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How would Bird fare today?

Posted on 2/2/26 at 11:18 pm
Posted by prplhze2000
Parts Unknown
Member since Jan 2007
57477 posts
Posted on 2/2/26 at 11:18 pm
(no message)
Posted by Clark14
Earth
Member since Dec 2014
26890 posts
Posted on 2/2/26 at 11:22 pm to
Probably the same, maybe better. I don’t know if they’d allow as much trash talk though because this generation probably couldn’t handle it.

His skills would be great in any era.
Posted by baldona
Florida
Member since Feb 2016
23758 posts
Posted on 2/2/26 at 11:29 pm to
Bird was a 6’9 3 point shooter, if anyone from the past would have success today I’d think he’d be top 5
Posted by PP7 for heisman
New Orleans
Member since Feb 2011
9077 posts
Posted on 2/2/26 at 11:51 pm to
One of the few that could be dropped in today and still be a great. Could play as a slightly less efficient/effective Jokic (strictly because of size/health).

Not sure how his body would hold up with the increased pace of play, though.

Maybe he could play more between the 3 pt lines to offset that, but I do wonder how those great shooters would fare today. The most 3s he shot per game in one season was 3.3. He'd likely need to triple that number.
This post was edited on 2/2/26 at 11:52 pm
Posted by supatigah
CEO of the Keith Hernandez Fan Club
Member since Mar 2004
89896 posts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 12:31 am to
with all of the spacing his shooting and passing he would be lethal on offense

would struggle having to guard on the perimeter so much
Posted by offshoretrash
Farmerville, La
Member since Aug 2008
10740 posts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 1:07 am to
He would dominate both ends of the court.
Posted by Tangineck
Mandeville
Member since Nov 2017
2855 posts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 5:32 am to
Bird's game would own the modern NBA. He needed zero separation to score. With modern spacing and lack of defense he'd be a legitimate 30+ point per night player.
Posted by Bestbank Tiger
Premium Member
Member since Jan 2005
80135 posts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 5:40 am to
Not quite as well. He's 137 years old.
Posted by kywildcatfanone
Wildcat Country!
Member since Oct 2012
137639 posts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 5:41 am to
He would dominate just like he did when teams tried to play defense. Probably average 40 a night.
Posted by Friendly Satan
Member since Nov 2024
1431 posts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 6:15 am to
Bird would win the dunk contest
Posted by Cannon
Shreveport
Member since May 2015
1916 posts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 6:23 am to
Dominate. The trash talking as well. Better put a brother on him holmes.
Posted by Strannix
C.S.A.
Member since Dec 2012
53293 posts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 6:33 am to
quote:

Not sure how his body would hold up


The players of today wouldnt last a quarter playing in the 80's. The 80's NBA is more physical than todays NFL
Posted by Bestbank Tiger
Premium Member
Member since Jan 2005
80135 posts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 6:50 am to
quote:

Dominate. The trash talking as well. Better put a brother on him holmes.


Putting a white guy on him is disrespect
Posted by ReauxlTide222
St. Petersburg
Member since Nov 2010
89877 posts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 6:53 am to
quote:

I don’t know if they’d allow as much trash talk though because this generation probably couldn’t handle it.
Jesus Christ

Is this what washed up old people say to make themselves feel better?
Posted by Hetfield
Dallas
Member since Jun 2013
9473 posts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 7:02 am to
He would pretty much run the league.
Posted by ClientNumber9
Member since Feb 2009
10014 posts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 7:16 am to
As much as I love Bird, he would not do as well in today's game. He acknowledged as much, saying multiple times in various documentaries that, starting in the late 80s, a new generation of different athletes were entering the game. He stated that by the early 90s they would be peaking at that he "needed to get out of the NBA then", and it wasn't just due to his ailing back.

I think he's still have a role as a passing big man with a great 3 point shot but he wouldn't be averaging 25+ ppg.

ETA: In no way does this detract from his legacy. In the same way an offensive lineman in the 70s wouldn't match up with his 2026 counterpart, the game has just changed with diet, strength training and technology.
This post was edited on 2/3/26 at 7:19 am
Posted by prplhze2000
Parts Unknown
Member since Jan 2007
57477 posts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 7:16 am to
Yup. He had a fall away jumper that could not be stopped.
Posted by LB84
Member since May 2016
4420 posts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 7:18 am to
He'd probably shoot 1,500 more free throws in his career.
Posted by SlowFlowPro
With populists, expect populism
Member since Jan 2004
470731 posts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 7:19 am to
Taking the player directly from his era and planting him in the NBA today, probably better than Jordan.

Bird's issue would be his conditioning/body. Mid 90s Jordan has a modern NBA body because he was a pioneer in that area. Bird had a soft 80s body.
Posted by SlowFlowPro
With populists, expect populism
Member since Jan 2004
470731 posts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 7:21 am to
quote:

The players of today wouldnt last a quarter playing in the 80's.


Idiotic take

Yeah the stronger guys with the more developed bodies would have problems against the weaker, less conditioned and athletic guys.
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