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How many Kareem years would you take over ’86 Bird?

I would say five off of the top of my head. 1971, 1972, 1974, 1977, 1980.

People think ‘86 Bird was peak Bird but it wasn’t. ‘88 Bird was better.

Hair Jordan wrote:People think ‘86 Bird was peak Bird but it wasn’t. ‘88 Bird was better.

Why was ’88 Bird better?

'74 and '77. MAYBE '80. Sounds dumb but I do feel like missing the most important game of the season is something you have to dock a bit.

I have them with Hakeem and Duncan in the 4-7 range for peaks, so it's quite close either way. Right now leaning Hakeem, Kareem, Duncan and Bird in that order.

Matt15 wrote:

Hair Jordan wrote:People think ‘86 Bird was peak Bird but it wasn’t. ‘88 Bird was better.

Why was ’88 Bird better?

29.9/9.3/6.1 on 52.7 FG%, 91.6 FT% and 41.4 3-pt% splits. Finished 2nd to Jordan for MVP and ahead of the reigning MVP Magic. It was his best season but the Celts lost to the Pistons in the playoffs so people dismiss this season in favor of ‘86 when he averaged 25.8/9.8/6.8 on 49.6/89.6/42.6 splits.

Hair Jordan wrote:

Matt15 wrote:

Hair Jordan wrote:People think ‘86 Bird was peak Bird but it wasn’t. ‘88 Bird was better.

Why was ’88 Bird better?

29.9/9.3/6.1 on 52.7 FG%, 91.6 FT% and 41.4 3-pt% splits. Finished 2nd to Jordan for MVP and ahead of the reigning MVP Magic. It was his best season but the Celts lost to the Pistons in the playoffs so people dismiss this season in favor of ‘86 when he averaged 25.8/9.8/6.8 on 49.6/89.6/42.6 splits.

what was the number in the playoffs for Bird in 1988?

ardee wrote:'74 and '77. MAYBE '80. Sounds dumb but I do feel like missing the most important game of the season is something you have to dock a bit.

Why would G6 of the finals be more or less important than any other finals game?

Suspect because it turned out to be the final game. Which to me (a) doesn't make it more important than others because that status is contingent on the outcome of others and (b) if lost, it wouldn't have been and Kareem was expected to play in G7 (indeed we can't be certain whether he would have played if the remaining game had been a G7 [or lose and go home]... my impression from public framing is around knowing G7 - without travel - is always there if necessary e.g. The NBA Finals, Lazenby, '96, p209 "His ankle was so bad that doctors had advised him to stay home and try to get ready for Game 7"). Now, being there for G7 isn't a certainty either....

I'm fine with a finals absence hurting. I 'm not sure about a coherent rationale for it being "the most important game".

Homer38 wrote:

Hair Jordan wrote:

Matt15 wrote:
Why was ’88 Bird better?

29.9/9.3/6.1 on 52.7 FG%, 91.6 FT% and 41.4 3-pt% splits. Finished 2nd to Jordan for MVP and ahead of the reigning MVP Magic. It was his best season but the Celts lost to the Pistons in the playoffs so people dismiss this season in favor of ‘86 when he averaged 25.8/9.8/6.8 on 49.6/89.6/42.6 splits.

what was the number in the playoffs for Bird in 1988?

Suspected this was what was being angled at WRT '88 Bird better.

87 and 88 are arguably Bird's best offensive regular seasons (at very least by the boxscore). The 3pt shooting, scoring efficiency, at the margins passing and usage are on average up over that two year span. This leads to his two best OBPMs and a 1st and (narrowly) 3rd PER. Whether his health, playoff performance (this overlaps with health) and non-boxscore aspects (perhaps defensive motor and mobility for instance) ... well, suffice to say most don't end up with these Bird years above '86.

5 seasons: 71-74 + 77