lebron is weak-minded and vain. You think lebron could do anything once larry got into his head. larry is the opposite of that. Lebron couldn't beat Larry on his best day.
I agree somewhat. I also don't buy the throwing LeBron at the 4 because he is as big as guys like Karl Malone. LeBron won't be down for all the banging it is going to take to hold Malone on the block.
I could see the need for some outside shooting. I suppose it may make sense to have the one of the best 3 points shooter ever on the team. But yeah - how could Lebron not be on the team?
All 2002 team Steve Nash - 22.6 PER Kobe - 26.2 PER McGrady - 30.3 PER Duncan - 27 PER Shaq - 29.7 PER All-time Paul Jordan LeBron Hakeem Shaq or if you hate poor free throw shooters: Paul Jordan LeBron Duncan Hakeem
Lebron and Bird is close. I dunno how people are acting as though it's insulting to Lebron by picking Bird over him. It's like picking between one of the all time great centers.
I think people forget about Bird's mental game. They just think Bird was a scorer and that's it. Lebron has never had to play against a player who was better than we was and in his prime. Lebron and the heat probably couldn't have won one game against the '86 celtics, because Lebron wouldn't have been able to deal with Bird's trash talking.
Its really not very if you have a historical perspective on their respective accomplishments. That's why the Birdmen have to bring up "oh he will get in Lebrons head" because there aren't a lot of bullets in their gun.
That's right. LeBron's last 5 seasons have trumped any of Bird's seasons statistically and someone on the bbs just said Bird was a better rebounder than LeBron??? Unbelievable.
When it comes to fit there's no question that Bird is better than Lebron. As stated, he's one of the best shooters of all time and on the basketball court, he's the type of guy who's number 1 priority is to win. Screw the stats, screw getting points for yourself. Do what it takes to win. He's not the best defender of all time but he's a good one on one defender who has a great mental game as well. Heck if they get to blow by him and get into the paint, most these lineups have some of the greatest shotblockers in history to clean up. One on one, sure Lebron can beat Bird. He's twice his size and so much faster. In a GOAT lineup that features ball dominant players like Jordan and Magic and elite post players, Imma take Bird everyday of the week and twice on Sundays.
lebron has benefited from a league without any true threat to his greatness. When he has to go 7 games with a pacers team, whose best player is Paul George and then gets worked by an old spurs team, that don't inspire confidence that he could have went toe to toe with: Micheal Magic Larry Isiah Worthy Mchale Hakeem I mean hell durant is basically Nique, and dominque wasn't even close to being on these guys level. Give me a break. This era of basketball is pretty watered down.
Yeah it is. Bird was really really impressive on the offensive end. Lebron's defense is clearly better (not that Bird was bad at that end especially as a PF). The style of play in the 80s didn't benefit perimeter players like it does today. You have to take that into account a little. Bird was forced to be a post up player (which he was brilliant at). Today Bird would have been shooting a lot more 3s, he would have probably been healthier thanks to modern medicine and training techniques. And Bird running a pick and roll would be so deadly. It would be completely unguardable just like it is with Lebron. Offensively, I would still take a prime Larry Bird in todays game over Lebron. Also Bird was amazing at the little things in the game just like Lebron is. Bird was willing to sacrifice his body more though. Killed his durability and probably wasn't too smart for the long run but man it was amazing.
Durant is a ton better than Nique. Don't be ridiculous. Nique is more of a Melo type player. Also that old ass Spurs team was still really really damn good.
I mentioned Birds defense. Wasn't quick of feet, but could read plays, anticipate, and had damn quick hands. In the end, birds all around offensive game and killer instinct outweigh Lebrons "defensive" advantage. You can build a defense to slow down Lebron. The only thing that ever slowed Bird was his back. The kicker in this argument? I think Larry would be able to handle Lebron's defense with ease. (Remember, his offensive game was never based on quickness). Also, whoever said the league is "tougher" now needs to watch some older games. Very little flopping, much more physical, and as far as I see it... Much more competitive rivalries which elevated everyone's level of play (birds teams wanted to kill the other team).
The difference is that the defensive schemes now are much better. Straight post ups barely work because the help defense is much smarter. Defense is played with 5 players instead of 1 vs 1.
I am always perplexed at people coming to definitive conclusions about these things when they haven't even watched some of these players play.
I don't think you can lose with a line up of Magic, MJ, Bird, Duncan and Olajuwon just like I don't think you can lose with Magic, MJ, Lebron, Duncan and Olajuwon. The four other studs Lebron and Bird would be playing with would keep both players playing great. I'd look at Lebron as more of a facilitator point forward ala Pippen with the all-time heavy lineup. Lebron wouldn't need to be the man. He could just be the guy that quietly does it all and fills up the stat sheet without getting all the recognition in that kind of lineup. I think both MJ, and Magic wouldn't allow Lebron to crumble mentally. Plus the team is way too good anyways for that to possibly happen.
I am not going to get into the argument of Bird vs Lebron but how the hell did you come to this conclusion??? Straight up post ups "barely work" because there arent many post up players anymore in the league. You can still isolate players in the post. If anything, back then you could use two hands to uproot the post player, which you cant do anymore. Detroit Pistons defense were played with 5 players, a hammer, and a chainsaw. Knicks defense was absolutely brutal especially inside the paint. Bulls had the best trapping backcourt and help defense with Jordan, Pippen, and Grant and later with Harper. These defenses relied on all 5 players helping out. if you are going to make such a generalized claim, atleast qualify it with a "IMO"
There's a lot more motion before just posting up a player these days. There is some cross screening and stuff done. And yeah, I was definitely exaggerating by saying straight post ups barely work. I definitely believe that defensive schemes and help is better now. Rotations are much crisper than they used to be. Defense back then was more physical individually but there were many help concepts that didn't exist. The man-zone principles installed by coaches like Thibs have really helped defenses now. But yeah, my straight post ups don't work claim was pretty false. Especially with modern spacing, post ups can still be quite deadly.
