Larry Bird: "when i played, i never practiced 3-pointers"

[3ball]

.
"But these kids here, that’s all they do"

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/larry-bird-thinks-this-era-of-the-nba-might-be-the-best-one-ever-205500827.html


He also said "They have more freedom to get to the basket."

So Larry Bird confirmed what I've been saying: it's much easier to penetrate.. Also, previous eras didn't practice 3-pointers, while today's player does all the time.

So the next time you think Lebron is a better 3-point shooter than Jordan, remember that his hours of practice has resulted in 31% three-point accuracy in the playoffs.. Obviously, if Jordan practiced 3-pointers like today's player, he would shoot a shit-ton better than 31%.

[bigkingsfan]

"Larry Bird thinks this era of the NBA might be the best one ever"

Curry/Lebon > MJ

[Marchesk]

Bird growing up in the 00s = Lebron + Curry :bowdown:

[Milbuck]

Literally in that same article, same piece:[QUOTE][SIZE="4"][B]My era, you always think that

[Marchesk]

Wilt growing up in 00s = Shaqkeem

BirdCurry

OscarBrook

[3ball]

Literally in that same article, same piece:


Larry contradicted himself in his comments - how can today's era be the best when 3-pointers is "all they practice"?... This would explain the watered down, very limited skill set of today's player (catch-and-shoot experts).

Also, Larry is in the severe minority among past players and most importantly, it's been repeatedly proven that he's actually quite a dumbass and knows very little about the game.

Larry was a PLAYER... The quintessential example of a dumb jock that was born to do one thing.. Basically, he's trailer park dumb... It sounds harsh - but it's true.. He's an ex-athlete that was handed a good job

I remember him saying some things where I'm like "wow, this guys is clueless"

[Milbuck]

Bird himself:
My era, you always think that’s the greatest era. But I’m not so sure anymore.”

Well, shit. Tough to argue that.

[FKAri]

Larry contradicted himself in his comments - how can today's era be the best when 3-pointers is "all they practice"?... This would explain the watered down, very limited skill set of today's player (catch-and-shoot experts).

Also, Larry is in the severe minority among past players and most importantly, it's been repeatedly proven that he's actually quite a dumbass and knows very little about the game.

Larry was a PLAYER... The quintessential example of a dumb jock that was born to do one thing.. Basically, he's trailer park dumb... It sounds harsh - but it's true.. He's an ex-athlete that was handed a good job

I remember him saying some things where I'm like "wow, this guys is clueless"

You think Larry's dumb. Have you heard some of the shit Magic has said over the years? :lol

[3ball]

Lebron > Jordan


Not at anything, not even 3-pointers - like all players in today's game, Lebron has worked super-hard on his 3-point shot, but his hard work only yielded a 31% career mark in the playoffs, and 34% in regular season..

Nonetheless, many posters think Lebron is a BETTER 3-point shooter than Jordan, who didn't practice the shot, hated the shot (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2CyJdCq-zU&t=0m06s), and felt it took away from his game.

Do people really think that if Jordan worked super-hard on 3-pointers like today's player, that he wouldn't shoot FAR better than Lebron's 31% in the playoffs or 34% in RS?

As it stands, he ALREADY shot better than this - he shot 34.5% from the REGULAR line in the playoffs (not the shortened line), which is higher than Lebron's percentages.. Ultimately, Jordan's fundamentally-sound, flawless form (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFGj2LiEFSI&t=9m51s) allowed him to shoot well WHEN NEEDED despite never practicing the shot, while Lebron's horrible form prevents him from shooting well, despite practicing a super-ton.

Keep in mind that Jordan's dislike for 3-pointers resulted in him taking mostly BAILOUT 3-pointers, which suppressed his percentage - he wasn't SEEKING to shoot 3-pointers every game like Lebron and today's player.
.

[Milbuck]

[QUOTE=3ball]Bird himself:[QUOTE][SIZE="4"][B]My era, you always think that

[3ball]

Larry's opinion is in the severe minority among current and past players alike (mcgrady, kobe, artest, oscar, isiah, shaq, you name it)

Bird also said "They have more freedom to get to the basket."


dude i agree with you
.

[NBAGOAT]

Larry contradicted himself in his comments - how can today's era be the best when 3-pointers is "all they practice"?... This would explain the watered down, very limited skill set of today's player (catch-and-shoot experts).

Also, Larry is in the severe minority among past players and most importantly, it's been repeatedly proven that he's actually quite a dumbass and knows very little about the game.

Larry was a PLAYER... The quintessential example of a dumb jock that was born to do one thing.. Basically, he's trailer park dumb... It sounds harsh - but it's true.. He's an ex-athlete that was handed a good job

I remember him saying some things where I'm like "wow, this guys is clueless"


:lol you're saying a guy with possibly the best bball IQ of all time and team president of a NBA team is a dumbass. There's agendas and then there's this absurdity to avoid contradicting yourself.

[oarabbus]

:lol you're saying a guy with possibly the best bball IQ of all time and team president of a NBA team is a dumbass. There's agendas and then there's this absurdity to avoid contradicting yourself.

Yup. Not just possibly - Bird is a multiple NBA champ, a multiple MVP, a multiple FMVP, a dozen All stars, a multiple 50/40/90 guy, a multiple 3pt contest champ, and the only person in NBA history to have any of these kind of accolates AND Coach of the Year... AND EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR!

[3ball]

Yup. Not just possibly - Bird is a multiple NBA champ, a multiple MVP, a multiple FMVP, a dozen All stars, a multiple 50/40/90 guy, a multiple 3pt contest champ, and the only person in NBA history to have any of these kind of accolates AND Coach of the Year... AND EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR!



Since you think Bird is a genius, you'll agree with his other statement during that same interview:



"Today's player has more freedom to get to the basket".

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/larry-bird-thinks-this-era-of-the-nba-might-be-the-best-one-ever-205500827.html



Bird said this in the context of today's 3-point shooting, which opens up the floor.. Otoh, Bird's era didn't have 3-point shooting to draw defenders out of the paint, so the paint was too crowded and penetration was physically impossible - Jordan and Bird were forced to pull-up from midrange:



https://media.giphy.com/media/WM0txsXFKjLP2/giphy.gif


You pretty much never see paints like this in today's game, where the overcrowding leaves players NO CHOICE but to pull-up from midrange... Instead, 3-point shooters clear the lane of defenders, so players have easy access to the lane... Guys like Grant Hill, Penny and Jordan would see their stats EXPLODE in today's spacing.



And Grant Hill's sub-par shooting would fit in PERFECTLY in today's game - for example, Lebron's midrange percentage is below 40% for 10 of 13 seasons (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12389794&postcount=17) and his career 3-point percentage in the playoffs is only 31%.

The reality is that Lebron, Westbrook, Wade, Derozan and Butler ALL (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12389778&postcount=41) have sub-par 3-point and midrange efficiency, but they're still top scorers because today's wide open spacing and hands-off defense allows athletic players easier access to the rim than ever before.

Hill and MJ's athleticism would benefit the same way, except MJ had goat midrange efficiency, even better than Curry's (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12373019&postcount=26), which gives him a massive advantage over non-shooters Hill, Lebron, Westbrick and company.. MJ had Lebron/Westbrook's athleticism, with better midrange shooting than Steph Curry.. That's the goat
.

[TheOne]

It's all about how to score efficiently. Now it has been proved that 3pter is a more efficient way of scoring. People didn't figure it out until recently.

[3ball]

it has been proved that 3pter is a more efficient way of scoring.


In Jordan's case, he made up for his inferior 3-point efficiency compared to Curry with far superior midrange (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12373019&postcount=26) efficiency, and far less turnovers.. These things gave him superior per possession efficiency (ortg), which is more important than Curry's shooting efficiency - shooting efficiency FALLS UNDER THE UMBRELLA of per-possession efficiency.

Jordan's higher efficiency is remarkable considering he carried a bigger load: he produced a higher proportion of his team's points and assists with far less turnovers, while also carrying a bigger load on defense.

Jordan's offense was superior even though Curry's teammates spaced the floor for him, and Jordan's didn't - Jordan's Bulls only attempted 5 threes per game in 1991, compared to 25 per game for today's teams (30 per game for the Warriors and Cavs).. Accordingly, his stats would explode in today's spaced-out game.

Just look at Lebron and Westbrook - Jordan has same or better athleticism, but they can't shoot (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12389778&postcount=41), whereas he had goat midrange efficiency, much better than Curry's (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12373019&postcount=26).. Essentially, MJ had Lebron/Westbrook's athleticism with better midrange shooting than Curry.. can you say, goat?
.

[bigkingsfan]

"Larry Bird thinks this era of the NBA might be the best one ever" :eek:

[K Xerxes]

.So the next time you think Lebron is a better 3-point shooter than Jordan, remember that his hours of practice has resulted in 31% three-point accuracy in the playoffs.. Obviously, if Jordan practiced 3-pointers like today's player, he would shoot a shit-ton better than 31%.

If Jordan spent more time practising 3 pointers like today's players, he'd have less time to practice other aspects of his game. Similarly, if LeBron practiced his 3 pointer less he would practice other aspects of his game more.

[KingPush]

If Jordan spent more time practising 3 pointers like today's players, he'd have less time to practice other aspects of his game. Similarly, if LeBron practiced his 3 pointer less he would practice other aspects of his game more.
/thread

[KingPush]

Btw mid range is much more inferior, its what separates Chris Paul from Curry

[3ball]

If Jordan spent more time practising 3 pointers like today's players, he'd have less time to practice other aspects of his game. Similarly, if LeBron practiced his 3 pointer less he would practice other aspects of his game more.


Lebron works hard on 3-pointers but only shoots 31%.. Otoh, Jordan worked hard on midrange and was one of the greatest midrange shooters of all time.

Jordan's hard work paid off more because he was better.. Here's another example - Lebron hires Hakeem, but is nowhere near an all-time great post player.. Jordan was a self-made all-time great post player, who invented the dream shake in the 80's.





If Jordan spent more time practising 3 pointers like today's players, he'd have less time to practice other aspects of his game. Similarly, if LeBron practiced his 3 pointer less he would practice other aspects of his game more.


It doesn't matter - Jordan was better regardless - the areas where he had statistical advantages allowed him to control the game better:


Jordan's scored 5.5 more ppg in playoffs with better efficiency across the board (TS, FG, ORtg) and clutch - these things control the game better than Lebron's 2.5 def rebound edge (with less offensive rebounds) and 1.0 assist edge (with more turnovers).

There's never been a #1 option that scored 5.5 more points on better efficiency that wasn't considered the FAR better player.. Can you imagine if Lebron averaged 5.5 more ppg with better efficiency?.. He'd be on a completely different level.
.

[bigkingsfan]

Jordan tried hard at hitting a baseball for two years and never came close.

[3ball]

If Jordan spent more time practising 3 pointers like today's players...


Truthfully, he wouldn't need a good 3-point shot, or a good shot PERIOD, since many top wings can't shoot.. For example, Lebron's 3-point percentage in the playoffs is only 31% and his midrange percentage is below 40% for 10 of 13 seasons (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12389794&postcount=17).

The reality is that Lebron, Westbrook, Wade, Derozan and Butler ALL (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12389778&postcount=41) have poor 3-point and midrange efficiency, but they're still top scorers because today's wide open spacing and hands-off defense allows athletic players easier access to the rim than ever before.

MJ's athleticism would benefit the same way, except MJ had goat midrange efficiency, even better than Curry's (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12373019&postcount=26), which gives him a massive advantage over non-shooters Lebron, Westbrick and company.. MJ had Lebron/Westbrook's athleticism, with better midrange shooting than Steph Curry.. That's the goat

[KobesFinger]

Truthfully, he wouldn't need a good 3-point shot, or a good shot PERIOD, since many top wings can't shoot.. For example, Lebron's 3-point percentage in the playoffs is only 31% and his midrange percentage is below 40% for 10 of 13 seasons (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12389794&postcount=17).

The reality is that Lebron, Westbrook, Wade, Derozan and Butler ALL (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12389778&postcount=41) have poor 3-point and midrange efficiency, but they're still top scorers because today's wide open spacing and hands-off defense allows athletic players easier access to the rim than ever before.

MJ's athleticism would benefit the same way, except MJ had goat midrange efficiency, even better than Curry's (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12373019&postcount=26), which gives him a massive advantage over non-shooters Lebron, Westbrick and company.. MJ had Lebron/Westbrook's athleticism, with better midrange shooting than Steph Curry.. That's the goat

Why do you continually cite DeRozan and Butler as 'top wings' but leave out Durant, Thompson, Harden, Carmelo and Kawhi?

[K Xerxes]

blah

Your ability to set up a straw man is really second to none, and at the same time extremely frustrating.

I agree that Jordan is far better and the goat. However you cannot assume that Jordan would be a better player than he was if spent more time practising 3 pointers. He would be a different player, probably with a better 3 point shot and maybe a worse midrange or whatever other aspect he'd have trained less. LeBron would be a worse 3 point shooter but probably better in other aspects. This is not difficult to see.

My point is that overall they'd probably be similar level players anyway with different advantages. So this is a useless thread that really advances no insight

[Kiddlovesnets]

Oh my, what a liar.
:lol

[3ball]

Truthfully, he wouldn't need a good 3-point shot, or a good shot PERIOD, since many top wings can't shoot.. For example, Lebron's 3-point percentage in the playoffs is only 31% and his midrange percentage is below 40% for 10 of 13 seasons (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12389794&postcount=17).

The reality is that Lebron, Westbrook, Wade, Derozan and Butler ALL (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12389778&postcount=41) have poor 3-point and midrange efficiency, but they're still top scorers because today's wide open spacing and hands-off defense allows athletic players easier access to the rim than ever before.

MJ's athleticism would benefit the same way, except MJ had goat midrange efficiency, even better than Curry's (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12373019&postcount=26), which gives him a massive advantage over non-shooters Lebron, Westbrick and company.. MJ had Lebron/Westbrook's athleticism, with better midrange shooting than Steph Curry.. That's the goat




Oh my, what a liar.
:lol


which part - all stats are linked to nba.com's data

[GimmeThat]

the stamina he devotes to playing the 3-point shot in game, probably also minimal

[handbanana]

https://media.giphy.com/media/WM0txsXFKjLP2/giphy.gif




wow..

sooooooo ugly. soon we will look at this era like we used to look at footage from the 60s where they dribble using only one hand and stare at the ball constantly. it looks both comical and embarrassing.

[3ball]

I agree that Jordan is far better and the goat. However you cannot assume that Jordan would be a better player than he was if spent more time practising 3 pointers. He would be a different player, probably with a better 3 point shot and maybe a worse midrange or whatever other aspect he'd have trained less. LeBron would be a worse 3 point shooter but probably better in other aspects. This is not difficult to see.


I never said Jordan would be better by shooting more 3's - I think he'd be a WORSE player - my point was merely that he COULD be an elite 3-point shooter if he WANTED to.. That's it - but if he did, he'd very likely be a worse player.

My other point was that he has a major advantage over all wings in the following way - he shoots WAY better than non-shooters Lebron, Wade, Westbrook, Derozan and Butler, and is way more athletic than shooters Harden, Thompson, Melo.

The other two guys are Kawhi** and Durant, who are both athletic and can shoot - but Kawhi's skills can't compare, and Durant can't attack with the kind of consistency, effectiveness, and diversity of Jordan.


** Kawhi is just like Pippen scoring-wise in the sense that he isn't that great of a scorer - with Kawhi as Jordan's 2nd option, Jordan would still lead the team in scoring for every playoff series of his career by an average 15.4 ppg (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=406920), just like when Pippen was 2nd option.





My point is that overall they'd probably be similar level players anyway with different advantages. So this is a useless thread that really advances no insight


And my point is that it wouldn't matter - Jordan wouldn't need a good 3-point shot, or a good shot PERIOD, since many of today's top wings can't shoot.. For example, Lebron's 3-point percentage in the playoffs is only 31% and his midrange percentage is below 40% for 10 of 13 seasons (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12389794&postcount=17).

The reality is that Lebron, Westbrook, Wade, Derozan and Butler ALL (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12389778&postcount=41) have poor 3-point and midrange efficiency, but they're still top scorers because today's wide open spacing and hands-off defense allows athletic players easier access to the rim than ever before.

MJ's athleticism would benefit the same way, except MJ had goat midrange efficiency, even better than Curry's (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12373019&postcount=26), which gives him a massive advantage over non-shooters Lebron, Westbrick and company.. MJ had Lebron/Westbrook's athleticism, with better midrange shooting than Steph Curry.. That's the goat
.

[3ball]

https://media.giphy.com/media/WM0txsXFKjLP2/giphy.gif


wow.. the lack of spacing looks sooooooo ugly.


You're missing the point: if Lebron or any player were to play in a previous era, they wouldn't have 3-point-shooting teammates to draw defenders out of the paint - the resulting overcrowded lane would force them to pull-up from midrange (like Jordan in that gif above, and other gifs (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12389678&postcount=2)).

Without spacing, Jordan and players in previous eras had it TOUGHER on offense, which is obvious, since it's common knowledge that offense is harder without spacing.






http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/9-17-2015/dzzsgE.gif


the lack of spacing looks both comical and embarrassing.


With the overcrowded paints of previous eras forcing Lebron, Westbrick and company to pull-up for midrange, their game would invariably suffer since they can't shoot - Lebron's 3-point percentage in the playoffs is only 31% and his midrange percentage is below 40% for 10 of 13 seasons (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12389794&postcount=17).

The reality is that Lebron, Westbrook, Wade, Derozan and Butler ALL (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12389778&postcount=41) have poor 3-point and midrange efficiency, but they're still top scorers because today's wide open spacing and hands-off defense allows athletic players easier access to the rim than ever before.

MJ's athleticism would benefit the same way, except MJ had goat midrange efficiency, even better than Curry's (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12373019&postcount=26), which gives him a massive advantage over non-shooters Lebron, Westbrick and company.. MJ had Lebron/Westbrook's athleticism, with better midrange shooting than Steph Curry.. That's the goat
.

[Blue&Orange]

Bird's comments came in the context of a discussion about the possibility of the NBA one day adding a 4-point line as an offensive innovation and a means of altering the geometry of the court to create more interior space in a contemporary NBA where so many players have become proficient out to 23 feet.
That would be so dumb. If anything remove the 3pt line, make shooting from the outside a tactical option to open the paint, but don't give bonus for it, wide open paint is bonus enough.

[sd3035]

Curry's career TS% is higher than Jordan's best ever season :lol

[GimmeThat]

That would be so dumb. If anything remove the 3pt line, make shooting from the outside a tactical option to open the paint, but don't give bonus for it, wide open paint is bonus enough.

if anything, they are moving the FT line back first.