[forrestjParticipant]

He would compare to Kyle Korver…That is absurd. Dirk Nowitzki averaged 25 and 7.7 today. Dirk Nowitzki is no Larry Bird. He was a better shooter at least as good of a rebounder and he would talk shit to you. Larry Bird wouldn’t win the MVP then lose to the Warriors in the Playoffs.

He would still get the numbers.

[WrecklessParticipant]

Really?
To Korver? Thats just disrepectful.
Not to mention he could pass also.
He’d be better than Dirk imo

[WrecklessParticipant]

Really?
To Korver? Thats just disrepectful.
Not to mention he could pass also.
He’d be better than Dirk imo

[flybobbyflyParticipant]

Larry birds competitive drive was just on another level.
stupid people think basketball is all about your your athleticism or shot. there is a reason guys like VC and jason richardson never get to the same level as guys like kobe and jordan.
kobe and jordan and bird just compete at a different level. When losing is not an option you tend to win.

[flybobbyflyParticipant]

Larry birds competitive drive was just on another level.
stupid people think basketball is all about your your athleticism or shot. there is a reason guys like VC and jason richardson never get to the same level as guys like kobe and jordan.
kobe and jordan and bird just compete at a different level. When losing is not an option you tend to win.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Would easily be a top 5 player in the league. He is better than Dirk Nowitzki in nearly every way other than being 7’0. He was an incredible passer, on the level of LeBron James, and he was also a 10 per game rebounder FOR HIS CAREER. So, on average, Larry would get around 24 and 10. I even remember that when Dirk won his MVP, Larry had about 9 better seasons than Dirk’s singular MVP season. While Michael Jordan was indeed probably the best player in the league when Larry won his 3 MVP’s, Larry was very much near that level and all of his MVP’s were well deserved. I do not think people really knew how great Larry really was. Watch Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals and read the book When the Game Was Ours, it really gets you into how amazing both players were. Magic and Larry are two of the most brilliant players to have ever played the game. They really were not incredibly athletic, but they were basketball geniuses. Both were leaders and they both made their teammates so much better. 8 rings in the 80’s, pretty damn incredible. Larry also basically blew out his back at the end of his career, which led to his slow decline. He did it during the off-season, when he was making a drive way for his mom, and for the rest of his career from I think ’88 on they had to do crazy things to set his spine up just to be able to play in games. Even with that, he was still a top 10 player in the league. Kyle Korver wishes he could be Larry Bird. So does Dirk Nowitzki. Larry hustled like few others and just had an insane basketball mind. He could play 4 positions and while he may not have been known for his individual defense, he was a fantastic and brutal team defender and averaged 1.7 steals per game for his career. Say what you want about era’s or anything like that, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson would still be on the level of the best players in todays game. Kobe may have surpassed Magic and Bird on my all-time list, and LeBron/Wade both have the chance to do so, but put a Larry Bird in todays NBA and there is no way he is not a top 5 player in the league, ahead of Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant. Magic as well. So, the top 5 players would be Kobe, LeBron, Wade, Bird, Magic, and that would more than likely not be an exact order. Dirk Nowitzki is nowhere near the offensive rebounder, passer or all-around shot creator that Larry was, nor the defender. Dirk is extremely tough to guard, but you could not give Larry an inch of daylight and I do not know of anyone that shut him down when he ultimately wanted to score. If Larry Bird was on Dallas instead of Dirk Nowitzki, odds are that Miami would not have won in 2006. Just a straight fact about a player who is definitely top 10 All-Time.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Would easily be a top 5 player in the league. He is better than Dirk Nowitzki in nearly every way other than being 7’0. He was an incredible passer, on the level of LeBron James, and he was also a 10 per game rebounder FOR HIS CAREER. So, on average, Larry would get around 24 and 10. I even remember that when Dirk won his MVP, Larry had about 9 better seasons than Dirk’s singular MVP season. While Michael Jordan was indeed probably the best player in the league when Larry won his 3 MVP’s, Larry was very much near that level and all of his MVP’s were well deserved. I do not think people really knew how great Larry really was. Watch Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals and read the book When the Game Was Ours, it really gets you into how amazing both players were. Magic and Larry are two of the most brilliant players to have ever played the game. They really were not incredibly athletic, but they were basketball geniuses. Both were leaders and they both made their teammates so much better. 8 rings in the 80’s, pretty damn incredible. Larry also basically blew out his back at the end of his career, which led to his slow decline. He did it during the off-season, when he was making a drive way for his mom, and for the rest of his career from I think ’88 on they had to do crazy things to set his spine up just to be able to play in games. Even with that, he was still a top 10 player in the league. Kyle Korver wishes he could be Larry Bird. So does Dirk Nowitzki. Larry hustled like few others and just had an insane basketball mind. He could play 4 positions and while he may not have been known for his individual defense, he was a fantastic and brutal team defender and averaged 1.7 steals per game for his career. Say what you want about era’s or anything like that, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson would still be on the level of the best players in todays game. Kobe may have surpassed Magic and Bird on my all-time list, and LeBron/Wade both have the chance to do so, but put a Larry Bird in todays NBA and there is no way he is not a top 5 player in the league, ahead of Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant. Magic as well. So, the top 5 players would be Kobe, LeBron, Wade, Bird, Magic, and that would more than likely not be an exact order. Dirk Nowitzki is nowhere near the offensive rebounder, passer or all-around shot creator that Larry was, nor the defender. Dirk is extremely tough to guard, but you could not give Larry an inch of daylight and I do not know of anyone that shut him down when he ultimately wanted to score. If Larry Bird was on Dallas instead of Dirk Nowitzki, odds are that Miami would not have won in 2006. Just a straight fact about a player who is definitely top 10 All-Time.

[Toronto16Participant]

Larry Bird would be better today than he was when he played. His basketball IQ is so high.

[Toronto16Participant]

Larry Bird would be better today than he was when he played. His basketball IQ is so high.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

Larry Bird would be every bit as valuable as player in the league… watch some video on him and it’s obvious he’s extremely athletic. You can’t alway be the best player on the floor if you are not athletic. As for all of Birds Hall of Fame teammates… they were excellent players, but there’s a good chance none would have ever been close had they not played along side Bird.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

Larry Bird would be every bit as valuable as player in the league… watch some video on him and it’s obvious he’s extremely athletic. You can’t alway be the best player on the floor if you are not athletic. As for all of Birds Hall of Fame teammates… they were excellent players, but there’s a good chance none would have ever been close had they not played along side Bird.

[billykParticipant]

I wouldnt call Bird “extremely athletic”…

[billykParticipant]

I wouldnt call Bird “extremely athletic”…

[Toronto16Participant]

Wow. If Larry Bird is “extremly athletic” then Steve Nash is the next Vince Carter.

[Toronto16Participant]

Wow. If Larry Bird is “extremly athletic” then Steve Nash is the next Vince Carter.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

I guess you think it’s possible to be one of the top 4 or 5 players in history without being “extremely athletic”.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

I guess you think it’s possible to be one of the top 4 or 5 players in history without being “extremely athletic”.

[PureshooterParticipant]

I wouldn’t call Bird “extremely athletic”, but he was very agile for 6’9″. He always put up big numbers against the 80’s Lakers, which was a very athletic team even by today’s standards, so to think his game wouldn’t translate is ridiculous.

[PureshooterParticipant]

I wouldn’t call Bird “extremely athletic”, but he was very agile for 6’9″. He always put up big numbers against the 80’s Lakers, which was a very athletic team even by today’s standards, so to think his game wouldn’t translate is ridiculous.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

Did I say Bird was an all-time leaper… there’s more to athleticism than dunking a basketball. I guess the passes Bird made and Nash stills makes are ordinary, huh? That doesn’t qualify as athleticism? The fact that Both Bird and Nash are considered to be a couple of the best shooters in NBA history doesn’t qualify?

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

Did I say Bird was an all-time leaper… there’s more to athleticism than dunking a basketball. I guess the passes Bird made and Nash stills makes are ordinary, huh? That doesn’t qualify as athleticism? The fact that Both Bird and Nash are considered to be a couple of the best shooters in NBA history doesn’t qualify?

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

Compared to Michael Jordan… he’s not extremely athletic. Compared to the typical of human he is.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

Compared to Michael Jordan… he’s not extremely athletic. Compared to the typical of human he is.

[MkadozaParticipant]

But we aren’t talking about normal humans. We’re talking about NBA players in from the 80’s to now. And he wasn’t extremely athletic (or physically explosive), but he was an excellent athlete. He had elite conditioning, good lateral quickness for his height, and some of the best hands, footwork, and anticipation of any small forward ever. There were only a handful of players that had superior post moves, McHale (many people, include Charles Barkley called him the hardest person to defend in the post he’s ever played) Barkley himself, Chamberlain, Walton, Kareem. I question if Hakeem or Duncan were anymore effective than Bird in the post. His skill level and IQ would have allowed him to play positions 2-4 with no trouble today.

Respect your elders!!!

[MkadozaParticipant]

But we aren’t talking about normal humans. We’re talking about NBA players in from the 80’s to now. And he wasn’t extremely athletic (or physically explosive), but he was an excellent athlete. He had elite conditioning, good lateral quickness for his height, and some of the best hands, footwork, and anticipation of any small forward ever. There were only a handful of players that had superior post moves, McHale (many people, include Charles Barkley called him the hardest person to defend in the post he’s ever played) Barkley himself, Chamberlain, Walton, Kareem. I question if Hakeem or Duncan were anymore effective than Bird in the post. His skill level and IQ would have allowed him to play positions 2-4 with no trouble today.

Respect your elders!!!

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

I know what I meant by my comment.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

I know what I meant by my comment.

[MkadozaParticipant]

I didnt mean anything by the repect your elder comment, except to respect the players who dominated the eras leading up to today’s game. I didn’t mean anything by it if there was any confusion.

[MkadozaParticipant]

I didnt mean anything by the repect your elder comment, except to respect the players who dominated the eras leading up to today’s game. I didn’t mean anything by it if there was any confusion.

[Zeke33Participant]

Larry Bird was also a very underated rebounder. he put up double doubles night after night. Larry Bird would still be an MVP canidate and winner in the league today. Sure hes not that athletic. but u dont need to be a great athlete to be a great basketball player. Dirk and Pierce are about as athletic as bird and Bird would absolutly make them look stupid. Bird saw the play before anyone else did. and if the 80’s had the knowledge and training that the NBA has today then He would be a better athlete which would make him and even better player than he was. I hate hearing people say Larry wouldnt be as good in the L today. thats ridiculous and whoever says that knows zero about basketball. Bird and Magic made what the game is today and saved the NBA.

[Zeke33Participant]

Larry Bird was also a very underated rebounder. he put up double doubles night after night. Larry Bird would still be an MVP canidate and winner in the league today. Sure hes not that athletic. but u dont need to be a great athlete to be a great basketball player. Dirk and Pierce are about as athletic as bird and Bird would absolutly make them look stupid. Bird saw the play before anyone else did. and if the 80’s had the knowledge and training that the NBA has today then He would be a better athlete which would make him and even better player than he was. I hate hearing people say Larry wouldnt be as good in the L today. thats ridiculous and whoever says that knows zero about basketball. Bird and Magic made what the game is today and saved the NBA.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

None taken…. my point is that Bird was a “world class” athlete and by definition alone that makes him extremely athletic.
It doesn’t matter if you are biking, running, swimming, jumping etc. etc… Doesn’t have to be just slam dunking a basketball.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

None taken…. my point is that Bird was a “world class” athlete and by definition alone that makes him extremely athletic.
It doesn’t matter if you are biking, running, swimming, jumping etc. etc… Doesn’t have to be just slam dunking a basketball.

[MkadozaParticipant]

I agree with both of you, though my debate with PurpleMonkey is merely semantical in nature. Bird would be at worst the 4th best player in the league. I have Bird above Paul, Williams, Melo, Durant, Dirk, Howard ect. I would see 24.7 pts, 8.6 rebs, 5.3 asts, 1.6 stl, 1.1 blocks, and even more threes than before. Definitely an MVP candidate.

BTW, in my opinion Magic in his prime would put up 17.9, 7.0 and 12.5 on a good team, and 23.3, 6.7 and 9.2 if he was the primary scorer

[MkadozaParticipant]

I agree with both of you, though my debate with PurpleMonkey is merely semantical in nature. Bird would be at worst the 4th best player in the league. I have Bird above Paul, Williams, Melo, Durant, Dirk, Howard ect. I would see 24.7 pts, 8.6 rebs, 5.3 asts, 1.6 stl, 1.1 blocks, and even more threes than before. Definitely an MVP candidate.

BTW, in my opinion Magic in his prime would put up 17.9, 7.0 and 12.5 on a good team, and 23.3, 6.7 and 9.2 if he was the primary scorer

[billykParticipant]

Bird was an average athlete.. He wasnt “extremely athletic,” he was more of cerebal player.. He was a professional basketball player that was well conditioned, but dont confused it for being “extremely athletic.”

[billykParticipant]

Bird was an average athlete.. He wasnt “extremely athletic,” he was more of cerebal player.. He was a professional basketball player that was well conditioned, but dont confused it for being “extremely athletic.”

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

Look at #1 on the video above… keep your oppinion, It won’t affect mine.

Stereotyping such as this has always followed Bird.

Bird must have scored with just his mind?

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

Look at #1 on the video above… keep your oppinion, It won’t affect mine.

Stereotyping such as this has always followed Bird.

Bird must have scored with just his mind?

[billykParticipant]

I dont NEED to watch a You Tube highlight video of Larry Bird… I have watched him play numerous times and I can tell you that Larry Bird was NOT an “extremely athletic.” He was a HECK of a player but he was an average athlete… He scored because he had a high bball IQ, super NICE jumper, and he played his ass off… How I am sterotyping Larry Bird???

[billykParticipant]

I dont NEED to watch a You Tube highlight video of Larry Bird… I have watched him play numerous times and I can tell you that Larry Bird was NOT an “extremely athletic.” He was a HECK of a player but he was an average athlete… He scored because he had a high bball IQ, super NICE jumper, and he played his ass off… How I am sterotyping Larry Bird???

[bullsfan121212]

has the best court awareness of all time. plus he could stoke the ball and his basketball iq was through the roof. great rebounder as well

his athleticism was average but hand to eye coordination was amazing

[bullsfan121212]

has the best court awareness of all time. plus he could stoke the ball and his basketball iq was through the roof. great rebounder as well

his athleticism was average but hand to eye coordination was amazing

[mrknowitall313Participant]

me and boys was having this talk the other day and i truly believe he would be a good player if he played now. yall are basing yall opinions on what he did in his era. you have look at it as he never played the nba and with just his skills alone. he was a great shooter and a good rebounder but would b very slow against todays small forwards and too small and not athletic enough. tough he was a great passer he wasnt a good ball handler. he played in a slower but tougher league back then. alot of those old school players couldnt play in todays league

[mrknowitall313Participant]

me and boys was having this talk the other day and i truly believe he would be a good player if he played now. yall are basing yall opinions on what he did in his era. you have look at it as he never played the nba and with just his skills alone. he was a great shooter and a good rebounder but would b very slow against todays small forwards and too small and not athletic enough. tough he was a great passer he wasnt a good ball handler. he played in a slower but tougher league back then. alot of those old school players couldnt play in todays league

[billykParticipant]

“alot of those old school players couldnt play in todays league”- Disagree… Star players and HOFERs from the 80s to 90s could play in easily TODAYS league…

[billykParticipant]

“alot of those old school players couldnt play in todays league”- Disagree… Star players and HOFERs from the 80s to 90s could play in easily TODAYS league…

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

So what your saying is your oppinion supersedes fact, huh? Fact being… if you qualify as an olympic athlete you are by definition a “world class athlete” which is actually greater than being extremely athletic.

And I supose the assoc. press was wrong when they named Larry Bird “Athlete of the Year 1985”. They must give those to everybody.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

So what your saying is your oppinion supersedes fact, huh? Fact being… if you qualify as an olympic athlete you are by definition a “world class athlete” which is actually greater than being extremely athletic.

And I supose the assoc. press was wrong when they named Larry Bird “Athlete of the Year 1985”. They must give those to everybody.

[billykParticipant]

Dunno I give up.. If you believe he was a “extremely athletic,” thats your opinion.. But, I feel you are confusing Bird as an athlete (person participating in a sport) and him being athletic (a person physical capabilities) those are two diffrent things…

[billykParticipant]

Dunno I give up.. If you believe he was a “extremely athletic,” thats your opinion.. But, I feel you are confusing Bird as an athlete (person participating in a sport) and him being athletic (a person physical capabilities) those are two diffrent things…

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

I’m not confused on anything… a definiton has nothing to do with my own personal oppinion.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

I’m not confused on anything… a definiton has nothing to do with my own personal oppinion.

[midwestbbscoutParticipant]

defies all logic of white men playing basketball….his average athleticism is masked by being in the right place at all times……ALL TIMES….

[midwestbbscoutParticipant]

defies all logic of white men playing basketball….his average athleticism is masked by being in the right place at all times……ALL TIMES….

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

And how would you explain that? Is it something you learned on the Discovery channel?

You must be just be one of them “learners”.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

And how would you explain that? Is it something you learned on the Discovery channel?

You must be just be one of them “learners”.

[midwestbbscoutParticipant]

shark week

[midwestbbscoutParticipant]

shark week

[stanford hoops]

Larry bird was a average athlete by NBA standards and basketball standards. There were many in college and even hs who could jump higher run faster them him but they weren’t as skilled or smart. Just because you play in the NBA but doesn’t mean you’re a world class athlete. You don’t even have to be very athletic to play in the NBA. You don’t have to jump higher then normal or faster then normal. It has more to do with skill. Why you think older guards who can’t dunk or run very fast still last I’m the NBA. Because of skills and iq

hell bird even said in interviews that he was a average athlete but he knew the game and out worked his competition

[stanford hoops]

Larry bird was a average athlete by NBA standards and basketball standards. There were many in college and even hs who could jump higher run faster them him but they weren’t as skilled or smart. Just because you play in the NBA but doesn’t mean you’re a world class athlete. You don’t even have to be very athletic to play in the NBA. You don’t have to jump higher then normal or faster then normal. It has more to do with skill. Why you think older guards who can’t dunk or run very fast still last I’m the NBA. Because of skills and iq

hell bird even said in interviews that he was a average athlete but he knew the game and out worked his competition

[midwestbbscoutParticipant]

pullin….he’s the best shooter I ever saw until I layed eyes on Steph Curry….

[midwestbbscoutParticipant]

pullin….he’s the best shooter I ever saw until I layed eyes on Steph Curry….

[Author]

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