Larry Bird discussion

[QUOTE=stephanieg]You obviously have no idea what you're talking about. Anatomically modern day humans have been on this planet for approximately 200,000 years. About 50,000 years ago they became behaviorally modern (see "the great leap forward"). Ever since then humans have been constantly changing their environment to suit their needs. The human body has also changed in response to agriculture, modern day food processing, pollution, and other aspects of modern day living which didn't exist on the African savanna.

Basketball was invented a little over a century ago. Ever since then the human genome has been constantly at work producing generation after generation of new NBA stars. It's how evolution works. Fans want good players. Mother nature responds by making basketball players of increasing quality or "fitness."

You think Bird is a good player because he looks great competing against equally bad players by today's standards. It'd be like if you played against fifth graders. Sure, you look good, but only by comparison. If Bird played today he would be extremely limited given his stiffness, immobility, non-European whiteness, and slow decision making skills compared to modern day blurs like Troy Murphy or Tim Duncan.

You have to understand that if Hedo Turkoglu was sent back in a time machine he would dominate the NBA that Bird and his contemporaries played in. But nowadays he's just an OK player. Things move so fast.

But we shouldn't look back on past weaker eras arrogantly. Bird retired only a generation ago. In another generation players will be dunking from the three point line and looking back at our era with equal derision.[/QUOTE]
:oldlol: Beautifully done.

[QUOTE=eliteballer]Dirk can lead a team to 67 wins win MVP yet Bird who was more skilled and more athletic wouldn't thrive?:roll:[/QUOTE]

Bird wasn't even remotely close to being as athletic as Dirk.

[QUOTE=miles berg]Bird wasn't even remotely close to being as athletic as Dirk.[/QUOTE]

[B]Question was Ralph Sampson more athletic than McHale? :no:
Was he better? :no:

Is Shawn Kemp more athletic than Duncan? :no:

Was he better? :no:

Dirk is a PF...Bird a SF but the difference is Bird can do any skill better than Dirk, Any!

Settled? :sleeping [/B]

Bird couldn't drive as well as Dirk nor create his own shot as well as Dirk.

Again, you guys kill me that live in the past. You are like the grandparents that tell their grandkids how much easier they have it now compared to 30 years ago.

My post wasnt serious. nbadraft.net (which some here fancies alot) had Dunleavy Jr's NBA comparison: Larry Bird. Thats why I reversed the comparison. Tried to go to the site and copy/paste the strengths/weaknesses, edit them up a bit to make them Bird's. But they dont have it anymore.

[QUOTE=miles berg]Bird wasn't even remotely close to being as athletic as Dirk.[/QUOTE]

Bird is more athletic than Dirk. Quicker, far better body control, far better hand/eye coordination, even a better leaper (though neither was elite in that regard).

EDIT: Bird couldn't create his own shot as well as Dirk? :oldlol: What's next, you gonna tell me Dirk's court vision is comparable too? :oldlol:

No, he wasn't loki. You gotta realize that 1993 is over man. I really enjoy your rants sometimes but you live so far in the past I doubt you can even see the future.

I mean that in a nice way. You gotta get over the past, it isn't like the game today at all. It is 10x's faster, quicker, and more athletic today with better players, athletes, doctors, trainers, and a far better coaching pedigree available to kids starting at the age of 4 and lasting until they retire in their 30s or 40s.

Eh I cant side Dirk creating his own shot better than Bird. You may not think Bird from the past would be as great in todays game. But I just cant see Bird not getting Dallas the NBA title vs Miami or getting upsetted by GSW. I dont see how Bird back in his day placed in the first round series vs GSW doesnt abuse the same players who Dirk struggled to own/back down.

I agree todays plays may be bigger, faster and what not. But that doesnt mean thier skills evolved out of thin air. Thats what this game really is. Skills and the mental ability to figure out this game, your opponents and come up big. Lots of guys in todays league get by on athletic ability and not skill.

I dont see how skill and bball smarts cant overcome/outdue the "athlete" of today. Teams play alot of zones because everyone cant shoot. Bird and shooting were synomous with one another. And alot of times people think thats all Bird was. A superior shooter when he excelled in other areas. I just dont see how Bird couldnt handle todays game nor do I see Dirk being better.

Being fast, bigger, stronger, with cartoon hops is great but if you cant come off a screen and knock down a jumper. How much is that worth? Eh, dunno man.

[url]http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=wEaNwJPssEs[/url]

:cheers:

[QUOTE=miles berg]Bird couldn't drive as well as Dirk nor create his own shot as well as Dirk.

Again, you guys kill me that live in the past. You are like the grandparents that tell their grandkids how much easier they have it now compared to 30 years ago.[/QUOTE]

:no:

[B]Our Grandparents had it harder (no internet, many hald to walk to their jobs far distances etc) actually not to mention that in todays game there nis No Handchecking, No Real Fouls Called, 3 Second Rule, 5 Second Back the Basket Rule, Less Fundamentals, Less B.Ball IQ, Less Passing Game etc[/B]

Love your post

[QUOTE=miles berg]No, he wasn't loki. You gotta realize that 1993 is over man. I really enjoy your rants sometimes but you live so far in the past I doubt you can even see the future.

I mean that in a nice way. You gotta get over the past, it isn't like the game today at all. It is 10x's faster, quicker, and more athletic today with better players, athletes, doctors, trainers, and a far better coaching pedigree available to kids starting at the age of 4 and lasting until they retire in their 30s or 40s.[/QUOTE]

I`m german, and even I have to admit that Bird is the superior player.
I agree that Dirk might be more athletic (but not by much, Bird`s athleticism pre-injury is extremely underrated), but Bird was the better defender, better passer, had a superior court vision, maybe the most clutch player ever, and even his shot, Dirk`s staple, was better than Nowitzki`s.

Dirk is a great player, top 10 in the league, one of the most unique players ever, but a Larry Bird he is not. Bird would be the most dominant player in the league today, imo...

[url]http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=xvs74__JpAU[/url]

:cheers:

What the **** are you trying to prove?

[QUOTE=AItheAnswer3]What the **** are you trying to prove?[/QUOTE]

[B]I have nothing to prove. Enjoy the Game Highlights :violin: [/B]