labron vs bird

Doctor J.

 

As the first Big Point Guard, capable of not just bringing the ball downcourt, but shooting from deep back when there was no 3-pointer, and pulling in rebounds to make triple-doubles galore, Oscar Robertson would be a formidable Point or Power Forward now.

 

Bird, hands down.

Bird didn't jump ship.

 

I really don't think Bird should be compared to LeBron. I think the TOPS is: MJ, LeBron and Kobe. Bird is GREAT, but not as great as those 3.

 

I would put Kobe ahead of Lebron

 

You opening up another can of worms here, we had this discussion a few years ago.

As much as (for whatever reason) I don't 'like' LeBron, I think he is obviously a much better physical specimen than MJ, LB, Kobe, Magic, and anyone else you can throw in there.

Now, who is better offensively?

Who is better defensively?

Who is better in the locker room/team player?

All three of those questions probably have different answers.

Let's take all the great players you can name and put them on a .500 team with a bunch of no-name players and see which guy elevates the team more, makes the guys around him better, and that is probably going to be MJ.

TODAY, of all the players in the league, I'd have to take LeBron.

But arguing over 'who is the best all-time' is like arguing over who is the best 'all-time' F1 driver, different eras, circuits, tires, chassis, motors make arguing that pointless as well.

 

But my picks

Magic
Bird /Kobe
MJ
Dr. J
Last and for good reason Lebron.

 

Lebron has had the tendency (in the past at least, but he is slowly changing that) to disappear at the end of games, when the money is on line.

Jordan, Kobe, Magic, Bird, Dr. J would thrive in that moment and rise to the occasion......

 

Name some players that played long before every game was on TV....

Nate Archibald, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, David Thompson, Pistol Pete Maravich, George Gervin, Bill Russell, John Havlicek, Elvin Hayes, Rick Barry, Willis Reed, Wilt Chamberlain, Walt Frazier, Spencer Heywood....... a lot of guys would do well (in their prime) against today's players, the only difference might be conditioning. Maybe.

 

I always find these comparisons funny. So here's my take: Lebron is a physical freak of nature. Like many physical freaks, he relies more on his athleticism than his skills. In many ways, he reminds of an early Olajuwon before Olajuwon learned to pass.

Da Bird grew up in a different era where you actually learned how to play the game. When I played basketball in high school in the late '60s in Illinois, if you took more than two steps before passing the ball, you'd end up running wind sprints for the rest of your life. The coach would come completely unglued.

What this means is it is impossible to compare the two. Both were physical freaks, but the Bird knew how to play the game. Lebron still needs to learn the game.

 

Bill Russell was a great all-around player. Defensively as well as offensively. He would be competitive today but perhaps not a superstar.

Wilt Chamberlain was the incredible physical specimen who also could play at both ends. His 100 point game will never be repeated IMO.

Oscar Robertson averaged a triple-double for an entire season in 1961. Averaged. Think about that today, I don't know if it is possible.

MJ elevated the players around him, but also was the best player on the court for virtually his entire career. Perhaps the G.O.A.T. A strong case could be made for him.

People forget Kareem. I always was a fan of his over Magic or Bird. His Skyhook could not be defended. If another big man could perfect it for themselves today, they would win a scoring title.

Notice I didn't mention Lebron (or Kobe) among these greats. Time will tell if they are great enough, for long enough, to be included. Kobe is close. Lebron needs another several years and 2-3 titles before he deserves to be mentioned.