Larry Bird vs Michael Jordan

[therealbig3]

Who was the better offensive player, Bird or Jordan?

[CutScrot]

[Doctor MJ]

It's tough but I'll go with Jordan. I'll talk up Magic's adaptability as a significant edge over Jordan, and Bird's got some of that, but he's still got some of Jordan's tendency to keep shooting when he shouldn't, and it's easier to get Bird off his shooting game than Jordan.

[ElGee]

It's tough but I'll go with Jordan. I'll talk up Magic's adaptability as a significant edge over Jordan, and Bird's got some of that, but he's still got some of Jordan's tendency to keep shooting when he shouldn't, and it's easier to get Bird off his shooting game than Jordan.

Doc - what's your list of offensive GOATs by peak?

1. Magic
....
2. Jordan?

Nash and Bird must be in there somewhere...

[Fencer reregistered]

Bird over late-prime Jordan, by a small margin.
Late-prime Jordan over early-prime Jordan, also by a small margin.

[Doctor MJ]

I don't want to be overly harsh here but:

1) That image is done to death.

2) A board never needs another guy trying to make funny non-reply replies, it always needs someone with smart thoughts. Don't try so hard to be funny, just join the discussion.

[Doctor MJ]

It's tough but I'll go with Jordan. I'll talk up Magic's adaptability as a significant edge over Jordan, and Bird's got some of that, but he's still got some of Jordan's tendency to keep shooting when he shouldn't, and it's easier to get Bird off his shooting game than Jordan.

Doc - what's your list of offensive GOATs by peak?

1. Magic
....
2. Jordan?

Nash and Bird must be in there somewhere...

Y'know I've never made a definitive list, and I've been meaning to. Interesting though, I find it a lot tougher than making an overall GOAT list.

I tend to think of the top 3 like:

1. Magic
2. Jordan
3. Bird

With Nash, Barkley, Kareem, and Oscar floating around in there. But again, it's not adequately thought out.

Something I will say is that I continue to spend a lot of time thinking about Nash as we go through this year.

[Jordan23Forever]

Jordan from '90-'93 was a better offensive player than Bird ever was. Not a large gap, but Bird's edge in passing doesn't outweigh Jordan's edge in scoring or in his ability to singlehandedly win games more frequently than even Bird could (and Bird was great at taking over).

[Andrewchos]

Jordan's edge in pure scoring ability outweigh's Bird's superior passing skill.

Overall I would definitely choose Jordan but Prime Bird was still one of the greatest offensive players ever. Bird was such a great team player and had an incredible BBIQ.

[Quincy]

Just a thought.

If Jordan is so comparable to Bird as an offensive player(better or worse), and such a far superior defensive player; why is this close?

Again, nopt saying I think Jordan is far better than Bird. But, how much are we suppose to value a elite wing's defensive prowess? Same could be said for Magic.

[Ron Harper]

During MJs last 3 titles there hasn't been anyone close to touching him offensively.

The pace at which he played was amazing. He would just trot down the court, find his spot, back himself in, and patiently wait until the defense committed itself.

The simplicity and ease in which he worked was just astounding to me. It's like the whole game played out in his head and he just projected mental visions out onto the court.

Not a lot of flash, not a reliance on athleticism, just a complete understanding of where and how he was going to get that ball into the hoop.

[Doctor MJ]

Just a thought.

If Jordan is so comparable to Bird as an offensive player(better or worse), and such a far superior defensive player; why is this close?

Again, nopt saying I think Jordan is far better than Bird. But, how much are we suppose to value a elite wing's defensive prowess? Same could be said for Magic.

Not sure what you mean by "why is this close?". It's a thread about offense, so if they are offensively comparable, that means it's close.

As far as who is better overall, I don't think anyone says Bird.

[ry3303]

another idiotic picture thing, god i hate that crap -

anways, the answer has gotta be bird.

if not for bird, parrish wouldn't have been a perennial all star.

if not for PIPPEN - Jordan wouldn't have won jack shiyet.

Jordan was Wilt. All the talent in the world, just too egotistical and selfish to get it together.

I know with Bird he's making others better, I know he's selfless enough to spot up for the 3, and I know he's great enough to score or pass, and not push it. Jordan for half his damn career would just force the issue and not pass the ball.

Plus he got his coach fired and players traded; Bird obeyed his coaches and picked up teammates' play.

[Quincy]

It's a thread about offense.

As far as who is better overall, I don't think anyone says Bird.

Must have missed where it said offensively. Thought we were comparing both overall.

There are always a few on here that will claim Bird is the GOAT. But for anyone who thinks the three are really close, my question still stands. If Jordan is comparable to Magic and Bird as offensive players yet dwarfs them on the other end; how much do we account for defense for a wing player.

Is it like 90% offense and 10% defense? Jordan being a 10% or somewhere close to it on defense? Does Magic's impact on the offensive end supercede MJ's by that much that it compensates for his defensive lacking?

BTW, I know this treads a bit off-topic.

[MSGBallerz]

I don't mind the picture usually, but I don't think it really belongs in this thread considering its actually a pretty good comparison.

Anyway I go with MJ, but its close. I think Jordan's physical gifts make up for Bird's superior perimeter shooting which is really what this comparison comes down to.

[ry3303]

fair enuff dudes, but as far as bird, he was such a superior passer and off. rebounder it makes this tough u know?

[Quincy]

Bird's a better and more willing passer too. Not to mention offensive rebounding.

Jordan is the better scorer no question. He's always had more volume on suprisingly higher FG% for the most part. Bird has him in FT% and is a better 3-point shooter obviously so he probably has the slight edge in TS%. Jordan also had less turnovers during their prime years. Jordan also has a considerably higher usage rating throughout his career.

Guess it depends if you think Bird's advantages above over compensate for Jordan's superiority as a scorer. I think these two are very close.

[An Unbiased Fan]

MJ was the more complete scorer. Bird was the better overall offensive player.

I

[ahonui06]

Bird could pass better, shoot better, rebound better, and was also better at making teammates betetr.

Jordan was the better scorer.

Therefore, Bird is the better offensive player.

Also, MJ never beat Bird in a single playoff game. Bird is 6-0 all-time against MJ in the playoffs.

[Jimmy76]

Jordan's epic playoff performances decide it for me

Not that Bird wasn't a good playoff performer or didn't have big games but Jordan was so consistent in his seeming unstoppability that it's hard to choose anyone over him