Bird better than LeBron

[Ilovemesomeme]

The only one who doesn't belong is Kobe. I'd take a handful of players over Kobe. And I would most certainly take Bird over Lebron. Bird was 10 times the basketball player Lebron is.

Why would Kobe not belong in the top five of the past 30 years?

The two titles he won post Shaq, were pretty impressive, with starting lineups consisting of:

Fisher
Bryant
Ariza
Odom
Gasol

and

Fisher
Bryant
Artest
Odom
Gasol

Who has one even one title with less of a supporting cast than that? Kobe might take a few too many bad shots, but the dudes a baller and he gets the job done.

Also, Duncan is definitely in that top five IMO.

 

[RoboticDreams]

The only one who doesn't belong is Kobe. I'd take a handful of players over Kobe. And I would most certainly take Bird over Lebron. Bird was 10 times the basketball player Lebron is.

I actually missed the Kobe reference and I'm a Kobe fan.

My list:
1. Magic
2. Jordan
3. Bird
4. Duncan (even though I hate the guy)
5. Shaq (only because he was dominate, otherwise I would take Hakeem)

 

[HammerDown]

I prefer to make it simpler. If you were starting a team and could pick anyone at that position, would you pick Bird or Lebron? Much simpler than "who is better?"

 

[BF4L]

A bit long but some awesome highlights

 

[HammerDown]

Why would Kobe not belong in the top five of the past 30 years?

The two titles he won post Shaq, were pretty impressive, with starting lineups consisting of:

Fisher
Bryant
Ariza
Odom
Gasol

and

Fisher
Bryant
Artest
Odom
Gasol

Who has one even one title with less of a supporting cast than that? Kobe might take a few too many bad shots, but the dudes a baller and he gets the job done.

Also, Duncan is definitely in that top five IMO.

Yeah, it's an endless debate. There's no way in hell I'm taking Timmy over Moses Malone or The Mailman.

 

[RoboticDreams]

I prefer to make it simpler. If you were starting a team and could pick anyone at that position, would you pick Bird or Lebron? Much simpler than "who is better?"

Bird, no question.

 

[sooner78wakeboard]

Robert Horry needs to be on someone's list.....7 rings baby!

 

[Ilovemesomeme]

Yeah, it's an endless debate. There's no way in hell I'm taking Timmy over Moses Malone or The Mailman.

Moses is close IMO. I think Duncan is head and shoulders above the Mailman though. Duncan was always a all world defender, and his ability to score on the block is at least equal to if not greater. Mailman had a better midrange game but aside from that nothing. I personally think Barkley was better than Mailman too.

 

[HammerDown]

Bird, no question.

To be honest if I were building a basketball team, I'd take Bird and about five other players over Lebron, including Dr. J and 'Nique. These kids nowadays never were awed by either. 'Nique would crush Lebron.

 

[Wazmankg]

You are comparing apples to oranges here. Sure, it is easy to say that Bird's skills were better, but LeBron is highly skilled too. You can't simply say that Bird is better because he is better in more areas. The areas where Lebron has the edge on Bird, it isn't even in the same ball park.

The only fair way to judge this is by comparing career resumes. LeBron's is already comparable to Bird's and he is only 28.

Why does everyone insist on comparing a player not even half way through his career with all time greats? That is a testament to how great LeBron really is.

I'm not necessarily saying Bird was better but what exactly are these areas where Bird isn't even in the same ball park... scoring ? nope. rebounding ? nope. passing/distributing/assists ? nope. I'll give you defense though Bird was no slouch.

 

[RoboticDreams]

To be honest if I were building a basketball team, I'd take Bird and about five other players over Lebron, including Dr. J and 'Nique. These kids nowadays never were awed by either. 'Nique would crush Lebron.

'Nique was an awesome player. He gets no mention other than dunk contest but he was an incredible player.

 

[PHISH_HEAD]

Was Bird a better rebounder?

Bird was a smarter; more intelligent player; a better positional rebounder;;he was always 2 or 3 steps ahead, in the thought process; of everybody else on the court..This more then compinsated for the fact that he was not very fast...Why do you thing he's a very successful GM today? Those same smarts; and intelligence; that he showed when he was with the Celtics (PLEASE! NOT C'S!!).

 

[Wazmankg]

Didn't some old school player say something to the effect that if Bird was black, he wouldn't have been ranked as highly?

That was Rodman so consider the source.

 

[BF4L]

I just watched that entire video that I posted last page. God I remember those days. Basketball was awesome back then..now not so much

 

[RoboticDreams]

I just watched that entire video that I posted last page. God I remember those days. Basketball was awesome back then..now not so much

Basketball was intelligent back then. Now they run isolations no stop. It's lame and I'm losing interest.

 

[HammerDown]

The only three non-debatable basketball players in history are:

#1 MJ
#2 Magic
#3 Bird

Debate #4 to infinity but the top three are taken.

 

[HammerDown]

Basketball was intelligent back then. Now they run isolations no stop. It's lame and I'm losing interest.

My sentiments exactly. We've had some epic debates here but like I keep telling these teenage Heat "fans", the '87 Lakers were the greatest team in the history of the sport and they'd sweep every team in the last 15 years in a seven-game series. But that's a whole other thread...

 

[RoboticDreams]

The only three non-debatable basketball players in history are:

#1 MJ
#2 Magic
#3 Bird

Debate #4 to infinity but the top three are taken.

4 and 5. The other 3 are without debate. I could see McHale being at 4. Barkley said he was the most difficult player he ever guarded.

 

[HammerDown]

Check this thread. Think about your list and add it.

http://www.sportshoopla.com/forums/...sion/102642-top-15-players-all-time-list.html

 

[RoboticDreams]

Check this thread. Think about your list and add it.

http://www.sportshoopla.com/forums/...sion/102642-top-15-players-all-time-list.html

That's a great list. I couldn't argue against it.