On the night the Boston Celtics officially retired Paul Pierce’s jersey at TD Garden, an unexpected debate resurfaced — and this time, it carried real weight.

The spark didn’t come from television or social media. It came the night before, during the media junket, when Robert Parish casually delivered a statement that stopped the room cold:

Paul Pierce was a better scorer than Larry Bird.

That comment immediately reignited one of the most emotional and layered debates in Celtics history.

Why This Debate Matters

This conversation didn’t actually begin that night.

Nearly a decade earlier, Tommy Heinsohn made a similar declaration, publicly placing Paul Pierce in the same scoring conversation as Larry Bird. At the time, it was controversial — but it was also easy to chalk up as opinion.

This moment was different.

This wasn’t a coach, broadcaster, or fan leaning into nostalgia or hot takes. This was Robert Parish — Larry Bird’s teammate, a pillar of the Celtics dynasty, and a core member of the legendary original Big Three — saying it out loud.

Coming from Parish, the statement carried a different level of credibility. He shared the floor with Bird. He saw elite scoring up close. And that context is what elevated this debate from hypothetical to necessary.

Inside TD Garden: A Full-Circle CLNS Moment

What made this segment even more meaningful was the setting and the people involved.

The debate was recorded inside TD Garden, on the night Paul Pierce’s legacy was formally cemented. And the panel itself represented a full-circle moment for CLNS and The Garden Report:

• Me — CLNS founder and original Garden Report co-host

• Josué Pavón — former Garden Report co-host

• Jacob Tobey — former Garden Report contributor and current play-by-play voice of the San Antonio Spurs

Three different paths. One shared origin.

All debating two of the most important offensive players in Celtics history.

For longtime CLNS supporters, there’s a layer of nostalgia baked into this conversation that goes beyond the basketball.

Bird vs. Pierce: The Scoring Argument

The debate goes well beyond raw point totals.

Larry Legend

• Elite efficiency and shot-making

• One of the greatest off-ball scorers ever

• Deadly from anywhere on the floor

• Weaponized basketball IQ

• Scored without needing volume

The Truth

• Elite isolation scorer

• Thrived in physical, half-court playoff basketball

• Drew fouls at a high rate

• Built for late-game possessions

• Could carry an offense possession-by-possession

The panel doesn’t just ask who scored more — it digs into era, role, context, and pressure moments. And that’s where the disagreement gets real.

Watch the Debate & Join the Conversation

This isn’t a hot-take clip.

It’s a genuine basketball conversation — rooted in experience, history, and perspective — filmed on a night that already meant something to Celtics fans.

— Watch the full debate here:  https://youtu.be/yUd1LL6-ZB4

The post Larry Bird vs Paul Pierce: Who Was the Better Scorer? appeared first on CLNS Media.

I just released a mini-documentary breaking down this game, and I want to use this space to give you the quick essential context.

The Context

By 1992, the Celtics were clearly an aging team.
Bird was fighting through back, nerve issues and, on this afternoon, an Achilles injury.
Kevin McHale was near the end and Robert Parish had started to lose that quick step.
Meanwhile, Portland came into Boston as one of the best teams in the NBA — a legitimate title contender with Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, Buck Williams, Kevin Duckwarth and a deep bench.

Everything pointed toward a Portland win.

But Larry-Legend never played by expectations.

Bird Always Brought Something Extra Against the Blazers

As I show in the video, the Blazers had already seen some of the most iconic moments of Bird’s career:

• The 47-point left-handed game

• The drifting corner game-winner

• A history of big scoring nights and high-efficiency performances

For whatever reason, Bird always sharpened against Portland — and March 15, 1992 fit that pattern perfectly.

.@CLNS_Nick takes a look back at Larry Bird’s Final Masterpiece

A 49-point, 14-rebound, 12-assist masterpiece against the Portland Trail Blazers at the old Boston Garden

FULL Game Breakdown on @NBAHistoryCLNS: https://t.co/PuuxyXIRRR pic.twitter.com/z4xryzGfi4

— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) December 11, 2025

The Comeback Boston Fans Didn’t See Coming

I remember watching this game when it aired live. Late in the fourth quarter, the Celtics trailed by double digits. For the first time in years, I saw footage of fans actually leaving the Garden early.

Then Bird took over. He turned back the clock and gave us one more very special Sunday afternoon at the Garden.

He hit tough shots, forced turnovers, controlled the game’s pace, and capped it with an off-balance, leaning three that tied the game and sent the Garden into chaos.

Fans who had walked out sprinted back to their seats.

Only in Boston.

Overtime: One Last Clinic

In overtime, Bird mixed scoring, passing, and pure command to carry Boston to a 152–148 double-overtime win.

His final line — 49 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists — says everything.

This was his last true masterpiece.

Watch the Full Mini-Doc

It breaks down the game, the context, and why this performance still resonates all these years later.

https://youtu.be/bupR0diDu_c?si=5j9E-8W8Ap0h3KW_

The post Larry Bird’s Final Masterpiece: Inside His Legendary 49-Point Game vs Portland appeared first on CLNS Media.

Michael Cooper on His Induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2024. In this episode of Showtime with Michael Cooper, Coop gives us detailed insights into how he found out he was inducted and the events that occurred during the announcement at March Madness in Phoenix. Michael Cooper won 5 NBA championships with the Showtime Lakers in the 1980s. Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson won all 5 titles of the 1980s. Coop is a 9 time all defense, including 5Xs all defense first team. In 1987, he won the NBA DPOY award. Cooper has also won nba titles with the NBA G-League and WNBA. In the closing segment, Coop admits he was wrong about this season’s Boston Celtics, particularly Porzingis.

Subscribe to the Showtime w Michael Cooper podcast:

or on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0q58PdBd256PEDwENzQAS0?si=GbPaLWYHQfWbHL1Wl1OazQ&dl_branch=1 —

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The post Michael Cooper Speaks Directly to Fans About HOF Induction appeared first on CLNS Media.

When it comes to the greatest backcourt trios in NBA history, there are two groups of players that are often compared: Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, and Vinnie Johnson of the Detroit Pistons, and Magic Johnson, Byron Scott, and Michael Cooper of the Los Angeles Lakers. While the Lakers’ trio is often celebrated for their dominance in the NBA in the 1980s, the Pistons’ trio deserves just as much recognition, if not more, for their incredible skills and accomplishments. Here are some reasons why the Pistons’ trio was a better backcourt than the Lakers‘ trio.

First, the Pistons’ trio was known for their incredible toughness and resilience. They were nicknamed the “Bad Boys” for a reason, as they played an aggressive and physical style of basketball that often intimidated their opponents. Thomas was the heart and soul of the team, known for his fiery personality and fearless approach to the game. Dumars was a steady and reliable shooting guard who could score from anywhere on the court and was a lockdown defender. Johnson, meanwhile, was a sixth man who came off the bench and provided an instant spark with his scoring ability, giving him his nickname, “The Microwave”.

Together, these three players formed a backcourt that was almost impossible to stop. They had a remarkable chemistry on the court, with Thomas and Dumars combining for a deadly one-two punch and Johnson adding a crucial scoring boost off the bench. They were also able to play excellent defense, with Thomas and Dumars frequently shutting down some of the best guards in the league.

In addition to their toughness and skill, the Pistons’ trio was also incredibly successful. They won back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990, beating old rival Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks and LA Lakers along the way. They were able to defeat the Lakers in the 1989 NBA Finals, proving that they were a force to be reckoned with even against some of the greatest players in the game.

While the Lakers’ trio was undoubtedly talented, they were not quite as dominant as the Pistons’ trio. Johnson was a transcendent talent and one of the greatest players in NBA history, but Scott and Cooper were more role players than superstars. They were both excellent at what they did, with Scott providing a scoring boost and Cooper playing lockdown defense, but they were not quite as versatile or dominant as Thomas and Dumars.

In the end, while both backcourt trios were exceptional in their own right, the Pistons’ trio of Thomas, Dumars, and Johnson was simply better. They were tougher, more resilient, and more dynamic than the Lakers’ trio, and they left an indelible mark on the game of basketball. They may not be as celebrated as some of the other great players in NBA history, but they deserve just as much recognition for their incredible skills and accomplishments.

The post The ‘Bad Boys’ vs Showtime Lakers: Why the Pistons’ Backcourt Trio Reigns Supreme appeared first on CLNS Media.

Welcome to the the Showtime with Coop Podcast, where we bring you the latest news and analysis from the world of pop culture and professional basketball. In this episode, we’re going to talk about one of the hottest young players in the NBA, Ja Morant, and the complex issue of guns in the United States.

Ja Morant is a rising star in the NBA, with his electrifying style of play and impressive stats making him a fan favorite. But beyond the basketball court, Morant is facing gun allegations, highlighting the urgent need to address gun violence in America. Morant is suspended indefinitely.

In this podcast, we’ll explore Morant’s allegations and suspension and how the pandemic lockdowns impacted mental health. Coop also dives into the broader issue of guns in America and the impact it has on communities like Boston, Los Angeles and across the country.

CLNS Founder, Nick Gelso co hosts with Michael Cooper and leads the way through a variety of topics through the rest of the show, including Kyrie Irving’s recent twitch meltdown and how he might just destroy another locker room in Dallas. They also check in on the new look lakers and Coop makes another bold prediction ?

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Enjoy this episode of Showtime with Coop powered by FanDuel. Get $200 in play when you deposit $5 At https://FanDuel.com/Boston

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Sub on Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-showtime-podcast-with-lakers-legend-coop/id1509730329

or on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0q58PdBd256PEDwENzQAS0?si=GbPaLWYHQfWbHL1Wl1OazQ&dl_branch=1

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00:00 – https://FanDuel.com/Boston sponsor credit

00:20 – Intro

01:00 – Michael Cooper has a strong message for Ja Morant

09:20 – Michael Cooper’s experiences with David Stern

12:00 – Los Angeles is dangerous now

13:20 – Michael Cooper attempts to figure out Kyrie Irving

15:15 – is Luka Doncic comparable to Larry Bird?

18:50 – https://FanDuel.com/Boston sponsor endorsement & bonus offer

19:36 – Nick Gelso on covering Kyrie Irving with the Celtics from 2017-2019

20:20 – Lakers update from Michael Cooper

22:00 – Michael Cooper discusses what a Lakers – Celtics NBA Finals would be like in 2023

22:30 – Do the Mikan and Russell titles count?

24:00 – In the 1960’s black peoples loved the Celtics

25:00 – Coop makes wild prediction about the Lakers

26:00 – JJ Redick blocks Nick

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? All music is fully licensed in compliance with Epidemic Sound. You can also enjoy this vast catalog of royalty free music here- Visit our partners for royalty free music at https://share.epidemicsound.com/fx0q30

The post Lakers Legend Michael Cooper Remarks on Ja Morant Allegations – Showtime with Coop Podcast appeared first on CLNS Media.

In this video, Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe will be giving us an audio preview of his book “I Wish It Lasted Forever: Life with the Larry Bird Celtics.” The book takes readers on a nostalgic trip back to the 1980s, when the Boston Celtics dominated the NBA, led by the legendary Larry Bird.

This short film is powered by FanDuel. Go to here to claim your $200 offer, when you deposit $5

Shaughnessy, a sports journalist who covered the team during that era, provides an insider’s look into the locker room dynamics, the players’ personalities, and the intense rivalries with other teams. He offers a behind-the-scenes account of the players’ lives on the road, from their pre-game rituals to their post-game celebrations.

Through interviews with Bird, his teammates, and coaches, Shaughnessy paints a vivid picture of the camaraderie and competitive spirit that made the Celtics so successful. He also delves into the personal lives of the players, including their struggles with injuries, family issues, and the pressures of fame.

Overall, “I Wish It Lasted Forever” is a must-read for any basketball fan or anyone who wants to relive the glory days of the NBA. Join us as we dive into this captivating book and explore the legacy of the Larry Bird Celtics.

Check out Dan Shaugnessy’s Book, “I Wish it Lasted Forever: Life with the Larry Bird Celtics” here

This segment was taken courtesy of the Cedric Maxwell Podcast. To hear the full episode, go here

The post Life on the Road with Larry Bird and the 1980’s Boston Celtics appeared first on CLNS Media.

Recently, Isiah Thomas gave his reactions to the latest controversy surrounding Memphis Grizzlies’ star player, Ja Morant. After a flurry of news broke earlier this month about Morant and his alleged behavior with guns last summer, Ja sadly doubled down on the accusations with a new gun exhibition on social media, this time in a strip club full of people.

This is the latest in a string of bad press for the NBA and professional athletes in general.

NBA legend and Hall of Famer, Isiah Thomas, shared his thoughts on the matter recently on the Cedric Maxwell Podcast on CLNS Media. “Zeke” shed light on the importance of wisdom and guidance around young NBA players like Ja. He notes that Memphis is one of the newer NBA franchises that, unlike legacy teams such as Boston, LA, New York, Philadelphia & Detroit, Memphis has no “old heads” to guide and mentor their younger players.

Isiah got this “old head” thinking about his statement…

Initially when the news broke about Morant in the summer of 2022 and then again, on his social media, I immediately found myself saddened and very critical of the NBA today. Similar to other outrageous behavior by NBA players surrounding homophobia, antisemitism and conspiracy theories, I was overwhelmed with disgust that the NBA League Office for not speaking out or taking immediate action. I drifted to thoughts of how, since the passing of legendary, heavy fisted, Commissioner Stern passed away, the NBA brass have seemed to take a much more passive approach towards player disciplinary action. I was screaming inside, “If only David Stern were still here!”

As the “curator” of NBA history at CLNS, I never considered how today’s legends of the game are possibly failing young players. As Isiah jogged my mind about teams  like Memphis being devoid of “wisdom” from their former stars, I found myself agreeing and even building upon that premise in my mind. Is it possible that NBA legends are failing today’s players?

There it’s no doubt that the legends of decades past are very active and in the view of fans and players alike. Podcasts, Vidcast and traditional game broadcasts are loaded with a cast of who’s who of NBA royalty. As fans, we are blessed to have guys like Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaq and Reggie Miller around to remind us of how good they were in in their era— I am thankful for that.

It’s also understandable that current players, or newly retired players players-turned media personalities get frustrated with the constant reminders of how good the NBA used to be— I am also thankful for that.

But are the legends too consumed with defending bygone eras instead of celebrating the current players? Are they failing today’s super-maxed out stars by sparring with them instead of inspiring them and guiding them on and off the court?

I believe they are.

Former stars do have a responsibility to mentor and guide. As some one who grew up in the 1980’s and grew into an adult in the 1990’s, retired legends such as Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain (for better and worse…), Doctor Julius Erving, George Gervin, John Havlicek, Jo Jo White, Paul Silas, Jerry West, Dave Cowens, Bob Lanier Tiny Archibald, Bob McAdoo Bob Cousy, Tommy Heinsohn, Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe and many others were a staple in NBA arenas. They didn’t boast that they played in tougher eras or that they were better than guys like Barkley, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson or Michael Jordan, Instead they helped them. They became “ambassadors” of the game around the globe. They’d never succeed in their ambassadorship if they were overly critical.

In decades past, their was rarely a jab from the retired to the current.

So, I do believe former NBA stars have a responsibility to contribute more to the players mental well-being, ability to adjust to instant wealth and fame. After all, though the money was far less back then, the legends of yesteryear still faced similar struggles along their journey. Like Isiah Thomas insinuated, he and his contemporaries certainly benefited from the mentoring and encouragement of good foundational structure within team communities.

I just might be changing my stance on the player – legend dynamic in sports, especially basketball.

I always reserved calling upon the legends for debates with young people and current players for arguments such as who’s generation was the best.. As recently as a week before Ja Morant’s disturbing strip club incident, I had basked in the fury of young fans, being forced to endure another round of critical comments from iconic players like Charles Barkley, Michael Cooper, Cedric Maxwell, Dominique Wilkens and even old school scribes like Bob Ryan and Peter Vescey.

Ja Morant shared a video of himself holding a gun on his Instagram story, which led to widespread criticism and concerns about his safety and reputation. During the podcast, Thomas weighed in on the matter. Isiah fell short of expressing any disappointment in Ja but put a heavy emphasis on the lack of guidance and mentorship surrounding Ja in Memphis.

Thomas emphasized the importance of “wisdom” and experience in the NBA, especially for young players like Ja, who need guidance and support both on and off the court. He also highlights the role of veteran players, coaches, and executives in providing their time, wisdom and leadership for the next generation of NBA stars.

Thomas shares his own experiences and insights as a former NBA player who grew up in poverty on the streets of Chicago.

Though “Zeke” stopped short of adding any criticism or blame on anyone, His statements on how today’s players are taken from poverty and placed among a few dozen co-workers who share millionaire status- not exactly what the average person of any age experiences. These facts raise questions on how current professional athletes are addressing the challenges and pressures they face as young, wealthy professional athletes today. I can’t help but also consider how 24/7 scrutiny is brought on by direct access of fans and the press on social media.

Regardless of celebrity status or every day “Joe,” it’s painful to even ponder how you (or me) would cope with similar scrutiny in public.

I now feel that a little less comparing, criticism and chest pumping from the now senior citizen stars of the 1980’s and 1990’s and a little more mentoring, guidance and, as Zeke put it, “wisdom” would only help today’s stars and thus the NBA as a whole.

It starts at the top though. The NBA community and retired players association, in coordination with the league office needs to step up and provide more support for young players, especially those facing challenges, mental illness and controversies.

Finally, I think it’s important for the stars of the past to act more as the “ambassadors” of the game as the stars that came before them did in decades past. This may not resolve the issues facing today’s players but if the NBA wants to charge into the 21st century with the success that found the league in the last quarter of the 20th century, it’s going to take a team effort and who better to lead the charge than the people who contributed on the court in the 80’s and 90’s?

The trash talking between the former and current players is fun for fans (and for me) but if that is the only interactions current players have with their predecessors, the only thing being hurt is the game of basketball in the future.

Less “trash bagging” and more ambassadoring might not be the solution but it is a positive step towards it.

The post The Ja Morant Saga: Are NBA Legends Failing Today’s Stars? appeared first on CLNS Media.

NBA History was made on Thursday night as LeBron James achieved a remarkable milestone in his career by moving ahead of the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the all-time leading scorer in NBA history. With this accomplishment, James has cemented himself as one of the greatest players to ever grace the court. His hard work and dedication have paid off as he now stands alone atop the leaderboard with a total of 33,655 points scored over his illustrious career. This achievement is a testament to LeBron’s greatness and will be remembered for years to come.

Michael Cooper won 5 championships with Kareem and is still an LA Lakers legend and ambassador. In this episode of Showtime w/ Coop, Michael talks about Kareem and the magnitude of LeBron moving into #1. He also broke down the lakers trade deadline moves and how they impact their playoff rvun.

The post A Historic Moment: Michael Cooper Reacts to LeBron Passing Kareem – Podcast appeared first on CLNS Media.

On this date in 1956 a legend was born in Indiana. Some 21 years later he would be drafted by Red Auerbach and the Boston Celtics. Bird would go on to become one of Boston’s, a city lush with sports heroes, best loved champions.

To celebrate Larry Bird’s birthday we decided to put together this 66 minute highlight reel from all eras of his career. These aren’t the dvd/vhs highlights you’ve been watching your whole life, we dug deep for rare moments and spectacular, often forgotten plays. Because NBA fans adore a good Larry Bird story, we peppered in some of the basketball stars and coaches that played with him, and against him. Enjoy 1 hour & 6 minutes of Larry-Legend on his 66TH birthday.

THE Quintessential Larry Bird Playlist from CLNS’ NBA History Channel:

The post Happy 66th Birthday Larry Bird! Here’s 66 Minutes of Rare Highlights appeared first on CLNS Media.

Showtime with Coop on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-showtime-podcast-w-coop/id1509730329

Showtime with Coop on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0q58PdBd256PEDwENzQAS0

Bob Ryan Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bob-ryan-jeff-goodman-nba-podcast/id1483104123

Bob Ryan Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3aNDiZEFLTBzhuuDRfcIqc

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00:00 – Bob Ryan explains how he started out in sports journalism

00:30 – Bob Ryan grew up in Trenton, how’d he get to Boston?

02:00 – Bob Ryan sports career (little league)

04:00 – Bob Ryan loved to Referee

04:40 – Was Bob Ryan a bully or did he get bullied in high school 04:55 – How did Bob Ryan start writing? PxP? 05:47 – Starting as intern at the Boston Globe in 1968

06:08 – Coops Lightening Round

06:15 – Bob Ryan tells a Tommy Heihnson Story

09:00 – Bob Ryan FORGOT to vote for Bob McAdoo (again) in #nba75

10:09 – Bob Ryan tells a Rick Mahorn Story

11:49 – Bob Ryan tells a Tommy Heihnson Story Extra Keywords:

The post Bob Ryan & Michael Cooper Relive the Celtics Lakers Rivalry of the 80’s – Part 1 appeared first on CLNS Media.