Even though it's historical fiction, watching the show on HBO about the Lakers is a great reminder of how vicious that era of player was. 80s NBA might be my favorite era of any sport in my whole life.
Bird vs Lebron
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Last: 1 yr ago by rsf0626
This sums it up perfectly. The fact that LeBron is probably the most physically gifted player in NBA history but isn't miles ahead of everyone else ever shows just what a weak competitor he is. If he had half the drive of MJ or Bird he would easily be the GOAT without question.digital_ag said:
It's Bird for the same reason MJ is the GOAT. Bird was a bad dude. LeBalding is easily the most physically gifted player ever but he's a mental midget.
Think there's something to this, but I can't fully subscribe. Here's an excerpt from an article about the Cavs vs the Pistons in the 2007 playoffs, and keep in mind that this was a really good Pistons team (Billups, Sheed, Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton, McDyess, Maxiell, and Chris Webber.
You don't get to the heights that Lebron has achieved without being a real competitor. Maybe Jordan had an edge, maybe Bird did, too. But I can't hold contempt for Lebron as a basketball player, not when he has been at the top of the league for a solid 18 years. He's been a multimillionaire many times over since he was 18 years old; you don't achieve the way he has for nearly two decades without a whole lot of "want to".
Quote:
In just over 16 minutes of game time, James would score 29 of Cleveland's 30 points, including the team's final 25 points on 11-of-13 shooting from the field. He'd force overtime on a driving dunk with nine seconds remaining and then finish the game off in double-overtime with a driving layup with two seconds left.
You don't get to the heights that Lebron has achieved without being a real competitor. Maybe Jordan had an edge, maybe Bird did, too. But I can't hold contempt for Lebron as a basketball player, not when he has been at the top of the league for a solid 18 years. He's been a multimillionaire many times over since he was 18 years old; you don't achieve the way he has for nearly two decades without a whole lot of "want to".
I think Bird is underrated, but Lebron is still the second best player in NBA history. We can acknowledge that they are both great players and great competitors. Only one player has even approached Lebron's ability to keep playing night after night, year after year, with no breaks and incredible productivity. That's Kareem.
I would have loved to see Bird in today's NBA with todays surgeries and medicine though.
I would have loved to see Bird in today's NBA with todays surgeries and medicine though.
kb2001 said:This sums it up perfectly. The fact that LeBron is probably the most physically gifted player in NBA history but isn't miles ahead of everyone else ever shows just what a weak competitor he is. If he had half the drive of MJ or Bird he would easily be the GOAT without question.digital_ag said:
It's Bird for the same reason MJ is the GOAT. Bird was a bad dude. LeBalding is easily the most physically gifted player ever but he's a mental midget.
10 Finals appearances. 4 championships and pretty inarguably one of the 3 best all time.
Also mental midget and weak competitor. I tease Lebron internet defenders because of how defensive they get… but this argument that the guy is soft and doesn't compete given what he's accomplished in his career is just sort of obtuse and ignorant and usually made by people who listen to sports talk radio more than actually watch basketball itself.
Lebron > Bird, he's clearly the second best basketball player ever. The biggest differences are athleticism and defensive versatility. Lebron is the only player in league history who can defend all 5 positions on the court at a high level.
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By the way, Larry Bird was never on an NBA team that missed the playoffs.
Larry Bird was also sitting on his couch at the age of 37 instead of leading the nba in scoring.
M.C. Swag said:
Larry Bird was also sitting on his couch at the age of 37 instead of leading the nba in scoring.
To be fair, Bird had a 37 year olds body when he was 22
To everyone that keeps saying LJ is the second best player ever, it is criminal that this guy is at least not #2 all time and I think a case can be made he is 100% the GOAT.
Go back and take a look at his ENTIRE Career.
Go back and take a look at his ENTIRE Career.
I think it's just about the era he played in. Same reaon people don't have Wilt #1 despite his insane stats/career. MJ and Lebron just played in more modern eras with better overall talent across the board. Kareem is still basically #3 on most people's list and it's not a slight.
I still think it's about seeing the video whether on television or on ESPN and that makes a huge difference. We generally don't put the best of what we haven't seen over what we have.
I think when comparing players, you have to compare how dominant they were in their era.
I think when comparing players, you have to compare how dominant they were in their era.
MGS said:
By the way, Larry Bird was never on an NBA team that missed the playoffs.
Larry Bird's career was over at 35. Lebron led the league in scoring at 37 and is going to be scoring 20+ PPG into his 40s.
Bird also played his entire career with at least 3 other HOFErs.
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Macarthur said:
To everyone that keeps saying LJ is the second best player ever, it is criminal that this guy is at least not #2 all time and I think a case can be made he is 100% the GOAT.
Go back and take a look at his ENTIRE Career.
It's the same reason Wilt isn't considered the GOAT. Within the confines of their eras they were unchallenged most nights. Kareem in the 1970s was a unicorn and playing in a era that catered perfectly to his style. He played his entire career 15 feet from the hoop and did whatever he wanted. Pat Riley once said he could stand in the paint without moving for 48 minutes and average 20/10.
If Lebron had played in the 60s or 70s he could literally name his score. There was nobody with the combination of size and strength to even think about slowing him down.
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Sports medicine is a real factor here. It has come a long way in the last 30 years.
Infection_Ag11 said:Macarthur said:
To everyone that keeps saying LJ is the second best player ever, it is criminal that this guy is at least not #2 all time and I think a case can be made he is 100% the GOAT.
Go back and take a look at his ENTIRE Career.
It's the same reason Wilt isn't considered the GOAT. Within the confines of their eras they were unchallenged most nights. Kareem in the 1970s was a unicorn and playing in a era that catered perfectly to his style. He played his entire career 15 feet from the hoop and did whatever he wanted. Pat Riley once said he could stand in the paint without moving for 48 minutes and average 20/10.
If Lebron had played in the 60s or 70s he could literally name his score. There was nobody with the combination of size and strength to even think about slowing him down.
Lebron is what, a foot taller than Wilt was?
But I don't see anything you said as an argument against Kareem. Part of him being a unicorn is part f his greatness.Infection_Ag11 said:Macarthur said:
To everyone that keeps saying LJ is the second best player ever, it is criminal that this guy is at least not #2 all time and I think a case can be made he is 100% the GOAT.
Go back and take a look at his ENTIRE Career.
It's the same reason Wilt isn't considered the GOAT. Within the confines of their eras they were unchallenged most nights. Kareem in the 1970s was a unicorn and playing in a era that catered perfectly to his style. He played his entire career 15 feet from the hoop and did whatever he wanted. Pat Riley once said he could stand in the paint without moving for 48 minutes and average 20/10.
If Lebron had played in the 60s or 70s he could literally name his score. There was nobody with the combination of size and strength to even think about slowing him down.
I also don't like the wilt comparison because Kareem did play against guys that were much closer to his size than wilt did.
these are two completely different players. How the hell can you compare them?