Could Larry Bird play in today's NBA?
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There are people who think the earth is flat.
He had a similar game and body type to Dirk Nowitizki. Except he was better. Of course he would still be awesome player today. All the guys from earlier eras would probably be built and play like today’s players if they had access to the same nutrition, sports science and around the clock coaching players do today. And today’s players would probably look and play more like the guys before if they played back in the day and still be dominant in an earlier era. Either way guys like Dr. J, Larry Bird, Lebron James and Kevin Durant would be HOFers in any era.
He'd have to tone down the physicality and lean on the fact that he was the ultimate shot creator, for both himself and his teammates. His career would probably have been longer without as much rough play, too. He'd have been a superstar in any era.
Bird would have played a bit longer had he not destroyed his back paving the driveway at his mother’s house in 1985.
Yeah for sure. It was like a quarter mile of driveway, too. Can you imagine an athlete doing that today? They probably have all kinds of clauses against any manual labor in their contracts.
In Bird's era players didn't live in the weight room like today there was a fear that they would become "muscle bound" and it would mess up their shooting ability.
So, IMHO, it depends on how you look at the question. A Larry Bird who didn't do today's level of strength training probably wouldn't make it today--or not be a star.
However, a Larry Bird who did today's level of strength training probably would make it today and likely be a star.
Disagree totally. Bird was a rare talent. He had natural strength and the ability to do whatever needed to create shots in any era. He developed his lean on you and then fall away jumper that no one could stop, not even the tallest guys. Even more impressive were his instincts and ability to read and anticipate the game. He was a rare gem whose talent would dominate in any era.
Let's describe a generic player:
6'9" dead-eye shooter from any range, fade-away jumper, quick hands, elite passer, creative, good ball handler, can drive, finishes strong, acrobatic finishes, competitive as hell, tough as nails, trash talkin' SOB.
Um, yeah, that would work in today's game.
6'9" dead-eye shooter from any range, fade-away jumper, quick hands, elite passer, creative, good ball handler, can drive, finishes strong, acrobatic finishes, competitive as hell, tough as nails, trash talkin' SOB.
Um, yeah, that would work in today's game.
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Capel would give-up body parts to successfully sign a "Larry Bird-equivalent" player today.
Larry would be elite today. So would Magic. You have to go back to the 50s to find elite players who would struggle to play today.
So would Jordan.
Bird, Magic, Jordan, they were special basketball players / athletes.
They were all physically and mentally tough to beat.
"give me the ball players"
You also aren’t allowed to get mugged going to the basket like you were back then. Imagine if Bird, Jordan, or many of those players could drive to the rim without fear of losing teeth?
The 3 point line was further away back then, too.
Some internet clown actually questioned whether Wilt would be anything more than a scrub today. This isn't football, where the players have gotten so much bigger that it's legit to question whether Lambert and Greenwood could play today. They'd certainly need to carry more weight. Lambert at least 240, and LC 270, without losing any speed.
Bird was an amazing shooter with good size. He could play today’s game because he could shoot from anywhere and he played on both ends of the court. Give him even minor strength training of today and he’d be just as good. I’ve seen him play live, he was one of the best shooters in the nba than and could be now.
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These guys were inspirational leaders.
I still have this one in my wallet.
Gave it to our kids as well.
Good reminder!
Give everything your best shot.
It might not work out but you can say you didn't leave anything on the table
or in the locker room!
I still have this one in my wallet.
Gave it to our kids as well.
Good reminder!
Give everything your best shot.
It might not work out but you can say you didn't leave anything on the table
or in the locker room!
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Players have 20+lbs. more muscle now and handling (especially big men) is light years beyond what it was in the 80s, so I think there would definitely be some struggles for Bird in adapting. But, I still think he'd be one of the premiere players in the league.
Now if the situation was, "what if baby Larry Bird was transported to the year 1995 and was able to mature through today's game?" then I don't think there's any question that he'd be as Durant or George.
Now if the situation was, "what if baby Larry Bird was transported to the year 1995 and was able to mature through today's game?" then I don't think there's any question that he'd be as Durant or George.
He’d be just as good. His workout regiment would improve to the levels where they are today.
Today's players might have 20+ lbs of more muscle but they have 2/3 less work ethic, more extraneous distractions, which results in less focus, and reduced cognitive function.
Advantage work ethic and less extraneous distractions!
I love Bird and agree he'd do exceptional in any era.
But this "they don't play defense these days!" stuff is nonsense. Defenders today are long, athletic, quick, and informed by advanced stats on how to attack each opponent. Scoring only went back up from rules changes, the return to a faster pace, and above all the realization that 3 > 2 by coaches/GMs.
Pre Bad Boys defense = stand 5 feet off your man and let them shoot. Bird came in to a defense optional league. It didn't become the norm to actually pressure your man until he was retiring.
But this "they don't play defense these days!" stuff is nonsense. Defenders today are long, athletic, quick, and informed by advanced stats on how to attack each opponent. Scoring only went back up from rules changes, the return to a faster pace, and above all the realization that 3 > 2 by coaches/GMs.
Pre Bad Boys defense = stand 5 feet off your man and let them shoot. Bird came in to a defense optional league. It didn't become the norm to actually pressure your man until he was retiring.
Did you watch the highlights above. Far from 5 feet of space between him and defender.
Bird would be very good offensively but would really struggle guarding a lot of players that play the 3 position in the NBA. I don’t see him being able to stay in front of many 3 position guys. Now if he guarded the 4 he would have a better chance but still would have a tough time against guys like Giannas, KD, Blake Griffin.
Positive is you can play defensive zone now in the NBA where you couldn’t during Bird’s day.
Positive is you can play defensive zone now in the NBA where you couldn’t during Bird’s day.
NBA didn’t play much defense when Bird entered the league. Bad Boys from Detroit started the era of focus on defense.
Anyway these players today are way better athletes and way more skilled in general
Note I never said Bird wouldn’t be successful in today’s NBA. My point was just a general statement concerning the skill level of today’s college and NBA player vs 40 years ago
Larry birds Celtics team or magic Johnson’s Lakers would win the nba title and crush golden state or any Lebron team. . Not even close.
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Uh, no. Lol
Now I would love to see the Bulls of 96-98 against this Golden State team, that would be fun to watch. Of course Kerr would playing on one side and coaching the other side
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