Bird the GOAT!

[liam]

Even the Lakers admit it...


https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/michael-cooper-said-showtime-lakers-153000262.html

[Roy H.]

That is wild praise.

[slamtheking]

still don't get why people say it's Jordan or Lebron.  I'd put Russell, Wilt, Bird and Magic over both of them. 

[Roy H.]

still don't get why people say it's Jordan or Lebron.  I'd put Russell, Wilt, Bird and Magic over both of them.

I've thought about rankings in general over the years, and I've decided it's impossible to name a GOAT.   But, if I was starting a franchise with one player, I'd take Larry first and Magic 2nd. 

If I was choosing a guy for the NBA logo, though, it would be Bill Russell.  He is the greatest winner in the history of professional team sports.

[Neurotic Guy]

still don't get why people say it's Jordan or Lebron.  I'd put Russell, Wilt, Bird and Magic over both of them.

I've thought about rankings in general over the years, and I've decided it's impossible to name a GOAT.   But, if I was starting a franchise with one player, I'd take Larry first and Magic 2nd. 

If I was choosing a guy for the NBA logo, though, it would be Bill Russell.  He is the greatest winner in the history of professional team sports.

When the NBA logo design team got together how do you think the conversation went, ending up with Jerry West as the model?

[slamtheking]

still don't get why people say it's Jordan or Lebron.  I'd put Russell, Wilt, Bird and Magic over both of them.

I've thought about rankings in general over the years, and I've decided it's impossible to name a GOAT.   But, if I was starting a franchise with one player, I'd take Larry first and Magic 2nd. 

If I was choosing a guy for the NBA logo, though, it would be Bill Russell.  He is the greatest winner in the history of professional team sports.

I can't say I'd take anyone over Larry or Magic if starting a team. 

My feelings toward Russell being the clear GOAT is that he was the best player on the most dominant dynasty in pro sports.  He also won 2 college titles as well as being a world-class athlete in track and field.  People have argued he won because his team had other hall of famers but (a) he continued to win during his entire career with a fairly significant roster change from the beginning to the end of that dynasty and (b) it's fair to say some of those players were hall of famers because they played with Russell.  He also had to win those titles going up against the ultimate individual player in Wilt Chamberlain who was a phenomenal athlete and skilled basketball player in his own right. 

[Birdman]

We all know if Bird didn?t hurt his back & Len Bias didn?t pass away, Bird would probably won at least 3 more titles

[RMO]

still don't get why people say it's Jordan or Lebron.  I'd put Russell, Wilt, Bird and Magic over both of them.

I've thought about rankings in general over the years, and I've decided it's impossible to name a GOAT.   But, if I was starting a franchise with one player, I'd take Larry first and Magic 2nd. 

If I was choosing a guy for the NBA logo, though, it would be Bill Russell.  He is the greatest winner in the history of professional team sports.

When the NBA logo design team got together how do you think the conversation went, ending up with Jerry West as the model?

Sympathetic

[slamtheking]

We all know if Bird didn?t hurt his back & Len Bias didn?t pass away, Bird would probably won at least 3 more titles

Possibly.  I think the surer things that would have led to more titles is Tiny not getting injured in the 83 playoffs, the injury to Max impacting the 85 finals and the Mchale/Walton injuries crippling them in the 87 finals.

I do think that if Bias and Lewis were healthy instead of tragically passing, they'd have been seen as the next wave of Celtic greats and possibly winning a few titles with them as the headliners and the Big 3 playing more supportive roles.  Certainly would have put those first 3 Bulls titles in jeopardy for MJ.  If nothing else, having Bias probably would have encouraged Mchale to get that foot surgery when he needed it instead of playing on it and hurting his career afterwards

[Neurotic Guy]

We all know if Bird didn?t hurt his back & Len Bias didn?t pass away, Bird would probably won at least 3 more titles

Those are two enormous ifs, but yes - if either one didn't happen the Cs (Bird) would have more titles.   Also, if MJ didn't play baseball or if Magic didn't get the AIDS virus, Bulls and LAL would have more titles.

Bird was amazing - none better.  But I'd say the same for Magic and Jordan.  Doesn't matter who the actual GOAT is, they were gifted and maniacally competitive.   

[Moranis]

Depends what your definition of GOAT is. 

[nickagneta]

Picking GOATs in basketball is so tough due to the differences in eras. But, if every NBA player was somehow able to have the same upbringing and training pre-professional basketball, had access to the same dietary and training pros to help them, had the same access to modern medicine and all played under the same set of rules, then this would be my GOAT list

1. Bird
2. Jordan
3. Russell
4. Magic
5. Kareem
6. Lebron
7. Chamberlain
8. Shaq
9. Duncan
10. Kobe

[Moranis]

Picking GOATs in basketball is so tough due to the differences in eras. But, if every NBA player was somehow able to have the same upbringing and training pre-professional basketball, had access to the same dietary and training pros to help them, had the same access to modern medicine and all played under the same set of rules, then this would be my GOAT list

1. Bird
2. Jordan
3. Russell
4. Magic
5. Kareem
6. Lebron
7. Chamberlain
8. Shaq
9. Duncan
10. Kobe

Seems fair. I always struggle with the athletic freaks guys like Wilt, Bill, and Lebron who are just so physically gifted it is always hard to know how they would do in different eras.  Like in modern ball would Wilt look more like a stronger Wemby or would he not train as much and be more like Jokic.  Would Bill end up more like a better Ben Wallace or a shorter Wemby. LeBron is basically the same size as Karl Malone.  If he was in an earlier era he almost certainly ends up a PF from start. How does that affect his game.  Even someone like Larry, does he start and stay a wing like Durant, does he start as a wing and go inside like KG, or does he start and stay as a big more like Dirk.