Would the Pacers win it this Year if They Had Larry Bird In His Prime?

[chambers]

if the celtics had larry bird instead of pierce would we win it all?

[Roy H.]

if the celtics had larry bird instead of pierce would we win it all?

Yep. Love the Captain, but Larry was on a different level.

[Fafnir]

if the celtics had larry bird instead of pierce would we win it all?

Yep. Love the Captain, but Larry was on a different level.

If we had Pierce from his physical prime right now we'd also be favorites imo, not as big as if we had Larry though.

[BballTim]

Yes, without a doubt in my mind. Prime Larry is as good as Prime Jordan.
 

Larry Bird is my all-time favorite ball player, but I'm pretty sure Jordan's prime was greater than that of Larry's. I'm loath to admit it, but I don't think they stack up.

  Jordan had more healthy years, not a better prime.

[chuckitup]

I can't think of any player that could improve any team better than adding Larry Bird. He would make them a contender. BUT!...Nobody beats us if Shaq comes back...Nobody!

[ThaPreacher]

Yes, without a doubt in my mind. Prime Larry is as good as Prime Jordan.
 

Who matches with Larry?  
You have to realize that he primarily played small forward, but it was not uncommon for Larry to defend or be defended by power forwards for a time, depending on the Celtic lineup.
But examine the matchups.

Chicago:  Boozer or Deng.   Larry would outrebound both of them and make "mince meat out of that mouse."

Boston:  KG/Pierce   sorry but think of the All-Stars Bird dominated.  I think it would have been fun to hear the KG/Bird trash talk.

Atlanta/Orlando   LOL

Miami:   Lebron, Bosh   Foul trouble.   And Larry would make Danny Granger a monster against this team.  

Great thread idea, btw!
  

Yes, I put full faith in LJB- the Hick from French Lick:  he'd give Kobe nightmares the way that he used to give Magic Johnson sleepless nights

[JBcat]

I'd rather put Larry's prime on our Celtics and give the Lakers Magic's prime.  That would be something to see.   

[moiso]

if the celtics had larry bird instead of pierce would we win it all?

Yep. Love the Captain, but Larry was on a different level.

If we had Pierce from his physical prime right now we'd also be favorites imo, not as big as if we had Larry though.

I prefer the current Pierce to the Pierce of his physical prime.  Can physical prime Paul keep current Paul's brain?

[slamtheking]

I think he makes them a top 4 team in the East but I don't see them as title contenders.  No one other than Granger is a top level talent on that team and Granger is killing himself with defensive effort.

I don't see a Pacer team with Bird able to beat this current Celtics team.  I think KG and Green could do a respectable job guarding Bird to be honest.  They both have the size and speed to make Bird work for his shot.

Now having said that, put him on the current C's and they blow everyone else away.  The question is do you start him over KG or PP or put KG at center with Bird at PF.  Bird didn't have the foot speed for the current defensive schemes but the C's would not lose the battle of the boards.

[Redz]

In his prime as a GM?

[P2]

Would the Wizards reach the playoffs if they had Havlicek and Cowens in their prime?

Would the Thunder be the #1 seed in the West if they had Bill Russell in his prime?

OP, your question is soooooo random.

[KG Living Legend]

 Who cares, the point is to use your imagination.

 I was watching Larry Legend sweat watching the Pacers almost lose at the end of the game, and thought I betcha this team would win it all with Larry if you could give him the fountain of juice, that's all.

[jdz101]

Larry bird was overrated.

**runs away giggling**

[jdpapa3]

I think they'd compete. 3/4 of the Pacers losses were close and Indiana had the lead in the 4th quarter in 3 separate losses. No way does Prime Larry let the team pee down its leg like it did with him as captain.

Don't think they'd beat us or Miami, though. Defense not good enough to hang.

[steve]

The Washington Generals would win if they had Larry Bird.