Dennis Rodman makes yet another scathing remark against Larry Birds Dennis Rodman recently sparked controversy with his divisive comments regarding Larry Bird’s continued relevance in the NBA today. In an interview, Rodman asserted that Bird—a well-known player from the 1980s—would not be able to compete in the modern game. He said that Bird’s abilities, which were very useful in his day, would not be suitable in the modern NBA because of its faster tempo and more agility. Rodman continued, saying that Bird would probably be more successful in European leagues than in the NBA if he were still playing today. He clarified that Bird’s style of play was ideal for the 1980s, since it placed a strong emphasis on shooting and basketball intelligence rather than sheer physical might.