How Would Larry Bird Rate Against Todays' Players?

[KnickMan]

I always felt Bird was a "unicorn" in his own right. A 6'9 guy who could handle the ball, pass like a guard, rebound the ball and shoot from anywhere on the court; plus he was a solid off the ball defender and gave maximum effort on that side of ball. With todays emphasis on the 3pointer I can only imagine what he would average in points. He was like MJ and Kobe in that he was a stone cold killer.

How do you guys think Bird would rate in todays game? What active player today would you compare him to? To me he is like a combination of Jokic and Doncic. I know I am comparing him to other white players, but neither of those guys are not the most athletic players in the league yet they represent probably the most skilled. That was Bird to a T.

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[mcmokken]

Perennial MVP candidate. He would be no worse now than he was in the 80s.

[theforumblue]

Like every other mlm salesman who played in the 80s.

Or top 3.

[oldncreaky]

At his peak before back injuries limited him, he won 3 MVPs in a row, and fully deserved them. That Larry Bird would probably win multiple MVPs in today's NBA as well.

[PD28]

Top 10 Player

[Jadoogar]

His playmaking would be even more valuable now, especially from the wing position. He would also shoot a lot more 3s in today's game. He would be just as good today.

[Duke4life831]

Bird is probably a great example of an elite player at his time, who would actually be better if he played in today's NBA.

Bird was the first 50/40/90 guy. He was a 6'9 sharpshooter who could pass and rebound. Bird lead the NBA in 3pt shots made multiple times, he did that while shooting 40+% from 3. So put Bird in an era where instead of the elite 3pt shooters shoot 3 3s a game, they shoot close to 10. Also put Bird in a lineup where he is surrounded by 3-4 other good 3pt shooters, with his passing ability. The dude would be an offensive dynamo, just like he was in his era.

Its just that, this era is perfectly built to maximize a guy like Bird.

[Currygoat]

Better than Lebron. Probably best player in the league

[Maxthirty]

Top 10 players like Larry transcend eras. He’d be amazing today, just like he was when he played.

[Danny1616]

Arguably the best in the league.

[jdzimme3]

I believe that if Larry Bird played in this era he would very possibly be considered the goat. His game fits the era so well and between medical advancements and load management his career probably gets extended. This is not meant to be a shot at the game today.

[Cavsfansince84]

All you gotta do is look at what Jokic is doing and Bird was more athletic and better on defense. So I think he's at least as good as Jokic.

[Funcrusher]

Bird is probably a great example of an elite player at his time, who would actually be better if he played in today's NBA.

Bird was the first 50/40/90 guy. He was a 6'9 sharpshooter who could pass and rebound. Bird lead the NBA in 3pt shots made multiple times, he did that while shooting 40+% from 3. So put Bird in an era where instead of the elite 3pt shooters shoot 3 3s a game, they shoot close to 10. Also put Bird in a lineup where he is surrounded by 3-4 other good 3pt shooters, with his passing ability. The dude would be an offensive dynamo, just like he was in his era.

Its just that, this era is perfectly built to maximize a guy like Bird.

Basically like a blend between Jokic and someone like Paul George, I think. Elite passing paired with elite off-ball cutting and floor spacing. Can play on and off-ball. Swiss-army-knife forward who in his athletic prime could probably play a fair bit of small ball 5. He didn't have great handles but would probably be at least above-average for his position today. Goes toe to toe with Joker and Giannis for best player in the world at peak

[Cavsfansince84]

Better than Lebron. Probably best player in the league

I'm not sure if you are referring to current LeBron or prime LeBron but I think it goes without saying that he'd be better than recent LeBron who probably isn't even a top 5 player anymore.

[Duke4life831]

Bird is probably a great example of an elite player at his time, who would actually be better if he played in today's NBA.

Bird was the first 50/40/90 guy. He was a 6'9 sharpshooter who could pass and rebound. Bird lead the NBA in 3pt shots made multiple times, he did that while shooting 40+% from 3. So put Bird in an era where instead of the elite 3pt shooters shoot 3 3s a game, they shoot close to 10. Also put Bird in a lineup where he is surrounded by 3-4 other good 3pt shooters, with his passing ability. The dude would be an offensive dynamo, just like he was in his era.

Its just that, this era is perfectly built to maximize a guy like Bird.

Basically like a blend between Jokic and someone like Paul George, I think. Elite passing paired with elite off-ball cutting and floor spacing. Can play on and off-ball. Swiss-army-knife forward who in his athletic prime could probably play a fair bit of small ball 5. He didn't have great handles but would probably be at least above-average for his position today. Goes toe to toe with Joker and Giannis for best player in the world at peak

Yup. He won 3 MVPs and made 9 straight 1st team All NBA in the 80s. There were years in the 80s where the leading 3pt shooter in the NBA, made 57 3s in the season. So Bird who is a sharpshooting 6'9 forward, was still a multi time MVP and 9 straight 1st team all NBA, during a time where the 3pt shot was rarely used. Plug him into today, where he gets to maximize his 3pt shooting and you surround his elite passing and vision with other good 3pt shooters.

He would be a perennial 1st team all NBA and perennial top 3 in MVP voting while racking up 3-5 MVPs probably. Its not an exaggeration to say the NBA right now, is basically built perfectly for a player like Bird. He would maximize his playing ability in today's NBA. Which is a scary thing to say for a guy that was a 3x MVP haha.

[SNPA]

GOAT

[celticfan42487]

Is he allowed to use his strength on defense?

Just see how much the small impact of not calling fouls when little guys dribble the ball near a defender have made on the PGs and Hardens of the world.

Larry played in a time where you'd get clotheslined going for dunks and even got mugged on the court by the opossing team. And a lot of that worked for him was because he thrived in the physicality and using his strength against wings down to what today would be Centers in the NBA. That also was key with his trash talking to win the mental game.

If there is no handchecking and he's not allowed to actually play defense that's going to hurt him a lot. You'd take away a lot of his great ability to shut down players with those rules.

[Wolfgang630]

He would win another 3+ MVP’s for sure. He was already 50/40/90 then and with little emphasis on the 3 point shot. Dealt with crowded lanes. Lord imagine him with his play making and shooting in today’s NBA.

[Joshyjess]

Just imagine Bird, but with a green light to shoot as many threes as he wants - WOW!!!

[Frank Dux]

A better Luka Doncic.