How Would Larry Bird Rate Against Todays' Players?

[SNPA]

Let me put this Bron Bird business in perspective.

Bird - better shooter, rebounder, passer, off ball defender, higher IQ (both sides), massively tougher and more physical, better teammate, vastly superior mental game (trash talking to get in opponents heads) and Larry is more clutch.

[Trey24]

Larry may be more impactful in today's NBA than he was in 80s.

[Tatumfor2]

Don't forget about work ethic. Bird, Magic, and Jordan would all be great, but slightly different than their former selves.

Bird's vision and BBIQ would set him apart in today's NBA. His shooting would be better than it was due to spacing. His assist numbers would be higher with the ball always in his hands. His scoring would be higher due to the volume 3pt shooting. However, his rebounding would probably take a hit due to the volume 3pt shooting.

Take all of that and add his killer instinct and you have the MVP today. Game on the line? You always just assumed he would make the shot. Often he told you he was going to do it and you still couldn't stop him.

Would he hide behind fake Twitter accounts? No.

Would he join a super team? I doubt it. Players might come to him though.

I wish I could see Larry in today's game.

[og15]

Pretty similar to when he played with some differences in approach due to the way the game has changed. So consistent MVP candidate, top of the league guy. Of course ultimate team success is harder to gauge as teammates and organization factor in, but a winning player either way.

The guy was a man's man. He busted dudes up during the game and downed 6er's of Budweiser afterwards. The thought of him bringing a purse to a press conference like todays guys is laughable.

I don't care if you bring a purse, if your on court game is on point, you can have a purse on the bench with you if you want.

[DCasey91]

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

Luka is considerably better than 22-year-old Bird was, that's all we know at this point. We'll see how Luka does when he is 24, 25, 26.

If Luka is considerably better he’d be the GOAT. I rate Luka as high as anyone but please Bird impacted the game in more facets (rebounding ,defense, shooting, athleticism while younger). He’s also more portable too.

Bird today gets better footwear, much better schemes, more space, better shooting, less physicality, can travel/carry the ball to your hearts content. He’s basically perfect for todays play.

One little rule change and “superstars” or “stars” have come back down to earth and other players (the best atm) don’t that need that sort of stuff (KD, Jokic, Curry) are destroying.

Luka has an absurd career usage rate while Bird didn’t...

Imagine Bird having 30+%.

Luka still needs time off to get his body right.

[Johnny Firpo]

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

Watch on YouTube

Luka is considerably better than 22-year-old Bird was, that's all we know at this point. We'll see how Luka does when he is 24, 25, 26.

If Luka is considerably better he’d be the GOAT. I rate Luka as high as anyone but please Bird impacted the game in more facets (rebounding ,defense, shooting, athleticism while younger). He’s also more portable too.

Bird today gets better footwear, much better schemes, more space, better shooting, less physicality, can travel/carry the ball to your hearts content. He’s basically perfect for todays play.

One little rule change and “superstars” or “stars” have come back down to earth and other players (the best atm) don’t that need that sort of stuff (KD, Jokic, Curry) are destroying.

Luka has an absurd career usage rate while Bird didn’t...

Imagine Bird having 30+%.

Luka still needs time off to get his body right.

I meant 22 vs. 22, but okay, maybe he isn't considerably better, but probably better. Obviously in order to come close later in his career, he has to improve that three point shot, and he has to get in better shape. His projection is not bad even with his current skillset and physical shape (probably top 30 all-time projection as is), but in order to have a chance at the top 10, Doncic will have to improve his body, and will have to improve his three point shot, which is so crucial for today's game. He is decent at it, but if you want to be great as a perimeter player these days, you have to be more than decent at it. Or you have to be Giannis or LeBron, I guess!

[mixerball]

same

[og15]

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

Watch on YouTube

Luka is considerably better than 22-year-old Bird was, that's all we know at this point. We'll see how Luka does when he is 24, 25, 26.

If Luka is considerably better he’d be the GOAT. I rate Luka as high as anyone but please Bird impacted the game in more facets (rebounding ,defense, shooting, athleticism while younger). He’s also more portable too.

Bird today gets better footwear, much better schemes, more space, better shooting, less physicality, can travel/carry the ball to your hearts content. He’s basically perfect for todays play.

One little rule change and “superstars” or “stars” have come back down to earth and other players (the best atm) don’t that need that sort of stuff (KD, Jokic, Curry) are destroying.

Luka has an absurd career usage rate while Bird didn’t...

Imagine Bird having 30+%.

Luka still needs time off to get his body right.

You know what is funny? If you asked which players would struggle more with increased physicality, a good amount would cite guys like Durant and Curry. I find it ironic that those two are part of the guys being mentioned as not being affected by the rule change.

Of course I never thought that was true as people seemed to somehow forget all the skinny guys who did well in more physical times, but it is interesting to note.

[DCasey91]

Yeah I lol at people saying KD would struggle in any era.

He is a flamethrower off the catch and shoot for one, on ball/off ball doesn’t matter. He’s a perfect player now in my eyes (fully complete)

And his iso package is just give ball let him shoot over the top.

Also a FIBA GOD which is more like yesteryear grounded play.

Space and pace in the 80’s? lol it’s KD.

Now there is some leeway to Curry moreso game shooting philosophy. But the biggest jump on 3PA’s taken ever recorded (9.9 - 15.4) was in 94-95 not other years. Probably would have to bulk up sooner

Curry on the the Hakeem Rockets is a dumb OP player. 95 Rockets imo was the modern small ball 3pt team (21.4 3PA’s taken which is just shy of league 2013-2014 average of 21.5 almost a decade later!).

Elie, Curry instead of Cassell, and Horry all three bombing away, Drexler as a stud big guard/SF to cover and took + amount of threes too relative wise ... with Hakeem dominating inside with all that space yeah F that! Busted small ball team.

Curry on the Knicks would be dumb too.

[Lalouie]

hmmmm what would luka be like if he was,,,
2" taller,
90% ft'er,
40+% 3 pt'er

generally 10x better,,,,,,,and legendary

he'd be kinda like bird almost

ya know, there are plenty of stars who play "old school" to show that it works and that you don't have to be through the roof athletic, young, and stupid to play in today's game. luka and jokic are showing you that smarts makes you quicker than athleticism

[DCasey91]

Yeah imagine Wiggins trying to guard Bird. Lol no thanks

The league is very young.

Rookie Luka made top 20 players look silly on occasion now just make him leaner and more athletic and a better shooter and much more portable.

[Nazrmohamed]

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.

I dont think he'd play on the wing today except some plays perhaps but at stretch 4 everything you just said would still be the case. In fact he played the 4 at times back in the 80s.

[Marrrcuss]

Let me put this Bron Bird business in perspective.

Bird - better shooter, rebounder, passer, off ball defender, higher IQ (both sides), massively tougher and more physical, better teammate, vastly superior mental game (trash talking to get in opponents heads) and Larry is more clutch.

Why compare to LeBron when LeBron absolutely sucks? Ask anyone here

[Nazrmohamed]

Don't forget about work ethic. Bird, Magic, and Jordan would all be great, but slightly different than their former selves.

Bird's vision and BBIQ would set him apart in today's NBA. His shooting would be better than it was due to spacing. His assist numbers would be higher with the ball always in his hands. His scoring would be higher due to the volume 3pt shooting. However, his rebounding would probably take a hit due to the volume 3pt shooting.

Take all of that and add his killer instinct and you have the MVP today. Game on the line? You always just assumed he would make the shot. Often he told you he was going to do it and you still couldn't stop him.

Would he hide behind fake Twitter accounts? No.

Would he join a super team? I doubt it. Players might come to him though.

I wish I could see Larry in today's game.

He also wouldn't be wearing these

https://images.app.goo.gl/94F7Jf1orYrsTG4d9

[Marrrcuss]

Is there any player about as quick as MJ was? He used to make Bird look like he was in slow motion.

[Joshyjess]

Let me put this Bron Bird business in perspective.

Bird - better shooter, rebounder, passer, off ball defender, higher IQ (both sides), massively tougher and more physical, better teammate, vastly superior mental game (trash talking to get in opponents heads) and Larry is more clutch.

Why compare to LeBron when LeBron absolutely sucks? Ask anyone here

Come on, no need to be so hard on Lebron. He's not that bad.

[trickshot]

Let me put this Bron Bird business in perspective.

Bird - better shooter, rebounder, passer, off ball defender, higher IQ (both sides), massively tougher and more physical, better teammate, vastly superior mental game (trash talking to get in opponents heads) and Larry is more clutch.

This post is the thread in a nutshell. You can prefer Bird without tying to have him win every category. Who told you Bird has a higher BBiq. Why is there always this kind of silent stereotyping when Bird is compared to others. Speaking of stereotyping Lebron is also tougher physically, let's be real, he might be a flopper but his tolerance for injuries and physicality is amazing. The mental stuff is subjective, Bird might have the edge but he also enjoys a reputation that has people ignoring some of his playoff flameouts. I think the worst assessment was having him as a better offball defender. Lebron almost won a DPOY off of offball defense and has a crowning peak achievement of coordinating a hopeless defensive team to help shut down the Warriors offense in the 2016 finals, a feat very few actual DPOYs have on their resume. Lebron's offball defense is anchor level good.

You're going to especially have to explaining having Bird as the better offball defender. Passing is a wash. Stop looking at volume. Bird played in the 80s with breakneck pace that bumped everyone's volume up. Lebron by contrast had half of his career stats overlap the stat suppressed 2000s. If you're going to compare their passing let's go facet by facet where Lebron is an all time great passer in addition to being an all time great game manager and an all time great situational pass creator. I actually prefer Lebron's playmaking for a number of contextual reasons but I also rate Bird's passing very high.

updated and revised.

[The Rebel]

Is there any player about as quick as MJ was? He used to make Bird look like he was in slow motion.

Yet Bird was still the best player in the league in his prime and put up 27/9/6 on amazing percentages and the Bird Celtics dominated the Bulls prior to Bird getting injured.

[The Rebel]

I have always said that Bird was the 2nd best player I ever saw live, and I think he would be better in the league today.

[Meat]

he'd win multiple mvp's without removing his warmup jacket