that which Bird faced in the 1980s and early 1990s. LeBron has encountered more athletic players, stronger defenders, and generally more competitive opponents. For this reason, in my opinion, LeBron James is the best small forward in NBA history.