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Celtics Basketball => Celtics Talk => Topic started by: ianboyextreme on December 07, 2012, 02:56:09 PM

Title: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: ianboyextreme on December 07, 2012, 02:56:09 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NyTs-Njypk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeUi8nHd3Vk

Listen to the moderator as she introduces says Larry's name- "Larry Bird guys......".

What the *$&# is going on?

Is Larry Bird not universally accepted as a top 5 player of all time? The most complete player to ever play?

Oh right I remember........hes white. The media doesnt compare players to other players unless they are of the same race. Its actually racism.

Its sad seeing this is even being discussed as a strange comparison.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: lightspeed5 on December 07, 2012, 03:01:17 PM
what athleticism is stephen a. smith referring to for durant? durant couldnt even bench press anything at the combine last time i checked.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: DarkAzcura on December 07, 2012, 03:04:59 PM
what athleticism is stephen a. smith referring to for durant? durant couldnt even bench press anything at the combine last time i checked.

To be fair, I've never seen someone improve their athleticism as much as Durant has since he joined the league.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: Snakehead on December 07, 2012, 04:18:19 PM
what athleticism is stephen a. smith referring to for durant? durant couldnt even bench press anything at the combine last time i checked.

Athleticism doesn't mean strength.

Durant is weak but is very athletic.  I don't think there has ever been a player that tall that has moved that well.

Regarding Bird, the popular opinion of NBA players will never consider defense much even though it is half the game so Bird will always be underrated.  Just like Russell is.  Just like how Nowitzki was compared to Bird after the title. 

It's ridiculous and it did bother me for a while but I've gotten over it.  Who cares what they say, we will know.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: Moranis on December 07, 2012, 04:37:57 PM
I'm not exactly sure what the complaint with the videos is here.  Smith and Skip both had very high praise of Bird and both said he was great and that Durant was similar.  Rob is just a race monger, who brings it to everything he does.  He can just be ignored and even with his race mongering, it wasn't like he said anything bad about Bird. 

Of all the things to get upset about this thread is just ridiculous.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: staticcc on December 07, 2012, 04:46:59 PM
Skip and Stephen A actually made good points and saw the comparison. Rob Parker on the other hand, just plain sucks. He was complaining when Cam Newton was only compared to failed black QBs and asked why Cam can't be compared to white QBs. Now that Durant is compared to Bird, he's not okay with it too?! Come on!
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: Roy H. on December 07, 2012, 04:56:00 PM
Bird was a better passer, rebounder, and defender.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: sahara on December 07, 2012, 05:23:29 PM
what athleticism is stephen a. smith referring to for durant? durant couldnt even bench press anything at the combine last time i checked.

Athleticism doesn't mean strength.

Preach. Back in the day as a very skinny teenager i could outrun everybody on the court and dunk with ease while I was 187cm/68kg and couldnīt manage a single pull-up, let alone do a bench press with my own weight. Strength matters under the boards, not so much if youīre finesse type of a player.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: GreenFaith1819 on December 07, 2012, 05:28:36 PM
Bird was a better passer, rebounder, and defender.

Exactly.

Come back and talk to us, KD, once you've won at least 3 Second Team NBA defensive awards - like Larry.

I agree with most of Stephen A's points, though - KD "can" become like Larry. He's got a great role model to look up to, there.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: quidinqui33 on December 07, 2012, 05:38:27 PM
The reason this was a topic is because the other day, there was a sporting news article where Durant said that he tries to model his game after Larry.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/thunder/2012/12/05/kevin-durant-game-is-evolving-and-so-is-his-marketability/1748853/

Here is the quote:

""Larry Bird is a guy I like watching," Durant said with a smile. "I watch film on him all the time. I like his approach to the game when he was playing. When I first started playing the game, my Godfather Taras Brown – who taught me how to play – he always was a Larry Bird guy, always used to look up his stats. Brown, nicknamed "Stink" was a trainer at a local gym, Seat Pleasant Recreation Center, just outside of Washington, D.C. where Durant grew up and was his coach there.

"So of course as I got older and started to watch NBATV, Legends games, and of course you here the stories about the rivalries with him and the Lakers and him and Magic, so I like his competitiveness, how low-maintenance he was, how he just went out there and did his job. He played hard. He played for the love of the game, and that's what I've got."

What he doesn't have and so badly wants, however, is a 50-40-90 season like Bird had in the 1986-87 and 1987-88 seasons – 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range and 90% from the line. It has only been done 11 times by players who played the large majority of the season, with Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki the last small forward to do it, in 2006-07, and Lakers point guard Steve Nash has done it four times.

It's the sort of goal that makes the grind of an 82-game season more manageable, the kind of statistical pursuit that both motivates him individually and raises the bar collectively. Sustained excellence requires projects such as these.

"That's something I want do, something I'm chasing," he admitted. "That's being efficient, taking good shots, taking what the defense gives you, not forcing…That's what I want to do. I just want to grow in that area."

Not sure why people are so fired up about the fact that Skip and Stephen A are discussing this...it's what they do and it is because Durant likes Bird's game.  All good things.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: sahara on December 07, 2012, 06:02:03 PM
The race thing was totally uncalled for, I am a white dude from northern europe and most of my so-called "idols" are black, does that make a "wigga"? I couldnīt care less what the so-called analysts from ESPN think.

"Oh KD likes the game of a whiteboy? I guess he ainīt black enough"

Disgusting.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: scaryjerry on December 07, 2012, 06:06:30 PM
I saw this and brought it up in another thread....most embarrassing thing ever on first take...which is saying a ton..

Rob Parker specifically is a disaster
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: sahara on December 07, 2012, 06:13:15 PM
For the first time ever I was rooting for Stephen A. to be even more LOUDER!
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: GreenFaith1819 on December 07, 2012, 06:13:43 PM
The race thing was totally uncalled for, I am a white dude from northern europe and most of my so-called "idols" are black, does that make a "wigga"? I couldnīt care less what the so-called analysts from ESPN think.

"Oh KD likes the game of a whiteboy? I guess he ainīt black enough"

Disgusting.

Yeah, I missed that at first, lol.

Funny thing is that ALL of the black barbershops I used to attend gave Larry MAD props.

I think that, eventually, Larry's game ended up transcending race. I think people started to realize that you just couldn't pidgeon-hole Larry into some category. He was THAT good.

If Kevin Durant TRULY models his game after Larry, he will be even more special than he already is.

Just make your teammates better, KD...make them better. If he does that, then he'll be Larry-like.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: sahara on December 07, 2012, 06:18:03 PM
The race thing was totally uncalled for, I am a white dude from northern europe and most of my so-called "idols" are black, does that make a "wigga"? I couldnīt care less what the so-called analysts from ESPN think.

"Oh KD likes the game of a whiteboy? I guess he ainīt black enough"

Disgusting.

Yeah, I missed that at first, lol.

Funny thing is that ALL of the black barbershops I used to attend gave Larry MAD props.

I think that, eventually, Larry's game ended up transcending race. I think people started to realize that you just couldn't pidgeon-hole Larry into some category. He was THAT good.

If Kevin Durant TRULY models his game after Larry, he will be even more special than he already is.

Just make your teammates better, KD...make them better. If he does that, then he'll be Larry-like.

He will make his team mates EVEN better once he will get a chance without Westbrook!  Imagine Durant+Rondo?
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: staticcc on December 07, 2012, 06:18:13 PM

Not sure why people are so fired up about the fact that Skip and Stephen A are discussing this...it's what they do and it is because Durant likes Bird's game.  All good things.

It's because of Rob Parker's opinion that KD should have picked a black player as his idol, which is ridiculous really.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: GreenFaith1819 on December 07, 2012, 06:20:21 PM
The race thing was totally uncalled for, I am a white dude from northern europe and most of my so-called "idols" are black, does that make a "wigga"? I couldnīt care less what the so-called analysts from ESPN think.

"Oh KD likes the game of a whiteboy? I guess he ainīt black enough"

Disgusting.

Yeah, I missed that at first, lol.

Funny thing is that ALL of the black barbershops I used to attend gave Larry MAD props.

I think that, eventually, Larry's game ended up transcending race. I think people started to realize that you just couldn't pidgeon-hole Larry into some category. He was THAT good.

If Kevin Durant TRULY models his game after Larry, he will be even more special than he already is.

Just make your teammates better, KD...make them better. If he does that, then he'll be Larry-like.

He will make his team mates EVEN better once he will get a chance without Westbrook!  Imagine Durant+Rondo?

Now THAT would be special..Rondo-KD.

Perhaps one day.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: ManUp on December 07, 2012, 06:25:18 PM
Bird was a better passer, rebounder, and defender.

Maybe, (rebounding and defense is debatable IMO)but it's the best comparison for Durant. I remember thinking it since his nbadraft.net comparison, where he was described as a Dirk Nowitzki/T-Mac Hybrid. When I think T-mac/Nowitzki Hybrid sounds like Bird to me.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: sahara on December 07, 2012, 06:26:09 PM
The race thing was totally uncalled for, I am a white dude from northern europe and most of my so-called "idols" are black, does that make a "wigga"? I couldnīt care less what the so-called analysts from ESPN think.

"Oh KD likes the game of a whiteboy? I guess he ainīt black enough"

Disgusting.

Yeah, I missed that at first, lol.

Funny thing is that ALL of the black barbershops I used to attend gave Larry MAD props.

I think that, eventually, Larry's game ended up transcending race. I think people started to realize that you just couldn't pidgeon-hole Larry into some category. He was THAT good.

If Kevin Durant TRULY models his game after Larry, he will be even more special than he already is.

Just make your teammates better, KD...make them better. If he does that, then he'll be Larry-like.

He will make his team mates EVEN better once he will get a chance without Westbrook!  Imagine Durant+Rondo?

Now THAT would be special..Rondo-KD.

Perhaps one day.

Oh, it will happen.... When they are fat & slow & near 40.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: Celtics4ever on December 07, 2012, 06:36:20 PM
Bird was a way better passer and rebounder it is not even close.   Durant is a nice offensive player though but Bird makes the whole team better.   He was a force multiplier.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: sahara on December 07, 2012, 06:55:13 PM
Bird was a way better passer and rebounder it is not even close.   Durant is a nice offensive player though but Bird makes the whole team better.   He was a force multiplier.

Westbrook holds down KD in a really really bad way. Durant is clearly the best player on that team, yet he puts up with Russys way. I donīt think that Larry wouldīve put up with that bs, but KD WILL dominate the league like LB once he has the guts to understand that he is the man.

Durant is just too nice of a guy, Larry wasnīt. Thereīs the diffenrce.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: nickagneta on December 07, 2012, 07:07:21 PM
In the end I hope Kevin Durant becomes the next...Kevin Durant.

He has some of the overall all around skills that Larry had but he is perhaps lacking where it matters most. Larry might have been one of the toughest, most competitive, most ruthless, S.O.B's to ever play the game and have his skillset. He had an unreal leadership ability and ability to show up in the "moment"

If Durant had as much desire, toughness and sheer force of will that Larry did, he could probably be as good a rebounder and defender as Larry and win as many rings and MVPs as Larry. But Durant will never have the court vision or passing ability as Larry. And in the end, I think there have only been a few players to ever have that "it" factor that Larry did. MJ, Larry, Magic, Russell. They all had that competitive desire and drive to win and to do what needed to be done to win it all. I'm not sure KD has that just yet or that he ever will.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: Roy H. on December 07, 2012, 07:11:11 PM
Bird was a better passer, rebounder, and defender.

Maybe, (rebounding and defense is debatable IMO)but it's the best comparison for Durant. I remember thinking it since his nbadraft.net comparison, where he was described as a Dirk Nowitzki/T-Mac Hybrid. When I think T-mac/Nowitzki Hybrid sounds like Bird to me.

Durant is nothing like Bird in terms of passing ability, though.  That was such a huge part of Larry's game that it just can't be ignored.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: sahara on December 07, 2012, 07:14:09 PM
In the end I hope Kevin Durant becomes the next...Kevin Durant.

He has some of the overall all around skills that Larry had but he is perhaps lacking where it matters most. Larry might have been one of the toughest, most competitive, most ruthless, S.O.B's to ever play the game and have his skillset. He had an unreal leadership ability and ability to show up in the "moment"

If Durant had as much desire, toughness and sheer force of will that Larry did, he could probably be as good a rebounder and defender as Larry and win as many rings and MVPs as Larry. But Durant will never have the court vision or passing ability as Larry. And in the end, I think there have only been a few players to ever have that "it" factor that Larry did. MJ, Larry, Magic, Russell. They all had that competitive desire and drive to win and to do what needed to be done to win it all. I'm not sure KD has that just yet or that he ever will.

Exactly the words I was looking for.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: nickagneta on December 07, 2012, 07:17:40 PM
Always loved this Larry Bird seasonal stat:

36.9 MPG, 20.2 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 6.8 APG, 46.6% FG%, 40.6% 3PT%, 92.6 FT%, 0.9 SPG, 0.7 BPG

Easily one of the most remarkable statistical seasons ever put up by a player.

Oh, and by the way, he did that at 35 years of age with a back so bad he couldn't practice or even sit on the sidelines when he wasn't playing. He came out of the game for 11 minutes a night and lied on his stomach or back on the sidelines when he wasn't in the game.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: GreenFaith1819 on December 07, 2012, 07:17:43 PM
In the end I hope Kevin Durant becomes the next...Kevin Durant.

He has some of the overall all around skills that Larry had but he is perhaps lacking where it matters most. Larry might have been one of the toughest, most competitive, most ruthless, S.O.B's to ever play the game and have his skillset. He had an unreal leadership ability and ability to show up in the "moment"

If Durant had as much desire, toughness and sheer force of will that Larry did, he could probably be as good a rebounder and defender as Larry and win as many rings and MVPs as Larry. But Durant will never have the court vision or passing ability as Larry. And in the end, I think there have only been a few players to ever have that "it" factor that Larry did. MJ, Larry, Magic, Russell. They all had that competitive desire and drive to win and to do what needed to be done to win it all. I'm not sure KD has that just yet or that he ever will.

Well said....this is why I'm doubtful that OKC would defeat MIA if they meet again in June.

Even more reason for BOS to upset MIA. I don't want a repeat of LeBron running roughshod over KD and OKC.
Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: sahara on December 07, 2012, 07:24:47 PM
Always loved this Larry Bird seasonal stat:

36.9 MPG, 20.2 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 6.8 APG, 46.6% FG%, 40.6% 3PT%, 92.6 FT%, 0.9 SPG, 0.7 BPG

Easily one of the most remarkable statistical seasons ever put up by a player.

Oh, and by the way, he did that at 35 years of age with a back so bad he couldn't practice or even sit on the sidelines when he wasn't playing. He came out of the game for 11 minutes a night and lied on his stomach or back on the sidelines when he wasn't in the game.

Sick, sick, SICK numbers. I donīt care that Spike made a scene about Larry because I know he was just jealous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7UZ9g8wvFI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7UZ9g8wvFI)

Title: Re: First Take Durant, Bird discussion...huh
Post by: RebusRankin on December 07, 2012, 07:42:23 PM
Bird was top 4 for MVP votes his first 9 years. 4th was his rookie year. 81-87, top 2 every year winning 3 and he should have won in 1981 and 1987.