Bird>James

[Banner18now!]

It's too bad I have to root for James to lose instead of enjoying  him play because new NBA fans want to have knee jerk reactions. James  is a great basketball player no one can deny that. However, most fans who watched Bird in his prime know that Larry from 84-87 was the better player in his prime. Better scorer, re-bounder, passer... yes James is a very good passer but Larry was on another level. The most important part was Larry was wayyyyy more clutch and always the alpha male in the 4th quarter. Again congrats Lebron but some of you, on a Celtics board no less, need to do some homework.

[PhoSita]

I'm afraid that argument is very hard to make after tonight.

If Bird had been able to play longer, maybe it's a different story.

But LeBron has surpassed Bird and he's got another 4-5 years left in all likelihood, maybe a lot longer.

[Ilikesports17]

Id say longevity counts.

Larry was imo superior for those 4 or 5 years but Lebron James has been the best player in basketball since Id say 2010 and that is probably conservative.

[Banner18now!]

I'm afraid that argument is very hard to make after tonight.

If Bird had been able to play longer, maybe it's a different story.

But LeBron has surpassed Bird and he's got another 4-5 years left in all likelihood, maybe a lot longer.

Really? Tell me how he passed Bird tonight?

[green_bballers13]

Mid 80s Celtics teams actually remind me more of the Warriors. More talent in the top 8 players with one MVP player and a couple other all stars. Cavs had LeBron (MVP caliber player), an all star in Kyrie, and a bunch of effective role players. Despite what Love made this year, he played like a role player.

Tough to compare Larry Bird and LeBron James. Similar position, but different players with different strengths playing in different time periods with different diets and exercise.

[D Dub]

I'm afraid that argument is very hard to make after tonight.

If Bird had been able to play longer, maybe it's a different story.

But LeBron has surpassed Bird and he's got another 4-5 years left in all likelihood, maybe a lot longer.

Larry has him still in a few categories, but LBJ is taking longevity for sure. 

Going 41, 41, trip/dub to come back on best reg season team ever, gm7 and all ---- fairly unprecedented. 




Really? Tell me how he passed Bird tonight?

[86MaxwellSmart]

It's too bad I have to root for James to lose instead of enjoying  him play because new NBA fans want to have knee jerk reactions. James  is a great basketball player no one can deny that. However, most fans who watched Bird in his prime know that Larry from 84-87 was the better player in his prime. Better scorer, re-bounder, passer... yes James is a very good passer but Larry was on another level. The most important part was Larry was wayyyyy more clutch and always the alpha male in the 4th quarter. Again congrats Lebron but some of you, on a Celtics board no less, need to do some homework.

I'm witcha....really too bad Bird didn't have the benefit of today's super enhancements...I also bet Larry never lifted weights once in his life...Better BB Player yes...but Physical Monster, LeBron.

[green_bballers13]

Id say longevity counts.

Larry was imo superior for those 4 or 5 years but Lebron James has been the best player in basketball since Id say 2010 and that is probably conservative.

LeBron averaged over 31 pts per game in his 3rd season (2005). He has been the best player in the NBA for the vast majority of the last 12 years. The list of NBA greats should start with players that have been as similarly dominant over such a long stretch.

[oldtype]

Taking longevity into account, James is now unquestionably ahead of Bird and probably Kareem and Magic as well.

[Banner18now!]

Taking longevity into account, James is now unquestionably ahead of Bird and probably Kareem and Magic as well.

Because Lebron came into the league at 18 when Bird came in at 23? Because Lebron's career wasn't cut short with a bad back? Just because of longevity Lebron will have the better over all numbers and that's how you judge who was better? I look at the prime of both players and again take Larry over Lebron in both players prime. Your argument is like saying Emmitt Smith is the greatest running back ever because he has the rings and longevity with the most rushing yards. Better than Walter, Barry, ect.... Longevity is a weak argument, I'm more interested in who was better in their prime.

[chiken Green]

Different Era - Different Game.. Can't really compare the two...
This much we do know - Bird would not have needed Irving, Allen or Wade to take those shots.. The man was Coldblooded scoring the ball in the biggest moments.. 
Lebron is the man for this era.. Bird was the man for his era.. 

[droopdog7]

This thread is a joke.  Really, the comparison is between Lebron and MJ.  Bird isn't in the discussion.

[oldtype]

Taking longevity into account, James is now unquestionably ahead of Bird and probably Kareem and Magic as well.

Because Lebron came into the league at 18 when Bird came in at 23? Because Lebron's career wasn't cut short with a bad back? Just because of longevity Lebron will have the better over all numbers and that's how you judge who was better? I look at the prime of both players and again take Larry over Lebron in both players prime. Your argument is like saying Emmitt Smith is the greatest running back ever because he has the rings and longevity with the most rushing yards. Better than Walter, Barry, ect.... Longevity is a weak argument, I'm more interested in who was better in their prime.

Their primes are at least comparable. Some people would argue for Bird and others would argue for Lebron.

In that case, of course it matters that Lebron's prime will (probably) stretch for well over a decade while Bird's was cut short by injury. 

[Surferdad]

I'm afraid that argument is very hard to make after tonight.

If Bird had been able to play longer, maybe it's a different story.

But LeBron has surpassed Bird and he's got another 4-5 years left in all likelihood, maybe a lot longer.

Really? Tell me how he passed Bird tonight?

PhoSita can't tell you because it's his personal opinion.  I respect that, even if he is wrong.  In 4-5 years he may be right.

[Celtics17]

A couple of seasons ago I was just about to give Lebron the nod over Bird. If we are talking career then Lebron already is better due to Bird's injuries. If we are talking about prime vs prime it's not so easy.

Bird had the ability to see the game unfold better then Lebron while Lebron has a better ability to make it happen on both ends, not each end independently though. Bird was just better on the offensive end with his shooting and scoring. James still does not have this ability as much although he controls the defensive end better. Rebounding is really a tossup. Sure Bird averaged more for a career but in a close game it's either one's board.

If you put James on the old Celts do they still beat the Lakers, Rockets and Piston's? I think James might do a lot of damage against the Lakers and negate a lot of the athletic advantage those teams had over the Celtics. Imagine James guarding Magic or Worthy. It's a tought call it really is.