Many experts have said he was a better passer than even Magic. May not have been as flashy as Magic, but just as, if not more than, effective.In this day and age, Bird has become underrated if anything.
For three seasons ('83-86) and against the likes of Magic, Kareem, Moses and Dr J, Bird dominated the NBA and won 3 straight MVP's, 2 championships and 2 Finals MVPs. Until the injuries started creeping in, he was the best player in the league. He finished top 5 in MVP voting for 9 seasons and was 1st team all-NBA in those 9 years. He threw in a few all-Defensive teams and even finished 3rd in DPOY voting while consistently averaging around 10 reb/game and leading the league in 3's and FT%.
Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool
And all that said, his greatest skill may have been his passing.
One thing I've thought about lately is the similarity between Jokic and Bird (besides the obvious whiteness). Jokic is bigger and works inside-out while Bird was a bit quicker and worked outside-in, but both are the focal point of their offense, and are essentially unguardable because of their passing and shooting abilities, rebound extremely well and are actually good defenders because of their anticipation and know how to utilize their size.Many experts have said he was a better passer than even Magic. May not have been as flashy as Magic, but just as, if not more, effective.In this day and age, Bird has become underrated if anything.
For three seasons ('83-86) and against the likes of Magic, Kareem, Moses and Dr J, Bird dominated the NBA and won 3 straight MVP's, 2 championships and 2 Finals MVPs. Until the injuries started creeping in, he was the best player in the league. He finished top 5 in MVP voting for 9 seasons and was 1st team all-NBA in those 9 years. He threw in a few all-Defensive teams and even finished 3rd in DPOY voting while consistently averaging around 10 reb/game and leading the league in 3's and FT%.
Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool
And all that said, his greatest skill may have been his passing.
Just watched the first few minutes of that clip - love the reactions on the Hawks' bench from the 2:00-2:20 mark.Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool
More punchable face: Jerry Sichting or Danny Ainge?Was watching the game at a friend of a friends house with about a dozen insane Celtics fans. Dude had created a shrine in his basement, with all sorts of high end audio-video equipment. He was recording the video and the radio broadcast by Johnny Most. What a night that was. Never saw a group of people go so bananas in my life. We listened to that Johnny Most call for about an hour afterwards. https://youtu.be/VNpJXDPnQTE?si=UC5RtJPnQhEVTpPG
Just watched the first few minutes of that clip - love the reactions on the Hawks' bench from the 2:00-2:20 mark.Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool
More punchable face: Jerry Sichting or Danny Ainge?Was watching the game at a friend of a friends house with about a dozen insane Celtics fans. Dude had created a shrine in his basement, with all sorts of high end audio-video equipment. He was recording the video and the radio broadcast by Johnny Most. What a night that was. Never saw a group of people go so bananas in my life. We listened to that Johnny Most call for about an hour afterwards. https://youtu.be/VNpJXDPnQTE?si=UC5RtJPnQhEVTpPG
History has been very kind to Bird. Turns out he was ahead of his time.Just watched the first few minutes of that clip - love the reactions on the Hawks' bench from the 2:00-2:20 mark.Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool
I’ve probably watched more Larry Bird reactions to those highlights than anything else on YouTube. I love watching young people discover Larry. They go in thinking it’s going to be a joke and come out the other end wondering if Larry isn’t the actual GOAT
Christian Laettner gets a nod, too. Might be a good thread topic.More punchable face: Jerry Sichting or Danny Ainge?Was watching the game at a friend of a friends house with about a dozen insane Celtics fans. Dude had created a shrine in his basement, with all sorts of high end audio-video equipment. He was recording the video and the radio broadcast by Johnny Most. What a night that was. Never saw a group of people go so bananas in my life. We listened to that Johnny Most call for about an hour afterwards. https://youtu.be/VNpJXDPnQTE?si=UC5RtJPnQhEVTpPG
Ainge is on my starting five of punchable faces. Period.
Being in So Cal I was a Lakers and Magic guy and hated the Celtics but there is no denying how good Bird was. When creating an actual all time "team" I would have to have Larry and Magic on it for sure. They may not be up there will the sheer NBA athletic specimens but If I needed to win a game these two would be on my team.In this day and age, Bird has become underrated if anything.
For three seasons ('83-86) and against the likes of Magic, Kareem, Moses and Dr J, Bird dominated the NBA and won 3 straight MVP's, 2 championships and 2 Finals MVPs. Until the injuries started creeping in, he was the best player in the league. He finished top 5 in MVP voting for 9 straight seasons and was 1st team all-NBA in those 9 years. He threw in a few all-Defensive teams and even finished 3rd in DPOY voting while consistently averaging around 10 reb/game and leading the league in 3's and FT%.
Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool
And all that said, his greatest skill may have been his passing.
I used to really think that Magic was overrated and Bird underrated.Being in So Cal I was a Lakers and Magic guy and hated the Celtics but there is no denying how good Bird was. When creating an actual all time "team" I would have to have Larry and Magic on it for sure. They may not be up there will the sheer NBA athletic specimens but If I needed to win a game these two would be on my team.In this day and age, Bird has become underrated if anything.
For three seasons ('83-86) and against the likes of Magic, Kareem, Moses and Dr J, Bird dominated the NBA and won 3 straight MVP's, 2 championships and 2 Finals MVPs. Until the injuries started creeping in, he was the best player in the league. He finished top 5 in MVP voting for 9 straight seasons and was 1st team all-NBA in those 9 years. He threw in a few all-Defensive teams and even finished 3rd in DPOY voting while consistently averaging around 10 reb/game and leading the league in 3's and FT%.
Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool
And all that said, his greatest skill may have been his passing.
I also think these two complimented each other so perfectly for a game of "choosies". That is why they would have to be on my team if I had to win a game. Just as you said, they did so much more than wow plays, sheer stats, etc. They willed teams to win and having them on the same court would have been virtually unstoppable. They may not ever be in the conversation of greatest basketball player of all time but they are likely tied at the top for greatest basketball team player of all time.I used to really think that Magic was overrated and Bird underrated.Being in So Cal I was a Lakers and Magic guy and hated the Celtics but there is no denying how good Bird was. When creating an actual all time "team" I would have to have Larry and Magic on it for sure. They may not be up there will the sheer NBA athletic specimens but If I needed to win a game these two would be on my team.In this day and age, Bird has become underrated if anything.
For three seasons ('83-86) and against the likes of Magic, Kareem, Moses and Dr J, Bird dominated the NBA and won 3 straight MVP's, 2 championships and 2 Finals MVPs. Until the injuries started creeping in, he was the best player in the league. He finished top 5 in MVP voting for 9 straight seasons and was 1st team all-NBA in those 9 years. He threw in a few all-Defensive teams and even finished 3rd in DPOY voting while consistently averaging around 10 reb/game and leading the league in 3's and FT%.
Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool
And all that said, his greatest skill may have been his passing.
But the late great wikkid constantly harped on the idea that Magic was the #1 guy to start a team with in NBA history (his "choosies" criteria). Made me rethink the Bird vs Magic debate as he saw the game with a more complete understanding than most.
I think Magic's team oriented nature made him more valuable than the numbers while Bird's all-around greatness was hard to fully capture as well. I still think Bird doesn't get his due when talking about the all-time greats, but Magic is more appropriately revered than I used to believe.
Just watched the first few minutes of that clip - love the reactions on the Hawks' bench from the 2:00-2:20 mark.Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool
Not only that, but the other players on the floor with them could be limited players -- a defensive specialist, a great shooter that can't create, etc. -- and the Magic-Bird combo would steamroll other 1980s squads.also think these two complimented each other so perfectly for a game of "choosies". That is why they would have to be on my team if I had to win a game. Just as you said, they did so much more than wow plays, sheer stats, etc. They willed teams to win and having them on the same court would have been virtually unstoppable.
Was The Omni (assuming that was still their arena) being rebuilt at the time? The reason I ask is that there are some extraordinary circumstances where a pro team has to use a smaller arena. For example, the Arizona Coyotes over the past few years having been playing their home games on Arizona State's campus (using the ASU hockey team's arena). But they'll be moving soon, as the city of Phoenix voted not to build them a new arena.Just watched the first few minutes of that clip - love the reactions on the Hawks' bench from the 2:00-2:20 mark.Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool
Ah, that was from the season when the Hawks played 12 (!) home games in New Orleans. That was the University of New Orleans' home court. Would never happen today.
They would be wrong.Many experts have said he was a better passer than even Magic. May not have been as flashy as Magic, but just as, if not more than, effective.In this day and age, Bird has become underrated if anything.
For three seasons ('83-86) and against the likes of Magic, Kareem, Moses and Dr J, Bird dominated the NBA and won 3 straight MVP's, 2 championships and 2 Finals MVPs. Until the injuries started creeping in, he was the best player in the league. He finished top 5 in MVP voting for 9 seasons and was 1st team all-NBA in those 9 years. He threw in a few all-Defensive teams and even finished 3rd in DPOY voting while consistently averaging around 10 reb/game and leading the league in 3's and FT%.
Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool
And all that said, his greatest skill may have been his passing.
Yeah, they’re both great and not worth debating. Enjoy a bit of both:IMO Bird's passing skills were just as flashy as Magic's, but I think Magic's passing skills were a little better. I mean, we're splitting hairs among immortals here so I hesitated even posting.
Was The Omni (assuming that was still their arena) being rebuilt at the time? The reason I ask is that there are some extraordinary circumstances where a pro team has to use a smaller arena. For example, the Arizona Coyotes over the past few years having been playing their home games on Arizona State's campus (using the ASU hockey team's arena). But they'll be moving soon, as the city of Phoenix voted not to build them a new arena.
New Orleans lost the Jazz to Salt Lake City in 1979. New Orleans promoter Barry Mendelson made the $1.2 million offer to the Hawks for the 1984-85 season. It may have been a ploy to lure the Hawks to relocate or a test of whether New Orleans would support another NBA team. It was clear that the city would not support a borrowed team, one that did not belong to it entirely.
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Christian Laettner gets a nod, too. Might be a good thread topic.More punchable face: Jerry Sichting or Danny Ainge?Was watching the game at a friend of a friends house with about a dozen insane Celtics fans. Dude had created a shrine in his basement, with all sorts of high end audio-video equipment. He was recording the video and the radio broadcast by Johnny Most. What a night that was. Never saw a group of people go so bananas in my life. We listened to that Johnny Most call for about an hour afterwards. https://youtu.be/VNpJXDPnQTE?si=UC5RtJPnQhEVTpPG
Ainge is on my starting five of punchable faces. Period.
Magic handled the ball more than Bird so people lean Magic when comparing. Bird was the shooter, but you can never question his passing ability. The no looks, the redirects without catching the ball, he was as good as any passer in the league.IMO Bird's passing skills were just as flashy as Magic's, but I think Magic's passing skills were a little better. I mean, we're splitting hairs among immortals here so I hesitated even posting.
No, his greatest skill was telling the other team what he was going to do, then doing it.In this day and age, Bird has become underrated if anything.
For three seasons ('83-86) and against the likes of Magic, Kareem, Moses and Dr J, Bird dominated the NBA and won 3 straight MVP's, 2 championships and 2 Finals MVPs. Until the injuries started creeping in, he was the best player in the league. He finished top 5 in MVP voting for 9 straight seasons and was 1st team all-NBA in those 9 years. He threw in a few all-Defensive teams and even finished 3rd in DPOY voting while consistently averaging around 10 reb/game and leading the league in 3's and FT%.
Dude was breaking ankles and nutmegging em before it was cool
And all that said, his greatest skill may have been his passing.
I never didMagic handled the ball more than Bird so people lean Magic when comparing. Bird was the shooter, but you can never question his passing ability. The no looks, the redirects without catching the ball, he was as good as any passer in the league.IMO Bird's passing skills were just as flashy as Magic's, but I think Magic's passing skills were a little better. I mean, we're splitting hairs among immortals here so I hesitated even posting.
Didn't mean you personally, meant the general "you". And I was agreeing with you.I never didMagic handled the ball more than Bird so people lean Magic when comparing. Bird was the shooter, but you can never question his passing ability. The no looks, the redirects without catching the ball, he was as good as any passer in the league.IMO Bird's passing skills were just as flashy as Magic's, but I think Magic's passing skills were a little better. I mean, we're splitting hairs among immortals here so I hesitated even posting.
As a Celtics fan back in the day, I couldn't stand Magic and the Lakers, but respected them immensely.As a Lakers fan back in the day, I couldn't stand Bird and the Celtics, but respected them immensely. The only thing that made this play satisfying is that it was Isiah who inbounded it.
I remember those Sunday afternoon Laker/Celtic mid season games as much watch TV. They were huge games that everyone made an event out of. I miss those days. There just isn't anything like that in the NBA now.Such a great rivalry. When the NBA was watchable and the finals matchups were epic.
Nope. It was trash talking.And all that said, his greatest skill may have been his passing.
Love those stories.Nope. It was trash talking.And all that said, his greatest skill may have been his passing.
For example, the Arizona Coyotes over the past few years having been playing their home games on Arizona State's campus (using the ASU hockey team's arena). But they'll be moving soon, as the city of Phoenix voted not to build them a new arena.
The current NBA is some of the best basketball we have ever seen. You should give it a watchWhen the NBA was watchable and the finals matchups were epic.
Has it changed from the isolation, one v one, refs call a foul if someone looks at the superstar game its become?The current NBA is some of the best basketball we have ever seen. You should give it a watchWhen the NBA was watchable and the finals matchups were epic.
Assists per game and Assists as a percentage of made field goals are at an all time high.Has it changed from the isolation, one v one, refs call a foul if someone looks at the superstar game its become?The current NBA is some of the best basketball we have ever seen. You should give it a watchWhen the NBA was watchable and the finals matchups were epic.
Has is gone back to the team game it used to be?
This. My dad is in same boat as @B Maverick in that he "thinks" the game stinks. Yet when we watched a game together he was like damn, this is a sick game. Yet he will then continue on his old man rant that it isn't what it used to beAssists per game and Assists as a percentage of made field goals are at an all time high.Has it changed from the isolation, one v one, refs call a foul if someone looks at the superstar game its become?The current NBA is some of the best basketball we have ever seen. You should give it a watchWhen the NBA was watchable and the finals matchups were epic.
Has is gone back to the team game it used to be?
GET OFF MY LAWN!!!This. My dad is in same boat as @B Maverick in that he "thinks" the game stinks. Yet when we watched a game together he was like damn, this is a sick game. Yet he will then continue on his old man rant that it isn't what it used to beAssists per game and Assists as a percentage of made field goals are at an all time high.Has it changed from the isolation, one v one, refs call a foul if someone looks at the superstar game its become?The current NBA is some of the best basketball we have ever seen. You should give it a watchWhen the NBA was watchable and the finals matchups were epic.
Has is gone back to the team game it used to be?