86 Celtics vs 23 Celtics

[Roy H.]

It most likely would boil down to Bird being better at making real time adjustments than anyone else.

I ask this question sincerely:  is there any player in the current NBA who would make this play?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1000406210246406145

[johnnygreen]

I think the better what if question would be between the 2008 Celtics and this team. This way, we're talking about essentially the same modern NBA.

[nyceltsfan]

It most likely would boil down to Bird being better at making real time adjustments than anyone else.

I ask this question sincerely:  is there any player in the current NBA who would make this play?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1000406210246406145

I doubt anyone in today's league can match that play, but I'd have to say if anyone has a chance, it would be Marcus Smart.

[sgrogan]

It most likely would boil down to Bird being better at making real time adjustments than anyone else.

I ask this question sincerely:  is there any player in the current NBA who would make this play?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1000406210246406145

I can actually envision Smart, but would anyone have the presence of mind to go to the hoop like Dennis?

[KG Living Legend]

The subs are really an issue. The 23 Cs have an ability to put starters on the floor for 48 minutes that the 86 team would have trouble with. Brogdon and White or Sichting and Wedman. In the modern game i think there’s a big gap.

I'm not sure that there is, because the 86 starters are going to be playing 40 minutes per game, with Walton as sixth man.  Brogdon and White are useful players, but they'd be matched up on Sichting and Wedman a total of maybe 10 minutes per game.  And, who on the Celtics bench can defend any of the 86 bigs when our current squad has foul trouble?  6'4" Grant Williams? Green Kornet?

 Look Bird is going to crush anyone. He's also shooting 12 threes per game now. The big man advantage is overblown,  because Parish is not beating this team with 15 foot jumpers.

  McHale would be a problem inside, but again this team is not losing because of it. Also McHale is not covering Tatum out to the three point line.  No chance.

 It's DJ covering Brown with Danny as the backup. Advantage Jaylen.  It's Bird vs Tatum on both ends.

 The three point shootout that today has morphed into gives an advantage to this team because the 86 teams biggest advantage size, is severely limited. 

 That said it would be an amazing series to see.

[slamtheking]

The subs are really an issue. The 23 Cs have an ability to put starters on the floor for 48 minutes that the 86 team would have trouble with. Brogdon and White or Sichting and Wedman. In the modern game i think there’s a big gap.

I'm not sure that there is, because the 86 starters are going to be playing 40 minutes per game, with Walton as sixth man.  Brogdon and White are useful players, but they'd be matched up on Sichting and Wedman a total of maybe 10 minutes per game.  And, who on the Celtics bench can defend any of the 86 bigs when our current squad has foul trouble?  6'4" Grant Williams? Green Kornet?

 Look Bird is going to crush anyone. He's also shooting 12 threes per game now. The big man advantage is overblown,  because Parish is not beating this team with 15 foot jumpers.

  McHale would be a problem inside, but again this team is not losing because of it. Also McHale is not covering Tatum out to the three point line.  No chance.

 It's DJ covering Brown with Danny as the backup. Advantage Jaylen.  It's Bird vs Tatum on both ends.

 The three point shootout that today has morphed into gives an advantage to this team because the 86 teams biggest advantage size, is severely limited. 

 That said it would be an amazing series to see.

big man advantage if anything is understated.  Parish, Mchale, Walton would either be making a barrage of buckets against the current frontline or parading to the FT line.  Al and Timelord will be spending a lot of time on the bench.  GWill, Kornet and Blake will be fouling out at a record pace.  Add in the fact that the 86 big men were plus rebounders that worked under the basket they'd be cleaning up the glass on both ends very effectively like the current team has never seen.

disagree about Bird on Tatum.  Mchale took the tougher defensive assignment.  Mchale covers Tatum.  Bird likely takes Timelord and keeps him off the offensive boards very effectively since Bird was a master at controlling the glass and keeping his man off the boards.  Parish takes Al unless the hang Al out at the 3 point line then Bird takes him.  Not worried about anything either Timelord or Al would produce offensively or on the glass against the 86 team.

Jaylen represents the real issue for the 86 team.  better than either DJ or Ainge.  DJ's a great defender and would probably cause real issues for Jaylen on his drives.  DJ was amazing at stealing off the dribble.  having said that, Jaylen just seems like he'd give the 86 team fits trying to cover him - sort of like the other SGs that could go off on them.   Also, I think the 86 backcourt would struggle on offense against the current group of guards that can score and defend.  best case is that the 86 front court requires so much help to defend for the current team that they draw fouls on the current guards as well. 

still think 86 wins in at worst a gentlemen's sweep. 

one huge advantage for the 86 team that hasn't been mentioned yet is the BBIQ.  86 team knew how to play the game and how to take advantage of the opposition's weak points.  Bird, DJ and Walton all excelled at picking apart the opposition with their passing.   This team's BBIQ is still being called into question at times.   

[Surferdad]

You guys are over-thinking this thing. Players from the 86 team are all old now. No way they keep up with the 22-23 team.   

[bdm860]

It most likely would boil down to Bird being better at making real time adjustments than anyone else.

I ask this question sincerely:  is there any player in the current NBA who would make this play?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1000406210246406145

I actually think there's a lot of players that could make that play.

To me, the play is great because it was done by a great player, on a great team, in the closing seconds of a pivotal playoff game.  It's not great because it was something only Bird could pull off (but of course Bird's more likely to pull it off because he's great and makes great plays...).


Is it really that different than the Jazz play to end their game last night?

I actually think the Celtics/Nets Game 1 ending is similar, (down in the closing seconds of an important playoff game, great D by the whole team, great reads/passes when on O)

Reggie Miller's 8 points in 9 seconds is probably most similar, and probably even better (made 3, steal, made 3 by Reggie vs Bird getting blocked, steal, pass by Bird).  And definitely don't think Miller is anything special compared to today's star (not to say that he wouldn't do well for himself in the current era).

Like the Jazz game, even role players can make amazing plays to win games.   Don't forget Miracle Milt Palacio.

So I could see a lot of guys making that play.

(That's not to hate on Bird or the play, it's awesome and legendary).

[liam]

It most likely would boil down to Bird being better at making real time adjustments than anyone else.

I ask this question sincerely:  is there any player in the current NBA who would make this play?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1000406210246406145

I actually think there's a lot of players that could make that play.

To me, the play is great because it was done by a great player, on a great team, in the closing seconds of a pivotal playoff game.  It's not great because it was something only Bird could pull off (but of course Bird's more likely to pull it off because he's great and makes great plays...).


Is it really that different than the Jazz play to end their game last night?

I actually think the Celtics/Nets Game 1 ending is similar, (down in the closing seconds of an important playoff game, great D by the whole team, great reads/passes when on O)

Reggie Miller's 8 points in 9 seconds is probably most similar, and probably even better (made 3, steal, made 3 by Reggie vs Bird getting blocked, steal, pass by Bird).  And definitely don't think Miller is anything special compared to today's star (not to say that he wouldn't do well for himself in the current era).

Like the Jazz game, even role players can make amazing plays to win games.   Don't forget Miracle Milt Palacio.

So I could see a lot of guys making that play.

(That's not to hate on Bird or the play, it's awesome and legendary).

I disagree. Bird not only steals the ball but he also has the out of bounds line under his heels and he makes the beautiful layup pass to DJ in the matter of a couple of seconds. I have never seen a play as perfect.

[liam]

If you can't be 80's physical with Bird and McHale then it's game over. 

[Roy H.]

It most likely would boil down to Bird being better at making real time adjustments than anyone else.

I ask this question sincerely:  is there any player in the current NBA who would make this play?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1000406210246406145

I actually think there's a lot of players that could make that play.

To me, the play is great because it was done by a great player, on a great team, in the closing seconds of a pivotal playoff game.  It's not great because it was something only Bird could pull off (but of course Bird's more likely to pull it off because he's great and makes great plays...).


Is it really that different than the Jazz play to end their game last night?

I actually think the Celtics/Nets Game 1 ending is similar, (down in the closing seconds of an important playoff game, great D by the whole team, great reads/passes when on O)

Reggie Miller's 8 points in 9 seconds is probably most similar, and probably even better (made 3, steal, made 3 by Reggie vs Bird getting blocked, steal, pass by Bird).  And definitely don't think Miller is anything special compared to today's star (not to say that he wouldn't do well for himself in the current era).

Like the Jazz game, even role players can make amazing plays to win games.   Don't forget Miracle Milt Palacio.

So I could see a lot of guys making that play.

(That's not to hate on Bird or the play, it's awesome and legendary).

I 100% disagree.  The play in the Jazz game was nowhere near as difficult as the Larry play.  Not only does he deflect the inbounds and grab that deflection while negotiating the out of bounds line, but he settles himself and makes a perfect pass all within the span of about one second.

Last night, two Jazz players trapped an opponent (possibly fouling him in the process) to get a steal.  Steals off of traps happen all of the time.

[sgrogan]

It most likely would boil down to Bird being better at making real time adjustments than anyone else.

I ask this question sincerely:  is there any player in the current NBA who would make this play?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1000406210246406145

I actually think there's a lot of players that could make that play.

To me, the play is great because it was done by a great player, on a great team, in the closing seconds of a pivotal playoff game.  It's not great because it was something only Bird could pull off (but of course Bird's more likely to pull it off because he's great and makes great plays...).


Is it really that different than the Jazz play to end their game last night?

I actually think the Celtics/Nets Game 1 ending is similar, (down in the closing seconds of an important playoff game, great D by the whole team, great reads/passes when on O)

Reggie Miller's 8 points in 9 seconds is probably most similar, and probably even better (made 3, steal, made 3 by Reggie vs Bird getting blocked, steal, pass by Bird).  And definitely don't think Miller is anything special compared to today's star (not to say that he wouldn't do well for himself in the current era).

Like the Jazz game, even role players can make amazing plays to win games.   Don't forget Miracle Milt Palacio.

So I could see a lot of guys making that play.

(That's not to hate on Bird or the play, it's awesome and legendary).

I 100% disagree.  The play in the Jazz game was nowhere near as difficult as the Larry play.  Not only does he deflect the inbounds and grab that deflection while negotiating the out of bounds line, but he settles himself and makes a perfect pass all within the span of about one second.

Last night, two Jazz players trapped an opponent (possibly fouling him in the process) to get a steal.  Steals off of traps happen all of the time.

Its even more.
The previous play Bird get blocked and ends up on the floor, in the opposite corner.
This is why I can envision Marcus.

[Roy H.]

It most likely would boil down to Bird being better at making real time adjustments than anyone else.

I ask this question sincerely:  is there any player in the current NBA who would make this play?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1000406210246406145

I actually think there's a lot of players that could make that play.

To me, the play is great because it was done by a great player, on a great team, in the closing seconds of a pivotal playoff game.  It's not great because it was something only Bird could pull off (but of course Bird's more likely to pull it off because he's great and makes great plays...).


Is it really that different than the Jazz play to end their game last night?

I actually think the Celtics/Nets Game 1 ending is similar, (down in the closing seconds of an important playoff game, great D by the whole team, great reads/passes when on O)

Reggie Miller's 8 points in 9 seconds is probably most similar, and probably even better (made 3, steal, made 3 by Reggie vs Bird getting blocked, steal, pass by Bird).  And definitely don't think Miller is anything special compared to today's star (not to say that he wouldn't do well for himself in the current era).

Like the Jazz game, even role players can make amazing plays to win games.   Don't forget Miracle Milt Palacio.

So I could see a lot of guys making that play.

(That's not to hate on Bird or the play, it's awesome and legendary).

I 100% disagree.  The play in the Jazz game was nowhere near as difficult as the Larry play.  Not only does he deflect the inbounds and grab that deflection while negotiating the out of bounds line, but he settles himself and makes a perfect pass all within the span of about one second.

Last night, two Jazz players trapped an opponent (possibly fouling him in the process) to get a steal.  Steals off of traps happen all of the time.

Its even more.
The previous play Bird get blocked and ends up on the floor, in the opposite corner.
This is why I can envision Marcus.

Yeah, out of all NBA players, I can see Marcus making the steal.

I'm not sure he makes that pass, though. 

[sgrogan]

It most likely would boil down to Bird being better at making real time adjustments than anyone else.

I ask this question sincerely:  is there any player in the current NBA who would make this play?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1000406210246406145

I actually think there's a lot of players that could make that play.

To me, the play is great because it was done by a great player, on a great team, in the closing seconds of a pivotal playoff game.  It's not great because it was something only Bird could pull off (but of course Bird's more likely to pull it off because he's great and makes great plays...).


Is it really that different than the Jazz play to end their game last night?

I actually think the Celtics/Nets Game 1 ending is similar, (down in the closing seconds of an important playoff game, great D by the whole team, great reads/passes when on O)

Reggie Miller's 8 points in 9 seconds is probably most similar, and probably even better (made 3, steal, made 3 by Reggie vs Bird getting blocked, steal, pass by Bird).  And definitely don't think Miller is anything special compared to today's star (not to say that he wouldn't do well for himself in the current era).

Like the Jazz game, even role players can make amazing plays to win games.   Don't forget Miracle Milt Palacio.

So I could see a lot of guys making that play.

(That's not to hate on Bird or the play, it's awesome and legendary).

I 100% disagree.  The play in the Jazz game was nowhere near as difficult as the Larry play.  Not only does he deflect the inbounds and grab that deflection while negotiating the out of bounds line, but he settles himself and makes a perfect pass all within the span of about one second.

Last night, two Jazz players trapped an opponent (possibly fouling him in the process) to get a steal.  Steals off of traps happen all of the time.

Its even more.
The previous play Bird get blocked and ends up on the floor, in the opposite corner.
This is why I can envision Marcus.

Yeah, out of all NBA players, I can see Marcus making the steal.

I'm not sure he makes that pass, though.

Ha Ha, he would have tried around the back to Sichting.

The whole sequence is amazing, and requires not giving up.

Bird drives to win the game, or at least get fouled.
He ends up on the floor in the opposite corner.
He gets up and starts back on D, realizes there  won't be a stoppage.
Guards, Dumars I think.
Switches onto Lambier and makes the steal.
Heels up, decides whether to shoot over the backboard, maybe try to throw it off Lambier, or find a cutter.

[bdm860]

It most likely would boil down to Bird being better at making real time adjustments than anyone else.

I ask this question sincerely:  is there any player in the current NBA who would make this play?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1000406210246406145

I actually think there's a lot of players that could make that play.

To me, the play is great because it was done by a great player, on a great team, in the closing seconds of a pivotal playoff game.  It's not great because it was something only Bird could pull off (but of course Bird's more likely to pull it off because he's great and makes great plays...).


Is it really that different than the Jazz play to end their game last night?

I actually think the Celtics/Nets Game 1 ending is similar, (down in the closing seconds of an important playoff game, great D by the whole team, great reads/passes when on O)

Reggie Miller's 8 points in 9 seconds is probably most similar, and probably even better (made 3, steal, made 3 by Reggie vs Bird getting blocked, steal, pass by Bird).  And definitely don't think Miller is anything special compared to today's star (not to say that he wouldn't do well for himself in the current era).

Like the Jazz game, even role players can make amazing plays to win games.   Don't forget Miracle Milt Palacio.

So I could see a lot of guys making that play.

(That's not to hate on Bird or the play, it's awesome and legendary).

I 100% disagree.  The play in the Jazz game was nowhere near as difficult as the Larry play.  Not only does he deflect the inbounds and grab that deflection while negotiating the out of bounds line, but he settles himself and makes a perfect pass all within the span of about one second.

Last night, two Jazz players trapped an opponent (possibly fouling him in the process) to get a steal.  Steals off of traps happen all of the time.

People stealing an inbound pass happens all the time too.  TJ McConnell has at least 54 of them.

And here's a reel of people making saves/steals and quick passes.  (Several are blind hail mary passes, not talking about those, but the quick directed passes by guys like Durant, LeBron, Blake Griffin, Rubio, Kobe, Duncan, Kawhi).

For me, it comes down to it's a "steal and a quick pass" amplified by it being in the closing seconds of a playoff game for the win by a legendary player.  The steal and quick pass happens all the time, by stars to scrubs.  I could see Tatum, Brown, Smart, White, Brogdon, etc. making a similar play (stealing the inbounds pass then quick pass for the assist).

Bird's play is awesome, but I can see something similar being done today too by many players.