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re: Was Larry Bird an underrated passer?
Posted on 2/13/13 at 8:21 am to AlaTiger
Posted on 2/13/13 at 8:21 am to AlaTiger
quote:spot on, imo. bird is probably my favorite player of all time, so i have to take off the rose colored glasses when talking about him or else i'll romanticize him to godlike levels
Having said that, I just think that he blew up in my mind and in the mind of others a bit more than was warranted. Perhaps because he was white and played for the Celtics and had the rivalry with Magic and all. He was great, don't get me wrong. But, I have come to believe that his aura and persona added a lot to how everyone saw him and still sees him.
1
Posted on 2/13/13 at 9:07 am to theunknownknight
quote:
Yeah, I thought it was pretty well celebrated Bird was a great passer?
...which is why this thread makes no sense.
Posted on 2/13/13 at 9:33 am to Flair Chops
Just went and watched some video. He was so great.
Maybe I have underrated him as time has gone on, actually.
Seriously, as a kid, he was the one I would try and emulate. I tried to shoot like Bird and pass like him, too. I'd spend hours every day shooting 3's and free throws and passing the ball behind my back and over my shoulder at imaginary marks on the wall. I was a white kid around 6 feet who couldn't dunk, but I could shoot and pass the ball, so Bird played the game in a way that I could relate to. It wasn't just that he was white, either.It was that he largely played below the rim.
He was a great passer, no doubt.
Maybe I have underrated him as time has gone on, actually.
Seriously, as a kid, he was the one I would try and emulate. I tried to shoot like Bird and pass like him, too. I'd spend hours every day shooting 3's and free throws and passing the ball behind my back and over my shoulder at imaginary marks on the wall. I was a white kid around 6 feet who couldn't dunk, but I could shoot and pass the ball, so Bird played the game in a way that I could relate to. It wasn't just that he was white, either.It was that he largely played below the rim.
He was a great passer, no doubt.
Posted on 2/13/13 at 9:55 am to AlaTiger
quote:
completely turned around a historic franchise, and had a great run
quote:
played at a high level for 8-9 years
quote:
won 3 titles and would have had 2 more if not for Magic and the Lakers
quote:
he is historically overrated
Wait, what? And don't forget three MVPs in a row.
Also, I don't think Bird was an underrated passer at all...he was known for being a fantastic passer. And as much as he was a great scorer (not just shooter), he might be more remembered for his hustle than anything else.
This thread is weird.
This post was edited on 2/13/13 at 9:56 am
Posted on 2/13/13 at 10:10 am to Muahahaha
Passer no. He gets credit by most there. I think he was under rated as a defender in his prime though.
Posted on 2/13/13 at 10:20 am to theunknownknight
quote:
I thought it was pretty well known Bird was a great passer?
Posted on 2/13/13 at 10:31 am to Muahahaha
I would say if there was/is facet to his game that is underrated, it was his rebounding ability. Freakishly good rebounder when he needed to be. He may have been the best of all-time when timing/use of angles are concerned. Below average on the ball defender, GREAT off the ball/help defender.
Posted on 2/13/13 at 10:45 am to dukke v
quote:
He was just about the most complete player to ever play the game.
Posted on 2/13/13 at 12:34 pm to AlaTiger
quote:
I love Bird, but I think that he is historically overrated.
What are you talking about? Bird averaged 24 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists per game for his career while shooting 50% including 38% from three and 89% from the line.
Posted on 2/13/13 at 12:51 pm to RedHawk
quote:
What are you talking about? Bird averaged 24 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists per game for his career while shooting 50% including 38% from three and 89% from the line.
And that is counting a lot of years where the guy could barely tie his shoes from back spasms. In his prime is right there with anyone you want to compare him too, IMO.
Posted on 2/13/13 at 12:52 pm to RedHawk
There is no level basketball could progress to where Larry Bird would not dominate just like he did in the 80's. And this is coming from a Lakers man.
Posted on 2/13/13 at 12:56 pm to TBubba
quote:
There is no level basketball could progress to where Larry Bird would not dominate just like he did in the 80's. And this is coming from a Lakers man.
fact
and he wsan't under-rated passing. His Defense may have been under-rated, he was better than ppl who just looked at him would think.
one of the best all around players ever. any era
Posted on 2/13/13 at 1:03 pm to danfraz
I saw Bird play his Jr. year against Centenary College. We had Robert Parish at center. We were confident we could destroy Indiana State.
Bird actually played center on offense and forward on defense. The scheme was to draw Parish out to the free throw line to defend against him.
But they didn't want Bird defending the much taller Parish and collecting fouls. It worked. Indiana State won. It was a huge upset. CC was nationally ranked back in those days with Parish.
Who knew then that they would play together for the Celtics.
Bird actually played center on offense and forward on defense. The scheme was to draw Parish out to the free throw line to defend against him.
But they didn't want Bird defending the much taller Parish and collecting fouls. It worked. Indiana State won. It was a huge upset. CC was nationally ranked back in those days with Parish.
Who knew then that they would play together for the Celtics.
Posted on 2/13/13 at 1:07 pm to Zach
Now THAT'S a cool story bro!!
Posted on 2/13/13 at 1:19 pm to Zach
quote:
Bird play his Jr. year
One of the top 5 college basketball players ever. I can't think of one other player, that could have taken that ISU squad to the championship game.
Posted on 2/13/13 at 1:25 pm to RedHawk
quote:
I can't think of one other player, that could have taken that ISU squad to the championship game.
Like I have said. One of the most COMPLETE players to EVER play the game.
Posted on 2/13/13 at 1:32 pm to AlaTiger
quote:
Bird was clutch, completely turned around a historic franchise, and had a great run. But, he only played at a high level for 8-9 years. I love Bird, but I think that he is historically overrated. Sure, he won 3 titles and would have had 2 more if not for Magic and the Lakers, but Larry Legend has blown up over time, I think.
Posted on 2/13/13 at 1:34 pm to dukke v
Dude was a bum.
Posted on 2/13/13 at 1:35 pm to PuntBamaPunt
Look at that 80's DEFENSE!!!!
Posted on 2/13/13 at 2:06 pm to Zach
quote:
I saw Bird play his Jr. year against Centenary College. We had Robert Parish at center. We were confident we could destroy Indiana State.
Must have been your imagination. Parish last year was 75-76, Bird's first year was 76-77
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