Larry Bird's passing

[fpliii]

Some crazy touch passes from 1:48-2:22 :eek: :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX8ipponmSc

Nice 3 part passing skills series:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o66NdFDHEQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gqDadqF3Ns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbFNQoY8RFk

A couple of great videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhnRtgBGMl4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziM3HHFk1BM

[Le Shaqtus]

GOAT passing Forward

[oarabbus]

:bowdown:

[Fire Colangelo]

GOAT forward.

[SHAQisGOAT]

Seen pretty much all of that, best passing non-guard :bowdown:

Don't forget this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTI-Cmkp87A
Great stuff, imho he's the GOAT outlet passer, overlooked aspect of his game.

[DonDadda59]

Seen pretty much all of that, best passing non-guard :bowdown:

Don't forget this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTI-Cmkp87A
Great stuff, imho he's the GOAT outlet passer, overlooked aspect of his game.

Damn... that's some Peyton Manningesque accuracy on those full court passes.

*Regular Season Peyton, not playoff Peyton*

[r0drig0lac]

bird destroy the current league easier than it did in his day, he's just a different level

[fpliii]

Unrelated...there's a lot of talk about Bird not being quick enough in this league. Fact is, Bird played a lot of his time at the 4, and only went to the 3 when McHale became a big part of those teams. Bird was a tremendous help defender and great post defender.

He didn't have the lateral quickness to keep up with faster SFs, but on any other team he wouldn't need to do so. In today's game, with all the small-ball lineups, Bird would almost certainly play the stretch-4. Other than maybe 2-3 squads, he'd play the PF for every team in the NBA today.

[plowking]

Bird is the player that made me love to pass on the basketball court. Made it cool to me I guess.

Throwing a nice, unexpected, great pass to a teammate to this day is my favourite thing to do on the court.

[Fire Colangelo]

Unrelated...there's a lot of talk about Bird not being quick enough in this league. Fact is, Bird played a lot of his time at the 4, and only went to the 3 when McHale became a big part of those teams. Bird was a tremendous help defender and great post defender.

He didn't have the lateral quickness to keep up with faster SFs, but on any other team he wouldn't need to do so. In today's game, with all the small-ball lineups, Bird would almost certainly play the stretch-4. Other than maybe 2-3 squads, he'd play the PF for every team in the NBA today.

He'd probably have trouble with Durant and LeBron, but then again, everyone does. I actually think he'd be fine against Carmelo and PG.

Makes me wonder... If only Kevin Love can improve his pathetic defense. He could be like a poor man's Larry Bird with better rebounding.

[pauk]

GOAT passing Forward

You could say that with utmost comfort for a couple of decades, but after THIS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT-zhe-5ORA) guy came along its not as easy... and Bird is one of my favorite players of all time...

[Micku]

Unrelated...there's a lot of talk about Bird not being quick enough in this league. Fact is, Bird played a lot of his time at the 4, and only went to the 3 when McHale became a big part of those teams. Bird was a tremendous help defender and great post defender.

He didn't have the lateral quickness to keep up with faster SFs, but on any other team he wouldn't need to do so. In today's game, with all the small-ball lineups, Bird would almost certainly play the stretch-4. Other than maybe 2-3 squads, he'd play the PF for every team in the NBA today.

Bird said that he would play PF today. But not because of his lack of quickness, but because of how it's less physical now and he would work the post. I think he said it on his interview with Bill Simmons?

But I do think he'll be a perfect stretch 4.

[Cangri]

You could say that with utmost comfort for a couple of decades, but after THIS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT-zhe-5ORA) guy came along its not as easy... and Bird is one of my favorite players of all time...
I have to say I agree, Bird's passes are great, but some of Lebron's passes are unbelievable.

[SHAQisGOAT]

Unrelated...there's a lot of talk about Bird not being quick enough in this league. Fact is, Bird played a lot of his time at the 4, and only went to the 3 when McHale became a big part of those teams. Bird was a tremendous help defender and great post defender.

He didn't have the lateral quickness to keep up with faster SFs, but on any other team he wouldn't need to do so. In today's game, with all the small-ball lineups, Bird would almost certainly play the stretch-4. Other than maybe 2-3 squads, he'd play the PF for every team in the NBA today.


Yup, that's bullshit talk, clear to see on that athleticism video you just posted, he was no way a great athlete but definitely above average when you consider everything.. 6'9 w/o shoes, over 220 lbs, pretty strong, pretty mobile for his size, really quick hands, great hand-eye coordination, deceptively quick, very coordinated, and great footwork made him really quick in small spaces. Plus, like you've said, he was more like a beastly all-around stretch 4, projected as one as well.
Too big/tall for most SF's with ability to kill them down-low and mobility+outside-game makes him also a mismatch for most PF's. He'd be even better today at the 4 with all the small-ball and less physicality.
Said it before, you can say he was making somewhat of an "effort" by guarding some of those quick SF's, even before McHale was there or starting.

Yea, Bird would be mostly a PF on most teams - or say, playing alongside a SF - and not just now, but during his day and across history. And yes he was more impactful being able to roam around and guarding PF's. Great team D, good post defender, plus he could easily hold his own on the perimeter before back issues though.
Few PF's today are good enough down-low to "make" Bird move to the 3, peak McHale was ridiculous in the post and the Celtics were better off with him and Bird in the starting 5.

[fpliii]

Yup, that's bullshit talk, clear to see on that athleticism video you just posted, he was no way a great athlete but definitely above average when you consider everything.. 6'9 w/o shoes, over 220 lbs, pretty strong, pretty mobile for his size, really quick hands, great hand-eye coordination, deceptively quick, very coordinated, and great footwork made him really quick in small spaces. Plus, like you've said, he was more like a beastly all-around stretch 4, projected as one as well.
Too big/tall for most SF's with ability to kill them down-low and mobility+outside-game makes him also a mismatch for most PF's. He'd be even better today at the 4 with all the small-ball and less physicality.
Said it before, you can say he was making somewhat of an "effort" by guarding some of those quick SF's, even before McHale was there or starting.

Yea, Bird would be mostly a PF on most teams - or say, playing alongside a SF - and not just now, but during his day and across history. And yes he was more impactful being able to roam around and guarding PF's. Great team D, good post defender, plus he could easily hold his own on the perimeter before back issues though.
Few PF's today are good enough down-low to "make" Bird move to the 3, peak McHale was ridiculous in the post and the Celtics were better off with him and Bird in the starting 5.
:cheers:

[SHAQisGOAT]

He'd probably have trouble with Durant and LeBron, but then again, everyone does. I actually think he'd be fine against Carmelo and PG.

Makes me wonder... If only Kevin Love can improve his pathetic defense. He could be like a poor man's Larry Bird with better rebounding.

Yes, well said. People also need to realize that you won't even see Lebron guarding a great scoring SF for long stretches, and even more for players like Melo or Durant. Plus those type of guys give problems to any player, and back on the other end, Bird would most likely give them more trouble (if they were guarding him), considering his game and mentality.

He's not, overall, as athletic as Bird before injuries, and also not as skilled and smart, I can't see him getting even remotely close to Bird's level defense at this point, but he can and should definitely improve on that, plus put in more effort.

[SHAQisGOAT]

Damn... that's some Peyton Manningesque accuracy on those full court passes.

*Regular Season Peyton, not playoff Peyton*

:D Yea

Crazy accuracy, precision and speed :eek:

[pauk]

I have to say I agree, Bird's passes are great, but some of Lebron's passes are unbelievable.

I mean i still think Bird is GOAT passing non-PG/forward, but i just think LBJ perhaps belongs up there aswell in this department, in my "2-man best passing forward mt rushmore" or something.

Anyways, this is why Bird is my favorite player of all time, not just because of passing but he had just everything i wanted to see in a basketball player... i think he is the only guy in history you could call most skilled player ever, best passing non-pg/forward ever, best shooter ever, best clutch player ever, smartest player ever and not sound way to absurd, he is in argument for all of that.....

He was like a guy you created on NBA 2K with all sliders at max, except you forgot the athleticism part.

[SHAQisGOAT]

I mean i still think Bird is GOAT passing non-PG/forward, but i just think LBJ perhaps belongs up there aswell in this department, in my "2-man best passing forward mt rushmore" or something.



Think I would call LBJ the #2 non-guard passer, yes. Bron's got great passing skill and he's more than athletic enough to run point which is major, he can handle the rock, demands a double-team plenty of times, plus he can and he's willing to pass. And what should be appreciated about Lebron is that he makes the right play plenty of times, he's not more skilled than a Pistol Pete, I'll most likely say that he can't pass quite like Pistol but while Maravich would try the most difficult outlandish shit, most flashy play (or pass in this case), Lebron is just the opposite.

[Prometheus]

Nostalgia nerds and history snobs will disagree with me, but LeBron is a slightly better passer than Bird. Bird is #2 all time as a non-guard passer.

[Pointguard]

I see him as a stretch 4 today too. I always thought of him as being big because he was real physical. The thing I loved about his game was that he could explode on the defense, from anywhere within 24 feet as a great passer, great shooter, guy that will outwit you or penetrate. He was at once a guy that could beat you in a half of dozen ways.

[TheMarkMadsen]

RIP Larry Legend

[MichaelCorleone]

GOAT passing Forward
Lebron James.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Nostalgia nerds and history snobs will disagree with me, but LeBron is a slightly better passer than Bird. Bird is #2 all time as a non-guard passer.

Hey fpliii, where do you rate Bird as a player today?

[Prometheus]

Hey fpliii, where do you rate Bird as a player today?

:oldlol: Are you once again accusing us of being the same person? I love it.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

:oldlol: Are you once again accusing us of being the same person? I love it.

IDK. I'm pretty sure someone said you were, fpliii :confusedshrug:

Where do you rate Bird as a player in today's game?

[Prometheus]

IDK. I'm pretty sure someone said you were, fpliii :confusedshrug:

Where do you rate Bird as a player in today's game?

fpliii, as far as I can tell, is 100% objective basketball talk all day every day. You should be able to tell that we're not the same person because I kinda go back and forth between just casually talking hoops on the one hand, and on the other hand going all-out troll/stan mode.

If he were playing today in his prime, I believe Bird would be neck and neck and neck with LeBron and KD for the title of best player alive. At his peak he might have the edge over them both. Tough to call though... I'm just saying LeBron is a better passer. Bird's shooting and attitude made him better though.

[fpliii]

IDK. I'm pretty sure someone said you were, fpliii :confusedshrug:
That was that troll mehyaM24. He also said we're both moe, as well as someone else (Cavs or someone). Nothing against this guy (or any of the others), but I don't have an alt on this site. Not my style.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

fpliii, as far as I can tell, is 100% objective basketball talk all day every day. You should be able to tell that we're not the same person because I kinda go back and forth between just casually talking hoops on the one hand, and on the other hand going all-out troll/stan mode.

If he were playing today in his prime, I believe Bird would be neck and neck and neck with LeBron and KD for the title of best player alive. At his peak he might have the edge over them both. Tough to call though... I'm just saying LeBron is a better passer. Bird's shooting and attitude made him better though.

I'm not as active on here, so I wouldn't even be able to tell. Not a big deal.

I agree with you, though. The thing w/ Larry is, dude was able to up-stage some of THE most athletic players in NBA history (MJ, Pippen, Malone, Wilkins) just off IQ and skill - so I am not sure why losers on here think he'd be some washed up bench-player today.

Many would argue that 1986 was his best season, but dude was f*cking scary in '87, averaging ~28 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists (7.6). Those are Lebron-like numbers, except with elite shooting and insane clutch-play.


That was that troll mehyaM24. He also said we're both moe, as well as someone else (Cavs or someone). Nothing against this guy (or any of the others), but I don't have an alt on this site. Not my style.

Ah. Yeah, he is one of the worst posters here. I cringe at everything that idiot posts :oldlol:

[Prometheus]

I agree with you, though. The thing w/ Larry is, dude was able to up-stage some of THE most athletic players in NBA history (MJ, Pippen, Malone, Wilkins) just off IQ and skill - so I am not sure why losers on here think he'd be some washed up bench-player today.


:biggums: Someone actually said this? :biggums:

I've seen people talk such nonsense about Wilt, but Larry was too recent for that shit.

[reppy]

FFS, I interpreted this thread's title to mean that Bird had died.

[Micku]

Nostalgia nerds and history snobs will disagree with me, but LeBron is a slightly better passer than Bird. Bird is #2 all time as a non-guard passer.

I disagree with you my good sir.

[Champ]

Seen pretty much all of that, best passing non-guard :bowdown:

Don't forget this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTI-Cmkp87A
Great stuff, imho he's the GOAT outlet passer, overlooked aspect of his game.

Arguably the GOAT inbound passer, as well. He was the de facto inbound passer for the Celtics for most of his career. Someone should make a video on those highlights.

I can remember when Bird first came into the league, he would always be in a hurry to pass the ball in-bounds before defenses could get set, but officials always had this habit of waiting and checking the ball before giving it to him.

About his second or third year in the league, rules where modified so that the inbounder no longer had to wait for the official, and that's when his unexpected sideline passing really took off.

[Marlo_Stanfield]

LeBron is slightly better.
bird might be 0,5 % more skilled but LeBron has better courtvision do to him jumping over everyone and then scanning the court and can complete some passes Bird never could because of his strenght.
there is also a video of Birds hardest passes and how LeBron has done those exact passes as well.
still Larry Legend is THE most creative non PG passer ever:applause:

[Odinn]

And here comes the LeBron-revisionists.

LeBron is not a better passer. LeBron is better at playmaking which is different. Bird didn't need to dominate the ball to make a great pass. And his pure passing skill is better, too.

[Marlo_Stanfield]

And here comes the LeBron-revisionists.

LeBron is not a better passer. LeBron is better at playmaking which is different. Bird didn't need to dominate the ball to make a great pass. And his pure passing skill is better, too.
i said Bird is the slightly better passer but its marginal.
LeBrons playmaking edge is bigger than Birds passing edge:applause:

[ArbitraryWater]

2nd greatest non guard passer ever :applause: wow respect to the legend :cheers:

[Euroleague]

You could say that with utmost comfort for a couple of decades, but after THIS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT-zhe-5ORA) guy came along its not as easy... and Bird is one of my favorite players of all time...

STOP DOING DRUGS

[riseagainst]

i said Bird is the slightly better passer but its marginal.
LeBrons playmaking edge is bigger than Birds passing edge:applause:

yeah, you never seen Bird play....

[riseagainst]

retarded lebron stans in here....

[MightyWhitey]

Some crazy touch passes from 1:48-2:22 :eek: :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX8ipponmSc

Nice 3 part passing skills series:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o66NdFDHEQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gqDadqF3Ns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbFNQoY8RFk

A couple of great videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhnRtgBGMl4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziM3HHFk1BM
Larry is the GOAT period.

[ProfessorMurder]

Dude made passes nobody has ever made before or after. Legend.

[davehos]

FFS, I interpreted this thread's title to mean that Bird had died.


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3sflsc4wJyo/Thuoe-ANu3I/AAAAAAAAAR4/trQlQs7SDCg/s400/Alex%2BCormack%2BLarry%2BBird%2Band%2BDr%2BJ%2Bzom bie.jpg

Source: http://alexcormack.blogspot.com/

[Miller for 3]

Top 3 passer ever, easily best passing non guard. Lebron would not make my top 10 best passing SFs ever, so the Bran stans can kindly exit the thread and maybe enter the Brent Barry passing thread, where Lebron has an argument, but by all objective measures is still firmly trailing

[Prometheus]

Top 3 passer ever, easily best passing non guard. Lebron would not make my top 10 best passing SFs ever, so the Bran stans can kindly exit the thread and maybe enter the Brent Barry passing thread, where Lebron has an argument, but by all objective measures is still firmly trailing

:sleeping

[Hands of Iron]

Favorite aspect of his game, and there's a whole lot to love.

One of the most prolific, intelligent and creative passers in NBA history. It was a devastating weapon of his arsenal.

[Paul George 24]

I have to say I agree, Bird's passes are great, but some of Lebron's passes are unbelievable.

lebron's pass is nothing special

[Paul George 24]

Lebron James.

did bird turnover as mcuh as leflop :lol

[Paul George 24]

LeBron is slightly better.
bird might be 0,5 % more skilled but LeBron has better courtvision do to him jumping over everyone and then scanning the court and can complete some passes Bird never could because of his strenght.
there is also a video of Birds hardest passes and how LeBron has done those exact passes as well.
still Larry Legend is THE most creative non PG passer ever:applause:

lol :roll:

[SpanishACB]

I understand nostalgia and how we're all victim to it.

But I watch them Bird passing highlights, then I watch Lebron's.

And whilst Lebron's overall skill and edge in athletisma allows him to pull up the same technical moves as Larry, the latter's IQ dwarfs the Miami Heat's player it's not even a contest.

Are we guys watching the same passes?

[played0ut]

Bird's edge skillwise is that basketball wise, he's near fundamentally flawless. There was a part on Open Court where they were all talking about the greats (MJ and Bird) benefitted immensely from great college coaches who taught them all how to play the game properly (the right cuts, footwork, hands in passing lanes, etc).

They would say that although not as fast/strong/agile as others, their skills made the game come easier to them, which makes it look effortless.

Anyhoo, a small anecdote. When Bird first entered the league he placed himself at the bottom of the totem pole and gradually learned how to play 'basic' NBA ball. Once he understood the framework of the game, he started all his highlight reel plays, with a solid foundation.

[LeBird]

Unrelated...there's a lot of talk about Bird not being quick enough in this league. Fact is, Bird played a lot of his time at the 4, and only went to the 3 when McHale became a big part of those teams. Bird was a tremendous help defender and great post defender.

He didn't have the lateral quickness to keep up with faster SFs, but on any other team he wouldn't need to do so. In today's game, with all the small-ball lineups, Bird would almost certainly play the stretch-4. Other than maybe 2-3 squads, he'd play the PF for every team in the NBA today.

If you watch videos of earlier Bird (first 3-4 years) he is noticeably quicker, agile and actually has really good handles - not as flash as the players today but probably more effective.


I have to say I agree, Bird's passes are great, but some of Lebron's passes are unbelievable.

Lebron's passes are nice, but not unbelievable like Bird's. Watching Bird, you think he's some basketballing savant seeing shit no one else sees. Some of the videos are 30 years old and his passes still look alien and cause you to say "WTF" even if you've seen them before. And this guy was making it up on the spot.

I mean, their assist numbers are similar, despite the fact that Lebron handles the ball far more and is basically a de-facto PG.

[ZaaaaaH]

Where is LeBron?

[Real14]

lebron's pass is nothing special
:applause:

[Reggie43]

Those Larry Bird touch passes are timeless...

[nineiron]

best passer to ever play the game. period.

[bizil]

From a STATIONARY position or off a bounce or two, Bird is as good a passer who has ever played. The MAIN DIFFERENCE between him and Magic passing wise was the fact that Magic had LEGIT ELITE PG handles and navigation with the rock. Magic and Bird are the GODFATHERS of positionless basketball! Bird could have LEGIT played SG to center. Boston just never used him like that. On the other hand, the Lakers used Magic at all five positions. Even though his primary position was PG.

[getting_old]

grade 8 and first year of watching hoops seriously, and Bird is in his last year at Indiana State and they hype him up and he puts up 49/18 against Wichita State

now i tune in and every game they hype someone and i wouldn't even know he existed otherwise, doing diddly-squat in a complete disappearance against a decent opponent

(of course with a few exceptions, who are worthy of hype, maybe 1 in 10 college kid games)

[ArbitraryWater]

oh wow, forgot OP...


was a nice guy

[Round Mound]

From a STATIONARY position or off a bounce or two, Bird is as good a passer who has ever played. The MAIN DIFFERENCE between him and Magic passing wise was the fact that Magic had LEGIT ELITE PG handles and navigation with the rock. Magic and Bird are the GODFATHERS of positionless basketball! Bird could have LEGIT played SG to center. Boston just never used him like that. On the other hand, the Lakers used Magic at all five positions. Even though his primary position was PG.

:applause:

[insight]

best passer to ever play the game. period.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but Trae Young is a better passer.

[Chick Stern]

I saw the title and thought we had another Mike Nesmith