Michael Cooper on Guarding Larry Bird, Kobe’s Draft Workout, 80’s Players Getting Disrespected

Lakers legend Michael Cooper joins All The Smoke for a walk down memory lane that reveals untold stories behind one of basketball’s most celebrated defensive titans. The newly inducted Hall of Famer breaks down his incredible journey from junior college underdog to becoming the ultimate “Larry Bird stopper” during the iconic Showtime Lakers era. Cooper pulls back the curtain on his legendary defensive prowess—a career that earned him Defensive Player of the Year in 1987 and eight All-NBA Defensive team selections. Matt and Stak get Cooper to open up about his remarkable transformation from NBA player to successful WNBA coach, sharing intimate stories about basketball royalty like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lisa Leslie, Kobe Bryant, and more. From guarding the game’s most challenging opponents to navigating the competitive landscape of professional basketball, Cooper delivers raw, unfiltered insights that only a true basketball icon can provide.

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