Would Larry Bird be an All-Star today?

[Barnabas]

Reyquilla said something that touched on something that I've always wondered about.  Given today's athleticism, how would Larry Bird do in the NBA if he were drafted today (assume he's 22, ofcourse!)? 

Do you think Larry Bird could have done as well in today's NBA?   

[wdleehi]

Yes, he would. 

[liam]

He'd be better. The League is so watered down. Who could defend BIrd? He'd still be a 6'9" small forward with great hands, a sweet stroke, very good rebounding, fantastic basketball smarts. YES he'd be fine.
He'd probably have better basketball shoes....

[Jon]

Ever heard of Steve Nash?  He's hardly the prototype for athleticism and has been the MVP multiple times. 

To a lesser extent, think about Paul Pierce.  While Paul is more athletic than Larry, he's certainly not Kobe or LeBron.  Still, because of his head, he won the title this year. 

Also, look at Tim Duncan.  He's not Josh Smith athletic and he has four rings. 

If anything the past decade in the NBA has proven that athleticism doesn't mean everything. 

[Barnabas]

wdleehi, "Yes, he would."

Do you think he'll get beat off the dribble by the likes of LeBron?  Can he score against most of today's SF?

[Chief]

100% yes. Plus, if you put him on almost any team in the league, they would compete for the title every year.

[wdleehi]

wdleehi, "Yes, he would."

Do you think he'll get beat off the dribble by the likes of LeBron?  Can he score against most of today's SF?

Who doesn't get beat by Lebron one on one?  Bird was a strong team defender.


As for scoring, yes.   Not a problem.  Larry Bird was the guy that would go out there, tell his defender what he was going to do.  Then did it. 

[Finkelskyhook]

Rose and Beasley would be drafted after him.  

Exactly what Liam said.  Including the shoes.

wdleehi, "Yes, he would."

Do you think he'll get beat off the dribble by the likes of LeBron?  Can he score against most of today's SF?

Bird got beat off the dribble by Wilkins.  So the messiah would definitely beat him off the dribble.  But Bird wouldn't be guarding him anyway.    However, nobody on the messiah's, or anybody else's team could guard Bird.  The only players who could stay with Bird defensively allowed Bird to be the great help defender he was because they weren't factors offensively.  The same would hold true today.  He had size for his position then and now.  Bird has a higher basketball IQ than any current player and maybe any player ever.  

[bbc3341]

Bird would be great no matter the era. We forget, the 80's were the most fast paced and athletic the game has been! Bird played when teams routinely scored 120 pts. He played fantastic against the athletic Lakers, Hawks, 76ers, Bulls, etc. His main assets, hands, coordination, shooting, passing, bball IQ, transcend trends in the game. He'd be an MVP candidate every year...

[LarBrd33]

I think the whole "league more athletic" thing is a little overrated.  A lot of those old teams played at a pretty fast pace.  And there was always athletes in the league.  Guys like Worthy, Nique, Jordan, Michael Ray Richardson... etc... those guys were ripped out.  It surprises me a lot when I look back at videos or images of players from the 80s or 70s or even 60s/50s... its not like they were a bunch of slow fat white boys.  Look at a guy like Oscar Robertson for example:



That guy is a beast, man.   It's not like suddenly the game has evolved into a bunch of superhumans.  It's always been full of peak athleticism.

The point is... Bird was considered "slow" and "unathletic" in his day and he had no trouble dominating.  He'd have no trouble dominating today.  And with the watered down league he'd probably dominate even more. 

I'm not sure why so many people think the game has suddenly evolved.  Bird was dominating in a time when Isiah, Jordan, Magic, Malone, Stockton, Nique, Hakeem etc were around...  Jordan, Malone, Stockton, Hakeem were able to dominate in a time of Shaq, GP, Kemp, etc...     Shaq was able to dominate in a time of Kobe, KG, Duncan, etc...   I mean this is just a dumb list off the top of my head, but its not like we're talking about Bob Cousy trying to deal with an Iverson crossover. 

[Casperian]

Blasphemy!

We`re talking about the GOAT...

I have yet to see a better Forward in the NBA. He was too smart, great vision and timing, a perfect shot, an outstanding passer and the mindset of a winner are just a handful of his Strengths.

[Redz]

shhhhh...don't tell anyone, I'm nuthin more than more than a slow white guy

[zerophase]

not saying that veal is an allstar (he is clearly not) but if he can get his shot off in the nba, then bird/anyone can too. and if bird can get his shot off, watch out. that's like asking is russell would still block shots today.

[SShoreFan 2.0]

shhhhh...don't tell anyone, I'm nuthin more than more than a slow white guy

dumb, slow white guy...you forgot dumb, remember the guy was from the sticks of Indiana.

[Roy Hobbs]

Larry did quite well against the Bad Boys Pistons and MJ's Bulls.  I see no reason he couldn't compete now.

I basically co-sign onto LarBrd33's post.