watching the Celtics game last night I mentioned to the people I was watching the game with that I was not sure Larry Bird would have even been a starter for this Celtics team which seems so much stronger and faster than the teams of the 80s. I just dont think Bird could have matched the athleticism of the new age Celtics. This created a really interstinig debate as some of the room agreed and some disagreed. What do you think?
I love this game wrote:
watching the Celtics game last night I mentioned to the people I was watching the game with that I was not sure Larry Bird would have even been a starter for this Celtics team which seems so much stronger and faster than the teams of the 80s. I just dont think Bird could have matched the athleticism of the new age Celtics. This created a really interstinig debate as some of the room agreed and some disagreed. What do you think?
Dumb question. It's not like the NBA in the 80's wasn't athletic. Dr J, George Gervin, Magic, Darryl Dawkins, Moses Malone, 'Nique... these guys were as athletic as anyone in today's game, and Bird still dominated. Plus, being allowed to carry the ball - as today's players are allowed - would add a nice new dimension to his game.
So, yes, he'd start. And he'd probably average 25 a game, collect 7-8 boards, a handful of slick assists, and knock down game winners in the clutch.
You make it sound as though "athleticism" alone defines greatness in today's NBA, and you assume players weren't athletic 20+ years ago. Dumb... and dumber.
All you have to do is go to youtube and judge for yourself who's stronger and faster.
This is a slam dunk.
What are you,15 years old or stupid?
People were saying he wasn't athletic enough back then too.
How did that opinion turn out?
This is similar to a discussion I had a few months ago with my much younger cousins about today's current NBA superstars vs. The Dream Team.
Any thoughts?
Its not a real interesting debate at all. Larry Bird would not only start for this Boston Celtic team, he would also be the best player on the team. Your argument that "Bird could not match the athleticism of the new age Celtics" totally misses the mark. Larry Bird couldn't jump high or move fast. But knew how to play the game of basketball better than anyone. Ask Magic Johnson about Larry Bird. He will tell you that Bird was a great player that knew how to win. And he knew how to beat people who jumped higher and moved faster than he did. Son, you obviously don't know much about Larry Bird. Get educated!
At his best, Bird would start on any team at any time. Who could possibly question that?
Yes, the people that were arguing that he wouldn't start are idiots. Larry Bird was the best player on the best team of all time (1986 C's), which also during the most competitive period in NBA history. Nobody could guard him. I would love to have him on the current Celtics. The C's could go small and play Bird at the 4. Thinking about Rondo and Bird playing together makes me hot and bothered. I need a cigarette and a nap.
I either agree with the others that think you don't know a thing about basketball, or I think you are 1/2 way decent troll.
Is Paul Piece that incredible of an athlete?? No, he is in fact a lot like Bird in that he is very smart, is quick, and does everything quite well (shoot outside, drive, shoot free throws, pass, rebound). In fact, he is a black Larry Bird junior. He's great, but he's no Larry Bird.
And Ray Allen? Is he really that tremendous of an athlete? Not really, he is just a brilliant outside shooter, and pretty good at some other aspects of the game.
Larry was quite clearly one of the top 5 or 10 all time players at his peak. So there is obviously no "interesting debate" to be had on this topic.
Having said all that, I do love this Celtics team. Look what they did Kobe two years ago in the finals? Made him look very, very ordinary. Look what they did to Lebron in the last series? Same thing. Dwight "superman" Howard? More like Lois Lane. This is no coincidence. The Celts play great D and play as a team. They make superstars look ordinary, which isn't easy.
Magic Johnson said that when you played against Bird he was going to do something that you've never seen before.
Bird wasn't athletic? He led one of the best fastbreak eams of all-time. As a 6-9 forward, he was one of the top rebounders in the league for his entire career. One of the best scorers in league history despite being mugged constantly by 2-3 players. Best of all he was the king of smack, often telling defenders where is next shot was going to be and "there ain't nuthin you can do about it"
A mostly white running forum is not the place for this discusion. Bird was the great white hype and the white fans needed someone to keep their interest and make them still feel attached to the game. There have been so few quality white players in the league over the past 2o years that the white fans still consider Bird their basketball god. As such he was the most overrated player of all time with overinflated stats. He would not have been the best player on any team today, but he may have been a starter on most teams because he could shoot better than most players today. However, I'm not sure he would be a starter on this Celtics team which is very defensively minded, because he would have struggled to defend most forwards in the game today. Think back to how he could not defend Dominique at all.
2/10
....Nice try....
"You shoulda had more than one guy on me"
The truth hurts wrote:
A mostly white running forum is not the place for this discusion. Bird was the great white hype and the white fans needed someone to keep their interest and make them still feel attached to the game. There have been so few quality white players in the league over the past 2o years that the white fans still consider Bird their basketball god. As such he was the most overrated player of all time with overinflated stats. He would not have been the best player on any team today, but he may have been a starter on most teams because he could shoot better than most players today. However, I'm not sure he would be a starter on this Celtics team which is very defensively minded, because he would have struggled to defend most forwards in the game today. Think back to how he could not defend Dominique at all.
Ah, the thoughts of a 14 year old.
How many rings does Dominique have?
1/10......Troll
There was a fantastic article in ESPN magazine a few years back by Simpson. The title was
Remember Greatness: Because someday, someone will try to tell you it wasn't.
One of the best pieces I've ever read. The author, having watched LeBron do some amazing performance, was surprised to find himself dissing Jordan (yes Michael F-ing Jordan) in comparison. Later on he was embarassed to have done so. That sentiment prompted the article.
How true.
I can't find it online anywhere but I'm going to try to type the thing up and post it. It was that good.
Who could guard Dominique? And could Dominique guard anybody? Weak argument.
The only players that actually played against Bird that employed your argument were Rodman and Isiah, right after they were defeated by the Celtics. Isiah is one of the greatest sore losers of all time and everyone thought his comments were ridiculous immediately. Watch the Bird-Magic doc that HBO put out a few months ago for further clarity.
Its terrifying anyone could even think about this question, but to actually say it out loud and type it into lets run...
First, no matter who is counting, there are only 4 Celtics that belong on the same court as Larry.
Second, at his best, Larry could have taken the job of any of the current Celtics at any time in their career, even Rondo. Rondo as a PG has averaged 7.7 assists over the last 3 years. In his top 3 years, Larry averaged 7.4 (7.1 for 3 years in a row) as a SF.
Finally, this years Celtics are themselves old and unathletic at least compared to James, but that didn't help much, did it?
Old schooler wrote:
At his best, Bird would start on any team at any time. Who could possibly question that?
I agree 100%. I didnt like the guy because I was a Laker fan, but he was one of the best that ever played the game.