NBA Legends Speak On Why Larry Bird Would Dominate The League Today

NBA Legends Speak On Why Larry Bird Would Dominate The League Today
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[@Sldumas1983]

Well you got to understand the difference between speed and some being quicker, But see you watching all of this will help you learn more about basketball and the eras and different stuff so if someone debates you you will be able to cook them easily. Thanks for the videos it’s great to see these vids.

[@arcdestriumph586]

Legit 6ft 10 ... Watch his release.. Very high, often brought the ball behind his head. One of the reasons he could talk was .. He KNEW he was getting his shot off. I don't remember Bird getting blocked when he shot outside the paint - it was just too difficult to make it to his release point.

[@agordon7369]

I agree completely he could have easily had a triple double every night and been a 30 point average but he was a huge team player, miss the good years of basketball.

[@RemoWilliams1227]

​@@arcdestriumph586 truly, I loved when Dominique was talking about Larry's stepback on Open Court. "6'10 shootin that stepback, there was nothing you could do about it".

[@stevelegreid]

@@Sldumas1983 🎉n

[@cinrok1]

Hearing Gary Payton, one of the most athletic, greatest defenders in the history of the league, talk about Larry like that, should tell people how cold Larry was

[@RemoWilliams1227]

No question

[@ericklardie4808]

Not only that Gary Payton I'm in the league I think in 91 or 92 so he was there right at the end of Larry Bird's career when Larry Bird was in 100% And he was still is Amazed by him the coldest man he ever seen

[@bmf00]

bird could average what he wanted to average. Seriously.

[@MusicMan1965]

I love John Stockton’s story where Larry told him and the Sun’s bench he feels like 43 tonight…..and that’s what he had. I agree…Larry could average whatever he wanted.

[@BigDan21.]

​@GS mine is Pat Riley, he said... " If the game is on the line, I want MJ taking the last 2nd shot. With my life on the line, I'm taking Larry Joe Bird!!"

[@charlesking4780]

Bird would dominate in the NBA today.

[@Sldumas1983]

Don’t be surprised if they say he could put up 35 or more a game in this era, Larry Legend is his name for a reason

[@deanholmes1322]

Dude, let me tell you something. I'm a Knicks fan and in I believe it was 85 or 86, I had seats in the 12, and 14th row at Madison Square, and take my word, this guy was A TRASH TALKING KING. After he lit us up for 38, I had to see him again. Now, all of a sudden, I'm a bird fan . This boy lit up a 50 point game and you could hear ALL of the shit he was talking, from 12 rows up. I'm still a die hard Knicks fan, but as a white baller myself in the 80s, I respect bird even more than my Knicks

[@johnnymossville]

I feel lucky to have been around glued to my tv watching Dr J, Magic, Bird, Jordan, Jabbar, The Dream Team, and everyone else as a kid. It was a glorious time to be a basketball fan.

[@888jimm]

And we thought it was just normal 😂

[@johnnymossville]

hahaha, so true!!!!

[@nathanstrickland6508]

It's just not the same after watching them back in the day.

[@Lord_Legolas_Greenleaf]

I grew up watching BBall way before there was a 3 point line. I watched Wilt The Stilt, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, SkyWalker, Ice Man and soo many others. Growing up in Seattle - the Super Sonics were my team. 1979 was Great! DownTown Freddy Brown! Gus Williams! Jack Sickma! Anyway - the games when these guys played: Magic, Jordan and Bird games where Magical! The 1980's were indeed the Golden Years.

[@reg4321]

I didn't have the privilege of watching Wilt play, but I do remember watching the rest of the players you mentioned play.

[@Lord_Legolas_Greenleaf]

@@reg4321 Skywalker was another man that brought a new dimension to the game!

[@FUBAR1986]

I grew up when there was the ABA and NBA before the merger…. Today’s youth have no idea how the game changed from center domination to forwards to guards and the defense. They don’t play any today…. Back in the day defence was compared to hockey and football. It was that brutal….. anybody going for a layup ended up in the stands, several rows deep into the fans

[@andybilakshow260]

Why would you disrespect Wilt that way. He *hated* "Wilt the Stilt" smh wtf

[@thatmanstumototours2270]

What could possibly cause anyone to doubt that scorers from Bird’s era couldn’t score today? The League today is so much less physical , has very few if any enforcers whose paycheck depends on how many times they knock someone on their ass ,has virtually no rim defenders and allows moving screens. No wonder everyone looks so fast and smooth. Being allowed to freely move around and without fear of getting blasted does wonders for your athleticism.

[@dmappzoom6778]

yep and it's boring to watch.

[@ettibbet5493]

@@dmappzoom6778 I would kill tobhave the bad boys of Detroit get to play a 7 game series using rules of their era vs LeBron, LeBron would run faster then the red army ran from the broadsheet bullies

[@buscem00]

Not to mention there's no such thing as a carry or travel in anymore

I agree completely

[@onyxblack1167]

That era would not rush for flashy play coz they are afraid someone might clothesline them.

[@champs998]

Bird & Jordan could avg what ever they wanted in today's game.

[@RP-bx5un]

Larry could've dropped 40 a night back then. He's a team player.

[@ContrarianCorner]

Exactly. These discussions are missing the point. Bird and Magic could basically score any time they wanted to. Big numbers were neither their motivation nor their goal... winning was.

[@jlmusic1469]

it was pretty average for Larry's starting crew to all end in double figures.

[@brianmorien2572]

@@ContrarianCorner I agree. It is too bad players today are more interested in the money than the game.

[@deloisphillips831]

People need to understand that Magic and Bird Saved the NBA. When they came on the scene only 14 NBA teams were making a profit. Bird and Magic brought the crowd and fans back to the game!

[@edfewchas3255]

I love Dr J, but the Celtics before Bird in 78-79 won 29 games, and were last in the division. Bird's rookie year they won 61, and finished first.

[@dwartfarquart9590]

Doesn't reflect negatively on The Dr. Celtics vs Sixers was never to be missed. There are no wars like that, today, as you obviously know.

[@jordan9604]

​@@dwartfarquart9590There isn't any rivalries at all, except between the fans. There is no, "Touch the paint, I touch you."

[@edfewchas3255]

All the GOAT talk is well and good... I just feel blessed to have seen Larry Bird and Bobby Orr play their sports at such an incredibly high level.

[@F1rstWorldNomaD]

Bobby Orr, man... Now were talking my sport. Nicklas Lidstrom is my favorit player of all time. Bobby Orr is the only player he didnt beat as far as defensive player of the year award goes. Bobby was a fakking beast.

[@theoffgridtravelers7316]

I use to get to the games in Boston garden early. I was on the floor one Sunday watching LA and the Celtics getting ready to play. I was watching Bird and DJ mostly and up behind me came Parish. He stopped and said how you doing today? I was a skinny 20 year old white kid who was so shocked he said hi to me. We talked for about 45 seconds, as he was walking on to the court I said kick their ass, he said you got it. Will never forget that as long as I live. One of the all time greats. He has no idea how much that one hello meant to me. He's awesome!

[@dawnbehen2780]

I’m so glad I lived in the time I was able to go to the Garden to watch Bird and the Celtics play. I wasn’t a big basketball fan until then. OMG it was fun as hell to watch him play.

[@jayeell1253]

Bird's play style = Fundamentals

[@marekmirski7201]

All encompassing comment!

[@pookie717]

I think you were absolutely dead on, as a man who watched bird play and that league, he'd definitely be averaging 40. He also never missed free throws so with the soft league today where fouls are called left right and center, you might be lucky if he didn't average 50. The league was violent back then. You, sometimes literally, had to fight for every point you got. I know the rule changes aren't the fault of these new stars, but if you teleported them back to the 80s & 90s, they'd have to sit on the bench for 2 years while they adjusted. I'm sure they'd still be great players but sorry, bird put every great in their place time and again. Jordan couldn't even make the finals until Larry's body was basically broken and 2 years from retirement. Oh and back then, you couldn't shop teams for championships. Either you were great enough to win with what you got or you're shit out of luck. Bird took a 31 win team the year before he was drafted to a championship ring in two years. TWO YEARS! Can't never say LeBron is better. Hell look at all the talent James has had on the Lakers and the didn't make the playoffs. Bird would've swept every round with that much talent on his team.

[@smokedbrisket3033]

Even better, look at how injured Bird played for more than half his career. And LeChina had to get carried off the court because of a leg cramp.

[@jameshines6486]

Watching him pass is insane how good he was. He could see everything.

[@tjlpartners8263]

An athlete is someone who knows the game (brain), understands the games (sees things before others do), wants to beat you (heart, focus, effort), and can play the game (skills and athleticism). That is Larry Legend.

[@drummer8by2]

Larry could do just what they said... He would dominate today, and yes, he wasn't a sprinter but he could move around quickly and out think them, out pass, rebound, one or 2 moves ahead, etc and, he had some handles for sure and pass', rebound, shoot FTs, 3s when needed and, just all around great shooter and, amazing intelligence and playmaker and, especially toughness... Playing with broken bones, etc... Easily a dominant player today... No question...

[@Autumn8564]

The kids today couldn’t take his trash talking and psyching them out.

[@epicycles700]

What always stood out to me about Bird were his lightning-quick reflexes -- and his mind was even quicker than his hands.

[@andybilakshow260]

The "snap" passes have never been replicated. At least what I've seen.

[@ryman7884]

He also would have played longer in this Era due to advances in medicine and physical therapy. He was amazing.

[@shawnglass108]

If you don’t believe that the NBA is much different now then go watch an old game from back then. They didn’t give the offense every single advantage like they do now. If a defender had position you couldn’t move him or run him over. It was a charge or offensive foul. Defense was an art. If Shak had used his butt to back a defender out of position, like he did every single time he got the ball, it would’ve been called an offensive foul ever single time. Players had to learn finesse. If Wilt Chamberlain had been allowed to simply muscle defensive players out of the way, like they can now, he would’ve averaged 75 points a game.

[@Mary38821]

I always enjoy watching your video’s

🖤

[@anthonyashwood1438]

He was a great passer and clutch player. He could do all things.

[@carlnilssonyoung8961]

Well I’m sure many todays players have to see psychiatrist after playing against bird

😂 u not wrong

[@dawnbehen2780]

They’d need boxes if Kleenex at the opposing team’s bench for every game. Lol

[@JanettaB.]

I watched Bird play his whole career. He slayed... he will always be my GOAT!!

[@user-sq3xm6ll3i]

There will never be another Larry Bird... period.

[@bobburris4445]

Bird played an entire game (against Atlanta, I think) only shooting with his left hand. He told them he was saving his right hand for a more important game. . . I think he scored 40+ that game. He went into the locker room before the 3 point competition and told them they were all playing for 2nd place. Then went out and won the competition without even removing his warm up jacket . . .

I heard about that sheesh

[@waynemarvin5661]

It was the first three quarters in Portland. Bird doesn't need your inflated stories.

[@nienpayne9820]

Boston was on a west coast trip playing Portland. He told them he was saving his right hand for the Lakers

[@chiphargis2419]

@@waynemarvin5661 who hurt you?

[@andybilakshow260]

@@waynemarvin5661 It happens. Did you skip grade school?

[@jayeell1253]

Yes he would because now 😀you can't play defense as tough as they did back then. And I know people now would say it doesn't matter, but it does. Something as simple as hand checking you can't do now.

[@patriciahenderson2096]

Watch how Michael Cooper or James Worthy always had Bird's jersey just holding on to him. Because if they didn't, they couldn't keep track of him. The guy was constant movement on the court. Whether he had the ball in his hand or not.

[@eidetecker]

I say Bird makes 30 to 35 avg today, BUT the stats of the teammates goes up exponentially.

[@cboyblue6168]

I was in Dallas in early 80s, had season tickets, 7th row behind the hoop. Boston came to town. Bird dropped 50 that night, Dallas won in OT. It was amazing to watch, it was like 83…he was hot.

[@reg4321]

Bird would dominate now, given that he played in an era where players were allowed to play defense, hand check, and make players pay when they drove to the lane. Also, today's game is catered to the offensive player. Bird's numbers would have been even better, if he didn't share the floor with Paris, Mchale, and Dennis Johnson.

[@paulbyrne8568]

Am only hear to read about the GOAT larry Comments BEST ever BUUUUUUUUUUUURD iff i was in a time machine and go back i wudnt change it for the world what a time to be aLIVE peace out. HOPE EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON THESE COMMENTS WHO ARE READING THIS ARE BLESSED WITH GOOD HEALTH AND ALL YOUR FAMILYS HAVE a LONG GREAT LIFES ENJOY

[@alfredh3071]

LB played before the three point line was instituted. There was a study done of the locations of his shots, then they drew the three point lines into the diagram. LB averaged 60 points a game. In college he averaged 70 ppg. If anyone else had averaged 60 ppg and 3 MVP, and three rings, they would have retired his number from the league. As it is, he was three assists and 4 rebounds short of a triple double for his CAREER.

[@guyhenry8575]

I’m sure Bird could average more today, but he could have back then too. He was a team player. Much more interested in the W than stats. Like Bill Russell before him. All about the Win!

[@rickbateman2401]

An NBA court is 94’ by 50’. You don’t have to be fast - you have to be quick and Bird was lightning quick. He played in an era that was way more physical and he made a lot of plays in that physical area of the offensive court. In today’s game with all the phantom fouls, no hand checking, defensive 3 second rule and reliance on outside shooting, Bird would light the league up. Players like Jordan, Bird, Drexler, Barkley and Hakeem would be completely unstoppable today

[@mikebunner3498]

Keen observation young man. YES, Larry would fit in today's NBA..... I think in today's NBA Larry would be good for 30 per game. EASY!............. Plus his assists would be chart toppers. And he rebounded and his basketball IQ was tops.

[@mickylawless1941]

Larry Legend would probably average 35 pts, 12-14 assists, 15+ rebounds and 8-10 steals. (Yes, he might very well have averaged a quad double.) He probably wouldn't shoot as much as one would think because he was a TEAM player. The reason he was such a legend back then was because he made everyone around him better. It forced defenses to focus on each player, rather than collapse onto Larry the way Magic and the MSU players did in the NCAA final. If he was more like MJ, he'd probably jump his points average up to 45. Having said that, MJ would probably average 45-55 points in today's NBA.

[@danacarter4793]

I grew up watching him ,trust me ,he'd thrive, greatness is greatness no matter how you slice ,🐦💯❤‼️

[@mizzo9]

As a Knick fan, I hated him but now he’s on my Mt. Rushmore of players

[@VegasAlien1]

I would have loved to see Lebron play against the Pistons of old. He would set a record for most time on the floor. I mean ON the floor.

[@flyboymcgee8059]

When people talk about “the greats”, and conveniently leave out Bird, they’re either afraid of his dominance, or they know nothing about ball

[@phillipscott585]

Bird is my all time favorite player. I am admittedly biased, as I am a Hoosier who has lived my whole life 30 minutes from where Bird grew up. The answer to “How many points would these guys average today?” And not just Bird, but Magic, as well. Is as many as they want. And 2 things, that I don’t think really gets the consideration that they should, is that this was an era of basketball that you could literally clothesline a guy who tried to come inside. And there were no flagrant fouls. You might, might get a tech, but you weren’t getting ejected. And they took those beatings from the likes of Moses Malone, Bill Lambier, and Charles Oakley, just to name a few. NO ONE today is tougher or hits harder than those guys. Make NO mistake. Those 2 particularly, get literally however many they want. And really, you can’t put Jordan in that group in the 80’s. Because they did beat that man up and eliminated him every year until 90-91. The 80’s belonged to Magic and Bird. And secondly, all respect and props to Magic. But the East in the 80s was MILES better than the West. Larry and the Celtics had to run a gauntlet every year to get to the Finals. The Lakers had very little in their way. They got to walk to the finals really every year, the Celtics got there beaten and bloodied and then had to play an all time great squad in those Lakers. And so I always argue that Larry’s 3 are every bit as impressive as Magic’s 5. Sorry for the long rant, lol.. great video and keep it up!!

[@puppethound]

The thing about Bird that would be true, is that he is a scorer, passer, and very crafty player, an offensive juggarnaut on the offensive side of the game. So in today's game he would average 30+for sure, and probably a triple double a few years depending on his team mates. He would be in the MvP conversation every year, so all in all, nothing would change.

[@merovechthe1st]

35/12/10...he's the only player in NBA history to finish his career with a 20/10/5 stat line. In this era of cupcake defense, Larry's averaging a triple double pretty easily.

[@docrobinson558]

Gotta correct ya on that. Oscar Robertson averaged a triple-double for his entire career.

[@merovechthe1st]

@@docrobinson558 gotta correct ya: Oscar Robertson averaged 25/7.5/9.5 for his career...stellar numbers for sure...but not 20/10/5 like Bird, who is the only player in NBA history to retire with that line or better (better in his case actually 24.3/10.0/6.3). The Big O did average a 30 point triple double one year though, and came within percentage points of doing it every year for his first 5 or 6 years which, quite honestly, is insane, regardless of the pace of the game. He's definitely under-appreciated and underrated today. Wilt Chamberlain is the closest to Bird's line with his ridiculous 30.1/22.9/4.5

[@ervinhowell928]

#33 Bird is the G.O.A.T

[@tonyrobinson8050]

Larry Bird is one of the most dominate players in NBA history, and the most dominate white basketball player ever.. Just ask Magic Johnson or any player that played against this superstar.

[@bassdaddy6548]

This is my favorite LB video so far. Great job, man!

🙏🏾

[@clifflawrence7479]

You could be right about 40 a game but what is more impressive than that is he would still average 10 rebounds a game and right at if not 10 assist a game.

[@901pics]

NBA fans today do not realize how brutal the league was in the 80s, high-performance players back then would dominate. Bird was the best of the all-purpose shooters....he would absolutely kill it....plus he would be healthy. He played 5 seasons in unbearable pain against some of the toughest most brutal players.

[@markcirelli5360]

I remember watching Larry Bird, he was simply amazing dominate player. I rank him top three.

[@fatovamingus]

Man when you were laughing at that Gary Payton comment I couldn't stop laughing with you! That was hilarious

[@calzman]

Bird definitely dont get enough credit. He should be in the top 5. He did everything. One of the few total packages to ever play.

[@michellejackson6679]

I've been watching videos of Larry for about 3 weeks now.. the one thing I've come away with.. the man could talk some trash but he BACKED IT UP. And earned respect as the chubby the white dude on the court.

[@tylersouthcott3359]

I mean in his prime he averaged 28/29 while only attempting 2 3s a game. Simply by adding more 3s would easily put him at 30 or more

[@mprice6683]

Bird and Magic used to thread the needle between man to man defensive players blanketing their teammates and still got the ball to them. In today's lame defense, Bird and Magic would see EVERYONE as open ALL OF THE TIME. Forget scoring. Yes, Bird would average 30, but more importantly he would average 10-15 assists. Magic might average 15-20 assists.

[@dwartfarquart9590]

I think it's lost on this generation that Dr J, Bird, and a few other standouts in the 80s were playground ballers extraordinaire. The mind game is a big part of their game. Guys from the 70s like Earl (the Pearl) Monroe were legendary at the park. The ball played in rural Indiana may not be NYC but hoops are serious business, there.

[@danacarter4793]

Tysm for your vids and your response made me laugh ,cause I watched this live,but watching a new generation getting how good he was ❤❤

No problem 🙏🏾

[@ericcase5402]

Fun fact @ 6:32 he waited for the guy to get back up before he shot the ball.

[@rafehr1378]

Sal's tale about Birtd is one of my favorites. Mouse in the, House.🤑

[@davidsmith7806]

Larry Joe made his teammates better, and opposing players worse. 🏀🔥

[@georgemccormick4786]

30/11/8 for his career if today.

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

Bird’s body may of been “slow”, but his brain was in rapid fire kill mode 1000% of the time he stepped on that court…REAL ALPHA

[@tennesseesmith3281]

Larry would average 35 - 40 because of his offensive rebounding and his dominance at the free throw line. He would still be near 10 assists a game to keep his teammates involved.

[@byroncrump4431]

Every player from the old school could play in this era.

[@stevenpatricknorton458]

Not every player playing today could handle the defense of the 80s.

[@puppethound]

With all the talk about Bird being one of the best, imagine that front court, Mchale, Parrish and Bird, arguably the best or one of the best ever.

[@Sldumas1983]

And remember Lebron has Bird as one of his all time starting 5

[@apexshaver7301]

3... Starting 3 or he said he was one of his top 3 players along with Michael and dr. J

[@randallcox6573]

Too bad Lebron doesn't have himself as 1 of 5

[@waynemarvin5661]

Only children brag on themselves.

[@jaydee5447]

Larry was a stone cold killer

[@aramhamparian9641]

Bird averages an easy 30 point triple double in today's cupcake no-defense league. And guys like Draymond Green and Lebron would tell the ref's to throw Bird out of the game because his trash talking would hurt their sensitive asses. LOL.

[@UnconventionalReasoning]

Bird, McHale, and Parish played together for a dozen years, starting in Bird's second season. McHale and Parish knew what their roles were, and what Bird's role was. They were not fighting over the pecking order. That would be the key to Bird scoring 40-45 today, having teammates who understood that the team train would run fastest with Bird doing his thing.

[@bulemakanyuk]

I liked the fact they made it clear Bird would be getting technicals left and right, simply cause he was trash talking the other players. Imagine KD getting on one of his million Twitter accounts and crying about how Bird was talking smack to him the whole game, and that’s why he couldn’t do anything.

[@lonniec7603]

Larry Legend

[@noodletornado309]

man had 360 vision with 200 IQ plays. He wasnt a man he was a monster. 42 pnts in todays nba

[@mr.4leafclova866]

FASTER THAN LUKA... HE DROPPING 40 WHENEVER HE WANTS. LARRY LEGEND🤫

[@mikebunner3498]

The thing about Bird is he told them and then just did it!!!! Talk the talk -- Walk the Walk!!!! A prime & healthy Bird would be good for 30 to 40, easy!!! He was a master of mind games.......

[@stephanetrembley6180]

Like Magic said " there will never ever be another Larry Bird".

[@bmf00]

The 80s were by far the toughest, most demanding era of the NBA to play in. it was basically full contact basketball. Watch the video of Robert parish open hand tomahawk chop on bill lambeers face. And there was no foul called. Larry Bird would dominate today's NBA. Absolutely dominate. today's players lack mental toughness. They can't even handle someone from the crowd booing them or shit talking them. Today's players are pussies. Larry would crush the league today.

[@ognarw]

Yeah back then it was a pretty physical game, very physical with a focus on defense. Actually, I think some of the greatest players that came from that time are Michael Jordan, Larry Bird in magic.

[@lionjwd]

Bird’s stats if playing now, and he was in his prime. 42.5 PPG 12.4 APG 10.5. RPG 4.0. BPG

[@michaeljackson8182]

Larry Legend Was A Stone Cold Assassin!!!!!!!!

[@michellejackson6679]

I would say Larry would make as many shots as he wanted to. he would call it and make it happen... from what I've been watching.. he knew what he could do. He would make sure his team won.. anyway he could..if he said I'm making 40 tonight it happened.. 60 tonight .. it happened.. incredible.

[@michaelmarrone8753]

I give Larry 37ppg with his off hand.

[@TheRaginghalfasian]

when i was growing up they had that bird vs jordan mcdonalds commercials... "nothing but net"

[@GiantBlue1963]

Saw him play over his entire career as a fan of opposing team. They're not exaggerating, he was that good. Not sure he'd avg 40 but in current NBA he could if he wanted to. Winning mattered more, he usually only dominated as much as he needed to, kept his whole team involved. He was a consummate winner.

[@nathanc30]

Jokic passing , tim Duncan post moves, meets luka big shots, meets Dennis rodman type of relentless hustle.

[@normanbell1410]

As many as he wanted. In today's game he could shoot it almost every time. And almost every time he'd score, or go the free throw line where he shot 90 percent. He'd take full advantage of today's rules and make you foul him like Harden does. Only he's even slicker and more diverse Also a lot bigger, and a much better shooter. If he wasn't shooting he'd be getting crazy assist numbers as well because of the less physical defenses, more possessions per game and more good shooters on each team. On top of that, he'd be bigger than almost anyone on your team but your center. With more possessions, smaller competition, and hands off defenses of today he would do 40 12 and 10 on an average night. On any given night he might do 30 15, and 12. Or 50, 9, and 5...what ever the team needed. The league is tilted for offense now and he'd tear it up.

[@mletrout7942]

I think that Bird would average about 32 ppg, but only because his assists would increase to about 8.5 a game, and with his rebounding? He would probably lead the league in triple doubles. I don’t think he would average those numbers, but on any given night I would expect to see 30 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 steals thanks to a less physical defense, a greater enthusiasm for the 3point shot, and improved sports medicine.

[@randymcneil4321]

To not put larry in top 10 for all time is ludicrous . If you wanna see a complete game of how larry was watch game 6 nba finals 1986 against rockets. U wont see a more complete game than what larry did . 29 11 and 10 its the all around game he played unbelievable defense passing rebounding .steals . I know 29 points isnt a lot but its everything else he did . That 86 celtics teame was as good as i ever seen . 50 and 1 at home between regular season and playoffs .

[@danstewart3894]

Don’t forget, there was arm checking and the defense was intense.

[@earlputnal9124]

If Larry's back could stand the pounding? Yes I believe he could be just as good as he used to be when he played in the NBA.

[@mattdecandia9607]

Larry scored 40 in prime then . Larry had a major back injury a large part of career . the man hurt his back running a wheel barrel to long building his mom a driveway at the house he had built . mvp , champ running a wheel barrel for weeks full of bricks . he also did it surrounded by hall of famers . this is always overlooked . you put Larry in today where you can't touch him and its a license to steal . todays game is a watered down version of Basketball . the guys are bigger and mostly faster its not basketball its a shooting contest .

[@Korrihor]

I don't know that Bird's average would change much in today's league, but the average of all his teammates would go up and his opponents would go down. He would average a win, only stat he really cared about. There's a reason he and Magic still have the best win percentages in the league. Either could've hogged the ball and scored more individually, but part of their arsenal was you didn't know if they were going to pass, drive or shoot. Both could influence the game without even touching the ball, let alone scoring. Add in Bird's ability to psychologically destroy an opponent and you'd see today's league starting a psychotherapist draft just to try and deal with him.

[@robertcrist5747]

Pretty simple analogy Doc! Because nobody plays defense today!

[@nitagayle]

LB would do just fine in today's NBA!

[@IDontBuyIt50]

your first few comments were important, about the difference in the way fouls are called. Bird would certainly dominate on offense. Hitting nine of ten free throws alone gives him ten or twelve a game. Without hand-checking and a forearm, Bird would score at will every trip in the post, so would McHale for that matter. To circle back, I just watched an old Celtic game and there is an early call where McHale turned and leaned into a shot, the defender was right there and it was called an offensive foul, correctly. Today I've seen it called all the time on defenders. Guys can basically do whatever they want on offense with the ball, and Bird would have been a machine.

[@tyjones5019]

Prime Bird, if he really wanted to, would easily do 40 per game but he'd most likely be dealing assists a lot of the time too.

[@mikefuchs-sb8pv]

good reaction guy, remember Bird did not shoot a 3 till he got to the NBA, and only really took a few a game- like to kill the other team end of game...in todays game with the no contact, better equipment, shoes, training and all that the guy would average 40, 15, 15 with steals and blocks...and yeah, they never heard anything like his trash talkin lol LARRY LEGEND THE REAL GOAT!

[@ijonny25251]

Dr J was wrong in his recall-the Celtics went from 29 reg season wins the year before Bird arrived and then to 61 reg season wins with a rookie Bird and that was without Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge, Robert Parrish, and Kenin McHale!