Larry Bird, GOAT?
- Thread starter deuce
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- Jun 19, 2014
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I gotta find a place for Bill Russell on my team, but he's 6'9". Maybe the best defensive player and rebounder ever, but at 6'9" and his weight, I can see somebody like Shaq muscling him around and 7'2" Kareem scoring that skyhook over him all night long. Magic is 6'9", LeBron is 6'8" (and thicker). That's why I move Russell to PF. Now he's competing against guys like Duncan, Karl Malone, and Barkley. He can dominate those guys defensively and on the boards better than he can a 7" + center.
(and Shaq's not on the 2-deep of my all-time team, Russell is)
Alex.
gatorgrad'02
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- Aug 10, 2015
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While interesting and fun to discuss, the arguement is a bit moot in that the NBA of the 70s and 80s was completely different from the game they play today. Very different skill sets required in today's game versus the game I grew up watching. Honestly, I miss it. I find today's pro game nearly unwatchable.
Regarding Larry the Legend, his '86 through '88 3-point contest performances are like watching da Vinci paint the Mona Lisa ... "which one of you guys is finishing second?"
Regarding Larry the Legend, his '86 through '88 3-point contest performances are like watching da Vinci paint the Mona Lisa ... "which one of you guys is finishing second?"
- Jun 11, 2014
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You guys don't take the history of the game into account, nor the fact that the NBA isn't really basketball anymore. MJ peaked his head out when the league just expanded 4 new teams. Outside of center he had a great cast. Anyone really think Parrish or AC Green were worth their accolades. Magic and Bird made their teammates better, MJ did not. If you want to go by today's definition where it's an individuals game and the stars get the calls and the league office determines who the stars are, then give me MJ, Kobe and LeBron. But if you want to use the definition that it's a team game and you can only take two steps, give me Magic, Oscar, and Bird.
As for Russell, he's the only guy who could handle Wilt. Shaq is just big, he fouls out constantly if he plays a decade sooner. Wilt is legit tho, as well as Lou Alcindor. Tim Duncan and Hakeem would be great in any era
As for Russell, he's the only guy who could handle Wilt. Shaq is just big, he fouls out constantly if he plays a decade sooner. Wilt is legit tho, as well as Lou Alcindor. Tim Duncan and Hakeem would be great in any era
- Jun 12, 2014
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It's all subjective when talking about who's the greatest, but more from team standpoint, I have to agree with Bart...
Not only great individual players, but they also played together and their records as well as the championships they won were a direct result. And as an added bonus for us fans during that era, the meat of those two rosters stayed intact for a pretty long time. It was great basketball and a far cry from what the game, despite some really, really talented athletes, has evolved (or disintegrated) into today. My opinion, but along with Bird, Magic, Worthy, Kareem, JoJo, the Chief, McHale, etc., Dr. J, and Elvin Hayes composed a group of the best of the best. I'm sure I left several out, but these guys still dominate my memories of some really great basketball. I wish the game was still played like that, but I'm old...
Not only great individual players, but they also played together and their records as well as the championships they won were a direct result. And as an added bonus for us fans during that era, the meat of those two rosters stayed intact for a pretty long time. It was great basketball and a far cry from what the game, despite some really, really talented athletes, has evolved (or disintegrated) into today. My opinion, but along with Bird, Magic, Worthy, Kareem, JoJo, the Chief, McHale, etc., Dr. J, and Elvin Hayes composed a group of the best of the best. I'm sure I left several out, but these guys still dominate my memories of some really great basketball. I wish the game was still played like that, but I'm old...
- Oct 5, 2014
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Enjoyed the video.
Another guy from small town America who played many years for the Celtics was John "Hondo" Havlichek (so?). Anyone remember him?
On a further note our current AD, Scott Striclin, is the son-in-law of an NBA great who played for Mississippi State named Bailey Howell. A lot of you younger guys might not have heard of him. Look him up.
Again, Deuce, thanks for an inspirational Larry Bird video.
Another guy from small town America who played many years for the Celtics was John "Hondo" Havlichek (so?). Anyone remember him?
On a further note our current AD, Scott Striclin, is the son-in-law of an NBA great who played for Mississippi State named Bailey Howell. A lot of you younger guys might not have heard of him. Look him up.
Again, Deuce, thanks for an inspirational Larry Bird video.
- Jun 12, 2014
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11 Championships. He was the constant. Best shot blocker in the game's history. Biggest winner in the game's history. Best team player to ever bounce a ball.
- Oct 1, 2016
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Top 2-6 player..his abilities provide varying assessments of his place in the hierarchy. He's not the GOAT but he has to be mentioned in any history of the game discussion and any discussion of the best of player with all possible consideration factors included.
- Jun 11, 2014
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I'm not going to even consider who was the best - it's impossible to tell anyway because no comparison is apples to apples. What I am going to do is say that was incredible! I remember as a child watching the two powerhouses and choosing to be a Lakers fan. This video reminds me just how great those playoffs were and how much fun it was to watch Bird verses Magic and their teams. Great memories of a special time in the history of the NBA.
- Jun 11, 2014
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Good to hear the memories coming out. Those were memorable times indeed!
I agree about the product the NBA put's out now..... it's all about great athletes just throwing the ball up and chasing it down, with a few exceptions. The players are so much bigger and stronger these days but most have never been taught the fundamentals of the game.... traveling and palming the ball are never called anymore.... and the Stars can get away with anything..
I agree about the product the NBA put's out now..... it's all about great athletes just throwing the ball up and chasing it down, with a few exceptions. The players are so much bigger and stronger these days but most have never been taught the fundamentals of the game.... traveling and palming the ball are never called anymore.... and the Stars can get away with anything..
- Sep 7, 2014
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I was a huge Celtics fan growing up in Orlando with nobody local to root for. Bird will always be my favorite player.....arguments of who the best players of all time can never be validated, but I would take him against ANYBODY from any era of basketball and not feel like it was a bad choice.
- Jun 10, 2014
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It's also hard to compare different eras. To my mind, Bird played when the NBA put more of a premium on finesse, while today's game puts more of a premium on brute strength. I prefer the finesse era, That's when real bball skill stands out. I lost interest when strength replaced finesse.
- Jun 12, 2014
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You must be out your goddamn mind! Joe Louis, the greatest boxer that ever lived! He was badder than Cassius Clay, he was badder than Sugar Ray, and that new boy-what's his name? Mike Tyson?-looks like a bulldog; he was badder than him, too.
- Jun 24, 2014
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His momma called him Clay so I'm gonna call him Clay
- Jun 11, 2014
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- Jun 12, 2016
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No Pistol Pete?
