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re: How would Bird fare today?
Posted on 2/3/26 at 7:32 am to SlowFlowPro
Posted on 2/3/26 at 7:32 am to SlowFlowPro
quote:
Idiotic take
Yeah the stronger guys with the more developed bodies would have problems against the weaker, less conditioned and athletic guys.
correct. there are a couple players that could be dropped in to today and be fine.....from the actual 80s and that era, bird would be at the top of that list because his game matches up perfect for todays game.
as others mentioned, a 6'9 3 point shooter that could pass and rebound is lethal in todays game. What he wouldnt be able to do is some of the BS he did back then with the fakes etc
2
Posted on 2/3/26 at 7:33 am to prplhze2000
Hed be as great as he was. These conversations always seem to fail to discuss the differences in technology and strength/conditioning regiments along with style. Imagine the players of yesteryear with the advancements of today or more interesting, today's players with the lack of advancements they've taken advantage of. LeBron would be a different player under old rules and old strength/conditioning regiments. And HGH or whatever scientific enablements hes obviously used on his body. Not just LeBron, everyone. Cant compare 2 entirely different eras, styles and technological advancements without giving the old the benefits of them or new players lacking them. Bird born today would be an elite version of Cooper Flagg. LeBron for instance would be Magic Johnson. Curry more of a Reggie Miller but lacking that dog.
Posted on 2/3/26 at 7:38 am to prplhze2000
Larry would school all these lazy young punks today.
Posted on 2/3/26 at 7:42 am to lsufanva
quote:
These conversations always seem to fail to discuss the differences in technology and strength/conditioning regiments along with style.
These conversations pretty much never forget that, actually
It's a major crutch for the people who want the older players to compete today, primarily
quote:
Cant compare 2 entirely different eras, styles and technological advancements without giving the old the benefits of them
Sure you can
Posted on 2/3/26 at 7:43 am to Saint Alfonzo
Bird was more athletic than Luka and Jokic. He’d even better than he was in the 80s.
Posted on 2/3/26 at 7:45 am to lsu777
quote:
bird would be at the top of that list because his game matches up perfect for todays game.
Yeah like I said I'd pick him over Jordan
Bird had a better overall understanding of the game and was a better passer and much better shooter.
The only guys with elite passing, shooting, and understanding/ reading of the game from the past who would fail today are the ones who aren't tall. Enough. Bird clearly was tall enough to be unique with this skill set and it would translate today.
Posted on 2/3/26 at 7:47 am to prplhze2000
It would be funny to see Bird in modern long shorts
Posted on 2/3/26 at 7:54 am to SlowFlowPro
see i think MJ would be fine in todays game. his acceleration and first step and overall athletic ability lends itself to being good in todays game. I think he would dominate.
Bird, Pippen, MJ, Shaq(skinny orlando magic shaq) and a few others could slide right in todays game
i do agree with everything you said other then that though. The bodies would be the issue overall like you said.
there are a few others that could play in todays game for sure.
Bird, Pippen, MJ, Shaq(skinny orlando magic shaq) and a few others could slide right in todays game
i do agree with everything you said other then that though. The bodies would be the issue overall like you said.
there are a few others that could play in todays game for sure.
Posted on 2/3/26 at 8:02 am to lsu777
I think MJ would be fine but Bird would be better.
MJ would have issues with modern defense and can't shoot the 3 well enough. He'd still be really good on defense, clearly.
MJ would have issues with modern defense and can't shoot the 3 well enough. He'd still be really good on defense, clearly.
Posted on 2/3/26 at 8:17 am to Strannix
quote:They didn't carry the ball in the 80s like they do now. It's unwatchable.
The players of today wouldnt last a quarter playing in the 80's. The 80's NBA is more physical than todays NFL
Posted on 2/3/26 at 8:25 am to prplhze2000
Bird would be a great stretch 4 in today’s game
Posted on 2/3/26 at 8:31 am to SlowFlowPro
quote:
I think MJ would be fine but Bird would be better.
MJ would have issues with modern defense and can't shoot the 3 well enough. He'd still be really good on defense, clearly.
i think he would shine driving and the fast pace of todays game
but yea I actually think of all the old school guys, Bird might fare better than anyone. at least of the superstars.
Posted on 2/3/26 at 8:48 am to prplhze2000
He'd be drummed out of the league for making fun of Lebron's hair.
Posted on 2/3/26 at 9:08 am to SlowFlowPro
quote:
Bird had a soft 80s body.
Me thinks you didn't watch much basketball for that era.
Posted on 2/3/26 at 9:29 am to prplhze2000
Basically Luka, but smarter and plays defense.
Posted on 2/3/26 at 9:31 am to HeartAttackTiger
quote:
Me thinks you didn't watch much basketball for that era.
I was a child, but there is youtube.
However, Jordan was the outlier in the 90s with his routine, and that's standard/intro stuff today.
Just look at 80s Bird:
Dudes in the 80s are not built for today's game. Yes you can say that's not fair, but I didn't start this thread (and I have given Bird praise even with those issues).
Posted on 2/3/26 at 10:07 am to Strannix
quote:Outside of lumbering centers who sat in the key for 24 seconds, players today are bigger, faster, stronger, and run more than any time in NBA history.
The players of today wouldnt last a quarter playing in the 80's. The 80's NBA is more physical than todays NFL
The impact of moving significantly more would impact a player's ability to hold up physically more than getting body checked while driving into the paint.
How many guys in the 80s and 90s could keep up with the pace of modern NBA with modern actions? There's much more to basketball than hard fouls around the rim.
Posted on 2/3/26 at 10:17 am to ghost2most
quote:I'm not a huge Luka defender, but Jokic does everything better than Bird did. I don't think the older generation understands how good Joker is. He's got a legit chance of being the best player of all time.
Bird was more athletic than Luka and Jokic. He’d even better than he was in the 80s.
That's why I think Bird would be a slightly smaller, slightly less efficient version of Jokic. I don't know if he'd perform better than he did in the 80s, but his style of play (if he added more 3s) is definitely suited better for today's game.
Still a hall of famer - as long as his body could hold up.
Posted on 2/3/26 at 10:23 am to prplhze2000
He would be fine.
He would still be an all time great.
He played at his speed. His own pace......and it was highly effective then, and now.
See Luka Doncic
He would still be an all time great.
He played at his speed. His own pace......and it was highly effective then, and now.
See Luka Doncic
Posted on 2/3/26 at 10:35 am to prplhze2000
I legit think Bird would make LeBron cry.
This post was edited on 2/3/26 at 10:36 am
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