Congrats to LeBron. One of the greatest of all time.
Without a doubt.
I don't know how everyone else measures greatness but if I could pick Bird or Lebron for one game, one playoff series, or one season, and know I'd get him at his best, I'm picking Bird. Because of longevity I understand those who will say that Lebron is the greater player but I still think Bird is the "better" player.
I get that.
As Celtics fans we've SEEN Bird play and the incredible things he's done in Green.
I have no doubt that LeBron James - in Bird's place - could've done just about the same things.
I don't think he was NEARLY as good a passer as Larry but I believe BOS's ring count would've been the same....maybe more.
LeBron James was BUILT for just about ANY era of the NBA. He would've adjusted to (and probably RELISHED) the tough and rugged play of the 80's.
That 87' series vs the Lakers? We would NOT have had a Larry Bird that was starting to show signs of wear and tear.
LeBron James would've SHREDDED Michael Cooper - SHREDDED him. Too big. Too fast.
LeBron James would've been how old in 87? 28?? Lakers would've been done.
LOL won more rings with Lebron? Lebron doesn't have the mental toughness Larry had. Replace Larry with Lebron in 84 and the Celtics weren't beating the Lakers that year. Bird came in the league at 24 and missed pretty much a whole season not to mention the last 2 years of missing multiple games with back issues. Lebron has had a pretty healthy long career and entered the league at18. He is going to break records and put up great stats because of that longevity. People will assume he was better than Bird because of that. How many games did it take Lebron to match Larry's triple doubles? How many games did Larry do it in? The only thing Lebron has over Bird IMO is defense and longevity. I would put Bird's years from 84-87 over any 4 year span of Lebron.
Mental Toughness? Or lack thereof?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-VzBeOrdAgSee game 6 ECF vs none other than the Boston Celtics.
MIA was down 3-2 to us and had to go back to BOS. LeBron James put MIA on his back and then proceeded to run roughshod over us to the tune of 45 points.
He was like a Bull in a China shop, and his China Shop was located in Boston.
Look, I love Larry (and Boston) as much as ANYONE here but we've GOT to stop sipping the kool-aid for a min.......