If Bird were in his prime (2006)....

[geeWiz15]

Bird would be the best player in the game. He'd be about the same effectiveness as Lebron only with tons more rebounds and better leadership. remember he used to get 10 per game with 2 of the best frontcourt players ever in front of him. In an era where Dirk is considered top 3 by many he'd shine considering he's noticeably better than Dirk. and you just can't forget his leadership and intangibles.

[Kblaze8855]

Gee you ever see Bird play a whole game? Thats not an age shot since I know you were like 2 when he retired. I mean on like ESPN classic or something. I ask because a lot of people around your age know he was great from highlights but seeing a whole games gives a much better idea. When you watch Larry Bird play its as if he does things nobody else knows to do. Little simple things anyone could do...but they dont.

Used to annoy me as a kid. Id see him do some basic jab step 8 times in a row always getting an open shot and wonder how come when our guys did the same thing the defense didnt back off. Or him doing a head fake and a guy flying 5-10 feet by him and him laughing at him as he went by. I couldnt really "get" it. Id see him do the same **** everyone else does but it worked better for him. But looking back on it as an adult he did basically everything on offense as well as possible from an execution standpoint.

Frustrating as hell if hes playing your team. Larry Bird is the only player to play the Bulls who made me feel like we couldnt win. Like he just wouldnt let us. He might let us get close. But hes gonna get us sooner or later. Larry Bird had faith crushing talent. Thats special.

[Younggrease]

Originally Posted by geeWiz15

Bird would be the best player in the game. He'd be about the same effectiveness as Lebron only with tons more rebounds and better leadership. remember he used to get 10 per game with 2 of the best frontcourt players ever in front of him. In an era where Dirk is considered top 3 by many he'd shine considering he's noticeably better than Dirk. and you just can't forget his leadership and intangibles.

Better leadership than Bron???? Be serious, Bron was "born to lead."

[mhg88]

Originally Posted by Younggrease

Better leadership than Bron???? Be serious, Bron was "born to lead."

^You're retarded.

[lakers-city]

Originally Posted by raiderfan19

On individual talent and athletecism yes. But the teams arent largely due to expansion. The 80s were better than the 90s from that perspective but wasnt the nba still i believe a 23 team league int0 the 80s? Plus there was no salary cap which meant you ended up with several great teams...

this is BS, jordan was the most athletic and talented SG in the game, more talented and more athletic than anybody in this days and he played in the 80s/90s.

[darkofan]

Originally Posted by Younggrease

Imagine Bird playing a team like the Pistons. Who can he guard that wouldnt score easily on him all game. He would still be a HOFer but he wouldn't be top 10 all time player.

And who would possibly surpass him?

Maybe Kobe, but no one else. No way TD is better. Shaq is on par with him. Who else?

Did you ever see Bird play in his prime?

We're talking 30/9/7 TODAY, leadership, rings and making everyone better.

Not to mention the hype he would receive (not that he needs it) for being a top 5 white player (he's waaaay better than Nash and better than Dirk)...

Just ask Magic Johnson or Charles Barkley about it...

[lakers-city]

larry is deffinitely top 10 in the goat list, he won 3 rings in the best era of the NBA.

[JalenRawley]

Originally Posted by Carbine

He had the ultimate team, very few weaknesses as a whole.

Yeah, Jerry Sichting and Danny Ainge were MONSTERS. It's amazing anyone even noticed Jordan, Nique, Drexler, etc..

[lakers-city]

not all the team was ubber, however he did have a great team and the best front court ever in the NBA, that said larry would still kill in this era.

[DieHardBullsFan]

Originally Posted by IGGYIVERSON

give up on the MJ thread. dude wouldve dominated just as much in any era....

what do you see prime Bird (84-87) doing in today's NBA??

the other thread is just as ridiculous so i figured hey! might as well make one about Larry.

In 1986, Sports Illustrated called him the Greatest Basketball Player of All Time (however injuries and a short prime ended those claims pretty soon). 20 years later, does anyone think he couldve been shutdown?? an even better player??? would he rack up record breaking fines for taunting??

with "defense" not being a factor in todays NBA game he would still put up numbers as a jump shooter....as for Bird defending anyone...he would get worn out because the guys today are more faster and athletic than in the 80's...... Id say hes still a 25ppg scoring threat.....with a decrease in speed...

[eliteballer]

Will be interesting to see how Adam Morrison does in the league, we can bring this thread back up then.