LaBron vs Bird, Who you got?

[th24]

I personally take Bird! Larry Bird played in one of the toughest era's in history. Bird had to go through Jordan, Magic, Isiah Thomas,Wilkins, Worthy, Ewing and lets not forget the 76ers with Erving. James had to go through who after the Celtics aged? Bird also had to face the Lakers who were loaded from top to bottom. Stat's wise Bird is nearly equal to James. Bird just showed so much smarts and toughness that James has yet show.

[Tony]

Different type players - both are great. I had pleasure of watching Bird many times, I use to work in Boston for Dow Jones and I would get the company season tickets several times a year, so I saw firsthand how good Bird was. Always difficult to compare different era’s. But back then the NBA only had 23 teams vs the 30 today- so there are 100 or so players in NBA today that wouldn’t even make a roster back then- So I think the teams were better back then, competition was tougher night in and night out

[SaintMisbehavin]

I agree that the talent pool is a little more watered-down than in the 80's, but basketball is also now an international game. 92 foreign players were on NBA rosters at the beginning of this season, which essentially accounts for the 100 players in the NBA today that wouldn't have been in the league in the 80's when (at least in one season) the league was less than 2% foreign.

To me Bird vs. Lebron is a match-up of savvy/ determination vs. a physical freak. Bird was INCREDIBLE, but I'd give the edge to the freak.

[indian82]

Awesome debate. Agree with Steven A. that Lebron is the better overall better package, but if I had to have somebody for a seventh game, think I would go with Bird. But, boy that's close. Plus Lebron's only 29!

[gorvy]

I'd go with Bird due to benefit of hindsight. Still time for LeBron though.

[IndianSaint]

No question, no comparison - Bird. Larry would never have sold out his team and make a pact in the off season with two other players to all join another team. Bird had too much class and loyalty to stoop that low.

[hoopjunkie]

If you're spelling his name, "LaBron," (sic) maybe he isn't at Birds level just yet?

[IndianSaint]

LeBron couldn't win a championship in Cleveland & left, made a pact with Bosh & Wade to join the Heat. That's the only way he was going to win a championship. Bird didn't care about personal goals, he just wanted to play & win on the team he played for. You never heard Bird, Johnson & Jordan making a pact to play together. They would rather play against each other. I lost all respect for LeBron when he did that. I respected him more when he was on Cleveland.

Sure LeBron is more athletic than Bird but that doesn't make him a better overall player. Just think, Bird accomplished all he did without being very athletic. Pretty good for a dude form Indiana.