"That lineup would finish 6th in the Ivy League today."

Brilliant.
Dan K. | Homepage | 04.07.06 - 9:31 am | #

Kevin McHale would still be dominant today - if not more actually. I think his game would get more respect from coaches and more PT. Can you believe he didn't start for I don't know how long?
Lex | 04.07.06 - 10:09 am | #

The advent of the fearless but often very "unathletic" European heritage player could explain a lot. If those guys could come in today and excel, then the last generation of 70-80's players could probably have done pretty well too today. Athleticism isn't just about how high you can jump, but instead timing and quickness I think. Coaches became infatuated with the athletic black player and killed the confidence of a generation of Birds.
Lex | 04.07.06 - 10:33 am | #

Needless to say, Bird was remarkably quick with uncanny timing evident not just in his jump shot but also many drives. Cartwright, Ewing and even Webster - who could play D in any generation, would have swatted him every time if this weren't true.
Lex | 04.07.06 - 10:50 am | #

I agree with Lex - the NBA fell in love with super-athletes who were weren't really basketball players. I think Chris McNealy would have been a Top-3 pick in the draft today.

Also, Bird would have been dominant today.

Fer crissake - he was 6'9," had incredible range on his shot, could dribble, pass with the best of them, and rebound well...he was canny, adn faked well, knew his limitations.

It's time we stopped selling the skilled old guys short.

The NBA fell apart when Vandeweghe and Ro Blackmon had to take the bench behind John Starks.

- BJL
Anonymous | 04.07.06 - 12:37 pm | #

Gotta agree. Bird would be excellent today. It's almost like basketball GM's and coaches are using the "he's got the good face" approach more now than ever before.

McHale was an awesome and annoying player with those long fucking arms and nasty armpits.

I once told Bernard King, "you're great, man."
Joe | Homepage | 04.07.06 - 7:38 pm | #

McHale's pits were the pits. All that gross stringy hair. Yuck.
hans | Homepage | 04.07.06 - 9:42 pm | #

Regarding Trent Tucker's inexplicable tenure with the Knicks - I can only think of one other high pick/utter bust who lasted longer with his team - Jon Koncak, 10 years with the Hawks, utter stiff.

- BJL
Anonymous | 04.08.06 - 9:52 am | #

all i know about larry bird is when he through that goddamn ball up in there air it was a safe bet it was coming down right throught that goddamn hoop.
pbdotc | Homepage | 04.09.06 - 9:47 am | #

Wasn't Koncak the highest paid palyer in the NBA at one point?
Joe | Homepage | 04.15.06 - 5:14 pm | #

Great article!
John | 05.12.06 - 3:20 pm | #

Great blog. Ironically, Larry Bird rues the day that the Celtics cut Eric Fernsten. He claims that he was the ultimate practice guy, and he helped the team win championship(s). Don't look at me that funny way, it's him that says so.
Terry Pratchett | 06.02.06 - 6:57 am | #