How Would Larry Bird Rate Against Todays' Players?

[Warriorfan]

Tougher Luka.

[Marcus]

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.

It's statements like this that further entrench the idea in my head that we were separated at birth and RealGM served as the beacon to re-unite our basketball minds.

But yeah on topic i had this debate with a co-worker who didn't understand the greatness of Bird and i told him if he wanted to get a glimpse of what Modday Bird might look like, he's wearing 77 in a Mavs jersey.

[KrAzY3]

Very high.

Remember he didn't grow up with the 3 point line. His 3 point ability was based more around raw shooting ability than what we see today with players who have designed their game around it. Once he started to figure it out (and before injuries really messed him up) he had 4 straight years of 40% plus from 3.

He was kind of a less athletic, better shooting LeBron. A guy who could have 10 rebounds per game, 6 assists, score 28 PPG while shooting 40% from 3 and near .900 from free throw. I'm basically reading off his stats from a season. He'd have done very well in today's game and I wish I could have seen with his entire development coming in the three point era.

[SNPA]

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.

His defense is better IMO. First, he would not be playing out of position. He’d be a four and small ball five, not defending 3’s. Second, opening up the floor makes team defense and off ball defense more valuable than it was in the iso days. Bird is a GOAT level off ball IQ defender, this era maximizes that. Third, he’d get more rebounds. Fourth, he’d go full Jokic when needed and dudes wouldn’t mess.

[Currygoat]

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.

He would be a way better player than prime Lebron lmaooooo

[Grumpy Heat Fan]

Bird would instantly surpass Kevin Durant for best player in the NBA.


Bird was a 50/40/90 shooter with excellent court vision. He would show you how easy the NBA has gotten.

[DroseReturnChi]

luka is a better version of bird and mvp caliber.

[lobosloboslobos]

luka is a better version of bird and mvp caliber.

um yeah, no. when Luka beats great teams with defense let us know.

Watch on YouTube

[KnickMan]

That is why I said he would be a combination of Jokic and Luka. In other words, the best player in the league.

[Lalouie]

i swera to god this exact tpic was posted a few times and the last about 3months ago.
35/11/9
42/54/89

think luka on steroids. in fact luka and his ilk is proof that players from the past (especially bird) would excel immeasurably

[Ben-N1ce]

I would just to love to hear about his trash talking in today's Era..where social media is everything yet I never hear about todays players constantly talking trash and backing it up in the court..

[Wolfgang630]

He’s not just Luka. Luka with his subpar shooting. Shooting is very important here.

[floppymoose]

Bird reminds me of Iggy defensively. Both with incredible anticipation, and super fast/accurate hands. Both super smart BBIQ.

[BostonCouchGM]

he was the best player during his era until MJ established himself and Bird had injury concerns so I imagine he'd be the best player of this era since there's no MJ to compete with.

[Marrrcuss]

He was my favorite player when i started watching BBall, but yall are overdoing it.

EVERYTHING evolves and hes way to slow for the game now. He would be a great spot up guy but would be tortured on defense. He would be pick and rolled to get him on scorers who would murder him.

[KembaWalker]

He'd be what people pretend Luka is

[JohnnyKILLroy]

He would be the best player in the NBA easily.

There not a single guy in the league now who’s a more big balls bad ass mofo like Bird. Mentally everyone is a weakling in comparison. Bird was nasty.

[JRoy]

He would be hell on wheels

[KyletheDingbat]

Speaks to how the game has changed. In the mid 2000's there was a general feeling that Bird was too unathletic and was a relic of his time. He'd get murdered by the KG's and Webbers of the day. But the game has gone away from athleticism and more towards skill, so Bird is back in favor.

I think Bird would kill it in today's league.

[jazzfan1971]

I think he'd be a step below Lebron. (age vs. age)

Heresy? Maybe. But, Lebron has a body that Bird never had.