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  #101  
Old 05-30-2007, 11:07 PM
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Originally Posted by GPK
a very unfair comparison....Bird was 23 in his rookie year. The Celtics finished that 79-80 season 61-21, which was first in the Atlantic Division. The PREVIOUS season before Bird's rookie season....29-53 and 5th in the Atlantic Division.

Don't bring age into this...Bird a much greater impact on his team his rookie year than Lebron did.
However if you look at the Celts season before you will see that there were several reasons why they improved that had nothing to do with Bird. The 78-79 Celts were coached by Tom Sanders and then Dave Cowens as a player-coach, both poor coaches. The season was upended by 1/2 the roster being traded to Buffalo after 20 games. Tiny Archabald had his worst season as a pro partly because he was coming off missing a year due to a serious foot injury and also because of a fued between him and a fading Jo Jo White. The Celtics hired Bill Fitch for the next season (Birds first), got rid of most of the trouble makers like Marvin Barnes and White, moved Cowens back to the floor, signed Pistol Pete for offense off the bench, inserted Chris Ford in Whites place, utilized the thug ML Carr as a sixth man and added one of the top 5 all time great players. Cornbread was in his prime.

Bird, of course was the biggest reason, but the Celts self imposed chaos of the previous 2 seasons with coaching changes, trades, ownership upheaval made them worse than they really were. Dont forget that there were 4 Hall of Famers on the roster in Birds first year.

The Cavs on the other hand were just plain bad. 17-65 is really bad. That was with Carlos Boozer, Ilguakas, Dejuan Wagner, and Ricky Davis. They added Lebron and Jeff Mcginnis subtracted Davis and improved 18 games with Paul Silas as coach. Adding Jeff McGinnis and improving is a feat in itself.
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  #102  
Old 05-30-2007, 11:18 PM
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Originally Posted by GPK
I agree.

I just find it funny that "hourseofcourse" bragged about Lebron having the Cavs at over .500 after two years with the team. Yet Bird had the Celtics winning the whole damn NBA championship in his 2nd year.


No comparison....
Kev they got these 2 guys that year.....you may have heard of them.......Robert Parrish and Kevin McHale....they might have had something to do with that Championship too.....
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  #103  
Old 05-30-2007, 11:29 PM
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Originally Posted by GPK
I agree.

I just find it funny that "hourseofcourse" bragged about Lebron having the Cavs at over .500 after two years with the team. Yet Bird had the Celtics winning the whole damn NBA championship in his 2nd year.


No comparison....
BIRD pts fg% reb asst steals blk to
rookie 21.3 47% 10 4.5 143 53 263
year 2 21.2 47% 10.7 5.5 161 63 289
year 3 22.9 50% 10.9 5.8 143 66 254
year 4 23.6 50% 11 5.8 148 71 240

LeBron
rookie 20.9 41% 5.5 5.9 130 58 273
year 2 27.2 47% 7.4 7.2 177 52 262
year 3 31.4 48% 7.1 6.6 123 66 260
year 4 27.3 48% 7.1 7.0 125 55 250

seems like a pretty close comparison when you consider Bird was 3 years older at every stage...
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  #104  
Old 05-30-2007, 11:29 PM
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As much as I hated him. Celtics were nothing without Bird. A case can be made for Bird helping make Parrish, McHale great players. I dont think one can say the reverse. Bird made the whole thing work.

How far would the Spurs go without Duncan? The Spurs would have ZERO championships. Would Parker and Ginobili ever have made an Allstar team... I doubt it.

David Robinson knows he would probably not have made the top 50 alltime list without a championship. And that championship in 1999, required a great rookie. Same with Bird. McHale championships without Bird? I dont think so.
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  #105  
Old 05-30-2007, 11:36 PM
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Originally Posted by pgardn
As much as I hated him. Celtics were nothing without Bird. A case can be made for Bird helping make Parrish, McHale great players. I dont think one can say the reverse. Bird made the whole thing work.

How far would the Spurs go without Duncan? The Spurs would have ZERO championships. Would Parker and Ginobili ever have made an Allstar team... I doubt it.

David Robinson knows he would probably not have made the top 50 alltime list without a championship. And that championship in 1999, required a great rookie. Same with Bird. McHale championships without Bird? I dont think so.
You are kidding right? McHale and Parrish both had post games that complimented Birds as much as he did theirs. McHale was a deadly low post scorer and tough defender. Parrish was a good spot up shooter and tough long armed defender. Both were ferocious rebounders. They would have been Hall of Famers with or without Bird. You cant compare everything with the Spurs!!
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  #106  
Old 05-30-2007, 11:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cannon Shell
You are kidding right? McHale and Parrish both had post games that complimented Birds as much as he did theirs. McHale was a deadly low post scorer and tough defender. Parrish was a good spot up shooter and tough long armed defender. Both were ferocious rebounders. They would have been Hall of Famers with or without Bird. You cant compare everything with the Spurs!!
No flippin way for Parrish. McHale with the proper team. You have to win some championships. It would not have happened without Bird. How old are you Mr. Simon? I watched Parrish throughout his very long career. If you want to give it to him based on longevity, OK. Parrish is super overrated imo. How many championships without Bird? ZERO Dont you dare count Parrish's championship with the Bulls.
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  #107  
Old 05-31-2007, 12:09 AM
GPK GPK is offline
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chuck, why do you have to bring facts into all this????
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  #108  
Old 05-31-2007, 12:40 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GPK
chuck, why do you have to bring facts into all this????
Kev this is all opinion and supposition on my part. The only thing that matters in the end is the ring. And Bird HAD to be on the Celtics team or they would not have those championships... imo.

Again. This is from a person who absolutley hated Bird... From the depths of my soul. He was a trash talker, dirty (at the appropriate times), but so unique. Bird showed that a forward could control a game. Anytime the Celtics had to have something done the ball was in his hands. He was the Man on that team. Its so obvious to me.
Bird was a revolution as was Magic. They changed the game. They played their positions in such a diff. manner than they had ever been played before. So even though they may not have been Michael, they had as much impact on the way the game is played.

Magic a 6' 9" Point??????? are you kidding. He took his idol, George Gervin, to a completely diff. level. (Gervin being one of the first tall guards that had a huge impact on the old ways of thinking... you cant be a guard, you are too tall). And his complete unselfishness and leadership made the Lakers. Then the guy plays CENTER when Kareem is hurt and scores forty against the sixers. GOOD LORD!

Bird. Controlled the flow of a game at a position that was not supposed to handle the ball that much. His movement without the ball, his passing, his superior intuition, made for a type of forward I doubt we see again. For God's sake he would lead the Celtics in rebounding and assists if he was not shooting well. He found some way to impact every important game.
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  #109  
Old 05-31-2007, 04:39 AM
GPK GPK is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pgardn
Kev this is all opinion and supposition on my part. The only thing that matters in the end is the ring. And Bird HAD to be on the Celtics team or they would not have those championships... imo.

Again. This is from a person who absolutley hated Bird... From the depths of my soul. He was a trash talker, dirty (at the appropriate times), but so unique. Bird showed that a forward could control a game. Anytime the Celtics had to have something done the ball was in his hands. He was the Man on that team. Its so obvious to me.
Bird was a revolution as was Magic. They changed the game. They played their positions in such a diff. manner than they had ever been played before. So even though they may not have been Michael, they had as much impact on the way the game is played.

Magic a 6' 9" Point??????? are you kidding. He took his idol, George Gervin, to a completely diff. level. (Gervin being one of the first tall guards that had a huge impact on the old ways of thinking... you cant be a guard, you are too tall). And his complete unselfishness and leadership made the Lakers. Then the guy plays CENTER when Kareem is hurt and scores forty against the sixers. GOOD LORD!

Bird. Controlled the flow of a game at a position that was not supposed to handle the ball that much. His movement without the ball, his passing, his superior intuition, made for a type of forward I doubt we see again. For God's sake he would lead the Celtics in rebounding and assists if he was not shooting well. He found some way to impact every important game.

Pat...the facts I was referring to where the ones Chuck was stating about the changes in coaching and, in part, the role players involved. I agree with you on the fact that without Bird, the Celtics win nothing.

I doubt there is a bigger Larry Bird fan alive than me. I lived and died with the Celtics of the 80's and can honestly say that I have not watched a single NBA game, from start to finish, since LB retired.

To compare Larry and Magic to MJ is deceptive. Larry and Magic were the definition of TEAM players. I like MJ (he is a Tarheel ), but, IMO, he revolutionized the individual aspect of the game...and I mean that in a very negative context. His style of play has produced a generation of NBA players that are strictly interested in SELF...there is no team concept anymore.
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  #110  
Old 05-31-2007, 12:26 PM
Antitrust32 Antitrust32 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GPK
Pat...the facts I was referring to where the ones Chuck was stating about the changes in coaching and, in part, the role players involved. I agree with you on the fact that without Bird, the Celtics win nothing.

I doubt there is a bigger Larry Bird fan alive than me. I lived and died with the Celtics of the 80's and can honestly say that I have not watched a single NBA game, from start to finish, since LB retired.

To compare Larry and Magic to MJ is deceptive. Larry and Magic were the definition of TEAM players. I like MJ (he is a Tarheel ), but, IMO, he revolutionized the individual aspect of the game...and I mean that in a very negative context. His style of play has produced a generation of NBA players that are strictly interested in SELF...there is no team concept anymore.
ten-pier MR GPK. And here I thought golf was the only sports subject you knew anything about!
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  #111  
Old 05-31-2007, 01:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GPK
chuck, why do you have to bring facts into all this????
I was just pointing out the soft side of your case. I'm sure if Larry (circa 1980version) as opposed to Lebron were drafted by the Cavs of 02-03 they would not have any championship banners hanging up.
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  #112  
Old 05-31-2007, 01:27 PM
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Originally Posted by pgardn
Kev this is all opinion and supposition on my part. The only thing that matters in the end is the ring.
Too simplistic of an argument.
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  #113  
Old 05-31-2007, 01:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GPK

To compare Larry and Magic to MJ is deceptive. Larry and Magic were the definition of TEAM players. I like MJ (he is a Tarheel ), but, IMO, he revolutionized the individual aspect of the game...and I mean that in a very negative context. His style of play has produced a generation of NBA players that are strictly interested in SELF...there is no team concept anymore.
Actually MJ might be the best example of a team player versus an individual because until he was surrounded by a core group of players that complimented his style (and were pretty good) he never went anywhere in the playoffs. Great as they were, Magic and Bird were drafted into pretty good situations. MJ and Lebron weren't.

Kev actually there was this thing called the ABA that predated MJ with that style of play along with the police blotter style of post game play...
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  #114  
Old 05-31-2007, 01:34 PM
EpBurns EpBurns is offline
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I know I am jumping in this argument late but I will tell you based on my theory to be a great player in the NBA you have to make the players around you better and to me Magic, Larry and MJ all made the players around them better, that is why I dislike Kobe so much he doesnt make anyone around him better only himself, Lebron makes the players around him better in my opinion. The other night I never thought I would watch a player come close to being what Magic was like on the court but Lebron came close that is the first time since Magic retired that I have thought that about another NBA player.
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  #115  
Old 05-31-2007, 05:34 PM
horseofcourse horseofcourse is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GPK
I agree.

I just find it funny that "hourseofcourse" bragged about Lebron having the Cavs at over .500 after two years with the team. Yet Bird had the Celtics winning the whole damn NBA championship in his 2nd year.


No comparison....
I wasn't bragging...just stating simple facts. Why is it funny?? I'm a Cleveland fan, I was just defending James and mortimer wanted to make funny everything I said. I guess it is funny. James has a nice game is all.
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  #116  
Old 05-31-2007, 06:11 PM
GPK GPK is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cannon Shell
Actually MJ might be the best example of a team player versus an individual because until he was surrounded by a core group of players that complimented his style (and were pretty good) he never went anywhere in the playoffs. Great as they were, Magic and Bird were drafted into pretty good situations. MJ and Lebron weren't.

Kev actually there was this thing called the ABA that predated MJ with that style of play along with the police blotter style of post game play...

Chuck, I know all about the ABA. My parents used to live within 5 minutes walking distance of where the Virginia Squires used to play. They had the privelage of watching Dr. J play...before he was Dr. J
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  #117  
Old 05-31-2007, 06:13 PM
GPK GPK is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by horseofcourse
I wasn't bragging...just stating simple facts. Why is it funny?? I'm a Cleveland fan, I was just defending James and mortimer wanted to make funny everything I said. I guess it is funny. James has a nice game is all.

Sorry if that came across the wrong way. I think Lebron has more than a nice game...he is one of the few that I can sit down and actually watched play for more than 5 minutes.
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  #118  
Old 05-31-2007, 06:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GPK
Chuck, I know all about the ABA. My parents used to live within 5 minutes walking distance of where the Virginia Squires used to play. They had the privelage of watching Dr. J play...before he was Dr. J
The best thing about the ABA was the hairdoos
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  #119  
Old 05-31-2007, 06:17 PM
GPK GPK is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cannon Shell
Actually MJ might be the best example of a team player versus an individual because until he was surrounded by a core group of players that complimented his style (and were pretty good) he never went anywhere in the playoffs. Great as they were, Magic and Bird were drafted into pretty good situations. MJ and Lebron weren't.

Kev actually there was this thing called the ABA that predated MJ with that style of play along with the police blotter style of post game play...

Chuck, early in his career, I think MJ was a very individualistic, simply because he had to be. Not until later in his career did he begin to make his teammates better...because he finally had teammates that could play. But, IMO, by then, he had stamped himself a great individual player and the kids growing up watching him wanted the same type of star power and sensed that the individual style of play vs. the team style of play was the way to achieve that. Had those same kids payed more attention to the TEAM aspect of his game later in his career, I have to believe that the NBA would not be in the sad state of affairs that it is today.
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  #120  
Old 05-31-2007, 06:18 PM
GPK GPK is offline
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Originally Posted by Cannon Shell
The best thing about the ABA was the hairdoos

Yeah...Dr. J had a fro bigger than the basketball itself.
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